Woolen Treasures Yarn Shop

Special Events

Last weekend I was at the Estes Park Wool Market, volunteering and visiting some of my favorite people and animals.  The weather wasn't so pleasant and while teaching children to finger weave I slowly turned into a popsicle.  I had a hour to look around, before my shift at the kids tent, and when I was done, my friends were waiting in the car ready to go.  So, on Sunday I decided to head up again, so I can have time visiting with everyone I know and petting all the animals. I almost came home with an angora rabbit and a Shetland Sheep, but I think my husband would have disowned me.  I was pleased to see a variety of new vendors this year and particularly liked Diane from Creatively Dyed Yarns.  Diane is a friend of my sister, Linda, the other fiber nut in the family, and I had the great pleasure to chat with her and fondle her yarns.  Of course a couple came home with me.  Now it is a small world when you run into someone that knows your sister especially when she lives in Ohio and Diane lives in S.C. , but then again, I swear my sister knows all the fiber producing lovers out there.  The last time I was in Taos for the festival, she knew the gal that own the shop outside of town.  Crazy.... One other vendor that I wanted to mention was Bristlecone Artisan Heirlooms.  The family of this lovely company makes handmade fiber tools out of exotic woods.  They had spinning, knitting, crochet, and weaving tools in all different kinds of wood and shapes.  It is a pleasure to speak to them and see their lovely children join them on their adventures.  Check out their website:  www.bristleconeart.com.  

I have a couple of more announcements:

Saturday June 19th is World Wide Knit in Public day and the Centennial Park Library in Greeley is sponsoring the Knit Out from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Join them for refreshments and knitting, they are located at 2227 23rd Avenue. 

Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair will be held September 18 at the County Fairgrounds in Mitchell and classes will be offered on the 17th.  Please visit their website for more information: www.nebraskafiberfair.com

 

Classes with Claire

Beginning Crochet:
Did you ever want to learn to crochet or understand the terminology, then Claire is the person to teach you.  You will learn how to do single, double and triple crochet while making a fun summer hat.  Claire will step you through the basics and get you on your way to stay cool this summer.

Dates:  July 24 & 31 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Cost:  $30 plus supplies

Portuguese Knitting:
This is a technique that is used in a variety of countries like Brazil and Portugal.  If you would like to learn a new method of knitting or your hands bother you to knit English or Continental, then this is the class for you.  Portuguese Knitting has your yarn wrapped around your neck or cleverly held with a pin, while you knit with your thumbs.  It is always good to know a variety of ways to knit, you never know when they will come in handy. 

Dates:  July 24 & 31 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost:  $30 plus supplies

Ann Young Workshop

Join our very own Ann Young, designer for Brown Sheep, in her Workshop for the Rounded Bolero.  Ann is my dear crazy Aussie friend that designs for Brown Sheep.  She will be teaching and sharing her wonderful experiences with you during the Rounded Bolero Workshop in August.  The Bolero is a quick knit made out of Lambspride Superwash Worsted and will be ready to wear for our cool fall days.  Stop by to see the sample and sign up for the class. 

Rounded Bolero Workshop- August 7, 21 & 28 @ 10:30am to 12:30pm
Cost:  $45 plus material
Material:  Lambspride Superwash Worsted, appropriate needle and pattern (I will custom order your favorite color for the sweater, pick out your color 2 weeks before class)

School is Out.....Let the crazy summer begin

My boys finished school on the 21st of May, a week earlier than last year.  My oldest son is loving sleeping in since he had to get up at 6am for school, but my youngest is bored already.  The summer programs can't start soon enough.  Last weekend we were going to go camping at the Sand Dunes but when we called they said they were already full and we would be lucky if we found anything.  So, instead of driving 4 to 4.5 hours, we stayed home and went hiking instead.  Saturday we went to Vedauwoo in Wyoming and enjoyed hiking around Turtle Rock.  Sunday we headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park and climbed Deer Mountain.  The day was perfect and it wasn't too crowded going up the mountain side.  While sitting and eating some gorp a ground squirrel decided that my food was his.  The squirrel climbed up my leg and onto my chest area trying to grab the gorp from my hands and mouth.  He was not happy when I told him that it was my food and not his, he tried his darnedest to look cute, but he finally left me alone.  Monday I relaxed in my backyard knitting and having a mojito.  While my youngest son and his friend went tubing down the ditch (our water front property) and ate popsicles. 

Now, I'm back to work, after seeming like I was on vacation for a week and trying to catch up.  I just want to let you all know that this summer I will mainly be working in the afternoons after 2 pm.  I will be spending time with my children and chauffeuring them around to their programs and fun times.  If you need to chat with me send me an email or stop in after 2pm.  Have a great summer and don't forget to check our summer classes, we do have a few scheduled. 

Local Fiber Events

Here are a few activities that are happening in our area:

Friday Nite 6pm to 7:30pm -  Drop in for the Knit-a-Long with Joanna Johnson, author and designer, of Phoebe's Sweater at the shop.  Joanna is full of information and loves to chat about Phoebe's adventures.  You do not have to attend all the KAL, just pop in to visit.  The last one will be May 21. 

Saturday the 15th at Diamond Valley Alpaca Ranch:  Dale & Kathy Gilliland of Diamond Valley Alpaca Ranch are having a special open house for spinners and weavers on Saturday, May 15th, from 10:00 to 4:00.  We have a herd of 33 Suri alpacas, and would like to introduce fiber artists to the characteristics of Suri fiber for spinning, weaving, knitting, etc.  We have decided on this dateas it is prior to our shearing day on May 21st.  Our thought was to host an open house, share some of our roving, yarn & examples of finished Suri products and also have these great fiber artists take a look at the fiber on the animals.  If interested, they could purchase or reserve the fiber and have it processed specifically to their liking.  They will have demos happening all day long.  The Ranch is located in Livermore at 247 Sloan Road.  You can goggle the directions.  If you get lost their phone number is:  970-493-7783 office or 970-227-5626 cell.

June 12 and 13 - Estes Park Wool Market
Stop by to see all the wonderful fiber animals and demos happening at the once a year event.  If you have never attended the Estes Park Wool Market this is a special treat.  You will find all kinds of fiber to enjoy and colors that will dazzle you.  Stop by the kids tent and visit me on Saturday morning from 10 to 12pm or other times of the day and have your child play with the fibers.  Check out the herding dog demostrations...Check out the classes.  http://www.estesnet.com/events/woolmarket.htm 

Classes by Lisa

Continental Knitting Technique - July 31 from 10:30am to 12:30pm:  Cost $20

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit continental style.  Are you all thumbs andwould like your knitting moving more smoothly?  Then take Lisa's class and she will show you the continental technique and in no time you will be zipping through your knitting. 

2 Socks on 1 Circular  - July 31 and Aug 7 from  1:30pm to 3:30pm: Cost $30

You've knit socks and the second one just doesn't get done as quickly as you like.  Well, Lisa can teach you how to knit socks on one circular needle both at the same time.  This takes the guess work out of keeping them even.

Knit one Below Class - Coming this August or September - Stay tuned for the dates

Have you wanted to try Elise Duvekot's exciting new technique, Knit One Below? Join our class and make the Curves and Columns vest. The technique is quite easy to learn, and provides amazing results.

Please have beginning to intermediate knitting skills.

You will need the following materials:

- Knit One Below book

-2 colors of yarn in contrasting but complementary colors (I suggest one solid and one variegated), medium weight (aran - size 4) in the following yardage: Color A 200 (250, 300, 350) yds, Color B 300 (375, 450, 525) yds for these bust sizes 37 (42, 47, 52)" available at Woolen Treasures

- Size US 6 needle. We will learn the Knit One Below technique during our first class so you can then create a swatch to determine your correct needle size.

 

More Spring/Summer Classes

Classes by Vic:

Beginning Socks – Three 1 hour Sessions: Learn the basics of sock knitting by creating a small practice sock using worsted weight yarn, US size 6 double point needles, and pattern provided free of charge.  

Optionally, knit a basic ribbed sock using fingering weight sock yarn; size 2.25 mm double point needles and Knits by Vic, Inc. - Basic Rib Sock pattern.

 

Techniques taught:  Knitting socks with double-point needles.  Additionally, knitting socks with 2-circular needles and 1-circular needle will be demonstrated.

 

Session I

Dates: Tuesday Evening – 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; 6/8/10, 6/15/10, 6/22/10 

Minimum: 3 students (6 students maximum)
Instructor: Vic
Cost: $38

 

Materials needed: Any worsted weight yarn (preferably a light, solid color) purchased from Woolen Treasures, US size 6 4-5 double-point needles, and pattern provided free of charge at the first class.

 

Optional Materials: 100g of any fingering weight sock yarn, 2.25 mm 4-5 double-point needles, and Knits by Vic, Inc. – Basic Rib Sock pattern purchased at Woolen Treasures. 

New Spring and Summer Classes

Classes by Mari:

May 10 - Correcting Mistakes from 6:00pm to 7:30pm  -  Cost $20

Ever wanted to know how to repair a mistake without ripping it all the way out.  Mari will show you some tricks on fixing your mistakes so you won't have to wait for someone to help you or undo all of your knitting. 

May 12 - Knit in the Round from 6:00pm to 7:30pm  -  Cost $20 plus material

    Let Mari help you take the mystery out of knitting in the round by getting you started on knitting a hat.  You will practice knitting and purling along with pattern reading.  

July 21 & 28 - Beginning Knitting from 6:00pm to 8:00pm  -

     Cost $30 plus material

    Did you ever want to learn to knit?  Mari will keep you in stitches while she teaches you to cast on, knit, purl, bind off and read a pattern.  You will be making your first scarf while practicing these techniques. 

June 16 - Baby Socks from the Toe Up Workshop 6:00pm to 9:00pm  - Cost $25 plus material

    You will learn the basic technique for toe up sock design while making some cute socks for a special little one.  After completing this workshop you will be able to make a big pair for yourself.  Watch out, sock knitting is addictive.  

 June 23 -Baby Hat Workshop 6:00pm to 9:00pm  - Cost $25 plus material

    Continue with baby items by knitting a darling hat to go along wh the socks for a perfect gift. Mari will teach you some fun stitch techniques while knitting in the round.  By the end of the class you should have a wonderful hat ready to package up for a precious little one. 

July 14 - Finishing Workshop  6:00pm to 8:00pm  - Cost $20

Every wonder how to put your sweater together or finish your piece so it looks professional?  Mari will guide you on the variety of techniques for completing your piece professionally.  Please pick up your homework assignment while paying for the class. 

 

New Farm of the Month

Tomorrow I will head out to visit Myrtle at her sheep farm "Black Pines Sheep" in Eaton.  Myrtle and her husband, Roy, have a wonderful little sheep farm with a variety of breeds .  Tomorrow I will be able to see all the new babies for the year and pick up some wonderful spinning fibers for the shop.  I will only carry the fleece that has been cleaned, but if you want fiber in the raw you can contact them for availability.   Every year they trek to several fiber shows to sell their fleece and sheep.  I have bought several of her fleece for spinning and just love the feel of them.  Visit their website at BlackPinesSheep.com.  Hopefully I will remember to bring my camera so I can post pictures of our visit. Stay tuned.

New Book and Author Signing

Stay tuned for a new book written and illustrated by a local couple in Loveland called "Phoebe's Sweater".  Joanna and Eric Johnson have created a lovely book that speaks to the children , but appeals to the knitter with the pattern for the mouse and sweater (child size also).  What a creative inspiration for the artist in us all.  I enjoy children books and especially ones with such incredible illustrations that get our artistic senses flowing.  Check out the cover of the book and see for yourself:

Joanna came into the shop on Saturday all fired up about the release of the book and that she will be going to The National Needle Arts show as a guest of Brown Sheep Company.  What an incredible opportunity for them.  Yes, you guessed it, the yarn to make the mouse and sweater were done out of Brown Sheep Lambspride Superwash Bulky.  What an exciting collaboration between author/designer and Brown Sheep.  Peggy Jo Wells, the owner, of Brown Sheep is a gracious lovely person to work with and know.  It is always a pleasure to speak to her and work with her staff.  So, I'm just so thrilled that Joanna and Peggy are working together on the Johnson's adventure.  You can follow Joanna's and Eric's works on their blog http://phoebeontheroad.blogspot.com/  or information on Ravelry via Woolen Treasures Group or BlueSkyKnitter (Joanna).

I'm so excited to be able to offer the book signing and a knit-a-long for the sweater in April or May, so stay tuned  and we will post more information as soon as it's available.  The books will be available at Woolen Treasures for purchase as soon as they are available.  If you would like to see a bigger picture of the cover please view it on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0578046970/ref=nosim/addallbooksearch