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!

I am writing to you from Cape Ann in Massachusetts while I am watching and hearing the pounding surf. The Cape Ann MOSSY VINE SWEATER Weekend Knitting Retreat was enjoyed by all and some fabulous hats and sweaters were started. The seamless top-down knitting construction method proved to be an intriguing way to make a sweater, as it allows you to try on as you go for perfect length. I am working on an Aran cardigan pattern made in that style for the November Rip Van Winkle Seamless Cardigan Weekend Retreat. (It will be one of three cardigan patterns supplied to everyone that weekend). Registration for all the Fall Retreats will open on May 15, so watch Countrywool.com.

Tomorrow spinners will gather for Spinning Through Your Stash, and we will dye, card, comb, spin and ply our way into designer yarn territory.  The dye pots and drum carders are ready. I can't wait to see everyone!

(Those of you who want to live vicariously through the retreat experience can find us on RAVELRY, just look for the COUNTRYWOOLERS group after you sign in).

This past month free Internet knitting designs found their way into my e-mail box. I want to share them with you all:
Silky Alpaca Lace Shawl
Sprout Baby Blanket
Toddler Socks
Wishbone Cable Sweater
Provence Star Wash Cloth
Nimbus Jacket
Juliana Shawl

SHOP HOURS THIS MONTH
I'll be back to regular shop hours next Thursday, but for this weekend, Betsi is manning the shop Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 each day.  To make things clear, I posted a calendar at Countrywool.com that you can check when you contemplate a trip.

SUMMER CLASSES?
I am devoting May to getting my garden in, but once June hits, I am entertaining a few ideas for Thursday evening classes. I am taking requests at this time, so if you have a topic that is near and dear to you, let me know.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Spring is raining in all over, and our cold frames are packed with wee lettuces, turnips, zucchini, onions and cucumbers. As much fun as it is to play in the dirt, I have been noticing how ethereally serene my knitting breaks have become at the same time.  I am enjoying the mindless peace of knitting the very simple sleeves on my recently written Mossy Vine Sweater. The cables are crisp, the Summer Sky Heather color is a dream, and Cascade 220 is always a pleasure to work with. My recently polished (with ammonia!) Addi turbo needles glide like butter through the knitting. I am looking forward to narrowing the sleeve to the cuff and using my Crystal Palace bamboo double pointed needles. Knitting with them is a back-to-earth experience, for the bamboo and the wool have the same spirit to me.

I am totally addicted to knitting. It's all good.

SHOP HOURS THIS MONTH
Seasonal changes are upon the shop. April is the month shop hours return to 6 days a week, and Monday night knit night reappears. April has a few holidays that are interrupting the schedule. It is also the month I go away to teach for 2 weeks at the ocean. So, shop hours are quite erratic. To make things clear, I posted a calendar at Countrywool.com that you can check when you contemplate a trip. The two weekends I am gone, my daughter Betsi will be running the place.

FLEECE AND FIBER NEWS
With all the good weather, I have dragged 4 local wool fleeces out into the sun for analyzing. I am planning to devote 2 days to dyeing once the sun warms up my solar panels and heats the water tanks to 130*. Then I will blend, blend, blend that wool with local mohair and Countrywool's own angora on my drum carder to make butter-soft ready-to-spin rovings. Spring has its own renewal for spinners! Pretty soon new freshly shorn fleeces will appear, and I want to have all the stored stuff finished and ready to be spun. Plus, with the Cape Ann Designing Handspun Yarns Spinning Retreat in 3+ weeks, we'll need some pretty fibers to mix in with what we all bring to the gathering. Using up our stashes to plan for yarn making is great fun, very practical in this economy, and sometimes all you need is a little of the right color to complement a great fiber collection. But, I'll leave a few pounds undyed for the crowd at the retreat, for they will spend their first 24 hours learning to dye wool, mohair, angora, alpaca and silk.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
I just finished a 14 week community service stint at the Boys & Girls Club in Hudson. I spent the winter teaching kids to knit. It was fun and exhausting and we all learned a lot about each other, yarn and needles and making stitches. I plan to return next winter to keep them going. I watched a lot of cold kids filter through that place. Next year I hope to bring with me wool mittens for everyone who attempts knitting, so I will be asking the Neighborhood Knitters to knit 40 pairs between now and then. If you are interested in helping, show up at one of our knit nights and we'll get you started.

RETREATS COMING UP
As I mentioned, I just finished writing all the patterns for the April Cape Ann Mossy Vine Cabled Sweater Knitting Retreat. There are 3 patterns available to work on: a hat made EXACTLY as the sweaters are made; a newborn to size 16 child's version, and an adult version in 8 sizes. We still have 4 spots open, but please know I am closing registrations down on April 10 in order to pack up and get going. The Cape Ann Designing Handspun Yarns Spinning Retreat also has 4 spots left as of today, and the same applies.
NEW SHOP PAYMENT POLICY:
While we cheerfully accept checks and credit cards, we are also quite cheerful about cash. We love it so much, in fact, that we are adopting a new policy. Those of you who enjoying using our Frequent Shopper cards know that all your purchases (except retreats and spinning wheels) are punched. If you bring in a COUNTRYWOOL or COUNTRYWOOL RETREAT bag, you always get an extra $5 punch each time you use it to bag your purchase. Your fully punched cards are worth $20 towards anything, including retreats. Now, you'll get the chance to get those cards punched sooner. If you pay with cash, you get a double punch for that transaction.  This brings the cost of your yarns and needles WAY down in these economically challenging times.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Spring birds, ladybugs and honeybees were my companions while hand spinning yarn on my deck yesterday. There is nothing like a little warm air to give us hope that the winter is passing. Blizzards do sometimes arrive in March, but this weekend has been heaven sent.

And speaking of things arriving, some new yarns waltzed in here on Thursday, with more expected this coming week. I have been watching the production of LANALOFT from the Brown Sheep Company in Nebraska, and I like what I am seeing, so I decided to stock it. 6 colors arrived Thursday, all hand dyed. This 100% wool will remind you of the colors in Mountain Goat, but they are all wool with a lovely heathery base. Great for felting or for planning a sweater around. I was delighted there are two weights available, and the worsted (same weight yardage as Lamb's Pride) and the sport (same weight/yardage as Ultra Alpaca Light) are both happily living here in their new home.

And Heritage Paints will be arriving this week. Lovely handdyed sock yarn with great soft and sturdy wear promised, I am delighted I found it! Made by Cascade Yarns, the price tag will please.

BOOKS
It has come to my attention that two of the books here are no longer in print, and our stock is down to one copy each. If you have been looking for
Small Sweaters--Lise Kolstad and Tone Tackle.....21.95
More Sweaters--Lise Kolstad and Tone Tackle.....19.95
look no farther. If you are a dedicated Scandinavian color pattern knitter, these two books are chock full of inspiration and excellent patterns.

Our SUNDAY COMMUNITY KNITTING will have two meetings this month: March 8 and 22 from 1-3 pm. We enjoy seeing everyone who can make it, and the KNITTING DOCTOR is here to help with your knitting issues from 1-2 pm on those days. I am trying to schedule a Sunday afternoon for COMMUNITY SPINNING if the weather cooperates. If you are interested, drop me a note and I'll put
you on the notify list.

RETREATS UP AND COMING
The April Cape Ann Mossy Vine Cabled Sweater Knitting Retreat is filling up and there are just 4 spots open as of this morning, so if you have been planning to come but haven't sent in your registration fee, there's no time like the present. The Cape Ann Designing Handspun Yarns Spinning Retreat has 7 spots left as of today. Then we'll break for the summer and resume gathering for weekend retreats in September. (Look for the FALL RETREATS to be listed on the website in May, at which time registrations will be accepted).

CLASSES THIS MONTH
LEARN TO KNIT (March 14) and LEARN TO SPIN (March 21) classes have been scheduled for Saturday mornings at Columbia Greene Community College.

NEW SHOP PAYMENT POLICY:
While we cheerfully accept checks and credit cards, we are also quite cheerful about cash. We love it so much, in fact, that we are adopting a new policy. Those of you who enjoying using our Frequent Shopper cards know that all your purchases (except retreats and spinning wheels) are punched. If you bring in a COUNTRYWOOL or COUNTRYWOOL RETREAT bag, you always get an extra $5 punch each time you use it to bag your purchase. Your fully punched cards are worth $20 towards anything, including retreats. Now, you'll get the chance to get those cards punched sooner. If you pay with cash, you get a double punch for that transaction.  This brings the cost of your yarns and needles WAY down in these economically challenging times.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

I am totally immersed in bookkeeping for yet another 2 weeks taking care of my federal and state tax responsibilities (sigh).  This is a 

gloomy part of the year for me. But, I am looking forward to what awaits in 4 weeks!!!!! I have finished an adorable knitted snowsuit for 

my granddaughter's birthday in 2 weeks, and as soon as I can get a picture of her in it, I will post it.  I am working on the Mossy Vine Cabled 

Sweater for the Cape Ann April Knitting Retreat, and loving that hour each day when I put the books down and work another few rows. I have 

begun writing the pattern and it will soon go out to be test knit

SHOP NEWS: The Addi needle folks have introduced a 2.25 and 2.75 mm needle to their US distributor. Those of us who are always seeking 

the perfect gauge in the smaller sizes have been looking for this for over 20 years. I am delighted to report I just placed the first order for 

these  US 1.5 and US 2.5 sizes in 16", 24", 32" and 40" lengths The 12"/24" will be available here at Countrywool in a week, the other ones 

in 3 weeks. Those of you who have preordered the ADDI CLICK interchangeable needle set will be pleased to know we are looking at a 

April 15 delivery if all goes well. Thank you for your patience.

Are your feet cold enough? Ready to tackle different ways of hand knitting socks? The Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat is JUST the place, 

and the end of February when we are all a little stir crazy, will be the perfect time.

The Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat website has a list of all the knitting materials you will need to bring with you, so check it out. But, 

here's an overview of what we will be doing:

Friday afternoon we start off with a bang as we learn DUTCH SOCKS. If you are a brand new sock knitter, Dutch Socks will be enough of a 

project for the weekend. German Twisted Cast On, with double pointed needles, is an EXCELLENT cast on good for many, many projects. 

The Dutch Heel and Star Toe are easy and a good way to make your first foray into knitted socks.

Then we have SHOW AND TELL, so if you have made anything you would like a round of applause for, do wear/carry it along.

Friday night is for catching up and one-on-one help.

Saturday morning we plow through Peace Fleece Socks, knit from the toe up with a Figure 8 Cast On. We will handle this one with a LONG 

circular needle in the magic loop style. Then learn the easy-as-pie peasant heel and finish with super stretchy Sewn Off Bind Off.

Saturday afternoon the stranded knitters among you will love Reindeer Socks. Worked from the top down using a 12" circular needle, this 

sock features a Short Row Heel and Wedge Toe.

Saturday night is again relegated to one-on-one help.

Sunday morning will be a demo on replacing a sock heel.

All this may sound daunting to new knitters, but please know many choose to work on Dutch Socks for the whole weekend. This is doable and 

manageable and totally supported. Some folks decide to retake the RVW Sock Retreat every year until they can plow through all the techniques 

flawlessly, and there is a reduced rate for re attendance.

All yarns and needles needed for these three projects, and for a fourth yet-to-be-decided project for returning attendees, will be at the retreat 

for sale, so if you leave something home, you can purchase it there.