Now Open 7 Days a Week! We  are  now  open  everyday!  Starting  August  1st  our  regular  hours  changed  to  Monday,  Wednesday,  Friday  and  Weekends  10am  until  6pm.    On  Tuesday  and  Thursday  nights  we  are  here  from  10am  until  8:30pm.     Shop ‘News’

• The  First  Blacksheep  Yarn  and  roving!    

Blacksheep  donated  shearing  costs  to  the  PCC  Vet  Tech  program  and  they  kindly  shared  the  fleeces  with  us!    These  amazingly  soft  mixed  breed  sheep  have  been  spun  into  both  fingering  /DK  weight  yarn  and  roving.  Best  of  all  they  are  all  completely  from  Beaverton/Hillsboro.  

• Misty  Alpaca  Tui  is  light  as  air.    This  baby  alpaca  sport  weight  yarn  has  chain  construction  and  when  knitted  will  float  in  soft  luxury  no  matter  what  project  you  choose  to  make.  

• Blueridge  Yarns  Tango  yarns  come  pre-­‐seperated  into  two  socks  worth  of  yarn!    Coming  in  8  lovely  colorways  this  yarn  is  just  the  stuff  for  September  sock-­‐making.  

• Cotton/Acrylic  Avalon  is  the  latest  addition  to  our  Cascade  staple  yarn  selection  is  Avalon.    This  cotton  blend  comes  in  a  great  shades  and  make  up  into  lovely  wash  cloths,  amagurumi  and  even  clothing.    The  cotton  give  you  that  soft  loft  and  washability  while  the  little  bit  of  acrylic  provides  body  and  stops  the  stretching  that  is  so  common  in  100%  cotton  projects.    

•  Cashemere  Luxury    This  soft  scrumptious  fingering  weight  yarn  will  make  great  gifts  (for  yourself  or  someone  special).    Weather  a  shawl  or  delicate  socks  you  will  love  the  feel  of  this.

• Books  and  Magazines  Come  and  see  the  

new  and  vintage  magazines  in  stock.    We  have  added  subscriptions  to  the  special  edition  interweave  magazines,  including  Enchanted  knits,  Knitted  gifts  and  knitting  traditions.    In  addition  we  have  several  new  knitting,  crochet  and  tatting  books  on  the  way.

• Silent  Tatting  Shuttles.    Jeff  Erickson  

makes  all  of  our  wooden  tatting  shuttles  and  we  asked  him  to  replicate  one  from  Jean  Johnston’s  shuttle  stash.    The  result  is  beautiful  and  silent!.

• Beading  supplies  for  knit/crochet  and  more.    There  are  now  two  sizes  of  glass  seed  beads  in  stock  for  those  special  sparkly  projects  plus  just  the  yarn/thread  to  get  you  started.  We  also  stock  beading  needles  and  tiny  crochet  hooks  and  books  and  magazines  with  beaded  projects  for  inspiration

Sept/Oct  2014  Newsletter  

Classes Classes Classes The  kids  are  back  in  school!    Now  might  be  the  time  to  take  some  time  to  brush  up  on  a  new  fiber  related  skill,    learn  how  to  knit,  crochet  or  tat.    You  could  even  start  or  finish  that  project  you  have  been  meaning  to  get  to.    Check  out  the  calendar  for  the  fall  classes  and  open  handwork  events  held  at  black  sheep.    There  is  bound  to  be  something  to  fit  your  schedule. Meet the BlackSheep

Teachers

• Margret  Boris  teaches  beginning  and  

advanced  shuttle  tatting  at  Blacksheep.    Margret  has  been  tatting,  crocheting  and  quilting  for  many  years.    She  also  recently  added  knitting  to  her  crafty  repertoire.  By  day  Margret  is  the  person  who  plows  her  way  through  all  of  the  records  and  medical  claims  at  a  local  doctors  clinic.    You  can  meet  Margret  most  Thursdays  at  our  evening  hand-­‐work  guild.  

 • Lynn  Venghaus  is  a  lifelong  knitter  and  

crocheter.    She  has  taught  knitting  for  several  years  and  also  designs  patterns.    Lynn  teaches  many  of  the  techniques  classes  at  Blacksheep  including  cables,  colorwork,  seaming  your  work,  knitting  a  sweater,  Toe-­‐up  two  at  a  time  socks.  She  attends  most  of  our  guild  meetings  and  Chardon-­‐knitting  too!    

 • Thali  Ramirez  is  a  relatively  new  knitter  

and  crocheter  but  a  long  time  crafter  and  finger-­‐weaver.    Thali  works  at  Blacksheep  

on  Fridays  and  Saturdays.    She  teaches  our  tween  and  teen  classes  including  hand  woven  friendship  bracelets.  She  often  hangs  out  at  the  Tuesday  night  almost  beginners’  group.  

 • Amy  Pitman  is  the  in  house  spinning  and  

weaving  expert.    She  has  a  degree  in  fiber  arts  from  Western  Washington  University  and  has  put  it  to  good  use  for  us.    Amy  teaches  beginning  spinning  classes,  fiber  specific  spinning  classes,  on  loom  and  off  loom  weaving  classes  as  well  as  fleece  preparation  classes.    Amy  is  our  monthy  host  and  fiber-­‐tasting  guide  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  each  month  for  our  spinning  guild  meetings.    She  can  also  be  found  most  Tuesday’s  in  the  shop  providing  one  on  one  lessons  or  helping  me  stay  on  top  of  the  fiber!  

 • Tina  Johnston:  Yes  I  own  the  place  but  I  

also  like  to  teach  beginners.    Crocheting  came  easy  for  me  when  my  grandmother  taught  it  to  me  years  ago  but  Knitting  was  much  more  difficult.    As  a  lefty  I  had  to  work  out  how  to  think  about  knitting  as  a  lefty  but  knit  as  a  righty.    I  can  now  knit  either  way  and  can  help  both  lefties  and  righties  lean  to  knit  and  crochet.  In  addition  I  host  Hand-­‐Work  Guild  (it  just  means  you  can  bring  whatever  craft  you  want)  meetings  on  Monday  evenings,  Tuesday  mornings  and  Thursday  Evenings.    I  also  host  the  Almost  beginners  knit/crochet  groups  on  Tuesday  evenings.  

Blacksheep Guild at

Oregon Flock and Fiber  Every  year  yarn  and  fiber  lovers  descend  on  the  county  fairground  in  Canby  for  The  Oregon  Flock  and  Fiber  Festival.    This  wonderful  event  brings  fiber-­‐related  vendors,  fiber  animals  and  teachers  together  for  us  to  immerse  ourselves  in  the  joy  of  all  things  fiber.    This  year  the  Blacksheep  Guild  will  be  on  the  green  with  demos  and  a  comfortable  place  to  hang  out.    Bring  your  wheel,  your  knitting,  your  tatting  or  your  Crochet  and  join  the  fun!    Someone  will  be  at  the  booth  so  you  can  safely  leave  your  gear  and  take  a  shopping  expedition.    In  addition  we  can  carpool  down.    Pop  into  the  store  or  join  the  new  Blacksheep  guild  facebook  page  for  more  information.

Free Pattern: Aaron’s Hitchhiker Necktie

Aaron  is  my  bank  teller.    Last  summer  when  he  found  out  I  had  a  yarn  store  he  asked  me  whether  I  could  knit  a  necktie?    I  said  yes  but  did  not  commit  to  the  project  until  his  coworkers  asked  me  if  I  would  make  it  for  his  birthday.    The  folks  at  the  Orenco  Umqua  bank  picked  out  the  Lilliput  sock  yarn  in  the  color  Puppy  love  (He  did  really  ask  for  pink).  I  did  the  pattern  and  knitting.    The  result  is  this  necktie  that  you  too  can  make  for  a  special  guy.    In  addition  I  put  in  a  little  Homage  to  the  Hitchhikers  Guide  to  the  Galaxy  as  the  cast  on  number  is  42  .    You  can  get  the  pattern  on  the  Blacksheep  Woolshed  Blog.  

The Fiber Column

Amy Marie Pittman Cotton's  has  a  PR  Problem,    “Cotton  is  too  hard  to  spin!”    This  is  a  phrase  I  have  heard  

countless  times  as  a  fiber  arts  teacher.  And  it's  simply  not  true.        Cotton  is  no  more  difficult  to  spin  than  wool  or  another  fiber.  Cotton  is  just  different,  but  like  all  fibers  with  time  and  patience  a  fine  even  thread  will  result.  Sadly  many  spinners  believe  cotton's  bad  press  and  avoid  one  of  the  most  satisfying  fibers  available.        Are  you  ready  to  take  up  the  challenge  and  try  something  new?    Here  are  My  Four  Rules  for  Successful  Cotton  Spinning:      1.  Long  draw.  Whether  you  choose  a  spindle  or  a  wheel  drawing  the  fiber  away  from  the  source  of  the  twist  is  critical  to  achieve  a  viable  thread.      2.  Plenty  of    twist.  Cotton  fibers  are  notoriously  short  so  sufficient  twist  is  critical.  Use  the  smallest  ratio  on  your  wheel  and  if  needed  treadle  faster  or  choose  a  bottom  whorl  spindle  an  ounce  or  less  in  weight  for  fast  supported  spinning.    3.  A  light  hand.  Cotton  fibers  are  delicate  and  will  snap  if  pulled  roughly  while  spinning  so  treat  it  gently.  Use  minimum  take  up  on  your  wheel  and  a  very  soft  hand  when  you  reel  singles.      4.  Finish  hot.  Whether  you  choose  a  steam  or  boiling  water  always  use  heat  to  set  the  twist  on  newly  spun  cotton.  Then  dry  under  light  tension.  Some  varieties  will  become  shiny  or  darken  in  color  when  set.  All  yardage  will  soften  and  shrink.      Wherever  you  are  in  your  spinning  journey;  cotton  will  make  you  a  better  a  spinner.  No  staple  will  ever  be  too  short.  No  thread  too  fine.  And  you  will  truly  know  what  your  equipment  can  do.        For  more  information  on  cotton  check  out  this  link:  http://www.spinningdaily.com/spinning-­‐cotton/    Monday Meet-up I  Have  stepped  up  as  the  Portland  metro  meet-­‐up  organizer.    Every  Monday  night  we  meet-­‐up  at  Blacksheep  at  Orenco  from  4:30-­‐6:30.    Everyone  is  welcome  to  join  us  and  knit,  crochet,  tat,  or  spin.    I  am  looking  for  people  in  other  parts  of  Portland  to  plan  meet-­‐ups  too!    Please  join  the  meet-­‐up  webpage  and  share  an  event  idea!    http://www.meetup.com/PDX-­‐knit-­‐crochet/.      

Events and Classes: See the ‘Workshops and Events’ page at www.blacksheepatorenco.com for more information on specific classes and events and the online signup page. (e)  evening  event  (m)  morning  event  (a)  Afternoon  event                                

 September

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

15 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome

16 Hand Work Guild (m) Almost beginners group (e) Spinning Guild (e)

17

18 Hand-work Guild (e)

19

20

21 Crochet, Knit, Tat and Spin in Public at the Farmers Market (m)

22 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome

23 Hand Work Guild (m) Dimensional felting: Balls, buttons and beads (e) Almost beginners group (e) Making Friends with your Spinning Wheel (e)

24

25 Hand-work Guild (e)

26

27 Flock and Fiber Field Trip!

28 Flock and Fiber Field Trip!

29 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome Blending Your Own Fiber: Texture and Color bats (e)

30 Hand Work Guild (d) Almost beginners group (e) Wheel 101: Making Friends with your Spinning Wheel (e)

October Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1 Beginning Knitting (e)

2 Hand-work Guild (e)

3 Chardon-knitting (e)-note the special week!

4 Tatting 101 (m)

5 Tween Friendship Bracelets (m)

6 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome Blending Your Own Fiber: Texture and Color bats (e)

7 Hand-work Guild (m) Almost beginners group (e) Wheel 101: Making Friends with your Spinning Wheel (e)

8 Cables 101: knitted Hood (a) Beginning Knitting (e)

9 Hand-work Guild (e)

10 11 Tatting 101(m)

12 Tween Friendship Bracelets (m)

13 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome Small Loom Weaving (e)

14 Hand Work Guild (m) Fleece in the Raw(a) Almost beginners group (e) Wheel 101: Making Friends with your Spinning Wheel (e)

15 Cables 101: knitted Hood (a)

16 Hand-work Guild (e)

17 18 Knit along: knitted/Crochet Doily(m) Tatting 101(m)

19 Crochet, Knit, Tat and Spin in Public at the Farmers Market (m)

20 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome Beginning Crochet (e) Small Loom Weaving (e)

21 Hand Work Guild (m) Fiber Prep 101 (a) Almost beginners group (e) Spinning Guild (e)

22 Beginning Fair Isle Knitting: Sequoia Hat (a)

23 Hand-work Guild (e)

24 25 knitted/Crochet Doily (m) Finishing your knits (a)

26

27 Meet up (4:30pm) All are welcome Beginning Crochet (e) Spinning Bast Fibers: Linen, Hemp, Bamboo (e)

28 Hand Work Guild (m) Fiber Prep 101 (a) Almost beginners group (e) Working with Handspun: Accessories (e)

29 Beginning Fair Isle Knitting: Sequoia Hat (a)

30 Hand-work Guild (e)

31 Special Orenco Neighborhood Trick or Treat Event (a)