You all have made it a very very (very very) busy month for us here at The Loopy Ewe. And we SO appreciate it! We’ve had fun packing up your orders. You might notice that we’ve sent out some of the sale orders sans tissue paper. It was either that, or take an extra 2 days to get all of the orders out. We figured you’d just as soon have the yarn quicker. Once these anniversary sales are over, we’ll get back to orders as usual around here. Although if you want to keep up this pace, I can always hire more Elves. We’re up for it!
Wow – 1800+ comments on last week’s contest blog. How fun is that? It was interesting to see where you heard about us. Yes, we DO love and appreciate Wendy an awful lot. And Lime & Violet. And the Yarn Harlot. And … well every single one of you who have ever passed our website on to your friends and knitting groups via podcasts, blogs, emails, Ravelry posts, and word of mouth. Our goal is to always live up to the positive things that you have said about us, and we promise to take good care of your friends, here, too. 🙂 We are sending out 8 prize packages, from randomly selected comments off of last week’s blog. The winner’s are: Janice in VA, Laura in UT, Maria in MN, Natasha in VA, Meredith in MI, Ann in OH, Melissa in UT, and Rachel in VA. (I think that Virginia and Utah were well represented this time.) I’ve sent emails to the 8 of you, so check your email in-box if you think it might be you. We’ll pick the last round of winners from this post, and we’ll announce them next week.
Today’s Anniversary Sale (our last one) includes 20% off all Fiesta Yarns, 20% off all Monica Knits Patterns, and 20% off all Loopy Ewe Accessories. (In stock items only.) We hope you have fun picking out some new things. We’ll be including a free sock pattern if you purchase 2 skeins of Baby Boom (the sock is shown here), and a free scarf pattern if you purchase a skein of Ballet. All free patterns are while supplies last.
In addition to the Sale, we’ve also added in a whole bunch of stuff for the regular weekly update. Just in, you’ll find:
Polar Knits Worsted Weight
Dream in Color Classy re-stocked (including our exclusive Don’t Be Blue colorway)
Dream in Color Smooshy re-stocked
Dream in Color Smooshy Sock Summit Exclusives
Lorna’s Laces Whidbey Island (exclusive Sock Summit Colorway)
Ella Rae Lace Merino
String Theory Caper Sock
Hand Maiden Casbah (so many great colors in stock)
Tempted Luxe Girl (new cashmere line)
Opal Rainforest Five
Addi Lace Turbo 16″ circulars
Addi Click Tips and Connectors
Fiesta Baby Boom in new colors
So hop over to shop! But before you go, answer this question in the comments for your chance to win a prize package in our last anniversary contest. (Of course we’ll be back with our September Blog Contest before you know it.) Question: Who has had the biggest influence on your knitting? It might be a pattern designer, or a blogger, or a friend, or a group on Ravelry, or a podcaster or … even yourself. Maybe you’re good at poking around and inspiring yourself to learn new things and branch out. Food for thought. And then for a blog comment. 🙂
We’re taking pre-orders on the new Namaste bag colors, which we expect in within the next week or two. If you’d like a RED Hermosa, or a BLACK Zuma, or a BLACK Laguna, simply send us an email (support AT theloopyewe DOT com) and we’ll reserve one for you. The Hermosa’s are $75 and the Zuma’s and Laguna’s are $69.
We’re heading up to Indiana to take Knitting Daughter back to college this week, so I won’t be blogging again until next Monday. Maybe I can get some of these half-finished socks done enroute so that I’ll have photos to share by then. Or maybe I’ll be too busy shedding tears. You know how that goes. I’m hopeless.
Sheri thinkingthatfallisintheair
eventhoughLaborDayisstill
twoweeksaway
It really varies a lot who influences me the most.
Of course the internet influences me since I have access to so many sources that I might not find in a local shop. My mother influences me also as she helped teach me to knit. Work influences me because I need to have portable projects that I can walk away from at a moment’s notice.
I love that my knitting grows by the influences in my life. I have attempted things I might not have tried in pursuit of gorgeous knits to give as gifts also.
Definitely Internet and all the knitty community on the web, including of course Ravelry and the talented people – designers or not – who write and post tutorials. You can find anything on the Net : from supply to support, from notions to how-to’s, and the powerful feeling of belonging to a community of wonderful, fun, passionate and generous people.
And also a special mention to EZ, whose generosity still pours on us. How grand is that ?
I’d say, my mom had the biggest influence on my knitting. She is not the MASTER knitter, just some hats, socks or mittens here and there, but she taught me that no-nonsense approach to knitting that you don’t have to follow a pattern or use the exact yarn for a project, you can always figure out what to do to achieve the results you want.
I’ve always been a self starter, but with knitting I would often get “stuck”. The person who has been the best influence on me is my Knitting BFF Glenna!. She is a great teacher, she inspires me and she’s fun to knit with! Thanks Glenna
I would have to say my grandmother for making me want to keep up the knitting-gene in the family, even though we never knitted together.
And Wendy (Wendyknits) for making we want to knit lots and lots of socks.
The biggest influences in my knitting life are my knit group and ravelry. The communities intrigue, inspire and challenge me every day.
The Saturday Knitting Group influenced me the most. Everything they knit is always so pretty and they’re always so encouraging and helpful. Just wish we could meet every
Saturday instead of every other Saturday. I like these ladies a lot. They’re great.
Hand down Brenda Dayne. Her podcast ‘Cast-on’ changed the way I knit forever. I’ve been knitting for over twelve years, but it wasn’t until about six months ago when I first discovered the podcast that i really started thinking, I mean really thinking, about knitting. How history, geography, literature, mythology, art, nature, science and technology can all play a role in our knitting. I’ve learned so much and been introduced to so many various resources and possibilities via her show that at times I feel a bit overwhelmed. When i do, i just listen to an episode and her humor, wit, knowledge, and candor get me right back on track.
A lady called Ann Segrest has influenced me the most. I first met her when she taught me to tat about 7 years ago. Now, for the last 2 years, I’ve also been in her knitting group. She’s a wonderful lady–in her eight decade, no less–and loves to share her love of the needlearts w/ whomever wishes to learn. She’s been a great inspiration and a great friend.
my Ravelry friends.
I would have to say Elizabeth Zimmermann, her books taught me to experiment with design and inspired me to think outside the box.
I think that Ann Budd was probably the biggest influence on my knitting. I got a copy of her “Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns” very early on in my knitting career, and the idea that patterns are suggestions and they can/should be modified to get individualized results has served me well.
The biggest influence on my knitting has been the beautiful colors of the yarn available!
Hmm. The most influence? I taught myself to knit from books, so probably Maggie Righetti (Knitting in Plain English) and Elizabeth Zimmerman. Also the regular pattern designers for Knitter’s Magazine, especially Sally Melville and Norah Gaughan.
I reached a point where I just couldn’t keep up with it, but at one time the hundreds of subscribers to the Knitlist email digests were important – they “talked” me through learning to do my first pair of socks!
I also have to credit Maggie Righetti and Elizabeth Zimmerman but also a big influence on my knitting is all of the wonderful knitters who blog. Yarn Harlot, Knitspot and Wendy Knits to name just a few.
I’m not sure where the inspiration to start knitting came from – I taught myself from a book – but my biggest influence has been my knitting buddy. Our mutual enthusiasm for each other’s projects really helped keep me going. 🙂
Several people inspire me, each for different things. Lies for socks, Carla for better knitting, Hilly for shawls. F.e. I’m also much inspired by websites and books and… last, but not least, meetings with ‘great knitting women’ like the Yarn Harlot last year, last week Nancy Bush (!!!!) and two years ago Alice Starmore. Awesome to listen to them.
My grandmother has been my biggest knitting and craft influence 🙂
The Stash and Burn podcast really helped my knitting because they encouraged getting on Ravelry. From there Ravelry, I got more involved in the internet knitting community while expanding my own knowledge by getting books I’d see recommended on blogs from the library and reading up. Within a year, I was no longer a beginning knitter. By knitting everyday and taking a little time to check in on the knitting world online I’ve been able to follow trend and improve my knitting. I find it inspiring to see so many people devoted to knitting and then discussing it online.
mmmm tough question! I think Ravelry and my Plurk buds have the biggest influence at the moment. Seeing what others knit/crochet definately inspires me. I love to look through Rav to see what the latest patterns are and there is always a photo on plurk of a completed project or a WIP. There are some very talented people out there and I love to see what they are up to.
The Internet and all it has to offer has and will continue to be the biggest influence on my knitting. I have been exposed to, learned and acquired so much more related to knitting than I ever could without it.
My coworkers and friends at my LYS (Stash, in Berkeley, CA) have been my biggest knitting influences. And enablers…..we often finding ourselves casting on for the same project or obsessing over the same yarns.
Hmmmm – I would say my Mum for teaching me to knit in the first place (and being very encouraging of my first efforts!), my daughter for causing me to pick up the needles again after a loooong hiatus, Wendy Johnson and Cookie A for introducing me to the joys of sock knitting, but MOST of all, the Knitting Goddesses group on Ravelry – they are seriously the most supportive/encouraging group I’ve ever ‘met’!
My knitting group has the biggest influence on my knitting. Actually seeing projects every week in person that my knitting pals are working on inspires me to make projects I may not make otherwise.
My grandmother…
She was from The Netherlands. My dad would read the english knitting patterns to her and her needles would click away!
My knit night group has had the most influence on me. They continually inspire me to be a better knitter, and I’ve made lifelong friendships as well.
Currently, the Wendy Ravelry sock KAL (I can’t fit in time for anything else and am now a sockaholic!), but previously, it was my mother.
There are three people who have the most influence on my knitting – the three women I’ve taught to knit! I’m one of those people who enjoys doing the same things over and over, and without the three of them I’d still be doing the same couple of things. L has gotten me to think more technically about knitting, about the whys and wherefores. She once rang me and asked me to explain how to work a p2togtbl – over the telephone! H is the most fearless, ready to tackle anything, but she still calls me from the LYS once or twice a month to ask about what yarn she should buy to make project X. Her tastes in projects are very different to mine, so I’ve had to learn a lot about how different yarns work for a huge range of garments. And from G I’ve been inspired to really learn how to teach. She’s an incredibly talented knitter, but very, very nervous about trying out new things. Working with G has inspired me to find ways to make the ‘oooh, scary’ knitting techniques more approachable, as well as trying them out for myself so I can share my own experiences with her.
Great question, thanks for asking it!
I don’t remember who taught me to knit and crochet so so soooooo many years ago, but I am ever oh so eternally greatful that someone did take the time and effort to teach me. I too have knitted and crocheted on and off over the years… but over the last 10 years it is the people and shops that posts their works for all the world to see on the Internet that has inspired and challenged me. So many wonderfully talented people!!! So many absolutely amazing yarns… The people who attend my weekly knitting and crochet classes keep me inspired. Every time a new student walks through the door and wants to learn to knit or crochet it just thrills and delights me, but when students keep coming back… it just continues to be very very special!!!!
Then of course there is all of y’all…
Sincerely,
My biggest influence in recent years is the need for custom knits for myself and loved ones. I prefer handmade over store bought, and knitting brings me that much closer to my dream of only wearing what I make!
Without my mother, who taught me to knit when I was ten, I wouldn’t be here, and my daughter currently inspires me to reach beyond my comfort level to try new things. Without her, I would never have tried socks, which are now my favorite things, or lace, about which I remain ambivalent. Beyond that, I am continually engaged by the community of knitters online, in books, and in my local yarn shops.
I think the biggest influence, currently, has been the Yarn Harlot. I get to thinking I don’t really need any new project, and then……I start reading her blog, there are pictures, I just don’t know exactly how it happens, but I do seem to have quite a few things around here that I saw there 🙂
Definitely the biggest influence on my knitting was my mother who taught me to knit and also my grandmother who spent her time knitting socks. More recently, Kim Hargreaves is the most amazing designer and has influenced me no end as has Debbie Abrahams.
I only knitted for about 20 months and i must say it is because i got pregnant whit my daughter. It is so much beautiful knitting work to baby and children, when i started knitting i just couldn’t stop. I have knitted every day for the last 20 months and i just want to knit more, cant understand what i did before. I don`t have anyone to learn me, so i tried and failed and think i come a long way already. Ravely and a norwegian forum, “hobbyboden” gives me great inspiration.
Many years ago, when I was a teenager (but had been knitting for 10 years already) I saw a TV news story on a knitting designer, who said that it’s okay to buy single balls of yarn, if you love the colour, and to mix them up as much as you like. I don’t remember who it was, but I believe it was probably Kaffe Fassett. So he would have to be my biggest influence.
And all the knitting books at the library. Without fail I check out what’s new at 746.432, every visit!
I listen to several podcasts during the week: Knitmore Girls, Stitch It, Yarnspinners Tales and At the Kitchen Table, etc.. They have had a great influence on my knitting and spinning, but I guess I am pretty self motivated because I have no friends who knit.
Nana taught me to knit at 7. I did not really start knitting until 2005 (then 55) and have not put the needles down. The Internet help me find http://virtualvacationswap.blogspot.com/, I have made friends with many that joined this vacation. BTW, this was the 1st & last swap I joined. I like the knitting process and the friends. Too much stress at work let alone trying to keep up with swap packages (and the one upmanship) My co-worker Carol has been the biggest help on keeping me focused. She said I over think the patterns! I have not found a LYS that has made itself assessable for a one on one. Your blog and emails keep me posted, I have my list on g00gle reader and my bl0gger freinds held support me.
The biggest influence on my knitting has to be the internet. It was where I learnt to knit again after not having done it since I was a kid. It is where I find all my patterns. It is where I get inspiration to try out new techniques. It is where I can look at pictures of the finished garments and see how they turn out. And, of course, it’s where Ravelry is!
My grandmother. She taught me how to knit, but the reason I continued is because I did not want one of her talents to be lost after she is gone.
I think my grandma has been the biggest influence. She’s patiently taught me and re-taught me several times through the years, always encouraged me and marvelled over my finished objects (no matter how messy) and when I started trying new techniques and yarns, she always listened enthusiastically. My grandma is my absolute favourite person to show new FOs. 🙂 And without her, I may have never learned to knit!
I’m influenced by what I want to wear that I can only imagine and don’t always see in the stores. I want that comfy go-to item that I can grab and love (but haven’t created yet). I’m influenced by the colors of nature and it makes me happy on a cold day to see my brightly colored socks sticking out below my pants! Wearing my handknit socks is like a day long hug.
I’m influenced by all of the wonderful creative people I’ve met online, I’ve been blogging for almost 9 years now and cannot believe the relationships I’ve formed and what I’ve learned from so many people.
It would have to be Ravelry. Not only does it inspire due to the exposure to yarns and patterns it is the group that continues to support and sustain me.
My knitting group has had the biggest influence on my knitting. I taught myself to knit from books, but didn’t know anyone else who knitted. Our group started at WWKIP a couple of years ago, and that’s when my friend Paula showed me that I was twisting my stitches. Now my knitting hangs strraight (instead of on a bias), and it’s all becaue Paula showed me what I was doing weirdly.
My Mom taught me to knit when I was five and was certainly an influence on my knitting, but I think that the biggest influence on my knitting life would have to be my late Godmother, Aunt Ruth. Aunt Ruth was a fabulous knitter and was fearless. She would try anything and oftentimes make things up as she went along.
Aunt Ruth was a test knitter for several yarn companies back in the 1950’s and 1960’s and today I have some of the proof books that she test knit from. When I got married 25 years ago, she knit me a toasty warm shawl for my January wedding day. I still treasure it.
Aunt Ruth has been gone for quite a few years, but I was lucky enough to inherit all of her knitting needles, notions and patterns. When I use them, I am sometimes transported back to the days when I was learning to knit and she would patiently explain a stitch or technique to me. She would be amazed to see all of the yarns and patterns available today. I wish she was still here to see how much of a Knitter that I have become!
Happy Anniversary Month, Loopy!
Elizabeth Zimmermann by far! I was lucky enough to get her book Knitting without Tears right after I taught myself to knit and it’s been on ever since. I wish I had been able to meet her.
Hi Sheri
I was most influenced by my Mom. She taught all of us to knit around the time that we started school – I remember sitting in the kitchen repeating to myself ‘in, over, through, off’ and my Dad ( who was on the night shift) coming into the kitchen and asking if I could keep my voice down as he was trying to sleep! I think I have knitted since then about 50 years ago sometimes taking a break but I have always had some sort of yarn hidden away waiting for me to get the urge again. I knit my first pair of socks about 5 years ago and this is now my go to item when I want something to keep me occupied when watching TV.
I really think that Ravelry has been the biggest influence on my knitting. It is such a great resource. I have been knitting for as long as I can remember, but it’s really so much more mainstream than it has been for years and I believe that the internet and tools like Ravelry have made that happen. Happy Anniversary and keep up the great work.
My knitting circle friends. They encourage me an make me want to knit a more complex piece. (I am a new knitter) Cindy the organizer of the group is always looking for cool patterns to knit and she can answer most of our crazy questions.
Hands down, it’s the Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry! Before I found them, I had knit one worsted weight sock. Now because of all the advice and encouragement from this group, I can pretty much knit any socks I want – lace, cables, toe-up, top down, you name it. And I’m obsessed with socks!
My friend Robin, Ravelry, and Cookie A.
I mostly knit socks, although I have made a few sweaters. I like having a little project that I can take along to work, or doctor’s offices, or anyplace else I have to wait. When I discovered Cookie A’s beautiful patterns, I wanted to knit them all (still do, and working on it)!
Ravelry is awesome, but also dangerous – a great resource, a place to find terrific new patters, and to see so many gorgeous yarns! And find great shops like The Loopy Ewe that feed my addiction. 🙂