a vibrant collection of inspiring and instructional books specializing in knitting, sewing, quilting, drawing, and other “maker” genres.
Perfect for spring or really anytime you want to send a personal note, our beautiful Greetings from Knit Cafe Note Cards are on sale on the Abrams website. Regularly priced at $12.95, they are now only $5 (sale price is shown at checkout). There are 15 (3-7/8" x 5-1/4") notecards, 3 each of the 5 shown below, plus 16 envelopes. Suzan Mischer originally commissioned photographer Judith Gigliotti to take these images for her Los Angeles yarn shop, Knit Cafe.
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(Photo by Michael Crouser from Knitalong)
Larissa Brown, co-author of Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together, has organized a wonderful fundraiser for Doctors without Borders. To participate, all you need to do is knit one sqaure (or more if you like) of the Barn Raising Quilt (shown above) and send it (them) to Larissa by June 9. A team of volunteers will join all of the squares she receives and then auction or raffle off the finished quilts during the Sock Summit in August. For more information about the fundraiser (including the pattern--if you don't have the book--and a mailing address for the squares), click here.
It's time to start celebrating the release of the ultra-adorable Vintage Baby Knits. It will begin to hit stores in the next few weeks and to mark the event author Kristen Rengren is going on tour. The schedule is below and on our master events calendar (click on Upcoming Events at top right). Of course, Kristen is hoping to meet lots of you during her travels--she'll have many of the 40+ projects from the book with her and I guarantee that you will be charmed. To follow Kristen's progress once the tour starts, check out her blog here or follow her on Twitter (username: retroknit). To see a few photos from the book, click here. To see a few sample pages, click on the book cover in the right-hand margin.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Knitty City (New York, NY)
Book signing & trunk show: 6-8pm
208 W. 79th St.
212-787-5896
Friday, April 24, 2009
Purl Soho (New York, NY)
Book signing & trunk show: 4–7pm
137 Sullivan St.
212-420-8796
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Stitches South – Atlanta, GA
Book signing: 1-1:30pm
The Yarn Barn of Kansas: Booths 107 - 109 - 111 - 113 - 206 - 208 - 210 - 212
Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre
Two Galleria Parkway
1-800-237-7099
http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events/Eventportalsouth.php
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Stitches South (Atlanta, GA)
Book signing: 2-3pm
The Fine Needle - Booths 327 & 329
(see address above)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Stitch DC (Washington, DC)
Book signing & trunk show: Time TBD
731 8th St., SE
202-544.8900
Friday, May 1, 2009
Loop Yarn (Philadelphia, PA)
Book signing & trunk show: 5–7pm
1914 South St.
Philadelphia PA 19146
215-893-9939/ 877-893-9939
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (West Friendship, MD)
Book signing: 1-2pm
Cloverhill Yarn Shop - Main Building, Booths D2 & D3
Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairground Rd.
410-788-7262
Also on May 2, listen to Kristen on the WEBS Podcast.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Book signing: 11am-noon
The Fold - Barn 3, Booth 18
(see address above)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
WEBS Yarn Shop (Northampton, MA)
Book signing & trunk show: 6-7:30pm
75 Service Center Rd.
1-800-367-9327
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Kaleidoscope Yarns (Essex Junction, VT)
Book signing & trunk show: 1-3pm
15 Pearl St.
802-288-9200
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Porter Square Books (Boston, MA)
Book signing & trunk show: 1-3pm
25 White St.
617-491-2220
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lettuce Knit (Toronto, ON)
Book signing & trunk show: 6-9pm
70 Nassau St.
Toronto, Ontario
416-203-9970
Friday, May 15, 2009
Loopy Yarns (Chicago, IL)
Book signing & trunk show: 5-9pm
47 W. Polk St.
312-583-9276
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Threadbear Fiber Arts (Lansing, MI)
Book signing & trunk show: 1–4pm
319 S Waverly Rd.
517-703-9276
NOTE: IF YOU WANT TO ENTER THE T-SHIRT AND BOOK GIVEAWAY, SCROLL DOWN TWO POSTS.
Betz White, author of Sewing Green, will be making her way around the blogosphere for the next few weeks. We hope you will join her. To see a gallery of some of the images from Sewing Green, click here. To see some interior spreads, click on the book's cover in the right-hand margin.
Monday 4/6 True Up
Q&A, giveaway
Tuesday 4/7 U-Handbag
Review, giveaway
Wednesday 4/8 Craftzine
Sandwich wraps, giveaway, and Q&A
Thursday 4/9 This Love Forever
Furoshiki, giveaway
Friday 4/10 Knotions
Thrift shop savvy for knits, giveaway
Monday 4/13 Craftypod
Review and giveaway
Tuesday 4/14 Crafting A Green World
Review and giveaway
Wednesday 4/15 Freshly Blended
Review and giveaway
Thursday 4/16 Etsy Storque
Announcement of Etsy Lab Tyvek project
Friday 4/17 Make Grow Gather
Q&A with photos , giveaway
Tuesday 4/21 Philly Etsy
Review, Q&A, giveaway
Wednesday 4/22 Whip Up
Applique tips and tricks, giveaway
Thursday 4/23 Wardrobe Refashion
Thrift shop savvy for sewing, giveaway
Monday 4/27 Morsbags
Review and giveaway
Tuesday 4/28 Heart Handmade
Inspiration and ideas, giveaway
Wednesday 4/29 House on Hill Road
Eco-friendly lunch, giveaway
Thursday 4/30 Craft Sanity
Q & A, giveaway
NOTE: IF YOU WANT TO ENTER THE T-SHIRT AND BOOK GIVEAWAY, SCROLL DOWN TO NEXT POST.
Lena Corwin, author of Printing by Hand, just let me know that there are a few open spots in the April workshops at her Fort Greene, Brooklyn, studio. They both sound great so if you live anywhere near Fort Greene, I encourage you to treat yourself and sign up. The basic information is below. To ask questions or sign up, email Lena directly (lena(at)lenacorwin.com).
April Textile Stamping Class (Beginner Level)
Learn to print allover patterns on tote bags, cloth napkins, fabric yardage (and more) using handmade stamps.
Four 1-1/2 hour sessions
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28
April Sewing Tunic/Dress Workshop with Cal Patch (Intermediate Level)
Students must arrive at class with pieces already cut out and marked for the Simplicity 3964 Built by Wendy pattern, as this can take up to 2 hours and it will be otherwise impossible to finish in the allotted time. Lunch provided!
See the pattern here.
One 5 hour workshop
11am – 4pm
Sunday April 19th
(There will also be a 1 hour finishing class on Mon April 20th at 6pm, if needed.)
The HBO Shop in New York City recently commissioned Natalie Chanin, author of Alabama Stitch Book, to design a special collection of “Alabama Chanin for HBO” limited-edition, embellished T-shirts. Each design is one-of-a-kind, handmade, and recycled from previous HBO® collections featuring logos and key themes from hit programs like Entourage®, True BloodSM, Flight of the ConchordsSM, Sex & the City® and The Sopranos®.
Available starting April 8 at the HBO Shop in New York City (1100 6th Ave. at 42nd St.; 212-512-SHOP), the collection includes men’s and women’s T-shirts with Natalie’s signature hand-stitching, embroidery and appliqué details. As a Special Offer for our readers, STC Craft is excited to have the T-shirt shown above to give away along with one STC Craft book. To enter, before noon on April 7 EST, leave a message in the Comments section with the following information:
--Tell us about a craft project you are planning to make, are currently working on, or have recently completed.
--Tell us the title of the STC Craft book that you would like us to send you along with the T-shirt above if your name is selected? (To see our online catalog, click here. To see galleries of images from many of our books, including Alabama Stitch Book, click on the titles you're interested in at right.)
--Optional: Tell us the name of your favorite HBO show.
On April 8, we'll pick one person at random from the list of responses and send that person the T-shirt shown above (a woman's size medium) and the book requested.
We look forward to hearing from you!
When my book Weekend Knitting was first published in 2003, this was its cover.
It stayed that way until it was released a few weeks ago in paperback with this cover.
Honestly, I like both of these choices. But there was another cover that I rallied for in both hardcover and paperback. It wasn't chosen either time, so I figured I'd share it here.
Thanks to Susi Oberhelman and Ericka McConnell for providing the beautiful graphic design and photography, respectively. What a pleasure to have so many wonderful choices! Thanks also to Deborah Newton, who designed the Garter-Cuff Fingerless Gloves in the photo on the hardcover, and to Pam Allen, who designed the Farmer's Market Bag in the photo on the paperback, and to our lovely models. To see a sampling of images from inside the book, click here. To see a few interior pages, click on the small book cover image at right.
I was one of the lucky participants in Natalie Chanin's first workshop in Florence, Alabama, last July, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, ate great food, and made new friends--and ever since I have been thoroughly enjoying hand-stitching the dress and corset I started there (photos to come soon). And now Natalie has released her new workshop schedule for the months to come. If there's any way you can attend one, I heartily encourage you. For more information about what you will learn, the schedule, fees, logistics, and the fantastic time you are sure to have, click here.
Sewing, Cooking, and Community: Workshops with Natalie Chanin
April 4, 2009 / 9am - 3:30pm
The Firehouse, 604 East 11th Street, New York, NY
April 25, 2009 / 9am - 3:30pm
LiteBOX Gallery, 2825 Second Ave., South, Birmingham, AL
May 9, 2009, 9am - 3:30pm
Fanny's House of Music, 1101 Holly St., Nashville, TN
May 30, 2009 / 9am - 3:30pm
The Edible Schoolyard Kitchen, 1781 Rose St., Berkeley, CA
August 7-9, 2009
Weekend Workshop at The Factory, Florence, AL
November 6-8, 2009
Weekend Workshop at The Factory, Florence, AL
For a really lovely overview of the weekend workshop experience from Amisha of Heavenly Days, click here. To see projects from Natalie's book, Alabama Stitch Book, click here.
Learn all about Heather and her new book Weekend Sewing during her trip around the blogosphere. To see inside Weekend Sewing, click on the book cover in the right-hand margin; to see a small gallery of images from the book, click here.
Monday, 3/9: Make, Grow, Gather
Interview with tales and pics of young Heather growing up in Vermont.
Wednesday, 3/11: Heart Handmade
A day in the life of Heather Ross, and a chance to win a free book.
Thursday, 3/12: Disdressed
Q & A? Expose? Find out!
Friday, 3/ 13: Freshly Blended
A fresh review of Heather and Weekend Sewing.
Monday, 3/16: Whip-up
Illustrated sewing demo – learn fun tricks!
Tuesday, 3/17: House on Hill Rd.
Erin shows off her lovely finished projects from the book, and asks Heather about her inspiration
for each.
Wednesday, 3/18: Belle Epoque
Fit and style. Know what you sew, win a book! – Part 1.
Thursday, 3/19: True Up
Fabric design - process and inspiration - Part 1. Win a book.
Friday, 3/20: Charm City Craft Mafia
Heather burns rubber heading to signings in DC and Baltimore, with the Charm City Craft Mafia in hot pursuit! Win a book (or a pair of cement shoes).
Monday, 3/23: Philly Etsy Team blog
On the road again...this time to a sewing weekend at Spool in Philly. The Street Team investigates, and throws the book at a lucky winner!
Wednesday, 3/25: Knotions
Fit and style. Know what you sew, and win a book! – Part 2
Thursday, 3/26: Cathy of California
Heather discusses her old school inspirations and aesthetic!
Monday, 3/30: Wardrobe Re-fashion
Spring into DIY fashion, win a book!
Tuesday, 3/31: Thisisloveforever
Fabric design - Process and inspiration with fabric giveaway - Part 2
Wednesday, 4/1: Craftypod
Book review and giveaway...no April Fool’s joke!
Tuesday, 4/7: Etsy’s The Storque
How-Tuesday! Virtual project demo from the Etsy Headquarters!
Heather Ross is hosting a fun, creative contest to celebrate the publication of Weekend Sewing, and the release of Far Far Away, her latest fabric line. Check out the contest on Heather's blog here. If you'd like to see a gallery of images from Weekend Sewing, click here. If you'd like to see a few sample pages (including the full Introduction), click here. Good luck! (I can't wait to see the wardrobes you dream up.)
Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin introduced her newest extraordinary collection-- called Songbirds--last week in New York.
To read what the media is saying about Natalie and Songbirds, click here and here. If you'd like to make your very own Alabama Chanin clothing, check out Alabama Stitch Book (I was working on my corset while watching the Academy Awards last night). To see a gallery of images from the book, click here. Now I have to get back to editing Natalie's second book, which STC Craft will publish next Spring.
Check out this new take on making a wedding dress from from director Sigga Sunna Reynisdóttir and musician Sam Amidon. (Thanks to Natalie for showing this to me.)
I don't know if it gets any cuter than this! Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren will be in stores in April. Click here to see a gallery of a few of the 40+ projects from this irresistible book. (Don't forget to click on the first image in the grid to enlarge all of the images.)
We're also excited to be publishing Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke (foreword by Kaffe Fassett). Click here to see a sneak peek at the beautiful quilts in this 2009 STC Craft title. It's due in stores in February.
Next up on our 2009 roster is Sewing Green by Betz White. Click here for a sneak peek at a few of the many projects in this new title from STC Craft. Sewing Green will be in stores in March.
It's a new year and, so time to introduce a new collection of books. Click here for a sneak peek at images from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross, one of our new books for Spring 09 (due in stores in February). Check back later in the week for more sneak peaks of 2009 titles.
I wish you bountiful happiness this holiday season.
(Photo above by Susan Pittard from Handknit Holidays)
Wow! I was so amazed by the response to our giveaway. And I loved reading about the gifts everyone is making. Congratulations to Dara, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Ashley, and Bre, whose names were selected and who will be receiving the books they requested. And thanks to everyone (nearly 1,000 of you!) for participating. There is definitely more crafting going on this year than in the past few years. I hope that all of the gifts turn out well and are enjoyed by their recipients. And, I hope that once you've completed all of the making and celebrating, you will have plenty of time leftover for some good, old-fashioned holiday resting.
(Photo above by Ericka McConnell from Weekend Knitting)
We keep hearing that a lot of gifts are going to be handmade this year. What are your plans? Please take a moment to answer our Handmade Holidays "Questionnaire" below (leave your responses in the Comments section).
*Are you making more handmade gifts this year than you have in previous years?
*Please tell us something about the gifts you're making.
*What is the title of one STC Craft book that you'd like to receive as a gift this year?
On Friday, December 12 at 3PM, we'll pick 5 people at random from the list of responses and send each one the book s/he requested. To see all of our books, click here (and be sure to flip through all 6 pages). Thanks!
(Photo above by Susan Pittard from Handknit Holidays)
