slightly overwhelmed

We have so much going on at the store right now (what with the Holiday Special going out on Friday, visiting instructors to organize and the holidays approaching waaay too quickly), that everything is a little discombobulated at the moment.

On the subject of the holidays (and classes, technically), we can finally reveal the surprise ornaments from Sandy Kay's workshop last Wednesday:

The stocking was designed by Kristin Spurkland, the star by me and the wee Santa hat by Sandy Kay. And, yes, the Christmas ornaments will be available as kits (and another workshop!) for $12 ea/ or 3 for $30. The star pattern also has instructions for making a six-sided star or Mogen David, for those interested. The kits will be available online this Friday.

Let's see, let's see. We've got several Newsletter article updates:

1. Both of the Jamiesons of Shetland colorwork tams are sold out/ back ordered. Before I left the store on Friday, I made sure we had enough yarn for TEN tams. When I arrived yesterday morning... we had enough for one. Clearly I underestimated the level of interest in these two patterns. I'm sorry about that! We're working on getting the yarn and patterns back in stock ASAP. Please bear with us in the meantime.
   
2. Both of Jared Flood's intermediate knitting classes are FULL. There is a waiting list. Call us at 868-656-5648 (toll-free) with any questions. Also, if you want more time with Jared, he's agreed to a lecture on January 8th, 2009. Details are forthcoming. There will be an entrance fee (we're betting we're going to need to rent a very large space), part of which will go to charity. Stay tuned for more information.
   
3. Yes, the Holiday Special will be sent to all of our Newsletter recipients, I promise. Honest.
   

And, finally, Kandyce (Jenni's youngest) turned 3 months old today:

Aaaaww.

Feel free to plotz.

photographs under halogen

I figured that I better dash any hopes that you, beloved reader, might have had for decent photography immediately. The workshops with Miriam Felton this weekend were fantastic, the pictures of said workshops are significantly less so.

Anyway. I took the Introduction to Lace Design class and it was completely worth sitting for six hours, charting lace on teeny-tiny graph paper. I think we all learned new tips and tricks that will come in very handy with future projects.

But, before I begin to wax eloquent (trans. "bore you to tears"), I thought I might mention Sandy's upcoming Surprise Ornament workshop.

Tomorrow night (Nov. 12), 6:30 - 8:30pm, participants will knit one of three mystery Christmas ornament patterns and take home the kits for another two. The yarn above is used in the ornament I designed for the class. We still have a couple of spots left, if you want to make a special holiday gift for a friend or family member. Or, if you just want three really cool handknit Christmas tree ornaments for your own tree.

Now back to the lace, and bad halogen/ flourescent lighting photos:

We had quite a few early birds. They (well, the whole class) were treated to a display of many of Miriam's designs, which were arranged around the room for inspiration.

Once everyone had arrived and imbibed some caffeine, we were given several sheets of graph paper and blank charts. We were instructed to choose a lace motif (or two...) that we wanted to use:

Between everyone in the class, I think we had nearly every book on lace, stitch patterns and designing there is for knitters. Books were being passed left and right, charts were being diligently reworked and we were all getting writer's cramp.

By the end of the workshop, I had two charts (for two different shawls, I'm ADD). Here's the crazier chart I created:

Miriam seemed quite impressed with my display of lunacy. I forgot to get permission from the other students, so we won't be showing their charts today.

Next came the swatching:

Where we all tried out the first few rows of our individual designs and did one of many things: rip (I did that twice), change projects to cool down, switch lace yarns (again, twice), continue on with knitting, or...rechart. It was kind of interesting to see how people reacted to their own swatches.

All in all, I think everyone enjoyed the class and left happy with their designs. I hope so, anyway. I can't wait to see if all the participants finish their projects or go on to design something else.

And, with that little narrative, I am leaving you to work on the upcoming newsletter. Ooh, and on Thursday, maybe we'll have a photo or two of our mystery ornaments...

just a rainbow of projects

Or, more accurately, rainbow-colored projects.

To begin with, I apologize for the blurry quality of the following photos. I was trying out the smaller store camera, with less luck than expected.

On the right, I just wanted to let all y'all in Blogland know that we do have the NEW AlterKNITS Felt in stock and we also have the cool Wool Mix bags by Leigh Radford (the book's author & Portland local) available, too for your felting pleasure.

If you want an opinion about this book - we think it's fantastic. There are some amazing projects and techniques in here, so it's definitely worth browsing through and would even make a great coffee-table book.

Next... lessee, we have a very cool scarf being knit by Joanne that I wanted to show off:

Using a ball of the Kauni W-EQ Effektgarn and the traditional Feather & Fan Shetland lace pattern. It's just lovely, and very sqooshy to... well, sqoosh. We were all delighting in the color changes at the last Sip 'N Stitch I sat in on.

And, finally*, we just got in the 2008 Judy's Colors trunk show. OMG, these are amazing kits. Long-time customers might remember the fantastic Christmas stocking kits we had for sale last year. Well, this year's collection is just as imaginative and even more colorful:

We had a lot of fun hanging them up, too. Can you tell?

That's everything I've got for now. But, if you're in town, drop by to see the new yarns that will be showing up in the Newsletter and on the New Wall. I'm afraid I couldn't get decent pictures of them this time around, but they will show up on the blog... eventually.

*I apologize for the brevity of this post - we've got a lot happening this week! Look for the next Newsletter in your mailbox this Friday, for more information.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Today's post is of an amazing tale. An account of desperation, betrayal, and the fragility of life. Please heed my words and spread them to all in every corner of the planet.

However, in yesterdays post I promised to explain to those who wanted to know about the upcoming fiber arts festival in Madrona. So, I'll begin with a bit of news about the show then launch into my story.

What exactly is Madrona?

Madrona = lots of fiber packed fun.

From February 14th through the17th at the Hotel Murano (formerly the Sheraton), in Tacoma Washington, thousands of fiber-hungry knitters will gather to buy and sell yarn and learn new knitting techniques from the biggest names in knitting/crocheting/spinning/hand dyeing in an annual fiber arts festival.

Wanna take a class? The big names teaching classes include: Nancy Bush, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, Lucy Neatby, Evelyn Clark, Paula Schull, Ruth Sorenson, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (also known as Fiber-ho' to her friends), Blah Blah-blah, and Yadda Yadda-yadda. Too late to register though because all the classes are full. (What? You think no one else wants to take classes from cool teachers?)

There will be a mash of vendors proffering their wares and Knit Purl is one of them. We'll have Kauni (fifteen colors!), Hanne Kits, and all sorts of goodies.

If you need some more fiber in your diet, uh... stash, I recommend that you go.

Now for my story. Last night, while studying with friends at one of my favorite watering holes, the most mind-blowing thing happened...

Just as a butterfly struggles to free itself from a chrysalis, I witnessed a transformation of epic proportions. The procedure was brutal and not one for the faint of heart.

My companions' astonishment matched my own as they too stood dumbfounded at the end of it all. Frankly, I'm still shaking from the adrenaline rush. Excuse me for a moment. I feel I might need to lay quietly in a dark room for a few minutes until I regain my composure.

---------

Prepare yourself for shocking news. This is your last chance to turn back and I encourage you to do so because your life as you know it will change with this knowledge. Last night at approximately 9pm Pacific standard time, Knathan, a honest and diligent assisant to new knitter Jen (not seen at left), attempted to end it all.










I know, I know. I'm struggling right now as I type these words. How could Knathan do such a thing? Shock had poor Jen reeling and all anyone could say to her at the end of it was "It'll all work out", "We'll help you through this ordeal", and "Stay strong". Pitiful words of support considering the ramifications of Knathan's terrifying actions. We understand now that Knathan, a Crystal Palace US size 10 needle, unhappy with its role in the knitting world, decided to end life by plunging tip first into a candle flame rather than to face another stitch. As you can see on the left, I managed to get in a few grainy shots with my camera phone. The first shot shows the candle and the second was taken moments after the "episode". The bottom photo is of the note Knathan left behind for Jen. It says: "Now I'm a pencil". Doesn't it just break your heart?

If we had only known of the pain, we could have offered words of advice or encouragement. Someone would have beamed light in the darkness along the path to professional help. Jen was in the middle of a Peruvian Tweed scarf in checkerboard stitch when it happened. So startling was the event, at one point I found myself pointing and screaming "No! NOOOOO! DON"T DOOOO ITTTT!!!!" as I watched Knathan dive with four and a half feet of scarf trailing behind. I'm seriously going to double down on my anti-anxiety meds today.

Amazingly, Jen had the wherewithal to pull Knathan back from the fire but Knathan will forever show the scars of the episode. For those of you worried about the knitting, no injuries were sustained and the yarn ball, 117, wants everyone to know of its gratitude. I saw Jen and 117 this morning and in simple eloquent words the Peruvian tearfully stated, "I thank my lucky stitches for those who aided in my escape from certain doom. I will forever be in their debt. They are my guardian angels."

Don't worry I sobbed as well. Let us all take a few moments to think about the fragility of life while those of us with more tender souls compose themselves in their happy places.

-----

The world is a cruel place to those who seem different, to those who just don't fit into society's idea of "beauty". We learned Knathan has always felt like a pencil trapped in a knitting needle's body and wanted to undergo reassignment surgery but couldn't face peers and didn't know how to break the news to Jen. Confused and alone, drastic measures seemed like the only recourse.

I'm happy to announce Knathan, now Paul Pencil, is doing well and with one more surgery to insert lead, will lead a full and happy life full of lists, letters, and doodles, and maybe one day even drawings. We have all learned from this experience and we are dedicated to promote a more positive support network. I encourage everyone to extend a loving attitude full of acceptance to crochet hooks and knitting needles no matter if they are straight or circular. Finally, to those struggling to find their place in society, I say:

You are so beautiful.

Edited to add: Dame Catherine of the H.I.P.P.Y's has pointed out it was she who braved the fire and rescued Knathan, er Peter, from danger. Dame Catherine risked her life and we should all laud Dame Catherine for her quick thinking and cat like reflexes. So yell it like you mean it boys and girls:

All hail Dame Catherine! Hail! Hail! Hail! We love you even though you have a serious God complex! Hail!

There is Nothin' Like a Dane

Ninja, my officemate keeps running his mouth in a pseudo Schwarzenegger imitation, saying "Fana Hulk-enburg! Fana Hulk-enburg!".

Some may notice his error. (Hanne Falkenberg is Danish while Schwarzenegger is Austrian.) Still it's mildly amusing because he looks more Hanne than Arnold. We love him nevertheless.

The arrival of Hanne Falkenberg trunk show garments precipitated this behavior and I can't fault him because the store is in an uproar. Lookie here:













As you can see from the various blurred images with torsos seemingly devoid of appendages, the co-workers are excited. They have reason to be excited because Hanne's designs are hot. Not the uncomfortable kinda hot but rather the cool kinda hot. She has designs that use color combinations only savants could dream up. Coffee, black, and cyclamen? Who knew. I really find this photo amusing as well:

















It reminds me of a troop of lions around the kill on the Serengeti. One of the wiser lions is surveying the scene for scavengers like hyena. The others are making quick business of the kill with fangs and claws. Here's another shot of the lookout lion in a stunning number:
Don't you just love that jacket? It looks great on her. Number One's convinced she can't wear Promenade without it wearing her. She's decided she'll knit Dacapo instead which is still a great choice. Hanne has quite a few choices for all body types and they are in size Dane versus size Japanese. The construction is stellar with short-rows worked in only one color for visual interest. Hanne also has refill service on her designs so if you knit one color you can buy just the yarn in another color combination for a bit less. If you can't come in and try them on in person, I suggest you check them out on her site.


















With all of this news of Hanne, I should also mention Ruth Sorenson who is scheduled to teach classes here right after Madrona. (If you don't know what the word Madrona means, stay tuned for a post on the subject) There are only a few spots left in her class (one of which will be filled by the Blogger). I can only decipher a few words of Danish but she does include some English translations on her blog posts and some super-fly pictures.




One of the classes entails working on a bag for fulling. As you can see it's quite cute and Ruth, like Hanne, is also a master on construction. There is nothin' like a Dane for well constructed cute knitwear. I'm really pleased she's teaching here too because the server for online sign up for Madrona crashed (my personal nomination for fiasco of the year) and that denied some knitters a spot in her classes up north. The Harlot was right to point out how everyone (even knitters) underestimate the all-powerful knitter and their numbers. I as a knitter and geek (albeit a mediocre geek with only stick-to-itiveness and few skills unlike the Super Killer Coding Ninja Monkeys of Doom like K-Dawg and my roommate Speedy*) I frequently find myself believing something on the website is broken because everyone is buying periwinkle Sea Silk (Montego Bay scarf) and Kauni EQ (Kauini Cardigan).














Yeah the code is broken. People can't actually be buying yarn for a project. I'm simple sometimes.





*Our lawyers have asked us to distance ourselves from Speedy's blog by mentioning that we take no responsibility for her indifference, neigh complete disregard for political correctness, her alternative lifestyle, and/or her political affiliations. She's an enigma and we like her that way.

Badgering Works!

It always seemed a shame to me as a child that few people appreciated my "feisty" temperament. As a matter of principle, I corrected adults who tried to win my favor and thought it charming to shorten my name to a familiar nickname. Gentle but firm I would look them squarely in the eye and reply, "Please don't call me that. That is not my name. That's my brother's name and my father's name." Most adults would just stare at me like I spit on the baby, but a few told me my feisty attitude would take me places.

Occasionally, it has.

As a child I explained to Santa if I was to become a ballerina/princess/astronomer, I would need a telescope to start the scientific end of my future career. I got one.
As a sixteen year old, I dressed in my best skirt and blouse and walked inside Trump Tower in New York city to ya know, check the place out. It was nice.
New to Los Angeles, as an adult I landed a dream job in jewelry by calmly explaining (unannounced) to the owner why he would be making a mistake if he didn't hire me. He hired me.

Recently, I discovered women and men who share the same love of geeky order, who don't think me (too) weird for organizing yarn by color, who understand my need for the pretty. They appreciate salty personalities and my insistence that if you just badger someone a bit they will come around to your way of thinking. My co-workers, turned friends, believe badgering works because they are feisty too.

In the world of yarn, Recent evidence that badgering works includes the long awaited reprinting of Solveig Hisdal's stunning Poetry In Stitches book. Several calls to Norway using words like "pretty, pretty, please" and "c'mon you know you wanna" by Fearless Leader and staff produced a rumor that is 95% sure to come true.
Yeah I know, ninety-five percent sure? We believe they will reprint it because badgering them to include copies of the pattern in their kits has proved successful. (Norwegians are so totally unprepared for our brand of systematic haranguing.) Their kits are fabulous, the yarn superb, and the book incredible. They have a product that Americans are blessed to get : old-world, timeless knitwear. We committed to 50 copies of the reprinted Poetry In Stitches so if you want a copy that won't cost you your first born on Ebay, pre-order one here. We have the yarn too, but you can always just get the kit you want to knit because they now include the pattern. That is, until they get the new copies of the book out...



Badgering Malabrigo proved successful as well. They are incredibly busy running a farm and yarn company. As we've encountered in the past, if you call them up (you call Florida and then they patch you through) sometimes you catch them during "lambing season" and your order for all your anxious customers just has to wait. Which is fair. I think anyone, man or beast giving birth has the right to say "Uh, sorry I can't give you any wool right now. I'm a little busy having a baby sheep." People of course wouldn't say that. Just substitute wool for spreadsheet and omit the sheep part. Makes more sense now, doesn't it?

While hounding the very sweet Malabrigo-tonians we discovered our automatic ordering system didn't jive well with their system. They only send out their orders after it is complete and we were sending them orders near weekly. They could never fulfill all the orders at once so they kept holding the yarn from going out.
So we learned something new and they sent us our yarn, all eight-thousand dollars worth.




We have new colors as well:

That's hot, huh?
The shipment is so pretty it begs for rolling around in... homina.

So, the moral of this story is: always make a pest of yourself for yarn.
Perhaps that's a bit obnoxious. How about: The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Yeah, too trite. Take your pick of one of these quotes then:

Seize opportunity by the beard, for it is bald behind. -Bulgarian Proverb

Victory belongs to the most persevering. -Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. -Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 - 1892)

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. -Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. -Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)