Observations on yarn and booze.

As the economy crumbles around us, someone made a joke to me the other day about businesses that flourish in these tough times. Booze was the big one. People tend to drink their financial woes away. According to people who have been through this before, it seems we'll all stay in a booze induced stupor until we hear some good news about the business world finding its collective feet and then we'll go back to buying cars and the like.

In the meantime, my accounting software tells the same story about yarn. Seems instead of going out and spending money on dinner and movies, we're all spending a little more time in the comfort of our own homes, knitting. It shouldn't surprise me. After all, knitting is a little like therapy, isn't it? It soothes the soul, quietens the mind and generally feel good. (note: I did say 'generally') The fact that a skein of beautiful hand-dyed silk or a springy ball of fine merino can act as a remedy to a 'world gone mad', makes me feel good. It's nice to know that in all the complex talks about lowering house values, investments in decline and some horrible thing called a 'dow jones' many of us can enjoy the simple pleasure of knit, purl, knit, purl. ahhhh. I'd like to buy the world a skein, and keep it com-pan-y! Sing it with me...

Now the question I have for all of you knitters out there is...how many of you are out there knitting drunk?

: )

And onto the serious business of Unwind.

'Tis the season to get lots of new stuff at the store all the time...like Maiden Hair by Hand Maiden. A glorious blend of silk and mo hair that looks like this....yum.

Fuzzy and good. We're working on the perfect pattern for this beautiful stuff, but have yet to find it. There's a lot of pressure. Fiona's close...

Drum roll please....
For the next couple of weeks Unwind will be hosting a Trunk Show by Newmarket's own Sweaterkits! Sweaterkits has some of the most beautiful and unique kits you'll find out there in yarn land. Caroline does adorable kits for kids, beautiful kits for women and her own hand dyed tussah silk. She's got a bunch of beautiful one skein projects for her silk that will knock your sock of. She's only here for a short time, so come by and check out her wares. Here's a sample...
These are her newest kids sweater kits.



And here are some of her women's kits...



And a close up of her silk. One skein does the shawl above, the wavy scarf or a pair of silk mittens. And her cardi kit is knit from cuff to cuff, sideways with virtually no seeming!



And for the perfect gift for the knitter in your life, or just for you, the ultimate project bag by Bag Smith. Designed with the specific needs of knitter's in mind.



And one final note. A truly happy note. Guess who won the blanket at the silent auction this weekend! You guessed it. Me! You know what? I couldn't let it go home with someone else. It represents so much hard work and so much meaning that it had to live with me forever. Thanks again to all you wonderful Unwinders who donated your precious time--especially at this time of year--you are the best! Come in for a cuddle anytime. I will look at it everyday and be happy.

By the way, we raised a staggering $9000 for Neighbours Helping Neighbours and the event was a huge success! We all had a ball. Great music, great friends, great auction! Hope to see you all out for next year's bash!

Until next time,

Wendy



mine.