Our First Yarn Tasting was a Success!

A couple of weeks ago, we had our first very well received Yarn Tasting of several but not all of the new Fall/Winter yarns. On November 6 we'll have the second Yarn Tasting. Please let us know which ones you'd like to check out in our store!

The first Yarn Tasting was well attended by 13 customers. They tested/tasted (fuzzy!) 13 yarns, some of them had been already stocked in the store for a while but were widely unnoticed. Some customers found yarns by trying, which they were always looking for. The participants knitted swatches for each yarn, which they passed around, together with an evaluation sheet.

Here is the list of tasted yarns:

• Alpaca Silk ; Baby Alpaca and Silk; silky, yummy, good yardage, firm and soft
• Evviva Colour ; Wool and Acrylic; fluffy, colourful, busy, fairly high priced
• Schulana Pacolana ; Wool, Alpaca and Microfibre; spongy soft, very cozy, good yardage
• Maggi's Linen ; Cotton and Linen; earthy, very fine, a bit rough
• Eskimo ; 100% Wool; spongy, soft, well priced, warm, good for felting
• Cincilla ; Wool, acrylic, polyamide; fuzzy, cuddly, elegant
• Polo ; Cotton, Acrylic; love it, excellent, smooth, fairly priced
• Tara Tweed ; Wool and Nylon; light, nice to knit, cozy
• Mosco ; Viscose, Mohair and Nylon; shiny, silky soft, pretty, a bit expensive
• Aran Tweed ; Merino and Wool; tweedy, soft, rustic, soft and firm
• Riana Big Color ; Wool, Acrylic and Viscose; fluffy, plush, tweedy, easy, earth tones
• Remix ; recycled Nylon, Cotton, Acrylic, Silk, Linen; tweedy, very soft, gorgeous earth tones
• Baby Merino ; extra fine wool superwash; lovely soft, creamy, luxurious, good value

Don't forget the next yarn tasting on November 6 at 1:30 pm!

Next Class: Baby Surprise Jacket

Pam knit up this cute Baby Surprise Jacket from a pattern by Elizabeth Zimmermann (see photo). Why surprise? You knit it all in one piece, you really don't know what you knit and where you are, but in the end it's this adorable baby jacket. Pam decided to offer a class for it which is not in our schedule yet.

Sign up for the class on Tuesday July 13th from 2 to 4 pm - the pattern will be available here. $10 to Pam, including a follow-up 2 weeks later.

The Moebius Cowl Hype

Wow, we had 12 (or more) knitters in the store on the 8th of June and Pam and Inge were busy helping them to start their Moebius Cowl - see also the posting below. All had fun and found that this small project (although a bit tricky) makes a perfect gift. In the meantime the number of cowls (by Inge and Pam) in the store grew, see photo.

We had some more inquiries in the meantime to repeat this class on a Saturday, in Fall ...

If you are interested to participate in a later Moebius Cowl class, please drop us an email and tell us which day of the week you prefer (best for Pam is Tuesday, but we take other days too), which time of day, and which season (Summer or Fall).

Good Memories - Lots of Inspiration

The wine, cheese and appies on March 26 would have easily fed 10 more, but those who attended our (first ever) fashion show with Maggie Jackson thoroughly enjoyed what they saw. And the models had fun as well: friends, customers and staff of different ages and sizes.

It was Maggie's first visit to remote Campbell River (from her view, and people in Victoria had said to her "why in the world would you want to go to Campbell River?"). We made friends with this vulcano of an Irish fashion designer, had a wonderful fashion show as an introduction into her world, two subsequent intense workshop and even another bonus day with Maggie.

A number of projects were started spontaneously ("I think all I have knitted so far was boring" said one knitting pro). Maggiknits' very special yarns and pattern books are now available in our store, a Maggiknits knit-along starts on April 10th (interested knitters can also join at a later date) and we made tentative plans to have Maggie Jackson back in 2011 for workshops and/or a special retreat.

Please take in a couple of shots taken during this fashion show. The first photo on top of the posting shows Maggie Jackson (to the right).





































































































Many more photos were shot, but I am struggling to get them posted here. I will try to set up a slideshow.

Thanks to all helpers! The models were stunning!

WOW! Maggie Jackson Workshops in March!

For the weekend March 26th till 28th the Needle & Arts Centre has invited internationally acclaimed designer Maggie Jackson from Ireland for a fashion show and two workshops on creative knitting in the store. For those participants travelling from Washington or the Lower Mainland to our wonderful City we have arranged for special rate accommodations in B&B's and Cottages in walking distance.

Read details here and sign up at 250-287-8898 or toll-free at 1-888-588-7834 or info@needlenart.com. This workshop will fill up fast!

Ready, Set: Knit in the Park again!

On Saturday August 15th the Needle & Arts Centre will have their national Knit in the Park again. On Ostler Park, just across from our store. Yarn and refreshments are on us. The project will be Cotton Caps for chemo patients in our local cancer care program. Drop in any time between 11-4 pm, bring your lawn chair and something to nibble... Beginners are welcome, it's fun!

And if you come from out of town, our very own Hidden Harbour B&B takes easily 4, even up to 8 knitters.

Brick and Mortar stores - important stuff!

"Save your local economy - one store at a time". This is the core message of the 3/50 project, started in March 2009 in the States, but true everywhere. Read the text below, visit www.the350project.net , and be an active supporter!!

Shadow Knitting and Domino Knitting Classes

All those who receive our newsletters (sign up at http://www.needlenart.com/) knew about the two weekend classes with Miriam Leth-Espensen which we had 2 weeks ago.

This is what Pam summarized:

January 10th and 11th saw customers and some members of staff enjoying an interesting and informative weekend with Miriam Leth-Espensen from Santa Fe. January 10th saw us learning the art of Shadow Knitting as defined by the Danish needle artist, Vivian Hoxbro (http://www.viv.dk/). January 11th was spent on Domino Knittting, the art of knitting mitred squares with no sewn seams. Both these skills could be defined as "advanced" techniques, but Miriams's down-to-earth teaching manner and friendly personality made the whole experience very enjoyable.

The Needle & Arts Centre carries Vivian Hoxbro knitting kits as well as her books on Shadow Knitting and Domino Knitting - you may order them online. Arriving shortly will be the Harrisville Shetland Wool that is recommended in the books and which form the kits. We also carry wool and cotton yarns that can be substituted.

About Miriam:
Miriam Leth-Espensen visited us all the way from Santa Fé, New Mexico! She is a renowned and inspirational weaver and knitting teacher. Read more about Miriam here!

About Shadow Knitting:
Add magic to your knitting projects! Read about this clever technique in Wikipedia or even better about Vivian Høxbro's book "Shadow Knitting" in this review. Miriam's class is based on this book and the Vivian Høxbro patterns. Complete shadow knitting kits are available in our store or can be ordered, as well as the book.

About Domino Knitting:
Miriam's class is based on Vivian Høxbro's book "Knit to Be Square", Vivian's second book on Domino Knitting. The beauty of this technique is that you can create any colour pattern you want. Read more about the book and this detailed review.

Knit'n Bitch groups - an update

Dear knitters, here comes an update regarding our Knit'n Bitch times and workshops.
First off, the Knit'n Bitch dates are now set to:

• second Thursday of the month, 2-4 pm, knitting and socializing
• third Thursday of the month, 2-4 pm, for knitting club plus workshops
• last Friday of the month, 6:30-9 pm, knitting and socializing.

We had a great feedback for the evening as well for the afternoon sessions. Also, Pam's first workshop on "Finishing Techniques" went over very well. Now, Pam came up with a series of more workshops for the upcoming months, and we already got first members signed up (fee to Pam is $10). Here comes a selection of workshops:

• Knitting socks on 2 circular needles
• Lace Knitting
• Handed Fair Isle in the Round
• Moebius Scarf
• Socks on 4/5 needles
• Felting
• Cables.

Attention: Knitting Club members who are coming for the Knit'n Bitch part only and don't want to participate in the workshop are welcome. They don't pay the workshop fee and don't get the hand-out. Please sign up for the workshops as the number of participants is limited. See you at the next Knit'n Bitch!!

Remember: Our knitting groups require no membership fee, and during group sessions participants get a 15% discount on yarn and knitting accessories!

“Knit in the Park” items given to Ann Elmore House

For two years now local knitters celebrated the National “Knit in the Park” in Robert Ostler Park. Each year more than 20 knitters from all over the Island followed the invitation by the Needle & Arts Centre to enjoy the company and mostly sunny August days in the park, dedicating the jointly produced items to a charity.

Our Needle & Arts Centre donated yarn, needles and instructions, and 7-Eleven the refreshments. In the 2006 event the participants were knitting piles of squares for Afghans which were later crocheted together with love by Cindy Simpson. For 2007 different sock patterns were prepared for use by the participants.
Now, with all products finished and just timely for the cold days and Christmas, the knitters proudly presented their items to the Ann Elmore House, which is operated by the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society. In total: four warm Afghans, 13 pairs of colourful hand knitted socks for kids and moms, a kids sweater with touque, a scarf with touque and a scarf with hat. One of the Afghans was crocheted and donated by Leslie Skidmore.

The Campbell River and North Island Transition Society (CRNITS) is a non-profit registered society and registered Charitable Organization. The CRNITS was formed in 1985 for the purpose of providing service to women and children who are dealing with issues of abuse and violence. The Ann Elmore Transition House was opened in 1987 and has been sheltering women and children ever since. In 1997 services were expanded to include residential recovery from substance addiction. Various projects and programs have been added over the years.

Thanks all knitters who actively participated in this fun fundraiser and good cause!

In the photo you see standing from the left: Alison, Cindy, Janice, Valery Puetz (Ann Elmore House) and Inge; front row: Lois and Alison's Katie.

Live and Learn - Knitting!

Enjoy a vacation while you learn knitting at April Point Resort & Spa, on Quadra Island, just off Campbell River.

From April 10 - 12 Pam will be holding a knitting workshop in this wonderful setting. Hone your knitting skills through three different projects designed for beginning and intermediate knitters! The package price is Can $149 and includes 2 nights accommodation and program instruction.

Please make your reservation with April Point Resort. See the detailed program in our web site!

Pam will have a selection of yarns and needles available for you to purchase, so you don't need to bring it all!

Needle Art Show coming closer!!

On Friday Feb. 23 and Saturday Feb. 24 we'll participate in the North Island Sewing & Needle Arts Show 2007 in Campbell River; click this link for the program.

We will have a booth (see photo of our last year's booth) with our yarn products, knitting accessories and display of some finished projects in the Merchant Mall plus we'll offer 3 knitting classes. You may sign up for them by following the instructions on the program.

Knitting Socks on 2 Circular Needles with Pam Dobbs
Learn to knit socks faster with 300 fewer "intersections" per average pair of socks. It is very simple to adapt your favourite sock pattern or apply the same technique to mittens and hats.
Finishing Techniques with Pam Dobbs
Give your hand knitted garments a professional finish. Learn how to finish a seam, pick up stitches around a neckline or jacket front, apply a zipper and darn in those ends.
Knitted Lace with Lois Laliberte
Learn the basics, how to read a chart, materials and needles to use. Lois will take you through the steps to knit an angel.(Participants are not able to do a lace knitting project in these 45 minutes. Lois will have samples and one work in progress, explains all the lace knitting symbols, techniques and the materials needed and will hand out written instructions. It's not a hands-on class.We might come up with a kit which we would sell at our booth, but it is not part of the class.)

If you are not living here: make it a retreat weekend in Campbell River and swing by our shop!

Mark Your Calendar!

These are two big events in 2007 for our Knitting and Needlework customers, worth to plan a weekend in our beautiful waterfront City if you are not living here permanently :

• North Island Sewing and Needle Art Show 2007 on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24; Large Merchant Mall and many Seminars plus Stage Shows; our store is one of the exhibitors and offers three Knitting Seminars; click the links for more information


• Knit in the Park on Saturday, August 11, to celebrate National Knitters Day on our Foreshore Park across from our Needle & Arts Centre

Thank You

A big thank you to all who participated in our "Knit in the Park" event. We were thrilled to see how many knitters showed up and we hope that you all had as much fun as we did. Nearly 30 squares were completed and a few knitters took theirs home to finish, so it looks as if we shall have enough for an Afghan. Several of you mentioned that you would like to continue knitting squares and you are most welcome to drop by the store and sit a while, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Lois is in. Bring a lunch if you like - the tea and coffee will be on!

National Knitters Day - August 12, 2006

We are all hoping for great weather for our Knit in the Park. We shall be setting up in the Robert Ostler Park (across from the store) and hope that many knitters will join us, even for half an hour or so. Let's celebrate our craft - it has, after all been around for centuries. We will provide needles and yarn if you wish to participate in our project - a simple afghan for Yucalta Lodge - but you can also bring your own project. Someone from the store will be there from 11 am to 4 pm, so if you need a lesson or assistance, we shall be more than happy to help. We shall have iced tea on hand, but bring a lunch, if you wish, and a lawn chair if available. We are taking names at 287-8898

Sewing & Needle Art Show in Campbell River

Did you know that we have a LARGE Sewing & Needle Arts Show coming up in Campbell River on Saturday February 25 in our Community Centre? It is run every year around this time and has grown into a large show (open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, free admission) and seminar event (23 sessions 10:00 am - 5:00 at $10 each).
The exhibits and seminars on Saturday are all around fibres: quilting, beading, fabric painting, bear making, crochet and knitting, Bargello, Brazilian Embroidery, sewing, machine embroidery, colour value workshop...
Our Yarn Department will have a booth there, too, presenting many finished projects and new yarns!

If you live here, want the program and like to sign up for seminars: check in at the Community Centre! If you want us to fax the program to you, call 287-8898.