Wool&more – February 2015 Newsletter
In this Issue:
- New Elle yarns and other Elle news
- Crochet lessons by the amazing Doortjie Gersbach
- Tunisian Crochet / Easter Bunny workshop
- Funky blankie raffle for charity – hurry please!
- Community Project Program: 1m strips still required
- Alpaca yarn – some delightful facts
- Specials available in wool&more
- Cartoon
Valentine’s Day went off without a murmur or whimper so we can now look forward to Easter which heralds “Yarn Season” (in the southern hemisphere, anyway)!
And I promised to let you have news regarding Elle yarns, so buckle up, settle in and read on:
They have launched three brand new yarns: Mischief, Saxony and Babykins (aren’t those names delightful?!).
Mischief knits as a seriously chunky yarn, is light and cuddly and comes in 50g balls. The colours are bright and happy and I believe will do very well. A range of colours, all varigated, will be arriving early in March.
Saxony has fewer colours, knits as a chunky and the tone is somewhat less playful and maybe more masculine than Mischief, slightly varigated and has a 10% wool content. The ball weight is 100g. Availability is beginning of March.
Last of their new yarn launches is Babykins: there will be a lovely range of colours, 12 in total initially (not just the boring old lemon, white, pale pink and pale blue as has been the trend with baby yarns) and all available in 3ply, 4ply and double knit. It is a really soft and cuddly yarn and will ultimately replace the Elle Baby range (and at a better price too!).
They have also brought in a range of crochet hooks with moulded, soft-feel handles which are so much more comfortable with which to work.
In a number of their normal yarn ranges, Elle have introduced new colours (for example, some lovely printed Charity DK, slightly more expensive than the solid colour Charity), Pure Gold Chunky, Timber Chunky, Kidz, etc.
Some excellent news for the crocheting ladies: the wonderful Doortjie Gersbach (from Montague) will be coming to present her incredible skills and give lessons for all levels: from beginner to advanced crocheters. The dates are confirmed for the 9th and 10th July 2015. You may do one or both days and lessons will be run at individual levels. The cost, per person, per day, will be in the region of R330-00 (to be confirmed) and includes a light lunch and refreshments. The days will be full, running from 9am till 4pm, at our shop. These two days will be inspiring, informative and loads of fun. She teaches excellent techniques and colour mixing, etc. Some examples of her work are attached for you to see. Limited numbers can be accomodated and she is in huge demand so please, please book in advance by calling or emailing us. Full payment will secure your booking.
Also for those wanting to learn Tunisian Crochet, we have a really special workshop on FRIDAY 13th March (great day) where you will be learning Tunisian crochet and will be making an Easter Bunny in the class. The class will run from 10.30 to 1.30 on that Friday and will cost R160-00 per person which will include yarn, Tunisian needle, stuffing and tea/coffee (with our awesome biscotti). You will then be well equipped to make Easter Bunnies for all the kids in your life (and one for you too!) and to get cracking with making many gorgeous items in Tunisian Crochet.
Other news: there is still time to buy your R10-00 raffle ticket for the gorgeous “Seriously Funky Blankie” (single bed size) which was donated by a talented and generous customer. If a minimum of 30 tickets have not been sold by the 7th March (original draw date), we will be extending the draw date. It would be great if we could buy food for Zelda’s Shelter in Wittedrift, Plett totalling at least R300-00 (or more!)
In terms of our latest Community Project Program, the one metre long knitted or crocheted strips (remember: any width, any colour, any stitch) are coming in slowly with lots of promise for many to still arrive. They will be put together for blankets for the children at the Masizame Shelter where currently 20 children reside. Their ages range from 3 to 17 years. Please let us have your strips (or completed blankets approximately 1 x 1,2 metres) soon so that we can get them sewn together, sorted out and handed to Masizame well before winter arrives! We need approximately 150 strips. Many thanks.
We spoke about the gorgeous Alpaca yarn which is now in stock. Here are a couple more facts for interest sake:
- The Alpaca is the most colour-diversified fibre-bearing animal in the world with 22 natural colours and shades
- They have one of the finest animal fleeces on the planet, comparing well with cashmere, vicuna and shahtoosh
- When knitted or woven, Alpaca does not crease and is very light, making it idea for travelling
- There is no lanolin in Alpaca fibres so it does not require the hard scouring which sheep wool needs in order to rid it of grease. Alpaca is a completely dry fibre
- It is non-allergenic, water resistant and an excellent fire retardant
- Last but not least, Alpacas make excellent sheep guards protecting lambs against small preditors. They have extremely keen eyesight and when threatened by jackal or rooikat, will “pronk” at its preditor stabbing forward with its extremely sharp toes, kicking and spitting. Their “spit” has a very strong (unpleasant) odour and is ejected in very sharp drops which feel almost like being hit by a pellet gun!
There are still some really good “ex-sale bargains” in the shop, prior winter. So please do get some for your stash before it all sells out.
Please do use our previous newsletters, all on our website (www.woolandmore.co.za) as a resource and forward them to anyone whom you feel may enjoy or benefit from them.
Winter cometh … so get your thinking beanies on and plan your projects. We are here to provide not only yarn, advice but inspiration too!
Take care and be happy, remember, it’s a Choice!!
Joy
PS: Please let me know what you think about having the Contents listed at the beginning of the email. Something we should continue? Helpful? Look forward to your comments by return email. Many thanks.
wool&more, 7 Gibb St, Plett 044 533 3182
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