We just love Manos del Uruguay yarns at StitchCraft. We carry the Clasica, Clasica Multi Colors, Silk Blend Multi Colors and we just added their Clasica Naturals and the new Maxima line.

The Manos Clasica line is a luxury workhorse yarn. Wool Clasica is hand-spun and kettle-dyed.  The natural variations in texture and color produce a rich knitted fabric ideal for outerwear; the yarn takes particularly well to simple stitch patterns and felts beautifully.  The broad color range is wonderful for home decor projects! We carry (from left to right) the solids, multi's and naturals.

Fiber Content: 100% wool
Yardage: approx. 100g, 138yd/125m
Gauge: 16 sts = 4″/10cm
Needle size: #9 US / 5.5mm

Manos Silk Blend is a luxurious blend of merino wool for softness with silk for luster and drape.  Perfect for indoor garments and transitional outerwear, its brilliant palette invites traditional colorwork.  The soft heathering of the fiber blend plus the gentle striations of the kettle-dyeing process also give depth and complexity to single-color projects.

Fiber Content: 70% merino wool, 30% silk
Yardage: approx. 50g, 150yds/135m
Gauge: 22-24 sts = 4″/10cm
Needle size: #4-6 US / 3.5-4mm
Care instructions: Handwash, dry flat

Maxima is a super soft and squishy kettle-dyed yarn. The worsted weight one-ply construction makes it a great all purpose yarn, and the fantastic yardage makes it perfect for 1 skein accessory projects. Fun, bright, intense colors will make your hand made item stand out from the crowd!

Fiber Content: 100% merino wool, kettle dyed
Yardage: approx. 218 yds/201 mts per 3.5 oz/100g skein
Gauge: 18-20 sts = 4�/10cm
Needle size: #7-#8 US/4.5 – 5 mm

Oh, this is going to be a long post! We are stocking up on new items for your fall knitting and crochet enjoyment. The holidays are coming sooner than you think, so you must get going on those projects so you don't get carpal tunnel in December!

First, we've got the infamous and limited edition of the Spud and Chloe project sacks. They're reversible and have the cute logo printed on them. Come and get one while the supply lasts.

We have new yarn!!! It's Cascade 128 Superwash. Sooooooo soft and squishy and in Cascades's most popular colors.

The Stats:
128 yards, 100g
100% merino wool
100% machine wash

We've got some new books too!!!

And, we decided the shop needed to be freshened up a bit. Here's the new arrangement.

Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud and Chloe new for fall items are here!!!

We have new colors in Brushed Suri, Melange, Suri Merino, Worsted Cotton, Sweater, Outer and Fine. Here are some pics of the beautiful yarns.

And here are pictures of the new fall patterns from Blue Sky and Spud and Chloe:

Above left to right are: Pack O' Puppies, Flower Power Throw, Lucky Number Pullover, Uplander Pullover and Buck Hill Pullover.

Above left to right are: Brushed Suri Wrap, Peruvian Cabled Scarf, Brushed Suri Tunic, Olga's Mitts and Market Tote.

We are re-stocked on Paigewood Farms Alyeska sock yarn and new in the shop is their Willow Creek Lace weight. It's 100% merino and at 675 yards, you could make a really nice rectangular or triangle shawl.

Here's what the latest shipment of books brought...

Knits men want is by far my favorite pattern book for men. It's written by a man and he's spot on when it comes to getting the point across. Tunisian lace stitches will be a nice compliment to our summer class (the class schedule will be delivered with the newsletter in a few days) on Beginning Tunisian crochet. Weaving made easy is a really great book for the beginner rigid heddle weaver. Our first shipment of Schacht looms are on their way. We will set one up in the shop so you can try one.

I really love Northern Knits. There are traditional, yet modern patterns in this book. Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic and Shetland knitting is covered.

Yes, It's almost May, but I'm pretty cold today! How about a nice cozy afghan?

Oat Couture has four really cozy patterns. Here are a couple of the ones we carry at the shop. On the left is Heritage Blanket and on the right is the Curlicue Coverlet.

Here are two from Manos del Uruguay's new afghan books Geometry and Shadows and Reflections

And we've received a new book from STC Craft. It's Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans.

We just love the Zauberball yarns. Here's the latest - a sport weight ball called Starke 6. What fun socks to make!

And here is the new Lace Ball by Skacel. 800 yards of lacey goodness.

We just got some AWESOME books in the shop. Here's the review:

Weaving Made Easy is a must have for beginning weavers that are using the Rigid Heddle Loom. This book provides great instruction with great photography. It's like taking a beginning weaving class. Alabama Studio Style is another great stitching book by Natalie Chanin. You can make everything in this beautiful book by hand. No sewing machine necessary. 60 Quick Knits is just what the title says, but it's all made out of one of our favorites - Cascade 220.

The lace book you've been waiting for The Haapsalu Shawl, a book filled with knitting history and information on the masters that knit the garments. There are a ton of charted Estonian lace patterns as well. Crochet in Color has some of the most interesting colorwork for crochet that I've seen. This isn't your grandmothers crochet poodle-toilet-paper-cover book. Itty-bitty toys is an AWESOME book of toys! She even has five reversible toy patterns in this book. If you liked Itty-bitty hats and Itty-bitty nursery you're gonna love Susan B. Anderson's new book.

Knitwear Design Workshop is a comprehensive guide to handknits by designer Shirley Paden. There's lots about math in here and a lot of detailed explanation on the design process. Embroidered Effects is the latest book out by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. Not exactly new, but restocked, How to Crochet is a really great guide to beginning crochet. For those of you that like to teach yourself your needlework skills, this is a good place to start for crochet.

This stunning hat is the creation of Maya J. She designed the hat based on the colors she sees on her morning walks with her dog. I especially love the tassels representing lichen, pine cones and pine needles. Fair Isle is beautiful isn't it?

Next, a couple of hats by Kathy B. She calls them "hats for the family". They're done in Spud and Chloe sweater. I love the color combination.

And, there is a lot of new colors, patterns and new yarns from Blue Sky Alpaca and Spud and Chloe.

Above left, we're restocked with Blue Sky Bulky. Above left, new to the shop, Blue Sky Melange. Below left are new colors in Blue Sky Dyed Cotton and below right is Blue Sky Multi Cotton - a new yarn.

New colors came in Spud and Chloe Fine - how about a bright pair of socks for spring? And, new colors in Blue Sky Skinny Dyed Cotton.

These are the latest, special edition travel patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas. We received all the latest patterns for spring by Blue Sky and Spud and Chloe. So come on in and check them out.

Lastly, a new yarn by Knit One Crochet Too. It's Ty Dy Dots. It's just begging to become a baby sweater. It's 100% cotton and in ice cream colors.

Patti C. brought in her finished Fair Isle tam last week. It's stunning. Patti designed the tam with the help of our fantastic Fair Isle instructor, Charlene Sabin.

And there are a bunch of new books and magazines in the shop. The latest Vogue Knitting, Interweave Crochet, Piece Work and Knit Scene.

New books that arrived are:

And we just got the most spectacular shawl pins and shawl lollipop sticks. When I was on vacation in Florida, I naturally visited the local yarn shop and the ladies behind the counter kindly gave me the name of their local artist that makes these lovely pins. They're made of unbreakable clay and fired with beautiful metallic foils and color. Just look at the detail. Each one is one-of-a-kind.

Here is Jolene J. showing off her lovely summer shell done up in our lovely Bonnie's Bamboo. A gorgeous lilac don't you think?

And here is Nicholette modeling her crocheted toque done up in Rowan's Siena. Siena is a fingering weight mercerized cotton yarn with the look and feel of silk. It's great for crochet.

And speaking of crochet, there is still room in Christa's Beginning Crochet Class details are:

Fridays, August 14, 21, 28
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Fee: $45
Instructor: Christa

You will learn to chain, single crochet, double crochet and create shells while you make a Retro Scarf.

And...we have the latest issue of Interweave Crochet in the shop.