Rigid Heddle Weaving at The Fiber Closet

Just received "the weaver's idea book" by Jane Patrick.  Our Thursday weaver's have decided that we are going to use it as a workbook and weave our way through the book.  The shop has a few copies left or you can order from Amazon by clicking on the Buy from Amazon link.

If you have not seen this book, I think it is outstanding.  In her Introduction, Jane says that she too had discounted rigid heddle weaving as "inferior" and not "real" weaving.  I started out with a rigid heddle weaving many years ago and quickly moved on to a Baby Wolf and Wolf  Pup plus several rug looms.  But, rigid heddle weaving gives one a quick sense of accomplishment that I have rarely experienced with my other fiber crafts.  A scarf and be warped and woven in less than 4 hours and I am not talking about a short, skinny scarf.  Yes, you can use the loom as a stash buster but most of us are always looking for that special yarn with which  to weave our next project.

I would like to invite all of you to come join us at The Fiber Closet every Thursday, 1-3 PM, and explore all the possibilities of rigid heddle weaving.  No weaving experience or loom needed.

Our weaving group has been weaving on Schacht's Cricket loom.  

Super Scarves for Super Bowl XLVI

Thanks to Gina'a determination, The Fiber Closet received word that woven scarves are OK for this project. Gina wove a beautiful scarf and sent it to the Super Bowl Host Committee. The Committee accepted the scarf and asked that we spread the word that woven scarves are acceptable following the same yarn guidelines for knit or crochet scarves.

Gina used Cascade 220 yarn--Color 8505 White and Color Heathers 9457 Blue

The Fiber Closet has received two woven scarves:  another one from Gina and one from Cathy.  The Fiber Closet has received several knitted scarves.

Weaving at The Fiber Closet

Our Thursday weaving group has been moving at "warp" speed.  Gina has completed numerous projects. Gina's Projects.  Gina, Cathy and myself have all completed spa cloths on our Cricket Looms.

Last Tuesday, I presented how to direct warp a rigid heddle loom to the Hoosier Heritage Spinners and Weavers Guild.  I warped the loom at the meeting and later that evening I finished weaving the scarf.  I have yet to tie the fringe and full the scarf.

After the meeting, Mary Kay purchased a Cricket Loom.  I can't wait to see what she weaves.  You may know her from Ravelery--Mary Kay.  Check out her beautiful toys she has knit for her grandchild and the many other projects she has knitted.

Back to Normal

June has been a really busy month for The Fiber Closet.  First, we participated in the Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival in Franklin, Indiana, and then, we were off to TNNA in Columbus.

The first weekend, Cathy, Mike and I had a really great time at the HHFF in Franklin.  We renewed acquaintances and enjoyed many new friends.   Cathy and I demonstrated both the Hazel Rose looms, Carol Leigh's triangle looms and the Kumi Looms.  There seems to be a  wave of enthusiasm starting towards weaving.  We also met Andrea Wong, the Portuguese Knitter.

The next weekend, Mike and I attended TNNA at Columbus.  We drove over on Friday and stayed through Sunday.  On Friday, I attended the Sample-It.  This is where store owners get to try out various vendor's new products without having to buy a large volume.  Be sure and stop in to see what all I purchased.  On Saturday morning, I  took a weaving class taught by Liz Gipson of Knitting Daily and Schacht Spindle fame.  I met a lot of people that I have always talked with over the phone or seen in magazines, books or on TV.  I met Lily Chin and received an autographed copy of her new book on cables.

I ordered several new notions for the shop, knitting looms (sock looms),  some new yarn lines, new patterns and more.  

This last Saturday, I participated in Worldwide Knit in Public Day at the local Village Farm Market.  Lady, my dog,  went with me and we had a great walk and I think she enjoyed the knitters.  One of the bonuses of living right downtown is that I can walk almost everywhere I need to go.  Lady almost dragged me to the Depot.  Lady has made such great progress.

Our UFO group met last Thursday.   We had two completed UFO's. The mother/daughter duo of Gina and Em were unable to attend but sent pictures of their completed items.  I should say that most of the UFO knitters only had a few more rows to complete.

The next sock challenge will be a Christmas stocking.  I will pass out the pattern the first week of July.

On July 10, The Fiber Closet will be attending the annual Spinners & Weavers Day at Forest Glen, Gannett Center; 10 am - 3 pm; Free    

September 11, The Fiber Closet will be at the Woolkeepers Hook-in, Camby, IN, 9:30 am-4:00 pm.  For more info, contact Bev Stewart at mailto:cas13ie@aol.com%20

Knitting UFOs

On May 20th, the Fiber Closet knitter's completed their Knitting UFOs commitment cards.

Rules are simple:

The 3rd Thursday of every month, the knitter will list one Knitting UFO to have completed by the next commitment day. Failure to complete the Knitting UFO by the next commitment day may result in banishment to the outer space yarn ball wall of shame.

Just received the first notice of a finished Knitting UFO by Knitting Cadet Emily. It has been a little over a year ago that Emily wanted to learn to knit socks. I started her on my "Cheryl's Favorite Sock" pattern. She learned the basics but never finished the sock because her knitting scientific mind went wild with knitting enthusiasm. She has been designing her own patterns and knitting other socks and scarves and writing her own blog . Oh, and let's not forget the important neuro research she is doing at the university in California. Here is a picture of her completed Knitting UFO:

Check her blog out for more of her projects.

Hey knitters, don't let Emily leave you in the space dust.

This Knitting UFOs group is open to all knitters. Just send me an e-mail with your commitment and a photo of your finished project.

EVENTS

Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival, June 4 and 5.

The Fiber Closet will be closing at noon on Wednesday, June 2nd, and will reopen at 10 AM on Monday, June 7. Come visit our booth at this great festival.

Sanibel Island

Mike and I just celebrated our one-year anniversary at Casino Aztar. My sister and brother-in-law went with us. We all had fun at the Casino. Sonny Geraci & the Outsiders were the entertainment. In case you aren't familiar with them, here is a You Tube of them Sonny. Mike had him autograph their CD for me.

I just received an e-mail that Intuit will be dropping their website integration next March. What this means to me is that I will no longer be able to synch my inventory with my website. I will be looking for new POS integration. Any suggestions?

Today, is my sister, Marlene's, birthday. Click on the title of this blog to check out her new website for her Pointe Santo condo rentals.

The Knit Kit

The new Knit Kit has arrived. The Knit Kit was featured on the Martha Stewart Show March 9as one of Martha's Finds.

The Knit Kit 2010 is turquoise and has two added new features. A double sided crochet hook, especially for sock knitters and a darning needle for finishing work. The Knit Kit has whatever you need for knitting on the go. Great for traveling by car, boat, train or plane. The Knit Kit 2010 is turquoise and has two added new features. A double sided crochet hook, especially for sock knitters and a darning needle for finishing work. The Knit Kit has whatever you need for knitting on the go. Great for traveling by car, boat, train or plane.

New Hours at The Fiber Closet

NEW FIBER CLOSET HOURS

Monday-Wednesday: 10 AM-3 PM

Thursday: 10 AM-6 PM

Friday and Saturday: 10 AM-3 PM

Sunday: CLOSED

New weekly group times:

Tuesday:

Spinning: 10 AM-12 PM

Rug Hooking: 1 PM-3 PM

Thursday:

Crochet: 10 AM-12 PM

Weaving: 1 PM-3 PM

Knitting: 3 PM-6 PM

Fiber Closet Updates

Received:
Kollage Yarns-square circulars and double points, Delicious and 1/2 N 1/2 yarn and freeform bag kits.

Hazel Rose looms-2", 4", 6" and 2" x 4" multi- looms. Weave 3 different weaves with these looms, including the weave-it method.

Cherry burl shawl pins.

Schacht Spindle-Cricket looms.

Don't forget that The Fiber Event is this Friday and Saturday at Greencastle. We will be in our usual booth.

The Fiber Closet hours. We will be closed this Thursday the 8th thru Wednesday the 14th.




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Handi Tool has Arrived

The Fiber Closet received only 30 Handi Tools in today's mail. I know several of you have been waiting on them. I still have 90 on backorder.

Don't forget that if you want to insure you get one of these, you can follow the Title Link and purchase one. Just show "Will Pick Up" on the order form where it asks for shipping method and I will hold yours for you. No shipping charges are incurred on "Will Pick Up".

Thursday schedule has changed:

Crochet group--We have changed Thursday from 10 AM-12 PM to a crochet group. Feel free to come crochet with us every Thursday morning. Then 1 PM-3 PM is rug hooking and, of course, 3 PM until ???? is the Knit Group.

Miscellaneous Musings

The Fiber Closet attended two very successful shows: Kokomo and Portland. We met a lot of great people. The Kokomo show was very special because it was held in two great historic homes. Although it was primarily a rug hooking show, we found a lot of knitters, spinners and weavers. There also was some gorgeous jewelry and baskets. We demonstrated kumihimo and tri-loom weaving. At Portland, one Friday, school children attended. Most of us vendors demonstrated different fiber arts. There was sheep shearing and a petting zoo. Saturday was vendor day. Both days were chocked full of classes that were well attended. Some of the fiberarts represented were: basket making, colonial rug hooking, blending and carding of fibers, dyeing, knitting, spinning, lots of various types of weaving--rigid heddle, floor loom, rug weaving, tri-loom, inkle loom, and card weaving--jewelry making. We deomonstrated kumihimo and tri-loom. There was great food available at both events. My husband, Mike, helped at both events and plans to attend more events. After the Portland show, we visited his sisters and brother-in-law in Delphos, Ohio.

Our next event is the Fiber Event at Greencastle on April 9th and 10th.

Jay County Fiber Fest and Spin-In

Just a quick reminder that The Fiber Closet will be CLOSED March 11-13 so that we can participate in the Jay County Fiber Fest and Spin-in in Portland, Indiana.

The Fiber Closet will re-open at 10 AM on Monday.

We will NOT have knitting or rug hooking on Thursday, March 11th.

Sock Yarn on Clearance

Making room for more yarns. Sockotta sock yarn NOW ON SALE at $5.99 for 50 gram ball. Quantities limited. Color 18 is only $5.39 and there are just 2 balls of it.

Sockotta Sock Yarn
from the Plymouth Brand Italian Collection Collection
Yarn Content: 45% Cotton, 40% Superwash Wool, 15% Nylon
Yarn Gauge: 7 sts = 1"/US2 needle
Yarn Length: 414 yds/100g ball

Some of the yarn has a Fair Isle effect, some stripes, some jacquard and some are mutli-color effect.

Follow this link to see the yarns:

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/CLear1/-strse-Closeouts/searchpath/56373462/start/46/total/72/Categories.bok

Super Bowl XLVI's Scarf

The Fiber Closet is looking for knitters to help the 2012 Super Bowl committee achieve their goal of 8,000 knitted scarves.

We will be ordering the appropriate Cascade Yarn for the project. If you would like to participate, please let me know.

More details can be found by clicking on this post's title.

Changes at The Fiber Closet

Soon you will be seeing more of me at The Fiber Closet. Starting February 15th, I will be full-time in the shop. Shop hours will remain the same--Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. All groups will remain on the same schedule.

Cathy and Barbara have been a big help to me in The Fiber Closet and have been greatly appreciated. Plans are that they will remain involved in teaching and demonstrating in the shop. They just won't be employees.

A lot of things went into this tough decision--insurance requirements, payroll expenses, etc.

Kumihimo

My first braiding attempt.



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Happy New Years!!!!

I wish all of you a happy and prosperous New Year. Where has 2009 gone??

Today, is our last knit group of the year. The group has started their second sock in the KAL. It is a toe-up sock using the Magic Cast On. We start a new sock every two months. Next sock pattern will be available end of February. It's not too late to join the KAL. Even if you can't join us for our weekly meetings, knit along with us. Just contact me at The Fiber Closet or leave a comment or request on this blog.

2009 has been an exciting year for both The Fiber Closet and myself.

• While a lot of retailers have been suffering, the Fiber Closet's sales increased by almost 40%. Thank you to all our customers. You all have become great friends.
• I became a new bride and have a wonderful new husband.
• The Fiber Closet participated in three successful Indiana fiber events and we plan to attend at least four in 2010. Our long range goal is to participate in one event a month March through October. We are on the waiting list for several events. If you know of any fiber events, please let us know.

We definitely will have our other weaving/craft room open in 2010. My husband, Mike, will also be setting up shop in part of the room. He is a well-know collector/seller of sports cards plaques and related supplies. He buys and sells sports cards and collections.

I am looking for new ideas for classes. Please leave comments and suggestions on this blog.

Have a great New Year's eve. Love you all.

Cheryl

Snow in Rockville

Yeah! I awoke to a small dusting of snow. It is just enough to get one into the spirit of the Holidays.

In the mail today, I received great News from Mountain Colors. They were inspired by a new book called Not My Daughter that is coming out January 5, 2010. In conjunction with this book, they have designed a new Colorway called Spring Eclipse. Working with the publisher, Doubleday, they have created special yarn tags that talk about the book and the yarn. I have a yarn sample of the Spring Eclipse and one of the tags. Check out Mountain Colors at http://www.mountaincolors.com/ and the author, Barbara Delinsky at http://barbaradelinsky.com/. Mountain Colors is also introducing a new sock yarn, Crazyfoot. Crazyfoot is a 90% Superwash Merino and 10% Nylon with lots of twist. Skeins are 440 yards giving you plenty of yarn for a pair of socks. I plan on ordering some of both yarns. Let me know if you need a certain colorway or amount so I am sure to have it in stock.

Today, I sent out a new schedule to all of you who have signed up for our Newsletters. The Fiber Closet has new social groups and new hours for some of our old ones. Every Tuesday is now going to be spinning and weaving day. Thursdays will be knitting and rug hooking. I added a new knitting session (10 AM-1 PM) and added an hour to The Sweater Girls (3-6 PM). Also, changed the Rug Hooking Group to weekly on Thursdays from 1-3 PM. We will be spinning every Tuesday morning and weaving in the afternoons.

Lady is still making great progress. I finished the fingerless mitts that I was making for Mike's sisters. I will post them on my Facebook album and on Ravlery. Mike is now retired and will be in Rockville more often. Yeah!

Sock KAL

Check out our progress.

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Sock KAL

The Sweater Girls AKA the Thursday Knit Group have almost completed their first sock KAL. Sharon is getting ready to kitchener the toes of her socks. Sharon is our left-handed knitter and has successfuly figured out how to knit two socks on two circular needles.

The group has decided that they want to do a toe-up sock on two circulars for their next KAL. The next pattern will be passed out the last week of December.

The Sock KAL is open to everyone. Only requirement to receive the pattern is that the yarn must be purchased from The Fiber Closet. Of course, we would all love for you to join us on Thursdays from 4-6 PM. Would love for you to post your sock pictures on this Blog or on our Ravelry Group, The Sweater Girls.

Thursdays from 4-6 PM everything is 10% off, unless it is already discounted. Remember books are always 25% off.

Black Friday Sale @ The Fiber Closet

One item 40% off. Does not include looms or wheels. Choose from Lots of luxury yarns, books, needles & notions.






Enjoyed a wonderful first Thanksgiving with Mike.-

Hope to see you soon.Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone