Charitible Contributions

At the end of every quarter I add up 50% of all the yarn and patterns we sold supporting specific charities and send in our donations. I thought you might be interested in knowing what your purchases have allowed us to donate this quarter:

Doctors without Borders: $265.38 Here is the link to their website, and here is the link to our colorways supporting them

Susan G Komen: $99.50 Here is the link to their website, and here and here are the links to our colorways supporting them

Amani Children's Foundation: $33 Here is the link to their website, and here is the link to our colorway supporting them

Animal Rescue: $143 Links to our colorways are Here and Here. We choose a different Animal Rescue group to donate to each quarter. If you would like to recommend an organization, please let us know!

Introducing....Super Wool Gigante!

We are pleased to introduce the newest yarn in our collection- Super Wool GIGANTE! This bulky yarn is softer than you can imagine and dyes up in the most brilliant colors. I've already knit myself a hat and a sweater out of it and am now eagerly awaiting colder winter weather so I can wear them!

Two Tattoos

For several years I've been talking about getting a tattoo of the multicolored sheep that we use as our logo. Three years ago my mother in law drew the line drawing of the sheep and I colored it in with watercolor colored pencils and since then its come to represent the company which means so much to me and seems to consume every waking (and more than a few sleeping) moments of my life now a days. So it felt right that my first tattoo should recognize something so important to my life and who I am as a person.

Finally, about a week ago, my husband and I took a trip to a tattoo shop, Blue Flame, that came highly recommended. We thought we would have to schedule an appointment for later in the week, but they said that for such a small tattoo we could come back in an hour. And before I knew it, I had a tattoo! You can see a few photos of my tattoo experience here.

To celebrate my new tattoo, I'm getting one for you too! Only, yours won't hurt as much and will come off with a bit of scrubbing in the shower. I had temporary tattoos made using our logo Sheep. We will have them with us at festivals (like the one coming up on October 4th!) and you can also snag one with your next order. Just tell us that you'd like one in the comments section when you check out!

ETA: the tattoo is on my thigh, for those wondering!

When I grow up...

I want to be a shepherdess. I remember the day in college that my career advisor asked me what my goal in life was. I said "to own a llama". I don't think he had gotten that response before at my small, private liberal arts college and he didn't quite know what to make of it. Since then I've decided that llamas are a bit too aloof, really, and that I'd be happier if I stuck to sheep and goats, maybe with a guard-donkey (cause who doesn't love donkies?). This is still one of my goals in life, but I've had to acknowledge that its one that will have to wait until Chris and I are about more settled both geographically (we may have to move in 1.5yrs for Chris's residency) and financially. So, sadly, now is not the time for me to be starting a spinner's flock. But if you have always dreamed of owning fiber goats or you know of someone who has, and your life is more conducive to the owning of livestock, check out the Spinner's Flock Giveaway at Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm. They are actually GIVING AWAY a small flock of their gorgeous angora goats. Heck, even if you aren't interested in owning goats go on over and check out the adorable pictures of the angora kids. Irresistible!

Wool Therapy

I cannot get enough of shawl knitting. I have made a few rectangular versions, 2 Syncopated Lace, and then decided to try my 1st Faroese pattern. I bought the All-Over Lace Faroese Shawl pattern and decided to use a shawl set of Green Sheep Wool Sport in Gradiance

from the 15-step Joy color strip. (15, 1-5). This shawl was mean to be for me, because shawls and stoles are my go-to outerwear during the cold months, and I have decided that several styles, weights, and color ways are needed to go with my outfits, the weather,etc.

Right before the final edge was finished we found out my MIL was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Luckily it is a small tumor, so her prognosis should be good, but more testing needs to be done before we know what treatment will be needed.

I had every intention of knitting my MIL a different shawl, but when the Faroese was finished and I put it on, it told me that it longed to be on her shoulders, giving her special wool hugs as she moved forward with the process of dealing with her cancer.

The colors are perfect for her, and the Faroese design is also just right, as she lives in Seattle with my SIL and BIL and their 3 young children, so she will not have to worry about the shawl slipping off her shoulders as she plays with the young ones.

So I named the shawl "Wool Therapy" and soon it will be travelling across the country to my dear MIL where she will receive our love in form of knitted stitches in cuddly, soft Merino.

The Enchanted Garden Mystery KAL

Now that we are wrapping up The Secret Garden mystery KAL, its time to introduce our next Mystery Lace Shawl KAL!

The Enchanted Wood KAL will begin in January 2010 and is designed by Janine le Cras, the same talented designer that brought us The Secret Garden shawl. This time we will be knitting a triangular shawl with optional beads. Read all the details here. We are already half full, so if you are thinking of signing up, don't delay!

The Secret Garden Shawl

We are wrapping up our first mystery KAL- The Secret Garden Shawl- and it has been SO much fun. And the shawls that are coming off the needles are incredible. Once more members have finished I'll put up a gallery to show off all their gorgeous shawls.

I know that many of you missed out on the club but guess what? You can still knit your own Secret Garden Shawl! We have the pattern for sale on the website and it takes one Gradiance Shawl Set in Luxe, Verve or Green Sheep Fingering (or 3 non-Gradiance skeins in those yarns).