February 2006 Newsletter
We have been having so much fun with felting lately! Sunday we gathered at the store for a felted handbag show and tell. These ladies worked with Trina Gendall (sitting bottom left) to come up with an assortment of beautiful bags. Everyone used the same pattern and personalized their bag with different knitting techniques and different base and trim colors and yarns. In our discussions, it became evident to us that our washing machines play a key role in felting outcomes, even more so that the type or weight of wool used. And checking your felted items every so often is a good thing to do, if you can open your machine between washing phases. P.S. the little brown one in the front of the picture is a hat! Belongs to a 2 year old girl who reluctantly gave it up so her mom could show it off!
What’s New! Sweaters, Sweaters and More Sweaters…….That seems to be the crazy right now! These sweaters, pullovers, cardigans and caplets are easy to knit with simple patterning and great yarns.    
This first pullover is a Debbie Bliss pattern; knit in Soho yarn – a soft, variegated chunky 100% Handspun Wool. The deep-V cardigan is a Louisa Harding design knit in Fauve – 100% nylon fibre that makes up with soft suede like look and feel. The caplet is another Louisa Harding design – made from Sari Ribbon, a wide fancy metallic microfibre ribbon. From Noro, we have a great pattern for a hip hugging pullover, knit in Silk Garden, 45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Lambswool. Which one would you like to make? We have the patterns and yarn for these garments in the store. New Yarns - River City Yarns is proud to announce the arrival of our “Northern Lights” collection. We selected four yarns – a soft merino wool, a chunky boucle mohair and a brushed mohair from South Africa as well as a chunky lopi yarn from Carstairs, Alberta. We then commissioned Virginia van Santen to handpaint them for us, choosing exclusive colors for our store inspired by the Alberta landscape. Virginia van Santen describes herself as "a compulsive knitter." She learned to knit when she was three years old, and hasn't stopped since. Virginia attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton where she received a BFA in Art and Design and a Ph. D. in Psychology. She began dyeing her own yarns ten years ago, and started her business, paintedyarns.ca in 2004. Her work has been exhibited in numerous shows in Canada and the United States. We look forward to a great partnership with Virginia, providing exclusive handpainted yarns as well as creative patterning ideas for you to knit and crochet. Come in and see Virginia’s spectacular colorways – Sagebrush, Alpine Snow, Clematis, Wild Ginger, Prairie Rose and Indian Paint Brush! New Needles – Just arrived – Phildar knitting needles from France. We have 35 cm straights in steel and plastics as well as the longer 40 cm steel double pointed needles in sets of 4. New Books – This month we feature Sally Melville’s books. Her latest book is Color – the Power and the Glory. 40+ projects that explore knitting with color. Knitters move from being intimidated by the choices to being excited by the possibilities as the skill-building chapters put color into practice. Clear, step-by-step photographs lead knitters through a progression of new methods punctuated by fabulous and fun projects to knit. The 36 designs range from simple to classic to unexpected and are presented multiple times showcasing different techniques, mixing and matching to yield more than 80 total projects. With advice, tips, and techniques, this tutorial inspires learners to take their craft to the next level. Sizes go up to 2X. $34.95 Also available are Sally’s other Knit Experience books –Book #1 - Knit Stitch and Book #2 - Purl Stitch - $31.90 each.   
Workshops My First Sweater - Our beginner sweater workshop was so popular we set up two additional sessions. Each session runs for 5 weeks, with the first starting on Sunday Feb 5th – from 1 PM to 4 PM and the second on Tuesday, Feb 7th from 9 AM to Noon. Participants will learn how to read patterns, knit a gauge swatch, complete shaping, seaming and blocking while working on their own crewneck pullover. Workshop costs - $75 + GST (includes pattern). The material costs range from $50 to $150 (approximately) based on type of yarn and quantities required. Limited availability so reserve your space now. Knitting 101 - Sign up now and learn how to knit or refresh your skills at knitting. Over 6 two hour sessions you will learn how to cast on, knit & purl, increase and decrease by making various projects such as scarves, hats and hand warmers. You will also become comfortable in fixing mistakes, reading patterns and doing gauge, picking up stitches, and knitting cables and patterns. Cost - $75 plus materials. New sessions starting Thursdays 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM and Saturdays – 9 AM to 11 AM. Other Workshops – We are taking names & phone numbers for Trina’s next felted bag workshop and for all our other workshops. Give us a call at the store – 780-477-YARN (9276). Registrations fees can be paid by credit card over the phone and will secure your space in one of our workshops. Registration Now Open - Knitting Retreat – November 4th to 6th, 2006Yes, you can now register for the next Wool, Wine and Wheels Knitting Retreat in the mountains of Jasper, Alberta. Cat Bordhi will be our feature teacher and will share with us more magical knitting techniques and perhaps a project or two from her new book! Participants will leave Edmonton November 4th and travel to Jasper by train spending three days and two nights enjoying the fine accommodations at either the Jasper Park Lodge or Lobstick Inn. Seats are limited – get yours now by calling Allana at 780-478-0429 or 1-800-814-4886! Details attached in a poster which you can share with others. Free Organizing Tool Needle Inventory Cards – Take inventory of your knitting and crochet needles and be certain you have the right size when you are out shopping for new projects! River City Yarns introduces this handy chart for logging your needle collection. Available free to our frequent buyer members - ask for one next time you are in! Here’s to more good weather, Barb, Sheila, Marcene and Vivian River City Yarns www.rivercityyarns.com 780-477-YARN (9276) |