Stora Dimun KAL: Are We Really Going to Cast-On 449 Stitches? In our last newsletter, we announced that we’re beginning a new KAL of the Stora Dimun Shawl from Folk Shawls on May 3. However, the beginning is exactly what just might be the most difficult part. The instructions call for casting on 449 stitches. That’s a lot of stitches! We asked ourselves what the best way would be for going about this. The regular long-tail cast on seems dangerous because it’s an awful lot of yardage to estimate to pull out to begin, and how bad would it feel to get to 400 stitches and then run out of tail? A knitted cast on would produce too tight of an edge to what should be a flexible beginning. Here, Yvonne and Carla give two solutions to this dilemma. The Crochet Cast On By Yvonne The crochet cast on is also known as the bind off cast on, because it is the only cast on that looks exactly like the bind off. I prefer this cast on for most of my projects, because I know that I won’t run out of yarn, like I probably would with the long-tail, and it’s a very stretchy cast on. The Tools: Yarn (yes, the yarn you’re using for your project) Knitting Needle (again, the one you’re using for your project) Crochet Hook (a size smaller than the knitting needles is suggested). The Method: Make a slip knot and put the slip knot onto the crochet hook (for counting purposes, this is your first stitch.) Hold the hook in your right hand, with yarn and knitting needle in the left hand, and the yarn passing from your fingers under the knitting needle. Anchor the tail by holding it in your left hand and tight to the knitting needle. Move your crochet hook over the knitting needle, grab the yarn, and pull the yarn through the loop on your crochet hook. (Really, this sounds more difficult than it looks.) Continue in this manner until you have the required number of stitches (don’t forget to include the loop that is on your crochet hook). When you have the required number of stitches, move the loop from your crochet hook to your knitting needle. You are now ready to begin your first row of knitting! Happy knitting! The Long-Tail Cast-On Revised By Carla I have a suggestion for a good cast on for lace and a trick for not having to estimate yarn for a long tail cast on. First the trick: when you have to cast on a large number of stitches you don’t have to use the working yarn and the tail. A good way around the “wrong length tail” blues is really easy. Here goes: Take either the two ends of one ball or yarn (or one strand from two different balls) and, leaving tails to weave in later, make a slip knot. You will see there are two loops over your needle. Count those as the first two stitches of your cast on. Now tuck the ends of your yarns away from the action in the palm of your hand. Using the two strands you have coming in to the work, set up for your regular long tail cast on and cast on to your heart’s content. When you get to the number of stitches that you need, clip one of the strands, leaving a tail for later weaving in and proceed with your knitting with the other strand. Now for that cast on: I found this one tucked away in a lace pattern one time. Not much was said about it in the pattern but on testing it I found it extremely stretchy so it is great for lace. I use it on most everything now. Like most knitting techniques it has many names but the one I have found used most often is the Twisted German Cast On. Here is a link to an article with great pics And here’s a link to a You Tube video If you are having trouble learning the cast on from these links come into the shop and I will be happy to show you how it goes. We look forward to casting on with you on May 3!

What's New The best new thing we’ve had in quite awhile! Our former manager Melissa gave birth to Xavier Owen on April 12. See his adorable picture here on our blog. Fiber, fiber, fiber! We are pleased to carry DyakCraft spindles and Corriedale roving in a variety of colors. We also received a huge restock of Chameleon Colorworks Fiber in Merino-Tencel Blend, BFL, Merino Top, and a new fiber for us, Optim, a mechanically-stretched merino that has properties of both silk and wool. We’d also like to remind you that all spinners are invited to grab their spindles and wheels and attend Spinners Central in the store on the second Thursday evening of each month. Stay tuned for more exciting news to come about spinning at Natural Stitches this summer! We’re still hosting the stunning trunk show from Dream in Color, and we have even more amazing new colors of Smooshy and Starry. These fingering-weight yarns make sturdy, beautiful socks and stunning shawls. Coming soon! We are expecting a massive Malabrigo order any day now! (Ed. note: It arrived today!) Soon we will be restocked in all weights: Lace, Sock, Silky Merino, Merino Worsted, Twist, and Chunky. Want to know the minute the box arrives? Follow us on Twitter for breaking news in yarn. Don’t forget that we are Expanding Our Fiber Comfort Zone in 2010. What could be more, um, expanding than learning to cut your knitting? We still have spaces in David’s Steeking Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, May 8 from 3:30-5:30. Call us at 412-441-4410 to register.

Spotlight on Yarn: A Tale of Two Silk Blends Reviews of Ella Rae Silk Bamboo and Cascade Venezia One of the most gorgeous yarns on the planet, silk, is made by worms. On its own, silk has a smooth, slippery surface and a lack of bounce or body. You will have a fluid material with relaxed drape and gorgeous reflective qualities, which is a dream for lace shawls or slinky tops. If you are using a smooth, pure silk and want to work large bodies of stockinette, work carefully; there is no crimp or loft to absorb irregular stitches. They'll always be exactly as you left them, and no amount of blocking can make it look “right.” Additionally, smoother silk yarns will not only slide off your needles, but also snag on needles with sharp tips. It can be difficult to manage on those Addi Turbos that we all love, so we suggest you use bamboo or wood needles which have a little “drag” to them. If you want to knit something with a little more body and hug to it, choose a silk blend – such as silk/merino, where the merino will help balance out any flubs, as well as give your garment the memory that it will need, or bamboo, which will enhance the fluid-like movement of the silk with its own slinkiness. Here, two customers provide us with their take on two of our silk blend yarns. Want to learn more about the properties of various types of fiber? We highly recommend The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes, and No Sheep for You, by Amy Singer, both available in the shop. Ella Rae Silk Bamboo By Lisa B., frequent customer Midway down the worsted-weight yarn aisle at Natural Stitches is a little nook of gems. Glowing, rich colors in little twists tempt your fingers. If you haven't given in and touched these skeins of Ella Rae Bamboo Silk before, do yourself a favor: Just pick one up to feel it next time you're in the shop. I first fell in love with the (surprise) blue, a sophisticated not-quite-navy. In little batches, I'd buy some when I wanted to treat myself or needed a pick-me-up or fill in your favorite excuse here. I've built up a sweater quantity. The first time I tried using it was for Chanson en Crochet, a little shawlette/poncho thing that I think is just gorgeous. But I am not yet A Crocheter, and I failed pretty miserably at this intermediate-level pattern. I determined that I wanted to save the yarn for something really special and beautiful. The right pattern came along in February, in the form of a simple, drape-y shawl called the Captiva Wrap. Something about its fluttery edge caught my fancy, and I cast it on almost as soon as I saw it--easy, because I knew exactly the yarn to use. And that never happens for me. Anna teases me that I love planning projects and daydreaming about them more than I love actually making them. (Polite Ravelers call this being a “process knitter” rather than a “product knitter.” Spot on.) But this time, the match between pattern and yarn was as clear as could be. The pattern has a wave motif, so it unfolded perfectly as I worked: The yarn was like knitting with water. The drape is fantastic, and the wrap promises to be a perfect three-season wardrobe staple. You know: when I actually finish it. (I'm almost there! I just get distracted by the ooh! shiny!) Cascade Venezia By Elaine, Natural Stitches Sample Knitter I was asked to write a review on Cascade Venezia Yarn. In my opinion, this is the one of the nicest yarns I have had the pleasure of working with. It is ever so soft and the drape is beautiful. It is 70% Merino and 30% silk, and the yardage is also great at 219 yards per skein. The colors are rich and absolutely beautiful. Please, if you have the chance, give this wonderful yarn a try. Elaine knitted this lovely February Lady Sweater with the Venezia, here modeled by Kelli.

Spring into Warm Weather Knitting By Anna Spring is a time of transition and requires a wardrobe of knitwear that is lightweight and versatile to take you through the roller coaster of high and low temperatures and sun and rain that we’ve been experiencing. The knitter needs something stylish and easy to wear that can go from a crisp morning walk to the bus stop to a perhaps overly air-conditioned office to a nice walk in the afternoon sunshine. We’ve put together a list of ideas that we hope will inspire you to knit something both useful and beautiful this spring. Knitty is always our first stop when looking for pattern inspiration. The current Spring-Summer 2010 issue offers a multitude of ideas, but we’re particularly drawn to two. The Tappan Zee Cardigan is a seamless round-yoke cardigan with a simple lace pattern. It fits and flatters a number of sizes and body shapes and works as an easy layering piece over long-sleeved t-shirts and tank tops alike. We think this would look amazing worked upin Malabrigo Silky Merino or Crystal Palace Panda Silk DK. Need longer sleeves and a bit more of a challenge? Try Que Sera, a full-length cotton cardigan in a leaf lace pattern. The pattern calls for Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton, which we have in a full spectrum of both natural and undyed colors, but we also think this would look terrific in Berroco Comfort, a nylon and acrylic blend. Buttercup is a short-sleeved pullover with a simple lace bodice and border. Knit from the top-down, it’s easy to customize and available in a range of sizes from petite to plus. Knitting a sport or light DK weight at a looser gauge than usual creates a drape that is flattering to most if not all body types. Here, Amanda, who we profiled in our January issue, shows her Buttercup knit in Hemp for Knitting Hempton. Finally, this pattern caught our eye because we were intrigued by the idea of a short-sleeved pullover knit in bulky yarn. Mud Season – a season we are well familiar with in Western PA – is a simple, quick raglan pullover constructed all in one piece. Chunky yarn like Malabrigo Chunky or Cascade 128 makes this project fly off your needles. Happy Spring!

From the entire staff of Natural Stitches, we wish you happy knits, creative crochets and splendid spinnings. And, as always, if there's anything we can do to help, just let us know!

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