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Dear Fiber Fiends... I mean, Friends!
My apologies for being so late with this newsletter. Life is full these days and I'm trying to spend at least some of the dark hours horizontal!
Good news!
Karyn is making her way back into the shop and that translates into
being open on Mondays from noon to 5! Now, not only can you take
advantage of her creative genius, but you can also cope with withdrawal
more easily, since it's only Sundays that you have to worry about!
Have
you gotten your first PG&E bill since the rate hike? Take my
advice: when you see it in your mail, pour yourself a glass of wine,
drink it down, and then make sure your behind is on a solid surface
when you open the envelope. On second thought, maybe have a second
glass of wine before you take a look at how much it cost during the
month that didn't require much heating or cooling. When your heart
stops pounding, resolve to make this the year you learn to knit
sweaters, because believe me, they're cheaper than fuel oil, natural
gas, electricity or cord word -- AND they last for years rather than
hours!
Speaking of sweaters, we're constantly working on expanding our machine washable wools, because we know that lots of you are terrified of handwashing a knitted garment. We have a new batch arriving any day now from Farmhouse Yarns (read about them here), a New England company run by two sisters who hand-dye all the yarns themselves. They buy their fiber from local sheep ranchers, process it on the East Coast, employ 30 or so people -- many of whom are work-at-home moms -- and still manage to sell a make it available at completely affordable prices. Need a great baby sweater? Elizabeth Zimmerman has several that are cute and fun to knit. Minnowknits also has a great selection, and so does Mags Kandis of Mission Falls 1824 fame... and Penny Straker classics are... well, they're classic! And they're all cute, cute cute! And we have loads of great yarns to make them from. You won't have to worry that the too-busy-parents will toss your hand-knit creation into the washer and it will come out ruined. With our machine-washable wools, throwing your gift into the washer only makes it softer and softer! Maybe
this is the year to improve your knitting skills beyond your wildest
dreams by making a Manos Blanket. You wouldn't believe the confidence
our class builds in people who thought they'd never be able to do
anything other than scarves, unless they were sitting on the couch
right next to expert help! Now they're following patterns, fixing their
mistakes, tackling new goals... why not count yourself among the folks
who can make whatever they want to?
Now that I've gotten myself going on Manos -- are you one of the people with one or two -- or seven -- squares of a Manos Blanket languishing in the back of your closet? Drag that UFO (UnFinished Object) out, and let's get it done! We've changed the format of the class, and it's so easy to fit in all the squares that several knitters have finished the whole blanket in just a few months! Don't let your Manos Blanket become a UFO that stops you from realizing your dream of becoming an accomplished knitter! Over the next several months, Luci will teach all of the sock architectures from the new Cat Bordhi book; they are usually in the schedule on the first Saturday of the month. And usually, on the last Saturday of every month, we offer a Beginning Sock class. (This month is different because of the holiday!) You could make socks for everyone on your list just from this one class -- or you could go on and learn all of Cat's tricks. OR -- Love sox and don't need a class? Come to the Sox Knit-A-Longs on Saturday afternoons! November Classes Due
to the crunch of Thanksgiving, we're sticking to basics this month...
Manos classes will be held in the week of November 11-17:
The Thursday
class will meet at 10:30 on the 15th, for block #8 [square 3 in the Design Source book]
On Saturday the17th, we'll have 3
classes, at:
10:30-noon for those finishing up the crochet around your blankets
12:00-1:30 for block #2, [square 1 in the Design Source book]. Lots of people need this class! Come on in and get your blanket going again!
2-4 for block #1. This is the foundational block; if you want to make a blanket, you need to start with this class! Please call to let us know you want to come!
Sock classes will be a little different this month --
the last Saturday of November is during Thanksgiving weekend, so our beginning sock class will be on Dec 1 instead. It will be from 10:30-2:30, and the $35 fee includes the yarn and pattern. Please bring your own needles. CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE! Class is limited to 8 people.
The New Pathways Sock Architecture Class will be on Dec 8, from 10:30-2:30. The fee is $30, and prerequisites are K-P-CO-BO, Judy's Magic Cast On and a sense of adventure! Bring yarn, needles, markers, and your copy of Cat's book. Seating is limited! CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
New in the Yarn Bins Colinette YarnsJitterbug is in... again. Get it soon, because it sells out quickly! Cadenza is Jitterbug's big sister -- also machine washable, same great colorways, knits at 5.5 sts per inch. Remember, ALL Colinette yarns are available by special order! Mission Falls 1824 is fully stocked again... or it WAS, when I started to write this. You'd better hurry, because you know it goes fast! Check out Mags Kandis' great multi-colored patterns to make the most of her incredible palette of 40 colors, all of which are on the shelves in our ever-increasing Machine Washable section! Lang New colors of Zoom are on their way here!. This yarn is just terrific -- if you haven't touched our kid-size samples, please come in and pet them. And remember, they've been washed and dried by machine! These yarns are a delight to work with. They are "nearly solid" and heathery, and the play of light makes the colors shift subtley as you look at them. It's hard to go wrong, because the yarn is perfect at every step -- from knitting to wear to care, and they work just as well in garments for adults! Farmhouse Yarns Mary's Little Lamb is great for baby and kid's garments! Soft, soft, soft. And the one we picked to start with is machine washable! We've got a beautiful pastel palette to mix and match... so you can make it girly-girl, traditionally boy-correct, or neutral and full of possibility... Mountain Colors New colors coming in Bearfoot for sox and a vest class from Classic Knitted Vests using two different yarns in the same colorway. This is going to be a fun class... easy knitting for your first side-to-side knit. The class will be later, but the yarn choice is now (takes time to get this great yarn!), so stop in and have a look at the shade book and get your order in! New! Roving! We're pleased to be carrying Mauch Roving. Fun to spin fine or thick & thin, easy to manage, great for needle felt, too! This 100% wool roving can be found at Fibers in 9 colors great for fall. It's really affordable, too -- a 4 oz bump for only $6, and if you need more or are interested in the whole array of colors available from Mauch, you can make a special order! Check it out soon!New on the Bookshelf MagazinesHoliday Gifts 2007 from Interweave Knits is as great as last year's book was! It's full of quick projects perfect for Holiday Giving, and we've already most of the copies we received, so get yours soon! Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2007 is in stock. Gail snatched hers the minute it arrived! Knit Simple, Winter 2007 just arrived! Wow! Among the projects, 12 hats -- knit, crochet, cable, color work, beret -- you name it. This issue has a hat for everybody on your gift list! Also, a big-gauge vest you can make in one weekend, sweaters for guys, a reprise of the famous "sheep afghan" and lots of other fun projects for the cooler weather we're all hoping will arrive soon! Books New Pathways for Sock Knitters is in stock again. This incredibly inventive new book from Cat Bordhi went out of print quickly and is now in its second printing! You'll need it for Luci's sock class, so if you didn't already special order one, you'll want to snag one soon!
Special Order
these books now for delivery on publication! It's time to order gift copies of the Stitch 'n Bitch 2008 Calendar! We'll be selling this ONLY by special order, so don't wait until the last minute to get yours -- it's available NOW and costs just $12.99! Boho Baby Knits
Groovy Patterns for Cool Tots by Kat Coyle
Inspired by avant-garde literature, punk rock lyrics, and psychedelic art — and designed for tots with style and attitude — Boho Baby Knits is a fun, smart, and creative guide for bohemian parents to knit up projects with personality. From baby leg warmers that exude mod glamour to a striped vest perfect for the sandbox salon set, Boho Baby Knits is on the kids’ scene with 25 colorful and offbeat designs to knit and wear any time of year. Available in November, $27.50
Twelve Months of Knitting
36 Projects to Knit Your Way through the New Year
by Joanne Yordanou
Sweaters, beachwear, lace bookmark, summer table setting, kimono wrap, holiday cardigan, and more. Three projects each month give you a great knitting experience whether you're a beginning, intermediate or experienced knitter. The book includes a handy calendar to get you started on a season-specific project so you'll have plenty of time to finish! Available in January. $22.50
Twinkle's Weekend Knits
20 Fast Designs for Fun Getaways by Wenlan Chia
The second book from high-fashion designer Wenlan Chia brings new and experienced knitters more fabulous Twinkle confections to create at home. The 20 projects suit various moods and energy levels from Friday to Sunday, and the resulting pieces are perfect to wear on the weekends. Projects include a thigh-skimming tunic, a vintage-inspired sweater with a spot to stash your iPod, a fast-knit shawl and much, much more. If you have time to knit only on the weekends, this book will keep you going for months! Available in February, $24.95
A Fine Fleece
26 Patterns for Handspun Yarns
by Lisa Lloyd
The author is a spinner, knitter and designer. In this books, Lisa explores the different qualities of handspun yarns and presents projects that show them to their best advantage. There's valuable information for knitters, and perhaps the inspiration you need to begin spinning, yourself! She shows each design in handspun and commercial yarns, so that you can train your eye to understand how fiber and texture can transform a piece. Available in April, $30.
More Big Girl Knits
25 Designs Full of Color and Texture for Curvy Women
by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer
These new projects embrace color and texture, and feature adaptations to make any pattern suitable for sizes 14 and up. Part knitting instruction book and part sassy style guide, this one goes beyond the basics -- size, motif placement and balance principles -- and tackles new methods for creating knitwear with brilliant colors and sumptuous textures that big girls can wear. Packed with tips and tricks on what to avoid, what to embrace, and how to modify any design to flatter your body, this guide will show big girls how to look gorgeous in colorful, texture-rich knitwear. Available in April, $30.
Shear Spirit
Life on America's Fiber Farms and Ranches
by Joan Tapper, Photography by Gale Zucker
Coffee table book, inspirational work or pattern guide? It's all three, really, as it captures the essence of 10 fiber farms and ranches from Oregon to Massachusetts. If you've ever wondered where your favorite addiction comes from or how it's produced, this book will help you connect with the fiber-producing community in a new and intimate way. If you're a fiber rancher yourself, you'll find new friends with diverse lifestyles who produce a variety of fibers while sharing your common passion. Stunning photography, heartwarming profiles, 25 projects. Available in April, $30.
Tweed
20 Contemporary Designs to Knit
by Nancy J. Thomas
Cheviot, herringbone, houndstooth, twill, worsted -- tweed woolens are known for their classic looks an understated style and are a contemporary fashion favorite. Tweed includes projects of varying levels of difficulty, specially designed for tweed yarns; a variety of stitch patterns and techniques are presented that will help knitters take advantage of the qualities of the yarn. Available in April, $27.50
Ask Madame de Farge
Q: I love how cables look, but the patterns take so much more yarn than plain sweaters. Do I really have to buy that much yarn to make cables?
A: Madame also loves the complexity of these twisty patterns, and understands your dismay at having to buy more yarn in order to knit them. The problem is that when you start moving stitches all over the place, your garment will pull in and become narrower, so in order to make it fit, you have to add stitches, and of course, that means more yarn. This is also the reason that the gauge for cabled sweaters is usually given for the cable pattern, instead of for the yarn... but Madame has a serious disagreement with this custom because it adds steps to substituting yarns.
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That's about it for this time, folks, except to say that you probably noticed I'm
trying out a new format for the newsletter. One of the problems I
have in getting it out as often as I would like is that it's too
cumbersome to deal with comlicated html all the time, so I'm looking for a
simpler format, and as always, I welcome your feedback. We'll see how that part goes, but let me know what you think of the new look!
See you soon at Fibers!
Allison |
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Our Contact Coordinates:
phone
530-272-9276 877-524-6362 email
Allison & Mme deFarge can both be reached at
FibersGV-at-gmail-dot-com
hours
Monday
we expect to be consistent with noon-5, but to avoid disappointment, please call first!
Tuesday - Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-4 Sunday we're trying, but please call first to avoid disappointment! Karyn has finished her treatment, is cancer-free and is starting back at Fibers!
(I am ecstatic!) Find her on Mondays, and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. She'll be in on Saturdays sometimes, too, and other times by chance... Let her enthusiasm for everything that involves fibers drive your next project to new heights!
Other New Staff
Most of you know Gail & Birdsong, but have you met Dayna, Tiana, Crystal, Luci, & Julie? They have a wide range of knitting interests, and will help you find just the right thing to keep you busy over the coming months!Please bear with us as some of the newer folks learn the ropes... even finding all the light switches is a challenge (one's behind the couch!) A New Fibers
Commuknitty Project This holiday season, help a child in foster care in Nevada County to know that you care. Donate a handmade scarf, hat, gloves, mittens or other knitted or crocheted garment by bringing it to Fibers.
Join us for Commuknitty Fiber Frenzies on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. It's a great time to meet others who share your commuknitty spirit. (You don't have to be knitting with yarn you bought at Fibers to be a Communknitty Knitter. So don't be shy!) Your handmade items may be made from natural or synthetic fibers; please include washing instructions. Everything we receive will be added to gifts from the Foothill Fiber Guild, and will be given to kids right here at home. If you like, you can also bring in gift certificates to the movies, for CD's, fast food and other things teens love. Project Linus
Did you know that Fibers is a drop-off point for Project LInus? If you have an abundance of yarn that you don't know what to do with, why not keep your hands busy with a blanket for a local child in the hospital?
Here's an excerpt from a letter from a grateful parent whose child received a blanket from Project Linus in Pennsylvania:
Our son has been hospitalized since Mother's Day with a ruptured appendix and ... complications...Tyler received a wonderfully soft red and black blanket... from Linus. As you can imagine it's been a hard road for him, and made even more difficult by the fact that he's autistic and can not verbalize his feelings--emotional or physical. What nobody could have known is how much this child loves a soft blanket. A touch of kindness from total strangers has given us a tremendous (and needed) boost of faith in humanity. We live in a world dedicated to Me, Myself, and Mine. There simply aren't proper words to thank whatever person who remains nameless and faceless to our family for what they have given to us--a gift well beyond that of the blanket.
R A V E L R Y Have you heard about Ravelry.com?
It's THE on-line place for knitters, crocheters, spinners, fiber fiends of all kinds!
You can meet other people, join special interest groups, join knit-a-longs and crochet-a-longs, show off your finished objects, keep track of your unfinished objects, your stash, your needles, your "I'm-gonna-make-its" and sooo much more!
Still in Beta-version, the site has more than 32,000 members. To get on, first you join the waiting list and then you practice being very patient, until an invitation arrives in your emailbox.
In the meantime, you can think up a name for yourself-- in fact, think up a few, because with so many people ahead of you, somebody just might have your first choice!-- because when that email arrives, you're going to want to jump right in!
Once you get there, you can join the
Fibers Grass Valley
group!
We've got a place where you can make suggestions about the store, classes, or anything else you like. You can join a discussion or ask a general question there -- or ask Madame deFarge to explicate some of the finer points of the knitting problem you're encountering.So, how do you get in line? Click the link, or go to Ravlery.com You can take a little tour and click the link to get on the list! See you there!
***
Seen on a coffee cup:
"So-called 'global warming' is just a secret ploy by wacko tree-huggers to make America energy independent, clean our air and water, improve the fuel efficiency of our vehicles, kick-start 21st-century industries and make our cities safer and more livable.
Don't let them
get away with it!"
--Chip Galler,
Founder, Grist.org |