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Thanksgiving
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November 27, 2008
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In this issue we invite you to pause to give thanks for all the blessings of this year, and reflect on appropriate holiday preparations. We look forward to seeing you all on Dec. 6 as City Knits in the Fisher Building celebrates its 6th Birthday and City Knits of Mt. Clemens it's first anniversary. We are excited about the Double Stitch Twins' book signing, a special gift for each customer, and a "square deal" for everyone who shops with us that week end.
We hope you'll you'll be inspired by out tips in "Stitching through the Tough Times. I'm eager for your feedback on my hat designs in Interweave Knits Winter 2009. I'll be teaching a special class Wed, Dec. 3& 10 at the Fisher Building to help folks through the Helmet.
Come by and visit the new City Knits Boutique at the Fisher Building, and see the special Holiday items we have selected for your shopping and giving pleasure.
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Stitchin' Through the Tough Times
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It's hard not to
think about the difficult days in our near future, and we're all looking for a
way to spend our resources wisely. We at City Knits would like to share
our thoughts with you. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." That
pithy wisdom guided my mom and many of her peers through earlier tough
times. It's time to revisit that mantra and see how we can put those
thoughts into practice to keep our City Knits family all stitchin' together.
1. Revisit that stash: We've all bought yarn on spec - loving the
fiber, color texture, but not sure what that yarn is yearning to become.
Maybe you'll never get around to knitting up that fine yarn at 7 sts to the
inch on size 3 needles. Let us help you
pair it up with another yarn so that it is a quicker knit. Make a gauge swatch with the new, unique yarn
you have just designed, and we'll have you casting-on your next
masterpiece. If you didn't buy enough,
we can help you supplement it, creatively and affordably.
2. On the other hand - The Case for Lace:
For those who have wondered why anyone would EVER consider working on size 2
needles with fingering weight yarn, here's why: Knitting socks and shawls in lighter weight
yarn requires more stitches per gram than a big yarn and big needles, and that
makes your yarn dollar go farther. If
your goal is to keep knitting as long as possible for as little as possible, a
fine gauge project might be just the thing for you. You may also decide that stitch for stitch, a
fine yarn from luxury fiber is easier to justify.
3. UFO's [UnFinished Objects]: Who
among us doesn't have at least one train wreck languishing in some dark corner,
nagging it us, hobbling us from moving forward.
Take a deep breath, and bring that problem child into the light at City
Knits. We'll help you assess the best
approach:
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Is this project something that you still want to
finish?
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If so, what problem caused you to put it aside?
- Is the problem easy to solve? If not, can the
fabric be used for another purpose?
Maybe there is a great felted bag hiding inside that half knitted wool
sweater.
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Are you willing to release the yarn from this
project for another purpose?
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If you chose to salvage the yarn, what would you
use it for?
- Does the salvaged yarn need a "new friend" to
make it more viable?
There is enough remorse
in the rest of your life. Don't let the
guilt of a stalled project keep you from the pleasure of knitting.
4. Yarn comes in all price ranges. City Knits cherishes the diversity of our
region and our customer, and we understand that diversity extends to yarn
budgets, too. As wonderful as City
Knits' luxury yarns are, there are times when we want to knit with nice yarn,
but can't do cashmere or qiviut. Great
yarns get transferred to Clearance Land virtually every week, so you can always
find a bargain there. Shepherds Yarn - a
merino wool spun in Michigan is a great value: 250 yards for only $10.50. Super 10 Cotton -a quality mercerized cotton
- is a faithful friend: 80 plus colors 250 yards for only $12.50. City Knits
even has "Sugar & Cream" for $2.25 a ball, and Northern yarn, 200 plus
yards of 100% quality acrylic for only $4 a ball.
5. "Not more heat - more clothes." I
still remember that slogan from the 70's, taped over the thermostat in a
friend's home (well-okay student commune . . ) With natural gas heating
costs expected to be up by as much as 25% this winter over last, a warm
wearable hat on every head in the house might be the best way to keep the
thermostat dialed down. There's a reason our forbears wore night caps, fingerless
mitts, pulse warmers and cardigans. Knit
with love for the holidays, and warm your family and friends for the whole
winter.
6. Hand-made gifts from the heart can keep
the holiday budget in control. The
hand knitted or crocheted gift gives twice, first as you create it, and second
as you give it away. Through the next
weeks we will be collecting a range of gift ideas you can knit & crochet
for under $25: Hats, mittens scarves, felted bags, a special pair of socks. Tell us your budget and we'll help you stay
within it.
7.
Knitting and crocheting fit the entertainment budget. Stitching is a
cost effective way to have fun, unwind, and stay in touch with a supportive
community of fellow fiber fanatics. More than ever, we need to let ourselves
come together, laugh, relax and create.
We at City Knits work hard every day in Detroit at the Fisher Building,
and in our new expanded space in Mt. Clemens to make an oasis just for you.
8. Out of time to knit for a friend?
Give them the gift of knitting know-how, instead. Your gift could be your own
hands-on instruction applied to a starter kit we help you select. Don't see
yourself as a teacher? We have gift certificates for classes as well as
supplies so that you can share your passion with a friend.
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City
Knits Boutique:
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Too Busy to Make It?
For
quite a while folks have pestered us to offer some already made items for
sale. Your requests have been
heard. Amy and friends have collected a
wonderful assortment of garments, accessories: Knitted, crocheted, felted,
woven and beaded. Now there is something
very special here for all your friends who LOVE our store, but don't knit or
crochet themselves. You might even
choose to indulge yourself, if you've run out of time. We select very carefully
from the artistic offerings of staff and colleagues, and share our choices with
you. Our hand crafted gifts are all one-of-a-kind
treasures, so you'll want to act quickly once you find something you love.
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| New Stitch Debuts in Interweave Knits Winter 2009
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Karen's His & Hers Hats
The woman's helmet and man's simple cap both feature a new pattern stitch,
diamond lifted twill, that literally came to Karen as she slept, after helping
a friend fix a mistake in the sock.
Karen explored the concept of working a decrease immediately followed by
a lifted increase. In one color the
texture was intriguing; worked with two colors in the round, the stitch is a
knock-out; color changes worked flat required a color change every row and a minimum
of three colors. Karen was stunned that she might have discovered something
novel, yet as simple as a 2 stitch, four row repeat, so she searched her 600+
volume knitting library in multiple languages.
She found no reference or even close variation. She is THRILLED to share her new discovery
with you. Either hat knits quickly and is a great last minute Holiday gift.
Join
Karen for a two session class on making the Helmet and exploring the
variations of her new stitch.
Helmet and Diamond Lifted Twill at the Fisher Building
Wed.
Dec. 3, and Dec. 10, 6 -8pm. $25 plus materials. 2 Skeins in contrasting
color of Sheep Shop 2, or Misti Alpaca Chunky. Needles: Addi turbo US 11, 8.00
mm, 16 inch circular needle, and 4 or 5 US 11, 8.00 mm Double Pointed Needles. Purchase
of IWK Winter 2009 required.
Check out this preview of Karen's
design for two hats in upcoming issue of Interweave Knits.
Interweaveknits -Lifted-Twill-Hats
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Holiday Hours
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November Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008Closed for Thanksgiving
All locationsFriday, Nov. 28, 200811:00AM - 8:00PM =Fisher Bldg. Mt. Clemens - Regular Hours Saturday, Nov. 29, 200810:00AM - 8:00PM = Fisher Building Store Mt. Clemens - Regular Hours Sundays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & 14 Fisher Store ONLYA Bronx Tale @ the Fisher Theatre Fisher Building store will be open from 12:30 - curtain. Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2008 Regular Store Hours - Both Locations SPECIAL EVENT & ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONwatch for details next week
December
Monday, Dec. 22 & Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
Regular Store hours - all locations
Wednesday, Dec. 24 & Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008
Closed for Holiday - all locations
Friday, Dec. 26. & Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008
10:00AM - 6:00PM both days = Fisher Building
Mt. Clemens closes at 2PM on Saturday
Monday, Dec. 29 & Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008
Regular Store hours - all locations
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 & Jan. 1, 2009
Closed for Holiday - all locations
Friday, Jan. 2, & Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009
10:00AM - 6:00PM both days = Fisher Building
Mt. Clemens closes at 2PM on Saturday
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| Wishing you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving Sincerely,
Karen Kendrick-Hands and the rest of the crew at
City Knits
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