Soper Creek Yarn

Finished!

2012-01-30T10:17:00.002-05:00

It's Finished! (Except for a few ends to tie in1)

In the previous post I wrote about working on this blanket and my determination to finish it while watching "Downton Abbey". All week I looked at the colours and asked any and all who would listen about my dilemma. I wanted to add a very wide brown border to the outside, like a giant wool frame. The problem was that 2 of the outside colours were very close in colour to the outside shade that it meant adding another round of colours to the outside making sure that they contrasted well with the border.

The biggest problem is that the Yarn shop owner sold all the good colours to make Helmet liners for our soldiers and is not replacing that brand of yarn. Then on Saturday I found another ball of the very centre colour, which was not used anywhere else in the blanket. The plan was to make a thin red border around the whole blanket and then add the big brown frame.

I added the thin red frame yesterday and today I finished the final cast off. I decided that it doesn't need the big border after all and declare it to be done!

Its lovely and squishy and hides the orange couch quite well.

Problem is Downton Abbey continues for another few weeks! What will I work on?

See you Soon!

Finished Objects!

2012-01-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

Gwen's 198 yards of Heaven, Features Diamond Luxury Collection Mullberry and Merino, yummy!

What do you do when there are twins coming? Knit 4 Baby Surprise Jackets and wait! (Liberty Wool from Classic Elite.)

Done! 2 at a time socks finished using Regia's Scarf to Socks yarn. Hard to explain, easy to knit!

I am calling this my Downton Abbey knitting. Garter stitch Log cabin, I have been working on this for 3 years now, maybe by the time the series ends I will be close to being done!

Need a gift for a favourite knitter. Knit Happy Mugs. Cute!

The shop is busy, yarn comes in and goes out.

Next month is looking to be filled with some fun things, Anniversary Celebration, Yarn Challenge...I will keep you posted!

See you Soon!

Catching Up!

2012-01-17T19:39:00.001-05:00

Wow!

Where has the time gone, it's the middle of January and I am feeling very behind. Orders come and go and finding time to take inventory has been almost impossible. Even when I stay a little late or come into the shop during closing hours I sometimes get caught inside and look after customers!

The blog has been very ignored. (I find it funny that the spell check on the blog, doesn't recognize the word 'blog' as a proper word!)

This scarf is one created by Helen, she choose 2 different colours of the lovely Katia Inca and created a chunky version of the "noro scarf". I would tell you to come in to see the sample, but it has left the shop and is keeping someone very warm.

Keeping up with the ruffle yarn has been a challenge and updates about anything we have been able to find is on our Facebook page. (Join us!)

We spent the day on Monday driving around the big city and getting a car load full of supplies.

This week is Knitt'n Night....6 pm - 8pm Wednesday.

See you Soon.

Christmas with The Boy:

2012-01-08T17:52:00.000-05:00

The Boy was home for a few weeks over the Christmas Holidays. He took time to work, help his dad and improve his 'forge'. He isn't a typical 21 year old.

When we opened the shop 3 years ago, he commented that it was a 'glorified string' store. He could put Ikea bookcases together in minutes, but other than that his interest in the shop was at best minimal. One Christmas we had a 'trunk show' come into the shop and he admired a brown sweater that was in the collection.

"You could knit me a brown sweater! he asked, more than once. Knitting a sweater for someone his size required more time than I could find, but there was 'Nana'! She called it her labour of love. When he opened his present, his response was something like 'Finally!', then he put the sweater on and wore it for the next 3 days. (Berroco Vintage, pattern is Beagle)

When I came home from Knitt'n Night on Wednesday he was doing this:

The next night he ripped back the original and re knit another bit. (His present to me!)

It's taken 3 years but I think the shop is now more than just a string store, I think we have won him over. But don't ask him to knit anything for you, unless you like the colour gray.

I don't think he will be a knitter, he just wanted to prove that he could. Where did he actually learn to do this? Youtube!

We are in the midst of inventory and planning great things for 2012.

Happy New Year,

See you Soon!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:34:00.000-05:00

Now that we are near the end of 2011 it's time to think about what goals we would like to achieve in 2012.

On the list:

More Lessons, learn new techniques and challenge myself with new projects. (Two at at time toe-up socks!)

I had a few goals for the shop for 2011 and for the most part we managed to achieve them. Thank you for that!

I have just a few hours today to finish counting stock, (we will let the accountant think we did it all today shh!)

Happy and Healthy New Year Everyone.

Holidays!

2011-12-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

Holidays are exhausting, 3 Christmas dinners meant we ate way too much.

The Boy and The Girl are both 'home' but we haven't seen much of them in the past 48 hours. The Boy worked overnight to clean up snow and ice and The Girl travelled to see friends. It's nice that they are home for a bit, I miss their company.

The Farmer has a Birthday just before Christmas and 'we' decided that he/we could use a new chair. Our newest piece of furniture was a love seat purchased about 1994. In order to make use of this new piece we moved almost everything, but the TV, in the room. I was amazed at the number of 'projects' I had stashed around the room. (Lets just say that the largest laundry basket in the house did not hold all of the yarn!)

This week I have shortened the shop hours to spend time with family and to catch up. I finished one cowl and a hat so far. Today I will sort through the basket and put each project into its own bag and put the extra yarn away, (Now that I have written it down, it will happen?)

Today (Thursday) and Tomorrow (Friday) the shop is open 12 pm - 4 pm(ish) and New Years eve we open at 10 am and close at 3 pm(ish).

We are also counting inventory, please disturb us!

It's about the giving!

2011-12-22T18:07:00.001-05:00

This note came to yarn shops around the Country from one of our major suppliers:

Usuallyat this time of year we mail out little presents to all of you to show ourappreciation.

Thisyear we are donating the money to Oxfam.

Soinstead of receiving a pen from us you are giving 20 chickens, 15 goats and 10 donkeys to needy familiesaround the world.

Havea good one!

It adds up to a pretty big donation, when you shopped in an independent yarn shop you contributed to this donation! Thank You.

There are only a couple of days left until your Christmas knitting is done! What's your next project?

See you Soon.

Apparently:

2011-12-19T18:43:00.001-05:00

I have ruined Christmas shopping for my family.

It's easier to purchase a gift for someone when they are passionate about something. When your passion is also your business then that Gift giving option is completely gone. Apparently I am difficult.

But for those of you that don't own a Yarn Shop, gift giving can be easy.

Giving gifts to people who use yarn can be very easy.

There are: Books about their favourite projects, Project Bags, Knitting Bags, Needle sets and Yarn. (Giving us yarn gives us permission to work with something we may never think of purchasing for ourselves.)

You could fill a stocking with: sewing needles, scissors, measuring tapes and stitch markers.

Last but not least there is always the favourite gift the Gift Certificate!

There are 5 days left to finish your shopping. The shop is open a little later on Thursday and Friday evenings to make it easier.

Those of you knitting madly, its close but there is still time to finish! (Then What!)

See You Soon.

It's Beginning!

2011-12-17T08:33:00.003-05:00

There is a week left before, well you know, and there is a little skiff of snow on the ground this morning! Okay I should really think about getting this Christmas stuff organized.

Some of you have wondered about extra hours this week, I would love some! I have chosen to use the "by appointment" option for those that want to shop after hours. I have things to do too! I am in the store almost every hour it is open, being open more leaves me less time for the other stuff. I hope you understand. It's been a hectic year. (This week I learned about all the things you need to do when a cheque gets stolen and you need to recover the funds!)

This week we had a couple of shipments arrive. The new Stargazer from Estelle and
City Lights from Diamond Yarn.

The Ruffle yarn selection has been just about depleted and it is unlikely that we will see any more until after Christmas and New Year's Holiday Celebrations are complete.

You still have time to knit something for a gift and if you are done then there is a good selection of yarn and patterns to keep you busy this holiday season.

A treat for those musically inclined.

2011-12-13T08:23:00.003-05:00

There's not much time!

Planning Christmas hours and they are posted on the sidebar.

I debated about being open a bit later or an extra day, but choose to add the "by appointment" phrase instead. I will be happy to stay open a little later, or meet you at the shop at another time. There is so much to do, I need time to get everything done too!

Thank-you.

See you Soon.

Twelve

2011-12-10T08:18:00.002-05:00

4 x 12 =Four hanks of a new yarn called "Twelve" made this lovely shawl. The Yarn is actually 12 different yarns 'fused' together in random lengths. This easy knit only took a few days to complete.
When we were at the 'One of a Kind' on Sunday we saw a few like this that sold for many times the $60 it costs to make this.

Amazingly soft, come see!

The Stars are Brightly Shining...

2011-12-07T21:54:00.003-05:00

A new yarn from King Cole, Galaxy, with colour names like Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury..they look like shining stars!

If you have to knit a sample and mess up just one ball, make a sweater for a tiny little Girl!

We love it and it is very soft!

Come See!

All I Want..

2011-12-06T08:48:00.003-05:00

This is such a fun time of year, trying to find the perfect gift and keeping all the secrets. Just in case you didn't know we now have a wish list started at the shop. There is a collection of 3 x 5 cards with room to create your own wish list. Walk around the shop and fill in all those things that you would like to receive, then tell your friends and family about the cards and easy peasy for them. They get the joy of giving you something you want and you get to be surprised with every gift you open!

Come in a fill out the card, or email the shop and I will fill one out for you!

(It's fun being 'Santa'!)

Some days I get to play with Yarn!

Only 18 more sleeps! Back to your knitting!

Oh What Fun!

2011-12-03T10:15:00.003-05:00

Moonlight Magic: Did you see the sky at 10:30 last night, clear and bright? That's what it was like when I arrived home. Lovely evening. Not as many shoppers as previous years but a few new faces!

The Fun part was the fact that the Debit Machine decided that after 3 years it was tired and decided that last night was it's last.

Today I am without it until the company drops by with a new one.

Should be an interesting day.

The new colours of Frill Seeker have arrived, plus a few of the older favourites. I ordered extra....will it last?

We had a few things marked down last night..I am leaving them on Sale for today!

See You Soon

December....

2011-12-01T16:33:00.002-05:00

It is December, we all have a lot to do.

1. Today is an Anniversary for the shop. Soper Creek Yarn has just celebrated 3 full years of business! So today is my 4th December 1st?

2. December 2nd (my 4th December 2nd) is Moonlight Magic in Bowmanville, come visit downtown from 6 pm - 10 pm and celebrate the Holiday Season with the Shops and Restaurants in the Heart of Bowmanville. (Some have special events planned..you never know what you may find!)

3. December 3rd, (my 4th December 3rd)....

See You Soon!

Catching Up!

2011-11-27T13:23:00.004-05:00

The Shop has been very busy, new yarns, new patterns and new customers. The data base is getting very large. Some travel great distances to visit the shop, even just a couple of times a year. There are customers from St. John's and another from Vancouver and many places in between.

The Yarn too has travelled great distances to come into the shop; New Zealand, Italy, Turkey and some from right here in Canada.
New to the mix is this lovely, and a bit precious, from Classic Elite is called Toboggan. Great for mitts and hats for those days when you want to enjoy the Winter season.

I have been ordering from a new pattern supplier, and who wouldn't love to knit one of these for a favourite little one in your life. Easy shapes and colours, made in DK and Worsted weight. Especially nice for boys, great designs for boys are always a challenge.We made a quick attempt at a Winter Window...we are working on that too!

This week is Knitt'n Night, (Christmas Party at Rose's), bring $2 for tea or coffee and a treat to share. Wednesday November 30th, 6 pm - 8 pm. RSVP via email to the shop tina at Sopercreekyarn dot ca.

Then Friday: Moonlight Magic...come visit the Downtown for an evening of Winter Festivities and Shopping. The shop will be open until 10 pm. Knitters are welcome to come and knit for a drop in knitting session.

I think a nap is in order, its going to be a busy week!

See you Soon.

November...really?

2011-11-25T20:21:00.002-05:00

November is just about done?

I am certainly behind in knitting updates.

A thank-you to Sally for providing me with the perfect sweater for the 'What a Girl Wants" window. (Those who know me know that I don't do pink very well.) The Sweater was to be her winter knitting project, it took her just over a week! She used Big Bamboo from Sirdar, she loved the yarn so much she made 2 hats with the same yarn.

Do to Camera issues, (it was 'lost' for about a week) I couldn't show you

my new favourite thing:

Crochet! (not really new..just renewed interest.)

This lovely yarn from Katia arrived late October and after looking a the web site for inspiration.

I knew exactly what to do!
Making this scarf took me back to high school, which was a very long time ago.

As usual sometimes the simplest projects make the biggest impressions. The whole scarf took just under 4 balls using a 3.5mm crochet hook. ( FYI this is pretty much the extent of my Crochet knowledge..the basic granny square and double crochet shells!)

Speaking of making big impressions. To Those of you who have been making scarves using the Ruffle yarns:

The Yarn is becoming a little less available and we are doing our best in keeping up with the demand. At one point this week one yarn is completely out of stock in Italy..where they make it.

I will post when more arrives. Today we received one colour in Moda Lame. There is another shipment of Frill Seeker due the first week in December.

Hope that gives you inspiration..

See you Soon.

27

2011-11-17T15:18:00.004-05:00

Today's post is brought to you by the number 27!

27 years ago today I married "The Farmer", the weather was just like today, cold but sunny, the rest has been a big blur. Where has the time gone?

Knitt'n Night and What a Girl Wants was a fun event. Congratulations to Barb R. who gets to take home a lovely Namaste Knitting Bag.

Next up Santa Claus is coming to Town! (Saturday 10:30, downtown Bowmanville)

See You Soon.

What a Girl Wants!

2011-11-14T15:29:00.003-05:00

A night out with the Girls. Come out to Downtown Bowmanville and enjoy an evening shopping 27 local shops. All independent small town shops and restaurants each featuring a new treat or demonstration and some have prizes to be won.

It's this Wednesday evening from 6 pm - 10 pm.

That's Knitt'n Night! Come and Knit from 6 pm - 9 pm....that gives you sometime to wander the Downtown Shops and get some Shopping done!

Remembrance

2011-11-09T13:38:00.003-05:00

Friday is Remembrance Day.

This year, like every year the Shop closes so that I can attend the Ceremony.

When The Boy and The Girl were little and there was much running around I would watch the broadcast of the Ceremonies from Parliament Hill. Then a few years ago I started to attend our local service.

I go because Canadians came to The Netherlands and brought freedom to my family. My Mother's conversations always included phrases "before the war", "during the war" and "after the war".

It is the least I can do.

Come and Join me, or attend a service at your local Cenotaph and Remember....

Travelling Woman!

2011-11-07T19:37:00.004-05:00

A quick trip to see The Girl. A 4 hour drive to take her the car with snow tires as she is headed back to school for 3 months. She was at work and we met for a quick exchange of keys and paperwork. Her employer just opened a new shop and this is the place she gets to work part time, it's beautiful and would make a fabulous yarn shop.

While I was waiting for her to finish work she showed me this:

It didn't occur to me to take pictures of all the things I saw, rug hooking, weaving, spinning, felting.....my kind of people all in the same place.

I took the train home, treated myself to business class (super saver fare) which means they fed me and there was wine!

Today I was on the move again as I headed into the big city and wandered around warehouses filled with yarn.

I think I am looking forward to tomorrow, but right now I am glad to be sitting on a seat that is not in a moving vehicle.

See you Soon!

Filatura Di Crosa Moda Yarn

2011-11-05T12:10:00.001-04:00

One of the boxes that arrived yesterday contained 6 colours of this yarn. If you want to impress your 'muggle' friends with your talent make one of these..they will think you are so clever. (Just don't let them see the video)
For a picture of the finished scarf go here!
Have a lovely Weekend, see you Tuesday!

This Week!

2011-11-04T08:15:00.002-04:00

Monday: The Cobourg thing went very well. I arrived home with a few less things than I went with, that's always a good sign. I met some very nice ladies (and men) who love colour and texture and design. (My favourite kind of people!)

Tuesday: An order arrived from Berroco. Inside one of the boxes was a new scarf yarn Think big, thick and most of all a very quick knit.

Wednesday: Knit the scarf between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Just in time to show everyone at Knitt'n Night. I even managed to watch the Rick Hansen Relay as it came through the Downtown, they actually exchanged the medal just outside the shop.

Thursday: 8 blankets arrived to add to the squares that are being made to make blankets for Children and teens in the Ukraine. (1 Square at a time Project) They are amazing. I really have the best job.

Friday: Two very small boxes arrived with some Triana and Moda Lame yarn, again the most popular yarn in the shop isn't in the shop very long!

See You Soon.

A New/Old thing

2011-10-30T19:37:00.003-04:00

One day when I have more time I will tell you all the things that I have done, the list is very varied. The most interesting thing about that is that all the things I have done have lead me to this point in my life.

When The Girl and The Boy were little I worked primarily at home. A few part time jobs here and there. (One point I had 3 part time jobs, it was very confusing.)

For a few years I travelled the Local Fairs setting up and 'manning' the booth promoting agriculture in Durham Region. I would pack up the car with all the stuff, set up the display and spend the weekend talking to people and handing out pens and information.

Tomorrow I am off to Cobourg with a car load of yarn to an event hosted by the Northemberland Hooks and Needles Guild? I am not totally sure of the group, I will let you know more about it when I get back.

I think I have packed all the wrong stuff!

A reminder that it is Knitt'n Night on Wednesday!

See You Soon.

The Project from H*ll:

2011-10-26T19:48:00.008-04:00

The Farmer is a clever man, he is known for his ability to create things. When I asked whether he would like to change a rotating stand I had acquired 2 years ago he agreed. Before he could change his mind The Girl and I loaded up into the car, only to realize that it came to the shop in our larger vehicle, but it fit, barely. (It is very heavy!)

It was a rotating stand with about 6" x 60" of actual slot wall for display on each of the 3 sides. The new design would allow for almost 18" x 60" of display on 3 sides. A plan was made, we headed off to the lumber store and they cut the slot wall into 18" strips. We got home only to realize they should have been cut 16.5" instead. Then when it was time to cut the bottom sections, instead of cutting into 3 equal pieces he cut them into 4 pieces, now they were too short. But that was okay because it forced him to create a base for the triangle to sit on. Then he ran out of nails, bought the wrong gauge for the nail gun, another trip to the lumber store. Then there weren't enough of the right clamps, ran out of screws and he had trouble with the slot wall spacing.....

You have to remember that he was doing this after his 12 hour workday doing The Farmer thing.

We brought it to the shop on Monday night, it is now even heaver. (My 2010 Christmas present from The Farmer came in handy...I will show you it if you ask!)

Tuesday it was filled with all the notions that the shop carries, there are quite a few!

It Matters!

2011-10-19T12:44:00.010-04:00

It all started when one day a 'customer' came into the shop and said: "What is your cheapest yarn? I make hats for the babies at the hospital and it doesn't really matter!" I don't think she meant to say it that way, but it gave me something to think about.

Sometimes we do things for 'charity' and perhaps use what we have and not realise that what we are doing is just not quite 'right'. (It surprises me when the grocery store and perhaps the food bank has to put up a sign to say: No expired items!)

Back to the Babies, hats for babies do matter. Babies are precious, pre-mature babies are fragile, but more than that their parents are fragile.

This year the 'fee' for Knitt'n Nights is to make (One) baby hat, but it has to be made with nice yarn and the 'cuter' the better, over the top cute. We want to show these Babies and their parents that they Matter and people care.

If you would like to make a hat to donate to Lakeridge Health, they require no strings, ribbons or ties. We would like soft washable yarn, wool is accepted (super wash) label the

hats with your first name and perhaps include the care and content of the yarn used.

from Francis:

I found this while looking for cute things:

This is the link to the article

It doesn't matter what you do as Steve Jobs said:

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

Getting Ready for Bowmanville's Apple Festival!

2011-10-11T16:16:00.006-04:00

The weather sounds dreadful, they are predicting rain and wind, but we are going to think good thoughts and hope for some more sunshine!

The Apple Festival is a popular event for the Downtown. This year I will try to have a bit of a 'Yarn' Yard Sale Outside, only if the weather co-operates. The shop is filled with new lovely yarns that there isn't much room inside to display all the clearance yarn I have been saving.

Think Sunny thoughts!

See You Soon!

To my Farming Friends and Family:

2011-10-08T11:17:00.003-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Three Years!

2011-10-03T14:24:00.007-04:00

Three years ago this week we decided not to open a Yarn Shop. I had spent almost 3 months agonizing about opening then when the location that I was preparing for was not going to be available I decided that I would stop looking and instead get a 'real' job.

Then Carol called, it was a Saturday night, we were away during the day and she left a message:

"I know you were looking for a space and the most perfect spot is available. I phoned R (at home) who called A (at home) and this is the rent and they are expecting you on Monday."

The Farmer and I look at the store front Sunday morning. The place needed a ton of work. The photo above is a "good" shot of what we saw through the window. We decide the location is good but there is just too much work to get it into what we needed.

We take a drive to think and end up talking to friends in retail in another town and they say: "Go for it!"

Monday I head in early to see the landlord and I barely get two words out and from behind the door I hear a voice say: "Is that Tina, Carol told me you would be coming!" I take a tour with the Landlord, the place is a mess. The previous tenants (who 'disappeared' overnight) only used the front of the space. Carpet from the 70's, bits of slot wall in random spots, walls were where they tried to subdivide the space the ceiling tiles are badly stained. Then the Landlord says things like, "we will replace the floor, take down the walls and anything you would like!"

I go in everyday to look at the space and think and plan. We had to rush things to be open by December 1st. Fortunately I had many contacts in place and they were all willing to get things moving. I was still working part time at Price's Market. By Thursday I decide to take the space.

(By then the landlord had others wanting to rent the space.)

I placed my first order on Thanksgiving Monday and on the way home the news is all about the coming recession.My first windows and logo inspiration.

The rest you know.

As we head into 4 years I am grateful to everyone who has come and purchased and participated in this adventure.

See you again soon!

My new favourite thing:

2011-09-23T20:17:00.012-04:00

It all started on a drive through the beautiful Ontario countryside. Using the only needle I had with me I created a very cute baby hat using the 'Magic loop' method of knitting. The hat, including the little I-cord knot was completed using only my 4mm 40 inch addi turbo needle.
It really is magic.
It was then decided that we should teach this as a class. A Magic Loop Christmas Stocking. A sample was made to perfect the technique.
That was done, how about mittens!
Look at me go! A pair of socks, 2 at a time on one needle. Magic! You can teach an old knitter a new trick!

If you would like to learn to knit a sock using either double pointed needles, 2 circulars or magic loop, join us on Saturdays (October 29, November 5th and 12th) at 9;30 am - 11 am. Fee for the class is $30 plus materials (pattern, needles and yarn)

See you Soon

Chaos!

2011-09-17T16:18:00.002-04:00

This week has been a hectic week to say the least.

Monday, into the City to get more Yarn.

The rest of the week was spent trying to put away and organise all the yarn received in the past couple of weeks. This cool weather has brought many knitters and crocheters out of hiding and back into the shop. It really makes for a good week when you like what I like.

Today, well lets just say I attempted to tidy. I am looking forward to tomorrow, not because it is my day off, but because I will be heading off to a trade show for more yarn and yarn goodies.

Monday...I get to sleep in! ;)

Orono Fair!

2011-09-11T17:26:00.007-04:00

I just returned from picking up my entries to the Fair, some came home with ribbons and some didn't. It's always interesting to see who wins! There were some great entries.

Even though there aren't many window design awards, I think this 'Manos' is one of my favourite and wins an award for how easy it was to put together.

What do you think?

Friday 2 big boxes arrived filled with some great new yarns! Monday I am planning to head into the big city to pick up some more, the shop is filled with some great stuff!

See you Soon.

First Day!

2011-09-06T16:51:00.002-04:00

This is the first "first Day of School" that 'The Girl' isn't enjoying, we bought her some 'back to school' stuff anyway just to celebrate!
However this is the first day back for "The Boy", I watched him drive away with all his 'worldly' goods loaded into the back of the truck!

It's sad in one way, but I have the dining room back!

Thank-you for letting me have the weekend to spend with him as he scrambled to get ready. The next Saturday off for me: July 2012!

Boxes have arrived, no rest.....

See you Soon

You asked?

2011-09-01T14:28:00.002-04:00

One of the most asked questions: Do you do Lessons?

Gwen and I decided that we would offer some lessons.

First up:

Christmas Stocking (Really big sock)!

You will learn:
How to knit a basic sock.
3 circular knitting techniques: (4 needles, 2 circular and magic loop).

The Fee for the 3 lessons is $30.00 plus materials. (We require at least 3 to run the class with a maximum of 7)

(Saturdays: October 29th, November 5th and 12th. 9:30 am - 11:00 am.)

Sign up soon, payment ensures you a spot and fees are non refundable once classes begin.

Thick Black and smelly!

2011-08-29T16:12:00.009-04:00

It's Monday and I was making my to the shop I could see black smoke rising above the downtown. (crap!) It didn't take long for me to see that it was down the hill and on the other side of King Street. As small crowd was forming just outside the front door and in front of Roses Coffee shop. It was the restaurant across the corner just past the lights on Scugog. The sounds of the sirens and the smell of the smoke brought back some pretty tough memories.

I decided that the smoke was not a good thing to be breathing and headed inside. Today was 'floor' day and Rich was coming in about 1 pm to clean and polish the tile floor.

I started moving yarn and fixtures into the back room to clear the floor so that Rich could work. As the street was blocked off he had to maneuver everything through the back door; which made finding space for everything even more challenging.

But it's done and now its waiting for me to return tomorrow to find everything again. Fortunately the wind blew most of the smoke to the west and north of the downtown. The shops in the West end closed early for the day.

Soper Creek Yarn is closed Tuesday.

This weekend is Labour day weekend and I am taking a 3 day weekend by closing on Saturday.

Then everything should be back to normal, what ever that is!

Changes?

2011-08-25T10:45:00.001-04:00

The Farmer and I returned from a quick trip to see The Girl. We spent the night half way between her home and ours. When we woke in the morning there was a coolness in the air that to me says that the summer is winding down. We may still have weeks of lovely weather, but these cool mornings are a sure sign that September is only a week away.

September will bring some changes to Soper Creek Yarn. If you have come to this page by linking through the website you will have noticed that the website is undergoing some changes and that we have added a newsletter sign up. (not everyone likes to read my blog...)

Hours will change,but only a little. Still closed on Sunday and Monday. Knitt'n Night moves from Tuesday to Wednesday. We may attempt some group lessons, suggestions are always welcome.

I will keep you posted.

Soper Creek Yarn Hours:

Saturday: August 27th - 12pm - 4pm

Tuesday: August 30th - CLOSED...the floor is drying

Wednesday & Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday, Sunday and Monday: Labour Day Weekend Closed.

A Quick Trip:

2011-08-22T20:13:00.004-04:00

We took a quick trip to see The Girl. It's her birthday, she is 24, and she has lived almost 25% of her life away from home.
We made the long drive into her city, took her out for supper and then drove 1/2 way home and stayed in a lovely Ontario Inn.
It's been a very quick 24 years, we only got her days ago! (The Summer of 1987 was a very hot summer!)
She's all 'growed' up and we are very proud of her, and no dear we won't get you that pony!

A Friend in need..

2011-08-19T17:24:00.006-04:00

of a tiny bit of pink mohair yarn. Not a single ball in stock, she only needs enough to to 3 rows on the thumb of a mitt!

If you look carefully at the mitts you will see a piece of yarn holding the 2 mitts together. I saved that piece to show everyone how careful you had to be when making the mitts.

The piece measures 30 inches..she is coming in tomorrow to pick it up!

Done....

2011-08-16T12:04:00.002-04:00

After finishing the BBT I needed a quick project. A Vintage inspired Hand towel made with Nashua's Creative Focus Linen. One 100 gram ball will make 2.

Just in time for the Wedding on Saturday I finished my Spring Garden Tee by Never not Knitting. It fits, and lovely to wear. I used Louet's Merlin in Candy Apple Red. Just a few slight modifications to the pattern, but basically did exactly as it reads.

Although I started this quick scarf on a Friday, I finished it Sunday while watching 2 movies. I felt a little lazy and needed a mindless project. (Cascade Yarns Eco Duo, 50% Baby Alpaca and 50% Merino, it's soft!) One 100 gram ball made a nice size scarf. I loved how the pattern actually striped perfectly with the triangles (I planned that?... ;) )

Another new yarn from Estelle, Drake! Chunky thick and thin. Cast on 60 stitches on a 9 mm circular needle...knit a few rounds, increase a few stitches. Wait to see what it looks like done.

There are still a few things to unpack!

It's Knitt'n Night tonight. 6 ish until 8 ish.

See You Soon.

The First One and the Last One!

2011-08-09T11:49:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, Monday, my day off? I decided a trip into the city was in order.

After a dentist appointment I headed off. Picked up a few bags then to the warehouse to pick up an order and scan the sale bin for some goodies.

When I arrived I passed one of the owner's office and it was in darkness, 'must be away today I thought?'. Then went by office number 2 and same thing. The whole 'office' area seemed very quiet, very strange. Then I headed into the shipping area and there they all were working like honey bees trying to get orders packed and ready to ship.

Mine was ready and waiting to pick-up. I was the first shop in Canada to receive the shipment of new things from Sirdar!

New Baby books, new yarn, new colours. They filled the car!

Come see,

Pictures when I unpack and find room.

Best part about yesterday, going into Ikea to find one more 'trestle' for The Girl. They have been discontinued and are in short supply. The website told me that the Vaughan store had 1 in stock. It was worth the chance to complete the set for her. There were none on display. The nice lady in the department told me they didn't have any in stock. I headed down into the pick-up area and I thought I would just check. Sure enough there by itself was one lonely box, waiting for me! I think I got the last one!

BBT

2011-08-05T14:19:00.005-04:00

Last year I made BLT, which was followed by Gwen's VBLT and my ULT. Now we have BBT, Big Brown Thing!

A while ago there was a wedding, this weekend is the reception. When the engagement was announced I tried to come up with a gift for the couple; when I can, I like to make gifts, just me. Big Brown Thing is just BLT (Hemlock Ring) made with Chunky Brown Yarn. Cascade yarns 128 Super wash in Chocolate Brown. I found that anything lace is best made using natural fibers, they just block easier. The Super wash was me just being nice to the couple.

I used 6.5 mm circular needles, I was amazed that a 32 inch needle will hold over 500 stitches. See the little swirl of yarn in the top left corner it's what was left of the 6th skein.

Before Blocking it was quite lumpy. After a 20 minute soak in SOAK it was pinned it to all blocking boards I could find. It measures 54" after blocking. The drape is lovely.

This pattern really just flies, round and round you go for 4 rows and then there is one 'pattern' row, loads of counting. It took about 10 days, a bit at a time, to make the blanket.

I hope they like it.

August?

2011-08-02T15:51:00.005-04:00

When did that happen?

Just a few things that are happening in August:

Knitt'n Nights are the 2nd (tonight) and 16th and perhaps the 30th.

The 12th is Downtown Bowmanville's Moonlight Madness, which means I am here until 11 pm. Come in for drop in knitting and have supper downtown that night.

The 13th...there is a Wedding. The store will close at 3 pm. (I get to go as a guest, that will be fun!)

I would like to post my newest project, but we have to wait until I give it away. If you come tonight it's here at the shop.

Keep cool,

See You Soon

It's beginning:

2011-07-28T14:18:00.004-04:00

New things are starting to arrive:

The first is a new 'sock' yarn from Regia, starts off as a scarf and then you can unravel and make it into a pair of socks, or a hat or a pair of mitts! Buy 2 and make a matching set the boring scarf is already done!

6 lovely colours just in time to start your list!

I can't wait to see what the next box will contain.

My appointment yesterday was good news! Thanks to those who were wondering.

See You Soon.

An Appointment!

2011-07-26T18:33:00.002-04:00

There are some things you can't avoid or have control over. Tomorrow there is a Doctor's appointment. That means I will close early on Wednesday. Come before 3 pm.

Wednesday open: 10 am - 3 pm

Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm

Closed Sunday and Monday.

Never Too Hot!

2011-07-22T12:10:00.007-04:00

To flip through the new books that just arrived!

I have been looking forward to this book from Schoolhouse press. It's a book that Elizabeth Zimmermann wanted to publish many years ago. Her designs are fascinating and inspiring; it will be hard to figure out which one to do first.

I told you that it was too hot to knit? Well apparently it really never is, I found the perfect project made with linen and its for me!

See you soon.

Just to share!

2011-07-20T13:06:00.002-04:00

Everyone has 'stash' issues in one form or another: Between The Boy and The Farmer there are 7 pairs of Cowboy boots in our mudroom!

I carefully point that out to them when they 'comment' on the yarn in the house, 'shop' stash doesn't count.

In case you didn't know cowboy boots are very good for people with 'back' issues...that's the excuse they use.

It is too hot to knit, but wonderful time to flip through the books and magazines to get the creative juices flowing.

Just a reminder that the sale continues until Saturday.

All yarn is 15% off and some are 25% off

25% off: (in stock only)

Frill Seeker, Ondas and Triana
Sirdar Tweedie
Sirdar Click Aran
Sirdar Crofter Chunky
Sirdar Summer Stripes
Sublime Soya Cotton
Mullberry and Merino
Tempo Chunky

Manos wool Clasica.

All stock of Mission Falls (full bags are 30% off)

See you Soon.

Just like riding a bike!

2011-07-19T12:10:00.001-04:00

Our holidays took us to the Nation's capital. Last year when we visited The Girl we stayed a few days and toured the city. The whole time we were there I kept saying we should bring our bicycles the next time. This year we did.

Before leaving The Farmer dusted off the bikes, I haven't been on mine since the last time we went camping in 2005! I took mine for a spin just to see if I could still manage this mode of transportation and sure enough it's just "like riding a bike!"

After arriving in Ottawa we unloaded the bikes from the back of the pick-up and headed out into Rockcliffe Park. After a few minutes on the trail my bike was making the most annoying scraping sound, the fender had somehow worked it's way loose and was tickling the tire as it went around...all I could think was "If I only had a piece of string!"

The next day we rode the bike path that follows the Rideau canal, it was interesting to see the spots we had skated on from the 'summertime' point of view. We stopped to watch the locks work near Carleton University and one of the workers at the lock was quite fascinated by my vintage green bicycle. I bought it when I was in grade 13, used, from a friends Mom, at 35 years it is still in pretty good shape, better than me. Lets just say that there are parts of my body that are taking time to recover!

I had booked this week away months ago it just happened to be the week The Girl needed to move to a new apartment!

We met The Girl and her Friends from work at the National Gallery, after driving miles only to find a parking spot 2 kilometers away. (There are very few places to park a vehicle over 6'8" high.)

They gave us a ride back to the Truck.

It was a lovely visit!

Thank-you

2011-07-15T20:45:00.007-04:00

We had a lovely few days away, The Farmer was back to work today and I caught up on some running around and have decided to get back tomorrow.

Seeing as I have been away and there is so much nice new stuff coming I had a 'discussion' with the staff and 'we' agreed that a sale would be a good thing.

All in stock yarn is 15% - 25% off until July 23rd!

If you are planning some gift knitting now is the time to stock up. Tell your friends!

See You Soon!

I will tell you about our holiday later!

Holidays...

2011-07-09T16:18:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that Soper Creek Yarn is closed for a few days!

(July 12 - 16)

Regular summer hours continue on July 19th...which is also our next Knitt'n Night.

See you then!

'Discussion with Myself'

2011-07-07T14:03:00.005-04:00

Something finished!

A while back I described my attempt to create a scarf using the whole 100 grams of the new Taiyo Sock Yarn from Noro. The actual finished measurement is just shy of the 50 inches. When I got near the end I had a 'discussion with myself" about how to finish the ends. There were several choices:

1. Cast off the end and let it be a scarf.

2. Graft the beginning to the end to make it a cowl. (I had used Lucy Neatby's clever provisional cast on to give me that option.)

3. Graft the beginning to the end twisting in the middle to make a moebius cowl.

4. Put a row of buttonholes in the end (about 5 rows in) to give me all the options.

I really wanted to attempt grafting garter stitch, but after much 'discussion with myself', the buttonholes seemed to be the best option.

I really like it.

I tried to wear it today, but I am happy to say that it is too warm out there today for this.

There was a semi crisis yesterday, somehow I managed to leave my knitting at the shop. Everything I was working on was dependant on the bag I had left behind.

Only solution was to start something new!

The 'discussion with myself' was inspired by this from Jean Chretien:

I sat down and said, ‘Aline, I will make a park here for you.’ When I returned to my office on Monday, I consulted the Minister of Indian Affairs, who was myself, consulted the Minister of Northern Affairs, who was myself, and consulted the minister responsible for parks, who was myself, and they all agreed on the matter. I took out my pen and made [Auyuittuq National Park].....

This Week:

2011-07-05T11:12:00.002-04:00

Open today, Tuesday, until 7 pm.

Wednesday: there is an appointment and I will have to close at 2pm to get there in time!

Thursday: 10am - 4pm

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm

Then Holidays for the next week!

Baskets of sale yarn are being moved around..there are some great deals!

Enjoy the sunshine and long evenings.

See you Soon.

Oops I did it again!

2011-07-02T12:53:00.006-04:00

Remember last year when I became obsessed with shawls, well there is a new thing this year. Felted Bags!

A few posts back I described my first attempt. I wanted to see the results so quickly that I didn't keep an accurate account of what I actually did. I chose another colour in the same yarn to try and replicate the first one. Only to find that this colourway wanted to do some interesting 'pooling'. The second attempt is similar to the first but slightly different.

I had a little bit of yarn left over and made a smaller 'pouch' that was going to fit something but may become something else.

They are both at home drying. They should be finished by Tuesday.

A reminder that I am on Holidays from July 10 - 16th and on Wednesday July 6th I have to leave early for an appointment. Come before 2 pm.

For those still interesting in Mission Falls Yarn only a few more days until I can't order any extras you may need....the remaining in store stock is on sale.

It's not an illusion

2011-06-30T11:22:00.002-04:00

Canada is one of the best countries in the World!Thanks to Gwen for her lovely sample .

Have a lovely day Celebrating being Canadian!

This Week:

2011-06-28T13:11:00.003-04:00

Warning ...Rambling ahead:

Yesterday was runaround day, today it is nice to just stay in one place!

Tonight is Knitt'n Night, the shop is staying cool, but if you are coming you may want to bring a cold beverage.

Tomorrow and Thursday are early escape days, a reminder that I close at 4pm and then Friday is July 1st!

Saturday the shop will be open from 10 am - 4 pm.

I started a few knitting projects and have managed to be overwhelmed with my stack of WIP's. This week I plan to finish something!

The boss is looking grumpy..back to work!

See You Soon.

Another Sidewalk Sale done!

2011-06-25T17:05:00.002-04:00

After a busy week...I am happy for a couple of days to recover!

Do you realize that it's 6 months until Christmas?

Don't say I didn't warn you!

See You Tuesday.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1,

2011-06-22T20:15:00.002-04:00

Getting ready for the Countdown Sale.

Yarns you will find in the sale:
Creative Focus Super wash was $10.95 now $5.00
Sirdar Bigga...very thick was $12.95 now $5.00
Beach.. was $12.95 now $4.00
Mesa Chunky was $7.95 now $3.00
Tempo Chunky was $5.95 now $3.00

Odds and Sods of lonely dye lots and a few straggler yarns $1.00 and $2.00

Assorted Pattens $1.00 and $2.00
As baskets empty other yarns will take there place and sometimes the baskets get dumped into the next lowest dollar basket. You might end up with a $12.95 yarn for $1...if it lasts that long.

Sale runs:
Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10:30 am - 9 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 4 pm.

Mission Falls Clearout

2011-06-21T20:51:00.003-04:00

I keep looking around the shop, trying to come up with more space for the new yarn I have ordered.

I love Mission Falls yarn, but they stopped making it and the stock is becoming less available. Starting Thursday all Mission Falls yarn (1824 wool, 1824 Cotton and the 136 Merino) is on Sale. 25%-50% off the regular price. Full bags of 10 in one colour will be 30% off and I can special order full bags!
(orders take about a week to arrive)

Come in this Weekend for the best selection.

It's Sidewalk Sale and Summerfest. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic and the downtown will be filled with all things Summery!

See you Soon

Norm

2011-06-19T20:32:00.002-04:00

Today we said goodbye to Norm. A lovely man, the Grandfather, Father and Father-in-law of friends. Described by many as Goofy, Funny, Lovable....we will miss him. We worked together for a little while on a big project, he called me MUM because I kept reminding him to be careful.

I was lucky to have known him.

See You Tuesday.

Well, that was fun!

2011-06-17T12:53:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I went on a road trip and came home with a few bags of yarn! Included in this was a discontinued yarn that was hand dyed pure wool that looked very interesting. The more I looked at the 200 gram skein I knew what I wanted to do with the yarn.

I have done a little bit of felting but haven't done very much lately because just before I opened the shop we purchased a new laundry team that included a front load washing machine. (Being on a well that was known to run dry it was the best option.)

The more I looked at the yarn the more I thought "what the heck, I'll give it a try". I looked at all the usual places and began the project with an nice square bottom. I found my 6.5mm circular 32" needle. Cast on 32 stitches and knit until I could count 32 ridges. Leaving the stitches on the needle I picked up 32 stitches along the edge, picked up 32 stitches along the cast on edge and another 32 stitches along the last edge and started knitting. I knit for a while and decreased 8 stitches along each side then knit a bit more and did the same decreases. Then kept knitting until I had enough left to do a garter stitch edge for 10 rows or 5 ridges ( the final length was about 18 inches...not sure I didn't really measure?)

I cast it off and made a long I-cord rope out of the remaining yarn.

Then I threw it into my front load washer (inside a pillow case) with 3 pairs of The Boy's old jeans. I set the machine for a quick wash with hot water and medium spin. I checked after the first wash and it was just about right but it could use a little more. I managed to stop the machine just before the final rinse and checked again. That's when I got out a plunger (it was new!) and put the project into a basin with hot water and plunged away for about 5 minutes. I did this in the laundry tub, it was a little splashy! I think that helped get rid of some of the creases that developed.

Then I squeezed out as much water as I could and found the perfect box to shape it and let it dry.

It took a couple of days to get it dry and I poked some holes through the bag and threaded the I-cord through the holes.

Pretty neat eh!

There are 2 more colours.....I need to perfect the pattern.

What did you do that was new to you?

See you Soon.

It all started:

2011-06-16T10:50:00.004-04:00

with a leftover bit of Malabrigo sock yarn that I used for a Travelling Woman Shawl I finished just before Christmas. I loved the yarn so much and didn't want the remaining bit to be wasted I planned to use it up by adding another skein and making Ishbel. (Patterns are for sale here in the shop) I didn't want it to be too big. The pattern is very adaptable, I made the 'larger' beginning and repeated A,B,A,C,D and then E. I didn't want to run out of yarn.

I completed the pattern in a week.

Blocked it

This is what I have left over...about as much as I started with!

Good thing I found this: Daybreak by Steven West.

I called the supplier to order more of the Malabrigo Sock yarn and its so popular that they have started another mill and everything is back ordered like crazy! (Again the most popular yarn in the shop is never 'in' the shop very long.)

Friday?

2011-06-10T12:56:00.002-04:00

It's Friday already, where has the time gone. Summer hours are taking a bit to get used to, but closing at 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday is really nice! (for me!)

Today I am looking around the shop and it's in complete chaos. I am trying to get caught up with the paperwork so the desk is covered in paper. Then the shop has more little piles of yarn everywhere that need a spot or a new home!

The chaos continues at home. We had a window replaced and The Farmer is to do the trim around the window that means the 'front' room is in a shambles. There are boxes of paper that I am sorting and then there is yarn! I looked under the sink in the kitchen to get the fertilizer for my plants only to discover that the 37 year old drain pipe had sprung a leak and there was water covering the floor of the cabinet. The Farmer put on his 'plumber' hat and quickly replaced the pipes, but it meant removing the nice space saver rack, the contents of the cupboard are on the floor in the kitchen. (Our house certainly is not child proof any more!)

Knitting? I am knitting a shawl, imagine that, hope to have it done over the weekend just to say that I actually finished something.

Well back to work!

Don't forget about Knitt'n Night on Tuesday 6 pm - 8 pm. "No Purls allowed!"

Finally Friday!

2011-06-03T12:26:00.003-04:00

The warm weather has finally arrived and needless to say I am seeing less of you than normally. Which means you are busy out in the garden and not locked inside the house!

I hope to enjoy some of this nice weather by closing early on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday! Why should you have all the fun! ( I am open later on Tuesday, until 7 pm) If that seems like a good thing, I may keep that later time during the rest of the year.

Knitting takes a backseat to other things during the summer, but small projects are easy to take to the Lake, Soccer Game and the Campsite.

I just received a new batch of patterns from "Never Not Knitting" you can download the patterns but the hard copies I have are beautifully presented. As you see I could not wait to start a project to during the quiet times in the shop!I had a lovely visit with Lisa the other day and quickly snapped a picture of her latest creation. A Garnstudio pattern using Kid Seta mohair. The final cast off row had 4000 stitches. It looks amazing.

I love it when you bring in the finished objects to show me!

For those of you visiting the shop in June, be sure to fill out a ballot to enter the draw for a Namaste Messenger Bag.

See You Soon.

This Week!

2011-05-29T19:18:00.002-04:00

A few things are happening this week:

Shop hours will begin to change but because of the activities this week here are the hours, just to be clear:

Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm

Wednesday: 10 am - 10 pm. "What a Girl Wants" and Knitt'n Night from 5 pm - 10 pm. Come and knit and shop Downtown Bowmanville.

Thursday: 10 am (or maybe a little later) - 4 pm.

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm.

I bought a new toy this week. A special pricing gun that will only hold "Clearance" labels. It will clearly tell you what yarn is on sale and how much it is! No more asking questions! I have been going around the shop pulling up lonely dye lots of yarn and marking them with the bright red stickies!

There is an "Odds and Sods" bucket that will get replenished as it empties. Out with the Old..then there will be room for the New!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

See you Soon.

Quickly Friday:

2011-05-27T16:05:00.001-04:00

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Saturday, the shop will close at 3:45. There's a Wedding!

It's been a lovely week, I booked some time off, the boss said it was okay and The Girl is thrilled with the timing as she is moving into a new apartment. (Guess what we will be doing that week!) July 10- 16 the shop will be closed.

Also:

If you are the Garage Sale type, and who isn't, there is a Gigantic Garage Sale. Proceeds of the sale go to raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation which supports Grandmothers in Africa who are caring for orphaned children of the Aids Pandemic.

Place: King Street Newcastle, next to the CIBC
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Date: May 28..tomorrow!

Maybe I will see you there!

A Comedy of Errors:

2011-05-25T16:11:00.004-04:00

The Lily of the Valley in our gardens are in full bloom, I wish there was 'websmell'.

After a busy week, I was looking forward to some knitting time. It's funny that I have to book time to knit! Picked up the Noro Garter stitch scarf I am working on only to find I have left a needle at the shop. (Of course I don't have another that size in bamboo and it does make a difference) Plan B: work on Multi Directional Scarf using the Liberty Wool, I got to within 3 feet of yarn from the end and run out! Not willing to buy another ball for 3 feet I decide to use the remaining of another colour, it's also at the shop. Plan C: work on the colour block scarf out of the remaining yarn challenge kits next colour in line must be the blue...guess where it is.

Plan D: Start the new shawl that I brought home as a treat to do after I finished the others. It uses a 5.5mm circular needle. Remove knitting from colour block scarf and use 5.5 mm straight needles until I get to the shop to get the 5.5mm Circular. Started it Sunday finished it Monday night! The Pattern is Seaweed by Grace Akhrem:

I have spent the last few days trying to be my own IT person. So far I have connected the two computers via a wireless router. I just can't make them talk to each other; Angela from up the street says they probably are talking to each other and they are talking about me! (Why can't she figure it out!)

Next week is June !st...that's a typo but I like it. 'What a Girl Wants' happens on Wednesday and summer hours begin!

(Same number of hours, just different!)

Tuesdays: 10 am - 7 pm (except knit nights open until 8 ish.)

Wednesday: 10 am - 4 pm

Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm

This week, Saturday the shop closes at 4 pm, there's a Wedding!

Victoria Day Weekend!

2011-05-23T14:44:00.000-04:00

First I want to thank those that came into the shop, this past week in particular. I had a huge monetary goal to reach by today and thanks to those that came and spent even a little I was able to meet challenge.

Those of us in Town who operate Independent shops jokingly laugh that we do this because we are 'independently wealthy'. We do this because we have a passion for what we do and feel that we can help our neighbours by providing services and products that have the quality and uniqueness that is not available at the 'big box' stores. (longest sentence so far!). Needless to say some days we wonder why, when in fact we could be doing something that probably pays better. But we continue because there are more good days then bad and most of our customers truly get why we do what we do. As downtown merchants we also would like to encourage more of you to shop locally. Did you know that for every $100 you spend locally $67 of those dollars stay in your community? (That funds: libraries, parks, soccer fields, playgrounds.....)

To encourage you to come and visit the Downtown, 26 shops and restaurants are staying open late on June 1st. Last November we held an event called "What a Girl Wants" it was such fun we decided to do it again.

Keep June 1st open, shop downtown Bowmanville, treat yourself and a friend to dinner out in the middle of the week. Should be fun.

What is Soper Creek Yarn doing that night? We will teach you how to knit. We will cast on the stitches for you and you can knit away for as long as you want on our sample projects. If you like you can take home the kit for $3 and keep going, you could end up with a lovely dishcloth. If you are a knitter, really you are if you follow this blog, then come a join the Knitt'n group!

Call your friends and come 'shopping'! June 1st, that's Wednesday, 5 pm - 10 pm.

Have safe weekend..what's left of it.

New this week!

2011-05-18T17:08:00.000-04:00

Monday...my day out!

Toronto driving is not my favourite thing and with the price of gas it really doesn't make sense to drive in when they can ship it to me for less than gas/mileage/time. It is nice to go in a check out with what is new, and go diving into the sale areas of the warehouses. I came home with little of everything.

New to the shop is Triana Lux and Frill Seeker Precious Metals...sparkly!

Some new Alpaca lace Paints, one skein will make a shawlette.

Plus some novelty yarns that will make great accents for scarf knitting this fall!

This time of year many of you are heading into the garden and I won't see much of you again until the fall.

I too would like to spend some time with the daylight...watch the sidebar for changes into my shop hours.

There's more to tell you but it's time to go home!

Pictures later.

Conservation of Mass...

2011-05-14T15:20:00.005-04:00

I am back in High school science class: "mass cannot be created or destroyed, although it may be rearranged in space and changed into different types of particles;" (Conservation of Mass )

I was wandering some of my favourite sites when I came across this cowl. I love this site and am glad that the shop is in New York and not anywhere near here, I would visit way too often!

I didn't want to make anything as heavy as that and use something I have in stock. Let's see cotton, thin with multiple colour changes? That would be NORO! The new Taiyo sock yarn that just has to be knit into a sample. You know how much I love Noro!

The plan was to make a long scarf about 60" that I could make into a tube by grafting the cast on and cast off edges. Did a small swatch and estimated that 40 stitches would do the trick.

I used Lucy Neatby's provisional cast-on then knit about 12 inches and weighed the ball. I had used 1/8 of 100 grams. That would mean I could knit 96" of scarf to use up the 100 gram ball, too long? Looking at my work I began to ponder: I could keep knitting and have a skinny lonnnng scarf or rip back add some stitches and make the scarf wider.

After looking at the original design I decided that I would be happier to start again and have a wider scarf.

I have now knit 14" and have used 1/4 of the ball. 56" perfect!

Back to the Conservation of Mass, it always amazes me how impressed people are when I weigh a garment to find out how much yarn it took, I actually can see a light turn on! (changing from one form into another!)

Well I guess it's back to work! Good thing I love this job!

See you Tuesday.

Kid friendly video...knitting!

2011-05-11T15:10:00.000-04:00

Thanks Marie for the link!

Sorry to those who are on dial up!

Raspberry red, Lemony yellow, Orangey orange...

2011-05-08T22:15:00.002-04:00

That was the phrase I kept saying as I merchandised the newest shipment of Berroco's Weekend Yarn. Bright fun summery colours in this lovely acrylic/ cotton blend. Machine wash/dry flat yarn. Quick knitting and lovely for that summer cardigan or new baby blanket!Some Free Patterns
Silly Rabbit...

my yarn challenge entry..a little late?

Have a lovely Monday, I am catching up!

See You Soon.

Maple Fest!

2011-05-06T21:55:00.002-04:00

These events are always fun...tomorrow you will find added discounts to all the sale yarns....all sale yarn will be 50% off!

Come early!

Maplefest!

2011-05-05T07:53:00.004-04:00

This Saturday, May 7th is Bowmanville's Maple Festival & all that Jazz. King Street will be closed to traffic from Scugog to George Streets. The Downtown will then be filled with all things Mapley! Many of the shops will have specials during the day.

We haven't decided what the specials will be, but they certainly will include the things that are currently on Sale!

I have updated the discounts:

Namaste Knitting bags..remaining stock 25% off (does not include buddy cases or snap cases!)
Mesa Chunky is now $3.50 each or 10 for $30
Tempo Chunky $3.50 each
Lett Lopi 30% off or 10 for $30.00

Shepherd Classic wool remaining colours $4.00 or 10 for $35.00 (was $6.95 for 100 grams)
Odds and Sods basket $2.95 each.

The shop is is a bit of chaos as 7 boxes arrived on Tuesday!
Come and See!

Catching Up Part 2

2011-05-01T20:41:00.005-04:00

I promised to show our version of the Royal Wedding. About 6 weeks ago Mary was in the shop and I was reading an email from one of my suppliers promoting the book "Knit your own Royal Wedding". I jokingly said: "Hey Mary, want to knit a Royal Wedding?" The rest is history. A few favourite portraits, more to come. Prince HarryThe Archbishop Camilla

The Queen and Prince Phillip The Balcony Scene

Prince William and Kate.

We had a lot of fun...they just took way too much time. They will be in the window for the next week.

See You Soon.

Catching Up!

2011-04-30T20:06:00.003-04:00

What better thing to do on a Saturday night then catch up with everything.
I have unloaded the camera..about 100 pictures. I promise I won't post them all! The last two yarn challenge entries. Shawna's 'Penny' (the Goat) and Helen's 'my girl Mitts' (Sunshine on a cloudy day!)

There is a bunny at the shop..that needs a picture, but seeing as it is my entry I can post some other time.

Next Week:

More yarn is making its way to the clearance area!

Saturday is Bowmanville's Maplefest! The first of the Festivals. King Street is closed to traffic and is filled with music and food and fun! (Parking is limited and if you don't like the crowds and chaos...come during the week.) It's always fun!

See You Soon.

What a Week!

2011-04-29T15:22:00.002-04:00

This past week has been a bit hectic to say the least. I have to admit that coming into the shop everyday has been a lovely break!

Last Thursday I spoke to the Northumberland Needles and Hooks Group, then it was Good Friday. Saturday Mary and I frantically were putting together the final pieces of the Wedding Party. The Girl arrived home late Saturday. Sunday she and I finished "bedazzling" the Queen, The Bride and Camilla. Monday, we drove to see The Boy as he finished his last exam and celebrated his 21st Birthday. The Girl left for 'home' on Wednesday, (she takes the train, this time she took 3 bags of Ondas, her new Work boots and a baseball bat!) The Farmer and I went to the Clarington Board of Trade annual dinner where 'The Boys' accepted an award for the Top agricultural business in Clarington. Thursday, that windy nasty day, I spent 4 hours in a dark shop cleaning up and for the first time since I opened I closed early! (Sorry about that!) A HST report kept me busy last night and today was The Wedding!

Tonight a Wedding Reception!

If I look a little weary...please understand.

It's all Good. Wouldn't have it any other way.

See You Soon.

Just in case you need more about the 'Wedding'

2011-04-27T11:44:00.003-04:00

I wasn't sure that you would have had enough about the Royal Wedding.

Come and see our version of this book! We had fun, would we do them again...letmethinkaboutthatno.

See You Soon!

Going to knit something Garter Stitch.

Mondays are for....

2011-04-25T20:24:00.002-04:00

Birthday's!

The Boy turns 21 today, can't hardly think about all the things we have done in the past 21 years!

Along with being 21 today, he also had a final exam and needed to be out of his residence room by tomorrow. He brought a bunch of stuff home last week and told us he could move the rest himself. I thought about all the stuff and then tried to imagine how he was going to get it all in his little truck.

Being Monday and my 'day off' we decide to surprise him by driving up to school to take him out for supper. The Girl, The Farmer and I headed out and were there in the early afternoon...we had a lovely supper out and loaded the Escape with all his stuff. (The Boy looked quite releived to see all his stuff in our vehicle!)

I have been looking for a couple of Union Jacks to put into the semi secret window display. On the way to the restaurant what should we pass but a little Scottish shop. $6 for 2 Union Jacks!

Now back to doing the finishing touches, I hope to have it completed by Wednesday.

The Sale continues...come check out the discounts on some lovely Yarn!

See You Soon.

Happy Birthday .....baby boy?

The Green Team part 2

2011-04-22T19:08:00.002-04:00

There were 16 entries in this Year's Yarn Challenge its taking quite a while to get them all posted.
Suzanne's Baby Surprise Jacket...#1 and First Prize. Gwen's Felted cup cozy..this was the final result after many attempts.

Joanne's Baby sweater and Hat. (Somehow I managed to totally miss taking a picture of the actual sweater...it was adorable.)

Last night I was the guest speaker at the Northumberland Hooks and Needles Guild. There were a few familiar faces and it was interesting to see everyone knitting away at projects while I spoke! I don't do these very often and I tend to ramble on...kind of like a blog post. Needless to say I brought too much stuff to show!

Today there was a Good Friday Service at Church and the Choir sang. Then spent the afternoon quietly working on a semi secret project. Let's just say it seemed like a really good idea at the time. After working on this for too many hours my hands are very sore..but I think the results will be fun. Watch the shop windows for the results.

Have a lovely weekend!

The Green Team part 1

2011-04-20T21:36:00.002-04:00

We had a lot of the yarn challenge entrants choose the green Cascade 220 for the alternate colour:

Christina's crochet stars scarf: Casey's Snail:

and Nancy's Felted Hat:

A reminder that the shop is closed on Friday for Good Friday. Saturday we are open 10 - 5. Happy Easter Weekend!

Do we have any string?

2011-04-17T13:00:00.006-04:00

There is a small renovation project being done around here and The Farmer asks: "Do we have any string?" I respond: "Would you like Merino string, or alpaca string, lace weight or chunky!"

(I thought it was funny!)

A quiet Sunday and time to catch up.

Yarn Challenge entries:

The Purple Team:Arlene's Felted Bag: Lesson learned: check for colour bleeding before proceeding. Still looks great!Bonnie's hat for grandchild, a perfect match to the snowsuit!Laurie's Rat Race Scarf:'Redd's' Mitts, her first colour work project!

More photos later this week.

Reminder that the shop is Closed for Good Friday and that the Spring Cleaning event continues....

See You Soon.

More Yarn Challenge Pictures!

2011-04-13T19:48:00.005-04:00

The Blue Team: Leg Warmers by Sarah

"Soper Creek Yarn" by Frances (a personal favourite)

Crochet Owl by Debbie Also on the blue team was the 'Barn Hat' created by Katherine.

The projects are so varied, everyone had the same yarn and look what they all created!

Next post the Green Team!

A New Week!

2011-04-10T20:36:00.005-04:00

Last week was a tough week. I appreciated the kind words from all of you as we faced losing someone so suddenly. I know that there will be moments that we will miss Monica very much and they will come without warning. Today we went to another visitation for the father and grandfather of friends...we celebrated his life and accomplishments! That's 3 in 3 weeks! Life is precious!

It's back to work and happier thoughts. Yarn challenge entries are slowly being returned to their creators. These are the 3 winners: Nancy's felted Hat: Katherine's "Barn Hat" (Katherine is 3 for 3, she has won something every year!)First Place was Suzanne's "Baby Surprise Jacket" (Suzanne learned to knit 2 years ago!)More pictures during the week.

I have been looking around the shop and pulling a few yarns and placing them aside. After 2 years of being open there are some leftovers and some ends of lines that need to be cleaned up to make room for new stuff. Beginning on Wednesday there is a Spring Cleaning Event happening. Over the next couple of weeks the yarn will come out of hiding and put into baskets at great prices! Each week the selection will change!
The sidebar will tell you what's on sale this week!
Come early, come often!
See you Soon.

Your daily smile:

2011-04-07T08:56:00.000-04:00

This Week

2011-04-05T12:18:00.003-04:00

I had plans this week, and now the mood is not right. This Saturday there is a Memorial Service for my friend Monica. I had the privilage of knowing Monica through our Church Choir. I will have to close the shop in the afternoon on Saturday to attend. Come before noon, I hope you will understand.

Tina.

And the Winners are:

2011-04-02T17:00:00.002-04:00

Wow, this was really tough. The entries were all amazing and all the projects received multiple votes.

It was a busy day and thanks to Judy we tallied the votes very late in the day.

First place goes to Suzanne's Baby Surprise Jacket, 2nd and 3rd (actually they tied for 2nd.) Nancy's Felted Hat and Katherine's 'Barn Hat". Honourable mentions go to Arlene's felted bag and Shawna's "Penny".

Pictures next week.

Just a bit of a heads up, there is a funeral I have to attend and I may have to leave the shop for a few hours one day next week. (I will keep you posted)

See You Soon.

Well Travelled Part 2

2011-03-31T14:47:00.002-04:00

Today the nice Mail Carrier brought another parcel, an exact duplicate of the one I received yesterday. It was posted on Tuesday from Vancouver today is Thursday. It cost $1 more than the first one and took 18 fewer days to arrive! If only the first package could tell me where it was for those 20 days!

Unfortunately the package contains items that I do not need, because I have them already and I have to send it back!

See You Soon.

Well Travelled

2011-03-30T16:00:00.003-04:00

Today I received a package. Customers have been coming in to check on the status of their orders and I tell them that I have indeed ordered it and it should be here any day. Finally a week ago I checked the supplier, yes they 'shipped' it out on March 10, expedited mail you should have received it. We decide to wait until after the weekend. Tuesday arrived and still nothing. The Supplier was going to replace the shipment....Addi Turbo Needles!

Today the parcel came! I checked the tracking number: the parcel left Vancouver on March 11, then it went to Richmond BC, Mississauga ON, Halifax NS, Montreal QC back to Halifax and finally to Bowmanville!

Now with Pictures

2011-03-29T19:49:00.003-04:00

The Yarn Challenge Entries have made it into the window and the voting has begun. I have to admit this year is going to be tough, everyone has done a fabulous job. A couple of crochet entries made it in again this year. (I think I might try to do something Crochet this year!) A Sweater knit for a special girl is on its way out west. Made with Berroco Vintage. I love the buttons! March is just about over, April has a few surprises....I will keep you posted! See You Soon.

Things I learned today:

2011-03-28T21:21:00.003-04:00

1. Even though the dog has not been allowed downstairs for 6 months...dog hair will still be everywhere.

2. Other stores have the same trouble with orders. The Farmer ordered a new pair of boots, they were to arrive today. The store received 1 of the 2 boxes in the order and of course the boots we want are in the missing box.

3. To get a 'glass break' detector to trigger a response you need to break a glass jar into a galvanized pail and shake it furiously just below the sensor until you get a response.

4. The number of unfinished projects has increased dramatically over the weekend!

5. Mondays start with good intentions and end with more things left undone!

6. Today Blogger won't do what I want.... See you Tomorrow.

Yarn Challenge!

2011-03-23T17:27:00.002-04:00

The entries are in and they look amazing! The window is filled with them, come and see. Pictures soon! (There are few still out,...I have been known to accept late entries! ;)

If you ask me, I will tell you how many Durham Regional Police officers can fit inside the shop!

See You Soon.

Remembering Helen

2011-03-19T15:54:00.002-04:00

Today there was a service to remember a lovely Lady named Helen. We met 30 some years ago when I was still at Rickaby's working in the 'Wool Department'. She would come a choose yarn and happily knit for her family. A few years past and our paths crossed again through a shop called the Velvet Bear, I was working part time in this Gift shop and they were hiring a book keeper and when they introduced her I said: 'She would be perfect!' She was!

After The Boy was born we didn't cross paths very often. When we did we caught up with each others lives and went our own ways. After I opened the shop she came to see me more often and then just about a week or so ago I realized I hadn't seen her for awhile. On Wednesday I read that she had been very ill and had left us.

What I remember about Helen was her warm gentle smile and her kind soul. I don't think she was angry with anyone or anything ever. I miss her already.

See You Tuesday.

Yarn Challenge!

2011-03-15T21:15:00.003-04:00

Yarn Challenge entries are making their way into the shop:

There are 4 of them in this picture...they are fabulous!

Entries are due back next Tuesday, and voting begins on the following Thursday.

I am working on one too! I better not be late!..hint?

Monday...

2011-03-14T22:12:00.002-04:00

I went to Toronto, picked up bags of Yarn. New stuff!

Came home and enjoyed the sunshine! It feels like spring, the birds are back!

See You Soon!

Thursday..

2011-03-10T19:40:00.006-05:00

Once a month, for almost 30 years my Mother-in-law meets with other Women in the Community. This Group is one of over 500 Women's Institute Branches across Ontario.

The Women's Institute began in Canada in 1919, but there are similar groups all around the World, "promoting education, advocate for social and economic change and work towards the personal growth and empowerment of women". (Plus I think they have a load of fun!)

Each meeting they discuss topics of interest to the membership and share stories of their lives. Today I had the privilege to share my story. I know most of these women and most have watched me grow up. They may be in their more 'Senior' years but these Women are active in the Community and are busy with all kinds of 'Work'.

I took a break from the Shop to show these Ladies all about the new things in the Yarn Industry, and to Thank my Mother-in-law for all she does for me.

Some of the shop samples have been knit by her. I try to give her things that will challenge her, yet interest her. I asked if she would knit an afghan for the shop. I choose an unusual colour scheme and she knit it happily, but I knew that she was not in favour of the colours. After working on this for almost a year it now lives at the shop.

The second picture shows 'her work', she wrote down every row. 'Everyone has a system' says Mary as I showed her the bits of paper with all the notations. What ever works for you to keep track is right! After all there are 'No knitting Police'.

That was today, hope your day was as nice as mine!

See You Soon.

Monday's are for

2011-03-07T20:49:00.003-05:00

Mammograms!

It took 10 minutes and the staff were wonderful. Don't be afraid of this simple test that could save your life. If you are due for your check-up book it today.This past week I finished a Hat or Two using a new yarn from Classic Elite called Liberty Wool, 100% wool washable, great colourways!

The Farmer created and installed new book display boxes. A great spot for new patterns, I just happened to have a few new patterns arrive to fill the spots.
The Girl sent this as a surprise for me, Spring is coming!

2 completed Yarn Challenge entries have arrived. There is 1 lonely kit left if you would like to enter!

I still have some Frill Seeker, new colours and a Frill Seeker Lace is now in the shop.

That was my day....

See You Soon!

Friday!

2011-03-03T22:17:00.003-05:00

Yup, already!
(I am writing this late on Thursday, assuming all blog readers are away from their computers and won't read this until Friday AM.)*

Tonight is Knitt'n Night. Bring your work and if you have time a swatch attached to needles to do some 'repair' work!

There is a bunch of new stuff just arrived: cute baby 'Smiley Stripes' with patterns.

See You Soon

*What am I doing on the computer at way past my bedtime: accounting! Learning a new/old program and trying to catch up on 3 months of book keeping.....I would much rather be knitting!

Monday's

2011-02-28T20:28:00.002-05:00

Today, I convinced the Farmer to spend the day with me, or at least after the Vet came for a routine visit. We headed off to the big city to pick up, yup you're right...Frill Seeker! 10 new colours, and 4 colours of the Lace effect. Then to the mall for a few household errands and a stop for caffeine along the way. A quick trip to the Grocery store and then headed to the shop to unload the yarn and put up some new shelves he made last week.

I did get to go out for supper..so a pretty good day all round.

No pictures it's late and I want to work on the 2nd of two hats I am making as shop samples. A new favourite yarn!

Come see!

Dreaming?

2011-02-27T14:46:00.005-05:00

The only problem with this is that if yarn really fell from the sky..I would never meet all the amazing people that come in to the shop!

See You Tuesday!

Two Things!

2011-02-25T11:55:00.002-05:00

Two thing that aren't happening today:

#1 No big snowstorm for Bowmanville, everyone was worried about the big storm heading our way and Lake Ontario did it's job and kept it from coming this direction! (I don't know if my 'science' is right, but those lakes seem to keep all the nasty snow weather south of us when the wind is from the North.)

#2 Frill Seeker is not coming to the shop. It is still in processing!

Things that will get done today: I will attempt to empty the boxes that decorate the shop!

See you Soon

New Stuff!

2011-02-23T20:00:00.003-05:00

I have spent a good part of the last week opening box after box of some really great new stuff! Sock Yarn from Regia. I put together the stand all by myself!

This box is filled with the new Liberty Wool. Washable 100% wool in great colour themes. The book has some great patterns.

New Wooden Shawl Pins, I just asked for the pretty ones and they came!

Lantern Moon products are now more readily available to me. Above is Baabs the scissor holder there are some really cute bags and other 'gifty' products from this lovely company. They make the products in Vietnam and the company supports women and their families. If there is anything on the website that you would like I would be more than happy to order it for you.

There are some Yarn Challenge Packages left to claim. $5 gets you into the challenge. It's fun to watch every one's expressions and they plan their projects.

See You Soon.