Greetings Knitters, Crocheters, and Yarn Lovers of all Persuasions!

March is one of our favorite months for knitting. Yes - really - hear us out! In March, any kind of knitting is appropriate. Winter isn't *really* over, so if you're in the mood to knit wooly, warm, garments -- it makes perfect sense. (Besides, Tahoe just *finally* got a decent snow - a new warm hat for a ski trip makes perfect sense right now!) But, spring and summer are right around the corner -- so if you've had enough of winter, you can get ready for the warmer weather by starting a delicious warm weather project.

In this newsletter:
Sale -- 15% off Cascade 220
Yarn Tasting: Lorna's Laces
Block of the Month
New Arrivals
Knit-In
Class Schedule

Sale!!! 15% off Cascade 220 beginning March 10th to March 31st ! We just received a bunch of Cascade 220, and we're going to celebrate by marking it 15% off. Cascade 220 is one of our favorite workhorse yarns. It's great for sweaters, felting, bags, hats, scarves, just about anything that doesn't have to be machine washable! The color range is phenomenal, the yardage is generous, the price is reasonable and the wool is good quality! So if you're already a believer in Cascade 220, come stock up. And if you haven't discovered this yarn yet, come get some to try out.

Yarn Tasting: Friday, March 23 @ 7pm. Lorna's Laces
Come join us on Friday March 23 to try out a range of Lorna's Laces yarns. These hand-dyed yarns come in a range of colorways from bright and happy to sophisticated and muted. The base yarns similarly range from their eminently rugged superwash Shepherd line (available in 3 different weights) to the luxurious wool and silk blends of Lion & Lamb and Helen's Lace. Lorna's Laces makes yarns we turn to again and again... The yarn tasting is $12 and fills up quickly so call soon to reserve your spot. (And as always, you'll receive a 10% off coupon for featured yarns.)

Block of the month: Saturday, March 10, at 2pm- 3pm
Come and join us in making the Four seasons Blanket by Design Source. This colorful afghan is made up of 12 different 13x13"e; blocks. Each block is made using one skein of Manos del Uruguay's handcrafted kettle dyed pure wool. On the second Saturday of each month we will show you how to make one of the blocks in the pattern. The lesson is free but you will need to buy the afghan pattern and yarn. So come for the lesson and then stay and knit for awhile.To join in you should know the basics of knitting, purling, casting on and casting off.

New Stuff
Malabrigo Worsted and Angora -- These kettle dyed yarns are from a small, family owned yarn company in Uruguay which works closely with a cooperative of women in rural Uruguay. The worsted yarn is a single-ply merino which is so soft, we think it must be what clouds feel like. The angora is a two ply yarn, which is also outrageously soft. You've got to come in to pet these yarns!!!! (Just don't blame us if they insist on following you home :)

Blue Sky Alpacas -- Our friends at BSA just don't rest on their laurels! We've just received new colors in their cotton, alpaca, and royal yarns. On top of that, we've also received a fresh shipment of some delicious new patterns.

Bags, bags, bags -- One of the little secrets of knitting, is that it seems to lead to a love of bags. Or maybe folks who love bags, take to knitting because they want something worthy to keep in the bags? Either way, we've just received two shipments of great bags. Offhand Designs bags have thoughtful details and sturdy construction all wrapped inside their luxurious vintage-y velvet exteriors. Recycled sweater bags have similar foundations, but this time wrapped in a deliciously funky/crafty exterior made of recycled sweaters. Even if you're trying to work through your stash -- don't you deserve a new bag to hold it in?

Interweave Press has done it again! They've just released three fabulous books: Lace Style, Favorite Socks, & No Sheep For You. Whether you've been looking for lace patterns other than shawls, or for a magnificent collection of socks patterns, or a pattern for that unfortunate family member who is allergic to wool -- there's something for you in this trio of new releases. (ps -- Amazon isn't shipping these titles yet, but we've got them in stock!)

Completely new to Stash is French Girl Patterns! We love the romantic, yet wearable aesthetic, clear patterns, and generous range of sizes this company offers. On top of that, most of their patterns call for Rowan yarns (which we similarly adore).

Knit-In - Wednesday evenings
Come join us for a respite from the over-planned, over-scheduled lives everyone seems to be living these days. Every Wednesday night we get together to socialize, knit, chat, show off your yarny triumphs, get sympathy over your yarny disasters, and basically just hang out. So please join us on Wednesdays @ 6:30pm -- and bring your knitting! As always, Knit-Ins are free!

Classes
As you can see, we just keep on expanding our class schedule. As last month, there is a 15% discount on all regularly priced class materials and purchases made during class for *all* of our classes. Due to the popularity of some of our classes, we can't hold a spot for you without payment. (But you don't have to come to the store to pay, we're happy to process your payment over the phone!)

Beginning Knitting: 4 Tuesdays: March 6, 13, 20, and 27, 10am -12pm OR 4 Saturdays: April 7, 14, 21, 28, 10am to 12pm $80.
Learn to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. Take this class -- and you'll officially be a knitter!

Intermediate Knitting: 4 Saturdays: March 10, 17, 24, and 31, 10-12pm $80
Beyond the basics -- come learn how to increase, decrease, and read a pattern. After this class you'll be ready to knit a (simple) sweater.

Simple Cabled Beanie: 2 Saturdays: March 3 & 10, 1-2pm OR 2 Wednesdays May 2 & 9, 6:30-7:30pm; $25
If you know how to cast on, knit and purl, come join us for this basic hat class and you'll leave knowing how to make your own hat! We'll cover knitting in the round, using double pointed needles and decreasing.

Little Silk Shrug from Lace style. 3 Saturdays. March 17, 24 & 31th from 3-4pm; $35
Want to try knitting lace, but shawls aren't really your style? In this class we'll be knitting up a delightful lace shrug from Interweave's recent Lace Style book. The four-row repeat lace motif is a great introduction to lace.

Bunny! (or Bear!, or Elephant!) from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. 3 Saturdays: March 17, 24, and 31, 1-2 pm $35
These little creatures make fabulous gifts for kids of any age. They are made with Blue Sky Alpaca's delicious sport weight Alpaca for soft fuzzy huggable goodness.

Spiral Scarf from Knitting Nature. 3 Wednesdays March 21, 28 and April 4, 6:30-7:30pm; $35
Learn to make a beautiful scarf out of one of our favorite new books, Knitting Nature, This unique modular scarf is created by making several spirals of different sizes (and colors, if you choose) and then connecting them.

Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. 4 Saturdays April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 3-5pm; $80
A great first sweater project, come and learn to make this shapely, flattering wearable sweater.

Bell Hat from Pick Up Sticks. 3 Wednesdays. April 11, 18, and 25, 6:30-7:30pm $35
We'll be making this adorable felted cloche. The pattern has adult and children's sizes.

Button Hole Tote (a Stash pattern) 3 Saturdays April 21, 28 and May 5, 1-2pm; $35
Addictive to knit, felted bags in two useful sizes. You pick the colors and we'll show you how to make them.

Short Row Heel Sock 3 Saturdays: May 19, 26 and June 2; 1-2pm $35
You've seen the tempting yarns and the colorful results -- so come join us and learn the mysteries of sock knitting! In this class we'll cover sock basics, but with a short row heel rather than a classic flap-style heel.

Store Hours:
10am - 6pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
10am - 8pm Wednesdays
12pm - 5pm Sundays
Closed Mondays

Happy Knitting!
Ellen & Nicole

PS Happy Birthday Alex!