It's Spinning and Weaving Week!

Did you know that this week, October 4 - 11, is actually celebrated as Spinning and Weaving Week?
The crafts of spinning and weaving are as ancient as our history; they are the ties that bind us to our ancestors and to each other. Our crafts don't know any national boundaries. They are a part of the heritage of our world. With this in mind, the celebration known as 'Spinning and Weaving Week' has been broadened to reflect the truly international traditions of our crafts. May all weavers and spinners around the world join together in celebration of our common heritage!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

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Sandi Luck ~ co-owner of Purlescence Yarns

Well, Friday Sept. 19 was International Talk Like A Pirate Day... I had no idea! Why had I never heard of this event before? ;)
Anyways, my LYS (local yarn shop) celebrated in style. Every year they celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day there at the shop. So, Purlescence Yarns stayed open until 11:00pm since it fell on their Late Night Knits this time. They watched pirate movies all day long and into the night, and encouraged their friends and customers to wear costumes. I received an e-mail from them that read "Grab your eye patch and join us! Costumes encouraged!" Needless to say, I wasn't in costume! I didn't really have anything pirate-ish to wear on such short notice! lol

Sarah working on a project from the new Mason-Dixon Knitting book

All in all it was a nice time though. And I even made a new friend, Sarah, who gave me lots of knitting tips and recommended a couple of good knitting books to me, including the Mason-Dixon Knitting books. They have some pretty cool patterns in there that I would love to try out, once I get a little more experienced!

Saxony Reeves Spinning Wheel

I also couldn't resist snapping a photo of this Saxony Reeves Spinning Wheel that was on display near the front window, which had a price tag of $1,600.00 on it. (as well as a sign that read "Do Not Touch") I wonder why?
Well, I was going to add some more photos, but for some reason I'm experiencing some technical problems with the upload. So I'll save the rest for my next post!

Knitting Help is Here!

I spent Friday night at Purlescence Yarns for their Late Night Knits monthly get together. And it was there that I learned of this fabulous site! It's called KnittingHelp.com!
Now you can learn to knit by watching FREE knitting videos! So for all of you crocheters out there that have been afraid of the needles, go out and get yourself a pair and then learn a new skill the easy way: by watching! Start by learning the knitting basics such as Long Tail cast-on and the knit and purl stitches. Those three techniques make up the vast majority of any knitting project, so pat yourself on the back. You can do it!!! And these videos are so wonderful! It's like having your own private tutor!
From there you'll probably want to learn a couple of increases and decreases, and check out their knitting tips page. When you're ready for even more excitement, delve into some advanced knitting techniques. If you get stuck along the way or just want to chat with other knitters, drop by their friendly online knitting forum. If you haven't looked into knitting yet, you don't know what you're missing! It's definitely worth giving it a shot!

Scarves from the Heart

TIME FOR ANOTHER KNIT/CROCHET ALONG!!!

DO JOIN IN...HERE'S THE SCOOP.

I just found out about a wonderful organization that is helping cancer patients feel our love! It is called "Scarves from the Heart". Visit Shelly, the founder, and learn about how cancer has touched her life and her courageous efforts. This wonderful organization delivers your knit or crochet stylin' scarf to cancer patients in need of comfort and love. Keep'em soft, warm and colorful. Color plays a major role in elevating a person's mood. Scarves for both men and women are needed. Definitely keep this wonderful organization in your mind and close to your heart this month - check your stash - check sales at your LYS (local yarn store) - and visit the site for more info.

I myself plan on knitting up a comfy cozy men's scarf as they are always in need of more scarves for men. Let me know if you plan on joining in. I'd love to post photos here on my blog of your finished scarves!

***Thanks goes to Margaret Nock (author of "Knit 1 for the Road") for sharing the info about this wonderful organization on her MySpace blog!

Hope you all had a Happy 4th of July!

But let us not forget why we can celebrate this day!

What inspires you to knit and/or crochet?

Do you ever get stuck while you're knitting? Or perhaps you have wondered how designers come up with so many unique and wonderful ideas for their knitting? Michele Rose Orne, a long-time knitwear designer, takes us on a journey through creativity, inspiration, and the birth and development of design from idea to garment in her new book, "Inspired to Knit". Follow the link below to read an excerpt and/or to order the book!



Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits


You can also Join the Inspired to Knit KnitAlong and Mood Board Project!
(join a creative bunch of folks working on a Mood Board Project inspired by Michele's book)

We want to know what inspires your knitting! Leave a comment here and share your inspiration with all of us!

Please take 30 seconds to get involved...

If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Infact, a dear friend of mine back home had to have a double mastectomy just last year. Although hard to believe, insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for at least 2 days after surgery. Please take the time to make a difference! Please copy this to your blogs and/or send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're still reading this, I hope you'll take 30 seconds to vote on this issue and pass it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through' Mastectomy where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached. Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show support. Last year over half the House signed on. Please Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, state, and zip code. http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php

PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of ALL women, THANK-YOU!