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
My influences come from a variety of places…believe it or not, I was taught to knit by my parish priest when I was in 5th grade and he was doing a fund raiser knitted afghan, and I was interested in learning to knit. No one else in my family knits, and a few friends do, but those are the ones I have taught. Ahhh, but they all want knitted items…and socks are big. My influences are the yarn…I adore silk…and my projects get expensive…oh baby do I ever love Lorna’s Laces…those last 4 skeins I ordered on sale are rapidly making a shawl for me…YES! I also tend to get caught up in making things for the kids I teach…tho in a much less expensive wool…but in the end, it is the actual knitting, itself,that soothes and relaxes and makes one want to take up the wool and knit again and again. Have fun knitting! Blessings and love to all. Jo
I have to say that Ravelry has influenced me the most. I never would have been brave enough to try out certain techniques, etc. if I hadn’t seen all the “real people” and their “real projects” in all different sizes (as opposed to a pattern book!)
Julie
My grandmother Boddington taught me how to crochet. She had only a few patterns and a couple of hooks, so I’ve expanded with books and free patterns on the internet. This week, my friend Teri M is going to teach me how to knit. I taught her two boys how to crochet recently. I have lots of books and patterns for knit, too. I like the look of both, and prefer patterns that use both. I really want to learn how to knit socks, slippers, and stockings. I prefer beginner patterns, so I can use fancy yarns. I like regular yarn for intermediate patterns.
The lovely girls in my knitting group have had the biggest influence on my knitting. Even if I don’t think something turned out that great they always have compliments for me which make me feel great. Also, they encouraged me to spin. Which I love.
wendy knits – all her socks!
My grandmother…the handspun she spins is AMAZING!
My husband has been the biggest influence in my knitting. He is so supportive and is always there to give suggestions on what he likes about each piece I knit. I am a relatively new knitter and he was the person who helped me get started. He learned first and then taught me. Whenever I have a question about learning a new stitch that I am having trouble with, we work to figure it out together. I tend to be a perfectionist and at times am afraid that I will make a mistake or it won’t look right. He encourages me to try different projects regardless of whether I make a mistake or not and tells me “If you make a mistake, don’t worry, we’ll fix it together”. He has been the biggest supporter of my knitting!
My biggest influence has been my knitting group. There is a group of five of us who get together as often as we can to knit together. We encourage each other in our knitting, have taught each other different techniques, have traveled to MSWF together. We enable each other on a regular basis. We are all different as night and day politically and personally. We have a christian, a catholic, a unitarian, an I don’t know and an athiest. We are non-judgmental, always supportive, always ready to knit or go to lunch or dinner. We share the love of knitting and of each other. We talk about being the Golden Girls, although I am the only golden one. We are a wonderful bunch of sisters, brought together by sticks and string.
My friend Emily. She can knit anything. She is a patient teacher and shares my love of great yarn!
My friend Rainy has been mine. TBH if I win this time I will split it with her, as she has shared SO MUCH with me, yarn and roving included. I am so verry lucky to have her.
My influences recently are from my local knitting groups. When we have our Show and Tell portion of the day, sometimes you have to pick my chin off of the ground! What an inspiration they are!! And then their willingness to help me, the novice, is great. I can only hope to live long enough to equal some of their talent.
My inspiration is my local yarn stores owner; Liz. She had inspired me to knit what I knit today. Shawls, scarves, socks, you name it. She always helped me no matter what. i give her two thumbs up!
I have to say the Yarn Harlot, I had not knitted in years and I picked up one of her books and I was hooked. Then came Wendy and she led me to you and I now have tons of yarn and keep buying it! I have also made new friends and discovered more interests!
My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was ten and I learned to knit soon thereafter. The women in my family have always done some kind of fiber arts, sewing,quilting whatever. Biggest influences: blogs, Ravelry, books, magazines, my knitting group, yarn store enablers 🙂 . . . .
I’ve been influenced by many designers, Wendy Johnson is one of them – she has encouraged me to knit socks that I love. Also Iris Schrier, Barbara Walker, oh I could go on and on…. Debbie
My friend Betsy was the gal who re-introduced me to knitting a few years ago, although my grandmother could claim credit for originally inspiring me to learn and teaching me to knit many years ago. As for influences, Cookie A’s sock patterns inspire me to keep knitting socks, even though I hate wearing anything on my feet. 😀
I guess my wonderful knitting group influences me, if by influence, you mean enables me when yarn buying, and dares me into submitting things to the fair and such. But I influence them right back!
My biggest knitting influence was my Mom. She was terrific knitter and, even now, with her being gone for over 17 years, I can bring in one of the sweaters that she made (yes, we still have them from years ago) to my knitting instructor/friend and she will use it as an example of not only her technique, but also her sense of style. I mean some of these are over 40 years old and they are loved and cherished and WORN to feel her arms around us.
The stupid thing is I didn’t learn from her and took her knitting for granted. Now I think about how she would have thought about all the beautiful yarns and what we can do with them these days. My biggest compliment came from my DH when he commented about my second sweater and said, Mom would have been please.
My second inspiration is the Yarn Harlot. What a wit and she is so right about everything.
I think it would be easier to name what doesn’t influence me! Life itself influences me. Every corner I turn brings a new surprise and is reflected all around me! Thank goodness!
Elizabeth Zimmerman is my knitting guru! Her Knitting Workshop series on PBS in the 70’s taught me to be in charge of my knitting. Now I can relax and enjoy knitting, confident that I can control the end result of each project.
Judy
The two biggest influences over my knitting have been the Yarn Harlot and Cat Bordhi since both of them have inspired me to have confidence in my knitting not be afraid to change things to work better for me.
Another major influence would be that degree in Architecture I recently acquired. It changed the way I think and look at my surroundings, specifically, the details. Architecture is in the details, even the very small ones, and knitting is too.
I think the biggest is Ravelry, and all the people there, I just know that someone will be there to answer any questions and give encouragement if i need it, so i try new things, instead of saying, Oh, I probably can’t do it anyway. Then i would say the designers that turn out new and fabulious items.
ravelry! it has allowed me to find on-line and in-person knitting friends that motivate and amaze me. i’ve also been able to discover indy designers and dyers that i would never have know about otherwise.
Tracey
My mom is the greatest influence in terms of getting me started in all creative aspects. Now my kids are the ones I knit for, so they are a big influence on what I knit. But the internet as a whole has made access to new patterns, an array of new tools, great fibers, and wonderful teachers.
My grandmother sparked my interest in knitting, and other handicrafts as well. I fondly remember the fine gauge suits and dresses she knit so many years ago.
I’ll have to say Barbara Walker, EZ, the yarn harlot, Brooklyn Tweed, and Rav.
My first influence was my Mom, who taught me how to knit when I was a kid. Since then, it’s been books, designers, nature, architecture, and most recently the wealth of info available online.
I think the Yarn Harlot has been one of the biggest influences on my knitting. Once I discovered her book, At Knit’s End, I realized there were many other knitting fanatics in the world and that I am not alone. Her blog has introduced me to other knitters and good patterns, yarns etc. Thanks for all of the fun blog contests!
My Mother…she taught me to knit when I was 7 or 8 and was a creative inspiration to me. I have knit off and on since then and have always returned to knitting in times of stress for the comfort it gives me.
My biggest knitting influance? UUUUUMMMmmm, I guess I would have to say… Life, and envoy of seeing completed projects on the net. I love surfing the net and exploring all the links people enclude. I get tons of ideas of what I would like to do.
When I first taught myself to knit, I don’t think I could have made it where I am now without Vickie Howell and Knitty Gritty. I don’t know any “real” people who knit. Seeing all the things I could do, and seeing them up close and in live action, made a huge difference for me. She also gave me lots of confidence! Now, I’m pretty sure I can knit anything, if I want to!
I can think of three largest influences. First is my mother. She is always working on some kind of handwork, and I grew up thinking that is the natural thing to do. She taught me to knit, of course. Second is Kim Hargreaves. I saw her designs and got hooked to knitting, with the idea of knitting garments that I would REALLY like to wear. I’ve made several of her designs and love them all. Third was http://www.socknitters.com/ . About ten years ago, long before Ravelry, this is what got me all into sock knitting, and here I am!
I’d have to say that usually non knitters have the biggest influence on my knitting. I love getting difficult to impossible tasks from people who have no clue how to knit and try to get the result anyway. My little sister is always a big help in that department. 😉
My biggest knitting influence has been all my wonderful, supportive friends on Ravelry. After joining the Malabrigo Junkies group in February, I participated in Malabrigo March (lots of KALs and contests) and was encouraged and helped to take on new projects that I otherwise would not have done. Now I have knit garments and lace and am constantly getting more support and encouragement from all my new friends.
I somehow had the good fortune to discover Elizabeth Zimmermann early in my kntting career (way back in the early 80’s before teh internets) and was able to attend Knitting Camp twice, circa 1985 or so. It totally changed how I viewed knitting and gave me freedom. Freedom to follow the pattern or not, freedom to knit without seams, freedom to do everything in garter stitch if I wanted. I learned two color knitting, circular knitting and just about every basic technique I’ve ever needed over the years. So yeah, Elizabeth Zimmermann, she was a fantastic teacher and inspiration.
I think the yarn harlot has had the most influence, in terms of helping me relax a little and not let my perfectionism paralyze me… I also just love her writing, and since she usually writes about knitting, I’m often thinking about it. Her love of the craft is contagious!
My grandmother, I guess. She taught me how to knit… so it’s really thanks to her. However, so many people/designers/ravelry members/yarnies/yarn shop owners (Sheri!) inspire me to knit too!
My Girl Scout troop leaders, Mrs.Moore, Mrs. Kraske and my Mom …who taught me how to knit. My Aunt Dot ….who gave me my very first Elizabeth Zimmermann book.
I would have to say my grandma who taught me to crochet when I was only 6. I loved to make blankets and go into LYS’s in my area, while being there I thought I can learn how to knit. I slowly learned how to knit, not very well at first, but as time has past my knitting has improved and I feel I can complete almost any project I wish to start. Although, I must say Ravelry groups have kept me motivated to complete projects at a quicker pace than I once knitted.
When I discovered Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books in the early 80’s they changed my knitting forever.
The biggest influence on my knitting was a lady named Bobbie who owned a yarn store. I worked for her part time until the store closed. She always made me feel like I could do anything.
Biggest influence on my knitting: I feel like there are so many answers to this question! There’s my handwork teacher from when I was 6 and in first grade. I still hear her chanting the poem about how to knit and feel her eyes examining my stitches and scolding me at drop stitches. So that’s certainly a big and LONG-LASTING influence. In terms of what I knit now specifically, it’s definitely ravelry and the projects of friends on rav. I get so inspired seeing what regular folk out there knit and the beauty of it all. That definitely provides me a nudge to try new things.
The biggest influence on my knitting lately has been the SKA (Sock Knitters Anonymous) group on Ravelry. There is a different challenge each month (actually a choice of several) and it has really helped me to increase my sock knitting experience over the past year. They encourage you to challenge yourself each month to try something new and I’ve taken on mystery sock patterns that I would never have tried if they weren’t broken down into manageable weekly clues.
This year I am going to challenge myself to knit a pair of socks each month for the SKA challenges!
EZ, I went to Knitting Camp 1st time back in the olden days, 1980 Shell Lake WI, she was an amazing woman!
I’d have to say my Gramma. I had the fortunate time to learn to knit from her one summer about 25 years ago. Unfortunately I didn’t keep up with it. I have since returned and I find at times when I knit I can see her hands knitting and remember the wonderful items she made us.
I still have my ‘irish knit’ sweater (way too small now!) and the last sweater she knit before her passing. I’ll forever cherish these!
The Yarn Harlot and Wendy Knits have influenced my knitting more than anyone. Both use such a wonderful variety of yarn and projects one can’t help but want to join the fun!
Definitely, the Yarn Harlot, for giving me the sense that knitting socks was not beyond my skill level and that even if they didn’t turn out perfectly, the process was what counted.
I’m a self-taught knitter; my mom quilts, but has no interest in yarn. After knitting my way through “Knitting for Dummies”, I stumbled across Iris Schrier’s book, “Modular Knits”. I haven’t looked back since…
I think knitty gritty, the web and listening to podcasts have been the biggest things to me. I really don’t have any friends that knit. thanks Judy from Kansas
same answer as the last question…my mom!