How did I ever get so lucky!!

Hello everyone,

Well, some of you know that these past few weeks have been a bit hectic and crazy as my Mom has been ill and I have been travelling back and forth to Toronto to help care for her. Fortunately, I have some great "Purple Sock Girls” who can and will fill in for me when I have to be away! They mind the store, pick up my mail, price the new yarns and generally keep the boat afloat!

But that is not ALL they have been doing...check out the "Before" & "After" photos of my bathroom!!! WOW!

I guess they had been talking/thinking about this for awhile, and when it became clear that I would have to be in the city for a few extra days, they quickly put their thoughts into action and out came the saws, the beaded boards for the wall, the paint, the sewing machine and fabric and of course, the talent in that gorgeous little floor cloth - so prefect! I can only image the scene of these busy little beavers pulling these all together in less than 3 days!

So next time you come to buy so me yarn, you simply MUST visit the 'loo'...it is bright and cherry and pretty and a far cry from the dark, dismal little closet it once was.

I am blessed with all these girls and with you, my customers and friends....THANKS SO MUCH!
P.S.
the photo's don't do it justice. It is just amazing, I keep going and checking to make sure I didn't dream it up!!

Bodacious Babes

Inside every woman is a “bodacious babe” just waiting to make an appearance. She is the type of gal who isn’t afraid of glitz and glam and a bit of bling. Join us in this rug hooking workshop as we try to coax out your inner “bodacious babe”. This promises to be a fun filled day as we work with sparkly materials and funky yarn. Please note this is not a beginner class, some rug hooking experience required. Patterns provided.



What to bring:

Hook, hoop, and scissors

A piece of burlap (two sizes, of patterns available; burlap should measure approx. either 15” x 34” or 23” x 18” with sewn edges)

Sharpie marker

Funky yarn and glitzy material (some will be available)

Lunch (tea will be provided)



Date: Sat. Feb. 25, 2012 10:00 AM to 3:00PM



Cost: $35.00 plus HST ($15.00 deposit required to hold your spot)

Thursday Afternoon Knit along

Hi Everyone

Hope you have been enjoying this great weather we have been having. The Thursday knit along group has neared the end of it’s project so it’s time to start a new one! . We will be doing a one day project next week Thursday Feb 2nd. which will be “newfie mittens” these are the ones using two colours and look kind of like a stained glass window. Go to the link below and you will see them. If you are interested in doing them please print off the free pattern and join us at 1 pm on Thursday Feb 2nd. You will need size 4mm dpn’s needles, . There is no charge for this class but you will be required to buy the yarn for the mittens here. Please let me know if you will be joining us.

http://balkanstyle.blogspot.com/2008/01/free-newfie-mitten-pattern.html


Then the week after which is Thursday February 9th we will be starting an afghan which is on display in my window on loan from one of my customers, she has done a wonderful job on it. Below is a link to the pattern and photo’s of it. If you are a Ravelry user you can see many photo’s of finished afghans there, it has been a very popular project. The afghan is called Lizard Ridge and is knit with Noro Kureyon, using a different colour way for each square, so you can buy it one ball at a time and knit as few or as many squares as you want. I will be offering a special on the yarn. After you have purchased your 10th ball you will receive the next on free. Please do check it out it wonderful. Again there is no charge for this class but you will be required to buy the yarn here. Please let me know if you will be joining us.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTlizardridge.html


Hope you hear from you soon

Happy knitting

Lynn

some great new products

One of the most exciting things about being the owner of The Purple Sock ( well, besides opening all the boxes of fabulous yarns when they arrive!), is finding new and different items for the shop.

I particularly love finding small local business, run by women, who share a passion for creating lovely things...and this brings me to the two new businesses that I want to showcase today....

Donna Light, owner of Cedar Point Soaps of Waubaushene, and I, go back a long way....to the days when I was a soap-maker as well, and we would run into each other at local craft fairs and Farmer's Markets. But since opening The Purple Sock, my soap making days are no more, so I am thrilled to now carry Donna's incredible handmade soaps. Oven baked and inspired by the earth and forest, her soaps lather beautifully and the aromas of them will make your bath or shower a wonderful experience! Donna, with her Metis background has chosen some wonderful names for her soaps, and the packaging is simply that - simple...no plastic, no excess wrapping, just a plain and simple band of paper which lets the soap shine on its' own. Sweetgrass, cedar, winterberry, cranberry, Bay Rum, all the sensuous smells of the season are here..come by and breath deeply..you will be glad you did. And, at just $4.95 a bar, they make a nice treat for that someone special in your life ( including YOU!)

The other new item in the shop ( which is selling so quickly that I am on my third order!) is from "The Woodlot" in Meaford Ontario. Aptly called "Firewood Artistry", Jessie's design flair is just what is needed to top off your latest sweater or shawl. The buttons, shawl pins and toggles are just stunning. Reclaimed timber and fallen trees are cut and polished and finished with tung oil and beeswax to create these one-of-a-kind buttons. With the bark still on, and the grain highlighted, these are pieces that will catch your eye ( and everyone else's!) when you wear your latest scarf, shawl or sweater. We first found Jessie at The Knitters Fair in Kitchener this fall where the people at her booth were three deep, so it's easy to see that her commitment to "giving old wood new life" is something worth sharing! Come on in and see her work, starting at just $6.00 dollars for a whole card of buttons...you won't be disappointed.

Christmas is coming

Hello Knitters,



Well, just as it does every year, Christmas is coming fast and furious!! And this year, I have added a feature to the shop that I hope will make your present opening a fun experience! We have all opened our share of food processors, irons, reindeer slippers and pink tool kits...but this year, I want you to be able to open a present that you REALLY want!



So to make that easier for the present buyers in your life ( hubby, kids, relatives, fellow knitting friends),The Purple Sock now has a "Wish List"! All you do is come in, choose the items you would love to see under your tree and write them into my little "Wish List Book"...then when the kids, your hubby, or your sister-in-law come in...their work is done! How easy is that??



Happy Knitting!

Lynn

Thursday Knit along

Hi Everyone



Hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather we have had the last few days.

I am thinking of doing a Thursday afternoon knit along from 1:00Pm till 3:00Pm this will run till you are finished your project.

I have a new yarn in by Naturally called Mohair. It is a blend of mohair, wool and nylon and lovely to work with.. It is light weight and warm. There are some great patterns for it. What I am thinking about doing for this knit along is we would all be using the same yarn but you would be free to pick from among any of the patterns that they have for this yarn. I will be there to help you along with any problems.

There is no charge for this you just have to buy the yarn and the pattern to join us. I am hoping to start as soon as possible. So if you are interested take a look at the link below which will show you the yarn colours and the patterns that are available. I am just in the process of finishing pattern #N1125 the Scalloped Edge Cropped jacket and I am planning to knit pattern #N1139 . If you are interested please let me know , I have some copies of the patterns and some colours of the yarn but can order in whatever colour you might like.



http://naturallyyarnsnz.com/product.php?id=144

Happy Knitting
Lynn

Coldwater witches walk

As you can see by the photo's it was a great night, many many wonderful witches were out in Coldwater for the Witches Walk. Thanks to everyone for making it such a fun and successful night.
Lynn