Topic: Shop News

Countrywool News . Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop Countrywool 59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534 (518)828-4554 need directions to the shop and hours??? click here August 2010   summer & fall shop hours Monday 4-8 knitting & spinning every Monday night 6-8...come and join us! Wednesday,  Friday & Saturday 12-6 Thursday 12-8 Sunday 12-4 closed Tuesdays Columbia County is enjoying a few days of almost-fall weather, with dew points in the 40's. Feels good and reminds me that when the weather shifts and the days shorten, it will be COLD one morning and I will be running to my sock drawer looking for something substantial.  NOW is the time to knit up a pair of wool socks in a light weight sock yarn. Portable and doable even when the weather turns hot again, socks are great knitting companions in August. If you have ever worn a pair of hand knit socks you know how INCREDIBLY COMFORTABLE they can be, especially when you get the fit right. I am ALL OVER getting the fit right, and would be happy to share what I have learned.   Berroco Sox Socks yarns here at Countrywool: Heritage Ultra Alpaca Fine Berroco Sox Bearfoot Durasport DEAL FOR AUGUST: stop at KNIT NITE on Mondays between 6-8, buy any skein above, and get a free BEGINNER THINNER sock pattern ($7 value). We'll hold your hand through the knitting of your sock when you come back to KNIT NITE on Mondays. Want to spend an entire weekend knitting socks? The CAPE ANN One, Two & Three Skein Knits Retreat will feature CAPE ANN SOCKS, with yours' truly teaching the details ALL COLUMBUS DAY  WEEKEND in October. Come for 1, 2 or all 3 days and knit (and eat) on the beach with us! and don't forget the TOMTEN KAL in 2 weeks... Child's version shown without hood (picture linked from NOODLEKNIT) Other pics: brooklyn tweed schoolhouse press TOMTEN KAL (knit-a-long) OPEN HOUSE and SALE Saturday, August 14  12-6 (FREE kick off optional class from 1 -3 pm) BRING.... a copy of an EZ book with the TOMTEN Pattern in it Opinionated Knitter Knitting Without Tears Knitting Workshop Purchased Single Pattern OR buy one when you come! RECEIVE a yarn discount of 25% for the KAL The KAL will get a boost and a send off  while we are together on August 14 and continue on the Countrywoolers group on RAVELRY. Daily updates! Comments from the team! Help! Pictures! Techniques! And, the first 2 finished TOMTENS will get their pictures taken for airing in COUNTRYWOOL NEWS. other classes this month...

spinners: Beast To Beret group on Ravelry  last class: Sat August 21 at 1 pm. KNITTING YOUR BERET! knitters:  Percentage Sweater Class group on Ravelry  last class: Thursday, August 26                   at 5 pm. CIRCULAR SWEATER FINISHING! (Wonder what Ravelry is all about? Stop in on a Monday KNIT NITE between 6-8 pm and we'll show you how to join and enjoy the best FREE pattern source on the planet!)

Read all the details on the CLASSES  page of Countrywool's website

countrywool pattern news....

Did You Know.... COUNTRYWOOL PATTERNS are available as downloaded patterns directly from COUNTRYWOOL'S WEBSITE to you? Check them out!
	The CHICKEN MITTENS are done and the pattern is being written for the Rip Van Winkle November GLOVES, MITTS & MITTENS Knitting Retreat. The pattern will be available in mid November, as a down loadable PDF directly from Countrywool's MITTENS & GLOVES web page, or from Ravelry.

yarn deal of the month...

For serious FIXATION lovers...have I got a deal for you.... buy 100 skeins and receive a 40% discount. (runs from today through August 29, 2010) That's  right...get first quality yarn at HUGE discount prices! There are no limits on how many people can be involved in this purchase, so bring a group of friends and split up the deal. The only rule.one check out slip for the transaction, so you will have to divvy up the contributing monies/yarns on your own. Limited to store stock. Cash or check for this...no credit cards. Internet ordering is fine...US flat rate shipping: $25 for the box east of the Mississippi River, $35 west of the Mississippi River. (to one address only) (Canadians inquire...shipping will be trickier and the shipping might change for that reason) Call ahead if you wish and I'll put the coffee on! Spend the entire afternoon making color choices and planning projects.  I'm here to help with suggestions and patterns.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Summer/Fall 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects?
Come to MONDAY NIGHT KNIT & SPIN  from 6-8 pm each week.

Home	Yarn & Needles	Patterns	Shop &  Knitting News	Pattern Corrections
Classes	Books	Fibers	Angora Rabbits & Spinning News	Spinning Wheels & Supplies

Topic: Shop News

Countrywool News . Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop Countrywool 59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534 (518)828-4554 need directions to the shop and hours??? click here Late July 2010   summer & fall shop hours Monday 4-8 knitting & spinning every Monday night 6-8...come and join us! Wednesday,  Friday & Saturday 12-6 Thursday 12-8 Sunday 12-4 closed Tuesdays Crickets chirp away the evenings while I sit on my deck. Knitting in August weather is a challenge...the slow pace of summer wants me to just gaze at the mountains. But, there is always energy to knit NEW things, and lots of ideas run through my head.  August is the birthday month of Elizabeth Zimmermann. Every year I honor her with an event of some kind. Her contributions to the knitting world are legendary. This year begins The Year Of Zimmermann at Countrywool. Sprinkled throughout will be a couple of KALs (knit-a-longs) following her patterns, and a week long knitting retreat next April at the ocean on the north shore of Massachusetts. And ....to allow knitters to get yarn they really want to work with, there will be a  KAL OPEN HOUSE AND KICKOFF SALE at Countrywool on Saturday, August 13. The Tomten Jacket has an interesting history and has been made by many knitters countless times. The garter stitch fabric is stunning in its simplicity. The hood is well shaped and the whole garment and is a modular and seamless knit. This is not too tough for a determined beginner, and Knitting Coaches will be standing by waiting to help anyone who needs it. It can be made in any size from child through adult. Child's version shown without hood (picture linked from NOODLEKNIT) Other pics: brooklyn tweed schoolhouse press     TOMTEN KAL OPEN HOUSE and SALE Saturday, August 14  12-6 (FREE kick off optional class from 1 -3 pm) BRING.... a copy of an EZ book with the TOMTEN Pattern in it Opinionated Knitter Knitting Without Tears Knitting Workshop Purchased Single Pattern OR buy one when you come! RECEIVE a yarn discount of 25% for the KAL The KAL will get a boost and a send off  while we are together on August 13 and continue on the Countrywoolers group on RAVELRY. Daily updates! Comments from the team Help! Pictures! Techniques! And, the first 2 finished TOMTENS will get their pictures taken for airing in COUNTRYWOOL NEWS. other classes this month...

spinners: Beast To Beret group on Ravelry  next class: Sat July 24 at 1 pm. PLYING! new! spinners: for first timers...learn to spin on a wheel. Saturday, July 31, 1-4 pm. knitters:  Percentage Sweater Class group on Ravelry  next class: Thursday, July 29                   at 5 pm. CIRCULAR SWEATER ASSEMBLY! (Wonder what Ravelry is all about? Stop in on a Monday KNIT NITE between 6-8 pm and we'll show you how to join and enjoy the best FREE pattern source on the planet!)

Read all the details on the CLASSES  page of Countrywool's website

countrywool pattern news....

2010 is the year when COUNTRYWOOL PATTERNS go into cyberspace! I am (it will take a while) formatting each one into a down loadable file, easily purchased on-line through PayPal/Ravelry. The first 10 are done and up. You can purchase from COUNTRYWOOL PATTERNS or from RAVELRY. This eliminates the minimum order charge for patterns entirely! See something that isn't up yet that you want? Send me an e-mail  (from here) and I'll put it at the top of the to-do list, sending you an e-mail link to purchase it when it gets done.

yarn deal of the month...

For serious FIXATION lovers...have I got a deal for you.... buy 100 skeins and receive a 40% discount. (runs from today through August 29, 2010) That's  right...get first quality yarn at HUGE discount prices! There are no limits on how many people can be involved in this purchase, so bring a group of friends and split up the deal. The only rule.one check out slip for the transaction, so you will have to divvy up the contributing monies/yarns on your own. Limited to store stock. Cash or check for this...no credit cards. Internet ordering is fine...US only (Canadians inquire...shipping will be trickier and the shipping might change for that reason) Flat shipping of $25 for the final box east of the Mississippi River, $35 west of the Mississippi River. (to one address only) Call ahead if you wish and I'll put the coffee on! Spend the entire afternoon making color choices and planning projects.  I'm here to help with suggestions and patterns.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Summer/Fall 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects?
Come to MONDAY NIGHT KNIT & SPIN  from 6-8 pm each week.

Home	Yarn & Needles	Patterns	Shop &  Knitting News	Pattern Corrections
Classes	Books	Fibers	Angora Rabbits & Spinning News	Spinning Wheels & Supplies

Topic: Shop News

Countrywool News . this page updated June 2, 2010 Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop Countrywool 59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534 (518)828-4554 need directions to the shop and hours??? click here June 2010 spring, summer & fall shop hours Monday 4-8 knitting & spinning every Monday night 6-8...come and join us! Wednesday,  Friday & Saturday 12-6 Thursday 12-8 Sunday 12-4 closed Tuesdays The summer is upon us here in Columbia County. The days are warming up and thunderstorms bring welcome rain to new gardens. Days of sipping ice tea while knitting or spinning on your porch will be yours' to enjoy. Do you have your projects ready? In this crazy, crazy speeded up world, the heat and slower pace of summer gives us all a chance to reflect. May you find great contentment by scaling back and enjoying what you already have.

We had two wonderful classes last month, each the first in a series of 4; one knitting a hat for a chosen sweater design, and the second dyeing wool for learning to spin later this month. Those of you who are enrolled in the series, please note there are support groups on RAVELRY so you can ask questions and stay in touch with each other between sessions: spinners: Beast To Beret group on Ravelry  next class: June 19 at 1 pm. knitters:  Percentage Sweater Class group on Ravelry  next class: June 24 at 5 pm (Wonder what Ravelry is all about? Stop in on a Monday KNIT NITE between 6-8 pm and we'll show you how to join and enjoy the best FREE pattern source on the planet!)

Read all the details on the CLASSES  page of Countrywool's website

countrywool pattern news....

I am totally enamored with mitered knitting right now. It is fun to watch a single row of stitches make a right angle turn, especially if worked in variegated yarn. The early Fall issue of Vogue Knitting (in stock!) has an ADORABLE baby blanket knit in this fashion. I am working on a mitered headband pattern that should be finished today. Made with stretchy FIXATION cotton yarn, it will be a welcome companion for hot days weeding the garden. Stop by and mention you read this in the newsletter and pick up your FREE HEADBAND PATTERN when you buy a skein of FIXATION.

free patterns on the Internet...

The shop has a great selection of colors  in stock right now, with more coming! Bring in a copy of this newsletter, and get 10% off FIXATION

This Cottontail Ribs and Stripes Cap would be a fun knit with FIXATION

And...don't forget about the 3/50 project...What 3 independently owned businesses would you miss if they weren't around?

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Summer 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects?
Come to MONDAY NIGHT KNIT & SPIN  from 6-8 pm each week.

Home	Yarn & Needles	Patterns	Shop &  Knitting News	Pattern Corrections
Classes	Books	Fibers	Angora Rabbits & Spinning News	Spinning Wheels & Supplies

Topic: Shop News

Countrywool News . this page updated May 19, 2010 Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop Countrywool 59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534 (518)828-4554 need directions to the shop and hours??? click here Mid May 2010 spring, summer & fall shop hours Monday 4-8 knitting & spinning every Monday night 6-8...come and join us! Wednesday,  Friday & Saturday 12-6 Thursday 12-8 Sunday 12-4 closed Tuesdays closed Wednesday, May 26 Wool fleece is everywhere! Grease, washed, dyed and carded stuffs cover every surface as I prepare for the dyeing and carding class this Saturday. I look forward to seeing some of you there. If you would like to chat about the class and stay in touch with everyone else coming, or just listen in, we have set up a Beast To Beret group on Ravelry for you. I have been spinning more this spring and I will tell you I am calmer for it. Knitting is great, but spinning is easier and more soothing once you get past the learning curve. My mind truly wanders while spinning. I remember the first time I sat at a wheel...I felt like I had been there before. I can't tell you the problems I've solved by opening up space in my head while spinning. The whole process still thrills me. For those of you who are pondering making your own yarn, this Fall there will be a weekend spinning retreat where we'll concentrate on making sweater yarns, but we plan to spend lots of time with beginners who need to learn the basics, too.

And for knitters, next week starts the 4 part series creating YOUR perfect sweater. Come and use a COUNTRYWOOL pattern, or bring your own and learn how to alter it for the perfect fit. This series will also spend time on the how-to's of computer pattern design for those who might be interested. (If that might be you, bring a laptop with MS WORD,  MS EXCEL and wireless internet access on it). If you are planning to come, I need to know by 9 pm Monday, May 24 as I will be out of town after that until Thursday morning. PERCENTAGE KNITTING: A sweater clinic: Thursdays, May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26: 5-8 pm. Starting with a finished sweater, a picture, a pattern, an idea or a sketch and a gauge swatch, learn to knit a seamless and circular sweater that fits well. Two options exist: come to learn and document the technique using a laptop/notebook, OR come to actually knit a sweater.       MAY: Plotting sizes and details, estimating yarn amounts and gauge swatching by making a hat.                $40 for one class or $120 for all 4.                Prepayment required.

Read all the details on the CLASSES  page of Countrywool's website

countrywool pattern news....

I am working on the patterns for the GLOVE, MITTS & MITTEN RETREAT coming up in November (save the date! November 5-7). Stop by to see what is on the needles. I have JUST finished writing the pattern for MOHAIR POINTLESS GLOVES, and after I send off this newsletter, I will start work on the next project: SHEEP GLOVES.

free patterns on the Internet...

The shop has a great selection of colors in stock right now. Bring in a copy of this newsletter, and get 10% off Ultra Alpaca Light.

The LACE BERET is a perfect small project for spring knitting. Working lace patterns is always a delightful warm weather activity. It will work up beautifully in Ultra Alpaca Light

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia

SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects?
Come to MONDAY NIGHT KNIT & SPIN  from 6-8 pm each week.

Home	Yarn & Needles	Patterns	Shop &  Knitting News	Pattern Corrections
Classes	Books	Fibers	Angora Rabbits & Spinning News	Spinning Wheels & Supplies

Topic: Shop News

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Topic: Shop News

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Topic: Shop News

this page last updated: March 30  2010

Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop
Countrywool
59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534
(518)828-4554


     Birds singling, daffodils blooming, clouds raining...it's April here in Columbia County. When the sun peeks out, so do the wash tubs. Grease wool is scoured and then dyed and then travels to the shelves of Countrywool. This time of year means fiber, fiber, fiber and spinning resurfaces as the BEST way to pass time outside on the deck watching the sun set.

Or, if you plan ahead, you can watch the sun rise on the ocean over the water at Long Beach, in Rockport, MA...

tiny paws....

And, spring means new angora bunnies. Each April I ponder the possibilities of new bunnies here at the Countrywool Bunny Barn. I need 4 committed folks to plan a litter, so if you are interested, drop me a note and we'll discuss the details. Right now, there are only two eager owners-to-be, so if you have pondered this move, get in touch with me soon...breeding day is April 8 and your deposit must reach me by then, or another 12 months will go by before bunny opportunities appear again.

a sweater knitting retreat on the ocean

In 2+ weeks we will meet for the first ever ICELANDIC SWEATER KNITTING RETREAT, April 16, 17 & 18, on Long Beach in Rockport, MA. The weekend will include 2 styles of the sweater: the traditional style shown here, knit with bulky weight wool, and a folk patterned sheep yoke version, below, knit with heavy worsted weight wool, featuring an untraditional straight side These sweaters are seamless, circular and FAST to knit. A tutorial on designing your own (if you are interested) will be offered the last afternoon we are together.   If you are looking for a relaxed weekend and a simple project, the ICELANDIC HAT is the way to go. Your retreat notebook will include patterns for both shown below:   We'd love to knit with you on Long Beach watching the water!

free patterns on the Internet...

Loads of good ones have appeared this past month. Check them out! Lush Angora Cap.pdf Cirrus Cardigan Nimbus Cardigan FrescoSnowdropScarf.pdf KumaraCowlHood.pdf Lace Ribbon Scarf ApresSkiChapeau.pdf Avocet Cardigan Crocheted Greenway Afghan.pdf SlantPocketBag.asp

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects?
Come to MONDAY NIGHT KNIT & SPIN  from 6-8 pm each week.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Topic: Shop News

Countrywool News , this page last updated: March 6,  2010 Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop Countrywool 59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534 (518)828-4554 need directions to the shop and hours??? click here ; March 2010 shop hours Wednesday & Thursday 12-4 (arctic hours - the heat will not be on!) Fridays 10-4 Saturday 12-4, some Saturdays 10-4 (see here) Sunday 12-4 closed Mondays and Tuesdays in March closed March 26 for the Rip Van Winkle FORENSIC KNITTING RETREAT The sun is trying bravely to usher in spring, but we had electricity halting snowfall in our neighborhood last week. The Catskill mountains got 6 feet! Some of you have shared how you shoveled 4 feet off your roofs, and simply holed up and stayed warm all week while...knitting, of course. From time to time folks guiltily admit to owning a generous stash of yarns while buying more. With a week like last week, I am sure many of you are grateful you had stockpiled enough yarns to allow you to create something warm while trying to keep warm without electricity. Our annual Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat took place amidst all the winter weather. We were safely tucked in at the Winter Clove Inn while it snowed...and snowed...and snowed.... Many local folks did not have power for 6 days, but the Inn did and we all enjoyed hot showers, hot food, warm camaraderie and non-stop knitting for 48 wonderful hours. Now I can see why skiers love this place. The local town kept the roads plowed and safe. I can't wait for next year! In 4 weeks we will gather at the same place for the FORENSIC KNITTING RETREAT. This long awaited topic will address unique finishing details such as 4 ways to sew a seam; edges that don't curl; buttonbands and perfect blocking how to hand or machine steek circular sweaters into cardigans how to understand a pattern and rewrite it for another gauge/yarn/size pattern styles, shapes and details how to write a pattern from a finished sweater how to write a stitch or color pattern from a finished sweater how to use your laptop and MSWORD and EXCEL to write patterns and charts how to rescue and/or repair sad projects There's plenty of room right now. Come and join us! sale yarns at countrywool... There is a bit of VENEZIA, INCA ALPACA and REGAL sale yarn left. Check out the SALE PAGE. Yarn on sale for  INVENTORY CLEARANCE : The deal...30% off all the sale yarn in stock... 40% off if you take all that's left in any color, and 50% off if you take every last skein on the shelf. There is also a selection of BOOKS, PATTERNS and MAGAZINES...all at least 75% off. shop news...      One of our knitters has generously taken on the task of assembling BLANKETS FOR HOSPICE. Mary Anne has put out the call for 10"x10" squares, knitted in the pattern stitch of your choice, in machine washable fiber. If you would like to chat with the group about the effort, they have a spot on ravelry in the countrywoolers group. They have been busy coming up with stitch patterns and directions and a new STITCH OF THE MONTH seems to be evolving.      A number of pattern glitches have appeared in the last month (thanks to YOU who find them and report back to me pronto!), and I update the PATTERN CORRECTIONS page of my website when a fix is needed. PLEASE check there when you run into a problem before you try pulling your hair out...

weekend retreats next month

The adult traditional-style sweater for the KNITTING SEAMLESS ICELANDIC SWEATERS, April 16, 17 & 18, by the ocean in Rockport, MA, has just been finished. The weekend will include 2 styles of the sweater: a folk patterned sheep yoke version, knit with heavy worsted weight wool, and the traditional style shown here, knit with bulky weight wool. A non-traditional straight, hanging edge will be an option in the patterns. These sweaters are seamless, circular and FAST to knit. A tutorial on designing your own (if you are interested) will be offered the last afternoon we are together. The following weekend we will be SPINNING FABULOUS SOCK YARNS in our cottage on-the-beach. Imagine...sand running through your toes while you treadle on the front porch, with the waves crashing and the gulls crying We have a GREAT time there, and this year we will be knitting socks after we spin the yarn for them. This 3 day workshop is GREAT for newer spinners who want to have more control over their final yarns and welcomes new knitters into making their own socks...from the fleece out!.

Happy Knitting and Spinning!

Claudia SHOP HOURS: are listed here.

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Spring & Summer 2010

 

Do you enjoy the company of others while you work on your knitting, spinning and weaving projects? FRIDAY MORNING KNIT & SPIN takes place in every week (except March 26) 10 am-12 noon.

Home	Yarn & Needles	Patterns	Shop &  Knitting News	Pattern Corrections
Classes	Books	Fibers	Angora Rabbits & Spinning News	Spinning Wheels & Supplies

Topic: Shop News

this page last updated: January 13,  2010

Your local and internet knitting and spinning shop
Countrywool
59 Spring Road * Hudson * NY * 12534
(518)828-4554

need directions to the shop and hours??? click here

Any day the place is closed or the hours are changed is also listed,
so check before you make the trip.

Check out CLASSES for Winter 2010