Where Have We Been?

Well, that's been a Very Long Break in blogging, hasn't it? There's been some illness, a lot of busyness, and life events intervening. 

Here, as a teaser, are a couple of photos of Roisin's entries taken on April 22 at the 3rd annual Ecouture fashion show held this year at Dwight Hall....that's a lot of people attending! The first show was held at the Rodmay in the central hallway....that's how much interest has grown in this fabulous show. 
The rest of the beautiful photos--taken by Stephen Grover and Jennifer Dodd--are on Facebook at this link (scroll down to see the photo entries--all 350 of them!)

ECouture Fashion Show & Events

Carol modelling...she looks professional, doesn't she?

And Phil with great grandson Robbie looking very handsome.

Ellie's Auction Sweater

Ellie's top down sweater and matching hat. We believe it is going to be a 'prize' for someone in the silent auction for PR Kings and United Way.  Ellie does so well with colour choices and design.  We're always impressed with her work.

Jude Skeers - Week One

Oh my....so much to catch up on! I've been away visiting family in Ontario so missed the very beginning of Jude's residency at GBOW, but I caught up today, with his hat workshop...more on that below. 

Jude started his first-time visit to Canada with a short stay in Vancouver, hosted by Friend-Of-GBOW, Nigel and his husband Geordie. Nigel took Jude to various knitting meccas, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, and a long lunch with Holli Yeoh, knitting designer, and Nigel's step-daughter. And then it was off to PR for Jude where woolly things began right away.

These are some photos from that first week. Make sure you look at the whole post as there are a lot of photos. Come back for Week Two photos!

Jude's first workshop in the Loopy Lounge.  Everyone is busy knitting the E-longated shawl which looks like this, finished:

Myrt, Jude and Amy hanging out with GBOW Yarn and wearing Jude designs. They're woolly happy.

The back of Myrt Modeling Jude's Elizabeth Zimmerman style jacket.  We've already had one class...another one next week.

Here's what the front looks like.

These photos are from the Möbius and Zimmermann style jacket classes. Goodness, this is fun!

And then today was the hat workshop... This is the first Jude class I have taken and I learned a lot! Aside from learning some very cool knitting techniques, untried by me (stranding...double knitting....) I also learned Jude is a great teacher who can tell stories at the same time he keeps track of each participant's progress. (Yep, that's me in the orange lace shawl that Nigel knit me for my birthday).

Cast On Help

Are you taking a workshop (or two or three?) with Jude Skeers? If so, starting tomorrow, Oct 2nd, on Fridays 1-3 pm and Saturdays 10-Noon

Roisin will be teaching the cast-on methods for Jude's Shawl, Moebius shoulder wrap, and full wrap classes.

Drop by as sooon as you're able and be ready to knit during class.

No charge.

Hat Class With Jude Skeers - October 22nd or 29th

Maybe you are like me, thinking you are not nearly a good enough knitter to take a workshop with master knitter, artist and designer Jude Skeers.. How about the "Hats. Toques, Beanies" one? Roisin assures me less-than-expert knitters will enjoy that one...I'm signed up! Don't delay...class sizes are small.

These are the patterns he'll be teaching, using his own techniques of stranding and slip stitching, and based on Cowichan designs.

Circular Wrap Work Shop With Jude Skeers

Here's an example Jude's Circular Wrap/Shawl he will be teaching in a two-day workshop when he's here (very soon!).  It is knit from the 'outside in', with a choice of two different cast-on's.  It's similar to one of his patterns that Roisin knit and has in the store.  Come check it out.
The workshop will be offered twice:
Workshop One: Oct 17 & 19.
Workshop Two: Oct 26 & Nov 2.
Call Roisin for pricing and to book 604-485-4859.

Hairy Wrap

Jude Skeers' Moebius shoulder wrap pattern - knit by Roisin in Baby Alpaca Sport yarn, with a strand of ribbon yarn, modeled by Olga (she could use some lippy, don't you think?).  

This is one of the Moebius patterns Jude will be teaching when he's here. 

Jude's E-Longated Wrap

Jude Skeers emailed Roisin and said, "I am starting to work on patterns for my trip to Canada.The first one to get completed is the circular wrap."

And here are some photos of this lovely piece.  (He used 1 hank of Lara Downs Kool Kid Brushed Mohair).

Jude is Coming!

 A reminder that Australian designer, artist and knitter, Jude Skeers, is coming to Canada for the very first time, from October 16 until the first week in November, right here to the Malaspina Peninsula. 

His true Moebius designs have been the basis for many beautiful items 
we've showed you photos of. Here the details. 

What Am I?

Heads' up, members of the First Dibs Club....Saturday May 23rd from 2-4 pm at the store the Unveiling of our fresh new design and pattern, with many samples to view. This Exciting NEW pattern is a Top-Secret joint effort by knitting trolls, Roisin and Brenda.

Information we can divulge at present:
1: Totally Original, design and pattern
2: YOU WILL want it!
3: YOU CAN make it!
4: Many trials and testing of pattern have been done to assure ease of following.

First Dibbers get first viewing and first chance at "IT".

(and you can become a First Dibber by calling or dropping by the store, or sending email)

Clues:

1:  Specific to our Region

2:  There's a point to it

Ideas?

Thursday Loopy Lounge

This past Thursday's HELP group.  Well, some don't need any help and just come to hang out and knit, which is fine.

We have Hillary holding our Loopy Lounge mascot, Hunter, who gurgles and smiles at all of us.  We figure he's used to our voices: he's heard them since way before he was born. Will his first words be Knit or Purl?  

If you're curious--or need help--come and check it out, Thursday afternoons.

Wearable Art Show

What a great show! Great Balls of Wool was honoured to have veteran model Sally strutting our stuff at the eCouture Show, at the Rodmay Hotel last evening. Thirty pieces of wearable art...

Sally's modeling career began in New York (date NOT important).  After her latest Rodmay show, who knows what's ahead??

Gratitude to everyone involved in this production.  If you missed it this year, don't do that again next year.  It was amazing....

--

Friday Knit Along

Remember, tomorrow we'll be hanging out in the Loopy Lounge & knitting "The Lundie Puddlestompin' Poncho" together, from 1 - 3pm.
Just a $10 drop in fee and we'll continue for as many Fridays as it takes!


And here's a pink "Lundie" just for Maria who needs to knit a purple one....Maria?

Jude Skeers' Beanies

Beaucoup de beanies...Jude Skeers has been knitting beanies. When you attend the October classes with him, these simple hats will be used to teach stranding and fair isle techniques. How fun! There are going to be a lot of fabulous hats made.

Easter Weekend Hours

This is a four day weekend for some. It's a three day one for GBOW. Closed Friday, Open Saturday, Closed Sunday, AND Monday.
Have a great weekend how ever you celebrate it. 

Fiber Fest

We've told you about the 2015 Fibre Fest happening right now in Powell River at the Savary Bight resort.Today and tomorrow, Roisin will be attending (GBOW has a table in the expo) but Brenda is at the store, so hours are normal. The Saturday morning class with Roisin is cancelled.
There's a fashion show of fibre-y wearable art this evening, but we are not sure this is open to the public. We will just have to rely on Roisin taking lots of photos!
So much to do in our little town this so-far sunny weekend! 

A Woolly Lunar New Year

Today the Chinese Year of the Horse gives way to something more woolly, but is it a sheep/ram or a goat? There is ambiguity! 


"This Chinese lunar year, which begins today, the easily identifiablema (馬) gives way to the the vague yang (羊). The first clearly refers to a horse. 
The second, yang, is impossible to translate precisely and can equally refer to a goat or a sheep. " 
Read the whole interesting article here.

Valentine's Day

You still have time to pop into the store and get a Gift Certificate for your sweetie...or drop huge hints to the person who should be buying YOU a Gift Certificate.

Jude Skeers Event - October 2015

Well, *this* is exciting! As readers of this blog know, Roisin is a friend of and collaborator with  Australian designer, artist and knitter, Jude Skeers. His true Moebius designs have been the basis for many beautiful items we've showed you photos of...some are reproduced below. And we've mentioned that he was coming here to Powell River--to Canada for the very first time, from October 16 until the first week in November.

And ta da! Here is the preliminary schedule. Do NOT delay expressing your intent to attend if you are interested as attendance in each class and workshop is quite small. Costs will be somewhere between $125 to $325 per class/workshop. Roisin is still working out details.

Friday 16th October - Jude arrives, meet and greet social afternoon/evening


Saturday 17th October - Knit your own Spider Web. Fun time, morning and afternoon session. 










Monday 19th October - Jude's Circular Shawl. One of his patterns which is an original design. For those wishing to take this workshop, Roisin will get you started with your cast-on prior to Jude's workshop.



Tuesday 20th October - Jude's Elizabeth Zimmerman Style Jacket, Children's or Adult Size.

Wednesday 21st October - Moebius Shoulder Wrap/Shawl
A pre-requisite for this workshop is taking one of Roisin's Moebius classes. For further information, get in touch with Roisin.

Thurs 22nd October - Stranding, Fair Isle techniques for Beanies, Toques, etc. Another specialty of Jude's.



Friday October 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. A 3-day workshop learning to make Jude's wonderful creation, the Moebius Wrap/ Shawl. Samples of these are on display at Great Balls of Wool. This class will be limited to 5 participants and will be held at The Magical Dome in Lund. For more information on this, just ask Roisin.

For the week of Monday 26th October , classes will continue on the same schedule.

These classes and workshops are subject to change depending on number of participants--and updates will be provided as we have them. 

Fiber & Fabric Weekend

Some changes made (as noted by Kevin and highlighted) so I am reposting.

Ooooo! This looks like it will be an amazing event! GBOW pal Kevin Wilson is organizing a Fiber and Fabric Weekend. Must register....before January 10, the cost of the weekend is only $99 (but check out all the options via the link below).

"Fiber and Fabric from the Ground Up" Weekend of Workshops, Jan 24-25
This full weekend of workshops and classes will expand the possibilities for fiber and fabric arts and crafts in your life, with hands-on sessions on all kinds of different topics:

Saturday
8:30 – 9:00 am	Check-in and coffee
9:00 – 10:30 am	Make Do & Mend – Fran Cudworth	Demystifying the Sewing Machine – Cam & Shawn Bailey
10:45 – 12:45	Knit a Sock in a Weekend (part 1) - Kevin Wilson	Felting and re-purposing wool items – Roberta Pearson
1:30 – 4:30 pm	Beginning continental knitting – Marlaine Taylor	Off-loom weaving – Hana-Louise Braun
Sunday
8:30 – 9:00 am	Check-in and coffee
9:00 – 10:30 am	Knit a Sock in a Weekend (part 2) – Kevin Wilson	Beginner spinning on a drop spindle – Val McKeen
10:45 – 12:45	Art yarn on a drop spindle – Katrina Craig	Rugmaking with recycled clothing – Alice McCallum
1:30 – 4:30 pm	Simple Hand Applique – Marlaine Taylor	Learn to Crochet: simple handwarmers – Roberta Pearson

You can attend the whole weekend, or just one day, as you wish. Full details and registration available here:
http://fiddlersfarm.com/uhspr/classes-and-events/fiber-and-fabric-from-the-ground-up-weekend-of-workshops/
or by calling Kevin at 483 9052.