Monday, December 13, 2010

Unusual Knitting Video on UTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ-mVJEbJpE

Alert customer, Suzette, sent this amazing video along - it's fun!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Holiday Needle Rocket 2010

Needle Rocket

Holiday 2010

Greetings to all our fiber enthusiastic friends,

As I title this newsletter, I am astounded that it IS the holiday season of 2010. This was a fast year with many things happening at Needle Rock. The most significant, of course, is the move to our beloved purple house. We initiated the yard for our first Christmas here with the Pinon Wood Alpacas, Dorian Gray and Nomad. They drew quite a crowd of kids of all ages. Peg and Woody were so gracious to drive the guys up here to help us celebrate Noel Night with truly local fiber donors.

12032010 013.jpg Dorian Gray and Nomad of Pinon Wood Farms

While we are on the topic of the holidays, our shop will be open Sunday through Friday plus Saturday, December 18th. We will be open from 11-6pm during the week and 12-5 on the weekends. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve we will close at 4pm after hours of cheer and refreshments. We only have a couple of classes scheduled, but are more than happy to schedule a class that you need. Just give us a ring.

Classes and Special Events

Sunday, Dec. 5th, 1-3pm: Beginning Knitting. Learn to cast-on, knit, purl and bind-off. $25

Monday, Dec 6th: Kick-off Aventi Trunk Show. You have GOT to check out these fabulous fabric bags. The colors and styles are chic and eye-catching. We’ll be showcasing them all week.

Friday, Dec. 10th, 3-5pm: Double Knit Scarflet. Here is a quick project for a neck-hugging scarf of chunky yarn. You will learn ribbing, increasing, decreasing and double knitting. $10 12032010 007.jpg

Sunday, Dec. 12th, 2-4pm: Chunky Neck Cozy. Another quick gift that can be finished in hours. Techniques offered are increases, decreases and the fan stitch. $10

Tuesday, Dec 14th, 7-9pm: Knit Nite Sockarama. Wear the socks you knitted to our regular Tuesday night gathering.

Wednesday, Dec. 15th: Buffalo Gold Trunk Show. We’ll welcome the World Cup Snowboarders with this show of premium American-made yarns. So light that you barely notice you are wearing it, bison fiber has no lanolin or external body oils, and it is a solid protein fiber that can take years of wear with easy care. Grown to survive the coldest blizzrds, bison down performs the best at trapping our own body heat, just as it does for the bison. The show will include yarn and ready-made garments.

Monday, Dec. 27th, 3-5pm: Mom & Me Class. Learn to knit with your child in this fun winter “sport”. We’ll teach you all the basics. $35 for adult and child (of any age).

Wednesday, Dec. 29th, 4-6pm: Beginning Knitting. Everything you need to know to knit a wonderful scarf. $25

12032010 005.jpg12032010 006.jpg

We have a new HUGE shipment of baskets from Africa. The Ghana elephant grass is shaped into market totes, floor baskets and the new “pot” shape. The colors are yummy. From Zululand, the telephone wire baskets are getting prettier all the time.

We are jammed with yarn of all sorts and colors at Needle Rock. There truly is yarn is every room except the bathroom (may have to go there next!). We have gotten some gorgeous new fibers from all over…near and far.

Sublime luxurious woolly merino is a lovely soft 96% merino boucle which is a joy to knit. Our favorite project is a moebius cowl. 12032010 008.jpg

Sublime baby cashmere merino silk dk our newest baby yarn which is machine washable…yes, washable cashmere merino silk! We also have pattern book support for the baby in your life.

Road to China Light and Worsted are new yarns from The Fibre Company of 65% baby alpaca, 10% cashmere, 10% camel and 15% silk. The blend is scrumptious and wonderful to work.

Ushya Mirasol’s newest thick yarn is a cool braided merino. As you may remember, the Mirasol Project supports local communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection. The collection includes yarn made from animals tended by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands. A portion of every purchase goes directly to the funding of a centre in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno.

Thick ‘n Quick is exactly what is says in a twisted merino of gorgeous muted and blended colors. The skeins are big (175 yards) and will make a terrific cowl or scarf.12032010 010.jpg12032010.jpgKarabella’s supercashmere fine will take your breath away. And, yes, those are the new addi Clic’s in a great vinyl organizer….what a GIFT!

Of course, we also have loads of new sock yarns, books and patterns. Gear up for January and our Sock It To Me Thursdays where we will gather to make all kinds of socks…learning the basics to experimenting with different shapes, stitches and techniques.

Join us for our regular Knit Nite on Tuesdays or Lunchtime Bunch on Fridays to work on your project and visit. Of course, you are welcome anyday in our cozy house to work or just sit in this salon of color and texture ( and pet Gus and/or Lola).

Please sing along…

For the twelve days of Christmas the shop will give to you…

12 baskets hanging…. 11 cords a-tying….10 ladies knitting….9 lambs a-bleating….8 balls a-winding….7 chains crocheting….6 stitches cabling….5 hats all done….4 noel nights….3 locations….2 alpacas….and a pair of great rocking friends.

Ginger & Ann

Needle Rock Fiberarts

NEW: 320 W. Colorado Ave.

P O Box 1963

Telluride CO 81435

970-728-3427

http://www.needlerock.blogspot.com/



Monday, November 29, 2010

Noel Nite Treats and Surprises

It's been 3 whole years since the Pinon Wood alpacas have paid a visit to Needle Rock & we're so happy to announce that they will be back for Noel Nite 2010! Stop by on Wednesday, Dec 1 for some fantastic photo ops, a chance to learn more about alpaca fleece & fiber & while you're here, c'mon in the shop for refreshments & grab bag discounts on purchases & holiday banter, of course. We hope to see you!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Quick Holiday Projects

Our project table overflows with ideas: fingerless gloves, mittens, entrelac hat, yarn to be needle felted, ornaments & Christmas stockings.
Wonderful friend, Abby, shows off the simplest of fingerless gloves - quickly knit up in Crystal Palace Mochi Plus Chunky.

Neck warmer, again Crystal Palace Mochi Plus Chunky.


Felted wine tote, Wacky Hat of Mountain Colors Homespun & Tahki Stacy Charles Montana made up into a bulky cabled hat.



Anthro Inspired Scarflet in Queensland Kathmandu Chunky - 1 skein + a beautiful button & you've got a unique gift. Nice job on the knitting, Ginger!




Monday, November 8, 2010

Mountain Colors to Brighten your Day

This is SO incredibly gorgeous! 2 fibers from Mountain Colors on 2 different sized afghan crochet hooks - the pin totally pulls the whole thing together & how clever of Janet to wear a matching sweater underneath!

Successful KnitIn!

My memo said we were could knit - so there I go!
There actually IS phone, set to loudspeaker in the middle of the table. We could hear Kate loud & clear & what fun purls she had to share with us.

Our homey kitchen table is host to some pretty fun stuff - this was our first author encounter...to many more! Thanks for being our photographer, Daiva & bringing books to boot!


Saturday, October 30, 2010

Virtual Knit In this Friday





KNIT THE SEASON! Friday November 5 Starts 6:30 pm · Kate at 7
A virtual knit-in and discussion with the New York Times bestselling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club Kate Jacobs
Kate Jacobs will call us for an intimate talk about writing, knitting, and of course, her dog Baxter! · raffle · refreshments · knitting · · conversation · bookplates signed by Kate · At Needle Rock Fiberarts: 320 W. Colorado Ave. 970-728-3427 for more info!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sue NEVER disappoints


This may not look like a bra to you, but trust us - it's absolutely fabulous! Local knitter & artist extraordinaire, Sue Hobby designed & implemented this entry into the AhHaa School's first annual BRAvo fundraiser. Seeing it on the New Sheridan's runway (aka: the bar) was beyond beyondo! Telluride's volunteer firemen were called into service as models & did not disappoint. Stay tuned for more photos later this week!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

2 totally different projects - DONE!

Supermodel, Steve, is shown modeling, "Steve" a hat pattern from the Mirasol Project. I admit to buying this yarn @ another LYS & I'm so glad I did. The cable rib provides a snug fit & the pompom makes the flop over - this pattern would work well in any densely variegated yarn - I definitely plan to make it again.











We love Cath Jett in this ever-so bright yellow shrug. Another Mirasol yarn used with an overall lace pattern & sleeves to hold the whole thing in place. Perfect for our cooler Fall nights or any summer night in Telluride, eh?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Italian Sweater Fashion

Needle Rock's friend, Jenny was recently in Italy, Switzerland & France & captured these sweaters on her I-something.
Sideways knitting seems to be settling in.

LOVE the big buttons!


That capelet is fabulous, don't you think?



Friday, September 24, 2010

Telluride Artisans' Guild Holiday Bazaar

Calling all local Artists! Its time to get your booth registered for this year’s TAG Holiday Arts Bazaar. The Deadline to register for the 2010 Telluride Artisans' Guild Holiday Bazaar is Friday, November 5th. The Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities is looking for great artists to sell their work at this year’s Bazaar. Sponsored by Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities The TAG Bazaar features Telluride's and San Miguel County's best known artists – including bead workers, knitters, metal-smiths, fiber artists, painters, jewelers, gourmet food artisans, ornament-makers and much much more… The Holiday Bazaar is an opportunity for local artists to feature their creative and unique work under one roof. For an application please call 728-8959 or email sasha@telluridearts.org The Holiday Bazaar will be held December 3-5, 2010. The hours of operation are: Friday 5 – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 11 am – 3 pm.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

What Off Season? KnitNite

Cathy D. is getting a jump on a Christmas present for??Yep, it's a sock.
Suzy is working up a beautiful scarf for her son - Queensland Kathmandu Chunky - yummy with that little bit of cashmere in the worsting.

Suzy's friend, Ann is making great strides on her baby sweater (notice the important KnitNite implements in the background - wine & dog biscuits!)


Suzette's friend, another Anne displays her Father Christmas needlepoint. She had a cool attachable lamp w/magnifer too!



Peggy Sue is coming right along with her knit-along top-down sweater in luxurious Ultra Alpaca.




Suzy models Suzette's newly completed Braided Wrap in brown Lustra - sooo soft.





1 of Suzette's new cowls.






A beaded cowl by Suzette - looks toasty, eh?







Friday, September 17, 2010

Uknitted Nations Yarn

How cool did this yarn knit up? This is a new yarn for Needle Rock called UKnitted Nations from Pagewood Farm. The flowers are needle felted first, then needle felted right onto the thick & thin yarn, all ready to be knit up into a fun scarf. Thanks Val for sharing this with us - we love your work!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Kate's Back to Knitting!

How cute is this? Kate's puppy is finally old enough to "let" her knit & awfully trusting from the look of things! Welcome back to the world of knitting, Kate!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

September Needle Rocket

Needle Rocket
September, 2010
Greetings friends,

No denying it now, autumn is here in the mountains. The tundra is golden brown and the aspens are starting to turn. Our local knitters are waking up to knitting time as they come in from the outdoors. We have had a wonderful summer season with festivarians of all types and many visitors from our own state of Colorado. We are settled in our purple house and have had rave reviews on our new space and our darling front yard. Thank you to all of you who’ve visited our newest location.
We have many new yarns to show you as well as some kits and accessories. The Fibre Company is a wonderful producer from New England with scrumptious yarns. Road to China in dk and worsted is a blend of baby alpaca, cashmere, camel and silk. You have to feel it to believe it and the colors are just as rich and soft. Canopy is a worsted weight baby alpaca, merino, and bamboo which is a dream to knit. Terra is almost tweedy in baby alpaca, wool, and silk with 98 yards per 50 grams. Come check out these new yarns and patterns from The Fibre Company which are adorable.
LoneSome Stone has some new blends that are really beautiful! The Alpaca/merino is a three ply worsted in twists of cream and black, grey and cream, brown and cream and brown and black as well as other combos. You will love it.
Do any of you remember Bristol Yarn Gallery’s Lafayette? It’s a gorgeous brushed suri alpaca in three great colors…powder blue, light green and soft aqua. It’s a really special yarn. We also have more of the SWTC Yang which is wool, silk and bamboo with SEQUINS! We have three colors: scarlet, denim and light taupe.
Have you tried Crystal Palace’s Mochi Plus? It’s a great “slow-striping” yarn which is great for any scarf or hat and beautiful in entrelac. We have 8 great color combinations!
We also have many new books and patterns to peruse. We’ve been showcasing Pagewood Farm’s yarns and kits. Their needle-felted silk scarf kit is fabulous, fast and easy. It’s a great fiber project for those who don’t knit or crochet. It’s soooooo easy and produces a really pretty scarf with plenty of embellishment left over for other projects.
Do you need a gift for a fellow knitter? Not sure what yarn to buy? We’ve taken on the Knit Happy line of colorful mugs, cool notebooks for knitting notes, sticky note organizer & their very clever Fold ‘n Go knitting accessory pouch, as well as a dynamite folding project “box”.
Have you seen Tunisian Crochet? Guru Janet is “hooked” on it and is making gorgeous shawls, vests and mobious scarves with this technique. Let us know if you’d like a lesson.

September Calendar
Every Tuesday: 7-9pm. Knit Nite. Join our band of local fiber people as we stitch and chat.
Every Friday: 11-1pm. Knitting Circle is our daytime version of Knit Nite. Come check it out.
Thursday, September 9th, 3-5pm: Reversible Knit Headband Class. Learn to knit in the round and bind off with 3 needles. $15 plus materials.
Saturdays in September, 12-5pm: Knit Aid. Bring us your problems to help you solve. $10 per hour.
Monday, September 13th, 3-5pm: Noggin’ Warmer Class. We’ll teach you to knit a spiral knit hat for the upcoming cold nights. $15
Thursday, September 16th and Friday September 17th, 3-5pm: Baby Sock Class. Learn sock basics with adorable baby sock patterns from Kalamazoo Knits: Rufflicious for girls and Oh, Boy! for the lil’ guys. $15 for the two sessions.
Monday, September 20th, 3-5pm: Lace Primer. Learn the basics and some neat tricks for beginning lace knitting. $15
Monday, September 27th, 3-5pm: Beginning Knitting Class. Learn to knit, purl, cast-on and bind-off in this class for “never-evers”. $25
****Saturday, October 2nd, 12-5pm: Christmas Open House and Project Planning. We’ll get you in the mood and have plenty of ideas for Christmas decorations and gifts. Wear red! Free.*************

Last month we started our blog specials & we’d like to continue that offer this month with 15% off all our Frog Tree yarns. Please check our blog for varieties available http://www.needlerock.blogspot.com/

So, as usual, things are hoppin in the purple house. Come knit with us!!!
Ginger and Ann

Blogger Special!

As promised in our Needle Rocket, here is the latest blogger special: All Frog Tree yarns, both merino & alpaca are 15% off for the next 2 weeks (until 9-23-10). These yarns are already reasonable priced & work up beautifully. Give us a call, send us an e-mail, or best of all, stop by to see how to save on some fabulous yarns @ a discount!!
Here's a bit about the Frog Tree line: As a result of our experience living and working at the grassroots level in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and the USA for many years, we foundedFrog Tree® Yarns. We believe that talented, hard-working artisans should receive a just wage in order to provide a dignified life for their families.
Alpaca fibers are called the "Gold of the Andes" because of their silky feel and lustrous tones. Merino Melange - Complimentary to our Merino Worsted Wool, this two ply is available with shades of blended colors. Each skein is approximately 50 grams/1.75 oz in weight and 101 yards in length.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Marion's Crocheted Bamboo Dress


How adorable is this dress? Local crocheter, Marion, started this as a bikini top, then kept crocheting on it to become a top & she liked the yarn so much, she kept going to create this GORGEOUS dress! Let summer go for a few more months so we can see this over & over again.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bloggers Special




August 17th! Today the O-Wool Classic and Balance go on sale...20% off!!

The Classic is 100% certified organic merino, 100g/198 yards...regularly $17 per skein, now $13.60.

The Balance is 50% certified organic merino, 50% certified organic cotton, 50g/130 yards...regularly $10 per skein, now $8.
Mention this special when you come in, phone or email to receive this special price on this special yarn and any O-Wool patterns.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

August Needle Rocket

Needle Rocket, August 2010
Greetings Fiber Lovers,
We hope this finds you well and deeply involved in a number of projects involving yarn. Of course, we are in the middle of several, like…
A knitted market bag…a cashmere/lace mohair scarf….sling purses with beaded trim…. a felted stick-horse head…a completed pair of socks!

Things are hoppin’ here in the purple house. We are loving our kitchen to make cookies and punch for Fun Fridays. Our project table is small, but works beautifully for lessons and knitting circles. The pink flamingoes are happy in their front yard with the FLOWER BED.

We have new fun yarns from Pagewood Farms with felted flowers, yarn bouquets and “fuzzy purls”. Each skein can be knit or crocheted into a fabulous scarf in less than two hours! We also have kits from Pagewood Farms for needle felting silk scarfs or unique embellished yarn. Needle felting is fun, fast and really easy for one-of-a-kind garments and accessories. If you haven’t tried it, come by and check out what we’re doing.

needle felted silk scarf Mary’s Handspun bouquet scarf
Beaded Trims are the newest addition at Needle Rock……trims for purses, belts or scarves…even curtains and lampshades. Let your imagination run with these fun embellishments. Our button collection has expanded as well including Australian shell, handmade Czech glass buttons and wooden toggle buttons.

Believe it or not, it’s time to think about the holidays! We have new patterns for holiday decorations, Santa dolls and Christmas stockings…not to mention gift ideas for everyone on your list. Let’s try to avoid the December panic of knitting all night long to finish the gifts.

We are starting a new campaign for our blog followers this month. Every week or two we will post a special sale only on the Needle Rock blog. You may then call or email us to take advantage of the special. Let us know how you like it.
Speaking of sales, our triangle loom is for sale. The 7’ adjustable loom comes with 2 shed sticks, a weaving pick and locker hook and instructional DVD. The matching wooden stand is custom made for the loom. The regular price for the loom and stand is $935, and it is now on sale for $550 plus shipping. This is a great opportunity to own this fun and fascinating weaving tool.

Needle Rock Calendar of Events:
Tuesdays, 7-9pm: Knit Nite. Bring your project and join in our lively discussions and “group therapy”. Free
Fridays, 11-1: Open knitting circle. Join us at the kitchen table for stitchin and visitin. Free
August 16-21st: Knit along with us. We’ll be knitting a “top-down” sweater in adult or toddler size. $20 will buy instruction and help all week.
Wednesday, Aug 18th, 4-6pm: Bulky Cable Hat class. Learn to knit in the round and knit cables for a quick winter hat. $15
Thursday, Aug 19th and Aug 26th, 3-5pm: Our ongoing Sock Class…start a new sock or get more instruction on your current pair. $15 per session.
Monday, August 23rd and August 30th, 4-6pm: Beginning Knitting Class. $25 per session.

Let us know what you want to learn….felting? entrelac? spinning? Colorwork? We’ll set up a class for you.

Rock on out there!
Ginger and Ann

Needle Rock Fiberarts
NEW: 320 W. Colorado Ave.
P O Box 1963
Telluride CO 81435
970-728-3427
http://www.needlerock.blogspot.com/

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Sheelagh's placemats & table runner











Photos of the yarns, one of the placemats, our weaving open house, one of our weavers with the finished product. A hugely satisfying project! Most of the participants had never touched a loom before but they all did a great job after a five minute demonstration. The recipients were, of course, absolutely blown away by the concept and the results.




Note: These woven items were made with so much love & Colorado fiber for a family that had to move from the area - what great friends they have to do such a project for them!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Story of Natuarlly Colored Cotton

One of our distributors passed along this story, so we share it with you!

The Story of Natuarlly Colored Cotton
There is a theory that cotton grew in many different colors before the industrial revolution. However only white cotton had fibers long enough to be spun by machines. As a result, white cotton was grown commercially for the emerging industrial markets and the other colors of cotton either died out or were kept alive by hand spinners as part of a residual cottage industry.

In the late 1960’s Sally Fox began cross breeding brown cotton – considered a weed by “white cotton” growers – in an effort to develop a long fibered colored cotton that could be spun commercially. This cross breeding exposed a recessive gene for green, which Sally stabilized, and in turn cross bred to produce a long fibered green cotton.

Initally, this naturally colored cotton was grown conventionally – with chemical pesticides, fertilizers and defoliants. However, as demand grew, farms were contracted to grow naturally colored cotton, organically.

Unfortunately, by the mid-1990s organic cotton initiatives by various US mills had not reached the “critical mass” needed to be commercially viable, so the growing and processing of organic cotton was sourced primarily to third world countries. Still we are indebted to the many US companies that began the journey to move a major component of the textile industry - cotton - to the stage of being chemically-free. In addition to Sally Fox's company - Naturally Coloured Cotton, brands such as Patagonia and Levi Strauss, to name a few, endured huge losses, in their efforts to bring the concept of chemically free fiber to the public's attention.

We are there now. Organic cotton is a household word. In some cases we have added color for those that need it; but for the purists, there is natuarally colored brown and green cotton.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Catch Up on Photos

Needle Rock is right in there w/Wine Fest - we did a Box Wine tasting & it was very well received by our guests!
A glance @ Maddie's Corner - our children/baby room.

Gus enjoys hanging out in Maddie's Corner!


Sheelagh Williams of Ridgway has woven this beautiful blanket out of many yarn choices from Needle Rock!



Val Franceze knit this GORGEOUS afghan & shared it with us - fantastic pattern work & a beautiful result - nice job Val!! (Buster's mom)




Monday, July 19, 2010

Always thinking about our shop

I couldn't resist snapping this photo while hiking Deer Trail - it's an angle that requires quite a climb to see!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Susanna's Baby Sweater in Plymouth Alpaca Grande

Susanna knit this beautiful sweater while recovering from some health challenges - her motifs are just fantastic!