Seek Unique!

There she is, our own Miss Ewedora.  If you get the shop emails, you already know the score, but just in case you don’t, Miss Ewedora is the star of the show in a little contest we’re running this summer.  Here is how it’s going to work:

*Each and every Monday morning, beginning on June 9 and ending August 25, there will be a picture posted here on the blog and in the shop of Ewedora visiting a Rockford hot spot.

*You’ll have until Thursday at 6:00 pm to come in and make a guess of where you think the picture was taken.

*On Friday we’ll put all the correct guesses together and pull out a winner.  That winner will be able to pull a wrapped gift from our prize basket.

It gets even better…at the end of the contest we’ll put ALL the guesses from the entire contest into one bowl and pull out one BIG winner.  Stay tuned for the exciting disclosure of the GRAND PRIZE!

That out of the way…the picture above is the FIRST contest pic.  I thought I’d make it pretty easy for the first week, but they will get more challenging as the weeks go by.  (Not to worry, you’re up for it.  I’ll give clues if it gets to hard.)  You can’t vote until Monday, and can vote one time per shop visit. 

Hope you have as much fun with this as I am.  Summer heat makes me cranky so I’m happy to have a fun diversion.

 Peaceful Knitting,

Holly

As I write these posts I have to admit that it’s hard for me not to interject a little of my opinion and feelings.  But, hey, it’s a blog, right?  The personal touch is part of the allure so here goes;  I love Nancy.  If you have spent any time in Nancy’s presence you probably love her, too.  The very first day I worked at Unique Yarns Nancy made me feel welcome and useful.  That’s just how Nancy is.  She is genuinely nice in the best possible way.  And cool….incredibly cool.

Meet Nancy Westpahl.  Nancy teaches many classes at the shop including the Monday and Wednesday (1-3) Creative Knit times.  Nancy is also the Teacher Coordinator for the shop and spends lots of time coming up with fun and interesting class ideas and supporting the other shop teachers in doing the same thing.  She is fun, organized (I so envy that) and a seriously talented knitter.  She has a gift when it comes to pairing fiber and project.  Here are her answers to my interview questions:

HS: What is your favorite fiber art and when did you begin?

NW: At this phase in my life I get a lot of enjoyment and nourishment for my creative soul from knitting.  (ed note: do you see what I’m saying here about the cool thing?)I sort of went through a “flavor of the month” period where I did whatever craft/art was the latest fad.  Somewhere when I was around 10, I was taught to knit by my Grandmother and Father (yes, he was taught to knit when he had Tb as a child) but they only knew how to knit, not purl.  So, everything I made in the beginning was in garter stitch–somewhat limiting as you can imagine (you can only make so many pairs of slippers).  I tried other things, but always came back to knitting.  I really got excited about it when I started changing yarns and patterns.  In the beginning I was one of those who found a pattern I like and had to make it out of the yarn in the pattern.

HS: Do you have a favorite “go to fiber”?

NW: I am pretty fickle when it comes to fiber.  I, of course, love any fiber I can’t afford.  But seriously, I am attracted to first color and then feel when I am buying.  I do lean toward merino wool for feel and often color if it is hand dyed.

HS: Of all your completed projects do you have a favorite?

NW: It is like asking which child I like best.  The projects that stand out most are the ones that have more of “me” in them whether it is due to being made with a lot of love for a gift or a project that caused my creative juices to explode.

HS: When you aren’t playing with fiber, what else do you love to do?

NW: I love reading so spend a lot of time knitting while listening to books on tape.  I also sew, and enjoy embellishing fabric.

HS: What is on your needles now?

NW: Which pair? I usually have multiple projects right now.  It includes an upcoming class sample (a Norah Gaughan cardigan for fall), an advent calendar for our Christmas in July demonstration, a sweater vest that is a gift for my grandson’s birthday, a light weight scarf, a summer cardigan….should I go on?

HS: What is something you want shop visitors to know about you?

HS: Nancy’s response to this questions was, “I don’t know what to say”, which is classic Nancy.  Since she seems to be a bit tongue tied I will tell you that she is a wonderful teacher.  She is patient and never ( and I do mean NEVER) makes you feel stupid or that you’ll never be able to achieve your knitting goals.  She has an encouraging spirit that comes out in everything she does, including and especially in her dealings with people.  One truth I can tell you for sure is that I am a better person for knowing Nancy. 

Peaceful Knitting,

Holly

Meet Winifred (Winniy) Chin.  She looks all serene and serious doesn’t she?  I think she is pretty serene, but also a lot of fun. 

Ok, back to the beginning.  A few months ago, back in the dark days of winter, this lovely woman in the cutest leopard print hat comes in and we strike up a conversation.  She’s just moved here from Toronto and worked in a hat shop there.  We talked about design and fiber and before she left she asked if we were hiring.  Why yes, I replied (then I went in the back and did the happy dance.).  Winniy brought in her resume, talked with Becky and it is our very good fortune to have her as part of the Unique Yarns family.  Winniy will be working the retail floor, and also with the online store when we get it up and running.  Following is her answers to my oh-so-creative interview questions:

HS: What’s your favorite fiber art and when did you begin it?

WC: My favorite fiber art is crocheting.  I started crocheting at age 9 when a Chinese heritage teacher introduced it to the class. My mother continued my education by showing me more techniques.

HS: Do you have a favorite “go to” fiber?

WC: I love all fibers.   Especially mixes or blends like linen and silk or cotton and metallic.  I also like metal wire, horse hair, and coir (editors note: coir is coconut fiber, how cool is that?).

HS: Of all your fiber projects, do you have a favorite one?

WC: My favourite is the Victorian Collar and Wrist Band that I wear for more dressy occasions and for pizzazz when I’m dressed down in the summer.  (ed note: Winniy is teaching a class on this over the summer.)

HS: When you aren’t playing with fiber, what else do you love to do?

WC: I love hiking in the woods with my husband Ken and taking long walks or runs with my dog Ruby.

HS: What is on your needles right now?

WC: I’ve always made small pieces in the past, so I’ve decided to try a larger piece.  I’m crocheting a shawl with Berroco’s Seduce in a taupe with turquoise flecks.

HS: What is something you would want shop visitors to know about you?

WC: I’m a Chinese Canadian from Toronto, Ontario discovering a new land and rediscovering a passion for fibers.