February Ewesletter

In this issue:

 

‡ A Note about Needles

‡ Handy websites

‡ New Stuff

‡ March Mad Hatter's Contest (yes there's still time!)

‡ Events and happenings

‡ Classes (note some date changes and new classes)

 


Howdy all you fiber fans!

 

OLYMPIC KNITTING! Do you have your project(s) ready? All those wonderful evenings watching ski jumping, luge, hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, speedskating--we'll need to keep our hands occupied--and maybe not just knitting? Crocheting, too, or park your wheel in front of the tube and spin some fancy yarn. And, you know you can weave in your lap with Schacht Spindle Company's Cricket loom? What a great way to celebrate the winter Olympics--and you can dedicate your project to the 2010 games! Watch what everyone's wearing, too--check out the hat styles, sweaters, mittens, and get some good inspiration.

 

An Important Note about Needles

Actually, a challenging note about needles....not all needles are the same size...even when they say they are! Many of you may be surprised to know there is NO global standard for needle sizing. What? Yup, that means a size "2" needle in one brand may not be the same diameter as a size "2" in another. A needle from Germany, for example, will be differently sized than a needle from the US. And worse yet, one brand recently changed the diameter of one of their needles, so if you have an older set it will be smaller than the new ones. Hmph. And to make matters even more confusing, we have the same problem with crochet hooks. Double Hmph! But, we've found a website that will be helpful in determining sizes: www.craftyarncouncil.com/hooks.

This site reviews the current requested metric sizing of needles and crochet hooks and may help you in your choice of needle sizes. However, however! This information does not DOES NOT downplay the importance of knitting or crocheting a gauge swatch. Because as you all know, the size of the needle or hook is no where near as important as having your gauge match that of the pattern you are planning to work. Sigh, yes, we know, we'd all just like to get on with knitting or crocheting our project, and not bother with that 4" x 4" swatch. But this information should impress upon all of us the great importance of knitting or crocheting a gauge. Because you'll get a different gauge with the same US-sized needle if they are different brands or made in different countries!

 

Knitting websites

Many of you know The Recycled Lamb has a group on Ravelry (www.ravelry.com) and those of you who visit Ravelry often know that it's a treasure-trove of knitting and crochet patterns. We thought we'd share a couple other spots we like to visit when looking for pattern inspiration--first, Knitting Daily. This is not only a newsletter, but a blog AND a TV show! Visit www.knittingdaily.comfor patterns, hints and tips, television schedule, reviews, and just plain fun reading. Next, try Classic Elite's newsletter at www.classiceliteyarns.com/newsletter.phpand Berroco's knit bits at www.berroco.com/e-news.htmlfor brand-specific patterns and information.

Remember, though, that balance is the word--every minute spent in front of your computer screen is one minute not knitting…or crocheting...or weaving...or spinning...it's easy to get all wrapped up looking at the screen when you could be creating your own objects of beauty.

 

Weaving Websites

There are some fun sites available to weavers as well, with patterns and inspiration available for all types of weavers and looms! First, take a look at WeaveZine, www.weavzine.com. Syne Mitchell edits this web publication which has blog posts, fabulous articles, weaving patterns, and even video podcasts! Another, Weavolution.comis like a Ravelry just for weavers, with project posts, groups, discussions on all types of weaving, software, and even drafts for woven designs.

There's a new group on Ravelry called the Cricket Club--discussions, ideas and projects for Schacht's Cricket loom--you might even find something fun to weave between the commercials during the Superbowl! Check it out at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-cricket-club, and if you've not yet joined Ravelry start out at www.ravelry.comto begin your membership.

 

New Stuff

Even though we're not even halfway through the winter months, each day brings us closer to spring and we find ourselves wanting to make summer weight projects! Our new seasonal yarns are due in beginning the middle of February, and we've got some truly luscious yarns for you. Back by popular demand will be Hempathyfrom Elsabeth Lavold, in new colors and with new patterns! This cotton/hemp blend is one of our favorites, lightweight but substantial enough to knit shrugs and tees, and in fun new colors this year! Remember, this is a great weaving yarn as well. Then, Sprout, from Classic Elite, is an organic cotton that knits up as a quickly but is soft and divine. Great for tanks and tees, and fabulous for baby items! There's lots more to come and we'll go into more detail as the yarns arrive.

 

We received a couple great new books in this month — Color by Kristen, by Kristin Nicholas. You'll remember her colorful (WAYYYYY colorful) book called Kristen Knits, from last year. This book is filled with new patterns (coordinated mother-daughter mittens! Home decor and fair isle sweaters!) and more color theory to help you determine how to use color most effectively in your own projects. Next, we've got Magnificent Mittens & Socks: The Beauty of Warm Hands and Feet by Anna Zilboorg and Alexis Xenakis. Magnificent is barely adequate to describe these patterns--you'll love the gauntlet-ed mittens, Fair Isle patterns and incredible color combinations for coordinated but not-quite-matching socks!

 

Ambiente is a not-quite-new not-limited-to-sock yarn from Skacel, formerly distributed as Lifestyle Color. Soft, self-striping, sport-weight superwash (say THAT three times fast!) merino in colors that really look great, not just on socks but sweaters, leg warmers, baby items, gloves!

 

Zauberball and Zauberball Crazy, which have been on backorder for months, have shipped and should be in the shop by the time you get this. New colors! Fun to just look at, this 75% merino/25% nylon blend knits up great socks in blended stripes and variegated marls.

 

Weavers, remember the “Not just for Socks” contest by Interweave Press (http://www.interweave.com/weave/events_exhibits/Not-Just-For-Socks/)--these sock yarns are perfect for your project. Especially, if we dare suggest, the Zauberball and Zauberball crazy. There's still time to enter, the deadline is February 28th, and you can get all the details and enter on-line at the above website.

 

Galway Heathers from Plymouth yarns are due in this week — those heathers that we all love, in 100% wool, worsted weight. Sweaters look better in heather, don't you think? Covering the color spectrum, these yarns (with no need to wind into balls!) knit up quickly, felt fabulously, and look luscious. A new addition to our 100% wool inventory, we think you'll be pleased with these!

 

We've received a new shipment of combed Merino top from Ashland Bay in both solids and variegated, for your spinning pleasure! And pencil-sized variegated roving from Louet, called Northern Lights — And felting…and we've gotten in lots (LOTS) of carded wool batts for needlefelting. We'd been looking at the bottoms of those empty baskets for so long we wondered if the wool would EVER come in. Sometimes, you know, it gets stuck on the slow boat from China. This is not a joke--we are waiting on one shipment of yarn from Italy that changed boats in Korea...and is still on the way somewhere in the cold Atlantic.

 

We've got 20/2 perle cotton in black, natural, and white for you who like fine yarn. This can be ordered as well, by the cone, in a multitude of colors if these neutrals aren't what you had in mind. Additionally, Valley Yarns Tencel has been restocked so you'll find your favorite colors back on the wall!

 

MARCH MAD HATTER'S CONTEST

YES THERE'S STILL TIME! Deadline for entries is February 28th. We will sign you up at the time you buy your yarn or fiber, and assign your number for each entry (you may enter as many times as you like!)

 

Okay, to review, here are the OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES:

 

  1. You MUST purchase your yarn or fiber at The Recycled Lamb. Recently. Like between now and when you create the hat. Or maybe last month...Sure, you can pick and choose from your stash, but as you might surmise, we'd like to sell some yarn during this contest!
  2. Entries should be delivered to the shop by Sunday, February 28th. Judging will be from Monday, March 1st through Wednesday, March 17th. Winners will be announced and awards awarded during the March Knit Knite on Friday, March 19th.
  3. All Entries will be anonymous.
  4. Anyone can enter. Anyone can vote. But, keep it to one vote per person, per category, ok? Your honesty is taken for granted.
  5. All hats will be returned to their creator, unless you'd like us to donate them to our favorite charity.
  6. A $10 gift certificate will be awarded in each category and a $25.00 gift certificate will be awarded to the BEST IN SHOW.

 

So, here are the categories (and be sure, when you bring in your entry, to indicate which category it belongs to):

 

  1. Felted Hats
  2. Woven Hats
  3. Crocheted Hats
  4. Knitted Hats
  5. Other (oh, this leaves SO MANY possibilities open!)

 

There's a little more information on our website, www.recycledlamb.com, or you can call us at 303-234-9337 if you have any questions. We just can't wait to see your paisley or patchwork, picot'd or plaid, pillbox or pinked or paned pate-protectors!

 

Classes

We've had some date changes as well as some new listings--and our spring and summer schedule will be out late next month! Here are the classes that still have room in them for February and into March, as well new dates as noted. For the full description of each class check out our website here and give us a call to reserve your spot!

 

Beginning Inkle Weaving — 3 sessions, begins Thursday 2/18 6-8pm NEW DATES!

 

Beginning Four-Harness Weaving — 6 sessions, begins Monday 3/8 6-8pm NEW DATES!

 

Sea Lettuce Scarf — That wonderful curly-queue scarf you've seen hanging in the shop! 2 sessions, begins Wednesday 3/31 6-8pm NEW CLASS

 

Designer Felted Bag — Knit this great bag and be the hit of any fashion-conscious bunch! 4 sessions, begins Monday 3/15 6-8 pm NEW CLASS

 

Fair Isle Hat — 4 sessions, begins Wednesday February 3rd 6-8pm

 

Rainbows, Batts, and Boucles: Intermediate Spinning — Now you can spin, and ply, on a wheel, don't you want to blend colors, make novelty yarn, improve your skills as a spinner? 4 sessions, begins Wednesday 2/10, 6-8pm

 

Band-Angle: Card Weaving for Beginners — Make beautiful bands with this portable, creative weaving technique. 2 Sessions, begins Tuesday 2/16, 6-8pm

 

Kid Knit — for grade-schoolers interested in learning to knit, Gloria teaches the basics and how to have fun with yarn, and the kids go home with a simple knitted project. Begins Thursday 2/18, 1-hour sessions for 4 weeks, 4:15-5:15

 

Dreadlocks to Lace: Beginning Spinning — 4 sessions, begins Thursday 2/18. Try your hand at spinning on a wheel and learn about different fibers and techniques. Wheel rental included in class fee. 6-8pm

 

NeedleFelted Animals — 1 session Saturday 2/20 9:30-1:30 pm

 

Beginning Knitting — 6 Sessions, begins Tuesday 2/23 3-5pm

 

Crochet 201 — more crochet skills and projects! 4 Sessions, begins Sunday 2/28, 11-1pm

 

Beginning Knitting — 6 sessions beginning Tuesday 3/2 6-8pm

 

More Classes coming up in March, including Socks for Newbies, Lace: The Final Frontier, Beginning Rigid Heddle Weaving, Butterfly Vest, and two one-evening weaving workshops! All are listed on our website, www.recycledlamb.com/classes.html.

 

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

February Knit Knite — this month's third Friday bash will be February 19th, from 4:30 to 8pm, with buck-a-slice pizza as usual and lots of good company and fiber! Bring your knitting, crocheting, or other fiber activity and join us--we'd love to see you! (THIS EVENING IS NOT LIMITED TO KNITTING! CROCHETERS AND OTHER FIBER ARTS--including but not limited to tatting, naalbinding, fingerweaving, kumihimo, rope-making, etc.--ARE WELCOME!

 

February Spin-In — Friday February 7thfrom 5-8pm, bring a snack to share and we'll provide the soft drinks, bring your wheel, spindle and fiber and we'll all spin some yarn(s)!

 

Community Knitting — we meet each Thursday over lunch from 12-1pm, and currently our knitting (and crocheting) is benefiting Gemini House at Family Tree. If you'd like to contribute but can't make it at that time, feel free to knit or crochet 7"x9" rectangles and drop them off at the shop at any time. We'll make them part of our afghan project! This is a great stash-buster, and goes to a great cause.

 

Our 2010 campaign for KNIT FOR OUR TROOPS (K*4*0*T) will begin in March, with our March Knit Knite (Friday March 19) dedicated to this project. Watch our March Ewesletter, website and Facebook page for details as we get them planned!

 

Which reminds us, yes we have a Facebook Page! Just stop by our website at www.recycledlamb.comand click on the Facebook icon to become a fan. Then as activities and announcements come up, you'll know! Also, remember we're on Twitter — same deal, just go to our website and click on the little blue bird to receive "tweets" from The Recycled Lamb. We sometimes have "Twitter" specials, and announcements of activities, and other things you might want to know about sooner than the next Ewesletter.

 

Well, fiber friends and family, that's enough for now! So, Happy Superbowl Day (may the best team win), Happy Olympics (may the best althetes take home the gold), and Happy Valentine's Day (don't forget the chocolate!), keep those needles clicking, shuttles flying, hooks a-crooking and wheels a-spinning and visit us often at The Recycled Lamb!