The snowheaps are melting, the bare land is cropping up with new growth, the fishermen are swarming and getting their boats geared up for the
first opening on the flats of the
Copper River Delta, and a sure sign that spring has arrived and summer is right
around the corner is the annual migration and arrival of thousands, literally
thousands of shorebirds into the area.
There is a buzz in the air and soon, before we know it, summer will be
in full swing, town swollen with cannery workers, fishing boat crewpersons, and
visitors from afar. The mountains
of snow will be a memory and in their place will be wildflowers and berry
bushes full of ripe and delicious berries. It is a comfort knowing that even our own winters are a time
that will surely pass and will
eventually transform into a season bursting forth with growth and abundant
life.
In Cordova, we have an annual Shorebird Festival to observe
the arrival of the massive numbers of birds that pass through our region. We celebrated here at the shop by
making bird garlands and by presenting three new shop colorways.
We hope you will enjoy the newest members of our collection
of nature and art inspired custom Net Loft yarns. First off, to celebrate the magnificent flocks of sandpipers that meet up at Hartney Bay,
is a yarn we call Hartney Bay Sandpiper, dyed by Sharon McMahon of Three Irish
Girls.
Golden Yellow/Orange
and brown are the feathers , white for their chests and dots of color
represent their dotted chests, all against a lovely soft blue sky. These are the colors of Hartney
Bay Sandpiper, and are inspired by the rt of Erin Cooper and the photography
of local photographer Milo Burcham, as well as the photos of Jon Cornforth and
Arthur Morris. Colleen has knit a
lovely sock in the “Mountain Colors Fascine Braid Sock” pattern by Mountain Colors, to show how the
color knits up.
It is very fun, (can you see the little specks?) and I just keep imagining a little boy or girl sweater in this colorway, to be worn with brown little sweatpants or leggings underneath. A sweet colorway on a multitude of Three Irish Girls Base Yarns, as well as fiber. There is a limited number on each base. Call or email for details or requests. (thenetloft at gmail.com)
It is very fun, (can you see the little specks?) and I just keep imagining a little boy or girl sweater in this colorway, to be worn with brown little sweatpants or leggings underneath. A sweet colorway on a multitude of Three Irish Girls Base Yarns, as well as fiber. There is a limited number on each base. Call or email for details or requests. (thenetloft at gmail.com)
Our second new colorway is a lovely teal blue green with a little brown
variegated called “Three Mile Bay after a painting by local artist, Susan Ogle
called “Three Mile Bay”.
Oh my
goodness, this is a beautiful color if you like natural northwest scenery. Sharon did a fantastic job
incorporating the colors of the painting into this yarn, which really
reflect the beautiful colors of
Cordova surroundings.
The scene in the painting is at Three Mile Bay and the view of Orca Inlet and Hawkins Island. The yarn and the painting
together captures this time where new growth has just begun, but in the midst
of still patches of snow.
It is a
tone darker and more developed than “Almost Spring” and reflects the movement of
color into more saturated tones as the snow melts and the colors of the
oncoming season continue to emerge, with a background of spruce forests. It is showing clear signs of the inevitable melting...that white layer is making way for those lovely shades of oncoming variating blues... Susan's painting is so lovely and the colors of this yarn resonate with Sharon's own artistic interpretation.
Can you tell how much I love
this colorway? It is a softish medium tone, subtle and very natural, and perfect for both men,
women and children. Colleen knit this Chic Knits cupcake hat in “Three Mile Bay” Elenya Alpaca,
modeled here by Malia. This is a simple pattern which has a nice fit, and the soft
watercolor effect of the yarn makes for a very wearable hat.
Our third color is from Shelly at Snow Capped and is modeled
after an Erin Cooper art piece
entitled “Dowitcher”.
This yarn is
a shaded tonal rose brown and one staff member is planning on mixing this with the
‘Three Mile Beach” for a colorwork pattern as they go so nicely together. What is wonderful is that we are featuring this yarn in very
very fine camel lace (1750 yards/100 g) as well as on both Aran and DK
Cashmere.
This is a limited edition yarn and available in short supply on eight different bases, some only having
two skeins each. I would like to
work with the Cashmere Aran and make something cozy and yummy to wrap around my
neck. Shelly captured the colors
in Erin’s artwork perfectly and I love the neutral yet rich color tones in her newest Snow Capped colorway.
And then, there are the new necklaces…
The artwork is from the art and photography of the same
artists who inspired the yars, Erin Cooper, Milo Burcham, Jon Cornforth, and
Arthur Morris. On the back side
are a variety of maps cut outs of Cordova, Hartney Bay and the Copper River
Delta. They are $22 each and come
with a chain but can also be worn with a long velvet or satin ribbon.
Today I say, enjoy watching the birds, and remember who takes care of them and shows them where to go, and take it to heart and follow their lead...not to worry, listen for that inward direction and just head thataway.
Welcome Shorebirds!....Happy May everyone...Hope you like the new yarns...Come take a peek...
with love,
Net Loft Dotty
Artwork and Photography Credits and Thanks to :
Milo Burcham, Erin Cooper, Jon Cornforth, Arthur Morris, and Susan Ogle
ps...Thanks to daughter Nelly for helping with display and hanging branches with flowers for me...
Artwork and Photography Credits and Thanks to :
Milo Burcham, Erin Cooper, Jon Cornforth, Arthur Morris, and Susan Ogle
ps...Thanks to daughter Nelly for helping with display and hanging branches with flowers for me...
