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Knitche EventsStitches – August 21-24, 2008
This year, Stitches Midwest will be held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center. Log onto XRX’s website, www.knittinguniverse.com/events for all the details on this must-go knitting/crocheting event. Be sure to stop by and visit us at the Knitche booth #418 while you’re there!
Trunk Shows
2008 Third Annual Knitche Customer Trunk Show – Our annual Customer Trunk Show took place April 24-30. Categories this year included Felting, Lace, Crochet, Beginner (less than one year), Socks, Kids (age 12 and under), Hat/Mitten/Scarf and General Knitting. Once again we were astounded by the quality and creativity exhibited by our wonderful customers. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this event such a spectacular success! The winning entries, chosen by popular vote, are pictured below:
      
  
Winners from top left to bottom right:
1. Houndstooth Shawl in Blue Sky Alpaca Suri Merino - Stephanie Kohlmeyer
2. Latvian Folk Mittens in Dale Baby Ull - Susan O'Connell
3. Felted Clogs in Malabrigo worsted - Angela Pfaff
4. Beaded Lace Shawl in Misti Alpaca Lace - Sandra Lemoine
5. Shrug in Malabrigo worsted - Audrey O'Connell
6. Flutter Sleeve Dress in Gedifra Rubens - Rachel Mindel
7. Crocheted Bolero (staff pick) in E. Lavold Hempathy - Tracy Yee
8. Freeform Crochet shawl in D. Bliss Cashmerino DK - Nancy Ford
9. Angora Booties in Maggi's Angora - Carrie Henry
Sunday Sock Club
Mary hosts an informal gathering of sock knitting enthusiasts. Join them on most Sundays (call first to confirm) from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Knit Alongs (KA)
There are several sweaters our staffers are itching to knit but they don’t necessarily lend themselves to a class format. If there is enough interest in a certain project, we will schedule an informal guided knit-along at a time that jives with most schedules. Let us know which projects strike your fancy and we’ll see if we can organize a group to help you through it. The fee is $6 per session. Currently scheduled knit-alongs include:
 Knit Along with Crisann
Saturdays at 9 a.m. (ongoing) Rowan "Potpourri" Tunic
(plus other projects - call to inquire)
 Knit Along with Edie
Tuesdays 7/15, 7/22, 8/5, 8/19 at 1 p.m. Berroco Seduce Wavy Tunic (long or short version)
Knit Along with Mary
Wednesdays 7/9-7/30 at 10 a.m.
Tiered Skirt
Drop-In Knitting Clinic
Every Thursday from 5 - 7 pm unless another event is scheduled
Don’t dial “911,” just stop by for some advice on your latest knitting dilemma. For a $5 entry fee you'll get some personalized assistance from our staff on whatever pattern you're working on. If you can let us know ahead of time that you will be attending, our staff will be better able to serve you. Clinic hours run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by Open Knitting or Charity Knitting at 7:00 p.m.
Open Knitting 6/5, 6/19, 6/26, 7/3, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/28, 9/4, 9/18 & 9/25 from 7 – 9 pm
Join our informal knitting circle for some knitting/crocheting camaraderie on Thursday nights after Clinic finishes up at 7:00 p.m. Retail and food service stay open until 8 p.m. for your shopping convenience. Charity Knitting 6/12, 7/10, 8/14 & 9/11 from 7 – 9 pm
Knitche charity knitters meet once a month to support worthy causes near and far. Currently we are knitting simple children’s sweaters for the Guidepost “Knit for Kids” organization which provides handknit sweaters for underprivileged children aged 2-10 both locally and worldwide. We are also knitting teddy bears for the Mother Bear Project, an organization providing a bit of comfort, in the form of a handmade teddy bear, to children affected by AIDS/HIV in emerging African countries. A nominal donation for the pattern subsidizes the shipping of each bear for this truly selfless cause. For more information on either of these efforts, please visit www.knitforkids.org and www.motherbearproject.org . Please plan to arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. and stay as late as 9:00 p.m.
A recent bear shipment to Africa
News
Welcome to Laurie
Knitche welcomes Laurie to our staff, an avid knitter, weaver and spinner with a penchant for the perfectly timed espresso cortado. Please stop by and welcome Laurie to our family. Eco-Friendly Yarns
One of the big themes we noticed this spring is the proliferation of environmentally-conscious yarns on the market. While the fiber arts industry has always enjoyed a favorable billing among environmentalists, there are a few companies that have taken extra strides in this direction. Look for alternative and organic fibers, minimal processing, plant-based dyes, and direct trade support of growers. We are particularly impressed with the efforts of Rowan’s “Pure Life” line which does for yarn what we’ve always admired Intelligentsia doing for the coffee industry. Look for more eco yarns in the fall!
Coffee and Tea
You can satisfy your Intelligentsia coffee cravings at home. Knitche now sells the Chicago roaster’s award-winning coffee blends in convenient take-home one pound packages and loose teas in 1-2 oz. bags. If you have a particular request, we can also place special orders for you as long as you give us enough advance notice. |
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