Hello!

With the first signs of Spring it is a relief to know Winter is almost over. With Spring comes the first show of the year. Marie and I are going to Thunder Bay for the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Seminar “ Natural Fibers @ Superior”, May 2nd to 4th.

Due to the travel time required we will close April 29th and reopen May 7th. This will be an exciting event for us as we are launching a new Tencel yarn.

“What’s New” this month is extra long. Most exciting is the launch of our new 2/8 Tencel line with 20 dyed colors plus undyed all at lower prices to make Tencel even more affordable. We have also sourced a heavier 4 ply Tencel in a unique cable twist.

For Rayon lovers we have in stock a 4 ply, 1200 yd/lb Rayon that has great hand and is an ideal size for many projects.

All are in stock and ready to ship

Don and Marie

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From the Distillery

The move to Marie and Josette’s new studio in the Distillery District is just about finished. Completion of the painting and lighting allowed move-in set-up of all the equipment. Marie has been weaving on the 36” Harrisville since mid April. The 12 harness 45” Leclerc compu dobby, now at the home studio, will be moved in soon.

Marie and Josette have planned the Grand Opening of their new studio for the same weekend that Artscape has scheduled an Open House Celebration for the Case Goods Building, Thursday, May 8th, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

The entire Distillery District property, encompassing over 40 buildings, has been developed by Cityscape. They have planned a Grand Opening weekend May 24 th and 25 th for the entire complex. Focal point of their celebrations will be the Fringe Jazz Festival. The District is also on the tour of “ Doors Open -Toronto”, a tour focusing on the architectural heritage of the city.

Special events and happenings are planned for every weekend throughout the summer and fall. The Distillery District is going to become a “must visit” spot for anyone living in or visiting the Toronto area. Lots more info is available at:
www.thedistillerydistrict.com

Be sure to drop in and say hello. Marie Payne Dyer/Weaver and Josette Luyckx Artwear Designer, Studio 105, Case Goods Building, 55 Mill Street, Toronto. Wednesday—Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

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What's New & Coming!

New 2/8 Tencel - 20 colors
We now have in stock a new line of Tencel in the very popular 2/8 size at 3,360 yds/lb. There are 20 colors on hand and we expect another ten later in the spring. All the colors are rich and intense as Tencel takes the dye so well. Available on 1 lb. cones or 1/2 lb. tubes. All the colors are shown on the web site yarnsplus.com, the two shade cards are available @ $1.50 each.
Here’s the best news, the price, 1/2 lb. $19.50, 1 lb. $35.00

New 2/8 Tencel Undyed
Also in stock is 2/8 Tencel Undyed at 3,360 yd/lb.. With the increased popularity of Tencel, for this new size, we went direct to the mill. It is A100 Tencel twisted to our spec and done up on 500 gram cones. Tencel is a hand dyers dream, it takes Procion MX dyes extremely well to produce strong vibrant colors with great depth.

This direct buy enables us to bring you undyed Tencel for only $20.00 per cone.

2/16—4 ply Tencel in Cable Twist
Marie and I are constantly asked, “Can you come up with a heavier Tencel.” Well at long last, here it is as a Yarns Plus exclusive. One of our sources who does custom twisting has taken 2/16 Tencel and 4 plied it in a cable twist to produce an amazing yarn of 1,680 yd/lb. We bought the entire run. Marie has test dyed it, painted a scarf warp and is now weaving it up. This is a great yarn but the quantity is limited , with no guarantee of a repeat. We will send a reeling on request. It is available on four pound mill cones or one lb. tubes priced to sell!
1 lb tube only $20.00, take it on a Mill cone of 4 lb. — only $18.50 per lb.

4 ply Rayon — 1200 yd/lb. Limited Quantity

Since we discontinued Rayon Lustre we have been searching for a replacement. We now have a small quantity (106 pounds) of a very nice 4 ply Rayon with a similar twist to Rayon Lustre but without the light thick and thin look. It is done up on large mill cones of around four pounds. We will also be offering it on 1 lb. tubes. We’ll be glad to send a reeling, just call or email.
1 lb tube only $12.00, take it on a Mill cone of approximately 4 lb. — only $10.50 per lb.

Can I Mix 2/8 and 2/10 Tencel?

Yes you can. Marie anticipated when we decided to add the 2/8 Tencel the first question would be “Can I mix the two sizes”. As all our Tencel scarf warps are made from 2/10 and some of the 2/8 colors are perfect for weft we had to know the answer.

Lee-Ann wove up a 2/10 scarf with two different shades of blue from the new 2/8 Tencel line. Marie finished the scarves and was very pleased with the results.

As a result we plan to carry Tencel in both 2/8 and 2/10 for the foreseeable future.

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Beginner’s Tip

Marie is a member of a number of web lists on weaving, spinning and dyeing. Quite often tips to solve common problems are given, which make you ask , why didn’t I think of that. Here is a tip off the WeaveTech list from Erica de Ruiter in the Netherlands .

Adding a heddle in the middle of a warp.
To add a heddle in the middle of a warped loom take two regular heddles and connect them with a piece of yarn at the bottom Then guide them under the bottom bar of the shaft, one heddle in front and one behind the bar. Then at the top bar tie them together one in front the other at the back. The warp thread is then threaded through both heddle eyes to keep both heddle eyes in place. Thanks, Erica. Marie has solved this problem using a single heddle tied on the same way.

Warp Making Hints from Weaver’s Wisdom
The Weaver’s Guild of Boston

For speed in winding a single color warp, wind two or more strands at the same time from as many cones of yarn. The warp will be wound twice as fast, and should dyelots vary, the color change will not show up in the warp.

If warping with a number of cones, run the threads through a ring or cardboard tube hung from the ceiling so that the yarn comes off the top of the cones. The tube need be only high enough to allow the threads to come off vertically and not at an angle.

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Here are the shows we are planning to attend in 2003!

• May 2-4 - OHS Conference 2003
  Natural Fibers @ Superior
  Thunder Bay, ON
• September 30 - Five Counties Seminar
  The Silk Road,
  Guelph, ON
• October 18 - OHS Central Region Seminar
  Barrie, ON

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Yarns Plus News

We send Yarns Plus by email and regular post. For the email version we send a note advising the Newsletter is posted to the web site. If you would prefer to receive notice Yarns Plus News has been posted to the site instead of by regular post let us know.

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May/June Specials

Mill Dyed Rayon Chenille Special—up to 37.5% off all colors 1300 and 1450 yds/lb

If you love to work with Chenille now is the time to buy for your fall weaving and knitting projects. Every color of mill dyed Rayon Chenille in stock including black is on sale at the best sale prices we have ever offered. If you buy six pounds or more the price gets even lower. Conveniently done up on one pound tubes we have over forty colors in stock. Reg. $32.00 per lb. During May and June you pay :

$24.00 per lb. or $20.00 per lb. when you buy six pounds or more.

Super Special Clearance!

Undyed Rayon Chenille 550 yd/lb— Half Price or Better!
We recently moved back all the yarn we had stored at an offsite warehouse. When we put all the 550 yd/lb Rayon Chenille in one place it was immediately apparent we were overstocked. It has to go! If you can use a big quantity of this yarn now is the time to call and make an offer before we get over the shock of how much is here. It came on 2 lb.+ dye cones, take it as it came and the price gets better. This is a super chunky Rayon Chenille that dyes up beautifully. It was produced by the US plant of Italy’s leading manufacturer of chenille.

1 lb. Tube priced to clear at $16.00, on 2 lb. + dye tubes $14.00 per lb. 10 lbs or more $12.00 per lb.

Reminder We’re Travelling!

We’ll be going to the OHS Seminar in Thunder Bay so will be away for a week. We close Tuesday April 29th and reopen Wednesday May 7th.

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Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

As mail order specialists we fully understand the apprehension to purchase yarn sight unseen. If you are planning a project and feel our yarn may be suitable we’ll be glad to send a reeling of any yarns you may want to order so you can be sure they are right for you. Just call toll free 1 877 448 4544 !

If you buy yarn from us and discover it is not exactly what you wanted for your project we’ll take it back. We want you to be happy with your Yarns Plus purchase. To make it absolutely risk free we are happy to exchange an item or give a refund. We'll even pay the return postage. Just call!

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A Little Pearl…..

“ Art is spirit, and only the quality of spirit gives the arts an important place in ...life”

Josef Albers

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