This morning, I was taking pictures of our new display of our exclusive Lorna’s Laces black and gold colorway, Steelers Pride in preparation for the regular football season. As I was editing the pictures, I spied….something. Do you see it?

1. True Blood. Kelli has been a True Fan from the beginning, as have Teri and Steven, but I came late to this obsession. This morning, Kelli and I put together a Color Choice Basket to celebrate season three, and particularly to celebrate seeing more of Mr. Eric Northman.

(Red is really hard to photograph, I’m sorry. You’ll have to come in to appreciate how deep these reds are.)

2. Angry Birds. This iPhone game is completely addictive. We can’t stop playing it!

3. Jeni’s Ice Cream. You’ve probably seen tons of tweets about this from knitters all over. Yvonne and Martha got to sample this amazing ice cream at TNNA in Columbus the other week, and we were thrilled to find it just down the road at Whole Foods. It really is that good.

The temperatures are climbing and we can actually see the ground. Yesterday I saw a bunny in my yard! Spring is here and Easter is coming! What could be more meaningful and special in a child’s Easter basket than a handknitted present? I asked Monica, who is famous around here for her love of knitted toys, for some ideas that could be worked up quickly to celebrate the season.

Monica's Sunflower Doll from the Twist Collective

• Easter Bunny Egg Warmers can be knitted quickly and inexpensively in Kertzer Coolspun Cotton.

Monica's Easter Bunny Egg Warmers

• From Itty-Bitty Hats, this Bunny Tailhat is simply adorable -
• You can knit this luxurious Loveable Bunny from either two strands of Blue Sky Alpacas or one strand of Cascade Baby Alpaca from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts.
• Chocolate Bunny! Need we say more?
• For babies, Bunny Blanket Buddy could be a lifelong friend.
• Heartstrings Knitted Bunny is a simple and classic shape.
• Catnip Bunnies for the kitty: Click on this link if only to see the gorgeous bunnies in a full spectrum of the colorwheel.
• Peep Bunny: because you know you want to knit peeps!

Your little Natural Stitches elves have been super-busy putting new things out on the shelves. New this week:

• Lots and lots and lots of spinning fibers from Louet and Harrisville, not “just” wool, but alpaca, bamboo blends, and yak!
• Brand spanking new from Blue Sky Alpacas, Multi Cotton, a subtle variegated version of your favorite organic cotton.
• A big restock of Louet Gems Sport, a yarn perfect for heavy socks and colorwork.
• Some beautiful baskets from Lantern Moon, and some perfect stocking stuffers, including new tape measures shaped like chickens and turtles.
• A new non-wool sock yarn, Bamboo from On Your Toes.

Stop in and check them out!

Our first customer in pajamas.

Carla models her OWL-TASTIC Pajamas.

Hope you all are having an awesome, candy-filled day!

Look! A knitted costume! Zelda’s Halloween attire is hand-knit.

Show and tell is our favorite part of working at Natural Stitches!

Sarah shows off her Mommy Snug, knit with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece.

Georgia continues her knitted Noah’s Ark with a pair of camels.

Summer of Socks and Lace winner David holds up his Girasole, knit with Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport.

Martha says I have to let other people take turns putting together the Color Choice basket.  This month, Yvonne put together a selection that evokes the shades of the late summer harvest. Can you guess all the vegetables represented here?

Keeping the basket company is Monica’s Sunflower Doll, knit with Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Dyed Cotton.

And while we’re on the subject of summer harvest, we’d like to thank all the customers who have brought us baked goods made with produce from the local farmers markets. From the still-warm peach crumble to a lovely red raspberry pie, we have been well-fed and very happy! Thanks again!

Here’s a peek at some of the things we’ve been up to this summer at the store.

Spinners gather for July’s Tour de Fleece event:

Lisa, Michael, and Zelda work on their entries for the Summer of Socks and Lace contest on a rainy Saturday:

Customer Annette brings cupcakes. Look at the marzipan yarn!

Monica makes a yarn fort with a huge incoming order of Cascade 220:

This month’s Color Choice basket is inspired by the ocean, in honor of all those going to the beach this summer. I used Dream in Color Classy in Beach Fog for my base color and built around it with other shades of the water and sky we have in the shop. By sheer coincidence, the day after I put the basket up, the latest shipment of Flat Feet arrived, painted in the same tones with fish, flip-flops, and beach umbrellas stamped on them.

Wherever you are, at the beach, in the mountains, or at home on a stay-cation, we hope you are having a happy summer!