April 2015 Newsletter

Happy Spring! Project of the Month... French Cancan Shawl Transition your knitting wardrobe from Winter to Spring with the French Cancan shawl. When Ann saw this beautiful piece, she knew it would be the perfect project for April. This lovely shawl by Mademoiselle C can be knit in two colors for a bright and cheerful wrap or one color for a sophisticated shawl.  This crescent shaped shawl is simple yet feminine with beautiful drape.  The body of the shawl is knit in garter stitch and then finished with a simple cable suspended in a stunning lace boarder.  The shawl is knit with about 500 yards of DK weight yarn on a size 7 needle.  Our multi-colored shawl is knit with the sublime Zen Garden DK and the solid knit with Shibui staccato and cima held together. Springtime in France with a French Cancan around your shoulders?... Perfection!

Classes and Events... Bunny Nugget Make & Take Saturday, April 4 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm $10.00 Join us as we host our first ever Make & Take!  This fun little class will send you home with a completed Bunny Nugget to nestle into a cheery Easter Basket.  In the class you will knit the nugget, ears, stuff it and embroider the face.  Maybe this little bunny will inspire you to try a more challenging toy as your next project!  Out kits are sold for $15.00 and include two-10 gram skeins of yarn, two white tails, stuffing and embroidery floss for the faces.  All you need are the double pointed needles in a size 6 or 7 and the ability to knit in the round.  Please note the cost of the class does not include the Bunny Nugget kit.  We recommend that you are comfortable with knitting in the round to take the class. Take the Mystery out of Fair Isle Knitting Saturday, April 11 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm 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.  The cost of the class is $30.00 and does not include supplies.   Brioche, Anyone? Saturday, April 18 , 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! 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 your 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! New Arrivals... Cascade Ultra Pima Fine Cotton We now carry a 100% Pima cotton in fingering/sport weight! Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine in twelve beautiful colors! This stunning yarn has a beautiful sheen and is super soft to the touch. It is machine washable and dry-able. With 136 yards per skein, it'll be great for small scale knits. And even for baby and children items, lightweight shawls, scarves and sweaters. We're thinking about lacy scarves in each color! Sayonara Now back in the shop, Sayonara yarn from Schulana- die trendige Masche! This 100% silk ribbon is light, crisp and perfect for polished Spring and Summer garments. Each shade shifts between a neutral base and a sun-soaked bright, which means that even the simplest knitting will sing. Schulana Sayonara has 164 yards in every 50 gram ball. We love it paired with the Seven Circles Cowl pattern by Kristen Johnstone. It's such a fun knit with this yarn! Serenity DK Zen Yarn Garden's Serenity DK is now in stock! A lush, soft DK weight yarn that has us swooning! Made of superwash merino with a bit of cashmere, Serenity DK is dyed in rich, deep colorways that shine in every skein. With a generous 250 yards, knit or crochet huggable sweaters and accessories. We have received quite a few colors like Koryn's favorite, Cayman a gorgeous teal green; Bumblebee, Jenn's happy mustard yellow & Black Pearl, a lovely golden tan caramel hue, perfect for Ann! Shibui Twig The long awaited new yarn line from Shibui is here! Introducing Twig, an exquisite blend of 46% linen, 42% recycled silk and 12% wool that offers 190 yards. Perfect timing too, as they have just announced their Spring Shibui Knit-Along. Join in as they knit Tier, a scarf that encompasses drapes beautifully and encompasses dropped stitches. Pattern is free with yarn purchase. With several colors in stock, which will you choose? Asia With Spring officially  here, lighter weight knits are on our minds. Perfect timing too as we just received some gorgeous silk yarn! New from Lang Yarns, "Asia" is an exciting combination of exquisite fibers: silk and yak wool fibers are combined then spun together (159 yards). The resulting yarn has a wonderfully soft hand and silky sheen to it. The colors we have in stock play well with each other and are just richly saturated. Perfect to add some depth to any wardrobe and just so happy for Spring! Sprout We now have a beautiful allergen friendly option in a chunky weight! Introducing Sprout from Classic Elite Yarns - a soft, cushy organic cotton yarn with a slightly nubby texture. One of its best features is that it stays lofty once knit. Machine washable, Sprout comes in a bright-and-lively palette just like it's sister yarn, worsted Seedling. Add to this the wonderful soft texture, strength, and the light yet quick-to-knit gauge and it is easy to see why Sprout makes a great choice for your next bulky project! We're thinking it'll be a great for baby blankets! Quick Tips... Make 2015 the year you expand your knitting knowledge.   Come in any time between 3:00pm and 3:30pm 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 - Taking the mystery our of yarn weights...lace to sport Week 2 - Taking the mystery out of yarn weights...dk to chunky Week 3 -  Where am I?  How to keep track of where you are in a pattern Week 4 - How to read a chart Week 5 - Mattress Stitch Our Blog... If you already love us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, you'll love following our blog! It will be a happy extension for us where we'll share articles, fun tutorial driven posts, more Happy Projects and then some. Keep updated with posts by subscribing - it's easy! Simply visit monarchknitting.blogspot.com and on the right side of the page, you'll find the option to follow us by e-mail. We have some new content coming soon that we cannot wait to share! Classes and Events... Beginning Knitting Classes Saturdays: April 4, May 2, May 23, June 6, June 20 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: April 18, May 16, June 27 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. Bunny Nugget Make & Take Saturday, April 4 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm $10.00 Join us we host our first ever Make & Take!  This fun little class will send you home with a completed Bunny Nugget to nestle into a cheery Easter Basket.  In the class you will knit the nugget, ears, stuff it and embroider the face.  Maybe this little bunny will inspire you to try a more challenging toy as your next project!  Out kits are sold for $15.00 and include two-10 gram skeins of yarn, two white tails, stuffing and embroidery floss for the faces.  All you need are the double pointed needles in a size 6 or 7 and the ability to knit in the round.  Please note the cost of the class does not include the Bunny Nugget kit.  We recommend that you are comfortable with knitting in the round to take the class.   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. Brioche, Anyone? Saturday, April 18, 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!     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!   Gatsby Necklace Saturday, May 16, 2:00pm-4:00pm $30.00 This 1920's inspired necklace will captivate you, with its sparkling beads and smooth silk, knitted and clasped together with a delicate button. In this class, you'll learn a type of beaded cast-on, how to thread/add beads, as well as finishing with a crochet chain for the button loop. You will be able to make a stunning necklace from start to finish, and you'll walk out wearing your newly created piece.  This is sure to be a fun workshop! "My First Lace Shawl" Class Part 1 - Saturday, May 30, 2:00pm to 4:00pm Part 2 - Saturday, June 13, 2:00pm to 4:00pm $70.00 ($30.00 for class materials, excluding needles, and $40.00 for two class sessions) Learn the beauty of lace shawl knitting! Have you ever wanted to try lace knitting but thought it to be too complex? This class is the perfect introduction to lace and shawl knitting. In this two part class, you will learn how to work a variety of lace stitches, how to read a lace chart, and to finish your project by blocking. You will receive a kit that includes the lace shawl pattern with chart, and one skein of Stitch Sprouts' Yellowstone yarn. All you will need are size US 7 needles, stitch markers, blocking pins and your happy self!   Fixing BooBoos Saturday, June 27 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm $20.00 Back by popular demand, our class that will help you to understand how to repair mistakes in your knitting.  Whether it is tinking back, picking up a stitch, an extra stitch at the edge, twisted, running or incomplete stitches that pop up on your way to finishing knit projects, we all can use a little help along the way.  This class is perfect for those who are ready to learn how to fix these little bumps in the road.  To fully benefit from this class, you should know how to knit and purl.  So join us for this informative hour and you will be on your way to solving those problems that happen to all knitters.   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 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.