New Year Updates

It has been a very busy start of the year, with 6 classes this month alone I have been very focused on fibre arts.  I have updated my class schedule for what I know right now.  Keep checking back as new classes are added.  Crochet seems very popular lately! 
I am currently teaching in 3 different studios and all are such wonderful places.  I have been at the Blue Rooster Cafe & Studio  in Pilot Butte for several years.  They are one of my favourite places to teach as they also have great food and drinks. 
I have been with Red Fox Creative Studio for almost a year now but have taught many classes there since they started up.  What I really love about them is that they are also a wellness studio so they focus on not only being creative but also your well-being.  Check out their classes for a wonderful variety! 
​As you know my friend Nicole opened up Regina's newest yarn shop a few months ago.  The Naked Sheep Yarn & Fibre Emporium has become a regular hangout for me because I can find all I need there.  She has fibre, yarn, tools, notions, and more - many from local artisans (and who doesn't love hand dyed yarns?)  She has opened up a class schedule this year and I am teaching a few things there.  Some 4 week classes and some afternoon workshops.  Check in to see other classes she offers for all levels.  

I have also tweeked Bankhead once again after knitting one for my nephew Angus.  I wanted to keep my pattern format similar so I changed the file.  I also took it out of Canva and onto word so I could make a MUCH smaller PDF as I heard from some that the download size was on the big side.  I was also talking to a friend who knit Bankhead in Noro and said the K3tog were cumbersome and I agreed.  I changed the decreases yet again.  I have updated the pattern on Ravelry and my pattern page on this site as well.  If you want a quick reference, the decreases are as follows:
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Round 1: *k1, k2tog, k1, p1* repeat from * to * until end of round
                  48 (56, 64, 72, 80, 88) stitches remaining
Round 2: knit across all stitches
Round 3: *k3, p1* until end of round 48 (56, 64, 72, 80, 88)
Round 4: knit across all stitches
Round 5: *sl2kpsso, p1* 24 (28, 32, 36, 40, 44)
Round 6: knit across all stitches
Round 7: *k2tog* until end of round 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22)
Round 8: *k2tog* until end of round 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
 
For Adult M & XL sizes ONLY:
Round 9: k1, *k2tog* until end - (-, -, 5, -, 6)

I have also restocked on 16 oz bottles of Power Scour.  This amazing wool wash is THE cats pyjamas if you are processing your own fleeces.  I also use it to clean my carpets in our Bissel as well as washing our dog when she has been through the muck and dirt at the dog park.
Use Power Scour for wool washing and wool cleaning fiber with heavier burdens of grease, wax, suint, dirt and clay, typically found in sheep, goat and bison fibers. 

Use lower temperatures, 40°-50°C (104-122°F), for fibers such as Cashmere, Alpaca, Bison ,etc. Use higher temperatures, 50°-55°C (122-131°F), for fibers with more oil/wax or oils (sheep, etc.)

- Optimize cleaning at lower temperatures
- Incredible STAIN REMOVER - even Red Wine!
- Eliminates build–up of cleaning agents
- Cost effective –– use significantly less to scour
- Reduces mats and tangles
- Eliminates ODORS – Non–yellowing -
- Leaves fiber with a clean, fresh aroma
- Biodegradable – Earth Friendly – no Fillers- no Bleach

I have also been accepted to go to the 5th Etsy Captains' Summit in Toronto this spring.  I will be mingling with other Etsy Leaders and Captains from all over Canada to discuss this year.  I hope to learn more amazing things Etsy has planned and will share them with you when I come home.  This will be my 4th year going.  The Etsy SK team has also booked for 2 spring Made in Canada Sales (one in Saskatoon - May 12 & one in Regina - May 5) as well as two fall Made in Canada Sales on Sept 29th.  Watch our Facebook page and our website for more info on those.