If this the first time you are hearing about this, the new bags are so we don’t give out as many plastic bags as we do. If you have a bag and then make a purchase of $20 or more, we will refund you $1 on your purchase. Of course, this means you don’t get one of our plastic bags.

Hope you’ll help us make the environment a wee bit healthier with recycle-bags that you’ll be happy to carry.

Jamieson’s Spindrift is a fingering weight yarn that comes in a ton (and we mean a ton) of solid and heathered colors. It’s designed to be used in Fair Isle projects because you carry more than one color acros the back, and a fine yarn won’t be too bulky.

We’re working on a class for fall that uses this yarn and introduces advanced Fair Isle techniques like steeking (actually cutting your knitting)! We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, we have lots of Fair Isle project ideas (some simple and others more complex), so come in and chek out this great new yarn. Don’t forget, it will be on sale over the 4th of July weekend.

The pattern is from the Vogue Knitting Spring Summer 2005. In this issue it is pattern #6 and called the “Sleeveles Vest” and designed by Martha Cleary. She used 3 colors in the GGH Linova - Blue (10), Taupe(27) and Rust(25). One of the great things about the sleeveless vest on Nancy is that it fits her well. We love bright and young summer knits.

As always, keep sending us pictures of your Finished Objects and let us inspire other people with them. We love to see where your creativity takes you!!

Hannah, The Woodland Nymph

Hannah and Travis got married on June 21st in a beautiful woodside setting under a canopy of redwoods. The ceremony was attended by close family and friends. Hannah wore a dress designed by her and Linda, and built by Linda. Her “wrap” was a beautiful hand-painted scarf made for her by her step-grandmother. Travis’ jacket was based on a tunic from the 95th British Rifles and yes, made by Linda as well. Amazing!!

Ric, Hannah, Travis and Linda

The couple is off to Yosemite for their honeymoon and we will think of them with love and happiness in our hearts. And when you see Hannah back at the store, be sure to congratulate her and wish her the very best for the next chapter of her life!

 Oatmeal Quick Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs well beaten together
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (sift after measuring)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350F. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until well combined. Add the eggs and beat until creamy. Mix in the vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in the oats and, if desired, the raisins, chocolate chips, and/or nuts, and mix well (if too stiff add a little water). Drop by the teaspoon on cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until ready.

 Enjoy!!

We got to see everyone’s projects:

Christa’s fabulous blanket

Nini and her special projects

Sandra hiding behind her Baby Surprise Jacket

Those were just a few of the projects. Good laughs, meeting friends old and new, a fabulous day and spending an hour or two knitting away in a park - aaah! Pure Bliss. For all those who came, thank you - you did us knitters proud!!

Many lace projects are very complex, but Swallowtail is one of those wonderful projects that look much more difficult than it actually is. We’ll be teaching all the techniques you need to complete this spectacular shawl: learn how to read charts, use a provisional cast on, work increases and decreases, create the signature nupps (akin to a bobble but in a lightweight yarn), work with fine gauge yarns, block your project, and more.

For details on the class, please check out our class schedule.

Our annual 4th of July holiday sale is here again. You’ve got a couple of weeks to think about all the garments you’ll want to knit this fall or the scarves you’ll be giving as holiday gifts or the felted bag you’re dying to make. Maybe you’re just looking for a good opportunity to enhance your stash? We’re here to help! The Sale starts at 10 am on Saturday, July 5th and continues until 5 pm on Sunday, July 6th.

All merchandise in the store will be 15% off the original price. Sales merchandise will be an additional 10% off. As always members will get an additional 5% discount. Store members can also shop during the week before (starting Monday, June 30th) and avoid the rush (and get the best selection). We will be closed on Friday, July 4th, so plan accordingly. We will be closing early at 5 pm on Thursday, 3rd of July so we can get the carpets cleaned and let everyone get back to their families.

*Classes and gift certificates are not eligible for discounts. 
*Returns only with receipts. 
*Unfortunately, we won’t be able to wind your yarn on sale day. We will be happy to wind it for you on another day.

Many of our customers know Amanda, one of our youngest customers (and Stitches West demo queen!). She’s always up for a challenge, so she took Linda’s Fair Isle Mitts class a couple of months back. Here she is with her first (almost) completed mitt. The second one will be done before school gets out because it’s an end-of-year teacher gift.

So, if you’re thinking that you can’t knit Fair Isle, think again. If a 10-year-old can knit Fair Isle, you can too! The patterns are available in the store if you want to get started right away. The first offering of this class was sold out, so we’ll be offering another session in the fall. You can always check our website for the latest class list.