Wool&More – February 2018 Newsletter
In this Issue:
- Our new staff member: security guard
- Community Project Program – Blankets and Adult beanies
- New yarns – fabulous
- Crafting Evening
- What is a Quipi?
- Crochet Corner: We are looking for You!
- Knitting: Temperature Blanket & Linen Stitch
- A business opportunity in retail in Plett
- Times for Trading
- Bring Your Own Bags (please) – Reminder
- Newsletters
From selling so much stock at cost and below to make space for new yarns, we will soon be filling up the gaps with new ranges – Winter is almost upon us and we are hoping for a cold one, naturally. Also hoping for plenty of rain ….. fingers crossed.
Welcome to HoneyB:
Having just adopted a delightful old boy called HoneyB (was Honeyball but we dropped the ball!), then finding he just cannot stand to be alone, he is currently our new Security Detail at wool&more! He is friendly and loving and mostly very well behaved here… another solution is being sought but meanwhile, he enjoys visits and patting from animal loving ladies!
Community Project Program:
We will be focusing mostly on blankets for Winter – there are a number of styles and patterns of blankets and all will be very appreciated (by us and mostly by the recipients). We are finalising the main beneficiaries for this year so please do get creating. Finished blankets (completed and sewn up squares, strips, corner to corner, knitted or crochet and in any colours) to be around 1,2m x 1,5m (or bigger) for adult blankets and approximately 1m x 1,2m for kids’ and baby’s blankets.
Adult beanies will also be very appreciated – both projects are a great way to use up your stash so that you can freely, without a conscience, buy lovely new yarns for this Winter’s projects! Guilt Free!
There are still some good specials to be bought at wool&more now so do pop in to help us clear stock.
New Yarns:
We saw the Saprotex rep last week – some very different and exciting yarns are being launched by them (under the Elle label) and are already on order by us!!
Poka is an Aran weight yarn with small silver / “bling” specks in it. Something different to be sure.
Rhapsody is a 200gm ball of seriously chunky yarn, soft and cuddly in variegated shades. Not unlike the Mischief range, but thicker.
Sassy is a 50gm textured (as in furry) and variegated yarn. Will be lovely knitted with a plain double knit for scarves, blankets, etc
Vintage is a “blended” Family Knit, in both double knit and chunky – some new and interesting colours will be in. When I saw the labels for these, I commented “ugh” – hurt the rep’s feelings lots! Would love to know what you think of the labels – honestly! See pic below and let us know!
There are also new colours in a number of existing ranges, most notably, Porcelain (being a sort of ivory colour) coming out in all the Charity yarns…. this is excellent news and many of us have been agitating for a less “yellow” off-white colour being produced. The crowd has spoken – management has listened. Will be a winner!
In the next newsletter, we will cover the gorgeous Katia range expected late March / early April. May we just say, at this stage, that we have exceeded our budget drastically!
There is also the Yama single ply pure wool (superwash) that has been specially dyed for us – this is something to be seen and felt. It works up exquisitely. We opted to start with four shades but will be increasing our range very shortly.
Vintage Labels (the white speckles are part of the “design”)
A regular evening of Crafting Fun:
Last month, we suggested starting a regular crafting evening …. the response has been very slow and apart from a couple of enthusiastic ladies, very lukewarm. We are also having a challenge finding a suitable venue, preferably in town for the 16h30 to 18h30 time slot.
At this stage, it’s a no starter … let’s revisit this idea when it is cooler – maybe there will be a better response.
What is a Quipi?:
When having some interesting contact with Alison from Helderstroom (who owns Alpacas and has ladies crafting beautiful garments from handspun alpaca yarn), she mentioned a Quipi. I had never heard of it and asked for an explanation. Her interesting article is below – enjoy it (sadly the pics didn’t download).
ONE, TWO THREE PLENTY – THE “QUIPU”
The Quipu or khipu was the Incan equivalent of the modern day calculator. Made of coloured, spun and plied threads of either cotton, llama or alpaca fibre the Quipu was used to maintain financial and or numerical records, whether for tax obligations, debt settling, calendar information or even counting numbers of alpacas in a herd – a sort of ancient South American abacus. Objects that can be identified unambiguously as quipus first appear in the archaeological record in the first millennium CE.
They subsequently played a key part in the administration of the empire Tahuantinsuyu, controlled by the Incan ethnic people, which flourished across the Andes from circa 1450 to 1532 CE. As the region became subsumed under the invading Spanish Empire, the use of quipus would soon be discontinued, to be replaced by European writing systems.
The set of knots nearest the top represented hundreds, the second set of knots represented tens and the lowest set represented single digits.
The quipu typically consisted of the main cord, or leader, from which hung as many cords as would be required. More could be added as needed. The set of knots nearest the top represented hundreds, the second level of knots represented tens and the lowest level represented single digits. If thousands were included in the sum they would be represented by knots tied above the hundreds. The secondary cord, as shown on the right in the drawing below was used to amend or total the original tally.
Few of these quipus are found today and it is believed that many were buried along with their Inca people during the time of the Spanish Conquest. Quipu is the Spanish spelling and Khipu is the word for “knot” in Cusco Quechua (the native Inca language).
Crochet Corner:
We are looking for a lady who is excellent at crochet (and knitting) and has the ability to teach the correct techniques of both skills. We would like her to be able to do classes of various levels and possibly present some workshops on new and exciting skills. We thought a retired domestic science teacher would be ideal! This is not a full-time position but will create the ability to work flexible hours and earn well.
There is also the need for her to be able to do knitting and crochet projects for customers.
Please do contact us for more details – pop in to chat with us. Many thanks.
Knitting:
We just had a customer who ordered (from Beira) a large batch of Eco Cotton with which to knit a Temperature Blanket ….what an amazing idea! And a real labour of love. Thanks so much for your support and for the link to the Temp Blanket, Lalita. Very appreciated.
https://mysimpleknitting.com/temperature-blanket/
This blanket can be knitted (or crocheted) in any stitch, virtually, but Linen Stitch (knitted) is great – have a try with this for any scarf or blanket!
https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/how-to-knit-the-linen-stitch/
Business Opportunity:
We have been asked to let you know of this great business opportunity – see the email we received giving details. Contact us for more information – but hurry!!
“Only material shop in Plett. Ideal for a sole proprietor. Established clientele.R350 000 inclusive of all stock & fittings.
LEASE – 1 YEAR OR LONGER RENEWABLE END JUNE 2018
GOING CONCERN IN 4TH YEAR.
STAFF – SOLE PROPRIETOR
STOCK HOLDING – R450 000.00 +-
SELLING PRICE – R350 000.00 – WALK IN – WALK OUT
INCOME & EXPENDITURE RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY QUALIFIED BUYERS
REASON FOR SALE – OWNER RELOCATING.”
Times for trading:
Monday to Friday: from 10h00 to 16h00 except for Public Holidays which are from 09h30 to 12h30
Saturdays: We will be OPEN every First and Last Saturday from 09h30 to 12h30 (until end March after which Every Saturday for the Winter months):
B Y O B: Reminder!
Please remember that we are working to get less plastic into the environment – we ask that you please remember to Bring Your Own Bags (BYOB) when shopping at wool&more (and everywhere)…. lovely re-usable fabric bags are the answer and help so much (see above – Brilliantmommy bags will do the trick!). Or, crochet / knit your very own bags! We have some lovely bags to buy at wool&more!
Newsletters:
All past newsletters are on our website www.woolandmore.co.za – please do have a look. Your comments are always welcome.
Gearing up for a busy season – please pop in or contact us from afar – we are always willing to assist you as best we can with your requirements. Take care and keep creating.
Joy Sachs
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wool&more, 7 Gibb St, Plett 044 533 3182
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