Sooooo, with kind permission from the lovely Pam Wynne, we are going to do a Wool and Company Knitalong of the February Lady Sweater. Yippee do I hear you say? And how does that work. Well because it is summer and we are all hot and sticky and somewhat far flung we will do it very loosely (the knitalong, not the knitting) … and at our own pace.
First go and download the free pattern, (making sure it is Version 2.0), grab your size 8’s and rifle through your stash. If nothing jumps up and screams that it is the perfect yarn for this project come on down to the store or order online from us because we will give you 15% off your February Lady Supplies! And boy do we have supplies. I am using Plymouth’s Tweed for mine, and others have chosen Dream in Color Classy, Jaeger Extra Fine Merino, Aurora 8, Cascade 220, Malabrigo, Araucania Cotton, Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton and the list goes on and on. Then register with us and we will put you into the drawing for some yummy and wonderful goodies. Then get your guage swatch done, (who me?… of course I did) and start your sweater. Watch the blog and Ravelry for any hints, tips and tricks that we have come up with or heard about from others to make your life easier.
Sometime in September or October we will have a February Festival and everyone can show off their fabulous Febs … easy as that. Let me know if you have questions … and a very Happy February to you all.
Wool and Company in Downtown Geneva
Knitters of all ages and abilities came with their lawn chairs, knitting and lunching in front of the store. We had fabulous weather.
Many thanks to those suppliers who donated goodies for the WWKiP event and our drawings. Among them: Lorna’s Laces, Cascade Yarns, Bryson Distributing, Universal Yarns, Hiya Hiya, Crystal Palace, Skacel, KFI/Euro Yarns, and R&M West Coast Distributing. Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our stashes.
“Just wanted to drop a line to thank you for the wonderful event I attended this afternoon. It was so nice to meet fellow yarn junkies and learn, chat and just be with others that share my passion. Good Show!” Lynne from Roselle.
“I truly had a wonderful time at Knit in Public Day this past Saturday!!! It was great to meet the other ladies, share projects, and talk about life in general.
“Thanks for all the fabulous gifts and prizes!! It seemed there was something for everyone. Would you consider a similar event later this year, perhaps scheduled around Festival of the Vine when the weather is cooler? Everyone could bring a work-in-progress or a charity project or even bring a knitting item to trade. Just some ideas to throw into the hat. Anyway, thanks again for a great afternoon!”. Becky from Geneva.
Every one a winner.
We had an international jury select the winners on this, so your humour (sic) needed to amuse that audience. Our good friend Frankie from Sheffield in Yorkshire (not far from where Rowan have their mills) chose the winners:
Sandy is the first place winner with her entry of “They are waiting for Scottie to beam them up”.
Sandy wins a project bag, 2 sets of needles, 4 skeins of Cascade and two skein of Blue Sky Alpaca. Sandy, come on down, your prize is on hold in the back.
Our second prize winner is Angela with her entry “The Lone Ranger and Tonto are sure this is the perfect place to tie up the horses. ” UMM KEMOSABE, tie horse here.””. And the prize - why a crafty T-shirt just in time for the Memorial Day cookout.
Oh - what was really going on? Well I was heading to Starbucks early one morning for my cup of Joe and I noticed our neighbor Charlie hanging on to the pole. ”Good Morning, Charlie”, I muttered and ambled on my way. On my way back to the store I noticed that Ellie has joined Charlie. ”OK, what’s going on?”.
Well, the lamppost was falling down, and being the good burgers that they are Charlie and Ellie were just holding it up until the city crews came to repair it! It looked like a great photo-op to me!
Thanks for your patience everyone with the technical difficulties in announcing the winners. We look forward to having more competitions in the future, and I promise not to do any blog updates in the meantime 
So the new look is completely accidental. Right now it looks as though I (Neil) have successfully hosed the blog to the point where all previous posts and comments are lost.
I went to make a post about the winners of our competition and decided to embed a YouTube video to illustrate the winner. This required that I upgrade our wordpress blog to the latest version … something I’ve been putting off for about a year - I am always guided by “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Well now it looks like my new mantra is “it’s broke, ‘cos I fixed it”. It reminded me of the birthday card that Lesley gave me this year, with a picture of a guy holding a power tool and a caption, “He’d had the tool only for a day, and already he’d successfully reduced the value of his property by $10,000!”.
Don’t worry, the winners of the competition were chosen … the video in the previous post might give you a clue. Just give me a couple more days and we’ll let you know, and who knows we might even get the old content back!
Here are all the comments that we had received before I messed things up …
Linda on Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:11AM said …
John, “Didn’t Molly say they would be right out. I knew we were in trouble when she asked me to hold her bag while she made just one more stop.”
Jack, “I know, but Jane promise to buy lunch if we’d wait right here…”
Carolyn on Saturday, May 10, 2008 8:54PM said …
“That ain’t nothing - my stash would come up to HERE, and that’s not even counting the sock yarn.”
Stojana on Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:32PM said …
Where wives leave their husbands when going to The Meething Place.
Allison on Saturday, May 10, 2008 6:39PM said …
Looks to me like these two fellas were told by the folks at Wool & Co. to stand against the lightpost for a photo. =)
betty royer on Saturday, May 10, 2008 4:11PM said …
These fellas have heard about May and dancing around a Maypole and they are just waiting for someone to tie on the ribbons.
Belle Kohen on Saturday, May 10, 2008 4:01PM said …
Holy Moly!
I drank a little too much coffee at Starbucks…ya think there is
a bathroom nearby???????????????????????
Gloria on Saturday, May 10, 2008 1:39PM said …
John: “My mother told me women that knit make great wives.”
Bob: “Mine too!”
Laurel on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:24AM said …
“Well, you know I’ve been thinking about taking up spinning, but I didn’t want to get one of those silly little drop spindles.”
“So, going for a wheel then, are you?”
“Heck no, I figured with your help, I could use this light pole. Go big or go home, I always say.”
Carolyn on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:19AM said …
“So, this woman with an English accent says, ‘If you can hold onto this pole from 10:00am to 5:30pm, your wife will get a fabulous Mothers Day present.’ Then she and my wife walked into that store called Wool and Company. What do you think my wife will get?”
“Seven and a half hours of husband-free yarn shopping and a credit card bill that will rival the national debt. Lesley pulled that one on me last year.”
Barbara on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:31AM said …
Wife: Now you stay here while I run in for yarn.
Husband: Do I have to?
Wife: Yes - Put your hand on that pole and don’t take it off until I come back.
Wife 2: Here’s a friend for you. Hang on to that pole until I come out of The Meeting Place.
Husband 2: Auh, come on - can’t I go over to Starbucks
Wife 2: No, hold that pole and don’t move - I won’t be long.
Husband 1: Ahh, what are you gonna do?
mary on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:59AM said …
1) “Gosh. I thought I was SURE, but I’m not so SURE…”
“Dude, from my side of the pole, you are not SURE, but you are down wind so that’s a good thing.”
2) Feeling the joyous after effects of handeling & sniffing various natural fibers…hold on tight, I think the knitting world is spinning out of control…and we’re in for quite a ride!
Charlie on Sunday, April 27, 2008 9:25PM said …
Are we sure this is in Geneva, looks like a Streets and San crew in Chicago? Wind Wind go away, blow down this light pole another day. Note to Neil: I am not entering contest since I already know why they were out there!
Amanda Zink on Friday, April 25, 2008 3:40PM said …
“I told you it wasn’t a touch lamp. . . . Where IS the switch for this darn thing?”
“Who cares? It’s going to look great in my foyer. Now, where did we park the car . . . . “
Billie Needham on Friday, April 25, 2008 12:50PM said …
THEY ALSO COULD HAVE FOUND OUT THERE IS REALLY NO YARN MADE FROM EGGSHELLS. THEY ARE AS DISAPPOINTED AS I WAS; BUT THEY ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE EGGSHELL YARN.
Denise P. on Friday, April 25, 2008 11:55AM said …
Shots for the next CQ Magazine….
Jill J. on Friday, April 25, 2008 10:41AM said …
Looks like they are having a “my jeans look better than your jeans” contest!
Julie on Friday, April 25, 2008 9:48 AM said …
Two macho men on a mission.
It’s difficult for men to walk into a woman’s clothing store without a woman present. Some men almost feel embarrassed about shopping for their wives or girlfriends. However, at some point all men must go off in order to get that special surprise gift for their lovely lady. These two men are no exception. Mark and John looked to each other for support on this endeavor and went to downtown Geneva for a quick trip. They knew their wives liked a few of shops in that area, but weren’t too sure which ones.
“This place looks familiar” said Mark to John as he peered into the shop window.
“Well if you think so. Let’s get this one over with!” replied John.
Both men crept up to the threshold of the business. It was a painful blow to their machismo to have to enter a specifically woman oriented shop. They took a deep breath and entered quickly. All of a sudden their senses were overwhelmed. There were pink things, and lacey things, and animal prints everywhere. Mark turned his face away from the flowered camisoles and gasped for air only to turn his gaze upon a red alligator purse with a gold chain. John started to panic as he saw his buddy losing control. Out of no where there was a shrill, ear piercing sound…
“Hello, can I help you gentlemen find something?” asked the clerk as she came out from behind the register.
The two men ran from the shop in terror. Once they passed through the portal of the shop they felt safe. They grabbed onto the nearest most stable fixture to catch their breath. John stood there unable to say anything as he gasped for air. Mark turned to his friend and began laughing.
“That was fun. Do you wanna go in the Lingerie shop next?”
Laurel Ann on Thursday, April 24, 2008 9:39PM said …
Hey, did you feel that? I think it was an earthquake! We’d better hold up this light pole! We wouldn’t want it to fall on The Meeting Place.
Whoa! Did you feel that aftershock?
Yeah! It felt great! Let’s hold on longer- maybe there will be more!
Sandy on Thursday, April 24, 2008 9:33PM said …
They are waiting for Scottie to beam them up.
Jamie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:52PM said …
Who knew metal poles were so sticky!!!!!!
Billie Needham on Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:46PM said …
sorry guys, don’t mean to offend anyone, but, it looks as if the man in the nice blue shirt has had too much coffee at Caribou and got as far as the meeting place and had to take a L—-!
The man in the maroon shirt has such a handsome smile he is distracting passer-by’s.
Carol on Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:30PM said …
They’ve been taking pole dancing lessons and are practicing outside The Meeting Place.
Dee on Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:40PM said …
Outwit - Outlast - Outplay - Survivor Geneva!
Dee on Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:31PM said …
See Hector and John both feeling confident during the first hour of the final “Immunity Challenge” on this season’s Survivor-Geneva.
Jen on Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:00PM said …
FINALLY! They’ve found the perfect needle for Paul Bunyan’s sweater project!
Laura on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:59PM said …
Mom told us if we stayed right here until she finished shopping for yarn we could have some chocolates from Graham’s.
Karol on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:56PM said …
These are two of Geneva’s finest handymen. They noticed this lamp was a little crooked, so they unscrewed it and shimmed it up and now they’re waiting for their friend to come with a level to make sure it’s perfectly plumb before they screw it back in.
Kelly on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:49PM said …
In a somewhat over-ambitious show of Olympic enthusiasm…Geneva’s attempt at recreating the torch relay…
Stacey on Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:06PM said …
They are holding the pole to win tickets for Hannah Montana? Whoever lets go first loses?
Carla on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:37PM said …
The high price of gas has forced these workers in to WORKING the corner during their lunch breaks!
Sara in WI on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:19PM said …
John and Bob were dragged to the Meeting Place with their wives, who had to find new outfits for the upcoming Geneva Ball. Now John and Bob were known to wander off during outings like this and travel over to fondle yarn and play with Leslie in the back room. Mary and Sue, their wives, have told their husbands that they must keep one hand on the light post at all times while they were shopping for their gowns and have even installed cameras to keep an eye on them. Sorry Leslie. You have to play alone in the back room today….
Barb on Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:18PM said …
“Here we go round the Meeting Place pole, the Meeting Place pole, the Meeting Place pole. Here we go round the Meeting Place pole, so early in the morning.”
Gayle on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:42PM said …
“Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain”
Aimee on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:39PM said …
What an appropriate place to “meet” you sir (By the Meeting Place, of course)!!!
Nancy on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:37PM said …
“Oh my God, don’t look, they’re putting out that new, lucious pink shade of Malibrigo! My wife will kill me if I come home with any more yarn!”
kathy p on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:19PM said …
Does my butt look big by this pole?
Jody on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:16PM said …
Now showing our new men’s spring collection…
Angela on Thursday, April 24, 2008 1:16PM said …
The Lone Ranger and Tonto are sure this is the perfect place to tie up the horses. ” UMM KEMOSABE, tie horse here.”
Lesley on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:48PM said …
So anyway, I went out side for a smoke and I asked this guy if he had a light…………..
Ben Walker on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:46PM said …
cut down ON, excuse the typo.
Ben Walker on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:45PM said …
In an effort to create more jobs and cut down and construction costs, the city of Geneva has now hired migrant workers to hold up streetlights in the downtown area. City officials agree this program has been an overall success. In fact, the rather agreeable personalities of these “lamp-lifters” have been so well received that Geneva businesses report increased sales–likely resultant of an improved downtown shopping environment.
Eileen Cummings on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:38PM said …
I told her if she brought any more yarn in then I could buy another lamp! And of course she bought yarn! We can use some of the yarn to tie it on the car. She will be here soon with the car, just keep holding on!
Cate on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:33PM said …
Superglue joker strikes again!
Jen on Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:26PM said …
They are practicing for the May Day May Pole dance!