Meet the Staff: Anne

Anne is not just an avid knitter she is our very own in house designer and color coordinator! How did she end up at String of Purls? It found her! She used to knit with Robin and Susie at her home and the idea of String of Purls was born. She joined the team a year later.

She first tried to learn knitting as a child from her grandmother, but really took to it in 1981 while working a high stress advertising job. She was looking for a way to relax. Her favorite aspect of knitting is creating. Her husband, Bob, always asks her, "Is that the pattern you are NOT follow?" I think that pretty much sums it up! She loves to put her own spin on things or just create something new that comes to mind.

Anne says if she absolutely has to name a favorite yarn, it would be alpaca. She loves the way it drapes and is as soft as cashmere. Her favorite pattern is her own Alpaca Vest. She enjoyed designing it and it is knit in one piece. She hopes to make a summer lacy version of this vest. The best project she ever completed was the bed jacket from "Romantic Knits" because of it's beautiful shaping and eyelet lace edging.

Aside from knitting and designing, Anne loves to scuba dive. For those of you on Ravelry, she's the one knitting underwater in her profile! As for the guilt level of her yarn stash...prepare yourself. "0 guilt!...the more the better!"

Knitting Helps Memory

According to a recent article from BBCAmerica, "Engaging in a hobby like, reading a book, making a patchwork quilt or even playing computer games can delay the onset of dementia." In contrast, watching too much TV can actually speed up memory loss. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic asked volunteers about their daily activities within the past year and also asked how mentally active they had been between the ages of 50 to 65. "Those who had during the middle age been busy reading, playing games or engaging in craft hobbies like patch working or knitting were found to have a 40% reduced risk of memory impairment." These same activities were found to reduce the risk between 30-50% in later life.

Here's to smart knitting!

New Cascade Has Arrived!

A huge cascade shipment arrived at the store today…about 6 boxes each the size of small refrigerators! After Sally and Robyn were done diving in, they got to sorting and pricing it all. Stop by and have a look at the fabulous fall colors!

There are also 2 AB FAB kits in Denim left in the store. These kits are no longer distributed in the United States. If you’ve been considering one of these “Absolutely Fabulous” throws, now is the time to get them before you can’t any more!

Meet the Staff: Robyn

String of Purls opened its doors on November 1st 2003. Robyn was one of the original proprietors. When asked "How did you find String of Purls?" She replied, "It found me." Robyn has always lived in Omaha and is a loyal member of the community. She would like to see more people knitting everywhere -- at restaurants, movies, sporting events, parks, etc. She enjoys gardening, reading, and travel.

Robyn learned to knit in junior high school from her babysitter. She finds knitting can be relaxing and challenging, and she always has a "social" knitting project going as well as a more complicated project. She enjoys stitch challenges to color work. As for favorite yarns, that can change daily. At the time of this "interview" she was addicted to Kidsilk Haze (lovingly referred to at the store as "Cracksilk Haze"). The best project she ever completed was an entrelac skirt that started out as a top!

When asked the "Guilt-Level of Her Stash Size," Robyn answered, "7!" However, she will be an "empty nester" this fall, so will have a lot more time for knitting!

Meet the Staff: Elizabeth

I suppose it's only fair that I post about myself as I am part of the staff and I've twisted everyone else's arms for pictures and personal info!

I started knitting when I moved to Omaha just over three years ago. I found String of Purls after learning how to knit from Lorna Weirda (now, friend and knitter who attends Sit N'Knits at String of Purls). She was offering me suggestions of places to connect with people since I was new to the area. I've been working for the shop as the "internet girl" for about six months now, updating the website, sending out the monthly e-letter, and generally keeping technological panic to a minimum! I'm also the group moderator for Ravelry String of Purls group (xopheliax) and I keep our Facebook profile updated. I have to say I LOVE my job! It relates to everything I enjoy: computers, knitting, photography, journalling, organizing, etc...

Currently, I'm in love with Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (aran) and Manos Cotton Stria yarns, although I'm sure that will change at any point without warning. I enjoy knitting challenging patterns (like cables or unique designs), but I always have a "mindless" pattern on hand for when I'm too tired to think. I'm knitting a baby blanket for our first little one due in January and a luxurious Alpaca silk cardigan for myself for the cooler weather. Really...that yarn is such a dream...I want to swim in it.

Anyway, the "Guilt-Level of Stash Size" would have to be at least a 5...but I figure I get lots of points taken off for having every scrap of yarn assigned to a potential project!! Right?