Warm weather is making this fair fall linger, but I remember from years past how quickly it gets cold in December. In fact last year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, it was so cold I wore two sweaters, a hat and fingerless mitts PLUS mittens when I went to find solstice greens!

hurry, hurry...
Little projects that keep you warm, are fun to knit, and simple to find yarn for in your stash, make the embracing of cold weather a little bitter easier. Making something warm for someone you care about is even better. Here are some quick, fun and warm patterns and a tutorial on making socks if you have never done so:
Easy Mittens
Easy Roll Brim Hat
How to Knit Socks
Cabled Fingerless Mitts (scroll down for English)
Lace Scarf
Legwarmers

If you are looking for help with these projects, or any other, the KNITTING DOCTOR is available on the next 6 Saturdays from 1-2 pm. Just stop by. And if you want company while you knit, Friday mornings are Sit, Knit & Spin, where we make serious knitting and spinning progress while chatting up a storm from 10 am to noontime each week. And don't forget all the other local knit groups. I keep them listed on my website (scroll down to above the driving directions).

felted scuffs pattern design and knit along

I am on a felting kick and right now it is all about slippers. We knit through the great designs in Bev Galeskas' go-to book on machine fulling FELTED KNITS at the Cape Ann October Retreat, and now I want to make SCUFFS. After hunting around a bit, I cannot find a pattern for said item, so I will write one. Then, I thought, how much fun it would be to do it with others on the Hudson Valley Fiber Web?!? So, as soon as I can clear a few days  (I am writing the LAST pattern for the Rip Van Winkle CARDIGAN SWEATERS Retreat next week), I will post there and get started. If anyone has made scuffs and has a few pointers before I start, I'd love to hear from you.

friday morning knit & spin
Our community knitting and spinning time is on Friday. Our new Solar Panels generate electricity during daylight and will furnish our gathering with heat and light. How decadent it is to sit down with knitters and spinners every Friday morning to chat about patterns, yarns, techniques and to hear all the local news. Do consider stopping by! We meet at 10 and will knit until at least 12; longer if the group desires.

classes at countrywool this month

    KNITTING HELP! Saturdays, November 14, 21 & 28. The Knitting Doctor will be IN from 1-2 pm. Bring your aching projects for a fast fix. First come, first served. Free!
SPINNING YARN:  Saturday, November 14, 9-12 am. Learn to use a spinning wheel or drop spindle to draft and twist clean wool into a fine yarn. The ASHFORD BOOK OF SPINNING (not required) by Anne Field ($28) will be followed. A spinning wheel or drop spindle is required. (The book will be available for purchase, but is not required.) Two wheels are available for class rental ($15), but are first come, first served, so call ahead. Additional materials needed:  prepared wool top ($8), may be purchased at the class. Prepayment required.  The fee is 39.00.

KNITTING WITH WOOL:   Saturday, November 21, 9-12 am. For those of you new to the craft, this class will teach the basics of knitting. Topics to be covered are: casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, garter stitch, ribbing stitch, joining yarn, casting off. Continental, English or American knitting will be taught with full support for any method. A materials packet with wool yarn, instruction booklet with many patterns, bamboo knitting needles, darning needle, gauge ruler, markers, crochet hook, and cable stitch holder will be available for purchase at class for $42. Prepayment required.  The fee is 39.00.

• Special Hours: Thursday, November 26, THANKSGIVING DAY, 2-4 pm.  
• Friday free class: DROP SPINDLE SPINNING, 1-2 pm. Bring your drop spindle. Fiber provided! 
  • Call or e-mail by 11/25 to register.
• Saturday free class: the Knitting Doctor will be IN and offering personal help and instruction in making FINGERLESS MITTS, 
  • 1-4 PM. Learn to use double pointed needles! Bring #3, #4 or #5 double pointed needles (available for purchase) and
  •  bulky/worsted yarn. (Lamb's Pride Worsted or Venezia suggested) Call or e-mail by 11/27 to register.
    
• Free Mulled Cider and home-baked-from-home-raised Pumpkin Cookies!
• Enter the free drawing (with EACH and EVERY visit between now and December 24) for:
  • 8 pounds ROMNEY NATURAL WHITE GREASE FLEECE or 
  • $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE or 
  • KNITTING BOOK

fall weekend retreats

The Rip Van Winkle SEAMLESS CARDIGAN SWEATER Knitting Retreat at the Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY, is coming up in 3 weeks. There are 3 adult and 2 children's sweater patterns included: top down, bottom up, drop shoulder, saddle shoulder and yoke shaped shoulder. All are seamless modular construction that require little finishing. Design a sweater for your FAVORITE buttons!

free patterns we like on the internet   
If you would like help matching yarns to these patterns, just drop me a note, or better, yet, bring a printed copy in with you and we'll spend a half hour checking out all the possibilities.
Heather's Cardigan
Leaf Top Hat for Baby
Wishshaw Cardigan
Silky Alpaca Lace Scarf
Knit Mitts:  Princess Mitts and Legwarmers
Crocheted Mitts:  Groovy Gauntlets
Montera Cob Toque

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

fall weekend retreats
The Cape Ann FULLING AROUND WITH KNITTING Retreat  is next week! Come play with your stash yarns (or get new ones!) and create fabulous felted items for gifting and using. Spend the whole weekend right on the water on gorgeous Long Beach in Rockport, MA.

The Rip Van Winkle SEAMLESS CARDIGAN SWEATER Knitting Retreat at the Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY, is coming up in 4 weeks. There are 3 adult and 2 children's sweater patterns included: top down, bottom up, drop shoulder, saddle shoulder and yoke shaped shoulder. Are all seamless modular construction that require little finishing. Design a sweater for your FAVORITE buttons!

heather's cardigan knit-a-long is ongoing....
We are approaching the finale for the knit-a-long, and look forward to seeing the first few finished sweaters sometime this coming month. It's not too late to get out your needles and yarns and CAST ON after checking our NEW local area fiberarts blog: Hudson Valley Fiber Web for the FREE pattern.

And speaking of Hudson Valley Fiber Web...we are looking for some folks who like to write about fiber to contribute an article (or 6!) to that forum. We are looking for first person narratives about attending local fiber events, experiences in weaving, knitting, spinning, dyeing, felting, etc.  We hope this blog becomes a picture into what's happening fiber-wise in Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  Send your ideas and articles to:  claudiak ATcountrywoolDOTcom.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

cheap patterns in the shop
Inventory reductions are taking place, and 4 years of KNITTERS, PIECEWORK and KNITSCENE magazine are now on sale for $1 a copy. Each issue has at least 15 patterns, making this deal a real bargain. Stop by to fill in your collections or start one!

fall weekend retreats
Yes, we WILL be gathering for the Rip Van Winkle SPINNING 3-PLY & BULKY YARNS  Spinning Retreat over a LONG weekend, September 25, 26 & 27, in the beautiful Catskill Mountains near Round Top, NY, at the lovely Winter Clove Inn.  We have had to reduce the number of open slots we can offer to registrants, but we still have 2 rooms left should you wish to join in. This retreat will be very intimate, so if you like to learn in a relaxed class setting, this is the place and time for you. While we have a topic for returning spinners who wish to increase their fine skills by spinning balanced three-ply yarns, some VERY BEGINNING spinners will be coming for basic instruction.  Look for both possibilities at this Fall spinning retreat.

Love to felt? Embellish? This weekend is for you! The first (and I hope not last) FULLING AROUND WITH KNITTING Retreat over Columbus Day weekend, October 9, 10 & 11 in our Retreat Cottage on the beach in Rockport, Massachusetts, will see ALL the basics of fulling your knitting covered. You'll receive over 30 patterns for clothing, bags, decorative and functional items.  While we have a topic for felters. Sunday will also be a day to catch up on a particular knitting project and single day registrations are possible.  Look for both possibilities at this Fall knitting retreat. On tap for next April's knitting retreat at the ocean: Icleandic Sweaters

spinning wheel tune-up
September is a big spinning month here at Countrywool. There are classes and retreats available for those who are rusty with their spinning skills, but how about those rusty spinning wheels? Does yours' have a creak, or spin lopsided? Has time taken a toll on the smoothness of treadling? Have you lost a part? The FALL SPINNING WHEEL TUNE-UP is just what the doctor ordered this Saturday, September 5 from 1-4 pm. This clinic is free and your wheel will get a grease job and a tightening on the house. Ashford parts are available for purchase should your wheel need something more.

solar friendly shop hours will start in october
Our long planned for and awaited SOLAR POWER has arrived and is fully functional. Countrywool is very proud to announce that all heat, light and electricity needed to power the shop will be provided courtesy of The Sun. When you drive in, you will see our new Photo Voltaic panels in the north field, and if you stroll to the Bunny Barn, you can see the Hot Water Panels on the roof of the main house.. We have spent the last year learning how to reduce our consumption of electricity to become power efficient, and one of the first items on the agenda is to have the major power usage occur during the day when the sun recharges the cells quickly. To that end, we have decided to conduct business only during daylight hours. But, we will remain open 7 days a week starting in October to provide ample opportunity for knitters and spinners to shop. This means Knit Nite becomes Friday Morning Knitting during the cold weather months.
Info on our supplier/installer is on Countrywool's main page (we LOVED working with them!).

Heather's Cardigan knit-a-long has just started....
Get your needles and yarns and CAST ON after checking our NEW local area fiberarts blog: Hudson Valley Fiber Web.

And speaking of Hudson Valley Fiber Web...we are looking for some folks who like to write about fiber to contribute an article (or 6!) to that forum. We are looking for first person narratives about attending local fiber events, experiences in weaving, knitting, spinning, dyeing, felting, etc.  We hope this blog becomes a picture into what's happening fiber-wise in Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  Send your ideas and articles to:  claudiakATcountrywoolDOTnet.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

late summer knit & spin nite schedule
There are just two weeks left in our summer schedule. We are hosting SPINNERS, too, every KNIT NITE on all AUGUST THURSDAYS 6-8 pm. I hope to see many of you when you are free to come. The KNITTING DOCTOR will be around for help, although she will be spinning for most of the summer. Look for TWO knit nites each week in September, as we gear up for HOLIDAY KNITTING on Thursday nights with our regular knitnight moving to MONDAYS. Then, in October, when the daylight begins to wane in the evenings, we will move our knit gathering to FRIDAY MORNINGS for the duration of the winter, reflecting our new SOLAR FRIENDLY shop schedule.

free patterns on the 'net

Baby blossom cardigan

Jubilee lace scarf

Cookie A's Summer Sox

Bolt_legwarmers

Hermiones cable eyelet hat

Two strands headband

fall weekend retreats

We will be gathering for the Rip Van Winkle SPINNING 3-PLY & BULKY YARNS  Spinning Retreat over a LONG weekend, September 25, 26 & 27, in the beautiful Catskill Mountains near Round Top, NY, at the lovely Winter Clove Inn. While we have a topic for returning spinners who wish to increase their fine skills by spinning balanced three-ply yarns, a few VERY BEGINNING spinners will be coming for basic instruction.  Look for both possibilities at this Fall spinning retreat. On tap for next April's spinning retreat at the ocean: spinning sock yarn/knitting socks!

orphan yarn sale this month
A number of skeins have dwindled down to 1 or 2 in a dye lot, and this month will see the ORPHAN YARN SALE, that was so popular last year. Take 40% off any skeins that are lonely or have only one sibling (must take both)!

current pattern in the works...

Cardigan patterns are on my mind this year, and a simple from-the-top raglan seamless pattern with I-cord self edging, lace raglan lines and cable buttonholes has beenrequested. This will be a lightweight sweater, good for chilly fall evenings and wearing in the house this winter. This is knit with sensuous (have you knit with it yet?) ULTRA ALPACA LIGHT. I am working with PEA SOUP (at right). The pattern is (still) being written as I type and will become an on-line project on September 1 on our NEW local area fiberarts blog: Hudson Valley Fiber Web

 

And speaking of Hudson Valley Fiber Web...we are looking for some folks who like to write about fiber to contribute an article (or 6!) to that forum. We are looking for first person narratives about attending local fiber events, experiences in weaving, knitting, spinning, dyeing, felting, etc.  We hope this blog becomes a picture into what's happening fiber-wise in Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  Send your ideas and articles to:  claudiakATcountrywoolDOTnet.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

classes this month
The June 27 LACE CLASS has room, if anyone has a need to get going on a summer lace project.
The June 20 SOCK HEELS class also has room.

 may june sale
ADDI TURBO AND NATURA circular needles have recently changed the connecting cord. I am clearing out old stock, so the needles with GOLD CORDS ONLY are 20% off if you mention you read this in the newsletter. This is good for mail orders or in shop sales. I do not have a list of what's left, so send me what sizes you are looking for and I'll check.

.....continuing june classes

The Knitting Doctor is IN on Saturdays, June 6 and June 20 from 12-1 pm. free!

Summer Lace Class has been scheduled. Saturdays 1-4 pm June 6 June 27 July 11 Prepayment required: $25 a session or $60 for all three. Two options exist. 1. A LACE SAMPLER SHAWL (or a very special baby blanket): On 3 Saturdays we'll knit together exploring how to add lace patterns to the basic shawl we'll plan at the first meeting. 365 Knitting Stitches A Year is required (Available for purchase: $19.95).

2.  SWALLOWTAIL LACE SHAWL Last summer the class filled early and a few folks were disappointed. I will open this class to that project. Pattern purchase required: $7.00 3 spots only

SOCK HEELS: Navigating the unknown, Saturday, June 20, 1-4 pm. Everyone starts knitting socks and then gets flummoxed by the heel. Bring in your already started sock for a heel finishing class. We'll cover short rows, heel flaps, peasant heels, etc. Need to get started on a sock? Stop in to see the KNITTING DOCTOR (see schedule above) and get going. Prepayment required: $25.

fall weekend retreats
I have JUST completed arrangements for the 3rd Fall retreat.
Rip Van Winkle KNITTING SEAMLESS CARDIGAN SWEATERS November 2009  in the mountains, Round Top, NY

All of you who clamor for cardigans will enjoy a weekend with three different patterns showcasing three different ways to make cardigans, all seamless and modular in their construction. (Relax, no steeks...)

current pattern in the works...

Cardigan patterns are on my mind this year, and a simple from-the-top raglan seamless pattern with I-cord self edging, lace raglan lines and cable buttonholes has been requested. This will be a lightweight sweater, good for chilly summer evenings, knit with sensuous (have you knit with it yet?) ULTRA ALPACA LIGHT. I am working with PEA SOUP (at right). The pattern is being written as I type. Look for it by July 1, and watch for the JULY YARN DEAL OF THE MONTH featuring the new pattern.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

classes this month
The LACE CLASS scheduled for Saturday June 6 is teetering on cancelation. If you are pondering it, I need to hear from you by Wednesday so it stays viable.

 may june sale
ADDI TURBO AND NATURA circular needles have recently changed the connecting cord. I am clearing out old stock, so the needles with GOLD CORDS ONLY are 20% off if you mention you read this in the newsletter. This is good for mail orders or in shop sales. I do not have a list of what's left, so send me what sizes you are looking for and I'll check.

angora rabbits
Sweet, new bunnies have been born to MAUD and MILES. Pictures of them are on BareHare.


up and coming june classes

The Knitting Doctor is IN on Saturdays, June 6 and June 13 from 12-1 pm. free!

Summer Lace Class has been scheduled. Saturdays 1-4 pm June 6 June 27 July 11 Prepayment required: $25 a session or $60 for all three. Two options exist. 1. A LACE SAMPLER SHAWL (or a very special baby blanket): On 3 Saturdays we'll knit together exploring how to add lace patterns to the basic shawl we'll plan at the first meeting. 365 Knitting Stitches A Year is required (Available for purchase: $19.95).

2.  SWALLOWTAIL LACE SHAWL Last summer the class filled early and a few folks were disappointed. I will open this class to that project. Pattern purchase required: $7.00 3 spots only

SOCK HEELS: Navigating the unknown, Saturday, June 13, 1-4 pm. Everyone starts knitting socks and then gets flummoxed by the heel. Bring in your already started sock for a heel finishing class. We'll cover short rows, heel flaps, peasant heels, etc. Need to get started on a sock? Stop in to see the KNITTING DOCTOR (see schedule above) and get going. Prepayment required: $25.

fall weekend retreats
I have completed arrangements for the first 2 retreats this Fall.
Rip Van Winkle SPINNING 3-PLY & BULKY YARNS September 2009 in the mountains, Round Top, NY
Cape Ann  FULLING AROUND WITH KNITTING October 2009 by the ocean, Rockport, MA

Serious knitting projects benefit from well constructed yarns, and this 3 PLY SPINNING RETREAT will be all about getting those results. It's not as hard as you would think, and not as time consuming as you might fear to make 3 ply yarns.

I've wanted to offer a felting weekend for years and had to wait until we had the facilities to handle it. The highlight of the FULLING/FELTING RETREAT, will be all the embellishing we will be doing. I hope to have a button/bead/ribbon/floss extravaganza on that Sunday.    If you'd like a brochure for either, just drop me a note or stop in.

new in the shop
Since felting never stops with hot weather, and serious knitters knit in their AC when the temp hits 90*, CASCADE 220, STEP sock yarn, KID SETA for summer shawls and LANALOFT have been restocked. Lots of new colors! New books will arrive on June 10, including the much loved SOCK INNOVATION, but only a few copies have been ordered, so reserve yours' this week if you have been waiting for the 2nd reprint.


Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Blooming lilacs fragrance the air outside Countrywool this week, and I am hard pressed to just walk by on my way to the bunny barn. (We have new bunnies this week and Mamma Maud and her little ones are tended to throughout each day). I have to stop and sniff along the way... My new garden is coming along and the wee laying hens (Partridge Rocs and Buff Orpingtons) are busy growing. The solar panel folks from sundogsolar will be here within the month to start on our intent to have the sun provide Countrywool's electricity by the Fall. We are so happy becoming greener! Look for our naturally raised (with Bunny Poo!) veggies and eggs to appear in the late Summer/Fall, alongside our home grown Bunny wool for spinners and knitters.

MAY SALE
ADDI TURBO AND NATURA circular needles have recently changed the connecting cord. I am clearing out old stock, so the needles with GOLD CORDS ONLY are 20% off if you mention you read this in the newsletter. This is good for mail orders or in shop sales. I do not have a list of what's left, so send me what sizes you are looking for and I'll check.

ANGORA RABBITS FOR SALE
I have made the breeding decisions I need to, and both Klaus and Senta are for sale this spring. Details are on BareHare.

NEW PATTERNS
The Mossy Vine Cabled Sweater Patterns, for adults and kids, are ready.  click on the pictures for larger views

Sweater-Hat (tied)

Sweater-Hat (untied) Also Kids' Sweater design

Adult Sweater

The Sweater hat is included with both patterns, as well as on its own, and allows one to make the entire top-down sweater as a hat, learning the process on a small scale. We had great fun with it at the last retreat.


UP AND COMING JUNE CLASSES:
The Knitting Doctor is IN on Saturdays, May 23, June 6 and June 13 from 12-1 pm. free!

Summer Lace Class has been scheduled. Saturdays 1-4 pm June 6 June 27 July 11 Prepayment required: $25 a session or $60 for all three. Two options exist. 1. A LACE SAMPLER SHAWL (or a very special baby blanket): On 3 Saturdays we'll knit together exploring how to add lace patterns to the basic shawl we'll plan at the first meeting. 365 Knitting Stitches A Year is required (Available for purchase: $19.95).

2.  SWALLOWTAIL LACE SHAWL Last summer the class filled early and a few folks were disappointed. I will open this class to that project. Pattern purchase required: $7.00 3 spots only

SOCK HEELS: Navigating the unknown, Saturday, June 13, 1-4 pm. Everyone starts knitting socks and then gets flummoxed by the heel. Bring in your already started sock for a heel finishing class. We'll cover short rows, heel flaps, peasant heels, etc. Need to get started on a sock? Stop in to see the KNITTING DOCTOR (see schedule above) and get going. Prepayment required: $25.

FALL WEEKEND RETREATS
I have completed arrangements for the first 2 retreats this Fall.
Rip Van Winkle SPINNING 3-PLY & BULKY YARNS September 2009 in the mountains, Round Top, NY
Cape Ann  FULLING AROUND WITH KNITTING October 2009 by the ocean, Rockport, MA

Serious knitting projects benefit from well constructed yarns, and this 3 PLY SPINNING RETREAT will be all about getting those results. It's not as hard as you would think, and not as time consuming as you might fear to make 3 ply yarns.

I've wanted to offer a felting weekend for years and had to wait until we had the facilities to handle it. The highlight of the FULLING/FELTING RETREAT, will be all the embellishing we will be doing. I hope to have a button/bead/ribbon/floss extravaganza on that Sunday.    If you'd like a brochure for either, just drop me a note or stop in.

NEW IN THE SHOP:
Since felting never stops with hot weather, and serious knitters knit in their AC when the temp hits 90*, CASCADE 220, STEP sock yarn, KID SETA for summer shawls and LANALOFT have been restocked. Lots of new colors! New books will arrive on June 10, including the much loved SOCK INNOVATION, but only a few copies have been ordered, so reserve yours' this week if you have been waiting for the 2nd reprint.


Happy Knitting and Spinning!