Monarch Has Organic Yarns!

Hello again everyone! I hope you found the provisional cast on lesson helpful last week. If there is something in particular you all would like me to demonstrate, please don’t hesitate to suggest! 

This week we got in a few more yarns, some new and some back by popular demand. I would first like to share some new organic wool we got in that is a special Monarch Knitting original. Its 100% certified organic wool and it’s unique to our shop! It knits up very nicely on a size 9 or 10, which makes it a bulky weight. The feel is so soft and squishy! This yarn would be perfect for baby items we think! 

This totally natural wool comes in 100 gram hanks (approx. 120 yds.) for only $10.95 a ball! What a wonderful addition to our organic collection! We actually now have quite a selection of organic fibers to choose from! Swan’s Island makes that beautiful organic naturally dyed wool in a worsted and a fingering weight.

There are quite a few organic cottons to choose from too....

and don’t forget all those great Appalachian Kits, all organic...

If you get a chance, come on down and take a tour of all our organics! We take pride in carrying a wide range of many wonderful yarns! There is something for everyone here! 

This week we now have available 2 yarns we had in the past that are now back by popular demand! Both are fun, colorful, and SPARKLEY!! The sparkey yarns are back in style! Or maybe they never went away! It’s all about the “bling” factor! The first is by Louisa Harding - “Sari Ribbon” a beautiful, wide ribbon that is hand dyed and yes...very sparkley

This yarn was very popular for us in the past! It sold so well until the company stopped distributing it. I guess enough people whined and cryed so now it’s back!!! :) The skeins are bigger too this time - 100 grams! (about 132 yds.) One would be plenty for a nice scarf! I’ve seen this yarn incorperated into garments too and it looks stunning! 

The next little pretty is also back with much pleading....Trendsetter “Dune”. Dune is a little mix of everything just about - Mohair, Acrylic, Viscose, Wool, and Polyester! It’s a double stranded yarn thats a strand of fuzzy and a strand of sparkley. When knitted up it just shines in the light! The mohair part makes it a pretty warm scarf too! I’ve made several for friends in the past (and me!) There is a pattern for a easy/quick scarf made from 2 balls that comes with the purchase. Nice colors too.....

We got in a nice little shipment from Manos Del Uruguay that included lots of their goregous lace!!. Manos Lace is a blend of Baby Alpaca, Silk, and Cashmere! Nice! Just look at these colors.....

This beautiful laceweight yarn is great for many different projects. Scarves, Shawls, you name it! Joan is actually knitting a lightweight top-down cardi out of this fab yarn right as we speak! :) Will share later! 

There are also a few new patterns to use with Manos “Clasica” which we have darn near every color they make!

Last on my list this week of fun new things....some very unique needles! These needles are compleatly hand crafted....from glass!! Yup! These needles are made from pyrex glass and are treated for strength and durability. Of course, they probably wont survive a drop off a cliff, but with everyday normal use these needles are a fabulous knitting experience! They are super smooth and have very nice pointy points! I had to take a pair home to play with. Even the hubby was impressed with these unique needles!

We just could not resist such a unique item, and of course, we must have every needle known to man around here! These will not break due to normal use, but if for some reason it happens there is a guarantee and they can be repaired. Just don’t drop them on a hard surface, (like concrete or hardwood floors) I found out the hard way that is not the greatest of ideas! These are for sure the funnest needles I have used! So different! Come on by and give them a test drive.

That’s about it for this week. Check back later for more fun new items! I will always keep you posted! Enjoy your weekend :)

A Little Lesson on Provisional Cast On.....

Hi there everybody! Koryn here again ;) So lately I’ve had quite a few people come up to me a say “what the heck is a provisional cast on!” There have also been quite a few people that know what it is but feel very confused on how it works, or feel like they can’t do it! Don’t let something like a cast on hold you back.....you can do it! Today, I thought I would share with you a quick tutorial on how this is done. Its actually fairly simple...I promise! 

Before I start, let me give you a quick desciption on what a “Provisional Cast On” is. Provisional cast on is a temporary cast on using a “waste yarn” or spare smooth yarn, which is later removed leaving “live” (loops to be worked) stitches. These “live” stitches are then used to either graft together to other stitches or can then be bound off so both ends of your work match up. I’ve used this technique many times to make many different things, like the ever popular Churchmouse “Mohair Bias Loop”...

and this beautiful cowl I made by Tiny Owl Knits, “Ships and Seaside”....

This is a great technique to have and you will feel so clever after you do it. There are a few different ways to do this but I’m gonna show you my favorite way which is called a “Crochet Cast On”. Ready? Ok here we go....

First thing you want to do is find yourself some smooth “waste yarn”. I like to use cotton because it comes out easier than other yarns. Do not use the yarn that will be knitted in your project, use something that is a contrast in color so it is easily visible. Make sure it is somewhat similar in size to the yarn your project is gonna be knitted with. Now, get out a crochet hook similar in size to the knitting needle you will be using or what your pattern says to use. Don’t freak out if you can’t crochet you will only be making a chain, anybody can make a chain! To make a chain start with a slip knot and put it on your hook like so....

Now, hold your hook in your right hand with your ball end of yarn over your left index finger. With your hook reach under your ball end of yarn, slide it through the loop on your hook like this...

Continue making your chain until you have the required amount of stitches. I usually chain like 4-6 more stiches than needed to knit your item. Once you have chained the required amount, cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and fasten off your chain by putting the tail through the last loop and pulling. Tie a little knot or bow in this end so you know what end to come back to later. Do you have your chain? Ok, so here you see the front side of the chain looks like little “v’s”.....

if you flip it over, you can see there is little horizontal bars or bumps. These little bars are where you are gonna pick up and create stitches using your “main” yarn. Here you can see me poking my knitting needle under one and I’m also pointing to one....

Ok. Now we are ready to pick up stitches! Grab your knitting needle and your “main” yarn. Starting with the second chain from the edge, (working right to left) poke your needle under the little bar I showed you. Using your “main” yarn and leaving a tail, wrap the yarn around the needle like you are knitting. Now pull the yarn back through the bar. You have created one stitch....

Poke under the next bar, wrap yarn around the needle as if to knit, pull new stitch through.....

Repeat this process, picking up and creating stiches under those little bars until you have picked up all the stiches required in your pattern. It will look like this....

At this point you would knit your item, following your instructions. When your knitting is done, you will now be ready to pick outyour Provisional cast on. First lay your knitting on a smooth, hard surface. 

The stitches you were just knitting can stay on your needles, or put them on a holder if you don’t have a spare needle. Turn your knitting around so the provisional side is on the top. Remember the side of the chain that comes undone? The one that has the knot or loop I had you tie? 

Yup that one. Now carefully un-fasten your chain....

Grab a knitting needle to be ready to catch those stiches! Now, if you have picked up correctly, when you pull on the tail the chain should easily undo. You want it to be un-zipping from left to right. Gently pull until you have released a stitch....don’t panic, just take your knitting needle and put that little stitch on it from front to back....

Once that stitch is safely on the needle gently pull on your chain again, releasing another stitch (do one at a time, you will be a lot happier) put that on your needle. Repeat until you have successfully removed your chain and you have all your stitches on your needle (the last one sometimes looks weird but yes, that goes on the needle too) you should have the same amount you picked up at the beginning, Make sure you count them so you can adjust your stitches accordingly. 

Whew! You have now experienced provisional cast on! These new stitches you have can now be used to graft to the stitches at the other end, or maybe bound off in some special way, or a cool edge can be done! See...didn’t I tell ya it’s not that hard?! Go give it a shot....you can do it!! I hope my little tutorial was helpful to you :) If you are still confused come on by and we will show you. Until next week yarn pals! Enjoy your weekend!!

Inca-Eco Blog Tour!

Hi everybody!
Joan here! Koryn will be with you at the end of the week as usual, but I wanted to jump in here to alert you to a cool Blog Tour which just started up and will include Monarch Knitting a few days from now.
This tour wastes no fossil fuel!!! Plus, it's nation-wide!! How earth friendly is that??!!
And earth-friendly is a great theme for this tour, because it focuses on our new Organic Cotton from Joseph Galler, called Inca-Eco! We've always carried (and many of you love Love LOVE) the un-dyed Inca Cotton -- now it comes in a beautiful array of colors! All using earth-friendly dyes! And in smaller skeins so you can mix the colors like we do!

Some of our colors of Inca-Eco

Anyway, we have some lovely surprises to show you when it's our turn to host the tour, but in the meantime, follow along as we spend a couple of weeks getting to know the fantastic family that is Joseph Galler of New York, and the creative designers and shops which use their yarns!
Also notice that these shops are featuring other Galler yarns in their blogs, and we carry most of those yarns, too! Because we love working with generations-old American businesses!
Here's the link:
Inca-Eco Blog Tour
Enjoy your travels!! We'll be bringing up the rear with our special tour blog on Monday, April 2!

A Visit From Amy Hendrix!

Last weekend we had a special appearance from Amy Hendrix, creative mind behind all that fabulous Madelinetosh Yarns we all love. As you all know, Amy was here to give us her color theory class. Coming from me and the 30 eager students that showed saturday...... her class was just fantastic!! The first half of the class was spent learning a bit of color history, how it was created and used. Many colors were made using things from nature, like muds, plants, even certain little bugs. Did you know in the medieval times there was a particular little sea snail that was used to create that beautiful deep purple? This was used to dye the robes that were worn only by royalty! Intertesting! 

After that Amy more into detail about color values (shades of a color from lights to darks), color hue (warm vs cool), color harmony (balancing colors so they are pleasing to the eye), and how colors behave differently depending on what you put it next to. During the break everyone (being so inspired by color) rushed over to our Madelinetosh department! We had all the bins out too so everyone could play with colors.....

With all our new knowledge of color, the last part of the class was all about choosing colors to match our own (and others) complexions, hair color, eye color, etc. Even if your favorite color you want to wear is not quite right for you there are ways to make it work!

 I think one of the best ways to observe colors and how they behave together is being out in nature! Nature creates the most beautiful colors and are naturally harmonious, so get out there and get inspired! 

Thank you so much Amy for such a wonderful, inspiring class!! 

This week we got in a few new things too :) For you spinners we got some new fibers. We got some unique new fiber made from Sea Cell! Sea Cell fiber is a cellulose fiber that is made from seaweed. Seaweed is rich in various vitamins and minerals and has been well known for its use in Chinese Medicine. It’s proven to be great for your skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties! This particular fiber would make a very comfortable, soft, beathable fabric! 

There is one more unique fiber I haven’t heard of....Fake Cashmere! I know that doesn’t sound too appealing when you say it, but it’s a super soft nylon fiber that is as soft as cashmere! It also does not have the cashmere price....you get quite a bit of wonderful softness (1/2lb) for only $10!!! Now thats quite a deal I think! 

soft as a cloud!

Cascade yarns sent us quite a large box of new colors of 220 Superwash!! We now have a total of 32 colors to choose from! How bout those options.....

Good colors! It’s hard to pick your favorite! This yarn is great for just about any project in mind, and its all washable! 

Before I leave you this week I have a wee bit of show-n-tell. Joan made this super cute baby blanket....

Its so soft and perfect little size for a carseat or carrier! It only takes 2 balls Sirdar Snuggly DK and 1 ball Sirdar Baby Snowball, which makes it a less-than $20 project! This would be great as a last minute gift. It’s only takes a couple of days to make. It is also suitable for a beginner. Pattern is now available free with yarn purchase. 

Until next week yarn pals! Happy knitting :)

The Madelinetosh Has Landed.....

It’s here, it’s here.....our giant shipment of Madelinetosh has arrived!!! Just in time for Amy Hendrix’s arrival saturday! Now we are “stuffed to the gills” with Tosh DK, Merino DK, Tosh Sock, Tosh Merino Light, Tosh Lace, and Vintage!!!! Woohoo! Checking it in and putting it out was quite a chore, but one that I would never mind doing! Here I am surrounded in Tosh-y goodness...

Can’t get much better than that! It’s so funny, sometimes I think we don’t even need to display it ‘cause it sells just laying across the floor! haha! Nowone can resist Madelinetosh!  If anyone wants to get thier hands on some before the crowds on saturday - I’m sure there will be! - now will be the time, while the supply lasts! First come, first pick ;) 

I’m so excited to meet Amy, and to tell her if all I had to knit was her yarn.....that would be just fine with me! Can’t wait for that Color Theory Class! I’ll tell you all about it next week (with pics of course). Don’t forget, whoever is taking the class bring your set of colored pencils, some graph paper, and something to take notes with. It’s also won’t hurt to wear (and show off) something you knit out of anything Tosh! Let’s show Amy our Madelinetosh spirit!!  ;)

Remember last week I told you about our new Noro yarn Shiraito? Well, over the weekend Joan made up a scarf in this fab new yarn! I must share....

Isn’t that soooo pretty! It only takes one ball too, free pattern with purchase. I also didn’t realize that this particular Noro yarn is a limited addition!! Noro chose us as one of the few American yarn shops to carry this gorgeous yarn! Isn’t that so awesome! We are lucky little monarchs!

We got in a nice little shipment of books this week. There is one in particular I just had to add to my library. It’s called Betsy Beads by Betsy Hershberg. It’s a book all about making amazing knitted jewelry with beads, beads, and more beads!! This book goes into great detail about all kinds of knitting with beads and has so many creative ideas!! It has great pictures, diagrams, detailed instructions. There are all kinds of knitted (and beaded) necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts, etc. You have got to take a look at this one! It is a must have I think! 

Here are a few other new books we have added to our selection....

and a new issue of Spin Off magazine..

We also got in a small shipment from Manos Del Uruguay that contained a couple of new colors of Maxima...

Pretty aren’t they?! 

I love Maxima! It’s so soft and wonderful to knit! I made my hubby a hat out of this quite awhile ago, and he’s worn it to death. He’s a mechanic and so rough on knitted things. They don’t last very long for him. He sure does love knitted beanies though, so I’ll need to make another! 

Speaking of hats...I almost forgot! Joan made this really cute slouchy hat out of Lousa Harding Grace Hand-Beaded and Hand-Dyed. The main reason she made this one (besides its cuteness) we have our Silk Ribbon Embroidery Class coming up on March 31st taught by June McKnight. Joan knit the hat, and June took it home and did a little silk embroidery to show how easy and how just a litte embroidery with silk and beads can make your knits look like this....

A little close up shot 

Wow! Just stunning! June says there are only a few very simple embroidery stitches used in this technique and anyone can learn! Silk Ribbon Embroidery can be applied to any knits, needlepoint, crochet, or even used to jazz up most store bought clothing! I just might hafto eves drop alittle while she teaches! June dropped the hat by today while I was taking pictures for this blog. I just had to share! In fact, customers in the shop at that time were so impressed 2 of them signed up right then! Now the class is full! Don’t worry though.. these classes with June have been so successful, we will be offering this class again in the near future!

That’s it for this week everyone! There is quite alot new to look at here this week....if you get a chance you gotta come see for yourself.