The Stitchery - Sherwood Park, Alberta
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June 8, 2019 is World Wide Knitting in Public Day! While many of us knit in public any old day, this is a great reason to grab your needles (or hook!) and show all those non-knitters what they’re missing.

If you go to https://www.wwkipday.com/ you will find out so much information about this wonderful event. There are also local events and meet-ups posted and as well as virtual meet-ups.

Since knitting in public is usually easiest if you’re working on a small project (so that you don’t need to bring your entire kit of supplies with you), some projects which are great are dishcloths, socks, chunky cowls, knitted knockers … but really, whatever your heart desires.

On June 8th, I will be watching my husband play in a slo pitch tournament so I will grab my lawn chair and some Cascade ultra pima fine cotton and work on some knitted knockers. I love working on these in public as it not only gets the knocker done to be sent to a breast cancer survivor but it also gives me the chance to promote this great organization! I find when I’m knitting or crocheting in public, people will stop and ask me what I’m working on. What a great chance to not only share your love of the craft but also create awareness for an organization. I know some of you knit preemie hats for NICUs and I’d love to hear about some of the other charitable organizations that you support with your talents!


http://knittedknockerscanada.com

If you are interested in creating a knitted (or crocheted knocker), all of the information (including free patterns and recommended yarn) can be found at Knitted Knockers of Canada. We stock the recommended
cascade ultra pima fine cotton and cascade ultra pima cotton as well as the appropriate needle and hook sizes if you’re looking to get started. We also have the printed patterns available so please just add a note on any order if you’d like the printed pattern sent along.

Because I would love for you to join in World Wide Knit in Public Day, here’s a coupon code for you to use on anything in stock – even sale items (not gift cards and shipping). The coupon code is WWKIPD2019 and will give you 15% off!

I hope some of you will share some of your World Wide Knitting in Public Day photos! I would love to see them. Feel free to share here in the comments or in the Facebook group.

Happy Making!

Monika

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It’s almost vacation time and, if you’re anything like me, what knitting project(s) to pack and how much yarn to bring is always part of the planning process. I usually have an on-the-plane/in-the-car project and, depending how long we’re gone for, a lounging at the beach/pool/campground project.

A popular question on the Facebook knitting groups right now is “Can I take knitting needles on the plane?” The last thing you want happening is an overzealous security agent to confiscate your favourite needles! While you will get much advice on Facebook, it is always best to check with your airline and any airports you are travelling through. I always risk taking needles on a plane but I make sure to take an inexpensive set of double-pointed sock needles just in case they are taken away. Socks are my go-to travel project as I can take several balls of sock yarn without taking up too much room and the finished socks also don’t take up much room on the way home. It’s also great to have a pair of cozy socks for a cool hotel room or plane ride so you really can’t go wrong!

Even though I am now the proud owner of a set of ChiaoGoo twist shorties, I will be leaving those at home, as I would be devastated if they got lost in my luggage and I’m certainly not going to risk taking them in carry-on.

We just got the Shorties in the shop this week and if you’re interested in seeing what comes in the kit, I did an unboxing video just for you!

This was my first ever unboxing video (or video for that matter) and I appreciate your patience as I learn what works best for you. If you watch through to the end, you are in for a special sneak peak of another brand new item which is the Urth Uneek sock kit.

I absolutely LOVE these perfectly matched hand-dyed balls of Urth sock yarn. No weighing, cutting, guessing – just knit one and then the other (or two at a time, if that’s your thing). I will be casting on a pair while camping this weekend and will post a review and pictures soon. These have just become available so take a look at the five colourways we have on hand by clicking here. Urth was also kind enough to publish three free patterns that you can also download from our website. We really love Urth yarns and if the great yarn and free patterns aren’t enough to excite you, Urth plants a tree for every skein of yarn purchased! Ok, still not enough for you to be impressed? Urth also proudly employs women in Turkey to hand-dye the yarns – that’s right, women NOT machines. For more information on this company we are proud to partner with, please check out their website at Urth Yarns.

One more thing that is summer-related and suitable for vacation is the announcement of the arrival of ONline cotton smooth! I have been waiting for this to arrive from Germany for a few months and am so excited to have it available for you! It is available in three colourways in the shop and is so beautiful. It is 100% cotton and a lovely aran weight perfect for knitting a top, sweater or shawl. Shop Cotton Smooth by clicking here. I posted a few pics on Instagram when the Cotton Smooth arrived today and you can check those out by clicking this link. Please give us a follow on Instagram as well as we love to throw contests and coupons up there.

We would love to see some photos of you knitting on your summer vacations! Please share them here or tag us on Instagram or Facebook.

Happy knitting,

~ Monika ~

 

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We have been very lucky with our hot weather here in Alberta and it feels like summer has arrived. Gardens are growing, flowers are blooming and there’s a rush to get outside whenever possible. I’m very excited about Knitting in Public Day coming up on June 9th as I think a cafe patio will be just the right place to take part.

With it being so nice and hot out, the blankets have been put on time out and I’ve been knitting socks, knitted knockers and a summer cardigan. I’m very excited for the ChiaoGoo shorties that I’m expecting any day now and hoping to show off when I knit in public on June 9th! If you’d like to pre-order your own set, click here to pre-order and to see all of the extras included with this kit.

New from Estelle Yarns (on pre-order and coming in June) are the sock twins! These are so cute and take away all the guess work, weighing and fiddling about to make two perfectly matching socks. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you can see the ten wonderful colourways and pre-order your very own twins by clicking here.

If you can’t wait to cast on some new socks, grab some of the Cascade Heritage 150 Prints which is on sale for just $13 while quantities last. Click here to take a peek.

Final bit of news to share is that we now ship to the United States! Just like with Canadian orders, the shipping quoted is the maximum amount (and free if over $100 in Canada or $150 to US) and if actual shipping is lower, we will issue a refund for the difference.

Happy knitting!

~ Monika ~

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Sock knitting is becoming more popular than ever! There are so many amazing sock yarns available now from the large companies as well as independent dyers that it’s hard to choose. If you want your socks to hold up for wearing, it is important to choose the correct yarn. Merino blends are amazing as they are soft and luxurious feeling while holding up well to frequent wash and wear.  The Cascade Heritage 150 Prints (currently on sale!) is a self-striping merino/acrylic blend which works up beautifully.

Coming soon to The Stichery is Supersocke in eight fun graffiti colourways! Supersocke is a wool/acrylic blend which washes and wears well.

We currently stock some great knitting needles to get you going. Whether you choose a set of double pointed (DPNs) or the very popular red lace circular, we have just the right size for sock knitting!

Once you’ve decided on your yarn and picked your needles, these socks aren’t going to knit themselves! The good news is there are great sock knitting tutorials online – many even with videos – and there are great knitting instructors offering classes.  My favourite knitting tutorial (via blog) can be found at Winwick Mum.  Christine from Winwick Mum covers all the sock knitting basics and even provides a free pattern!

Stitchery owner Monika recently completed these super easy socks using Cascade Heritage 150 prints following the basic pattern from Winwick Mum. As you can see, the Cascade 150 works up into a fancy patterned stripe making even a novice sock knitter look like a pro. 

If you are in the Edmonton area, drop us a line if you would like to be invited to future knitting classes. Even if you’re not in the area, we would love to hear from you and see some of your fabulous socks. If you are an indie yarn dyer, feel free to leave a shameless plug in the comments.

~ Happy Knitting ~

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