Knitapestry Newsletter Early February, 2023
Hi all-
It's been a busy winter season here, filled with all sorts of projects! Gemma's Gambit class and Nancy's knitalong are underway, and we're looking forward to new events:
We're thrilled for March 19th when we welcome guest instructor extraordinaire, Kimberly McAlindin. She'll teach "Knit to Fit" and "Finishing Techniques."
Our Knit Nights continue. The first Wednesday of the month is on Zoom; the second and third Wednesdays are in-store. The next Knit Night, February 14th, is in-store.
And Fiberside Chats' next guest, Margaux Hufnagel, the Creative Director of Berroco Yarns, is on deck for Sunday, February 19th at 1PM EST.
A REMINDER: FULL VACCINATION IS REQUIRED FOR IN-STORE FUNCTIONS. It means boosters.
Masks-encouraged (but required if you're not fully vaccinated).
Knit Night-Zoom 1st Wednesday, next 2 Wednesdays in person.
Sitting at tables if FULLY vaxxed-okay!
Food or drink-no
Knit the Rainbow-Bring it in!
Ridgecrest donations-yes, but needles-no
Please check out our website for the latest projects and offerings at http://www.knitapestry.com
- Thursday, February 9th: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM.
- Friday, February 10th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, February 11th: Gambit Cardi 9-10AM; Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, February 12th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM; PCH 4-6PM.
- Monday, February 13th: Store open 10AM-5PM; PCH 5:30-6:30PM.
- Tuesday, February 14th: Store open 10AM-5PM; PCH 9-10AM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, February 15th: Store open 10AM-5PM. Knit Night 7-9PM.
- Thursday, February 16th: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM; Kate Davies Knitalong 7-8:00PM.
- Friday, February 17th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, February 18th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, February 19th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM; Fiberside Chats with Margaux Hufnagel 1PM; PCH 4-6PM.
- Monday, February 20th: Store open 10AM-5PM.
- Tuesday, February 21st: PCH 9-10AM; Store open 10AM-5PM; Next Steps with Gemma 6-7 and 7-8PM.
- Wednesday, February 22nd: Store open 10AM-5PM; PCH 5:30-6:30PM; Knit Night 7-9PM.
- Thursday, February 23rd: Store open 10AM-4PM; Knitting with Anna 4-5PM;
- Friday, February 24th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Saturday, February 25th: Store open 10AM-4PM.
- Sunday, February 26th: Store closed; Next Steps with Gemma 11AM-12PM. Fiberside Chats with MaryAnn Gebhardt 1PM.
We look forward to seeing you!
Anna, Charmaine, Fran, Gemma, Nancy & Noa
Kimberly McAlindin joins us on March 19th for back-to-back classes!
The super-popular teacher is coming to Knitapestry! In the morning she'll teach Knit to Fit, and after a light lunch at the shop, she'll follow up with Finishing Techniques. The Finishing Class is limited to 10 spots. If you want to take both classes, we'll give you a price break and lunch. Those registrations will open first for one week. Once the registration for both classes + lunch ends, you can sign up for one class. Each class is $75.
Details: Knit to Fit 10-12PM
Lunch 12:15-12:45
Finishing Techniques 1-3PM
Take Both Classes: $140 including lunch!
The class descriptions from Kimberly:
***Knit to Fit Class:
Knit to Fit was born from the many messages I received while working in a yarn shop asking me how I changed the patterns for knit sweaters to look so flattering on my body type. This class will teach you: -how to measure your body to knit the correct size.
- ask class participants their personal issues and offer assistance.
- introduce a formula to change increases and decreases in knitting to change a pattern.
*please bring a measuring tape and your favorite sweater/shirt/blouse/sweatshirt to class.
***Finishing Techniques:
Learning to knit is an amazing adventure, once you have mastered the knit and the purl stitch there is an entire world out there of amazing fabric projects at your fingertips. One of the things I find knitters ask me most often once they reach this stage is: how do I put pieces together, how do I weave my ends in so that they won’t come undone and is there a way to fix something in my knitting that I don’t like? This class will go over the following techniques:
- casting on with a crochet hook-joining new yarn (thick and thin) -weaving in ends
- seaming (both mattress stitch and my favorite method)
- binding off including my fabulous in the round invisible technique.
*please bring darning needles
Swatches will be provided.
Our Thursday evening Zoom Knitalongs began on January 12th. The theme of the next few weeks will be the designs of Kate Davies.
Choose any project from the prolific pattern writer, Kate Davies-she's done sweaters, blankets, hats, mittens, even hot water bottle covers! We'll meet Thursday nights on Zoom on February 16th, March 9th and 30th. It's a true KAL in the sense that there's no instruction but a nice gathering of knitters around a central project or designer. No cost to join. Call the store to be put on the zoom list!
Our next project-based class from Gemma: The Gambit Cardi by Wool and Pine Designs for Spring! Saturday mornings at 9AM on February 11th, and March 4th and 11th.
"Featuring classic design elements: stockinette, cable button band, a touch of seed stitch- on the collar, button band, cuffs and hem- and tidy i-cord edging for clean lines. Rounded out with a chic, slightly structured fit and elbow length sleeves. Perfect when paired with a sunny retro minidress or crisp modern separates, Gambit Cardi is a straightforward knit with lots of personality!
Gambit Cardi is ideal for the beginner garment knitter for several reasons: It’s DK so it’s quick, it’s seamless and knitted flat (worked back and forth rather than in the round), an unfussy fit offers lots of flexibility and the basic design elements are a great opportunity to build your repertoire of stitches."
This boxy cardigan will be perfect for spring and summer! We will, of course, have Gemma's famous bonus video lessons included, as well as video help from the designers. You'll need to know knitting/purling and be adventurous on this DK-weight sweater.
Knits for the 2022 Thanksgiving MKAL are available in limited quantities in-store.
You asked and Charmaine listened! She's made a small number of kits for her latest Mystery Knitalong complete with yarn and pattern. It'll include Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino and Soft Silk Mohair as well as all charts and a tutorial. Kits are $110 and only available in-store for now.
Fiberside Chats: join zoom chats with some of your fiber-y faves!
They've invited some of your favorite designers and creators to join us for a series of online gatherings with Longmont Yarn Shoppe: Fiberside Chats!
Here's the link for more info: https://www.longmontyarn.com/shop/Fiberside-Chats.htm
The gatherings, hosted on Zoom, are one-hour sessions with special guests joining us to give a peek into their world. These designers and creators will discuss their unique path, creative processes, latest projects—or whatever is inspiring them now. There will also be a Q&A session, giveaways, and other fun surprises for those who join!
Fiberside Chats costs $20 to register. You can choose Knitapestry in the dropdown menu to assign your registration fee to us.
- Pick your yarn store host
- Choose how many spots you are reserving
- Check out.
Next week we feature Margaux Hufnagel of Berroco on February 19th, and MaryAnn Gebhardt will be on February 26th:
February 19th, 2023 Fill Your Cup
Life is often chaos which is why so many of us turn to fiber arts as a way to calm and ground us. We talk with Margaux Hufnagel, Marketing + Creative Director of Berroco Yarn, who uses knitting and other art practices to help manage the stresses of daily life. Come learn her favorite practices and add a few to your own to create calm, clarity and joy in your everyday.
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, February 19th at 1:00pm Eastern, 12:00pm Central, 11:00am Mountain, 10:00am Pacific
THIS CHAT WILL BE RECORDED
Your ZOOM Link will be sent the evening before and about 1 hour before the event. Check your spam filter if you do not see it.
Beginning Knitting with Anna-Thursdays, after the store closes at 4PM; sign up for 8 sessions for $130.
Anna will host beginning knitting classes weekly. You'll learn the skills so you can call yourself a knitter! The package includes 8 hours of instruction. Classes do not have to be in sequential weeks and you can opt to take two hours in a row if you're rocking! (She will also make herself available on the same basis for her "My First Sweater" class. Supplies purchased in-store get a 10% discount.
Preregistration required-YOU MUST CALL BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ROOM IN THE ONGOING CLASS. Please don't just stop in : )
Sock Knitting with Anna-Thursdays, after the store closes at 4PM; sign up for 3 sessions for $50. Supplies for class purchased in store get a 10% discount.
Anna will add traditional sock knitting to her Thursday afternoon rotation. The three sessions will cover casting on/different methods of small circumference knitting; knitting around the heel, and finishing the toe. With class sizes so small, this is the perfect time to add to your sock knowledge!
Preregistration required-YOU MUST CALL BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ROOM IN THE ONGOING CLASS. Please don't just stop in : )
My First Sweater with Anna
4-class sessions, Thursdays, also after the store closes at 4PM. Take your four classes when convenient! $65 per series. You'll get a 10% discount on all supplies purchased for the class.
These basic project classes are designed to help you to finally tackle a sweater! Find that simple pattern you've always wanted to try. There's a lot of knitting in a sweater, but a lot of reward, too. Work on the basics of gauge, pattern/yarn selection, deciphering a pattern. These techniques should be in your toolbox and none of them is particularly hard. Each knitter will choose their own sweater project and get the help they need. So if you've been unsatisfied with your previous attempts, or really have never done a project like this before, join in! You must call in advance.
Next Steps Knitting with Gemma Sogabe
Tuesday evenings, 6-7 or 7-8 PM; Sundays at 10AM. $65 per 4-class session.
Preregistration required; 10% discount on supplies purchased for class.
Gemma is once again offering her class, perfect for new knitters who want to build on their beginning skills. You don't have to attend sequential weeks, but this isn't a drop-in-you must let Gemma know you're coming in advance.
Knit Night -the first three Wednesday evenings of each month, 7-9PM.
This free get-together is hosted on Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month, and in-person at the store on the second and third Wednesdays of each month. No food or drink, and proof of vaccination required. Zoom codes will be posted in the newsletter as well as on social media.
Punch Card Hour
Charmaine is ready to help you tackle whatever is holding up your project----a dropped stitch? can't remember where you are? or maybe even deciphering the pattern. PUNCH CARD is the place to figure it out so you can keep knitting.
Sessions occur when the store is closed and follow the COVID policies of the store. You can purchase a 5 or 10 punch card (get your 11th punch free) or simply drop in for $10. No RSVP needed. Feel free to contact Charmaine directly here, with any further questions.
Knit the Rainbow is a charity dedicated to helping at-risk LGBTQ youth. We'll be a drop-off location for garments for this group. (And no, items don't have to be rainbow-colored!)
"Knit the Rainbow (KtR) was founded in April, 2020 after the Founder, Austin Rivers, discovered the housing disparities facing LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. Austin learned there were a few nonprofits dedicated to providing housing and/or shelter for this community; however, he knew there was still more to be done; this is where KtR was born.
Austin learned to knit while performing on a tour in Japan and felt he could use these skills to provide warm protective winter garments for LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness. KtR hopes to educate people across the country about the housing crisis these youth are facing and increase the number of youth served by asking volunteers to knit or crochet at home and donate the garments to KtR to be distributed in New York City and Chicago.
KtR has big plans for the future. We hope to not only these cities, but to eventually provide winter protective garments to homeless LGBTQ+ youth across the country. In addition, we plan to partner with other nonprofits who provide shelter and housing to these youth and offer knit/crochet classes for their residents so they too can knit garments for themselves and the rest of the community facing this housing crisis."
Yarn Donations for Ridgecrest Senior Housing:
Help local residents make hats and clothing for a variety of charities. These knitters are motivated and prolific...we're happy to play our small part! We'll take your CLEAN yarn and bring it to the senior center, where residents will work on their projects. Your destash is ultimately comfort for a person in need, and there's the added piece where these knitters connect and are engaged not only with each other, but with the community. Please: no needle donations.