Are those May flowers busting
out at your house? After having 15 yards of topsoil dumped outside Countrywool,
I am slowly planting vegetables and reseeding spots in the lawn here, while getting
to know my wheelbarrow again. But I am looking forward to a break next week
as I head out to the Rip Van Winkle Sock Yarn Spinning & Knitting Weekend
Retreat. The fitting in of washing, carding, dyeing and spinning wool blends
for the retreat, as well as knitting wee socks to check for gauge, has been
a sneaky enjoyment while I work through the pile of dirt. Don't you just love
Spring energy!
But, the high price news on the horizon for gas/diesel, heating oil, and even food has been sobering. Our household is concentrating on using less, driving less and growing more of our own food. I am sensing a huge movement towards Dressing Warm next winter, and want to offer a heads up and an opportunity on this issue.
Countrywool has ALWAYS been about natural, renewable source fibers. Since the first shipment of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted arrived at my door in 1990, the shelves have been stocked with all natural yarns. Having dressed my growing family and friends in real wool, alpaca, angora, silk and mohair clothing since the 70's, I know how easily it is to live in a 50*F house in the dead of winter. But, you have to have well fitting clothing to be comfortable, and it takes time to knit it. To this end, I am encouraging new (and not so new) knitters to consider focusing on clothing their entire body in warm hand knits by winter, with an eye to clothing those you love once you get the generic (any yarn/any needle/any body size) patterns all worked out. The classes offered by Countrywool over the summer and fall will cover basic sweaters, mittens, shawls, fingerless mitts, hats, socks, neckwarmers, and a NEW class-in-the-works: knit legwarmers and longies. For those who want the ultimate in creativity and efficient use of energy....learn to spin the yarn you use to knit at our Cape Ann Spinning Retreat next October, and conserve the most. These classes start in June, so watch this space for updates, or check out Classes at Countrywool for up-to-the-minute info.
The first class in this series is the biggest project, but in some ways the easiest one, as there is the potential for yards and yards of simple knitting while letting the yarn do the work: the seamless pullover sweater. YOUR FIRST CIRCULAR SWEATER will be held on 2nd Thursday evenings, starting in June, from 5-8 pm. A percentage pattern (including a GAUGE HAT) will be handed to you when you register allowing you to use any yarn and any needles you like. (If you have this pattern already, you are entitled to pick any circularly knit Countrywool sweater pattern in its place). Once you are registered, you receive a coupon for a Class Shopping Day blitz: 15% off everything you buy for the class in one trip: yarn, needles, notions, (consider an optional ball winder, skein holder). You can start now and will be ready for the next step at the first class.
But, the high price news on the horizon for gas/diesel, heating oil, and even food has been sobering. Our household is concentrating on using less, driving less and growing more of our own food. I am sensing a huge movement towards Dressing Warm next winter, and want to offer a heads up and an opportunity on this issue.
Countrywool has ALWAYS been about natural, renewable source fibers. Since the first shipment of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted arrived at my door in 1990, the shelves have been stocked with all natural yarns. Having dressed my growing family and friends in real wool, alpaca, angora, silk and mohair clothing since the 70's, I know how easily it is to live in a 50*F house in the dead of winter. But, you have to have well fitting clothing to be comfortable, and it takes time to knit it. To this end, I am encouraging new (and not so new) knitters to consider focusing on clothing their entire body in warm hand knits by winter, with an eye to clothing those you love once you get the generic (any yarn/any needle/any body size) patterns all worked out. The classes offered by Countrywool over the summer and fall will cover basic sweaters, mittens, shawls, fingerless mitts, hats, socks, neckwarmers, and a NEW class-in-the-works: knit legwarmers and longies. For those who want the ultimate in creativity and efficient use of energy....learn to spin the yarn you use to knit at our Cape Ann Spinning Retreat next October, and conserve the most. These classes start in June, so watch this space for updates, or check out Classes at Countrywool for up-to-the-minute info.
The first class in this series is the biggest project, but in some ways the easiest one, as there is the potential for yards and yards of simple knitting while letting the yarn do the work: the seamless pullover sweater. YOUR FIRST CIRCULAR SWEATER will be held on 2nd Thursday evenings, starting in June, from 5-8 pm. A percentage pattern (including a GAUGE HAT) will be handed to you when you register allowing you to use any yarn and any needles you like. (If you have this pattern already, you are entitled to pick any circularly knit Countrywool sweater pattern in its place). Once you are registered, you receive a coupon for a Class Shopping Day blitz: 15% off everything you buy for the class in one trip: yarn, needles, notions, (consider an optional ball winder, skein holder). You can start now and will be ready for the next step at the first class.
COMING NEXT WEEK:
SOCK YARN SPINNING & KNITTING RETREAT: The last one 'till the fall, The Rip Van Winkle Retreats are ending with a weekend devoted to sock yarn spinning and knitting. New spinners are totally welcome, as Friday night is dedicated to relearning how to spin yarn for newcomers and old pros, alike. There is still room for 2 more!
Knit with HEILO or FIXATION or ULTRA ALPACA LIGHT, this hat is real cute for the warmer weather. BRING IN A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL
and you will get the pattern/yarn combo (from colors in stock) for 15% off.
If you already own the pattern, bring it with you to get the yarn discount
for making (another) one.
THE MAY ORPHAN YARN SALE continues, (but this past week many of the orphans have found new homes, so hurry in!) To help clear the shelves of odd dye lots, I am offering a 35% discount on any yarn that has only one or two skeins in residence (you must take both to get the discount). This includes the following yarns and is good for the entire month of May:
ecco fixation hp basics cotton heilo inca alpaca inca alpaca PRINT
indulgence kid n ewe kid seta lamb's pride lush mountain goat peace fleece
regal royal cashmere step trekking tuffy ultra alpaca light venezia
NEW BOOK: Countrywool has finally produced one of its own! Written by a knitter who practices what she preaches, the KNITTER'S BOOK OF STRETCHES has been in the works for some time. Years of aches and pains, physical therapy, yoga, and massage therapy have all been combined in a few, easy to follow, preventative stretches that will unwind, unkink and relax those knitting muscles. Illustrated by a knitter and practiced at Countrywool Retreats, these stretches may safely extend your knitting time. And it makes a great gift! $13.50 includes all shipping/handling charges.
2008 is the year we are going green! To encourage all customers to bring in their own shopping bags. Countrywool is now stocking locally (Greene County!) made shopping bags of beautiful durable fabric in rich colors, and elegant cotton canvas COUNTRYWOOL RETREAT bags. Both have pockets and can be used for project bags, but we hope you will use one when you come to shop, or bring it in filled with your projects for us to see while you add new yarns to it. Any bag you bring with you will earn you a discount on your purchase, but bringing in a COUNTRYWOOL bag will garner you an extra $5 punch on your Frequent Shopper card.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: shop return policy changes. Alas, the economy has not been kind to Countrywool the last 9 months, and I am forced to look at my return policy in order to stay competitive in this changing environment. Books, patterns, notions, spinning fibers, buttons, are not returnable. Needles are not returnable unless damaged (and you need to bring them back in the original packaging). As of June 1, 2008, I will no longer accept yarns for return on an unlimited basis as I have in the past. Your receipts will now have a note stating yarn returns for only 30 days from purchase, and all sale yarns leaving here will be marked, as they are not returnable. Please be aware that 5 local yarn shops have closed within the past year and help Countrywool stay viable! Taxes, shipping, insurance (doubling this year alone), heat, electricity and advertising, let alone the cost of wool and anything coming from overseas, have all gone up for this business, just like it has for your household. We stay creative and positive about the future, but at the same time need to be realistic.
So, don't forget...if you want the yarn/pattern DEAL OF THE MONTH, you need to BRING IN A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL.
SOCK YARN SPINNING & KNITTING RETREAT: The last one 'till the fall, The Rip Van Winkle Retreats are ending with a weekend devoted to sock yarn spinning and knitting. New spinners are totally welcome, as Friday night is dedicated to relearning how to spin yarn for newcomers and old pros, alike. There is still room for 2 more!
COUNTRYWOOL PATTERN OF THE MONTH deal:
Patty had a great idea that we have been hashing out when she stopped by the last few times.
She thinks it's time for a DEAL OF THE MONTH, and I agree.
So, to kick off a year of patterns and yarns, May will be Betsi's Ladybug Hat month:
She thinks it's time for a DEAL OF THE MONTH, and I agree.
So, to kick off a year of patterns and yarns, May will be Betsi's Ladybug Hat month:
THE MAY ORPHAN YARN SALE continues, (but this past week many of the orphans have found new homes, so hurry in!) To help clear the shelves of odd dye lots, I am offering a 35% discount on any yarn that has only one or two skeins in residence (you must take both to get the discount). This includes the following yarns and is good for the entire month of May:
ecco fixation hp basics cotton heilo inca alpaca inca alpaca PRINT
indulgence kid n ewe kid seta lamb's pride lush mountain goat peace fleece
regal royal cashmere step trekking tuffy ultra alpaca light venezia
NEW BOOK: Countrywool has finally produced one of its own! Written by a knitter who practices what she preaches, the KNITTER'S BOOK OF STRETCHES has been in the works for some time. Years of aches and pains, physical therapy, yoga, and massage therapy have all been combined in a few, easy to follow, preventative stretches that will unwind, unkink and relax those knitting muscles. Illustrated by a knitter and practiced at Countrywool Retreats, these stretches may safely extend your knitting time. And it makes a great gift! $13.50 includes all shipping/handling charges.
2008 is the year we are going green! To encourage all customers to bring in their own shopping bags. Countrywool is now stocking locally (Greene County!) made shopping bags of beautiful durable fabric in rich colors, and elegant cotton canvas COUNTRYWOOL RETREAT bags. Both have pockets and can be used for project bags, but we hope you will use one when you come to shop, or bring it in filled with your projects for us to see while you add new yarns to it. Any bag you bring with you will earn you a discount on your purchase, but bringing in a COUNTRYWOOL bag will garner you an extra $5 punch on your Frequent Shopper card.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: shop return policy changes. Alas, the economy has not been kind to Countrywool the last 9 months, and I am forced to look at my return policy in order to stay competitive in this changing environment. Books, patterns, notions, spinning fibers, buttons, are not returnable. Needles are not returnable unless damaged (and you need to bring them back in the original packaging). As of June 1, 2008, I will no longer accept yarns for return on an unlimited basis as I have in the past. Your receipts will now have a note stating yarn returns for only 30 days from purchase, and all sale yarns leaving here will be marked, as they are not returnable. Please be aware that 5 local yarn shops have closed within the past year and help Countrywool stay viable! Taxes, shipping, insurance (doubling this year alone), heat, electricity and advertising, let alone the cost of wool and anything coming from overseas, have all gone up for this business, just like it has for your household. We stay creative and positive about the future, but at the same time need to be realistic.
So, don't forget...if you want the yarn/pattern DEAL OF THE MONTH, you need to BRING IN A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL.
Claudia
SHOP HOURS: are listed here.