Some days we feel our knitting is a science experiment gone wrong. Linda and I decided that many of our projects lately have gone wrong and so this is how we deal with that here at Wild Purls. We dress up as the Mad Scientist and the experiment gone bad.

Now, fair readers of this goulish blog, in case you might think we only dress up and have fun, we luckily hired a whole class full of lovely knitters to come in today. They help us to keep our reputation of a fine knitting store intact.

And we do love our visitors of all ages on this crazy Halloween.

 

It is always a bit of a risk to bring in outside teachers. We know our Wild Purls teachers are well prepared, great knitters and have patience for a multitude of technical questions but a person from far away is a question. They might be a great technical person but don’t know how to laugh and make the class fun. Or they might be really fun but not patient. Whatever the case may be, we had a wonderful combination of all things positive with Marie Mayhew.

She was ready, willing and able to conduct a fabulous Friday evening demonstration.

A few mouths dropped open at her creativity. Some took it very seriously

and others just sat back and smiled.

Saturday morning rolled around and needle felted pumpkins began to take shape. The group was so happy with their needle felting that they were as pleased as pumpkin makers can be.

The afternoon of snowmen embellishing was a continuation of the fun and frivolity that had been happening since Marie arrived.

This group worked hard and created so darn many cute snow people, it’s hard to believe.

The word around Wild Purls is “When is she coming back to teach more classes?” Thank you Marie. A fabulous time was had by all. And just in case you’re wondering, we’d love to have you back this weekend!

 

The sockapalooza yarn from Lorna’s Laces was a huge hit. Everyone left with two skeins of beautiful fall colored yarn,

a berry stitch marker and a tape measure. A few projects are already coming through the door using this absolutely perfect fall colored yarn.

If you missed the event or wish you had a few skeins of beautiful sock yarn for yourself, we hate to say it’s too late but we have to say it’s too late. Every last skein was purchased and the last package was just sent today to our good friend Marilyn in Canada. There is some good news however, we will do this again and again. This is way to much fun and everyone who participated is anxious for a winter, spring and summer yarn. Did you hear that Lorna’s? We need to send you some Montana photos so you can get those dye pots ready. Once we’ve completed the four seasons, who knows what’s to come. Infamous Montanans could be next. Send us your ideas on how to name yarn.

 

We have been far too quiet lately. Not due to lack of activities and new arrivals but indeed due to many activities and new arrivals. The cold snap has brought many of you into the shop which has been a real treat.

The last few weeks a new activity began called “Yarn Tasting.” We guaranteed no yarn would be eaten but rather, many of the new yarns brought into the shop this fall could be tried, by knitting little bits of these luscious new yarns. The first tasting was held at Wild Purls which started with an elegant table, a beautiful menu

and twelve anxious knitters. The sock yarns were our first course and the size 2 needles madly began swatching.

The next course of DK yarns pleased the entire table. This was followed by a luscious main course of worsted weight superwash that continues to fly off the shelf especially now that we have sock patterns that call for one skein of Lornas Laces Shepherds worsted. And the evening finished with the dessert course of beautiful bulky weights.

Our neighbors in Red Lodge wanted to taste a little yarn of their own. Not wanting to leave a stitch unknit or a yarn untried, the Wild Purls crew jumped in our cars and headed to Laurel and took a sharp left toward Red Lodge. We arrived on a crisp, September evening to be greeted by Betsey Brighton the evenings host, who was kind enough to open her home. Hungry knitters arrived with needles in hand ready to try just about anything we handed them. The oohhhs and aahhhhs filled the room while new friends introduced themselves.

Now, if that isn’t enough, another group wanted to have a nibble as well. The Lavina knitters set aside an evening at their regular knitting group to join the previous tasters.

Each group had some of the same yarns and a few selected for only them.
We must say that each evening was delightful.

We love those who are willing to try a night out with other knitters. An adventurous group in all three locals made us as anxious to figure out patterns and projects with all the new yarns.
If you weren’t in attendance, don’t despair, the yarn is in the shop and we have leftovers that we are willing to share. Hurry in to get a taste.