Posts tagged ‘LYS’

When the doors of the Jeanne’s yarn shop Unwind kicked off its grand opening in August, I attended the cocktail party along with several invited guests. As part of the fun, all of our names were put into a drawing for door prizes. Creatively, each door prize was written on a slip of paper hidden inside a skein of yarn. When my name was chosen, I selected the ShiBui Knits DK Alpaca and won a year’s worth of yarn tastings.

Wait, what is a yarn tasting, and why partake in one?

Like wine, yarn can be cheap and it also can be pricey. I have “colored string” in my stash that ranges from as little as $3 to as much as $100 per unit (ball/hank/skein). Yarn is a knitter’s investment for potential. If a project (using a cardigan as my example) states to use 12 units of a certain yarn, the knitter should purchase a ball of it before deciding to purchase that commitment or find an appropriate substitution. Nothing can be more aggravating than buying 12 units of yarn at $10 each, and then discovering that the yarn is not working out as expected. Thinking of the saved potential costs, a yarn tasting allows a person to try out a yarn before buying it outright. If the knitter does enjoy the feel of it through the fingers, then a purchasing decision can be made. Similarly, when trying to decide on a color for painting a room in the house, one gets a small amount to test on the wall instead of painting the entire room and discovering the purchased shade is not the desired color.

So… I won a year’s worth of yarn tastings at Unwind, and the first was held on Thursday, September 10th. Running a bit late, I walked into a packed house of what seemed over two dozen tasters. I quickly picked up a chocolate brown Asian take-out box and folder, then found a seat with Juanita and Paulette. Noro Kureyon, Noro Silk Garden Sock, Misti Alpaca Baby Grande, and Filaturo di Crosa Zara were just a few of the fibery goodies to taste. Inside the folder were suggested patterns for these yarns. A quick scan and I saw many possible Christmas and holiday presents for friends and family.

Conversation was animated while we tried each of the yarns. Some folks even started the suggested patterns in the folder while others used their own ideas. As for myself, I sat back and knitted away while watching everyone react to these tastings. Jeanne and her employees were busy from giving their undivided attention to those who had questions. Smiling inwardly, I thought how calming it was to be surrounded with others who enjoyed trying out new yarns. I look forward to next month’s flavors! =:8

This week I wanted to write one post that would feature three topics: the awesome Twist Collective Trunk Show at the Stitch House of Dorchester, the anticipated package from the Ravelry Helpers Swap, and the MetroWest Guild meeting. Unfortunately disappointment reared its ugly head when the package did not arrive. I am relieved and delighted that the other two topics more than make up for it. However, I will write only on the amazing trunk show and save the guild meeting for later.

Last Saturday on the 10th, I had the immense pleasure to drive up to Boston and visit the posh and comfortable Stitch House of Dorchester. Annissa was graciously hosting the Twist Collective Trunk Show of which Julia Farwell-Clay (known for her work in TC and Moth Heaven) was mistress-of-ceremonies. Fighting the winds and traffic, I had arrived at noon and ended up finding a seat in the second row of folding chairs. Julia and I exchanged waves to each other, and I took some photos of the crowd. Just when I was about to sit back down, I spied my friends from the Common Cod Guild — Guido (of the podcast It’s a Purl, Man fame) and Michelle (Boring Knitter) — coming in from the cold. I walked to the front of the shop to greet them, and quick salutations were made. Finally I settled back into my spot. It was time for the show to begin.

Attending the show held a particular purpose for me. As seen in the photos, I am quite interested in many of the featured sweaters. There were many pieces that had everyone ooo-ing, ah-ing and cooing with delight. I had already purchased Wisteria and Vivian, but was debating on knitting Little Birds and Sylvi. That one pattern was the most anticipated in the show, and it did not disappoint. Julia’s words offered tantalizing snippets on how the pieces were knit, and for whom they were made. I have featured some photos below, but all can be found HERE.

When the trunk show was over, there was much mingling and shopping. I chatted with Julia first, and then met other attendees who had never been on Ravelry. For these future members, I sent invitations on the spot. I later helped Michelle decide on whether she would make Sylvi with Riverstone Bulky or another yarn. Let us just say she is going to make Sylvi in a gorgeous cobalt blue… We both kept staring (okay, it was really myself) at this stately gentleman who was wearing a very cool cabled pullover obviously made in Noro. I introduced myself and asked permission to photograph that wonderful sweater. Besides being a fantastic knitter, Doctor John happens to be a professor of music specializing in the flute. We loved chatting about his lively and interesting stories. It turned out that he used to teach once a week at one of the Providence colleges, and blogs about his loves too.

As I had stated previously, the Stitch House of Dorchester is a nicely stocked shop. Because I already have the yarn for all the sweaters that I want to make, I really did not need to purchase anything. However, I did find more of the Cascade Pima Silk in black for my Mother’s hat and some Addi Lace needles. There was a moment of weakness where I found some decadent Mooi laceweight from Louet. Not only did I remind myself that I have lots of luscious cobweb and laceweight yarn waiting patiently at home, but its short yardage of 350 yards made me put the $50 skein back in the little jar with the rest of its friends.

Whenever I am reflecting back on that day, I call the trunk show a success. Everyone that came seemed to have left with smiles on their faces and satisfied purchases. I peeked inside our goody bags and found Abby Franquemont’s entrelac pattern of Fourth Grade Hat. Delighted with that find, I became determined to make the hat with my worsted weight scraps (after I finish the other WIPs, of course). =:8

Finally I am sneaking in time to enter a blog post! For the past couple of months I have been occupied with work and found myself feeling detached to everything else. Sure, I managed to make it to special guild meetings (courtesy of Guido Stein and the Common Cod Fiber Guild), knitting SNBs/circles, and conferences (Stitches East with the awesome Ravelry Helpers). However there are little bombs inside my head that want to explode. I am wrestling with them during my daily drive, and sometimes hourly at home.

Every year I make resolutions and then immediately break them. They all fall in the same line: weight loss, driving more at work, turning WIPs into FOs, fixing up the house, volunteering more charity work, saving money, and then blogging about it all. Last year of 2008 was full of surprises — both good and bad. I hope to make 2009 a bouquet of sweetness whenever possible. Doing so may involve in closing off harmful relationships (all are muggle ones) to my psyche. If these old ties were true friends, they would understand. For now I shall sharpen my skates and sprint across my icy network as fast as I can. I may even bunny dance during my run!

In the knitting realms, Ravelry has definitely kept my attention — and the attention of over two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) members. Though the membership seems small, Ravelry made its debut to a very select handful on April 11th, 2007 and has skyrocketed membership like a “hockey stick” in a graph. The niche of “internet crafting” is amazing to behold, and Ravelry caters worldwide primarily to knitters and crocheters who are also spinners, sewers, weavers, and jewelers. The site can be very overwhelming to those not familiar with forums, but the information and social networking aspect can be harnessed into powerful business connections.

A few examples are presented in the following:
1. All members are given a Notebook to track their projects, yarn stash, needles/hooks, library, friends, and other items. The organizational aspect helps leash each member’s tigers of piles.
2. Local yarn shop owners on Ravelry have found that when customers come into their shop and are fuzzy on pattern material details (“I think the pattern’s name is ‘Wavy Wimple’ but I am not sure.”), the LYSO can go online and look up the pattern and suggest the yarn and tools necessary to make it.
3. For events like Rhinebeck S&W, TNNA, and Maryland S&W, vast information including what vendors to check out, which hotels to stay/avoid, where to find the best eateries, and when the meet ups occur were communicated in specific forums.
4. Designers have the ability to create their own shop in which members can browse their patterns and decide to buy/download after seeing how other folks did in following them. There are future works that will allow Dyers and Spinners the same ability.
5. Specific guilds, groups, and shops can communicate with their friends, members, and/or customers. Kate, the president of Massachusetts MetroWest Knitting Guild’s group posts messages about upcoming meetings and sponsored events. The “Cuppa Tea?” group brings folks from all over the world to profess their love of tea types and where to find them. The “Ocean State Crafters” group discusses items like where to shop or local events. Gina’s Mosaic Yarn Shop Maniacs host various knit-alongs, list classes, and updates on their fellow members.

These lines of communication have networked folks around the world together. Digesting all of this information is a constant work of art, but I love it. Adventurous stories to come soon — I promise!! Meanwhile, please note the other social webs that I live and feel free to include me. Now, I leave you some of Richie’s chocolate cake with white vanilla “almost buttercream” frosting… Bunny hugs! =:8