Sarah Winter Clothworks

I live with Juki. She is my mechanized horse, my old dog. Days spent with her make for many a story. Like any loyal pal, her understanding of me is deep. And I try to return the trust that she places in me.

I was going through an old photo album and found these pictures of Juki and me on the day we closed the Store on Church Street.

I thought I would share some of the feelings of that day with you.

Its been four years since we closed the storefront. Juki and I still work together. Still making a connection over work and creativity. Good friends, Juki and I.

I run a pretty small business. I try to keep it small enough for me to manage alone. And yet I welcome help from others with open arms.

Tim Pfeiffer’s Open Arms

Greg Svetz (svetz.net) is one of those silent others that contribute to the business from time to time. This month he offered his keen eye and computer expertise to update my website. What a gift that was!

Greg Svetz: photo

Greg was able to rebuild the site with cleaner lines He maintained my Clothworks “look” and made me feel proud of the site. Check out his website to see some of his photographs.

Thanks Greg!

And thanks to Mr, Pfeiffer of Virginia for the great painting of the Open Arms tree.

My neighbor. Those are two words that go a long way. Whether in an apartment building or the house next door, a neighbor is an important person in one’s life cycle. There are rules of conduct we generally follow. We let each other mind their own “castle.” We respect privacy. We lend a hand when it looks like it might be helpful.

I’m thinking about the neighbors of my childhood. Mr Newsham, The Popes, The Campbells and Harts.  All by themselves these names bring rich memories. I played with their kids, babysat for them, my brothers delivered their papers and mowed their lawns.

And now that I am fully ensconced in my own adulthood, I have my own neighbors. In particular I am thinking of my next door neighbor and her elderly Dad.

The unfinished rug.

A Braided Rug

My neighbor’s Mom sewed a lot. When she passed away, she had unfinished projects. My neighbor was thoughtful enough to get me in touch with her Dad, who was kind enough to pass along her fabric leftovers. And her projects.

I just inherited 4 or 5 boxes of wool and cotton. A woman I never met has left me bags of precut wool strips, the braiding tools I need: linen thread, a lacing needle, a clothes pin. With these at my side I embark on the project she left off. As I go round the circle, I think about her.

I hope such a thing will happen with all my projects and materials when I leave this earth. Pass it on. It’s the Neighborly thing to do.

The cold snap is no match for this sweater

What did you do for the holidays? I knit a new sweater.

A Corriedale Sheep.

Angora Goats -the source for soft Mohair fiber.

I work at Swift Waters Cooperative.  I’m a member there, so really I own the business. As an owner I get to see lots of neat handmade products. One of these is made by Brown Farm in Scotland, CT.  She makes a 3-ply yarn from 60% Corriedale and 40% Mohair.

I knit the sweater over two weeks. It was pleasant to  knit as the snow fell down outside.

Knitting affords a great opportunity to be still. I used the time  thinking about my mother, years gone as well as the year to come.

Everyday Use

The sweater was knit from the neck down all on circular needles (size 7). I got the pattern from the owner of Brown Farm when she hosted a knit-in at Swift Waters. Write me if you want a copy of the pattern. This is a 40″ and it used 7 skeins (164 yard put up) of the three ply.

The sweater is super warm. I’ll wear it for many years to come. When I’ve passed away, I’ll leave it for a niece or nephew to wear during their life.

Life is a Circle

Happy New Year

Since I wrote last I have been SEWING! Working on Hats, Vests and Murph’s. It’s been great fun. The Coventry Farmers Market just finished its penultima weekend. Soon we switch our attention to the makings of a fine holiday.

It was indeed a beautiful weekend in Connecticut and I loved seeing everyone out on this most sunny day.

The Market Wares

One more weekend and we are packing up the booth for another year.

For the last weekend my mission is to sew Murph’s. Some of you might know we named this shirt after our favorite WHUS former director: John Murphy.

Mark loves his Murph

John came into the store one day and asked us to reproduce a favorite shirt of his. It was a long sleeve Henley with a collar stand. Being me, I took it and ran with it.

The original had only one layer for the back yoke and the sleeves were finished with a placket but I didn’t care for the construction. I added a second back yoke facing, improved the sleeve plackets and generally made  it more sturdy. Like all Clothworks Menswear, I asked Mark to try it on.

Since then it has been a best seller. And Mark’s favorite shirt, which pleases me.