April 2018 Newsletter

Knit...and be happy!

April 2018

Happy Birthday to Us!

Dear Friends,

As we look forward to celebrating our 5th anniversary on April 21st the one word we keep coming back to is grateful. The support of our community, both near and far, has made our little knitting store the wonderful place it is today. The fact is, we could not do it without all of you. We love opening our doors each day to welcome our wonderful community into our knitting home.

As a thank you to all of our customers, if you make a purchase of $25.00 or more at Monarch between April 1st and the 21st you will receive a token of our appreciation with each purchase. You will also be entered into a drawing for some yummy kits, a notions bag filled with goodies as well as few surprises. On Saturday the 21st we will have a birthday party, celebrate "Local Yarn Store Day", and will draw for the 5 grand prizes at the end of the day.

To keep the festivities going, the first three weeks this month, we will host weekly giveaways on our Instagram! So make sure to follow along as there is a chance to win some amazing prizes! Monarch Knitting Instagram

Happy Knitting,
Ann, Koryn, Diane, Jana, Jenn, Heather, and Alyssa

Projects of the Month...

Through the Years

We thought it would be fun to take a look back over the last five years at our featured monthly projects. There are so many good ones! But we've narrowed down our absolute favorites...

2013 was the year we fell smitten with the Turkish Bed Socks. Featured in July of that year, it is still a favorite in the shop! The pattern, from our friends at Churchmouse, is so well written and easy to follow. We love knitting ours in Misti Alpaca's Pima Silk, but any fingering-weight yarn would be equally as fun. A pair of these always makes for a great gift, too!

A timeless piece, the Guernsey Wrap by Jared Flood was one of our featured projects in 2014. Originally knit Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter, their worsted-weight yarn, it has since been updated in their DK-weight yarn, Arbor. We just couldn't resist knitting up another sample - the stitch definition and feel of Arbor is remarkable! To celebrate, we've chosen to kit up five colors of lovely Arbor. This is a piece you will reach for time and time again.
Guernsey Wrap Kit

Ann's daughter Emma rarely asks for any hand knits, but back in 2015 she fell in love with the Bianca Wrap. The yarn she originally used has been discontinued, so we have updated the piece by knitting it in Woolfolk Far. And we're so glad we did! The wrap is just so soft in this yarn - the result is the most luscious poncho you will ever wear. An easy knit, this striped piece is rectangular in shape, then seamed at two sides to create a stylish poncho.
Bianca Wrap Kit

2016 was the year we were all knitting Melanie Berg shawls. Her lovely Spark of Grey pattern is still one of Ann's most beloved projects. We can see why too, it's a beauty! Its two-color slipped stitch pattern is such an interesting knit, that you won't want to put it down. We knit ours in luscious Shibui Staccato, a silk and merino blend that just sparks as this shawl! Now, which color kit should we knit with next?
Spark of Grey Kit

Hands down, Bibbe has become our most popular sweater in the store! Knitted last Fall, this oversized sweater is the perfect addition to any wardrobe - it looks so great on everyone who tries it! Meghan Kelly has designed a relatively easy knit with its relaxed fit and shaping. Bibbe calls for The Fibre Co.'s Arranmore Light, a lofty donegal tweed of merino, silk and cashmere goat. While we knit ours in classic black, this scrumptious yarn comes in tons of colors.
Arranmore Light (S/M - 4 skeins, L/XL - 5 skeins)

2018 Nuance

The perfect way to start out our fifth year is with a lovely pattern from our friend Anne Ginger. Nuance is all about texture. The elegant lace texture pattern is set in a field of garter stitch and the Crave Yarns Caravan highlights it beautifully. This yarn is a stunning blend of superwash merino, cashmere, camel and mulberry silk. The incredible drape of the yarn allows for many wearing options. Knit Nuance and wrap yourself in luxury.

Pattern: Nuance by Anne Ginger
Yardage: 1,026 yards
Needle Size: US 5 (3.75 mm)
Recommended Yarns: N uance Kits

Knit, Blog & Be Happy...

As we celebrate five years as the new Monarch, we thought this would be a great opportunity to get to know our dearest Ann! Check out our blog for this insightful interview! Click here: Meet Ann

Classes and Events...

Brioche Stitch Workshop
Saturday April 1st, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
$40.00

Brioche has still remained ever so popular! We can see why too, there are so many beautiful patterns designed with this stunning stitch. Create lofty, textured fabric using Brioche Stitch, which resembles ribbing but with much more depth, and many more possibilities. We will go over basic Brioche Stitch, as well as two-color Brioche for a richly textured and reversible fabric.

Skill Level: You should have a firm grasp of knit and purl, and know at least one cast-on and bind-off technique.
Supplies: 30 yards easy-to-see yarn in two colors, and circular knitting needles in a size appropriate for your yarn.

Click here for online registration.

Ravelry Workshop with Jenn
Saturday, April 14th, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
$25.00

Do you feel overwhelmed by Ravelry's capabilities? Perhaps you only use it to do a basic pattern search or browse but have you wanted to do more. In this workshop you will find out why we turn to Ravelry again and again. We will show you how to find patterns, organize them and add them to your library. You can also look at the notes from other knitters on a particular project to see if any modifications were made to the pattern. We will also cover how to upload photos and add a project page. Did you know you can organize your stash on Ravelry so you always know what you have and how much? We will also show you how to use the social side of Ravelry by joining groups and using forums. By the time you finish class, you will be a Ravelry pro!

Supplies: Please be sure to have a Ravelry account prior to class. Please bring a laptop with wifi capabilities, signed into Ravelry, and any photos of a projects loaded onto your laptop.

Click here for online registration.

Anzula Trunk Show

Monday, April 23rd, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Anzula is packing up their vintage suitcases, brimming with yarn, for a visit to Monarch Knitting. Come join us to see what surprises are in store. They will feature new yarns and colors, some bases and colors we do not currently carry at Monarch, as well as some of our favorites! For those of you who love to spin, Anzula will be bringing an array of spinning fiber. If you see a yarn or fiber you love, you can purchase it right there on the spot. They will also have their knit samples there for inspiration and patterns available for purchase. Make your wish list and join us!

Natural Dyeing Workshop
with Brooke Sinnes of Sincere Sheep
Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
with a one hour break at noon

Join Brooke Sinnes, owner of Sincere Sheep, in a four hour exploration of natural dyes. In this class we will talk about plants that can easily be grown or collected in Northern California, natural dye extracts and mordant. During the class we will dye a total of six - 1 oz. skeins with natural dyes. Brooke will have pre-dyed two of the skeins (one for each dye bath) in indigo and madder for a total of 6 colors. Brooke will bring samples of yarn dyed with other plants and dyes as well as books and other resources.

Students will learn: How to prepare yarn to be mordanted and dyed. The mordant process will be reviewed (though not done in class due to time constraints). We will review various local dyes that can be grown or gathered as well as talk about how to dye with natural dye extracts. We will also review how to wash out your yarn after it has been dyed.

Students will take home: Six - 1 oz. skeins of Sincere Sheep’s custom spun American grown and spun sport weight Cormo wool yarn. Each 1 ounce skein has 100 yards so each student will take home a total of 600 yards. Students will also receive mordant instructions.

Supplies: Students are required to bring: rubber gloves, an apron if desired, a bag for transporting wet yarn, and dress in non-precious clothing and closed-toed shoes.

Click here for online registration.

Classes and Events...

Beginning Knitting Workshop
Saturday, April 7th and 14th, from noon to 1:30 pm
Saturday, May 5th and 12th, from noon to 1:30 pm
Saturday, June 2nd and 9th, from noon to 1:30 pm
$65.00

Learn all of the basics of knitting in this two-part workshop. We will cover casting on, knitting, purling, binding off, and weaving in ends. When you have completed this class, you will be able to follow some simple stitch patterns and be ready to knit a scarf, blanket, or dishcloth. Yarn and needles are provided. No experience is necessary, just sign up for the class and enjoy the gift of knitting!

Click here to register for the April Class.
Click here to register for the May Class.
Click here to register for the June Class.

Beginning Crochet Classes
Saturdays: April 28th, May 26th and June 16th
11:00 am to noon, just call the shop to schedule a time!
$20.00

For a change of pace learn how to crochet. In this one hour lesson you will learn to chain stitch, single crochet and double crochet.

Brioche Stitch Workshop
Saturday April 1st, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
$40.00

Ravelry Workshop with Jenn
Saturday, April 14th, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
$25.00

Monarch's 5th Birthday Party and Local Yarn Store Day

Saturday, April 21st

Join us for our 5th birthday party, which happens to coincide with Local Yarn Store Day. How perfect is that? The day will be filled with sweet treats. We will have special thank you to our customers that spend over $25.00 as well as drawings for some yummy kits, a notions bag filled with goodies, and a few surprises. This will be a day filled with fun and celebration so we can thank all of you in our knitting community.

Anzula Trunk Show

Monday, April 23rd, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The Art of Hand-winding
Saturday, April 28th, 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
This class is free but we ask that you register at the link below or call the store.

We all love the speed and efficiency of a swift and ball winder, but you do not get a chance to slow down and truly enjoy appreciate the fiber with which you are about to work. A properly hand-wound ball or cake is perfection to use. Even if you typically wind your yarn on a ball winder, there will be times when you have to wind the emergency hank by hand. We will demonstrate how to set up your hank and hand-wind both a ball and a center pull cake with and without a swift. So stop by Monarch on a cozy Saturday and learn how to make winding your yarn a comforting and relaxing process.

Click here for online registration.

Warm Springs Bath Mitt Workshop
Saturday, May 5th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
$40.00

Are you intimidated by the thought of knitting with linen? Then join us on a lovely spring Saturday and learn to knit one of our most popular projects in the store, the Warm Springs Bath Mitt. Knit with Quince & Co's linen fiber, Sparrow, this pattern combines garter and slip stitches to create a lovely nubby texture. We will give a few tips on knitting with linen, discuss how to knit the pattern and demonstrate how to knit do a 3-needle bind-off and knit an i-cord loop. Once you have conquered this little pattern, you will want to knit a lovely top or shawl for your summer wardrobe!

Skill Level: You should have a firm grasp of the knit and purl stitch.
Supplies: A warm Springs Bath Mitt Kit, US 3 circular 24" or longer, US1 circular 32" or longer.

Click here for online registration

Shibui Spring/Summer 2018 Trunk Show
Thursday, May 10th to Tuesday, May 21st

Drop by the store to see the Stunning Spring/Summer 2018 collection from Shibui Knits. This collection highlights their new yarn, Fern, a gorgeous cable plied sport weight cotton that has been brushed for creating a soft and matte fiber. The collection features eight pieces designed by Shellie Anderson that features not only the new yarn but the new colors, bone, shore and white. The pieces are easy to wear and the perfect weight for multiple seasons. We have been dazzled by the look book and can hardly wait to have the pieces in the store. You can take a peek at the collection here, but make sure you come visit us to see these lovelies in person.

A Visit from Britt-Marie Bremmer
Saturday, May 19th

Join us at the store on May 19th to visit with our amazing Shibui Knits representaive, Britt-Marie. She is one of the most inspired knitters we know and her taste and knowledge are unparalleled. We love hosting her here at the store and we are thrilled that she will be here while the Shibui Trunk show is in house. Plan on spending some time with us and trying on some of the amazing pieces in the trunk show and some of the other goodies that Britt-Marie will bring along with her.

Natural Dyeing Workshop
with Brooke Sinnes of Sincere Sheep
Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
with a one hour break at noon
$130.00

Turkish Bed Sock Workshop
Saturday, June 9th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
$40.00

In this two-hour workshop, we will teach you the secrets to knitting a perfect Turkish Bed Sock. This class will focus on knitting the heel wrap and flap and the seaming of the heels. We will also review the remainder of the pattern and the kitchen stitch. You can then carry on at home to knit the foot to your desired length. Once you have conquered this pattern, you will be addicted and want to knit them for friends and family.

Skill Level: You should have a firm grasp of the knit and purl stitch and how to read a basic pattern. This project is knit in the round with double pointed needles.
Supplies: Churchmouse Turkish Bed Sock Pattern, 200 yards of sock weight yarn and a set of US 4 double pointed needles.

Click here for online registration.

Cut My Knitting?...A Steeking Demo
Saturday, June 2nd, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
$10.00

Do you love to knit fair isle but avoid knitting a cardigan because you are terrified with the notion of taking scissors to your knitting? Well, perhaps watching someone else do it might easy your fears. Diane will be steeking a sweater on Saturday afternoon so you can watch her make the "dangerous" cut on "The Little Dude" baby sweater. She will demonstrate the crochet method of steeking and will describe the sewing method and discuss what method is best to use on different yarn types. Do gather you courage and come watch Diane steek!

Cut My Knitting?... A Steeking Demo

CustomFit Workshop: Gauge Swatches and Measurements
Call the store for an appointment!
$20.00

In this hour-long workshop we will cover how to knit and measure a gauge swatch for the CustomFit program. While you will knit your swatch, just as you do for a conventional pattern, there are a few differences in its size and in how the swatch is measured. Knitting this swatch is about the fabric you want to knit your sweater in, not how a standardized pattern tells you it should be knit. We will also take your CustomFit measurements and enter them into the computer to be stored for you.

Finishing
$30.00 per hour

Bring your project and together we will make sure it is beautifully seamed.

Private Lessons
$15.00 for 30 minutes
$30.00 for 1 hour

Do you prefer to learn on your own, or do you have a new skill you would like to learn? Come in and work one-on-one with us. Call to set up an appointment.

Come Knit with Us...

Social Knitting (or Crochet)

Knitting in the Morning

Knitting in the Afternoon

Knitting in the Evening
The 1st Tuesday of each month, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Knit with us (and get your knitting questions answered!)

Image credits: Nuance, Anne Ginger • Sincere Sheep, Brooke Sinnes • Baubles, Andrea Mowry • Brioche image, Monarch Knitting and Purl Soho • Staff Favorite images can be found via raverly, links provided in descriptions.