StitchCraft

Betsy's Book is Here!!!

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:45:05-0700

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, October 9th 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.

Children Weaving

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:51:51-0700

My little guy started weaving yesterday. He's making a bag for his beloved "Fluffy Bear". Fluffy bear is special. He's made out of alpaca fur and is the softest toy on the planet. He will show you Fluffy bear if you ask him when you're here. Fluffy bear likes white and light blue, so that was why those colors were picked.

Frost is a perfectionist even though he knows his parents mess up on a regular basis. When I tell him it doesn't have to be perfect, he gets frustrated with me and tells me to "be quiet mommy". I'm so happy he's discovering the serenity of weaving.

Learning Curve

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:59:06-0700

Well, my silk and mohair shawl is finished and boy, did I learn A LOT!!! First, never warp your loom with mohair. The fibers stick together when alternating between up shaft and down shaft. Next time, I'm going to use Blue Sky Alpaca Silk for the warp and the fluffy mohair for the weft. Even though it was trying, I went slowly and separated the fibers when I had to, to the tune of a 12 hour shawl.

It took me about 45 minutes to warp the loom, about 10 hours to weave and another hour to finish it with the fringe. It is beautiful and I love how the two colors of mohair blended for an ethereal silver-blue. And, it's really warm due to the silk. Here are all the pictures. It's nice to be a novice again!

What's New?

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:23:27-0700

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

Customer Creations

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:51:48-0700

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!

What's New In The Shop?

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:24:27-0700

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.

Rovaniemi Mittens

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:16:21-0700

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.

Fall is coming....

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:26:13-0700

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.

Gossamer Weaving, New Knitscene and Churchmouse Patterns

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:08:11-0700

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.

Stitch 'n' Pitch

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:25:17-0700

STITCH 'N PITCH AT PGE PARK!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Portland Beavers vs. Reno Aces

7:05 P.M. (gates open at 6 P.M.)

The Portland Beavers invite you out to PGE Park for a fun evening of

two American traditions - Baseball and Needlearts!

Sit with family, friends and fellow stitchers
Free "The National NeedleArts Association" tote bag
Stitch for a good cause - Knit Caps go to Caps for Cancer!
$10 reserved tickets - $2.50 off the box office price

Call Andy McCulloch at (503) 553-5443 to book your tickets today!
Offer not valid at the PGE Park Box Office.
Deadline to order tickets is Tuesday, July 21 at 5p.m.

Summer Knitting and a New Yarn

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:57:46-0700

It's summer and that means you might see one of these in the shop with me.

You've got to love his sense of style. Shirt, made by big brother, shorts by Hanna Andersson, and socks, bumble bee stripe by Gymboree. You'll find him behind the counter, trying to entertain you, or helping to package up your purchases.

My first summer knitting project was the Hermione Hearts Ron found here (for free) on Ravelry. I did it up in Hempathy. It's super soft and lightweight and cool for the summer.

And, the first of the Fall yarns has arrived. It's Anzula's Wash My Lace and it's perfect for a summer lace project. Here's the details:

100% Superwash Merino
990 yards per hank
$26 per hank
Comes in 12 beautiful semi solid colors (the picture just doesn't do them justice).

Independence Day Sale July 2nd and 3rd!

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:15:08-0700

We're having an Independence Day Sale yea! On Friday, July 2nd and Saturday, July 3rd, you receive 20% off of all crochet, knitting and cross stitch leaflet patterns, and 20% off of all cross stitch and punchneedle supplies. And don't forget, we still have quite a bit of yarn on sale for 20% to 35% off. Let's make room or fall!

Yarns on sale are:
Malabrigo Worsted, Malabrigo Silk/Wool DK, Zaol Cannon, Zaol Camelot, Rowan Wool/Cotton, Dale of Norway Harlequin, Lorna's Laces Organic DK, Manos Silk Wool DK (select colors), The Alpaca Yarn Company Swizzle, Online sock yarns, Sheep Shop sock yarns, and more!!!

New Stuff and Customer Creations

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:15:46-0700

Well, there's a new yarn in the shop. It's Brown Sheep Company's Lanaloft Bulky. If you love making those felted clogs for Christmas, I'll bet they'll look great in Lana Loft. It's 100% wool, 3 stitches per inch on US 10.5 needles, 7 oz, 160 yards. We have all the handpaint colors in stock. This would also make a great Juliet sweater. We're doing the Juliet sweater in knit-along fashion August/September. See the class schedule if you want to join the knit-along.

And we have more colors of the Brown Sheep Company's Lamb's Pride Worsted in semi-solid colorways. They all knit up pretty.

New sock yarn in the shop. It's Online Candy Color self-patterning yarns. They're beautiful!!!

There are some new shawl pins in the shop. They're all handmade of hard woods. There are diamond stick shawl pins and shaped pins.

Maya J. stopped in to show us her beautiful fingerless gloves. She designed them herself and they're called Twilight (not sure if there's a movie/book reference or not to the name). She made them in three layers...

Upcoming Classes

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:02:00-0700

There are a few upcoming classes that still have openings. Please call us to register over the phone with your credit card 360-993-2200. You will receive a 10% discount on all your class supplies.

Learn to Knit Washcloths

Learn to knit, or learn some new pattern stitches as you make the ever addicting washcloth. Once you make one, you won't want to stop. This is a great holiday gift idea.

Wednesday, June 30, 6pm - 8pm
Instructor - Leah
$25

Lace Fingerless Gloves

Make these charming fingerless gloves. Great for summer nights. Learn lace in the round.

Tuesdays, July 6th & July 13th, 6pm - 9pm
Instructor - Leah
$45

Beginning Hairpin Lace

Hairpin lace is an easy and beautiful crochet technique. Items made can be used to create scarves, blankets, baby items, or pieces to be attached to another garment.

Saturday, June 26th, 2pm - 4pm
Instructor - Christa
$25

Beginning Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom

We are currently taking names for all of you that want a beginning weaving workshop. The workshop will be offered sometime in late September or early October. Please call us and leave your name. We will call you back with class details.

Oh Claudia, How do we love thee?

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:56:22-0700

Let me count the colors..1, 2, 3...45!

Baby stuff? Hats? Fingerless Mitts? Oh, the possibilities...