In This Edition: We unveil our theme for 2012: Back to Basics What’s new, what’s going on We are VERY excited about our first knitalong of 2012! Yvonne reviews The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville Fun Facts

Introducing Our Theme for 2012: Back to Basics Last year, our theme was Fiber Legacies and we looked to our foremothers and learned from their legacy. This year, our theme is Back to Basics, where we’ll be embracing and enhancing our basic skills. Do you want to knit a squishy garter stitch scarf? We love it. Are you intrigued by basic socks? It’s time to make some, especially if you've never made any. Pondering your first shawl? We're here to help. Knitting doesn't have to be intricate to be beautiful. Oh, sure, we all dream about making those gossamer shawls . . . and all it takes is basic skills to make them. Knitting, no matter how intricate, comes down to two stitches: knit and purl. Cables? They’re just knitting stitches out of order. Socks? They’re something that young children have been making for decades, yet so intimidating to many knitters. A sweater? Same thing. Basics: Knit, purl. That’s all there is to it! Join us this year as we go back to basics! Stay tuned to our newsletter and blog as we look at gauge, cables, casting on, binding off, basic construction, blocking, and much more!

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What’s New, What’s Going On Spinners: If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to try new fibers, check out our new luxury fibers from Louet: Eri silk sliver, Muga silk sliver, Romney wool sliver, Red Eri silk sliver, and Sparkling White Icicle top! Our Bring Your Own Bag contest has been a huge success and is now entering its second year! Bring your own bag, recycle one of our bags, or don’t take a bag at all and you will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10 Natural Stitches gift card. Since we began this contest, we’ve cut our store supply costs in half. Many thanks to our customers for making it a success! (Congratulations to Suzanne W., winner of the December BYOB card!)

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It’s Our First KAL of 2012! By Anna We are thrilled to announce our first KAL of 2012: CABLES GALORE! Our theme for 2012 is Back to Basics. Toward that end, we will tackle the iconic representation of knitting, the cable. This winter, we will knit simple wardrobe staples with basic cables. Instead of just one pattern, we are opening up this KAL to any cabled garment. We all have those projects that we keep meaning to make but haven't gotten around to it for one reason or another (i.e., distracted by the SHINY). For me, this was the Central Park Hoodie. Published in 2006 KnitScene, I'd planned this project and then tossed the magazine aside. When the book The Best of KnitScene arrived at the shop last fall, my interest in the project was renewed. I still need to swatch to make sure the yarn would work, but my plan is to use Malabrigo Twist in Ravelry Red. If that doesn't work, my second choice is Cascade Eco Wool. Karen plans to knit this sweater in Imperial Stock Ranch Columbia. Helen is going to make it in Cascade Eco+ in the Grape colorway. Jenn models her Central Park Hoodie Don't want to make a Central Park Hoodie? Yvonne is knitting the Mondo Cable Pullover from Chic Knits out of Cascade 220. This elegant sweater is available at the store in hard copy or as an in-store Ravelry sale pattern. Chic Knits also offers many cabled cardigans and vests with this elegant cable. David's mom models the Chic Knits Mondo Cable Vest as a shell. Monica is planning a Catriona Vest, a free pattern, in Comfort DK. Zelda is making the Asymmetrical Cardigan from Norah Gauhan's Knitting Nature in Malabrigo Twist in Lettuce. (Okay, maybe Zelda's choice is not a simple piece.) Jack is knitting Aidez (another free pattern!) for his wife, Pam, using Cascade 128. Courtney's Aidez that she knit using Cascade Eco Wool. And finally, Kelli is resurrecting her Mr. Greenjeans, a free pattern for a cabled cardigan from Knitty, in Dream in Color Classy. Detail of Yvonne's Mr. Greenjeans in DIC Classy. If you've never Knit-A-Long with us before, know that we are very relaxed and informal. Our "Cast On" date is the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend of January 13-15, and our completion date is "whenever we get it done." You are welcome to jump in whenever is convenient for you! Along the way, we will be posting status updates and helpful hints on our blog. If you've never cabled before, don't be intimidated! It is really just knitting stitches out of order, and as long as you keep track of your rows, all will be well. Stop in and see us if you'd like a quick demo before embarking on your own Cables Galore project in 2012!

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Book Review: The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville By Yvonne A few years ago when I first rediscovered knitting, I purchased The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville. The lure: An excellent way to perfect — well, the knit stitch, because there is no purling in this book at all. None. Zero, zip, nada. The 24 projects included scarves, sweaters, vests, bags, even coats, all in garter stitch. Then there were projects in the round! Leg warmers (which are, weirdly, experiencing a resurgence), a hat, a scarf (or alternately, a skirt). The versatility of garter stitch was astounding! Beyond the projects, though, was the sheer volume of information. Seven (!) ways of casting on. How - and where - to join yarn. How to do a gauge swatch! Needles – kinds, sizes, using circulars, double points, or straights! Care and feeding of your knits – aka blocking, pressing, and washing (including instructions for wool, cotton, and blends!). Supplies you should have in your bag, or at least handy to you. The Elizabeth Zimmermann one row buttonhole (with pictures!). Need to determine how much yarn you need to finish a row? Check page 38. Want to know how to more about yarn weights? Page 151 has a handy chart, including the numbering system, the stitches-per-inch range, and the recommended needle size. Do you want to know how to tighten a bound off edge? Check page 149. Ever been afraid to tink? There are great instructions on page 148! Several customers have knit the Baby Albert sweater, using various yarns (from cottons to acrylic blends to wool) with amazing success. Lee B. has knit the Einstein Coat for herself. Lee B.'s Einstein Coat The Baby Albert sweater. So cute! The patterns are classic and chic, with something for everyone. I think that this is a great book, though, even without the patterns. As I mentioned, the book is chock-full of handy tips and tricks and so much basic information, it is well worth the space on your bookshelf.

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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! In 2011, we sold 3,200 skeins of Cascade 220, which totals 704,000 yards, or 400 miles! Hmm... seems we didn't go as far this year, but that's ok, we had a stellar year with other yarns!

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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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