If you have anything that you would like to submit to the Natural Stitches Newsletter please send it to steven@naturalstitches.com.

We have had several very nice comments posted on Ravelry recently, and we would be remiss if we didn't publish a couple of them in the newsletter.

From Knitknat

We made our first visit on Saturday…Martha, I love the store!! Can't wait to visit again (and I have to, because of course I didn't buy quite enough yarn).

From Goldkeeper

I also stopped in last Saturday ..great store and very helpful with my questions ..

From UrbanGypsy

Hello, I stopped by the store last Saturday and was amazed by all of the wonderful yarn. The store is so warm and inviting I will be back this Saturday for more yarn :).

And also from Ravelry, AdrianC just finished up a knitted Dalek. The pattern is called Extermaknit and was written by Penwiper. The Dalek was knit from Caron Simply Soft, so it will probably not repel bullets. Still, if you are a knitting Dr. Who fan, this a must, right up there with the Tom Baker Scarf.

Yvonne Spencer sent us this picture of a Baby Kimono that she made from Aslan Trends Glacier del Cielo. The pattern is the One Piece Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting.

Queensland Bebe Cotsoy: 110 yds / 50g - $6.50
50% Soy, 50% Cotton
Gauge: 20 sts in 4” on US 7's

Seeing this yarn in the bag for the first time, I thought, “Meh, just another cotton for the summer.” But when I started taking it out of the bags to label it, it slipped out of my hands it was so smooth and soft! The soy content takes this yarn from a regular ol' cotton to a silky, sheeny (is that a word??) dream!

The softness of this guy screams “WOOBIE!! Make a woobie out of me right now!!” For those of you who don't know, a woobie is one of those security blankets that never left your side as a kid (See the 1983 Michael Keaton classic, Mr. Mom for more info.) For me, my woobie would rest against my cheek as I sucked my thumb as a toddler. Complete and total comfort. With a wide border of satin ribbon around it, a blankie out of Cotsoy would be a guaranteed favorite.

If you don't have the time to make a full woobie, consider a simple hat. That's what I did. I immediately cast on for a hat (Miss Dashwood from Knitty) for my cousin's new baby girl. While this yarn, like most cottons out there, doesn't have a lot of give in the hand, it is still capable of handling bobbles, some purl-3-togethers, and even some knit-4-togethers.

And, of course, if there are no babies in your life, you could always make something for yourself! It's a light worsted weight yarn, so we've got tons of summer tops that this yarn would complement very well.
Come in and check it out. It's in the eco-section. And as always, if you can't find it, all you have to do is ask.

Classic Elite Cotton Bam Boo: 130yds / 50g - $7.95
52% Cotton, 48% Bamboo
Gauge: 24 sts in 4” / US5's

Another softie from the Eco Section is the Cotton Bam Boo (Yep. Two words. Bam. Boo.)
While the Cotsoy is a light worsted weight yarn, the Cotton Bam Boo lies squarely in the sport weight category, making it considerably thinner and making your stitches considerably smaller (depending on needle size, of course). The antibacterial properties of the bamboo make it ANOTHER perfect candidate for baby garments, but its marvelous drape and lustrous appearance will convince you to use it for yourself! Imagine it in a delicate shawl to wear to that early June wedding you've been invited to. Or if you're looking for a more substantial garment, Classic Elite sent us the booklet “Make it Modern” that features some of the cutest and most fashionable patterns I've seen this season. Personally, I've just finished swatching and have cast on for the Smock Top, hopefully to be finished for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I imagine it would be one of those garments that would even feel good over sunburn!

At this point, I would normally put in a negative or a caveat or a “just so you know” type of comment, but I honestly can't find one for this yarn. For a cotton blend, the hand is excellent, probably due to the many, many tiny plies that make up the strand. These give the yarn a certain flexibility and loft that the Cotsoy lacked. The look and feel just can't be beat!

If you've found the Cotsoy in the eco-section, look to your left, near the bottom of the shelves. We've got all eighteen colors!

Cozy Knits for Cuddly Babies $24.00
By: Elanor Lynn
Published by: Country Living

This is, as the name implies, a book about knits for babies. I have always had a couple bones to pick with baby knitting books. First are the patterns in the book. Many knitting books have patterns for babies that look like they will inflict them with permanent mental trauma. I firmly believe that there would be fewer people in therapy today if they had not had neon green donkey hats as children.

This book does have a bunny hat with matching slippers, but that is as extreme as they go. Beyond that, the rest of the patterns in the book are fairly normal. There is a sailor type outfit and several sweaters that are tough enough for play but good enough for church. Beyond that, there are a couple of afghans, toys and other cute things for kids.

The other thing that usually annoys me about baby books is their "How to Knit" section. If you're not going to put a decent "How-To" section in your book, you should just not put one in at all. This book, however, does a pretty good job, with good pictures and descriptions that are worded fairly well. The one drawback is that they don't show the hand positions on the needles.

The book itself is very easy to read with large captions. The font is large enough and everything is spread out so that the patterns are easy to follow.

If you are looking for great baby patterns this is a very good resource.

We have received a bunch of letters through email and as comments on Ravelry. We can only get to a few of them in an issue. If I do not get to your question here or in the next newsletter I will try and post a reply on Ravelry. I am still waiting for my Ravelry invitation. Still, my Humans have taken it upon themselves to open a fan club for me on Ravelry. It is called Ask the Shop Cat.

As always if you have a question please send it to me at Raven@naturalstitches.com

Our first letter is from Confused in Carrick.

Dear Raven,

I saw this stitch and just had to do it. I think it would make a great scarf. I have no idea what it is called and my search has turned up bupkis.

Please Help,
Confused in Carrick

Dear Confused,

The stitch that you are looking for is a Pyramid Stitch. It is sometimes called the Little Pyramid Stitch. It is a great pattern for scarves because it will lay flat like garter stitch. It is also reversible so it is striking no matter what side you are looking at.

I was able to find your stitch on this site: http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches.htm. This is a great little resource if you are looking around for a stitch. By the way this pattern is done in a multiple of 6 plus and extra 5 stitches.

Row 1: k5, *p1, k5; rep from *
Row 2: k1, *p3, k3; rep from *, end p3, k1
Row 3: p2, *k1, p5; rep from *, end k1, p2
Row 4: Rep Row 3
Row 5: Rep Row 2
Row 6: Rep Row 1

Our second letter is from Douglas. He, like many Cats, is having Human problems.

My Dear Raven,

Let me say, first, that I am wildly impressed that you have managed to secure your own email account. My human continues to subject me to indignity of using her account, in spite of my repeated requests to the contrary. It is with a great deal of chagrin, tinctured with rage, that I continue to suffer the suppression of my God-given rights as a fully sentient Feline American. If it weren't for the exceptional diet and quarters provided me here, I would surely seek my fortunes elsewhere. But a kitty's gotta eat, as they say, and this human provides me with a daily banquet that is hard to resist. And my cat bed is pleasingly squishy.
 
As I am powerless to turn my back on such comforts, I find that there is pleasure to be found in annoying the human, particularly while she is knitting. She has the unfortunate habit of placing her yarn on the floor as she knits. I conceal myself appropriately and bite her yarn at regular intervals. It gives me the greatest joy to hear her sounds of disgust when she comes to the wet portion of yarn.  The great beauty of it is that she never learns. The words of Shakespeare come to mind… But in the interest of brevity, I shall digress. My human also has an inexplicable preference for straight needles. This provides me with yet another avenue of subtle revenge. I pretend that I am trying to “catch” the end of her needles, and I bat at them in a cliched feline manner. She invariably emits a horrid, Wagnerian screech about how “cute” I am, and only then realizes that she's dropped five stitches. Ah, the simple joys.

And so Raven, if you have any methods for annoying YOUR human, ones that I had not considered, please, do let me know. I am quite eager to hear your suggestions. Also, if you'd like to go out for a catnip sometime, with an older gentleman like myself, please just call. I know a nice little place where they serve a fabulous mouse-en-croute.

Yours & c.

Douglas

Dear Douglas,

Firstly, I understand your predicament. It sounds like you have a Human Training problem. Humans are notoriously difficult to train. I have been fortunate enough to find a Human that has been broken in by several generations of Feline Americans before me. It did not take much to convince her that I need the best treatment possible.

I have found several ways to keep my Human in line when she forgets that I am the center of the Universe.

Sleep deprivation is a very powerful tool in the Feline arsenal. Attacking feet and running across the bed while they are sleeping is very effective. When attacking the feet I find it is best to bite the Achilles tendon. When they kick they almost always kick away.

Sleep deprivation only begins to soften them up. If your Human is not feeding you properly -- steak, salmon etc. -- steal their food. Take it right off their plate or fork. Depriving them of nourishment will also soften them up.

After they are pliable, you go for the computer or yarn. I enjoy walking across the keyboard while she is doing something important. Chewing on the computer cables is also fun. Just make sure it is off first! The coup de gras is the yarn. I like swimming through my yarn. For some reason she is under the delusion that the stuff in her house belongs so her. Stash swimming is very effective. Firstly there is the hair to improve the yarn. Second, if you hear your Human approaching bury yourself in the yarn. When they start going through the yarn nip their hand. Or simply jump out at them when they are near the basket that you are in. Many Human think this is cute. Still, the surprise keeps them off guard.

If you keep it up you can usually train a Human within a year. They are not very bright so you must keep on them. I hope this helps, Douglas. Happy training.
P. S. I have included an email from another cat that might be helpful.

Raven: Our house mother also tries to hide the yarn, but we get even by insisting on sitting on her lap (or chest if she kicks back in the lounge chair while she is knitting) and so our lovely hair is always knit into the sock, scarves, sweaters. This is especially appropriate (read revenge) if she is knitting for those cat allergic daughters and grandkids!

What a wonderful memento from the kitties to go along with the nice knitties!

Regards, Archie and Pinto

Our next letter comes to us from a Human who posted on Ravelry.

Dear Raven,

How come yunz cats won't let me knit in peace? Is there a knitting technique I can perform while my cat is in my lap that won't make his skin “jump” constantly. How can I stop him/them from head-butting my needles? or my coffee cup?

Yours in yarn, Feisty

Dear Feisty,

I have trained my Human to stop doing what every she is doing and pay attention to me when I want her to. My Human also keeps her house well stocked with toys and cat nip.

If you must insist in knitting and doing things that you want to do I have a couple suggestions. First you can knit to and fro. This involves knitting every other row backward. If you stop having to turn your work this will bother you feline master or mistress less.

You may also want to consider what type of needles you are using. Plastic or wooden needles make less noise. This helps keep you from interrupting a cat's napping. My personal favorite is Casein needles, mmmmm. Martha does not like me chewing on her needles as she knits though, so she doesn't use them any more, the nerve!

If none of this works than your knitting is clearly interfering too much. You will simply have to switch to Crochet.

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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