Wool&more – May 2014 Newsletter
Hello from a busy little wool shop in Plett!
I have just finished reading a delightful book called “The Friday Night Knitting Club” by Kate Jacobs… the basis of the story so fitted with me and my circumstances, it was uncanny! Following is a quote of the opening page, called The Gathering, with which I felt you would identify closely:
“Choosing your wool is dizzying with potential: the waves of colours and textures tempt with visions of a sweater or cap (and all the accompanying compliments you hope to receive) but don’t reveal the hard work required to get there. Patience and attention to detail make all the difference. Also willingness. Challenge keeps it interesting, but don’t select a pattern that is so far beyond you. Always select the best yarn you can afford. And use the type of needle that feels best in your hand; I always use bamboo. Even now, it still seems unbelievable to me that by pulling together a motley collection – the soft yarn, the sharp needles, the scripted pattern, the smoothing hook, the intangibles of creativity – you can create something that will hold a piece of your soul. But you can.”
How true is this description? I just love it!! I will offer some more quotes, with gratitude to Kate Jacobs, in future newsletters.
For those of you not yet on our newsletter mailing list earlier this year, I would like to just repeat something (with apologies to those who already know this!). I asked what the work “Tink” referred to in knitting terms. The answer is: to pull out any knitting … Tink spells Knit, backwards! It’s become a well-used word; only yesterday, a customer said: “ Now I have to tink the whole thing!”. It took me a quick moment to realise what she was meaning!
Here is a reminder to always take care in buying yarn of the same dye lot. Please remember to not only check the yarn you buy but also to buy sufficient for your garment … or risk heartbreak. Only last week, a good customer had to top up on her yarn and the dye lot was very different, both numerically and in colour! She was more than three quarters complete with her garment … my heart broke for her! I even called the supplier to ask if she had a hidden ball or two of the old dye lot … not luck!
I found a lovely stitch which I would like to share with you. However, the name of it is aweful and so I would like you to try knitting it and then challenge you to submit a good name for it please! Please email me the name you suggest and the “winner” will receive a R50-00 gift voucher from wool&more!! Closing date: 15th June 2014. Good luck!
“Faggot Stitch”
Using a slightly larger needle than usual, cast on an even number of stitches (multiples of two).
Row 1: Knit full row
Row 2: k1, (yo, k2tog)*. Repeat * until one stitch remains, k1.
Repeat only row 2 for garment. That’s it!
To end this month’s newsletter, our May Special runs from Monday 19th May to Saturday 31st May, 2014:
Buy 3 balls of Elle Stretch yarn and receive one ball of Pixels and a mittens pattern, FREE!!
I just love this cartoon, talk about how different generations think about the same thing!
Take care, get your creative juices flowing and knit up a storm!
Until next time, bye for now.
Joy Sachs
wool&more, 7 Gibb St, Plett 044 533 3182
More information about wool&more.
PS: I forgot to mention: we are selling out of our range of organza bags, tissue paper and wrapping paper (to make space for more yarn) … Pop in soon to see what is still left!