December 2009
Today was the last day at City Knitting- the last day to enjoy each other, which we did. Thanks to the many who came, young friends and old (and injured.)
Thanks for all the cards, thoughtful letters and hugs. Thanks, Cathie, for the wine you brought, four “flavors” in all!
Thanks, Carol, for sharing your sofa with my family. It made it home and will never be put to such good use again. I believe there are three boys on it now, playing video games. I know, it’s a cryin’ shame.
At least Carol won the “guess how many balls of yarn are left contest”. Her guess was 60, and she was off by one, winning herself two hanks for socks. Kim won the spending contest- an amount frighteningly close to her paycheck totals.
Leslie, the last yarnie left in the store, turned out the lights then snapped this shot. In my arms on the way out are a half-bottle of wine, an almond cake, letters, a heart ornament, and my last bit of Christmas knitting. My mom-in-law requested a Holey Squares Scarf as a momento. Since it’s my eighth one, I found myself doing an occasional (p2tog, yo) on the purl rounds, just to keep it interesting. Four hanks of Berroco Jasper were used in this one. Pattern is here.
A moment with the tea kettle to relax the seams, and presto! One more present to wrap tonight.
So, goodbye for this year. I’ll see some of you in the new year at my house for social knitting, or for classes. Appointments for help and class signups can be made after January 4 by following the contact info on the classes page.
Heartfelt thanks,
Lorilee
- December 19th, 2009
- 9:06 pm
A knitting related story that may not interest you.
My husband stayed home from the band concert last night to diagnose and hopefully fix a problem with our landline phone at home. It has been failing intermittently for the past week, and died completely a few days ago. We suspected it was not the line outside the house, because internet still worked.
When we got home from the concert, “ta-da!”, the phone worked. He had a smirk on his face which made me ask, “Either it was something stupid and quick, or something really complex, and you are brilliant. Which one?”
“Neither, it’s better. It’s your yarn’s fault,” he said.
So, try to figure that out, or read on.
One of the telephone wires added for the kids Wii travels across the perimeter of the carpeted tv-room. The tv-room is the only room without basement beneath it, just a crawl space, which gets cold. And it has recently gotten very cold here in Grand Rapids. The wire got trapped in the corner of the room beneath my knitting basket, which is full of wool with all its insulating properties. The wool prevented the heat from the room from getting to the space below the basket where the wire was trapped. The carpet elevated the basket just enough for some air to flow just a bit- enough for condensation to occur. The condensate accumulated, wetting the carpet and shorting the wire.
More on the insulating properties of wool
The shop cubbies are pretty bare (actually, not a pretty thing). It sounds and feels chillier in the shop. We’ll keep the heat up to compensate, to try to keep you cozy while knitting. Tonight is the last knitting night. Saturday is the last day. Most of the furniture is still here for you, but since all our folding chairs are gone, Saturday folks will want to bring a chair.
50% off & $1 patterns
Friday, all remaining merchandise is 50% off. Also, individual patterns are $1.
Saturday will be 50% off as well. If I add more to that, I’ll hop back to edit this post. You’ll have to check.
- December 17th, 2009
- 8:36 am
This is our final week together at the shop. Before I go over the schedule for the week, here are a few things to share.
Hearts for Haiti- Thanks, everyone.
We reached the goal of 120-130 heart cushions, thanks to many hands. We especially want to thank Cathie R, who is personally responsible for knitting over 50 of them.
Last Sunday, we cut them all down from the rafters and used them to surround Caroline, QiQi and Stephen with some hand-knit love.
In February, they will be delivered to the orphanage in Haiti, where Caroline will meet her new daughter Lourdes. Congrats and best wishes to the entire family.
Classes
Click on the classes page at right to see a list of classes for 2010. “Become a Better Knitter” filled quickly, so another date has been added.
Tuesdays in 2010
Click on the events page to see a schedule for Tuesday get-togethers.
There’s an echo.
A lot of yarn has left the building, leaving an echo-y space behind. What we have left is 40% off through Friday, with a new discount level to be announced for Saturday. Knitters, there are still some beautiful future projects on the shelves, including yarn and books for future knitting plans. Crocheters, grab some great books and a comfy crochet hook. Spinners, there is a nice adjustable niddy noddy from Nancy’s Knit Knacks, and a portable lazy kate, at 40% off. Dyers, we have pots of dye and some good color books. Fans, we have Know Your Cuts of Lamb Gear.
For gifting, we just got more Knitting Answer Books. Since we just got them, they are not discounted, but they are great stocking stuffers even at full price.
Stuff that stocking with knitting help.
Many of you have asked where to go for help once we close. The idea of a knitting help punch card was well received as we talked with you about it this week, so they are now available. Here’s the deal: Lorilee will offer help by appointment in her home, which is just a half-mile south of the shop. You can now buy a card at the shop for $25, good for an hour of help in 15 minute increments. Details are on the card. I am sorry I can no longer help you for free at the shop, but at least this is an option for those who want it. (Put it on your wish list, and make sure sure Santa sends an elf to the shop before the 19th. After January 5, you can buy them from me directly.)
Schedule for the week:
Monday- closed.
Tuesday 12 noon - 9 pm. 40% OFF. Knitting night IMPORTANT: The sofas and about 6 chairs are there, but most of the folding chairs are gone, so, BRING A CHAIR. It’s too difficult to knit with another knitter on your lap.
Wednesday 10 - 5. 40% OFF
Thursday 10 - 9. 40% OFF
Friday 10 - 5. 40% OFF
Saturday 10 - 4. T.B.A.% OFF.
I was asked the following about the last day. Can we bring food? Can we bring some wine? Can we stay after the doors close at 4:00? I answered “yes” to all. So, while CK is not planning a party, it sounds like some of you are, which will be great, thanks. (AGAIN, BRING SOMETHING TO SIT UPON.)
This website.
The City Knitting website will continue on, so we can continue to keep in touch. I am planning to continue teaching, both in my home and on the road. (If you are not in the Grand Rapids area and want to take classes, ask your LYS to contact me.)
The website will also keep you informed about retreats. I plan to organize one or two per year. (See events page at right.)
My schedule, whether on the road teaching, or on the road selling Cuts of Lamb gear at festivals, will also be posted here.
So, stay in touch. Many thanks.
-Lorilee
2c31
- December 14th, 2009
- 8:46 am
It’s cold, snowy & dangerous out there. Today, Thursday, we just closed the shop early at 4:00. See you tomorrow.
At the moment, I am frozen out of my car, but hope to make it home to coziness soon.
Ironically, I just bought ice cream at the CVS, and it’s melting in the shop. So, if you see a parked car running with peppermint chip ice cream on the roof, leave it alone.
- December 10th, 2009
- 4:26 pm
L.N.Y.P.
The final Late Night Yarnie Party is tonight form 7 PM until midnight. Please bring a chair, as we’ve sold a few, and we may have some out of town guests. Bring a little something to share if you have time. We also have plenty of food, so do not feel obliged if you have had a busy day.
Classes for 2010
Sign up sheets for the new classes posted on our website are now ready for you at the shop.
We are open Sunday
We’ve never opened on Sunday, but this Sunday is exceptional. Join us between 11 and 2 for a light brunch to celebrate Hearts for Haiti. Caroline and Stephen, who will be adopting a little girl from Haiti, and delivering all the heart pillows to the orphanage, will be there. Come say hello so they have the opportunity to thank you for your knitting. We have reached the goal, so just come socialize, knit whatever you like, or just hang out.
New yarns
Yes, we are still expecting a few shipments. Some special orders should be arriving any day, as well as some new Berroco (which will not be discounted) and yet more chunky wool for those clogs.
Generally, we are not accepting special orders, but still try to reach us quickly if you want to order a special book, or swift or winder, or other notions. Some of these items are a local pick up, and very easy for us to get for you. They will not be discounted, but at least they may still be available to you.
Shine
Following is a message I received from Shine, who I first met during the earliest CK days. She’s allowing me to share this with you. It’s an e-mail she sent me last week. From Shine:
I started my blanket on July 4, 2008. Currently, it is 72″ wide and 28″ long. As you know, once a month I allowed myself the treat of some of City Knitting’s nicest yarn. 20 yards went to the blanket, 20 to swaps, and the rest went to socks. I cheated sometimes and didn’t count the yarns from the sale rack. Aside from the yarn that Cookie A gave to me, when I met her at City Knitting, the yarn from City Knitting in the blanket includes the following:
Araucania Ruca
Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock (in four colorways)
Colinette Jitterbug
Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering (in two colorways)
Crystal Palace Yarns Merino 5 Solid
Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi
Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk Solid (in two colorways)
Knit One Crochet Too Soxx Appeal
Lana Grossa Meilenweit 50 Seta/Cashmere
Louet Gems Fingering Wt.
Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend
Noro Kureyon Sock (in five colorways)
Noro Silk Garden Sock (in two colorways)
Punta Yarns Feather Space Dyed
Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton DK
Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball
Skacel Collection, Inc. Urban Silk
Yarn Hollow Andromeda
Yarn Hollow Elemental
Yarn Hollow Sliver
Yarn Hollow Summer Love
The socks I’ve made with these yarns include the following:
Argyle Socks by Jacquelyn Smyth
bmp by Aija Goto
Hedgerow Socks by Jane Cochran
Lolita Legs by Amy King
Q by Aija Goto
Vinnland by Becca Compton
and more than one pair using the Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula
by Amy Swenson as well as a couple pairs of Saartje’s Bootees by Saartje de Bruijn, two pairs of Lace-Up Fingerless Gloves by Leigh Radford, and a set of Cigar by Kerri Cadd
This doesn’t even take into consideration the yarns that I didn’t
include in my blanket.
I wear City Knitting. My brother wears city Knitting. Several of my friends wear City Knitting. City Knitting will carry on with my family in this blanket.
Thank you, Lorilee.
29d0
- December 4th, 2009
- 7:42 am
As soon as Thanksgiving is over, we all feel the pressure to get those gifts knit. Please let us know how we can help you select a project, or get you past where you are stuck midstream. We are happy to help.
if you happen to run into Rowan…
Rowan, whom some of you know from hanging around the shop, has just completed Level II of the Knitting Guild of America’s Master Knitter program. He shared his gorgeous notebook with me, and I noticed the letter to him read, “This is one of the finest entries we’ve seen.” Also, they asked him to submit his cabled vest to Cast-On magazine. Rowan strolled in here a few years ago, when I taught him to make loops and pull more loops through those loops. He taught himself to be excellent, by devouring books, taking classes, and working at it. Congratulations to Ro!
Wall of Shame
Indulge me in a little stroll down memory lane. Do you remember the Wall of Shame and Wall of Fame we had in the shop the first couple years? It was always fun to know we could laugh at our failures (or do we just call them “fails” now?). Anyway, I re-displayed everyone’s favorite fail for you all to enjoy- Josh’s Felted (as in felted shut) Mittens.
Here’s the schedule for this week.
Tuesday, December 1, noon-9.
20% off storewide. (Note: I have ordered four new colors of Berroco ‘Jasper’. When they arrive all fluffy and new, they will not be included in the sale. I also have two Addi Click needle sets coming which will not be discounted. Call to claim one.)
Thanks for sharing your socks for the Fest. You may pick them up anytime.
Some new classes for 2010, which Lorilee will hold in her home very near the shop, are posted on the website. More will be added this week.
Fixture sale begins. All our cubbies and any other store fixtures will be marked for sale. Some are cash and carry. Other things you buy may need to be borrowed by us until after the 19th.
Sample sale begins- great bargains to snatch up.
Wednesday, December 2. 10-5. 20% off storewide.
Thursday, December 3. 10-9. 20% off storewide.
Friday, December 4. 10-5. Closed from 5-7. Then, join us for the final Late Night Yarnie Party, 7-midnight. 20% off storewide. Bring your own chair. As usual, the register will be open, but knitting help is not available.
Saturday, December 5. 10-4. 20% off storewide.
Sunday, December 6. Special event for Hearts for Haiti, hosted by Caroline and Lorilee. Brunch from 11-2. All are welcome. We have reached the goal of 130 knitted hearts! Come, sit, relax, and knit whatever you like, because Caroline has enough hearts to take to the orphanage. City Knitting is not normally open on Sunday, so feel free to take advantage of an additional time to enjoy each other.
Flying Yarn
Yes, it is flying off the shelves here, but there are still so many sweaters in those cubbies. Yesterday we removed some of the dividers so you can better see some of the larger quantities available. There’s a gorgeous batch of Nashua ‘Creative Focus Superwash’ in natural, a beautiful plied washable worsted wool perfect for an afghan, aran or otherwise. And it’s 20% off. Hurry in if you don’t want people picking it up a ball at a time.
Now, about Ironstone ‘Harmony’- you crazy cloggers. Yesterday I ordered once more. Three colors are arriving at the end of the week- dark blue, burgundy, and the greenish gold color. Get what you can of what’s left while you can.
Fixture Sale
I have labeled fixtures for sale. I will be putting out some more things as time goes on. Most of the cubbies are already spoken for, but I believe there are large dark cubbies left, as well as the units in the sock room. Cash or check only, please.
Store Samples for Sale
In the middle room you’ll find a display of shop samples for sale. Cash or check only, please.
Cat Bordhi’s Fall 2010 Visit
I am still working out the details for this event. Here’s a sketch of what that weekend will look like. Friday, September 24- all day class in Grand Rapids. Friday night through Monday morning- a more intimate retreat at the Lake Michigan shore. For now, just mark your calendars. I am aiming to have details posted in January, and registration is to begin on March 1.
The tutor and class lists are now posted. If you’d like to join me in Scotland, go to that website’s “shop” link and start by reserving a place to stay. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to this event, and all the great company. Plus, I’ll be surrounded by heaths and heathers, and rocks and lichen. Happy days.
Attempted Coils
The current issue of Cast-On has an article by Jaycee Boggs on spinning coils. I gave it a try and have a small skein on the desk. I share it showing its mixture of success and failure, but as usual, trying something new was fun. I used Yarn Hollow dyed merino/silk to make my thick and thin, and plied it with a single lace weight wool from Isager, which had the proper twist ready to go.
- December 1st, 2009
- 9:18 am
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