Feb 2010 Club Yarn and Fibres - Way Over the Rainbow Club Mixes

Way Over the Rainbow Knitting Club Mix Feb 2010

For those of you who've already joined the SIOz knitting club, your packs will be sent out this week. Thank you to those who've already joined the fun. I couldn't help but post a photo of the first yarn for the year. I don't often mix Way Over the Rainbow, as it is one of my specials, but it is appropriate that we start off the knitting year with a splash, non? Your pack includes 100gms of this yarn (3ply merino, superwash), assorted goodies (natch) and a pattern for the project bag. 

Way Over the Rainbow organic merino

Fiber Club Mix Feb 2010

NOTE: the mix for the spinners is not the same rainbow as for the knitters. Some people are in both clubs and well, I thought I'd mix it up a bit. :-) Yeah, I've got a few rainbows up my sleeve.

For the fibre club, your packs are ready to go -- most of you guys are picking yours up, so they'll be ready for you this Sunday at the Port Markets. If your plans change, let me know so I can arrange delivery. Thank you to everyone who advised colour preferences for the gemspindle. It was fun making these to suit the spinner.  All the spindles have oak shafts, have been hand-sanded, coated, sanded, coated and finished with a nice little hook for spinnability. 

Regular Drop Spindle with glass whorl (Fibre Club Feb 2010)

I've mentioned previously that I'm not limiting membership to my clubs this year. Yup, after some great feedback from customers and a lot of reading online, not to mention my own experiences, I came to the conclusion that if you want to knit or spin with SIOz yarns or fibres, you should be able to get what you want. 

Recently: I was placed in a lottery for a sock club and was told I 'didn't get in.' My initial reaction was, what? My $$ not good enough? And why am I feeling left out? This struck me as ridiculous. I mean, the last thing I neeeed is more sock yarn (I have only knit with 2 other brands for my own personal knitting in like, the last 3 years, so why would I care?) My reaction had been so hard-wired into me by Madison Avenue that I had to really think about it.  I'm still irrationally irritated that I didn't get into that club -- 2 weeks later. For no real reason. 

I don't want my customers or potential customers to have that feeling. 

So you are all welcome. If you are a member and want more than 1 hank of yarn or instalment of fibre, do let me know in advance, as I need to account for the numbers in each lot. 

Happy Knitting and Spinning -- M

Spin Happy, Knit Happy

It was a gorgeous day in Port Adelaide yesterday and the dolphins were swimming early. There was a nice strong breeze too - a far cry from last Sunday's inferno conditions.

Thank you so much to the keen hand-spinners. It was nice to meet you and I look forward to seeing what's on your spindles. There's been a run again on gemstone spindles, so I'll be making more this week. And I'll be updating the online store accordingly. 

NOTE: most of the gemstone spindles are for spinning fine yarns, though every once in a while I'll buy a suitable stone for a heavier spindle. Most of the spinners I've sold them to use their wheels for yarns they'll be using for knitting garments or weaving. And of course, the widely-available in Oz Ashford wood spindles are great for heavier weight wools.

It's also an aesthetic thing -- a favourite gemstone to spin with adds to the experience. One customer requested rose quartz, as it is a stone she likes best. Good karma spinning.   

A Pretty Good Red: A mixed lot of a decidedly poppy red -- 2ply (superwash), 8ply, 4ply premium merino, and a couple snazzy luxury mohair/wool boucles in there. 

8ply merino $20.00 100gm/feltable

reds/roses Emerald City Shawl Kit $80.00 complete

After many customer requests (thanks!) I've kitted up the EC kits with a substitute colour. Good thing too, as the 2009 EC dark teal is now officially retired from EC-land. This kit is now chock full of goodies and includes shawl pin, stitch markers, needles, pattern, and a big pile of premium, low-micron merino yarn. 

Total Urban Decay 4ply permium merino 100gm/$24.00

Many requests to go to the dark side have produced this black, which is decidedly decayed and has a lovely rusty edge. For the goth in us all. It just doesn't photograph all that well -- tried in several different lights and locations. Think charcoal black soot. 

Happy knitting and spinning. CU at the markets. Melissa

New Gemstone Spindles on their Way

Hi Spindlers: a quick hello and note to say that the shipment will leave the US on Monday -- new supply of gemstone spindles, with lovely polycoated shafts. All oak with semi-precious gemstone whorls. They should get to Oz in a week or so. I will make sure I get confirmation when they arrive. All are priced at $30.00AU per spindle and come with 100gms of hand-painted Australian merino top (that's a BONUS people!), as the top retails for $15.00. Buy a spindle and have enough wool to spin some lace or sock wool -- 100gms is plenty!

There are 6 spindles on the way. If you'd like to reserve one, email me at melissa AT strandedinoz DOT com and I'll put your name and email addy on the list.

Spindles: 2 are what look to me like raptor skin (yellow-green and black jadeish), there are 2 blue and clear quartz spindles (not for the beginners), 1 gorgeous light green aventurine, and a lovely dark jasper spindle.

Thank you so much for your interest in my spindles and keep 'em spinning!

Webpage: still on the construction end, but it is running. If you need more information, email and we'll (I or Richard) will get back to you, generally within 24 hrs.

Next installment of yarn:
The shipments from SWTC and Nepal are on the way and restocking for Oz -- spring and summer -- and new fall yarns for US of A will be available shortly. There are new custom sari silks (some real wowsers) and more carded sari fibre for spinners (I bought all that was left in the workshop!).

In the meantime, the 4ply premium merino is available for shawls, socks, and garments of every type.

A Coloured Sheep Shawl: For US customers, the yarn is back in stock. Pre-orders will ship tomorrow. Thank you so much for your interest. I couldn't help it -- I have included in the kits some nice goodies (surprises). There is 1 more kit available in the 3ply CSW. There is also a gorgeous 4ply CSW available to make a slightly larger and warmer version.

spindles

Some photos of spindles I'm building this week -- there are new Chuppahs on the way... even mini-Chuppahs which are great for lace and cotton spinning. Seriously good fun!

Yellow and Blue Trippy Chuppah Top Whorl Spindle $25.00AU

New Darth Vader Chuppah Whorl - Unbuilt $25.00AU 

request top or bottom whorl construction

Pink and Blue Girlie Chuppah Bottom Whorl Spindle $25.00AU 

Yellow Gemstone Spindle $20.00AU adjustable

All spindles are guaranteed and come with a puff to get you spinning. The Chupppahs are made from premium polymer clay and handmade. Spindle shafts are oak with wire hooks. If you prefer a notch to a hook, that's fine too.

I've noted on my webpage -- these spindles were born out of frustration (couldn't fine one I liked) and are now labours of love. I enjoy each one that I make and am happy and sad to see them leave the workshop. The Chuppahs just make me smile.