The Dog Days of Summer are Upon Us

However, we are staying cool, calm and collected as we look forward to the fall seson and some of the yarns that we know are comng - some, in fact, are here already.  Come on by and check them out, along with all the new magazines and books that have started to come in for fall.  While you're here,   be sure to also check out our sale table - it's grown much smaller but it's stil 40% off and the cotton colors are perfect for late summer knitting. Talking "Dog Days", please be sure to keep an eye out for our August Windows.  We are featuring our favorite Knitty City pets.  If you have an interesting or fun picture of your best animal friend, please send it to pearl@knittycity.com.  You just might see your favorite animal  pal in our front window, or up on our Facebook Page, or, at the very least, right here on our blog!

On going Events

Bryant Park Knits - We could not be more pleased with how well the knitting classes in Bryant Park have gone.  We have made many new friends and to accommodate them and others who may wish to learn (or just stop by to knit with us), we will keep on going through August 28th.    If you or anyone you know is interested in these classes, please contact us directly at 212.787.5896 or just drop by Bryant Park any Tuesday afternoon from 1:30-3:00 PM. 

Vogue Knitting @ Knitty City

Please mark your calendar for August 29th, when Vogue Knitting Editors will be at the store, from 6-8 PM.  They will be  presenting  their thoughts on new fall trends along with a trunk show from the Fall Issue.  . Be sure to come by and meet the people who put together the most fashion forward knitting magazine in the knitting world.

(As seen in Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012)

Looking Forward!

Fall normally starts with  crazy schedule demands, so we want to let you know about some upcoming events so you can mark your calendars, now! 

Nicky Epstein @ Knitty City
Thursday, September 6, 2012, 6-8 PM
Book Signing & Meet 'n Greet

Melissa Leapman @ Knitty City

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

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

         x

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Spring & Summertime Projects at Knitty City

In the "olden days"  the owners of the popular yarn shops would call the spring and summer months the "slow season".  Well, no more.  Thanks to  versatile yarns, a variety of weights and  projects now available in multiple formats,  knitting and crochet are year-round. Witness these new magazines just in!  We had to order Vogue Crochet twice so far - it's fairly flying out the door and their Spring Summer Issue offers some of the lovliest shawl and summer weight knits we've seen in a long while....and the other day,  Interweave's Summer issue glided in over the transom. You just might want to start planning your take-along projects - but come on in soon - everyone has the same idea, it seems

May  Profile

Susan Haviland

We have known Susan Haviland for quite some time now - and the same can be said by many of the top yarn companies and magazines as well as most of NY's experienced knitters.    Susan is one of the most proficient and admired kntting  and crochet teachers and designers in NYC.  Susan has been knitting for most of her adult life - a skill she picked up while still in college at Sarah Lawrence, where she majored in Theatre and English Literature.  In a marvelously synchronized way,  her love of  these subjects dovetailed with her needlecraft skill and resulted in more than one talent.  In addition to acting for over 12 years in off Broadway productions, she also had an interest in and appreciation for theatrical costuming - a skill that lent itself nicely to her interest in textiles and fabric construction for the body. 

In her early years in Manhattan, she led the typical "struggling young actress" life -- starting out in the East Village with multiple roommates and multiple jobs..  As a  founding member of an acting troupe, her work directing dance and theater productions  enabled her to understand how the body works and how design must accommodate freedom and expression in movement.  Like many artists, she found the financing  of her career to be a huge challenge, and for awhile worked "full time" for a hedge fund - for very practical reasons.  During that intense period of her life, she began furious knitting (her words) as a means of self-expression and for the meditative benefit  that so many of us  love.  

In due time and after enough exposure to the pace of the financial world, Susan acted on her desire  to return to her original fascination with design. Thus, a new chapter in her career opened when she went to work at the Knit Resource Center, a knitting company that serves the garment industry..  It was there that she developed knit  samples for well known 7th Ave. designers, an invaluable experience.  Simultaneously, she  began to teach  at FIT and The Museum of Folk Art  and became  one of the founding members of the Big Apple Knitting Guild and  created  designs for popular knitting magaines, including Vogue Knitting.  Most recently, in addition to  her on-going design work, she was working, part-time, at Knitty City where we were proud to have her as a teacher. 

Susan  cites  teaching  as one of her major enjoyments, saying that the variety of students and the encouragement of talent has been enormously satisfying.  As any one of her students is usually quick to say, Susan is one of the best needlework teachers in New York. She has  kept her hand in the design and fashion world, and has recently returned to full time employment  with the prestigious Oscar de la Renta design studio, where she is  working directiy with knitwear designers in the creation of knit fabrics and garments.   

Due to her magnanimous personality and capabilities , Susan has touched many lives in NY..  We were sorry to see her leave Knitty City but thrilled that she iis working with one of the best designers in the industry.  We see it as a win/win since Oscar's design firm is  getting one of the best, too.  (Fyi:  She's promised to come back  to  visit and teach -  we'll let you know when.)

Beautiful New  Yarn

 Linea Pura Cash Silk

A unique blend containing  cashmere, silk and bamboo, this new yarn from Lana Grossa, is sure to knit up like a gentle dream.  Suggested needle size is 8-10 which means it will fly and so will your imagination when you touch it.  We currently have it in stock in red, grey (see above), and white.  More colors due in soon.

Yarn of the Month@Knitty City

All ArtYarns are on sale for the month of May at 10% off.

Specail Promotion of the Month@Knitty City

SPECIAL BAG SALE DURING THE MONTH OF MAY:
Bags & Purses (exception: Blue Q & Walker) are 25% off

Incredible New Book@Knitty City

Knitters of all skill levels will love the projects and inspiration talented Nordic knitter Britt Marie Christofferson  presents in the aesthetic masterpiece,  Pop Knitting.  This incredible book  will have the most advanced knitters eager to experiment.

Bright color dominates throughout, making simple patterns stand out. Discover vibrant color, in-depth instruction, and artful inspiration that have ruled Christoffersson’s work and life. We have already ordered this book twice, after watching it it sell out as soon as it came in the first time..  Don't hesitate if you don't wish to wait til we order it a third time.  

Fun Things to do @ Knitty City

Knitty City is hosting a KNIT-A-LONG involving any one of the wonderful shawl creations of Veera Valimaki.  Come to the store on Thursday evenings in May and  join in by knitting one of Vera's beautiful shawls. You can find examples of her work and shawls here:http://www.ravelry.com/designers/veera-valimaki    At the end of May, we will host a party so that everyone can share and show-off their FO's.

Dates to Remember 

Knit In Public Day on June 10
Join Us and your fellow NYC knitters for an afternoon of yarn celebration.
All levels of knitters and/or crocheters are welcome! Come & bring your knitting.
Beginners can learn!
Hours: 2 – 4:30pm
Bryant Park @ 6th Ave. & 41st St
Event will kick off our free lessons in Bryant Park, beginning June19
Presented & supported by Knitty City, the Big Apple Knitters Guild, the NYC Crochet Guild, and Harlem Needle Arts

Please Don't Forget:

Knitty City will be closed on Mother's Day, May 13 and on Memorial Day, May 28.

  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...)

Guess What?

Knitty City is 6!

At Knitty City, we get a lot of sincere enjoyment from  telling you, our customers and friends, how grateful we are to know and serve the community, and we  cannot think of a better way to start the New Year,  and begin our 7th year in business,  than by telling you, again,  how much we appreciate you and your business.    We have built Knitty City together and you have been instrumental in  making  the dream come true.   As we celebrate our Sixth anniversary on January 7, we would like to extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your friends to come by the store and enjoy, with us, the fruits of our labor.  There will be a store- wide  sale (10% off on EVERYTHING), lots and lots of cake and lots of happy faces. Please join us this Saturday any time from 11-6 PM. Arvin likes to buy lots of cake, so, if you don't make it on Saturday, it's a sure bet that there will be some cake still there on Sunday.

 (For rest of post, please click on the headline....)