Hi knitting friend,

I've just returned from Estes Park Wool Market. I especially loved seeing all the different sheep, goats, llama, alpacas, rabbits and more. At left are Jacob sheep that had just been groomed and awaiting their turn for judging. Read Spinning Jacob Wool – one fleece, many colors for more about these small, multi-horned animals that resemble goats.

The banner above features HeartStrings' newest design Americana Placemat. Read on about a special pre-release discount.

From the Reader Mailbag: Leelee wrote about last month's newsletter Nifty Nugget Easy Knitted Circular Start for double point needles:
" Thats so cool. I`ve been knitting over 60 years and would never have thought of doing this, it's so easy. So this old dog (pussycat really) just learnt another new trick. Thank you for sharing your clever ideas and tips. "

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. Be inspired and continue to find happiness in your knitting!

p.s. History trivia: Do you know when there was a 39-star U.S. flag and why it never became official? I'll let you know next month (if you haven't already discovered it yourself).

Knit a Bit of History

Americana Placemat is HeartStrings' newest addition to the Jackie E-S pattern collections.

Knit a bit of fictionalized history with this 39-star placemat size version of a red, white and blue flag. The lacy stripes symbolize a flag waving in the breeze. The 5-pointed stars are created with a nifty combination of knit stitch and simple embroidery. Bulky yarn. US 10 (6 mm) needles suggested.

Pre-release Special - Americana Placemat pattern will be available soon. But you can purchase in advance at Ravelry using Coupon Code FLAG39 to get 20% off now. Your Ravelry library will be updated with the full pattern a bit later this month. I'll be discontinuing the pre-release discount as soon as the complete pattern pdf is ready, so don't wait too long!

Other recently released patterns can also be seen in the What's New section of HeartStrings FiberArts website.

Pin It Winners!

Here are the 9 winners from last month's Pin It To Win contest drawing. Each winner receives one of their favorite patterns in the HeartStrings Spring 2013 Collection posted on HeartStrings FiberArts' Pinterest Board. Thank you to everyone for playing!



Congratulations to the Winners below. To claim your prize if you have not already done so, please contact me with your Ravelry ID so I can gift the pattern into your Ravelry library.

Alhambra Arches Lace Stole - Donna Gibson

Winter Lace Loop - Joanne Jett

Gentle Breezes Stole - Rose Scott

Feather Soft Scarf - Melanie Schaub Hayes

Honeycomb Shadows Lace Stole - Blair C

Lacy InterLACEments Scarf - Monica Cenier

Thinking of You Too Hat (heart disease awareness edition) - Heather Bolm

Thinking of You Too Hat (cancer awareness edition) - Sharon Patrick

Fleur de Lis Lace Cape - Annemarie Beardsley

Dolly's Top-Down Tri Shawl KAL for June

Who can resist a dolly or teddy bear, especially one dressed in a beaded lace shawl you've knitted? And especially when the pattern is free during June for KnitHeartStrings knit-along members.

The June knit-along at KnitHeartStrings is Dolly's Top-Down Tri Shawl. This project is a great way to have fun learning on a small shawl before putting the time into a larger shawl. While knitting this dolly shawl, you'll learn the basics of shaping a top-down triangular shawl with a knit-as-you-go lace edging bindoff.

Come join us now if you have not already. Not a member yet? Register now. It's a great deal with free access to a pattern in the BOBBOL 2013 Series each month, along with bit-sized tutorials, tips and techniques posted throughout the year.

From ZoeOB: " Thank you, Jackie, for making this available to us. It's adorable and a wonderful way to "swatch" for a larger piece. "

Toys of the Trade

See why the shaft design on tiny steel crochet hooks is important when choosing a size to use for beading. Read about sizing up crochet hooks.

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Nifty Nuggets

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How to Multi-Task Meal Prep
Not just any recipe book, this new publication from one of the extensive HeartStrings family of friends gives you step-by-step timing for the entire meal. View a 16-page sample of Mrs. Mouse's Menu Cookbook ...