We have received over 3 dozen helmet liners since we sent out our appeal in the February newsletter! THANK YOU so much for your donations! We had a retired Marine try on a liner. He said it was just right. He thanked all of us for our efforts. We will continue to knit (or crochet) these liners as long as our armed service people need them.

I took two days off, in February, in order to fly to New York City with 6 wonderful friends to see our protégé, Courtney Reed, perform in MaMa Mia. We are so proud of her success and the way she handles it! While I was there, I also visited The Museum of Arts and Design to see “Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting,” the knitting/yarn exhibit that runs through June 17. You can see most of the exhibit at www.madmuseum.org. Be sure to click on all of the links, even the teachers’ packet, to see more. Althea Nerback’s knitted miniatures are fascinating. The exhibit included few ideas for the projects that you and I enjoy knitting, but there were many creative, imaginative uses of fiber. What did I enjoy the most? In the museum’s lounge, volunteers were teaching knitting to children and adults.

The trip’s greatest knitting inspiration was, my friend, Sandi’s shawl. Sandi has 7 sisters-in-law! For her birthday, each sister-in-law bought a skein of yarn that made them think of Sandi. One of the sisters knitted a triangle shawl, with lots of fringe, changing yarns randomly. Sandi wore it everywhere, both over her coat and over dresses and shirts. I could hardly wait to get back to West Dundee to start my own! The piece has so much potential, both as a gift and possibly as a prayer shawl.

In addition to the shawl, I am knitting lots of summer tops and the wonderful Ty Dy shrug you’ve seen advertised in many of the knitting magazines. Ty Dy is definitely the most exciting new yarn for spring and summer this year.

Nicole has finished a Ty Dy baby blanket, and she is currently knitting a beautiful cabled sweater with another wonderful new yarn – Rowan’s Silk-Wool DK. Kathleen is currently playing with peridot colored Breeze that will become a summer top. Marie is playing with a variety of Tunisian crochet stitches and Ty Dy to make purses. We are excited about a summer full of knitting! We hope you will join us to knit on the couches at the shop.

To knit or crochet helmet liners for our troops.
A great Memorial Day or Independence Day project!

On all wool yarns!
June 19 – 24

June 17 – Father’s Day – Store Closed
July 4 – Independence Day – Store Closed

Drop in with your knitting or crocheting.
You can bring a dish to pass or a story to share.
We start at 5:30 and stitch until we drop!

All Fairies 25% off – the entire month of June

August 28, 1943 – February 1, 2007
Beloved friend of Mollie,
Inspirational crochet teacher,
Enthusiastic supporter of The Gifted Purl,
You will be missed.

Take Three Classes & The Fourth Class is Half Priced

Did you pay for classes that you were too busy to finish!?!
Call us and schedule a make-up class/classes.

Receive a $25.00 gift certificate with $250.00 in eligible purchases