All posts by Jackie E-S

Jackie E-S is the owner of HeartStrings FiberArts, a showcase for her growing roster of original pattern designs. As a certified master knitter and teacher, Jackie continues to share her love of knitting and knowledge through design and publication of skill-building pattern instructions, and conducting workshops, programs and demonstrations. Her interest in the fiber arts extends beyond knitting and spinning to include weaving, dyeing and all needle arts. She also enjoys contract bridge and music.
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Win this skein of Schaefer Yarn

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This hand-painted skein of Schaefer yarn reminds me of the blazing colors of fall. Would you like to win it? Just leave a comment on this blog post about which HeartStrings pattern you like best that could be made in this yarn (check the yarn details below). I’ll do a random drawing on October 15th. Your comment will count as your entry into the drawing.

Win this skein of Schaefer Anne yarn
Win this skein of Schaefer Anne yarn

This is Anne, a 3-ply fingering yarn blend of Merino wool superwash, mohair and nylon. The skein is a huge 4 oz/560 yards. Care is Hand or Machine Wash. There is no color name on the label (this is probably a one-of-a-kind skein), but it appears to have been similar to the colorway called Emily Dickinson which Cheryl Schaefer used to dye on cotton/silk.

Remember to leave your email address on your comment so that I can contact you for your U.S. shipping address if you win! (sorry, I can only do U.S. shipping for this; if you are out of the country, please make arrangements with a friend)

Good luck!

p.s. For 2 chances to win … Also leave a comment on the HeartStrings FiberArts Facebook fan page about the HeartStrings pattern you like best that could be made in this yarn, and it will count as an additional entry into the drawing and another chance to win. Don’t forget to “like” HeartStrings so I can contact you if you win.

 

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Musings

Find solace and strength

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Today I found this in the box in the attic that I had not looked through in ages. It is a hand-written sheet of paper from many, many years ago written to me by my yet-to-be husband Johnny. It is not dated, but it would have been in the 1989 timeframe when I was having some serious problems in life. I hope its message brings you encouragement in a time of need as it did for me.

“Find solace in the strength we give each other. 

Those who have come before serve only to appreciate what we have or what we want and to qualify those dreams.

When the victim, find peace & pride in that you could not be the culprit, it is not in your nature.

Never stoop to the level of those who would hurt you for you become your own enemy. It is the goodness in you that lets you become the victim and that same goodness will let you be at peace with yourself.”

Although I lost Johnny in the flesh when he died from cancer in 2001, it is little things like this that ever remind me that his kind soul lives on and he is always with me. Thanks be to God.

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Musings

Happy start of Fall

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Does it feel like the start of Fall to you? We’ve had such a durned hot summer and I am really, really looking forward to a reprieve from the heat. According to the official word, the Autumnal Equinox was today (September 23, 2011) at 5:05 A.M. EDT. Welcome Fall!

Did you know …
1. The four seasons are determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis, thus affecting the angle and amount of sunlight reaching Earth.

2. The first day of fall is the Autumnal Equinox on which day and night are each about 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days after the Autumnal Equinox). The sun crosses the celestial equator going southward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.

3. According to Wikipedia, the word equinox is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

4. Catherine Wingate’s Autumnal Equinox Socks design was first published as the September pattern in The Sock Calendar book. The book is now out of print, but the design has been republished as a single pattern so it can continue to be enjoyed by knitters everywhere, anytime. The Sock Calendar is also now available in electronic format as an downloadable ebook from most download sites selling HeartStrings patterns.

Other seasonal patterns in the HeartStrings pattern line celebrating fall can be seen in the Fall Favorites Collection.

 

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Debut of 2 more Colinton kits for HeartStrings patterns

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I am delighted that Colinton Australian Angoras debuted 2 additional kits for HeartStrings patterns at the recent TNNA trade show in Columbus, OH earlier this month.

Because of the success of the launch in January, Colinton has expanded their attractively  packaged “Tucker Box” kits from the initial offering at the January TNNA show that included the White Lotus Shawl. Now there are also kits offered for the just-released A Touch of Beaded Class Stole and the “get a taste of Colinton” small project Coronet Collaret.

These Colinton Tucker Box kits include all materials to complete the project, including Colinton’s silky worsted-spun 100% Kid Mohair yarn, top quality Japanese glass beads (for the Stole and Shawl kits), pattern instructions, plus the extra bonus of sample packets of Unicorn Fibre Wash/Rinse. All 3 kits come with choice of natural color yarn only, or with dye packet in any of 7 different jewel tones.

Colinton Tucker Box Kits

Please contact Colinton Angoras for wholesale orders or check their website for retailers.

More information about the pattern designs is here —

p.s. Wondering what a “tucker box” is? It is an informal Australian term for a bag or box used for carrying food. Maybe we can’t eat yarn like regular food, but I think you will find the Colinton yarn to “yummy” on your knitting needles and in the finished project.

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Summer Solstice pattern sale

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Summer Solstice sale :: Click to apply coupon discount to your pattern order
Summer Solstice sale :: Click to apply coupon discount to your pattern order

Kick off the official start of Summer!

Although it’s been feeling like summer for weeks already, the official start is now just 4 days away.

June 21st marks the Summer Solstice of the Northern Hemisphere in 2011. To celebrate, Catherine Wingate’s popular summer socks pattern “Summer Solstice” is now on sale at 21% off.

Click the coupon to the left to activate the coupon discount, then proceed with your purchase of Summer Solstice Socks downloadable pattern via the HeartStrings Store on Ravelry with payment by PayPal.

Catherine’s Summer Solstice Socks are attractive and airy lightweight, yet easy enough for almost mindless carefree summer knitting. They will be a great way to kick off your start to the summer.

 

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