Marlene recently took Annette’s recycled bag class, and look at the end result!!

Marlene used bags from Aldi’s, the Pittsburgh Post Gazzette, Giant Eagle, and she’s not sure where else, to make this lovely, colorful bag to tote her groceries in.  Today she had fresh basil (which smells wonderful!) from her garden.

Keep an eye out for her Recyled Grocery Bag class.  If you don’t see it at a time that is convenient for you, you can always request it in a student’s choice class.

Happy knitting — and crocheting!

We don’t mean to do it, really, but sometimes, it just happens that way.  You know — we focus on one thing instead of another.  Like knitting.  We get very focused on knitting on this blog, and it really isn’t intentional.  Today, we would like to change that a wee bit.

Yesterday, Jen came in for a visit, and was wearing a beautiful vest that she had made.   It was one of the most beautiful pieces of crochet that we had ever laid eyes on.  Here, have a peek:

It’s cute.  It’s flattering.  The color is great, and the little stripe of green at the bottom?  That is just a beautiful detail on an already gorgeous vest.

This cute little choker is actually a class that is being offered by Annette.   It is the Lacy Triangle necklace.

Annette actually offers many crochet classes — everything from beginning crochet to flowered headbands, amigurumi animals to crocheted socks.  If you’re a knitter, it’s not a bad idea to have a little crochet in your repertoire.   A basic chain stitch for a crocheted cast on or bind off, single crochet for an edging to a neckline or a blanket can add so much, for so little effort.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this wee foray into the world of crochet, and hope that we’ve given you something to think about!

Recycled Grocery Bag – $25 2 Hours

Make a grocery bag by recycling old ones! You can learn how to make “yarn” from used plastic grocery bags and will then start crocheting a simple bag made with it! Good for the environment *and* lots of fun! Easy to customize the bag to suit your needs and wants—make it as big or small as you desire! Students will need to bring their own plastic bags for yarn-making.

The Recycled Grocery Bag class will be held on Saturday, August 7 from 3:30-5:30 PM. Please stop by or call the shop at 412-441-4410 to register or for more information.

By David A.

What is your immediate reaction to “STEEK”?
a)  Steek?  Did you mean “steak”?
b)  EEEEEK!  You want me to do what with my knitting?
c)  Bring on those scissors!!

If your answer is either a or b, then you must “Expand Your Knitting Comfort Zone” by participating in Natural Stitches’ Steeking Workshop.  Steeking at its most basic is cutting your knitting for sleeve and neck openings.  WHAT??!!  Cut my knitting?!  Yes, that sounds like an ominous deed to perform on a sweater that you’ve spent hours knitting.  However, steeking has been done for many, many years and has been used most successfully by Scandinavian and Fair Isle knitters.

The first Steeking Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 13 from 1-3 and space will be limited to 8 participants.  In the workshop, you will explore two (of many!) common steeking methods:  crocheted steek and machine-sewn steek.  The workshop will also cover why we steek, fibers for steeking, and setting up steeks.  A sewing machine will be provided.  Overcome your fear of steeking by stopping into the shop or calling today (412-441-4410) to register for the workshop. The cost is $25 per student.

Before and After of David’s steeked Alberta Vest.

By CarlaK, Head Teacher

Don’t you hate when you see that phrase?  I do.  But in this case it totally applies.

Charissa Howe, our wonderful crochet and kids’ teacher who has been with us since the store opened, is leaving us to move on to bigger and better things.  Charissa has been asked to join The S.H.O.R.E. Project as their Director of Girls Mentoring.  This is a great opportunity for Charissa to do a lot of good work with the kids that she loves.  We wish her and the Project great success.

Now the bad news:  Charissa’s new position will not allow her time to continue as our crochet teacher.  She is such a great asset that we hate to lose her, but we know she is going on to much bigger and better things.  Charissa will continue to teach her classes through November, so if you want to get just any classes in with her sign up soon.

And on to the good news:  Most of you have met Yvonne, who has been working with us for a couple months now.  Yvonne has agreed to become our new crochet and kids (both knitting and crochet) teacher.  Many of you have already benefited from her laid-back style, great patience and humor.  We think she is the perfect fit.  Yvonne will be starting her crochet classes in January.

And there is more good news.  Yvonne is the best finisher we have seen, ever. She won two blue ribbons at the Butler County Fair this year.  Now that’s credentials!   Finishing is all the fiddly stuff at the end of your project that you hate to do because you are never satisfied with how it looks.  Yvonne is going to fix that by offering two new finishing classes, basic and advanced! With her to guide you, you will become much more confident in your finishing.  Our next newsletter will have information about Yvonne’s new classes, so stay tuned!

Charissa-we love you and miss you already but we wish you the best of good fortune.  Yvonne-we know you are going to pick up the reins that Charissa is passing to you and handle them beautifully.  BTW-We already love you, too, Yvonne!

We are getting in to the final countdown for the Jacket Knit-A-Long.  We cast on in just 6 days at 6:00pm on Monday, September 14.  If you want to be ready to start here are a few things you can do to get ready.

By Charissa

So, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been up late on Christmas Eve or the night before Hanukkah starts on more than one occasion because you did not manage your project timeline well.  Admit it.  You’ve done it too.  I remember finishing the border on a huge granny square afghan in the car on Christmas morning one year and wrapping the afghan in the car before getting out at my aunt’s house.  You’re only laughing at me because you’ve done it too.  If you haven’t- you will.  So, Charissa (you ask me), how exactly do you avoid this terrible scenario and manage to make holiday crochet less stressful and more enjoyable?  How exactly do you put the holiday spirit back into the yarn, as opposed to sucking it all out and spitting it into the wind?

Start now.  Yeah.  Now.

Yes, I know it’s really hard to think about the holidays right when summer’s getting into gear.  The sun is out, the birds are chirping, the kids are home from school “spending quality time” with you (which in my house means insisting there’s nothing to do).  The pools are open, the dog doesn’t want to come in the house and the last thing on your mind is keeping everyone warm.  But this is exactly the time you need to do it!

Of course this is a terrible time to start sewing together a giant afghan or heavy sweater, but there are a lot of little crochet projects that are perfect for working on in the summer and stashing away until the holiday gift-giving begins.

How about hats?  If you want basic hats, I have two different hat classes available.  If you’re an old hat (pun most certainly intended) at crochet, there are also a lot of great patterns available for sale in the shop.  Or if you’re the free online pattern type, try the Divine hat or the adorable, slouchy Phannie.

Slippers are another great little gift.  Even if you don’t have someone specific in mind, these are a great thing to have on hand for the unexpected holiday guest.  I have a class for a cute, felted granny square slipper.  I also just ADORE this ballet slipper pattern (and popped out a pair last year in a record half hour) .  I did mine in Duo.  You can get about 20 zillion pairs (I counted) out of one ginormous ball of Duo and we have alot of cute buttons available in the shop for embellishment.  You can see my pair from last year here.

What about stuffed toys?  Fun to make, fun to give!  I have a whole class on these guys now and we have three books just full of them!  Some of my favorites I’ve found on ravelry are The Golden Snitch for the Harry Potter fan, The Safety Cone for the construction worker or contractor in your life; and of course, the Flamies for the person in your life who, like me, is easily amused.

Bath accessories are nice as a small gift, or as an additional touch to a gift basket. You can do anything from a poofy or back scrubber to a soap saver.  They don’t take much time, but are a constant reminder to the person using them that you care about their hygiene.

And of course, don’t think I’ve forgotten the pets in your life.  I too am so enamored by my pets that I crochet them things.  From the classic catnip mouse to the timeless doggie sweater, there are lots of options for crocheted gifts for pets. I myself have no rodents, but I’ve been trying to talk my husband into letting me get the kids a rat because I think they’re adorable.  And I’d totally crochet my pet rat this rat hammock. If you yourself don’t have pets, you’ll score big points with the pet parents in your life by crocheting for their pets.  Trust me.  We’re crazy like that for our four footed family members.

So your mission, fellow crocheters, is to get out there and start working on gifts for this holidy season!  Start downloading patterns, buying yarn and signing up for classes.  There’s no better time than now to get moving!  While there’s no excuse for the mall to decorate for Christmas before Halloween, there’s no excuse for you to wait any longer to get started on those gifts!

We’ve declared this month “Holidays in July” and are dedicating ourselves to working on gifts to give later in the year. Originally we’d planned to put all the holiday-themed patterns on sale, but we decided to put ALL, yes, ALL the patterns on sale for 50% off this month. From July 1st – July 31st ALL pattern leaflets and pattern company booklets will be not 25% off… but 50% off. If it’s in a binder, or a magazine holder on the back shelves, it’ll be 50% off. Did I mention ALL the patterns are on sale?

Yes, that means the new Norah Gaughan and Berocco books are on sale. The Schoolhouse Press patterns are on sale. The loose Cookie A. patterns are on sale.  All in-stock patterns and booklets from companies like Tahki, Classic Elite, Noro, Cabin Fever, Dream in Color, and sooooo many more are all 50% off!

You can read more about Holidays in July in our newsletter. Look for new gift ideas right here on the blog every Monday!

Dear Natural Stitches Gang,

I really want to enter the Summer of Socks and Lace contest, but I walked into the store the other day and saw Carla’s name up on the leaderboard! I can’t compete with that! Is there any hope for me?

Intimidated in Ingram

Dear Intimidated in Ingram,

No worries! Carla — and the rest of the staff — aren’t competing with the customers. The staff leaderboard is just for fun; we’re competing amongst ourselves.  Remember, we can knit and crochet at work, and we’re guessing those who work at PNC, for example, not so much.  So please, don’t be intimidated! Bring your projects in and enter!

Dear Carla,

Long time knitter, first time asker. I’ve been using a long-tail cast-on for my cuff-down socks. I think it looks sloppy! Can you suggest a neater way to cast on?

Signed,
Sloppy Socks in Slippery Rock

Dear Sloppy Socks in Slippery Rock,
Good question.  I’m so glad you asked.  I use a Twisted German Cast On for the tops of my top down socks.  Here’s a link to the instructions that I use.

I feel that set of instructions explains best how the cast on is done.  If you like a video better you can go here.

I find myself using this cast on for just about everything.  It is a lot stretcher than the regular long tail and, once you are used to it, doesn’t take any more time to do.
Happy casting on,
Carla