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!

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

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

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

SIOz back on the Road for Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair

Yup, just as I headed back to Adelaide -- chucked laundry in machine, patted needy pooch, nursed hubby who has a nasty cold, it dawned on me that I have to go back to Melbourne in a week. Wheeee. Thank you to all the incredibly talented people who came by the booth at the Sheep Show. I love to see what you are making!

YAY! For you Melbourne/Victorian Stranded In Oz enthusiasts, I have 4 FREE TICKETS to the Craft and Quilt Show to give away. First emailed, first won, so email melissa AT strandedinoz DOT com and if you're quick, you may win a $16.00 ticket! That's a damned fine savings. Means more $$ to spend on cool craft gear at the show, right? Update: They're gone!

This Sunday at the Port Markets: more hanks of Dye! My Pretties :-). The BSWS response was incredibly positive re this yarn. Thank you everyone who purchased it. I hope you enjoy knitting with it as much as I did painting it!

I'll be posting a show preview early next week.

Since I'm on another dye schedule, I'll keep this entry brief.

Knit in good health and happiness, Melissa

Off to Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show 2011

The wool is ready. The car has been emptied in preparation. It's all good here at SIOz Central.

In brief:

• for online customers, please note that orders placed from 13/7-19/7 will be shipped 20/7. If you have a query regarding a SIOz product, ring 0409 859 219.
• The Port Markets Shop is open this Sunday -- Richard will be there to assist you. There are fresh hanks of sock wools and some lovely new hanks of 10ply as well as a few more goodies in the Lone Hank Hamper. The bamboo needles will be there too.
• Namaste bags and accessories as well as the Kollage Square Needles will be in Bendigo at the Show

Thank you to the incredible knitters who came by on Sunday to have a chat and to check out the new yarns and fibres. The new Glinda, The Good Wool is getting a lot of attention. This yarn is a traditional sock yarn (some nylon for strength) plus a little bit of bling. It's incredibly soft and lovely to knit with.

Special hello to Theresa who came by to learn to use a drop spindle.

If you're at Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show do stop buy and see what's new at SIOz! And of course, if you've been by before, be sure to show us your FO's!


Back to the show prep, Melissa

Pre-Show Fun at SIOz

Hi there -- I'm in finish everything NOW mode. This season has been a bit crazy, as design deadlines have coincided with painting deadlines. Madness all around.

Check out the shopblog this week for a SNAP special discount. This is your chance to grab a further discount on the Namaste gear in stock before it goes to shows. I won't be restocking some designs, as the newer models come in stock. Still a nice selection here.

Some colour for your day:

Glinda, the Good Wool - 75% wool/25% nylon with a touch o' bling

Stranded Silk Sock

  

The above colour has been painted in both Glinda and the divine Stranded Silk Sock. Very distracting as I have other work to do. There are also hanks of Glinda and Stranded Silk Sock in a beautiful pale blues mix that I've nicknamed Heaven. It is truly heavenly. If you want to get your hands on this yarn... come by the booth at BSWS or the Melbourne Fair (see info below).

The Port Shop is still amply stocked with new yarn and colours -- most of the new yarns are going on the road, but don't worry if you are a local SIOz enthusiast -- I have special yarn at the Port, including more At the Quilt Shop and some new Fairies in the Garden hanks. 

bye for now -- Mel