Fur Yarn by
Paula Lishman
Newsletter
third Edition
Fall 2006
In this issue:

Message from Paula

Fur Yarn Retail Launch

Techniques, by Janet Sheehey

Contest Winner

SubscriberPattern:
Aspen Style hat

Bargain Corner

Fur Yarn News

Message from Paula

On September 29th I am launching the "From the Maritimes to the Mountains" Collection of unique knit fur and leather pieces, at the William Stephen Gallery, 439 Danforth Avenue, Toronto Ontario. This collection is inspired by Canadian Landscapes and deserves more than the quick look afforded by a runway show. If you are in the Toronto area, please stop by for a look (and a feel) at how fur yarn can be used to make amazing things.

Happy Autumn -Paula

Fur Yarn: The Launch

We are working hard at getting fur yarn into the hands of the crafters. It is so tactile and nice to work with, anyone who has yet to experience it should head straight to their local yarn shop and ask for a sample. Our retail launch is going very well and we are building a customer base across Canada and the US. To find your closest Fur Yarn Retailer or Associate, check out our new on-line directory. If you know of a store that would be a natural fit for fur yarn, please email questions@furyarn.com with their contact information, or just march on in and tell them to visit furyarn.com and click on "become a retailer"

Techniques by Janet

I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to send me your emails with questions pertaining to working with this unique product.  With our retail launch successfully taking off you will start to see our product in your favorite yarn shop.

 Here are a few of the questions I have had for this current issue. 

Cheryl in Montana asks:   What special care and treatment do you need for the fur yarn.

 When knitting with our yarns it is like anything else you would use however, we stress that once the garment is finished, it should be washed and blocked to size.  The washing will eliminate some of the loose fibers which have been cut in the process of making our yarn and most hand-made garments should be blocked to size.

I know a lot of knitters don’t like to block their pieces when they are done knitting but this is such an important step in making a really fine garment.

Washing our yarn should be done either by hand or machine wash on delicate in tepid water.  Do not use any harsh detergents or soaps.  Add a couple of teaspoons of vinegar to the water.  Lay flat, out of direct sunlight, until almost air dry.  Place in air-only dryer for the remainder of drying to fluff the fur.

Our fur yarn does not need cold storage as the pelts have been tanned in a special way that makes them washable and durable.

 From Pennsylvania Frances asks:  What is the best needle size?

 Our yarns can be made on a variety of needle sizes.  This all depends on what technique is being used to knit and what the over all effect should look like.  I use anywhere from a 4.5mm (7 US) to a 6mm (10 US) when I am using another yarn with the fur.  I have made a few scarves which I wanted a loose effect so I went as large as a 10mm (15 US) and used only the fur yarn.

 Dede from Massachusetts asks:  Is the fur yarn safe for children?

 Yes our fur yarn is very safe for children.  You only have to see their faces when a blanket made with fur yarn is wrapped around them.  A very small percentage of people can react to the dyes which are used to make our variety of colored yarn. Our dyes are essentially the same as you would use to color your own hair. 

 Christine from New Mexico asks:  How durable is your fur yarn?

 Our fur yarn is so very durable that we had coats made over 25yrs ago enter our fashion show runway which depicted “Now and Then” theme.  It was a lot of fun to see how our styles have changed but one thing that remained the same was our high quality fur yarn.  Those coats that were 25yrs old looked like new.

This is one reasons fur yarn is a great buy for knitters.  Even when styles change you can rip out an older garment and reuse the fur yarn.  Not too many other yarns are that durable.

 
For more answers please visit the FAQ section of furyarn.com.

Contest Winner!

Newsletter Subscriber Free Pattern

As a subscriber you are entitled to a new pattern each issue, for the Autumn 06 newsletter we have a great fall project.
This Aspen style hat with ties is an easy knit, and makes a great gift for anyone on your list. The ear flaps make this a wonderfully cozy hat that will be appreciated on cold autumn nights. Right click and select save as to save the pattern to your computer in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF formats.

Bargain Corner

Note: these discounted colors are available in limited quantities on a first come first serve basis. Discounts expire January 1st, 2007. 

Fur Yarn News

Interested in what can be done with fur yarn? Go to www.paulalishman.com and view our 2006/7 collections (including mens and childrens lines), as well, you can view runway shows from the 2005 and 2006 Montreal fur fairs, or visit the Maritimes to Mountains art show, September 29th to October 15th at the William Stephen Gallery, 439 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON.

Fur Yarn by Paula Lishman will once again have a booth at the  Toronto Creative Sewing and Needleworks Festival, Oct 19th - 22nd, Metro Toronto Convention Center. Please drop by for some great savings on various fur yarns, kits and trimmings. This year we will be having a fashion show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 2:00pm. Come by and meet Paula Lishman

Fur Yarn's retail launch is underway! If there is a store you think should carry fur yarn, please have them contact us or goto www.furyarn.com and click on the 'Become a Retailer' link to fill out a request form.

Our catalog is available as a download through www.furyarn.com .

Please see the news section of furyarn.com for upcoming fur yarn related events.

Fur and cotton
Tube Shawl ($290 us)

Fox Collar and Cuffs
 ($102 us)

Fur Scrunchies ($45 us)


Open Crochet Tube Shawl($550 US)


Knit and crochet short Shrug ($920 US) 

Beaver with Raccoon trim Poncho ($826 us)