Millicent’s News

March 2008

 

Millicent’s Yarns & More

27 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502

 Shop Hours: Tues - Sat 10 - 5, Wed 10 - 8 and
Sunday 1 - 4 (closed last Sunday of every month)

301-722-8100 or www.millicentsyarns.com

 

 

Greening of Millicent’s

We would like to reduce the number of plastic bags we consume at Millicent’s.  Please try to bring a bag (preferably a knitted bag) for your purchases.  We and the earth at large will appreciate it.   We would also like to introduce more earth-friendly yarns.  Any suggestions? 

 

Speaking of Bags:  Entralac Bag Class Reunion

We’re gathering one more time at 1:00, this Sunday, February 17, to see finished bags, or at least, almost finished bags.  You know who you are:  join us if you can.

 

Winter/SpringThemes: Color and Socks conclude in March

FAIR ISLE OR STRANDED COLOR WORK:  This method has the knitter carrying two colors of yarn, one in the right hand and one in the left hand.  The color not being knitted is stranded behind the worked yarn until it is in use again.  This requires some getting used to, and there are a number of tricks to learn.  Tension is the key, as is the choice of colors.  Stranded Color Work is used on traditional Norwegian, Icelandic and Fair Isle sweaters, Christmas stocking patterns, bag patterns, etc. We are offering a class on this method starting March 4.

 

TWO SOCKS ON TWO CIRCULAR NEEDLES:  This is the method for those of us who regret that we have more than one foot.  The first sock is always a challenge and a joy as we watch the yarn self-stripe or the lace pattern begin to unfold.  But the darned second sock . . . .  We will be offering a class on this method beginning March 12.

 

Looking Forward to April and May Classes

If you haven’t already heard, Mel’s daughter Anna has met the man of her dreams.  I’m very happy for her, although there is one small glitch in this:  he lives in Australia.  Anna moved there on February 10, and the wedding is planned for early May.  In order to get over some serious jet-lag before the wedding, Dick and I will be leaving in April 18.  We will return the first week in May, when we will once again need to get over some more serious jet-lag.  So April knitting classes will be at a minimum.

EARLY APRIL: Knitting a Basic T, Fix It for knitters

 

HOWEVER: When Mel’s away, the Crocheters will play!!

You can look forward to introduction to crochet classes, crochet for knitters, and special projects in April and May.  Carolyn Groves, our crochet teacher, is positively gleeful about taking over the shop and is gathering workshop and class ideas.  You’ll read all the details in the April newsletter (coming to you in early March).

 

And in June: Dye Your Own Sock Yarn Workshop

Maureen Pritchard has hosted several very successful dying workshops for Millicent’s customers in the past.  On Sunday, June 22, she will offer a dying workshop geared specifically at creating beautiful sock yarns.  Maureen is a skilled fiber artist:  she and her husband live on a sheep farm outside of Romney where they also raise and train sheep dogs.  Maureen dyes and spins her own yarns, and is a popular vendor at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Show and other fiber shows under the name of The Barefoot Spinner.  Maureen is offering a spinning workshop at Millicent’s in early March.  Her dying workshop takes place, however, at her studio in Romney.  She has proven herself to be a gracious hostess and a very good teacher.  Please call to put your name on the list of interested participants ASAP.

 

Our Valentine Tea Set Project

The knitted tea set is in the front window along with some of Judith Robertson’s hand crafted porcelain dolls.  It is really darling and includes knitted teacups, saucers and spoons (!), creamer and sugar bowl complete with knitted sugar cubes, knitted cupcakes and many crocheted lids and icing cupcake-tops, and a knitted teapot, although there are also some knitted teabags thrown in as well.  I want to thank Kristen Strom, Carolyn Groves, Judith Robertson, and Emily Gallagher for their enthusiasm and time on this project.

 

Sock of the Month Club Meeting Schedule

March:  Sunday, Mar 2 and/or Wednesday, Mar 5 – 2 Socks on 2 Circs Month

April:  Wednesday, Apr 2 and/or Sunday, Apr 6 – Lace Sock Month

May:  No Sock of the Month Club in May – I’ll still be in Australia

 

Knitter’s Anonymous Meetings (aka Knit-Ins) every Wednesday and Friday, 12 -2.

Knitting for Kids and Teens  Kids Knit meets Tues after school, Teens on Thurs                                                                                                                       

 

Everything You Need to Know About Wool

Wool is the fleece (hair) of a sheep.

Wool comes in natural colors: grey, brown, white

Wool accepts dye well.

Wool contains lanolin, a natural oil that is water repellent.

Wool is breathable. 

Wool is water and soil resistant.

Wool is a great insulator, giving lots of warmth for its weight.

Wool is naturally flame retardant.

Wool is resilient.

Wool is a renewable resource.

 

Cascade 220

Cascade 220 is one of our best selling wools.  Why is it so great?

Cascade 220 comes in 230 colors—Millicent’s carries 148 of them.

Cascade 220 was voted “America’s best sweater yarn” by Mason-Dixon blog readers.  Check out         their fabulous free “Perfect Sweater” pattern at www.masondixonknitting.com.

Cascade 220 uses Peruvian Highland wool which is a cross of Peruvian and Merino sheep.

Cascade 220 is sold in England, Germany, Denmark, Greenland, Australia, Canada and the USA.

Cascade 220 felts – in fact it is the best felting yarn on the market.

 

Teddy Bear Sweaters

Thanks to all of you who contributed your times to make over 2 dozen bear sweaters!  Our bear folk were delighted!  Anyone who would like to continue knitting or crocheting bears sweaters may bring them to Millicent’s.  I’ll collect them and pass them on to the right source for distribution.

 

Can Knitters Lose Weight Together?

The Western Maryland Health Centre is sponsoring a weight-loss competition.  Teams of five people with a name (you know, like Knitters Anonymous), and a captain (not me, but I’ll be on the team) compete for weight loss and total activity hours and a grand prize of $1000!  We would have to weigh in between February 18 and 29 and again at the end of March, April and May.  Anyhow, I am game and am looking for four more knitters – crocheters are also welcome, of course.  (As of Thursday evening, we need 3 more knitters/crocheters – thanks, Mary, for joining in!)

 

And on a personal note:

Yes, I’m very happy for my daughter that she is marrying.  And yes, I ache that she is moving to the other side of the planet.  But as my mother said this week (my mother is still with us, will be 94 next month, and is sometimes surprisingly cognizant) “My sadness was mitigated by knowing you were so happy.” She was talking about my marrying an Englishman at the age of 22 and moving to Europe with him. Let me tell you, that blew me away – (No, not the marrying the  Englishman – but, well, it was a curious ride) and not so much what she said, because those have been her typical sentiments, but that she said it at all and in those exact words! 

So, we’ll be gone for three weeks from Mid-April to early May to attend Anna and Jake’s wedding.  And for more good news:  Dick’s daughter Kate is gracing us with another grandson the third week in May and we’re going to go off to Richmond VA. to help out with first grandson (almost 2 years old) and coo at the new one.  But not to fear, I will be back after all this gallivanting around the world. And the shop will remain open during my absence. Bless you, Emily, Judith and Tracy!!  

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Millicent's Knits and Yarns • 49 North Centre Street • Cumberland, Maryland 21502
phone 301-722-8100 • mel@millicentsyarns.com