BSJ

What's a BSJ (Baby Surprise Jacket)? Those of you who are familiar with the amazing designs and inspiration of Elizabeth Zimmermann will already know about this ingenious pattern.

Elizabeth Zimmermann published this design in 1968, she created it one weekend! This jacket is made in one piece starting at the shoulders and sleeve edges and ending at the front band and bottom.

Those of you on Ravelry will know that there are 7015 projects posted on the site.

If you would like to take a class about this design, my friend Susan is willing to teach 4 - 6 of you on Thursdays starting mid April. (Thursdays 2 - 4 April 16, 23, 30, May 7th Cost $50.00 plus GST and yarn purchased at the shop.)

Contact the shop to reserve your chair! (If you would like to take a class and Thursday's don't fit your schedule, we will offer it again let us know your preferred date and time.)

Classes are a new thing, but I guess so is the store there is so much that we could do!

Check out these web sites for more inspiration http://www.ravelry.com/ and http://www.schoolhousepress.com/.

Susan's BSJ was one of the entries in the yarn challenge. It is worth coming in an taking a look at the way she was able to incorporate all the colours into the design.

What's the last thing you would think a Yarn Shop owner would like as a gift? More Yarn? Nope, there is always room for more yarn! A friend did some yarn shopping on a trip and brought back a beautiful skein of hand dyed merino wool...something to knit for me! Thanks Gwen!

I know it's Monday...

and I am not supposed to be in the store, laundry will have to wait. I wanted to dismantle the window, and get the entries safetly stashed so that there creators can come and claim them. I took a few moment to take some photos;

I have to admit the window wasn't one of my best creations. It did get lots of attention.

We have the winning entries: Katherine's Teapot Cosy, Laurie's 'Hooville' Hat, Angela's Felted Flowers and Nancy's 'Boo'

Thank-you to everyone who took part in the challenge. I am thinking about next year's contest.

We used Shepherd 100% Classic Wool. Everyone was surprised that the wool was not only colourful and soft, but it worked up beautifully and made them rethink the 'but wool is itchy' theory.

It will take me all year to come up with the next one!

And the winners are!

Just tallied the ballots, checked and rechecked my statistics and the grand prize goes to.....

Katherine and her Tea Cosy entry. Secondary prizes are awarded to: Angela's wonderful felted flowers, Laurie's "Hooville Hat", and Nancy's Felted Doll.



I was and still am completely 'blown away' by the creativity of all these artists. Pictures will follow as soon as I can wrangle camera from my AZ driver son.

You have to see this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2FX9rviEhw

You have to come and vote!

I am just working on the window display for the 'Yarn Competition' it looks amazing, the entries are all wonderful. I haven't yet wrangled the camera from my Son. Pictures later this week.

Speaking of Son, my little boy:

can legally drive a tractor trailer! (First try at the test, won't be 19 until April.) Where did the time go?

It's not too late!

First of all I can't believe it's been over a week since my last post.

There isn't much new to say other than the entries for the yarn competition were due back yesterday, but I know its March break and stuff happens, so if you are still working on your entry you can bring them to the store on Tuesday..it just needs to be there by 5.

The 20 entries that I have received are amazing. Everyone did a great job and they all are completely different.

Drop by the shop and vote for your favorite. If you vote there's a little surprise for the first 30 ballots. (Its very small...don't get too excited, but a treat anyway.)

Saturday the ballots are tallied and the winners announced!

When I get a chance I will post some photos on the blog! (Have to beg, borrow or steal son's camera first...he seems to think he needs it more than me!)

Hurray for me...I finished something this week, check out the Noro Shawl when you come.

When I logged on this morning my security software did not like 'blogger' so I eliminated all the extras, so those who 'follow' my blog don't feel slighted..I am just trying to keep those nasty virus things out of the system. Software doesn't warn me anymore...I feel better now.

Spring Forward!

I was speaking with someone the other day and he reminded me that tonight we lose an hour, spring forward, I thought: "I don't have any hours to lose right now, things are rather chaotic." (Just like everyone else really)

It is looking more like Spring every day, the pure white snow on the fields has gone leaving a muddy coat in its place. Boots are still a required footwear as everything is now covered in a slick coat of muck. We a sure to get another wintry blast, but these warm days make us all hopeful for the sunny summer skies.

Summer cotton yarns are arriving, time to knit those summery things!


Just a reminder that the Challenge entries are due back March 14th, I have had a few arrive, the voting will be quite a challenge as well. You are such a creative bunch!