Is it August Already??!

Hello, Knitters, Crocheters and Needlepointers!

Welcome to our new "home" at Blogspot! This is offering us (well, me, but I will get to that) a better way to keep updated on all the great happenings and products at our fave store. http://astitchintimebethel.blogspot.com/ is the place to go for the latest updates.

So, as long as I am saying "Welcome," just wait until you come over to our place and see what Leslie has done to welcome you to our shop! As you may know, Leslie is an artist and she designed a GORGEOUS mural for our entrance. So come on over and see our beautiful and eye-catching entrance, it is lovely and features a topiary and, oh, you just have to come see it for yourself! I will try to post a photo here, but really, no picture is going to do it justice.

If you are a golfer (I am not, but maybe someday when the kids are all up and out my friend Eva will convince me to give it a try!), oh, boy, do we have some good stuff for you! (If you are not a golfer, feel free to skim this part)...

August 25th will be the first ever A Stitch In Time Golf Outing! Tee off is 9:30 and here are the details: Held at the BEAUTIFUL Newtown Country Club (You know, the place where Eva lives when she's not at the store), only $24 for Newtown Country Club members and $40 for non-members (even I know that's a bargain). This terrific day includes 9 holes of golf (best ball), cart, and lunch. Come and enjoy a wonderful day out on the course! Ladies only, just for fun, no worries, non-competitive... and, I presume, no little windmills like the courses I frequent on summer vacations. Have fun!

Also for our golfers, some needlepoints just for you... several new golf-themed belts (I may take this sport up just for the cute clothes, really), and terrific golf club covers. I know Leslie has been knitting a set of covers, but I would be surprised if she doesn't stitch one of these these as well. While you're at it, take a look at some of our canvasses featuring golf themes and sayings, they are really cute!

OK, non-golfers tune in again...

Can I stress this enough??? The absolute deadline for Christmas needlepoint finishing is OCTOBER 1. Get those stockings and nutcrackers going because that is coming up faster than you imagine. We will still accept them after this date, but we do not guarantee Holiday delivery.

Perfect for the Holiday needlepoint is a mini trunk show Sept 4-Oct 22, featuring canvasses by Whimsey & Grace. Why is this so perfect? Because they specialize in SMALL projects, meaning just the cutest things you have ever seen. Scissor and needle cases, luggage tags, hat bands, eyeglass cases. If you have a special gift to give and don't have time for a whole stocking, this is a great opportunity to buy some very reasonably-priced projects which can be finished quickly. We will have samples of finished work in the store.

One more thing for needlepointers, please take a look at the needlepoint bucket bag sample, it is beautifully displayed on the wall behind the register. So many customers had asked me what it would look like finished. My descriptions couldn't do it justice, so now you can see for yourself how cute this bag is. (And if anyone wants to make me one....) We also got in some new Elizabeth Bradleys... they are going really fast, so come in soon for the better selection.

OK, knitters, this is your part... or should I say MY part...

Where to start... well, let's talk dates. In August, for our Saturday knit-along, anyone want to do an Einstein? It's a terrific knit coat, featuring not a single purl stitch. You can see it in the book "The Knit Stitch" by Sally Melville. August is definitely the time to start this project so it will be ready when the weather gets a little crisp. There is a sample in the store, so please drop by and take a look. No obligation to work on the suggested group project, anyone can sit in on Saturday knitting, but wouldn't it be motivational to work on a project with like-needled knitters! It starts with just the easiest thing, as the first panel is just a big all-knit garter stitch rectangle. So, beginners can give it a try, as well as more advanced knitters.

Our new class schedule should be out Sept 1. Yes, this means I have some planning to do. Any suggestions? I am thinking of some small projects, accessories like hats, mittens, scarves... cold weather items which can be completed quickly and easily and which will make great gifts. Also, do we have any interest in a dog sweater class? This is something several of you have asked for, and the time is right. Has anyone met Eva and Pete's new baby... Buster is a Shih-Tzu and he is just precious. Eva may need to sit in on this class with us, as I need to make a sweater for a little Bichon friend of ours named Zoe. (My 100 lb Rottweiler has no desire for a sweater... hmm...) So please look for the schedule in September.

Clear your calendar for September 3! Eva's planning a Fall Preview Night. Lots of fun, you'll get to see all the new yarns before everyone else gets their hands on them! I don't have all the details yet, but Eva has mentioned a Chinese Auction (one of those fun combo raffle/gift activities involving laughing and swapping of wrapped packages... last time my family did one, lots of old fruitcakes made the rounds, so I will make sure there is no fruitcake involved this time!), refreshments, and other great stuff you don't want to miss. Specific details to follow.

Another big date for the calendar is October 15th. Remember from last time, I just said it was a big event? OK, I will let another detail slip... hope Eva isn't reading this, lol... the first word is "book" and the second word is "signing"... there, I didn't actually say it was a book signing or anything, did I? Good, because I don't think I am supposed to tell... but if it were, in theory, a BOOK SIGNING, well, it's someone I have been dying to meet for a long time, that is, if I actually were to say it... I wouldn't miss it if I were you, or if I were me...

And what's new around the store? New ASIT logo bags for your latest projects. Nice and big and sturdy, great for carrying around a sweater, needlepoint, baby blanket, or perhaps a book you wanted to have signed. Not that I am saying anything here.

Also, the Big V vest sample, knit in Terra from SWTC is hanging up, at least it is when Eva isn't wearing it. Take a look, it's just inside the door to the right. So pretty! New colors of Cotton Classic are here, the top 20 colors of Brown Sheep worsted (really great), and several new books, so browse our shelves! More new items arriving around the 15th.

And that's about it! Look for blog updates every two weeks or so... See you around the shop!

Big Yarn Hugs,

Cathy

Early July, 2009

Hello, Knitters, Crocheters and Needlepointers!

** UPDATE: There is still room left in the Magic Loop Sock Class! Sign up now to reserve your spot before the class fills up!!!!!!!**

Remember to bring your Go Green Bag with you each time you shop, Eva will be holding Surprise Sale Days for those customers who own one. You must walk into the store with your bag; bags purchased on Surprise Sale Days do not qualify for the discount. Discounts apply to regularly priced merchandise only. Bags are available for only $2.99.

Needlepointers: Those beautiful Cooper Oaks canvasses are 25% off until the end of July. I love them, you know you love them, and this is a great sale. There are so many summer-themed canvasses to work on while you are on vacation!

Keep in mind, needlepointers who love Lee leather products, that they are now a limited supply. Lee is closing, so although we have ordered all we can, there will be no more. We will keep you updated with any status changes, but for now we hear that they will discontinue production.

Also for our needlepointers: Fiber Sale! Buy five, get one free. This applies only to fibers of the same type. For example, if you buy five Silk and Ivory, the free skein will also be a Silk and Ivory. Bring in your canvasses (or purchase a new one), and save on fibers with this great offer. All skeins must be purchased at the same time to qualify. Offer good until the end of July.

BIG STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thursday night, October 15th, will be a HUGE and EXCITING event at A Stitch In Time. What will it be? Well, I am not telling. Ha ha! But keep your calendar clear and your eyes open. I cannot be bribed to let the cat out of the bag, even with yarn and coffee. But I will be coming… you should too. This is REALLY BIG.

Our Raffle is ongoing for July. For every $50 you spend, you will be entered in a drawing for a gift card to A Stitch In Time. Drawing to be held August 1. Good Luck!

Even though the help desk is on hiatus for the rest of the summer, please come in and join your fellow knitters for a nice social knitting time. Social knitting is held on Fridays, 11-4. On Saturdays, we will also have open social knitting 1-4. A suggested project will be left on the table for our Saturday knitters; there is nothing as much fun as working on the same project with others. A great opportunity to knit together with a supportive community, so nice to have others working on the same thing in case of questions. Of course, you can feel free to choose your own project during this time as well. This is YOUR table, so gather around and have some fun!

On my needles:

Sock Wars Update: I received Death Socks (in a lovely hand-dyed German wool) in Wednesday’s mail, along with my SIP’s which were sent onto the next knitter for completion. So, although I am out of the competition, it was a great way to go. Picture for anyone interested are posted in the Sock Wars group on Ravelry under “Obituaries.”

“China Doll” has been put aside (once again, Sorry Allie) so I can make a prayer shawl for a dear friend… but Allie understands!! Both the shawl and China Doll are nearing completion. To take a peek, go to mittengirl on Ravelry and click on my projects. Heather’s Boku Afghan is also nearly completed (having been put aside for China Doll.. do you see an ongoing Knitting-ADD theme here), which must be ready to leave for college when she does. Oops!

Even though my on-the-floor hours are coming to an end, I will still be around, so say hi when you’re in the store!

Big Yarn Hugs,

Cathy

Early June, 2009

Hello, Knitters, Crocheters and Needlepointers!

So here the scoop. I need the room! Patty and I are heading out to a trade show in Columbus the 2nd week of June. That means a lot of goodies will be arriving in the store by the end of June. So that means a sale to our e-mail customers!. Bring in the e-mail to receive 20% off you entire purchase. (not to be combined with any other offers). Sale good to June 6th. Remember to bring a copy of this with you. Read on for more information from Cathy on what?s going on it in the store and with the Sock Wars! I am off to my daughter?s college graduation the last week of May, I opened the store when she started high school. Where has the 8 years gone? Hope to see you soon, Eva

Let me start with the good news? There is ONLY good news! So, grab your coffee, and keep reading.

The weather is heating up and so is a SALE at A Stitch In Time!

If you go to the back of the store, near the Encore, there?s the wall of ?baby? yarns. Which I put in quotes because let?s face it, we all use them for a lot more than baby garments, right? Lace shawls, fingerless mittens, hats, and even sweaters for ME are some of the things I have done with these yarns. I am enjoying my own ?babies? as they grow, and it will be quite some time before I am called Grandma (I certainly hope!), so besides a few nephews and nieces having babies of their own, I don?t do a lot of baby knitting.

Anyway, back to topic? There are two basket towers of so-called ?baby? yarns in the back, which are 50% OFF UNTIL THEY ARE GONE! HALF PRICE, PEOPLE! Great ones such as Playtime, Sunday Best, and Heaven (the best chemo cap yarn), among others. So come check them out.

Also on sale? Galway by Plymouth. A beautiful worsted wool, great for felting or not. Like the others, 25% OFF UNTIL GONE!

Why, oh, why are these great yarns going on sale, especially until ?gone?? Because we just can?t fit more NEW YARNS in the store until we have room. You know all the tales of us begging Eva to carry new lines and then whining about where to put them? so let?s ease Eva?s burden and mine, please, and help clear some space for the newcomers. Galway will be replaced by Brown Sheep Worsted, because we find the colors absolutely irresistable. You will love them too, but they won?t be here until we have room for them!

I can tell you one more thing that?s coming in? NEW COLORS OF ENCORE! They even have tweeds now. Have any of you checked out that fabulous book, ?Tweed? by Nancy J. Thomas? I received it as a birthday gift (thanks, Patty!) and just love to read it and just look at the pics? additionally, it is filled with post-it flags of my upcoming projects to be made as soon as I finish the Boku Afghan (a gift for a friend who is on Ravelry, so I say no more) and my Sock Wars socks.

Oh, so you want to hear about Sock Wars? Making serious progress! The pattern was released Friday at 12:30. Eva was extremely gracious about letting me hit the refresh key on the computer in the back for 30 minutes straight while accomplishing little else. Thanks, Eva! Well, I got the pattern, nearly finished the cuff by 1:00 when I left the store, and then, well, the weekend happened. Normally a great time for knitting, but not with the kids? school having a wildly successful carnival, 5K run, and track meet all in the same weekend and all of which required my attendance. Throw in a couple of baseball games and you get the idea. Let?s just say I got literally 5 hours of sleep at night this weekend (and 2 during the day when I couldn?t stand up another minute) and no knitting time to speak of. By Monday I was sick, naturally. BUT despite the odds, the second sock is nearly done and I have not been ?killed? yet. Turns out you don?t save
yourself by mailing socks, you just don?t have control over when you are ?killed? which happens whenever completed socks arrive in your mailbox. So? I intend to knit like the wind and ship these no later than tomorrow. Maybe I just won?t open my mailbox until then, lol.

ONE MORE THING TO MENTION ABOUT A SALE? All patterns are currently buy 2, get one free. (This applies only to individual patterns, not books). Basically, if it?s in our binders, it qualifies. So come in, browse the binders, let us know what you want, and we will pull a fresh copy for you to purchase. We need room for new patterns too, you know!

Needlepointers: Keep your eyes open for the Tapestry Tent Trunk Show arriving June 6th. Their Christmas stockings are AMAZING and you know if you don?t start now you won?t be done in time. Remember, needlepoint finishing for December must be in the store by October 1st . There was quite a waiting list for our store to get this show in, so come and enjoy while it?s here.

See you around the store!

Big Yarn Hugs,

Cathy