Woolcott and other danger zones
If you’ve just popped over from Ample Knitters, you can see my sister Sarah’s lovely finished summer sweater in the previous post. A lot of us would like to have the pattern in a range of sizes available on the blog (that includes me), so if you feel the same way, leave a comment now, y’hear?
Yesterday was a very special day because my friend Tope (pronounced “toe-pay,” and a very manageable abbreviation of her lovely full name “Temitope,” which apparently means “she-who-was-born-to-knit-lace”) began working part time at our LYS Woolcott and Company. Legend has it that Paul Revere stopped off there during his famous ride to pick up some nice lace-weight mohair and a retractable tape measure shaped like a sheep, but this may be apocryphal. Today it is under new and very fine management in the person of Sean, who writes a store-related blog right here. And people, the man knows what he is doing! Master knitter. No question.
He made points with me when he offered sympathy and help when I came to the end of my beloved Bianca, only to make the bitter discovery that I had only enough yarn to make 3/4 length sleeves.
Here’s a little close-up:
In spite of the fact that far worse fates had befallen knitters, Sean helped me find another ball to lengthen those sleeves. There’s a special place in heaven for men like Sean.
Since it was Tope’s first day, I toddled on down there to see how she was doing…and perhaps coincidentally to check on a ball of Trekking XXL and a skein of cobweb-weight silk/yak blend that looked like they needed a good home, but naturally these were only secondary considerations. Naturally. I can report that Tope is doing a great job already and will certainly be a major, major asset to the store.
But I also learned a shocking fact: you can work at Woolcott for store credit and Tope is considering this option.
Tope is playing a dangerous game.
And yet I find myself wondering if Woolcott might need another part time employee. I’ve decided to spend most of the weekend standing outside the shop wearing a sandwich board that reads “Will work for yarn.” Meanwhile, that ball of Trekking XXL followed me all the way over to Tealuxe,
and once you give them iced tea and a little snack, there’s no getting rid of them.
A brief visit from my friend Emily, Miss A., and her junior sister made it a doubly special day. Having stopped off about half-way through a car trip to points north, Emily and the littlest one were a tad road-worn:
But Miss A. was eager to show off “The Gap”:
She is in ongoing negotiations with the Tooth Fairy for fair and just compensation for the temporary loss of her front teeth.
July 7th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Aren’t the Trekking XXL colors fabulous? I’ve just recently discovered that yarn, and must confess that a number of skeins have followed me home! (they’re just like little ducklings, I suppose)
July 7th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Shelda, are they ever! You know, I had that ball of yarn on my mind for a week, mainly because of the colors. I was officially in a yarn non-buying zone, but you can’t help picking up strays here and there…
July 7th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
I am very interested in the mauve cardigan. Please can you tell me where I might be able to find the instructions, and does it go up to size 43″ C cup . Ity does look as if it would b e a bit difficult to adapt, make larger on the bust etc. I am in the UK, so might have a problem getting a copy of the pattern, but worth a try ?
July 7th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Love your Trekking; what colorway is it? And your Bianca is to die for. I like it with 3/4 sleeves–looks very delicate and feminine. My daughter’s middle name is Bianca. I’m totally with you about standing outside the yarn store–will sell children for yarn, will sing showtunes for yarn, will bake cookies–you get the picture.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Here’s the info, Lorinda: Trekking XXL, colourway 108, Muted Rainbow. Killer sock yarn. Killer! Get yourself some. I highly recommend it.
As far as Bianca goes, well…that was a major love affair I had with that sweater. I worked on it from February to April (originally my Knitting Olympics project…can you believe the crazy?) and wore it until it got so hot that I was about to faint.
Great sweater, great middle name!
July 8th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I love Sarah’s sweater! Where can I get the instructions and how large does the size go?? Will the instructions be posted anywhere? It is beautiful. Great job!
July 8th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Your sweater is gorgeous! I would love a copy of it and would be more than willing to pay for it, too!
July 8th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Georgi and Kate, so glad you like Sarah’s sweater!
Her plan is to write up the pattern and make it available free here on our blog. She’s planning an extensive range of sizes, but feel free to e-mail her (by clicking on her name at the upper right hand side of our page) and let her know what size you would be interested in…
July 10th, 2006 at 8:59 am
How sweet are you??!! Thanks for all the kind words! And let me know if you’re really interested in part time employment. We’ll most definitely have something available in the fall!
July 10th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Sean, truly, no thanks required. The kind words are richly deserved! You are doing a great job with the shop.
And although I do joke around a lot here on KnitSisters, I really would work for yarn, so please do keep me in mind when those leaves start to turn!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Oh you are so lucky to live near Woolcott! Sean is a gem and such fun. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice here in Chicago–last year at Stitches and then again at the huge Dulaan bash.
Your Bianca is gorgeous and I too believe that sock yarn needs outings occasionally.