Buffalogold

June 17, 2009

              The National Needle Arts (TNNA) Columbus summer show is now “in the books”.  It is one for the records here at Buffalo Gold, thanks to a whole array of great people.

              We were so pleased to have two beautiful pieces in the fashion show; Penny Cetner’s Kimono Wrap and Annie Modesitt’s “Chiton” toga/dress.  Patterns will follow shortly; pictures on the web site.  Also in our booth were Therese Chenowith’s new Lacy Tank Top (a great 2 skein Lux pattern); Deanna Van Assche’s Beautiful Beaded Shawl and Chrissie Gardiner’s 2 new patterns = the beautiful "Ivy" wrap and the stunning "scarf for ptesan-wi".

              And then there is our lead designer, Myrna A. I. Stahman.  Myrna has now done not one, not two, but THREE beautiful colorful simple scarves out of ONE skein of LUX.  And she absolutely promises the pattern will be available just as soon as I get the photograph’s done to her very proper standards.  Myrna, Thank you.  Now, when someone says “What can I do with one skein of your lovely yarn …. We know exactly what to say.

              Then, there was the delivery at the show of the “Conservation Colorway series” hand dyed for us (and you) by the talented Beth Casey of Lorna’s Laces. – Yellowstone, Red River, Wichita Mountain, Flat Lake and Black Hills.  It is amazing what a true expert colorist can do when inspired by beautiful vistas, and stunning landscapes.  Beth truly captures the feel and soul of these amazing places on our "Lux" bison/cashmere/silk/tencel laceweight yarn.  A portion of the proceeds from this limited edition set of yarns will go to support Heifer International. 

 We also introduced new multi-tonal colors (red, turquoise, blue and pink) as well as the "King Cake" & "Cabernet" in the #13 Buffboo, both in Lace and Sock/Shawl 

              We have all the colors up on the web site; see them for yourself.  We will also update the list of local yarn stores carrying our products … and the list really grew this show.  And he should have the two new heaver-than-laceweight yarns - the Sport 6 Lux and the Sock Buffboo also photographed and up.

              Designers, designers, designers, I can't even begin to list the amazing slew of new patterns and designs being worked on by truly the top names in knitwear design.  

              But the best news?  Without exception, all of the store owners we talked with are excited about being in the fiber business during these otherwise trying times.  The attitude is upbeat; sales for the most part are also up … and the future of knitting looks very bright.  So get your needles busy, and check back here to keep up with Buffalo Gold.

      Ron, Theresa, Meghan, Darlene, Cecil, and the rest of the

            herd at Buffalo Gold Premium Fibers.

#12 "Lux"- Our 45% bison down/ 20% silk/ 20% cashmere/ 15% tencel, and lowest cost Buffalo Gold yarn.  15 heathered colors for this spring are currently available.  330 yards per 40g skein, and ohhhh so beautifully soft.

#13 "Buffboo"- Sold as 330 shimmering yards per 50g skein (light) and 125 yards per 50g skein (heavy).  25% bison down/ 75% bamboo.

#11 "Heaven"- 400 yards of pure bison down in a lace-weight 50g skein.

#3  "Earth"- Our basic sportweight 90% bison down/10% Buffalon^tm yarn in all its rich brown buffalo goodness.

#17 "Prairie"- A 50% bison down/ 50% kid mohair blend.

All these yarns are now available from fine yarns shops, or by ordering directly from us here.

The weekend of January 17-19, 2009 was the winter trade show of The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) and once again, we were there!  Ron, his dear wife Theresa, and I held down the Buffalo Gold booth, while Myrna Stahman - our amazing design coordinator - displayed another whole round of her extraordinary lace knit designs using the new BG #12 "Lux" yarn. 

Lux is our all American-made blend of 45% bison down/ 20% silk/ 20% cashmere/ and a bit of Tencel (a great cellulose man-made fiber).  It's stocked in 14 heathered colors, plus the creamy "Natural."  It's a lace-weight - 330 yards per 40g skein - and our best value yarn yet.  Retail is just $55 per skein!  The denim blue ("Lupin") and our dusty green ("Saguero") led sales at "Sample It," followed by "Carbon," "Jasper," and "Natural."

We now also have four hand-paint artists using our slinky and shimmery Buffboo #13 as their canvas.  A limited edition of 24 skeins in royal, emerald and raspberry is hand painted by Diana Blair at Going to the Sun (oops ...I'm just told it is down to 16 skeins).  Chameleon Colorworks has four blazing red, purple, green and yellow colorways that I will get up here shortly.  Call or email if you are interested and I am not quick enough.

We put the new (to us but traditional to those who spend any time in Costa Rica) folding rocking chairs, with their slinky soft bison leather seats and backs to their first test ... and boy did they pass!  Three of the four chairs left the show with new owners.  They received a "thumbs up" from all the weary-footed knitters who tried them.  The chairs were in use almost as much as the tea cups and ginger cookies. The chairs are pictured at and available from 2hlbuffaloranch.com.

In spite of the global financial concerns, all in attendance ...to a person ...were up-beat about the coming year and knitting.  More time to get projects done; more interest in real values and spending quality time with quality yarn in hand.  It was a very good feeling, and we share the same spirit.

In addition to those with whom we have already been working, several very impressive knitting pattern designers now have Buffalo Gold yarn in their hands, as well.  We look forward to seeing their creations and making their patterns available for several sock designs, leg warmers, a couple of sweaters, fingerless mitts and more!  Wow; stay tuned! 

Of course, there was time to visit with old friends like Linda Cortright of Wild Fibers magazine; Sergio Mercado and Fernando Alvarez of Jacque Cartier Clothier (quivik and merino yarns); Carl and Eileen Koop of Bijou Basin Ranch (yak fiber yarns) and new friends Claudia Edam from Zealana yarns, with her beautiful New Zealand possum yarns.  We saw lots of our current retail customers and met plenty of new ones. 

One other honor of note.  Marguerite Shimmons, a lace knitting legend, (water color artist, clothing designer and cake decorator) attended and shared her extraordinary work using 000 cotton thread and 000 needles to do pieces that leave you in awe.  Check out her works here soon and just with a google search.  Thank you, Marguerite.   

Stay tuned here for several more really exciting new products VERY SOON!  

We here at Buffalo Gold love seeing our name (and more specifically, our yarns) in print.   Here is a collection of some of the wonderful things some even more wonderful people have had to say about it!

Wild Fibers Magazine:  There is no one who could top this list, other than the most incredible "Queen of Serene," Ms. Linda Cortwright and her beautiful publication Wild Fibers.  Buffalo Gold Premium Fibers would not exist if it hadn't been for her dedication to discovery, demand of perfection, and wealth of knowledge.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to her for all the advice, support, and direction she has given us.

If you've never read this magazine, I promise if you read one issue, it will change your life!

Don't Agitate the Buffalo

Knitters Review!  Ms. Clara has to be one of my favorite people in the world!  Not only is she truly the sweetest person who ever lived, she actually wrote THE book on yarn.

Review on #11 Heaven Laceweight