Classic Felted Slipper Class

The Fiber Trends "Classic Slipper" class starts NEXT week. This is the Felted Slipper with the back, not the clog type.
Start Date:  Wednesday Feb. 5th @ 3:30 pm - probably 3-4 Wednesdays

Cost is $60.00 plus purchase of materials.

Last Day For Hats For Refugees

Tomorrow, January 31, is the last day to drop off hats at Coast Realty and GBOW for refugee kids in Lebanon. Remember how I wondered if we could hit 1000 hats by this date? Done...and several days ago, so we are well beyond that number now! And the first box has finally cleared customs in Beirut, so pretty soon there might be some photos of heads in our hats.
Way to go, knitters and crocheters. 

1000 By January 31st...?

Kathie Mack picked up another 100 or so hats from the store, and more came in right after she left. Fantastic! She is overwhelmed with the support.  There will probably be at least 1000 hats by Jan 31st.  800 so far and counting.

The BIG issue is the cost of shipping.  Some companies and individuals are contributing by paying to ship ONE box.  As there are still some boxes left to ship.....anyone who'd like to contribute to shipping costs, there is a donation box at Coast Realty. Any amount will help.

Thanks all! 

My latest two hats....the bee hats. 

Open Sundays!

Hope to see you in the Loopy Lounge on Sunday afternoon!

Hat Tally On Tuesday

Wow! On Tuesday Kathie Mack reported that the hat tally was 723, so, no doubt, by now we must have hit 750. Can we reach 1000 by month end?

Congratulations, hat makers!

Changes to Class Start Dates

The start dates for January classes have changed...basically pushed ahead one week. Here are the new dates. Please check the details under the Tab  Classes and Lessons (on the top of the home page).

Knitted Felted Slippers: Wed. Jan 29th -10 am to Noon
Fingerless Gauntlets: Wed. Jan 29th - 2-4 pm
Cowichan Style Sweater: Friday. Jan 31st - 2-4 pm
Baby Surprise Jacket: Saturday Feb. 1st, 2-4 pm

Hats Going To Lebanon

We are an awesome bunch of knitters and crocheters! At this point 300 hats have been shipped to Lebanon for the children of Syrian refugees. 70 were picked up from GBOW last week, and these photos are another 70 or so waiting for pick up. Kathie Mack said, mid-week, the total tally was 509, so I am guessing we are up to 600 (I have two at home and know of a few others with hats still at home or on the needles)

Look at the amazing diversity of patterns and colours our knitters have come up with. There's hardly a duplicate to be seen! Impressive.

Fifty Shades of Grey Sock Yarn

How many shades of grey are there?  A sock yarn basket at the store.  There must be lots of grey socks being knit this winter in Powell River. And why not? It's a soothing colour.

Lisa And The Katniss Cowl

Here you can see Roisin's "Katniss Cowl" on a human being. Lisa was our preferred body type and a willing model (hmmm, I wonder if she has a bow and a quiver of arrows....?) She's almost headless although we include a partial smile.  High fashion, trendy pattern based on the Hunger Games movie trilogy. 

Carola's Kilt Socks

Carola finished her pair of tartan-type socks.  They're long enough to dance a highland fling in!  And Burns Night is coming up....just sayin'.
Nice job, nice fit.

Alex's Sweater

Alex modeling his "Roisin" style sweater.  This sweater has definitely gone to a good home, and Alex was thrilled with it.  Roisin was pleased that the length of sleeve looks like it's just right.  He picked it up during this week's Sockistas class, and Gina told him not to stretch out his pockets.  I'm sure he'll be reminded by other knitters! 

First Dibs Club Event Coming Up

The First Dibs Club is invited to the store on Saturday - Jan 18, 2-4 pm. Check out new yarns....and enter a contest - Winner(s) gets a coveted skein of something special.

I can't tell you everything that will be on display on Saturday (that's one benefit of joining the Club! You get the full list.) but here's a teaser.... 

• Drops Alpaca, many new colours, same old price.
• Drops Silk/Alpaca, NEW NEW NEW - good for socks, all natural fibre.
• Verdi....New Colours in BIG Balls 

To make sure you always hear about new items, join the FIRST DIBS CLUB.  It is super easy, just send Roisin an email (greatb.wool@gmail.com). 

Kim and Brandi - Hats & Scarves

Two from the "Catch up" file.... the blue hat in the slightly blurry photo is happy Kim, showing off her Malabrigo Hat and scarf.  Fortuitous or good planning that Kim was wearing earrings that went so well with her gear!

And this is Brandi showing her Malabrigo hat and scarf which were a Christmas gift.  Nice felted flower touch, and a perfect Malabrigo choice for her colouring and complexion, don't you think?  Brandi has taken up knitting herself and will be showing off a Malabrigo shawl/poncho on her next trip here.

Wendy's Plum Perfect Hat

Isn't this a snazzy hat? Wendy sent the photo to Roisin with this comment:
"I love this wool! Thanks so much for having such lovely choices. This is my third hat done in the Portuguese inside-out method. It's really a wonderful technique for this type of hat." 
(Now off to Google "Portuguese inside-out")

Pat's Baby Blanket

Pat's Grand-Baby Blanket - with GBOW's favourite Baby Blanket pattern (and hasn't *that* pattern been well used since I first used it?) and in two different yarns.  One is a sock wool,  Schoeller & Stahl Fortissima Mexico , and the other yarn is Lanett baby yarn,.  Pat's daughter requested a baby blanket with yellow and it took a lot of this and thating to put these colours together.  Even then, we weren't sure how it would work out.

As you can see, it's turning out beautifully.

BK's Crochet Hat

Bad Karen's hat made with 2 different yarns (Roisin doesn't remember which yarns tho). They look great crocheted together. 

Inger's Stripey Sweater

It only took 9 x 50g balls of Noro Silk Garden for this large size, long sleeve sweater, knit by Inger.  It will have buttons added for enhancement. Inger always seems to get the right yarn for the right job.  She said she played with the yarn a bit to get the colours where she wanted.  Also, she did the front and back separately (instead of circular-ly) because 1:  She is so smart and 2: the colours would have been smaller stripes if she'd knit it circular-ly. Clever Inger.

Katrina's Sweater of Many Colours

Katrina's latest amazing creation.  Her own hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn, and a Noro pattern.  Just the right asymmetrical styling.  Incredibly cuddly wool.

New Hat For Elly

A gorgeous new hat for Elly (from Vlatka's sewing and alterations shop just around the corner from GBOW) Knit/design by Roisin, and hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn by Katrina. We're happy to see it going to a good home.

Hats For Refugee Children: Update

I spoke with Kathie Mack on Wednesday evening about the Hats for refugees project that has so many people knitting and crocheting...she mailed the first box of hats earlier in the week. I don't have a count as of today but guess the total is close to 500! 

Yay! But did you know it is very, very expensive to send parcels to Lebanon? About 150 hats (just the first ones to go....there are lots more ready to be sent) packed very tightly into a small box cost around $150. So, if you don't knit, or haven't got the time or inclination to knit hats for this project, please consider a monetary donation to offset the cost of shipping. Kathie's employer, Coast Realty, generously covered the cost of sending that first box, but there will be at least three more boxes to send. (People from other places have started to ask if they, too, can contribute hats...)

Donations can be delivered to Coast Realty. Please put them in a sealed envelope marked Hats For Refugees. And thanks to all of you for your efforts on behalf of these kids.

Carol's Crocheted Afghan

Real wool makes such a difference! Beautiful colour choices by Carol with Lynda's assistance.  This is a Galway worsted Afghan crocheted by Carol.  Gasp!

Kelly's Kowl

'Seleccion Privada" is an untreated worsted yarn by Malabrigo used in this cozy cowl, a treat for Kelly by Kelly. Loverly. 

Carola's Gauntlets

Carola's Gauntlets knit with Noro Silk Garden Lite.  This pattern adapts well to different yarns.

Lori's Gauntlet

A single Gauntlet for Lori (the second will come).  Roisin's niece was visiting from Campbell River, and had just purchased a pair of red/orange boots.  This was the yarn chosen for elegant gauntlets to go with.

Claire's Cowl

Claire's daughter Janet visiting for Christmas and sporting this fluffy lovely cowl knit by Mum. Congrats Claire on gorgeous photogenic daughters and cowl! (We featured Claire's dark haired daughter wearing a slouch hat in this post).

Dara's Play And Gauntlet

Customers might have seen the single Gauntlet Roisin made for sister Dara's birthday in December.  Dara went Los Angeles recently to launch her play "Hear Me Looking At You." The play was sold out and the second Gauntlet has now been finished and is (almost) in the mail to Vancouver.

Here's what the theatre had to say about Dara and her play: 

"HEAR ME LOOKING AT YOU is premiering in our Guild Theatre on Fri Dec 27th.

Dara Culhane is an anthropologist who lives in Vancouver. With a Jewish mother, Irish father, and two First Nation children, she clearly chose the perfect occupation. Now she has crafted an eloquent story of parents, pride, memory, and the narratives we weave from these themes that guide our lives--and sometimes need rewriting. Dara is coming to Los Angeles to perform this story on December 27 and 28."

 

Gina Loves Mohair

Gina has renewed her love affair with mohair and sock wool in her newest slouchy hats. Stand by....avalanche (of hats) warning!

Diane's Snowflake Hat

Diane's very first stranding patterned hat for Dad, in progress.  Meticulous work.  Diane adapted an old pattern for this new version. Lovely. We look forward to seeing the finished hat.

Hats For Refugees Tally

Kathie Mack just posted in Facebook that the first box of hats is on its way to Lebanon for Syrian refugee babies and children. She thanks all the dedicated knitters who have, so far, donated over 300 hats (I am not sure that this includes all the hats at GBOW), and her employer, Coast Realty, who covered the cost of this shipment. 
As Roisin said, Good wishes are knit into these special 100% woollen hats.  We're proud of your/our contribution.

And more....

The Katniss Cowl

Roisin's "Katniss Cowl" (Katniss being the protagonist in both the books and movies The Hunger Games...just in case you've been away on Mars for the past few years)  which she knit using Briggs & Little roving.  She says the whole thing was industrial strength knitting.  She's ready to try knitting chain mail armour now.

Elly's Brioche Scarves

Elly's Galway Worsted twisty turny scarves in one of Elly's specialty stitches, brioche. 

Sydney's Many Slippers (And One Pair Of Socks)

Look what happens when Roisin and Lynda work their teaching magic! Sydney took Roisin's Cowichan style sweater class and made a couple and then branched off into Cowichan style socks, and then on to Lynda's felted slipper class and then went on a felted slipper making binge....that is a lot of happy feet!

New Year, New Classes!

It's January 2014, and we have classes starting soon. Remember, we're happy to consider adding a class on something you'd like to learn....just let us know!

Knitted Felted Slipper Class with Lynda - minimum 4 participants
Start Date Wed. Jan. 22nd 10-noon, 5 weeks.
$60.00 + purchase of materials
Guided navigation through complicated pattern and learn specific felting technique from our Master Felter, Lynda.
Check out a photo of Lynda's latest fab slippers, here.

Baby Surprise Jacket Class with Lynda - minimum 4 participants
Start Date Sat. Jan 25th - 2-4 pm, 5 weeks.
$60.00 + purchase of materials.
Elizabeth Zimmerman's famous BSJ not-easy pattern made simple with instruction and Lynda's cheat sheets. 
Check out a photo of one of Lynda's many BSJs, here.

Elegant Fan Gauntlet Class with Roisin - minimum 4 participants
Start Date Wed. Jan 22nd - 2-4 pm - 4 weeks.
$50.00 + purchase of materials.
Roisin's version of a Fan Gauntlet pattern, arm length and perfect fit
And learn the magic loop technique.
Check out a photo of Fan Gauntlets, here.

Cowichan Style Sweater/Vest with Roisin - minimum 4 participants
Start Date Fri. Jan 24th - 2-4 pm
$50.00 + purchase of materials (pattern free with class)
This is a very popular Cowichan style sweater family and friends are asking for!
Check out a photo of lots of vests, here.

And don't forget we have these on-going classes.
Sockistas every Tues 2-4 pm - with Roisin
Knit a pair of socks together Toe-Up on 2 circular needles.
Learn invisible cast-on, new-to-some increase technique
Afterthought heel and elastic type crochet cast-off
$75.00 + purchase of materials for 'start any Tues, come back any Tues.
The Never-Ending Class....we have fun!

Beginners Knit every Sat 10-noon - with Roisin
This class started and continues with new knitters learning the Continental Style of knitting.For some of these new knitters, the time slot works for them so
it has now extended to beginning and learning through projects.
The objective is to teach you this method of knitting and get you started on projects of your choice AND to keep it as flexible as possible.
$50.00 for 4 x 2 hr classes plus purchase of materials.

And brand new in 2014!
We're starting our "Free for All" Thursdays from 1-3 pm.
Every Thursday from 1-3 pm Roisin will be available for Free Help.
We'll have a donation box so you can contribute to our free classes for young mums.  Bring your problems, issues, projects, whatever you have that you need help with. Any yarn, any project.  And/ Or, if you wish to donate your Helping Skills, come and help out.  The more the merrier.

Where Thanks Is Due

You may have received Roisin's recent Happy New Year message via email--it's below my words--and a very nice message it was too. But I want to take a moment to thank Roisin! Without her, there would be no Local Yarn Store, no Loopy Lounge, no lessons and classes, no fabulous yarns and notions--and it would be a lot harder to find other yarn and fibre lovers to hang out with. I am sure you have an inkling of just how much work goes into being the sole proprietor of a store, but I suspect it is even more effort and work than we imagine, combined with leaps of faith, large outlays of cash, and the equivalent of sailing without charts. So, Roisin, thank you for everything you do for us. 

Great Balls of Wool had a Great 2013, thanks to our fantastic customers/friends.
Looking forward to an even greater 2014.

ME & THREE -  Lynda, Carola, Brenda and I have fun sharing our multifaceted skills, experience, ideas, opinions with you in the store.  BlogMeister Alene keeps increasing traffic to our Blog and Carola does the same with our Facebook page.  Bookkeeper Kathleen helps us stay on track and local landscapers keep our front garden 
looking good.  YEAH Team!

Good 2014 News - NO price increases and some price decreases.
Sunday openings (some) with Loopy Loungers Sunday afternoons.
Class list coming out shortly, as well as a First Dibs Club date with a fun competition, and I will be volunteering time to teach knitting to young mums.  This brings us to our "FREE FOR ALL" Thursdays, from 1- 3 pm. in the Loopy Lounge. 

Every Thursday from 1-3 pm I (Roisin) will be available for Free Help.
We'll have a donation box so you can contribute to our free classes for young mums.  Bring your problems, issues, projects, whatever you have that you need help with. Any yarn, any project.  And/ Or, if you wish to donate your Helping Skills, come and help out.  The more the merrier.

More info forthcoming through e-mail, the blog and facebook pages.

p.s. Humble apologies to our friends/customers who dropped by on New Year's Eve and we were CLOSED!!  We hereby PROMISE to be open this coming New Year's Eve - we'll have a 'Knit-a-Thon' - Think you'll stay awake????  I probably won't.
See you soon,
in Gratitude, Roisin

We Are Knitting Hats!

Thanks to Kathie Mack, many Malaspina Peninsula knitters are knitting little hats (as of yesterday, 166!), and GBOW is helping...! You may have read the piece in The Peak last week, or seen The Powell River Toque Initiative for Lebanon on Facebook. Here's what Kathie wrote there:

• Hey everyone, my daughter is working over in Lebanon right now with the refugees from the Syrian conflict. As some of you might know, a big winter storm hit there a week ago, and many of the refugees are in pretty dire straights with the cold. Many of these refugees are children. We are starting a big initiative to gather wool toques for babies, as many of them are currently freezing. If you would like to help, and also get some Christmas knitting experience under your belt, please knit a few baby toques for these children. You can deliver to Coast Realty. For those of you willing to give the time, Great Balls of Wool is giving a discount on wool going towards the project as well as a free pattern. They are also offering their lounge on Thursday from 1-4 for company and/or help. 
• Whether you're a beginner knitter and want to get started with a good cause, or an experienced knitter who wants to contribute, we would really appreciate it. Any little bit helps for the people over there right now. It doesn't take long, it's something to learn, and it's a big help. 
• Thank you!
• P.S please read the following article, it really gives you some perspective on what's happening. "UNHCR and partners in operation to help refugees amid winter storm." http://www.unhcr.org/52a8d93f9.html 

Here's a photo of hats gathering at GBOW....you can drop hats off either at the store, or Coast Realty.