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Greetings!
Is everyone just loving this weather! I've been so busy the last 2 weeks gardening, biking, and just enjoying the sun. We are concentrating our "renovating" efforts this summer on the back porch. We kicked off the project with finally getting my container garden just how I want it. The old ant infested containers are all gone, new large pots are in place & even my window boxes have finally gone up (I purchased them 2 summers ago, I'm really happy to see the window boxes on my porch rather than the basement floor). In addition to the flowers we'll be growing a large selection of herbs, 2 different types of Strawberries (one of which has lovely pink flowers), and 2 types of tomatoes. Later this summer we'll be replacing the floor on the porch, painting the railings, and fixing/shingling the roof. I'm hoping to have the porch looking good & being a pleasant entrance for the shop.
So far though, I must say the animals are really enjoying the improvements. No, not the mouse of the last newsletter, or even my pets. We seem to have opened as a nursery to the animal kingdom. Our sign above the back door contains a nest full of baby house sparrows. We also have a mama Mallard duck who's decided to nest behind the shop. Judging on when we first spotted her, we should have ducklings in early June. I'll try to get pictures before they head off to the water!
I also am finding plenty of time in the evenings for crafting. I'm designing a new sweater pattern. It's knit in a fine sport weight (or fingering weight) yarn & the goal is to have a nice light weight cardigan for summer. At 6.5 sts per inch it may be a slower project, but it's turning out really well. Totally worth the time invested. Plus there's always the pair of socks on the needles for car rides & for at movies etc.
What I do really need to figure out is a simple garter stitch project, probably a shawl, probably Color Affection. I always need a very simple knitting project for when my more complex ones are being too demanding. Something to work on watching tv, or while at a party.
I've also started doing a bit of sewing and quilting just to mix things up. My Batik quilt is all cut & ready to start the sewing on. Plus I've just found the Jelly Roll Races quilt & some small quick quilts may be made this week for gifts...
Happy Knitting!
~Rae
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Hours
Monday 11-6
Tuesday 11-8
Wednesday 11-6
Thursday 11-8
Friday 11-6
Saturday 11-6
Sunday 12-5
2004 E. Michigan Ave
Lansing, MI 48912
517.336.9276
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Event Feature
Summer Shawl-a-Long  It's time for another round of community knitting. We've been falling in love with the abundance of beautiful shawl patterns available right now. In fact many of us are just itching to start the Color Affection shawl (or Color Infection as the Yarn Harlot has coined it). You can tell many of us here have indeed been infected and are grouping sock yarns in pretty collections of 3. Debating on whether the lightest color should be the first color, or the second second knit. Deciding if we could hold 2 strands of lace weight together instead of the fingering for an even drapier shawl.
So, we're hoping that the shawl fever spreads to you & that you're willing to join us in a summer knit-a-long, or rather Shawl-a-Long.
You'll hopefully notice from our photos above that shawl does not have to equal lace. There are many beautiful shawls that are entirely garter stitch, not a yarn-over in sight. You're not limited to the shawls shown either, any shawl or wrap is welcome.
Thinking you might join us? All you need to do is stop in to get your pattern & yarn, then come to the meeting time that best fits your schedule. The Knit-a-long is free (of course we appreciate if you purchase your materials here). Although this is not a class, we will do our best to answer quick questions or point you in the right direction.
So...
Summer Shawl-a-Long May-July 2012 Tuesday 5:30-7:00 or Thursday 11:30-1:00 2nd & 4th week of each month.
Meetings are Tuesdays (5:30-7:00) May 8 & 22, June 12 & 26, July 10 & 24 and Thursdays (11:30-1:00) May 10 & 24, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26
Come to as many or as few meetings as you like
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Product Feature
OurHumbleCastle Sock Yarns Sarah Ashley has just dropped off her spring/summer collection of sock yarns! She's developed a flower themed palette that goes together so well. You could literally pick up any 2 colors & they would look fabulous together. In total there are 13 semi-solids and prints, each available on 2 bases. Her ever popular Cashmere blend Swagger, and her new silk blend Extravagance. Both are so soft, but the new Extravagance adds a luster and drape where Swagger has spring and bounce.
These new colors would be perfect for your next sock project, or perhaps for a summer shawl...
In fact they instantly got me thinking about the ever popular Color Affection shawl...
Here's a few options I came up with:
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Special of the week May 15-21, 2012
O-Wool Balance
"O-Wool Balance" from Vermont Organic Fiber Company. With the flexibility of wool & the coolness of cotton, "O-Wool Balance" is perfect for lightweight sweaters, wraps & children's clothing. It also has a subtle tweedy, earthy look from dyeing this terrific blend of fibers. "O-Wool Balance" is made from 100% certified organic fibers and processed using no harsh chemicals in accordance with the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Processing Standards. Do your part to support a sustainable environment by knitting & crocheting with eco-friendly yarns like "O-Wool Balance."
This week O-Wool Balance is on sale for over 30% off!
Sale Price: $6
List Price: $9
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Save 20%
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Choose Your Own Sale!
20% off your choice of Yarns & Needles
Valid on any regular priced yarns or needles.
Excludes interchangeable sets & accessories.
One coupon per customer/visit.
| | Offer Expires: May 21, 2012 |
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Yarns Of the Month - May 2012
Berroco - Linsey
Available in solid colors as well as gently shifting multicolor shades, Linsey™ is an ultra soft yarn for summer. Cool, comfortable and colored in the sun-weathered shades of summertime, this yarn is eminently wearable.
We have a good supply of Linsey right now & the new colors (and restock of a few old ones) will be arriving early next week!
Description: 64% Cotton, 36% Linen
Handling: Officially hand wash cold & lay flat to dry, although I've received positive reports of this yarn being machine washed.
Gauge: 5 sts/inch on US 6-7 needles
Put up: skein
Skein Weight: 50 grams
Skein Yardage: 115
20% off May 2012
Sale Price: $6.80
List Price: $8.50
With the purchase of 8-12 balls of Linsey receive a free copy of this great summer sweater, Alder.
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Just In - New arrivalsOurHumbleCastle - Swagger & Extravagance Sock Yarns
Happy Fuzzy Yarn - Beautiful hand-dyed colors in Sock weight & Sport weight.
 Knitting Guild of America - New Cast-on magazine
Fyberspates Scrumptious -
A restock of Lace weight, all colors now in! Interweave Press - Piecework Magazine, annual lace issue.
Coming Soon! Madelinetosh Sock Yarn Arriving Thursday!!!!
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Quick Class List
I'll be back later this week with a more extensive class list (more classes & pictures), but here's a quick preview of what's coming! (Classes from Anna, Barbara, and Lynn H on the way...) Intro to Weaving $45 May 22, 29 June 5th 6-8pm A Taste of Weaving - Scarf in a day $30 May 23rd 12-5pm Zig Bottle Bag $20 May 24 5:30-8pm Darn That Sock $15 May 31 6-8pm Woven Place-mats $25 May 2 12-5pm A Taste of Weaving - Scarf in a day $30 June 3rd 12-5pm Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls $20 June 5th 6-8pm Sassy Summer Bag $30 June 7 & 14th 6-8pm Honeysuckle Shawl (Beginner Lace) $45 featuring Sharon Winsauer June 9 & 10th 12-5pm Cassiopeia Beaded Hat $15 June 12th 6-8pm Chippy Socks $30 June 21 & 28th 6-8pm Estonian Potpourri $75 featuring Sharon Winsauer June 23rd 11-6pm & 24th 12-5pm Needle Felted Flowers $25 June 26th 6-8pm Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls $20 July 3rd 6-8pm Drop Spinning $25 July 10th 6-8pm Chipper Color Hat $15 July 12th 6-8pm Wet Felting Play Day $30 July 14th 12-5pm Sock in a Day $25 July 15th 12-5pm Woven Place-mats $25 July 15th 12-5pm Swing Knitting: Lesson 1 $15 July 17 & 24th 6-8pm A Taste of Weaving - Scarf in a day $30 July 26th 12-5pm Crystal Heel $15 July 26th 6-8pm
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