Theme Parks...or What We're Thinking About Knit- and Crochet-Wise Last year, our theme was Expand Your Comfort Zone, where we encouraged you to widen your knowledge base, try new things, and think beyond the basics. This year, we're looking to our foremothers to take us Back to the Future: Fiber Legacies. By foremothers, we're talking about Elizabeth Zimmermann, Barbara Walker, Alice Starmore, and even relatively new foremothers like Sally Melville, who taught us that garter stitch can look lovely in more than just scarves and blankets, and Debbie Stoller who, with her fun and funky writing style, has repaved the roads we've previously traveled to make things a little less rocky for the younger generation of Knitters and Crocheters. Speaking of Crochet foremothers, we can't forget Jean Leinhauser, Rita Weiss and Lily Chin. Along these lines, we're going to ask you to take a look in your closet, your cedar chest, your attic, and see if you've got any knitted or crocheted artifacts. We're going to ask you to bring them at a future date, so we can all share in the legacy of your knitting world. We're going to get out our Elizabeth Zimmermanns and revisit the techniques that all contemporary designers use today. And we're going to think about passing on our skills to other generations to create legacies of our own. We're really excited about what 2011 will bring!

Our Latest KAL: The Wool Peddler's Shawl We're kicking off our Legacy 2011 theme and turning back to the Folk Shawls book we used for last summer's Stora Dimun KAL with a knit-along of the Wool Peddler's Shawl. Why this shawl? We love the idea of the tradition of this sort of triangular shawl being worn by women who sold their knitted items in Victorian England. The shawl combines the coziness of garter stitch on top with the fun of lace on the bottom. And most importantly: it's cold out! What better to knit on a freezing winter night, and what better to wear on a frosty morning, than a thick wool shawl? What skill level is this shawl? This project is appropriate for advanced beginners. You should be comfortable following a pattern and reading a chart. While some previous lace experience would be helpful, this pattern can be tackled by enthusiastic first-time lace knitters. What materials do I need? You will need a copy of Folk Shawls if you don't already have one from the Stora Dimun KAL (we have a number of copies available in the store). You will need approximately 850 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn, which leaves you with a wide array of options. I'm using Cascade Eco Duo, an undyed wool and alpaca blend. Other ideas: Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool (one skein will complete the project and then some!), madelinetosh DK, Cascade 220, or Malabrigo Rios, just to name a few. When will we start? We will cast on February 1. Remember that when the door to the store is open, our couch is open to KAL. However, Saturdays will be dedicated Wool Peddler time for the month of February. Come Peddle along with us! Winner of Summer of Socks and Lace Double Threat 2010 Sarah Leroy's Wool Peddler's Shawl, knit in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted.

What's New? PITTSBURGH'S PRIDE (formerly Steeler's Pride), a colorway dyed exclusively for us by Lorna's Laces, is IN, just in time for SUPER BOWL knitting and crocheting. (Okay, I am really excited about the Super Bowl, can you tell?) We carry Pittsburgh's Pride in Shepherd Sock and Shepherd Worsted. We still have Steeler's Pride available in Bullfrogs and Butterflies. Color Commentary brought to you by Zelda: Amidst the pageantry of a city preparing for battle, this local shop is arming its citizens and diaspora with the weapon of Pittsburgh Pride, a yarn spun for champions. Battling for victory against a team known for its snowy game fields and bitter cold matchups, the knitters and crocheters of Natural Stitches now wield the kryptonite of cold — the vibrant colors of unity and team spirit that make this Steel Town’s legacy warm and bright no matter how low the mercury on game day! It's hard to believe, but it's time to think about spring. We are pleased to carry Berroco Linsey, a cotton/linen worsted weight. We also have the much-anticipated Norah Gaughan 8, featuring spring and summer knits with Linsey and Pure Pima. Also in: the latest issue of Knitscene, and Riveting, a sport weight cotton made from recycled denim! We're sad to report that Mission Falls has closed its doors permanently. However, what this means for you is Mission Falls 1824 cotton on clearance! Come in while we still have a big selection of colors, and check out what other yarns we have on clearance. A big welcome to all WQED members! Show your WQED membership card at checkout to receive 10% off all regularly-priced items.

Books, Books, Books...and our Annual Valentine's Day Book and Pattern Sale It would be an understatement to say I have a lot of knitting books. I love them. I love to look at the pictures. I love to read the technique sections. I love to just browse through them and get inspired. But with so many knitting books out there, it's hard to know which ones to buy, especially in these times of limited budgets. I polled the Natural Stitches staff to find out their recommendations for the Must-Have Fiber Books of 2010. 101 Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders: We would be remiss if we didn't recommend this book, and not just because our own Carla K has her Wisteria Arbor Shawl pattern published in it. Finally, this book will help you deal with your massive sock yarn stash with a variety of patterns for accessories and garments. Stitch n Bitch Superstar: The reference section alone would have been enough (we love Debbie Stoller's writing style) but then you add in all the patterns and it's just great all around. New England Knits: This book features page after page of classic, wearable sweaters. These designs will never go out of style and there's plenty of range to fit and flatter all sorts of sizes and shapes. Brave New Knits: worth it for the interviews with famous knitbloggers and independent designers, this book is chock-a-block with fun designs from the knitting Illuminati like Jared Flood, Anne Hanson, and Ysolda Teague. The Knitters Book of Wool: Everything you ever wanted to know about sheep and then some! Clara Parkes provides encyclopedic knowledge of the principles of various breeds of wool and provides patterns designed to take advantage of each breed.

Third Annual Valentine's Day Weekend Book and Pattern Sale As an incentive to stock your knitting library, we are pleased to announce our Annual Valentine's Weekend Book and Pattern Sale! We know you'll be visiting the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Show on the weekend of February 11-13 to stock up on yarns you can't get anywhere else. But what are you going to do with all your gorgeous yarn? While you're out and about, stop by our Third Annual Valentine's Day Weekend Book and Pattern sale. All books (including from the pattern companies like Berroco and Fiber Trends) will be 25% off and all loose-leaf patterns found in the binders will be 50% off! In addition, all patterns already on sale will be marked down an additional 10%. This sale is February 11, 12 and 13 ONLY. If you've got a yarn crawl planned that weekend, make sure you stop on by Natural Stitches for some sale-priced inspiration!

Fun Facts In 2009, we sold 3,372 skeins of Cascade 220, which totals 741,840 yards, or 421.5 miles! That’s enough yarn to stretch from here to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or Flint, Michigan! In 2010, we sold 3,490 skeins of Cascade 220, which totals 767,800 yards, or 436.25 miles! That’s enough yarn to stretch from here almost to South Bend, Indiana!

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

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