Silk Garden Sock...

...has arrived! No one does color quite like Noro, and now you can have those vibrant stripes in your socks! (or scarf, or shawl, or mittens, or gloves, or tam, or beret, or toque, or...) 8 gorgeous colors currently in stock for you to drool over! I'm debating between color 241, or 279 for myself even though I have plenty on the needles right now. I know that there are knitters who hate noro, and knitters who love it -being a visual person obsessed with color, this is one yarn I can't pass up!



If you're on ravelry, check out these great options:



http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/silk-kerchief

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/trillian42/swallowtail-shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harris-tweed-socks

There are tons more of course, but I'll let you do the clicking around as it's getting to be very late here.

I have tons of projects on needles right now, and am almost to the point where I'll have a little "finishing party" so to speak. Don't let the name fool you - this party will entail me sitting up much later than healthy while trying to reconcile my poor vision and the seemingly shrinking eye of my tapestry needle. I quite enjoy doing things this way though, because all those projects that have been sitting around long enough to be forgotten about all become lovely treasures within 2-3 days. I get a whole group of finished objects at once! (after a month of lagging that is...) Once this batch is finished, I should have some lovely photos to share (and yes, I found my camera in the bottom of a box. no cheerio debris though!).

Happy Stitching to All,

Allison

p.s. - for some reason this post is double spaced. anyone know how to adjust the settings back to single spaced? help the technologically illiterate! thanks!

Trunk Show

Hi all,

Today I received a Lovely trunk show from Classic Elite Yarns. It was scheduled to arrive the first week of April, so it was a lovely surprise to see it this morning! Among the garments on display is a lace beret knit with Classic Silk (just one ball!). I've already tried it on, and have decided to make one for myself! I've put all the new models on display near the fireplace, and you can find the coordinating patterns on the mantle. Come by and check them out!

Also new in the shop since the last update is TOFUtsies sock yarn. TOFUtsies is a lovely yarn from South West Trading Company. The fiber content is 50% superwash wool, 25% soysilk, 22.5% cotton, and 2.5% chitin - a protein from shrimp and crab shells. I have 6 beautiful colors in stock currently, and can't wait to play with it. I also have samples of TOFUtsies that will be available for you to play with in the store.

Available to sample/taste test in the shop are also Classic Elite Duchess, Louisa Harding Albero, and Debbie Bliss Prima. Owen decided to literally taste test these, and they didn't fare well enough to sell, so now we have a collection of hands on samples to play with. Let me know you're interested in trying them next time you're in the shop.

I have some exciting new additions to the fabric section of the shop coming shortly, so check back soon to hear about them!

Happy Stitching To All!,
Allison

I've Got Kitsch To My Eyeballs!

I've Got Kitsch To My Eyeballs!, originally uploaded by Kitschy Stitch.

Hi All!
I've gotten lots of questions about the name "Kitschy Stitch", and have had a hard time conveying the reasons I chose such an "odd" name, so I thought I'd try to better explain it here. I hope this post doesn't get too long!

"Kitsch" is a German word basically meaning "Trash", and it's grown to refer to things such as tacky oddities from the 1950's, (see photo above) or "common, poorly made" things. If you know that, then it would seem like a HORRIBLE name for a shop, (especially one that's so cute and inviting in my *humble* opinion!) but there are many great things about it!

The first reason that "Kitschy" is a name I love is the plain and simple fact that I adore finding garish salt and peppers in thrift or antique stores. There's something great about taking home something so strange and giving it a place of honor in my collection. It goes along with my practice of taking home the ugliest, out of shape stuffed animal on the shelf. There's beauty in odd, ugly and slightly creepy things.

The second great thing about "Kitschy" is that I love trash! I know this is a strange statement. Most "trash" that is thrown away isn't really deserving of being discarded. I love taking something that has seemingly served it's purpose, and is no longer usable, and repurposing it. An old lamp whose shade has torn, and base has cracked can creatively be reused, and is usually much cooler than it had started out as. Most people are too quick to label things as "trash". Because of this, the term "trash" doesn't bother me.

One more thing that's important to consider is "common" doesn't need to be a negative term. I definitely enjoy unique things, and champion the strange, creative, and uncommon. The way I saw the label of "common" to be used to describe my shop, would be more along the lines of "accessible". Art and Craft doesn't need to be snooty or highbrow. We've all had the experience of walking into a shop, where someone looked down their nose at us because we had mispronounced entrelac, (I think I even just misspelled it!) or had asked a "stupid" question. That's not what crafting is about. It should be fun, it should encourage sharing of ideas, and I want anyone who walks in to feel comfortable and welcome.

Much art, and craft has left a lot of people's everyday life. We really don't take as much time now a days to handcraft things, to appreciate and enjoy them. A lot of people look at knitting, sewing, crocheting, and embroidery as a specialized skill that they don't have time for, don't understand, "can't" do. I don't feel that crafts should be seen as something that's difficult, or out of reach. Yes, I understand that someone who's never held a knitting needle can't walk in off the street, and knit a lace shawl over night, but I believe that people should try, should be encouraged to experiment with new skills and techniques. Anyone can knit. Anyone can sew. And the time factor? Do you spend an hour a week watching TV? I bet you could have your project in your lap during that time!

I could go on and on, and still not be sure I've conveyed my point, and Owen just woke up, so I'll sign out now! If you made it to the end of this post, thanks for reading it all!

Happy Stitching to ALL! (even you who have yet to pick up any kind of needle....)
Allison

My camera's been missing for over a week now, but I know I'll find it sooner or later with a crusted cheerio on in, shoved under a mattress or in a toy box. Till then, you'll have to imagine how beautiful all the new yarns are...Or you could come on in!

Today we received 3 boxes from UPS, and we have new things brightening up the store. The Cascade Sierra arrived in pink/coral, red, lavender, aqua, and spring green. Check it out at http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-sierra.asp colors 05, 19, 29, 47, and 48. (Sierra is the yarn I used to knit the Portofino sweater on display near the sock yarns.)

Have you gotten the sock knitting bug yet? Aside from our upcoming learn to knit socks classes, to enable your sock fever, we now have new self-striping/fake isle sock yarn in 8 fun colors to play with, and a sample pair of socks to give you a better idea about how the yarn will knit up. Also new on the shelves, is Ester Bitran's Linares - a beautiful, silky cotton/viscose blend with an almost metalic sheen in sunbleached colorways. Lovely! I have already set aside a skein of lavender and grey to play with.

Lastly, there are lots of new models/samples in the shop to inspire you and showcase the yarns.

Happy Stitching To All!
Allison

Super Secret Sale Now Over

This sale was so secret even I didn't know about it...

I just realized that one of my sock yarns - Cascade Heritage - was mispriced after selling 15 skeins of it today. I kept thinking, "wow, what a great deal this yarn is! That can't be right." Well, it wasn't! I am not trying to complain, or vent - I think it's almost funny; but I thought I should let everyone know that I've adjusted the price. So, just to prevent any angry or annoyed customers, please know that Heritage is $12/skein - a still very reasonable price for 437 yards. Thank-you kindly! :)

In other news, I have Cascade Sierra arriving in the next few days. It's 80% pima cotton, 20% merino wool. It knits up at 5 sts/inch on a US 7 needle, and is a lovely yarn for warmer weather knitting. The cotton makes it great for summery knitting, and the wool makes the yarn more forgiving. I knit one of my first sweaters out of it, and loved the results!

After receiving many requests, I'm working on bringing Plymouth Encore into the shop for baby knits. I'll let you know when that's closer.

We still have a little space left for the sock knitting classes - thanks to everyone who already signed up! Come by today to register and become an expert sock knitter!

I hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Happy Stitching,
Allison

Sock Knitting Classes

Hi all!

Does the thought of knitting socks make you nervous? Do you want to knit socks, but are hesitant to just jump on in? We've got your solution. Come on in to the shop to register for our learn to knit socks class. We have two class times available - Wednesday March 25th from 5 to 8 pm, or Friday April 3rd from noon to 3 pm. The classes will teach you to use double pointed needles, basic sock knitting (including Dutch/slip stitch heel), and will use a larger than normal gauge in order to ease you in gently! Basic knitting skills are required so that each student will get adequate time and attention in order to complete (or near complete) one toddler sized sock. When you're done with the class, you'll have the knowledge and skills to conquer other sock patterns. Before you know it, you'll have knitted dozens of socks - maybe even two of the same kind! :)
Classes will accomodate 3-6 students per session, and cost is $30. You bring your own yarn and needles. Pattern will be provided.

Happy Stitching All!
Allison

More Yarn Arriving

More Yarn Arriving, originally uploaded by Kitschy Stitch.

Hi all!
Yesterday we got even MORE yarn in. There was already extra in our storage that we hadn't found room for yet! I spent a little time today re-sorting to make some room. I just put out some Debbie Bliss Prima - 80 Bamboo/20 Merino, and Solstice - 70 Organic Cotton/30 Wool - in 5 new colors for Spring. We also have lovely Sprout from Classic Elite that I have yet to find space for, but was so tickled with that it's currently in some shopping bags so that it's clean and yet "out". I'll be adding/changing even more soon, so look for updates.

Happy Stitching to All,
Allison

Not Just Talking to Myself

Hey all! I was so happy to hear comments like "I read your blog", or "I saw_____ on your blog". It helps to know that I'm not just talking to myself! (not online at least...) Thanks to everyone who's come in to say hi. It's been somewhat of a juggling act lately with the baby, and everything else, so I'm glad everyone's been so sweet and patient with me as we live through this teething episode.
We had a sit and stitch night tonight with a nice turnout of such nice people. I ended up trying to get cranky pants down for a nap, and then trying to research a pattern online, and looking for my camera real quick as I had to wait for the computer to reboot after some sort of glitch, so I'm a little sad that I didn't get to sit and chat with everyone, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so - Yay! It was so nice because when everyone left, and I went to go to the back room and clean up, it was spotless. Such a lovely surprise! Thanks for cleaning up ladies!
I just finished 2 small projects, and am working on making up various little cute things to show off the yarns. I made a purse from Louisa Harding's new Spring Book - Too darling - I just need to block, and line it. I will post a picture of it soon, because it really is a sweet little bag. I also made the Duchess Starfish Hat although mine is not nearly at the slouchyness level of the model on the pattern. It's cute, but I may redo it so that it's a more accurate representation. If you have any yarns that I carry that you're not quite sure what to make with, let me know and I'll help you find a project that's fitting. That's part of the fun for me. Meanwhile, I'll keep making little samples to try to inspire everyone to pick up their sticks!
I got some new yarn in today - Prima from Debbie Bliss. It's 80% bamboo, and 20% wool, really soft/smooth, and I have 10 gorgeous colors. I'm working on making a space for it on the shelves. Once that's done, I must find a pattern to knit with it - God Bless Ravelry!
One last thing I want to put out there is that I'd really like to start a photo gallery of FO's using yarn purchased at the shop. If you knit something with yarn you got here, I'd be honored if you'd let me include a photo of it! If you're not comfortable with that, then you should at least bring it in and let me enjoy seeing what you made! I love seeing everyone's projects!

Happy Stitching to All,
Allison