Thank you for being String Theory's biggest fan! On the first day of the month we will send you an email with the Fan Club activities and discounts for that month. If you lose the email - happens to me all the time - you can check back here for the details.Monthly Zoom Gatherings:Every month we will gather on Zoom. If you miss the "live" Zoom or simply want to watch it again, check out this page for the links to the recordings. You will have access to all recordings until November 30, 2024.Lots of conversations take place in our Facebook Group. If you haven't already, just click to join and I'll let you in on the fun. October 2024Favorite Cast On Tips with JanetOctober 30 at 7pm I can show you how to cast on hundreds of stitches quickly. How to make sure the cast on is flexible, not tight. How to cast onto double points without twisting the stitches ... but I'd love to hear from you. Hit the reply button and tell me what questions you have about casting on. What problems have you run into? What should I make sure to cover? Join Us on Zoom:Chat with Janet Avila about Casting OnWednesday, October 30 at 7pm Central Time Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83432223863 Fan Club Discount for October Available until October 31With all this new information about casting on, you are going to want to start a new project. So the discount this month is BOGO 50% off on any yarn. Use the coupon code CASTONFANS. It only works on one order (it can be multiple skeins within one order) so plan accordingly. September 2024Chat with knitwear designer Melanie BergMelanie shared her insights on shawl knitting including favorite techniques, caring for your shawls, styling and wearing them with flair. She also talked about different shawl shapes, discussing their various advantages and disadvantages. Beth hosted a Melanie Berg pattern knitalong. Fan Club Discount for September 20% off any Melanie Berg patterns in her Ravelry store. August 2024The Story Behind Mitchell Wool Co.Janet will be talking with Sherry from her farm in Michigan. She will be telling us all about how Mitchell Wool came to be and giving us a tour of the dye studio. We just received three weights in two different bases. One is as soft as cotton (it is wool). The other is as soft as Cashmere (it is also wool)Fan Club Discount for AugustPlease use coupon code FARMYARNFANS to receive 15% off our new Mitchell Wool.*****July 2024We had a Yarn Crawl Sneak Peek the night before the Chicago Yarn Crawl started with a store tour and all the Yarn Crawl specials. Fan Club members got first dibs. We didn't record since the content wasn't applicable later.Fan Club Discount for JulyPlease use coupon code OHSNAPFANS to receive 15% off our custom Oh Snap bags.***** June 2024Ergonomics for Makers with Andrea LuiWatch the replay here. Optimal posture, simple stretches and exercises to keep the muscles and joints in your upper body healthy and happy. Fan Club Discount for JunePlease use coupon code NEEDLEFANS to receive 15% off of any of your needle purchases this month. Maybe it is time to invest in an interchangeable set. Or you've been wanting to try Flexiflips for socks. Or let's just get an extra set of size 8 24" circulars, because the ones you have are always in another project. *****May 2024 Chat with Nikki and Jay, owners of Laneras YarnWatch the replay hereWe go behind the scenes, to learn about how Laneras is made in a carbon negative mill. And we hear how they come up with the names. Fan Club Discount for MayWe are celebrating our 20th Anniversary! Use your coupon code 20YFANS to receive 20% off of one purchase this month. You can only use this coupon once, so be sure to fill your cart with everything your heart desires. Your coupon code expires on May 31. *****April 2024 Chat with Laura Bellows, owner of Jul Designs - click here to see the replay. Laura showed us how to use her removable buttons and shawl pins to style our knitwear. Her designs are beautiful, but what I especially love is that they are designed to be styling solutions. She encourages us to think about how we want to wear something and then shows us how to get the effect we want by strategically placing the closures. Fan Club Discount for April We want you to have first dibs on the Jul closures, so they won't be available until after the Zoom gathering (April 18). At that point, you can use the coupon code: JULFANS at checkout to get 15% off your purchase of all Jul Designs. ***** March 2024 Chat with Peggy Orenstein - click here to watch the replay Peggy is the author of Unraveling - the audiobook is great if you like to knit and listen. I have all sorts of questions for Peggy, but I'm happy to add yours to the list. Just respond to this email and let me know what you want to know. Fan Club Discount for March When I was planning the discount for March, I tried to think of the sheepiest yarn that we have in stock to go with the theme of Unraveling. I decided that Mota and Manchelopis from Wooldreamers fit that bill. Mota is resilient and has great stitch definition. Manchelopis is cushy unspun wool that has elasticity once it is knit up.Both these yarns are made from wool from the sheep that also give us manchego cheese. Because they are considered dairy animals, their wool was being discarded. Ramón and his brother-in-law Oscar created Wooldreamers with a dream to change that. Wooldreamers prioritizes sourcing natural fibers cultivated with compassion for the animals and land, building relationships with ranchers, and sharing their vision for the future of heritage wools in Spain. They keep their production chain short since all of the Wooldreamers’ yarns are produced with traceable wools in their own Okeo-tex certified mill. Use the coupon code: MANCHEGOFANS at checkout to get 15% off your purchase of Mota and Manchelopis. Check the product descriptions of each for pattern suggestions. ***** February 2024 Fan Club Members got first dibs on Janet's Colombian Coffee. There might still be some left. If you'd like a second bag, check here.We will be sending you a small token of our appreciation on February 16. Get ready for a Good Mail Day!To see how the yarn in your box was created take a look here.Pattern suggestions for the yarn:Voca Leaves Cowl - 1 skeinTalsarnau Cowl - 1 skeinSimple Yet Effective Cowl - 1 skeinThe Bessie Scarf - 1 skeinMay I Borrow This Please? shawl- 1 skeinBeloved Baby Bonnet - 1 skein makes several7 More Little Washcloths - 1 skein makes severalSakura Market bag - 1 skein crochetFika Cowl - 1 skein crochetShelby Washcloth - 1 skein makes several crochet Zoom Gathering: Join Us on Zoom: Tuesday, February 20 at 7pm Central Time Coffee Tour with Janet Avila The first time I visited our coffee farm in Colombia, I was overwhelmed with how much goes into providing me with a daily cup of coffee. I'd seen pictures of Juan Valdez in the coffee fields with a mule, but I thought that was just marketing. It was not. I thought you might be curious so I put together some pictures and videos from our farm so that you can better appreciate every sip you take. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as well. Here is the Zoom link. Recordings will be sent out after the call for those who aren't able to attend live. ***** January 2024 Members only discount: 15% off all yarns with Cashmere with the coupon code GOODSTUFF. Every January, I add a little cashmere to my life. It is my reward for living somewhere that has winter. I thought you might want to join in on this tradition. Our cashmere yarns include Lamb&Goat, Cosette, Smooshy Cashmere. The discount covers mohair as well, just in case you want to knit this along with me.Zoom Gathering:Our Best Blocking Tips with Liz Daly on Monday, January 15 at 7pm Central TimeBlocking is a funny thing. It makes a lot of people nervous. Liz LOVES to block! So she is going to share all her tips and her favorite tools to make it all easier and more effective. Bring your questions or respond to this email with them! Watch the recording here. ***** December 2023 Members only discount: 15% off all Ori bags. Ori bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and look brand new after more than a year of use. They are designed to be comfortable to wear and practical to use. For example, they have the perfect number and size pockets.Zoom Gathering: We met with Diana Wiley, founder of Handspun Hope. This organization provides meaningful employment to women in the margins in Rwanda. The women hand spin and naturally dye fibers to create beautiful yarns and felted sculptures. During our time together, we learned more about the organization and how their newest yarn, the Borocera Silk, is made. Fascinating! Watch it here.
