Interesting definitions

I found these interesting snippets when I searched for "yarn retail" on the magicyellow.com site...  (a sort of yellow pages type place)

When shopping for knitting string, otherwise known as yarn, spend some time fingering the different weights in order to find a variety that suits your purposes. If you are planning on creating a baby item, or a piece of delicate lace, you do not want to choose a bulky yarn of heavy weight, since that will make your item too thick. Heavier yarn is a good choice, however, if you are knitting throws or cold weather item, such as hats or scarves. While you are shopping for yarn, visualize the item you will be knitting and consider how close to the skin the item will be. You do not want to choose a bulky, heavy weight if it will be in direct skin item for long periods of time, because it may turn out to be scratchy and uncomfortable. 

And this one:

Yarn is a bulky, thick string-like fabric used in knitting socks, baby sweaters, throws, slippers, shawls, lace, wraps, hats, mittens, oven mitts, scarves, skirts, tops, bags and it comes in many different colors. The string can be thick and weight heavier than other strings, sometimes has a lace texture but it can still be bulky for fingering work. Similar to crocheting, knitting is a favorite past time of many, providing a relaxing outlet. Yarn retailers sell yarn and knitting supplies to customers. Large craft or fabric stores typically have yarn or knitting sections where customers can purchase their supplies. Yarn comes in all sorts of colors, sizes, fingering weights and textures. Be on the lookout for sales and cheap discounted prices. Many stores offer weekly sales and promotions, as well as yarn or knitting clubs. Check out your local yarn retail store for more information about knitters' clubs. You can find retail yarn stores or craft stores in your local phone book or in online directories. Consider what type of yarn you need for your project, and how much of it. Keep your budget in mind before heading out to shop at the store. Many yarn retail stores and online stores sell knitting kits, which can feature anything from shawl kits and poncho kits to sweater kits and sock kits. Such kits come with all the yarn and instructions you will need to make that particular item. This is ideal for the amateur or beginner knitter. Remember that Yarn is a weighted string, so you may need to use new specialized tools that you may easily find at a local shopping center.

I wonder who writes these things?   Bulky string-like fabric?  huh...  Course, that makes me wonder how the dictionary defines yarn.  So I wandered over to dictionary.com and found this:

–noun

1. thread made of natural or synthetic fibers and used for knitting and weaving.

2. a continuous strand or thread made from glass, metal, plastic, etc.

3. the thread, in the form of a loosely twisted aggregate of fibers, as of hemp, of which rope is made (rope yarn).

4. a tale, esp. a long story of adventure or incredible happenings: He spun a yarn that outdid any I had ever heard.

–verb (used without object)

5. Informal . to spin a yarn; tell stories.

---

Origin:

bef. 1000;  ME; OE gearn;  c. G Garn;  akin to ON gǫrn  gut, Gk chordḗ  intestine, chord¹ ,  Lith žarnà  entrails, L hernia  a rupture, Skt hirā  vein

Urgh, had no idea about the origins.  Okay, time to back away from Google and get back to my weighted string.

Moving Update

It's time!  We will be open in the Carlton location through Saturday July 3rd, and then we'll be closed July 4th, 5th and 6th, and will re-open in the new Yamhill location on July 7th! 

We've started moving some stuff already and holy cow, there's a lot of stuff in here. 

The new location is 262 S. Maple Street, Yamhill Oregon.  The 800 number remains the same, and the local phone number will be 503 662-4849.  The mailing address is PO Box 543  Yamhill, OR  97148   Maple street is route 47, so we're right on the main drag through town, in the big blue building on the west side of the street at the south end of town.  It's going to be great!

If you come in between now and Saturday there are some special deals, even more than is available through the website...  Help us not have to move it!!  Books, take the books!  :) 

We're Moving!!

I can't believe I'm saying this out loud, it kind of makes me panic a bit to think of what lies ahead, but it's true!  We're moving!!  It'll probably be in June, not sure of dates yet because a lot has to happen between now and then....  We'll be moving to Yamhill, it's going to be great! (once it's all done)

So we're having a BIG sale in the Stash Room, where nearly every yarn is $3  (three buck chuck!)  You can take advantage of it online too in the Closeouts section.  We're adding more yarns to it as we speak, and some of the new additions will appear in the Sale Yarns area of the website. 

I'll let you know when we know the dates we're moving.  

Upcoming handwoven show & sale

The Portland Handweavers Guild is having their big show and sale next weekend - April 30-May 2nd, at the Oregon Convention Center.  Admission is free, and so is the inspiration!

Their advertising post card says:

• Showcasing the creative work of outstanding regional artists in Oregon & Washington, featuring one-of-a-kind hand-crafted items including towels, jackets, scarves, baskets, rugs, wraps, handspun/dyed yarns and wall hangings
• Daily demonstrations of weaving, spinning, basketry, and Ravenstail weaving, an ancient NW Coastal Indian technique with John Bead
• Fashion shows at 2 pm Friday and Saturday
• Children's hands-on activities

 A fabulous place for inspiration and supporting local fiber artists!

Melda's Inspirational Weaving

Melda brought in some wonderful weaving she's been working on.  She weaves on a 24 harness AVL, which is a monster loom.  She wove some curtains to hang in her weaving area.  Wouldn't these be wonderful to stare at while you weave?  This is 24 harness uneven tied overshot using 20/2 perle cotton in approximately a zillion colors.

She used many colors in a shaded wash across the warp.  I couldn't get the entire width in the photo, but you can see how the color changes across the width.  Lovely! 

Here is what the reverse side looks like:

Here are a couple of the leaves a little closer:

 

  

  

 

Melda did some sampling of colors to get just what she wanted.  Here's one of the versions:

I'm just so impressed with this, I thought you'd like to see it too.  Lovely lovely weaving!

Some new spring yarns

Spring must be coming, because the spring yarns are starting to show up!  It's always such fun to see the new yarns.  I love meeting with the yarn reps twice a year to see what the various companies are bringing out.  Course, it's really hard not to want to buy ALL of them, so restraint must be shown.  Rats. 

Rowan is bringing out a recycled yarn in their Purelife group, called Revive.  It's tweedy and wonderful! 
There are 8 colors - some rather earth-tone ones:

 

And some brighter shades:

And here's a close-up of the purple shade: 

 

I think this will be on my needles before too long!  

And the other yarn is a sock yarn from Regia, called Hand-dye Effects.  

 

Pretty fun stuff!  

An Incredibly Gorgeous Loom

We got a used loom consigned recently that is just amazing.  It's a J-Made 16 harness walnut beauty.

 

It's tough to get a decent picture of it in the warehouse...  but it's WALNUT! 

There is a bench too, with a laminated top:

If this loom weren't computerized it would be going home with me - what can I say, I'm a Luddite.  But at least I get to walk by it and pet it every day while it's here.

J-Made looms are made right here in Oregon City, and his looms are wonderful. Furniture quality.