Well, we are loaded with bags, cases and pouches! Here's Frost with what's new...

From Namaste handbags, we have the Hip Holster. Put your ball of sock yarn inside, hang it over your shoulder and knit and walk at the same time! And, we have their lovely circular needle cases with an accordion-style organizing system (because we know you have more than 10 circular needles).

In addition, there are Spud and Chloe reversible totes, little Namaste notions pouches, Blue Sky Pretty "Cheep" project bags and a variety of other handbags.

Here are the covers of the latest Rowan Magazines and Fall Vogue Knitting.

If you're a quilter or sewist, you'll love Amy Butler's new yarns and knitwear patterns. The yarn has a beautiful hand and comes in her cheerful colors. Here's the stats on the yarn:

Belle Organic DK
50% organic wool, 50% organic cotton
50grams/131 yards

Betsy McCarthy's revised book Knit Socks! has arrived. We have a number of copies in stock, so if you want to reserve one you can call the shop and we'll put it aside for you. The book has eight new patterns and includes instructions for knitting socks on double pointed, two circular, and one long circular needle(s).

StitchCraft is hosting Betsy's Book Signing on Saturday, September 25th from 1pm - 3pm.

Betsy is teaching two beginning sock workshops at StitchCraft this fall. Tentative dates for the workshops are:

Tuesday, October 12th, 9am - 4pm
Sunday, November 7th, 9am - 4pm

You're welcome to get on a wait-list for these classes. Just call us at 360-993-2200.

Here's Betsy's Today Show appearance with Jane Pauley from last March.

Here are Autumn G's beautiful heirloom baby socks. Aren't they gorgeous? I believe the one on the left is from Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And...I took a load of preemie hats to Southwest Washington Medical Center last week. Thank you to all my customers who donated their time to make them. We submitted 21 hats this time. Please keep them coming!

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.

This last weekend I went to a Madrona Summer Workshop with Susanna Hansson on Rovaniemi Mittens. This continues my study of Baltic and Scandinavian knitting techniques. This Finnish Lapland technique class combines intarsia knitting and weaving. The Sami are mainly weavers, but some knitting is incorporated into their native costuming. Here's a picture of the Sami people of Rovaniemi.

This type of colorwork is like nothing else I've ever done in my 35 years of knitting. First, there are bobbins, just like intarsia, and each color (besides the main color) is held on a long needle above your work. You work in the round in the main color, and add the bobbins as you need them, in a particular order determined by the colors you choose and the color pattern. In the photograph on the left, you see my work in progress and the bobbins being held above the work on a long, straight needle.

This method echoes the back strap weaving of the Sami people. Here is a photograph of a Guatemalan woman weaving backstrap method. I did not find a photo of a Sami weaver.

Here is a picture of Susanna at the workshop. She's a fantastic instructor and very passionate about her work.

We learned how to add braids to our knitting. Here are some examples. On the left, is my sample swatch. Middle and left are swatches Susannah completed.

We learned how to finger weave a cord. It's much more substantial that I-cord and I like the look better.

Here are some examples of finished mittens and wrist cuffs.

The gauge of the mitts we made were 8.5 - 9 sts per inch. Here's an example of gage that was correct and gage too large.

If you're interested in learning about these knitting techniques, I'm going to do a demonstration in October. The demonstration will be on Rovaniemi and Bohus techniques. Susanna gave me permission to hold a demonstration at StitchCraft. More information about the upcoming demonstration will be posted in our October newsletter. Please go here to add yourself to the newsletter email list.

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.

Well, I warped the loom again this weekend and decided to make an ethereal shawl. I'm using Kid Silk Haze in Pearl and Heavenly. I'm so excited to get it finished. Did you know that weaving takes up less yarn than knitting or crochet? It's also rhythmical, and being a dancer, right up my alley. I'll post pictures when it's finished. It's done in plain weave and I'm beating it lightly so as to not crush the mohair halo. The first picture is right after I warped the loom.

There's a new Knitscene in the shop. It's the fall issue. I'm really loving some of the patterns in this one.

Our friends over on Bainbridge Island at Churchmouse Yarns and Teas have their own pattern line. These are great accessories. One of my favorites is the linen stitch scarf below.

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.

These socks were done in Zauberball Crazy by Bonnie B. The pattern is called Maizy Lace and is a free pattern here. I just love the gradations of color in this yarn; like watercolors.

This baby blanket in Cotton Blossom by Farmhouse Yarns was made by Kim B. It's a simple pinwheel blanket that starts in the center and increased evenly to give the pinwheel effect. Click here for a free pattern link.

Below are the sock yarns of Mountain Colors. We have both of their sock weight yarns. There's Barefoot, a soft blend of merino, mohair and nylon for durability. And their new sock yarn is Crazyfoot comprised of merino and nylon. Both of these yarns are machine washable. I'm going to knit a cover for my I-Pod Nano with the Crazy foot using this pattern. I just love their deep, rich colors.