No, don't judge me....

The remodel has not yet begun, but cleaning, sorting and organizing has, thanks to my good friend Jilian. Jilian was an employee at StitchCraft for two years. We've become good friends and I give her the title master organizer. I would go away on a trip, or for the weekend when my shop was open, and she would reorganize the entire shop for me. That meant more sales because you have to move your merchandise around so customers can "see" it better.

Many times, we would reorganize and a long time customer would say,"I never saw this before - when did you get it in?" We would just chuckle to ourselves thinking That's been in the shop for three months now , but finally you can see it :-)

So, I didn't want to bore you with what this room originally looked like, but here it is better organized, so I know where EVERYTHING IS! It took Jilian and I about a day and a half to get it to this point, but soon, the fun will begin with painting, shelving, window treatments, more lighting, a new cover for the sofa (or a new love seat and chairs) and more.

 
From right to left; desk, sewing table, storage drawers with art supplies, papers.

From left to right: Bureau with knitting, embroidery, beading and sewing supplies. Remember the tree in the shop? There it is on top of the bureau. I love that tree. The closet is now housing my knitting needles. I have hundreds. You can't see them well, but they're there. There is also a dress form in the closet.

Sitting area. Ignore the mess which is the playroom adjacent. Still haven't organized that room.

Area with crafting books and weaving supplies. My floor loom is in another room because it's just too big for this room. I have two rigid heddle looms that will fit. That other door is a powder room. The total space is 14' x 14'.

So where is my stash you ask?

My home has a storage room and it's in there. I will move some of it into my studio when it's completely finished, but the majority of it will stay in containers. We have moths in the Pacific Northwest and I don't have an interest in losing my stash to them. Below is the yarn stash. Ten, 18-gallon Rubbermaid storage containers. I think I have enough for two lifetimes worth of knitting.

And below is the fabric stash. Not too big, one bureau full.

Finishing the studio might take me another six months, everything is a process. I've been looking at Studios magazine and Where Women Create (via Somerset Studio) for inspiration. I love Heather Bailey's studio the most. Here is a link to her flicker stream of studio photos. I can't wait to brighten it up! Here's another inspiring studio: Anna Marie Horner's studio here...

Well, the shop is bustling with people working on their holiday gifts. Here are some pics of the Sunday Holiday Stitching Group. Yes, some people did come in their jammies!

Patti C. Showed off her lovely feather and fan shawl done up in Cascade's Rustic.

There are more buttons in the shop. Here's a picture of the latest additions.

And we're re-stocked on Crystal Palace's Mochi Plus. There are three new colorways too!

And we've sorted out some of the holiday cross stitching patterns for you. There's still time to make one for Thanksgiving!

Well, the 7th Harry Potter movie is coming out this weekend. The last book being split in two because it was too long to make into a two hour movie. Do you know where your Harry Potter knitting is? We do. Here are some links to get your Hogwarts knitting on! Most of these were found on Ravelry.com - An online fiber arts community.

We carry all the Cascade 220 Harry Potter Colors too!

This one is a hat called "Hermione-Hearts-Ron". We made this in the shop with some Hempathy for the summer months.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermione-hearts-ron

Here's a Weasley Sweater - Just like the one Ms. Weasley knits up for her children (and Harry) every Christmas.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-weasley-sweater

These are great bookmarks. Are you reading the books over again?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hogwarts-double-knitted-bookscarves

Here's a knitted snitch for the sports-enthusiast in your life.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-golden-snitch-3

Love the Quidditch Socks!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quidditch-socks

And...if you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer link...

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html

We are loving River Twist here at StitchCraft. It looks handspun, it is hand dyed and it comes in the most beautiful colors. It's a 2 ply dk yarn. Each ply is hand dyed by the lovely people over at Mountain Colors. The ladies over at Mountain Colors are really sweet and a pleasure with which to work. They even donated a skein of this yarn to our Open House event!

Right now we're using it to make the lovely Brandywine Falls Shawl from Ravelry. Here is the link to download the pattern. Brandywine Falls shows off this yarn beautifully. And the pattern is very detailed and correct to boot! The pattern takes two of the River Twist hanks.

River twist would make a beautiful weft in a woven shawl as well!

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

We officially announce the beginning of sweater weather!!! It's rainy outside. With the rain comes the perfect time to start stitching...

Below are some cozy new patterns from our friends over on Bainbridge island - Churchmouse Patterns.

Here are some of the new books in the shop (and there are more than what's pictured below).

And we've expanded and moved the Lambs Pride section. One of your favorites. Doesn't it look pretty?

Janelle brought in her cute kitty cat that she made to show us. It's so cute, non? Love the "x" belly button. It's a Danger Crafts pattern, which we sell in the shop.

The Weeks Dye Works Hand Dyed Embroidery Floss is back in stock...

We have some more project bags by Lantern Moon and Walker Bags.

And new from Rowan, is Purelife Bluefaced Liecester Boucle. This yarn is so yummy.
100% British Wool
100g/66yds
US 11 needles

There are some great sweaters and coats done up in the Boucle in Purelife Autumn.

And...there are more yarns on sale. Here's a picture of the sale bin, 20% - 35% off.

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

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.