The Net Loft

Finished!

2012-01-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

There is nothing so satisfying and rewarding as a finished project…especially when it has been hanging around for awhile. I am more hesitant to take on a big project these days knowing what is lingering in my started-but-not-yet-finished pile. I don’t mind taking on extra spur of the moment short projects, but I have been making an effort to work my way through my basket of bigger project tasks before I get the reward of planning and choosing another long term knitting endeavor. Long term to me might be short term for you, but I have come to know what it takes for me to get something finished... In a way it is my incentive to keep moving forward on the fresh picks of yesteryear. With so many patterns to choose from these days and so many wonderful yarns out there to choose from, it certainly creates an incentive to keep the fingers in motion and get things completed, as well as the sheer joy of getting to finally wear or see someone wear what one has been knitting on for quite some time.

That being said, I am always amazed at how far the finer yarns go. One skein of luxury yarn in a finer weight provides hours of pleasant knitting, with no joins to worry about and a delicious feel of fine yarn between one’s fingers for those hours upon hours of knitting.

This summer Nancy Davidson, a knitting instructor from Fairbanks, brought a group of knitters for a Fiberarts Retreat Weekend at The Net Loft. We had a wonderful time with this very nice group of knitters and one of the courses offered which she taught was a lace knitting workshop featuring her original lace scarf pattern, "Floral Lattice Scarf", and one skein of Three Irish Girls McClellan Yarn.

McClellan is a wonderful bamboo/merino blend and knits beautifully for lace.

The bamboo provides a silk like sheen and drape. Soft and delicious when knit, this yarn is one of The Net Loft’s many hidden treasures. The color of the sample scarf is “Underbrush” a, a tonal compliment color for our custom color, “Seaweed”. It is a perfect Eileen Fisher style color with warm neutral tones to compliment any wardrobe. The McClellan skein seemed to go for miles and miles. The completed scarf provides adequate length to wear doubled over and through the loop, or wrapped around several times for a cowl like look.

McClellan comes in a variety of shades. There are 400 yards in this Fingering weight superwash yarn whose fiber content specifically contains 60% merino, 30% bamboo, and 10% nylon. We carry an extensive selection of colors, many in our unique colorways, in this Three Irish Girls yarn base, many of which you can see on our Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenetloft/sets/72157625235930886/ . It is interchangeable with Three Irish Girls Adorn and in the shop it is kept in the same storage cubbies.

Although I didn’t officially take the Lace Knitting Class, as I seemed to be running around a lot with shop logistics, I chose yarn and began the scarf with the group, and continued kntting on it here and there when I had the chance this past fall. I had finally finished knitting it a few weeks ago, but it was waiting for me to block. With the blocking completed today, I can now say those wonderful words…the project is finished! And of course the wonderful words that always come after those other wonderful words…Ok, who (they do have a personality) is next?

PS...

If you are interested in a Net Loft retreat, you can contact us at thenetloft at gmail dot com. We can arrange a weekend of classes for your group. You can combine knitting with sight seeing and outdoor activities if desired. Nancy will be leading another group this summer, dates to be announced. She is a wonderful instructor and her retreat features classes offered by her as well as The Net Loft.

January Stitches

2012-01-17T01:24:00.000-08:00

With holiday projects behind me, I have had the opportunity to focus primarily on my mother's birthday present. Since she is a kindred spirit, when it comes to needlework, I love thinking about and planning projects for her. Cross stitch and needlepoint are old friends and bring me back to my needlework roots. And so, the post holiday dig into the project basket bore its sweet fruit. The Danish Handcraft Guild Blueberry Wreath Cross Stitch with Danish Flower Thread on linen fit perfectly in one of our fuschia cut crystal and sterling silver jars I had chosen this past summer for her. These jars are made by the same company who make the round and oval porcelain boxes we have sold for the past 26 years, and are known for the ease with which they snap into place to create a beautifully finished end product for your needlework.

To accompany this, I completed a pattern darned chantelein with a handmade pin cushion and a needlepoint scissor case from one of our needlepoint kits that we carry at the shop. Needlework tool cases and accessories make wonderful gifts for fellow needleworkers, and this was a pleasure to put together for her, first, because these are fun to stitch and second, there is the satisfaction of knowing it will be put to good use. Birthdays make wonderful opportunities to stitch these small projects which can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

The Net Loft has a variety of lovely needlework kits and leaflets, as well as small boxes, well crafted wooden trays, bookends , and other needlework ready products by Sudberry House for you to fit your projects into for gifting that special someone with something you have had the joy and pleasure of stitching yourself.

Needlework is peaceful, calming and very satisfying. It's kind of an old fashioned "thing", but it's a good old fashioned "thing". In simple words... I really like doing it. Let us know how we can help you find just the right project to get yourself into the stitching mode and enjoying a little of that needlework stitching bliss that many have come to savor and love.

2011-12-31T10:29:00.000-08:00

life is simply all those moments

strung from here to there

we go from being a child into an adult and the days go by

one by one

there are hard things

and easy things

good things

mundane things

sometimes the hard things are so hard

we wish they would just go away very quickly

and sometimes

there are such good times

we wish they would never end

I am a lot like my mother

her life is marked by her stitching

the needlepoint bouquets she drew and stitched alongside her own mother

the liberty print quilt from the time when she broke her ankle

the tops she knitted when she couldn't paint for awhile

her needlework marked the days and times of her years

she is the one who reminds me

stitch in the hard times

make something beautiful out of something difficult

stitch in the good times

remembering times of being together with friends and stitching

alongside them

or for them

with thoughts of them

in memory of them

to remind us

of how and who we love

and where we have been

and where we are headed

with hope for the future

for weddings and births

and birthdays

for encouragement

and friendship...

for we stitchers

the clicking of the needles and the needle and thread

mark the days and times of our lives

and create the legacies we leave behind

a part of us

is in every stitch

and our days are marked by what we have made of them

and as for tomorrow

my only question is...

what will I make today?

there is always

today

begin

TAKE JOY ! by Fra Giovanni

2011-12-05T12:03:00.001-08:00

thinking on Thanksgiving

2011-11-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am busy in the throws of Christmas plans for the shop. I will be decorating next week for our annual Open House, and so my head has been flooded with multiple ideas and projects. Glitter, glue, papercutting, ribbons, what to do with this and that, and how to pull it all together to reflect the joy of the season, desiring to inspire the sacred in the midst of a commercial environment. And so it lies, between our Net Loft Open House and Advent, a very special holiday that I hope and want to not get lost in the sea of the oncoming season. It is hard sometimes, because before the brown and rusty gold have a chance to fully mature, I sense the red and green encroaching everywhere, pressing on us, demanding our attention.

For me, I just want to savor these remaining fall days. I feel a need to take the time I need to settle myself, to organize my projects, to reassess my goals, to reflect on that which is around me and for that which I am grateful to God; to make this be a time to cast aside all the differences within my family and come together, bake, make place cards, eat and rest in one another’s company. I don’t want to miss thinking on Thanksgiving, even though everywhere I turn I am being told to think about Christmas. In light of this I have not abandoned my half finished wool appliqué fall apple candle mat, in hopes that it will be ready for the culmination of fall at our family Thanksgiving celebration. I will continue to savor the sweet autumn images of apples, acorns, pumpkins, and squirrels, and I will take the time I need to make this Thanksgiving be a special and meaningful celebration and appreciation of our family’s many blessings and how best we can be a blessing to others.

Enjoy your remaining fall creative projects, and, in doing so, I hope that this time will also be for you, a time for thinking on your own Thanksgiving, and provide for you that necessary reflective and inspired calm before the storm of the oncoming holiday flurries.

All the best in needle, thread, yarn, ribbon and paper....

with love, Dotty

Mushroom Dyers Update

2011-10-18T19:09:00.001-07:00

I had a chance to weave a scarf with my mushroom dyed wool and wanted to share a photo of the results.

2011-10-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Net Loft Custom Totes

2011-10-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you who saw our custom totes on Bonnie Hunter's website, these are the ones we currently have in stock. There are two kntting needle cases at $59.95. and two different totes with vinyl zip storage for $70 each. We are expecting more in the near future. Give us a call at 907 424-7337 or email us at thenetloft@gmail.com and we can mail order, if you need us to.

They are great bags, made in the United States with quality construction.

On a fall day...

2011-10-10T20:56:00.001-07:00

So what's to do on a fall day?

It is cozy up fall time. There is so much inspiration out there lately I can hardly keep my my excitement contained. How about you?

Need some inspiration? Come on in and breathe in some fall creativity at The Net Loft.

So much inspiration, I hardly know where to start.

Fall is the time for settling down with family and friends, lighting candles, trying out a new recipe…cozying up on the couch with needle or needles in hand or spreading out a craft project on the kitchen table.

Ah yes, crafts… there are SO many new books and patterns and projects to be made. I feel like we are bursting at the seams with all the great new projects and yarns and ideas for handwork. Lots of new scrapbooking papers and embellishments, plus new hand dyed wools, threads, and cross stitch patterns.

Knitting, Wool Applique, Punch Needle Embroidery, Papercrafting… Projects for fall, and projects to get started on for Christmas...

Take an opportunity this fall to learn something new. There is so much to learn from and be inspired by. There are some great Fiberart DVD’s that can lead you through many lessons right in your own home. I think the one on designing your own crochet hat looks VERY interesting.

And there is always just a shopping excursion…More Maruca bags have arrived and more Atendi bags are on the way…New lamps, Fall serving dishes, Paddywax candles, and diffusers to fill your home with sweet fragrances. Let the fall winds blow you into The Net Loft door. It is our pleasure to serve you and help you find YOUR fall inspiration.

This Saturday we are planning a “Fall Inspirations Open House” . We will have hot apple cider and the upstairs tables will be set up for you to flip through the notebooks of all the new patterns. We are hoping for a release of a new Snowcapped Yarn Color, PLUS we will also be having a Trunk Show of “Never Not Knitting” patterns. Come see the lovely samples of her patterns and plan for your next projects.

Churchmouse is known for it’s absolutely lovely pattern line and we have their new set of fall patterns just released. I just love the tea cozies.

So...please set some time aside this Saturday and join us at our OPEN HOUSE... prepare thyself to be thoroughly inspired!

PS....

We will also be holding a fundraiser on Saturday for the Cordova Library. We received some slightly damaged candles and diffusers from the Paddywax Library Collection, and the Paddywax Collection is allowing me to donate the proceeds of the slightly damaged collection to a local organization, so I thought the library was a perfect candidate. Support the library and purchase a fall home fragrant candle or diffuser at a reduced price, this Saturday, October 15.

pps... if you haven't seen the new Snowcapped Yarns yet by Cordova's own Shelly Kocan, do look at her blog and see.

http://southofultimathule.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/snow-capped-yarns/

We will be releasing her latest Autumn colorway this weekend. This is an example from her first release. Colorways are limited edition seasonal short run in a variety of yarn weights.

THERE IS JUST NOT TIME ENOUGH IN A DAY IS THERE?

Fall Distraction

2011-09-08T23:54:00.001-07:00

It happens this time of year. It goes like this...I am driving to the shop, with a very very long long list of "very important" things I must do, and my car somehow swerves to the side of the road, and I find myself in waterlogged dressy shoes, in boggy puddles with hands full of what I call "my fall distraction". I cannot help myself. "They" beg me to visit the forest and escape the walls of the shop which have held me in all summer. Something about the dusty orange gills that somehow beckon me to check that little spot in the woods with the vibrant green moss and lure me with the exciting prospect of finding fall treasures growing along the base of ancient stumps and roots. It is "their" fault.

There is one tree that holds the polypore with the golden dye, and one beaten down spot that yields a little treasure, whose cinnamon claret gills shed spores that turn persimmon when in contact with wool and heat. It is my fall delight to swerve to the right, let my eyes peruse the mossy roadside, and then allow my feet to wander into the secret places.

Every year this happens to me. I find myself wandering into the woods, even in torrential downpours. I cannot help myself.

And then there are the many pots and jars that follow.

The handfuls of fungal treasures fill jars and buckets, and after the rituals of washing and mordanting, the excitement of dyeing begins. I am never quite sure of what I am doing other than escaping what I am supposed to be doing. But for some reason, something tells me that more than

anything else, this is what I am supposed to be doing. And, I would say, the previously white wool would agree.

After a heated bath in Cortinarius water, how the delightful tangerine becomes them.

Rain and sun, the crispness of fall, the mushrooms are here....I hear them call...now really, how could I refuse them.

They could be calling you too, if you let them...Come and see...it's a perfectly wonderful...

" fall distraction ".

2011-07-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

In the summertime, one day you can drive down the road and the lupine are wonderfully in bloom and then you can turn away, be very busy, and poof, the lupines are gone..

Gone, gone, gone... Missed them. Hardly picked more than one bouquet of them. And then one day, you notice a single fireweed in bloom, and then, in a blink of an eye, a field of fireweed have exploded and are as tall as the sky. Just like that. In that blink, they have become plentiful, bold and beautiful, and I am in awe of the absolutely striking massive magenta pink of them. From out of nowhere, the grass of parnassas appear in meadows out the road. Fragrant, graceful, lovely. In my garden bed, harebells nod their heads in the wind, lilies pop from their large buds...at Alaganik, the iris appear and the purple is glorious. But, we know well, now you see them, now you don't. If you put off seeing them, you will miss them. My one thought, they come and go so quickly.

For me, this summertime life is like that. One day there is a face that walks through the door. I have to take a good long hard look at this face, savor the sound of the voice, for like the blooming wildflowers, in a blink of eye, they will be gone, and so will I. Sometimes, I feel like if I don't take that moment and be with them, I will miss it. If I am not attentive, that friend, like that flower, will come and go without me hardly seeing it. They will be off on boats, or ferries or planes, or just occupied somewhere. That is how summertime is.

Today, this early Sunday morning, I had an old dear friend over for tea and conversation. I went to pick a little bouquet to put in a teacup for our table, and I went to pick a rose from my bush out front of the shop. When I went to cut it, the petals all fell to the ground. I was too late for that rose. I gathered up some other flowers, but the thought of that rose carried with me throughout the day. I have felt like this all summer. It reminded me of the importance and value of taking time out, because opportunities pass by so quickly. If I don't take the time, the flowers and friends will be gone, and I will have missed them.

I love to paint. I love wildflowers. I especially love painting wildflowers. I think that is because I get to spend time looking and appreciating them as I paint them. I look and I look and I love drinking in their color and beauty. I love looking so closely at them that I see things in them I never saw before. It is a different thing to paint them from memory, and a far better experience painting them face to face. I not only love painting them, but I also love stitching images of them in thread, felting their colors into wool or even just placing a bouquet of them into a vase. It takes time, you know, but it is one of those simple pleasures in life that brings me great joy, and so worth the time I take out.

And so, please know that I consider you to be the wildflowers that wander before me into my shop, and that I treasure and hope to savor these summertime moments as they arise. Hope you are having a wonderful summer. Still lots going on at the shop. We have several open studio times, as well as weaving, needlework and papercraft classes coming up. There's still time...and some good summer fun to be had. Let us know if there is a class or event you would like to see happen, and do soak in those friends and flowers that the rest of the summertime still has to come.

Three Irish Girl

2011-07-16T03:20:00.000-07:00

I was trying to think of a way to describe it.

These past several weeks, from about April on, has been a steady spin of activity.

How do I describe it?

And then it came to me...

I envisioned a pinwheel caught in the current of the wind

Perpetual motion,

Colors and petals blurring into one, as the pinwheel spins in constant in motion

And then, the wind settles, and,

it stops

And in the same way, for just a brief moment, I now stop...

and, in this quiet and brief space in time of inactivity, I write you.

I had wanted to write you sooner, but the wheel was spinning so fast, it could not be stopped.

I really had wanted to write about our Three Irish Girls weekend right after it was over.

But now, three weeks have passed?

How could that be?

But no matter, I cannot wait to describe to you what it was like.

so I shall tell you...even if it is now instead of then.

There are spaces in March and April that are just sticks and mud and bare places, patches of snow, exposed rocks and gravel.

When you see it, it is hard to believe that at any other time there could be anything else but that.

Grey, brown, black, white.

And then the green begins to come, first buds and shoots, followed by leaves and blossoms.

And now, as the goats beard plumes and cow parsnip’s lacy edges frame the expanse of fading lupine and incoming fireweed, the iris arrives at Alaganik and the yellow buttercups are scattered on roadside edges and parking lots.

And so it was, three weeks ago, as I raced to the airport where lupine patches had replaced snow patches, I was met by Sharon of Three Irish Girls, and her husband, Chris, and MANY large suitcases bursting at the seams. What was in them were suitcases of yarn that, when unpacked, overflowed and filled the upstairs room with such an explosion of vibrant color, that it just felt to me like full on summertime in a mountain meadow of solid wildflowers…so much color, such variation, that it just plain took your breath away.

And then there was Sharon, funny, interesting, vibrant. After months of preparation, she was finally here, and we were delighted and excited to have her. It was quite nice, in my semi exhausted state, to just sit back, listen to her sweet stories, and simply smile.

We released four new colors inspired by four works of art and photography.

Bald Eagle with a photo by Milo Burcham

Chugach and a lovely pastel painting by Dorothy Hook

Scott Creek or Scott River, whichever you want to call it, inspired by a watercolor from the 80’s by Nancy Taylor Stonington, which I had purchased from her years ago when she was in town painting,

and Lupine

which I have hanging in the store beside a wood cut of Lupine and Miles Glacier by Mazie Van Den Broek. This release was accompanied by a trunk show array of yarns which Sharon had brought with her for especially for the weekend.

When it was all over, before we packed what little was left back into Sharon’s suitcases, I picked out a small selection for the shop to keep for those who were unable to make it to the program, as well as a little stash that made their way into my own little pile of yarn treasures for future knitting projects. And, after some wonderful workshops and a what felt like to me a speeding whirl of activity, she was gone.

The wind blows

The pinwheel keeps spinning around

The colors merge

I tried my very best to stop and savor those moments as they were happening.

The sound of her voice

The stories she told

The taste of the Net Loft punch

Diane’s cakes

The colors of yarn that emerged from the dips and brushes of the dyers workshop

The presence of surrounding friends whose presence was such an important part of the specialness of the weekend.

It goes so fast all of it.

I like the excitement of all kinds of things going on, but also I just like it when everything stops,

even for just a brief time.

It happened there at the glacier with Sharon.

After a heaped up plate of potluck dinner and a giant piece of Diane’s chocolate cake

Feeling the warmth of the fire

Standing there, eyes closed, listening to the voices and conversations

And then, Malani and Sam O’Toole began to sing a couple of the most gentle and beautiful harmonies

And I could see it plain as day

The pinwheel

Motionless

The most beautifully painted, intricate pinwheel with elaborate detail

I saw it

All the beautifulness of it

In that moment

And then,

We packed up

Drove home

and

The wind began to blow

The colors merged

And once again I was swept into the racing rivers of summertime

Whose currents

Still hold me.

Sometimes my knitting traps in it these moments somehow.

When I am in the midst of it and I knit into that project the activity I am in the midst of

The lupine scarf I am finishing up from the new lupine yarn will be that for this time

It will take me back to these summer days

And especially when The Net Loft had this very special guest and new friends, Sharon McMahon, the Three Irish Girl who makes the colors sing, and her husband Chris, and all of you who came to join us.

We hope you enjoyed yourselves as well. We’ll have to do it again someday…don’t you think?

The wheel is still in motion… come knit, crochet, spin, weave, scrapbook, bead, cross stitch, embroider, punch needle, felt, needlepoint, paint, draw, craft with us….we love it all…especially surrounded by friends. Come join us…

With Love,

Net Loft Dotty

Father's Day

2011-06-19T15:36:00.001-07:00

My father passed away almost 10 years ago. As I reflect on my times with him, I have many thoughts, but I am most thankful for his love and how he would hold my hand as we would just talk and exchange thoughts and ideas. He knew how much it meant to me to have The Net Loft and what an expression it was of the illusive art and ideas that stirred within me. My father, James Biram, often said that we were a lot alike in many ways, and because of this, he encouraged me, in the midst of all the trials of life, to pursue this heartfelt dream, even though he knew that my passion sometimes overshadowed that which was realistic and sensible. In retrospect, I don't think it really would have become The Net Loft as it is today, if I had been overly realistic or sensible, and so for his encouragement and belief in me, I continue to be grateful.

He only knew the Net Loft in its’ true Net Loft years, and somehow wish he could see what the seeds of those days grew into.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, past and present. I know a lot of me is entangled with who he was, and on this day, I am missing him greatly.

Iris in Bloom

2011-05-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year, like so many years before, that I pack up a multitude of items to be shipped northward to the store. It is such a familiar task, that, in doing so, all the years somehow seem to meld into one. Boxes, bubble wrap, labels and tape. There happen to be certain things that I love to have for the shop which are unable to be shipped direct to the store or to my shipper, so in these cases I act as the freight forwarder, so we are able to have them available for you in Cordova. One of these things comes from a place that I get to see, and it is something I want to share with you, so you may see the beginnings of what you see on the shelf, and the special face behind it.

I would like you to meet Linda, and take a peek at her backyard kiln.

Linda is a potter who has a small pottery studio in the little town of Davenport, California, a spot with the sweet fragrance of the sea and, at this time of year, is laced with hillsides of blooming wild radishes .

Here are some of her berry bowls drying on the rack, waiting to be fired, then glazed...

Each piece is individually thrown on the potter's wheel and hand painted by her... with a little help from a little furry friend...

Linda used to work with a partner, Will, but now works solo on the lovely Iris mugs, vases, and bowls we have been selling in the shop for over twenty years. I had thought, years ago, that they would be perfect for Cordova, because they were reminiscent of the beautiful fields of wild iris that bloom in the fields beside Alaganik Slough and along the banks of the Eyak River in the summertime.

Before the time of the current baggage charges, I would pack the pottery into boxes and trunks with each of my children's clothing. At that time, I had the dimensions and weight restrictions memorized, and with seventy-five pounds allowed per box, I could get quite a lot of freight transported up as luggage. In light of this, my children always used to roll their eyes when I would ask for their summer clothes, as they knew the fate of what would become of their personal effects. And so, as they knew well, stacks of clothes disappeared and found themselves surrounding and cushioning stacks of bowls, mugs, and dishes, and it would be awhile before their T-shirts, pants and sweaters would resurface. At that time, I remember heading to the airport with kids in tow with sometimes as many as 15 boxes ( and coolers filled with chocolate), an assortment of musical instruments, and the massive mountain ahead that faced me of unpacking the shop from its winter rest, just as the lupine and wildflowers came into bloom.

Somehow picking up the pottery brings back all these memories of all those times back then. It is a seasonal ritual for me, and it is when, like the salmon, I sniff the air and smell the northland calling for me, not just for a week or two week stint, but for the season. And so, as I arrived at Linda's on a spring in Davenport day this week, the memories flooded and the years washed into a stream of nostalgia. When I entered her studio, I had a tinge of excitement as I felt the familiar rush of seeing all those beautifully painted mugs and dishes made just for The Net Loft.

I loved seeing her spot in the back of her coastal cottage where she throws her pots in a sunlit corner surrounded by windows, and looking out on her well tended garden.

After a nice cup of tea with Linda, and a quick catch up of the time that had passed between our last visit over a year ago, we set to our other ritual, that of wrapping each piece carefully in newspaper for its journey northward. A time of chatting, wrapping, and chatting some more...Piece by piece, preparing them carefully for their long journey ahead. It is funny how such a simple action can spur so many memories. It means summertime is rushing in, and there is nothing I can do to hold it back. Soon, like the traveling Iris pottery, the real ones will be making their grand appearance. Fields will be full of flowers, fish will return to the streams, and friends who have been away will show their faces. It is the only life I know.

Today, as I am packing the boxes to be shipped north (air freight these days), I am thinking about all those boxes, and all those clothes I used to pack them with, and even more specifically, about the children who used to fill those clothes. It reminds me of how much I miss them. I smile as I remember those times and the thought of summertime ahead, and although my travel companions (my children) won't be with me for the airplane ride, at least a couple of them will be there for the fishing season. And, I believe, there are many more memories just waiting to be made...hikes to be hiked...bouquets to be gathered...classes to be taught...salmon to be eaten...and special times upstairs knitting around the Net Loft table with friends. When I drink out of my iris mug, it is a cup of summertime, and I don't want to miss a single drop of it...

See you soon.

Love,

Dotty

Shorebird Festival Time

2011-05-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the sparkle of the sunlight on our freshly unfrozen pond filled with swans, geese and ducks. A beautiful sight. A perfect setting for the 2011 Shorebird Festival.

I wanted to mention some sights here at the shop just in time for the festivities.

First of all there is the arrival of our newest Three Irish Girls colorway. It is based on a Christmas card I received from Tony, Christa and Hayley Hoover, painted by Tony in his wonderful distinctive vibrant style and colors. Named "Latackaq", pronounced La-Tosh-Tuck, after the Alutiiq word for Swallow bird, it is a vibrant blend of cerulean blues, emerald green, bright yellow, with a hint of orange. There are two new bases, Roslea, which is an organic wool, and Felicity, which is a lovely 50/50 blend of silk and wool. I have an idea that this yarn will knit up beautifully in a two color knitting project, so I am brainstorming right now on what that might be. It is a great yarn to kick off the spring/summer knitting season. Just to let you know, spring knitting actually beats spring cleaning any day.

We also have on display the sample needlework of the needlepoint project we will be working on this summer in the Beginning Needlepoint class we will be having this summer at the

shop. It is a tapestry style rendition of a Charley Harper painting of a trumpeter swan. Our guest instructor will be Keri Duke from Hawaii, who is a professional needlepoint and quilt instructor. She will be teaching a workshop with the quilters guild on Hawaiian quilting that should be great as well. Contact the guild if you are interested.

We have lots of new in the store and hope you can stop in and see all the new pretties.

Summer is right around the corner. Stay tuned for the summer classes to come. If you haven't signed up for The Three Irish Girls workshops with Yarnista Sharon, now is a good time, as classes are filling up.

If you haven't had a chance to see and breathe in Lollia, know that Lollia is THE perfect Mother's Day gift. Perfumes, Fragrant Bubble Baths, Candles and Shea Butter Creams, in beautiful beautiful packaging. We are passing out free samples while supplies last, so come by and give it a try.

Annie Glass is here too. Plus Love and Toast, fresh and fragrant bath and body care.

SO much to choose from!

So, here is to springtime! Have a wonderful May.

Spring is most definitely in the air...

Happy Shorebird Festival Everyone!

Happy Mother's Day one and all!

Springtime for Tea

2011-04-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

What is it about springtime that stirs within us thoughts of that wonderful combination of friendship, flowers, teacups, and sweets? Perhaps that time of winter solitude has run its course and what we really need is to just pull out the lace and the flowery tablecloth, bake something extra special and invite over a friend or two for nothing other than a cup of hot tea, a pretty cookie and some rich conversation.

I must admit, I have a weakness for teapots, teacups, cream pitchers, sugar bowls, and all the tea setting paraphenalia. Not just because they are cute, which I can't help but think they are... but I think even moreso, because of what they represent...taking time to be with friends...listening to their stories while sipping on the sweet milky sugary teawater...loving and being loved. It is all about friendship and fellowship, sharing thoughts and ideas, both griefs and joys, and most importantly, it is about having a "nice time" together, even when life is challenging, and for those days that we don't really feel like life is quite so nice. In the midst of all our lives hold, there is nothing better than a good plate of cookies, a delicious cup of tea, a funny story that brings tears of laughter to our eyes. It IS really what we need, and that is what I see in that tea setting.

Here is to the spring teas and taking time to celebrate the emergence of the awaited new season and all the wonder that Easter holds.

Teapot... teacups... flowers...candles...sweets...and friends...

Simple ingredients for a simply special time...

NEW Churchmouse Patterns

2011-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

New Churchmouse Easy Peasy Jacket Pattern + Three Irish Girls Iced Blue Raspberry Yarn= CUTE CUTE CUTE !!!

We are now carrying a wonderful line of delightfully designed patterns from Churchmouse. They include some darling children and baby designs, and a grouping of classic accessories you will love. Colleen just knit this very sweet sweater in just two sittings and found the pattern easy to follow and a quick knit for that quick baby gift you've been wanting to stitch. Three Irish Girls Springvale DK is the perfect pick, as it is a lovely, springy, soft washable wool that has a consistent dense, yet soft, stitch. According to Colleen, this yarn not only feels wonderful to knit with, but also produces a fine and highly functional end product (and, of course, very very cute, especially with a baby tucked inside!).

The NEW Churchmouse Patterns

may be found in their very own

notebook right now on the back table.

Another great reason to knit.

Remember, we have Monday night knitting where all are welcome with Mae Vansant. During daytime hours, come join us Wednesday noontimes with Amy O'Neill Houck, and you are always welcome to come and knit upstairs anytime the shop is open.

It is nice to get together, have a cup of tea, and knit with friends.

We are here to make that space available,

with knitting help when you need it.

Come join us at The Net Loft table...

and be sure to come see this great new pattern line for yourself.

LOTS of really great reasons to keep the needles clicking.

Three Irish Girls in Cordova!

2011-03-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

We are publishing the Three Irish Girls Registration Form early so you are able to include this event in your summer plans, as this will be a Net Loft Weekend you will not want to miss.

We have been telling you that Sharon McMahon, indie dyer of colors such as the beautiful

Port Nellie Juan

Seaweed

Cordova Cannery

Pacific Seastar

and more,

will be coming to Cordova on June 24, 25, and 26. Here is the schedule of events so you will be able to make your plans to attend and preregister for classes. There will also be a wonderful trunk show of her one of a kind yarns you won't want to miss, where you can meet Sharon, even if you are unable to attend the workshops.

Class sizes are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis, so preregister early.

Hard copies of the brochure will be available at the shop early next week, and are also available for download at the following web address:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=1MPTlkqBTa3PONop0pPWKQM_Zqx3iFFybh0juKJYgUk7s46btZfYtR0Rc6GKA&hl=en

to download, click file and select download document

If you prefer , we can mail you a copy if you email us and provide your mailing address. Hope you will be able to join us!

a little inspiration

2011-02-26T20:33:00.000-08:00

Drifting and dreaming through knitting books and patterns, touching yarns and imagining a project is one of the special parts of knitting that I love. I have to hold myself back sometimes from this when I have too many projects going at the same time, but when I open the gate for a new project, it is always an exciting moment. I generally have more dreams than time, and with so many yarns, so many colors, so many ideas, when I have accomplished enough from my previous projects in the lineup, there is a great rush of adrenalin when I get to open the notebooks and books, leaf through the pages, and dream on into the realm of a new project. It is then that I am ready and willing and await inspiration. Nothing is more exciting than a notebook of new patterns, fresh from the designers. Right now, that is what awaits you at The Net Loft. A fresh batch of designs from designers such as...

Connie Chang,

Grace AkhremTree Knitter

and many more.

Start with a yarn you love and let us help you find a pattern that will work for you, or drift and dream through the patterns and we can help you find just the right yarn to make that knitting dream come true...

Either way, remember that the drifting and dreaming are an important part of the knitting process. Settle down around the back table, flip through the notebooks and let the designers inspire you

as you decide on that next new project. Soak in all the color , choose a pattern, and then hunker down ( as my friend Christa would say) and knit away. Joy in every step... come take a peek, and be deliciously inspired.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

Blessings to you this Christmas, for it truly is a special time of year.

I hope you are able to have a peaceful moment to reflect upon

the depth of the spirit of Christmas, and that your heart may find

that place deep within, touched by the comfort and joy from above.

With love,

Dotty

The Net Loft

New Zealand Gold

2010-12-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

There is no friend like an old friend.

Almost 26 years ago, I made friends with a very dear and very talented person who absolutely changed the course of my life.

We were venturing through New Zealand and a friend had given me the name of someone on a small slip of paper in a letter, which had been from another friend of hers, when they heard mention that I was to be traveling through New Zealand. I had learned to knit (as an adult versus my feeble attempts as a child) from another good friend only weeks previously, when that friend heard I was to be traveling through New Zealand, so I was a fresh out of the stable knitter still wrestling with the needles, as my husband, Bob, and I wove to and fro through the countryside with our then three year old daughter Rosemary. I had been making hand made dolls at the time and I was on the lookout for yarn for doll hair, and whatever else struck my fancy. The endless green countryside was lovely and the friendly and hospitable faces of the Kiwi folks were even lovelier. Anna was a kind soul, and the day we spent at her yarn shed, I bought my first batch of her beautiful handyed multicolor New Zealand wool, as well as the wonderful naturally colored shades that have been our staple, sturdy, well wearing wool ever since. On that same trip I purchased yarn and fibers from a variety of sources, but none surpassed the quality and special touch of those from Anna. And so, our relationship across the miles began, and continues to this day. It is not often that I get to spend a morning and cup of deliciously strong coffee with rich New Zealand cream in the courtyard of Anna's lovely garden, and so, as I sat face to face with her once again, I savored every single moment, and held in my heart and memory the sound of her voice and the features of her face and long hair as we discussed life both backwards and forwards. From there, we wandered through the yarn colors and behind the scene mill… the combers and spinners, machines to make hanks, and all the bins and bags that are the source of what eventually becomes that lovely yarn we have all come to know and love as Little Wool Company.

When I think of all that goes into what we run through our fingertips, and eventually we and our loved ones wear in Alaska and beyond, I am in awe. It is not often that the one who raises the sheep takes it from the sheep in the pen through the whole process, going all the way through to beautiful dyeing and on to the New Zealand post office and to us here in Alaska. It is a marvelous thing. It is wonderful to reconnect to the source of my love and passion for knitting, and for that which was the seed of The Net Loft’s growth into a full fledge yarn shop, and all from the making of a brand new friend from a tiny slip of paper.

Thank you Anna,

And thanks to those of you whose appreciation for Little Wool Company yarns through the years have helped keep Anna dyeing , as well as helped nurture the fledgling Net Loft into what it is today.

I hope you are enjoying this time of family and friends, of festival and celebration.

For, after all,

There is no friend, like an old friend.

Make new friends and keep the old..

One is silver and the other is gold.

A New Arrival!

2010-10-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

And speaking of little ones... The Net Loft now has our own new little one to cuddle and love and look so sweet in handknit Three Irish Girls hat and booties. Thanks to the artistry of Anna Hernandez, our favorite Cordova resident dollmaker, we have been blessed with the presence of the perfect baby. Name? Will you help name the baby? Please email in your ideas (thenetloft3@yahoo.com) or drop by the shop and submit your idea. We will have a vote, and if your name is chosen, you will receive a skein of Three Irish Girls tonal yarn. Ahh...what a cute baby. Thank you, Anna!

Is there a little one you know?

2010-10-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

Autumn Days

2010-09-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Fall had beset us, and, thankfully, at least we had a brief spell of autumn sunshine to replace

the rainy summer ones, at least to remind us of what the blue sky looked like and how incredibly beautiful the mountains and scenery look bathed in sunlight.

As I look back on these past few months, with a meager online presence, I reflect on real life and the activities that filled those days...classes, boxes, friends, yarn, cheering on finished projects, and of course, the excitement and anticipation of starting new ones. Watching the creativity all around me, I have to admit was difficult sometimes, for I felt a bit bogged down with just keeping the boxes flowing in and out of the hallway, and, for the most part, it seemed like the boxes were winning the battle. What is more, I have felt and wondered, in the midst of all this new technology racing lightning years beyond me, a sense that it may quite possibly be hopeless for me to keep up with it all. Somehow, in my heart of hearts, however, I have a sense of what I believe to be right and true.

When I look back and reflect upon the faces of summertime, in light of all technology has to offer, I do know what matters most to me...the joy and value of those moments when the shop is open and the smiles stream in, and the unmatched beauty of the physical presence of those that fill the shop. I may not always have time to write about it, or remember to take pictures of it, because, more than likely, I am too in the midst of it to stop. Whether I am busy running up and down the stairs, unpacking boxes, or better yet...doing my favorite thing, being with you, in person, face to face...happy to view a finished project or one in progress, or possibly one that needs a boost, I do believe that nothing can replace human physical contact and no digital media can duplicate the joy of being involved and immersed in experiencing all the colors and textures firsthand.

I am missing it now, and, as the outdoors prepares for dormancy, my days with the shop are unfortunately relinquished to a virtual connection. Having set all the spinning plates into motion, I now step away, knowing a part of me has been left behind. Yarn, boxes, and friends, that was my summer...though busy, the best part was hearing the jingle of the door chime...

Thank you for stepping in the door.

Happy autumn,

Love,

Dotty

Summer :: Fish

2010-07-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

happiness

2010-07-06T02:53:00.000-07:00

Knitting makes me happy

Even if I don’t do it myself

It makes me happy to see what others have made

It is why I buy yarn and put it on the shelves

It is my reward

I can think of no greater profit than to see a knitter knitting in the upstairs room

Or hear of a project sewn up and becoming a garment, loved and treasured.

It makes it all worthwhile

All the ordering would be for naught, if it wasn’t for a photo like this

Seeing it makes me smile

for it captures in time a special someone wrapped in the labor of a knitter’s love'

Show me the socks on your feet

Your husbands and babies and kids wrapped in the works of your hands

The hats on the heads of crewmen

The blankets in the cribs

The scarves that fend off the damp days

The washcloths in the sinks

The afghans gracing couches and couch potatoes

The sweaters

The cardigans

The vests

The little coin purses

The big felted bags

The mittens and gloves

Even the little dolls and beloved handknit bears

I want to see it all…

I think of the endless calls and the busy buying trips and the putting up shelves and the pricing and the bill paying and the setting the yarn on the shelves and all the time it takes for a skein of yarn and all the steps it has taken for that skein to land in someone’s bag

For what?

To see a photo like this.

don't you agree that the photo says it all?

Yes, I have come to realize

Knitting makes me happy

Even if it is through the hands of another

This holds true for the works of the crocheters and the cross stitchers,

the scrapbookers, the card makers the embroiderers, beaders, weavers and spinners, too.

It is a very big reason why we do what we do here…

And so, dear handworkers,

Thank you for your part… Keep up the good work.

love,

dotty

photos graciously borrowed from Stephinie http://www.gypsyforest.com/welcome_to_gypsy_forest/

Mondays and Wednesdays

2010-06-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

Remember to join us at The Net Loft for Monday night knitting. And starting this week: workshop Wednesdays; everyone is still welcome to knit on their own projects, but joining in on the workshops will be great fun.

summer is for the birds...

2010-06-13T22:32:00.000-07:00

...and summer at The Net Loft is just around the corner.

graduates and gardeners

2010-05-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

For our graduates, for our gardeners, or for both...

Mother's Day

2010-05-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

For mom...

Living Crafts

2010-04-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Living Crafts is in, at The Net Loft!

About Living Crafts:
Living Crafts is a community of readers who value the work of their hands, use natural and organic materials, and live an authentically holistic lifestyle. Living Crafts provides craft enthusiasts with the information, ideas, and inspiration they need to support their desire for self-sufficiency, sustainability and a natural lifestyle.
In each issue there are projects for the entire family, including fun crafts for parents and children to do together. Readers are people who consciously choose natural materials for their handwork projects because of aesthetics, quality, personal health and the environment. Living Crafts aims to inform and inspire readers to choose Mother Nature’s supplies whether they create their own or buy ready-made handwork.
Each issue focuses on a season of the year, bringing ideas and the how-to for projects that are in harmony with nature to create a seasonal rhythm at home.

In this spring issue: sheep marionettes, knitted heirloom blanket, easy spring quilt, homemade soap, and so much more.

2010-04-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Design Your Own Shawl will be a great class that Amy O'Neill-Houck will be teaching. It will give you a better understanding of how shawls are constructed and this greater understanding will mean greater freedom in knitting and place the design and construction in your hands and imagination. "The Knitter's Studio" will continue to be a place to grow and learn, in order for Net Loft knitters to experience more liberty and freedom in their knitting. We hope you will join us. Please preregister at the front counter.

sweets

2010-04-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

In the shop...

2010-03-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

family crafting

2010-03-20T22:11:00.000-07:00

There are some great new family crafting books in; sure to bring a smile to your face.

Stop in and...

2010-03-13T23:44:00.000-08:00

... smell (see) the daffodils.

green

2010-02-27T22:55:00.000-08:00

When we think of spring, we think of green. If you cannot possibly wait any longer for spring to arrive, step into the Net Loft, to be embraced by lush greens.

A table setting fit for Mother Nature herself.

bamboo picture frames

Casbah (81% merino, 9% cashmere, 10% nylon) yarn from HandMaiden in delightful spring colors.

new arrivals

2010-02-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Three lovely new books in now...

Please stop in at The Net Loft, to have a look at other lovely new arrivals.

luxury sweets

2010-02-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

sweet somethings for your sweetheart's stash

Hand Maiden Sea Silk and Casbah

Plymouth Ecco Cashmere

Fleece Artist Sea Wool

Qiviut

craftalong

2010-01-29T07:54:00.000-08:00

An inspirational craftalong; once a month, through our four seasons. Guided by the wonderful book, "The Children's Year: Seasonal crafts and clothes" by Cooper, Fynes-Clinton, and Rowling.

The book is divided into four sections, each pertaining to a season. Within each section there are many projects to choose from; however for this craftalong, choosing to complete one project per month will be the goal. The projects are varied and include paper crafts, woodworking, sewing, knitting, and more.

Some of the projects can be completed in a day, while others take a bit longer. The goal is to have a picture of the completed project (along with a description) by the end of each month, up on this blog:
http://wwwthechildrensyearcraftalong.blogspot.com/

You may email me (windsting@hotmail.com) the pictures of your completed projects along with a description (you do not need a blog to join in). If you would like your blog name to appear on the sidebar as a link however, just let me know.

January's craftalong will be project 108, the Needle Case

I love this project, perfect for a beginning knitter
(whether that be an adult or child).

Located on page 159, it is a very simple knitted rectangle; using wool felt for the needle pages, and two cords to tie. It calls for DK wool and a pair of size 4 needles. However one can use any type of wool and needles to achieve the envisioned result.

We will be meeting at The Net Loft from 10-1 on Saturday, January 30th.

Craftalong with love! Anna

Dale trunk show

2010-01-22T00:43:00.000-08:00

The Net Loft is pleased to have on display now,

the Retro trunk show from Dale of Norway.

Above, is Dale of Norway's new book: Retro.

The Net Loft will be taking orders for those who would love to have this book in their collection.

At The Net Loft now:

If you purchases $50 worth of Dale yarn from The Net Loft and pre-order Retro, you will get the book at 50% off the regular price.

DALE STORY
Dale is a small village in Western Norway surrounded by towering mountains. The entrepreneur Peter Jebsen saw the possibilities provided by the village's natural waterfall on the Dale River. In 1879he founded a textile mill, which was to become "Dale of Norway". Ever since 1879 Dale of Norway has been producing high quality products and is today the largest manufacturer of traditional Norwegian knitwear. Dale of Norway is the designer and manufacturer of the Norwegian Olympic Ski Team Sweaters.

from the Dale of Norway website

Facebook

2010-01-19T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Net Loft is now on FACEBOOK.
Check us out!

Monday Night Knitting

2010-01-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

Monday Night Knitting:

fun at the Christmas gift exchange

Monday Night Knitting: 7-9 p.m.

Please join us for for friendship, tea, and knitting!

a child is born

2009-12-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

sweet finds

2009-12-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

The Net Loft will be open on Christmas Eve from 11-2 pm to fulfill any of your last minute shopping needs.

All the best to you!

2009-12-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

Our Anna from Cordova is interviewed on this sweet blog. Be sure to take a look. Anna makes the sweet handmade dolls we carry in the shop. Take a peek.... GardenMama

scarf kits

2009-12-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

These scarf kits are on sale through December 24th, a very lovely gift...

comes with custom Net Loft vinyl zip bag.

20% off, just mention The Net Loft blog.

sweet finds

2009-12-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the small things are overlooked...

...stop by The Net Loft, for great wee gifts .

Welcome

2009-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

We welcome you into The Net Loft for the holiday season.

happily grateful

2009-11-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

a sweet journal from:

Compendium: live inspired

So many things to be happily grateful for right now:

Love of family, near and far

Wellness and healing

Bountiful land, that provides our food

Shelter, however humble

Weather, so beautiful

Friendship, much needed...

Pure candles, to warm and light...

Warm drink, to share

and...

Knitting knitting knitting, for our hands.

Just in!

2009-11-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

The interchangeable addi knitting system

The addi Click system provides 10 different sizes of addi Turbo© tips (3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm, 9.0mm, and 10.0mm), three different lengths of our new, extremely pliable blue cord (24”, 32” and 40”), and one connector piece which helps to either store stitches or combine your cords. The Click tips require no tools to change; simply insert the cord deep into the tip, twist and release. The tips will remain secure until you change them, thanks to the Click’s revolutionary locking mechanism!

From the Skacel knittting website:

Addi needles are the best-selling needles in the world! They were created by knitters, for knitters, and boast a vast array of sizes, lengths, and designs. Skacel is proud to be the sole North American distributor of the Addi line!

A fun video from Skacel. Please wait a few moments for video to load completely.

Also...

holiday knitting

2009-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

Planning holiday knitting for the ones closest to us, can bring as much joy as the knitting. There are times when we rush our knitting, to finish an item for a gift. Imagine however, how lovely it would feel to really enjoy and savor our holiday knitting. With each stitch we knit, we may pour in all of our best intentions and our love for that special person.

Is this a possibility when it is already November? Yes! Is less really more? Yes! Less, really is more. Let's have a simple, stress free holiday season. Instead of planning something huge, let us enjoy our time by making something small and most importantly, meaningful.

Ginger Originals

Setting your Autumn table

2009-10-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

The season of hospitality is upon us, and with this come all the joys of "welcoming in", "giving", and "gathering". Much of this gathering happens around our tables, so why not let it bring as much joy as possible? Setting our tables beautifully to welcome in our friends and family, is a way to give a part of ourselves to the people whom we love the most.

We welcome you in to The Net Loft; so as to select, take home, and give to your table just a bit more of that beauty already gathered around you.

Fall Classes

2009-09-14T00:18:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you know about some fall classes coming up.

Scrapbook Saturday with Sue Shellhorn

Saturday September 19 1-4 pm

Bring your own scrapbook supplies for an afternoon of demonstrations, specials, and samples, or make a small all inclusive kit under the supervision of Sue Shellhorn. Great fall class and a great intro to scrapbooking and small projects using all those wonderful embellishments, with a simple style. No experience necessary and cost is simply the cost of materials. Instruction provided compliments of The Net Loft.

Knitting 101 - Terri Stavig's great comprehensive knitting course. Dates to be announced. We are gathering names of those that are interested and a date will be set beginning in October.

GREAT CLASS.

Elsinore Scarf Beginning Crochet Workshop with Amy O'Neill Houck.

Wednesday Evening, September 23, 7-10pm. Complete a lovely crochet scarf in just one night while learning simple crochet using a beautiful handyed bulky wool yarn.

Class kit $20 includes yarn, pattern, hook and Net Loft vinyl zip bag.

Thursday Morning Needlework Stitch and Teatime

For those of you who cannot get out in the evening, gather round the table and polish up on your needlework skills. Great time to finish up unfinished projects. Focus is on needlework and cross stitch but all types of handwork welcome.

Bring along something to show and share, finished needlework projects are always inspiring for everyone to see. Group meets 9:30-11:30 am Thursday mornings.

Monday night knits continue through the fall... 7-9 pm.

Wednesday noon knits with Amy noon -2 pm

Have a great fall.

Great time to get started on Christmas stitching, stockings, ornaments, and homemade presents for gift giving. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you make your ideas become a reality.

The mushroom festival was great, as well as fall natural dyeing, when I find my camera I will update with photos.

joy

2009-08-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ah! The joy of it.

I can't think of anything I love better than to see people upstairs in our Net Loft classroom, spinning and weaving and knitting and scrapbooking and simply being together making things. It is truly what I love and what we love to do here. It has been very wonderful these last few weeks watching all that has been going on, especially since it took so long this summer to kick things into gear. It's enough to put a smile on your face.

And the excitement continues...

The mushroom festival has begun and we had a film night featuring the film "Mushrooms for Color" by Miriam Rice.here to get it started. Dorothy Beebee is here to teach a class in mushroom papermaking and creating mycostix (drawing sticks made from mushroom pigment). We will be having dye pots out back of The Net Loft all next week if you are interested in trying out mushroom dyeing for yourself. If you are interested in the Mushroom Festival you can check the links below. Karen Casselman will be here next weekend to teach a class on lichen dyeing over Labor Day weekend. It should be fantastic.

http://www.freewebs.com/cordovafungusfestival/2009festivalschedule.htm

http://www.mushroomsforcolor.com/CordovanMushroomDyes.htm

Finally an update!

2009-08-18T01:03:00.000-07:00

So many new and wonderful things here at The Net Loft. Sorry for the lack of posts, but it has been a strange summer with the commercial fishing industry just getting going as summer draws to a close.

It is exciting though, with autumn just around the bend, as we have lots of wonderful ideas and products available for fall projects. We have many new very special and delicious hand dyed yarns specially dyed for us by Fleece Artist/Hand Maiden, Three Irish Girls, and Zen Yarn Garden with names such as "Hawkin's Island" (pictured at left), "Sheridan Glacier", and even a beautiful purple and green collection called "Eyak River Iris", with others such as Child's glacier, Orca Inlet, and Boswell Bay Strawberry. Most of these new yarns work for a variety of one skein luxury projects. New also are a collection of small custom kits for quick projects we have put together for easy grab and go knitting.

In the gift department, there are many new gift ideas, including a great selection of 3 free "Butter" Nail Polish and bodycare products, new jewelry, and bright and beautiful tabletop items for end summer tablesetting and household decorating. There is so much it is hard to list it all, so you will just have to come in to see for yourself. There are still some fun classes happening, so come check out our end of August schedule while you are here.

Hope you had a great summer! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

PS. Lavender Wash Cloth errata/correction: where it says repeat rows 2-5, change the numbers from 2-5 to be 1-4. Sorry about that.

2009-05-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

2009-05-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

ECOLANA Natural Alpaca/Merino Wool Yarn

2009-03-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

New Arrivals!

2009-03-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

2009-02-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

More Goodness from Granite!

Fresh batch of visor beanies from Brianne on their way to The Net Loft. Fresh new colors.

Oh boy!

2009-02-21T16:01:00.000-08:00

Thymes Red Cherie

Bath & Body Products

Thymes Red Cherie will make you smile from head to toe with a luscious mix of sparking pomegranate, ripe red cherries, passion flower and jasmine...sparked with Asian lychee and a touch of fruity musk.

Loaded with skin-loving vitamin E & antioxidants, the lovely fragrant products of Red Cherie will leave you with a wonderful healthy glow.

Ask for a free sample so you can try for yourself.

Makes a great gift!

2009-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

2009-01-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Here is a list of the upcoming events and classes.

We hope you can join us for either a class or time around the upstairs table handcrafting amongst friends.

All the best to you for 2009 from all of us at The Net Loft.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Nordic Sweater Club with Terri Stavig

January 10 10-12 noon

An ongoing club for intermediate knitters interested in knitting

a Norwegian Sweater.

Check at front counter for more information.

Monday Night Knits with Linda Lohse

starts January 19 7-9 pm

An evening gathering of needlework friends will resume meeting on Monday evenings. Linda Lohse will be hosting and providing guidance with your knitting projects. Come join us for tea and great company.

Wednesdays with Amy with Amy O'Neill Houck

Wednesdays 12 noon -2 pm

Starting January 7, Amy will be available at the shop for your knitting, crochet, and beginning dropspindle questions, as well as for those who want to drop by for a weekday afternoon gathering of needleartists.

Tomtem Jacket Knitalong with Linda Lohse

Wednesdays starting January 21 7-9 pm

An ongoing kntting group featuring an Elizabeth Zimmerman original.

Knitted Mittens with Terri Stavig

January 31 10-12 noon

Intermediate Knitting Class requires preregistration and swatch knit

before first session.

Check at front counter for more information.

2008-12-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Silent Night

Holy Night

All is calm

All is bright...

Merry Christmas

with love

from

The Net Loft

2008-12-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

2008-12-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon!

Moonstruck Chocolates

Yesterday, I was at the Moonstruck Chocolate Factory in Portland, Oregon

and picked up a batch of fresh yummy chocolates made to order just for

The Net Loft. I am shipping them north by air freight today,

so watch at the shop for these wonderful new chocolates.

We have the Mayan Chocolate Bars at the shop already,

and if you haven't had them yet, you are in for a treat,

as they are a very delicious milk chocolate

with a slight scent of cinnamon.

Wait until you see the cute little truffle polar bears that are on the way.

Very very cute, and great for a sweet little gift.

yum

2008-12-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

"Granite Goodness"

New batch of Granite hats and visors on the way!

Brianne Webber is our local designer/knitter of the Granite hat and visor production company.

She hand knits and crochets these wonderful hats/visors herself, and we are happy to offer them for sale at The Net Loft. All proceeds go to Brianne when you purchase them from us, and they are the same price as if you ordered them direct. We are excited to be an outlet for her products, especially for those who might not know about them otherwise. If you see a hat or visor in the lineup that you like, and you are not in Cordova, you can call the shop directly at 907 424-7337 and order with a credit card and we will ship direct to you. This is the current batch that should arrive in a few days, as Brianne is headed off for the holidays. Get your Granite!

2008-12-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Have a wonderful time at the Bidarki Craft Fair and come see us too!

2008-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

A Thousand Hugs.

That is what it felt like.

Seeing friends and familiar faces, transforming fall into Christmas, watching the knitters around the table...

I have returned from my November shop visit, and I am remembering one night late peering out at the snow flurries and the glow of the evening lights through the sparking lights of the newly decorated shop.

I am thinking of you now.

I hope you all have a blessed time as you prepare for the holidays. Have those special times of making and creating and being with friends and family. Cut, and glue, and knit, and sew, bake, light candles, hug those close by and enjoy the moments of writing those who are far away. Those hand-made moments are the treasures and the part of you that you share with others that mean more than you can imagine. They mean more than you can imagine. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. I used my new tablerunner that I bought at the Northwind Quilters Tea auction. It looked so lovely, and a reminder of a special place, a very special place, and and a very special moment in time.

Missing you...

2008-11-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Holiday Open House

at The Net Loft

November 19, 2008

7-9 pm

"Knits for Bears to Wear" Booksigning

with Amy O'Neill Houck

Jen-Ann Kirchmeier New Card Release

Icelandic Designs Winter 2008-2009 Sweaters

Ideas for Celebration & Gifts for the Holidays

All welcome.

We will be gathering at 7:30 in the Upstairs Room at The Net Loft

for a short Fashion Show and Get Together.

Come join us!

2008-11-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

This fall, The Net Loft has featured "Wednesdays with Amy", a drop in fiberarts session for those interested in help with knitting, crochet, as well as beginner helps in how to use a drop spindle.

Amy O'Neill-Houck leads the session from noon to 2pm every Wednesday. Yesterday was a special day for Amy, as it was the release date of her latest book, Knits for Bears to Wear, published by Random House Books.

We will be having an official booksigning party for her the evening of our Holiday Open House, November 19 7-9 pm, but if you get a chance today, drop by and wish her congratulations.

2008-11-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends of The Net Loft in Cordova, Alaska.

This is an announcement of the launching of the Net Loft's online weblog, a resource for coverage of past, present and future Net Loft events, as well as updates on exciting new merchandise.

I have a lot of ideas for this site, one of which would be to have an opportunity for everyone to share a view of their finished projects. I will explain more of that later, but, for now, I just wanted to get started and say HELLO!!!! everyone, and welcome to The Net Loft.

For those of you who may be wondering what The Net Loft is all about, it is a little shop in the commercial fishing village of Cordova, whose roots began in an actual commercial fishing net loft where nets are constructed for the salmon fishing industry there. The shop resided in a net loft for 18 years until it was moved to a main street location, keeping the name along with many wonderful memories of the days in the upstairs of our commercial fishing warehouse.

If I had a few words, I would describe The Net Loft as a place for needlework, yarn, papercrafts, ribbons, buttons, housewares, beautiful sweaters, jewelry, chocolates, and...friends.

If I had but one word, it would be,

haven

We welcome YOU to join us.