April happs

Hi everybody. Hi Doctor Nick.

Tomorrow is another day, and another month. Here’s our events so far for April, we also have a number of crafty things are under development.

Saturday, April 12th (at 5pm) a concert by Call and Response
(the duet of poet Dottie Grossman and trombonist Michael Vlatkovich – not to be missed!)

---

We have Knitting Circles, Wednesday nights April 2, and April 16.
and all weekend. Crochet, too. Tuesdays at noon has been
interesting as well.

---

Spinning Workshop
Learn to make your own yarn on the drop spindle.
Spindle and roving available ($22)
Wednesday April 23 at 7:00 Price tba

---

Yarn: Start to Finish
If you’ve always wanted to know about wool and yarn and how it all comes together, here’s your chance.
On Friday, April 18, we will meet, you will get a gallon ziplock stuffed full of raw wool. We will discuss how to wash, dry, and card this wool and make it into roving using wire dog brushes.
Wednesday, April 23, we will meet with Annie Stone and learn how to spin pre-made roving into yarn.
We will meet once again on Friday April 25, and see what we’ve done, and look at dying our spun wool with Kool-Aid.
The class will be $75
To review,
You’ll get in 3 sessions…..
raw unwashed wool, (you are welcome to bring your own)
a drop spindle, prepared roving, and the spinning class,
hand-outs with the information,
and some Kool-Aid colors.

April 18, 23, 25 at 7:00pm $75

Please us at that.yarnstore@gmail.com if you’d like to take part, and also if you need me to get the dog brushes for you. ($20 for the pair of wire brushes)

---

Beginning Sewing, Part 2: pattern reading*
bring a simple pattern and your own materials and supplies.
~~Thursday, April 3, at 7pm~~ $30

---

How to sew skirts and pants that fit!
Students must bring in a very simple pattern
and their own fabric, thread and tools.
Thursday, April 10 at 7pm $30

Please note that we have limited space and limited
sewing machines available for these classes.
When registering, please tell us if you will
need to borrow one of our sewing machines.
And please sign up early.

---

As always,
Sock group Saturday at 3:00, free (newbies to experts).
If you don’t knit socks yet, we have a Sock Class at 1:00 on Saturdays, $30

---

Happy Hour Knit
Friday, April 25th
$10 donation.
Bring your projects (I would not recommend lace, unless you like frogging).

---

Currently being scheduled:
If you’ve admired David B Adams, and the needles and
crochet hooks he makes, we are going to showcase him and his work soon on a Saturday in April. This will be in our next
newsletter, or if you must know the date before that, you can check out our website.
Or subscribe to our “extra” newsletter.

New dates for Beginning Sewing classes.

We’re also working on a couple of booksignings, though those may end up being in May (scary!).

Music Night on April 12 - Call And Response

On Saturday, April 12th, from 5-7pm, Dottie Grossman and Michael Vlatkovich, also known as “Call And Response” will be performing at That Yarn Store (5028 Eagle Rock Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA; one block south of Colorado Blvd).

The concert is free, although donations are accepted.

Critically acclaimed, the duo has performed across the US, and routinely opens the Potter Valley Jazz Festival. Though music and poetry may have beatnik associations for some, rest assured that this is no bongos and beret affair. Grossman’s poetry covers a wide range of emotional territory, and Vlatkovich is always right there with her, whether to reinforce the sentiment of the poem, or completely turn it on its head. It is not uncommon to be close to tears at the end of a poem, and rolling with laughter during the response.

The magazine, “JAZZIZ” has called Vlatkovich, ”…one of the most extraordinary improvising trombonists in this country as well as overseas. Also a gifted composer and arranger, Vlatkovich is one of the leading talents among Los Angeles improvisational players. Working from the Left Coast since 1973, he is well known for tireless touring, bringing his music all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. A daring and emotionally charged performer, Vlatkovich takes delight in blending a broad variety of jazz and world music styles into his own brand of engaging and unpredictable music. His approach manages to express a raw power and beauty within a minimally structured format that allows extensive group improvisations to lead the way.” The CD, “Call And Response” (on the pfMentum label) represents Grossman and Vlatkovich in live performance mode.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.

I had a nice day. Jessamy was in a baking mood and made bread. I spent a good portion of the day trying to figure out how to record music on Max/MSP, a very complicated music program that I used in college in a computer music class. I didn't figure it out, but I think I'm close, so I'll try again tomorrow.

At one point during the day the sun came out, so Jessamy and I decided to go for a walk. As I was putting on my shoes Jessamy looked outside and said "There's white snowy things outside." And sure enough, there were the occasional white dots floating in the air, within 30 seconds it started hailing, and within 1 minute it was snowing. Not a "snowed in" kind of snowing, but it was snow and the flurry lasted about ten minutes. In half an hour it had all melted and Jessamy and I were able to go on a walk, but it was a short one because I had no hat and my ears started to hurt from the cold.

New Squidoo page

Hi, I put a That Yarn Store Squidoo page up online. There's several things you can vote on, and a place to write down ideas for classes.

And, if you were planning on buying something on cafepress (I've been thinking of putting That Yarn Store stuff on there for a while, someday ...) or Amazon, there are links to those pages on the bottom. Hint hint.

Hi There

I realize I haven't posted very much news from over here. That's because there hasn't really been any.

The weather is mild, the really bad storm all the weather forecasters were, well, forecasting, just turned out to be a really windy night over here (though other parts of the country weren't so lucky).

I've done a few random Squidoo pages, links are on the right side of the screen. I'm thinking of making a That Yarn Store one.

Jessamy entered an essay contest and won a gift certificate to see any play we want at Live Theatre. Right now there's a Billy Eliot type play by the person who wrote Billy Elliot (what a coincidence). We can also use the gift certificate for the theatre's restaurant, which I was really happy to hear as we haven't eaten out in a month and I'm getting sick of my poor (in both ways) cooking skills.

Spinning class tonight

Spin Your Own Designer Yarn
March 14, 7 pm, $30



Spinning your own yarn can give you even more control over your finished knit or crochet project. You can learn to directly control the thickness of the finished yarn. By the end of his first lesson, Noah was able to spin a thick-n-thin yarn that has been mistaken for Rowan yarn (I'm serious!). Once you learn how to spin, try some kool aid dying at home, or create novelty yarn. The possibilities are endless.
Spindles available for purchase at the shop.

Last day for Knit for the Cure

Tomorrow is the last day to drop off at That Yarn Store your pink projects for Knit for the Cure. Fly fingers, fly!

Please include the following with your donation:

Name _________________________
Phone ________________
E-mail_________________________
Please describe knitted donation
____________________________________________________
Special Care Instructions _______________________________
I am unable to contribute a knitted donation. Please accept my
donation of $______________.

New class - Yarn: Start to Finish - is starting today

Yarn: Start to Finish

On March 7 we will meet, you will get a gallon ziplock stuffedfull of raw wool. We will discuss how to wash, dry, and cardthis wool and make it into roving using wire dog brushes.

March 14, we will meet with Annie Stone and learn how to spinpre-made roving into yarn.We will meet once again on

March 21, and see what we’ve done, and lookat dying our spun wool, with Kool-Aid. The class will be $70

To review,
You’ll get in 3 sessions, raw unwashed wool, (you are welcome to bring your own)a drop spindle, prepared roving, and the spinning class,hand-outs with the information,and some Kool-Aid colors.

March 7. 14. and 21 at 7:00
$70

Please call us at (323) 256-9276 if you’d like to take part, and also if you need me to get the dog brushes for you. ($22 for the pair of wire brushes)

Happy Leap Year

Leap year days are so exciting. It's like getting something for nothing.

I can't help thinking about the Pirates of Penzance on leap year days, and although it's an exciting day I'm very glad my birthday doesn't fall on February 29th.

There have been articles in the paper the past few days about companies encouraging their workers to take the day off and do something for the environment. I think it's a great idea.

Story time for kids

Woolbur is a wonderful new book by Leslie Helakoski about a lamb unlike any you've met before. Woolbur marches to a different drummer - he dyes his wool, and spins it into yarn! His parents might have been concerned at first, but don't worry, everything turns out all right in the end!

March 1st
1pm
free

read by Gina Ruiz
All ages are invited!

White Rabbit

ok, so this isn't yarn related, but it is very entertaining.

Gone with the wind

It had been very pleasant in our area for the past week (though I understand it's been snowing not too far away in York), but last night was very windy. And windy nights make me crazy paranoid. At first it was just the sounds that were annoying (something metal, possibly a watering can, blowing about), then I realized that I might not be able to differentiate between the outside noises of the wind, and someone breaking into our apartment.

I'm usually pretty reasonable as far as not being concerned about events which have a very low statistical chance of happening to me. For instance, I'm not afraid to fly, nor am I afraid to wear an underwire bra. But now that I'm not living at home, where there was always a parent closer to the front door, I get a little freaked out sometimes. I also realized, as I was pretending to go to sleep, that should any of the tree in the backyard fall, there's a roughly 25% chance it would fall on the bedroom.

I hope it's not windy tonight.

Though I'm not sure what's more troubling, my paranoia or the fact that I ended up falling asleep quicker than normal.

Can nothing really harm me?

Jessamy checked out a Barbara Streisand CD from the library, when asked why, she responded "she can hit most of the notes really well." In any case, one of the songs on the album is "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd, which I was really shocked to hear, though I would have preferred being shocked by Ms. Streisand singing "A Little Priest".

Speaking of, I just might have to take a trip to Reading, UK, so I can eat some pies at Sweeney and Todd.

No news

I hope you had a nice Valentines day. I ate way too many weird British candy bars.

I wasn't able to finish my earings because I need a medium sized needle (for beads) .

Jessamy did made a hat on a trip to Middlesburgh lately (she went with her classmates and saw an art exhibit).


It's made from some stash yarn, I believe it's two colors of Louet Gems. I think she's going to finish it with a brim ...

That Yarn Store now a donation site for Knit for a Cure

Grab some yarn and your favorite pair of needles or hooks and knit or crochet a scarf, hat, or purse that incorporates the color pink in any way, shape or form. All of the donated items will be sold at Race for the Cure® or distributed to cancer patients. The proceeds will support breast cancer treatment and research. Drop off (at That Yarn Store, or other donation points listed on their website) or mail your donation by Monday, March 10,2008.

Please include the following with your donation:

Name _________________________
Phone ________________
E-mail_________________________
Please describe knitted donation
____________________________________________________
Special Care Instructions _______________________________
I am unable to contribute a knitted donation. Please accept my
donation of $______________.

For more info, log-on to
www.knitforthecure.com

Darby on the radio

My Little Irish Girl from the movie Darby O'Gill and the little people just came on the radio - Sean Connery singing, teehee.

Trip to Peru for knitters.

Hi. Someone I met at a Stitch n Bitch Group is scheduling a trip to Peru, I told her I would pass on the info. Her contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Experience the magic of Peru - May 2008

A magical 10 day visit to the beautiful country of Peru where you will experience the country's many fascinating sites highlighted by knitting at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - Machu Picchu

WEAVERS, KNITTERS, SPINNERS AND TEXTILES LOVERS - YOU WILL LOVE THIS TRIP!!!!!!

In the Andes of Peru, knitting and weaving are an important part of the Inca life where every village has it own weaving pattern, knitting technique and traditions.

In May 2008 I will be leading a fabulous trip to Peru in which you'll be able to relax,enjoy and knit while enjoying the natural beauty of Peru.

The adventure begins with a visit to Lima and a Tour of the "City of the Kings". We will visit the historic Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, City Hall, The Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. We will also visit Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion, enjoy the magnificent view of thePacific Ocean and its beaches, take a stroll through a typical Peruvian Market and be shown how to make the peruvian dish "Ceviche"

We will then travel to Cusco where you will experience a private weaving demostrations by weavers from villages associated with The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco . You will learn various knitting and weaving techniques and a weaving kit will be included. This is a 3 day workshop where you will meet Nilda Callanaupa Nilda who is an expert weaver who has traveled to the United States and elsewhere on a number of occasions to teach and give presentations at Harvard, Cornell, the University of Vermont, The Textile Museum in Washington DC, UCLA and other institutions. Nilda will be with us for one day . She just had her new book released by Interweave Press here in the U.S. which is titled Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands and you'll be getting a signed copy of this book.

Inluded is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a tour of the great Inca ruins of Macchu Picchu where you can bring a project to sit, knit or spin. If there are any hikers in the group you are welcome to climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu which is the large mountain behind Machu Picchu and takes about 2 hours.

Also included is a day trip to Accha Alta/Pitumarca which is a very traditional community where they weave using warp supplementary techniques and create very unique designs in from natural dyed colors and natural fibers.

During the trip you will also have many oppurtunities to shop for textiles and yarn.

If you are interested it in this trip please call me or write and I'll send you specific details about this trip. Don't wait - and make your reservations with a $300 deposit no later than January 15, 2008.

*CALL FOR OTHER AVAILABLE GROUP DATES*

Trip Group Coordinator

Edita (909) 263-4647

or write at pedazo_de_arte@msn.com or editabroderick@hotmail.com

new project

I don't have ear peircings, so I'm not sure why I'm making them other than last year Becca from Sugarbutterbex had emailed me a link to pictures of crocheted earings. I had intended to make some as examples of what one can do with cotton thread, but I'm not sure what I'll do with them now. I think I might put something felted in the middle, or maybe just strings of fiber?
Here's the picture of the sweater with the collar still unfinished.
The sweater has decided to be a rebel, so it's crocheting a hat.

Byte diet

I expected to get the finishing touches of the sweater done weeks ago, but at least now I know why it took me so long to finish it.

It’s embarrassing, but I’ve learned that I’m an internet addict. I have a 3GB (for 30 days) internet package, and at the moment we are at 2700MB, and 10 more days to go. Oops. It’s been really difficult, but we’ve (Jessamy and I) have been on an internet diet for the last week and a half once we realized we used over two thirds of our allotment in ten days. It’s crazy how not being able to do a google search for, say, “Suffragette City feminist dissertation” has given me so much more time to do knit, read, and job search.

On a similar note, because of the bandwidth problem I won't be able to put the picture of the sweater up online. I'll be able to post though.

Mine, all mine

I finished my sister's sweater, all but the collar and a few ends. And then I had Jessamy try it on. It looked horrible on her, and her build is more like my sister's than mine. It actually doesn't look scary on me, so I'm going to keep it, oversized sweaters are in right now, right? Maybe I should put in bat sleeves and wear it with leg warmers too. Actually, I have a few ideas. Haven't broken the news to my sister though. I'll have a picture of it in the next post.

A few hours prior to the near completion I had misplaced the last of my tapestry needle. I’ve gone through two needles since coming back to England three weeks ago, that tapestry needle was going to be my third. I looked everywhere, under the couches, in the sink. I was almost desperate enough to look in the fridge when I found it in my slipper.