2010 Events

Kaffe Fassett * Brandon Mably * Wool, Wine & Wheels 2010 * Knitting Cruises

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Kaffe Fassett: One Night Only "Simple Shapes, Spectacular Colour"

River City Yarns is pleased to present Kaffe Fassett at the Royal Alberta Museum Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta on the evening of October 5th, 2010. Kaffe Fassett has been on Barb's VIP list for six years... and now she's been able to include Edmonton as one of his Canadian tour stops. Anyone who loves Rowan yarns and knitting knows how inspirational Kaffe books and designs are... spectacular colour work and unique desgns, not just in knitting but also in quilting, needlework and numerous other mediums. "I'm a painter, knitter, quilt needle artist and designer", he says, "but my approach to every discipline is the same - manipulating pattern and seeing how colour comes alive in different forms." His popularity takes him around the world sharing his knowledge and love of colour. Kaffe's visual presentation: Simple Shapes, Spectacular Colour, highlights his work from his latest projects, including needlepoint, mosaic and his knitting designs. As a special customer of River City Yarns, you have first opportunity to come and listen to Kaffe, participate in the Q & A discussion and book signing session after the presentation. Date: Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM; Curtain at 7:30 PM Place: Royal Alberta Museum Auditorium (12845 - 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB) Price: Early bird rate (buy before September 15) is only $50. $65 after September 15th or at the door. Your ticket also includes a $15 gift certificate off the price of one of Kaffe's in-stock books (redeemable at River City Yarns). Our updated book order is on it's way... we have Kaffe Knits Again, Pattern Library and Rowan Colourscapes . Tickets go on sale early August at both River City Yarns locations. You can reserve your ticket by phone at (780) 477-9276 or (780) 450-9276.

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Brandon Mably: "Concentrating on Colour & Design"

Enjoy a one day creative knitting workshop with Brandon Mably from the Kaffe Fassett Design Studio. Brandon Mably is also the author of two books: Knitting Color and Brilliant Knits (both titles available at River City Yarns). In his workshop, you'll be inspired to sharpen your observation of colour by working with a wide range of yarns and the experience gained will give you the confidence to use your own personal colour scheme in any future design. Participants should know how to knit and purl - only the basic stocking stitch will be used in this workshop. Brandon Mably will give an introduction on how to interpret colours from source material into a swatch. He will then help you to choose yarn for this design in your own colours from a selection of postcards that Brandon will provide. Brandon will also demonstrate how to work with multiple colours in both the "intarsia" method and the stranded "fair isle" method and will work with you to apply these methods to your knitting. Attention will be paid to colour, texture, pattern and everyone will work on a swatch using at least 20 colours! Registration: $135 for a six hour workshop with Brandon Mably (we'll take a one hour break for lunch). Materials required: bring your 4.50mm (US 7) knitting needles and a selection of yarns from your stash (leftovers are great) in strong, bright, solid and varied colours (no white/cream, black, novelty or space-dyed yarns). You're welcome to bring your camera as well. This workshop is limited to 25 participants so register early! Phone (780) 477-9276. Tuesday, October 5 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Royal Alberta Museum or Wednesday, October 6 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Royal Alberta Museum

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Wool, Wine & Wheels 2010
A weekend of Wool, Wine and the luxury of Via Rail & Alberta’s Jasper National Park and Jane Ellison November 5th to 8th , 2010 Place – Jasper Best Western Inn, in the townsite of Jasper, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies Date – Friday, November 5th to Monday, November 8, 2010 Celebrity speaker – featuring Jane Ellison, author and knitwear designer for Mirasol yarns, Noro yarns and Araucania Yarns. Priced from – $999 CDN per person, double occupancy Includes – workshops with Jane Ellison; 8 meals including 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner, 3 nights' hotel accommodation; VIA Rail (Edmonton-Jasper & return) transportation; hotel transfers; park entrance fee, tour guide service; baggage handling & gratuities. Optional – Friday night private reception and three course dinner with Jane Ellison - $49.99 Book by Sept 30, 2010 with Wendy at John Steel Rail Tours Toll-free phone: 1-800-988-5778 Email: wendy@johnsteel.com North America’s Rail Tour Specialists River City Yarns... your place to unwind!
			Jane Ellison is a young, energetic and talented British designer who has achieved considerable success in knitwear design. She began designing for Debbie Bliss in London and subsequently has designed for a number of British, French, Italian and Japanese yarn producers and distributors. She has now turned her considerable experience and creative flair to designing garments and accessories to showcase the wonderful colours and textures of Mirasol yarns.
The philosophy behind the Mirasol Project is very simple, the Mirasol Project supports local communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection. Peru’s heritage and culture of textile artistry is rich and ancient. The Mirasol Yarn Collection includes yarn made from the animals tended by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands. By purchasing the Mirasol Yarn Collection you are supporting the shepherds and their families ensuring the continuation of this tradition. A portion of every purchase goes directly to the funding of a centre in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno. Jane Ellison is the designer for the entire Mirasol collection. Check out Diamond Yarn's Blog for a "designer chat" with Jane.
Thank you to our Wool, Wine and Wheels 2010 Sponsors! The generous contributions of our sponsors makes this trip truly special. Diamond Yarns: Canada's leading importer of premium knitting yarns. Diamond Yarns also has a great blog, hosted by designer Michelle Meadows. "Check in often for inspiration and trends in the world of knitting, new product arrivals, yarns swatched and critiqued, helpful tips, and an array of innovative fresh patterns for your collection."

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We've been treaing ourselves to some knitting on the "high seas"!
Barb went on an Alaskan Adventure and Cynthia went to the Baltic. You can go too.


Special offer on bookings before August 28, 2010: sign up for the
Hawaii Knitting & Fiber Arts Cruise: March 27, 2011 (14 nights)
Escape the winter blues and join knitting, crocheting and beading artist Myra Wood and color and fiber expert Kristine Brooks on a colorful Hawaiian adventure like none other. Hawaii is one of the most scenic cruising areas in the world and Myra and Kristine have put together an amazing class program to add color to your knitting and jumpstart your creativity.
This cruise itinerary offers the ultimate in onboard class time, the luxury of shipboard living and the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.
Before embarking on the beautiful Zaandam you will have the opportunity to visit Curious Creek Fibers in San Diego, California for dyeing demonstrations. CCF is a luxury yarn and fiber company, dedicated to providing knitting and spinning communities with the finest quality, hand-painted yarns and fibers available.
Book before August 28th and get a $100 Curious Creek gift certificate. These hand painted yarns and fibers are absolutely magnificent. The exquisite textures and colors will tantalize your senses and inspire your creativity.

Feel free to call/email if you'd like more information on our experiences or visit the Craft Cruise website for details on upcoming excursions.

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