SHALIMAR A MUSIC GROUP from the 70's

Today Shalimar is the yarn company behind lovely yarns like "Breathless" and "Honey" two yarns that just arrived today at Stitch Therapy. The yardage on both is plentyful and fiber is soft to the touch.

Breathless: merino, cashmere and silk

Breathless, our newest yarn offering, is a stunning 3-ply superwash blend of Merino, cashmere and silk.

With a generous 420 yards, Breathless is wonderful for any one-skein project, small sweaters or a large pair of socks.

100% Superwash Australian Merino

With it's scrumptious hand, sheen and drape, Breathless is the perfect choice.

FREE PATTERN: Fingerless Gloves in Honey

Honey Worsted is our superwash worsted with a generous 250 yards.  Machine washable with a soft and sqooshy hand, Honey Worsted is a versatile yarn for sweaters, accessories and afghans.

GUEST BLOGGER: INSPIRED CROCHET MOTIFS by Evy Leonard

200 Crotchet Blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton

On a beautiful spring day about 5 ½ years ago I walked into Stitch Therapy in Park Slope Brooklyn – the yarns in the window were beautiful and the store’s name called out to me. I have always appreciated handmade crafts and my home is filled with handblown glass and ceramic objects, art and textiles. Perhaps I was ready to try my hand. The store's owner, Maxcine encouraged me to begin.

In the store I was drawn to the Interweave Crochet magazine.  As I thumbed through the magazine I came upon a photo of a young girl wrapped in a fabulous afghan the Babette Blanket.  I bought the magazine and starting thinking. The afghan had an intricate pattern that required 17 different colors and 150 different sized squares. Since I don’t like to follow instructions I decided to choose my own colors. Little did I know that the pattern called for a sport/sock weight yarn and I chose bulky Manos de Uruguay yarns. I started crocheting and my afghan grew and became a bedspread for my daughter to take to college!!  After that I learned more about yarn – the different weights and textures.

Touching the yarn, choosing colors and textures, and watching them weave together to make beautiful afghans was so much fun that I made many more Babette Blankets and happily gave them as gifts. Before I started each blanket I determined the color wave and then shopped for yarn. During my visits to Stitch Therapy I chose yarn for their color and weight, and sought out yarns that would add texture to my life. Maxcine always carried great options.

I started weaving, and stopped crocheting for awhile.  Again, watching the colors and textures of yarn create patterns and fabrics was thrilling.

Six months ago I got itchy to crochet again.  I needed a new project and new direction. I sat with the book 200 Crotchet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton and decided to design my own afghan using 5-6 different square patterns and focusing of a color wave. My quest for yarns began. 


My first project would be colors that I adore - fuscia, chartreuse and purple. On my travels to Stitch Therapy I’d pick up both solid and variegated yarns within the basic colorwave. The variegated yarns that I chose turned out to be my favorites and I bought every color by a very special manufacturer that Stitch Therapy stocked.  I’d also look for unusual textures to add to the depth of the project. Many of the yarns were DK or sock weight.  I created a pattern starting from the middle and working rounds with a common theme – the centers and edges would all be the same color. What tied the rows together was that the same yarns were used (but in different orders) inside the square. As the afghan grew I was mesmerized by its beauty and very proud that I could make such a wonderful work of art.

I was then on a roll.  It was so much fun working with sock weight yarn, and the afghans felt so soft and light, that weight became my medium. Onward to my next project – pinks, oranges and purple.  Then blues, greens and purples. Always, I insert a few different colors that pop out to add interest and fun.

What these projects give me is a chance to play with colors - connect them and have them speak in different ways. They also enable me to have a quest – finding new and unusual yarn. Before I travel I look online for the local yarn stores and poke around because surely other communities have a fiber artist's treasure trove just like we have in Brooklyn.

I have now come full circle. Maxcine has asked me to facilitate a crocheting circle next year to work with crotchers to explore their creative side, by creating and designing projects using patterns and yarns of their choice.  What fun! 

Crochet Motif workshop led by Evy Leonard January 21th 1:30-4:30pm - call to reserve a space.

BE PART OF THE CURE: Light the Night Walk

My long time friend Suzanne Donaldson is walking for the cause --

EVERY FOUR MINUTES—yes it's a cancer letter!—someone is diagnosed and every 10 minutes someone passes from blood cancer. As many of you know, I happen to be the one in that equation who wasdiagnosed 5 years ago and faced it again this Christmas. Is there an oddersaying than Christmas chemo? I don't think so. In addition, I just successfullyfinished an 8 week protocol that has me feeling better, stronger, and happierthan I have been in years!

So then I got home to get in bed and read thepaper the other night, it became very clear to me that I need to throw myselfback into an effort that is near and dear to me. I was in the obit section,grieving over two people I don't know. Dr. Bruce Dan, who so brilliantly madethe public aware of toxic shock syndrome, died at age 64 after a brilliantcareer of research and awareness, from a complication from a bone marrowtransplant for leukemia. The other brave soul, Andy Whitfield, only 39, Australianand super hot (think of TV show Spartacus; he was the lead), died ofnon-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Two out of the three obits on page were fromblood cancers. I was stunned and realized I cannot wait any longer to fundraisefor my walk, Light the Night, which will talk place on 0ctober 14th.
Help me do something about it.

Walk with me across a bridge on October 5th,2011 in LLS’s annual Light the Night walk. If you live in Brooklyn, I won'ttell that you carry on and get yourselves home that night. But the other lotwill walk proudly with me supporting a cause that impacts my life in so manyways. Visit here to join us:
 http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn11/TeamHairy

If you're afraid of heights, just donate.

For those of you who know me well, I am not aquitter. I now embrace the needles and the reminder in my bod that life is soincredibly wonderful.

So walk, read this article in NY Times, “An Immune System Trained the Kill Cancer” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/13gene.html), donate, spread the word, and most of allhelp me raise awareness. Get your blood checked yearly and call me if you needreminding.
Donate now!!!

http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn11/sdonaldcsq

If you are a Glamour staffer we are teaming upwith SELF, Teen Vogue, and Vanity Fair for one big team! Should be super fun!

STITCH THERAPY VACATION

Dad budding plants -

Irene is forcing me to take a day of rest so I will be closed on Sunday. 

  This leads me to my vacation, as you know Stitch Therapy is usually closed on Mondays this week the shop will also
  be closed on Tuesday - Thursday. 

  If Irene allows my flight to depart on Tuesday I will fly to the lovely Island of Jamaica to bake my father a cake for his 92nd birthday.
     

Composting --

           Stitch Therapy will re-open for Labor Day Weekend, lucky you The Yarn Monkey will be man-ning the shop,please stop by Tony knits, crochets and designs. Some new yarns have arrived and there are many more to come. 

"Hey folks, next week I'll be running the shop from Friday to Sunday (Sept. 2 to 4) at Stitch Therapy, A Fine Yarn Shop,
while Maxcine takes a well deserved trip to Jamaica. Drop in and say hello, get some basic knitting advice, check out
the fine selection of yarn, hooks and needles." Tony

Ten minutes from the house -

See you when I return -

SUPPORT THE ARTS: SHANNON BURNETTE GOES TO INDIA

I am thrilled to announce that members of the Green Lotus Project will be playing live to my film works this coming Thursday, August 25 at Baluchi's Park Slope!

The event is also being promoted on the neighborhood blogs: All About Fifth Avenue and Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID! And a small raffle is in the works...stay tuned!

Thank you for your RSVP's --- this is a friendly update!

For those who are in Brooklyn this coming Thursday please make it out --- don't let the SUGGESTED donation keep you from supporting & enjoying a lovely evening of exchange!

For those who can't make it but want to share their generous spirit --- go to my FUNDRAISER ONLINE!

Celebration & Cultural Exchange

Please join us outside on the lovely patio at Baluchi’s Park Slope to celebrate & experience some cultural exchange in support of an international artist exchange in India this Fall!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

6:00 to 9:00 pm  Patio at Baluchi’s Indian Food Park Slope -- 310 5th Avenue between 2nd & 3rd Sts.

A special thank you to Baluchi’s and Arthur for their sponsorship of this evening, facebook likeBaluchi’s Park Slope! The evening is also kindly co-sponsored by Artists on the Brink.

Suggested donation at door, $30 ~ Kids $10 ~

donations made in advance through the Fundraiser page automatically adds you to the guest list!

6:00pm exotic pass around appetizers & discounted cocktails begins

7:00pm screening of works in process by Shannon Brunette with a few of the amazing members of the Green Lotus Project!

7:30pm classical Indian Odissi dance performance by Mala Desai

Children & friends welcomed!

Please see fundraising page for details on how your support will be utilized, I am ever so grateful for all the support of friends, family & strangers alike. Thank you all in advance for this exciting evening in support of an exceptional opportunity to participate in The Raghurajpur International Art/Craft Exchange.

About Mala Desai: The divinity of being – is dance…An Indian classical dancer who believes that dance nurtures the soul and leads you to experience ultimate freedom. Mala has performed at innumerable events in India and America. Most recently Mala was presented to a packed audience in “Om Namo” by Professor Kathryn Posin at The Gallatin School of NYU in NEW unique Odissi-Ballet-Modern dance technique fusion choreography to music from the 2011 Grammy-Nominated album “Soul Call” by Chandrika Krishnamurhty Tandon.

Original Lakshmi drawing: created by artist Nicole S. Fernandez for this special event.

BOOK READING/TRUNK SHOW: "Hastings & Flitt Detective Agency"



"Hastings & Flitt Detective Agency"

Coming in Sunday, October 23rd, The Adventures of Miss Flitt's final book, Vol. I, Chapter IV, "Hastings & Flitt Detective Agency"

Join us at Stitch Therapy for the book reading and a trunk show of knit designs from the final chapter.

The Adventures of Miss Flitt's final book, "Hastings & Flitt Detective Agency," finds Emma and Amity back at home, but when Emma receives an odd letter, Emma and Amity again find themselves embroiled in mystery. Enjoy over twenty full-color watercolors and a set of knitwear designs by Beth Hahn. Knit the organic Branches & Leaves Shawl or the soft and flowing Aeolian Harp Wrap. Begin your holiday gift knitting with Emma's City Beret, a simple lace hat with a decorative cast-on, or prepare for winter's cold evenings by knitting the sparkling Nocturne Hat. Create an everyday classic with the Gretel Sweater--originally released in winter, 2010--Gretel is a vintage-inspired pullover with a mock honeycomb yoke and slip stitch detailing," finds Emma and Amity back at home, but when Emma receives an odd letter, Emma and Amity again find themselves embroiled in mystery. Enjoy over twenty full-color watercolors and a set of knitwear designs by Beth Hahn. Knit the organic Branches & Leaves Shawl or the soft and flowing Aeolian Harp Wrap. Begin your holiday gift knitting with Emma's City Beret, a simple lace hat with a decorative cast-on, or prepare for winter's cold evenings by knitting the sparkling Nocturne Hat. Create an everyday classic with the Gretel Sweater--originally released in winter, 2010--Gretel is a vintage-inspired pullover with a mock honeycomb yoke and slip stitch detailing.

LOCATION: Stitch Therapy, 335 5th Avenue bet. 3rd and 4th Street

DATE:  Sunday, October 23rd

TIME: 3:00 - 7:00pm

RUTH MARSHAL: ANIMAL PELTS KNIT IN COLOR

Ruth Marshal at work

Some of the most beautiful and complex patterns are found in the natural world. Artist Ruth Marshall will teach students how to translate intricate patterns in nature onto a design chart, which they will create a piece of colorful, knitted art. The goal of the workshop is to teach participants the skill of visually interpreting an image, so that they can leave with the knowledge of how to knit creative patterns of their own design. This workshop and art exhibit, scheduled for October 30th from 1:30 - 4:30pm at Stitch Therapy in Park Slope Brooklyn, is inspired by Ruth Marshall's message of wildlife conservation and her fascination with the intricate designs on the coats of spotted and striped cats such as the ocelot, leopard, and tiger.  Samples of the knitted pelts will be exhibited October 30 - November 9, 2011

Knit from the chart.

By studying photographs of these exotic cats, the artist will demonstrate how to draw a design onto a grid layout, which will serve as your knitting chart. This chart will help you to envision your four-inch knitted square, which you will then complete during the course of the workshop. Using two contrasting colors you will see how beautiful the coats of these animals are and also how knitting is a fantastic medium with which to translate nature. Students should know how to knit and purl.

Reptile

To view more of Ruth Marshal's work.


Stitch Therapy workshop
Sunday, October 30, 2011
TIME:  1:30 - 4:30pm
335 5th Avenue
Between (3rd - 4th streets)
Park Slope Brooklyn, NY
PRICE: $95.00

Call to reserve a seat