PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

With all the amazing fibers and colors available in the yarn world today the opportunity for creating your own cloth offers a wealth of freedom for expression. I knit these hats and swatches about six years ago when I was working in another yarn shop that offered a great variety so I had the chance to experiment with fibers and stitches.

The blue, white and red hat are a single ply -- practically roving -- and the multicolored swatch uses remnants of a light blue yarn for weaving, and hand dyed merino wool. Playing with my Harmony Guide, I picked a two color cable with the idea to knit ear flaps for a hat, add stitches for the back of the hat, and keep the two color cable going.

Well, they do somewhat resemble mutton chops, and the chevron stitch in the red and blue are a bit subtle, but this hat was a hit on the runway last year at the Brooklyn Conservatory where my friend Raphael used it in a fashion show. In muscles and swim trunks the model walked the runway with confidence and my hat covered the beautiful locks of an Adonis. This hat is one of a kind and what initially looked like a odd pairing of yarn worked in the end. Trying something out of the norm can create a fresh new twist on a classic stitch.

Summer classes for kids

Stitch Therapy is thrilled to announce a new series of summer classes for children at the Brooklyn shop!

Summer Camp: Knit

Want to learn how to knit? Then this is the class for you! In one week children will learn long-tail cast-on, continental knit stitch, bind-off, continental purl stitch, and knit/purl rib stitch. During the four day camp you'll Knit a pair of fingerless gloves or a hat, or for those of you who already know the basics of knitting - knit a shrug. Beginner's learn the foundation of knitting. Materials cost approximately $40.00 and must be purchased at Stitch Therapy.

Teacher - Kim Davis
Date: June 23,24, 25, 26, 2009 - Fingerless Gloves
July 14, 15, 16, 17, 2009 - Hats
July 28, 29, 30, 31, 2009 - Shrugs
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00
Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old

Summer Camp: Crochet
Children will learn to crochet in a fun and encouraging environment during this four day camp. They'll learn to read stitch instructions and crochet their own hats using the basic chain, single crochet and double crochet stitches. Materials cost approximately $30.00 for beginners and must be purchased at Stitch Therapy.

Teacher - Kim Davis
Date: July 21, 22, 23, 24, 2009
August 4, 5, 6, 7, 2009
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00
Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old

Summer Camp: Finger Knitting for Parent and Child
Knitting is a wonderful way to strengthen dexterity and spatial relationship recognition, as well as enhance basic math skills. Children love the feeling of success when they can create something with their own hands. Beginner sessions will learn to use their hands and fingers to knit rectangles. Advanced sessions will knit a doll blanket.

Teacher - Morgan Hultman
Date: (choose one session at a time)
Beginner
June 13
June 14
June 27
June 28
July 11
July 12
Advanced
July 25
July 26
Time: 10:30 am - 12 pm
Cost: $50.00

Prerequisites: Your child must be at least 5 yrs old, be able to count to 5 and know right and left. Materials included for beginner sessions.

Stop in or call the shop to sign up!

NEW PATTERN BOOKLETS

Of all the patterns that arrive in yesterdays mail these three booklets stand out the most - the first is filled with charming neckdown knit sweaters in a heirloom leaf pattern for babies that includes booties and a blanket. The leaf pattern is just one of a few stitch patterns.

The last two are spanish language booklets for knit and crochet. The first is a book of knit blankets and the latter is a booklet of 63 stitch patterns - affter sampling all 63 stitches the squares can be turned into a blanket.