Thursday 25 August 2011

Bon Voyage for this week

Check out the shopblog for the ltd time discount offer to help send me off to the USA!

Note: thank you to the customer who asked -- seriously, Kollage Square needles really are different. I wouldn't sell them if I didn't think so. Sure, they cost a bit more than some brands, but the square tips (greater stitch control and really, they make your knitting look really tidy) and the no-memory lines that connect the circs are totally different than other brands.

Yes, the Kollage people do make the sturdier lines now for the circs, but I reckon it's the revolutionary no-memory lines that make them a pleasure to knit with, esp. for tired wrists.

I thought I'd put my money where my mouth is and run this special. See how you go with a pair.

There's so much I would like to write about show prep, workshop prep, and the new yarns and designs, but I'm pushing my luck this week. 

Enjoy your taste of Spring if you are here in Adelaide. See you this Sunday at the Port Markets or online!

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Did Someone Say SOCKS and COLOUR?!

Check out the latest title by Jonelle Beck and Katherine Cade - Socks a la Carte III - Colorwork. They've even put up a free pdf sock pattern to give you just a taste of what's in the new book. Thanks SWTC!



And yes, Stranded In Oz is a contributor to the fun. I really enjoyed Socks a la Carte II (toe ups!) and can't wait to get my hands on the newest volume. Remember, one lucky Stranded In Oz Knitter's Club member will win a copy of this new book. To order, please consider keeping your purchase in Oz -- check out Colonial Lake Books. Brenda is ACE and an Aussie-based bookseller. 

Back to the dyelots and prep for KDO!
Mel

Monday 8 August 2011

Yarn and Fibre Adoptions Successful -- It's Melf's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to myself. Well, it's very early in the am and the dog and hubby have already wished me a happy birthday. Not quite sure of the hubby as he is NOT a morning person. It's rather pathetic --walks into walls, answers to Fred. Ugly am man.

Lyta, the Kelpieweiler Princess, just rubbed her eyes with her paws, yawned, and rolled over to sleep again.

Inspiration: yesterday, the Intrepid Knitter popped by, and I was grossly distracted by her very cool PURPLE CORDUROY Converse sneakers. I now covet them very badly. When I inquired where they were found, she replied -- online shopping!

It has been said numerous times that I flunked shopping. So this am, I have been perusing for cool stuff online. And found this:

Isn't it pretty? From Threadless. Now, I need to knit a t-shirt T-shirt in return. So there!

We're not Threadless here at Stranded In Oz!

Special thanks to the knitters, felters, spinners, and crocheters who came by yesterday at the Port to get some rare SIOz bargains. Well, there are a few hanks of Mitey Sock left to go to Mt. Pleasant. MSock is one of the yarns I used in socks for the Sept Issue of Yarn Magazine (pre-orders cheerfully taken from SIOz online). The ltd edition merino/alpaca (80%/20%) is now missing Robin Hood, but the other colours, Sherwood Forest, Maid Marian, and Friar Tuck are still available. There will be some new lots for this Fair.

Hello and thanks to the 2 knitters from Melbourne who graciously put up with the bags and bins that was the Market stall yesterday. I love it when you find just what you are looking for.

There, in the crazy oddball bin of mohair blends from Turkey, was THE BALL Melbourne Knitter #1 was needing to finish a project. Glad it was there for you and thanks for taking the time to come up the Port Adelaide. Please send a piccie so we can see how it turned out!

We've all done it -- you know, bought some yarn for somethingorother. Then, once you've into the project, disaster. Need just one. bit. more. To finish. It can drive you nuts when this happens, so I really sympathised with this knitter's problem. The knitting goddess was smiling yest.

It may be my birthday, but it's back to the work I go. CU at the Port Markets, online, and at Mt. Pleasant this Saturday. M

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Show Returns Sale on for this weekend at Stranded In Oz

We -- the wool and me that is -- are back from the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair. Four days of nonstop crafting mania! Thanks to some timely help from Melanie and Merilyn Scott, I made it through. And a special thanks to the Machine Knitters who lent a hand on Thursday!

A special thanks to the incredible knitters who stayed late in the day to catch my intro to sock knitting workshops. There are going to be some very well-clad feet in Melbourne! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and interest -- be sure to send us jpg's of your lovely sock creations.

The patterns and orders were shipped today -- if for some reason you don't receive your pattern envelope or emailed PDF, please contact me. There were so many pattern requests that the postie loves me now.

This Sunday at the Port Markets, Adelaide:

There are broken lots and lone hanks needing homes back from on the road. All will be marked down accordingly -- so for those of you who missed Bendigo Sheep and Wool, please come on up for a fondle of the hanks of yarn and balls of fibre.

In addition, I will bring a few of the new Namaste Mini Messengers and Skinny Minis. They're both ACE! The new Namaste gear is now loaded online and ready to ship or place an order for Port Markets pickup.


These new Namaste, Inc. bags are roomier than they sound -- larger than the Bitty Bag, but not as huge as the regular Messenger. I am so in love with this bag, as I like the messenger style roominess at the top.


And look at the cute new case -- she's a beauty!

Mt. Pleasant Fleece and Fibre Fair -- August 13th -- Stranded in Oz will be there with new lots of the latest sock wools. Yes, that includes the new Glinda, the Good Wool. She'll be there in her sparkly goodness.

 Glinda, the Good Wool from Stranded In Oz

The above shot of Glinda was taken by Jonelle Beck at SWTC. Thanks J for the awesome piccie of Glinda!

BAH-LING! The String Me Along sequined yarn on cones is nearly sold out, but more is on the way. Ditto for the new metallics -- JAZZ. For you hand-spinners, you'll love plying with this new carry-along BLING!

Must run -- new dyelots are needed for Mt. Pleasant and then, the KDO, PA! 

See you online and at the Port Markets on Sunday, Melissa