The Land of Wool and Honey

Wordless Wednesday: Gitche Gumee

 

(Lake Superior, Sunday afternoon.)

Nautical

 

 

Trying to beat the heat with deep, cool blue and crisp, bright white--knitting imitatating life. 

Here's to the second half of summer!

Today

 

I enjoyed the morning sunlight streaming in on (one of) my favorite summer bouquets.

 

followed by a post-workout swim in the Big Water,

 

then I took out some scraggly stitches on the letter K,

(oh, had I not mentioned my crewelwork sampler?  Um, awesome.)

 

drank three times the daily recommended allowance for fluid intake,

 

and while trying to stay cool today at the shop, I rocked out to a collection of tunes I've been enjoying for several weeks.  I thought you should, too--enjoy!

A Plucky Visit

Primo fingering in Pickwick Club--a super sweet gift from Sarah!

The Saturday before last, just as I was wrapping up things at the shop for the week, I was treated to a surprise visit from a very famous knitter--one that I've been waiting to meet for a long time: Sarah, the Plucky Knitter!

(Go!  Check out her site, her Flickr set, join the Rav group...I'll wait!)

One of the reasons I've been so looking forward to meeting Sarah isn't the fact that she's a Michigan fiber artist, nor that she's a rockstar in the knitting world, nor the fact that she is so.  Dang.  Cute.  (Of course, she is all of those things, too.)

No, I've been extra excited to chat with Sarah, because we needed to start fleshing out the details of a Plucky Trunk Show at Wool & Honey on Saturday, May 28th from 5-9 p.m.

It's okay.  Take a second to let it sink in.

A Plucky Trunk Show.  At Wool & Honey.  May 28th from 5-9 p.m.  (More details to come.)

For realz. 

Mark your calendar now, people--this is a night you just cannot miss.  It will truly be worth a road trip.  (Kim, I'm talking to you!  And you, Lori!  And you, Liesl!  And....)

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things to Do Before the End of Summer

1.  Get spinning.  

 

I've got two and a half months before a major trunk show at the shop and I've got a mere seven skeins spun.  Somehow, I didn't squeeze nearly the wheel time in that I needed to in August.

2.  Take a bottle of wine down to Good Harbor.  Just three miles away, our favorite Lake Michigan beach spot is also our favorite date spot.

3.  Hang my sheets out on the line a few more times. 

4.  Paint my toenails a really harlot-y red.

5.  Tidy up the construction site. 

 

A new-ish porch, new windows and after this weekend, starting in on new siding.  Related news coming soon. 

6.  Take a jump in the Big Water one last time.

7.  Finish up a few shop samples that have been lingering on the needles a little longer than necessary.  (Let's be honest--it's fall, people!)

8.  Make a few more gallons of sun tea, my constant summertime companion.

9.  Pick up one more sixer of Oberon, my other summertime sidekick.

10.  Hand wash all my wool sweaters, because baby, it's go time.

Thanks again, Carole!

100% Michigan Made

Part of the changing the name of the shop last week was to do just that--to change the name.  But part of the change was an effort to switch up the shop's inventory a bit, placing the focus on products with a little more tooth.  Which is to say, carrying more products (yarn, fiber and gifts) with a story.  Stepping away (at least to a degree) from a few of the larger "big box" yarn companies that are peppered throughout every yarn shop in the Midwest to highlight some of the equally-deserving smaller brands.  More companies that comply with Fair Trade standards.  Unique artisans and women-owned businesses.  Highly sought-after indie collections (my lips are sealed!)   The best yarn money can buy. 

More than anything else I'm trying to achieve, though, is showcasing the wealth of local, Michigan-made talent.  We've got scads of locally-made yarn and fiber in the shop right now and have for years--Elizabeth's Designs, Northern Dreams Alpaca, llama from Animal Tracks Farm, It's So Ewe handspun, Aral Peak Alpacas, Vibrant Fibers, Procraftination Creations, Spun Honey Fibers....and that doesn't even scratch the surface of what's here.  Everyone loves local products; it's almost always the first question that comes out of every customer's mouth: "Where are your local yarns/fiber/gifts?"  

Well, I'm here today to introduce another Michigan-made product.  And this is a big one.  As in, brand new off the production line.  And right now, Wool & Honey is the only yarn shop in the United States where you can get it (er, them):

100% Michigan-made knitting needles from Indian Lake Artisans in Rochester, MI.        

 

Size 10--arrowhead topper--in birch, cherry and walnut.

 
 

Size 11--acorn topper--in birch, cherry and walnut.
  

 

Size 15--log cabin topper--in birch, cherry and walnut.

 
Look at that detail!

Here's a description of these beautiful needles from the artists' website:

"Indian Lake Artisans is the home of the hexagonal knitting needles. We are dedicated artists handcrafting unique and beautiful products to enrich your life and the enjoyment of craft arts.

All of our knitting needles are handmade with great care and attention to detail. Each needle is sanded by hand and finished with natural beeswax that enhances the color and grain of the wood. The walnut, cherry and birch wood that we use is very light in weight and warm to the touch. The hexagonal shape of the needles feels very comfortable in your hands and helps alleviate hand strain and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Everyone from 9 to 90 will love knitting with these special knitting needles.  

We are located in southeastern Michigan and use the services from Michigan companies in the production of everything we make.

We hope you enjoy creating with our needles as much as we have enjoyed making them for you."

Not only is Wool & Honey the first shop in the U.S. to carry Pam and Mark's patented needles, but we're the first shop in Michigan to do it.  In fact, we've gained the exclusive right to carry these needles in northern Michigan, so you won't find them anywhere else Up North. 

 

How's that for unique?