February News

Valentine's Day is Near!

I think that February, the shortest month of the year, often seems like the longest month to me.

Halfway between the joys of the holidays and the beauty of Spring, February feels to me like the dullest of months, and the weather we have been having here in the Lehigh Valley has not been very helpful - when it is not raining, it is nothing but grey skies.

Thank Heavens for our knitting and crocheting - all of the fiber arts! - keeping us going through until we can see signs of Spring!

Of course, there is one bright spot mid-month - Valentine's Day! Wouldn't a Conversational Threads Gift Certificate be a perfect gift to receive for Valentine's Day?! You might want to drop a hint or two to your special someone as to where he/she can get the perfect gift - 6 S. 4th Street, Emmaus!! !

Then, you can use your new Gift Certificate on some of all the wonderful new Spring yarns arriving daily at the shop!

Primrose Yarn Company Pop-Up Shop This Saturday, February 11 - 11AM to 5PM

Join us for the day with Kelsey Stephens, dyer extraordinaire of Primrose Yarns, THE up-and-coming indie-dyed yarn company rising quickly to the top of the ranks of indie-dyed yarns. Kelsey will be bringing with her a great assortment of her fabulous yarns available for sale at Conversational Threads this one day only!

And Stay for Kelsey's Class -

Knitting Your Way Into Color Theory

Saturday, February 11

4PM - 5:30PM

Join Kelsey Stephens of Primrose Yarn Company to learn more about using and choosing colors for your projects!

Students will learn color matching techniques, and color theory to assist them when choosing yarn for multiple color projects. The basics of the color wheel will be addressed and how to apply that knowledge when choosing yarn.

Common combinations that will specifically addressed:
1) 3 color shawl rules
2) 2 color Shawls
3) the difference between warm and cool colors
4) ombré shawls
5) techniques to help see colors before casting on projects

Cost of this class is $15.00, and space is limited so call the shop to sign up. 610-421-8889

The 412 Community Space is less than one block - just around the corner - from the Conversational Threads shop, and is handicapped accessible.

Upcoming Classes

Brioche Basics Class with Lavanya

Saturday, February 18 - 10:00AM - 1:00PM Cost $35.00 (includes one of the patterns in the pictures)

Learn the lovely Brioche stitch in this class, and then let Lavanya get you started on your own Brioche Hat or Brioche Cowl following her own included pattern. Supplies needed for the hat: Roughly 175 yards of your background color and 100 yards of your foreground color in worsted or DK weight yarn, a stitch marker, and US size 5 and 7 16" circular needles for the DK weight version or US size 6 and 8 16" circular needles for the worsted weight version. Supplies needed for the cowl: Roughly 200 yards each of two colors of sport weight or DK weight yarn, US Size 6 - 32" circular needle, and a stitch marker. Call the shop for instructions on homework to be done before the class to be ready to jump right in to learning the wonderful Brioche stitch.

Brioche Bandana Cowl with Lavanya

Saturday, February 18th - 2:00PM - 5:00PM Cost $35.00 (includes the pattern in the picture)

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.

Our Regular Class List

(See our website - www.ConversationalThreads.com - for more information. Please contact Jean at [email protected] or Deb at [email protected] to reserve a spot.))

Beginner's Knitting Course - An Ongoing Class

Tuesday Evenings from 6:30PM to 8:30PM and Thursday Afternoons from 3:00PM to 5:00PM

NOTE: NO CLASS February 7th and 9th

Weekly General Knitting with and Emphasis on Shawls Session with Jean

Thursday Afternoons - 1:00PM - 3:00PM | Cost $10.00

NOTE: NO CLASS February 9th

Weekly Open Crochet with Deb

Thursday Evenings - 6:30 - 8:30PM | Cost $10.00

Weekly Knitting Basics with Jean - Evening Session

Thursday Evenings - 6:30PM - 8:30PM | Cost $10.00

One other item of interest -

Stop by the shop on Sunday, February 19th, 10 to 5, to see a group of Sock Machine Knitters from PA, NJ and NY as they work their magical sock knitting machines!

See you at the Shop -

Cindy