Even I, Mr Freeze, have had enough of the hot weather. So glad I decided to install central air/heat, although it put me very much over budget in my remodeling project. Oh, well.

I confess I've not been doing much knitting lately, favoring needlepoint projects during the hot weather. But you needn't give up knitting or crocheting. It's a great time to make nice, cotton projects like dishcloths, dishtowels, and those fancy hand towels you've been wanting to stitch for the guest bath. Sweater sleeves, ordinarily the most tedious part of a sweater, I find, are perfect, as are socks. And it's time to start on those holiday gift hats.

There's lots going on in this newsletter: Labor Day Sock Yarn Sale, New Books and New Classes. We're working on getting pictures of the class projects on the web site... maybe by Monday. Also, there are more classes coming, so stay tuned.

Oh, one more thing: Needlecraft Cottage will be CLOSED on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. We will re-open on Tuesday with our regular hours.

Stay cool, Gabriel

For those of you fans, Sublime has introduced three new books. is loaded with garments that involve more interesting stitches. If you like making leaves and bobbles, this is a good book for you. Most patterns are for women and girls, though there is a great man's or boy's sweater pattern, too.

The fifth little Sublime hand knit book is for the little tykes (0-3 years). Again, this book has some basic stitch patterns, but often incorporates decorative stitching into the patterns. As is usual in these series, the photography is superb and the patterns are painstakingly clear.

The most Sublime accessories book consists mostly of hats, scarves and socks, including leg warmers. The stitch patterns are simpler than in the two books above, but the results are no less creative: there are terrific ideas of how to combine colors in fun and interesting ways. This is a perfect resource for gift knitting.

Crochet Adorned, by Linda Permannis a great book for those who like to add decorative borders, motifs, etc. onto clothing. There are edgings, medallions, and a stitch guide included. This book is an excellent guide for crocheting quick creations that will enhance others you already have.

In Special Little Knits from Just One Skein, by Cheryl Potter, you will find some really beautiful decorative garments: shawls, scarves, boleros, etc., to tops, hats, gloves, socks and some accessories. This book features Cherry Tree Hill Yarns, which we carry. There are some really innovative designs in this book.

For those with updated classic tastes, with which I always associate Debbie Bliss, her new 9 to 5 book is out. As the title obliquely implies, it's for children ages 5 to 9. There are dresses, hats, sweaters (including some great boys sweaters), etc. For the most part, the knitting is basic and straightforward. Until, that is, you get to the colorwork. Fair Isle patterns abound, along with some decorative flower embellishments on a little seed-stitch purse pattern.

We have a new sock yarn that feels amazingly soft and comfortable! Indulgence is priced to sell at $17.78, and each skein comes with approximately 462 yards - plenty for a pair of large socks. The colorways pattern in brilliant ways, giving the impression of painstaking Fair Isle technique when all you have to do is knit every round with this impressive yarn.

And the time has come to say "farewell" for some old standbys. Both Mountain Colors Bearfoot and Colinette Jitterbug will be part of a clearance sale this which begins the moment you receive and read this newsletter and continues until these yarns are gone. (Remember, we'll be closed on Monday for Labor Day.) Every hank of Bearfoot and Jitterbug will sell for 33% of the regular price. After they're gone, we will be happy to special order individual hanks, but will no longer be carrying these yarns in stock.

Saturday, September 19th and Saturday, October 17th from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Grab a Bagsmith bag and either knit or crochet up a cool cover, then join us for a fun class of embellishing! Free form knit/crochet is not that hard and is a great way to utilize those bits and pieces of your favorite yarns and a darn good reason to buy new stash!! Remember... a girl can never have too many bags!
Class fee $20.00, pre-registration is required.
Maggie has several examples of bags she has embellished in the shop. With any luck, we'll have pictures of these bags on the web site soon.

Cuff-to-Toe Socks (three 1.5 hour classes)
September 12, 19, and 26 - 1:30 to 3:00
This is a project-based class
Skills - Norwegian cast on, working with double pointed needles or two circular needles, working the heel flap, "turning the heel," the gusset, shaping the toe finishing with the Rosebud closure. (No grafting!)
Materials - sock yarn (200 yards for child's size and 400 yards for adult size), US 2 (2.5 mm) double pointed needles or two circular needles.

I adore the juxtaposition of math and knitting and cuff-to-toe socks exemplify this beautifully. Once you determine the size you need, the entire sock is worked within a simple formula. Socks are my travel project; small and portable and I can wear them home.

Moebius Scarf
September 19 - 9:30 to 11:30
This is a project-based class.
Skills - Moebius cast on and working a lovely lace stitch pattern.
Materials - 40" to 47" long circular needle in size US 10 (6 mm) or US 10.5 (6.5 mm) and about 200 yards of sport, DK, or knitting worsted weight yarn. (The lighter the yarn the lacier the result.) You will need one stitch marker.
Gauge - about 12 sts = 4" in the lace pattern.

A Moebius loop (named after August Ferdinand Möbius) is a geometric shape consisting of a single surface and a single bound off edge - picture a donut with a twist! This lovely shawl frames the neckline beautifully being aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Casting On
September 26 - 9:30 to 11:30
This is a skills-based class.
Skills: we will learn eight ways to cast on and when to use them.

1. Knitted cast on
2. Cable cast on
3. Crochet cast on
4. Long tail or Continental cast on
5. Tubular cast on
6. Provision cast on using waste yarn, crochet chain, and crochet cast on

Materials -- Along with the usual knitting supplies, please bring needles, two colors of yarn, crochet hook similar in diameter to selected needles.
From the moment you cast on your first stitch you have begun the finishing process, so the method you select is important. Come explore the possibilities!

Paulette teaches beginning needlepoint, beginning and advanced knitting, Great American Afghan, etc., on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 12. Registration and payment in advance is recommended. The class will be either knitting or needlepoint...not both.

Reversible Knits
Sunday, September 20th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Two colorwork patterns in one! Explore double knitting (a different color work pattern on each side of your knitting) with the Bauhaus Lights Scarf project from Iris Schreier's new book, Reversible Knits. This technique creates impressive results and is much easier to master than it looks. By using slipped stitches you work with only one color at a time, eliminating floats and puckering. Pick up the book in the shop, join the class and impress your friends with the beautiful work you create!
Class fee is $20.00 plus materials (you will need the book, 150 yards each of two yarns and needles). Pre-registration is required.

Learn to Knit Lace
Sunday, October 4th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Think you can't knit lace? Intimidated by the cobweb-like yarn? Try working with something a little heavier and surprise yourself! Faina's scarf has an excellent chart and written directions, making it an ideal introduction to working with lace. The heavier gauge is much less intimidating and the results are beautiful. Come on, give it a try, you know you want to!
Class fee is $20.00 plus materials (you will need the pattern, 450-500 yards of sport weight yarn and needles). Pre-registration is required.

Cables Go 'Round Hat
Sunday, October 18th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Looking for a quick knit for a holiday gift (or perhaps a little something for yourself)? Maybe you want to try a couple new techniques or a new hat construction? This fun to knit hat uses a provisional cast-on, two different cables, grafting and picking up stitches to keep things interesting. Pattern includes instructions for both worsted and sport weight versions and is easy to size up or down to suit your needs (pattern is included with class registration fee or available for purchase).
Class fee is $20.00 plus materials (you will need 185 yards of worsted weight or 220 yards of sport weight yarn and needles). Pre-registration is required.

Knit One Below
Sunday, November 1st from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn a new technique by making the Checkmark Scarf from Knit One Below. Using two different yarns, you will learn to create colorwork using only one color at a time.
Class fee is $20.00 plus materials (you will need the book, two yarns of a similar weight and needles). Pre-registration is required.

10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 5th and 19th, October 3rd, 17th and 31st
Learn to crochet or expand on your existing skills with Jacquelyn.
Class fee is $20.00, pre-registration required.

Nancy teaches her class on alternate Tuesdays and Saturdays:

• Tuesdays
  • 9:30 am - 12 pm
  • 12:30 - 3 pm
• Saturdays
  • 10 am - 1 pm
  • 2 - 5 pm

Cost: $17/session on Tuesday; $20/session on Saturday. No pre-registration required!

Time: 2:30 to 4:30 every Sunday.
Phyllis will teach you whatever you want to learn.
$20/class; please register and pay in advance.

Time: 10 am to 12 pm every Sunday.
Jan will teach you whatever you want to learn.
$20/class; please register and pay in advance.

Time: 1 to 4 pm
Margi will teach you how to make necklaces or bracelets from beads. Examples can be found in the Cottage's hallway. Ask about dates at the counter.
$30/class plus materials; please register and pay in advance to reserve your place and get a materials list.