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March/April 2008
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A Note From Cathy
 Spring Is Here!
The Dancing Ewe is feeling the early stirrings of spring.  The snow is finally melted, except for the hills and the upper county, of course.  So, while the daffodils are pushing their way up through the soil, we at the Ewe are anxious to show off our NEW STUFF.  Our front windows feature felted Easter baskets, eggs and even a few chicks!  We have new books, new yarns, and finally BUTTONS AND BEADS.  Finding a new project for spring will be easy as you browse our overflowing shelves.  If you have trouble coming up with an idea for a new project we would be happy to help you with suggestions and new samples.  It's time to think of spring, sunshine and new beginnings.  Come in and discover what you can create at the Dancing Ewe Yarns & Teas. 
 
New Stuff!
new yarn from Mountain ColorsMountain Colors and More! 
Here at the Dancing Ewe, we are very excited about bringing you Mountain Colors sock yarn and knitting patterns. The folks at Mountain Colors hand paint their yarn in vivid color-ways that capture the beauty of the Northwest.  We are also building our selection of roving, including beautiful roving by Chameleon Colorworks and Lorna's Laces, as well as local sources. There's always something new to see at the Dancing Ewe!
 
Work In Progress...
 
work in progress
 Cathy F. is knitting a baby sweater from Rowan Cotton Glace, a stroller blanket for her new grandson, and a pair of socks from Chameleon Colorworks Bamboo blend in "Lichen."

Terry N. is working on the "Marble Cardi" with lovely Marble yarn.

Linda R. is knitting socks like crazy! She's working on one pair from Lorna's Laces worsted in Tuscany, and a second pair from Jitterbug in Toscana.

Janelle M. is designing a shawl for springtime and working on two pairs of socks, one in Regia and another in Kaffe Fassett sock yarn.

Tea of the Month
teapot 
 
The Tea of the Month for March is Harney & Sons Irish Breakfast. Irish Breakfast is "bold, brisk and without a doubt, our strongest tea." Perfect for warming up on those chilly early springtime nights.


April's Tea of the Month is Paris, "a delicious blend reminiscent of the city of light." Let yourself drift away to springtime in Paris with this "enlightening" tea from Harney & Sons. Paris combines flavors of vanilla and citrus to create a bright, lively tea.

Featured Knitter - Terry Niles
 
Q:  When and how did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit when I was 11 years old from my aunt.  My first project was a baby sweater, booties, and hat set in two colors.  No one told me I should try something simple first.  I switched to knitting continental about 10 years ago when I started planning a Fair Aisle sweater from my handspun and knew I would need to be able to knit with both hands.

 

Q:  What are you currently working on?
I just finished a sweater for my daughter's birthday.  I am ready to cast on for a Dale of Norway Olympic ski sweater for my husband.  I have spun brown undercoat from one of our Navajo Churro sheep for the base color and I am spinning white from another Churro for the design.  I have two pairs of socks on needles. One is Paca-peds of alpaca with coordinating yarn for the heel and toe.  The other is a variegated yarn in shades of beige and brown.  I am currently working on a design for Twined Knitting fingerless mitts and another for the Entrelac workshop.

 

Q:  What do you see in your fiber arts future?
I recently bought a 7ft tri-loom.  I finished a lightweight shawl on it of a acrylic/wool blend that looks and feels like mohair.  My next project will be a shawl woven with three skeins  of JJ's Hand Paints from Fiber Trends - one skein worsted, one mohair, and one boucle and a coordinating skein of Cascade 220 heather.
 
Q:  Tell us about raising your own sheep.
We have Shetland, Icelandic, and Churro sheep and two llamas.  Shearing is in mid-March and we will be busy this summer skirting and washing fleeces and getting the wool ready to spin.
Recommended Reading
 
 Cathy F. loves The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. This book covers everything you have ever wanted to know about yarn, and includes lots of great patterns. A must read for the serious knitter.


Terry N. recommends The Interweave Knitter's Companion by Vicki Square. This little book is a terrific reference guide to have on hand, including answers to all your knitting questions.


Janelle M. loves The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook by Lynne Vogel. This book takes you from wool to sock as Vogel covers dyeing, spinning, and knitting in this comprehensive read.

Think Outside the Sox Contest
 You could win up to $6000!

XRX Inc, publisher of Knitter's Magazine, is launching a nationwide contest for knitters to design their own knit sock pattern.  There are 26 amateur categories and over $20,000 in total prize money up for grabs!  Grand prize is $6,000!  The contest runs until January 1st, 2009.  Official rules are posted here.  And the best news?  The Dancing Ewe carries many of the sock yarns used in the contest, so you can be inspired and get started on your winning design right away!  Good luck, and remember us when you're famous!

Coming Soon!!!
 

The Dancing Ewe is excited to announce that we will soon be carrying some fantastic new items! Stop in the shop this month and check out these great new treasures:

  • Louet Northern Lights pencil roving
  • Louet Gems sock yarn

And coming this May:

  • Schacht spinning wheels and looms 
  • Flatfeet sock yarn
  • And more!
 
Dancing Ewe Classes
 March/April
You must sign-up and pre-pay for your class ahead of time.  Classes do fill up, so register early!  No refunds can be made for cancellations less than three days prior to class time. 
 

Beginning and Beyond - Knitting with Terry

Learn to cast on stitches, knit and purl, and bind off as you knit a sample swatch.  You will see how to hold the yarn for Continental style or for English style, as you prefer.  With ongoing study you may also learn how to increase and decrease, matching needles to yarn, types of yarn, abbreviations, yarn labels, etc.  This is an ongoing class that meets two hours per week.  No experience required.  This class is structured as a two hour initial session, followed by as many sessions as you feel you need.  After your initial session, future sessions are on a drop-in basis to work on further skills and problem correction.

$20 for first session, $10 per hour for additional sessions as needed
Thursdays 11:00am-1:00pm and/or 5:00-8:00pm

 

Intermediate Knitting with Susie (Drop-In)

An unstructured, project-oriented class for advanced beginners and beyond.  The class meets weekly with students working on a project or projects of choice.  You will enhance your knitting skills, review basic skills, and learn pattern reading, shaping, and techniques as they present themselves.  Dropped a stitch, or two?  Confusing pattern?  Stuck on a "new to you" technique?  Bring your project and questions.  This class is ongoing, meeting for one to two hours per week. 

$10 per hour
Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm (Drop-In ok)

 

Beginning and Beyond - Crochet with Terry

This class will provide an introduction to crochet stitches and how to read a crochet pattern.  You will make a sampler dish cloth.  This is an ongoing class that meets two hours per week.  No experience required.  This class is structured as a two hour initial session, followed by as many sessions as you feel you need.  After your initial session, future sessions are on a drop-in basis to work on further skills and problem correction.

$20 for first session, $10 per hour for additional sessions as needed
Thursdays 11:00am-1:00pm and/or 5:00-8:00pm

 

Knit Socks - with Terry

Learn the basics of sock knitting as you make a sock for a baby or toddler on double pointed needles.  This class is taught in two, two-hour sessions.

$40 (includes two class sessions)
Thursdays 11:00am-1:00pm and/or 5:00-8:00pm

 

Knitting 101 - with Janelle

Knitting 101 is a basic introduction to knitting, including casting on, knit, purl, casting off, and correcting mistakes.  No prior knitting experience is required.  You may learn to knit in either English or Continental style, as you prefer.  During the class you will knit a swatch to practice your new skills.

$20 (one session)
Tuesdays:  6:00-8:00pm

 

A Bear for All Seasons - with Susie

Knit a bear-sized sweater each month as you learn and explore many classic knitting techniques, including fair isle, intarsia, and many more!  Beginning knitting or similar skill level required.

$20 (one session)

Wednesdays:  10:30am-12:30pm

 

Knit Socks! - with Janelle

An introduction to basic sock knitting on double pointed needles.  You will learn ribbing, turning the heel, knitting the toe, and Kitchener stitch as you complete a toddler or child's size sock. Beginning knitting or similar skill level recommended.

$40 (includes two sessions)
Tuesday, March 18th 12-2pm and Thursday, March 20th 12-2pm 
Wednesday, March 19th 10-noon and Friday, March 21st 10-noon
Friday, April 4th and 11th from 12-2pm

 

Bazaar Socks - Fair Isle for Your Feet! - with Sarah

Take your sock knitting to the next level as you learn to make these stunning fair-isle socks.  Intermediate skill level required.  Prior sock knitting experience is a MUST.

$40 (includes three sessions)
Thursdays, March 13th, 20th, and 27th from 6-7:30pm
 
Hemp Market Bag - with Janelle
Knit a handy hemp bag for shopping at the farmer's market this summer!
$20 (one session)
Tuesday, March 18th 3-5pm
 
Log Cabin Baby Blanket - with Janelle
Knit up this sweet and simple baby blanket for the bundle of joy in your life!  Designed by Mason Dixon Knitting, this blanket has been a hit in the knitting world for some time now.  Knit up your very own in our machine washable Luna Cotton.  Great beginner project!
$20 (includes one session)
Wednesday, March 12th 2-4pm
Wednesday, March 19th 2-4pm
 
Knit to Fit Workshop - with Janelle
Learn to plan, design, and knit your own clothing that actually fits!  From sweaters to summer tanks, knit something that fits you the way you want it to.  Learn to swatch the right way!
$35 (one session)
Friday, March 21st 2-5pm
 

Entrelac Workshop - with Terry

Learn the ins and outs of enterlac in this comprehensive workshop.   Advanced beginner or intermediate skill level recommended.

$40

Saturday, March 29th from 10am-3pm

 

The Spinner's Shawl Workshop - with Janelle

Scared of knitting lace?  Don't fear!  The Spinner's Shawl is a great lace pattern for the beginning lace knitter.  This workshop will get you started knitting your very own lace shawl, perfect for chilly spring evenings.  The workshop is one four-hour session, followed by additional one-hour lessons as needed.  Advanced beginner or intermediate skill level recommended.

Main Workshop $40

Additional private lessons $10/hour (if needed)
Saturday, April 12th from 12-4pm

 

Scandinavian Twined Knitting Workshop - with Terry

Knit a twined wristlet as you study this fascinating traditional knitting technique.  Expand your knitting skills with twined, or "Two-End" knitting!  Intermediate skill level required.  Student should be skilled at long tail cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and have had some experience with double pointed needles.

$50
Saturday, April 19th from 10am-4pm

 

The Knotted Knitting Bag - with Sarah

Learn how to read a cable pattern, how to cable both left and right, and how to increase and decrease both left and right, as you knit a lovely cabled knitting bag.  Intermediate skill level recommended.

$40
Saturday, April 26th from 10am-2pm
 

Private Lessons

One-on-one instruction in the fiber arts area of your choice!  We'll match you up with a knowledgeable instructor  in your area of interest for a tailor-made learning experience.  Here are some of the private lesson topics available:  Beginning knitting, advanced knitting, lace knitting, crochet, drop spindle, spinning on a wheel, and more!

$15 per hour
Dates and times arranged on an individual basis.  Based on instructor availability