Dear Friends,
My week began early on Sunday morning when my husband, our daughter, and I piled into the car to drive to Sacramento to watch the California International Marathon. As many of you know, my son-in-law is an incredibly skilled marathoner, and he had been training for this event for months. We met up with our other daughter and grandson at the finish line and waited for him to arrive. After 2 hours and 13 minutes, he crossed the finish line in 15th place, setting a personal best and earning a spot in the Olympic trials in March 2028. His hard work and perseverance truly paid off that day.
The rest of the week is quiet, as I focus on planning for classes, projects, events, Curated Seasons, and the 2026 Advent Calendar. I want to work on being more organized, smart, and efficient over the next few months, so I have more time for knitting and needlepoint!
Now that I have finished my Fake Sweater Scarf, I am going to cast on the dog sweater, Hiljainen ilta, for my daughter’s dog, sweet Joan. She gets chilly in the winter and re-wears a sweater that I knit for her years ago. It is time to expand her wardrobe, and I love the cables.
Get ready because we are starting to build our 2026 class calendar! On January 17th and 18th, we will welcome back Cecelia Campochiaro, the author of Reversible Knitting, Sequence Knitting, and Making Marls, to teach at Monarch. Yes, that’s right; we will be open on Sunday, January 18th, for the class and shopping! Cecelia will teach three project-based workshops: the Wriley Shawl, the Winterview Scarf/Shawl, and an Introduction to Reversible Knitting. We are so lucky to have an instructor of her caliber joining us at the shop.
In addition to Cecelia, we will also have Sandy Barnes and Britt-Marie Brehmer visiting! They will complement Cecelia's workshops with a display of Ito Yarns. As always with this duo, the shop will be filled with inspiration and joy. So why not brighten your winter weekend with community, creativity, and learning?
Knit and Be Happy,
Ann
PS - We will also have a Dagmar Sweater Workshop in January and February. Get ready for some cables!
A Weekend of Knitting Magic with Cecelia Campochiaro + Ito Yarns
We’re welcoming back the incredible Cecelia Campochiaro for a special weekend of learning and inspiration! Join us for three project-based workshops - each one designed to elevate your knitting and immerse you in Cecelia’s thoughtful approach to fabric and technique.
Sandy Barnes and Britt-Marie Brehmer will also be in the shop with a stunning display of Ito Yarns, making the weekend feel even more creative and joyful.
Our 2026 Curated Seasons is here!
Join us for a year of Traveling Stitches as we journey through three inspiring destinations—each box celebrating a place, a season, and the joy of making. You’ll receive luxury yarn in city-inspired colorways, thoughtfully chosen extras, and a link to pattern suggestions to spark your creativity. And to finish the year, our Holiday Box arrives as a festive treat—no yarn this time, just pure delight.
A little travel, a little creativity, and a whole lot of Monarch charm. A wonderful gift for yourself or a fellow maker! Order yours here: 2026 Curated Seasons: Traveling Stitches
Highlights
If you’re craving a soothing, comfort-knit this season, An Italian Winter Shawl is just the thing. This classic triangular shawl uses gentle garter stitch, eyelets, and a tidy i-cord edge to create a timeless look you’ll reach for all winter long. We’ve paired it with Wool and the Gang’s Feeling Good Yarn for a cloud-soft, warm, and lightweight finish. A delightful project and an even lovelier accessory.
MK Gift Ready!
A perfect mix of meditative stitching and smart shaping, this fun cowl by Andrea Mowry is an addictively soothing knit. Worked flat on the bias and then seamed, it forms a beautifully draped cowl with a unique silhouette. We’ve paired it with Katia Concept Hiro to highlight its soft texture and subtle color shifts. A wonderful knit for winter days, gift-giving, or stitching on the go!
Keep your pup cozy and stylish with this charming dog sweater that’s as fun to knit as it is to wear. This pattern includes a wide range of sizes and is easily adjustable, making it simple to customize the fit for any four-legged friend. We’re knitting ours in Woolstok Tweed, whose soft tweedy texture adds warmth, personality, and extra cuteness to every stitch. A perfect project for pampering your favorite pup this season!
Combining elegance and warmth thanks to scrumptiously soft, lightweight Woolfolk Tynd, Sellwood is a beautifully proportioned cable hat that is a joy to knit. The texture of the yarn makes the cables and ribbing truly pop, creating a piece that’s as visually striking as it is cozy. Which color will you select? The luxurious feel of Tynd makes this project MK Gift Ready and perfect for treating someone special (yourself included!).
Your next wardrobe staple is here and it is a dream! Slightly oversized with clean lines and a timeless drop-shoulder fit, it’s worked top-down in easy stockinette with thoughtful details throughout. We’re knitting ours in Lamana Como Grande + Lamana Premia, a pairing that creates a soft, airy, luxurious fabric you’ll never want to take off. A beautiful, approachable knit for the season ahead.
Kits to keep you stitching…
here is a recap of last week's projects!
Featured in the shop!
Searching for something special for the holidays? Our MK Gift Ready collection gathers our favorite projects, tools, and accessories. Seasonal favorites curated with gifting in mind, whether you're making something handmade or treating your favorite knitter or crocheter these kits and goodies are perfect for spreading joy, one stitch at a time. 🎁 Shop the collection here: MK Gift Ready
Meet Lamana COMO Grande!
We’re thrilled to welcome COMO Grande, the bulky-weight sibling of Lamana’s iconic superlight merino. Twice as thick as COMO but just as airy, this yarn offers incredible softness, beautiful stitch definition, and a gently matte surface. Sourced from mulesing-free Australian merino and spun in Italy, COMO Grande is perfect for baby knits, quick accessories, colorwork, and sweaters that stay warm without the weight. Cozy, cloud-soft, and wonderfully versatile!
Say hello to COMO Tweed, Lamana’s superlight merino in a beautiful tweed finish. This DK-weight yarn combines incredible softness, airy construction, and a refined matte texture, all made from mulesing-free superfine merino. The subtle tweed flecks add effortless charm to sweaters, hats, and cozy layers—warm without the weight, and stylish for every season. A perfect choice for lightweight yet luxurious makes.
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Classes & Events
We offer a variety of classes and knitting help, both virtual and in-store. Visit our site to learn more details about each class, to see the list of requirements, and to sign up! When signing up for a class, please note the list of supplies and, if required, the homework. 
