As the Wheel Turns

Nancy Sells NW Handspun Yarns to Meg

2010-08-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm selling the shop -- to Meg!! Maybe you knew this, but this is the BIG news for us right now! She will take over and keep things the same, but add her "spin" on it, to create another something wonderful! I'm going back to work with my husband, Jim part time (commercial real estate), spending more time with him and my ailing, isolated Mom. AND DOING MORE FIBER ARTS, both personal art and teaching! It's about time! I'm looking forward to this transition and Meg is too! We are really enjoying working together to make this happen! The change will take place about September 1st.

NW handspun Yarns was started by me (Nancy)10 years ago, with a passion for the fiber arts and a desire to see spinning, weaving and knitting continue and thrive in the Bellingham area, and surrounding region. With the success of NW Handspun Yarns and the vision of new owner, Meg, the shop will continue to offer a wide variety of classes, spinning wheels and looms, other fiber art related products and services. Plans include expanding the quantity of yarns and other fiber related products and gifts currently offered.

Nancy and Meg have been long time friends, 15 years (!) and have worked together at the yarn shop for the last 5 years.

All our favorite "Yarn associates" will continue to work at the shop -- Margaret, Debbie and Kyle -- and Nancy from time to time!

Please join us for our OPEN HOUSE on Friday, October 8, 5:00 – 8:00 in celebration of this ownership transition. At the yarn shop, 1401 Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 738-0167.

Elizabeth Zimmerman Study Group Gets Started

2009-09-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday evening 17 of us joined up for our first EZ Study Group. We started it off with a potluck dinner, watched a DVD clip and ended up with our project and homework for the month. We'll meet monthly just for the sole purpose of getting to know Elizabeth Zimmerman really well, through readings, knitting, and being together.

The part of the "Knitting Around" DVD we watched was EZ Digressions, chapter 8 and 9. Elizabeth talks dreamily in her British accent about her immigration to the US in the 30's. Being poor, pregnant and newly married to "her German". She talks about her three children, and the development of "School House Press", in the later years. In my humble opinion, she is truly a loving soul, who had definite care and concern not only for knitters, but for everyone. She had a real sense of humor!

We loved the DVD excerpt! We loved the way she talked, the way she told stories, some in "that's the way it is" fashion, and other stories very opinionated!

After the DVD, we had some brief discussion about what project(s) to tackle first. I say brief, because just about everyone in the group was ready to start a Baby Surprise or Adult Surprise Jacket. So off we go, checking out our yarn stashes, or to purchase yarn for the project.

Our other assignment is to read the book, "Knitters Almanac", and come back next time with small projects in mind for holiday knitting. And of course to bring the completed or "in progress" Surprise Jackets.

Our next time to meet is October 28, 6:00 - 8:00 at the shop. If you'd like to join us, please do!

Earthues: Dyeing with Color not Chemicals

2009-03-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! I don't know if I'm tired, overwhelmed, exhausted, excited, in love, or what! I just finished a two day class with Michele Whipplinger, here at the shop with nine other wonderful women, three from Canada, one from Maple Valley, and the others more local. It was so intense, so colorful, so full of information! Michele teaches not only color in every class, but takes you on the journey that she has been on to get the dyes from indigenous peoples from South America and Asia. She tells you about the way the dyes are harvested, way the families live, how she lives with them when she visits and trains with them, how she has helped to make their lives more sustainable, by dyeing more safely.

Michele Whipplinger is the founder of Earthues, a natural dye company, that uses only alum as a mordant, safe kitchen grade alum. The dyes are absolutely colorfast, and brilliant. She has been a colorist for over thirty years, and has traveled the world to bring in dyes to dye beautiful colors for all fibers, protein and cellulose. This company does not used any chemicals in the dyes, such as chrome, tin, copper, and the like. Her motto is: "What comes from the earth shall not harm the earth."

A little history about how I became involved with Earthues, personally and professionally. I would participate in dye days at spinning events, but leary and never wanted to be involved in chemical dyeing on my own, so I never would buy any dyes (except from the lovely Judith Mackenzie McCuin, which are a WEAK acid dye). So I stayed away from dyeing for the most part. When I opened the shop I knew I needed to have some dyes present on the shelves for sale. So I started with the Louet Gaywool and Judith's Dyes. I've had more experience dyeing with Judith's than Louet, both are really easy.

I kept reading and hearing about Earthues Natural Dyes - Extracts. Time came to make the phone call. I place a generous first order to have many of the basic colors, kits, books on the shelves. Then I went to a dealer meeting at Earthues.

Do you remember the Road Runner cartoon with Wile E Coyote when he gets hit on the head and he looks into the camera and his eyes look like big round spirals, and his body is flopping back and forth?? That was me at the meeting! Good Grief!!!

Myself and other yarn shop owners, artists, farmer dealers from around the U. S. were in the meeting to study the effects of mordants on colors. It was just like when I learned how to spin! I was so jazzed, so excited, to have found a whole new world to play in! My insides tingled! I didn't know I would love this dyeing so much! I thought I would just learn about it enough to bring it into the store!

But, no, I'm so excited about this because it is SAFE dyeing. The colors are COLORFAST. This product helps SUPPORTS indigenous peoples around the world. The colors are BRILLIANT.

Once again, it's a "back to mother earth craft" for me. Like spinning is. It goes way back to the roots of fiber from long ago. Only this time, it's with color. Michele is teaching us, old skills brought to our modern world, to be appreciated and used safely. It is something that is tangible and fresh in today's world. Safe. Sustainable. Refreshing. Alive.

Thank you Michele, for your teaching and sharing of your world with us!

PS. Jennifer, a fellow student took wonderful photos and set them up in this photo display. See them here: http://web.me.com/jnerad/Dyeing/Earthues.html

Two Great Classes with Nancy Bush

2009-01-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

Nationally known knitting teacher and author Nancy Bush came to teach Vintage Socks and Making a True Haapsalu Sall. We made a wee sock, not even a baby sock, but a sock like you would wear over your toes if you had a cast on your leg. We learned several tricks of the trade from the olden days. Nancy brought ALL the socks from the two books, "Knitting Vintage Socks," and, "Knitting on the Road." What a treat to see all the socks, hold them and look at them up close.

For the shawl class, Nancy brought many Estonian shawls that were made from the women of Estonian to show us. Umm, Umm, BEAUTIFUL!! And the shawls and scarves from her book, Knitting Lace from Estonia. (Just a note, the first shawl you see in her book, near the title pages, does not have a pattern in the book, but you can get the pattern and yarn in a kit from www.woolywest.com for about $32.00. This is Nancy Bush's web store.) What a truly wonderful experience to sit and knit with Nancy as she taught us about the customs, traditions and techniques of the Estonians for the shawl class. I am a novice lace knitter, having knit a couple lace shawls in my recent knitting past. I was able to get though this class enjoyably with the supportive help of Nancy (I really goofed on one of the nupps, rhymes with soup).

The last lace photo is the sample we made in class -- a lily of the valley pattern. We knit the edges separately, the Estonian, traditional way, and then sew them onto the lace panel with a special technique. Truly unique, and inspiring. I loved this new information! But, I love history and cultural traditions, so it fits right in!

I so enjoyed this class, Nancy and I talked about her future classes with us... so now it's a question of when and what.....!

Of course we always do these classes with a good round of potluck brought in from the students, and it's always good and plenty! Nancy ended the class with a wonderful show and tell of all the shawls from Estonia and the book, highlighting the different yarns, needle size, handspun, or commercial (in most all cases). And there was plenty of time for her to autograph the books we brought.

Thank you, Nancy for coming to share and teach at the Shop!

Moebius Baskets

2009-01-05T19:32:00.000-08:00

Cat Bordhi was at the shop on December 6. Students had a choice of learning how to do the moebius cast on and making a harvest basket, or making a sample little sock. The books we used were "The Adventures of Sock Knitting" and "The Second Treasury of Knitting", both written by Cat.

I'll have to say it was the MOST relaxing learning knit days I've had! By the end of the day, students either had a sock finished or a basket near finished.

I went on to make 8 moebius baskets, I was so hooked. I think someone said they were addictive! I put down all my other knitting, weaving, and spinning projects and just cranked out those little baskets, during the snow storms, and holiday frenzy. And It kept me sane! You can see the unfelted and felted ones in the photos, with Dino, our 18 pounder, one of the two who is always with me supervising or assisting.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful snowy Christmas this year, finally reaching 15" at our house. COLD northeaster from the Fraiser Valley in Canada dipped temps down to -10 at times. The yarn shop kept busy with shoppers coming in to buy yarn to take home to cozy up to make mittens, hats and scarves for the cold weather. It was amazing, so much snow everywhere, people stranded at home. So the boldest of them got on the busses and on their feet to get where they needed! It was great to see so many knitters come to the shop, all bundled up, in good spirits! And for what?!? More yarn to make presents, or to tread back out into the cold so they could go get cozy at home by the fire and knit!

While we waited for our traditional dinner of stuffed turkey to finish, the three of us went out to build a showman, and then the neighbor kids joined us. What started out as a snowman, changed to a chair, and ended up as the Lincoln Memorial!

Camera is Dated the 24th, date is really the 25th!

Judith McKenzie McCuin Recommended Reads

2008-11-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

Judith was here the first week of November doing a three day workshop for us. During that time she dropped several names of books that are good reads. I thought I'd pass them on to you.... Margaret has already started reading one of them!!!

Of course if you like ranching, the Ivan Diog books are fabulous, as he talks of sheep ranching on the range. I have them, but not read them yet, and should, with the history in my family of my great-grandfather's sheep ranches. "This House of Sky" is one of them.

Judith has a unique style of teaching. I think she comes to "class" with a basic idea of what will be taught, and with her wealth of knowledge stored in her head and hands, she can naturally, literally pull things "out of her hat" at a moment's notice. Her love and experience with fiber and animals is really demonstrated in class. She is a real natural. So while I went to class to learn new techniques of spinning, it was also an "experience" of a sort, hearing stories of other spinners, ranchers, knitters and weavers of the past and present. I loved these few days!

One evening after class, after we had done some combing she mentioned a book that was out of print. Alan Fanin is the author of "The Art of Handspinning". She said he was a crotchety old guy that nobody really got along with, but he really knew combing! And the section in his book on combing is the best! VanNastrom Press.

"Three Blankets, Three Legacies" and "In the Cloth of My Grandmother". Don't know the author, same author though, I think. If you know, please reply to the blog and let us know!

And lastly, the book Margaret is already reading, "The Midwives Tale", written by the same author as "The History of Knitting".

If you have any other information on these or other books to pass on about spinning and weaving history or stories, let us in the blog, Thank you!

Happy Anniversay and Waulking Day September 2008

2008-09-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

This past week end was our annual anniversay sale weekend, the last week end in September. We celebrated our 9th year in business, and began our 4th year here in this lovely old building in downtown Bellingham. Every year we "waulk" about 15 yards of woven wool fabric, woven from local weavers and friends of ours. This year we made connection with the Seattle Gaelic Language and Cultural Society -- Slighe nan Gaidheal. They came up and showed us how to Scottish waulk the wool fabric while singing, laughing, telling stories of old times. You can see by the photos how this is done: people sit around the table (traditionally women) and pass the cloth sun wise (clockwise) around, beating as it goes. It takes a while, or a few songs to complete the process. It is measured by knuckles as shown in the middle photo. When fulling is complete, the length of the fabric is rolled up, and blessed by the oldest, or most experienced woman, again accompanied by song!

Every year we've done this, it has been such a wonderful experience. To carry on the tradition of weaving together, and then bring the community together to full the cloth and sing builds such warmth and friendship. I look forward to this every year!

If this is something you would like to be a part of next year, please let us know -- we start weaving in August to prepare the annual waulking at the end of September!

Earthues Dye Day at NW Handspun Yarns

2008-09-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Last Weekend, September 6 and 7, we had a dye class using Earthues Dyes. I've been studying with Earthues in Seattle and now feel confident enough to teach the classes! Yeah! And what fun we had. The weather was sunny and the colors were bright! As a group we chose the colors we wanted, brought the wool yarns, including spinning fibers, and proceeded to forge ahead. In my dye classes we start from the beginning, cleaning, and mordanting, and then actually weighing the fiber and dye to get exactly the color we want. We had great pleasing results! We dyed wool and silk. Colors were cochineal, madder, logwood grey, fustic, quebracho red, and of course indigo. Some of these were blends, which were extra mathematical equations -- fun fun!

I'm Back! And need your help!

2008-09-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Whew! A long, but fast year has past as far as this blog is concerned. I love to write, but finding the time is the hardest thing to do! What I do with my time is work, work, work! I'm on the board of two guilds and have a staff of six, and a family! I just work too much at a job I love, so it takes a toll on my health, as it did this last year, in terms of ongoing migraines. Now I think they are under control, I feel SOOOO much better. I constantly work on finding the balance between work and play. Although in my work, it is kind of like play....most of the time.

So, if I may, I'd like to ask for your help in this blog thing --- to help me keep going! Would you write back, tell me you read the blog, give me feedback? And I'll do my best to keep writing and posting photos of you, my best friends, customers, products, and projects. Deal? Deal!

thanks a bunch!
Love, Nan

Cat Bordhi Visits our Shop

2007-11-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

What a fun, relaxing, and learning day we had with Cat Bordhi! Cat came to teach us from her new book, "New Pathways for Sock Knitters." In an all day workshop format, most of us were able to finish Learning Sock One or Two in the book, under her clear, gentle guidance. We saw every sock in the book for real, learned Judy's Magic Cast On (very, VERY good) for cast on from the toe up, and other uses. Cat brought along her friend, and Bellingham knitter, Leslie to help out as well, which helped create our calm and stressfree learning environment!

Being an avid sock knitter myself, I'll say I was a bit skeptical about learning a new method for making socks. Why mess with a tried and true way, a way that has been doen for hundreds of years?? By the end of the day, I had a feeling of freedom, actually, to create socks that FIT better around the foot, over the ankle, and through the instep. By the end of the day, I was ready to create an adult size Coriolis Sock! As well as incorporate many other techniques into my sock knitting basket of tricks. I WILL be going back to this book many times!

I think Cat enjoyed coming to the shop as much as we enjoyed having her visit! We look forward to her visit again next autumn when she will offer a class for us in ...... moebius baskets? Or? Stay tuned!

THANK YOU, CAT for visiting NW Handspun Yarns and sharing your love of socks and knitting with us!

P.S. Miss Knitty was out and about meeting students and customers alike. That's Miss Knitty's main job, the Greeter, and she is excellent at it when she's not sleeping on the job!

Waulking 2007

2007-10-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

We did it again, this time with blues, golds, rusts, and browns. Thirteen weavers wove off 15 yards of Harrisville Highland in a plaid over the last two weeks. On this past Saturday, the 28th of September, we waulked it, the old fashioned Scottish way. Miss Knitty had her paws in it as well, when we measured the fabric after we took it off the loom; the take up measured the fabric to 13 yards.

We started shortly after 2:00 PM with much enthusiasm, everyone seated in their chairs. The process only takes about 20 minutes. Taylor joined us and sang Gaelic Waulking songs from Scotland. So cool and generous of him to do this for us!

After about 20 minutes "beat, pull, pass, Beat, pull, pass" someone said, " Can we be done? Let's look at it and see if we are done!" So we spread it open, looked at the structure of the fulled fabric, and YES, decided it was done!

Traditionally, the women would have cut the cirlce of the fabric open, and then rolled it over a beam. Traditionally, we at NW Handspun Yarns have paraded it around the block by a few courageous souls, and so, keeping is tradition, for the 2nd year, that's just what we did!

Culturally, in Scotland, it's not something that's done anymore, as Taylor said, there are machines that full wool fabric now. But there are groups all over the world now that remind us of our past, and the way things were once done. We will continue to do this activity each year in the fall at our anniversary sale, to bring back a little bit of history, from the world of fiber!

Thank YOU! To everyone who wove and participated in this year's waulking!

Rigid Heddle Weaving

2007-05-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

This year I've discovered the joys and wonders of rigid heddle weaving. One of my creative New Year's resolutions was to weave more, and I thought that would be on my 8 harness loom at home. Well, being a shop owner, and all, I'm not in my loom room much at home. So, I tried the Ashford Knitter's loom first, in the hotel room at Madrona Fiber Arts, in January, and turned my room furniture upside down in order to warp that little loom, and then proceeded to weave during the show. What fun that was! Wove a plaid scarf! Wove many scarfs on that loom so far this year, yes, just in plain weave, but satifying my "need" to weave. Fast, fun and definately portable, especially with that little carry bag.

The next loom I tried out was the Schacht Flip Loom, made of solid maple, and every bit as nice as far as weaving portability goes. I'd say this loom is more serious of a rigid heddle loom. It comes in three weaving widths, and also has the feature of using TWO rigid heddles so that you can double up your ends per inch. So two 10 dent reeds, would give you 20 dents, to play with in your weaving!

Well, it's only May, and although I sell the Kromski Harp looms I haven't played with them much yet. That's the next one. Pat, a customer of ours, bought one in January to travel with in her motor home this winter and she was really pleased with it, so that is a good report! I can't wait to try the Harp out next -- I'll report back to you in another post about the Harp aber I explore it -- alternately you can leave me a post here, too of your experiences with the Harp! I know there are a lot of them out there!

I think what I like so much about the rigid heddle looms is that they are so easy to work with! Warping is a breeze! You can warp right onto the loom! Wow! It's done, and then you are weaving! The other thing (Ashford was right with calling it the "knitter's" loom), is all the wonderful knitting yarns available nowadays -- afford us such creativity! So much color and texture. The newer looms come with W I D E dent reeds to accomodate the thick and boucle yarns so we can play and create to our mind's content! You can use these looms to for tapestry weaving and pick up weaving, hmmmm, the possibilities are endless!

Infact, I was so taken by these little looms, I tought a class this spring and had three students in it. A wonderful class, where they selected their own yarns, warped their looms and wove their scarves in one day. Some were just about done with the scarf by the time class was finished. Lisa (not in a photo here) bought a Kromski Harp and a floor stand, after the class, so she could continue weaving at home satisfy her desires while she saves up for that 4 harness loom!

Happy RIGID HEDDLE Weaving!

Weaving Wonders

2007-05-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

We just finished another Weaving Weekend, with Laura, Lynne and Margaret. Mama Knitty was there, too, our new, senior rescue cat. With just three students, it was a wonderful relaxing time as they wove their cotton chinelle and boucle scarves and then started on the second project, on Sunday. Using Harrisville yarns and a twill basket weave pattern, they learned how to thread and weave this fun pattern treadling in 2/2 twill.

The purpose of this beginning weaving class is to become familiar with the looms and how they work, warp and weave two projects in plain weave and twill. Students are provided with all the yarns, patterns and worksheets for the projects, and then blank worksheets for their future projects. Students use the looms at the shop, and space is limited, classes usually fill to capacity quickly. Classes are offered once or twice per quarter, including summer.

It's a fun class, and I LOVE to teach it. I've done fiber ever since my childhood, and I've been weaving all my adult life. I've continued to take weaving classes myself, and enjoy the process of learning and discovery.

Oh, and more on Miss Knitty on another post -- she has a happy ending here at the shop!

So Many Shawls!

2007-02-27T14:55:00.000-08:00

Whew! One KN this month, several of us showed up with FINISHED shawls. Of course we had a photo shoot!

Lisa Finished the Fiddlesticks pattern, "The Tina Shawl" using Blackberry Ridge lace wight wool silk yarns -- blue. Lisa started the shawl February 1st, a year ago, and finished it February 1st this year! We believe she was the first one to complete it out of about 12 or so. She is SOOOO happy!

Melissa and Debra completed theirs sometime ago, both Fiddlesticks, "Lotus Blossom" shawls. They both used the Fiddlesticks yarn with wool and silk -- beautiful!

I finished mine with much resistance and trouble (still say I'm NOT a lace knitter!) . However, after it was completed, I'll say I was "amazingly posessed" once I put my mind to it to finish it. I could not put it down, and it was the only thing I knit on until it was finished! I used Mt. Colors Weaver's Wool, in Sweet Lavendar -- it is really quite nice!

Meg created a beautiful shawl using Louet's Gems Merino Wool, and on the border added Mohair Silk -- all in a lovely green. Meg wears her shawl a lot, I think she is very proud of it! The pattern is from Blackberry Ridge -- "Wings of Fantasy".

And last, but certainly not least, Diane, who knits with mostly handspun yarns, just completed a classic garter stitch triangular shawl. I really enjoy Diane at KN, she spends most of her time "picking" wool for her next spinning project, her favorite fiber activity!

First Annual "Maya's Aunties" Project a Big Success

2007-02-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

On Decebmer 17, 2006, Maya Lauren Penn died before she was born just a heartbreaking two weeks before her due date. The death of their first child was, as you might imagine, devastating for parents, Danny and Esther, Maya's grandparents, and her aunt, uncles and cousins. But as tragic as this event was, the nurses wapped Maya up in a beautiful layette donated by the volunteers of Minutes of Gold -- (http//:www.cm-inc.com/minutesofgold/AboutMinGold.htm) a group dedicated to making bereavement garments for fetal demise. Presented with their beautiful baby bundled up in this cozy layette, the parents and family were able to spend several special and dignified hours with Maya during which her photograph was taken. Now the layette itself is part of Maya's Memory Box and the family has the precious momento of Maya's picture.

Maya's family was so touched by this wonderful gift that her Bellingham Grandma, Dee Dee O'Connor, a Knit Nite regular, contacted Minutes of Gold to volunteer to knit the squares that are part of the breavement layette. Then she came to me to suggest that we begin an auunual project to have the other gals at knit nite knit or crochet squares. Dee Dee called the project, "Maya's Aunties," and the turnout was just amazing. The wonderful and enthusiastic women of Knit Nite donated 26 squares that will provide a bit of comfort to 26 other families during what can easily be described as the worst moments of their lives.

This year (2007) on Maya's burthday, we will officially kick-off our second year with a due date of February 14, 2008. However, if you would like to be a part of this very meaningful effort and would like to get an early start, you can contact us here at NW Handspun Yarns, and we will have Dee Dee contact you with all the particulars.

Dee Dee, her family and NW Handspun Yarns would like to that all those who contributed to this year's project.

Rob and Wilson--Together Again!

2007-01-10T04:03:00.000-08:00

For those who know me more personally than others, you know of my continuing saga of the "Sick Cat". Wilson has been sick, and lost a lot of weight, down to 7 pounds, over the last few months. At the same time, his favorite person, Rob, went off to college, not making matters any better for Wilson! Here they are, together during the break between quarters, when Rob was home for three weeks. They BOTH look pretty content, if you ask me!

We changed vets, and Wilson is diagnosed with Irritable Bowel. Yeah, it sounds weird, cats get it too! But with proper food, and meds to get him back on the mend, he has just about gained all the weight back that he lost this past autumn. He's playing again, and generally his old self!

YOU did it! 170 CAPS!

2007-01-10T03:35:00.000-08:00

From the day after Thanksgiving, to the day before Christmas, you answered the call for knitted caps -- 170 in all. What a great response! What great people you are! I sent the box, the day after Christmas, to arrive by this year's due date of January 2nd. Many of you have asked if we will be doing this again, and YES! We will!

Here's an excerp from the letter sent with your Caps to the Capital:

"In recognition of the 2 million babies who die each year, in the first month of life in developing countries, we made these caps - 170 - in all. We are sending them to you today to demonstrate the need for our country to do more to help newborns survive. These 170 caps join the other 50,000 caps already donated to Save the Children!

"Children Are Our Future. Children deserve to have basic needs met -- medicine, clean environment, water, food and warmth to survive. Please add this important item to you adenda when you meet with Congress in January, 2007.

"Sincerely yours,

Knitters and Crocheters of Bellingham

Debbie, Yvonne, Phyllis, Nancy, Mary, Oksana, Amy, Gina, Gabette, Beth, Linda, Donna, Cassie, Troy, Jody, Rebecca, Judith, Kaera, Cheryl Ann, Margaret, Casandra, Ruth, Elga, M.A., Anita, Janice, Jeannie, Patricia, Anne, Anneka, Naomi, Barbara, Robin, Michelle, Valerie, Rose, Denise, Kathy, Cheri, Denise 2, Yua, Carol, Susie, Rose, Donna, Cheryl, Tina Sido, Sheryl, Anonymous Angel

SAVE THE CHILDREN: CAPS TO THE CAPITAL

2006-11-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

Calling all knitters and crocheters: Knit or crochet a cap for newborns in poor countries, including OURS!! Four million newborns die each year in their first year of life. Many infants could be saved by simple low cost items, like sterile blades to cut umbilical cords, antibiotics for pneumonia, and knit caps (this is where YOU come in) to help keep them warm. You can download the patterns at: http://www.savethechildren.org/ . Just down load the Action Kit. The patterns are there for both knit and crochet caps -- premie size. Plus more information about the organization and it's activities.

Bring or send your caps and tag to NW Handspun Yarns by Christmas Day, and we will ship them all TO THE CAPITAL, to arrive by the due date of Janurary 2nd.

It would be so wonderful to meet our goal of 100 caps to send to them! It would be so great to know that you were a part of this group project!

So, get making caps for infants! Enjoy doing them, and know that you will be helping that little one get a better start in life!

Jane Stafford, Jane Patrick and Barry Schacht!

2006-11-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

Jane, Jane and Barry visited the shop early in November. Jane Patrick and Barry Schacht were promoting Jane's new book, "Time to Weave". Jane discussed the processes she went through to to create the projects for the book. The book is for novice crafters and experienced weavers who want to explore off loom techniques using many different processes. They showed us the new rigid heddle loom they have designed, and is now available on the market. Jane and Barry are the owner's of Schacht Spindle Company, which makes looms and spinning wheels, which we sell through the shop. We have a few autographed books left over.

Photo: Barry Schacht, Jane Stafford, Jane Patrick

Jane Stafford was also in town giving a workshop through our weaving guild, "Plain Weave". Jane is an accomplished weaver, with loads of creative experience, and a wonderful teacher. I've taken two classes from Jane, and will every chance I get. She shares her knowledge and passion of weaving with each of us in the class. She respects and makes you feel good about where you are in your weaving life. I know I leave totally energized, open to possibilities, as well as finding a focus for weaving after taking classes from Jane. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Jane, DO IT! Jane is the owner of Jane Stafford Textiles, a weaving studio.

In a previous posting I thanked those of us who work to create an environment to pass on the skills and knowledge of spinning and weaving (and other fiber arts, too). Jane S., Jane P. and Barry true examples of why our craft will continue on. THANK YOU so much for visiting the shop, and for your contributions to our creative heritage.

Let it Snow!

2006-11-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

What a month! Record rain fall, wind that knocks power out for 1, 2, or 3 days, and now a nor' easter! Yesterday during the storm and snow fall, we took Rob back to WWU after Thanksgiving week end, and decided to close the shop for the Sunday 4 hour shift. At home we got about 15" of snow!

We were open 10 - 4:00 today, and we'll do the same tomorrow. With the wind chill at -9 at night, it just feels better being at home when it's like this! On the way home, about 12 miles north (we live just 6 miles below the Canadian border) the snow was drifting high and blowing across the roadway. Our top speed was 20 mph, vs the 60 mph we usually travel!

But it sure is pretty! And I got that corriedale fleece plied too! I LIKE winter!

Rob Goes to College

2006-09-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we took our son, Rob to Western Washington University to move into the dorms. What an adventurous day that was! We took him out to breakfast, he was so nervous, he nibbled his meal, hardly noticed anything was gone! When we arrived at the college, we were directed to the appropriate line for his dorm -- along with all the other nervous students, and some with their entire family in the car with them, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, friends, and on and on! The weather was sunny and warm. After waiting for an hour, and moving about 100 feet, Rob and Jim decided to hoof it up to the dorm and check in. All up hill. His dorm room is on the 5th floor, no elevator!

Rob starts out as a Junior, majoring in math and computer science. He tells me his room mate may also be a math major. Growing up Rob "played" with math a lot. Just like I knit a lot, he played math a lot. One of his favorite games now is GO, and he is quite good at it. In fact I think he is so good at it, he has a hard time loosing! I hope he can find some GO challenges at school!

Our cat, Wilson, has gone from being Rob's constant companion to mine. He kneads and purrs all night, and is at my side constantly, talking during the day. Rob says he'll be home this week end to do his laundry - we'll be happy to see him, especially Wilson, I think!

Good luck, Rob! We love you and are so proud of you!

Nadine Sanders, Weaver, Singer, and Waulker

2006-09-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

Yes! Nadine came to visit us last Saturday, in good form. She started out with her warping technique using shoestrings, paddle, and a raddle. Very nice and efficient way of warping a loom. I missed this part, but those who attended really liked it! Several bought shoestrings, books, CD's on "how to" including me!

After lunch, we went to the Bellingham Public Library to see her presentation on current Scottish weavers, felters and musicians. A slide show complete with garments to model, and shortbread cookies. I really liked the slide show, because I like the history of our craft so much. The slides she had of the modern day weavers were weaving on 300 year old looms! Good Greif! Very impressive, though!

We FINALLY waulked the wool yardage we wove for this day, in the afternoon. This was the part I was really waiting to do!

Several people gathered around and waulked and sang, and took turns. Of course, we didn't use urine to wet the fabric like in the olden days, but we could have! We even have the sea water near by to rinse the urine out, IF we had used urine. But, we just used plain ole' water. From the tap. You sing, beat the fabric together on the table, push it to the middle, pull it back out, and move it to the left to the next person. You are continually moving the fabric to the next person.

(Of course, the photos are all out of order! The first photo, with the waulkers parading the fabric around, is when the fabric is completed -- ah well, I'm learning about this process too, and perhaps need another lesson!)

The 15.5 inch wide fabric fulled to 12 inches. Wow! It took about 20 - 25 minutes with all the songs, taking turns, and stories Nadine shared.

As I looked around the table, I noticed how happy and enthusiastic the partipants were -- it was really great! I'm really pleased that Nadine came to visit us, share her stories, and we were able to learn and participate in an age old tradition. Soooo cool! Thank YOU, Nadine!

Thanks to the Fiber Artists Before Us

2006-09-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

When the shop was located at the Bellingham Hardware Building, it was my first venture out of the house with this fiber art retail business. From time to time, I've been known to get melencholy with the history of our fiber crafts. Shortly after moving into that space, 6 years ago, I wanted to thank the people (thus the universe) who have contributed to my knowledge base, and the connection I feel in my soul with the history and current issues of fiber crafts and arts. I wrote this out then, and still believe it now:

"NW Handspun Yarns ACKNOWLEDGES and THANKS those teachers, fiber artists, textile mill workers, shepherds, and shepherdesses, weavers, and spinners, masters and novices; all over the world that have contributed to the collective knowledge that we have and share today, and we are priviledged to be able to reap the benefits from their efforts.

"The goals for NW Handspun Yarns are to encourage individuals to learn new skills, experiment and enjoy the process of creativity in the fiber arts."

And, I thank YOU all who are such a rich part of my life now -- all because of yarn!

Singing Weaver and Spindrifters to Visit the Shop September 9th.

2006-08-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Nadine Sanders is scheduled to visit the shop, on Saturday, September 9th. She'll be here all day, presenting three different programs: Warping on a Shoestring, Beyond Plaid-- Scottish Tartan Weaves, and finally she will guide us through waulking of fabric. The photos show the 4.5 yard fabric being woven by Betsey. A design I planned using Harrisville's Highland yarns for the plaid fabric. For those who may not know, "waulking" is really "fulling" woolen fabric, and this is all set to music! A really fun, full day is planned -- we'll be going from the shop to the public labrary and back again!

The local spinning group, Spindrifters will be holding their monthly Saturday meeting at the Shop as well. They'll bring their spinning wheels, spin, and join in the festivities. WOW! What a great way to start the fall time festivities! Knitting, spinning, weaving -- and it's the shop's anniversary time too!

Kim Gets Married!

2006-08-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Kim joined KN last winter, she's an avid knitter and new spinner. She's what I call a "young Mom" -- we have several in our KN gatherings. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Kim got married last week! So, WE CELEBRATED! We celebrate every chance we get, but this is an absolutetly fantastic reason to celebrate! Kim is knitting the sock in this photo. Congratulations, Kim!

Lotus Shawl Knit Along

2006-08-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

In mid June we started another Knit Along, this time with Fiddlesticks "Lotus Blossom". Here are pictures of Joy, who finished her shawl first, no pressure here, just the facts! She used 2 skeins of Blackberry Ridge, wool silk yarn, bought here at the shop (Thank you Joy!). There are 11 of us doing this shawl, with various yarns. Most are using the Country Silks from Fiddlesticks, and I'm using Mountain Colors -- Sweet Lavender. Yvonne has gotten us started, and for the novice lace knitter, it's a very good one to start with! I'm a novice lace knitter, and still sit at the dining room table with my charts all around, reading each row. Someday, I know I'll get pass this too!

Knit Along: Tina Shawl

2006-08-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here is (back row) Janice, Melissa, Beth, (front row) Joy, Yvonne, Lisa and Dee Dee, on the Cast on night, February 1st. They've been in polite competition (I'm on row 58, what row are YOU on?!). and they've been really helpful to each other, too. This shawl is not for the light hearted (I did not tackle it!). But Janice and Joy are both to the final lace edge now. Way to go, Girls!

Welcome!

2006-07-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight is Knit Night (KN) again, and starting about 5:00 the fiber artists fanatics start to arrive. The knitters, crocheters and spinners. We start with small conversation, and as the group grows, to 20 -30 folks, the conversation get quite loud, and exciting. I'm surprised that we've had more for KN during the summer than we do in the winter time!

Tonight I'll ask the group about Rowan Yarns, which one's I should order for the store, tell them about "Hemp for Knitting" and "Mission Falls" which was ordered today. New lines to carry at the store. I have the best retail therapy when the yarn reps come visit! It's the time I get to shop!

Several of us will go to Boundary Bay Brewery after KN for a meal and beer. We've been doing this now for about 5 years. It's one of the events that makes us the best of friends, and to make new friends.