DKY

Well I have been open 4 whole days now. It is such fun. The painter has started the shop front and put up my sign today so it’s looking like a proper shop. I’ve discovered the lights in the shop are so hot I won’t need a heater in the winter and if the summer heatwave hits I may have to restort to Kylie hot pants, Which definately would not be a good look!!!!!!

‘Gentle Touch’ from King Cole is now in stock 14 fantastic vibrant colours, £2.49 per 100g ball. Lovely DK acrylic.

First Knit and Natter in the shop is this Friday 10am til 12noon all welcome.

I had a lovely visit from two ladies on Monday from the Todmorden area one of whom (Laura) turned out to be a textile artist who teaches crochet. As you can imagine I lost no time in trying to arrange some workshops. so watch this space. I’ve just been on  Laura’s website and her work is amazing I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed that she will be able to offer some classes in the shop really soon. If you think you’d be interested email me or pop into the shop then I can let you know if we get something in place.

Laura’s website is http://thewatergypsy.wordpress.com/ It is well worth a look. 

Today I finally finished the ‘Cuddles’ baby blanket I was knitting ready for next weeks window display. I really like the texture of the Cuddles it is so soft. I was going to knit the edging but I was inspired by Water Gypsy’s visit the other day I crocheted an edge. Tomorrow I can work on the ‘Riot’ top I cast on Saturday without guilt now lol.

Well it has been a very busy two weeks but as planned I opened today at 9.30am and I didn’t get a chance to sit down all day. I was too busy and I’d had way too much coffee.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and lots of new ones too. I had a brilliant day and everything seemed to run smoothly except I haven’t quite memorised where I’ve put everything just yet.

I have a camera full of photos which I’ll download onto the site.

I made one mistake with Knit and Natter groups the Thursday group won’t be able to start until 22nd July. I completely forgot about my youngest daughters leavers concert which is on the 15th oops. sorry about the mix up.

King Cole’s brand new yarn Riot caused a riot it was definitely the most popular yarn of the day. Debbie the rep from King Cole put a window display together with Riot. The colours and pattern designs stopped people in their tracks. I of course just had to cast on a v neck top in Riot - well I didn’t want to be left out now did I ???? I did only mange to find the time to cast on and knit 1 row but it’s a start.

 The next King Cole new release is ‘Gentle Touch’ which will be delivered early this next week. Both new yarns have patterns to support them.

Well I’m off for a well earned glass of wine and read a good book although I have a funny feeling that I might not make it through a full chapter.

I can’t wait til Monday morning I’m feel very lucky to be doing a job I love meeting lots of lovely people who understand the excitement a new yarn or colour causes. I enjoy it immensely when I spot someone who just can’t help squeezing a ball of wool and grinning.

Night Night Liz

Well it was touch and go but with the help of some very nice people at Scottish Power who managed to get my electricity back on within 3 hours of receiving the relevant paperwork I can now open Saturday.

I will have an official opening day on 14th Aug when Clitheroe are holding craft & food street market So keep watching for details.  

my opening hours are 9.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Saturday

I will be arranging the Knit and Natter groups over the next couple of weeks so If you like to come along to one of them let me know. They are free!!!!!!

Proposed times for Knit and Natter Groups are:-

Tuesday 1 - 3pm

Thursday 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Friday 10am - 12noon

Well I didn’t think it would happen but it finally has, I signed the paperwork for the shop. hurrah.

We finalize completion the middle of this week. I’m hoping to get open by this coming Saturday 3rd July but it depends on the Scottish Power. The electricity has been cut off because the shop was empty so we have to wait til they reconnect.

With my ‘willing’ family volunters we have cleaned the shop, constructed the shelving, bought more shelving from Ikea and then constructed that too, moved everything from the cabin into the shop.

Wow I didn’t realise just how much yarn I had. But I have to say it is looking good.

(photos to follow when I’ve found my camera.)

 I’ll be there all week setting up, finding space to store wool, hopefully getting elec re-connected, re-arranging shelves a few dozen times and generally playing ’shop’. Pop by say hello give me you opinions.

I’m really lucky that on Thursday I will be joined for the day by Debbie the rep from King Cole who will be advising me on merchandising, constructing the racks they sent me because the instructions are double dutch, and arranging the wool.

King Cole have been a brilliantly supportive company during this move. We are working closely together and have some surprises in store over the coming months especialy for the official opening so watch this space.

On the 26th of June some of ther shops and businesses around Clitheroe are holding a ‘Help For Heros’ fund raising event. I will have a collection bucket on the stall and any money donated will go towards this appeal. If by any miracle I’m in the shop I’ll arrange additional activities. If you would like to support this worthy fund there will be lots of collection buckets around town. If you want to get involved visit Susan Street the manageress at M & Co who is coordinating the fund raising.

I’ve just watched a documentary on NOMA victims in Ethiopia and the charity ‘Facing Africa’ who arrange for plastic surgeons and medical teams who volunteer their time to help the victims of this terrible disease. I was really touched by the children in the documentary and I’d like to arrange some fund raising such as a coffee morning when I get into the shop to raise funds for the charity. The documentary is still on I player if anyone wants to see it. The documentary does show some serious cases of this disfiguring disease and operations so take care if you are sensitive.

www.facingafrica.org

www.helpforheros.org.uk

 Any fundraising ideas will be greatly appreciated.  

It seems that there is only one more piece of paper work that needs to be signed and I can finally get the stock moved into my shop. I have been able to get in and clean the shop so that has been a huge help.It took a whole morning for my mum and myself to peel the stickers of the front windows. We got a lot done so when we get finalised we just have to set up shelves and stock them.

Well it has been a marathon but it is finally looking like the paperwork for the new shop will be completed very soon. hurrah.

In the mean time I have taken a second cabin across the way and started getting the new stock delivered. I still haven’t got enough space to bring it all to the stall but I’ve got lots more for you to look at. (list of new stock to follow later this week.)

I am VERY VERY excited to announce that I am the very first shop in the country to have James Brett’s new yarn ‘Twinkle’ in stock.

Twinkle in a fantastic DK yarn in five sparkly jewel colours. This yarn has a glitter thread running through it. The colours are Red, Black, Blue, Teal and a Dusty Purple. 

 It is priced at £2.60 per 100g.

 I’m frantically trying to finish my current jumper project tonight so I can start something in the Twinkle at the stall tomorrow.  I want to make a teal shrug to wear with my little black dress.  

I’m also the very first shop to have The new Marble Dk patterns from James Brett in stock. They only arrived to James Brett yesterday.

I’ve had a fantastic day. I actually squeaked with excitement when I collected my wool from them and spotted the Twinkle.

I’ll be taking the yarn I bought today down to the stall in the morning. You’d better hurry up tho or I may have used all the Twinkle for myself.

Flamenco -up date I still have five colours in stock. I rang the company and they are hoping to get another shipment delivered either the end of this week or the beginning of next. I have ordered the whole range so hopefully everyone will get the colour they want. Watch this space.

Designer Knitting Yarns will be on the move in a few weeks. I am in the process of signing a lease on a shop. YEAHHHHHHH

It is a Clitheroe town centre shop about a two minute walk from the market. I will be open 6 days a week 9.30am until 4.30pm with a late night on Thursday til 8.30

I would like to expand the knit and natter group. my intention is to have the following groups.

 Tuesday afternoon 1pm til 3pm. Thursday evening 6.30 til 8.30 and Friday morning 10am til 12 noon.

I have a lot of new yarns already on order including yarns from James C Brett, Schoppel-Woole (knit to felt and needle felting), Creative Yarns, Opal sock yarn and various other suppliers.

I have already received  a delivery of Hand Knit Heros magazines and T shirts.

I had the joy of opening a fantastic box of knitting and crochet books today.

I have placed orders for Knit Pro needles, Clover products,and instructional DVDs. I have lots of ideas of other items I’d like to stock but I’m open to ideas. So if you have any ideas send me an email.

I’m am very excited and not getting very much sleep just making lists of things to do and wool to buy. It is such fun.   

I have placed and order for Handknit Heros graphic novel, editions 1 and 2.

Handknit Heros had a full page feature in issue 64 of Simply Knitting. 

The parcel should currently be winging its way over the Atlantic.

The graphic novel is brain child of Stephanie Bryant. This is what her website says about Handknit Heros  

 http://www.comicknits.com/

Imagine you’re a teenager, and you have some… special powers. Maybe even super powers. And one day, at a sleepover, your best friend in the whole world tells you—you’re not alone. So begins the adventure for a couple of teenagers, a single mom and yarn shop owner, and a whole bunch of hand knitted fun.

Handknit Heroes is the first graphic novel for knitters. Each issue features a great storyline with knitting superheroes, terrific artwork, and a beautiful (and easy) knitting pattern.

Check out the new customer gallery. I have posted two photos of fabulous hats designed and made by Helen.

If you have any photos of your creations send them to me at lizw22@live.co.uk

It took me a while to sort out the mechanics of getting photos to show up on line but fingers crossed I got all the glitches ironed out.