Posted by Kristine Vejar on February 09, 2012 0 Comments
By Guest Blogger Sonya Philip
My name is Sonya Philip, I'm a fiber artist, and
my work mainly centers around knitting and felting. I came up with the idea of
making a cervix in 2009, after an abnormal pap smear. During my furtive
research in between appointments I was struck by how cute a cervix was -
like a glazed pink doughnut. My first attempt was
with wet felting and proved time consuming to make. I had wanted to create a
large pile and knew I couldn't do it on my own. After settling upon the idea of
knitting
and and fulling, I wrote up a pattern, and the concept of The Felt Cervix
Project developed as a collaborative art installation.
The project aims to highlight the importance of sexual and reproductive
familiarity, education and empowerment. So often when women's
health is talked about, it's in a classroom or doctor's office or inside
government buildings. And even then it's talked about in a largely obtuse
manner.
On Sunday, February 12th, I will be in the store to help with the pattern and it's my
hope, that through gathering together to knit, we can bring about the intimacy
and intention of shared knowledge through shared stories.
Also at Verb on Sunday: Steffy Sue on the Ukebox! Love songs upon request!
Visit Steffysue.com to find out more about her.
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Posted by Kristine Vejar on January 30, 2012 0 Comments
This weekend, the shop was buzzing with students and creativity.
Here are Karen's students, or shall I say knitters! Yep, they just finished our three week I Can Knit Anything: Intro to Knitting
class. They completed a knit hat. If you've ever wanted to learn to
knit, or know someone who does, this class will turn you into a knitter,
making warm, lovely goodness.
Kristine took Cal Patch's
Patternmaking Simplified Class. She learned how to draft sewing
patterns for a skirt and two dresses. Now she can't wait to buy fabric,
um, I mean get sewing!
We would love to have you join us - and to learn new skills. Click here to read about our upcoming classes.
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Posted by Kristine Vejar on January 26, 2012 0 Comments
Because we're closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays are often filled with
incoming shipments. Yesterday we received eleven new bolts of fabric
from three different vendors.
From Moda, we have Twirl Dots and Twirl Stripes, and from Alexander Henry, we have Hay Wire and Osteology (you can probably match each of these up to the corresponding bolt in the picture:
Here's a larger shot of the Osteology bolt:
And from Seven Islands we have the cutest owls, rabbits, and bunnies:
As well as these beautiful bolts:
Come take a look!
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Posted by Kristine Vejar on January 20, 2012 0 Comments
HI Everyone!
Last night was our first meeting of TTYT (Third Thursday Yarn Testers). The focus of or work was on alpaca fiber.
Class members received 4 samples (from top to bottom): Shibui 100% Alpaca, Fibre Co. Terra, Isager Alpaca 1, A Verb for Keeping Warm Floating. Off the bat, everyone started to knit their samples into swatches. We discussed the animal, its various natural shades, how it is sheared,
characteristics of the alpaca fiber, how it is milled, how it knits, and about the companies who make these yarns. We
explored the various yarns at Verb that include alpaca fiber -
everything from 100% alpaca to 20% alpaca - and how the addition of
other materials, such as wool, and silk affect the knitted fabric. We talked about gauge, and how knitting up a needle size of down a needle size would affect the fabric. We looked at a wide range of knit samples and discussed their properties.
While everyone is free to do what they like with their samples. A great way to use them, is to make a 4x4" swatch book as a reference guide to learning about fabric, texture, drape, and to use when embarking on a larger project. We are in the process of creating professional knitters! ;)
Plus, the Testers received a coupon for 15% off all yarns included in the sampling.
As this is an ongoing class, we discussed future topics - which will include sheep breeds (that in itself could be 2-3 classes), cellulose (another 2-3 classes), superwash yarns, variegated yarns, focusing on specific companies we carry at Verb, and more!
I hope you will decide to join us for February's TTYT! Topic to be announced soon! Whatever it is, I guarantee it will be informative and fun!
-- Kristine
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Posted by Kristine Vejar on January 16, 2012 0 Comments
We just received a new shipment of Dream In Color Everlasting!
Stats: 12-ply DK yarn, 100% superwash Australian merino wool, spun and hand dyed in the United States.
Here's why we stock this yarn: 12-ply, durability, pattern definition, glazed colors, USA. To elaborate, the many plies give this yarn lots of durability and a very low tendency to pill. It shows patterns and stitches nicely. The colors run from deep, light-consuming purples to brilliant, inspiring reds to inviting, oceany blues. Last but not least, it is spun and dyed in the United States, meaning you are supporting fairer wages and working conditions, as well as reducing transportation costs.
If you have browsed the shop recently, you may have seen a sample of the Garter Yoke Baby Cardi that was knit up in Dream In Color Everlasting. We offer a class starting in March that teaches you the basics of sweater construction in a pint-sized version, and this yarn would be perfect for it.
Come take a look!
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