Hope you've had a happy July 4th.  We celebrated by being closed on the 4th and continued on with our summer hours by closing on Wednesday.  It was a two-day holiday here at Skein Lane. 

We are starting the month with a bang!  All books and patterns are on sale - 30% off from July 1 - July 10 - perfect for expanding your library!

Our hot project for the month is one of Cat Bordhi's wonderful mobius designs - the Sage Rhythm Wrap featured on page 57 of A Treasury of Magical Knitting. Sharon has knit iit in a lovely taupe color of Muskat from Garnstudio.

Our customer project page is up and we will continue to add your wonderful photos.  If you have photos of your knit and crochet projects that you would like to share, please e-mail to skeinlane@aol.com.  Be sure to include the details, i.e. pattern, yarn, any tips.

The Einstein Coat knitalong got underway last month.  This wonderful coat is from Sally Melville's The Knit Stitch.  Several of us are inspired to have our coats done to "show off" to Sally ( Sally Melville) when she is here in November.  We will continue to meet on Saturdays from 1-3pm until we accomplish that goal.  The July knitalong, the Log Cabin Blanket begins July 15.  As I mentioned last month, I am eager to do this knitted quilt.  It puts me in the spirit of my grandmother and her quilting. 

We know it's really been wonderful summer weather and a little hard to think about Christmas...but while you are enjoy the summer, it is a great time to get a jump on those projects.  Small projects are very portable and cotton blankets are good to knit or crochet now.  Other ideas for vacation projects (that may very well be the start of your Christmas gifts) include pillows, socks, hats purses, patterned wash cloths, and the list goes on!

The Fall Retreat is full...but you can certainly put your name on a waiting list if you'd like to go.

Summer knitting camp for kids begins July 9.   Frances, staff employee, is our teacher this summer and I know she is looking forward to teaching and helping young people with knitting. Be sure to check out our class line up: Beginning knitting - Level III, Creative Color, Lace, Cables, and Teen Knitting.

Knitting is such a wonderful journey.  Recently one of our customers brought in a knitting magazine published in the early 70's.  As I was flipping through the pages, I focused almost immediately on the vest pattern that I used to knit a vest that I still have in the shop as a show and tell.  I flashed back to the time when I made it - my great aunt Ruth and I were waiting for my grandparents to arrive at the train depot in Chico.  When we learned that their train was delayed by a rock slide in Freather River Canyon, I immediately sought out the local yarn shop.  Nine hours later I had a great deal of the back done!

And one more story - one of our young customers, 7yr-old Brigid, has chosen yarn to knit a roof for the house she is making for the fairies who come to visit. We hear such wonderful stories!

As always, we look forward to seeing you and helping you with your yarn choices and project support. 

My best,

Carolyn