Join us on Saturday June 19 for World Wide Knit in Public Day.

 World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIPD) was created in 2005 to show the general public that knitting can be a community activity.  Since WWKIPD started, it has grown from 25 gatherings to hundreds all over the world!  When many knitters come together and pursue their craft in public, it reminds everyone that knitting is still alive and well and done by all types of people.  Often it’s a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning to knit to ask questions and check out the beautiful things being made.  It’s a way to celebrate the craft we love so much by sharing it with others.

Join us on Saturday June 19 to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day.  Weather permitting, we’ll be able to enjoy the side garden.   Be sure to bring a chair and we’ll be happy to supply the lemonade.   The Stitch Knit in Public Day gathering will start at 11:00 when we open and run until 6:00 when we close.

Store directions and contact information can be found at www.stitchonline.ca

Good things come in threes! Join us for our anniversary sale.

 I can’t believe where the last 3 years have gone.  It’s been so exciting to watch Stitch grow into the thriving creative community it’s become.  Our new location in Jordan has been wonderful.  We have more space for yarns, fabrics, patterns and workshops and best of all for gathering and sharing our love of the needlework arts.  To celebrate our 3^rd anniversary, Stitch will be having an anniversary sale the first week of June.

The anniversary sale will take place .  Thursday June 3rd from 11:00 - 6:00,  Friday June 4th from 11:00– 10:30, Saturday June 5th from 11:00 - 6:00  and Sunday June 6th  11:00 – 5:00. We’ll be offering:

20% off all yarn and fabrics in store. 
15% off all books, needles and accessories (excluding Grayson E handles) 
As always, there will be wonderful treats and goodies to round out the celebration. 
visit www.stitchonline.ca for store contact information and directions. See you there!

Make sure to block off Saturday June 19th on your calendars.  It’s Knit in Public Day and we’re planning lots of great activities at Stitch. 

Spring Arrivals

Those of you who’ve been coming to Stitch for a while have gotten to know Linda who works in the store.  She has a beautiful son and has just recently also welcomed a lovely daughter.  Born on March 12 weighing in at a perfect 8lbs 13 oz Baby Gina is a joyous addition to their family and the Stitch family too!  I was so pleased when Linda brought Gina to the store for her first official photo shoot.  Here she is nestling in the yarn and cuddling with the quilting fabrics.  Haven’t we all dreamed of being small enough to do this ourselves?

 While a new baby may be the most exciting spring arrival there are many other new items arriving daily.  First up are the beautiful yarn and books from Classic Elite.  We have several shades of Soft Linen (top left) which is 35% linen, 35% wool and 30% alpaca.  It’s a DK weight and has wonderful pattern support.  There are some wonderful shades of a new yarn called Firefly as well (top right).  This knits to a sport weight and is 75% Viscose and 25% linen.  It has a wonderful sheen and Classic Elite’s great book Picnic showcases several wonderful designs using this yarn.

  Manos Serena is a cotton/alpaca blend, knitting to a sport/fingering gauge (bottom left).  This yarn would be perfect for those little shawls that are so popular right now. There are wonderful fabrics all cut and waiting to be assembled into beautiful quilts (bottom right).

Rowan has really focused on sustainable products and in this vein, has launched a great new yarn called Revive which knits to a DK gauge and offers a generous 137 yds.  This yarn uses recycled clothes that are processed and hand-dyed to create soft, heathery shades.  This lovely cardigan is called Shallot and its featured in Rowans new pattern book called The Purelife Recycled Collection and uses 7-11 balls.

  Whew!  Exciting yarns, fabrics and best of all a new baby.  Were betting that her first word will be Mal-a-bri-go but Linda thinks she’ll say “Hand over your fabric and I won’t shoot.”

Reminder: No Knit Night this Week and “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman”

It’s hard to believe that this weekend is our Underground Railroad Quilting Retreat!

Just a reminder to those devoted Knit Night participants that this Friday night’s Knit Night is cancelled due to the retreat.  The Saturday Night (Feb. 13) 7:00pm  Featured Performance:  “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” by Leslie McCurdy promises to be an unforgettable experience.  Tickets are still available for the Saturday performance so call the store and bring a friend for this wonderful event. 

Saturday night’s performance will be held at:  Jordan Station United Church,  4105 Bridgeport Drive, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0.

The Underground Railroad Quilting Retreat

It’s safe to say that one of the things we quilters love most about our craft is its rich history.  Some historians believe that African Americans seeking freedom from slavery may have used a quilt code to navigate the Underground Railroad. Quilts with patterns named “wagon wheel,” “tumbling blocks,” and “bear’s paw” appear to have contained secret messages that helped direct slaves to freedom.  Jordan Village is the perfect backdrop for a quilting retreat and performance based on this theme.

Dates:            February 12, 13 and 14, 2010.

Quilting Workshops:   Feb 12, 13 and 14 held at the Stone School House in Jordan.  Built in 1859 this quaint school house has been restored (complete with separate entrances for boys and girls) and provides the perfect ambiance for our weekend. 

Cost:  Retreat including meals, classes and Saturday performance $195.00 (plus GST)

Saturday Night (Feb. 13) 7:00pm  Featured Performance:  “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” by Leslie McCurdy.*  Jordan Station United Church,  4105 Bridgeport Drive, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0.

*Tickets  for the Saturday performance  are available to the public.    Cost:   $27.50 + GST

Class size is limited.  Please call (905- 562-1505) to register.

www.stitchonline.ca

Stitch’s Boxing Week Sale

If you’re up to your ears in figgy pudding, mistletoe and leftover turkey – take heart, I have the perfect escape.  Stitch is having a boxing week sale starting Sunday December 27. 

Hours are as follows: 

Sunday December 27  Noon – 5PM

Monday December 28  CLOSED

Tuesday December 29 11AM – 6PM

Wednesday December 30 11AM – 6PM

Thursday December 31 11AM – 4PM 

The sale* will include:  25% off all yarn and fabric, 15% off all books, notions etc.

*Excludes Grayson E Leather handles. 

We will be closed for inventory from January 1 – 6^th, 2010. 

While you’re in the area, enjoy the other shops and sites in Niagara’s romantic Jordan Village.  It’s especially beautiful during the holidays

The Second Annual “Knit In” Holiday Open House

Whether you’re a knitter, crocheter or quilter - you likely have a gift you’re making for someone that’s in the home stretch of the race to completion.  You are also likely noticing just how close Christmas is and you’re wondering if wrapping the yarn/fabric/needles with an IOU would be considered poor form.  All you need is just a few quiet minutes by the fireplace to get it ready to wrap.  The problem is…you don’t have a fireplace or a few quiet minutes for that matter.  No worries, we have both. Stitch is having its second annual Open House / Knit In Sunday December 13 (from 12:00 - 5:00).  It’s a chance to wish your fellow needle artists all the best for the holidays, to enjoy some freshly baked goodies and to soak in the peace and quiet needed to complete that project.

Fall Workshops

I can’t believe it’s been one month since Stitch opened at its new location in Jordan. All of the fixtures fit perfectly and there is so much natural light - the yarns and fabrics look even better than before.

Now that we’ve settled in, it’s time to truly initiate the new space with three new workshops.

Expanding Your Knitting Skills

If you’ve mastered the knit and purl stitches and would like to take your knitting to new heights, this 8 week course is for you. Build your confidence and skills each week while Marilyn (I’ve learned so much just by sitting in on her classes!) teaches techniques ranging from different cast-ons, fixing mistakes, cables, colour work, increasing/decreasing, buttonholes, finishing and more.

Daytime Session: Starts Wednesday, October 21st, 1 – 3 pm Every Wednesday 1 – 3 pm for 8 weeks

Evening Session: Starts Wednesday, October 21st, 7 – 9 pm Every Wednesday 7 – 9 pm for 8 weeks.

Skills Required: Knit and Purl

Cost: $105.00

Alpaca Mittens

This workshop will span three Sunday afternoons and will focus on making the most scrumptious Alpaca mittens (pictured here). The patterns use Americo worsted and superfine Alpaca. Choose from two different styles. These would make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone special – if you can bear to part with them. I still have mine!

Sessions: Sunday October 25„ November 8, November 15th 1 – 3 pm

Skills Required: Knit and Purl

Cost: Free with purchase of Americo yarn to make the mittens.

Felted Christmas Stocking

Alterknits Felt by Leigh Radford is one of my favourite books. This felted stocking has that “Seussical” feel to it and is sure to add a little whimsy to your festivities. You’ll knit this stocking in the round using Malabrigo worsted yarn and then come back for the second session a few weeks later to felt it at Stitch. Our sample here is stuffed with all the accruements any knitter would love.

Sessions: Sunday November 1 Sunday November 22 for felting. 1 -3 pm

Skills Required: Knit and Purl

Cost: $65.00 (Includes copy of Alterknits Felt book, seminars and 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted weight.

Call (905) 562-1505 to register.

*Please note: Class fees are required in advance to register for the workshop. You can register in person or with a credit card by phone. Workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable. This helps us book the instructor’s time and to reserve your materials.

Opening Day

Stitch has officially opened in its new home at 3799 Main Street in Jordan Village.  I can’t believe how quickly September 15 came.  As you can imagine, it’s been a very busy time getting set up in the new space but I’m so glad we’re here.  The front door will welcome needle artists of all stripes (look for the grape vine knitting balls to take their rightful place out front again) and just picture yourself in our comfy chair beside the fireplace on knit night!  Here is a shot of the front room taken Sunday while we were still moving in.  It showcases the beautiful light that illuminates the space.  The fabrics and yarns look great with all of this natural light! 

To celebrate - our sale will continue from September 15th - September 20th. All yarn is 20% off of regular price, needles, accessories and books will be discounted 15% from regular price.*

Grayson E leather handles excluded from the sale.

Strength in Numbers

When the sum is greater than the total of the individual parts it’s called Alchemy.  It’s the way stitches, colours and materials come together to create magical textiles.  It’s also the way people come together to complement each other’s strengths and to support each other’s dreams.  When Stitch opens on September 15th, John Valleau (a.k.a. Dyeguy) and Alan McLean  will also be opening a fibre arts -based business that day only five doors down called The Fibre Garden.  Stitch will continue to provide a sanctuary for those wanting to knit and crochet with beautiful yarns by names such as Noro, Debbie Bliss, Malabrigo and Rowan and quilt with antique reproduction, vintage and artisan fabrics .  The Fibre Garden  will delight those who want to start their fibre journey up the process chain a bit by offering natural and dyed fibres , DYEGUY™ yarns and fibres done in their own studio, dyes, natural dyes, spindles and Majacraft wheels. They’ll also carry the latest “gotta have it travel wheels” by SpinOlution.
 
With Stitch and The Fibre Garden as two exciting and complementary destinations, we’re betting most fibre lovers will find it well worth the drive to Jordan!