Monday, April 21, 2008

We are so thrilled to welcome Lucy Neatby to Knit One on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday June 18, from 10am-4pm. She will be conducting a six hour workshop each day. On Tuesday her class is on Intarsia and Wednesday the class is employing different techniques to make a scarf. Below are the class descriptions. Cost for each workshop is $85. Feel free to check with us to determine skill levels. Please sign up early. Class size is limited!
Lucy Neatby is the author of two books, Cool Socks Warm Feet, and Taking the Chequered Flag: Finishing in Style, a boatload of knitting DVDs, and has written numerous patterns and articles for knitting magazines. Lucy, a former Merchant Naval Officer, is the owner of a mail-order company called Tradewind Knitwear Designs (www.tradewindknits.com) specializing in selling Canadian yarns (including her own Celestial Merino) and her own patterns. Lucy's warm personality and original teaching style make her one of the most popular teachers in North America.
*****************
The Cinderella of Knitting Techniques - Intarsia Explored!
Tuesday June 17 10-4pm
6 hour class. Intermediate upwards - some small amount of intarsia experience necessary.
An exploration of intarsia from the basics on up. Whilst working on a sampler swatch we'll explore
pre knitting planning and preparation - the key to serene working. Pattern analysis, identifying easy or challenging intarsia, (to each their own!) and design considerations. Use and simplification of charts.
Preparing a symbol, shade and information card. Low tech hints for yarn management. Tackling tangles. Use of measured lengths of yarn. Bobbins v yarn butterflies.
Getting the first row right. The intarsia join. Knitting backwards. Darning in, tricks and tips. Knitting in ends - in both directions. Awkward shapes and beginning with one stitch. Ragged first stitches - the causes. Handling horizontal colour jumps without needing to plan ahead.
Adding that little extra to your intarsia; blending yarn textures and colours, fancy stitch patterns, stranded knitting, cables, stripes and use of variegated yarns. Surgical replacement of things you don't like!
Supplies - Darning needles; blunt and semi-sharp; a pair of needles US 5-6 (3.75 - 4mm) Scissors. A bag of part balls of yarn, in six or more colours (preferably wool and wool blends), in mainly DK/Sport (6st per inch) weight. Small amount of fingering / 4 ply weight yarn in two colours. Odds and ends of variegated yarns, mohair scraps. Markers or coloured pencils (optional). Ruler or sticky notes and usual knitting paraphernalia.Homework -With any of your yarns, cast on 22 sts, knit 3 rows (garter st). Leave 2m/yds of yarn attached to your work.
**********************
Scarf Trio - Mirror Mirror, Sea Lettuce or Falling LeavesWednesday June 18 10-4pm
6 hours. Intermediate.
Pick one three great scarf patterns designed by Lucy (or sample all three)!
Mirror Mirror uses double-knitting to combine contrasting yarns in a reversible chequerboard pattern;
Falling Leaves is an elegant design based on a repeating texture pattern;
Sea Lettuce uses short-rows to create a stylish ruffled scarf edged with picots.
Over the course of the day, Lucy will guide you through yarn and needle selection for each project and then give instruction in the many and various techniques involved in each and launch you on your chosen project.
Techniques covered will include: I-cord cast-on, elegant increases, Modified Conventional Bind-off, picots, short-rows, working from the right needle to the left (aka knitting-back backwards), Provisional Crochet cast-on, two-colour double knitting and more!
Supply List
These scarves will all work in any weight of yarn.
Bring circular or straight needles in a size to suit your preferred yarn weight. For Mirror Mirror, bring somewhat larger needles in the range 6 - 7mm (US# 10 - 11).
Scissors, crochet hook, blunt darning needles and usual knitting paraphernalia.
Bring yarn for your project (if already chosen) and a small quantity of play yarn to experiment with.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Back again. There are so many new things happening at Knit One that it is a little overwhelming. Just to update you about our bus trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival, we are leaving promptly at 6am. We will be leaving from the Community Day School which is at the corner of Forward and Beechwood Boulevard. There is a parking lot there with plenty of room. One tip I can share based on my previous experience at the festival is to pack a lunch. The lines were very long at lunch time and if you are like me, If I am hungry and can't wait in line, I snack and eat junk and then feel lousy afterwards. If that is not like you, you will have a blast.

On Mother's Day the chemo cap group from Knit One will be distributing free chemo caps at the Gazebo at the Race for the Cure. Please stop by and see us. Our goal is to make 1000 caps and we are definitely going to reach our goal, especially if you want to help. Call us at the store for details. We are giving out free yarn for this project.

Join us for Spa Day at Knit One on Friday night, May 16 at 6pm. We will be having a "girls" night out and make yummy slippers that evening. There will be wine and cheese, too. More details will follow in the newsletter but think of it as a mini slumber party with lots of treats!

And of course Lucy Neatby is coming in June on the 17th and 18th.. She will be here for 2 days of workshop classes, one on intarsia and the other making a scarf which uses a number of new skills and techniques.

Monday, April 07, 2008

I know, I know....it has been forever since I blogged. But, I have to tell you that I have felt so guilty about it that I was reluctant to even start blogging again. I realize that does not make sense but have you ever wanted to do something so much but just couldn't because it was just hard to get into it again. Well, if that has not happened to you, you are lucky. In any case, I'M Back!!!

So, what is new? Well, first off, we are so excited about going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. We have a busload of 55 able knitters, crocheters, spinners, dyers, all ready to shop until we drop and have a great time. I am as much excited for the festival as I am for the bus trip. It is an all day adventure.

Next, on my list of what is new is that we are so fortunate after a 2 year wait list to have Lucy Neatby come to Knit One in June. Lucy will be there for 2 days of workshops. Plans are to have one day of Intarsia and the other (we don't know yet).

That is it for now. I promise I will be back soon.

Best,

Stacey

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

It is difficult for me to keep up with this blog because now I am writing the newsletter every two weeks for the shop. From my perspective, it is like writing a short story. You try to describe the happenings at the shop, present a few twists or come-ons, show pictures, and tell people what they shouldn't miss. Maybe it is really not a short story but a soap opera, not the nasty kind of course. Oh better yet, I think it is a journal. Well, enough of my obsessing, call it whatever you want. I am going to stick with diary(couldn't resist adding another one).



We are so excited about our upcoming Birthday party which is September 8. We have been planning it for quite a while and will have several trunk shows including Lorna's Laces, an exciting fashion show where everyone is a winner and there will be one grand prize winner, so please enter your garment. Of course there will be cake and refreshments and a sale on novelty yarns. More important, at least from my perspective, is that you will get to chat with fellow knitters and have fun.



New subject...Linda has been working with Sharon who owns Yoga Matrika in Squirrel Hill. They have been doing yoga/knitting workshops and apparently they are a big hit. Check it out at www.yogamatrika.com.

Until next time

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

It has been a while since I have wriiten anything on this blog, but there has been a lot happening at the store and I have taken on the awesome task of writing the newsletter. I hope that you liked the most recent one. I tried to add more photos and free patterns to make it more interesting and usable. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

We are gearing up for our 2nd Anniversary party on September 8. There will be a fashion show with prizes for everyone participating and one grand prize. So, if you have knit up anything using yarn bought from Knit One, please think about entering. There are flyers at the store. What I waam hoping is that someone would knit a sweater for their dog so that the dog could be in the show. There will be refreshments, a sale on selected yarns, and lots of yarn to touch, feel, and oogle.

Ok, are you ready for a funny story. A young woman came in and bought some Smile yarn. The next day she returned it. That same day another woman came in and bought the same yarn that the other woman had just returned. Now, here is the funny part. This same woman came back a week later and returned the yarn and while she was returning it at the desk, another woman said she loved it and would buy it. Maybe you would have to be there to appreciate this story but I thought there was something pretty amazing about that Smile yarn. By the way, the yarn has not been returned. And, I can't wait to see the finished product. I am trying to convince that woman to wear it in the fashion show but maybe after she reads this she won't do it. If you are reading this....pleaseeeee!

Until next time

Sunday, July 22, 2007

I just wanted to thank everyone for shopping in the store this weekend to support Annie Modesitt and her family. I will be sending a donation to Annie given by the "closely knit community" of Knit One. When we hear about crises happening in other peoples' lives it always makes you stop and think "my problems are just not so bad." The challenge is to keep that thought in the front of our head rather than in the back. Annie and her family are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Until next time,

Friday, July 20, 2007





The coolest thin happened at the store today. Two women were shopping in the store and all of a sudden they looked at each other and they both screamed in unison. They had not seen each other since 1986 when they had been in high school together in Erie. Here they are:


They had so much fun at the store together it was a pleasure to see. Of course when I begged them to let me take their picture for the blog, one wanted to change her clothes, the other wanted to add a little makeup. I thought they looked beautiful just the way they were. How could anyone look bad with all that happiness all over their faces!


So what is new at the store. I don't know what your feelings are about machine knitting. I have never been interested in it except I have always thought it would be great to use the machine to knit sleeves. I hate knitting them because they seem tedious. One is no problem but the second seems daunting. Funny how it is not the same with socks. Maybe that's because the amount of time it takes to knit a sock is a heck of a lot shorter than the time it takes to knit a front and back of a sweater. Well, the good news is that Steven, one of our instructors, teaches knitting on a machine. Here is a picture of Steven teaching two students to knit on their Brother machine.



I hope the picture is clear enough so that you can see the machine. But Steven and his students certainly look happy and I can't wait to see the finished result.

This weekend we are donating a percentage of our sales to Annie Modesitt and her family. Her husband has a very serious illness and is very ill and in a lot of pain. They do not have health insurance. If you would like to read more about it please go to her website http://www.modeknit.com/

Until next time,


Wednesday, July 11, 2007

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but I have been away on vacation trying hard to stay away from computers and emails. I succeeded! But here I am back in the real world staring at boxes and boxes of yarn, needles, bags, books, patterns. It seemed like everything began to arrive when I left. I have to admit that I have a lot more fun opening a couple of boxes rather than ten. Why you may ask? It is because the excitement and thrill of seeing what is in every box gets diluted by the 4th or 5th one. It is sort of like eating too much chocolate if that is possible. After about the 4th or 5th piece the flavor just isn't there anymore, at least for me.

So, what was in those boxes? Every single color of Cascade 220 known to man I think. Colorful new sock yarn from Plymouth; Boho that looks like Noro from Plymouth; Dale of Norway, Schaeffer, and I think I should stop here and keep to my principle of less is more. But I did receive these beautiful Chinese inscribed wooden boxes containing sets of bamboo crochet hooks and needles from Chicagoo. They are new this year and would be a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special. Unfrotunately, the crochet hooks flew out the door the minute I opened the box but I still have some of the straight needles left. Why does a yarn store owner say "unfortunately?" It is because I like to savour new things that I receive. I like to look at it , touch it, stare at it, take it all in. Oh well...And last but not least, we received more yarn from Artyarns. The beaded yarns lasted for about a minute. People just gobbled them up. There are silks, mohairs in some funky colors, silk and mohair, and merino wool. Knitters are making everything from scarves to shawls to tops to socks with the yarns. I know you want to see pictures...they will be coming soon.

This is my mini update. I hope it is not too boring to read without pictures. I was just feeling guilty that I had not blogged for a while.
Until nest time...

Thursday, June 28, 2007

I am thrilled to announce that we finally received our felting machine. The good news is that it arrived undamaged and the bad news is that we have not taken it out of the box...yet. So, for all you felters who have been afraid to use your washing machines because a/ you don't own one; b/ you are afraid that you will overshrink your garment; c/ you need to felt with friends rather than solo...Come On Down! As soon as we get it up and running, I will let you know. Carla already has a class in the works using the machine.
My second announcement is that I took the plunge and signed on to Plymouth yarn. So, for all of you who have been suffering from Encore withdrawal, your wait is over. I received 4 huge boxes of Plymouth yarn today.
The other yarn that I am thrilled about is Artyarns. I received their wool, silk, beaded silk and mohair yarns. The colors are phenomenal. The hand is luscious and you will just have to drop by and check it out. I have some fabulous patterns to go with the yarn, too. Check out www.artyarns.com. Iris Schreier is the owner and she has written the new book Lacy Little Knits and the modular knits book. In fact, she is planning to come to Knit One in the Fall. I wish I could tell you the date now but her publisher is organizing the tour.

If you are one of those unfortunate knitters who don't receive Carla's newsletter, don't forget to sign up on this site. I have received rave reviews about it because it is so well written, informative, and the photos are picture perfect. Kudos to Carla!

Until next time
Stacey

Monday, June 18, 2007

I know I should probably wait until I have something more substantial to say, so this is just a tiny note but in large letters. We received the Colinette Trunk Show today by accident. We were supposed to get it in one month but OOPS it came early and the "powers that be" have allowed me to keep it. There are some adorable sweaters for him and her, kids sweaters, adult vest, socks, shawl, cute cardigan and a lacy mohair sort of evening style wrap. I liked the wrap because it has sleeves but is very open so that if you would like to wear something sleeveless under it and you want to cover up your extremities, this is the coverup for you. Hope that makes sense but if it does not, more reason to come into the store to check it out.

Until later,

Sunday, June 17, 2007



These pre-summer days have been absolutely gorgeous...perfect weather for knitting something with silk, bamboo or cotton. Check out this one skein Alchemy scarf made with silk. The photo here does not do it justice so you will just have to come to the store and check it out. There is a pattern and it is a quick and easy project. Next time I take one of these photos I will have someone wear the garment. I think it will show up better.


Exciting things are happening in the store. First, we did have a fantastic sale. People were gathering in front of the shop at 7am. I think all who came were very pleased with their purchases. That is the good news. The bad news is that the staff are plodding along doing our inventory. If anybody wants to volunteer to help, and we do have volunteers since we all love to look, feel, touch the yarn, feel free to join us.


Carla who is the editor, writer, creator of our newsletter is hard at work designing new and innovative classes for the summer and fall. I do have to say that Carla has one of the most fabulous classes around-knitting on 2 circular needles. I have always knit socks on double point needles. I don't mind the needles, but I always ended up losing one and they are a little cumbersome for me. Then, Carla showed me how to knit socks using 2 circulars-I am in love. Not only is it easier for me to knit but I believe that it is faster. Maybe that is becasue I am enjoying it so much. Who knows, but at least you should try it. And Linda is starting a breakfast group that meets in the morning. Besides learning new skills you get to chat, have bagels and meet new people. For all of you teachers out there, this is the place to be. Check out the website for Carla's and Linda's classes.

If we don't teach the class, let us know and we will design it.


I can't believe it but our anniversay is coming up in September-2 years!! This year we are going to have a fashion show with prizes, entertainment, food. The garments have to be knit using Knit One yarn but you can use your own pattern or design. More to come later but get those needles moving!


I would love feedback regarding my blog- is it too newsy-dull-repetitive. Just don't tell me that I need to be able to take better pictures or my grammar would never get me a job as a writer-I know that.

Until next time.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

HUGE INVENTORY SALE
SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 7AM-7PM
ALL YARN IN THE STORE IS BETWEEN 25-40% OFF
RETAIL PRICE

So....I have to do inventory this year. I was supposed to do it last year but oops...I was having too much fun in the store and doing inventory seemed like such a tedious thing to do. Big Mistake! My accountant has been mad with me ever since because she says you have to do inventory to find out if you are making a profit or loss and to apply the correct figures to your income tax. So, the thought of counting every single skein of yarn semed too daunting. The lightbulb goes off in my head and I thought what can make the job less stressful? Less yarn of course. I think you have the picture. The other incentive was that I was going to the Trade Show in Columbus and I thought well, with more shelf space more yarn to buy, like the new yarn made from corn. Great for socks. And, of course I would not accept deliveries until after the inventory was completed. So, I hope you will be there early and stay late. I can guarantee that you will get terrific bargains like Lorna's Laces, Colinette, Fiesta, Noro, Mountain Colours, Alchemy, Rowan...etc.
In my next entry I am going to share with you pictures from the fashion show at the trade show. Most of the companies knit up something spectacular and the models walk the runway. I am just going to give you a preview by showing you one of my favorite skirts from Claudia Handpaints.
This pattern will be available later. The top is very cute too. I hope you can enlarge it on your computer.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Today I met with my rep Donna from Skacel who showed me the newest yarns from Sheep Shop, Skacel, Lobster Pot, and Frog Tree. I fell in love with this new DK sock yarn from Trek. This is a child's sweater knit up in Trek. It looks like Fair Isle. One of my customers considered having the rep send the yarn overnight mail because she was desparate for it. The colors in the photo do not do it justice.
It looks like this Fall is going to be big on color and the hot item is socks and more socks.
I have another picture which I would like to add to the blog, but my computer keeps freezing. I can't mess with it much longer because the final episode of Law and Order: SVU is on and I am a L&A addict so I will try one more time and if the picture does not upload, I will call it a night. Oh well, something is wrong ...will try again tomorrow.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

I have been thinking about the Needlearts Trade Show which is coming up in the beginning of June. It is a very exciting time for retail store owners because we get to see all the new yarns and fibers along with seeing what is "hot" for the fall. The highlight for me is the fashion show held on a Friday night. There are probably about 100 garments from the major and minor companies, all displayed on those too thin models strutting down the runway. My favorite last year was the one from Koigu which was a long coat. It was so colorful and meticulously designed.
So, in preparation for my visit to Columbus, Ohio where the show is held, I thought I would get in the mood by designing my own little ensemble. I use the word ensemble loosely because it is just one piece...a sweater. But, I wrote my pattern, added little embellishments, and voila it is almost completed. I have one more sleeve and the collar to complete. Then, of course as we all know, the hardest part is next...sewing it together. If I could tell you or even show you all the sweaters that are in pieces waiting for me to seam them up. It is very sad but yet I reconcile it by telling myself that the process of knitting, of creating, is as gratifying to me as seeing and wearing the finished product. It is like going on a vacation. The planning can be as much fun as the trip itself. Well, maybe not as much fun but certainly it adds to the whole gestaldt. So, here is my uncompleted sweater. I am giving myself a deadline, Sunday night, as to when it has to be finished. I have so many other projects I am waiting to do. I am just saying that. I have so many projects on needles waiting for me to work on.



I used Rowan All Seasons Cotton in this sweater.This is the back(above).
Above is the sleeve. Below is one side of the front of the cardigan. I knit various stitches so blocking is going to be essential. After this little "show and tell" I feel much more motivated to complete it. At least I hope so!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to everyone...we celebrate our mothers and ourselves as mothers. It was such a beautiful day today, and what made it better was the weather was perfect for the Race for the Cure. Our charity kjnitters organized by Flo, knitted over 130 chemo caps for the race. It was a remarkable achievement and fortunately or unfortunately depending on your perspective, we distributed most of them. The knitters have already begun knitting for next year.


This is what the table looked like at Knit One with many of the chemo caps displayed.














Here we are at the Race with the chemo caps hanging on display at the gazebo.



























Meet our famous knitter/instructor/professional clown Steven who gained notoriety from his meeting with the Yarn Harlot. He was there entertaining young and old.





















We went to a friend's house for lunch after the race. She made this fabulous strawberry cake. It was made from Twinkies, strawberries and cool whip. It was a chemist's delight.

Saturday, May 12, 2007


I thought I would do a little "show and tell" today.

This is my favorite knitting bag in the world. It comes from Be Sweet who hires women from South Africa to make their lovely products. There is a wonderful story behind their company so if you get a chance check out http://www.besweet.com/.





Check this out. Our own Linda P made this shawl from Sea Silk...a yarn from Hand Maiden. It is 70% silk and 30% sea cell which is a type of algae that comes form the ocean. Some say it has medicinal benefits. I think the benefits come from knitting with this yarn-so smooth and luscious. Linda taught a class on how to make this.







Here are my favorite scarf and shawl pins from Moving Mud. This company is a two person husband and wife team who make remarkably colorful fused glass ins, buttons and belt buckles.










This vest/scarf is called the tuxedo scarf and it comes from a book called Special Little Knits for One Skein Wonders. It is so simple to make and yet the effect is really cool. The best way to wear it is over a white shirt and you can use any kind of yarn but I think a boucle works best. I made mine from my favorite, Tanglewood. Or I should say my favorite at the moment, but I have seen it knit up with every kind of yarn imaginable.






I hope I have not bored you with my showing and telling. I just thought you might be interested in some of the things that give me pleasure so that maybe they will give you pleasure too.











I





Thursday, May 10, 2007



Here are some of the pictures of the friendly folks that I met at the Sheep and Wool Festival.
























I am in love with this cutie!








I wish my cocker spaniel could stay as still as this guy when he is being grromed.


















After seeing these beautiful wheels I seriously thought about learning how to spin.













Taking a little snooze.















Are these the world's largest needles?


















These photos do not do these sheep justice. You really miss out on seeing their personality.

Monday, May 07, 2007

<;">I had the best time at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Unfortunately, I don't have my camera to upload my pictures today to my computer but since It has been a while since I blogged(?) ,I thought I better get to it right now rather than wait until I am home this evening to get my pictures on here.

What did I enjoy most about the festival? That is a hard one but the thing that first comes to mind is the community of knitters and crocheters that I felt akin to and connected. I think the second thing I enjoyed and in part because it was so novel, was watching the judging of the sheep. For those of you who have not seen this before, it is like watching a dog show but with sheep. The major impediment for me was that I could not hear a thing because the sheep were all baa-ing. I was really interested in hearing a description of the sheep, how they were judged, etc. but what can I say- sheep got to baa. However, I did meet up with really beautiful sheep in the barns, watched them being sheared, and learned a little about their historys.


I saw, felt, enjoyed some beautiful yarn, too. I loved the yarn from Brooks Farm. Too bad they don't sell it wholesale. I as always was mesmorized by the beautiful colorways and textures from Autumn House. I bought organic cotton from a distributor out of England-name escapes me. There were soooo many vendors and so much to exprience that it was a little overwhelming. Also, I saw many people that I knew from my store which was really fun. I could see that needle felting is very popular so I bought some pencil roving which I will try out. I have never really enjoyed using needles to felt with because they are a little hard on the hand but I think I am going to give it another shot. And, finally I have to say that while there I was having fantasies about becoming a spinner. I saw the most gorgeous wheels there-they were like works of art. I watched the spinners for a long time because there is something so melodious in what they do. It was relaxing to watch them.


Now for my complaints. First, bring your own food. I could not tell you if the food was good or bad because I refused to wait in a line that was over 45 minutes long and most of them were. Second, I had to opt for kettle korn as my appetizer and it was not quite up to snuff. I did enjoy a soft serve as my entree though. Second, do not drink too much liquid because the lines for the indoor bathrooms were huge. I have never been a fan of outhouses because when I was 7 years old I went to use one and I sat on a caterpillar. I am now scarred for life. Third, be prepared to allow plenty of time to park your car. I was told that some people waited for nearly 90 minutes before they got into the parking lot. The lines were huge.


With all that said, I had a blast! I will add my pictures later. I can't wait to show you the world's longest knitting needles. Until then...



Stacey

Sunday, April 29, 2007



I am very eager to try out my new camera on my blog. So, today I took a couple of pictures at the store. These were the two that came out the best. Apparently, I forgot to focus and most of the pictures were unfocused. Oh well, this is the best of the rest. The first photo is of this new yarn that I received on Friday. It is Camelspin from Fiber Artist and it is 70% silk and 30% camel. The colors are remarkably vivid. The second photo is of a customer who came into the shop today who had made a sweater from Rowan Magazine 40 using Kid Silk Haze. It is lovely and the photo does not do it justice. Now for the hard part. I have to figure out how to upload the photos to this blog. Here goes...

I DID IT!!! I am so excited.

Stacey

Saturday, April 28, 2007

I have been debating about going to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival next weekend and I think I have finally decided to go. The debate had to do with first, I am not a driver or a very good passenger, so the thought of driving on the PA turnpike for 2 hours is a major deterrent; and second, I know it will be so overstimulating to be there that I will definately spend all of my wad (is that the correct spelling?). In any case, I am going to fight temptations, fight driving a boring car trip, and go and have fun. In retrospect, that does not sound so bad after all.

What is new at the store. First, we received more Fiber Artist silk(70%)camel(30%) yarn today. The colors are awesome. We have them lying on a table and it looks like an artist's palette of a collage of mesmerizing watercolors. Am I getting too poetic here? In any case, please come view and see for yourself.

Oh, I am so excited. I finally after being on a waiting list for months and months, received my new heavy, heavy duty ball winder. It is really a work of art. It is solid wood and steel. I can wind anything on this baby.

We recived some really interesting books. One book, Special Little Knits from just One Skein,has this really cool tuxedo scarf pattern in it. I showed it to my Shetland wool groupies, my lace knitters, and my Nordic sweater makers, and they thought it was too cool. What it looks like, and by the way I am knitting one for the store, is a scarf that goes around your neck on both sides and it has buttons that makes it look like you are wearing a tuxedo. This is a poor description and once I get it finished I will put it on the website for all to see. I finally got a new camera and hopefully I will be able to put photos on the website. If not, I will ask my 5 year old neighbor to show me how.

Stacey