New website..goodbye blogger!

We are so proud to debut the new JP Knit & Stitch website. From now on, please visit us at jpknitandstitch.com for all things JP knit + stitch related, including and especially all the amazing and inspiring projects we have been highlighting on this blog.

Thanks to everyone who has followed this blog up until now...we hope to see you at our new home soon.

xo for now

JPK&S

~be inspired!~

Aubergine Swing jacket

Introducing Rita from our wonderful Friday morning knitting group. Here she's wearing the lovely swinging jacket she made out of 5 balls of the super soft Rowan Belle Organic...in aubergine (we decided that was the best description of the color).

So pretty!

Stitch Night + Harry Potter

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Stitch Night last night. It was a lot of fun! Sadly, I didn't finish any of my projects (too chatty, I guess), but I did make some progress. We'll be doing it every week so join us next Thursdays from 5:30-7:30.

And, in honor of Harry Potter 7 Part 2....do you remember Amy? She was making the Harry Potter inspired bag that I posted about a while back...well, here she is...hard at work on it.

And here's her amazing graph, plotting out the design on the bag...

And here is how far she's come. No, it won't be finished by the time she is scheduled to see the movie (today, I think). But hopefully she'll come back to Stitch Night and keep us posted on her project. Go Amy!

Stitch Night (FREE) this Thursday!

What are you working on? Do you have a project that you need a little communal support for finishing/starting? Me, I have a summer hat that I need to finish...before summer is over. Join us for our weekly Stitch Night in our comfortable (and air conditioned) "living room." It's free and open to all crafters. Check out the details below:

Stitch Night

Every Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7:30 pm Free!

This evening is dedicated to all stitchers. Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery, or quilting—all are welcome! Come and hang out in the store with others who are passionate about their craft, start a knit-a-long, bring your friends, meet new people, swap tips—this night is all about having fun and winding down. It’s BYOS, so bring your own snacks, or some for sharing, and enjoy a couple of hours of stitching in our inspiring space!

ps. the photo above has nothing really to do with Stitch Night, but I love it because Molly is just so handy + crafty (and she lives down the street so maybe she'll come and hang out for Stitch Night) and Benny is just so darn cute.

Two new knitting classes starting this week...

Two new knitting classes are starting this week at JP Knit & Stitch. Come and learn how to knit in a cool (our AC is going full blast in these dog days of July) and supportive environment! Check out all the details on our website. One class (Thursday evening) is geared toward absolute beginners and the other Wednesday morning class is appropriate for a range of levels from beginning to intermediate. There are only a few spaces left in the Thursday evening class so give us a call or come into the shop to sign up if you're interested.

Stay cool + crafty...xo JP Knit & Stitch

Quilting class

Only three spaces left in Eva's beginning sewing quilting class!

Learn how to sew while making your own unique quilt!!! See below for details..

Beginning Sewing: Baby (or small – 36’ x 36’) Quilt

Instructor: Eva Eckles

Saturdays 10:30am -12:30pm

July 9; July 16, July 23, July 30

Level: Beginner

$100 plus materials

Beginning sewing class around constructing a baby (or small) quilt. Learn the basics of sewing and quilting: selecting fabrics, cutting, piecing, pressing, backing options, batting, machine quilting, binding (machine and hand) and labeling your quilt.

Nifty Natalie

We are inspired by the lovely Natalie in all of her craftiness...here she sports a great version of the Amy Butler barcelona skirt. The fabric is a soft, subtle and muted pallet Japanese import floral...the photo of course does not do it justice!

A bit of a close up here...to show off that great unfinished edge detailing.

What a great fit and it drapes beautifully!

And here's a bonus project that Natalie came in with a week later...a sweet Oliver + S Seashore Sundress made with Birch 100% organic fabric.

So cute!

Giraffe quilt and summer classes

Billie made a beautiful baby quilt....

For Sukie and Trudie's cousin...

Who lives in far away New Zealand...

We think it's perfect...good bye, giraffe quilt...

Don't forget to check on our website for the latest JULY knitting and sewing classes...we have a great beginning quilting class starting on Saturday, July 9th..

NOTE: We will be closed 4th of July weekend (from Friday, 7/1 - Sunday 7/3). We will open again for regular hours on Wednesday, July 6th.

Friday Interview: Meet a Knitter

It's Interview Friday, a new feature here on the JPK&S blog. Every Friday we hope to post an interview with a knitter or sewer or all around crafter. First up, David, a knitter.

Meet David. He's a knitter. David walked into our store and sat in our living room and proceeded to pull out his enormous project bag (a giant plastic bag) and started knitting away. We sat down and asked him a few questions:

What are you making? twin blankets for two little girls.

Where are you from? my partner and I just moved here from Atlanta. We're here for 6 months.

How long have you been knitting? for four years.

How did you learn? I taught myself by reading books, hanging out in yarn stores, asking lots of questions, and watching youtube videos.

What's your home yarn shop? Bumbleberry in Clarkesville, Georgia [big shout out from David to his friends at Bumbleberry...anyone traveling in that direction this summer should definitely check it out.]

What's your favorite project you've done so far? probably when I finished my first sweater.

Do you make things for your partner? mainly hats and scarves, he won't wear anything else.

Favorite knitting book? all the Stitch n' Bitch series.

Your favorite needles? Addi Turbo Clicks

[Insert shot of David's manly black leather knitting case.]

Best David quote: "I never thought I was creative until I started to knit. It's very relaxing, once you know how to do it."

Thanks to David for participating in our first ever "meet a crafter" Friday Interview series. And welcome to the neighborhood!

ps. all of David's answers to my questions above were delivered in a lovely southern accent.... being a Yankee, I loved it!

New Fabric and Sewing Class update

NEW Japanese fabric arrived!

First up are these sweet, delicate floral prints in a super soft cotton.

Next are the yarn-dyed checks...they just exude summery freshness and I can see a perfect picnic blanket and napkin set in the yellows and blues and fresh gingham-y dresses and men's shirts in the blues, greens, and browns. For those of you who don't know, "yarn-dyed" means that the check design is created by weaving the colored thread together to create the design rather than printing on one side. This develops a beautifully textured look to the fabric and it's also reversible and makes for a nice fray to the unfinished edge.

We also have some new cotton interlock (jersey, stretchy) fabric in that I'm dying to make a summer shift out of..right now we have the all important basic black, a black and grey strip, an aqua polka dot, and a bright floral.

Last up, a quick reminder that we have a sewing class and a workshop starting next week and there are still a few spaces left in both. Call or come in to the shop to register:

BYOP: Bring Your Own Project Workshops

Sundays 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Workshop 2: May 29; Workshop 3: June 12; Workshop 4: June 19; Workshop 5: June 26

Sign up for only one workshop $30

This class is perfect for the sewer who knows how to sew, but needs a little help with a current project. Two hour session includes instruction on using our machines.

Finishing Touches Workshop

Instructor: Taylor McVay

Saturdays 10:30 – 12:30 pm

June 11; June 18; June 25 Level: Intermediate

$100 plus materials

Sewing technique classes for those who know how to sew, but would like to give their handmade garments a little extra polish. Class will cover seams (French seams, faux French seams, flat fell seams, Hong Kong bound seams); hand and machine hem stitching (including tape hems, chiffon hems, folded and rolled hems); handpicked zippers; hook and eye closures; blind and belt loops; and fabric covered snaps. These finishing techniques will make your garment sing!

We love knitting and sewing projects!

Thursday project is complements of Caroline of SockPixie. Those of you who know Caroline or follow her SockPixie blog know how talented she is: she knits, she sews, she designs patterns, she spins, she dyes, she does it all (and I'm probably forgetting something). We love her work and her creativity. Caroline's latest project (apart from the tiny human she is incubating) is the sweet brown sweater and pants above (for said tiny human coming this fall). The pants are made from one of my favorite fabrics, Ukelele by Birch 100% organic. How adorable and I just love those toggle buttons! Stay tuned for a whole post devoted to Caroline's sweet sweaters..she's made about 4 so far by my count and more on the way...

Knitting and Crochet Classes start this week!

(Photo above is our afterschool knitting club with the fabulous Kendra...don't they look crafty?)

Two beginner knitting classes start this week:

Wednesday mornings from 10:15 to 12:15

Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 12:30.

For the advanced beginner knitter, a Magic Loop sock class starts this Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm. This is a great class for those who don’t like to use double pointed needles and would love to learn a different method for socks, toys, etc.

The beginner crochet class starts this Saturday from 1:00-3:00pm.

There are still spaces in these classes, so call (617-942-2118) or come in to sign up!

Click here for more information.

Oliver + S Class starting next week!

We are always inspired when Jeanne Po and her lovely daughter Hazel drop in for a visit. We feel very lucky that Jeanne is teaching our Oliver + S class starting next week (details are below). There are still a few spaces available so drop in the store or call to sign up. As those of you who follow her blog know, Jeanne is an amazing sewer (and knitter!) and all around fabulous person. Check out Hazel's reversible cape and their matching summer scarves above.

Here is another version of the reversible cape (from the Oliver + S book "Little Things to Sew") that Jeanne whipped up for the store...

...and our favorite, sweet, Ice Cream dress...

You, too, could make one!

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Oliver + S Workshop

Thursdays 6:00-8:00 pm June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23

$100 plus materials

Oliver + S Workshop

Instructor: Jeanne Po Thursdays 6:00 – 8:00 pm June 2; June 9; June 16; June 23 Level:

Beginner to advanced depending on the Oliver & S pattern you choose. $100 plus materials

If you have seen some of the adorable Oliver + S samples in JP Knit & Stitch and have been dying to make one for that certain special girl or boy, now is your chance. During the course of this four- week workshop, Jeanne will walk you through sewing an Oliver + S pattern of your choosing. You will also learn some helpful sewing tips and tricks you can apply to all your sewing projects. You should be familiar with sewing basics to take this class.

Thank You JP Party!

Thank you JP!!! Come on down for 10% off everything in the store, trunk show with the amazing Ann Weaver from noon-3, raffle at 4 (Flora is wearing one of the raffle items above), and door prizes every hour on the half hour (check out our facebook page for a real time update of our winners...). We hope to see you!

Thanks to Iris, Flora, and Thalia for being our welcoming committee!

A couple of projects walked into the store...

A couple of great projects walked into the store towards the end of the day yesterday...number 1: Danielle and her super cute hooded cape. Her own design, made with 4 skeins of Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky.

How perfect for her is that? Her eyes are super blue in person and she just has a general air of awesomeness...which the hooded cape kinda just cements...

If you've got a good design and it work for you...replicate! Danielle is working on another cape, this time all black (Cascade 220) and lace work. We can't wait to see it!

We usually like to post completed projects here on the JPK&S blog, however, those that follow us know we have a soft spot in our heart for process....so project number 2 that walked into our store yesterday evening was Amy Ward-Bailey and her very interesting project-in-the-making...

Here is her yarn and color pallet...a big pile of Cascade 220...can you guess what it is without looking at the next photo?

No, I didn't think so. Yes, Amy is working on a Hogwarts Bag. That she designed. Using lots of graph paper and yes, lots of math (see below)...

Nobody said this was gonna be easy...

So we asked "what are we looking at years? months? weeks?" Amy said "months."

We are beyond impressed. Stay tuned...

ps. check out our facebook page for photos of our winter sample raffle items.

Sunday morning inspiration

Here is Maria with her owl quilt-in-progress...

...for a very lucky and "dear" friend's new baby.

Maria's wife made the owls...Grace, your owls have a lot of personality!

Thank You JP Party!

We are having a party and you all are invited!

Click HERE for our email newsletter for details.

We woke up the earth!

Thanks to our merry group of craftsters and their efforts Saturday morning on our community art project. We helped wake up the earth in our own crafty fashion. Thanks to all who contributed knitted or quilted pieces and to all those who came in the shop in the days leading up the Wake Up the Earth Festival and knitted rows on our communal swatch. We can't wait to do it again next year...(knitted flowers...quilted rainbows??).

Iris + Thalia warming up a light pole.

Natalie + Stephanie with one of the fuzzier versions...

Check out our facebook page for more pics of the pole slipcovers.

First Thursday in May

We had quite a turnout yesterday for First Thursday. Thanks to everyone who came out to see local artists at your local stores. Here are some photos from the event...we can't wait to do it again next month (June 2nd...mark your calendars).

Current and future sewers and knitters...

Molly + Benny!

Willa, Susan (how's that scarf coming?), and Lizzie...

Thanks to artist Katie James (here with her sister Sarah setting up) for sharing her beautiful work with us:

Katie James, "Green Sewing Machine"

watercolor, ink, gouache, pencil

Katie James, "Brown Sewing Machine"

watercolor, ink, gouache, pencil

Katie James, "Black Sewing Machine"

watercolor, ink, gouache, pencil

And, of course, our very own Eloise Narrigan...talented knitter (check out the sweater she's wearing), sewer, and artist (among other things!).

Eloise Narrigan, "They Considered Eustice's Color Choices Carefully"

watercolor and ink

Eloise Narrigan, "Sewing for Spring"

watercolor and ink

Eloise Narrigan, "It's Called Frogging Because you Rippit"

digital print

The artwork will be on display this month at JP Knit & Stitch. The photos don't do the delicate watercolors justice so stop by if you didn't get a chance last night. (And don't forget all the pieces are for sale..)