How a Yarn Store Celebrates Holi

Our dear friend Pia delivered a fresh batch of fleece today.
It looks like we're ready to celebrate Holi!

Pia Skaarer-Nielsen will be teaching a drop-spindle spinning workshop at The Loop Sunday, March 18th, 10 am - 1 pm.  She was sweet enough to drop this fibre off to us for an upcoming workshop in needle felting (Sunday, March 11th, 10am -1pm with Janine Stewart)
On her farm in the Annapolis Valley, Pia keeps a wonderful (and wonderous) blog chronicling her creative life.  Follow the link below to read about the new lives on the farm, and to see the sheep from whom we get this beautiful, hand-dyed fibre.

http://wonderouswoolerie.blogspot.com/2012/02/lambing-season-again.html

March in like a lion or lamb

My Transparent Heart

Happy Valentine's from The Loop and Lamby.

PS Also transparent is my last minute slap dash window effort.

Christmas Shop Window 2011

Downtown Halifax is hoping for snow this Christmas week!


PS It's proving to be a bit of a Rorscharch test, but I love my Yarn Ball Tree with Niddy-Noddy Trunk!

Christmas Shop Window Phase 1

Halloween Window: Window Wide Web

 Is it a spiders web made of yarn? Perhaps, like many other passersby and neighbouring businesses, you think that my last minute nod to Halloween in The Loop's display space looks like a giant crack in our window?

When I began the window yarn web at the end of the day, it looked very spidery.  Many Barrington Street shoppers stopped to watch me construct it, and a few people throwing Halloween parties took photos (like these) and came in to ask me about it.  At some point it began to look less webby.  I admit that when I went outside to check the web, I myself thought it looked like broken glass.  I thought it looked neat anyways though, and finished the web/crack off.  Chives chefs walking passed weren't sure, but I had locked up by this point and left the window as-was.

 I thought that I would revisit the idea of yarn posing as broken glass later.  Perhaps do a window with knitted graffiti, faux yarn bombings, and other wooly urbanisms. Now however, after many reports of distressed neighbours and calls and emails from concerned customers who thought we had been vandalized... I will abandon the idea.  Window space on a high street is a powerful thing!  I apologize to our worried customers and friends!

Back to School Window

This September the kids went back to school, and we at The Loop went back to work. Our job? Teaching the masses to stitch. We are now midway through our Fall 2011 schedule and there are lots of fun classes still available. Lamby recommends needle felting! Our class schedule is posted in the store's window for sneaky peeks and is always available on our website here.

I'm off to teach a crochet workshop tonight. Don't forget that The Loop also offers private lessons. Please phone the shop for more information (902) 429-5667.

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #12

Fleetwood Mac, White Album

Classic Elite Yarns "Fresco" and a couple of strays.

Connextion: Quite White, but not exclusively.

It was 10 years ago today, Sept. 10....Ewan, Stevie, "Darrell" & I.

Illume.

I will not take you for granted
I wouldn't trade you for jade
Or for diamonds
Not for one minute
Not for anything

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #11

Lou Reed, "The Blue Mask"

Freedom Spirit Yarn

Connexion: Blue

Pride Window 2011

David sports a crocheted rainbow beanie with giant pink tourie on top. He has the best seat in the house for the 2011 Halifax Pride Parade.

Rainbows abound, and giant ric-rac sprouts twisted lengths of coloured crepe paper. They reach towards the sky optimistically.

Ilga Leja's "Earth Maiden" sampled in Kauni's Effekt yarn, colourway "EQ" looks right at home. Draped over a triangular metal form it makes a cheerful yet sophisticated statement despite being placed in the background, away from direct sunlight.

"Better Together" is the motto this year.

The formally longest scarf in the world cascades down the back wall, embraces the vivid yellow Judy (repeatedly) and coils into a tumshie seat at her feet.

The swift kicks up a breeze when used which sends the paper garlands dancing.

This year, Lamby wears Red Velvet Platformed Stevie Boots, an Art Yarn Necklace and Blue Feathered False Eyelashes.

Window Dressing with Pride

Pride Week is coming to Halifax and it's Pride Parade is coming to Barrington Street. This is always a treat and shops along the route try to join in.
I see it as an excuse to gussy up the window.
Lamby sees it as a chance to dive into my shoe closet.
Here's what happened last year.




I posted this late. oops.

Spring Window

An organic tipi structure of flowers, foliage and wrapped yarn twigs, supported by metal stands, a vintage 1930s dress form base and the former holder of the World's Longest Scarf Guinness Record.

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #10

Elvis Presley, "Blue Hawaii"

Twilleys of Stamford's Freedom Spirit in "Air"

Connexion: Blue Skies

Visual Soundtrack at The Loop #9

Linda Ronstadt, "Silk Purse"

Classic Elite, 'Silky Alpaca Lace'

Connexion: Silk + Beast