Rya Inventory Update

In case you are wondering, the Studio is quite well stocked with everything you might need to keep you busy and productive.  Currently I am well-stocked in all the Rauma Ryegarn and Prydvevgarn colors. (Last month I totally reorganized my supplies so I know at a glance exactly what is on hand.)

How many of you remember my grandparents' rya yarn:  Lundgren Rya?  Originally there were 90 colors; today I have 48 colors left. It is still $10 per skein with a discount of 10% when you buy 10 (or more) at a time. You can update your sample cards from this photo:

You may have noticed that I don't list the Lundgren rya yarn on my website due to the fact that some quantities are very low and I would have to constantly update the website, but anytime you want any Lundgren yarn, just tell me what you need and I'll confirm the quantities available for you.

I have no more Åsborya on hand, and only lemon yellow of the vintage Borgs Frostagarn at $5/skein.

Rauma Woven Rya Backings from Norway:  I am very well-stocked.  I have about 20 of the 25 hemmed backings available. And I have bolts which I can cut to any length in the following widths:  40cm, 80cm, and120cm. Just ask me.

Vintage Lundgren Backing is in short supply. I have been marking it at reduced prices on Etsy to move it along. It sells very quickly when I post it, so keep your eyes open for new (vintage) listings almost daily.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a nice woman (probably my age) who had purchased  100 x 180 cm (30" x 71") Swedish backing back-in-the-day (mid-1970s). She had every intention to make it, but never did.  I recognized the value, so bought it from her and now offer it to you my newsletter readers before I put it in my Etsy shop. It is in great condition with the gorgeous weave on both ends. There is a slight darkening along the fold line, but nothing that will show when knotted.  Modern day price would be about $250. Offering this one now at $180. Email me if interested.

Needles:  I've got a brick's worth in weight. Still a great deal at 50-cents each or $5 for pack of 10.

KITS:  Last month I listed 50 Rauma kits that I have available or could prepare for you and send within a day or two. Click on the word KITS to go the the Rauma catalogs on my website.  Click on the brown lettered catalog listings. Look at last month's newsletter for that list or check them out in my Etsy Shop

As if the pandemic wasn't enough to shake us into a state of greater awareness, the recent protests over the killing of George Floyd has also made us step back and reevaluate who we are and where we are heading. 

I know many of you have been fans of my hand-printed shirts as well as my silk-screened shirts.  I'm hoping some of you would like to help me generate funds to donate to the NAACP Empowerment Programs. 

For every T-shirt bought via my Etsy Shop between now and July 31, I will donate $10. This includes every shirt priced at $10 or more.)  I will report the results of this fund-raiser in my August Newsletter. Make a difference and enjoy a new shirt at the same time.  Thanks. It's one little thing, but it is something.

This Unity design helped to generate $1,300 towards social justice causes in 2016. I still have Unity shirts. Do I have your size and Color?

Much of my time over the past month or more has been spent selling and promoting the book.  So far (as of today) we have sold nearly 300 hardbound books.  Many thanks to all of YOU who have bought books and shared feedback. I really appreciate it more than I can tell you.

Books are now available not only through my website

Byrdcallstudio.com

 and my Etsy Shop , but also at the following locations:

Wall of Yarn   (Freeport, IL)

Vavstuga   (Shelburne Falls, MA)

Brazen Sheep  (Berryville, VA)

and Iltamaa    (Finland)

If you don't have an hour, here is a nice book review posted by Vävstuga.  If you've been thinking about buying the book, but haven't made it happen yet, checkout this informative review.

Whenever I work on a rya rug, I talk to myself in my head.  Actually, I am talking to you in my head, explaining what I'm doing and why I'm doing it as though you are there looking over my shoulder. In fact much of my book was written in my head as I worked on ryas, deep in conversation with you.

I posted this as a blog earlier this month. I think it would be very helpful for anyone who wants to learn to blend color.  Please click here to view whole blogpost.

In addition to color blending, here is a finishing touch trick that I learned from the Rauma Rya instructions in recent years.  I describe it on page 236 in the book, but you might get a better view with colorful threads in action on the gray backing.

It's just a simple whip stitch to cover the sides of a completed rya.  Try to stitch the width of the yarn so it makes a solid border. It is great with the Rauma backings which do not have a selvage. The border is firmly stitched, and this is prettier, more sturdy and gives a great finished touch, don't you agree?

I find that one strand of yarn can whip 5-6 inches. You can use your surplus yarn or you can order an additional 1/4 skein of the color you want to whip the edge.  It generally doesn't show much because of the shag pile. You don't need to whip the edge--just a choice you might like to try.

And here is the completed Red Sky at Morning.

Beginning again with the July Newsletter, I would like to recruit your photographic skills to make this a more fun, interactive newsletter.  Please send me a photo of your rya or rya-in-progress.  Have someone take a picture of you in your comfy place knotting away. If you can name the photo file with your name in it, that helps me out. Also give me a sentence about your experience (is this your first rya?, a kit design? with whom are you sharing the process? I'll try to share all photos that I can depending on clarity and space available.  Thanks.

Arne Solbak is working on his 8th Norwegian Rye Kit, Perlemorsky (120 x 120cm/47" x 47") He's making one each for his three children, 4 grandchildren, and one for his wife and himself.  Knot on, Arne!

You are not going to believe some of the rya works happening around the world. Stay in-the-know all month long! I am loving this addition to our Rya Rug Revival. There is a lot of brilliance in this group...keep sharing.  I'll throw in my 2-cents on occasion.   ;-)  We have 247 members now!

If you are intrigued by making REAL rya rugs, the only good reason NOT to join is if you are not a Facebook person.  If you are a member of Facebook (even if you never use Facebook) you can request to join this Group.  If you subscribe to my newsletter, you definitely should check this out.