WoolWeenies Club

[Triskeliongirl]

OK, I have to fes up.

1. I started corresponding with Knotted about my wool needs *IN PRIVATE* cuz I was too emabarrased to admit it to the rest of you.

2. I ordered MORE WOOL. Yes, I said it, I *DID IT* but help, I *MUST STOP*. Some of it is prompted by our unseasonbable cold weather here. Club rides were cancelled, it was in the 20s in the Hill Country where our rides were supposed to start from this morning. I can't get the first floor of my house above 60, and thats with the gas radiator, stove and all burners lit. So, now you see, I just HAD to order more wool......... But it is a sickness, and I MUST STOP NOW.

3. I WILL return some of it. I actually do MEAN that cuz this time I double ordered some pieces in small and medium to try on. But, will I be able to return as much as I should???? I DON'T KNOW???? But, I will stick to my gotta really love it rule.

4. So, what did I order? What made me do it?

Everyday that I wear the few pieces I own I am amazed more and more. I never cycled in wool cuz I worried I would overheat, but now I get it. Instead of wearing clothes that make you cold for the first 10 minutes, and warm towards the end, WOOL ADJUSTS. It really does!! So, then I realized owning pieces that take me from cycling or other outdoor winter sports to everyday use is what I MUST DO.

I never used to buy cycling jerseys without back pockets, but then I realized that my screaming yellow PI Vagabound jacket, in either jacket or vest mode pairs perfectly over my shak, so voila, pockets AND visiblity are taken care of. If its raining, no problem, same thing with my screaming yellow Craft Rain Jacket. If its really cold, my terry headwind vest adds more warmth with pockets to boot. So what did I do? I ordered a second full zip shak on sale at Uncle Dans, this time in black. It also helped that the first one looked and fit so nice after laundering. I told myself that in return I will return the Ibex organic sweater when it comes, but if I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, I *may* keep it. I ordered it in M to either layer over my S shak, or my heavy cotton sweaters, but then I realized I wouldn't need to do that if I ordered some mid-weight zip bases to put under, and I already have the terry headwind vest to put over if necessary. I also realized that I would rather have a sweater that I can cycle in or dress up in, than one for dress up only.

But, I couldn't find Ibex bases on sale in styles I liked, but I got a sierra trading post 20% off coupon yesterday so I ordered some zip T-necks in Icebreaker bodyfit 260 http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html as well as the matching long janes: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html , all with the wise counsel of Knotted via a lengthy PM exchange (thanks Knotted!). Now, is Knott a wool enabler or is Knott a WOOL ENABLER??? To quote from Knott: "Absolutely buy some Icebreaker! It's good stuff!" Let's say it, KNOTT IS A WOOL ENABLER.

I also ordered the base bottoms, cuz the thought of wearing cycling tights with chamois under my everyday clothes for a week in new england was just too unappealing. And now I don't need to buy a flannel nightgown either!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Woo-HOOOOO!

[Triskeliongirl]

Woo-HOOOOO!

Now Lisa, I know right from the start you thought I needed another shak vs the organic sweater. Now I think you were right! The shak is just such an amazing piece. I did hesitate (ok, maybe only a *little bit*) before ordering another one, but I hate when you find a piece you love, and then it gets changed the next year, or they don't make it in the color you want, etc. I patiently waited for my shak to dry, and when I pulled it on over my Kate this morning, I just went ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I HAD TO DO IT!

You guys never answered my coat querry, but now that I have this layering stuff now I know which coat to bring on my trip to new england, my columbia 3-in-1 parka. While not the most stylish, its only a little too big. Its a medium and if I were buying new today I'd buy a small, but its great for layering up with all my wonderful new wool pieces. So again, whether I wanna do something really active or sedate, I just have to layer it up appropriately. I'll also pack my goretex pants. Same thing, while they are a little too big, it means I can even layer them over my wool dress pants so I'll be prepared for anything from a blizzard to unseasonably warm weather.

But, oh, you girls are SO EVIL, especially LISA and KNOTT. Yes Lisa, you too are a WOOL ENABLER!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Tri- that new full zip black shak will look great over your mulberry ribbie!

Love my larkspur ribbie so much that I finally went ahead and got it in mulberry as well. I got the very last large mulberry one, because they were gone right after my order processed.

I got to try the Carrie hoodie on at that store yesterday, and so I did order one at 30% off directly from Ibex. I got the green one- it's a very beautiful rich emerald mossy green and looked nice on me in the store. It was good that I was able to try things on yesterday. I had been tempted by the oatmeal colored Carrie hoodie online, but in real life it made me look fat because of the light color. We'll steer clear of that one!

I sort of had to buy those new items because I was afraid that Triskellion would start to catch up with me.

Robyn- yes we could meet there sometime at The Arcadian Store! As soon as I figure out how to drive there on my own . My picky coffee acquaintance says they have the best espresso in the whole area. Did you see on their website that they are hosting some snowshoe and xcSki walks from there into the nearby park which has groomed trails? I have not looked at the details though, and I don't know if they provide man-made snow or what....I don't know much about those kinds of things since I'm not a skier.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Lisa, enjoy your carrie hoodie! I did try one on too, and it is a lovely piece.

You know Lisa, I may just have to keep the organic sweater (OS) and black shak. I had to order the OS in M cuz they were out of S, but I realized that means it will layer nicely over both my thistle and black shaks. So, while not exactly double shaking like you do, I'll get the same end result now won't I? If I do that, can I just layer the columbia parka over without the bulky zip-out fleece jacket (without the zip-out jacket its just like a typical moutain style shell jacket you'd find in a ski or outdoor store)? If so, how cold a temp could I go out in, not to exercise, but to city stroll, maybe wait for a bus, stuff like that?

[Natasha]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I tried on both the L and the XL and I did not notice the sleeves being overly long. I have average arms I guess. I ordered the Large one.

Robyn, Deb- I have a generally flexible schedule since I am self employed. I can do either weekday or weekend, but would have to check first with DH concerning any particular date to make sure there is nothing on our calendar that I don't know about.

[Triskeliongirl]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I tried one on in the store and the sleeve length seemed the same as on my Shak. They didn't seem unusually long to me at all. In fact, they are shorter than on some of the other brands of cycling stuff that is desinged to fit in the cycling position (compare to say PI or shebeest in the same size). But, I also found the 'boucle' weave a tad scrathier than the weave of the shak. Its a more textured weave which looks very nice, and when I tried it on with a Kate base it didn't bother my skin. Its a very well made piece too. I didn't buy it only cuz it was too sporty for my needs. With the hood it felt more like a sweatshirt, and I wanted something to go from professional meeting to bike.

You know I found the folks that answer the phone at Ibex very helpful, reminded me of the TE gals. Why don't you just ring them up and ask them to measure the sleeve length on the size you are considering.

[GLC1968]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I own the Carrie hoody and I also have short arms. It's not abnormally long at all. I actually do have some difficulty with my shak arms being a bit too long (extra fabric on my wrists), but on the Carrie hoody, I never even noticed it. It's a very well designed piece and it's quite flattering on. I'm tempted to order another color now that they are on sale!

I do agree with Trisk in that it does have a casual 'sporty' look to it.

[Crankin]

Lisa,
I did see that they host snow shoe and ski things. I was interested in the breast cancer snow shoe, but it was in Vermont. I have never been to that park, but I know I have driven by it. When I get back from my vacation, maybe we can plan a day to meet. I'll be checking the weather and if it looks like there's no storms coming, I'm happy to drive out. It might be a lot of driving for one day for me, but I would do it just to see that store (and meet you, of course). It's right on Rt. 7, I think. Would you be able to meet during the week? It would have to be before Feb. 25th; I'm going to be working after that date.

Robyn

[DebW]

Robyn,
It's "The Arcadian Shop" in Lenox, MA:
http://www.arcadian.com/

Apparently they have sold small amounts of Ibex items for a long time, but now they have a whole section of Ibex for men and women. My friend was there when the Ibex reps were putting the finishing touches on the "Ibex mini-shop". If you go, be aware that there are a few Ibex items sort of hidden in their cycling area as well to check out- like El Fitto knickers and Ibex wool cycling jerseys.

OMG! I can't believe I have never been to this store. We've been going to the Berkshires for cycling trips for the past 4 years, in addition to a few skiing and cultural excursions there.
I may have to take a field trip there SOON. Maybe we can meet for lunch in the cafe....

I drive by that shop all the time and have never stopped there. I'll be out that way on Feb 2 and 3. Can anyone else make it then? I have a meeting on the 2nd at Mt. Greylock from 9:30 am - 2 pm. I might do some hiking and camp over night and drive back on the 3rd. How about lunch on Sunday Feb 3?