Knitapestry Newsletter Early April, 2023
Hi all-
We are now fully into our Spring season, with our heavier yarns migrating out and cottons and linens moving into the store. We're also adjusting schedules for Spring holidays, and ready to gear up for the NJ Wool Walk at the end of the month!
We've received a brand new color palette in Organicon, a fingering weight organic cotton from Scheepjes:
Charmaine will be shifting some of her Punch Card Hours to her home(s)...see below to sign up for her newsletter through the Groupspot App for the latest info!
Our Knit Nights continue. The first Wednesday of the month is on Zoom; the second and third Wednesdays are in-store.
***For the month of April, however, we're skipping the first Wednesday Zoom entirely, and the only Knit night will be on Wednesday, April 12th, in-store. April 19th and 26th are also cancelled for vacation and for the NJ Wool Walk.***
Fiberside Chats' next guest, Natasja Hornby, is on deck for Sunday, April 2nd, at 1PM EST.
Last but not least, the Annual NJ Wool Walk finishes up the month from April 26-30th. It's nearly a month away, but we have passports available and also project bags to preorder. We'll keep you in the loop on the busiest week in our yarn year!
A bit of housekeeping here-Knit the Rainbow has suspended its garment collection for the season-they'll start collecting again after the summer. So hold on to those generous gifts for now.
TO RECAP:
Masks-encouraged (but required if you're not fully vaccinated).
Knit Night-Zoom 1st Wednesday, next 2 Wednesdays in person.
Sitting at tables if FULLY vaxxed-okay!
Food or drink-no
Knit the Rainbow-**Donations closed through summer**
Ridgecrest donations-yes, but needles-no
Please check out our website for the latest projects and offerings at http://www.knitapestry.com
- Saturday, April 1st: Little Coffee Bean Sweater 9-10:30AM; Store open 10AM-4PM; PCH 4:30-6:30.
- Sunday, April 2nd: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM; Beginning Crochet with MaryAnn Gebhardt 3-4:30PM.
- Monday, April 3rd: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Tuesday, April 4th: PCH 9-10AM; Store open 10AM-5PM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, April 5th: Store open 10AM-1PM.
- Thursday, April 6th: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM.
- Friday, April 7th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, April 8th: Little Coffee Bean Sweater 9-10:30AM; Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, April 9th: Store closed Happy Easter!đŁ
- Monday, April 10th: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Tuesday, April 11th: Store open 10AM-5PM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, April 12th: Store open 10AM-5PM. Knit Night 7-9PM in- store.
- Thursday, April 13th: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM.
- Friday, April 14th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, April 15th: Store open 10AM-4PM; PCH 4:30-6:30PM.
- Sunday, April 16th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-noon.
We look forward to seeing you!
Anna, Charmaine, Fran, Gemma, Nancy & Noa
Knit the Little Coffee Bean Sweater with Gemma 9-10:30AM April 1st and 8th and the 22nd 9-10AM. Cost is $40 in-person, $35 on Zoom.
The Little Coffee Bean sweater by Elizabeth Smith is an easy, cute baby cardigan designed in 3 sizes. Top-down raglan construction makes this a completely seamless design, perfect for your first sweater project. You should know how to knit and purl; we'll help with the rest!
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Beginning crochet-learn a one-color granny square with MaryAnn Gebhardt Sunday, April 2nd, 3-4:30PM. Cost is $45.
Join Maryann in a small group setting to learn crochet by creating a one-color Granny Square. You'll need yarn, and a matching hook, which can be purchased in-store. Class limited to five students. Call the store to register.
Knits for the 2022 Thanksgiving MKAL are available in limited quantities in-store.
You asked and Charmaine listened! She's made a small number of kits for her latest Mystery Knitalong complete with yarn and pattern. It'll include Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino and Soft Silk Mohair as well as all charts and a tutorial. Kits are $110 and only available in-store for now.
Fiberside Chats: join zoom chats with some of your fiber-y faves!
They've invited some of your favorite designers and creators to join us for a series of online gatherings with Longmont Yarn Shoppe: Fiberside Chats!
Here's the link for more info: https://www.longmontyarn.com/shop/Fiberside-Chats.htm
The gatherings, hosted on Zoom, are one-hour sessions with special guests joining us to give a peek into their world. These designers and creators will discuss their unique path, creative processes, latest projectsâor whatever is inspiring them now. There will also be a Q&A session, giveaways, and other fun surprises for those who join!
Fiberside Chats costs $20 to register. You can choose Knitapestry in the dropdown menu to assign your registration fee to us.
- Pick your yarn store host
- Choose how many spots you are reserving
- Check out.
Upcoming guests:
- April 2nd: Natasja Hornby-Mosaic Knitting
- April 16th: Justin Lorkowska-Knitted on Borders
- April 30th: Anna Hrachovec-Mochi Mochi
- May 21st: Ann Budd-Adjusting for a Different Gauge
This Sunday, we feature Natasja Hornby:
Stunning Mosaic Projects!
"Have you found yourself captivated by beautiful mosaic knitwear designs and are curious to learn more about how to create stunning mosaic projects for yourself? If so, youâre invited to join us in a fascinating Fiberside Chat with knitwear designer, Natasja Hornby, as she discusses her exploration of the mosaic knitting technique and provides hands-on instruction to help you create your own mosaic works of art."
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, April 2nd at 1:00pm Eastern, 12:00pm Central, 11:00am Mountain, 10:00am Pacific, 7:00pm CEST
THIS CHAT WILL BE RECORDED
The New Jersey Wool Walk 2023 is coming April 26th-30th
22 stores across the state will participate in a yarn crawl. Stores will have passports available for $6 ($5 for the Passport, and $1 goes to the Center for Food Action). There will be giveaways, and discounts, and trunk shows-general merriment statewide. All stores will be open at least 10AM-5PM Wednesday-Saturday and Sunday from 11AM-4PM. The full details will be available shortly on the NJWW website . There are also 10" x 7" project bags available for preorder at $15 (passport + bag are $20 together). Call the store to preorder yours.
Beginning Knitting with Anna-Thursdays, after the store closes at 4PM; sign up for 8 sessions for $130.
Anna will host beginning knitting classes weekly. You'll learn the skills so you can call yourself a knitter! The package includes 8 hours of instruction. Classes do not have to be in sequential weeks and you can opt to take two hours in a row if you're rocking! (She will also make herself available on the same basis for her "My First Sweater" class. Supplies purchased in-store get a 10% discount.
Preregistration required-YOU MUST CALL BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ROOM IN THE ONGOING CLASS. Please don't just stop in : )
Sock Knitting with Anna-Thursdays, after the store closes at 4PM; sign up for 3 sessions for $50. Supplies for class purchased in store get a 10% discount.
Anna will add traditional sock knitting to her Thursday afternoon rotation. The three sessions will cover casting on/different methods of small circumference knitting; knitting around the heel, and finishing the toe. With class sizes so small, this is the perfect time to add to your sock knowledge!
Preregistration required-YOU MUST CALL BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ROOM IN THE ONGOING CLASS. Please don't just stop in : )
My First Sweater with Anna
4-class sessions, Thursdays, also after the store closes at 4PM. Take your four classes when convenient! $65 per series. You'll get a 10% discount on all supplies purchased for the class.
These basic project classes are designed to help you to finally tackle a sweater! Find that simple pattern you've always wanted to try. There's a lot of knitting in a sweater, but a lot of reward, too. Work on the basics of gauge, pattern/yarn selection, deciphering a pattern. These techniques should be in your toolbox and none of them is particularly hard. Each knitter will choose their own sweater project and get the help they need. So if you've been unsatisfied with your previous attempts, or really have never done a project like this before, join in! You must call in advance.
Next Steps Knitting with Gemma Sogabe
Tuesday evenings, 6-7 or 7-8 PM; Sundays at 10AM. $65 per 4-class session.
Preregistration required; 10% discount on supplies purchased for class.
Gemma is once again offering her class, perfect for new knitters who want to build on their beginning skills. You don't have to attend sequential weeks, but this isn't a drop-in-you must let Gemma know you're coming in advance.
Knit Night -the first three Wednesday evenings of each month, 7-9PM.
This free get-together is hosted on Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month, and in-person at the store on the second and third Wednesdays of each month. No food or drink, and proof of vaccination required. Zoom codes will be posted in the newsletter as well as on social media.
Punch Card Hour is now on GroupSpot!
Charmaine is ready to help you tackle whatever is holding up your project----a dropped stitch? can't remember where you are? or maybe even deciphering the pattern. PUNCH CARD is the place to figure it out so you can keep knitting.
You can join Charmaine's PCH Group on GroupSpot by clicking this link.
Sessions occur when the store is closed and follow the COVID policies of the store. You can purchase a 5 or 10 punch card (get your 11th punch free) or simply drop in for $10. No RSVP needed. Feel free to contact Charmaine directly here, with any further questions.
Knit the Rainbow is a charity dedicated to helping at-risk LGBTQ youth. We'll be a drop-off location for garments for this group. (And no, items don't have to be rainbow-colored!)
"Knit the Rainbow (KtR) was founded in April, 2020 after the Founder, Austin Rivers, discovered the housing disparities facing LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. Austin learned there were a few nonprofits dedicated to providing housing and/or shelter for this community; however, he knew there was still more to be done; this is where KtR was born.
Austin learned to knit while performing on a tour in Japan and felt he could use these skills to provide warm protective winter garments for LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness. KtR hopes to educate people across the country about the housing crisis these youth are facing and increase the number of youth served by asking volunteers to knit or crochet at home and donate the garments to KtR to be distributed in New York City and Chicago.
KtR has big plans for the future. We hope to not only these cities, but to eventually provide winter protective garments to homeless LGBTQ+ youth across the country. In addition, we plan to partner with other nonprofits who provide shelter and housing to these youth and offer knit/crochet classes for their residents so they too can knit garments for themselves and the rest of the community facing this housing crisis."
Yarn Donations for Ridgecrest Senior Housing:
Help local residents make hats and clothing for a variety of charities. These knitters are motivated and prolific...we're happy to play our small part! We'll take your CLEAN yarn and bring it to the senior center, where residents will work on their projects. Your destash is ultimately comfort for a person in need, and there's the added piece where these knitters connect and are engaged not only with each other, but with the community. Please: no needle donations.