February 2015 Newsletter

Sweet Knits! February 2015 3 Projects We Love... The Drachenfels Shawl Drac-who? Pronounced Drak-ken-fells, this gorgeously knit shawl was designed by Melanie Berg, a knitwear designer based in Germany. With its color-work stripes, it is knit in garter stitch from tip to edge, then neatly finished with an I-cord bind-off. Ann knit hers quickly with gorgeous yarns. She chose three complementing colors, Tosh DK in Venetian, a velvety red/grape color, and Anzula's Cricket in Red Shoe and Ballerina, and the finished piece came out beautifully. Of course, half the fun is choosing colors too - the possibilities are endless!  Baby Hearts Wrap your little loved one in tiny hearts with this adorable baby blanket designed by our very own Jana Deck. Knit out of Berroco's Comfort, she used three balls in a pretty red color, the blanket measures perfectly for strollers and car carriers too. A lovely gift for precious little valentines!   Sweetheart Hat Knit this darling hat just in time for Valentine's Day. After searching for an ear-flap hat for a dear friend's baby, Jenn knew this needed to be knit out of Big Bad Wool's Weepaca. She used two skeins and there was enough left over to make extra hearts. Designed by Susan B. Anderson, this Sweetheart Hat will keep little ones toasty this season.   Classes and Events... 3 Ways To Knit In The Round Saturday, February 7 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm     Knitting in the round got you down?  Join Koryn as she discusses the three ways to knit in the round: using double pointed needles, two circular needles, and magic loop.  She will have examples of each technique ready to go so you can get your hands on some knitting and try it for yourself.  This is a perfect way to see what is most comfortable to you without committing to an entire project.  This class will also include general tips for knitting in the round. Needles and yarn will be provided, just bring  your happy selves!   Tea with Ann Norling Saturday, February  from 10:00am to 12:00pm     Everyone so enjoyed meeting Marge Oakley (aka Ann Norling) at the Shibui Mix Party last autumn, we decided to bring her back for a casual knitting circle. There will be plenty of knitting but also socializing, coffee, and treats. Marge has a new hat pattern to introduce and will also bring many fabulous things to try on. Marge is a wealth of knitting knowledge and we are lucky to count her among our friends at Monarch Knitting.  Make plans to join us for this fun, inspiring morning!   New Arrivals... Happy mail for all of us and you! We're beginning to receive shipments of new yarn from our trip to TNNA!    1. We've brought back Ewe So Sporty in fun new colors from Ewe Ewe Yarns. 2. Berroco's Comfort has been met with gratitude for those with wool allergens. 3. Love Cotton Classic from Tahki? We now have it in a sport-weight! 4. Another new sport-weight is Liberty Wool Light from Classic Elite Yarns, a finer yet equally fun counterpart to their Liberty Wool.  5. We now carry notions and project bags from Bee, Bark & Moss.  These hemp bags are so attractive and they are produced in Carmel.  We love to support our local manufacturers! Coming Soon...   During our trip to TNNA in Janurary, we fell in love with far too many things.  This spring we will be welcoming a few new items to our shelves.  Zen Garden Serenidpity DK is a blend of super wash merino and a bit of cashmere.  The colors are rich and stunning.  We will be adding Owl to our range of Qunice & Co. bases.  American wool and alpaca create this lofty and plump fiber that is a joy with which to work.  We will also be adding Chiao Goo red lace circular and double pointed needles to our collection at the store.  We also placed a huge order of Malabrigo to fill our shelves in the coming months.  Keep an eye on Facebook as we will announce the arrivals soon! Quick Tips... Make 2015 the year you expand your knitting knowledge.   Come in any time between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on Wednesdays or 10:30am to 11:00am on Saturdays to get a free 10-15-minute demonstration on a knitting technique. This month's tips are: Week 1 - Color Work - How to Knit Stripes Week 2 - How to "Tink" Back (Rip out your stitches) Week 3 - How to Pick up a Dropped Stitch Week 4 - How to Rip Back a Few Rows of Knitting Facebook and Instagram... Get a little daily inspiration and like us on Facebook and Instagram. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonarchKnitting) is the best way to follow all of the happenings at the store. We post every day on a variety of subjects like project ideas, new arrivals to the store, reminders about social knitting, quick tips and classes, and interesting articles about knitting and crochet.  Also this is the only place we alert you to "Friday Flash Sales." Could there be another coming up in February? Have you joined us on Instagram? Come check out our feed because the photographs are amazing. A big thank you to Sara Higgins, of Sara in Pursuit, for working with us to create these wonderful images. We just hit 1,000 followers in January!  (http://instagram.com/monarchknitting) Thank you to everyone who has supported us on social media! A Friendly Reminder... Credit Card Charges – We will accept credit cards for charges of $10 or more only. We appreciate your understanding regarding this change.   Pacific Grove Bag Ordinance – On March 1, 2105 the city of Pacific Grove will implement a “Carry Out Bag Ordinance” that requires all retailers to charge 10 cents for carry out bags. Please start 2015 by remembering to bring your own bag when you shop throughout the city so you will be ready on March 1.  Classes and Events... Beginning Knitting Classes Saturdays: February 7, March 14, March 28, April 4, May 2 11:00am to 12:00pm or just call the shop to schedule a time! $20.00 Have you always wanted to learn to knit? If so, this is just what you need! In this 1-hour lesson you will learn to cast-on, knit and cast-off. Beginning Crochet Classes Saturdays: February 21, March 7, April 18 11:00am to 12:00pm or just call the shop to schedule a time! $20.00 For a change of pace, learn how to crochet. In this 1-hour lesson you will learn to chain stitch, single crochet and double crochet.     3 Ways to Knit in the Round   Saturday, February 7, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $30.00   Knitting in the round got you down?  Join Koryn as she discusses the three ways to knit in the round; using double pointed needles, two circular needles, and magic loop.  She will have examples of each technique ready to go so you can get your hands on some knitting and try it for yourself.  This is a perfect way to see what is most comfortable to you without committing to an entire project.  This class will also include general tips for knitting in the round. Needles and yarn will be provided, just bring  your happy selves!   Tea with Ann Norling   Saturday, February 28, 10:00am to 12:00pm $10.00   Everyone so enjoyed meeting Marge Oakley (aka Ann Norling) at the Shibui Mix Party last autumn, we decided to bring her back for a casual knitting circle. There will be plenty of knitting but also socializing, coffee, and treats. Marge has a new hat pattern to introduce and will also bring many fabulous things to try on. Marge is a wealth of knitting knowledge and we are lucky to count her among our friends at Monarch Knitting.  Make plans to join us for this fun, inspiring morning!   Color Affection Class... Featuring Short Rows Saturday, March 7, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $30.00 (does not include class materials)   There is a reason over 10,000 people have knit this shawl, it is addicting!  This class is a great for beginners who can cast on and knit.  You will be able to perfect your knit stitches as this beautiful shawl is worked in garter stitch.  Join us to cast on the project, learn to use short rows, and create stripes with color work.  We will talk about carrying colors in your knitting, take the mystery out of "wrap and turns", and give you a couple of pattern modifications to make the shawl a perfect piece for you to wear.    Before the class please come into the store to purchase the pattern and three skeins of fingering weight yarn in lovely, complimentary colors.     Brioche, Anyone? Saturday, March 21, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $30.00 (does not include class materials)   Learn to knit the beautiful, bouncy, warm brioche stitch.  Some are intimidated by this versatile stitch, but once you learn the technique you will see how simple it really is.  In this Brioche class, you will learn how to knit a 2 color brioche stitch, how to correct your mistakes (tinking back takes a little practice), and how to decrease and increase.  You can knit either a hat or a cowl, so please come into Monarch prior to the class to pick your project and the appropriate yarn.  Brioche? Mais oui!   Anzula Trunk Show Thursday March 26, 2015 2:00pm to 5:00pm   Anzula is packing up their vintage suitcases, brimming with yarn, for a visit to Monarch Knitting.  Come join us to see what surprises are in store.  They will feature new yarns and colors, some bases and colors we do not currently carry at Monarch, as well as some of our favorites!  For those of you who love to spin, Anzula will be bringing an array of spinning fiber!  If you see a yarn or fiber you love, you can purchase it right there on the spot. They will also have their knit samples there for inspiration and patterns available for purchase.  Make your wish list and join us.     Take the Mystery out of Fair Isle Knitting Saturday, April 11, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $30.00 (does not include class materials)   Have you ever admired a beautiful color-work garment and believed it to be too difficult to attempt?  Fear no more... we have the perfect class for you!  Pick one of two projects, Color-Work Fingerless Mitts or the Vogue Knitting Koigu Cowl (if you are feeling a bit more ambitious), and we will have you fair isle knitting in no time.  In the class we will show you how to work with two colors simultaneously, strand and weave yarn, read a color-work chart, and how to correct a mistake with the duplicate stitch.  Before taking the class, we ask that you come into the store to select your project and cast on and knit to the first row of fair isle.     Mastering Cables Part 1 - Saturday, April 25, 2:00pm to 4:00pm Part 2 - Saturday, May 9, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $70.00 ($30.00 for class materials, excluding needles, and $40.00 for two class sessions) Join us for this 2-part class and learn to master the knitted cable.  In Part 1 of the cable class we will review the different type of cable needles and teach you how to cable with ease.  We will also teach you how to "read" your cabled knitting and demystify charts.  Part 2 is filled with invaluable lessons as we will teach you how to cable without a cable needle, making cables a breeze.  We will also help you find and fix your mistakes by dropping down and knitting a fake cable.  Once you have completed this class, you will never be afraid to tackle a cabled project again!     A Visit from the Yarnover Truck Thursday, April 30th   The Yarnover Truck will be visiting us from LA in this "two knitting stores in you neighborhood" event.  This local yarn store on wheels is going on a road trip up the coast of California and Monarch is one of its many stops.  Put a visit to Monarch Knitting and the Yarnover Truck on your calendar!   CustomFit Workshop: Gauge Swatches and Measurements Call the store for an appointment! $10.00 In this hour-long workshop we will cover how to knit and measure a gauge swatch for the CustomFit program.  While you will knit your swatch just as you do for a conventional pattern, there are a few differences in its size and in how the swatch is measured.  Knitting this swatch is about the fabric you want to knit your sweater in, not how a standardized pattern is tells you how it should be knit.  We will also take your CustomFit measurements and enter them into the computer to be stored for you.   Finishing $30/Session   Bring your project and together we will make sure it is beautifully seamed!   Private Lessons Call to set up an appointment $15.00 for 30 minutes, $30.00 for 1 hour   Do you prefer to learn on your own, or do you have a new skill you would like to tackle? Come in and work one-on-one with us.   Come Knit with Us... Social Knitting (or Crochet) If you have a group that would like to meet at Monarch you can contact us to set up a date and time. Knitting in the Morning Tuesdays, from 10:30am to 12:30pm Are mornings a perfect time for you? Bring your coffee and a project and socialize with other knitters around the table. Knitting in the Afternoon Thursdays, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm Get all of your work and errands done for the day and ease into the evening with a couple hours of knitting. Knitting in the Evening The 1st Tuesday of each month, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Drop in and knit with a friendly group.  See what others are working on and be inspired! Knit with us (and get your knitting questions answered!) Sundays, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm We love to have you around the project table, so please come by with your knitting projects. Are you stuck on something? Jana will be here to answer all of your questions. Even if you do not have any questions, just come by to knit!   Facebook Instagram Pinterest Copyright © 2015 Monarch Knitting, All rights reserved. Opted in at Monarch Knitting Our mailing address is: Monarch Knitting 529 Central Avenue, Suite 4 Monterey, Ca 93940