After 22 unbroken days of fabulous weather here in the midwest, it decided to rain yesterday afternoon just in time for our cruisette – but spirits were not dampened.
We all gathered on the lower deck and the buzz of conversation was continuous. Captain Rich Anderson took us up and down the river, while we ate, drank and shared stories. A few silly games were played. Thanks everyone for coming out – we look forward to seeing you next year!
A Knitalong (KAL) on Thursday evenings starting at 6:30pm 10/15 and continuing on 10/29, 11/19 and 12/3 – Yes! You could wear this for the holidays! Sign up now. What is a Knitalong?
We’ll be knitting The Nuss from Berroco – a basic cardigan with a gently flared shape. It has an easily memorized lace pattern that decorates the fluted bottom. Finished with crochet and a cluster of buttons.
Come and see our model it’s made in Blackstone Tweed Plum Island – a yarn for the discerning knitter! This super soft yarn has all the rustic appeal of a classic tweed yarn but with a high dose of mohair and angora. With wear these garments will develop a soft and fuzzy halo. A joy to wear and a pleasure to knit.
There will be no charge for the Knitalong and you are welcome to join it – it will be held in the store. Once again, we expect that the KAL will be over-subscribed so sign up soon, and we have these requirements:
You must register either online here or by calling the store at 630.232.2305.Bust (closed): 32-36-40-44-48-52
Balls of Blackstone Tweed: 8-8-10-11-12-13
The skills required to complete this cardigan lie between easy and intermediate. You will use the basic knitting techniques, along with pattern reading. Knit, purl, cast-on, bind-off, cables, finishing.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Oktoberfestchen and participated in our food drive. Despite a sputtering griddle we had a lot of fun and served more than 100 potato pancakes. A big thank you also to Graham’s Chocolate who provided the fantastic location.
Here’s a picture of what we collected. Also, thank you for the kind donations of cash. We anticipate being able to add approximately 1000 pounds more of food using these donations.
Our customers are the best.
Don’t forget, you can continue to drop of food at the store through September 26th, and if you would prefer to give a cash donation, you can do that online.
Photos courtesy Shelly and Sidney …
I know it’s not October yet – but join us for our Oktoberfestchen anyway.
We are going to be cooking Reibekuchen mit Apfelmus (potato pancakes with apple sauce) tomorrow night, Thursday September 10th at 7:00 PM at Grahams 318 – come and try them.
There will be a nominal charge for the pancakes, and all money raised will be donated to a food bank in the Gulfport, Mississipi area. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable foods for the food bank and in exchange we’ll serve you with a delicious potato pancake (and these are whoppers!).
This will be a fun event. In addition to the potato pancakes, a local brewery will be doing a live brewing of an Oktoberfest Beer, and there will be Beer and Chocolate Tastings! Pairings of 5 chocolates will be matched with 5 different Goose Island beers for a fee. And who can resist Graham’s Chocolate?
On top of all that, there’ll be music and entertainment at an open mike event that will taking place that evening.>
What a great way to start the Festival of the Vine that runs September 11-13 in downtown Geneva. Taste the autumn bounty while enjoying a flower market, arts & crafts show, demonstration stage, live music, the Kids’ Patch, and Gorgeous Gourds.
Wow! Our Bridgewater KAL filled up in 24 hours – it promises to be a lot of fun. But don’t despair if you missed out – we have added another KAL from “Made in Brooklyn” by Jared Flood – this time the Princess Mittens (using the pattern “Grove”).
Sunday Afternoon from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, starting on October 11th, and continuing on the 25th and November 8th. There will be no charge and you are welcome to join the Knitalong which will be held in the store. Once again, we expect that the KAL will be over-subscribed so sign up soon, and we have some requirements:
You must register either online here or by calling the store.This project is for the knitter with an intermediate skill level. You will use a variety of stitches, basic lace techniques, and charts. Perfect this mitten and you’ve solved a lot of holiday gift giving problems.
Designed by Jared Flood and featured in his Classic Elite Collection “Made in Brooklyn”, this what Jared says about his creation:
“These mittens have an intricate, twisted stitch motif that creates a beautiful relief pattern – inspired by twisting vines and tree roots. Knitted stitches are all worked through the back loop to create the sculptural texture characteristic of twisted stitch motifs. Multiple- ply and high-twist yarns will maximize stitch definition and let the stitches sing. Shaping of the vine-like motifs on th hand is done with the use of yarn overs and decreasing – aside from the cuff, no cabling occurs in the main portion of the mitten. The cuff motif, a spiraling 1 x 1 rib is mirrored on each hand, and involves moving the marker as you work, to keep the spiral pattern unbroken. I hope you enjoy knitting these as much as you will in wearing them”!
Read more from Jared on the Brooklyn Tweed blog.
We’ve traveled from Chicago to Portland over three days. Four people, one SUV, a trailer and plenty of high spirits.
This is the final episode of our journey podcast, where we unwind a little before the sock summit proper starts.
If anyone can explain the Michael Jackson comment, please enlighten us!
The devastation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast began in 2005 with hurricanes Rita and Katrina. In 2008, hundreds of displaced residents were still living in dangerous temporary housing when Hurricane Gustav ravaged the area once again.
Next month, Neil and Charlotte will be traveling to Mississippi to work on the construction of a new community in Gulfport, Mississippi. They will help build homes with families who still are in need of simple, decent, affordable housing.
We have talked to community organizations in Gulfport and they tell us that there is desperate poverty in the area. The most fundamental needs of our fellow citizens are not being met. Children are going to bed at night feeling hungry! Consequently, Wool and Company is participating in a Food Drive to gather some basics that we’ll take to Mississippi for distribution by the local food banks and other community organizations.
Last year, you helped us fill 30 trunks with over-the-counter medicines that were so needed in Honduras. This year we want to fill a truck with food. Please, if you feel that you would like to help, bring your donations and drop them at our store in Geneva before September 26th.
Canned Vegetables – yams, peas, green beans, cornAlternatively, if you prefer, you can donate online. $1 can purchase as much as 5 lbs of food for the food bank.
Check back soon - we'll be adding knitting and crochet items to our Chicken Wire Auction for you to peck at. In the meantime, you can shop our store.
