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Thursday, August 26, 2010

GRAND RE-OPENING of UNWIND

We've had quite a month! In that short space of time we have undergone a huge change! It's like I've put on 700 pounds and had a facelift! Good analogy?

Good memories of a great space...and of a not-so-great space. Ha! How many of you even remember the first store? It was me and my pregnant belly (Jill) with 40 balls of wool. Ridiculous...

But that's where I met some of my best friends in the world. I remember Fiona rummaging through the Thrum Mitten box sent from Fleece Artist. She didn't even knit yet but she knew she had to have a kit. I remember sitting down and teaching Moira how to knit--we hit it off instantly! I remember Heather coming by--with her big pregnant belly (Noah)--asking me--enthusiastically--if I sold organic cotton. I told her no, not yet, and I thought she was going to cry.

And then at the old store I remember long talks with Jenny on the couches in the back over muddy coffee, meeting Rebecca for the first time and falling immediately in love with her--was there ever a time in my life that I didn't know Rebecca? And Ruth! Don't get me started about Ruth--how she came to a stitch and bitch one night and waited outside for 15 min before she got the courage to come in! And then she became a permenant fixture. I'm crying right now I miss her so much. What about when Sandra called from her car to get me to talk her through getting to the store--it was so funny to hear her reaction when she turned on Main Street for the first time in her 6 years of living in Newmarket. " I didn't even know this existed!!" I remember Jill rolling around on the mats I laid out for her and learning to crawl. She would bounce up and down on her saucer with her arms in the air smiling and laughing when I wound wool on the swift. (How many other little babies have I seen do the same thing?) Customers would come in just to see her! Wendy who?

You may think it's the wool that keeps the shop up and running. But it's not. It's the fabulous friends and great times.

I look forward to making a bunch of new friends and wonderful memories in this amazing new space....thanks for all the love.

Here's a quick look back--in pictures--of the evolution of Unwind. (Insert 'Did You Ever Know That You're My Hero' soundtrack here please)

There it is! The tiny little spot, way back in Sept 2005. And there's the mayor cutting the ribbon at the grand opening--what must he have thought--haha!! These are the only shots I have of the old, OLD store. I think it was pre-digital camera days for me.

And here's a shot of the old shop when it was called Garden Possibilities....

And here's a familiar spot!!

Loads of shows....loads of help. (No pics but Sandra and Heather helped too!)

Good friends...fun times! And some weird moments...

And the final day...so long 234!!

New shop!!! Hello 232....

And happily onwards...

The new space has such a great feel to it--warm and cosy, laid back, cheerful. I'm really really pleased and those of you who have seen the space have given me some great feedback. Thanks!

The good news is; I will never move again.

The even better news is; I'm having a sale to celebrate the end of the 'major' work from the move! I'll pick away at all the details over the next few months but the bottom line is--the hard part is done. Thanks for your patience.

Sale Deets!

Friday Aug 27th and runs to Tuesday Aug 31st. (I'm not open this Monday but will be open Mondays again in Sept)

All new yarns will be 15% OFF

Including:

Manos Maxima
Malabrigo
Manos Silk Blend
Debbie Bliss Baby Cash
Mulberry Merino
ETC...

There will be spot sales all over the store...up to 50% off!!

Come and check it out!

The first 10 people to send me an email with a memory of the old OR the old, OLD shop, get a bottle of Soak (Celebration, 4 oz) FREE!!

See you soon folks!

Wendy

PS: One of the ladies I mentioned above, my dear friend Moira, has written a cookbook! A real live cookbook! Did you see her on Canada AM yesterday? I have SIGNED copies in the store and a special "Unwind" price of $25 even ($29.95 + HST everywhere else). You may have tasted her amazing baking in the store if you were lucky enough to take one of her classes. Now you can do it at home. Good luck Moira--love you tons! We are sooooo proud!

Wednesday, August 20, 2010

We're Stocking Up!

My classes and knit-a-longs for the fall are....UP!!

There are a few classes I'm still getting some final details about but you'll get the drift. I have a huge line-up this fall! I'm sure you'll all find something that peaks your interest....

I sincerely hope that you'll take on a knit-a-long challenge with us this year--we're having so much fun! We've had great groups and it's been so beneficial to knit in a group. I have learned so much! And had a hoot of a time as well....the scones are on me!

So in addition to madly making samples I've been checking out TONS of cool patterns to make with all this glorious new yarn.

Here are a few of my faves to send a little shiver through your knitting fingers....

This just arrived....The Pleats Purse. This is a $5 dowload and worth every penny. 3 balls of Cascade = $22.50 SWEET! I'll take one in green, please!

THIS JUST IN!

Sandra finished this just in time before she goes on vacation. And Kelly (lucky girl) was here at the exact right moment to put it on and have her picture taken.

This was the 'before' shot. The unfortunate 'after' shot will not be published. It wasn't pretty trying to get this silky soft wrap off of poor sweet Kelly. Mulberry Merino, 7 balls, $8.50 each You MUST put this on. It's heaven on earth.

This is a FREE one that I am so looking forward to getting in my hot little hands. Knit like the wind Cathy!!! It's called the Watery Wavy Brioche Cable Scarf. We're doing it out of 2 strand held together on the Mulberry Merino (our new favourite)....look at that fist of shiney stuff. Mulberry Merino, 4 balls, $8.50 each.

Just got this delivered....BRAND NEW YARN, Manos Maxima.1!00 grams, 219yards of Kettle Dyed Merino for $13 each. What??? From a Fair Trade supplier. What???? Gorgeous beyond gorgeous.

And here's something unbearably sweet (and super fast and super free!) for that new baby in your life...Aviatrix Hat. Such a great website.....

Perfect out of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino--NOW IN STOCK.

Speaking of Baby Cashmerino....for those slightly more inclined....Samantha. Stunning. Wowzas.

And what to do with ALL the Malabrigo in the store....hmmmm. Here's a fave. Tea Leaves Cardigan

Or what about....a gorgeous scarf? Last Minute Waves of Grace OR Shifting Sands

No wait...something lacey. Liesl.

Something cozy? Babette Blanket

Something felty? French Press Felted Slippers

Ok I'm done. For now.

This email is BUSTING with info. I might have to send it twice.

Wendy

PS For those of you non-believers, I occasioanlly knit. I NEVER finish but I do knit. Yesterday some thing special happened. I FINISHED. Here's my girl wearing her brand new baby surprise jacket (she picked out the yarn and buttons) proudly.

And these are some of the shots that surprised me when I uploaded today...silly gooses.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Whew! That was fun - NOT ...

Actually it was kind of a hoot....

On Thursday last, a group of muscled barbarians descended on Unwind and in one fell swoop picked the store up and shook its contents into 232 Main St. S.

Ok....so it didn't work exactly like that. The only true piece of info written above is the part about the helpers being 'barbarians'. Teehee.

Ok....it's been a long few days. I'm just being silly. Here's a group shot of the 'Motley Crew'! In just a few hours and with our fearless leaders, Pat and Don, we moved everything from the old shop into the new. And since then, with more help and cheer-leading, we set up shop, took down signs that don't belong to us and opened up for business!

MANY MANY thanks to those marvelous barbarians who were so kind and helpful.... Love you!

Can you visualize sitting on the front porch, knitting away in the sun! And then when it gets cold, come on in and knit in front of the fire!

Now don't get me wrong...there's lots to do. The signs will be up this week--I have a giant yoga ball painted to look like a ball of yarn drying on my front porch. And there will be more shelving put up for yarn and my needles as well.

But we're in! And it is FANTASTIC to be here! My mind is running away with me all day thinking about the great things I'm going to do with this store....I have so much room to get creative and think BIG!

In the meantime...there's lots of new stuff going on.

TOE-UP SOCK CLASS: $48 (includes yarn), Sunday August 8th and 15th, 12-2pm
Learn this easy technique and you'll be knitting socks by the hundred!
Email me!

I have a HUGE wall of Cascade in the back room ready to be man-handled. It consists of Cascade 220 SOLIDS and HEATHERS and SUPERWASH!

AND Cascade Eco Wool and Eco + Chunky in solids and heathers. We are making a sample of the Shalom Cardi with ONE ball of Eco Wool. Each ball is almost 500 yards and retails for $18.50. Yes. A sweater for $18.50. Here's what 2 of them looks like....

FREE Pattern

There's a ton of colours to choose from. Here's a pic of the 'back room' in the new store and the big wall of Cascade!

Before I forget....The KNIT Kit is restocked!!! This is the best $25 bucks you'll spend....if you happen to loose things OCCASIONALLY, like me : )

And also before I forget....Interweave Knits will be here Thursday morning....here's a taste.

Knit Scene will be here too....

Ok....so here's some new stuff.

This glorious stuff was brought to my attention by a customer a month or so ago. It's a fabulous yarn from Fiesta Yarns called La Boheme. It's a strand of mohair and a strand of rayon hand dyed together--and then wound up together. It's a little bit shiny and a little bit fuzzy and a lot gorgeous. Here...one ball makes a long scarf knit lengthwise.

Visit our Manos Del Uruguay Silk/Merino Blend tree....here's a free pattern.

Ok...here's the flyby version....gotta go home and fetch the kiddies! (this day has just slipped away!)

New sock yarn (and DK weight) hand-dyed from Tennessee--Miss Babs!!

Hot off the presses Fleece Artist yarn--Merino Angel! Free pattern....email me for it.

Shroom hat! 2 balls Spud and Chloe Outer! Soooooo cute! Free pattern....

If you have a wee babe but you still want to knit--why not join us Fridays for Baby Dayz! From 1-3pm, bring your babe and your knitting questions, projects you want to make, etc. $15 each session. Meet other moms and knit....it's a hoot! Look at these sweaters we made Deliah and Maddox!

Ok....on my way home. Can't wait to see you at the new digs!

Wendy

ps. Watch for a giant ball of yarn with needle to appear at the corner of Main and Timothy Sts. Coming soon....