Wool&more – April 2015 Newsletter
In this Issue
- Tribute to Alpaca, Pepper
- Yarns: latest in and feedback on newly released yarns
- “Wild Knitting” – payments now please
- Crochet lessons by the amazing Doortjie Gersbach – almost fully subscribed
- Trading days / hours – slight amendment
- Community Project Program: help sewing them together … Please
- Competition now open
- Conversion Table and some guidelines just for you
Easter has come and gone and as I write, the weather is cooler with a very wintery week or two ahead, bringing rain and cold days. So knitting and crochet time is officially here … get into wool&more to see and feel the latest yarns and get your winter projects on the go.
Talking of yarns … we have one very, very full shop here! Bursting at the seams with gorgeous yarns. The Katia range, of course, is stunning with Peru and City being my favourite newer yarns (new to us, that is) and Oxford and Artist as popular as ever.
They must be seen to be believed. In terms of local yarn, Mischief is just pouring off the shelves … such happy colours and the feel is so cuddly. The manufactures already have more orders than they can produce – that must say something about Mischief.
Saxony is doing well too and stock is coming through for that yarn at the moment. Babykins did arrive (well, some anyway) and I must say that I was personally a little disappointed. That’s probably not Elle’s fault but I believe that my expectations were very high.
The double knit, whilst soft and inclusive of some lovely new colours, seems to be slightly thinner than normal DK. But the knit is easy and definitely soft enough for Baby.
The price is good too. Some XXL yarn has arrived which is ideal for arm knitting and knitting or crocheting of mats, etc. A size 20/25mm knitting needle is recommended (and yes, we do have stock of those, at the moment)! Some Alexis and Fancy Fur are also now in stock … great for scarves, toys and cuddly garments.
We are waiting for some exquisite, hand-dyed Alpaca/Mohair/Merino yarn in beautiful (limited) colours. That is certainly going to be a treat and a winner!
PEPPER – A TRIBUTE:
11 May 2009 – 26 February 2015
by Alison Notley, Helderstroom Alpacas
Smaller than a bag of sugar – larger than life. That was Pepper. In September 2012 I wrote an article for Afgriland and described the alpaca as intelligent, hardy, stoic and funny. Those words were Pepper personified.
The story of the twins has been told many times. Born at 2.4 kilograms Pepper was rejected by her mum and it was Salt who was raised naturally. Pepper was bottle fed from day one and grew up with our spaniels. She shared our home, had her own rug in our bedroom, and she shared the warmth of a log fire in the sitting room on cold evenings. She had the run of the house and garden and as soon as she learned to pronk would canter up to any car arriving in the drive startling its occupants.
Pepper weighed less than this! As Pepper grew up she would wander into the alpaca studio, picking her way carefully across the tiled floor, and examine the girls’ spinning. We called her our quality controller. On hot days she could be found sitting on the studio stoep where it is cool. After shearing she would arrive at the front door of the house and peer inside asking, “Has anyone seen my coat? Did I leave it in here?”
In 2013 Pepper gave birth to a healthy boy cria. She was a perfect mum and Chilli has grown into a well conformed alpaca, same light fawn colour as his mum.
In May last year Pepper suffered a distocia, a baby malpositioned inside her. Sadly we lost the baby … and her own problems became apparent shortly afterwards. Pepper fought like ten tigers but finally lost her battle the day after last month’s newsletter was published.
Just as Pepper confounded us all by living, she has done the same in dying. The State Vet was intrigued and puzzled by inconclusive, almost bizarre, post mortem results even using the word ‘freak’ to describe her findings. We had hoped to be able to pass on some knowledge, some advice to other breeders.
It would seem that to her detriment, Pepper was different.
Our leading lady has gone but the show goes on. Rest in peace my girl.
Gentle reminder that for those booked to do the “Wild Knitting” course to be held on Friday 22nd May: Payment needs to be made as soon as possible to secure your spot. There is space still for one, maybe two more delegates. Please contact us.
And the two day Crochet workshop held by Doortjie Gersbach on 9th and 10th July is almost full. Payment to secure your booking can be made as we are certain that the workshop will be over-subscribed.
For your convenience, we will be open and trading on ALL the Public Holidays (until end August), from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Our normal hours are Mondays to Fridays from 10h00 to 16h00 (unless on a public holiday) and every Saturday, beginning in May and until end of August from 9h30 to 12h30. This is to suit those who need to get your winter stash and perhaps cannot come during the week.
I have also been asked to perhaps open later (say until 17h30 or 18h00) one day per week, for the winter months. What’s your view? Is this a facility you would use? And if so, which day would be best, in your opinion? (We were thinking Thursdays). Look forward to your comments and input. (Thanks Paula).
The Masizame blanket project is nearing its conclusion:
We only need about 20 more strips in order to have enough blankets to hand over. However, sewing them together is proving to be very slow … no one really enjoys sewing squares or strips together but we would really appreciate an hour or two of your time to assist in this mammoth program!!
Please pop in, have some coffee and get a few strips sewn together.
At this time, I have to take my hat off to Averil – having a broken leg, she is somewhat inactive and has been getting blankets sewn for us – thank you so much Av – and wishing you complete healing. Hugely appreciated!
For years, I wanted to write a children’s book about the toads who came to live in our pet dog’s water bowl and some of the adventures that ensued. A couple of years ago, I finally did write the book and it is selling really well.
It deals mainly with Love, Trust and especially Gratitude (in simple terms) and is aimed at children ages from about 5 years old to 80!!
It’s in full colour, printed on recycled paper (because it’s good for our environment) and has a number of interactive pages. The book is called “Welcome, Tommy Toad” – have a look at the attachment to see the cover.
So you may be wondering what this has to do with yarn/knitting/crocheting, etc.
We are holding a competition to determine who can knit or crochet the main characters (Badger the dog, or Tommy Toad) the best! We will have a panel of judges who will determine the best articles and prizes will be awarded. Some criteria: finished article size between 15 and 35cm tall; to be received by us by no later than 30th August 2015 and each piece to have your name, email address and contact telephone number firmly attached.
You may submit as many “toys” as you wish. Once judging has taken place, the winner will receive a voucher from wool&more to the value of R250-00 and the toys will be handed to a local nursery school with a donation of a free book for their reading corner.
Books are available from us at R99-00 each (excluding postage) but purchasing a book is not a criteria for entering (however, seeing the gorgeous illustrations will certainly assist you in your design of the toy/s!). It also makes a great gift!
Last but not least, it has taken months but I have finally managed to get a really useful conversion table for us all to use. Print it and keep it handy – we have already done so! Enjoy!
CHILDREN SIZING CHART
Last but not least, just to remind you:
Please check your dye lots when buying yarn…it’s the right thing for you to do
Please, Please buy that extra ball … the peace of mind of having enough to finish your project is so worth just knowing you have that extra ball on hand. It is needed many more times than you can imagine and we regularly see the heartbreak at not being able to buy more of the same (yarn and dye lot).
We do not offer refunds and under exceptional conditions only, will exchange yarn. However, we do not take patterns back for refund or exchange – sorry.
Please do take the time to knit your 10×10 gauge. This can and usually does save so much time and energy.
That’s me done for today … until next month, have fun creating your projects (and Tommy Toad toys), take care and remember to laugh at least once a day.
Much love and thanks so much for your great support.
Joy
wool&more, 7 Gibb St, Plett 044 533 3182
More information about wool&more.