Wool&More – June 2017 Newsletter
In this issue:
- Community Project Program – URGENT NEEDS, please!
- “Hot” Specials – to help with blankets, etc.
- Some “housekeeping” points – Oops!
- Hints & Tips – no contributions this month, unfortunately!
- Knitting Know-how – teach kids to knit, picot hem video, stunning warm poncho pattern, etc
- Crochet Corner: Workshop – Fantasy Blanket workshop & new Crochet-a-Long (Stylecraft)
- Trading Days / Hours for Winter – Please note
- Share and subscribe (and gentle plea!)
- Newsletters
Today, I write with a heavy heart …. the fires in Plett, Knysna, Buffels Bay – in fact, all along the Garden Route have been Decimating, Disastrous and hugely Distressing. Personally, I was unharmed (very, very grateful) but so many folk have lost EVERYTHING – watched as their homes and all their worldly possessions were destroyed in an instant. How does one recover from that, I wonder?
There are so many amazing heroes in this disaster – folk are truly amazing how they have opened their hearts and homes (and wallets) to assist. Not to mention the firefighters who have struggled for days to help contain the fires. Phenomenal men and women!
Which brings me straight onto the next important and vital subject:
Community Project Programs:
All of the blankets, lovingly knitted and crocheted by you all, have been given to the fire victims – we had, for winter or an emergency (which happened to come first) 24 blankets in our stock. We also gave out the infant beanies and some jerseys (53 in total) to the community this past week.
So, WE NEED YOU!! We need you to knit and crochet blankets as quickly as possible (and as many as possible) so that we have some available for before the weather really turns (from unseasonally dry and warm to wet and cold).
On approaching our main supplier, Saprotex (manufacturers of elle, charity and other yarns) asking for assistance, they immediately shipped off a large batch of yarn to us, to help get our stocks of blankets and beanies back up to a comfortable level. Thank you a million, Stephen, for being so generous and open-hearted.
Our local ladies will be able to pop into wool&more from this week, to collect a bag of yarn, for free (approximately 750gm – enough for a generous blanket and a beanie or two). We will ask you to “register” so that we can keep track of the blankets as they come in and report back to Saprotex.
There is, of course, the essence of time – not much of it! Please, please, do get going with your blankets and get them to us, completed, by end June or first week of July.
For those of you from afar, your help would also be very welcome. This is a perfect opportunity to do a great “Stash-Buster”!! Clean it all out, use it for a fantastic cause.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR EFFORTS, in advance. We will keep you informed in our next newsletter on how many blankies and beanies came in.
Some ideas for blankets – minimum sizing approximately 1m x 1,2m, preferably larger.
Crochet: What about doing a C2C, corner to corner? It’s quick and easy to do (even I managed to do a couple!) Or simply crochet dc in rows, changing yarn colours as you wish, until the required size is obtained? Or crochet strips about 1,2m long and about 30cm wide and crochet those together?
Knitting: Some ideas: as we do on a regular basis, knit strips (garter st) approximately 1m long, casting on 30-40 st, do enough of those to sew together to form a good blanket size (about 5 / 6 strips) and crochet a simple border around the edges. Or cast on 200st (circular needles are best here) and just keep knitting in garter st, changing yarn colours as you progress, to make a colourful, woven-looking blanket. Or knit large squares: cast on about 60 st and knit in garter st until a square. Doing 20 of these and sewing together ought to give you a good size blanket.
Many other ideas …. just please do get completed blankets to us asap!
Beanies: we have published a number of beanie patterns in past issues that are easy and quick to do. Here is another one for different sizes, starting at around 8 years old up to adult size, using double knit and size 4mm or 4,5mm needles, cast on 80 (90, 100) st loosely, and knit in double rib (k2, p2) until work measures 15cm (17cm, 18,5cm). Do Not cast off but cut your yarn with enough length to thread through each of the stitches on your needle. Pull tightly and sew up the side edges neatly. Fold up 4 – 6 cm of ribbing and you are done!
The new elle “Lusso” yarn arrived – it’s so soft and light with gorgeous colours – we quickly knitted a “slouch beanie” which is just fabulous. Easy, quick and warm. Try that one for yourself, kids or for giving to those in need. Contact us for the pattern and yarn.
“Hot” Specials (to assist with blanket making, hopefully):
From Monday 12th June until Saturday 8th July, 2017 we are offering the following yarns at reduced prices, for your convenience and value:
Vinni’s Serena pure Bamboo yarn: Now R35-00 per 50gm
elle Liniya: Double knit “self striping” yarn: Now R32-00 per 100gm
elle Tropical: Soft and colourful: Now R37-00 per 100gm ball
Pure Gold DK: Popular, soft and luxurious: Now R49-00 per 100gm ball.
These whilst stock lasts and loyalty cards not applicable on this (or any other) Special!
Some “Housekeeping” points:
Last month, we published some points about issues that were very troubling to us (and apparently to all yarn shop owners!) for which we were rapped over the knuckles by some and applauded by others! If you were offended by any of the comments / requests made, we apologise – that was never the intention! And for those who applauded, thanks for your support! The points mentioned all do remain valid.
One point we would like to re-iterate is the one where we are determined to drastically reduce the use of new plastic carriers leaving the shop, so B Y O B – BRING YOUR OWN BAGS!! Thanks for assisting with this important aspect. To date, the practice is working well, with much room for improvement.
Crochet Corner:
Fantasy Blanket workshop was booked for Thursday 8th June – two ladies from Knysna and two ladies from J Bay were not able to attend due the roads being closed because of the fires. We have rescheduled the workshop for Thursday 22nd June – please do book soon – details below:
For Whom: Anybody who is not a total beginner in crochet (knowledge of basic stitches is a must)
When: Thursday 22nd June 08h30 to 13h00
Where: Registration at wool&more at 08h30, latest
Cost: R390-00 per delegate, includes refreshments (tea, coffee, snacks), tuition and yarn (the sampler will be worked on in 10 to 15 colours of 4ply acrylic yarn, supplied) – you will have a fantastic choice of yarns from which to choose for your colour mix.
What you need to bring: Pen, your crochet hooks, sewing up needle and some stitch markers
BOOKINGS: Essential!! There are limited spaces available and full payment when booking will secure your spot at the workshop. Closing date for payment is Friday 16th June 2017 (yes, we will be open that day, 09h30 – 12h30)
This Fantasy Blanket is an heirloom project and is infinitely more exquisite when done in cottons and bamboo (all natural yarns) than in acrylic yarns. Please bear this in mind when considering making your own item after the workshop.
Here is a photo of one kind of Fantasy Blanket (can also be done in straight rows). No photo can do this work justice!
Remember that we offer crochet lessons at wool&more for beginners, intermediate levels, or just for something specific you may wish to learn. Please do call us and book your two hour lesson/s.
Stylecraft have just advised that from 12th July, they will be running a fabulous Crochet-a-Long using their gorgeous Special DK yarn. I am not permitted to say too much right now – except to say that 16 x 100gm balls will be required for the project. At normal retail value that would be around R1024-00. We will be kitting the yarn for you at the reduced price of R990-00 for all 16 balls, a great saving. You will need to book a kit (they will be especially made up for you) by 22nd July 2017 (giving you time to decide on whether you are wanting to do the CAL and save by ordering the kit from wool&more). Sneak peek – it is Gorgeous … hope to be able to share soon – let us know if you are interested in knowing more and participating in this Crochet-a-Long!
As we did last year, we will be offering lessons focusing on the challenging aspects of this specific CAL. These lessons will be two hours long and will cost R100 per session. Dates and times to be advised after the launch of the CAL. Bookings will be essential. Watch this space
Some interesting links came our way recently:
One of elle’s newest yarns is the gorgeous, soft, mega chunky Biggy. Elle has just sent out a fabulous pattern for a cuddly poncho:
How to knit the perfect picot hem:
Tips for teaching kids to knit (so essential to do on many levels):
And allied to the above, how to finger knit (great for younger kids too):
Season Trading Days / Hours:
Please make a note of the following days and hours that we will be trading for the Winter season
Monday to Friday: 10-00 to 4-00 * (unless Public Holiday)
All Public Holidays *: 09-30 to 12-30
Every Saturday: 09-30 to 12-30 (until end of August)
Share & Subscribe:
If you know anyone who would like to receive this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to share with them and if you do receive your copy from someone else, please let us have your email address and we will happily send your copy directly into your email box every month.
Newsletters:
All past newsletters are on our website www.woolandmore.co.za – please do have a look. Your comments are always welcome.
Take care and stay safe – these past few days, amid destruction and sadness, we have been reminded that life is tentative and that Stuff is just Stuff and can be taken from us in an instant. Keep knitting and crocheting (and looming and finger knitting …. whatever) – it all brings peace, calm, creativity, happiness and great exercise for our brains!
Sent wishing you warmth and good health and much creating!
Lots of Love
Joy Sachs
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wool&more, 7 Gibb St, Plett 044 533 3182
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