Summer/Fall 2010
Issue #31

Hello Knitting Buds!

Summer is flying by faster than I can believe. For that matter the whole year is flying by. It feels as though fall has come already, given the recent weather. That is OK by me (from a knitting perspective) as I have continued to knit with wool and am trying to finish up some of my winter projects. Have made good progress too. And as long as it remains cool I will be able to use the shawls and wraps now. I am working on a diagonal knit cotton/rayon vest for this summer with hopes of finishing it when the warmer days arrive. If not this year, then perhaps the next.

I just returned from the Needleworks Market in Columbus. Now those folks can tell you everything about heat and humidity. Thank goodness the convention center is air conditioned! The Market was filled with all sorts of new gadgets, books and yarns. I am seeing a return of some novelty yarns; scarves still are very popular in combinations of novelty and wool blends along with more exotic materials. First it was soy, then bamboo, followed by corn, hemp, milk, nettle and now sugar. Before I invest in some of these blends I am waiting to hear how they perform and hold up to wear. So you may not see these new “fibers” in my shop for a while. Larger projects in the form of coats with many cables and textured stitches were quite popular at the fashion show. I had the opportunity to preview the new fall magazines and some of the garments were on display. It looks to be a good selection of sweaters, coats and shawls with something for everyone.

While at the market, I attended a class on knitting with variegated/striping yarns. The presenter was Rick Mondragon, editor of Knitter’s magazine. Very interesting presentation; I learned a bit about using multi-colored yarns to their best advantage. It gave me a much better appreciation as to the amount of work that goes into designing a sweater utilizing variegated yarns and getting the garment to show off the yarn in the best light. Swatching is absolutely necessary and several attempts may be needed to gain the most pleasing result. Of course “pleasing” is in the eye of the beholder. That, too, is a piece of the designing process.

New books come out in fits and spurts (with delays) but look for publications by Nicky Epstein, Lily Chin, Cathy Caron, Gwen Bortner and Mags Kandis. There will also be a new one skein book for sock yarns and another gift knitting book. I hope the sock yarn book is a winner as I know how much sock yarn is “in the vaults”. New Opal designs have arrived as well as Zino sock yarn from Plymouth. Both are a nice selection of color and patterns. As usual, I expect the Opal to move quickly. Coming a little later will be Tatamy Tweed Worsted from Kraemer. This is a cotton/acrylic blend good for summer hoodies or light sweaters. It should be here soon. New colors from Brown Sheep and Plymouth for Lamb’s Pride and Encore. Also new colors for baby things in Dreambaby.

The Marquette County Fair will be held August 12 - 15 this year. I will provide delivery service as usual out to the Fair Grounds. Items must be dropped off by Monday, August 9 at the shop and picked up starting on Monday, August 16. Items must be registered online by Thursday, August 5. The web address is www.marquettecountyfair.com. Please label your items with your name, department, section and class numbers. It really helps with the check in process. I know how many beautiful items have been completed this past year; time to let everyone know.

The class schedule is quite brief this summer. Most of us wanted to take the summer off and kick back. Robin continues to be the sweater guru and also the human sock knitting machine. Her classes make up the majority of summer offerings. The Tomten Jacket is a Zimmermann favorite, knitted with minimal sewing and in a variety of sizes and options for finishing. The pattern is an excellent exercise in ways to customize a garment with finishing touches or various yarn weights on a simple background. In August we will offer a sock class to fulfill the many requests. A simple top down baby sweater will complete the line up in August. Check out the new Summer/Fall class schedule by clicking the Classes link on the Products and Services page.

The Blueberry Festival will be held the last weekend of July. To get into the spirit of “Blue Events”, all blue yarn will be on sale at 20% off from July 26 through July 31. The definition of blue will be quite liberal. Shop will be closed on Monday, September 6 for the Labor Day holiday. Then we start the routine of fall all over again. I hope your summer is relaxing and enjoyable; we all know how short it is. I’m looking forward to seeing you on your quick trips to town and, until then, be sure to keep your tips UP!

Donna