Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
This post won’t be long because I have a lot of computer work to do today, but I just want to tantalize you with a few projects from our summer class schedule. First, though, I’ll show you a couple of projects that turned out really well, and tell you not to miss David Ritz’s latest in the post just below. Another gorgeous piece from David!
Carol Sullivan finished her Napa Pullover, and since it’s kind of yucky and cool today, she may even be getting some use from it before summer hits. She used Kathmandu Aran and did a beautiful job: 
She chose an Annie Adams pewter shawl pin to secure the collar, which sets it off perfectly, even though it’s difficult to see in this photo.
Karen Wenrich is making a pair of bright purple socks for a young friend – they are such happy socks that I had to snap a picture of the first of the pair: 
Isn’t it purty? She’s using Magic Loop, which she’ll be teaching this summer.
And Stephanie Fishkin brought in a wonderful baby blanket that she designed and knit in Nature Cotton and Patagonia, two Araucania yarns that are chunky and funky and perfect for a soft and comfy blankie. She always has the blankets monogrammed at Initials Only. 
All right, now for some glimpses of summer class projects! That’s the computer work I have to accomplish today – I must get going on the schedule, signup sheets, web page, orders for materials, etc. There’s a lot of work in putting a full boat of classes together, and we rarely repeat except for a few basics – we try to keep it fresh for you!
We seem to have a theme for summer: nearly every project we looked at had some amount of lace involved, so we went with it! Janet is going to teach a simply beautiful feather and fan shawl, which Karen Wenrich is modeling here. Janet used Noro Silk Garden but this would be lovely in any lush yarn:
And Karen also models a sweet beret that Karen Walter is going to teach, made out of Fibra Natura Mermaid. It’s a wonderful blend that got a nice review on Knitter’s Review:
Donna Guthrie made and will teach this great vest, made in Sublime Organic DK Cotton:
and Donna is also showing off a market bag that Karen Walter made and will teach. It uses mitered squares with “cutouts” and is really a neat bag. I love the two-tone handle.
Lynne Nagle will be teaching some beautiful crochet projects: a really gorgeous diagonal scarf, shown in Silk Garden
a cute crocheted and felted handbag, and a pretty lacy shrug. There are many more, including the on-going Great North American Afghan, beginner series, finishing classes, a lace shawl knitalong with 2 shawls to choose from, and a pretty top-down tee with a demure lace panel. If I make serious progress today, I may have the schedule up by next week. You’ll get an e-mail if you’ve subscribed. If not, do it here!
This past week was the last week (until fall) for the fabulous gals who work at the store, so I’d like to say thanks to Becky Lawrence, Janet Kakareka, Karen Walter and Karen Wenrich for all their great help and expertise this past season. I’ll be on my own in the shop for the summer and I’ll miss them. I’m sure you will too since you may have to wait for help with your problems. My advice: take a class to stretch your skills, or knit something fun and simple this summer, and just enjoy!
See you soon…
Trish
