Hot August Knits Continues!
In addition to My Sister Knits, there are some amazing shops in the Fort Collins area that are participating in the 2nd Annual Hot August Knits.
Your Daily Fiber features finished goods, spinning wheels and looms, and natural yarns, most from regional farms and ranches. Their yarns and rovings come directly from fiber ranchers, and include suri alpaca, llama, and straight up wool. They carry yarns, as well as spinning and weaving equipment and accessories. You can find Kromski spinning wheels and looms, Louet wheels, looms and equipment, Spinolution wheels and drop spindles, and knitting accessories. This is a great little shop and friendlier than can be. (When you’re there, be sure to check out the Mountain Colors trunk show.)
Lambspun of Colorado is a unique and beautifully landscaped property that attracts thousands of visitors from many states every year. As major commercial development has crowded ever closer, this nearly 2-acre property has truly become an oasis of flowers, 70-year-old trees, grass, and buildings from a simpler time. By 1994, Daniel and Shirley Ellsworth acquired the old farmhouse property, began restorations, and moved their fiber arts business, Lambspun of Colorado, into the building. Soon afterward, the restaurant portion of the building received facilities for the Back Porch Café, restoration of the stone Tea House was completed, and in 2001 part the Carriage House was adapted for expanded office and storage area. Lambspun carries a wide range of yarns and spinning supplies, as well as buttons, accessories and needles. Come sit for tea, or just to browse their huge library of knitting and crochet books and magazines. Join them on August 25 for a Maggie Sefton sale. August 27 will host a yarn tasting with Maggie Sefton recipes featured in her books, and a knitted trunk show of her published patterns. August 28 will host a dye workshop for painting skeins and silk scarves, followed by a potluck lunch.
Neota Designs in Estes Park started by dabbling in many fine arts before taking a class in weaving and becoming smitten. She started dyeing her own yarn in the 1990′s to create her own visions of the variegateds she couldn’t find in stores. She has developed her own techniques and dye recipes for her hand-painted yarns. Seven years ago, she opened a studio/ store where she can practice her weaving, dyeing, sewing and knitting, as well as selling her yarns and other creations.
The Stitchin’ Den in Estes Park has a lot of room to sit and chat while working on your favorite projects. They have created a cozy safe community of people enjoying each other, fiber, color and a moment to stop and catch your breath. Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park are perfect destinations for travelling, and right now the weather is warm and all of the flowers are exploding with color. You can find stitchery charts, canvases, fibers, books and classes. The needlework area even has its own table for picking fibers or working on a project. Join them on August 27 from 1:00 – 3:00pm when Joanna Johnson will be doing a colorwork class, followed by a book signing.
Be sure to stop by MSK on Saturday, August 27th to enjoy a chair massage from Tim Peak! From 12:00 – 4:00pm.
Pick up your Hot August Knits passport from any of the participating shops, and be sure to get a stamp each time you visit one on the list! A completed passport can be turned in to be qualified for the Grand Prize drawing of a gift basket containing goodies from each participating shop. It’s only from August 15 – 31!
Upcoming Events
Julie Conway is back and teaching her popular Learn to Knit I class! Knit I is an ideal class for beginners, covering the long-tail cast-on, knitting and purling, garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and binding off. This class will be held on Saturday, August 27 from 10am – 12pm. This class still has some space left, so call the shop to sign up before it’s full!
Also on Saturday, MSK will be commencing its first knit-a-long of the season! Join us at 2pm as we cast on for Hannah Fettig’s Whisper Cardigan (known in another incarnation as the Wispy Cardi). This knit-a-long will be hosted on our Ravelry page, with “office” hours for help in the shop as needed. Patterns and materials are available at the shop, so call or stop by to sign up!
