MILLICENT’S NEWS

JULY 2005

 

(Look for a free pattern at the end of this newsletter!)

 

July Book and Pattern Sale !

Have you pined for a book that you just can’t fit into the budget?  Are you lusting after a pattern, but don’t want to buy the whole book just for that single pattern???  Have you been struck dumb by the cost of some of the patterns from the classy yarn companies?  Well, now is the time to indulge yourself!! 

 

All patterns and books published before 2005 are on sale at Millicent’s Knits & Yarns

between Tuesday, July 5 and Saturday, July 16. 

 

That’s two glorious weeks to gather all the patterns you will need for your fall and winter knitting – remember, the sale is from Tuesday, July 5 through Saturday, July 16.

 

Start Knitting NOW!

A holiday show is planned for Nov. 25 through Jan. 3.  Entitled “Small Wonders: Artistic Treasures for Holiday Giving,”  the show will include all artwork (and this includes knitted and crocheted, and yes Carolyn, tatted items) that are smaller than a breadbox and not to exceed $100 in cost to the buyer (this includes the commission to the gallery).  The opening will coincide with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Cumberland.  Work can be submitted to 60  N. Centre Gallery or Millicent’s Knits & Yarns between Nov. 7 and 16.  Pick up of unsold items begin Jan. 6.  Anything goes in this artshow, as long as it is of high quality and a small wonder!

 

Mel’s trip to the TNNA Convention in Columbus –

News for Fall Knitting

The National Needlework Association’s convention was held in Columbus in mid June, and as many of you know (especially those of you who came to the shop and found me gone) I was there for five days.  It was glorious!  I was able to find some exciting yarns to introduce to Millicent’s as well as take classes in beading, embellishment, and more to keep the creative beat going. 

 

Some new items:  ribbon yarns from Cherry Tree Hill Yarns of Vermont, as well as some of their hand-dyed DK weight and lace-weight yarns.  For those of you looking for Koigu yarns (which aren’t available for a year after an order is placed L), the DK Cherry Tree Hill yarn is a good substitute.  Also new:  a heavy worsted cotton chenille from Crystal Palace and a worsted rayon chenille, hand-dyed, from Rainbow Mills (a new company for us).  And Blue Heron now has 52 (yes, 52!) colors in their bulky chenille and all 52 are coming to us! 

 

We also are bringing in small needlework kits (some are practical and some are just plain funny).  This account also allows me to order larger needlework project upon request – so come look at the brochures.  These kits include yarns and hand-painted canvases.

 

Beading is big, and we are bringing in a nice selection of beads for knitting purposes.  I try hard to remember that we are not a bead shop and therefore can’t have them all, no matter how beautiful they are!

 

And of course, I’ve stocked up on new patterns and many colors of the yarns we love.

All of our fall stock will arrive between August and October.

 

The Quilt Show

The Schoolhouse Quilters 26th Annual Quilt Show was, as in the past, absolutely stunning.  The artistry, the color, the tenacity that is show in every quilt just takes my breath away.  Millicent’s was there as one of twenty or more vendors (my downfall was the fudge vendor – really good fudge!).  We saw many old friends and made acquaintance with many new folk, some of whom are really wanting to learn to knit.  So we welcome them into our fold!!  Unfortunately, there will be no Quilt Show next year – the ladies have worked very hard for a many years to give us a professional show and they are tired, understandably.  We hope for a Quilt Show in future years – maybe a Biannual, or one every five years (what does one call that? A Septannual???)  

 

Fall Workshop – Ribbon Embroidery

Karen Phillips Shwallon from The Quilted Heart and I had a glorious time sharing her artform and Millicent’s yarns at the Quilt Show, and she has agreed to come to Cumberland in October or November to offer a workshop on embroidering with ribbons and yarns.  Karen’s strongpoint is her “basket images” (for lack of a better word) -- everything is embroidered in flat 2-D effect or in shallow 3D effect.  Pretty as a picture and beautiful enough to frame, Karen’s baskets are a delight to behold.  She is now designing a “Millicent’s Basket” using yarns and ribbons from Millicent’s which she will use as part of her workshop for us.  Eight people have already signed up for this workshop!  More details later . . . .

 

Knitting with Eyelash Yarns

Any eyelash yarn has a tendency to tangle.  If you work from the outside of the ball, yo will be happier.  If you try to pull the yarn from the center, the whole center tends to come out.  Keep the ball of eyelash yarn in a small zip-lock bag.  Leave a small section unzipped for the strand to go through as you work.  If your eyelash yarn does get tangled, try to work it out, but don’t spend too much time arguing with it.  Just cut it and start with a new end so you can continue with your project.  The ends are very easy to weave in later.

 

Working from the outside of the ball, the eyelashes are in a better position as you knit.  As the yarn is worked, the eyelash is pushed up.  If you work the yarn from the other direction, the eyelash tends to get flattened down along the strand and doesn’t fluff.

(thanks to KPs for this info)

 

July classes will begin after July 6 and later. Please see our class listing for details.

 

Happy Knitting from Mel and Dick

 

Keep scrolling for the new pattern!

 

Scroll some more!

 

Next page . . .

Potato Chip Scarf  - approximately 58” long

This is a summer scarf with ruffles that is easy, fun, and unusual.  Below are two versions.

Single Ruffle Scarf

Materials:

100 grams or approx 220 yards of a sport weight yarn (choose something with a texture or a tweed pattern to it, like Flash or Brilla or Mikado Ribbon)

#8 circular needle, 32# length

 

Basic Instructions

CO 90 sts

Row 1:  Knit

Row 2:  Knit into front and back of every stitch

Row 3:  Knit

Row 4:  Knit into front and back of every stitch

Row 5:  Knit

Row 6:  Knit into front and back of every stitch

Row 7:  Knit

Bind off LOOSELY.

Double Ruffle Version:

Materials:

220 yard of one sport weight yarn

110 yards each of two coordinating sport weight yarns

1 pair size 8-32” length circular needles

 

Instructions:

Use a provisional cast on and knit one side following the Single Ruffle instructions with the 220 yards of the one color of yarn.  Pick up the cast on stitches and knit haof of the other half with the first coordinating color and the second half with the other color.  You’ll have three long stripes (one wider stripe and two narrow stripes)) all a-ruffle!

 

  

 

 

HAPPY KNITTING

FROM

DICK AND MEL

AT

        MILLICENT’S KNITS & YARNS

 

 

 

  

back to top

Great Yarns • Personal Service • Mountain Air

about us | contact | products | classes | virtual tour | gallery
special events | gift certificates


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