Welcome to WEEK 5 of Jimmy Beans Wool University as well as our fifth and FINAL week of our Summer Sale (psst, more info on that down below)! So far, we've covered history, chemistry, social studies, and even ventured on a field trip last week! Today, we're going to learn about home economics, a class that can teach you a multitude of great lessons and skills to use around the house. We're turning up the heat to bake a cake!

The process of baking a cake isn't just about the ingredients and how you combine them, but the cleanup and management of your time and workspace as well! Your list of "ingredients" will consist of:

• 1 Project in mind.
• The required amount of your FAVORITE yarn as stated in your pattern (Our current fav is Madelinetosh Tosh Mo Light).
• 1 yarn winder of your choice (we recommend the Winderfull Kit which uses your household power drill).
• 1 della Q Craft Apron to keep the mess away and keep your tools close.
• 1 bar of Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Bar Soap for cleanup.

Unravel your yarn and get your drill ready! Insert the adaptor where your drill bit goes, slide the spool on, and wind at your own pace! The shape of the spool helps distribute your yarn evenly. And the best part? Only one end is exposed, so no tangling here!

However, depending on your pattern, you may need to revisit this step a few more times as you work on your project. This is where your apron comes in handy! Your apron is a great place to keep your labels on hand after you've finished winding your yarn - that way you always have your yardage, fiber content, and dye lot within reach.

Now you can have your cake and craft with it too!

DID YOU KNOW?: Some of the oldest recorded recipes date back to 1700 BC! These recipes only list ingredients for various stews and breads without any actual direction.

The most fulfilling thing about cooking for others is the genuine connection and conversation you open up. In doing this, you're providing them with a wonderful homemade meal, and in return, receiving a great boost of confidence! Potlucks are a great way to learn new techniques and enjoy new foods that other people contribute!

Help your needles and hooks to the experience of Hedgehog Fibres Potluck Fades in our two, new, exclusive fades: Desert Sunset and Wetland. These kits come with three helpings of beautifully variegated yarn to sate your hunger for a new project!

The bond forged with cooking food for people is strong and ties those senses of taste and smell to these good memories. Occasionally, though, we don't want to cook. Sometimes as we relax with our project bag in hand, we say, "Why would I cook my food when I could just knit them?". Okay, maybe that isn't a thought we have too often, but seriously, how CUTE are these knitted food items using Berroco Vintage yarn?

DID YOU KNOW?: Potlucks were mega-popular in the late 50s, but they've recently stepped back into the spotlight. Some even recognize a day in the calendar year specifically for them (it's on January 20th)!

Cleanin' and Craftin'

Home Economics, while usually centered on food, can also teach you how to manage your home. After all, a clean house can brighten your mood and reduce stress! Fibers that breathe like organic cotton are naturally hypoallergenic and deter the growth of mold. These qualities make cotton a wonderful material to make just about anything out of, and one of the most useful and popular items is a dishcloth! The texture of your knit rows is ideal for scrubbin' away on your dishes, countertops, or really anything! Many people color code their dish cloths to avoid washing dishes with the same one they use on the patio chairs.

Universal Yarns Cotton Supreme is a great option for these kinds of projects as this yarn is durable AND machine washable! This yarn is soft and affordable with 180 yards per skein; this makes for the perfect option for this kit featuring a free pattern for three beautifully designed dish cloths. Use them around the house or gift them to a friend as a spa kit!

DID YOU KNOW?: Knitting and crocheting are known to relieve stress and boost creativity. The soothing action of these crafts has even been called "the new yoga"!

The most rewarding part about learning a craft through Home Economics is the rush of pride you get after finishing that project you worked so hard on. The sense of accomplishment whenever you use that project in your day-to-day life or when your friends ask you, "Hey, that's super cute, where did you buy it?" and you happily reply with, "I made it!" is SO worth it!

In Making No. 7 / Desert, there are a plethora of patterns that teach you how to make things like a drawstring backpack, pleated pot-holders, and leather tool-rolls (there's a cloth version too!). Each design is unique and offers a little something special to your making repertoire. Don't worry, this book doesn't shy away from knitted garments, either! With a generous amount of knitted patterns, you can relax in your new, cozy cardigan after helping yourself to the flavorful recipes peppered in the pages (seriously, this book has it all!).

DID YOU KNOW?: Studies show that DIY (Do It Yourself) projects help ground you and increase your self-reliance and independence.

Madelinetosh

Lorna's Laces

Cascade Yarns

Berroco

Rowan

Mrs. Crosby

This week marks the final stretch of our Summer Sale! Each week offered something different than the next with some backpack bustin' bargains! This week, we will be revisiting our favorite fibers one last time to give our stash that extra oomph we may have missed in the past four weeks. All of these strings mentioned above will be anywhere between 25% - 60% off!

Have you been keeping up on your required reading? This week on our blog, we're telling the tale of "The Picture of Dorian Macrame"! Doing this can help you achieve 100% on your next quiz and keep you in the running for a fully loaded Namaste Maker's Backpack or Namaste Maker's Train Case at the end of school! There's no need to worry about missing one, either, as all of the quizzes are available to take even after the next class session!

DID YOU KNOW?: Home economics started in the early 1900s as a way to uplift the value of domestic labor for women. Nowadays, all kinds of lessons are taught in a home ec class to offer a spectrum of useful skills.

Plants are the perfect way to breathe life into your home (literally!), and for us Beans, succulents are our go-to for their hardiness and low maintenance work required to see them thrive. Sometimes, there just isn't enough space on our countertops to place them, and then the thought hit us: why not hang them? On Saturday, July 13th, Jimmy Beans Wool will proudly be hosting a beginner's macrame class! Taught by the super sweet Gissell Leon, we will be learning four basic knot techniques to cradle the succulent provided in a beautiful work of art!

Do you live in the area and are interested in learning? We would love to have you! This class will take place from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and refreshments will be provided. Spots are limited, reserve yours now at 1 (775) 827-9276!

DID YOU KNOW?: Macrame was introduced to England in the late 17th Century. It was so popular, Queen Mary herself taught classes to her court ladies!

Ailene's Ziggy Shawl

Why zig when you could zag? Ailene let her rebellious nature shine by choosing both with this beautiful zig-zagging shawl by Joji Locatelli! Using two skeins of Black Elephant Superwash Merino Singles - Vivienne Westwood, Ailene let the pattern speak for itself with the delicate colorway. This shawl is made in two parts and then seamed together to make the classic triangular shape that compliments the lovely lacework and bands of garter stitch perfectly!