HeartStrings Knitterly News
Issue 97
You are Receiving this Newsletter because ...

Hi - 

You are receiving the HeartStrings newsletter because you
subscribed to it. Although I do not want to push you or anyone else
away, if you are no longer interested I do ask that you unsubscribe
rather than hitting your 'spam' button. 

However, if you feel that you are benefiting from the newsletter
announcements, inspiration, and occasional tips and mini-tutorials
as I can get around to doing them, then by all means stick around
and read on! 

And of course if you'd like to forward this newsletter to someone
else you think would be interested, by all means do so. They can 
receive their own future issues by signing up at my website 
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/e-news.shtm 

~~~ Introducing the new Skill-building Bundles ~~~

#C154B Triangular Lace Shawl Skill-Building Bundle
http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=C154B/291.1?os=hsfad

Knitting lace is easier than you might think - even the simplest
lace patterns look impressive and invite awe. 

This Triangular Lace Shawl skill-building bundle includes the #A63
Triangles within Triangles Shawl and #H43 Peggy's Shawl. With these
patterns, you will knit beautiful lace shawls while learning
top-down triangular lace shawl construction. The patterns contain
both written and charted instructions so that you can build
confidence in reading charts which are often used for depicting
lace patterns. Both shawls also contain detailed instructions for
binding off in coordinated lace edgings. 

Extra bonus: Purchase this 2-pattern bundle and receive a $5
discount coupon on the K154 Triangular Lace Shawl class at
Needlecraft University with Jackie E-S in an online classroom
setting. In fact, a new session of the #K154 Triangular Lace Shawl
opens this weekend at Needlecraft University that you can take
advantage of right away. There are 3 lessons and the classroom
remains open 6 weeks. 

Other Skill-Building Bundles in this Introductory Special:

Knitting with Beads Skill-Building Bundle
http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=C156B/291.1?os=hsfad

Beaded Socks Skill-Building Bundle
http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=C152B/291.1?os=hsfad

~~~ Q&A ~~~
I used to include a short Q&A in my newsletters but sort of got
away with it. If you enjoy this kind of thing, let me know and I
will continue. If there is something specific you'd like addressed,
let me know too, and I will see what I can do.


Q: Have you actually made any spiral rib/tube socks? Are they
actually comfortable and do they go over the heel without a lump on
the instep? Do you have a photo to show me?  

A: Yes, I've made spiral rib tube socks, and they are a nice easy
alternative to a fitted sock. There is still nothing quite as
comfortable as a custom-fitted sock with heel, but the tube socks
do ok, especially as gifts for undesignated recipients for whom you
don't know exact sizing. 

When worn, the spiraling can actually be advantageous -- by
twisting either more or less about the leg and foot, the sock can
conform quite nicely.

The issue of wear could be problematic though, so either take care
to use hard-wearing yarn and work at a relatively firm gauge.

Additionally, if you do a stranded version such as in the
Peppermint Stick Tube socks, this helps durability (as well as
being a nice alternative for fun colorful socks). This pattern is
discontinued from print production, but is available as a download.
There is a link for buying on this webpage, and there is also a
photo of the sock as worn.
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/a72.shtm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

That's all for now. I just returned from a half-month vacation in
Maine and Canadian Maritimes. The vacation was great but now I am
back-logged on everything. I'll write again as soon as possible!

Happy knitting, 

p.s. I am conjuring up some kind of contest with prizes. Don't have
the details worked out yet, but do stay tuned and I hope to
announce in the next newsletter.

Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer (Jackie E-S)
jackie@HeartStringsFiberArts.com
http://www.HeartStringsFiberArts.com 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HeartStrings FiberArts
Knitting patterns wholesale to the trade
Jackie E-S Design Collections
Specializing in patterns for knitted lace and beaded knitting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions and comments about HeartStrings patterns: 985-764-8094
Wholesale applications and orders: 888-955-8094