Hey All!

We have a few things in shop, lots going on NOW at Stitch House and a few great things in the works for LATER… First with the NEW:

We have some new products in shop that are fabulous (I really only try to buy the fabulous if I can help it!). We have in stock every color of Louet Gems sock yarn. With a purchase of this yarn you get a FREE Louet sock pattern. This week we also got in a great line of greeting cards from Itty Bitty Witty Knitties. If you thought our Zippy Pins cracked you up - spend a few minutes digging through and reading these very cute note cards for most occasions. And, finally, MORE MADELINE TOSH!

Classes! Classes and more Classes! I feel sometimes I can’t keep up with all the classes you are asking for but I will continue to do my best. Here are a few upcoming and happening NOW and the whole current list is attached.

TONIGHT Last Friday Night Kids Craft Club: The Last Friday Night Kids Craft Club meets from 5-7pm and is designed to provide kids ages 8-12 an opportunity to sew or create a quick craft. Kids don’t need any experience to participate – just the desire to learn something new! Parents are invited to observe during the first and last 15 minutes of club time. Pick-up and drop-off times should be honored. There is a $15 fee to participate in this 2 hour club and includes all project materials and a slice of pizza and drink. The Last Friday Night Kids Craft Club meets through June including Jan. 29, Feb. 26, Mar. 26, Apr. 30, May 28 & June 25 from 5-7 pm. Pre-registration required. Club size is limited to 12. Only 1 spot left!

Knitting 101/ Intro to Knitting - If you have no knitting experience, or have tried a few times but quit because that scarf was just taking too darn long and you got bored, then this is the class for you! This class will teach you the basics, and together we will create something small, manageable and fabulous. Not only will you leave with a finished project, but you’ll have the motivation and the tools to keep knitting! Offered Tuesday evenings from 6-8 OR Saturdays 11am-1pm (both ongoing enrollment). Classes are $75 (not including materials) for 4 weeks. Join Claire or Katie for this great class!

FREE This Way Up Scarf - Chelsea’s January run with her Free Clapotis night has turned into a new FREE Workshop night with her. Join her Wednesdays in February to work on a new project – the This Way Up Scarf (free Ravelry download). Check out the sample in the shop, made in Rowan Cocoon. It is a subtle detail for a great gift – especially for the men in your life. You should know how to knit and purl but we’ll go over the pattern and help you manage the repeat design in this pattern - we just ask you buy your yarn for the Stitch House.

Introduction to Sewing: Butler Bags - Amy Butler is the designer of beautiful fabrics and patterns. Using her patterns and fabrics in just two sessions you’ll have a great new tote or bag to show off to all your friends! This class will give you experience in the basics of sewing so that you will have the knowledge and confidence to undertake projects on your own. You will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions. All materials for this class are available at Stitch House. This class will be held 2 Tuesdays February 2 & 9 *OR* March 16 & 23 from 6-9pm for $60.

Get To Know Your SEWING MACHINE better! – Do you own a sewing machine and have a great fear of getting starting or trying more than a straight stitch - join Jen for a One-Day Workshop on Saturday, February 6th from 10-11:30am for $15. Jen of Blue Alvarez Design

Introduction to Sewing - “Learn to Dress Yourself” This four week class will give you experience in the basics of sewing so that you will have the knowledge and confidence to undertake projects on your own. You will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns and make minor pattern alterations for a better fit. In addition you will learn clothing construction fundamentals such as seams, darts, waistbands, zippers, buttonholes and hem techniques. The cost is $75, materials not included. Choose from the following sessions:
Thursdays in February 4, 11, 18, 25. 6-8pm *OR* Thursdays in March 4, 11, 18, 25. 6-8pm

Magic Loop 101 Want to do things 2-at-a-time? Socks, sleeves, legs and more? Come for this one-time workshop and we’ll get you making two things at once on a long circular. Please bring a project of your choice – socks are a great choice, but sleeves etc. are also welcome. Saturday, February 6th from 2-4pm for $15.

If you can’t make it in soon, we have a few things to keep in mind for the LATER-

February Sale: 2/7-2/14: Celebrate the Superbowl and Valentine’s Day in luxury with special prices on our sparkly yarn, alpaca, and Amy Butler fabric.

February School Vacation Week - Kids Camp! Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10:30-12:30 $75

Hattitude Trunk Show in Mid March featuring the collection of 40 hats from Cathy Carron’s new book Hattitude

March Red Line Yarn Crawl: Saturday March 20th. Visit some of Boston’s best creative shops along the T’s Red Line: Mind’s Eye Yarns, Windsor Button, and Stitch House Dorchester. Specials, Prizes, and Fun!

So there is the NEW, the NOW and the LATER for you - enjoy and have a good week!

Annissa

First, I want to thank all of you for your kind words of support and prayers as my family mourns the sudden loss of my Dad. The last 12 days have very difficult. A few of you had the opportunity to meet my Dad in the shop and I am sure he charmed you as he does everyone he meets. He loved coming in and being the shop owner’s father- it made him very proud and I was so happy to introduce him and show him off. He always pushed me hard to be successful at all the things I did throughout my life. He set the bar high for my and my sisters and brother and we will continue to be the best we can because of the hard work him and my mom put in for us.

This Friday, Jen Paulosky will be joining us for a first time special event. We are hosting our first (in a hopeful series) Local Designer Series. Stitch House is thrilled to invite you to meet Jen Paulousky of Blue Alvarez Designs on Friday, January 22 from 6-9pm. This evening will include a showing of Jen’s designs, a mini-workshop on one of her favorite knitting techniques and casual discussion on knitwear design. Jen designs and sells knitwear and other clothing through her company, Blue Alvarez Designs. She has shown her fashions at Rockin’ Runway, Craftland Providence, Seamless (Boston Museum of Science), and elsewhere. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University, with additional training at Rhode Island School of Design. Jen is also an instructor at Stitch House in both sewing and knitting. She teaches our “Get to Know” series on sewing, serger and knitting machines. She is scheduled to teach in February – meet her in January, learn from her in February!

I also wanted to formally thank the contestants who entered the Mitten Contest in December. Heather’s Shark Mittens took home first place! She got a great gift certificate to Stitch House and a small prize. Everyone that entered a mitten took home a thank you gift. I want to run another contest in the month of March but I need your suggestions… what should I do? Let me know over the next few days and I’ll announce the contest next week!

We also have a surge in upcoming classes. I attached the class listings and here are some that are starting this week and next:

Intro to Lacework – Now that you’ve mastered the knit and purl stitches, add something extra special to your knitting: lacework! Join Bill for this 2 weeks series on Lace Techniques. You’ll learn two to three cable patterns and how to read them in patterns and charts. You can start a new project (we recommend the Yang Most Exquisite Scarf or the Figheadh Mavis Lace Scarf) or work on a swatch. This is a 2 week series meeting Thursday January 21 & 28 from 6-8pm and costs $30 (not including materials).
scarf was just taking too darn long and you got bored, then this is the class for you! This class will teach you the basics, and together we will create something small, manageable and fabulous. Not only will you leave with a finished project, but you’ll have the motivation and the tools to keep knitting! Offered Tuesday evenings from 6-8 OR Saturdays 11am-1pm (both ongoing enrollment). Classes are $75 (not including materials) for 4 weeks. Join Claire or Katie for this great class!

Saturday Sew Intensive for Beginners and New Sewers – So you want to learn to sew or continue developing your skills? Pick your own project and get started. You will learn how to read and follow pattern instructions, cut out patterns and make minor pattern alterations for a better fit. We start sewing the first week so come with a pattern and fabric ready to go. This class costs $75 (does not include materials) 2 Saturdays from 10:30-2:30. Light lunch provided.
Choose from the following sessions: January 23 & 30 OR February 13 & 20.

Introduction to Sewing: Butler Bags - Amy Butler is the designer of beautiful fabrics and patterns. Using her patterns and fabrics in just two sessions you’ll have a great new tote or bag to show off to all your friends! This class will give you experience in the basics of sewing so that you will have the knowledge and confidence to undertake projects on your own. You will learn how to understand and follow pattern instructions. All materials for this class are available at Stitch House. This class will be held 2 Tuesdays February 2 & 9 from 6-9pm for $60.

Tonight!! is our January FREE Clapotis Nights - Chelsea loves her Clapotis and wants to share her knitting experience! Join her on Wednesday nights in January to make your own. This is a fabulous wrap, made popular on Ravelry and designed by Kate Gilbert, is sampled in the shop, one made in SWTC Bamboo (golden yellow), the other in Blue Heron Rayon Metalic (blueberry). Check them out and join Chelsea any or all Wednesdays starting January 6th. You should know how to knit and purl but we’ll go over the pattern and help you manage the repeat design in this pattern - we just ask you buy your yarn for the Stitch House.

And Friday is the first meeting of the NEW for 2010! Friday Afternoon Young Kids Craft Club: The Friday Afternoon Young Kids Craft Club meets from 4-5:30pm and is designed to provide kids ages 6-7-8 an opportunity to create a quick craft. Kids don’t need any experience to participate – just the desire to learn something new! Parents are invited to observe during the first and last 15 minutes of club time. Pick-up and drop-off times should be honored. There is a $10 fee to participate in this club and includes all project materials and a snack and drink. The Friday Afternoon Young Kids Craft Club meets through June including Jan. 22, Feb. 26, Mar. 26, May 28 & June 25 from 4-5:30 pm. Pre-registration required. Here is a list of all our clubs.

Again, thank you and I hope to see you soon!

Annissa