StitchCraft - knitting

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.

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.

Books and Paigewood Farms Yarns

Mon, 24 May 2010 09:45:39-0700

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.

Warm and Cozy

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:54:08-0700

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.

Mountain Colors and Customer Creations

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:25:51-0700

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.

Let's Talk About Lace, Shall We?

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 10:54:23-0700

Well...I've wondered what the next knitting "craze" was going to be and it's looking a lot like lace! The spring issue of Twist Collective has seven patterns for lace shawls. Here are some of my favorites from the issue:

We have a special section of the shop devoted to lace weight yarns...There's Lacy Lamb, Lace Ball, Winter Lace, Ultra, Panda Silk, Bonnie's Bamboo, Tili Thomas silk, Alpaca Lace, Mericash Thousand Color and Mericash Lace. Not-to-mention all the other fingering weight yarns we carry, which works up in lace beautifully.

And here are some new lace yarns from Mountain Colors. It's called Winter Lace and it's 50% merino/50% silk. 600 yards per hank. The lace balls below are Skacel's new Lace Ball. It's 75% merino/25% nylon at 800 meters per ball.

Betsy McCarthy is teaching a lace workshop here on Sunday, April 25. You learn three lace patterns and come away with tips and tricks for making lace knitting easier. You will also learn to read lace charts and leave with ideas to design your own shawl or scarf pattern. The class is $60 and there are five spaces left. The class is from 9am - 4pm with a break for lunch. Here's a picture of Betsy with one of the queens of lace, Evelyn Clark.

Zauberball, The Next Generation and Lace Ball

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:59:28-0700

We just love the Zauberball yarns. Here's the latest - a sport weight ball called Starke 6. What fun socks to make!

And here is the new Lace Ball by Skacel. 800 yards of lacey goodness.

Ready for Spring Reading?

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:45:25-0700

We just got some AWESOME books in the shop. Here's the review:

Weaving Made Easy is a must have for beginning weavers that are using the Rigid Heddle Loom. This book provides great instruction with great photography. It's like taking a beginning weaving class. Alabama Studio Style is another great stitching book by Natalie Chanin. You can make everything in this beautiful book by hand. No sewing machine necessary. 60 Quick Knits is just what the title says, but it's all made out of one of our favorites - Cascade 220.

The lace book you've been waiting for The Haapsalu Shawl, a book filled with knitting history and information on the masters that knit the garments. There are a ton of charted Estonian lace patterns as well. Crochet in Color has some of the most interesting colorwork for crochet that I've seen. This isn't your grandmothers crochet poodle-toilet-paper-cover book. Itty-bitty toys is an AWESOME book of toys! She even has five reversible toy patterns in this book. If you liked Itty-bitty hats and Itty-bitty nursery you're gonna love Susan B. Anderson's new book.

Knitwear Design Workshop is a comprehensive guide to handknits by designer Shirley Paden. There's lots about math in here and a lot of detailed explanation on the design process. Embroidered Effects is the latest book out by Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. Not exactly new, but restocked, How to Crochet is a really great guide to beginning crochet. For those of you that like to teach yourself your needlework skills, this is a good place to start for crochet.

Our Wonderful Betsy McCarthy

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:56:43-0700

Tomorrow between 8am and 9am PST, Betsy McCarthy, my mentor, very close friend and StitchCraft knitting instructor, is going to appear on the Today Show. Please watch! Betsy talks with Jane Pauley about her career change from hospital administrator to knitting instructor. The segment that Jane is doing right now is called Your Life Calling. It's about people making career changes and following their passions, later in life. Very applicable to our job market today. The complete interview with Jane will be available on the AARP website.

Here is the AARP "trailer" for the interview with Betsy and Jane.

http://www.aarp.org/money/work/your_life_calling/

And, Betsy has a new website:

http://betsymccarthyknits.com/

Betsy's book Knit Socks is going to be re-published in this summer. If you would like to reserve a copy of her updated book, please let us know. We're going to host a book signing too!

How exciting to have a knitter in the spotlight! I hope it inspires others to take up the art of handwork.

The Raffle Basket for the Yarn Crawl

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:16:00-0700

This basket is stuffed with knitterly goodness:

Three books, two of them new from publisher Stewart, Tabori and Chang. They are Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans, Knitted Socks East and West, and Knits Men Want.
Copy of Knitting Traditions Magazine
Imperial Stock Ranch Kit
8 balls of yarn
Takki Yarns Kit
Lantern Moon Circular Needle
Lantern Moon Basket
Lantern Moon Needle Case
Berroco Kit
Unicorn Wool Wash
Pocket Pals Pattern Booklet

Happy crawling (or running!) to the shops!