Just in Case you haven't heard.......there a sale going on!

July is known for more than one thing:  the 4th, blueberries, vacations, and hot weather among them.  But, did you also know that, this year, July is the occasion for a geat sale at one of your favorite stores in NYC?    Selected yarns are 40% off this month.Come on in and take a look at what Pearl has put on the sale table.  In addition to some beautiful premium yarns (Swan's Island, Filatura di Crosa), you will find some great basics:  Cotton Classic in bright and basic colors, Punta linens and cottons are among them.  Like life, Knitty City changes on a daily basis.  So, if you see it grab it, and, conversely, if you don't see it, check again since the bins are being replenished constantly.

Knitty City's July Profile

Barbara Chanko

Barbara L. Chanko, RN, MBA: Staff, Ethics Consultation

Barbara Chanko is a friend of Knitty City, and, we feel honored to make that claim.  Barbara and Pearl met when she came to the store as a knitter and described a new project that she had recently become involved with at the VA Medical Center in downtown Manhattan.   Trained as a nurse, with a Master of Business Administration, Barbara has worked for the Veteran's Administration since l988, where she is on staff as a Health Care Ethicist.  In a story of "right place, right time", Barbara eventually became involved with the Women Veterans Knitting Group and began working with the women and their Group Coordinator, Catherine Nadel. The group had begun knitting together a number of years back, and after receiving funding from the VA,  the volunteers began making blankets and moved on to knitting chemo caps for those undergoing medical treatment. 

One day, Barbara noticed that the wall in the lobby of their building had been covered with the same artwork for a considerable amount of time.  While it commemorates the price of freedom that Veterans have paid and honors those who have sacrificed for our country, the piece had suffered from its exposure to time and environment.   Barbara thought that it might be a good time to consider a respectful change and, so she suggested enlisting the help of the women's knitting group and creating a knitted and felted American flag to fill the 25' x 8' space.  After conferring with the members of the Group and their coordinator, it was decided to undertake the project of creating a knitted version of the American Flag.  The next step began with a hunt for the right materials. 

This is where Knitty City and Pearl Chin enter the picture.  Barbara approached Pearl, asking for help in obtaining the necessary materials, and Pearl agreed. Pearl then contacted Cascade Yarns and asked them to consider selling it to the store for a discount, which she then passed on to the group.  To Cascade's credit, they immediately agreed. (They have requested a picture when all the work is complete.)  Thus, materials were obtained and the work has begun. 

Working with double strands of Cascade 220 and size l5 needles the group has started to create the large flag which, before felting, will measure approximately 11’ x 18'.    The women in the group are doing the horizontal stripes, and, Barbara, herself, has agreed to create the "Union" (otherwise known as the blue part). When all is assembled they will felt the flag in order to create apiece approximately 11 x 6 feet.  Upon completion, the stars will be needle felted on the Union and the finished flag will be hung in the lobby.

Obviously not one to be easily daunted, Barbara is not yet sure of the best method for felting such a big piece, but, as she said, "The science is there.  All we have to do is figure out how to utilize it.” 

We have no doubt that she and the VA's group of stalwart volunteers will do exactly that.  After all, that's what happens when you are motivated by passion AND ability.  As these women already know, they will rise to the occasion. 

 CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

Knit a Triangular Lace Shawl with Lisa Daehlin

Saturday, July 14^th 2012; 2-5pm

Lace is all the rage both on the runway and off!  Come, meet Lisa and let her show you how to make a shawl worthy of an angel.  Lisa's class  covers all  the skills (including various ways to incorporate beads) needed to create a lovely work of art.   Practice chart reading, too! SUPPLIES: Circular knitting needles (size 7 or 8), one ball of dk or worsted weight yarn (light colored and non-fuzzy), movable stitch markers

PRE REQ: Know how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off.

FEE:  $60.00

 Celebrate  "Phoebe's Birthday"

&
Meet Joanna & Eric Johnson
Author & Illustrator
Thursday, July 12, 2012
6-8PM

 

Gather the kiddies and join beloved Phoebe Mouse as she takes a summer vacation to the seaside with her parents and grandparents, and experiences a whole new set of adventures as she learns to swim. At the end of the story you will discover a series of knitting, sewing, and quilting patterns, which allow Phoebe's story to be brought into real life through the loving hands of a stitcher. Join us for this book signing event  and learn about what goes on as Joanna and Eric Johnson bring Phoebe and her family to life. 

 

Recently In

 

Here are some new yarns, just in - Thanks to Pearl's recent trip to the National Needlearts Show!

"Metalico" from Blue Sky Alpacas
50% baby alpaca/50% silk

"Flaxen" from Handmaiden Yarns
65% silk/35% linen

(Please note:  These yarns are NOT on sale)

And New Quantities (and Colors)  of

Bah! Yarns

Sweet Georgia

COMING SOON

Mark your Calendars

Fall Trend Show from Vogue Knitting

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

6-8 PM

Melissa Leapman @ St. Agnes Library (81 & Amsterdam)

Saturday, September l5, 2012

11A-3P

Class subject to be announced plus book signing afterward at the store

 

 

Knitting on Holiday

As summer approaches, the books and new magazines keep coming through the door - along with some neat little lightweight yarns.  Classic Elite's many yarns are this month's yarn of the month (10% off).  Their cottons, linen blends and lightweight offerings are ripe for the picking at that price.  The new issue of Knitty just came out on line.  For some really beautiful and portable and free patterns, be sure to visit www.knitty.com.   

One of these little scarf beauties  are  simply begging to be knit up in a lovely linen or linen/cotton blend.  (Think Louet's Euro-Flax for a pure linen choice).  Another good travel accessory is socks - consider a pair of these for a little July 4th on the road project:

Again, you'll find this pattern on  the new Knitty, right here::  http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff12/PATTlongitudinal.php    The pattern is free, and we have the yarn Zauerball - just one skein.

Staff Pick for Vacation Knitting

Maxine Levinson in KT Coyle's Linen Top

Free pattern:

http://www.katcoyle.com/blog/2007/07/linen-top-pattern/

This takes just two skeins of Louet's Euroflax Linen - plenty in stock!

Report on Knitting In Public Day

The turnout at Bryant Park was pretty great. In the Knitty City area, we counted 165 people - all showing their "true colors" by knitting in public.  Take a look at a few of these shots which Pearl took  on that fun day. 

This is also a good time to remind you that we'll be continuing our free knitting lessons in Bryant Park, every Tuesday.  Drop by or send a friend who might want to learn.  You'll be doing them a favor!

  Upcoming Events

Book Signing 

Meet the  Authors

Bert & Dana Freed

Wed., June 27, 2012, 6-8 PM

One of our treasured  friends and store-colleagues, Dana Freed, has just - co-authored her first book, along with her mom, Bert Freed.  (Both Dana and Bert  have taught classes on bead crochet at the store, and Dana does regular workshops - see our calendar for the next.)  We are proud to celebrate the launch of their book, Bead Crochet Jewelry: An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs (Jewelry Design) by Bert Rachel Freed and Dana Elizabeth Freed at the store on Wednesday, June 27, from 6-8 PM.  Please join us as we applaud their wonderful endeavor.   Books will be offered for sale and both Dana and Bert will be on hand to tell you all about their adventure in creating this book.

Meet the Author of

"Phoebe's Birthday"

Joanna Johnson

Thurs., July, 12, 6-8 PM

You might remember Joanna  from her last book, "Phoebe's Sweater", a classic children's book that weaves together knitting and story-telling. Joanna and her husband-illustrationist, Eric, have followed up on Phoebe with a new book, "Phoebe's Birthday".  This time, Phoebe experiences a whole new set of adventures as she learns to swim. At the end of the story there are  a series of knitting, sewing, and quilting patterns.  Joanna is a long-time favorite of Knitty City, as are the yarns she features in her books.  Please come by on this evening and join us as we  celebrate the work of this talented couple. 

 Store Pick

Essentially Feminine Knits

This new offering from Lene Holme Samsoe is creating a lot of interest and attention.  We are selling it as fast as it's being shipped in.  Please stop by and take a look at her impressive  new set of patterns.  You won't be able to stop at just one.

Well, that's it for the moment.  Be sure to keep coming by.  In July, we will be  featuring a wonderful new window, honoring our Women Vets.  We will be writing about this a little later in the month, and, as always, we'll be in touch via our newsletter.  Please take the time to check out our callendar on this site and see if any of our early summer workshops are of interest to you.  Remember, we're open 7 days a week now, including 2 "late" nights, Wed. and Thursday.

See you soon!

             If April is here, May Must be Close at Hand

After this gorgeous  Holiday weekend, without a shower in sight, the flowers are already  in full force and that made us begin to consider other upcoming Holidays, such as Mother's Day (May13) and the things that can  make it special for you and the ones you hold dear.

If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at some of the new titles that recently found their way into our Library:

Left: Austentacious Crochet - For the romantics among us, this  book features thirty-six original crochet projects, inspired by Austen novels, and designed with  contemporary flair. The patters  focus on women's wear, such as dresses, sweaters, cardigans, and capelets, but also encompass accessories such as handbags, scarfs, and pillowcases and clothing for children.
Introductions to each project include favorite bits of dialogue from the original novels. Fully illustrated with evocative photos, Regency-style illustrations, and step-by-step schematics.

Center: A book that  is exactly what it claims to be,  Noah's Knits lets you bring to life the story of Noah's ark. Included are instructions for creating cute and cuddly knitted dolls of Noah, his wife, and 15 pairs of special  animals, all of which fit inside the book's cardboard fold-out ark. A great find,  If you (or anyone you know) likes to knit animals  and create scenarios. 

Right:  A Stitch in Time:  This beautiful book features 59 original and updated versions of knitting and crochet patterns for women, from  1920 to 1949, with an overview of the style of each decade and its social context. Each pattern has been knitted in a current yarn, multi sized for the first time and reinterpreted for easy knitting. The patterns are available in a wide range of sizes.

Other "New Stuff"    Yarns continue to come in, including a wonderful new shipment of yarn from Handmaiden: Casbah, a blend of merino, cashmere and nylon that has been so popular that it has almost flown out the door.  Not to worry, however, we sill have some - waiting for you!  Also in is Sea Silk, a luxurious blend of sea cell and silk, each skein of which is hand dyed, individually. 

Either one of these yarns are the perfect gift or  choice for shawls, scarves, spring and summer t-shirts or shells for warm weather clothes. 

Newsletter - If you're already on our newsletter  mail list, you will have seen our new format and you may have read our recent profile about Michelle Wang, who  we have  known for a long time.    Unfortunately,  the picture of Michelle, a satisfied friend and customer and one of her designs was inadvertently deleted from tthe  newsletter so we thought we'd share it with you one more time. 

Michelle is  working as an independent designer and is a major contributor to Brooklyn Tweed's  design studio and collections.   Spring Thaw (http://brooklyntweed.net/springthaw.html) features 6 of her designs, and as usual, she’s in good company.  It’s a great collection and we’re proud to offer it for sale in the store - as proud as we are to count Michelle a friend of Knitty City. We love the picture shown above.  It was one of those happy coincidences in that Michelle was at the store on the day a customer who had just finished knitting one of her patterns (the Eternity Shawl) was there, as well.  When designer met talented patron, the smiles were inevitable.   To see more of Michelle’s work: http://mishi2x.squarespace.com

Needles & Pins - One of the many things that makes NY such a treasure trove of a city is the little discoveries that are waiting around every corner.  One of our  colleagues (they're all really "the best"), Dana Freed, recently gave us a little tip about a group of women who meet the third Thursday of every month at Pins & Needles, a fabric and haberdashery shop across town.  On April 19, from 7-9 PM, anyone who wishes to bring a project (or start a new one) is invited to drop by and join in.   The store sells wonderful fabrics and findings - buttons and ribbons, oh my!.  If you wish to start something new, Dana will be on hand to teach the art of beading and "upcycling" - in which she will be using found material and beads to create a nacklace.  Wine & supplies will be available. Needles & Pins, 1045 Lexington (bet 74 & 75), 2nd Fl., Phone:  212.535.6222.

"Knit 2, Unwind" 

Knitters have long known the calming benefits of the craft.  With that in mind, the National Alliance for Mental Illnes (NAMI) have begun a  knitting group to support individuals who are coping with mental illness affecting friends or family member.  The group will combine knitting lessons, emtotional support and self-care.  Experienced knitters are welcome to bring their work and supplies will be provided for new knitters.  Groups are held on a drop in basis and no experience is necessary.  The Group meets the second Saturday of each month, from 1 to 2:00 pm, begining on April l4, and the third Thursday of every month, from 6-7:30, beginning April l9th.  Location:  NAMI-NYC METRO at 505 Eighth Ave., (35th St), Suite 1103.  TO LEARN MORE, CALL THE HELPLINE AT 212.684.3264.

Please remember to check out calendar at www.knittycity.com, for an update on classes, and events at the store.  Also, do sign up to receive one of our regular newsletters (send just twice a month).  They'll keep you up to date on everything new and interesting at Knitty City.  You know, there's always something wonderful happening at the store!

A League of Our Own

"The Firestix"

(Click on the title to go to full story)

  Come to Knitty City and

Take a bite out of February 

As we bid  farewell to January, our  Anniversary Month, and face the somewhat dreary month of February,  we didn't want to put our knit cake away,  so we decided to keep it in the window, and wouldn't you know it, "Petunia" one  of  the  Dinosaurs from the new  Knitted Dinosaurs book,just could not resist!. (Click on headline to keep reading...)