A Fireplace!

Don and i went and bought this beauty today! Okay - it doesn't look like much just now, but wait until the weather turns cold and you can warm yourself in front of it. Uh huh. Then we'll see.

KnitLit or the On The Lamb Knitterary Literary Society or ....

New things all the time - that's us! So it's time to have an open evening at On The Lamb.

There are more than enough Stitch n' Bitch groups (and isn't that title kind of derogatory?) So, we are going to have a KnitLit Night. It's a no cost, no teach, drop in and chat night. Of course, we would always be available to handle any purchases, should you wish it so.

Here are the details:

3rd Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 you are invited to come to On The Lamb, sit, knit and chat about a book! Fun eh? The first date is September 16. The first book is The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.

We won't always be reading 'knitting' books, but i thought it would be a good place to start. Following books will be picked by all of us! Once a month. No homework. No intensity. No insanity.

Only one rule will apply: respect for others opinions. (But isn't that life, anyway?)

Oh, and we kinda need a name ... throw them out there! Let's be original and creative!

Please come - meet some new people who share an interest in knitting and in books.

ellen

Head Wool Gatherer and Literary Hound

... what's new you ask????

Just look at this "Wondershawl", modeled (and knit!) by our very own Wendy Lee. It's the shawl pattern from the front of the Debbie Bliss summer magazine and knit in Prima. Prima is a bamboo blend and drapes beautifully. All The Chicks with Sticks are knitting this shawl - what a lovely summer project!

And just when you thought we weren't thinking about colder weather, i assure you that On The Lamb is (almost) always thinking one season ahead. SO!

Here's a little beauty knit up on 8mm needles using 4 skeins of Baby Alpaca Sport (SOOOOOO soft) $15.99 a skein, and a very easy pattern. This is half of the shrug; i had a whole one done, brought it in last Friday as a model and it sold it Friday afternoon. So, again i knit. Have a look when you come in ... if it's still here!

And if the summer time is just the time to improve your skills, we have the complete selection of Lucy Neatby DVD's. Most are over 2 hours and cover such topics as Knitting Essentials 1 & 2, Sock Techniques 1 & 2, Knitting Gems 1, 2, 3 & 4, Double Knitting, Finesse Your Knitting 1 & 2, Intarsia Untangled 1 & 2. There are a total of 13 in the series and they retail for $29.00. Great for a little gift for the devoted, and not so devoted knitters!

PS I don't know why the first paragraph is green and in bold ... any ideas? Not that Wendy and her "Wondershawl" aren't terribly important ... i honestly don't know what i did!

Later guys!

Dying to try Dying!!!!!!

This is it! It's the "Dying to Dye" workshop that was postponed from the spring 'cause it was too cold, and also postponed from the summer 'cause we're moving!

So now it's a fall Workshop! Yeah!!!!! 

Saturday, September 12

10:30 - 3

On The Lamb

53 Toronto St. N., Lower Level, Uxbridge

905-852-1944 or purl@onthelamb.ca

$95 - payable upon registration

Price includes 4 types of Yarn, including sock yarn which we will Jacquard Dye on a jig, Dye and stuff required to make the magic happen, and a Picnic Lunch catered by Don Andrews, Tin Mill.

You will bring: 12 foam brushes, 6 pairs of surgical plastic gloves, 4 Wide Mouthed Mason Jars and clothes you don't mind getting messed up!

Full Details can be found on our website - www.onthelamb.ca. 

Please sign up early - the seats are going fast. You will not be considered registered until we receive full payment. If you do sign up - please remember to bring the suggested items.

It's going to be so fun!

my brush with greatness!

I've been to TNNA (the National Needle Arts Assoc.) meeting this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio; my feet are swollen and sore from all the walking BUT  i've seen the trends, the colours, and  the textures. (I worked way too hard on matching cute shoes with cute outfits - not enough time was spent making sure i had sensible walking shoes!)

Varigated is still popular - thicks-and-thins are prevalent - colour, colour, colour  everywhere - feminine shaping is key - continuing with "not fussy" patterns for babies - luxurious yarns are rampant. Watch for glimpses of a shimmer in daytime wool. And also, continuing emphasis on wool that is not tightly plied. 

A quick synopsis: I didn't order Qivuit ($98/skein wholesale!) Left behind the "pom-pom" yarns. Heard that the Europeans are mad for Novelty yarn. (Huh? Where were they the first time round?) Did see some lovely stuff from Wales. I revisited old friends and made some new ones. Oh, and i had Goat Cheese and Cherry ice cream. 

The fun stuff: i met Debbie Bliss and her daughter Nell! Of course they don't allow you to take any pictures in the convention center, sooooo ...  the drawing will have to do. Didn't mention the Prima issues. I also met Louisa Harding - just as lovely as Debbie, but, alas, no picture.

I'm Leaving ... On a Jet Plane ...

Heading off to Columbus, Ohio (i know, i know!) tomorrow afternoon! What's there? Why, only one of the largest Fiber Conferences! Except in Italy and maybe next year we'll go there!

I will see all the new trends and colours from Europe and the States; the US seems to be about 1 year ahead of us for trends, and Europe, 2 years ahead of us. I've already seen some yarns - with Pom-Poms on them. I'm serious. If you want them, i'll get 'em , but think, "Fifi the Poodle on Acid" and you'll know what i'm talking about. Just a little out there for me.

AND ... i will have an opportunity to meet Debbie Bliss and Louise Harding ... i hope.  We will be bringing in their yarn in a big way in the fall, so it will be cool to meet them and discover their rational, colour and design sense. It's been promised so i hope it happens. I will also be meeting up with other LYS (Local Yarn Store) owners to whom i have been chatting for the past year. That will be fun as well.

So stay tuned - i'll take pictures and notes and let you know what's up!

some news! and some new stuff! and a sale! (Wow!)

Hey! It's finally happened ... i'm signing the lease today ... we're moving ... yet, again. I know. Some of you are wondering why i can't keep still! It's because when you are on the search for perfection ... you have to keep searching!

July 15th. Move-in day. Where? Right across the hall!!!! About 150 more square feet of space and ... wait for it ... a FIREPLACE! 

(What? Did she say a fireplace?)

I DID!!!!!!! Just close your eyes and imagine sitting in my wing chairs, pouring over all the new patterns and books while basking in the heat of a .... FIREPLACE! I said it again. I have to pinch myself!

And to make my job a little easier and your spring a little nicer (let's face it, the weather has been the pits) ... a June Sale! 25% off yarn and wool (no special orders 

please, and no returns!) We've got to make room for the fantastic stuff upon which i just spent the budget of a small African nation! Some stuff that is so fun (think thicks and thins and bobbles), some stuff that you will see become staples in the shop and new colours of old favourites, and all for reasonable prices.

Now, does anyone know where i can get a whole whack of shrink wrap and elves to push all the shelves across the hall????? I pay in Pizza!