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
Hands down, it’s Anne Hanson from knitspot.
My biggest knitting influence is probably the friends I have made on Ravelry who have helped to push me to try new things and expand my horizons.
I think I’d have to say Ravelry is my biggest knitting influence.
It seems like almost everyone at Sock Summit was also on Ravelry, and I met so many great folks there that I already felt like I “knew”.
Every time I check the new patterns section, my que grows.
I have about a lifetime worth of stuff lined up, but, there’s still room for more.
Because of Ravelry and Sock Summit, I’m now inspired to knit a lace shawl.
Elizabeth Zimmermann, because she made me more fearless about my knitting, and also Theresa Vinson Stenerson on Knitty because the way she breaks down techniques it doesn’t seem as hard or confusing as I originally thought.
Back in the day — 20 yrs ago — yikes — I read Maggie Righetti’s Knitting in Plain English and completed a couple of the learning projects in the book. The book and the projects gave me the confidence to give anything a try. Right book at the right time — an “aha” moment for me. Reading this book was a turning point in my knitting life. I still recommend the book to new knitters — thankfully it’s still in print. 🙂
I’d say Ravelry is incredibly influential on my knitting. I think my mom and I inspire each other as well. We’ll see something we like and show each other a couple of times a week and often end up knitting the same pattern.
I think the biggest influence on my knitting has been my knitting groups. Five or so years ago, I was unaware that knitting groups existed, and I knitted alone.
When I found groups in Albuquerque, I joined several and they have become my closest friends.
I’ve never felt so loved and supported as I have in these groups. They helped me through the death of my birth mother and some other emotionally wrenching events in my life. I owe these women more than I can ever express and it’s an honor to be included in their lives.
I never would have tried knitting lace or socks if not for a knitting group.
And I never would have thought I could teach knitting or crochet or socks or dyeing or spinning if not for the encouragement of a master knitting teacher, Emma Mennicucci, and my groups.
I love them all.
Happy Knitting and Happy Anniversary.
Wishing you many, many more,
Jeannie
The biggest most recent influence on my knitting has been Ravelry. It still amazes me how different a pattern can turn out with a change of yarn or needle size. Ravelry has encouraged me to try many new techniques with the help of the many members. My dad taught me to knit over 50 years ago but since the establishment of Ravelry I have branched out and learned so much.
That would be my aunts. One of them is a knitter who, 20 yrs ago, used to show her work in NYC art galleries. She did not teach me to knit but she is a wealth of information. And another aunt who knits but is predominately a weaver. She inspires me with use of color and fiber and texture.
My mom started me knitting, but I think the biggest player in my knitting inspiration is me. I taught myself everything beyond the basics, and I keep learning and researching and playing. I love working with my favorite colors, and it always makes me so happy! I like plenty of designers and dyers, but in the end (and this kind of sounds selfish, somehow), it comes down to me!
Definitely the Internet! I started knitting almost 30 years ago, just because i always loved hand-work and sewing. As mentioned here earlier, when i was a child i was always pestering my grandmothers to remember how to do Their girlhood knitting so they could teach me, but of course they couldn’t! Finally ran across a stitchery shop in CO Springs, when starting college there, that had knitting patterns and some (acrylic) yarn, so happily plunged in to learning by the book–Leisure Arts, i believe was the first. Made MANY dreadful sweaters and outfits (think fluffy purple pullover and matching “pleated” skirt…it Was the 80s after all!) but was tickled to be able to.
It was the resurgence of natural fibers into the LYS that got me back into serious knitting, but moving around with the AF and then grad school still limited the personal inspirational horizons…so to wrap up, the opening of the web-based knitting world has completely revolutionized this knitter’s craft! Being able to surf the internet at all hours to find beautiful yarns thru easy ‘mail order, then discovering amazing blogs such as the YH that only fed fuel to the flames of knitting project desire, and then the more recent Ravelry phenom (think imperial horns trumpeting, flower petals strewn everywhere, and crowns of laurel for the Rav Creators here!) So much inspiration to found there, it’s certain knitting will never again go into a decline in popular interest—-
Definitely my mom has had the biggest influence on my knitting. She always knit when I was little and taught me to knit. Even though I knit a ton myself now, I still love getting hand knits from my mom. 🙂
wow — there are 1,111 comments above me. Fantastic!
I have to say my all time knitting guru has been LIzbeth Upits who wrote articles for Knitters Magazine and then published her own book on Latvian mittens. I love the designs, color and history. Although I haven’t actually knitted many of those mittens myself, a trip to Estonia in the mid 1980s and then finding Lizbeth’s articles and patterns got me back into knitting from learning how to knit in elementary school.
And now I really want to spend the time this evening reading the comments above – I am sure they are wonderful. The Loopy Ewe should print them out and put them in a little booklet or scatter them on the website…
I would have to say the internet in general. I have never known anyone personally who knew how to knit. So, I learned from the internet…videos on knittinghelp.com. From a forum there I discovered podcasts by Lime & Violet, who got me interested in spinning and socks and led me to the Loopy Ewe and to Ravelry. The internet is my knitting community!
Looking at other peoples knits inspire me to make my own, looking at a yarn or someone’s sweater inspires me to make my own or figure it out. Mostly though the construction of how something is knit gets me inspired on how to do design it myself. I love to find out how something is done.
I’m sure my comment doesn’t make too much sense, I had some dental work done and its been bothering me. I took a good pain killer a few hours ago and am feeling mighty loopy and pain free right now! Been loving the sales this month, and its a great way to celebrate an anniversary!
My friend Lisa who taught me how to knit. Thanks Lisa!
My inspiration comes from Elizabeth Zimmerman who has helped me embrace fearless knitting.
A former co-worker of my husband, Becky S., has been the biggest influence on my knitting. She’s the one who rekindled my interest in knitting after years and years of my no knitting, and she’s the one who taught me to knit socks. I’ve been a proper addict ever since!
My first thought was to name my Grandmother – I admired her for so many things, not the least of which was the quality of her handicraft. But then I realized: it was my Mom who actually taught me to knit, just as my Grandma taught her. I wasn’t even in school yet! I asked to learn and she very patiently taught. Mom’s just don’t get enough credit, do they?
In reality, it’s the heritage of all the generations before me. I wonder how many generations – in Finland – it goes back in my family… Mother teaching daughter? I feel them when I’m knitting (and I hope I honor them with my work).
My grandma taught me to knit, and never told me that anything was too hard for me to try. I think that the first sweater I knit was an aran and it took a lot of evenings watching TV for me to complete. This would have been the late70’s early 80’s while I was in HS. Once I had it complete she suggested that I wouldn’t need to ask her to make me sweaters ever again. Insatiable curiosity has had me always willing to try/learn something new. When she passed away in ’95, one of my aunts told me how proud she had been of my skills and how I had surpassed her skills and that my great-grandmother would have been so happy as she was the one who was the “real” knitter in the family.
Hi Sheri! I’ve had special people influence my knitting at various stages of my knitting skill and development. My mom taught me the knit stitch. Then a co-worker about 15 years later told me I was twisting all of my stitches by wrapping my yarn wrong. That was importantly influencial at the time! Most recently my knitting has been strongly influenced by Necessity! It’s been fun to write my own patterns to satisfy the classes I have been teaching so that I can provide patterns without having to get permission from the designer. Then I can upload them for free. Necessity has broadened my knitting horizons more than I ever imagined. 🙂
I guess my Mum was the biggest influence as she taught me to knit in the first place. And more recently Ravelry and the web in general for opening up a whole universe of knitting ‘stuff’.
The internet has brought a whole new degree of ideas to me. I am also fortunate to live in the woods, and that is always a source of creative inpiration.
I think you and the Loopy Ewe have been the biggest influence on my knitting! lol I am a self taught knitter and when I first started I didn’t know any other knitters. I found your shop and all your beautiful yarn and got to try so many different yarns that I don’t have access to locally! Next of course would be Ravelry, I have met local knitting friends thru them.
I would have to say ravelry….the endless possibilities through different combinations of patterns, colors, yarns and weights really helped me out of my ‘pattern is written one way’ knitting box that I was trapped in!
What a wonderful way to reward customers! I believe that knitters are the most kind and generous people I’ve ever met! We share our knowledge freely, we share our projects and tips and we share our time helping others become addicted knitters! I love the free pattern on your web site. Thank you for sharing so generously!
Vanessa
Although I was originally taught to knit by my grandmother at about 8, I was a solitary knitter until about 8 years ago when I met the members of the Atlanta Knitting Guild. Don’t get me wrong–I’ve been on the “big” knitlist and many smaller lists for many, many years, and started reading blogs as soon as I found them, so the internet has been huge in my life. But the guild took me from knitting alone to the knitting community. Together we’ve moved to knitting groups, knitalongs, Ravelry, blogs, classes, road trips to fiber festivals, even sponsoring Stitches South. Sometimes I’ve been a leader, often a follower. We’re an amazing group of people, knitters!
Hi Sheri, The person with the most influence on my knitting is my friend Michelle.
she is amazing in finding new yarns and patternes and in inspiring me to do more knitting.
I would have to say that my biggest knitting influence would be Ravelry in general. It expanded my techniques and interests in knitting.
The person who has influenced my knitting the most is Cat Bordhi, if it was not for her book “Socks Soar on 2 Circular Needles” I don’t think I would be knitting socks today. I really struggled with DPNs and her book got me started. Now I always have several pairs of socks on the needles. I have been fortunate enough to take several workshops with Cat and she is a wonderful teacher. I’ve learned so much and had alot of fun in each class. Her creativity is inspiring, I cannot wait for her new book coming out this fall.
My biggest knitting influence has probably been all the truly awesome people on Ravelry. Whenever I feel stumped, need inspiration, or just want to show off what I’ve made I turn to my virtual friends on rav. I’ve been able to make my dreams of hand knit socks come true thanks to the links and tips I’ve gotten on there. =)
I had knit for a couple of years before starting to knit sweaters for myself. I have to say that Wendy Bernard and her great top down patterns have been a big influence in my knitting. I love that I can try them on and modify them to achieve the perfect fit.
Definitely my Mother-in-law who was a wonderful person and a superb knitter. She’d “save” the sleeves and backs of sweaters for travelling in the car because she could knit, talk and take in the view at the same time…and without getting carsick. Wow, did I envy that acquired talent or what! I remember her fondly every time I pick up my needles (or climb over the stash boxes I inherited!)
CAT BORDHI! It’s not even close. I want to be Cat when I grow up. She is my knitting heroine!
Probably Wayne Gretzky. Yes, I said Wayne Gretzky. It was he who uttered the cheesy but true words: Your percentage is zero on the shots you don’t take.
I learned to knit in 7th grade (more years ago than I care to remember) through a knitting club at school. We moved before I was able to learn more than the knit stitch and because no one in m family knit, didn’t pick it up again until 5-6 years ago. I didn’t have a local yarn shop (just the big box stores), so didn’t have any support while trying to reteach myself. About 4 years ago I found Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books and haven’t looked back since. I love the way she enabled even the most novice of knitters, giving us all the confidence to grow in our knitting experience.
The greatest influence on my knitting is the e-mail lists. With so many eyes watching blog posts, designer/company websites and other e-mail lists and then posting about the most interesting finds along with their own knitting adventures, they provide me with inspiration and motivation.
Maybe I’m too late, but I’ll answer just the same: My deceased son, Robby. it was his death who made me start our charity, for which I knit and crochet layettes for other bereaved parents’ babies. I do it constantly.
Not sure when this ends, but you can have mine anyway 😉
A patient at the Dr’s office where I work taught me to knit. We became great friends, and she always said “you will get addicted to yarn and knitting” and I thought “yeah right”. I currently have 16 large rubbermaid tubs full, yeah….all yarn. She did teach me that nothing is too hard to do, you just have to try.
I would have to say that my nieces are my biggest knitting inspiration. They are perfect models and just look so great in anything I make that they keep me inspired and coming up with new things to knit for them.
Just found this! I hadn’t knit for 25 years and then I found the Yarn Harlot’s blog. I knit 28 pairs of thrummed mittens as Christmas gifts last year because of a very ancient blog post of hers. I guess it was only a matter of time before i succumbed to the sock knitting urge. I’ve found out that I’m in love with sock yarn and addi turbo lace needles and Cat Bordhi sockitecture. So many socks; so little time!!!! Cheers, Hazel.
My friend Melisent has been the greatest influence on my knitting. I know dozens of extraordinarily talented knitters, but I was so inspired when Melisent picked it up and didn’t let a little thing like not knowing what to do intimidate her into not learning what she needed to know to make what she wanted to make. Because of her, I don’t waste energy moaning that it’s too hard, I simply sit down and make beautiful things.
My grandmother taught me to knit the way righthanded people knit even though I am lefthanded. It is easy to get help from others, help others and read patterns.
Although I didn’t learn to knit until last year, my grandmother who passed away in 1996 is the biggest influence on my knitting. Even though I was not even 6 when she died, I still distinctly remember her knitting chair and knitting basket. I would watch her her click away with her needles as she would tell me and my sister stories. I still have a few of the things she knit for me (though all are too small now, I’m saving them for when I have my own children) and I cherish them dearly. Her memory has always been there, seemingly nudging me to pick up bamboo needles like hers and a skein of yarn. I finally learned, and I’m so glad I did. I now have her old knitting basket (though I need to re-line it), and I may inherit her needles at some point from my great aunt. I’m slowly mastering my technique, and a few weeks ago after showing my mother some of my work, she said with a bit of tears in her eyes, Grandma Millicent would be proud.
My Mom taught me to knit, but the greatest influence on my knitting is pictures of knitting. logs, ravelry, magazines, books you name it, a pretty picture gets me every time. I see it and then I need to make it!
My mother introduced me to the wonderful world of knitting, but the internet is an endless source of inspiration. Without my knitting friends with their blogs, and also ravelry is the greatest inspiration to learn new techniques and discover new yarn.
I guess, since I wasn’t inspired to knit at all until I saw my sister knitting socks one Christmas Eve, that it would have to be my sister. 2-3 years ago she was knitting plain vanilla socks on Christmas Eve. A week or two later I taught myself to knit plain vanilla socks. By the end of the year I had a bunch of fancy patterned socks to give to my niece and a couple for my sister. Now *she’s* knitting fancy socks and some are fancier than the ones I knit so I’ve got to up my game again! I wouldn’t say it’s a competition but we’re certainly inspiring each other to try new things.
My grandmother taught me to knit when I was a child. At my request, my sister refreshed my memory two years ago. I think, however, that the biggest influence for me has not been a person, it has been Ravelry. The whole package. This is where I discover patterns, designers, techniques, yarns, podcasts, blogs. I spend way too much time on Ravelry, but darn it, I love every minute!
My great grandmother taught me to knit socks 30 years ago when she lived with us. I put down my knitting when she went back to new york. I picked it back up 5 years ago when my youngest went off to college. I did the hunt and peck method of finding info on anything knitting. And then, I found Elizabeth Zimmerman!! And things haven’t been at all normal around here since.
Most influential? Hmmm. I would have to say Lucy Neatby. I am a self-taught knitter, and her DVD’s were very helpful. After I had been knitting for a while, I got to attend a seminar in person with Lucy. She was wonderful. I like her approach of “Happy Stitches”.