Chair Shiatsu and Stretching for Knitters and Crocheters

STITCH THERAPY Happy Hour:  July 26th Friday night 7 - 10 pm $25.00 cover.

Bring a Friend

There is hope! You can have a very long, happy knitting life! Here are some practices that you can implement to increase the health and longevity of your limbs, digits and creative practice!

1. Stretches
Breaks where you employ wrist, finger and hand stretches can be very valuable. Even 5-10 min each day can make a huge difference, either in between stitching sets or while you are waiting in line. Pulling the fascia (the connective collagen and tissue that lives between the muscles) is very helpful. To loosen the fascia you must pull on the skin, do not use lotion...as you want it to be tacky and not glide over the surface superficially. You want to feel a slight burning sensation. 

To release the fasciae in your forearm, grasp it right below the elbow with the opposite hand and squeeze just tight enough, squeeze for about 90 seconds to allow the fasciae to loosen...then push down very slowly towards your wrist. Do this a few times on each side.  After completing, you can do wrist rotations and twists, finger stretches and more. 

2. Postural Awareness

Pay attention to where your shoulders are. Are you hunching? Be sure to continuously check in on the tension in your upper body, shoulders and neck. Sometimes deep focus and concentration, can cause one to lose track of her, somatic awareness. It's important to keep returning to the body, and keep track of the tension that could be building, sending the breath there and standing up to shake it out or do a few full body stretched or yoga poses. Sometimes just paying attention to the breath can help bring us back into the body.

When one slouches, she tends to place strain on the lower back while messing up the curvature of the spine in the process.  Pulling the shoulders back, sitting tall and making sure the head is not in a constant downward position can help ease the stress on the neck and upper shoulders, and keep the spine in proper alignment, etc...

3. Chair Massage and Shiatsu

Chair massage is able to target areas where knitters feel the burn the most...arms, hands, shoulders, neck and back. It is amazing what 10-20 minutes can do to prevent repetitive movement injuries and strain, while releasing tension and pain at the same time, especially when recieved on a periodic basis. 

Massage sends oxygen to those areas and releases lactic acid that can build up over time...releases adhesions, and tightness in the muscle and connective tissue, AND sends feel good hormones and chemicals to the brain that counteract the feelings of pain. When acupressure is employed, there is even greater benefits, as it works with the time tested Chinese meridian system to create a smoother flow of chi and movement in the entire body.  Shiatsu is a tonic for the creative spirit and life force energy (chi). 

Good luck with your yarn endeavors, may you continue keeping humanity warm, snuggly and colorful!

Happy creating! 

Courtney Sheets
Certified Zen Shiatsu Practitioner and Thai Yoga Therapist

AN ART SHOWING OF KNIT AND CROCHET SHAWLS AND BLANKETS

Showing at Stitch Therapy, 180 Lincoln Place, Park Slope Brooklyn. Call  Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

FLOATING in the ROUND FAIR ISLE STYLE

http://youtu.be/dtDGR2NM9-Q

A DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTION TO PRIVATE LESSONS

How do YOU do It? KNIT or CROCHET

Stitch Therapy is a place to go if you want to interact with an experienced and passionate lovers of yarn who will work with you one on one. Knitters and crocheters have been enjoying Stitch Therapy classes for over 9 years, our instructors are carefully chosen, a private lesson subscription will strengthen your comprehension of technique and instructions at a fraction of the cost. Stitch Therapy Instructors are amongst the most talented knitters and crocheters that I have meet over the past ten years and some of you have had the pleasure of learning from then.  Stitch Therapy is very lucky to have, Kim, Tony, Kris,  and myself,  the four of use cover many aspects of the needlework crafts including finger Knitting for kids. yarn pleasure ...

Р 3 months  $150.00 Enhance your yarn pleasure Do you want to enhance your yarn pleasure, projects and skills in knitting or crochet but you life is too busy  for our itemize class schedule?  Let us help you find a comfort level with your projects. Subscribe to a subscription for private lessons of your choosing. With a subscription you can schedule an appointment at you leisure .  In one hour sessions twice a month)  This is a chance for you to increase you needlecraft skill, this time it fit in your passion into your busy schedule 6 months  $400.00 Knit or Crochet No matter the technique knit or crochet Stitch Therapy has a crew of teachers ready for you.  Stitch Therapy is about eliminating and concurring your fears of stitch work and reading patterns in knit or crochet. 1 year $1,500.00 Fiber Meets your Skill These days the yarn does most of the work, however the fiber is meant to meet your skills set whether you are fixing dropped stitches, running a life line  undoing  a row or learning how to read your stitches.  Call to purchase your subscription 718/398-2020 Regular rate for private lessons is $25.00 per (1) half hour.offer expires 6/28/2013. Subscription calendar begins with your first lesson http://www.facebook.com/StitchTherapyBrooklyn?ref=hl https://twitter.com/StitchTherapy

Copyright © 2013 Stitch Therapy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because the last time you were in Brooklyn you signed up to receive the latest news about the events and classes that take place at Stitch Therapy. Our mailing address is: Stitch Therapy 180 Lincoln Place Brooklyn, NY 11217 Add us to your address book Save on Private Lessons 3 months $150.00 USD 6 months $400.00 USD 1 year $1,500.00 USD

Knit One, Purl Two, Sip One

Introducing Stitch Therapy's Friday night happy hour!

Starting Friday, June 28th Stitch Therapy invites you to join us in our new  
monthly happy hour from 7 - 10PM!

Not only will this be an exciting new event, but it will start a tradition of the shop staying open late on a Friday night.

Happy Hour will feature:

-An Art Manicurist for your finger nails

-Tapas: grilled veggies, jicama & artichoke, and chicken for your stomach

-An exquisite beer tasting: this month we will be featuring an ale and a cider to tickle your taste buds

-And run a tab 10% off yarn!

You are welcome to come with your knitting and crochet to work on projects. Also, bring iPads and other tech savvy devices to share pattern ideas on www.ravelry.com (a free online knit/crochet community,) so you can share and gain inspiration and ideas with the Stitch Therapy community.

Price: $25 per person -- RSVP Required
to hold an appointment for your manicure

June 28, 2013

FRIDAY NIGHT HAPPY HOUR

Looking forward to seeing you at the first of many indulgent, creative, and productive happy hours to come!

Here is a sneak peak list of all the classes we have planned:  http://bit.ly/Vbs6mo

And just remember:

Relax,

it's easy.

One stitch at a time

-Stitch Therapy

Where your patterns begin!

GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE

 

 

Sweet As Pi Short Row Workshop Saturday, June 22 from 1:00 - 2:30pm

As I was knitting a scarf, I suddenly wished it would curve around my neck. A trick question my math loving dad stumped me with, was the key to untangling the arithmetic. The short rows that give Sweet as Pi its rounded shape also make it easy to snuggle into, and much harder to lose than a typical rectangle. The curve also keeps you warm at a shorter length... so it's quicker to work, and could be whipped up a single skein of something really scrumptious.

 

It's "sweet as pi" because I did a little math to figure out how much greater the circumference needed to be at the outer edge, as compared to the neck.

 

Short rows take your knitting to the next level. Among their many uses, short rows can create bust darts, and are great for adding curves to accommodate heels or shoulders as well. Learn the basics of how to work short rows, and put them to good use in the curving scarf 'Ahead of the Curve,' and you'll soon find all kinds of knitting situations where short rows can enhance and personalize your projects.

Teacher - Sara Stopek
Date: June 22nd, 2013
Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm
Cost: $35.00

Prerequisites: Cast-on, knit and purl

 

I am recommending Manos del Uruguay Maxima Stitch Therapy have a selection five colors to choose from.

NEW YARNS for A NEW SEASON

...and a few new projects!
  

Pima Cotton, Merino, Cashmere, Silk and Linen

 At Stitch Therapy, a Fine Yarn Shop  we are excited to announce the new, beautiful, and exquisite yarns that have and are coming in for the Spring and Summer seasons! Time to get rid of that misconception that the fruits of your knitting and crocheting labor are solely for the cold weather months!

Our Featured Yarns

Shalimar:  

A Breathless 420 yards of merino, cashmere and silk sport weight. Comes in 5 colors perfect for socks, shawls, or fingerless gloves.

 

Manos:

Maxima 219 yards of brilliantly hand-painted merino - Aran Weight.  We have it in 5 colors. Versatile! Try a baby sweater, hat, or fingerless gloves.
 
 

Lang:
Lino 100% linen 121 yards, DK weight ribbon. We have it in 8 colors, make a wraps, open stitches, big needle work or hook.
  
  

Berroco:

Maya 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Alpaca DK weight
Chainette comes in 12 colors, this yarn is made for everyone from baby to man.
  

Coming Soon: 

Aslan Trends:  Lecco 100% cotton, 110 yards (thick and thin).  Will arrive in 8 colors perfect to use for capelets, shrugs, washcloths.

 

Rambling Rows

The new yarns are beautiful and a great way to sample them is through the collage of the Rambling Rows blanket. A fun and interactive way to experience yarns. Stop by the shop to check out and keep track of other new all natural fibers and colors coming in over the next months.