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.

So this was the scene at the shop this week...

What is that behind the counter?  Yup, a sick child. First, child #2 got the virus and now, child #1. But, I am fortunate that I can bring my children to work and take care of them when they're sick.

My husband can work from home too, so he got the sick one on Tuesday, which was really nice because it was our Groundhog Day sale and we were very busy. To top it all off, I feel like I'm getting something too. Not good since I'm teaching at Madrona next week. Let's see if I can fend it off.

On a happier note; there are some new books in the shop. Nature's Wrapture is a nice little book dedicated to the garment called a wrap. Keep yourself warm on cool nights with some of these really nice patterns.

This book is GREAT! Knitting Brioche is really the first really technical book with beautiful patterns for this interesting stitch.

And yet another sock book. I especially like the patterns in this one.

Woo hoo! The wait was REALLY worth it. We opened the box on Thursday and our eyes instantly popped out of our skulls. Jilian and Melony were here and we just wanted to dive in the box and roll around like cats - but we didn't because that just wouldn't be appropriate. The pictures don't do it justice.

The semi solid colors are the BFL made especially for us to coordinate with the SeaSock and Wexford.

There are three yarn qualities. From left to right we have:

Westerly SeaSock
70% superwash merino, 30% seacell (natural seaweed fiber)
4.5 oz, 415 yards

Carys Blue Faced Leicester
100% Blue Faced Leicester (a lovely wool with a very soft touch and light halo)
3.5 oz, 230 yards

Wexford Merino Silk
60% silk, 40% merino
4oz, 240 yards

And...the following yarns are 20% off right now:

Nashua Ivy
Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille
TyDy Cotton
Cotton Blossom by Farmhouse Yarns
Pima Tencel
Rowan Tapestry

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.

We have swifts and nostepinne's! Nostepinne means "nest stick", a handy tool to wind a center-pull ball of yarn without changing the twist of the yarn. It's portable and easy to use. It comes with instructions.

The swifts are table-top swifts made of hardwood. The pegs are adjustable to fit your hanks. The best thing about these swifts is that they're very affordable at $40 each.

Take a look at the "porcelain" blue needles in sizes US 7 and US8. They're so pretty and functional and make a great gift for a special knitter.

And lastly, we received double-pointed needle cases (or small accessory cases). Use them to store your needles, tapestry needles or stitch markers. In 6 different metallic colors.

All of these items make great gifts!

We just got Louisa Harding's new lines - Willow Tweed and Thistle. We carry the patterns and every color of both yarns. Here are the stats:

Thistle
Fiber: 60% Merino Wool, 40% Suri Alpaca
Yardage: 98
Stitches: 4.5
Needle size: 8
Ball weight: 50g

Willow Tweed
Fiber: 40% Alpaca, 40% Merino Wool, 20% Silk
Yardage: 128
Stitches: 5.5
Needle size: 6
Ball weight: 50g

The Pattern Book for the Louisa Harding yarns is called Little Cake. Here are a few selections from the book:

And...new patterns in the house by Knitspot! We have a large selection. Here's a sampling.

Ann Hanson is the designer and the patterns are very clear, well written, which is something we love at StitchCraft.

Exciting news in the shop. We're expanding our stitching corner to include new patterns and threads. Even if you don't stitch, but do like to embellish, you won't be able to resist the hand dyed embroidery floss just in from Weeks Dye Works. A lot of our patterns require the dimensional quality that a hand dyed floss can only give. Here is a picture of the lovely colors - there are 184 of them!

 
And, I just got word from our beloved Presencia today that they're adding 9 new metallic and 34 new solids to their already fabulous embroidery floss line. That will be 288 colors not including the new metallic and their variegated floss. We will receive that batch this June.

Below are some new items for stitching. Double zip pouches from Walker Bags. They're see through, so you can see all your goodies inside. Perfect for a small cross-stitch or needlepunch project. Below right is the Handy Caddy. It stands up on the table and has many pockets to store your needles, scissors and floss. And...we just got the cutest little scissors - many are airline travel approved.

And here is just a tiny look at the new cross stitch, embroidery and punchneedle patterns we have in stock. Below left is a spring theme biscornu (objet d'art). Below right is the summer theme. Gotta love the crab smiling at you.

Below is a lovely spring pillow embroidery pattern from Crabapple Hill.

Below left is a gardening-themed punchneedle pattern from our favorite Lizzie Kate and below right is our Valdani Threads three-strand hand overdyed embroidery floss perfect for punching with your three stranded needle.

And on another note...

The Punta del Este arrived today - beautiful!!! Pics of that to come.

So, we're so sad to hear, but The Fibre Company's Savannah DK is discontinued. This is one of my favorite yarns in the shop. We had a little Rowan sweater done up in it in red. It's now 30% off. Whip out your patterns and see if anything fits the gauge because this is a beautiful yarn for all seasons. We have 18 colors.

50% Merino
20% Organic Cotton
15% Linen
15% Soya Fiber

US 5 or 6 needles
24 - 26 sts/inch

Made in USA!!!

Many of you have asked about the ever-popular earflap hats. We have a variety of patterns, and here are some for your perusal.

Above left is Lisa Ellis' Sampler Earflap Hat and right is Lisa Ellis' Twined Earflap Hat.

Above left is Sheep  Shop Yarn Co.'s Ear Flap Hat and right is Blue Sky's Fair Isle Ear Flap Hat and Mittens Set.

And one for children - Knitting Pure and Simple's Hat and Mitten set (ear flaps are optional).

And lastly...

A new pattern from Fiber Trends; Natural Comfort Felt Slippers.

We received some really great books this week. And if you wanted a copy of Boutique Knits from the trunk show, we have five left and I will place another order when those are gone.  Here is what I'm talking about:

The Eclectic Sole is a great sock book. If you're ready to move on to more challenging patterns, this one's for you. There are patterns for toe up, top down, lace, cool ribbing patters and lovely color combinations to inspire.

Toe-Up Techniques is exactly what it says with really nice illustrations on techniques and lovely patterns.

French Girl Knits is very romantic. Lace, ruffles, sheer, chunky - many patterns to tempt your romantic side. I love her explanation of set-in, top down sleeve construction.

Shetland Lace is a classic. It's been reprinted in color with new samples of the patterns. Come on in and get some Shetland 2 ply or Ultra and play with lace inspired from the Shetland Isles.

Crochet Bouquet is a really nice compilation of crochet flowers. One of our crochet teachers, Christa Kangas, is using this book for her class.

My personal favorite of all the above is Knitwear by Sasha Kagan. Sasha designs for Rowan and I've had the pleasure of taking an intarsia workshop with her. All of her books inspire me. Intarsia is a knitting technique where you knit blocks of color into your work as opposed to Fair Isle colorwork in which you are constantly working with two colors per row of your knitting. Maybe I'll teach an intarsia workshop in the fall.

And below is the work of our customer, Krista Kaski. Krista creates the lovely stitch markers that some of you have purchased here in the shop, and lives in Battle Ground. This is a Blue Sky Alpacas pattern called Girl's Smocked Coat done up in Blue Sky's Bulky yarn. Krista knitted this coat for her daughter.

Come and check out all these lovely designs by Portland, Oregon's local designer Laura Irwin. Boutique Knits is her new book. You can pick up a copy at StitchCraft. Here are some of the designs...

Above left are her raglan wrap and soft kid bubble. Above right starting at top, going clockwise are her pleated denim purse (blue), big brown wrap, pleated denim purse (white), sunshine intarsia bag, and the half-felted bag.

A lot of Laura's designs use metal hardware. If you're interested in a class teaching how to use hardware, please contact the shop and let us know. Laura said she would be happy to teach a workshop for us if there is enough interest.

Here are more pics...

Above left is the side slip cloche and right is the beaded fair isle hat.

Above left from left to right are her teak bittersweet gauntlets, softly pleated sleeves and plain talk ruffled mittens. Above right are her bamboo diamond shell and braided cable belt.

There are more samples in the shop.