Classes Lists Posted!

Knitting, crocheting, and sewing classes start next week! Class schedules and descriptions are now posted on the JP Knit & Stitch website.

Check out our May email newsletter for the latest JP Knit & Stitch events and happenings.

Photo above are samples from Eva's wristlet beginning sewing class...

Spring dresses!

Look who walked into our shop the other day! Debi had come in a few weeks ago to buy some fabric for a dress she wanted to make for a wedding in Texas. She had the Colette dress pattern Chantilly (we LOVE Colette and carry a range of her beautiful dress/skirt/top patterns in the store) and bought 2+ yards of the soft and drapey Anna Maria Horner voile...the photo does not do the fabric or the dress or the sewing justice! But here she is in her beautiful spring dress...that...she...made...herself...perfect for that summer-y wedding in Texas.

Don't forget the matching clutch (free Amy Butler pattern here).

Like all things worth doing, this dress required a little work:

"My measurements did not fall into one particular size, and Colette patterns are written for a C cup, which would be too big for me. First, I made adjustments to the pattern following a combination of these 2 tutorials: How to do a small bust adjustment and Flat pattern method small bust adjustment, then I made a muslin of the bodice and made further adjustments to get it to fit properly."

Debi also had this to say about working with the Colette pattern:

"I really enjoyed working with the Colette pattern, the directions came in a booklet form, which I loved, and were very easy to follow."

And here is Debi in her muslin of the bodice. We love this picture because it shows just how patient you have to be if you want a beautiful and well-fitting dress. There is a time and place for fun and fast projects, but for a lovely dress to wear at a wedding, you want it to feel and fit correctly...and this shows the work that goes into creating a one of a kind garment that fits you like a glove. Yours, and yours only.

And here she is at the wedding, cowboy boots and all!

Thanks, Debi...you inspire us!

Welcome home, Ian

This is Ian. He is at Ula (one of our favorite local cafes) modeling two versions of some lovely soft chunky yarn by Twinkle (I LOVE this yarn!) from JP Knit & Stitch. For those times when you just don't feel like knitting. Just wear the yarn around your neck as is.

Or around your head.

But then again, you could always knit a gorgeous, luscious wine red cowl. Modeled and made by Vida (Ian's friend).

Let's Wake up the Earth!!!

The Wake Up the Earth festival is one of our favorite times of year. Mark your calender for Saturday, May 7th! Spontaneous Celebrations (an amazing local nonprofit) puts on a great party and we at JP Knit & Stitch are thrilled to be a small part of it. Here's the plan: we are sending out a call for knitters/crocheters/crafters to dig into their stash and create a swatch that we can use to beautify the Southwest Corridor Park on festival day. Check out our website for more information and details... Or, just drop by the store and help with the communal pole slipcover (as our friend from Lincoln is doing above). Help us wake up the earth!

My green, orange, pink, and yellow pole cozy....Wake up, earth!!!!!

Fancy hanky

This is Vanessa. Among other things, Vanessa blogs about food (here). She is also a sewer and came in the other day and aquired two 1/4 yards of Monaco Birds in pink and Medium Dots in mineral, both organic.

She made a hanky for her honey! Cute edges cut with pinking shears then turned over, creating a sweet contrasting edge. Tiny heart stitching on the two birds, and two mismatched buttons completes the nicest hanky I've ever seen. What about you?

A lovely harmony between the two fabrics.

Vanessa with her creation. Ok, everyone....ahhhh..choooo....

Bunny season!!!

It's bunny season, and we at JP Knit & Stitch have knit some adorable bunnies (and a fuzzy chick) to inspire some spring quick knits. You still have time for these easy projects! Click on their names for the links to the free patterns.

Nugget Bunny is a super quick knit as he's only 2 1/2 inches tall not including his ears. Including his mini pompom tail, you could knit him in an evening. Knit a bunch of Nuggets for a basket, or mix and match with a Chubby Chirp (see below).

Our fuzzy chick (or Chubby Chirp) was inspired by our fun and crazy Fizz yarn (available in tons of colors) knit with a worsted weight yarn. He turned out so soft and cuddly! Both free patterns are available from Rebecca Danger's super fun knitting blog.

Rabbit is your typical adorable soft white bunny, knit in a wonderful superwash wool/organic cotton blend by Spud & Chloe. Can't you just picture her perched in a basket or bouncing around your living room floor (the body is stuffed with a tennis ball...)?

Floppy is a wonderfully soft and squishable bunny perfect to hug and tug along. Lots of little kids who come in the store want to leave with Floppy. He's knit in Baby Alpaca Chunky with felt eyes and mouth. Come in the store to check out all the colors of yarn and felt you could combine to create him. Floppy is from the Bo Peep pattern from KnitWit by Katie Boyette, a great new book of crazy knitted creatures.

"You can never have too much fabric!"

Photo courtesy of Mike Roberts.

We had a visit from the Mike Roberts, the sales manager for Westminster Fibres (producers of Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Erin McMorris, Jennifer Paganelli and many others...) and were delighted to be highlighted on the FreeSpirit blog. We at JP Knit & Stitch also firmly believe: "you can never have too much fabric!" Thanks, Mike!

Holiday gifts!

This is Jane. She makes these easy, wonderful scarves from Crystal Palace Squiggle and Fizz yarn. We call it the "Figgle" scarf.

Here are the red and brown skeins for the scarf above.

And here she is buying her next batch. She is already working on her next Figgle scarf. They are Christmas presents. Yes, Jane is thinking ahead. It's April and Jane has two scarves under her belt for two good friends. Have you made your presents yet? (Don't worry, we haven't either...)

Happy Spring!!!

JP Knit & Stitch spring newsletter!