This was sent out as our first e-newsletter…..you can subscribe to it on the Home Page!
Hey there! This is the first “News from the Purl!” It has been quite an interesting and busy time since getting our space at 90 West Franklin Street, Nashville, Indiana on May 1.
First, we had to get things ready—my brother-in-law, Don, was so wonderful in building the cabinets, cubes and light fixtures. He is scheduled to build some more shelves in preparation for the pottery. My sister, Mariruth came in everyday as the yarn and goodies started to arrive to help me price things—Paul (my son) and David (my husband) even helped some. Then there was our friend, Andy who drove the shelving units down from Fishers, Indiana so we would have a place to display all this beautiful yarn! Mariruth and Paul have been coming in on the days that I have to work in Indianapolis.
We were able to open our doors on May 12, and it has been fun! I am learning so much and have already met a lot of great people.
Classes
I had no clue that there would be this much interest in classes! I originally thought to wait until after the “tourist season” to start classes, but have made the decision to start now. So here is what you have been waiting for–remember, this is only the beginning!
Beginning Knitting (3 sessions)
Mondays, June 20, 27 and July 11 (skipping the 4th) 6:30-8:30 PM
(This is for people who have never knit, or haven’t knit for many years.)
Class Fees: $30.00 plus materials
Special Materials Package: $15.50 (valued at $17.05)
Includes— How to Knit (book)
Size #8 KA 9” Bamboo Needles
1 Ball of Encore Worsted weight Yarn (your choice of color)
If you already have good quality #8 needles you may use your own, and then either select another set of needles at the same value, or pay the difference. You may also choose a different yarn and pay the difference.
Taught by Shelly Hayes
Sock Class – Magic Loop Method (3 sessions)
Thursdays, June 16, 23 and 30 9:00-11:00 AM
Class Fees: $30 plus materials
Materials needed: enough sock yarn for 2 socks (you will receive 10% discount on your yarn purchase).
You will also need a #1 or #2 – 32” (or longer) circular needle (available for $9.46).
If you have your own good quality needle, you may use it. You need to purchase your sock yarn for the class at the Clay Purl – there are many different varieties available. You need to already know how to knit and purl, experience with circular needles is helpful,, but not necessary.
Taught by Margaret (Margie) Hill
Note: Class size will be limited; your place will be secured when you pay the fees. Call or stop by to reserve and pay for your spot in the class. If you have any questions, you can also email.
And just for fun…!
Knittin’ Times
Tuesday Knit Nights
First Tuesday of Every Month from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Beginning August 2
Everyone welcome! Bring your knitting or crocheting, and we will have some cookies and coffee. It will be a chance to meet friends, learn new things, get some help, and just have a good time.
Because this is an idea from Brown Sheep Yarn Company—there will be a 10% discount on Brown Sheep Yarn for all participants during Knit Night.
Sock Club
Third Tuesday of Every Month from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
For anyone who loves to knit socks! Each month, there will be a selected sock pattern plus a selection of yarn for one price (I am in the process of choosing the August pattern now). Bonus! When you bring your completed pair of socks in the following month—you will receive a Danforth Pewter charm. We have bracelets and necklaces are available for your charms.
You should know the basics of sock knitting—maybe you will want to take the “Sock Class” first.
Other News:
Pottery
Many are asking about the pottery. We are excited to carry Paul Hayes Pottery beginning mid-July! Paul is an incredible and creative young potter (and I am not the least bit prejudiced).
Yarns and Things
I think I will call it a tie for the most popular yarns this month: Handspun Bouquet (from Pagewood Farms) and Opal Sock yarn. Many are finding great fun in the hand felted flowers, that can be moved to where you want them as you knit or crochet along in beautiful color with Handspun Bouquet. And, since the weather has turned HOT fast, many are taking advantage of the “cool knitting”—socks! And there isn’t a “funner” sock yarn to knit, than Opal—you are always surprised by the intricate patterns that you create with such little effort!
Since it has been literally flying off the shelf, more Opal is on the way, I have also ordered some new sock yarn from Pagewood Farms (that I hope gets here before the first “sock class”), I have also ordered some bamboo yarn from Sweaterkits, and some more wonderful yarns from Brown Sheep. Oh, I love getting boxes of yarn….which shall I knit next?
Some of you have already purchased some Serendipity Needles. I know I have told the story over and over, but in case you didn’t know yet….(skip ahead if you have heard my spiel) …
They are a great quality, white birch knitting needle made in the US by a small family run company in Rhode Island. They are beautifully decorated by a group of hardworking, mentally handicapped people. Each needle is a special work of art! I hope to get some great “fall” ones in later this summer.
Project Bags
I had this idea to create project bags, so I sketched out everything I would want in certain project bags, and came up with 3 designs—The Shelly—which is “the mother of all project bags,” the Alyssa—which is the medium bag, and the Elayna, which is the small one. I asked a friend of mine, Becky, who can do wondrous things with a sewing machine to make them up. I had no idea how popular they would be—with the exception of the red ones! Doesn’t anyone like red? I hope to get a few more this weekend.
Tales from the Clay Purl
Love, Marriage and Knitting
As you know, I am new to this whole Nashville shop thing. Everyone told me to expect big crowds last weekend (Memorial Day). But I learned that a big, holiday weekend crowd doesn’t necessarily mean that you will sell a lot in a yarn shop! Saturday was a decent day, and so were the few hours I worked on Sunday afternoon. So I anticipated Monday! What I didn’t realize, was that most of the people visiting Nashville on Monday rode their motorcycles, and they don’t have much room to carry much back with them.
The other thing that occurred on Monday was the “husband syndrome.” David called to see how things were going. I told him there were people in the shop, but I wasn’t selling much, because the husbands were following their wives around with their arms crossed, making comments like, “What are you going to do with that?” So, out the door they went! David came in to hang out a little later, and the next couple that came in was the proto-type of the “husband syndrome”—he hung over her shoulder for the few minutes she tried to look at yarn, he scoffed at every ball she picked up. When the door closed—we started cracking up!
Today, the husbands have been happy to sit in my comfy chairs and let their wives shop!
Then there are a several young couples that come in and they both knit. Usually the husband finds the yarn he wants to knit in the first 2-3 minutes, he lays it on the counter, then he retreats to the comfy “husband chair” while his wife deliberates, touches all the yarn, carries around a few balls at a time, and generally wanders around for a half hour or more before she decides what to buy.
Elayna in Mimi’s Shop
OK, indulge me a little with stories about my 2 year old, curly headed, beautiful, brilliant granddaughter. She went “potty” in her potty chair the other day—I think it was just a fluke, but she did it. So, when I heard, of course, I got all animated, and excited, and told her next time she came to “Mimi’s Shop” I would take her to the toyshop and buy her a present! She came over on Monday, and while her mom and her “Papa” manned the shop, Elayna and I went shopping. She talked all the way to the toyshop (about 2 blocks), and charmed everyone who saw her. She went directly to the toy kitchen, and selected a coffeemaker that made brewing noises and dispensed “coffee”(water) into a pot.
While checking out, I noticed an unmistakable smell coming from Elayna! So much for the potty reward!
Final thoughts
I will do my best to keep the website updated. We are installing the Internet on Tuesday, so I will be able to keep up with things and not have to work when I go home. Paul has taken some beautiful photos of the yarn; I hope to get them posted soon. I am also trying to set up the website so you can order, yet keep my life simple at the same time. I plan on sending this newsletter out once per month. I hope you enjoy reading the “News from the Purl.”
Happy knitting!
Shelly Hayes
