Fun New Stuff For The New Year!

Hellooo there everybody!! Boy! We have had such a busy week! Last friday we had our little launching party for Laura Nelkin's Kinetik Mystery KAL, which was a great turn out! We had quite a few people participating yaaay! Here's a few pics from that evening...

They sure do have the look of.....don't bother me I'm knitting!! Such determination! I love it :) I do admit, the KAL is not quite for the beginner knitter, but it is such a blast! We were all working on clue 1, which was the swatch. This was a great way to practice the stitches and decide yes please beads, or please no don't make me do beads. I am definitely gonna say YES BEADS!! Here is my little swatch, what do you think? ;)

 This very fun challenge for all you daring knitters (you can do it!!).  Laura's directions are very nicely written! Plus, if you get stuck she has links to videos where she takes you through all the techniques, which is very helpful. Of course, all of us here at monarch are participating in the KAL, so we are happy to help you along as well. Don't forget, this Saturday the 21st from 11-12pm there will be our KAL progress gathering, so come by and show it off or get some help if you need.

If you do come by check out these new bracelet/necklace kits we just got in by Laura Nelkin! It's called Ribband. The kit comes with a beautiful bit of alpaca/silk yarn, glass beads, czech crystal beads, clasp, and a dental floss threader. It's made on only 4 stitches! Super fast, super easy! This cute little accessory is very versatile, it can be worn like a bracelet or a necklace. Can't wait to make one! Gotta finish my KAL clue #2 first!

Right after our KAL launch party evening, we had our in store Big Annual Sale! We don't advertise too largely about it, but it's always Martin Luther King weekend every year on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. So, keep that on your calendars! Lots of good deals, and making room for new goodies :) We all worked really hard that weekend! Sakura is a good example of how we feel after sale weekend....

hehehe! We are all very happy to be here tho! I hope you all had a chance to come check out the great deals. If not, keep it in mind for next year!! Now that the sale is over, we have lots of room for new stuff. We got in some new fibers by Louet this week. We received some beautiful new Eri "Peace Silks"! The Eri silk is created by an Eri worm. The Eri worm creates an open ended cocoon, which means they are allowed to emerge on their own and not harmed! Isn't that neat! In fact, this type of silk is much preferred by vegans and monks in India because they are "non-violent" silks.

We also got in a super soft Organic Wool Fiber, a beautiful Rayon, Merino, Bison, Cashmere blend fiber, and some new colors of Corriedale Top....

quite a nice new selection huh? We think so! :)

Today we got in the new issue of Knitscene!! yaaay! Come grab one before they go! This is a very cute issue...

I thought I would share this new Learn to Fair Isle Knit book we just got in. This one is perfect if you have never Fair Isle knitted before....great step by step instructions, with pictures, and quite a selection of fun projects like hats and cowls...

Speaking of cowls... I just finished one out of Alchemy Kosmos...

the pattern comes from Churchmouse Classics and is called "Annabella's Cowl". Super easy, suitable for the beginner! It came out so soft and warm! It's made extra long to pull up over your head if your ears get cold. I like to wear it folded over for extra warmth :) I've been wearing this one alot (it has been so cold here lately!)
Thats about it for this week yarn pals. Coming soon...... new yarns by Kaffe Fassett!

Welcoming the New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! We have been staying pretty busy through the holidays (thats why there hasn’t been much blogging). We are all really excited for the new year! Looking forward to new projects and new yarns!!

This first week we got in a new spring yarn by Debbie Bliss, Cotton DK.  Its 100% cotton, super soft, and really nice knitted up! It has really nice stitch definition. Just perfect for baby or kids knits! Joan is making a darling little girls sweater out of it right now! Check it out...

This one is gonna be so cute! Can’t wait to see it all finished! The pattern comes from the book Debbie Bliss Baby and Toddler Knits. This book is full of the cutest little sweaters, jackets, booties, and more for little babies up to 5 & 6 year olds. 

Great for us big babies too! :) Especially if you are senistive and can’t wear wool, this would be the yarn for you. 

That’s the only new yarn this week, but there is always more to come! You know I will keep you updated! 

There are a few new magazines this week too.....

and some new books....

Also don’t forget about the Kinetik Mystery KAL coming up next week! The day it starts - Jan. 13th - we will be having a launching party after closing that evening 5:30 - 7:00pm. It will be a fun get together, and even more fun to see what yarn everyone chose! I was orignally going to use some Ella Rae Lace Merino I had in my stash....but changed my mind when Joan dyed this for me!

Wow! That’s definetly my color! The yarn is Dye for Me Merino Silk & Cashmere. I love it!! Even better, its unique! Dyed special for me! Thanks Joan! :) Can’t wait to cast on! There is more information about the Mystery KAL on my last blog entry, or just give us a call or stop by. 

We got a large shipment of spinning and weaving supplies for the new year from Schacht!!! 

For all you spinners or wannabe spinners, we have the new Sidekick! The Sidekick is the wheel you can take with you where ever you go! Its super lightweight, only 13lbs. It quickly and easily folds up for transport. The sidekick is exceptionally smooth and comfortable to treadle, kinda like peddling a bicycle. It comes with 3 travel bobbins, 2 whorls, a threading hook, and adjustable carrying strap! 

If you are a beginner spinner, and not quite sure you want to invest in a wheel quite yet, we do carry a fine selection of drop spindles as well. 

This is a great way to start out spinning to see if it’s for you. We also sell a kit that comes with a drop spindle, a bit of fiber, and instructional DVD to get you started. We can do personal classes too if you need more hands on help. Just give us a call to schedule. 

If weaving is your interest, we just got in a few looms!! The Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom is a great starting option. It comes with everything you need to start weaving! You get the loom (which takes very little assembly), an 8 dent reed, 2 table clamps, 2 stick shuttles, a warping peg, threading hook, and enough yarn to make 2 different projects!! Wow! Great for kids and adults. It’s small size takes up no space at all, and is perfect to make all kinds of scarves, table runners, placemats, and much more. 

If you preffer something a bit larger for more weaving options, we also have the Schacht “Flip” Rigid Heddle looms in 2 sizes, 15” and 20”. The flip is designed for high performance,very sturdy, and folds up easily for storage or transport, and is quite a pleasure to weave on! The Flip Looms come with complete warping & weaving instructions, reed, warping peg, 2 shuttles, 2 clamps, and threading hook. You can also buy additional accessories for the flip like a Trestle Stand, carrying cases, additional reeds, etc. 

The Schacht Inkle Loom is another fun weaving option. Its just perfect for weaving strips like belts, bands, leashes, collars, etc. This is a great beginner option as well because it takes little setup, and is very simple to use and understand. 

Not only are we your one stop shopping for all your knitting/crocheting supplies, we have a pretty good selection for the spinner/weaver as well!! Keep checking back, we will be getting in some new spinning fibers very soon, among other fun things :)

A New Class Schedule for the New Year!

Hello again! Everyone feverishly knitting and crocheting those last minute gifts!? I certainly am! In fact, I was up past midnight last night finishing one of those fun ruffley scarves. In just a couple of days it will be over and done! We will all hopefully go back to our normal knitting/crocheting schedules ;) Not that I don't love the holidays, it it my favorite time of year! I just don't enjoy deadline knitting....it makes me crazy!

We do have some fun things planned for the new year! Our new class schedule is out!! Of course, we always have our Beginning Knitting classes on saturdays. These classes are for beginners, but they can be tailor-made to suit the individual depending on what they would like to learn. I do only teach 2 people a at time in our beginning classes to ensure each student has all the help they need to succeed with their knitting or crocheting (yes I can teach crochet too!)
We also have our ever-popular Fixing Boo-boos class. Learn extremely useful techniques that will help you gain confidence in your knitting! Our Finishing class is also back on the schedule. This class will give you many helpful tips on seaming, blocking and other hints to make your projects come out looking professional!
There are 2 new classes on our schedule as well, taught by the famous June McKnight! The first is a Bead Embellishment class, where you learn many creative ways to use beads in many different projects, whether it be on your needlepoint, sewing, or knitting! I will be there to share 2 different ways you can add beads to your knitting.
The 2nd class is Silk Ribbon Embroidery. This one I am so excited for! I might need to sit in on this one ;) This class you will learn how easy it is to embellish your quilting, sewing, knitting, or crochet projects with little flowers, leaves, or other details using beautiful silk ribbons!
Speaking of beautiful silk ribbons....we have just what you need! It's by a company out of Canada called Treenway Silks. We already carry some of their beautiful hand dyed silk fibers for spinning/embellishment. The silk ribbon is hand dyed and sold in small amounts (little 5 yard cards) and are available in 7mm thickness, and 3.5mm thickness. Just look at the color selection.....

So pretty! I can't wait to play with it! I just imagine a pair of hand knitted gloves or a hat with little embroidered silk flowers on them!!

All of us here at Monarch are also participating in Laura Nelkin's Kinetic Mystery KAL (knit-a-long). This Mystery KAL uses approx. 420 yards of a fingering weight yarn. There is going to be a beaded option for this,  either some beads or lots of beads (or no beads). There will be lace knitting involved. Thats about all we know......it is a mystery after all ;)  To find out more information, or to download the pattern to participate, you can click here. It will start January 13th with the first clue! We will be having a launching party for the KAL that day from 5:30 to 7pm. We will also have process gatherings for anyone who needs help with this Jan. 21st, 28th, Feb 4th, and 25th at 11:00am. I myself have never done a mystery knit along....I've always been a bit of a control freak with my knitting. This will be very exciting!! Can't wait to start! All of the staff here at Monarch will be participating. We have already picked out our yarns & beads! This is what Diane, Joan, and I have picked....

Joan hand-dyed hers out of Dye For Me "Happy Feet", it's so gorgeous! (the one on the top right) Can't wait to see that knit up!!

There is a new kit we got in this week. Its a gorgeous, hand-painted kit by Blue Heron. The kit makes either a vest, short sleeved tee, or a shawl! You can choose to add beads to it as well. The beads are not included, but we do have a nice selection of beads to choose from. Here is what the vest looks like. I love the beaded version! It looks so pretty fastened with one of our shawl pins too!

The kit includes the all 3 pattern options, and 2 big beautiful skeins of yarn! One of the yarns is a Rayon Metallic, the other a fine wool. The 2 yarns are alternated throughout the project. Here are some of my favorite colorways this kit is available in...

Soooo pretty!!! Love it!

That's all I have to share for now. We have alot to look forward to in the new year! New classes, new projects, and MORE YARN!! From all of us at Monarch, we wish all of you Happy Holidays! :)

Last Minute Scarves!

Hello again! I hope everyone is ready for the holidays 'cause here they come! This week we have some more last minute gift ideas for you...and some new yarns!! Are you all familiar with that really cool Triana yarn by Katia? The one that makes a quick, easy boa like scarf...

well this yarn has been such a hit around here, that we ordered some others like it by the same company (Katia). These new yarns are so, so awesome and different, I think you will like them just as much if not more! All of these fun, new yarns I'm about to share take only one ball to make a scarf! That is a beautiful thing :)  The first one is called Ronda. It is an acrylic ribbon that has little rectangle boxes on the top of it. When you knit using just those little boxes, it gathers and makes a pretty ruffley scarf like this...

So cute! I made this in one evening, sitting in front of my fireplace while watching "A Christmas Carol". I was so happy how it knitted up and how speedy it was, so I'm making a few for gifts! Even me with my busy schedule can fit this project in!

The next new one is called "Ondas". It's a "mesh like" ribbon yarn, and when you knit into it poking along the top of the mesh, it ruffles up like this...

Also very cute! Diane made this in, yes, one evening!! The Ondas has many color choices, and some of them have sparkles in them. Anything shiny or glittery always attracts me, like a raccoon. This is very simple to knit, a beginner can do it! The end result make you look like a genius!

Next up is another called "Park Avenue". This yarn is a fluffy soft knitted mesh that you knit by poking into one of the edges. The end result is stunning, and very fashionable I must say!

Of course, it only takes 1 ball to make! You are only working with 3 stitches on your needle! Super fast, instant gratification ;) There are 8 colors to choose from! I have been wearing this one around the shop for 2 days. It's been a bit chilly in here! Not only is it fashionable, it is also very warm. 

Those are our new scarf yarns! I hope you love them as much as we do. You still have time to make everyone on your list something special. We have many quick gift project ideas that will give you much bang for your buck!

Along with all those fun scarf yarns, we also got in some other pretties this week! For all you Noro lovers out there...we have new colors of Kureyon! Kureyon is 100% Wool that self stripes in many bright, stunning colors....

Ooooh nice full bin of yarn! This yarn is great for just about anything. It even felts up beautifully! Joan knitted a really cute hat out of one ball. I wish I has a pic, its not quite done yet. The pattern will be a free with purchase. 

There is also a new yarn by Debbie Bliss. It's called "Party Angel". It is just like regular "Angel", a silk & Mohair blend laceweight.....but now with sparkles! Yup, gotta love those sparkles! I made a pattern by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas called "Mohair Bias Loop" that everyone has just gone crazy over! 

Mohair Bias Loop!

I must make another....with sparkles!!!

Yesterday we got in a new yarn by Joseph Galler called "Asana". Its a bulky weight half alpaca, half peruvian wool. The fibers are plyed together into a super soft yummy to-die-for yarn! It kinda has a hand spun look to it, sort of thick and thin to make a very nice texture. The price is very good too for such a fab yarn! Only 11.99 per ball, with 140 yards per skien! I think this would make a really cozy scarf and/or hat! 

That's about it for this week knitting pals! Always more to come :)

The Holidays Are Upon Us!

Hey there yarn pals!  I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving.  All of us here at Monarch are very thankful to be here to share our inspiration with all our wonderful customers! You are the reason we are still here and still successful! Thank you, thank you! Keep on knitting & crocheting,  and we will keep providing you with the best yarn (and needle) selection on the peninsula ;)
Sorry, it has been a couple of weeks since my last blog entry.  The holidays are here, and it has been busy, busy, busy! Everyone has Christmas knitting (and crocheting) on the brain, and we are getting down to the wire! I thought today would be a good day to share with you some of our favorite last minute knitted gifts that have been very hot during the holiday season. One of our most popular is this 1 ball chunky infinity scarf....

The pattern is free on Ravelry, it's called "Marion". We made it out of one ball Cascade Magnum. We have this wonderfully soft 'n chunky yarn in many color choices. This will take you no time at all! Knitted on size 19's, I was done with this in about 30 minutes...thats one TV show!! You can't get much faster than that!

Here is a good one to share! Kathy Lang, our newest addition to the Monarch staff (and we are so, so thrilled to have her!),  knitted this gorgeous scarf out of 2 balls of Noro Tanabata. Its another free pattern on Ravelry called "Edelweiss Neckwarmer". The pattern is a very simple knit, and it's on size 10's so it makes up pretty fast. I just fell in love with it! You can sew a couple of pretty buttons for a closure, or use a fab shawl pin like we did. I think I'll be making one of these of sure!

This next one has been popular year, after year. Its these little fingerless gloves made out of one ball of Adriafil "Knit Col". This yarn is a 100% superwash merino wool that self stripes! There are some new colors this year to choose from. They are bright and cheery!

Love this yarn! The pattern come free with the purchase and they are super simple to make.  This is a good,  "I've never made gloves before" project.  They are pretty fast too.  I made them last year as gifts. It took me about one glove per evening.  All my recipients were very happy :)

Oh yea!  Don't forget about these Road to China Mitts too!  I talked about these 2 blogs ago, they are super easy 'n fast, and the yarn is super luxurious.  Everyone loves fingerless mitts for Christmas! The pattern is, of course, free with the purchase.

So, for all those picky guys in your life...some knitted beanies! I have got to say, I have the pickiest hubby, very sweet but very picky. He never wants knitted things, but he loves beanies! The patterns I have always used for him or any other guy I've knitted for, are the Ann Norling hat patterns. There is a basic ribbed pattern, and a cool spiral ribbed one. The Ann Norling patterns are so great because you are provided with many gauges, so you can use any yarn you want! There are many sizes provided as well. Here we used one ball of Manos Del Uruguay Clasica...

These are fast and picky-man approved!
For all you gals out there wanting those cool slouchy style hats, we have just the thing! There are these little booklets called Celebrity Slouchy Beanies, that have the cutest in-style hats! There is a Knit version of this book and a Crochet one! In the knit version, I made the pretty cabley one out of one ball Swans Island Worsted, a super soft organic wool that is naturally dyed. I think we have sold over 100 of these little booklets! I had lots left over I might make these cute little gloves by Swans Island...

So there are your Christmas knitting tips for this week...I hope we have inspired you! You still have time, there are 25 days left!!

You know we can't go a week without getting in some fun new stuff!! We have a few new yarns in you must come see! The first is 2 new yarns by Alchemy. There is Silken Straw, and it is exactly what its name is...100% Silk "Straw Like" hand dyed yarn, that knits up so silky & shiny! Joan made this really cool scarf out of 1 ball, our good friend, Fawn, is modeling for me...

So pretty! The pattern is yet another free one found on Ravelry.....good 'ol Ravelry always has great free patterns! It's called 7 Circle, click here for the pattern! Joan is in progress of making yet another, very cool scarf out of this yarn, but I'll need to show you when its done! So stay tuned for that :)

The next new Alchemy yarn is called Kozmos. Kozmos is a hand dyed silk, mohair, wool, and cotton blend. The colors are to dye for! haha get it?! I'm in progress of making yet another cowl out of this lovely yarn! The pattern is Annabella's Cowl by Churchmouse. Its knitting up pretty quickly on a size 9 and it's very, very easy! The yarn is knitting up so beautiful and soft! Can't wait to show you the end result!

We recently got in a shipment of everyone's favorite cashmere by Jade Sapphire!! Along with the 4 ply sport, we now have 2-ply lace available! It's amazingly soft and wonderful to knit! You can't get much better than cashmere :)

Last but not least on our list of new yarns is Swans Island! This beautiful organic, naturally dyed, merino wool, we now have available on a fingering weight! The fingering weight has a generous yardage of 525! Joan is so fond of this yarn she is in progress of making 2 samples! She is making the "Panoramic Shawl" from Coastal Knits. Also, some really pretty, cabled fingerless gloves I will share with you when they're done.

That is about all the time I have for sharing today. I seems like the days are just flying by so fast lately! Stay tuned for more...