Gettin' Woolly!

A Bowl of Pure Winnie

This morning, while minding the bookstore, I've been busy picking fleece.  Village Books not only has an amazing selection of used books on every imaginable subject; I also have this fiber thing going on in the store.  The above snow white bowlful is pure cashmere, hand combed & hand picked (dirt removed) by yours truly.  It's ready to be carded & spun.  I'll keep you posted...

Starting August 1st, I'll also be carrying some Finn roving.  The sheep were raised in Maine, the wool was processed at New Aim in Waldoboro and then it was all hand-dyed here in Washington by Toni Weiner.

It will sell for $2.00 an ounce, undyed and $3.00 an ounce dyed.I'm knitting up a sample even as we speak.

Meanwhile, on the table we are displaying a lot of goodies: Romney ready to spin; audio books from Knitting Out Loud; a handknit sweater by Eileen McCormack alongside some of her gorgeous Prairie Wind handspun.  I threw two Mary Thomas pattern books on there too (classics!).  In the back you can see a handmade quilt by my big sister Kathlene O'Roark, as well as some Fiber Side handspun (in the bowl) and some lovely yarns spun by Toni (in the basket).

I'm really excited about knitting & spinning & plan to carry as much Maine-produced roving as I can get my lanolin-covered hands on!  The stuff above is plied Romney & Merino.

New books on the shelves include The Green Mountain Spinnery books, Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience: the Knit Stitch; Folk Socks by Nancy Bush; several Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's and other treasures.  Plus classics in weaving, spinning, crochet, design & more.

The Fiber Side's next public appearance will be at Fiber College in Searsport in early September.  Otherwise catch me at Village Books, 18 Waldoboro Rd, Washington, Maine (207)845-2133.  Fri., Sat. & Sun. are safest, 10 am - 5 pm (sometimes I have actual paying work during the week) or you can call ahead!

Look forward to your visit!

The gardens at Village Books

Fiber Side at Fiber College

The Fiber Side of Village Books will make it's next public appearance at Fiber College in Searsport, Maine, Sept 9, 10 & 11th.  As is often the case we'll be side by side with our BFF Knitting Out Loud.  Stop by to browse & chat! Lots of "new" used books on weaving, knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, designing, animal husbandry...

OR stop by our store Fri Sat & Sun 10-5pm.  Winnie & Lucy will be glad to see you!

Goats in the house!

New Books at The Fiber Side!

Hello all -

Just got back from Fiber Frolic in Maine, where, despite the rain, Kathy and I had a lot of fun.  We met all kinds of interesting people.  Gorgeous handknits and handwovens were strutting around (a little damp) and spirits were high.  Came home with a skein of  creamy Finn yarn, craving a Finn kid.

During the slow periods, I worked on the Shetland Shawl.  Only 8" of garter to stitch to go!  Meanwhile, these have come in:

 Alice Starmore: Fishermen's Sweaters; 1993, hardcover with jacket, very good condition, $12

Alice the Queen of Fair Isle!  This isn't one of the truly rare books, but a hardcover copy in this condition is getting harder to purchase all the time.  Beautiful patterns by Starmore, who created designs for many different regions, including Ireland, The New World and her own hometown in the Hebrides.

Debbie Bliss: Knitting Workbook; 2001; hardcover; like new; $15 

Everything you need to know about knitting, laid out in a clear, beautiful format.  Instructions and diagrams are helpful rather than befuddling. Plus the usual gorgeous but simple patterns we all love.

Elsebeth Lavold: Designer's Choice: Second Viking Knits Collection; 2006    SOLD .   One of my favorite designers, because she speaks to my Celtic soul. Magical & wearable patterns for intermediate-advanced knitters.  Beautiful photography throughout.

 Elizabeth Zimmerman: Knitting Without Tears; reissue, softcover; like new $12

 La Zimmerman!  A reissue of one of her highly sought-after books.  Appears unread.  A classic that should be in every knitters' collection.

ABC Book of Crocheted Edges & Corners No. 1; undated, vintage; pamphlet; good; $8

I just love vintage patters, don't you?  And these are elegant indeed.

Elizabeth W. Barber: The Mummies of Urumchi; 1999, hardcover with jacket; very good; $20

A non-fiction mystery  for those of us who love mummies and the things that are buried with them - especially the yarn-y or fabric-y things. Illustrations in colour and black & white.

When you order books from the Fiber Side Blog, shipping within the US by media mail is free.  We accept Paypal.  FMI: info@villagebooksmaine.com

Getting ready for selling season!

Stop by our shop for the best pricing in used, fiber arts books.

Or watch for us at festivals! Next up: Connecticut Sheep & Wool, April 24.