Vintage books, fun gatherings and the winner is...

My husband and I made a commitment to each other before the holidays that we would start to destash/declutter our house. I said if we just take 5 minutes a day, we should be done in about ... Well on to the point, I was going through some very old knitting, crocheting and needle point books and magazines. We all know that the fiber arts have been around since Man had to clothed himself. I was amazed by these books below. One was printed before I was born. Look at the price! I am sure that was a lot of money in 1950. I can't possibly get rid of these, now can I?

This morning was busy with our Wednesday morning class. This class size and skills have really grown in the last six weeks. I am thrilled that people find great satisfaction in their work and trust me as an enabler, instructor and friend to continue to sign up for our classes. The new session begins with the Saturday classes, April 2. There are no classes next week due to a once a year vacation for me. The wonderful women in the co-op and our employees will hold down the fort while I am away. We hope you will come by and say hi.

I am thrilled to report that Laura, one of KAL knitters has completed her sweater! She came in today to pick out her buttons. The sweater is beautiful! After all our issues with the pattern, she loves the way it fits and she wears it proudly. Her face and head have been omitted on purpose, but look at the sweater! Charlotte is next and Patty might even been right there also. We are now looking for another project.

Glamour bracelets

Last night Joan S. held the Knitted Bead Bracelet class. This was a true coop effort. Patty and her daughter, Leslie put the kits together of beads, special thread, toggles or clasps and bead threaders. Joan taught the 3 hour class and the store hosted the event.

It was fun to watch everyone comment and chose their kits. Then they were off to string all those beads. Joan was also making a bracelet, demonstrating how this was done.

Joan took wonderful photos of their completed bracelets. They are still more beautiful in person. Look at the end results! GORGEOUS! We hope everyone wears them in good health. These make wonderful holiday or special occasion gifts. Interested in a class? Let us know and we will be glad to schedule anotehr class. Need more supplies? Kits will be available next week in the store for sale.

The life of a hand dyer...

Remember I talked about hand dying some yarn for Kate a couple of days ago? Well here it is almost dry! It is a beautiful heather blue color. It will be ready to take to the store on Thursday for our stitch group that meets on Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 NOON.

Many nights we are crawling around the portable dryers as yarn and roving are strung throughout our family room. I am very lucky to have such an understanding husband.

This week is a week of transition for our co-op members. They will be taking Halloween themed items out and be bringing more handcrafted items in for Thanksgiving and the holidays. We always have local Honey from Rosemarie's bees as well as new all natural honey candies. These make great hostess gifts as well as Charlotte's holiday table runners and place mats.

On to another subject, for those of you in the Saturday morning class who just LOVED the poncho the woman from CT wore, we have the pattern! It is in one of our booklets by Classic Elite. The Montana yarn is also on its way. I can't wait to stitch this one myself. It will be wonderful over a jacket or coat or worn alone. It is made on US 13 needles so it should whip up in no time! Elaine, our representative was in to place the order for Montana but she also teased us with the Spring line. She also brought in more of Audrey by Schaeffer Yarns. There is a beautiful shawl made with a free pattern from Schaeffer that is inspiring everyone to use this wool/silk blend.

Elaine also brought us some Chris yarn from Schaeffer. This is beautifully hand painted yarn in a worsted weight and the best thing is the softness as well as it is super wash so it is machine washable!

The Clapotis Wrap class was tonight with Jessica. It sounds like everyone really progressed in the class. They have two weeks to do "homework" and then will come back in for a second session.

Tomorrow evening is the last class for the Beginner Knitting Class. This group has really excelled and most have made at least two projects in just six weeks. It is always with mixed emotions I say, "See you soon" to a class ending. Many come back again.

The Sock Yarn-One Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns that go way Beyond Socks! book by Judy Durant arrived this afternoon. What a terrific book once again!