August 2014 Newsletter

Projects of the Month... Churchmouse Welted Cowl

Sometimes a simple project is just what you need for the dog days of August.  A piece that will be perfect to wear in the fall but will be easy enough to knit while spending the last days of summer with friends and family.  We at Monarch do love our Churchmouse patterns, and the Welted Cowl and Infinity loop is no exception.  To knit the cowl you need just 220 yards of DK or sport-weight yarn and a US6 circular needle.  (If you choose to knit the Infinity Loop you will need about 440 yards.) We knit ours in Rowan's lovely felted tweed but now we are tempted to knit it again in a luxurious cashmere or Madelinetosh pashmina. Cast on and let your fingers fly... Before you know it you will have a lovely piece for fall to protect you from the cool temperatures.  

Projects of the Month... Churchmouse Welted Fingerless Gloves

Do you have about 100 yards of DK weight yarn left over from the knitting the cowl?  We did, so we cast on a store favorite, Welted Fingerless Gloves.  Keep your hands warm but your fingers free (for knitting, of course) on a chilly day.  You can vary the size, work the cuffs in another color or yarn, add buttons to the welts...the combinations are endless.  This is a perfect project for a beginner who is new to knitting in the round.  (Check our our week 1 quick tip!)

We are now a Quince and Co. Flagship Store!

If you have been to the store this summer you have seen our lovely Quince linen yarns and projects of the month.  We are so excited to announce that we will be carrying the full Quince line (due to arrive in the store by mid-August).  We will start with the following bases: Osprey (aran), Lark (worsted) and Chickadee (sport/DK) all of which are 100% American Wool.  We will also carry Tern, a fingering weight yarn composed of 75% American wool and 25% silk. The colors are gorgeous and the pattern support is excellent... Now Ann can knit some of the Hannah Fettig patterns in her Ravelry queue.  Of course, we will continue to carry their luscious linens, Sparrow and Kestrel.  

One of the many attractive qualities of Quince yarn is that it is sustainably sourced. They offer wool yarns that are sourced and spun in the US, known as "territory wool". The wool comes from Merino, Rambouillet, and Columbia-based sheep that are found on ranges in Montana and Wyoming. The wool and wool-blend yarns are spun in some of the finest New England mills. Quince states, "By sourcing our wool in the US and manufacturing our yarn locally, we minimize our carbon footprint." We can hardly wait to have their footprint in Monarch Knitting.

I Have a Pile of Sweater Pieces... Now What?

In your mind you have been knitting a beautiful sweater but when your knitting is done, you have a pile of curled pieces.  Now it is time to turn that duckling into a swan, and we can help you!  After spending so much time knitting your garment, it is important to ensure the last step is done well. Watch Koryn sew her CustomFit sweater together.  She will review the importance of blocking and demonstrate shoulder seams, setting in sleeves, the mattress stitch and how to pick up stitches and properly weave in ends. Join us on Saturday, August 9th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for this information-filled class.  This class is very limited in size so please call the store to reserve a space.

Keep Your Tootsies Warm!... Learn How to Knit Socks

It seems like more and more people in the store are showing an interest knitting socks.  This month we are going to try something new, 3 mini classes to show you how!  We will give you 2 weeks to start the sock and knit in the round to the heel flap.  Come by Monarch on the last 3 Saturdays of the month at 1:00pm and, for a drop in fee of $5.00, we will guide you through the process of knitting a sock.  On August 16 we will show you how to to knit the heel flap and heel, on August 23rd we will tackle the gusset and on August 30th we will knit the toe and finish the sock with the kitchner stitch.  It would be ideal to knit both socks at the same time so you can practice in between lessons.  You will be a sock-pro by the end of the month!

Quick Tips for August

Don't miss any of our quick tips to improve your knitting knowledge.  Come in any time between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on Wednesdays or 11:00am to 12:00pm on Saturdays to get a free 10 to 15-minute demonstration on a knitting technique.  This month's tips are:

Week 1 - Knit in the round with double pointed needles (Perfect for the Welted Fingerless Gloves)
Week 2 - Pick up stitches evenly and with ease
Week 3 - Kitchner Stitch
Week 4 - Knit a basic cable

When you come in do not forget to pick up you Quick Tip Rewards Card!  For each Quick Tip Session you attend, you will receive one hole punch on your card.  Once you have reached ten, turn it in and receive a free Monarch Knitting class of your choice.  

Make your Reservation for the Shibui Mix Party

We love our Shibui yarns!  Shibui is a beautiful collection of soft, rich, luxurious and inspiring fibers.  Marge Okuley (aka Ann Norling), our representative from Shibui, will be at Monarch Knitting on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00am to 12:00pm to take us on a tour through the endless possibilities created by mixing Shibui yarns.  Knit single stranded, they are a dream, but mix the fibers, and they sing.  Mix two or three strands and you have a yarn line that will be your go to each time you look to start a project.  They are also perfect yarns with which to create your CustomFit sweater!  We will also have a Shibui trunk show at the store, so you can see the latest patterns from the line.  If you have knit something from the Shibui line, bring it in... we love seeing what everyone has created!  We will have coffee and treats to munch on, door prizes from Shibui and other special surprises.  Please call the store or email us to sign up for the Mix Party as space is limited.  Cost is $10.00.

Mark your Calendar... Show Off Saturday

What did you knit or crochet over the summer?  We see the yarn wound and ready to be worked with when you leave the store, but far too often do not get to see the finished projects.  Join us for coffee and treats on Saturday, September 6th from 10:30am to noon to show off what you knit or crocheted.  Just drop by to show us your favorite projects!

Don't Forget Our Sale Yarns!

Have you seen our new sale shelf?  Now everything that is on sale can be found in one place.  Take advantage of the deals in our new sale area. Great brand name yarns like Sublime, Cascade, Mirasol, and many more all 20% off while supplies last. We are making room for all our new fall/winter yarns. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates on new items.

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