Knock your socks off!

When Soper Creek Yarn opened in 2008 we started with one small space.  it didn't take long to fill the space with yarn, needles, patterns and a few baskets.  In 2013 we expanded by taking over the space next door as well.  The added space was wonderful, but slightly larger than I really needed.  To pay the extra expenses we added some felting supplies. Then one of our suppliers offered knitted socks done with some of the yarn we sold.

The socks were popular. One of our bag suppliers introduced a line of socks, then I found some socks knit in wool from a nice lady in Quebec and this week we received an order of socks made with recycled cotton.  

These are designed by a knitter and resemble many of the popular knit patterns found in hand knit socks!  Comfy and soft and made in the United States.  

These are come in three sizes and will fit most women and men! In the box there were a few pairs of fingerless mitts and lined mittens.  

I think I may to re name the shop? Soper Creek Yarn and....

See you soon!

Fair Time

This past weekend was our local Fall Fair. The Orono Fair has been a big part of my husband's family for over 50 years.  Local families work hard to organize this 4 day event.  They Volunteer hundreds of hours to ensure that the event is popular, safe and family friendly. The weather has a huge role in its success.  This year it rained, poured really, most of the day Saturday and Sunday. Crowds we thin but the events continued!

Every year for the past 10 or so I have been entering a few things in the Cultural Expressions category. Entering for me is about showing the general public that the crafts continue to be an important part of our culture and artistic expression,  (I began to enter again when I discovered the nylon slippers from that crunchy yarn from the 70's received a First prize ribbon)

It's always fun to see what the Judges think of my entries:

Some of the results surprised me again!

There are a few more local fairs happening over the next few weeks! We will more than likely visit at least one more!

See you soon!

Growing up!

Sometimes, well most of the time,  I wonder where the time is going.  The summer is flying by and we are having fun watching a puppy turn into a full grown dog in just a matter of weeks. It's forcing me to,be vigilant about my knitting and my shoes!  

Then I remind myself that the shop will be 7 years old this year and  tomorrow 'The Girl' celebrates her birthday! She is now 1/2 my age, yet it seems like just weeks since she was just a little girl.  'The Farmer' and I have loved watching her grow and learn and become a capable human being.  As our first born she taught us about patience, smiling and letting go of the small things!

Happy Birthday dearie!

It's a Small World!

Isn't it interesting how small the world seems to be getting.  Technology lets us interact with anyone on the planet.  'The Girl' is visiting friends in Western Canada, turns out one of the cousins has worked one of with her cousins here in Ontario?

In January I went to the Gift Show, trying to find new products to help round out the selection of the shop.  At the farthest part of the building, there was a booth filled with Felted Products from Nepal.  I was chatting with the owner, who in a way resembled me.  Long dark, slightly graying hair.  She spoke with an accent which didn't fit with the fact the she lives in Australia.  Turns out she is Dutch, born in a village not to far from where most of my relatives live.

Here we were in a building in Toronto, both from the same region in The Netherlands a chance meeting?  The 2 of us were speaking of our love of wool, colour and fair trade products.  If I was Anne Shirley I would have called us kindred spirits.

We built a lovely order, and after a couple of months the products arrived.  Felted fabrics, pom poms, flower shapes and interesting silk yarns and handmade felt birds and bird houses. 

The products are handmade in Nepal.  The tragedy of all this is that although the factory survived the earthquake in May but  40 of the employees have lost their homes, everything really.

The company has set up an account to help raise funds to help their employees re build.  During the summer I would like to provide a space to help these people directly.

Next weekend August 15 th is Bluesfest in Bowmanville.  We will have a bit of a fundraiser for the families that lost there homes.  Sort of a yarn sale, but it will be from personal stash.  If you would like to participate please contact the shop.

More details to follow very soon.

This week we received the first of many shipments to come for fall and winter!

One in particular features Canadian made goods, 100% wool.

I love the thrummed mitts!

I am at the car dealership again, stealing the internet again. The Internet at home is...well you know, so here I sit and wait and catch up.

See you soon!

Way Back Wednesday 5

There are no words, we have come a long way!

See you Soon

Way Back Wednesday 4

We are lucky today.  We get to knit because we want to be creative, use great yarn and fibres and colours.  There was a time when knitting was part of your job as a homemaker or a member of the family.  You were required to knit to keep your family warm!

Sometimes they attempted designs that replicated the current fashion, did they succeed in making knitting fashionable?

See you soon!

Create something, beautiful?

Well, that was fun!

Late on a Saturday, I was heading out of the shop and just happen to glance at the sale buckets! There looking rather shop worn were a few balls of Berroco Quasar.  It is a lovely pure Peruvian Wool, lightly plied and with a long colour run. Instantly I thought of a project.  Just what I needed, a project to take with us on holidays as I was really only working on 3 already!  This would be my just in case I run out of knitting project!

It took most of Sunday to pack up and head out, with all my knitting with in arms reach in the truck we left the Farm! I was so inspired with working with the yarn I pulled out the needles and began right away.  By the time we reached our destination I was well into the project.  

I had only taken 2 balls with me hoping it would finish the project but I needed a full ball and about 20 yards of the fourth! Mostly because I decided to attatch the handles right onto the bag, instead of making an I-cord strand to attatch later.

I threw it into the washing machine, front loader, quick wash, medium speed, hot water.  It went through the cycle twice.  It may have needed a bit more felting but I didn't want to risk over doing it the machine and was not prepared to finish it by hand.  

I think it turned out pretty well. It's a pattern I developed using various elements in other felted bag projects available on line.  

 

It was so much fun! I am making another with the leftover yarn from the sale bin.  Just to make a few notes and develop the pattern.

See you soon!