BIG NEWS

We have a couple of big news items that we wanted to post right off the bat. First off, Natural Stitches is now an underwriter for WQED! We are sponsoring a show called Knit and Crochet Today. Steven had a chance to preview it when he was out in Iowa, and we think that it is one of the finest shows of its type out there. We are very excited that we get to bring it to Pittsburgh. They’ve just finished filming their first thirteen episodes, and it’s already on the air in several markets. If all goes as planned, it will air on Mondays at 2:30 PM starting March 17th. Get your DVRs ready!

Also, our very own Charissa Clark Howe had an article featured in Crochet! Magazine. It’s a funny and touching mother-daughter story about an afghan that Charissa made for her mother one Christmas. If you are lucky enough to be a member of the Crochet Guild of America, then you get this magazine. If not, we have a copy at the shop. Congratulations, Charissa!

We’ve had a tremendous amount of feedback from our customers this month! Sarah sent us a picture of great cabled sweater and scarf set.

I used less than 3 skeins of Berroco Peruvia (color 7180) and size 9 rosewood double points, all purchased at Natural Stitches.

The hat pattern was from http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/06/utopia-hat.html and I added the cable to generic fingerless gloves and a ribbed scarf.

They blocked out beautifully, enabling the cables to stand out nicely. I really enjoyed working with the yarn, and would use it again in a heartbeat. (I probably will at least remake the hat – I’ve got a skein left)

The last time Carol Whitmore was in the shop, she commented:

           “You have more of what knitters want than any other shop in the area!”

Thanks to Carol and Sarah for letting us include their comments. I would like to thank everyone who has sent something in. Keep looking for your comment to appear.
Do you have a project you have a share? A comment you just can’t hold inside? If you have anything to say or have something share send them to Steven.

Farmhouse Yarns: BoPeeps Not Just For Socks Yarn
75% Merino, 25% Acrylic, 450 yds/5.4 oz, 20-24 sts=4"/US 4, Machine Wash - $22.
(Thanks to my niece, Ella, for letting me include her in my banner picture.)

This is one of those yarns that simply doesn’t get that much play at the shop. In all honesty, it has some issues that need to be addressed …kinda like a good rescue dog.

Issue 1: The hand-dyer has it listed as a sock yarn and even gives it a classic sock yarn gauge (7-8 sts to the inch on size 1-2 needles.) The problem is that if you actually try to get that gauge on those needles, you’re going to end up breaking your wrists (or your needles for that matter)!

Solution: We’ve moved it from the sock grotto into its rightful home in the DK section -- thinner than worsted, thicker than sock yarn…just right. The gauge listed above is an alternative one found on some of the yarn tags. With 450 yards, you could get several hats out of it, perhaps even a scarf about 3-4” in width. Or get two and do a lacey shawl. You can still use it for socks, as you see I did, but I would bump up your needle size to a 3 and check your gauge. These are an adaptation of the Woven Ridge socks in Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitters. 

Issue 2: The yarn is listed as 75% Merino, meaning that when I saw it, my mind immediately thought “Mmmm…Malabrigo softness….” Then I picked up the hefty bundle, and my first impression was “Hmm…rugged, hearty, earthy.” It smells sheepy, it feels sheepy, it looks sheepy. You can still feel the lanolin in it, which gives it a slightly oily texture. In fact, when I had my socks sitting on the couch, the dog started rolling in them as if to disguise herself with lanolin smell.

Solution: After I finished these socks, I soaked them for about 20 minutes in grapefruit scented Eucalan. The smell is gone now that they’ve dried, and man, do they soften up! The yarn still feels hearty and dense, but it’s not scratchy at all.

Issue 3: Location, location, location. When BoPeeps moved into its space in the DK, it had a stylish penthouse loft, but when we came back from the Festival, it was evicted.  Now it rests in a basement efficiency.

Solution: You have to look for it. It’s awfully close to the ground. If you don’t see it right off the bat, ask for help.

If you do decide to take this yarn into your home, you will be richly rewarded. The colors of this yarn are simply gorgeous with wonderful names like Rooster and Chocolate Covered Cherries. My particular color way is called Storm. Plenty of grays with just a dash of blue and purple to provide interest. The yardage is also a plus. If you’re planning on using BoPeeps in its true DK form, one skein will get you a really cute baby sweater. I actually have enough left over after the socks to knit a hat or a pair of fingerless gloves! The final product, which I wore all day on Wednesday, is soft, warm, and wonderful.

So the next time you’re in, make an effort to find this guy. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

This subject may seem a bit silly on first glance, but as a knitting teacher, I can tell you that preparation is vital to getting the most from your knitting class. A few simple steps can change your experience from a stressful one to a very pleasant adventure and ensure that you get the most out of your class.

1. Be on time. Early is even better. That way you’ll have a chance to look around and get comfortable before class starts. Classes are structured to take a certain amount of time and having to back up and start again because a student is late is not fair to your teacher or the other students.

2. Turn off all cell phones and pagers!

3. Be sure your skills meet the Experience Level Required for that class. Nothing is more disheartening than not being able to do the project because it is just too advanced for you.

4. Ask exactly what materials you need to bring for your class. You should be told when you sign up, but sometimes the person who is signing you up just forgets to mention it, so be sure to find out. If a specific yarn or weight of yarn is called for, follow what the teacher says will work best unless the yarn listed is only a suggestion. Be aware that you cannot change yarn weights on a whim, it takes more calculation and effort than you think! And when I say ‘weight’ I mean the thickness of the yarn. Examples are worsted weight, lace weight, etc. The teacher knows the project well. Trust the requirements and recommendations.

5. If you are learning a new technique (and especially if you are just learning to knit) use a light colored, smooth yarn so you can see your stitches. Usually a worsted weight is best.

7. If there is some knitting (or other homework) you are asked to have prepared before class, PLEASE do not leave it until the day of the class. Trust me – something will go wrong, and you won’t have time to do it. Get it done so that you’re not sitting at the shop pulling your hair out trying to finish up before class. Knitting should be relaxing, not stressful.           

8. Do you have an accessory bag that you always keep with your knitting? Then bring it to class. Having scissors, stitch markers, a crochet hook, and all the other little goodies you use to make your knitting easier will be a great help to you in class. If you’re a new knitter and haven’t acquired all of these things yet, there are all-in-one accessory kits sold at most shops to get your stared. 

9. Bring a notebook and pencil or pen. Teachers often mention tips and tricks or web sites during class that you might want to note down.

10. If you are going to be using circular needles in any length longer than 16 inches you need to relax them. This may mean making a trip to the shop to buy the needles before the day of your class, but it is well worth the trip. Even if you are using needles you already have, be sure to check them before you head for class. If they curl up like a spring when you take them out of the package, you know they are going to be hard to work with. I have seen students spend their whole class time struggling with their needles rather than getting the full benefit of the instruction. How do you straighten them? Easy as pie. Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat. Take your needles and, holding one tip in each hand, submerge the cable –only the cable – into the water for 15-30 seconds. Remove from the water and hold the needle out straight for about 30 seconds. Now let go of one end of the needle and see if it still coils around itself. If it does, repeat the process. Keep repeating the process and checking until your needles simply fall in a gentle curve. Now they are ready to be used.

All in all these are simple things, but they will make your class experience a pleasure for you and for your teacher. See you in class!

When my Human opened a yarn shop, I had visions of leisurely rolling around in giant piles of Malabrigo. For some reason, the customers don’t like having black fur mixed with their yarn! Remember, black goes with everything. I suppose there is no accounting for taste. To keep me happy, my Human is letting me write the advice column for the Newsletter.

Most people don’t know this, but many cats are avid knitters and crocheters. Just because we don’t have opposable thumbs doesn’t mean we’re not talented. Anyway, if you have a question about your craft send it to me at raven@naturalstitches.com.

Since this is the first issue, no one has sent me any letters. So I will give you Humans some information on what annoys me.

Firstly, my Human keeps my yarn neatly stored in large plastic bins. Plastic bins with lids. Lids that snap on securely. They are stacked up in huge piles in orderly rows in the basement. They are also too heavy for me to lift! She needs to repack all of my yarn in shoe boxes. Besides being liftable, they are much easier to get open. Even better, she should randomly place piles of yarn around her house, giving us felines easier access to our stash. In fact, this advice would serve all Humans well.

Secondly, never open a yarn shop without a cat door. Natural Stitches has a great big, heavy glass door. My Human has not had the cat door installed yet. I am sure this is merely an oversight. If you don’t want a cat door, install one of the electric doors like supermarkets have. Just make sure you mount the sensor really low.

Well, that’s all I have for this issue. Send me some questions or I will have to go on about my food preferences and hunting techniques in the next issue. And cats, be nice to your Humans. They are, after all, only Human.

As always, if you have anything you would like to contribute, please send it to me at steven@naturalstitches.com. Be safe out there, everyone.

From the entire staff of Natural Stitches, we wish you happy knits and creative crochets. And, as always, if there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know!

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