This weekend, I had time to knit my little heart out. My girls are with family in California until I hook up with them after TNNA (and yes, their grandparents are spoiling them rotten!) , Joe is in the Midwest entertaining crowds of Knitters with his Where's Joe event, and the llama's left for their annual retreat in the mountains today.
I took this rare opportunity and spent my time curled up with a hank of our new yarn Dream Big. I love this yarn and the instant gratification of knitting an entire project in a few hours. Dream Big is a plied, super wash wool yarn that knits 1.5 sts to the inch. We've package it so that i arrives in soft twists that can be sold on a shelf or opened up to hang grandly on a hook in a luxurious open hanks.
I hear people say that knitting is a winter hobby... NO WAY! I actually knit more in the summer. I love the fabulous knit Tank Tops and light evening shawls. There is nothing more comforting that knowing I'm getting a head start on my holiday gifts... and a few back to school things for the girls. AND HELLO... everyone is having babies so these are non stop knitting projects. (BTW, congrats to Vickie Howell and welcome to new daughter,Clover Sophia).
Get those weeds pulled and chores done and settle in for some wonderful knitting time. We've got some fabulous projects to tempt you... and keep watching for more! I've got all kinds of fun stuff for you to do this summer!
Read on.
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Dream Big
 Our new yarn for winter is DREAM BIG, a super chunky ,
superwash wool yarn that knits at 1.5 sts to the inch. If you love Saphira,
consider this wonderful yarn. Dream Big debuts in 17 rich winter colors. The Dream Big label has a pattern for a simple vest
on the inside and will debut with several easy to knit vests, scarves and
hats. With a big , chunky yarn, these
are all fast and wearable projects.
Long Shot in Terra
Terra is already a superstar, but the gorgeous designs in this yarn keep on coming! From Aussie designer Melissa Deusch Scott comes another gorgeous and easy to wear vest that is flattering on every figure.This pattern is available here or FREE at your LYS when your purchase the 10 balls of TERRA you'll need to make it.
Ruffles  
Whether you wear it as a skirt , a top, or make 2 and wear the set, this fabulous pattern is versatile and fun. Choose colors to set the mood. Our set is moody and sophisticated, or use denim blues or fun pastels to create a youthful and flirty summer outfit. This pattern is timeless and SWTC Terra makes this garment a treasured summer accessory. Pattern is available at your LYS or here.
Now available: The Peacock's Best Kit
This vest is a true show stopper and was designed by Diane Zangl. It is designed in SWTC Vespera, our 100% hand dyed wool from Uruguay. It was a huge hit at Stitches South and continues to draw applause as it travels in Where's Joe events. At your request, we've made a few kits for this gorgeous project. Choose from any of these 5 color combinations or ask your LYS to help you select your favorite colors of SWTC Vespera for your own unique Peacock's Best Vest. You can order your Peacock's Best Vest Kit in sizes S/M or L/XL online or please ask your LYS to assist you with a special order. The pattern is available separately for $10
XIE : 100% Bamboo (pronounced Zzzz-eye)
 Blossom is our newest pattern using our gorgeous lace
yarn, XIE. Your finished shawl will weigh only ounces and become an
heirloom treasure. Choose from 40 colors of XIE (total project cost about $15)
BUDGET FRIENDLY
Make BLOSSOM today for $14.
 Tranquility is showcased in our spectacular new Retro wrap by Joan Somerville. We debuted this gorgeous piece at Stitches West and had a list of knitters waiting for me to finish the pattern. Its ready finally! Pick your tranquility colors here. SWTC Tranquility and Retro Wrap kits are avialable at your favorite yarn store. Please shop their first!  Our famous MARIPOSA SHAWL takes on another life with Yin and Yang as the featured yarn. Who could ever imagine improving Mariposa? This has to be in your holiday wardrobe! My personal summer favorite is the Big V Vest in SWTC Terra . This easy knit is a must have. Its easy to wear with a skirt or jeans for any summer outing. You can make it in a weekend... so start yours now.   Old budget friendly favorite.. .HEATWAVEHeat wave is another SWTC Classic. Its easy to wear, easy to knit and just fabulous is SWTC Bamboo or SWTC Oasis |
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 We love to have fun with knitting
and are always looking for new ways to interact with knitting enthusiasts and
to inspire them to use SWTC yarns. Check
out these fun opportunities to have fun with yarn.
Sock Wars 2009 are underway.
A new game making fingerless gloves
are starting to gather players on Ravelry. They'll play an elimination game featuring SWT Karaoke. Email Joe@soysilk.com for details! We love making fingerless gloves so please plan to join us for this new adventure!
Rockport Publishing's Hat Contest
Designer Annie Modesitt is heading up a sock contest for Rockport
Publishing. If enough hats are submitted
using SWTC INC, we could have our own chapter in their upcoming book about
hats. PLEASE choose your favorite SWTC yarn or SWTC hat pattern for your
submission!
We appreciate it.
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In the Magazines
We're on the cover of KNIT N STYLE this month with Sandi Prosser's FLOWER POWER design. This adorable summer top showcases SWTC THERAPI.
Interweave Crochet Summer Edition also has some fun SWTC projects .. look for the Bonus Scarf by Doris Chan in TOFUtsies, Vertical Twin Ribbing Summer Dress by Rhonda Davis in
Love and a wonderful Summer Top by Lisa Naskrent in Terra. |
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If you live in the Columbus area, join us at the Crown Hotel on June 12 or 13 from 7-9. We'll be hanging out knitting and visiting and showing off our new yarns. We had a blast when about 30 of you joined us in San Diego in January ... so we're doing it again. Honestly , it was the highlight of the show for us!
A big shout out to all of our new friends from Stitches South! We had a great time in Atlanta.
Watch for our next newsletter in late June when we roll out some big announcements (about Socks) , share a free summer pattern, and who knows what else! Follow SWTCgirlz on Ravelry and Twitter... but we'd rather see you turn off your computer and knit!
We appreciate your friendship and support. Have fun!
Jonelle Raffino
Get Involved
Thank you very much for reading the SWTC Merchant Newsletter. We
encourage you to promote our website and retail newsletter to your
friends and customers. Invite and encourage your them to
visit www.soysilk.com to learn more about our company, yarns, patterns, and our support of the needle arts. |
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SWTC IS LOOKING FOR REPS!
We are on the lookout for new reps in key areas. If you know someone in your area that is a great sales rep or who may be looking for a solid line to represent, please tell us about them and tell them about SWTC yarn. We value your referrals and suggestions.
Email Joe@soysilk.com
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Don't forget..
Any girl can wear this summer top and our pattern is written from size S- 5x. Joan Somerville gets it! String of Purls uses SWTC Phoenix. The pattern is available FREE with the purchase of SWTC Phoenix at your LYS or you can purchase it here.
OUR NEW BOOK
Freeform Style is gorgeous. In this book, we took simple knit garments and jazzed them up with Knit and Crochet elements. Each idea is presented in 3 levels so no matter what your experience, you will find create ideas to inspire you.
The talent of Freeform Artist Prudence Mapstone and the exquisite yarns of SWTC make this book a real exciting piece for your collection.. and even if you never do more than look at the pictures... it will be worth it! Your LYS will have copies any day now.
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WHERE's JOE?
NEXT:
Joe is in Wisconsin , Illinois ,Michigan and Ohio on this trip working his way to TNNA. EVENTSJune 5: Needle in A Haystack, IN June 6: Knit A Round, Ann Arbor, MI UPCOMING: July 14: Rumplestiltskeins in UT July 31: SWTC Event Ball n Skeins N More Sebastopol , CA If you are in the area and would like him to drop in to your guild meeting , Stitch N Bithc, or event, catch Joe mobile at 480 250 2572. He has all of our newest things to show. Tell your LYS to call too! To keep up with Joe and to see pictures from all of his fabulous yarn store visits, read along with the WHERE's JOE ravelry group! He's planning more trips this summer including Utah, NY and NJ. A. If you want Joe to visit print this out and get your LYS to call him. Btw, I mentioned in my last newsletter that Joe loves Chocolate chip cookies. In a very funny conversation with him after his last trip, he was telling me, in a puzzled sort of way , that several stores had chocolate chip cookies waiting for him. He thought it was so awesome to have such a treat... and so weird that they all knew it was his favorite. I had a great laugh.. he didn't read his own column in my newsletter. Kat and Jonelle will return to Portland in August for Sock Summit where SWTC is a sponsor. Details as we know them! We'll bring every color of Tofutsies to show at the same time.... and be on hand to autograph copies of Socks A La Carte. We'll have some more fun news to share soon.. we're still plotting away. |
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As
many of you know, I have 6 llamas. Some were rescued from an abusive
situation, others had to be given up by loving owners. These beautiful
animals are being abandoned in record numbers as their owners lives
change or homes are lost. We have created a fundraiser for the
Arizona Llama Rescue Foundation and invite your help and support. Your purchase of these and other Llama Lover patterns goes directly to the support and care of AZLR llamas. You can also donate money thru paypal at santan@att.net
.  PURCHASE THESE PATTERNS ON PATTERNFISH HERE.
Check back.. we're getting more up as fast as we can. If you are a Llama Loving knitter, we could use help knitting samples of some of the patterns we are given too.
If you would like to donate a pattern , however small or complex, it would be greatly appreciated. Please know this IS NOT an SWTC project. Donated patterns can be from or for ANY yarn and are most graciously appreciated. |
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Patterns we Love
Designer Gloria Tracy has created a collection of Patterns from SWTC Yin and Yang. These patterns are available through your LYS. If they don't have them yet, tell them you sawthe Rib Warmer here and they can just ask Jonelle! These are brand new patterns.. but I had to give you a sneak peek.
Next month, we'll showcase new patterns featuring SWTC yarn from Knitting Matters, Anne Lukito, and the amazing ladies of the Stitch Co-op.
Don't forget the exquisite purses and felted bags by Arizona talent KATE GROVES. Check out her entire collection on her updated site here.
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