E-Newsletter: July 24, 2008

Dear Reader,

What a week this has been! Saturday my husband and I set out for Nashville to deliver one of his basses to the repair shop, and our well-loved and apparently used-up 1995 Mercury Villager decided this was not a good idea. Half-way there. It was a long day of what do we do, where do we have it done, how do we get home, but here’s the upshot of the whole story — every person we dealt with was wonderful. What could have been a really rotten, stressful day turned out to be only inconvenient and just a little bit stressful, because everyone involved knew their job and did it with friendliness and competence. From the tow truck driver to the mechanics at Little Brothers Shell (141 Franklin Rd. in Brentwood, TN — LOVE THEM!!) to the coolest taxi ride to the airport I’ve ever had, we had example after example of what fine customer service is supposed to be. Let’s hear it for family owned businesses!

Thanks for all the responses to the Dear Abby column. I compiled them all and sent a letter to Dear Abby — let’s see if it gets printed. The general consensus was that we all love to knit and crochet in public, but we’re sensitive to the distractability of others. So we don’t knit and crochet in church or small meetings where interaction with the presenter is expected. But we always have our yarn and needles/hooks with us.

What’s New in the Store

An Embarrassment of Riches
This week brought us many new yarns to play with, and a bit of fiber too. Now on the shelf we have:

• Shepherd Sock in a color called “Franklin’s Panopticon”. This is part of a series Lorna’s Laces has begun, featuring popular knit-bloggers,

• brand new shades of Helen’s Lace and a few old favorites too,
• more shades of Panda Silk,
• 31 different shades of Pagewood Farm sock yarn, in Denali, Yukon, Chugiak and their new merino/cashmere blend called Alyeska,

• fiber “puffettes” from Pagewood Farm — dyed and carded locks of wool and mohair blended with bits of shiny and colorful embellishments. We have an explosion of half-ounce bags at the store.
• Louet’s new Mooi (rhymes with boy, not gooey), that irresistible combination of bamboo, bison and cashmere that the knitting world is going crazy over.

What We’re Working On

Something Blue…
When we first met Val, she had just moved to Huntsville and was planning her wedding. And knitting for her wedding. She made yarmulkes for all the men in the wedding party and the rabbi and she made shawls for all of her bridesmaids. She started a shawl for herself, but just ran out of time. Val kept at it though, and finished the knitting earlier this year. Last week her parents came for a visit, and her mom helped her block her shawl. Made using a pattern from XRX’s Victorian Lace Today and Jaggerspun Zephyr. Isn’t it stunning?

Several weeks ago someone mentioned that she’d seen information on the ‘net about spinning newspaper. Always on the lookout for something new to try, Janet looked up the directions and gave it a try. She says she probably won’t ever do much more of it, but now she knows she can.

What You’re Working On

Enchanting Baby Sweaters
Jeanne stopped by on Tuesday to share these sweet little baby sweaters with us. She’s hoping that knitting of baby things will encourage her children to provide the babys to wear them. I hope it works, because these sweaters are just too cute to stay on the hanger.

What’s Going On Around Here

Spinning Group a Big Success
The spinning group at Yarn Expressions has come to be a popular Monday evening event. We’ve had veteran spinners and newbies alike show up. The pictured yarn was spun by Susanna from one of Abby’s Batts. This was the most popular color, aubergine. She did a wonderful job, don’t you think?

In August, we’ll again meet on the first and third Monday (the 4th and 18th), from 4:00 until 8:00.

What’s In the Works

1000 Knitters Project Comes to Huntsville
I’ve saved the best for last. A little more than a year ago, Franklin Habit, knitter, cartoonist and photographer extraordinaire announced his plan to photograph 1000 knitters, all in black and white, all working on a simple scarf. I contacted him almost immediately and invited him to come to Huntsville. He was enthusiastic in his response, and Yarn Expressions is honored to be the closing shoot for the project. Franklin will be here October 11, shooting from 10 until 4. Details of how you can participate are on our website. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of knitting history.

 

I hope you’re finding time to knit this summer. Now that the heat and humidity has settled in around here, I’m happiest with my feet propped up, a cool drink close by and small knitting in my hands. Check back next week to see if we’re able to make room for the 267 pounds of yarn that Plymouth says is on the way to us!

Sincerely,

and all the crew at Yarn Expressions