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!) 
October has brought rain and overcast skies to Columbia County. With dark encroaching on the evenings earlier and earlier, I have been pulling out my knitting sooner than I thought I would at the end of each day. The deer are seriously sparring in the field outside Countrywool and a few geese are heading south. The squirrels are FRANTIC this year, burying black walnuts, hazelnuts and acorns. Are they trying to tell us something? Last winter was so mild we might be blase about how bitter a winter can be. With heating costs escalating, it's not a bad idea to think about how to keep warm without setting the thermostat up high.
Natural fibers enhance and envelop the body, creating an air layer of warmth and comfort. Wool, alpaca, mohair and angora all create their OWN heat to add to the wearer's. Warm feet = more comfort in the house, and a loose shawl wrapped around the neck can take away any sudden chill. These two items are VERY easy to knit and numerous free patterns exist to help you on your way. They are a great way to use up that stash you have been accumulating, too!
For the month of October, if you stop by on our Sunday SIT 'N KNIT from 2-4 pm, and want to make FELTED FOOTIES, I'll be glad to help by handing you a free pattern and holding your hand as you work through them. These slippers get made with 2 strands of yarn on HUGE needles (bottom slipper) and then are unceremoniously thrown in the washing machine to felt them into smaller and more durable footwear (top slipper). I wear them in my crocs to go outside at o' dark thirty with my dogs! Even in January!
Have you checked out our page on 
yet?
Don't forget...that is where you will hear weekly sales FIRST and get links to free patterns.
Next week's class: OLD SHALE SHAWL...sign up on Monday!!!
CLASSES THIS MONTH: 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
