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!

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

 A recent article in the Toronto Star cited Main Street in Jordan 
Village as one of the 10 best streets in the 905 exchange area. 
Columnist and architecture critic Christopher Hume found Main Street 
“Quiet, comfortable and lived in, it feels like home”, he wrote. I’d 
have to agree. When I opened Stitch in 2007, 3799 Main Street in 
Jordan Village was the only other address I’d even considered. 
Timing, however, is everything, and at that point the timing just 
wasn’t right. Then, about six weeks ago, the same awesome shop came 
back to me by way of a wonderful messenger and all the pieces fell 
into place. I hadn’t even been thinking about moving, but there I 
was … falling in love all over again … which is not difficult 
where this charming property is concerned. It has everything on my 
wish list (think lovely side garden for stitching in … more space 
to house a variety of delicious yarns and fabrics and to have 
wonderful classes and knit-ins … a fireplace (complete with warming 
oven!) to cozy around on “Friday Night Stitch Nights” when the 
weather gets blustery) … and the ambience … oh my!

 AND SO … love wins (of course!) and Stitch will be growing into its 
new location this September. We will be bidding a fond farewell to 
48 Robinson Street North, in Grimsby with a moving sale from Tuesday, 
August 25th to Saturday, August 29th and reopening at 3799 Main 
Street, Jordan Village (905) 562-1505, Tuesday, September 15th. Our 
new extended hours in Jordan will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 
11am - 6pm, Friday 11am - 10:30pm, Saturday 11am - 6pm and Sunday 
12pm - 5 pm.
 
Thank you so much for taking this journey with me so far … I’m 
looking forward to all of the wonderful times ahead!

Dye Guy

Stitch is pleased to be carrying Dye Guy sock yarn in colourways that are sure to entice!  The “Comfort Cuisine” series tempts with names like Blueberry Cobbler, Spinach Fettucine and Grape Custard Tart.  If socks aren’t in your queue then consider beautiful hats and scarves too.  There are many wonderful ways to use sock yarn!

The yarn is a lovely blend of 75% wool and 25% nylon with a recommended needle size of 2-3mm.  It boasts a generous 420m (459 yards) per 100g skein.  It retails for $24.95 which is a great value when compared to other sock yarns of similar yardage.  They are individually dyed in Niagara by John Valleau of Jordan Village. The colours are long-lasting as John uses top-quality dyes. 

Some have short repeats and others offer a more marbled/random pattern but as you can see all of them are absolutely delicious!

The Swiss Army Knife of Knitting

Finding time to knit while juggling busy lives is hard enough without wasting precious time fumbling around for your knitting tools.  The Knit Kit was created to keep all of your most important tools all in one handy place.  And we’ve got the Knit Kit at Stitch now.

“This kit includes a tape measure, stitch counter, thread cutter, scissors, crochet hook, stitch holders and tip protectors all on one compact device.  No need to continually buy various accessories when you can have it all in one.” (Knitkit.com)

With summer coming up and vacations on the agenda - this is the perfect tool for traveling.  It’s also very pretty!

The Knit Kit is TSA (airline) approved so it’s perfect for long flights that give us lots of time to sit back and make headway on our projects.