Knitters Mercantile Blog

Apologies that Free Pattern Friday has taken a bit of vacation recently. But to make up for it I am offering not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR free patterns today. You read right. Four.

These free patterns come courtesy of Juniper Moon. Juniper Moon is a fabulous farm in central Virginia that has a fabulous yarn line. Andrea and I have been cooing and petting Chadwick every chance that we get.

To add to the awesomeness of Juniper Moon, there are now three brand new Spring yarns - Findley Dappled, Yearling, and Sabine. Sabine is the feature of this Free Pattern Friday.

Sabine is a gorgeous blend of royal llama, merino, and cotton with a great feel and drape. This worsted weight yarn has great texture to it too. And at a suggested gauge of 19 stitches to 4″ on size 7 needles, it will work up pretty quickly too.

The four different patterns this Friday were all designed specially for Sabine.

Lynden

Amari

Kiri

and my personal favorite, Carlyle.

Pick up Sabine on our website here.

Get the free Sabine patterns here.

 Happy Friday and happy knitting!

We are having a sale! Check out the details below.

Spring Cleaning Sale!
 
Thursday, March 1 - Sunday, March 4, 2012
 
25% - 40% off
 
Selected
 
Wools, Wool Blends, and more
 
Sale on In Stock Items Only
 
Shop the sale in the store or online at www.knittersmercantile.com

Now onto April classes. No April foolin’ - these classes are awesome!

Basic Socks: Learn to knit socks on dpns (double point needles) using DK or worsted weight yarn.  You will learn the art of “turning the heel” and grafting the toe.  See how easy, simple and fun it can be. 
• Thursdays, April 12 & 26 and May 3 & 10 from 6-8 PM
• Cost:  $50.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Kathryn

 Beginners Felted Tote:  In this class you will make a felted tote while learning the basics of knitting in the round, picking up stitches and I-cord bind off.  This is the perfect class for the Beginners Class graduate.
• Tuesdays. April 10, 17, and 24 from 6 - 8 PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

 Beginners Hat:  This class is designed to give students a chance to knit in the round with circular needles and double point needles.  Students will learn to cast on and connect stitches in the round and learn to decrease and finish off the top of the hat.
• Mondays, April 2 & 9 from 6-8PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

Beginning Knitting:  In this four week class you will learn all the basics of knitting – the knit stitch, cast on, bind off, increasing, decreasing and more. 
• Mondays, April 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 6 - 8 PM Kathryn
• Cost: $50.00 plus supplies.  Instructor: Varies

Beginners Needle Felting: Learn the basics of dimensional needle felting by making a darling lamb or chick to celebrate spring and the renewal of life.
• Saturday, April 7 from 1 - 3 PM
• Cost:  $25.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

ChainReaction Crochet Afghan: The ChainReaction class teaches you an array of new crochet techniques and chart reading needed to make the 20 squares of this unique and beautiful afghan. This class teaches two different squares each month for 10 months, with one additional class for finishing techniques. Your afghan will be completed in time for Christmas 2012. Come every month or drop in as you can. 
• Wednesday, April 11 from 12-2 PM
• Wednesday, April 11 from 6–8 PM
• Wednesday, April 25 from 12- 2 PM
• Wednesday, April 25 from 6-8 PM
• Cost:  $15.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Amy (March) or Ruth (April)

Crochet Boot Camp: If you want to fast track learning how to crochet, this is the workshop for you. No matter if you’ve never worked a stitch in your life, or if you would like to brush up on unused crochet skills, or if you are a knitter who would like to add crochet to your arsenal of finishing techniques, this is the class for you. During this all day workshop, you will learn basic crochet stitches, increasing and decreasing, gauge and crochet, crochet motifs, and how to read patterns and crochet symbols. You will leave this class knowing how to negotiate the world of crochet.
• Mondays, April 2 & 16 from 12-2 PM
• Mondays, April 2 & 16 from 6-8 PM
• Saturdays, April 14 & 21 from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Amy

Great American Aran Afghan:  The Great American Aran Afghan class teaches chart reading, how to cable, make bobbles, and techniques needed to make the various squares.  This class is offered once a month.  You can come every month or pick one or two months. 
• Wednesday, April 11 from 6-8PM
• Cost $15.00 per class plus supplies.  Instructor:  All of us

Intro to Entrelac:  Ever want to try out Entrelac? Then this class is you for. Learn how while making a cute small bag perfect for projects or out on the town.
• Mondays, April 16 & 23 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Cost $30 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

Preventing and Fixing Mistakes: Ever get to the end of a row and find you are short a stitch or two, or that you have too many stitches, or that holes have inexplicably appeared in your knitting? Maybe your stitches are looking a little wonky and you just don’t know how to fix them. Then this class is for you. Learn what common mistakes we all make while knitting and, more importantly, how to fix them. 
• Thursdays, April 12 & 26 from 12-2 PM
• Thursdays, April 12 & 26 from 6-8 PM
• Saturdays, April 14 & 28 from 10:30-12:30PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Ruth

Top Down Sweater:  Are you ready to make your first sweater? In this class you will choose a sweater from our Top Down Sweater book. Students will learn basic skills necessary to be a successful sweater knitter. You will learn to read patterns, unknit (or tink), work with double pointed and circular needles, work basic increases and decreases, swatch, and measure gauge.
• Saturdays, April 21, May 5 & 19, and June 2 from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Cost:  $50.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Kathryn

Class space is limited so stop by the shop or give us a call at (614) 888 - 8551 to sign up!

Our March and April class schedule is up!  Peruse the descriptions. Check out the pictures. See something that you love and want to take? Stop by the shop or call us at (614) 888 - 8551 to sign up.

Let’s start with March, shall we?

Angostura: Designed by Ysolda Teague, the Angostura vest is smart, flattering, cozy and fun to knit. There’s a lot of love about this pretty vest! This class will focus on custom fitting then knitting the Angostura vest based on the student’s individual measurements. Students will also learn short rows, shaping in cable patterns, 3 needle bind off, and mattress stitch.
• Thursdays, March 15 &  22 and April 5 & 19 from 6-8 PM
• Cost:  $50.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Kathryn

Beaded Tiny Toes Scarf: The Beaded Tiny Toes Scarf is an elegant scarf that will dress up any outfit you put on, from jeans to a little black dress. Learn to transfer beads to your yarn and knit the scarf sliding the beads into place as you go. You will also learn increasing and decreasing.
• Wednesdays, March 7 &  21 from 12-2 PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Janet and Anna

Beginners Hat:  This class is designed to give students a chance to knit in the round with circular needles and double point needles.  Students will learn to cast on and connect stitches in the round and learn to decrease and finish off the top of the hat.
• Tuesdays, March 6 & 13 from 12 – 2 PM
• Mondays, April 2 & 9 from 6-8PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

Beginning Knitting:  In this four week class you will learn all the basics of knitting – the knit stitch, cast on, bind off, increasing, decreasing and more. 
• Fridays, March 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 12-2 PM Andrea
• Tuesdays, March 13, 20, 27 and April 3 from 6-8 PM Kathryn
• Cost: $50.00 plus supplies.  Instructor: Varies

Beginning Knitted Lace:  In this class you will learn the basic of knitted lace while making a lovely lace scarf. You will learn how to read a basic chart and follow written instructions. This is a perfect first step to go on to more complex knitted lace patterns.
• Mondays, March 5, 12, and 26 from 6-8PM
• Cost:  $40.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea

ChainReaction Crochet Afghan: The ChainReaction class teaches you an array of new crochet techniques and chart reading needed to make the 20 squares of this unique and beautiful afghan. This class teaches two different squares each month for 10 months, with one additional class for finishing techniques. Your afghan will be completed in time for Christmas 2012. Come every month or drop in as you can. 
• Wednesday, March 14 from 12-2 PM
• Wednesday, March 14 from 6–8 PM
• Wednesday, March 28 from 12- 2 PM
• Wednesday, March 28 from 6-8 PM
• Cost:  $15.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Amy (March) or Ruth (April)

Crochet Boot Camp: If you want to fast track learning how to crochet, this is the workshop for you. No matter if you’ve never worked a stitch in your life, or if you would like to brush up on unused crochet skills, or if you are a knitter who would like to add crochet to your arsenal of finishing techniques, this is the class for you. During this all day workshop, you will learn basic crochet stitches, increasing and decreasing, gauge and crochet, crochet motifs, and how to read patterns and crochet symbols. You will leave this class knowing how to negotiate the world of crochet.
• Mondays, March 5 & 19 from 12-2 PM
• Mondays, March 5 & 19 from 6-8 PM
• Saturdays, March 10 & 17 from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Amy

Great American Aran Afghan:  The Great American Aran Afghan class teaches chart reading, how to cable, make bobbles, and techniques needed to make the various squares.  This class is offered once a month.  You can come every month or pick one or two months. 
• Wednesday, March 14 from 6-8PM
• Cost $15.00 per class plus supplies.  Instructor:  All of us

Magic Loop Handwarmers:  Learn how to cable and magic loop with these worsted weight handwarmers.. 
• Saturdays, March 24 and 31 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Cost $30 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Andrea 

Preventing and Fixing Mistakes: Ever get to the end of a row and find you are short a stitch or two, or that you have too many stitches, or that holes have inexplicably appeared in your knitting? Maybe your stitches are looking a little wonky and you just don’t know how to fix them. Then this class is for you. Learn what common mistakes we all make while knitting and, more importantly, how to fix them. 
• Thursdays, March 8 & 22 from 12-2 PM
• Thursdays, March 8 & 22 from 6-8 PM
• Saturdays, March 10 & 17 from 1:30-3:30 PM
• Cost:  $30.00 plus supplies.  Instructor:  Ruth

You know what? So do we!

If you haven’t heard of it before, the Master Knitting Program is offered by The Knitting Guild Association. They describe it on their website as “a non-competitive and rewarding achievement program for advanced knitters. Program completion culminates in the presentation of the coveted TKGA Master Knitter title and pin.” Sounds cool, no?

We are so pumped to get started on this program that we are starting a new knit along for people participating in the program. We want to share our experiences in the program together. And it’s easier to stay on track with a program when you have other people to help keep you motivated!

Our first KAL date is Sunday, February 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

So head on over to the TKGA website and sign up for the Master Knitting program. Bring your program materials and come to the Master Knitters KAL this Sunday!

 Edit: This KAL will always meet on the third Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Future KAL dates are March 18 and April 15.

Our first Sock Club 2012 Knit Along was a great success!

Our February sock yarn is the delectable Malabrigo Rios. Our sock pattern from Clara Parkes’ Knitters Book of Socks is Stepping Stones. Rios is a worsted weight yarn but is knit on size US 2 needles so it is super dense, cozy, and strong.

We have such a great group of knitters for our Sock Club!

Our fabulous Sock Club 2012 members learned a bit about yarn construction, spent some time doing some gauge swatching, and meeting other members.

Refreshments were enjoyed as well.

There was winding. Lots and lots of yarn winding. We were  more than happy to wind all that Rios so our Sock Club members could start right away on their socks. However…..Andrea and Amy encountered a problem skein. It was suggested at one point that Andrea may have been cursed by the Yarn Winding goddess on that evening. But I will refer to the ”problem skein” rather rather “problem winder” because, well, I have to work with Andrea and I don’t want her mad at me. Hi Andrea!

I will only point out the growing pile of yarn (in the the foreground in the picture above) that I wound while Amy and Andrea were still trying to sort out that one problem skein (with some help at one point from Gail, who is hiding in the picture below).

I am happy to let you all know that the skein was happily sorted out and wound into a lovely cake in the end.

Thank you for coming to our first KAL, Sock Club 2012 members! We will see you again on April 6 for the next installment!

This week’s Free Pattern Friday has a bit of a twist to it. Instead of just providing a free pattern, I am providing a free pattern with a cause.

I am very excited to announce that Knitters Mercantile is now a drop off point for Operation Toasty Toes!

What is Operation Toasty Toes, you ask? It is a great volunteer organization that promotes, collects, and sends handknit and crocheted items to our Armed Forces stationed overseas. The organization started by making slippers to warm the feet of our servicemen and women.

From the Operation Toasty Toes website:

Besides warming the service persons feet, they send a message of support. That a stranger would take the time to make a pair slippers. This shows that we at home do care. It enables many in our local community to participate.

There are 2 free patterns this week - Slipper with Knit Cuff and Crocheted Slipper. You can find them here on the Operation Toasty Toes website.

We are looking for 300 pairs of slippers to be made by April 15. We know you can help us make it happen.

We are also dedicating our Knitters’ Night Out on February 15 from 6 - 8 p.m. to Operation Toasty Toes. Judy, who brought this wonderful group to our attention and who will be organizing the collection and shipping of the slippers, will be here to provide information about Operation Toasty Toes and the patterns for the slippers.

So, come to Knitters Night Out on February 15. Or download the patterns, knit or crochet some slippers, and drop them off in the shop before April 15. Please help us support this wonderful cause!

Edit 2/6

You can also find the patterns for the slippers on the free pattern page on our website.

It’s show and tell time!

We just finished up a couple of January sock classes. We are so proud of what our students have done and we want to share it with you.

Kathryn taught Basic Socks. This class teaches first time sock knitters to do top down socks on double points. Students work a baby sock in class before working on their full sized adult socks. The baby socks have the exact same construction as the adult sock and are a great way to learn all the techniques needed to make full sized socks.

Look at how cute their baby socks are!

Ruth taught “Oh So Fine” 2 Socks at Once on 2 Circular Needles. The beautiful socks you see are Ruth’s design. Students worked from Ruth’s pattern to knit 2 toe up socks at the same time on 2 circs. Not easy! But look at the beautiful work below.

Here is a picture of everyone taking a picture of their assembled socks.

You too could knit these socks. Ruth will be teaching her “Oh So Fine” 2 Socks on 2 Circs class again in the future but we have not yet decided on dates. We have another Basic Socks class beginning this Friday, February 3 from 12 - 2 p.m. Give us a call at the shop at (614) 888 - 8551 to sign up!

There has been a large change with Knitters Connection and I want to let you all know what is going on. Unfortunately due to personal issues, Fran, who organized and executed the logistical side, is unable to continue with Knitters Connection and has just withdrawn. We wish her all the best.

What this means going forward is that Knitters Connection is now organized and executed solely by Knitters Mercantile.

I know many of you are frustrated that the 2012 class schedule is not up on the website and registration is not open. We are working very hard right now to assess the situation, get organized, and move forward with Knitters Connection 2012. I assure you that communication is a top priority. You can post in the Knitters Connection Ravelry forum and Kathryn, or another Knitters Mercantile person, will respond. You can also email info@knittersmercantile.com with questions or concerns. You can call us at the shop at (614) 888 - 8551 as well.

We may not have all the answers right away but I promise we will work hard to to help as best we can.