June 2014 Newsletter

Projects of the Month... Ilene Bag

A perfect tote to hold your Monarch Knitting purchases – or for a trip to the farmer's market – the Ilene Bag.  This stretchy bag has a comfortable, wide strap ready to be thrown over your shoulder as you walk through town.  Just 2 skeins of our new Quince and Co Sparrow will complete the project.  Knit a few for friends as great Christmas gifts!  Jana knit our sample and fell in love with this beautiful organic linen and its yummy colors.  If knitting a project like this is new to you, have no fear: we will have an Ilene Bag class on Saturday, June 14th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

               ... and The Crochet Market Tote

The Ilene bag's crocheted cousin... Going to the market has never been so stylish.  For those who crochet, this is the perfect bag.  Two skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic and this free pattern are all you need to complete this handy tote.  This stretchy bag can be folded up to easily fit into your handbag.

Ilene Bag Class

Learn to knit the Ilene Bag with us!  On Saturday, June 14th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm we will help get you started on this great market bag.  In the class you will pick-up stitches, work in the round, knit a basic mesh fabric, learn how to tink back, if a mistake is made, and work a 3-needle bind off.  To prepare for the class, we ask that you buy the yarn and knit the base of the bag (just 25 rows of stockinette) before the class meets.  It will be a fun afternoon and you will be on your way!

Let's Learn to Crochet a Granny Square

Didn't everyone have something created with Granny Squares in their home in the 70's?  Every where we look we see Granny Square throws for the home and for new babies.  So grab a crochet hook and some worsted weight yarn and join us on Saturday, June 28th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm to Granny Square away!  In this class you will learn the techniques used to make a granny square and how to color change from row to row to create a colorful square.  This class is for those who know how to chain stitch and double crochet.

Quick Tips... with a bonus for you!

We would like to start off our week by inviting you to our next Quick Tips Session. Come in any time between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on Wednesdays or 11:00am to 12:00pm on Saturdays to get a free get a free 10-15 minute demo on a helpful knitting technique. Every week we feature something different. This month the tips are:

   week 1 - directional decreases
   week 2 - directional increases
   week 3 - single crochet
   week 4 - double crochet

We are introducing a Quick Tip Reward Card. For each Quick Tip Session you attend, you will receive 1 hole punch on your card. Once you have reached 10 punches on your reward card, turn it in to receive a free Monarch Knitting class of your choice. Collect your Quick Tip Reward Card at the shop. We love giving rewards! 

Knit Your Way Through Summer

Join us here at Monarch for a couple programs that will keep you inspired to knit through the summer months.  Long, lazy days are the perfect time to knit something special for you or to knit a few gifts to put away for the holidays.  Vacation is our favorite time to have projects on the needles!

Summer Knitting Club

Join our summer knitting club and be rewarded!  Register with the store by June 15th and pick your projects.  Cast on at the first of the month and finish by the last day and we will reward you with $10.00 in Monarch bucks towards you next purchase.  Knit projects in all 3 summer months and you will be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate.  Each project must be a total of 400 yards (you can knit two smaller projects) and the yarn must be purchased at Monarch Knitting, please note that past purchases do not apply.   You pick the project but each month has a theme:

June - knit or crochet something for a friend or a charity (details on charity              
knitting at the shop)
July - try something new... A new technique or pattern
August - knit or crochet something for YOU!

You can sign up for the club by calling the store, posting to the Ravelry topic titled "Summer Knit Club", sending us a Facebook message, or emailing us at customerservice@monarchknitting.com.  Once you have registered we will send you more details on the Club.  

CustomFit Knit Along

Knit a CustomFit sweater along with us here at Monarch.  Who doesn't want to knit a pattern that is made for their body?  If you are new to sweater knitting, this is a great place to start.  Just think, a bit of knitting this summer and your sweater will be ready for chilly fall days!

We had a great turn out for the kick-off coffee!  Thank you to all who attended!  If you missed the coffee, it is not too late – join us!  Just stop by Monarch to be measured ($10.00 CustomFit fee), select your yarn (yarn must be purchased at Monarch Knitting) and start your swatch.  We will give you tips to help you get started if this is your first project.  

On Sunday, June 1st, (or anytime after) it is time to cast on!  Join us at the store for social knitting (1:00pm to 3:00pm) if you would like to cast on with us! Watch our progress and get tips on Facebook and our new blog.  If you complete your project on or before August 31st, you will receive a $20.00 Monarch Bucks rewards and you will have a beautiful sweater to wear!  Please call the store if you have any questions.

Sale Yarns

Our Sublime is on sale!  We will continue add to the sale throughout the summer to make room for some new lovely fall yarns.  This month we have included Sublime's Baby Cashmerino Silk DK and Extra Fine Merino DK to the 20% off basket.   We also have Zauberball's Murano Lace and Mirasol's Sami and Paqu Pura on sale.  Come by to stock up on some great values!