Clever Knitters,
It's nearly SEPTEMBER already, which means that if you haven't yet started your holiday projects, you had better get started! Every year I wait til the last moment, and I end up with a panic by Thanksgiving as I realize that I have not even BEGUN my holiday knitting. This year it will be an even bigger task, since I've also got about a hundred babies to knit for (EVERYONE I know is having babies!).
It's also approaching FALL, which is exciting because that means SWEATERS! Many of the Fall issues of our favourite magazines are here already, and others are showing up any minute now. We've also begun ordering delicious Fall yarns, which will be trickling in over the coming weeks.
Contents of this message:
1. Vote for us! - Voting ends Sept 3rd, make us #1 on the 10news A-List!
2. New Stuff! - omg some amazing new things in stock!
3. Classes - Schedules for September & October
4. Tech Support - knitting and crochet "tech support" for just $5, Thursdays from 12-2pm
5. Shawl KAL - September Morning Shawl
6. Ornaments - Start knitting and crocheting ornaments for the Clever Knits tree!
1. Vote for Clever Knits - Voting ends Sept 3rd!
The 10-news A-List closes voting on September 3rd! Please take a moment and vote
your favourite LYS into the #1 Craft Store position! Last year we were
the top-ranked yarn store and ranked #3 overall in the 'Arts &
Crafts' category. This year, I would love to be the NUMBER ONE craft
store in San Diego County! Please encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to
vote, too. It only takes a moment and means a lot to us.
Here's the link: http://ctvr.us/cleverknits
2. New Stuff!
Some of the new things that have arrived, or are on their way to us:
Brittany Needles - lovely birch straight needles
Soak - biodegradable wash for your handknits
Punta Lace - heavenly handdyed merino in amazing colourways, comparable to Malabrigo Lace
Louet Gems Worsted - 100% merino, machine wash AND DRY! great for baby projects
Schaefer Nichole & Heather - a handful of colours in two of our favourite sock yarns
Cascade 220 Superwash Sport - sport weight version of one of your favourite workhorse yarns
Arriving ANY DAY NOW: some things that the UPS truck will be bringing next week:
Fiesta Gracie's Lace - a dreamy merino/cashmere/silk laceweight from the oldest handdyed company in the US
Cascade Heritage 150 - sport weight version of a great workhorse sock yarn with HUGE yardage
Sheep Measures - from Lantern Moon in the rare BLACK, & new Brown and Tan (get one of each!)
Baskets & Bags - also from Lantern Moon, silk bags and silk-lined baskets for your WIPs
3. TONS of Classes in September & October
A few repeats, a few postponements and reschedules, and a few brand newbies. I think you'll like the selection of classes we have in the coming months! You can always find our full list of current class offerings on our website - just click the 'classes' link at the top of the homepage.
Magic-Loop, Toe-up, Knit Socks
taught by Rhonda Monarque
$56 for three 2hr sessions ($78 if yarn is purchased elsewhere)
Magic Loop knowledge required ($10 discount on this class if you take ‘The Magic Loop’)
Saturdays from 1-3pm:
Oct 9: Cast-on, toe increases
Oct 16: Gusset, heel-turn
Oct 23: Bind-off, start 2nd sock
Materials: 100g sock yarn, size 1 or 2 circular needle 32” or 40”, darning needle
Knitting Skills
taught by Cheryl Aitken
$27 per session
1st & 3rd Sunday of every month, 4:30-6:30pm starting Aug 15
sign up for one or many / different skills covered each session / great follow-up to Knit 101
Sept 5: Reading patterns: understanding knitting terms, 'tinking' & basic corrections
Sept 19: Increases & decreases: different ways to add & subtract stitches on the knit and purl side
Oct 3: Cast-ons: Learn 5 different types, and how to get the best use of them
Oct 17: Bind-offs & Kitchener Stitch: Choosing the best bind-off for your project
Mateirals: Yarn, knitting needles, swatch still on needles, crochet hook, darning needle, notebook & pencil
http://cleverknits.com/2010/07/knitting-skills-august-september-2010.html
OOPS class (fixing knit mistakes)
taught by Helena Bristow
$24 for the 2-hr session
Sun, Sept 26, 4-6pm
Materials: bring a
4x4" swatch STILL ON NEEDLES (first 2" garter stitch, next 2" stocking
stitch), and a crochet hook 1-2 sizes smaller than your needle size
http://cleverknits.com/2010/07/oops-class-fixing-knit-mistakes.html
Shawl-Blocking Workshop
taught by Helena Bristow
$24 for both sessions
Sat, Sept 11, 5:30-7pm /
Sun, Sept 12, 12-12:30pm
Materials (optional): bring blocking wires
& a completed shawl to block (soaking supplies, blocking mats &
pins provided) http://cleverknits.com/2010/07/shawl-blocking-workshop-september-2010.html
Knit 101 taught by Helena
Saturday, September 11th, 3-5pm
Saturday, September 25th, 1:30-3:30pm
or Saturday, October 30th, 1-3pm
http://cleverknits.com/2010/08/crochet-101-september-october-2010.html
4. Tech Support just $5
Thursday afternoons the Expert is in - and available for tech support. Drop by with your current conundrum and one of the in-house experts will assist you. Knit AND crochet help available from 12-2pm EVERY Thursday. $5 cash or check written out to the particular expert assisting you.
5. Shawl KAL for September: Tibetan Clouds
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tibetan-clouds-beaded-stole
The pattern is available FREE online here, or you can snag a copy of The Knitter's Book of Wool, one of my VERY FAVOURITE books which is loaded with amazing information about how wool is made, different breeds of sheep, and all the processes that go into producing your favourite wooly yarns. It also has a handful of really amazing patterns.
A great big cozy stole, in anticipation of FALL. I will NOT be putting beads on mine (beads scare me!) but we are lucky to have a GREAT local bead and craft store right around the corner, if beads are something that tickle YOUR fancy.
As a reminder, our CAKAL groups meet Sundays from 1-4pm, though of course you're welcome to bring your project in on Tuesdays or Fridays (or any time at all - we love having company!).
6. Ornaments! Kick-start your holiday knitting with something miniature
For our tree this holiday season, we'll be featuring hand-knit and crochet ornaments! The theme this year will be tiny garments - so get to work miniaturizing sweaters, hats, stockings, socks, shoes, pants, mittens, lingerie - whatever it is, so long as it's a teeny tiny version of something to wear. Each ornament contributed before December 12th will be eligible to win a prize - a $20 gift certificate to Clever Knits! Winner will be selected by popular vote (ornaments will be anonymized when submitted), so make yours the very best. Voting will be held December 14-20, and the winner will be announced at Knitnight on December 21st.
Warm (& sweatery) regards,
Helena (& Karen, & Lexi)