March 2013 Newsletter

 Greetings Stitchers!

 We’ve had some hints of spring weather recently and with the time change the days are getting longer.  That means we’ll soon be out and about spending time with family and friends and perhaps taking a vacation or two.  Now is a good time to think about some warm weather projects such as knitted or crocheted summer tops.  It’s also a good time to start working on Christmas gifts; save yourself some stress by getting those projects done now!

 

Our Early Spring Class Schedule is now available!  There’s a wide variety of classes scheduled over the next couple of months and more will be added in the coming months.  You can come in to sign up or you can sign up over the phone.  Payment for classes is preferred at the time of signup.  Your place in class is only guaranteed if you pay prior to the class.  If there is not enough interest for a class, it may be cancelled.  If this happens, you will be notified and your class fee will be refunded.  Should you want to cancel out of a class, please do so within 48 hours of the class to receive your refund.

 Our staff is available for individual lessons in a variety of techniques.  If you’re interested in scheduling an individual lesson, please contact Needlework Paradise at 307-587-5660 and we’ll connect you with a staff member to work with you.

 

LEVEL II BEGINNING KNITTING- Beginner level (basic knitting required)

Dates: March 18, 4 PM, Monday

(Dates for subsequent sessions to be arranged.)

Instructor:  Linda Fee: $35

OK, you can knit, but do you want to be able to do more than knit washcloths & scarves?  In this class you will learn to knit in the round (as for a hat or cowl), increases, decreases, & pattern stitches that combine knits & purls in the same row. During this class, you will make 2 interesting projects.

Materials: Worsted weight yarn for a hat & cowl.

 

BEGINNING TATTING – Beginner Level

Instructor: Anna

Date/Time: Saturday, March 23, April 6, and April 20 at 1:00 pm

Fee: $20 plus supplies

Learn the basics of this vintage lace-making technique! 

 

EASY LACE SHAWL

Dates: April 8, 4 PM, Monday

(Dates for subsequent sessions to be arranged.)

Instructor:  Linda

Fee: $35

A picture of this beautiful shawl is posted on our bulletin board.  Make this using a summer-weight yarn and have a gorgeous wrap perfect for cooler evenings.

 

BEGINNING CROCHET – Beginner Level

Instructor: Anna

Date/Time: Friday, April 5, April 12, and April 19 at 1:00 pm

Fee: $20 plus supplies

If you want to learn to crochet, this is the class for you!  Learn chaining and the basic crochet stitches.  More information will be provided regarding the fee and materials.

 

Crocheted Cowl – Adventurous Beginner/Intermediate

Instructor: Aimee

Dates/Time: April 26 and May 10 at 2:00 pm

Fee $30

The project for this class is a lacy cowl that can be made in a wool or wool blend yarn for a three-season accessory or use a cotton or cotton blend yarn for a summer shoulder warmer.  It uses a variety of crochet stitches; chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet.  It also incorporates techniques such as finishing and blocking.  The class follows on the heels of a beginning crochet class so this would be a great opportunity to expand on your beginning crochet skills.

Materials:  Approximately 300-500 yards of DK-weight yarn (amount depends on size), optional contrast color; size H hook.  Needlework Paradise has a wide variety of colors that are suitable for this project.

 

 

New Stuff: Yarns, Books, and More!

 We receive new yarns, books, buttons, and other great products nearly every week.  Listed below is a small sampling of the fantastic items we’ve recently received.

 

Books

 Finish Free Knits by Kristen TenDyke:  This book includes 20 gorgeous designs that don’t require any assembly.  Kristen shows you how to shape and join while knitting.  The sweater designs are beautiful and you’re bound to find several that you’ll want to make.

 

Vogue Knitting: Ultimate Hat Book: History*Technique*Design:  50 designs are featured in this book that includes a comprehensive history of this enduring fashion accessory.  Learn design advice and key techniques such as how to achieve the best shape by blocking.

 

Notable Knit Handbags and Notable Knit Lace by Carrie Hammett & Margaret Hebert:  Both books include 6 knitting projects.  “Handbags” takes you step by step to create several styles of purses.  “Knit Lace” includes all the techniques needed to complete projects such as scarves, shawls, and lace curtains.

 

Knitted Farm Animals: 15 Irresistible Easy-to-Knit Friends by Sarah Keen:  It seems like knitting animals is all the rage right now and this book includes several colorful farm animals to delight kids and adults alike.  The book features a comprehensive guide of knitting basics and toy-making techniques so even a beginner can be successful.

 

Tunisian Crochet Encore: New Stitches, New Techniques, New Patterns by Sheryl Thies:  This book is not yet available everywhere but we have it!  Sheryl includes many new stitches and 20 projects, many which don’t require fitting.  The scarf on the cover is absolutely beautiful and would make a treasured gift.

 

Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques by Sally Saunders: This book features four classic embroidery techniques: silk shading, crewel work, blackwork, and goldwork with several projects for each technique.  In addition to the step-by-step instructions with photographs, the book also includes several photos of museum exhibits created using these techniques.

 

We have several books from the Royal School of Needlework series that highlight several embroidery and hand-work techniques individually, such as RSN Essential Stitch Guides for Silk Shading, Goldwork, Blackwork, Crewel, & Stumpwork.  The RSN is dedicated to keeping the art of handwork alive.  These books are of high-quality paper with exquisite photographs and provide not only time-honored stitching techniques but also an historical background through the centuries.  You’ll want these in your personal stitching library!

 

 Yarn and Other Products

We’ve received several requests for 100% wool felt and we are pleased to announce that we now have 100% wool felt made in the USA.  There are several colors and the felt comes in 3 sizes:  5”x5” charms, 9”x11” pieces and 18”x22” fat quarters.  Wool felt can be used in many different ways including embroidered penny mats and rugs, ornaments, Christmas stockings, and candle mats, to name a few. 

 

We’ve got several great spring/summer weight yarns in stock.  By Berroco we have Floret, an ultra soft cotton/acrylic blend in enticing colorways.  Weekend DK – We love this yarn!  It’s a blend of Peruvian Cotton and Acrylic and is perfect for those spring/summer weight tops.  We’ve stocked a nice variety of 9 colors.  Fuji is a silk/cotton/rayon blend with a texture similar to Interlacements “Seeds”.  It comes in a worsted weight that works up into a substantial fabric with a light hand.  We’ve got great colors like Snowdrop, Cedar (brownish red), Pine Needle, and Pacific (blue/green).  Elements is a sleek wool/nylon blend with a shimmering two-toned effect.  Captiva may be a cotton/polyester/acrylic blend but it has a satiny feel with a subtle shine.  And there’s also Lago, a rayon/linen blend with a slubby texture that will add dimension to a summer top or shawl. 

 

We just got in some Wolf Creek Panda. This yarn is 60% superwash merino with 30% bamboo rayon and 10% nylon.  It’s incredibly soft and the hand-dyed colors are so rich you can’t resist!

 

If you enjoy crocheting bags and purses, #18 Iris crochet nylon makes a sturdy summer-weight bag.  Purchase a ball of Iris and you’ll receive a free Cross Body Bag pattern!

 

Of course, we have lots of other yarns so we know you’ll find something you’ll love.  We get new merchandise and yarns regularly so stop in often for the best selection.

 

Need Some Easter Basket Stuffers?

We’ve got several items that would make a welcome (and fat-free) addition to anyone’s Easter basket – adolescent or adult alike!  For the kids we’ve got a variety of kits for fun projects like Leather Coin Purses featuring a Bear or Wolf, Small Leather Change Purse, Weaving Looms, Beginner Cross Stitch, and Latch Hook.   Girls love making their own bracelets and hair accessories so pick up a Friendship Bracelet Maker or Ribbon Barrette Maker.  We’ve also got Needle Felted Bird and Animal Kits or pick out a needle-felting project book and the wool roving and your child can create their own project. 

 

For the older kids or adults who stitch we have a selection of gift items for them such as Lantern Moon tape measures with adorable covers featuring Ladybugs, Flowers, Sheep, Cats, or Peppermints.  “The Girls” Knitting or Stitching socks make a great stuffer; so fun to wear!  For those coffee or tea drinkers we have a nice selection of Thomas Joseph and Herdy sheep mugs.  Aimee, a staff member here, creates a fabulous line of scarf pins and stitcher’s jewelry under her “Corgi Cottage Creations”.  Check out our selection of these gorgeously hand-crafted items.  Make your knitting and crocheting extra fun by using novelty stitch markers: Herdy sheep, Lantern Moon sheep, strawberries, and snowflakes, and Hiya Hiya yarn balls with fortune cookie cases. 

 

The possibilities are endless but if you can’t decide, Needlework Paradise gift certificates would always be a welcome addition to those Easter baskets!

 

Planning a trip out of town?  You’ll want to know just where all the fun and fabulous fiber shops are by picking up a copy of the 2013 Fiber and Fabric Mania Travel Guide.  This guide includes 5,000 shops with maps and listings by city.  Don’t leave home without it!

 

 We’ve been making some changes to our Needlework Paradise website: www.needleworkparadise.com.  Although we don’t currently feature point & click purchasing, we’re now keeping a current class schedule as well as our current newsletter posted on the site.

 

Check Out our Blog!  – Some of you may be familiar with our blog, Spun, Plied, & Stitched.  If you aren’t, do yourself a favor and check it out at: www.needleworkparadise.blog.com.  Aimee does a wonderful job of posting entertaining and informative entries.  She adds a lot of photos of projects and new products & merchandise as well as offering ideas for using fibers in different ways.  For the latest news, read Spun, Plied, & Stitched.

 

Stitch & Giggle – We get together every Friday to work on our projects and socialize with those who share our passion.  Everyone is welcome to work on whatever project they want to bring.  It’s a very relaxed and fun group.  Join us anytime between noon and 2:00 for some stitching & giggling! 

 

Linda hosts a weekly needlework group – Chix with Stix. They meet on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Everyone has a great time working on their current project. It’s a fun forum to exchange ideas and techniques. There’s no obligation to attend all the time and there are no fees or dues. Come in and check it out. 

 

Please take the time to visit your local shops.  The box stores can’t offer the variety and quality of the products, supplies, and classes we have that you want and need to get the results you desire.  Our staff is dedicated to providing you with the personal service you deserve and have come to expect from us. Needlework Paradise was created by women who share your passion for stitching. We will continue to be the needlework source for the discriminating, modern woman. 

 

Check in often to see the latest merchandise and class schedule or whenever you need help and recommendations on your stitching projects.  See what Needlework Paradise has in store for you!