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 :)