E-Newsletter: August 21, 2008

Dear Reader,

Greetings from the wilds of Southeast Wisconsin. My mother, my sister and I have converged on the small town we all grew up in, so Mom can spend some time with these women. This is what’s left of my mother’s childhood gang of friends. They’ve known each other all their lives. Pat and Janet, in the back row, are sisters-in-law; the two in front are my mother (right) and Sister Catherine Shannon, affectionately known to all as Bobo. Collectively they’re known as the High Flyers, because of the beer and bean banquets they had in college.

Once a year these women get together to celebrate their enduring friendship, and this is the year they all turned 80 (Mom’s the baby of the group). My sister and I were very lucky to be able to hang out with them this week. Take a good look at the face of 80 today. I hope to look as good when I get there!

What’s New in the Store

Comcast Alert and a Few New Things
First a quick note to let you know that we seem to be having some trouble with e-mails going to comcast.com addresses. I always reply to any e-mail inquiry you send. Check your spam filter first, and if you don’t have a reply in 24 hours, feel free to e-mail me again, or call the store.

I talked to Donna this morning to find out what’s arrived at the store in my absence. She tells me that the last of the Cascade 220 back orders have shown up, as well as a nice shipment from Berroco of their classic Ultra Alpaca and the new Ultra Alpaca Light. As a lover of fine gauge knitting, I’m tickled to see thinner yarns being introduced. Ultra Alpaca Light knits at 6 stitches to the inch and is featured in several of Berroco’s new publications. Check out these designs on their website for more inspiration.

We’ve also received a shipment of Plymouth’s new Cotton Kisses baby yarn. The cool thing about this yarn is that one ball (200 grams) will make a baby sweater, and the pattern and the buttons are included. Pretty neat, huh?

What We’re Working On

Modular Vest Part II
Since I am here, and everyone else is 700 miles away, you get to hear the next installment in the saga of my modular vest. Last week I told you I started this vest with some handspun I had at the house. I completed one half of the back and didn’t like the way it was turning out. Too many colors. So the handspun goes back in the basket to wait til I’m ready to use it for its original purpose. Now what am I going to use to make this vest? Out of the corner of my eye I spy the display of River Twist from Mountain Colors. I had seen a version of this vest on Ravelry, done in a variegated non-striping yarn, so I knew it would look great. I’m almost done with half of the back, and will have some good tips to share when I’m finished.

The class for this project is Saturday, September 6th, beginning at 1:00. Donna says there are a few spaces left. This vest is also the focus of our first knit-along, to begin Tuesday, September 9th.

What You’re Working On

What are you knitting?
Is it fun? I’m sure it’s pretty. Send pictures so we can share the love!

What’s Going On Around Here

New Group to Meet in September
Our spinners group met this past Monday, with Jill sitting in for me. She said it was a lively group. Normally we meet the first and third Monday’s of the month. Since the first Monday of September is Labor Day, we’ll be meeting the third and fifth Mondays instead. Dates are posted on the calendar.

Yesterday I had a call from my friend Helen, wondering if we’d be willing to host a daytime sit ‘n’ knit group at Yarn Expressions. I told her we’d be delighted to do so. Mark your calendars for Thursday mornings at 11:00 beginning September 4th. This will be a weekly event.

What’s In the Works

It’s Back to School Time
Don’t forget that classes begin September 6th. On that day we’ll kick off the Great American Afghan series at 9:00, continuing in the afternoon with the Striped Modular Vest class at 1:00. We’ll have classes almost every weekend through the end of November. The complete class list can be found on the website, as well as the list of Tuesday morning knit-alongs we have planned.

 

That’s it from me for now. I’m going swimming in the lake one last time. Until next week, enjoy your knitting!

Sincerely,

and all the crew at Yarn Expressions