Knitapestry Newsletter Late January, 2023
Hi all-
It's been humming at Knitapestry as new yarns arrive daily, and new projects catch our attention, like the ubiquitous Sophie's Scarf from Petite Knits:
We're lucky enough to score some of the beautiful sheep-specific yarn from Wrinkle in Thyme Farm in Maine (from These Girls, Finnicky and Diva), and fresh spring colors in Manchelopis and Brusca.
And we're thrilled for a Save-the-date of March 19th when we welcome guest instructor extraordinaire, Kimberly McAlindin. Details to follow!
Our Knit Nights continue. The first Wednesday of the month is on Zoom; the second and third Wednesdays are in-store. The next Knit Night, February 1st Zoom code is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84339288000
Our Spring cardi class with Gemma is coming up! Beginning February 4th, we'll have a workshop for the Gambit Cardi from Wool and Pine:
And Fiberside Chats next guest, Kate Oates, is on deck for Sunday, January 22nd at 1PM EST to talk about planning and how that will help you to make optimal garments.
A REMINDER: FULL VACCINATION IS REQUIRED FOR IN-STORE FUNCTIONS. It means boosters.
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-Bring it in!
Ridgecrest donations-yes, but needles-no
Please check out our website for the latest projects and offerings at http://www.knitapestry.com
- Sunday, January 22nd: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM; PCH 4-6PM.
- Monday, January 23rd: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Tuesday, January 24th: Store open 10AM-5PM; PCH 9-10AM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, January 25th: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Thursday, January 26th: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM; Kate Davies Knitalong 7-8:00PM.
- Friday, January 27th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, January 28th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, January 29th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM; PCH 4-6PM.
- Monday, January 30th: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Tuesday, January 31st: PCH 9-10AM; Store open 10AM-5PM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, February 1st: Store open 10AM-5PM; PCH 5:30-6:30PM; Knit Night Zoom 7-8:30PM.
- Thursday, February 2nd: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM;
- Friday, February 3rd: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, February 4th: Gambit KAL 9-10AM; Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, February 5th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM.
We look forward to seeing you!
Anna, Charmaine, Fran, Gemma, Nancy & Noa
Our Thursday evening Zoom Knitalongs begin again on January 12th. The theme of the next few weeks will be the designs of Kate Davies.
Choose any project from the prolific pattern writer, Kate Davies-she's done sweaters, blankets, hats, mittens, even hot water bottle covers! We'll meet Thursday nights on Zoom on January 26th; February 16th, March 9th and 30th. It's a true KAL in the sense that there's no instruction but a nice gathering of knitters around a central project or designer. No cost to join. Call the store to be put on the zoom list!
Our next project-based class from Gemma: The Gambit Cardi by Wool and Pine Designs for Spring! Saturday mornings at 9AM on February 4th, 11th, and March 4th and 11th. $65 in-person, $55 virtually includes videos, pattern and 10% discount on supplies purchased for class.
"Featuring classic design elements: stockinette, cable button band, a touch of seed stitch- on the collar, button band, cuffs and hem- and tidy i-cord edging for clean lines. Rounded out with a chic, slightly structured fit and elbow length sleeves. Perfect when paired with a sunny retro minidress or crisp modern separates, Gambit Cardi is a straightforward knit with lots of personality!
Gambit Cardi is ideal for the beginner garment knitter for several reasons: It’s DK so it’s quick, it’s seamless and knitted flat (worked back and forth rather than in the round), an unfussy fit offers lots of flexibility and the basic design elements are a great opportunity to build your repertoire of stitches."
This boxy cardigan will be perfect for spring and summer! We will, of course, have Gemma's famous bonus video lessons included, as well as video help from the designers. You'll need to know knitting/purling and be adventurous on this DK-weight sweater. You'll be able to take the class virtually or in-person, and the pattern is also included. 10% off supplies purchased for class.
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 projects—or 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 chats will feature Kate Oates on January 22nd:
Ready, Set, PLAN!
Knitting a sweater that flatters begins with the work you put in on the front end, before even casting on. In this chat, knitters will learn all about the pre-knitting prep that goes into creating a dream sweater fit including swatching tips, taking measurements and how to choose a size based on ease and garment construction.
To make the most of this chat, knitters should have a few things handy: scrap yarn, notebook & pencil, measuring tape & a sturdy piece of cardboard letter sized or larger (a flattened box will work just fine!)
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, January 22nd at 2:00pm Eastern, 1:00pm Central, 12:00pm Mountain, 11:00am Pacific
THIS CHAT WILL BE RECORDED
Your ZOOM Link will be sent the evening before and about 1 hour before the event. Check your spam filter if you do not see it.
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. Students can choose their hourly lessons and the package includes 8 hours of instruction. They 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 : )
We wanted to complement our a la carte beginning lessons with a more traditional class-get up and running on a regular schedule to master the introductory skills you'll need to call yourself a knitter!
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 his or her own sweater project and get the help he/she needs. 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
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.
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.