newsletter - Little Red Mitten

June 2012
A Mittenful of News
May 31, 2015
Knit-in-Public Day at Little Red Mitten is Saturday, June 13!
Come and knit with friends, old and new ...and be inspired!
What will we be doing? So glad you asked:
Potluck lunch
Rope-making demo
Hourly deals!
“Violence Against Women” (VAW) Charity Mitten Launch (with all proceeds from Joan’s
Classic DK mitten patterns going to VAW)
Beer and cheese tasting with donations to VAW
Mini-class: I-cord cast off plus attached I-cord (ask about your homework swatch)
A Taste of What’s New
 Bags: DecoDelire bags in 3 sizes – in several fun French designs!
 Yarns: 3 new colours of Pima Lino, 6 wonderful colourways of Malabrigo’s Nube (for
spinners!), 6 Ply Austermann Stone Island sock, Opal ‘Best Friends’ sock, Wina Hot
Socks, Tiger Striping Sock, and more Arne and Carlos fun sock
 New Book: 60 Quick Knit Baby Essentials – designed for Cherub DK
Knitters’ Workshop
Join us for a new knitting support group. It’s a casual group for sharing project ideas, show
and tell, problem solving, project planning, techniques, tips and tricks ...with help available
when you need it!
Thursday, July 2 and /or 30 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Cost: just $5.00! Attendees need to register.
Brand New Workshop!!! Knit a Christmas Ornament in stranded /Fair Isle knitting.
It’s only 5 months until Christmas!!! Get a head start on that busy season - these balls make
cute gifts, decorations for gifts, and of course, lovely ornaments!!!
You’ll learn a circular join technique that’s great for dpns, a two-handed knitting technique, a
cool new increase method, which decrease to choose for minimal effect on the colourwork
design, Joan’s trick to eliminate the colour jog (in some areas), and tricks for handling long
floats, all while you work with charts using dpns (or magic loop). Choose a design from
Joan’s new pattern (with at least 10 different design charts). You can crochet a chain, make a
twisted cord or try I-cord for your hanging loop. Our samples have been worked in 3 sizes –
worsted, sport and sock weight. Hope you can join us on Monday, July 20 from 12:00 to
4:00. (Saturday, July 25th class is now full.)
It’s Christmas in July! Cost: $25 (includes pattern and stuffing; )
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
Albert Einstein
May, 2015
Page 2
Spinners! Join our Spinning Circles - June 20 and Aug. 1 from 2:00 to 4:30.
Bring a wheel or spindle and let’s make some yarn! Curious? Come and give it a whirl –
we’ll have a wheel and spindle ready for you to try. FREE!
Weavers’ Idea Group
Rigid heddle weavers meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for
project ideas, tips and tricks and inspirational social time with other weavers. Please let us
know if you plan to attend ...and remember to bring your latest weaving projects to share!
Please note our change of date in June: June 24 and Aug. 19 Cost: $5.00 per session
Knitting is my life. The rest is just details!
Are you looking for a fun way to spend some Thursday evenings this summer? How
about ...
Prizes!!! Giveaways!!! Exclusive Discounts!!!
...when you attend our Christmas Gift Knit-Along.
Knitters, crocheters and weavers - join the fun
and ...“Knit Ready for Christmas”!!!
You’ll have your special gifts well in hand by the end of summer! We’ll get you organized
with handy planning tools and inspiring project suggestions. We’ll keep you motivated with
plenty of opportunities to earn ballots for our Grand Prize as well as weekly incentives,
giveaways and exclusive discounts.
7 Thursday evenings
June 11 & 18, July 9 & 23, Aug. 6 & 20 and Sept. 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Registration is limited. Registration fee: $20
“Keep Creating. It will always change your world.”
Please … Some of our staff and customers are very sensitive to scent. Help us to maintain a
scent-free environment at Little Red Mitten.
June 1-2-3 Sale (Mon., Tues., Wed.)
June 1 - all knitting bags and Noro yarns - 25% off
June 2 - all knitting bags and Noro yarn - 20% off
June 3 - all knitting bags and Noro yarn - 15% off
Don’t miss out on this mini-sale – shop online!
We’ll adjust your purchase price before finalizing payment. Let us know in the “Order Notes”
at Checkout if you’d like to avoid shipping costs and pick up your purchase at the shop.
May, 2015
Page 3
Sharing your Talents with Violence Against Women (VAW) Shelter
WOW!!! Our customers donated over 120 handmade dishcloths for Mother’s Day!!! Thank
you so very much for your help with this project.
Many thanks to Pat W. for her handmade (sewn) tote bags.
When women and children leave the VAW shelter,
these items can really help:
Handmade dishcloths
Slippers, especially larger sizes
Purses, satchels, felted bags, market bags
Mittens, Hats, Scarves, Cowls
Handmade toys
Afghans
Donations can be dropped off at Little Red Mitten throughout the year. Thanks for your generosity.
Mitten Challenge - While attending a funding announcement for Violence Against
Women’s future new home, I was struck by one of the speaker’s comments: ‘...the number of
violent attacks has not decreased in recent years. Until we can help children in abusive
situations develop self-respect, we won’t see the change we are hoping for.”
Since Little Red Mitten has chosen VAW as our focus charity for 2015, I wondered what we
could do “to make the change we wish to see in our world”. Dishcloths are great for Moms.
Maybe mittens would be great for the kids - but not just any mittens!
What if we had a Mitten Contest (with a closing date of Oct. 14 – Norway’s Mitten Day) with
voting ...and prizes awarded for special donated mittens? Would you make a pair (or more)
that would make a child feel special, well-dressed, ‘cool’ and warm all at the same time ...and
also, loved by their community?
So ...we are asking if you could create mittens in child to teen sizes, and Mom sizes, too.
Make them fun, funky, ‘cool’, appealing, and warm. Our goal is that they keep hands and
hearts warm! Mitts, fingerless mitts and gloves are all important.
Feel free to choose your own pattern ...but if you purchase our Classic DK Mitten pattern
from June 13 until Oct. 13 (hey, some people procrastinate!) then $3 from each pattern will
go to VAW. All proceeds from online purchases of this pattern (between June 13 and
Oct. 13) will be donated to VAW.
To enter the contest, mittens must be made with LRM yarn.
In October, ballots will be available so that you can vote for the “mittens that make your heart
sing.” Categories will include: colourwork, cables, warmth, ‘coolness’, gloves, felted, woven
and fingerless styles. (Rules subject to change when we come up with better ideas!)
We’ll attach washing instructions to each pair of mittens
and a tag saying, “Made just for you by (first name only)”.
LRM staff have been asked to try their hands at our Classic DK Mitten pattern.
Come in and see what we come up with!
May, 2015
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Our Sit and Knit Groups meet on Wednesday afternoons, between 1:00 and 5:00 pm, and Friday
evenings, after 6:00 pm, for conversation, camaraderie ...and of course, some inspiring knitting time.
Come on out - we’d love to see you!
Online Sales We hope you’ll check out our products and classes at www.littleredmitten.ca .
Browsing through our pages of great yarns and colours is a convenient way to plan your projects. We
have all the information you’ll need, including gauge /tension, needle size, weight and yardage.
Thanks ...and happy shopping.
Facebook We hope you’ll “like us,” and keep up-to-date on new yarn arrivals and events at “The
Mitten.” www.facebook.com/littleredmitten You can also participate and keep informed in the Little
Red Mitten group on Ravelry. www.ravelry.com/groups/little-red-mitten
Twitter @littleredmitten
Instagram littleredmittencanada
Pinterest littleredmitten
Upcoming Classes –June to August, 2015
Please note that our classes are held upstairs.
For project classes, yarn must be purchased at Little Red Mitten for posted class pricing to
apply. An additional fee of $10 will apply if yarn was purchased elsewhere.
The Sock Science Heel
Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 to noon
If heel flaps, heel turns and picking up gusset sts have you wearing sandals, then this is the
class for you! Using Joan’s Sock Science pattern, we’ll work a heel sample in worsted weight
yarn and 4.0 mm dpns. A small amount of homework needs to be completed before class.
Cost: $25 – includes Sock Science pattern
Learn to Crochet with Sharon
Saturdays, June 6 and 20 from 1:30 to 4:00 pm
Learn chaining and basic stitches, increases and decreases, and reading a pattern, then
finish off with a granny square dishcloth. You’ll be inspired to try many new crocheted
projects! You will need a 4.5 mm or 5.0 mm crochet hook and 2 colours of our Lily Sugar ‘N
Cream dishcloth cotton. Cost: $45
Colour and Weave Tea Towels for Rigid Heddle Loom with Linda
Thursdays, June 11 (1:00 to 3:30) and June 18 (1:00 to 4:30)
Learn how colour and weave effects produce “patterns” in plain weave on your rigid heddle
loom. Then use what you have learned to design and weave a set of tea towels. Loom
rentals are not available for this class. Cost: $45 6-hours
Aran Mitten pattern by Beth Brown-Reinsel (This class is for intermediate knitters.)
Thursday, June 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 to 3:00 pm
May, 2015
Page 5
These lovely mittens are worked in the round on double pointed
needles, but we’ll talk about using the magic loop technique. The
medallion is charted - you’ll get an enlarged, colour-coded version
with the thumb gusset increases mapped out. Some cables will be
worked with a cable needle and others without. On Thursday
evening, we’ll cast on for the cuff, join in the round, discuss methods
of circular knitting, C2B, and start to learn about the other cables
and chart reading necessary for Saturday’s class. On Saturday,
we’ll work on the thumb gusset, knit the cabled medallion from a
chart, discuss the mitten tip decreases and how to complete the thumb. Cost: $38 for 6
hours + approx. $7 for the pattern.
Felted Bag
Saturday, July 4 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (with a break for lunch)
This class can be a springboard for creativity! The basics will include: knit back and forth and
in the round on a circular needle, pick up stitches, make I-cord on double pointed needles,
learn how to work multiple rounds of I-cord cast off, and get valuable tips on felting your
finished bag at home. As time allows, we’ll inspire you with helix stripes, mitred squares,
felted balls, twisted cord, mixing yarns, 3-needle cast off and needle felting.
Cost: $30 4-hour class
Knitting Basics
Mon., Wed., Fri., July 13, 15 and 17 from 10 to noon
This 6-hour class is for absolute beginners or returning knitters who want to learn or review
how to knit, purl, cast on and cast off. As time allows, we will discuss how to fix simple
mistakes, recognize incorrect stitch mount, know which way to go when picking up your
knitting, create different fabrics using knit and purl …and more. There will be several choices
of projects that you may work on over the three classes but those supplies will be extra.
Your cost of $45.00 includes three classes, needles, yarn and handouts.
Great Beginnings and Happy Endings (Cast Ons and Cast Offs)
Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (with a break for lunch)
Using the right cast on for the job can make a big difference. See how several different
methods look when combined with various stitch patterns. Learn how to ensure a loose cast
on and cast off and experiment with creative ways to start and finish a project.
As time allows, we’ll cover crochet/provisional, cable, (knit and/or purl), knitted, e-wrap, long
tail in knit and/or purl, two-colour, picot, twisted German/old Norwegian, tubular, picot,
Channel Island ...and a variety of cast offs, too! Bring several sets of needles and dpns (4.0
to 5.0 mm) and smooth, light-coloured worsted weight yarn (a perfect use for your leftover
lengths of yarn) Cost: $30 – 3 hours
Fair Isle Christmas Ornaments
Monday, July 20 or Saturday, July 25 from 12:00 to 4:00 (Sorry, Sat. class is full.)
Knit a Christmas Ornament in stranded /Fair Isle knitting. It’s only 5 months until
Christmas!!! Get a head start on that busy season - these balls make cute gifts, decorations
for gifts, and of course, lovely ornaments!!!
You’ll learn a circular join technique that’s great for dpns, a two-handed knitting technique, a
cool new increase method, which decrease to choose for minimal effect on the colourwork
May, 2015
Page 6
design, Joan’s trick to eliminate the colour jog (in some areas), and tricks for handling long
floats, all while you work with charts using dpns (or magic loop). Choose a design from
Joan’s new pattern that has at least 10 different design charts to choose from. You can
crochet a chain, make a twisted cord or try I-cord for your hanging loop. Our samples have
been worked in 3 sizes – worsted, sport and sock weight. Hope you can join us on Monday,
July 20 from 12:00 to 4:00 (Saturday, July 25th class is full.)
It’s Christmas in July! Cost: $25 (includes pattern and stuffing )
Learn to Weave on a Rigid Heddle Loom with Linda
Saturdays, August 8 and 15 from 1:00 to 4:00
In this 6-hour class, learn basic weaving terms, how to set up your loom, and weave a scarf.
We will discuss various yarns, finishing, embellishment techniques and how to apply them to
a wide range of projects. (Some rigid heddle looms will be available to rent.)
Cost: $60
Felt Clogs
Saturday, August 29 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
This 3-hour class will guide you through the popular Fiber Trends Felt Clogs pattern. We’ll
cover short rows, make one incs, reading your work, decreases, 3 needle cast-off and
seaming. Then we’ll discuss the felting process which will turn your huge floppy creations
into comfy, cosy, long-lasting footwear. But be careful - everyone will be asking you to make
them a pair!!!
Cost: $25 (pattern not included)
Individual Knitting Instruction: $20 per hour
Call Little Red Mitten (519-207-2880) to discuss this with Joan and reserve your time.
Individual Spinning, Weaving or Crochet Instruction: $25 per hour
Instruction could be for a rigid heddle, a 4-harness, an inkle loom, a spindle or a wheel.
Call Little Red Mitten (519-207-2880) to discuss this and arrange a time.
Class Policies: Please phone or visit the store to reserve your space. Class sizes are
limited. Minimum class size may apply.
 Payment at time of booking is requested.
 For project classes, yarn must be purchased at Little Red Mitten for posted class
pricing to apply. An additional fee of $10 will apply if yarn was purchased elsewhere.
Class Refund Policy:
 If we cancel the class, you will receive a full refund.
 If you cannot attend and let us know one week in advance, you will receive a full refund.
 If you cannot attend and let us know less than one week in advance, we will give you a full store
credit if we can fill your spot from our waiting list. If we cannot fill your spot with a guest teacher,
we cannot offer a refund or store credit.
 If we cannot fill your spot for one of Joan’s classes, there will be a 75% store credit.
 If you cannot attend a class but know someone who will fill your spot, please make arrangements.
 If we do not hear from you and you do not attend, there will be no refund or store credit.
Little Red Mitten
86 Talbot Street (across from Jumbo)
St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 1A5
519-207-2880
email: info@littleredmitten.ca
website: www.littleredmitten.ca