April 5th, 2016    
pink spring
Happy April!

The blossoming trees are so lovely right now but I fear we will lose the blossoms - and much other vegetation - tonight when the temperatures are due to fall to 18 degrees overnight. Our spring weather is schizophrenic this year and the pinballing between its extremes is alternately exhilarating and depressing. 

No matter - we've got plenty to hold your interest no matter which season is presenting itself at the present time - both in great new arriving yarns and accessories and in classes and events throughout April.

Once Again - One of Our Most Popular Events!
Paint Your Own Yarn Bowl!  
Saturday, April 9th - 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Only Three Spaces Left!

Back By Popular Demand!

Paint your own designs on a beautiful ceramic yarn bowl, then have it glazed and fired and returned to you finished. This event has sold out quickly every time we have run it, and now is the chance for everyone who asked for a Saturday afternoon session. $35, includes all supplies and glazing and firing. Space is limited! Call the shop (610-421-8889) to sign up, stop by and pay for your seat to guarantee your spot!


MD S&W
Bus Trip to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival  Saturday, May 7th

Once again, also by popular demand, we will be running a bus trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival on Saturday, May 7th.

Details:

Leaves Weis Market in Emmaus promptly at 6:30AM to presumably arrive at the festival shortly after it opens.
Leaves the festival at 4:30PM promptly.

Cost for the bus trip is $49. Snacks and bottled water on the bus included.  There is no fee to enter this festival. It is free to enter, and no tickets are necessary.

Call the shop or stop in to sign up for this trip - it fills up quickly!

April Classes

Knitting Conversations with Jean (Now Plus Sweaters!)
Cost $10.00
Tuesdays, April 12, 19, 26 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Jean primarily is a sweater knitter (as she is always cold!).  She will be adding sweater knitting help to her series of classes on Thursday evenings where she also will help you with whatever your current project may be, help you begin a new project or teach you a technique new to you.  

Have you never knit a sweater?  Jean will help you expand your skills as you take on the challenge of a larger project for yourself.  

All levels of knitters are welcome, from new knitters to very seasoned knitters.  This will be an on going class so students can join at any time.


  Open Crochet with Deb
Cost $10.00
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Deb is back!  Join Deb for her Thursday evening class where she will help you with any aspect of the art of crochet, from learning the very basic stitches to help with your ongoing project to teaching you a new technique for your crochet knowledge base.  All levels of crocheters are welcome, and this is an ongoing class which students can join at any time.




Brioche Bandana Cowl with Lavanya
Wednesday, April 13th -
5:00PM - 8:00PM 
Cost $30.00 (includes the pattern in the pictures).  

Learn how to knit this latest-fashion bulky weight bandana cowl. Knit in 2 color Brioche Stitch, the cowl is knit both in the round and flat. You will learn Brioche shaping as we go. No previous Brioche Stitch experience necessary.  Materials needed: 75 yards of bulky weight yarn (background, Malabrigo Chunky works well), 65 yards of super bulky yarn (foreground, Malabrigo Rasta or Madtosh ASAP work well), a US 11 24" circular needle, and a stitch marker.   
Mosaic Knitting Workshop - The Easy Way to Color       with Simone
Saturday, April 16th -  Noon - 3:00PM
Cost $30.00 

The easiest way to start working with 2 colors has to be mosaic knitting! Through the strategic use of slipped stitches, we will create intricate looking patterns while using only one color per row or round! No stranding or carrying a second color of yarn along the wrong side!
In this three-hour workshop students will learn the basics of mosaic knitting. We will look at garter and stockinette versions of mosaic patterns and work on understanding the concept by swatching a couple of patterns. We will also look at reading mosaic color charts (it's super easy!) and then cast on one of the designs from Simone's new mosaic colorwork collection 'Karyai - classical beauty meets modern forms' (pattern is separate)
Pick a pattern from the list below to cast on during class, chose from cowl, boot topper, mitts, scarf, or shawl.
Easy 1: Cornice Cowl, Imbrex Boot Topper,
Easy 2: Imbrex Mitts, Relics Scarf
Easy but bigger project: Spandrel shawl, Astragal Shawl
Individual patterns are available through the in store program, the collection is available in print form through the store as well.
Materials: Bring any Sport to Worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles for your yarn to class for the pattern swatches.
Yarn, needles and pattern for project of choice.
Skills/Pre-requisites: Knitting and purling, working in the round
A Very Informative Lecture With Simone
Gauge - What is it and Why Should I Care? Wednesday, April 20th - 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Cost $10.00

This one hour lecture will give you a better understanding of the ins and outs of gauge. Starting with the basics of how to work a gauge swatch and how to measure your gauge properly, the lecture will include some tips to keep your gauge on track and end up with a thing that fits and we will discuss questions like:  Do fiber properties affect gauge?  Should I swatch in the round?  What can happen if I don't swatch or if my gauge ends up being off? And can this work in my favor?  Why can I not just use the needle and yarn suggested in the pattern and cast on?

Skills/Pre-requisites: None. Participants are invited to bring a pen and paper if they would like to follow along for some of the simple calculations we'll go over


Brioche Baby Blanket Class
and KAL with Lavanya
Wednesday, April 27th - 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Cost $35.00

(Experience with the brioche stitch is required for this class.)

Join Lavanya and knit this unique brioche baby blanket, then stop in on any Wednesday and knit along until it's finished! Construction begins in the center using the magic loop method. Then you will be performing increases, eventually knitting in the round on 2 circular needles. The final measurements are a ruffling 25” x 25” at its longest and widest points.  MATERIALS:  Two US 4 40”-60” circular needles, 20 stitch markers, 400 yards of Hedgehog Fingering or similar sock weight yarn (foreground), 440 Yards of Cascade 220 superwash (background), 150 yards of Cascade 220 superwash (ruffling border).


 


Stop by the Steel City Fiber Fest
(steelcityfiberfestival.com) at the Merchant's Square Mall in Allentown on Saturday, April 16th and Sunday, April 17th and visit our booth B1 to say Hi!  Then make the short trip just down Lehigh Street to the shop for another great shopping experience!

Here's hoping a more permanent Spring arrives soon!
See you at the Shop -
Cindy