E-Newsletter: September 11, 2008

Dear Reader,

When I first learned to knit, I was entirely focused on the sweater I was going to have when I was finished. I wasn’t a very patient child, and I wanted it done now. So I skipped important things like swatching and blocking, and had very few successful completions to show for it.

That impatience stuck around until the early years of my marriage, when I decided to make a sweater for my mother in-law. She loved Aran sweaters and I loved making them. She sent me a pattern she particularly admired and I went out and bought yarn I thought would be appropriate. I knit and I knit and I knit, and I finished that sweater in record time. I never measured a single thing except the length of the sleeves. Of course, you’ve guessed where this is going. You and I and several of our closest friends could all wear that sweater at the same time!

That was when I admitted to myself that maybe swatching wasn’t such a waste of time after all. Slowly over the intervening 30+ years I’ve been transformed into a process knitter. These days I swatch just to see what a yarn will look like knitted up. I try new ways of doing things, simply for the sake of doing them. I don’t finish nearly as many sweaters in a year as I used to, but those I do complete stay in my wardrobe for a long time. I’m getting that way with spinning too — I’m as fascinated with the different aspects of turning fiber into yarn as I am with the finished yarn.

Which kind of knitter or spinner are you—product or process?

What’s New in the Store

Can You Imagine 60 Pounds of Mill Ends?

This week brought a few new things for us to play with:

• 60 pounds of Koigu mill ends
• More copies of The Great American Afghan booklet
• Part of our order of Baby Twist from Alpaca With a Twist
• New shades of Shepherd Sock and Helen’s Lace from Lorna’s Laces

We’ve also had a small update to the website. Several people had asked for archives of this newsletter. My dear webmistress was quick on the draw and got that set up over the weekend. So now old newsletters are but a click away!

What’s Being Spun

One-Step Spinding
While catching up on Ravelry the other day, I came across a discussion about a new method of plying for spindlers, called Ply on the Fly. As a novice with a spindle, I was intrigued and watched the video that was linked. Basically, it’s a new technique for Navajo plying each section of just-spun yarn before winding on. I’ve practiced a little bit, but it’s going to take a long while for me to get good at it. Ha! Another new process for me to become fixated with!

If you’re a fan of carded batts, there’s a great article in the new Knittyspin on repurposing your old spinning stash to make new blended batts. I predict my drum carder will see much use in the coming weeks.

What You’re Working On

Susanna’s Socks
Back in July we shared a picture of the yarn that Susanna spun from her Aubergine Franquemont Fibers batt. Remember?

Here’s how it looks knitted up. This is the Twisted Flower Sock from Cookie A. Such lucky feet to be able to wear these socks this winter! Great job, Susanna.

What’s Going On Around Here

Busy Weeks Ahead
This week saw the beginning of our Fall class schedule. We had record numbers of students for our first classes on Saturday, and the first in-store KAL for the Striped Modular Vest began on Monday.

Thursday is the day to come knit at Yarn Expressions. The daytime group meets at 11:00, Knit Night begins at 5:00. And don’t forget that the Spinning Group meets next Monday, the 15th at 4:00. To keep up with all the comings and goings around here, check our handy dandy events calendar on the website. Classes, KALs, group get-togethers, holiday hours and special events are all listed.

There are still openings for the Christmas Tree Ornaments class coming up this Saturday, and for the Entrelac class on the 27th.

What’s In the Works

Duets Vest Kits, Pioneer Wheels and Yes, More Yarn!
We’ve had several inquiries about the next kit in the Duet series from the Mountain Colors/Lorna’s Laces collaboration. There’ve been ads in some of the knitting magazines for the vest that’s been designed by Ginger Luters. I talked to Beth Casey at Lorna’s Laces today, and she says they hope to announce availability later this week. What she can say is that the kit uses her Lion and Lamb in conjunction with Mountain Colors Mountain Goat, and that there will be four colorways. We’re also expecting, in the next couple of weeks, shipment from Lorna’s Laces of the latest in the Color Commentary series. This time, Amy Singer of Knitty.com is the star, with Amy’s Vintage Office. It’s a great combination of colors that I know everyone will love.

This afternoon we received a shipping notice from Majacraft—the Pioneer wheels are on their way. I can’t wait to see these new babies and have a chance to play with them.

Also expected any day is our shipment of Minnow Merino, from Jil Eaton Yarns, a division of Classic Elite. This machine washable merino wool is a delight to behold, and perfect for Jil’s focus group—kids! She’s also come up with a range of cute new patterns that I couldn’t resist ordering.

 

That’s it from me for now. Until next week, enjoy your knitting!

Sincerely,

and all the crew at Yarn Expressions