To a Mouse

To a Mouse is a well known poem by Robert Burns. So here is a mouse for this week's Robert Burns theme release. A very proud and manly mouse. Welcome him to the window display!




In other news, there are a couple new workshops on the books. First of all is the Fair Isle Wrist Warmers workshop.

Photo by Vala

There is also the Finishing Workshop, which combines both knitting and crochet together and effectively finish off your garments.

And for all you New Lanark fans out there, GTS is doing a promotion for the month of January. Buy 3 balls of New Lanark and get 1 free (most inexpensive item will be free). Just mention this blog post in order to take advantage of this sweet offer!

Drum roll please. I've finished OWLS by Kate Davies. I fashioned this out of my hand dyed, and as I made it cropped it took just a smidge over 4 skeins. This makes for some super duper cozy owls.  

Changes at GTS

This past week has seen a few changes in GTS Headquarters. I have taken the giant workshop table home as it is just too majestic for this dainty space. Alternatively, I've had my fella install a much smaller table as to allow for maximum space in woolly browsing. Never fear, there is still plenty of room to set your teacups and biscuits!

Speaking of tea and tables, the workshop timetable has also been altered (for the better, I hope). I'm offering a choice of two days per week in which you can take ANY of the workshops on offer. The designated slots are Thursdays at 6pm – 7:30pm and Sundays at 11:30am – 1:00pm. Take your pick, mix and match! It is my goal to make the workshops as flexible as possible, and I think this is a good solution.

Some very exciting additional news: Yarnwise did a lovely spread on Ginger Twist Studio in their latest issue. Thanks again for that, and I'm sad to say that was the very last issue! :(

And here is the decorated orb for the collection of wee Innocent Juice bottle hats. The goal is to fill this lovely dome with mini topper by October for the big GTS send off. In case there are any folk interested in making some wee hat donations, here is a link for the pattern. Feel free to embellish! 

And whomever hands in the most creative and interesting hat shall win a complimentary skein of Ginger's Hand Dyed Wool! So bring in your submissions!

First Workshop

Today saw Ginger Twist Studio's first workshop, featuring the Clementine Fair Isle hat as designed by Vala. Yay! It feels fabulous to have this exciting programme up and running. 

Clementine

For those of you who have not met Vala, she is an essential cog in the workings of Ginger Twist Studio. Within her inner knitty circle, she is better known as the 'Knitting Empress.' I must get this job title added to her next batch of business cards! This Icelandic native has been knitting since childhood and crocheting for about 10 years. Vala came to Edinburgh for Uni and this lovely city sucked her in (as it did me). 
 

Class in Action

She has been teaching knitting and crochet professionally for 5 years now. Vala has taught at K1 Yarns, and was one of the teachers at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival (her class sold out in 15 minutes!!). So never fear ladies and gents, you are in calm and capable hands. Vala is everything is a knitting teacher should be: patient, kind, inspiring and understanding. Featured below is one of her pupils learning Fair Isle earlier this evening.

Knitting British and Continental at once, yikes!

As her 'day job' Vala is half of The Lindström Effect. Please check out her amazing photography! She has also knitted for Edinburgh College of Art, Strumpet and Pink (very fancy nickers) and was featured in a textile exhibition at The Lighthouse in Glasgow. 

Ever modest of her accomplishments, I feel obliged to brag for her. This lady is obsessed with Cafés, and needs to go every day in order to gain inspiration. Lovecrumbs is one of her favourites (mine too!).

The Knitting Empress herself

 So don't be at all intimidated. All of Vala's classes are very easygoing, full of tea and nice chats. Come round to the shop if you fancy booking yourself a space. Later kittens!