Friday, July 09, 2010

Bibs for Babes

Tonight we are doing a little charity work. Unwind, in conjunction with The Manger, will be hosting a knit night. We will be knitting bibs and burp cloths from the Mason-Dixon book. The Manger is a non-profit organization that provides some food and clothing for children and babies.

I'll take pictures tonight and post them later.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Summer knitting projects

Ooops, it's been over a month since my last post. Sorry about that.

First things first, on the weight loss journey, it's been 5 weeks and I've lost 13 lbs and 15.25 inches. That's pretty good for a month. I've got to stay focused and make sure I write down everything I eat. That's what usually gets me in trouble, I think, Okay, I've got this and then I start slacking on the little things like journally and the weight starts creeping back up.

Now for the real reason you're here. I've been doing a lot of thinking about quick and easy knits for the summer. I know it's hard to get motivated about knitting an afghan or sweater when it's 95+ degrees outside. But what about knitting up some cotton coasters for your patio table, or a wine cozy to dress up that bottle of wine that you take to your neighbors next bbq or dinner party, or a cute teddy bear for the kiddo. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the summer time projects I've been working on. DSCF0032DSCF0034DSCF0036
Don't forget if you're going on vacation, a long car ride or plane ride is the perfect time for knitting. Sure you could take a nap, but it's such a great opportunity to get that baby shower gift finished, or start on some of those Christmas presents instead of waiting until November to knit all your family member mittens.

I've been working on double knitting, it's alot of fun to see your projects become reversible items. Check out this coffee cozy. DSCF0028DSCF0026. Now I just need to figure out how to knit in letters that are correct on both sides instead of the reverse side being backwards. I have an idea in my head, but I just need to figure out how to make it work.

Just in case your wondering, the Great American Afghan KAL is coming along beautiful. The majority of the group are right on track working on squares 5 & 6 this month. I just finished #8, and there is one lady in the group who is now working on #14. It's been alot of fun seeing how others have changed the patterns or added different colors.

I'll try and post again before another month goes by.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Knitting & Eating Healthy

For those of you who were following my blog before I opened Unwind, you might remember that it focused on my weight loss journey. Back in 2002-03, I lost 50 lbs with Weight Watchers. My sister and a co-worker joined the journey with me, both reaching their goal weights and becoming lifetime members. I still had about 20 lbs to lose, they quit coming to the weekly meetings and I guess I felt abandoned, that I was left to finish the race on my own and eventually the weight came back. Well, 45 lbs of it. I've tried twice again to go back to WW meetings, but I just couldn't get in the grove. I guess my head wasn't on right or something.

For the last few weeks, I've been feeling that pull back to healthy eating, and healthy living. Just this past Friday, my sister (who has also gained her weight back plus a little) and her daughter, who has an 18 month old baby were in the shop talking about food, dieting, and back when we felt alot healthier. We made a pact that day that we were going to work the program together. We are going to have our unofficial WW meeting at Unwind on Friday mornings. We all left the shop that night and went straight to Wal-Mart to stock up on fruits, produce, lean meats, yogarts, etc. We all went home and weighed in and measured. We bought notebooks to write down all our foods and points. We've got all the WW materials from days gone by so we will go over them on a weekly basis. I signed up with Bootcamp Buddies again, it had been 8 years since I'd used my login id and back then I wasn't knakedknitter. But now I am, so if you are a bootcamp buddy and reading my blog, look me up. I need all the support I can get.

I won't monopolize my blog with writing my food journal entries here, but I will discuss how my week went and my weight loss.

Now on to knitting...I'm almost finished with the anu tunic that I'm making for my niece. Only a few more inches left on the armholes, then I'll start working on the little cap sleeves. Hoping to have it finished in few days. I'll post a pic of her wearing it. I love the yarn. If you haven't tried Berroco Weekend, you are really missing out. It is so soft and light. A cotton/acrylic blend perfect for spring and summer.

I'm into the 2nd lace pattern of the 2nd half of the Lacy Sampler Scarf. I can't wait until everyone in the classes finish theirs so I can take a picture of them all together. It is a gorgeous scarf and you can find the pattern by googling Lacy Sampler Scarf by Ginger Smith. It's a great pattern for a beginner lace project.

Today, we are having our 2nd meeting for the Great American Afghan. The plan was for everyone to have the first two squares completed and ready to talk about #3 and #4. Some of the knitters have blown past #1 and #2 and are finishing their 4th square. Others are still working on #1, but they are steady. I'm ready to start the 7th square, but will wait until my other two projects are finished. The book says #7 is supposed to be one of the harder squares to I need to be able to focus on this one.

I'm sure most of you have read the Debbie Macomber books on Blossom street. I just started reading them a few days ago. I was more interested in Maggie Sefton's book because of the mystery and murder and didn't think I'd like the Blossom Street books. Well, I have to give Debbie my apologies. When I started reading the first book, I thought, that sounds like me. No I haven't battled cancer twice and I have a great sister who is super supportive. But, I still felt like it was me. Love the book, can't put it down. When I first opened Unwind and the customers started dribbling in, there were several who said my shop reminded them of the shop on Blossom Street. They were right!

Have a great week knitting and making healthy choices for yourself and your family!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

March flew by

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted anything. March has been a busy month with lots going on.

March classes all went well, we started the Great American Afghan and so far so good. Most of the knitters have finished one square and are working on the next. I've been trying to work ahead so that I can help with tips or techniques. I have to say that square #5 just about kicked my butt. It was really easy until I got to row #39 or 40. There were too many K2tog, yo and SSK, yo. I guess I kept missing a YO which kept throwing me off at the end and then I'd had to back that row off and start over. It probably would have been easier on me if I wasn't trying to knit it at 1 AM. It was a relief to have #5 finished and blocked. I decided to let the squares rest for a week and work on some mindless knitting.

In November I will have a booth in the Women's Holiday Boutique. There are five of us that have decided to work together to knit up items to sell at the boutique. Julie and Julie (new knitters this year, but doing exceptional work) are making hats and scarves, Leigh is making Christmas stockings and house slippers, I'm not sure what Pam is going to be working on, so far it's just been her garden. I told her to make salsa and jams for the boutique, and I'm making bath sets. I've got Grandma's Lye Soap and I've made bath mits and back scrubbers. I think they will make good Christmas gifts.



I'm also making fingerless gloves, and I'm working on a pattern that is a little girls lace hat that will turn upside down and make a little purse. I'll post pics if I ever get that far. I also think I'm going to make some doggie sweaters for the boutique. You know how people love their dog babies.

The shop is going great, I've got classes set up for a Cashmere lace scarf sampler using Filaturo Di Croso Superior. The 2 at-a-time socks class was such a hit, I'm going to do it again this month and then I always have a beginning knit class and the "after knit and purl" class.

I've been trying to rearrange the shelves to make room for Cascade 220 and Berroco Weekend which will both arrive tomorrow or Thursday. When I chose to sell Marble Chunky and DK I never imagined what a huge hit they would be. I can't keep the stuff on the shelves. If you have your own shop and looking for a big hit, get Marble Chunky!

Here's another picture I wanted to share. Here's Hayden, hanging out with Maamaw at Unwind. He likes to look out the door and watch all the "big trucks" and wait for the Oo. P. Eps (UPS) man to come see me.

Friday, February 26, 2010

March will be a very exciting month for classes.

Traditional Sock Knittingwhen: Sat. March 6th, 13th and 20th
time: 10:30am—12pm
cost: $30
Instructor: Teresa Harmon This class is for intermediate knitters. We will be learning the techniques for knitting socks on double point needles. This will be a 3 session class.
Materials needed: 100g sock yarn and #2 or #3 dpn.
Maximum participants will be 6 people. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276

Beginning Knitting Class
when: Tue, March 2nd and 9th
time: 10:00a—11:30am
cost: $35
You will learn to cast on stitches and knit in the first session. In the second session we will touch on purling and binding off.
Materials included: Size #10 US needles and 100 g worsted weight yarn, instruction booklet, and tote.
This class will be 2 sessions.
Maximum 6 participants. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276.

Beginning Knitting Class
when: Tue, March 16th and 23rd
time: 10:00a—11:30am
cost: $35
You will learn to cast on stitches and knit in the first session. In the second session we will touch on purling and binding off.
Materials included: Size #10 US needles and 100 g worsted weight yarn, instruction booklet, and tote.
This class will be 2 sessions.
Maximum 6 participants. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276.

After Knit & Purl
When: Mon, March 15th
Time: 2:30pm
Cost: $20
So you’ve got the knit and purl stitches down. Now how do I read a pattern, or increase and decrease? What if I drop a stitch?
This class we touch on all of the above.
Materials needed: US#9 or 10 needles, 50 gram scrap yarn.

Great American Afghan Knit Along
When: Sun, March 21st
Time: 3:00pm—6:00pm
Cost: The class is free, I only ask that you purchase your materials from Unwind.
We will be knitting the Great American Afghan. This is an intermediate project. I have ordered all the yarn in the colors that the pattern book calls for and will put together kits. Each kit will contain the yarn needed to knit 6 squares. Each month we will get together on the 3rd Sunday. To complete this project in a year we will need to knit 2 squares each month. We will officially meet on the 3rd Sunday, but if you want to just come in and hang out on Sundays afternoons or Wednesday evenings. I’m here. Yarn kits should be available on Tuesday, March 2nd. Note: This is really not a class, but a knit a long. I will help you when I can, but I’m going to be learning a lot of this right along with you.
The pattern book is available for purchase at Unwind, if you would like to join the knit-along, call Unwind at 342-9276.

Everyone’s doing it!
















Michelle is modeling her first cable project, the Provence Cloche'; Pam is modeling her Flare Vest, made out of Paradise; Julie is holding the baby blanket she made using Comfort DK Prints; Cali is modeling her very first knitting project, a neck warmer with a button; and Leigh Ann is modeling her new button slippers.

Tuesday Night Mad-Hatters Group
I wanted a picture of the girls for this article, but I wasn’t able to get it. In January, I had a class for beginner knitters, that met on Monday evenings for two weeks. Only four ladies showed up for the class, Ginger Rice, Cheryl Roush, Shelly Jones and Lynne Martin. Each woman quickly caught on to the concept of knitting, either in the Traditional method or the Continental method. At the end of the second session, they were anxiously ready to start on something new and that new thing was the felted derby hat. We decided to meet again the next Tuesday night. Unfortunately, Ginger hasn’t been able to return, but we’ve picked up Freddie Gaffney who brings a lot of life to the party.
After two weeks of knitting hats and getting them ready to felt. They just weren’t ready to give up on the Tuesday night gathering, so now we are working on a Cable Scarf pattern.
The cable pattern has given them more of a challenge, but I’m sure they will do great. I’m anxious to see their progress this Tuesday night and even more anxious to see what project they add to the queue for our future gatherings.

Marble Slouche’ (slew-shay it’s French)- Pattern

Materials:
1 skein Marble Chunky Sandpiper
US #9 16” circular, US#10 24” circular and US#10 dpn
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle
Using #9 16” circular needle, cast on 72 sts
Join in round
Knit 2, Purl 2 rib for 2 ½ “
After rib is complete;
INC Row *K 1, M1 tbl (twisted stitch) repeat from * 31 times, K10, ** M1 tbl, K1 repeat from ** 31 times. (134 sts)
Change to #10 24” circular needle, continue knitting in stockinet stitch for 7”
DEC Row K14, K2tog, [K15, K2tog] (5 times more), K14, K2tog (126 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across] to last 3 sts, K3 (65 sts)
Knit 4 rounds of stockinette stitch
Change to dpn when stitches are too tight.
K2, [k2tog across] to last 3 sts, K3 (35 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across to end] (17 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across to end] (9 sts)
Knit 1 round
Run a tapestry needle through the 9 live stitches and pull tight, weave in ends

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Did I tell you I'm an author?

Lookie here! My book is being published! It will be available very soon at Amazon.com, so I expect everyone of you to go out and buy a copy!!! (if you want to - no pressure)
Some of you might not be into psycho killers, sex and nasty words, but there is a yarn shop amidst all the kaos. I think my sequel with be more involved with the yarn shop. I might even have to add myself as a character.

Let's see, what else has been going on? I've got a class tomorrow night, 2 at a time socks. It should be fun and interesting, then Tuesday we've got part 2 of the felted hat class.

I just finished knitting another hat for my son, this time I used acrylic because he has the stinkiest head and wool just doesn't work well for him. This way it can be thrown in the washer whenever it starts getting rank.

I decided to model the hat since he isn't around and he is horrible with picture taking. How do you like it? It's the same pattern as the Chelsea Star hat, but I did increase the crown a little bit more so it's kinda slouchy instead of fitting like a skull cap.

Looking forward to next week, I should have lots of new yarn showing up. An order from Berroco should arrive tomorrow and maybe even an order from Knit One Crochet Too. The Brown Sheep order should arrive around Thursday. I recieved a new order from AslanTrends, Santa Fe sock yarn which is yummy!

I've started working on the Easy House Slippers by Liecel Tverli Scully that I found on Ravelry. Since I've got so many people having fun with the felted hats, I thought this might be another fun pattern for them to do. We'll see how it goes.

Monday, February 01, 2010


Geo Mitts

Materials needed:
1 skein Knit One Crochet Too Geologee in #382
1 set of DPN US #7 and US #8
Stitch holder or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle

With smaller needles cast on 32 stitches and divide evenly on 4 needles. Place marker.
Starting with the cuff: K2 P2 rib 14 rows or until measures 2”
Switch to larger needles
R 1 thru 5 knit in the round


Left mitt:
R 1: Knit to last 8 stitches, next st, knit into stitch below. Knit remaining 8 sts of the round.
R 2: K
Repeat last two rounds until you have 40 sts (7 more times)

K 36 sts, slide 4 sts before marker and 4 sts after marker onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn.
Cast on 4 new sts, join in the round. You should have 36 sts on your needle now.


Fingers:
Knit in the round for 1”, change to smaller needles and begin the K2, P2 rib for 1 1/2” Bind off loosely in rib pattern.


Thumb:
Using larger needles, Pick up 4 cast on sts at thumb and one st on each side of thumb sts. (6 sts) Place 8 sts from holder on two needles . K 7 sts, SSK 8th st and 1st picked up st. K 4, Ktog last picked up st and next st. (12 sts)

Knit 2 rounds and switch to smaller needles and begin the K2, P2 rib 1”


Everything will be the same for the right mitt except:

Right mitt:
R1: K 8 sts, k into st below 8th st. K remaining sts of the round.
R2: K
Repeat last two rounds until you have 40 sts (7 more times)

The fingers and thumb will be worked the same on both mitts.

Using a tapestry needle, weave in all loose ends.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Scoop Neck Cardigan



I finished the Scoop Neck Cardigan (finally) I had the knitting all finished on Saturday the 23rd and it took me two days to put it together. Because this is a reverse stockinette pattern, something in my brain kept telling me that the right side was the wrong side. I had the shoulder seams finished the sleeves sewn in and was getting ready to start the side seam when I realized I was stitching on the right (wrong) side. It was a real booger to get this taken apart because I did such a wonderful job weaving in the ends, I couldn't even find them. On Sunday, I started again, but this time I had my Sunday afternoon knitters visiting and about 1/2 way through the 2nd sleeve, I realized I'd done it again. After painfully tearing it apart again, I put it down and walked away. After everyone had left, I decided to give it one more go. I know it doesn't sound like it would be so hard, but it's like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time. Your brain takes over and does what it wants to do. Finally, the sleeves are in correct and I start seaming up the side, you're not going to even believe it if I tell you. The wrong side again!!!!!!! ARRRRGGGGHHH. So I threw it in my bowl, locked up and went home. Monday morning, I figure third times a charm. I'm all alone, I'm rested and ready to start the day. I pull out the cardigan and get my right (wrong) sides together and I was able to finish it up. All the threads on woven in and the buttons have been sewn on. I'm finished!



Friday night knit night was fun, there were about 8 people here for the evening. (Which is really about all my tiny space will handle.) We can drag in the folding chairs and shuffle some furniture around to accomodate more if it turns into something bigger next month.



Saturday was the 2nd session of our 1st beginners knit class. All the ladies came back (I really thought a couple would drop out). Two of them had finished knitting their scarves and were ready to bind off and start something new. One woman, Cheri, did a really good job, she bound off and added fringe to finish the scarf off. The second woman, Marth, started out with 20 stitches for about 4 inches and then grew to about 60 stitches which she continued to knit for about 8 inches then she remembered to start knitting 2 tog and got it back down to 20 stitches for the last 4 inches. She was going to rip it out, but instead we folded the widest section wrapped it around her neck and sewed a big button all the way through (since we didn't have a button hole). The yarn was stretchy enough that it will fit over her head easily. Here is her picture: This is Martha and her first knitted project.




I wish I would have gotten pictures of the entire group with their projects, but my batteries died on the camera after taking Martha's picture.




Louise knitted up a bright red scarf and was almost finished, she said she'd come back this Saturday, so I'll get her picture then. Cindy, a lifetime crocheter, did a good job on her scarf and has decided her next project will be the felted derby hat. Theresa, Betsy and Florence all ripped out their scarves and each returned with about 2 inches completed. Hopefully, they enjoyed themselves and continue with knitting.


Last night was my second beginners class, this isn't a very good picture, but you can tell they were having fun. (left to right: my sis Leigh, Ginger and Cheryl) Concentrating on what they were doing is Lynne and Shelley.



I only had 4 show up for the class last night, I was supposed to have 8. I think for my next class, I'm going to have them prepay and let them know that there are no returns, but they can reschedule for the next class if they aren't able to make it. If I had known that they 4 ladies weren't going to show, I could have called the list of people who wanted to take the class and were on the waiting list.


So, today is another day, Berroco Comfort is on the truck and should be arriving today. Unfortunately they are shipping it to my house instead of the shop. So, I won't be putting it on the shelves until tomorrow.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Friday Night Knit Night Tonight

I'm getting ready for my first official Friday night knit night. This has been a very busy week, so let me start at the beginning.


Saturday was our first beginners knitting class and it went really well, I'm anxious to see how their scarves have progressed this week. Hopefully, they will all return tomorrow for their lesson.


Monday, I started the Daylily Scoop Neck Cardigan. I had gotten 6 new colors of the yarn in and it wasn't moving at all. It's amazing what a sample will do, I had a lady come in yesterday and buy the yarn and pattern to make the same cardigan, then this morning I had 2 customers come in and both buy the yarn and patterns. I'm going to have to get busy knitting something else as soon as I finish the sleeves on the cardigan. This is the back and both front pieces completed. I'm making the size small which calls for 8 skeins, but I really think it's only going to take 6.



I finally finished the sweater I was designing for Hayden. I thought it was going to be huge on him, but it actually turned out really cute and he still has room to grow into it for next winter also.


I made a pair of Alice's Fingerless Mitts for Chelsea. (I didn't really follow the directions, in fact I kinda did my own thing all the way around). Here they are: well here is one of them, it's almost impossible to take a picture of your own hand. I used Knit One Crochet Too's Geologee for the mitts. Chelsea thinks they are too long and wants me to make another pair, so I guess these are going to be mine.

My next project is going to be a lace shawl using Fino (Alpaca with a Twist). I've started looking on Ravelry for a lace pattern that will be challenging for my mind, but not so crazy that if I put it down to help a customer that I'm lost forever.


I got my picture in the newspaper again! This time in the Oologah Lake Reader. Carolyn Estes wrote a great story about the shop and I've had many calls from our neighbors in Oologah.


Tuesday, I had a group of ladies come by for a knitting lesson. It was alot of fun, I had 3 of the 4 knitting within 30 minutes. I'm curious to find out if the 4th lady is still trying or if she has given up. Maybe she'll come back in a day or two and show me her progress.


Last night, one of my first students, Amy brought her home school mom's for a Mother's Night Out. They arrived around 6:30pm, picked out yarn and needles and were ready for their lesson. I'm so glad my sister was here to help out. There were 8 women, luckily three of the women had knitted as children or teens and just needed a little help back on the bicycle and they were off and knitting. Leigh helped 2 of the ladies and I helped the other 2. They invited us to join the circle and before you knew it we were all sharing our life stories with each other. The evening ended around 10:30pm and they were all so excited and ready to plan their next knitting night out. By the time everyone left and I balanced the cash register, I was exhausted. I guess I didn't think about the 12-14 hour days that would go into running a business. But I wouldn't trade it for any other job right now. Benefits and a paycheck would be nice, but I'm hoping that will come in a year or two.


I just need to gear up for tonight, I'm hoping that my first Friday night knit night will be a success. Wish me luck!


T


Saturday, January 16, 2010

The article from the Claremore Progress

I want to thank Joy Hampton and the Claremore Daily Progress for allowing me to post the article from the paper. I thought it was an excellent story, but I might be a little bias. I wasn't able to get the pictures, but here's the story. Enjoy!

A place to Unwind...
Women share winter yarns, avoid unraveling during times of stress

By JOY HAMPTON
jhampton@claremoreprogress.com

If the cold weather and holiday stresses are getting you down, there’s a new place to unwind in Nemar Shopping Center in Claremore.
Teresa Harmon dreamed Unwind yarn shop into existence. It is a place where friends old and new can gather with their yarn in a unique community of knitters and crocheters.
Harmon had been unwilling to quit her full-time job with benefits to follow her dream of having a yarn shop. Fate intervened when she was laid off after 10 years on the job. A merger of two branches of the company where she was employed made her position obsolete.
“I was no longer needed,” said Harmon.
In a move as bold as some of the modern yarn colors she uses to create her many pieces of functional artwork, Harmon sunk her 401 K into starting a yarn store in Claremore. It’s not the first, Harmon says there was another years ago, but it’s the first yarn store in Claremore in many, many years.
“I sunk it all in here,” she said, and gestured at the comfy sofa and chairs, shelves of yarn, and walls of needles and other accessories. “I decided, it’s now or never.”
The yarn store opened Dec. 1 and has already become a haven for a small group of women who are ready and willing to welcome more into their fold.
Pam Cantwell loves the soft fibers, colorful projects and friendship of other knitters and crocheters.
“I come to hang out and knit and buy yarn,” said Cantwell and she loops a strand of hot pink yarn over her bamboo needles. “It becomes an addiction but it’s a fun addiction. I learned to knit about five years ago. Ever since, I’ve been going crazy at it.”
She said she likes to sit, knit, talk and unwind.
Which is, of course, the point, said Harmon.
Lynn Emanuel said she was excited to find the new store. She is rediscovering her talent for crochet. During her college years, Emanuel inherited her grandmother’s crochet items and became very involved in creating all types of projects.
“They used to call me Grandma in college because I crocheted so much,” said Emanuel.
Then, when her children came along, she found her hands too full for the crochet hook and put it down.
For a time, that old love was forgotten.
Now with her children nearly grown, Emanuel is rediscovering her lost art. And she’s also learning to knit, courtesy of Harmon who offers private and public lessons as well as tidbits of free casual advice for anyone who happens along and stays to knit.
Harmon said Emanuel’s story is a common one. Often modern women learn to knit or crochet then put it aside when life gets busy. Many are carrying on the tradition of their grandmothers, but with new, modern yarns and accessories that have revolutionized the art.
“My grandmother taught me to cast on stitches when I was three,” said Harmon. “I would cast on and take them off again.
“When I was five, she let me have two needle. I actually started knitting. At 12, I taught myself to crochet. I thought it was faster. I made baby blankets and booties and gave them to the neighbors. It was all squares.”
Harmon has always enjoyed giving her handmade products away. She says that way two people get to share in the pleasure, herself in making the project, and the recipient of her gift.
“I quit after my kids were born,” said Harmon.
Then one day she was visiting her mother in Colorado. There were knitting needles with a project started on them.
“I picked them up and just started knitting,” she said.
It turned out there was a local yarn shop in the area and her mother was taking lessons. Harmon and her sister Leigh Ann Bump rushed to the store and bought yarn.
“We became completely addicted to knitting,” said Harmon.
“My friend Terry got me excited about it again,” said Emanuel.
Harmon said the best thing about knitting and crocheting is the friendly, helpful people.
Cantwell adds that it’s therapeutic.
“It’s like a quilting bee, bringing people together,” said Emanuel.
Some days women stop by and just hang out and knit or crochet, said Harmon. On Friday evenings, she reopens the store at 7 p.m. Women bring snacks and show up in comfy clothes like sweats or even pajamas. They knit and swap stories and advice until they’re tired and go home.
“It’s almost like a slumber party but we don’t sleep here,” laughed Harmon.
Cantwell is working on a baby blanket.
“The minute I found out I was going to be a grandmother, I came right up here and bought yarn and started,” she said.
Harmon said there was a knitting revival in 2004.
“It’s not just grandmas,” she said. “I’ve got college age girls that come in here. I hear all the stories.”
Unwind Yarn Shop is modeled after the one in Colorado that inspired Harmon to pick up her art again, Edla’s Yarn Shop.
Harmon and Bump met Edla after their mother told them about the yarn shop. They still visit her regularly.
“Now she’s our Aunt Edla,” said Bump.
Edla is originally from the Faroe Islands, an island group that lies between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean about half the distance between Scotland and Iceland. Growing up in the cold farming community, female children like Edla were required to knit a sweater sleeve a day.
“They could knit while playing kickball,” said Harmon.
Knitting, the sisters believe, is in Edla’s blood. Her yarn shop inspired Harmon to create a place of peace, harmony and knitting all her own in Claremore.
Many of the yarns carried by Harmon at Unwind Yarn Shop are all natural fibers such as wool, alpaca, and cotton.
Acrylic blends are machine washable and available in a wide array of styles, textures, and colors. Some yarns are extremely soft. Some have sparkle.
Very soft, skinny thread on tiny needles is used to make socks.
Sock knitting has become popular and many want the best, softest yarns available for their feet, said Harmon. A yarn made from bamboo keeps feet from sweating, while a variety of stylish variegated colors allow the knitter to create argyle socks or socks with stripes.
Knitting and crocheting can be a solitary pastime, but it can also be about community, said Harmon. A barn raising quilt is made of different colored patches. The idea is for each person to contribute a different square, each of a designated size, to the project. The squares are then blocked and sewn together.
A traveling scarf is also a group project. Harmon has created her fair share of them with friends across the country she met online. Each knitter in the group starts a scarf then mails it to the next person on the list. Each contributes a stripe or block to the scarf. When finished, each participant has a multicolor scarf made by several people.
Harmon said she is grateful to have the opportunity to make her dream a reality. She hopes her yarn shop can be a place for people to come together and unwind from the stresses of life. She also wants to pass on her art to a new generation of knitters and crocheters.