E-News in Technicolor: September

This month we celebrate ponchos, the start of Fall and more. Don't miss our overflowing class schedule including our new beaded ornament class and don't forget our wine tasting knit in on September 30!

Please feel free to email us to let us know what you think, and any changes you'd like to see. To view this email newsletter online, please visit our website at /rettelswene/04_09.htm.

Ponchos!

Well, it's official - they're back! Many of us remember ponchos from their first incarnation 30 years ago, and just like bell bottoms, what was once old is new again. Ponchos actually have their roots in the cloaks that first appeared in the early 1900s. By the 1950s, those long cloaks had evolved into shorter capes and capelets that were the precursors to the poncho. By the early 1970s, ponchos were everywhere, from crocheted granny square versions to the Clint Eastwood spaghetti western version.

Their comfort and versatility (not to mention their retro chic) have brought the poncho back into style, and they couldn't be simpler to knit. Whether you take on the super-easy "two rectangle" poncho, or a more advanced one, they make a terrific addition to any wardrobe. Choose a warm bulky yarn for a cozy winter-time poncho, or use mohair, ribbon, or other interesting textures to make a fashion poncho that looks good outside or in. We have free patterns for several different styles, as well as patterns from leading designers. Stop in today to find out more about this new fashion trend or sign up for our poncho class!

Click here to print a coupon good for 15% off the purchase of yarns and/or patterns for a poncho OR $8 off the cost of the Poncho Class beginning October 18.

Fall Classes

There's still room in many of our Fall classes and we've scheduled some exciting new classes and new session of some old favorites.

*NEW* Beaded Christmas Ornament Workshop - Wednesday, October 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Make a beautiful beaded ornament for the holidays. At the end of the session, you'll go home with a completed ornament! Makes a quick and easy gift. For advanced beginners
$25 for one 3-hour session and one ornament kit including yarn, beads, pattern and glass ball. See the ornament here
Fiber Necklace Workshop - Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Learn to make one of our stunning fiber necklaces. Bring those special leftover bits of yarn you couldn't bear to part with and combine them with our Adornaments from K1C2 to create a wearable work of art. Trade with other workshop attendees to find the perfect mix of fibers. No knitting experience necessary!
$25 for one 1-hour session, two Adornaments cards, and one set of Ann Norling jewelry findings. See the necklace here

The Essential Series:

The Essential Felted Bag - Thursday, October 7 and 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tired of making scarf after scarf? Make a felted bag! Learn how to pick up stitches, work in the round, make I-cords and felt your finished product. For Advanced Beginners
$40 includes two 2-hour sessions and 400 yards of worsted weight wool. See the bag here
The Essential Poncho - Monday, October 18, November 15, and December 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn a variety of stitch patterns by knitting squares that you will then sew together to make a poncho! Classes are spaced four weeks apart to provide adequate time for completion of each stage. For Advanced Beginners
$65 includes three 2-hour sessions and 7 skeins of Patons Shetland Chunky yarn. See the poncho here
The Essential Mittens - Wednesday, November 3, 10 and 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get started on this year's holiday gifts - mittens! After this class you'll be able to not only use double pointed needles, but knit mittens in the round like a pro. For Advanced Beginners
$40 includes two 2-hour sessions and 2 balls of Mission Falls 1824 Wool See the mittens here

Build Your Knitting Toolkit:
Add to your knitting knowledge with these courses addressing topics including gauge, yarn substitution, what to do when you make a mistake, and finishing.

Crocheted Edgings - Monday, September 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn how to use single and double crochet stitches to make attractive edges on your knitted projects. Basic knowledge of crochet required.
$15 includes one 2-hour session.
Fixing Mistakes and Weaving in Ends - Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn how to pick up those pesky dropped stitches, recognize and fix twisted stitches, change a knit stitch to a purl stitch and more. Also learn various methods for weaving in ends of different yarns. For Advanced Beginners
$15 includes one 2-hour session.
Seaming - Saturday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn basic seaming techniques for use on everything from hats to sweaters. Students will learn the whip stitch, mattress stitch, seaming garter stitch edges, and crocheted seams.
$15 includes one 2-hour session. For Advanced Beginners
The Art of Cabling - Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cabling is the perfect example of a knitting technique that looks much harder than it actually is. Come learn how simple this beautiful technique is and how you can add it to everything from scarves to sweaters to afghans.
$15 includes one 2-hour session. For Advanced Beginners
Understanding Gauge, Needle Size, and Yarn Substitution - Saturday, November 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Have you ever wondered what needles to use with a certain yarn? Or whether you could use a different yarn than the one your pattern calls for? Or why different yarns knit differently on different size needles? Than this is the class for you! Learn what yarn gauge is and why it's important, which needles to use when, and how to best switch yarns for a pattern. For Advanced Beginners
$15 includes one 2-hour session.

Beginner's Classes:

Basic Knitting - Thursday, October 21 and November 4 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. This 2 hour class will teach the basics of knitting - casting on, knitting, and binding off. Perfect for anyone who just needs a refresher, or wants to learn for the first time. For New Knitters
$40 includes two 1-hour sessions, Patons Next Steps Knitting Guidebook, 2 skeins Patons Shetland Chunky Yarn and size 10 needles.

Color Series:
This series explores all facets of color knitting, from simple striping to stranded fair isle knitting. Sessions can be taken individually (see below for details), or as a complete series for $65.

Stripes - Tuesday, October 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Take the first step from one-color knitting by learning how to attach a second ball of yarn, create horizontal stripe patterns without distracting "jogs", colorblocks, checkerboards, spirals, and more. Perfect for new knitters looking to advance their skills to the next level. For Advanced Beginners
$15 for one 2-hour session
Mosaic Knitting - Tuesday, October 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn to knit with two colors and make fair isle patterns without stranding! By using slipped stitches, you can simulate stranded knitting without having to work with two colors at once. For Advanced Beginners
$15 for one 2-hour session
Stranded Knitting - Tuesday, November 2 and 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn the art of stranded, or fair isle knitting. You'll discover how easy it is to work with two colors in one row, both flat and in the round. For Intermediate Knitters
$25 for two 2-hour sessions
Intarsia - Tuesday, November 30 and December 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Intarsia is the art of knitting with motifs, or patterns with blocks of solid color. Learn how to create these beautiful designs used on everything from Christmas stockings to afghans. For Intermediate Knitters
$25 for two 2-hour sessions

For more information on any of these classes, or to get the registration form, please visit our website at http://www.technicolorsheep.com/classes.htm.

Wine Tasting Knit In
Don't forget about our Wine Tasting Knit In coming up this month! Join us for a night of wine, knitting and good company on Thursday, September 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A representative from Chadds Ford Winery will be here to answer questions, take orders, and distribute coupons.

Knit In Schedule
Our new knit-in schedule is below - come knit with us!

Casual Knit Ins
Thursday, September 30 - Wine Tasting Knit In!
Monday, October 4
Wednesday, October 20
Monday, November 1
Tuesday, November 16

Charity Knit Ins
Monday, October 11
Wednesday, October 27
Monday, November 8
Tuesday, November 23

Official Start of Fall Coupon

This week marks the official first day of Fall and (hopefully) marks the onset of cooler weather. Celebrate the return to sweater weather at The Technicolor Sheep with this coupon for 15% off your entire purchase between now and October 16. Click here to print your coupon.

Have You Seen Our New Look?

If not, you'll have to stop in and check it out! We took down a wall and the result has been oodles of additional room. Come in today - you'll probably see things you've never noticed before!

Come Hell or High Water Sale Continues

There's still some of our formerly wet yarn on sale for 50% off, but not that much! The sale will only continue through the end of September so come in soon to take advantage of these great savings!

The Technicolor Sheep Lost and Found

As you probably know, everyone is always welcome to come into the shop and ask questions or just knit for awhile. Sometimes, however, people leave things behind and we can't always identify who the owner is. Currently in our "lost and found" are:

a black fold up umbrella
a gold chain
a small cable needle
a pair of scissors with white handles

If you've been looking for any of these things, stop in and we'll be happy to reunite you!

These comfy slippers are a great way to stay cozy in the winter and make a quick and inexpensive gift. You can knit them with one strand of a bulky weight yarn or 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together. Try red and green for a fun holiday look.

Materials: 100 yards of a bulky weight yarn or 200 yards of a worsted weight yarn (held double); size US10.5 needles or size to get gauge
Size: One size fits most
Gauge: 3.5 sts per inch

CO 30 sts.

Row 1: Knit across all sts
Row 2: K10, P10, K10

Repeat rows 1 and 2 26 more times.

Begin decreases for toe:

Row 1: K11, SSK, K4, K2tog, K11
Row 2: K10, P6, K10
Row 3: K11, SSK, K2, K2tog, K11
Row 4: K10, P4, K10
Row 5: K10, SSK, K2tog, K10
Row 6: K10, P2, K10

To finish: Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts to secure. Fold slipper in half and sew back seam. Sew top seam together starting at toe for approximately 4.5" or 14 ridges.

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