Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter
We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. May you finish all the projects that you start. If there is anything we can do to help you out let us know.
We would also like to feature your finished objects. So if you have a finished object that you would like to show off let us know. Send us a picture and a quick description. We would love to hear from you. Please send them to Steven.
New Group
We have started a new group to help you work on those New Years Knitting Resolutions, aptly named the New Years Knitting Resolution Knitting Group. Have you promised to give synthetics a try? Have you made a resolution to knit from your stash this year? Not a problem. We will sell you all of the needles, hooks and notions that you need to make that a reality.
This group is hosted by our Store Manager Melissa and will take place every Monday from 4:00PM to 9:00PM. Drop by. Maybe you just needed a support group to keep those resolutions.
New Yarns
Dark Horse • Fantasy • $5.00 Solids • $6.00 Variegated
I have used this yarn quite I bit since I found it a couple years ago. I have been using it for kids’ projects or anything that needs to be durable. Not only is it tough enough for children but it’s soft and great to knit with too. Many are the times that I had to show people the label because they did not believe that it is an acrylic yarn. We like it so much we bought every color. Stop by and see it for yourself.
Dark Horse • Desert Flower • $4.50
This is a 100% cotton DK weight yarn. This is another yarn that I like from Dark Horse. Like the Fantasy, it has a great hand and we have brought in every color that they make. It comes in a 50 gram skein with 125 yards of yarn.
This is a great yarn for those summer projects. Not only is it light and airy it has just a hint of sheen rarely seen in cotton yarns.
Magic Garden • Buttons • $6.50
This is an 83% wool, 17% polyester yarn imported from New Zealand. It is a tweedy yarn that comes in a dazzling array of colors. This is also my wife’s favorite yarn in the shop. She has been using it to knit blankets for kids and babies. It comes in a 50 gram skein with 135 yard or yarn.
It is another great yarn for making things for children. If you are bored with pink and blue this is the way to go. It also knits with the great hand and feel of wool.
Opal Sock Yarn • Rainforest • $17.00
One of the most exciting things to happen to sock yarn is Rainforest from Opal. It is a 75% Virgin Wool and 25% Polyamide blend. It has a warm and welcoming hand that is a joy to knit with.
The real story of this yarn is the colors. Many self patterning yarns seem to pick colors at random and throw them together. Opal has taken the time to develop several fascinating palettes inspired by nature. This is the same yarn that had the outrageously popular Tiger colorway. By the way they found some more of the Tiger in the back of the warehouse and we have it at the store. So if you missed it the first time you have a second chance.
The Rainforest sock yarn is so loved by the knitting community that we bought every single color.
New Books
Knitting New Scarves • $21.95
This new book by Lynne Barr features 27 distinctively modern scarves. The scarves in the book cover everything from the basics to ribbing and short rows. Every page features a new technique, a new architecture to learn, much more than just patterns. If you are into scarves, this is a book you need.
Boho Baby Knits • $27.50
If you are tired of making the same old baby hat you should take a look at this book. They have taken a unique look at what babies should be wearing. Everything from one-of-a-kind hats, western style jackets and fairy wings.
New Pathways for Sock Knitters • $28.00
This is the most revolutionary book on sock knitting to come along in years. Cat Bordhi takes you through the anatomy of the sock. She teaches you all of the tricks and hints to make the perfect sock. If you thought there was only one way to construct a sock this book will, well…knock your socks off. Oh yes, I went there. (Natural Stitches LLC takes no responsibility for this joke or any of the consequences of reading it.).
Featured Class
Crochet Rasta Tam - $25 • January 12, February 26
Students will learn the construction of a crocheted tam, based on chezcrochet.com's "Rasta Hat" pattern by Angela Grabowski. This is a flexible project that leaves much room for sizing changes to accommodate more or less hair and also for creativity in color patterns. For more classes check out the calendar.
Staff New Years Knitting Resolutions
From Carla: I will finally finish my Sleeves in My Pi shawl after 4 years of trying! I will be more reasonable in the goals I set for myself.
From Charissa: My New Year's resolution is to actually finish my husband's fisherman's sweater and to keep from letting UFO's pile up.
From Kelli: Basically to loosen my tension.
From Martha: I resolve to try and finish at least 6 UFO's that I have already started. Even if the finish is to just totally rip out and start over.
From Melissa: The resolution for this month is to finish those projects that got put on the back burner for Christmas. Next month? Who knows!
From Steven: I want to knit a sweater that six people can fit in.
Happenings at Natural Stitches
At the Ravelry Group on the 9th we had a guest knitter/crocheter from Denver. Terri Lynn Watson called us to check out the group that she had found on Ravelry. When she arrived it turned out that she had left a message on my blog nine months ago (I am Steven by the way) lamenting she would not be able to work on a cooperative project because she lives in Denver.
When she showed up for the Ravelry group, she entirely by chance found the owner of that blog and I happened to have the yarn for that project on me. So her nine months dream of participation in the project came true.
Also at our last Men’s Knitting Night — Dave and Dave stopped by from On Q to learn a little about knitting. They both put in a good couple hours trying to learn. We are not sure when the story is going to air by we had fun hosting them. As soon as we know, you’ll know.
