Here is an article that I wrote for the next issue of Madeleine Magazine....see it at www.oktogetmad.com if you don't receive a copy of the magazine. The magazine is also available at some news stands.
A Knitter’s Resolve.
As my generation’s musical muse, John Lennon, sings out “another years ended and a new ones just begun” I contemplate the year past and think of the future. Don’t we all have resolutions….even if we refuse to name them as such? Every year I plan to shed a few pounds, eat better, exercise more, and make better use of my time and this New Year I am at it again. It doesn’t help when my daughter gives me a book on “Eating Clean” where I learn I should apparently be eating 10 egg whites a day….ugh! Let me drink my skinny latte while I hold that thought!
As a new decade begins (do we really want to call the decade past the “aughts”?) the media is full of year and decade end reviews….what has happened, what has changed, what has had the most impact on our lives and world. It has made me realize several things. You can’t predict what is going to happen next, whether it is a tragedy on the scale of 9/11, an anticipated disaster such as a H1N1 pandemic or global warming or whether in our anticipation of disaster we get our act together individually or jointly as the human race, making changes in our lifestyle to help save our planet and the world in which we live.
In yearend reviews claim there are actually fewer wars than at any other time in recorded history (although this is hard to believe), less poverty, a decrease in infection rates in many life threatening diseases such as aids, measles and malaria. Is this due in large measure to our amazing easy access communications which spread information so widely and quickly? We know so we act?
The other thing I have come to realize in my little world is how darn clever knitters are. Chicken or Egg? I don’t know whether knitting has made them clever or clever people tend to do things like knit but at any rate knitters have embraced new communications technology and it is revolutionizing. It is like a renaissance; only a few years ago we all worked individually or in a small group but now the world is our oyster, full of creative inspiration that we all can share. Knitter’s blogs abound; and knitters are social networkers on a grand scale. On Ravelry more than 200,000 knitters can commune together on one site. The site combines social networking, yarn, and pattern databases and a project management system. Want to know something, need a pattern, see what other knitters are doing….Google it, browse Ravelry or watch a YouTube video. It is all there at the click of a button and it opens up a whole brave new world for knitters! How exciting! Internet communications enables independent artisans and small companies in far corners of the world to get their goods to market making available some wonderful products.
So my resolution for knitting is this….I am going to learn something new, knit something that stretches my concentration stamina…after all it is only knits and purls…..what changes the level of difficulty is how complicated the pattern of these stitches are and the scale (i.e., the number of stitches). Some of my knitting friends are doing the same; Chris is working on some wonderful fairisle mittens. It is a brain exercise with rewards! Cathy is always making more beautiful lace…I am not sure if I am up to that level of concentration yet….but small steps.
Best wishes to all for the New Year! Make all your resolutions come true.
Sally Mahood
Owner Art of Yarn
Some of the students in Sue's class are making Christmas stockings and Lynne Houle made this very pretty angel.
Nice work Lynn!
"Dear Sally,
I think it is just wonderful how you and your husband support this project-my heart felt thanks.
The last lot of articles were just great. The volunteers at the Warehouse were so pleased with all the sweaters, blankers, slippers, toques, and washcloths. Most of the things will be sent next month to the Congo, where civil war is never ending and the people
Sylvia Hatfield."
Last month we delivered two loads to Canada Comforts in Victoria.....I couldn't fit everything in my suv on the first trip. We had many blankets and other knitted items, sewn items plus many boxes of bandages and other items such as diapers. I am not in the store many times when the donations come in so I don't get to personally thank you but I would like to thank you now!
If you or anyone you know is interested in knitting or sewing for Canada Comforts please contact us at the store. If you or anyone you know has left over yarn.....this is something that often people save but will never use.....please bring it in. We will sort it out and pass it forward to knitters to turn into something useful and needed. Right now we are totally out of charity yarn.
If you have yarn at home it can be made into toques, baby sweaters, slippers, baby blankets or knit into strips. Knit the strips about 4" wide and 60 " long. You can crochet or stitch them together into small blankets. or if you bring in the strips we will find someone to put them together. If you have fine yarn, combine several strands together so that the tension is about worsted weight - ie. 20 stitches to 4". It is best if they are knit in garter stitch (knit every row) as the strips are firmer and have more warmth.
Thanks again for your time, efforts and generosity!
Sally
So many new things in store.....over the next few weeks I will post some of our favorite new arrivals.
We received a small shipment of Zauberball - this is a sock (or whatever you fancy) yarn. Zauberball is a unique single-ply yarn and is a blend of 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon. The colours of this yarn are outstanding....and very tempting! If you are a sock or lace kntter then this will a treat to try.....I can imagine some little kids sweaters....It is always so hard to find great colours in washable yarns. Just imagine a baby surprise jacket in this yarn!
Here's a pair of socks that Chris....our resident sock genius and teacher made...not so timid but there are many subtle colorways also.
Here are some other colourways...or drop in the store and check it out.
Sally
This is what Melissa had to say about them:
"they are done in a vertical eyelet pattern, knit from the toe up and finished with a frilled picot bindoff.."
Pretty good for someone who didn't know how to knit not so long ago!
If you have never knit with Koigu - it is lovely and there are many beautiful colours to choose from.
Thanks for the pictures and sharing.
Sally
The shawl is easy and is knit on 5.5mm needles so it knits up quickly. The pattern is easy to adapt to make if you would rather make a scarf.....or larger if you wanted to make a small throw. My shawl required 2 skeins (180 m each) and 1 skein would make an ample scarf.
Thanks to Melissa for being my model.
Pattern is available in the shop. Check out a previous post to see the lovely sweater that was made with this yarn. This yarn has lots of legs as it is best not knit too tightly.
Enjoy your knitting and the lovely weather.
Sally
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/789644
Here is a copy of the page:
Knitting 'can delay' memory loss
 Knitting may help, but watching too much TV could be a problem |
Engaging in a hobby like reading a book, making a patchwork quilt or even playing computer games can delay the onset of dementia, a US study suggests.
Watching TV however does not count - and indeed spending significant periods of time in front of the box may speed up memory loss, researchers found.
Nearly 200 people aged 70 to 89 with mild memory problems were compared with a group who had no impairment.
The findings are to be presented to an American Academy of Neurology meeting.
The researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota asked the volunteers about their daily activities within the past year and how mentally active they had been between the age of 50 to 65.
 |  One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years so there is a desperate need to find ways to prevent dementia  Alzheimer's Society |
Those who had during middle age been busy reading, playing games or engaging in craft hobbies like patchworking or knitting were found to have a 40% reduced risk of memory impairment.
In later life, those same activities reduced the risk by between 30 and 50%.
Those who watched TV for less than 7 hours a day were also 50% less likely to develop memory loss than those who spent longer than that staring at the screen.
"This study is exciting because it demonstrates that ageing does not need to be a passive process," said study author and neuroscientist Dr Yonas Geda.
"By simply engaging in cognitive exercise, you can protect against future memory loss. Of course, the challenge with this type of research is that we are relying on past memories of the participants, therefore we need to confirm these findings with additional research."
Sarah Day, head of public health at the Alzheimer's Society said: "One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years so there is a desperate need to find ways to prevent dementia.
"Exercising and challenging your brain - by learning new skills, doing puzzles such as crosswords, and even learning a new language - can be fun.
"However, more research, where people are followed up over time, is needed to understand whether these sorts of activities can reduce the risk of dementia."I should have no problem with memory...I could be so lucky....well, at least I can justify knitting so much...I will have to forward this to my family!
Decoding those patterns are supposed to be really good for you.....lace and socks here I come.
Keep Clicking - Sally
Proud Grandma!
Kensie is ready for ballet……
I knit this little wrapper for Kensie's birthday. I used Be Sweet Mohair Boucle and some of their Ribbon Ball (there is quite a bit of this left over). Truly these are luxury yarns....but oh so lovely! The wrap was very simple and didn’t take much yarn….and it is knit (I knit every row…garter stitch) on pretty big needles. I didn’t make a pattern but made it up as I proceeded. This is pretty simple to do with yarn like this as it is very forgiving. You need to establish how wide you want it and make a small swatch then do the math and decide how many stitches to cast on. I made it as one piece to the underarm then divided it for the underarms decreasing a few stitch on each side. At the same time I decreased at the front about every 8 rows. The important thing is to make sure the front decreases will give you enough stitches to make the shoulders. The ratio is about 1/3rd (1/3rd for each shoulder and the neck)…..for instance 10 stitches for each shoulder and 10 stitches for the neck opening….you need to end up with 30 stitches on the back and 10 on each side of the front.
For the tie I cast on about 20 stitches then picked up one side, across the back neck, then down the front and cast on other 20 stitches. For this trim I used the Ribbon Ball. I knit for about 1” and then cast off.
I cast on the # of stitches that would go around the wrist – remember the swatch – now you have a big swatch in the garment already made. I knit up increasing a few stitches on each side. When I thought it was as long as needed I decreased on each side the same way and # as I decreased on the back and front at the underarm. I then knit up the top part of the sleeve and cast off on both sides until there were a few stitches. I had sewn the shoulder seams so I could get a measurement of how big the armhole opening was from cast off to cast off. You need the same measurement from the right cast off around to the left cast off. Knitting is pretty forgiving and this is knitted loosely so more so; a little extra length in the sleeve top would be better than it being too short; remember it has to go around the arm. Sew in the sleeves…..There you go….a little top!
Read about Be Sweet yarns on their website…. www.besweetproducts.com
"Be Sweet Mission
Be Sweet began with Curtis wholesaling a handful of handmade items to boutiques in Northern California and upstate New York. Be Sweet's products can now be found in over 200 boutique stores in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Sweden, Austria and Japan. Be Sweet works with several job creation programs in South Africa by giving artisans the confidence and the means to support themselves and their families in an otherwise economically depressed region. The empowerment groups have grown to include over 200 villagers, mostly female members of the Xhosa tribe, who live in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape region and Johannesburg. Participants are responsible for making mohair, bamboo and organic cotton yarns, accessories and home goods. Many of the women depend on their work for their survival. With the help of experienced program directors, the women are able to work in stable environments where they can earn a fair wage, learn a new skill and enjoy their jobs.
"I started Be Sweet to support artisans by bringing their products to a wider market of conscience consumers interested in beautiful things that fund community development. Our products embody the ideals of beauty, creativity and resourcefulness."
Be Sweet also donates a portion of its profits to the Shaw Park School, a primary and secondary
school in the Eastern Cape where many of the participants' children attend.
Together, we can make a difference!
Nadine Storyk Curtis
Founder
Happy knitting to all.
Sally
The Fall Classes have started.....we were very happy to see the returning students and knitters - we missed you over the summer! It is great to see new students joining us this fall, we hope you enjoy yourselves and learn to make some wonderful things. There is still a few spots open in a few of the classes. The Lace workshop on Monday morning has room for a few students....don't be frightened by lace....this is the only time we strive for holes in our knitting!.....lace is usually just yarn overs and knit 2 together done is such a way as to make a pattern. There are so many lovely luxury yarns that are best knit in lace....you see the yarn better and it is lighter with all those holes..Join the group and make something lovely!
Call the store if you wish to join us....we would love to have you.
Here are some pics from our first classes....
Here's the winner of our class sign up draw.......Barb Peterson....She was thrilled to be the "winner". Barb gets to sample many of the new lovely yarns from Berroco and now has a beautiful handmade Lantern Moon basket from Thailand. We are delighted for you!
Sally
I am almost finished a shawl made with Maiden Hair in wonderful earthy colours...will post soon. It maybe the nicest yarn I have ever worked with (I may have felt this before? I might be working a bit in the presence). I made a couple of hats using the new Slubby Blue - this is also a dream; looks like handspun and is really soft and of course comes in the same fantastic colours.
Here's a couple of pictures and will post pictures of the little tests I made with this yarn soon.
Sally
Slubby Blue 100% Blue Face Leicester Trail Socks
100m/125g
8mm needle
10st/4"
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What a summer we have had in the Okanagan! It was hot for most of the summer and with the fires pretty smoky for much of the time. I found myself (I am a west coast duck) rather wishing for rain...I didn't say this too loudly though! It is September and still hot although today looks like a thunder storm day. As serious knitters a little 35 degree may have slowed us down but we still managed to create a little magic.
Cathy, our resident expert whimsical knitter was so excited when she discovered a friend was having a baby she planned a beautiful layette…..turns out 1 baby is actually 2 so she had somewhat more knitting than planned..Undaunted she created this absolute treasure (times 2). I am sure the Mother will delighted.
Join Cathy for her toy workshop scheduled for October to learn to make some wonderful gifts and Christmas ornaments.
Cathy Daniel with her baby layette. Body is worked in Sirdar Snuggly Bubbly (the name says it all) the trim is done in a matching plain yarn.
Don't you love the little knit bear with pink dress.
Cathy also made these too cute socks for Kensie using Noro Sock yarn.......Kensie is starting school so these will be perfect and really set her apart as a style diva. She made a couple of pairs for herself and this was the yarn left over.
Lucky babies, lucky mommies and lucky kids!
Sally
We have had lots of strips made....these are great to make into blankets. Nina Young among others has been putting them together into blankets. You see how all those odds and ends can be knit into strips - garter stitch is best - and then they can be crocheted together into blankets. Make the strips 4 - 6 inches wide and 60 inches long.
Of course there are lots of hats, baby sweaters but we do love the little dolls. These are the simplest pattern and can be made with any yarn. Contact the store for the pattern....I will try to post it soon for those of you who can't get in. Cathy Daniel is going to teach students how to make these in her Toy Workshop...see class schedule for details.
Most of these were made by the knitters at Lady of Lourdes church in Westbank....some kids will love them. Kensie was passing a little hug forward to some needy kids.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart...keep up the great work.
Sally
SIGN UP FOR FALL CLASSES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 A LANTERN MOON KNITTING BASKET FILLED WITH KNITTING TREATS
Art of Yarn
Knit, Crochet, Felt and Make Cool Stuff!
The fall & winter schedule ~ Classes start week of September 7, 09
New Workshops
Lace Sampler Scarf
Monday 10:00 ~ 12:00 PM
Teacher: Dawn Wesenberg
4 Classes ~ $40.00
Simple or Simply Fantastic Socks
Friday 10:00 ~ 12:00 PM
Teacher: Chris Campbell
4 Classes ~ $40.00
Felting “How To”
Teacher: Judith Mueller
Time: 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM
Date: Sept 14 and or Sept 21
Cost: $12.00 per class
Students will learn all about wet, hand felting. Everyone will work on small projects to get the feel of felting. Supplies required: some feltable coloured fleece, a dishpan and a regular bath towel. Optional supplies would be some felting needles, embroidery needle, coloured embroidery thread or other yarns, threads or beads.
Felting 3D
Teacher: Judith Mueller
Time: 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM
Date: Sept 28 and Oct 5
Cost: $30.00 for 2 classes
Students will learn to felt a 3D object such as a small clutch purse or accessories bag. The first class we would felt, and the second we would fix felting mistakes, embellish, or make a 2nd project. Some supplies required similar to “How To” class but students need more fleece.
Hand Felted Slippers
Teacher: Judith Mueller
Time: 7:00 ~ 9:00 PM
Date: Oct 19, 26, Nov 2 and 9
Cost: $60.00
Students will learn to hand felt a pair of slippers, and how they can decorate and embellish them.
For the first class students need fleece, a dishpan (big enough for their foot), a bath towel. A washing board or felting board is optional. Additional supplies will be required for embellishments but they are not needed for the first class.
Toy Workshop
Teacher: Cathy Daniel
Time: 10:00 ~ 12:00 PM
Date: Oct 1, 8, 15, 22
Cost: $40.00
Make memorable gifts and decorations that warm the heart. You need your knitting bag with all the regular tools. We will have some project ideas for your first class.
Classes
Knitting Groups
Knit with friends in a group setting. Members should have some knitting experience. Priority will be given to continuing members; to confirm your space, registration and payment must be completed one week prior to start of session. Throughout the session the teacher will introduce various new ideas or techniques with some project suggestions
$60.00 ~ 8 Classes
Dates– Classes start Sept 8
Tues. 10:00 AM ~ 12:00am Sue Riphagen
Tues. 12:30 AM~ 2:30am Sue Riphagen
Tues. 7:00 PM ~ 9:00pm Priska Urben
Wed. 12:30 PM ~ 2:30pm Sue Riphagen
Sat. 10:00 AM~ 12:00am Sue Riphagen
Knitting Basics
This class is designed for new knitters and for those who are new to the game. Class size is small and will allow more teacher time per student. Teacher will start with a small project that will equip you with all the skills needed. Materials are extra: Bring a Bag to carry your knitting and tools. You will need size 4.5mm needles, a practice ball of yarn, 100 grams of worsted weight yarn (ask us for suggestions), a small pair of scissors, note pad, pen, post it notes, tape measure, pins, stitch markers and gadget bag for these bits and pieces.
$80.00 ~ 8 Classes
Dates: Classes start Sept 9
Wed. 10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM Sue Riphagen
Sat. 12:30 AM ~ 2:30 PM Sue Riphagen
Knit or Crochet Project Class
Students should know the basics of knitting or crochet. The teacher will guide you through a project of your choice or help you improve your skills and techniques
$60.00—8 Classes
Dates: Classes start Sept 9
Wed ~ 7:00 PM ~ 9:00 PM Dianne Jacobson
Knit and Crochet Basics
Learn how to knit and crochet or to increase your skills. The teacher will guide you through some simple projects and help you work on your own projects. As you get more experienced new techniques will be introduced.
$80.00 ~ 8 Classes
Dates: Classes start Sept 10
Thurs ~ 7:00 PM ~ 9:00 PM Judith Mueller
Kid’s Knitting and Fibre Crafts
This Class is designed for kids 7 and up. The teacher will teach the basics of knitting, crochet and some fibre crafts like felting. Students should have some basic knitting needles, yarn, crochet hooks and a kit bag. A complete list will be provided before the class begins. Some craft activities will involve a kit fee which will be extra.
$40.00 ~ 4 Classes
Dates: Sept 12,19,26, Oct 3
Sat. 3:00 PM ~ 4:30 PM Judith Mueller
Knitting Clinic
Hours: Tuesday between 3:00 ~ 5:00 PM
Book a private (or semi) lesson.
The knitting doctor is available for consultation. Call to book a time. You are welcome to sit and continue working at our knitting table
$7.50 for 15 Minutes one on one help.
The Teachers:
Sue Riphagen: Sue is a very experienced teacher and if you want to learn then she can teach you all the knits and purls that you need to know to make something wonderful.
Priska Urben: Priska is a very experienced and creative knitter. Her classes are always working on different, fun projects.
Judith Mueller: Judith is a professional teacher who loves her medium. She is experienced with all fibre arts.
Dianne Jacobson: Dianne’s class is fun and chatty and she will teach you “how to” or help you with your knitting and crochet projects
Dawn Wesenberg: Dawn is an experienced knitter and can teach you all you need to know to improve your skills.
Chris Campbell: Chris is our sock and lace knitter extraordinary. She has graciously offered to share her expertise with others.
Cathy Daniel: Cathy is a wonderful knitter and makes the most amazing toys and creature creations. Check out her popular Noah’s
Our Policies
Class size is limited to provide the best learning experience for all. Cost of classes depends on teacher fees, class size and amount of preparatory work involved.
Classes are on a first come first serve basis. For our knitting groups we endeavour to give priority to returning students and will hold their spot if they indicate they are continuing up to 1 week before start of class.
We can unfortunately not offer a refund for missed classes or for any cancellation after 1 week before the start of a class.
At the discretion of the teacher you may be able to make up a missed class as long as there is room in another class in the same session. Please let the teacher know if you can not attend so she will know if there is room for another student to make up a class.
Students wishing to drop in must call first to see if there is room in a class. Drop In fee is $8.00.
ART OF YARN
250 717 3247 info@artofyarn.com
Mieka is made with Double Sea Silk....a yarn blended with silk and a sea silk which is similar to rayon and is a man made fibre from seaweed. Of course it comes in glorious colours, has beautiful sheen and drapes beautifully. Pattern is from Perl Grey who is associated with Fleece Artist (Kathryn's sister I believe).
Courtyard is a kit using Sea Wool....a similar blend but this time wool and sea cell. The pattern is from Ilga Leja who is a great designer from the Maritimes.....don't we love this Canadian content! This will be wonderful for the whole year.
Keep Clicking.....
Sally
The pattern is from Alan Dart....who else!.....and is modified somewhat. The original pattern is not felted but Cathy found the perfect frog colour in the shop's felting yarns and decided to go big...to great success.
Cathy is going to share her expertise in a 4 session workshop starting in October. Call the store for details.
You to can make memorable gifts.
Croak, Croak, Croak......Sally
Judith loves to work with colour. She crocheted this blanket which incorporated many yarns, many colours and textures into a wonderful thick and cozy blanket. It worked up quickly as all the yarns are worked double….never 2 the same together … this keeps the colours flowing and is rewarding to the eye.
We love it…thanks for sharing Judith!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLq
Enjoy.....Sally
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