mid October 2012
Countrywool News
October Shop Hours
SUNDAYS: 10am-4pm
MONDAYS and TUESDAYS: 10am-2pm
additional RHINEBECK WEEK HOURS:
Friday, October 19: 10-8
Saturday, October 20: 10-4

www.countrywool.com always has the hours listed

OR call for an anytime appointment
(518)828-4554 (leave a voice mail and I'll get back to you!)

Saturday, October 27,   12 - 2 pm:   Crochet an African Flower. NEW! Learn to crochet and make the prettiest of granny squares! The African Flower has become one of the most popular patterns out there, and guest teacher Wendy Wolosoff Hayes has created beautiful throws with these flowers. Her harmonic sense will delight you as you get to create with color on a quick and satisfying scale.  Price $25.00. Prepayment required.

Materials needed: 6 colors worsted weight yarn, about 30 yards each. Cascade 220 suggested (available for purchase) #G crochet hook clip marker scissors

• spinning wheel or drop spindle
• 4 - 8 oz clean wool roving or top
• 2 spinning wheels are available to rent for $20 by calling 828-4554. All items will be available for purchase: drop spindle: $25; wool roving: $8

RETREATS ON THE RADAR:
We still have 6 spots left!!!!!!!

Friday through Sunday, November 2-4: North Atlantic Knitting Techniques at Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY. Come and relax with a fabulous group of knitters while you learn a few new things and laugh a lot. $175 for the classes; $230 for your room and meals. Bring your friends and have a grand time in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains.

Have you checked out our page on  yet?
Don't forget...that is where you will hear of sales FIRST and get links to free patterns.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

October 2012
Countrywool News
October Shop Hours
SUNDAYS: 10am-4pm
MONDAYS and TUESDAYS: 10am-2pm
additional RHINEBECK WEEK HOURS:
Friday, October 19: 10-8
Saturday, October 20: 10-4

www.countrywool.com always has the hours listed

OR call for an anytime appointment
(518)828-4554 (leave a voice mail and I'll get back to you!)



Sunday, October 7, 11-2 pm. Lace Knitting: Old Shale Shawl.
Learn to knit lace. A traditional lace pattern will be taught using an original COUNTRYWOOL design. Learn increasing and decreasing in pattern; provisional casting on; and sewn off binding off. Learn to read charts.  If you can knit and purl and count, you can make this shawl! Call Columbia-Greene Community College (518)828-4181 to sign up. Price $36.00.
        Materials needed:

• 600 yards sport weight yarn
• 2 yards mercerized cotton waste yarn
• 1 pair US #9 needles
• darning needle
• crochet hook #E, F or G
• 6 ring markers: 4 of any color and  2 in different colors
•  yarn kits will be available for purchase at class

Sunday, October 14, 12 noon - 2 pm. KNIT A SIMPLE SEAMLESS SWEATER FOR YOURSELF + PERCENTAGE SWEATER KNITTING FOR HANDSPINNERS and KNITTERS: Class 2: Plotting the pattern. Using a sweatshirt or sweater that fits as a guide, students will plot THEIR measurements on an original Countrywool Raglan Sweater knitting pattern. Using the hat from class 1 OR any gauge swatch brought to class, each student’s UNIQUE KNITTING GAUGE will be identified and used to fill in the pattern’s blanks with specifics so the sweater will fit well after it is knit.. The ribbed bottom edge will then be cast on and knitting will commence. Handouts supplied. $35. Prepayment required. click on picture for larger image

Materials needed: Sweater or sweatshirt that fits you well. 1 more skein of yarn used in the gauge hat (available for purchase, Cascade 220, Lamb's Pride worsted, Lanaloft worsted or Peace Fleece worsted suggested) 1 circular needle, 24-32” long, US #7 - US #9, to match yarn (available for purchase) pencil, calculator, measuring tape and knitting notions

Sunday, October 21, 11-2 pm: Felted Knitting: A Shopping Bag.
Learn to felt your knitting. Make a reusable shopping bag with left over wool, mohair, angora and alpaca yarns from your stash, or pick up a FUN kit of mixed wool colors at the class.  Learn to knit in the round in the magic loop style with one LONG circular needle. If you can knit and purl and count, you can make this bag! When you are done, simply throw it in a washing machine and let it felt. All instructions included. Call Columbia-Greene Community College (518)828-4181 to sign up. Price $36.00.
        Materials needed:

• 1100 yards worsted weight wool yarns
• 2 yards mercerized cotton waste yarn
• 1  US #10, 10.5 or 11 circular needle, any length 32” or longer
• 4 ring markers: one different from the rest
• yarn kits will be available for purchase: yarn kit ($45); circular needle $18-23; darning needle/ring markers $4

Saturday, October 27,   12 - 2 pm:   Crochet an African Flower. NEW! Learn to crochet and make the prettiest of granny squares! The African Flower has become one of the most popular patterns out there, and guest teacher Wendy Wolosoff Hayes has created beautiful throws with these flowers. Her harmonic sense will delight you as you get to create with color on a quick and satisfying scale.  Price $25.00. Prepayment required.

Materials needed: 6 colors worsted weight yarn, about 30 yards each. Cascade 220 suggested (available for purchase) #G crochet hook clip marker scissors

Sunday, October 28,   11-2 pm   Spin A Yarn.
Ever wonder how it was done? Do you have sheep, alpacas, llamas, bunnies, sheep dogs or mohair goats in your life? Fashion yarn from their fur in a timeless fashion by hand on a drop spindle, or more quickly with a spinning wheel. No experience necessary to take this class! Handouts supplied. Call Columbia-Greene Community College (518)828-4181 to sign up. Price $36.00. .
        Materials needed:

• spinning wheel or drop spindle
• 4 - 8 oz clean wool roving or top
• 2 spinning wheels are available to rent for $20 by calling 828-4554. All items will be available for purchase: drop spindle: $25; wool roving: $8

RETREATS ON THE RADAR:

Friday through Sunday, November 2-4: North Atlantic Knitting Techniques at Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY. Come and relax with a fabulous group of knitters while you learn a few new things and laugh a lot. $175 for the classes; $230 for your room and meals. Bring your friends and have a grand time in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

August 2012
Countrywool News

Summer Shop Hours
SUNDAYS 10am-4pm

www.countrywool.com always has the hours listed

OR call for an appointment at any time
(518)828-4554 (leave a voice mail and I'll get back to you!)

Tuesday, August 7: MAKING SWEET ANNIE SOAP: 8 am - 1 pm. Learn the whole process of creating lye based soap using all natural ingredients and organic Sweet Annie grown at Countrywool. Take home over 4 pounds of soap.  LIMITED TO 4 SOAPERS! All ingredients provided. You may bring all your own ingredients (up to 16 oz frozen goats milk) if you wish but results will not be guaranteed.  You may come to just observe the process at a reduced fee. Bring a bag lunch. $105.

Sunday, August 12: Hand Painting Yarn at Columbia-Greene Community College: 12noon-3pm.  Call (518)828-4181 to sign up. $36.

new!  Sunday, August 26, 12 noon - 3 pm. HANDSEWN POTHOLDERS: Log Cabin. Our introductory class for those new to hand sewing and quilting. Make beautiful pieced traditional Log Cabin patchwork squares and turn them into potholders. No experience needed.  Bring your own fabrics or pick up a 100 % cotton kit with everything included except the sewing needle and thread ($13.50). Pattern supplied. $25. Prepayment required.

RETREATS ON THE RADAR:

Friday through Sunday, November 2-4: North Atlantic Knitting Techniques at Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY. Come and relax with a fabulous group of knitters while you learn a few new things and laugh a lot. $175 for the classes; $230 for your room and meals. Bring your friends and have a grand time in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

July 2012
Countrywool News

Summer Shop Hours
SUNDAYS 10am-4pm

www.countrywool.com always has the hours listed

OR call for an appointment at any time
(518)828-4554 (leave a voice mail and I'll get back to you!)

Sheep To Sweater Class: Sunday, July 22 at Columbia-Greene Community College: 12noon-3pm: Dyeing fleece and fiber. Call (518)828-4181 to sign up.

Sunday, July 29: SUMMER GARDEN PARTY KNIT-IN: A Circular Shawl: 11am-3pm. Come and enjoy a vegetarian buffet from the Krisniski's vegetable garden and knit all day in the company of good folk. Want to make a beautiful lace shawl easily in the round and learn how to wear it a few different ways? Pick up a kit and we'll help you get going. Fashion show at 11:30!

    Knit In and buffet only: $25
    Knit In, buffet and shawl kit (8 colors available...please inquire): $54
    you'll need to bring (or buy when there) double pointed needles #8 or larger;
    16" + 24" circular needles # 8-10, 20 ring markers; G crochet hook.
sign-up on the CLASSES WEBSITE

Friday through Sunday, November 2-4: North Atlantic Knitting Techniques at Winter Clove Inn, Round Top, NY. Come and relax with a fabulous group of knitters while you learn a few new things and laugh a lot. $175 for the classes; $230 for your room and meals. Bring your friends and have a grand time in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

mid January 2012
Countrywool News
k

When you get up in the dark on a January morning, and it is 5* with a wind chill of -12* and you look at what socks to put on, how do you choose?

I have a slew of hand knit socks. Some are from handspun yarn. Some are made with Kroy, Tuffy, Durasport, Peace Fleece, Peace Fleece Sport, Bearfoot, Step, Berroco Sox, Inca Alpaca, Mini Mochi, Naturespun, Lamb’s Pride. Lush,  and Cascade 220. Some are knit with 2 strands, some with one, one pair felted.

Do you know what? The warmest AND most versatile pair of socks I own are knit with Peace Fleece Sport and Durasport. The above TALL TREE SOCKS were featured at the Sock retreat last year and the pattern may be downloaded by clicking on the BUY NOW button. After 30 years of making socks, I think I have found the perfect fiber combination for wear and super warmth.

I am working on a new pattern with these yarns this month in anticipation of the Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat next month. SWEDISH SOCKS will feature a heel I had never done. Necessity is the mother of invention, and it was created to fit the needs of the color stitch pattern.

But, aside from wearing good socks made from warm natural fibers in this weather, I highly recommend legwarmers knit with Lamb's Pride, Peace Fleece or Lanaloft Worsted. Legwarmers can go on over tights, over jeans and get you through any blast of frigid air. If you do yoga in chilly rooms, these will save your muscles. I manage a 3 mile walk daily in any weather in comfort with these on. The mentioned yarns are simply fabulous and hold up while holding warmth in. Lamb’s Pride is my go-to yarn for January and February socks, mittens, hats, sweaters and legwarmers. Peace Fleece is a little more rustic, and Lanaloft much softer, filling the needs for all knitters.

 Enjoy the winter by getting outside in it and BREATHE.

Happy knitting and spinning!
Claudia

Classes this month and next:

RETREATS ON THE RADAR:
  6th Annual Rip Van Winkle SOCK KNITTING RETREAT in February
filled at this time...watch the website for any opening!
Cape Ann NORTH ATLANTIC KNITS in April
sign up by March 15...2 spots left

Are your hands feeling the colder weather lately?
Are the cracks in your skin causing yarns and fibers to catch
while you knit and spin?
Seal your hands with BUNNY BALM 
which I make myself to deal with this issue.

late December 2011
Countrywool News
k

Lights are glowing, frost is in the air, and the birds are quiet as the end of 2011 approaches. 
What is it about the coming New Year that just breathes LIFE into us all
after the Solstice celebrates the shortest day of the year?

In the Middle Ages, the 12 days of Christmas was a time when spinners, weavers, dyers, and knitters had their fiber work finished before the celebration started,
as it was considered bad luck to have any work left undone when the new year dawned.

Here at Countrywool, we've tweaked the timing, but have kept the tradition:
all (except one) unfinished personal knitting projects are ruthlessly unraveled
and returned to their yarn state on New Year's Day.
All bobbins are emptied, and polished.
All needles and tools are collected, cleaned and restored to their storage boxes. 
Then we welcome the new year with an open heart,
unencumbered by past energies, ready to create again.

If you would like some encouragement in this process on NEW YEAR'S EVE,
we will gather together to RIP & REWIND, PLY & POLISH from 12-3. 
There are swifts and ball winders here for you to use.

And those Middle Age folks had a great celebration
the day they went back to work. ROC DAY was traditionally a day
they teased each other mercilessly as they started up again.
This year, we will celebrate Roc Day on JANUARY 7
with an OPEN HOUSE and POT LUCK lunch from 10-2.
During this time there will be a discussion of the year long workshop for
learning to spin a wool fleece into yarn, and knitting a sweater with your handspun yarn.

But first...

The NEW YEAR'S DAY SALE is back!
(cash or check only for these prices and no Frequent Shopper card punches)
12-4 on New Year's Day
Buy one skein, get one skein free
Lamb's Pride Bulky
Lanaloft Handpaint Bulky
Lanaloft Handpaint Sport
Fixation
all needles...buy one pair, get one pair free
(higher price prevails)

Classes this month and next:

RETREATS ON THE RADAR:
  6th Annual Rip Van Winkle SOCK KNITTING RETREAT in February
just 2 spots left....sign up by January 15
Cape Ann NORTH ATLANTIC KNITS in April
sign up by March 15

Are your hands feeling the colder weather lately?
Are the cracks in your skin causing yarns and fibers to catch
while you knit and spin?
Seal your hands with BUNNY BALM 
which I make myself to deal with this issue.

A report on the KNITTING FOR HURRICANE IRENE VICTIMS project:
We (along with WARM HATS, WARM HEARTS in Vermont)
knitted, labeled, collected, and distributed over 125 hats,
11 pairs of mittens, 8 scarves, 4 shawls and 16 pairs of socks
to folks in Prattsville and Middleburgh, NY.
Thanks for your support of time, yarn, driving, and postage.
A job well done everyone!

And 2011 comes to an end, I want to thank everyone for their patronage of Countrywool.
I truly enjoy seeing you, your enthusiasm and your projects!
The economy since 2007 has not been kind to us all, and my small business which survives on discretionary income, has been hard hit for the 4th year in a row.
To continue to justify its existence to my family,
(for without their support I would not be able to offer my time to you),
I have made the decision to stay open in 2012 for Saturdays only until September.
However, I am always glad to open the shop at other times if you call or e-mail
and make an appointment.

Claudia

December 2011
Countrywool News
k

Happy December from my place to yours'!
Lots of holiday knitting is going on as we count down to a gift exchange in a couple of weeks. I find knitting for those I love to be SUCH a satisfying experience.

We have one more SIT 'N KNIT/spin/weave/crochet Saturday left
before Christmas. If you need help with any of your projects,
stop in on  Saturday, December 10, from 12-3.


The shop's holiday hours schedule is posted on www.countrywool.com,
so make sure you check, or call, before you make the drive.
Countrywool will be closed the entire December 17 & 18 weekend
so I can celebrate with my family.



Classes this month and next:
Save the date: January 1, 2012!

NEW YEAR'S DAY SALE!

Watch this space for details


RETREATS ON THE RADAR:
  6th Annual Rip Van Winkle SOCK KNITTING RETREAT in February
just 6 spots left....sign up by January 15
Cape Ann NORTH ATLANTIC KNITS in April
sign up by March 15

Are your hands feeling the colder weather lately?
Are the cracks in your skin causing yarns and fibers to catch
while you knit and spin?
Seal your hands with BUNNY BALM 
which I make myself to deal with this issue.

Have a great HOLIDAY!
Remember...gifts you make with your hands wrap up your loved ones well:)
Claudia

mid November 2011
Countrywool News
k

Are you getting into the holiday spirit at your place? My (LED!) lights have just been put up everywhere and will stay on all through the New Year.
During this increasingly dark time, I find tremendous joy
in working with bright colors, much like putting lights in my knitting!

Like these mittens?

This week will see our biannual YARN CRAWL, where 11 shops and farms put out the welcome mat for yarn crawlers. Fill a car with your fiber buddies and spend the day visiting them all. Each shop/farm will have a gift for you!

And the following week, come to the STUFFED MITTEN MARATHON
on Sunday, November 27, from 10-4 and bring a dish/dessert to share
for our pot luck lunch (I'll supply the drinks).


Early in December we are having an ARAN KNITTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP. Come to make a cabled hat!! Irish knit sweaters for babies and adults!
A truly warm pullover vest with flattering side slits!
Enjoy Jim's homemade soup for lunch!
Two chairs are left, so hurry and sign up if you are interested.

A class in the planning stage:
...a year long workshop for SPINNERS, exploring the process of spinning from a fleece, making enough yarn for a sweater, and then knitting the sweater. If you have been telling yourself you wanted to learn to spin and make a sweater the time honored way, 2012 could be your year of opportunity at Countrywool. Sign up with a friend and each of you will receive a FREE GIFT for your spinning wheel.
Watch this space in December for details!

OPEN ON SUNDAYS this month and next.
Countrywool is open 6 days a week and if you make an appointment, on the 7th as well.

SALE!  PEACE FLEECE!
And we have gotten in 3 new shipments in the last two weeks.
Come and check out what's here.
RETREATS ON THE RADAR:
  6th Annual Rip Van Winkle SOCK KNITTING RETREAT in February
just 6 spots left....sign up by January 15
Cape Ann NORTH ATLANTIC KNITS in April
sign up by March 15

Are your hands feeling the colder weather lately?
Are the cracks in your skin causing yarns and fibers to catch
while you knit and spin?
Seal your hands with BUNNY BALM 
which I make myself to deal with this issue.

Have a great HOLIDAY!
Remember...gifts you make with your hands wrap up your loved ones well:)
Claudia