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.

There's a great summer line up waiting for your perusal on the Class tab of the website. Download your copy today. And this is a gentle reminder to start your holiday projects so you're not chomping on the holiday crunch bar.

We have two new instructors. Let me introduce Amy and Jean and give you a brief description of what's available this summer.

Amy Pope is a knitting enthusiast and is broadening her knitting repertoire through teaching. Amy likes a challenge and is up for anyone that wants to learn to knit - man, woman, crocheters, right handed, left handed. You can do it! Amy's also teaching an intermediate class on reading ball bands and yarn substitution.

Jean Drevdahl-Orchard is our new needlework instructor with over 20 years of experience in many needlearts forms. She is teaching a needlepunch centerpiece for Independence Day, a embroidered needle book and beginning cross stitch.

Leah Moog is teaching a summer baby series. Do you have a special baby or baby-on-the-way in your life? You can make toe-up baby socks, a baby bib and a baby sweater. If you want to learn how to make a sweater a baby sweater is a good place to start. It's small and quick and you learn a lot of sweater techniques in the process.

Christa Kangas teaches beginning crochet. This is a good refresher course if you've had crochet before. Oh, and Christa just started her own bird babysitting company, so if you are going on vacation this summer, Christa can watch your bird.

Charlene Sabin is teaching two intermediate techniques in color. Mosaic knitting is an easy way to incorporate color in your knitting using slip stitches. Double knitting allows you to create a double-sided, reversibly colored fabric.

Tish Chacon is teaching two different handpieced quilt blocks. One for July and one for August.

Carol Combelic teaches beginning spinning. We have two sessions this summer because this class is so popular. Carol's class is fun. You get loads of information on preparing fiber for spinning, different fiber choices and, of course, you learn to spin and you'll play with Carol's spinning toys.

There are some great new pattern books in the shop. Here is a basic review of some of our favorites...

From left to right: Country Weekend Knits is a beautiful book that outlines traditional patterns that are timeless. There are four sections; one for Ganseys, Fair Isle, Aran and Shetland Lace. Hand Knitting New Directions is a book about knitting and how to knit, but with much more information and nicely presented. If you're a budding designer or like to change up your patterns, this is a really nice book explaining many techniques. Simple Style is the latest in the Interweave "Style" series. The patterns are simple in style and timeless. There's a sweater in here for everyone. 101 Luxury Yarn One - Skein Wonders is exactly as it's title and the patterns are really cute.

From left to right: Finishing Techniques for Crochet - finally! A book dedicated to those crochet details. Our crocheters love this book. Felted Knits is not a new book, but it is new to StitchCraft. Many of you have wanted more felting patterns and this is one of the classics. Material Obsession is a new quilt book with new patterns that are based in quilting tradition.

From left: Reader's Digest Sewing - new, updated volume. How many of us grew up with the Reader's Digest crafting "bibles?" This one is lovely with well-explained instructions, photographs and illustrations. Quilting by Hand is another quilting classic. Jinny Beyer's techniques are well-know in the quilting community and she has step by step instructions for making a quilt from start to finish all by hand (yes, all by hand). Seams to Me is Anna Marie Horner's first book with contemporary fashions and home dec patterns. We carry some of her home dec fabrics in the shop. There are beautiful illustrations and directions if you've never sewn before.

Please remember, that when you purchase books from StitchCraft, at their cover price, the authors of these books retain their full royalties from their publishers. When you buy them at a discount book seller, they do not get their full royalty. You vote and support these designers with your dollar!

Just wanted to clarify, that you can join the project class at any time. If you are only interested in one day of help, that's fine too. It will be $10 each time you come to the project class. You can pay as you come, or you can pay in a monthly block. If the class becomes more than six people, I will have another instructor to help out on that night, so everyone receives the attention they need.

Please see the previous blog post or the most recent newsletter for more details.