Knot Just Another Post.

Well, ok, maybe it is, but I had to try for a catchy post title.  Who can blame me?

We start this post with an update on that yarn bowl in the middle of the table meant to collect money when the phone is answered with the wrong greeting.  We are doing quite well.  There are only two dollars in there so far (both contributed by the same person, who shall remain nameless). I was personally hoping for a few more trip-ups so we could use the money for something fun or yummy, but alas, it looks like I may be disappointed.

We still don't have our credit card processing up and running, but have no fear, it won't be long now.


-----SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT---

Georgie is having a girl... well her daughter is having a girl... FINALLY!  And she is very happy about it.  Five grandsons can be lots of fun and all, but you know how it is.  I guess she'll be knitting a lot of patterns from this book...

...and of course she'll be stitching a stocking with lots of pink in it.  I promise to show it to you when it's done.


Now on to the knitting and needlepoint stuff.  We are going to start a mystery knit-a-long on Mardi Gras.  It won't be difficult, I promise!  To kick off this new idea, we are starting with a simple project that will be a great option for Christmas giving.  For a mere $10 you will sample five different yarns and see a nice project through to the end having fun with your friends.  You can ask questions, but we aren't going to tell you what it is.  You know you can trust us to pick something awesome.  You will need to sign up and don't worry, if you can't start with us on Mardi Gras, it is easy enough to catch up.

Remember the top ten reasons from last week?  Reason #5 was to join the Frequent Finishers Club, the Chemo Cap Club or the Birthday Club.  You may have been asking what we could have possibly  meant by that.  Well, let me enlighten you.   

First, we have the Frequent Finishers Club.  Send ten needlepoint projects for finishing through The French Knot and get an eleventh (of equal or lesser value) free.  Next up is The Chemo Cap Club.  Donate ten preemie or chemo hats and we will give you 10% off your next purchase.  Last, but not least, is the Birthday Club.  For this one we need your email address and your birthday.  We will send you an email and you get 20% off a purchase during your birthday month.  Pretty cool stuff, don't ya think?


And now for those finished objects. 


Knitting first...

The lovely Suzanne models Bryce Canyon, knit by Leona using Malabrigo Sock yarn.

Also modeled by Suzanne is a pair of socks knit by Julie.

Jane finished a hat with Noro Silk Garden.

Ann dyed this yarn and then knit a hat with it.  Lavish Praise, Ann.

Leona threw together this throw in a couple of days, it will reside on a friend's couch.

Now for some needlepoint.

Aubrey 's latest FO.

Avra stitched this adorable canvas.  She sent it off to be finished as a pillow.

Terry finished this inch worm. It will be a pillow when it comes back.

Geogie's pillow came back.  She made it for her daughter.  Pretty, isn't it?

Top 10 Reasons to Come to The French Knot.

10. Everything is tidied and reorganized.

9.   Some yarns and threads have been restocked.

8.   New sale yarns and canvases. 

7.  To celebrate Mardi Gras.

6.  The chocolate bowl is restocked.

 5.  To join the Frequent Finishers Club, the Chemo Cap Club or the Birthday Club.


4.  If you call you may run the risk of hearing "The Stitch Niche." (But don't worry, there are consequences when we answer the phone improperly.)


3.  Because you can!

2.   Leona and Georgie are still here.

and drum roll, please......

1.  You might catch a glimpse of the new owner.

We Can Celebrate!

The Stitch Niche is now The French Knot.  Come celebrate with us!  We have a new owner, but Leona and Georgie aren't going anywhere so the service you've always enjoyed won't change!  Keep checking back for news.

The News is Not Good.

We are very sad to announce that The Stitch Niche will be closing in February 2013.  To clear inventory we will be putting most of the store on sale at a significant discount. 

Knitting...

• All knitting accessories--50% off
• All individual patterns--50% off
• Most yarns (only a few exceptions)--50% off
• All books--40% off
• Sweater models will be sold for $45.00.  Most scarves will be $10.00

Please note that because of the anticipated sales volume, we will not wind yarn.

UPDATE:  If we are holding yarn for you, it will be returned to the shelf on December 15, 2012.  Please contact us if you need this yarn.

Needlepoint...

• We will no longer accept any needlepoint finishing
• All canvases--50% off
• All needlepoint accessories (except beads)--50% off  

NEEDLEPOINT THREADS WILL NOT BE ON SALE AT THIS POINT

Please note that because of the anticipated sales volume:

• Stitch guides will not be available
• It is likely that we will not be able to help you choose your needlepoint threads

 

We will be keeping all fixtures until we close.  Please do not call about any fixtures.

Check your stash, and all those patterns you've been waiting to buy yarn for.  Now is the time to go through your knitting and needlepoint needs to see what you may want to purchase.  And please be patient with us during this time.  We expect things to get very busy.

An Ode to My Needles.

It's a beautiful thing, 

That two sticks and some string,

Can bring so much pleasure and glee.

Though I will not deny,

That sometimes I cry,

Or cuss when my stitches break free.

Now you knitters all know,

It's not just what we show,

When we bind stitches off as we're done.

But the friendships we knit,

While together we sit,

Makes wielding our needles more fun!

We have some new yarn!!

It's Schoppel Cat Print Hand Dye Collection.  The yarn is already wound into two balls to make sock knitting easy.  The yarn is 75% Virgin Superwash Wool [Hand Dyed] – 25% Nylon and there are 459 yards per 100 gram ball.   $23.

And here are some finished objects to inspire you...

A bunch of dishcloths by Deanne.

Another Christmas sweater by Lisa.

Yoko made a beautiful butterfly canvas.

Terry's bag came back from the finisher.

Pat's pillow.

Mignon finished a brick.

Meg's Stocking.

Dorsey finished these stockings.

A bunch of Georgie's canvases going off to the finisher.

A bunch of Leona's canvases heading to the finisher.

The Finished Needlepoint Projects are Pouring In

Oh The Joy!

The finished needlepoint projects are streaming back in from our finishers and they are beautiful.  A lot of work goes in to these before they are sent off, as you know.  Then when they return, we see how much work goes into finishing them.  These are all so cool.

An Owl pillow by Sarah

A Christmas wreath by Carol

Kissing Balls by Mary

A pillow by Mary

Terry's pillow

Terry's other pillow.

Georgie's cat off to the finisher.

And one lone knitting project is shared with us this week.

Deanne finished the Hepburn Pullover

LOOK!
New books for all you hat knitters.  Stop by and look through them.

Only 53 Days Till Christmas!

How's your holiday knitting coming along?  It's not too late to start some gift knitting.  Hats, mittens, fingerless mittens and gloves, scarves, shawls, socks and slippers are some ideas for quick knits that make great gifts.  For some, there is even time to finish a sweater.

If you need some inspiration, we have new issues of Knit 'n Style and Vogue Knitting.

Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

There are so many unique yarns in the shop to dress up a simple garter stitch scarf.






The bag on the right is knit with Footprints which comes with two colors.  One is self-striping and the other is a complimentary solid.









And a plethora of head coverings.  

Come by for help choosing a pattern and casting on.  Of course you'll need some yarn for these wonderful give away projects.


And for some inspiration for the needlepointers among us, here are some ornaments done by Leona & Georgie. 

We have a few finished objects to share with you this week.


Deanne finished a shawl.




Nat the Brat finished a scarf.  Lavish praise, Nat!

Dee got her brick back from the finisher.  She plans to use it for a door stop.