New: Online Waist Shaping Calculator

This came today from KnittingDaily, for curvy Waist Shaping:

This little wonder widget takes you through the steps of Waist Shaping and does the math for you! It asks you for all the pertinent information: stitch and row gauge, hip/waist/bust measurements, desired ease, and the necessary vertical measurements, then gives you stitch counts, row counts, and fills in the blanks for such things as "work decrease row every X row Y times."

Click below and get also more information about using this calculator.

Knit'n Bitch groups - an update

Dear knitters, here comes an update regarding our Knit'n Bitch times and workshops.
First off, the Knit'n Bitch dates are now set to:

• second Thursday of the month, 2-4 pm, knitting and socializing
• third Thursday of the month, 2-4 pm, for knitting club plus workshops
• last Friday of the month, 6:30-9 pm, knitting and socializing.

We had a great feedback for the evening as well for the afternoon sessions. Also, Pam's first workshop on "Finishing Techniques" went over very well. Now, Pam came up with a series of more workshops for the upcoming months, and we already got first members signed up (fee to Pam is $10). Here comes a selection of workshops:

• Knitting socks on 2 circular needles
• Lace Knitting
• Handed Fair Isle in the Round
• Moebius Scarf
• Socks on 4/5 needles
• Felting
• Cables.

Attention: Knitting Club members who are coming for the Knit'n Bitch part only and don't want to participate in the workshop are welcome. They don't pay the workshop fee and don't get the hand-out. Please sign up for the workshops as the number of participants is limited. See you at the next Knit'n Bitch!!

Remember: Our knitting groups require no membership fee, and during group sessions participants get a 15% discount on yarn and knitting accessories!

ROWAN, Cascade and Shepherd

After a number of new yarns from Berroco and Regia, we got several new brands in to round up our large selection of yarns for hand knitting and crocheting:

from Shepherd Yarns in Australia: Shepherd Classic 100% Wool - a versatile 100% wool yarn that will knit to either a DK or worsted weight. A great choice for sweaters, accessories, and perfect for felting. We just received a shipment with over thirty colours, so come check it out or check the shade card. Each 100g ball boasts 200 meters and retails for only $6.95. This yarn is an affordable replacement for our Patons Classic Merino line.

from Cascade Yarns: Cascade 220 Heathers and Cascade 220 Hand Paints, made in Peru - a long time favorite for felters, we are pleased to now stock this lovely, worsted weight 100% Peruvian Highland wool in a range of heathered and variegated colours. Not just for felting, this yarn also works well for sweaters, hats and other wearables. Each 100g skein boasts an impressive 200 meters (220 yards) and retails for $7.95 (heathers) and $9.25 (hand paints). Cascade is perfect for the range of Noni felted bags we now carry as well.

from ROWAN Classic Yarns: Cashsoft Aran - a luxurious aran weight blend of wool and cashmere that is a pleasure to knit and wear. The 50g ball has 87 meters and retails for $8.50. See the shade card.

from ROWAN: kidsilk haze - a versatile mix of 70% Super Kid Mohair and 30%Silk which can be cleverly adapted to create a lustrous, cobweb like finish of knitted double to create a fabric with more substance. The 25 g ball boasts 210 meters and retails for $14.95. See shade card.

Ecological Yarns are "in"!

After Nashua's Natural Focus Ecologie Cotton and Natural Focus Ecologie Wool (read earlier blog postings), we got three more ecological yarns, just in time for your spring and summer projects:

from Marks & Kattens: ECO baby bomull - a sport weight cotton in a lovely range of colours. Perfect for babies and little ones (big ones, too!). Each 50g ball retails for $6.95 and has 160 meters. Here is the shade card.

from ROWAN: purelife Organic Cotton Naturally Dyed - a DK weihgt, 100% organic cotton, available in naturally dyed colours. Each 50g ball has 120 meters and retails for $10.95. See shade card.

from Estelle: Cloud Cotton Eco - a 100% organic cotton that knits up to an aran weight. We received it in natural shades, and each 100g skein reteils for $9.25 (150 meters). Check the shade card. This yarn makes a great egological substitute for other popular aran weight cottons such as Mission Falls.

Another Treat for your Feet

When I thought I was done with documenting new yarns, two new very unique ones came in to push our huge selection of sock yarns one step further!

New from Regia:

Regia Silk Color - a super soft 4-ply Merino yarn with 20% Silk! Silk provides exceptional comfort and a rich look. Merino wool adds warmth. The addition of Polyamide makes this yarn machine washable and dryable. This yarn is so soft - it's good for your baby, too! Here is the shade card.

Regia Pompon - a soft 4-ply yarn with fluffy-soft pompons for a pleasant-homely wearing comfort. Washable and dryable - and perfect for babies, too. Check the shades.

Try these Basic Boot Socks

Using our new On Your Toes DK, infused with Aloe Vera, this classic boot sock pattern features our “easy knit heel”. Try one pair and you’ll be making them for everyone on your list! Email us for the pattern at info@needlenart.com.

Find more FREE patterns in our web site!

Socks, Socks and much more

A huge selection of sock yarns and our store expertise should bring us on top of the sock knitting trend. But we got even more in store and the fun doesn't end!

Two new yarns from REGIA:
Regia Design Line by Kaffe Fassett - a sock yarn from the Design line of renowned knitwear designer Kaffe Fassett. His exceptional eye for colour is reflected in the stunning shades of this variegated yarn. Each 50g ball reteils for $8.50; check our shade card!

Regia Softy - a versatile sport weight yarn with a touch of eyelash detail for snuggly softness. It's cozy, machine washable blend is perfect for sweaters, socks, accessories and kidswear. Wonderful for babies, too! We have it in nine great shades (see shade card) and each 50g ball retails for $9,95.
We also received a wonderful collection of designs for this yarn, Regia Softy Journal 602, which includes a wide range of knits for all ages. See example to the left!

New from Kertzer:
On Your Toes DK - a DK boot sock yarn with Aloe Vera. The same yarn as "On your Toes", but new is the slightly heavier DK weight. Perfect for work or hiking socks in our wetter West Coast climate. Each shade (see shade card here) is a composite of three colors, giving it a tweed effect. It also has the added touch of Aloe Vera, making it softer on the knitting hands. Each 100g ball has 250 meters and retails for $10.45. Make a pair of rugged, long lasting socks for under $25.00!

New from SandnesGarn:
Strompegarn - a great basic sock yarn at a better price! We have it in four solig shades and five tweeds (see shade card). The best part? Each 100g ball retails for only $8.50!

New from Estelle:
Arequipa - we can hardly pronounce the name, but we know we like it! A hand painted sock weight alpaca blend made in Peru, that's a treat for your toes. Each 100g skein retails for $17.00 and will make a pair of socks. Also fabulous for scarves, shawls and lace knitting! Check our shade card.