Taking a Spin With Elvis & Dr. John

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Wow, what a great Sunday to be open!  We had a couple of young ladies who were new knitters sitting with us, Dr. John Hall teaching a Spinning With a Drop Spindle class…and then there was Elvis.

We had five students in our spinning class, which was taught by Dr. John Hall.  The ladies learned how to spin using a drop spindle.   After a brief description of how fibers (we used Manos 100% merino roving) twist together and then walked through the anatomy of a spindle, the students were quickly spinning away.  This was very much a hands-on class.  Dr. John did a great job of launching the students’ first homespun skeins of yarn.

If the class wasn’t fun enough, one of the students–Debbie McCormick of Heart Felt Hares–introduced us to Elvis, a five-pound fuzzy bundle of love.  Accompanying Elvis were three 9-week old bunnies; we’ll call them The Lovettes.  Nice ring, right?  Elvis and The Lovettes.

Within moments, Elvis and The Lovettes were getting a big Viva La Fibre Studio welcome by both adults and children alike.  [Note: These angora rabbits appear huge, but they are light as a feather...just fuzz bunnies, literally.]  Debbie McCormick eventually made a place for Elvis on her lap and actually spun angora straight from the bunny onto her spindle.  What a hoot!

Ya never know what’s gonna happen, or who’s gonna show up, at The Fibre Studio.  Well, it’s now 6pm.  Elvis has left the building.

Peaceful stitching, y’all!

Just In: Spring Yarns & Ceramic Buttons

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We’ve had several exciting shipments arrive during the past week!

The Cestari Ltd. fiber has arrived, in two lines: the Island Collection (67% Cotton, 25% Wool, 8% Silk) and the Heather Collection (75% Cotton, 25% Wool).  This yarn is perfect for light-weight spring sweaters and is a great deal for the yardage!  There are five colorways of each line.

We have also received an interesting shipment from Unique Yarns including Rayon Ribbon (elegant and drapey), a Rayon/Silk blend (luscious and radiant), “Softball Cotton” (a cotton boucle with an amazing twist), “Riviera Blend” (cotton/rayon/nylon) blend, and “Triple Blend” (silk/rayon/cotton).  All these “unique” yarns are available in either 400- or 500-yard skeins and are absolutely drenched in color.

You asked; we listened.  We now have a beautiful selection of Raku buttons…and pendants too!  The buttons come in singles (1 1/4″) and in a set of three (2″); the pendants are 1 1/4″ x 1 3/4″ including bail.

Come see us at The Fibre Studio, where treasures–and Lola–await!  We’re open this, the second, Sunday!

For Christmas,  a dear friend gave me a skein of Maleline Tosh,Tosh Sock in color Magnolia Leaf.  This yarn is a lovely superwash merino in a colorway that I loved as soon as I saw it.

It took me a little while, but I have found the perfect project for this treasure.  It is called Summer Flies by Holly and Ella Knits.

I began my Summer Flies last night and I think this project will be an excellent introduction into lace knitting.  Check our calendar for an upcoming class.

Dahlia Cardigan by Heather Zoppetti

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Just in, some new colors of Manos Lace, Serena and Silk Blend. Also pictured is our sample of the Dahlia Cardigan designed by Heather Soppetti for the Fall 2011 issue of Interweave Knits Magazine.  Our version of this beautiful sweater is knit in the Manos Serena.  How convenient!

Check our Events Calendar to get workshop details for this class as well as our many other upcoming projects.  The coming months are absolutely drenched…in color, project classes/workshops, and delicious ideas.

Why do we have only two hands?

(Re)Purpose: The 2012 Fibre Studio Mantra

As blog followers, we at The Fibre Studio (FS) have seen a resurgence of the use of word mantras for 2012.  What a lovely concept to revisit.

During many staff and customer conversations during past weeks, a common theme emerged.  Most people are embracing “green” concepts or “going green” in a different way.  It’s all about the “re.”  They are recycling, reusing, and re-purposing without the bin.  In other words, they are looking at their existing possessions and re-imagining their uses.

re-purpose, /ree-pur’-puhs/  1. verb: to reset as an aim or goal for oneself or 2. noun: the reason for which something is done, made, or used.

The Fibre Studio wants to participate in this Renaissance.  Yes, another “re” word.  We are adopting the word (Re)Purpose as our 2012 mantra and have added several events to our monthly calendar:  (1) a Yarn Swap on the last Friday of each month and (2) an FAQ (Tips ‘n Techniques) for You session during one Thursday Open Crochet/Knit session (6-8pm), with a Rewind of the FAQ for You on the 2nd Sunday of each month.  Keep track of these new events as well as our classes and workshops on our monthly events calendar.  There are some very exciting new opportunities coming soon!

We’ve shared ours…so what is your 2012 mantra or resolution?

The Fibre Studio Supports The Harris YMCA Active Senior Expo

The Fibre Studio will be onsite during tomorrow’s (January 10, 2012, from 9a-12p) Active Senior Expo at the Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road, to showcase some fibers and talk about the shop.  LeeAnn Stephenson, who is coordinating the event,

Just In: KidSilk Addiction

The Fibre Studio has entered a “haze” today with the addition of Rowan KidSilk Haze and Rowan KidSilk Creation, both of which