April Events

We’re off to a few events this April, but don’t worry our showroom will still be open for our regular opening hours courtesy of the “old ram”, who will be there to assist you and run the showroom while we are gone.

Below is a few of the events we will be attending, we will keep you updated of any new events as the month goes on:

This weekend (Sat 18th April) we will be attending the Balingup Small Farm Field Day to assist the Melanian Sheep breeders society with their stall, promoting coloured sheep and our beautiful natural fibres, we would love to see you there and the field day is always worth a day out.

Then Sat 24th April, we will be in New Norcia at the Bilby Spinners Retreat, spinning up a storm.

Hope to see you all in the showroom or in our travels

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Wool Promotion Week

The Old Ewe is off on an adventurous week travelling the south west of Western Australia to promote our luscious naturally coloured wool……more than 1100 kilometres …visiting Busselton, Manjimup, Walpole, Denmark, Albany, Mt Barker, Porongorups, Kojonup, Arthur River, Williams and then home to Bull Creek.

This means limited shop hours for this week until we open  again on Saturday 28th March ……..the shop at 6 Harrison St will only be open for 2 hours from 3pm to 5pm on Tuesday [24th March], Wednesday [25th] and Thursday  [26th].

Please be patient with the lamb who has kindly ofered to shop-sit for these 2hrs x 3 days. Normal shop hours resume on Saturday 28th. If you require help or need to contact me, please do leave a message on 9331 8818 or send me an email.

Thank you for your patience and we look forward to being of service to you again soon.

The Old Ewe

 

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Needle Felting Workshop

Hello to all our needle felters,

We will be hosting a Needle Felting workshop on Saturday the 6th of December at 1:30pm, with an international tutor and the regular Bilby staff showing you how to create a 3D project, All materials are included (Needles, felting foam, pipe cleaners etc and of course the wool top), the workshop is $120 per person

Please register your interest as soon as possible by either calling our showroom or sending us an email, both which you can find here

The workshop is open to beginners and experts as we will guide you through the whole project (we do ask if you are completely new to the craft and have questions please feel free to ask us or arrive 20 mins prior to the workshop and we assist you with any queries)

Hope to see you all there

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Bilby in Bendigo

Hello Crafty creators,

The Wool lady with Bilby Yarns and the Melanian Society in tow, will be scooting across to the “The Australian Wool and Sheep Show” in Bendigo, held from the 18th-20th of July at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds.

Our stall will be located in building 24 (JPG or PDF), We would love to see you there so come find us and help us enjoy the weekend,

(for those having difficulty finding us we are in building 24 next to a large white marquee)

Don’t worry our showroom in Perth will still be open and is currently full of refurbished wheels if you would like to come and have a look

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November Celebration Specials

November Celebrations

NOVEMBER is a special month for Bilby Yarns……. !!

After a few decades of sewing, spinning, handweaving and woolcrafts in W.A & N.T,
“The Wool Lady”  [or as she posts on here the “old Ewe’]  – in 1989 accepted the responsibility of Yarn room convenor and Yarn Spinner editor at Drabble House for the Handweavers, Spinners & Dyers Guild W.A.  Then a few years later passed the tasks to Lynda Chilvers;  but the country calls kept coming!   The ‘old Ewe’  decided to make her front room weaving studio available to the general public and in November 1993, acquired a patent for ‘Bilby’ relating to wool and tools, and also registered Bilby Yarns –  20 years ago! …. and is still a not-for-profit wool workshop.

The City Wool Depot for the Melanian Sheep Breeders Society of Aust came to Bilby in 1994 and the passion for wool quickly grew.  This led to the manufacture of Dreamee wool tops and the introduction of the ‘Western Dream’ a range of Western Australian naturally coloured wool yarns.
20 wonderful years of promoting WA wool, nearly 40 years of wool craft and to celebrate, we are having a special month this November with weekly mini workshops and bargains in store, ie magazines, white merino wool tops and 10% off all handspun/handknitted garments …and a few more daily ‘on-the-spot’ bargains !!!!

Register your interest quickly so you don’t miss out.
Call our showroom on 9331 8818 or send us an email at bilbyarn@tpg.com.au
A deposit will secure your place and we will need a contact phone number please.
Classes need a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 people, and with the exception of sock knitting and wet felt making, all workshops are $25 per person [8 people, $35 x 6 or $50 x 4 people]

Sat 9 November  11am to 1230  Hand/drop spindle spinning with David

Learn this ancient skill and enjoy making your own handspun yarn. Spindle spinning is so portable and takes up very little space. It is ideal  for spinning whilst travelling or just spin ‘on the move’ anywhere!     If you have a spindle please bring it. We have  beginner spindles available $15 and wool will be provided.

Thu 14th November    9.30am to 1130am   Begin knitting with Beverley

Simple knitting to get you started. Learn how to cast on and off, knit a square in stocking stitch with a cable centre. Question time at the end of session.  8 ply wool yarn provided. If you have 4mm needles please bring them, or purchase in store $5pr

Sat 16th November    1.30 – 3.30pm  Lets spin fleece softly with Julitha

To achieve ‘loft’ in your hand spun wool normally ‘woollen’ system is used requiring you to wash & card your wool into rolags or carded sliver. Here you will learn the art of ‘worsted style’ spinning fleece – but softly. Fleece is supplied but you will need to bring a wool comb, flicker,
an apron, your [preferably single drive] spinning wheel and 3 empty bobbins..

[All of these items are available for sale in store.].

Thu 21 November   1030 to noon   Crochet flowers & granny squares with Bev

Learn how to crochet florals. This workshop will help you crochet lovely circles and squares for your rug, bag,  jacket or any project where you need to use these techniques. Yarns will be provided. If you have a 3.5 or 4mm hook please bring it or buy in store.

Sat 23 November  11am to 12.30   How to start needle felting  with David

Learn to needle felt and the different ways you can apply these methods to your next project.
If you have a sponge, wool tops & felt needle, please bring them, otherwise these can be provided in a small kit for $12. [let us know if you need this kit when you register]

Fri 29 November  11am to 2.30pm    Simply socks with Carolin              $35pp

Learn the skills of heel turning and knitting socks. During this workshop you will make a bootee with yarn provided. If you have 2.5 or 2.75mm double point needles, please bring them, otherwise you can buy them in store [bamboo $11 or casein $7.50 set of 5] The skills you learn will enable you to knit any adult sock pattern.

Sat 30 November   11 to 1230     Learn how to start spinning

During this short session, you will learn about wool fleece and how to get started with your hand spinning.  Wool Fleece will be provided.  If you have a spinning wheel, please bring it otherwise you will need to purchase one from our store, prior to the workshop.  We have a range of spinning wheels [second hand] priced from $135  After the workshop, the Bilby Spinners will be in store  from 12.30pm until 3.30pm, and you are welcome to stay on and join in with them.

Sat 7 Dec proposed workshop to be confirmed still

Sat 14 Dec  2.30pm to 4.30pm…  proposed workshop  …. felt making (wet)

During this session, you will learn to make a needle case. The skills you learn can be applied to any felt project you wish to make in the future

More workshops to come in 2014

Knitting ……Learn to knit, follow patterns etc.

Socks….knitting socks from the toe upwards on circular needles

Knit to Fit …Learn how to knit a jumper to your own measurements

Wool and fibre knowledge

Beginner spinning

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Our Anniversary “May” Specials

For our Anniversary in the new premises, During May only we have 2 specials,

Fine White, Western Dream Wool Top for $65 per kilo, normally RRP$75

A brand new Joy “2” spinning wheel, which comes with its own carry bag and sliding hook flyer normally retailing at RRP$795 it is fully assembled and ready to go at $740         SOLD

A brand new 32″ 4 Shaft table loom (partially assembled to show size) with a folding castle to make moving and storing it easier normally RRP$895 in our showroom now for $650 SOLD

These are one off specials so once they are gone thats it

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Knit to Fit Workshop Returns

Hello all,

The Knit to Fit Workshop is back, with Susan Seaman a very experienced Knitter, felter, spinner and tutor showing you how to knit a garment to your own mesurements without the need of a pattern.

This 2 day workshop will be held on – Saturday 18 May and Sunday 19 May.

Please visit our workshops page for more infomation and to register your interest.

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Trading Day News

Hello all “ewe” crafty creators,

Bilby Yarns will be trading at a few craft days over the next few months, we would love to see you there.

11th April (Thursday) – Busselton Spin-In
20th April (Saturday) – Balingup Small Farm Field Day
4th May (Saturday) – Donnybrook Hall “CrafTea day”
22nd June (Saturday) – Hand Weavers, Spinners and Dyers guild of W.A. Spin-In

Don’t worry our showroom will still be open as per normal.

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Christmas Holidays

Hello to the Young and the Young at heart,

Bilby Yarns will be closing for the Christmas and New Year holidays.                                      The Showroom will close 12:00 noon on Saturday, 22nd of December and reopen 10:30am on Tuesday, 15th of January 2013

Family BBQ …To celebrate the festive season, the Bilby spinners group will be meeting at Matilda Bay [between tearooms and restaurant] on December 29th.  BYO meat, drinks, chairs and salad to share…plus your best festive smile!     Don’t forget your wheels and bathers too.

We thank you for your support during this last year and look forward to welcoming you back in 2013,

Best wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all.

Yours festively,

The Black Sheep and the old Ewe

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Temporary Absence at Showroom

Hello all, The Old Ewe has shot through…..!

For a week starting Tues Nov 13th until Wednesday Nov 21st, We will be temporarily closed whilst The Wool Lady (aka: The Old Ewe), travels to Tasmania.

Good News though, the showroom will be open from 1030-1230 on Saturday the 17th Nov due to the assistance of a very helpful young lady willing to shop sit for us.

Any urgent enquiries can be directed to our shop sitter on Saturday (17th) who will have our emergency contacts.

Yours The Black Sheep (who will also be in Tasmania)

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