Introducing... Kromski!

In addition to the Louet and Ashford wheels and supplies that we already carry, we can now also get you anything in the Kromski family that you want! And for those of you (like me) who already have Kromski wheels (that's my five-year-old lighter colored one on the right, there) we can also get "extras"... neeed a Lazy Kate? Nostepinne? Jumbo flyer? Extra bobbins? Niddy-noddy? Just give us a shout, we'd be happy to order anything we don't currently have in stock!

As if I needed an excuse...

As if I ever needed an excuse to cast on another pair of socks, here are three more reasons...

1. Lorna's Laces is doing a Knit-Along (here is a post on their blog about this month's pattern; here is the Ravelry group).
2. The KAL is for a pair of socks.
3. The sock pattern takes ONE skein of Shepherd Sock.

The fact that I have like eleven other things on the needles is NOT A PROBLEM. Because these socks are cute. And socks. And they take one skein. Must... cast on... today...!

Meet-ups and Gatherings

All meet-ups and gatherings are free and open to the public!

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch
Join this eclectic group of folks for a little crochet, knitting, and chatting about everything under the sun. Everyone is welcome!
Sundays | 2-4:30

UFO Friday: Unfinished Object Friday & The Kniterati
Come in Friday night and have some fun! Get some inspiration for working on your unfinished projects over the weekend. This is a much smaller group than the Sunday afternoon group, so if smaller settings are what you prefer, this meeting might be for you. Tea, laughing, and good people abound.

The Kniterati are a fabulous co-ed group of college age folks (both students and recent graduates) who take their crocheting and knitting with a large dose of humor. Like-minded people always welcome (Eddie Izzard fans and Science Fiction geeks especially)!
Fridays | 5-7

First Monday Morning Spinners
On the first Monday of the month bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with us to do some spinning! This meeting is great for spinners who work at night and can't get to an afternoon or evening gathering.
First Monday of the month | 11-1

Third Thursday Evening Spinners
On the third Thursday of the month bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with us to do some spinning! This meeting is great for spinners who work or go to school during the day and can't get to the morning gathering.
Third Thursday of the month | 5-7

And of course, anyone is welcome to stop by and have a little sit-down any time we’re open!

It's as American as Baseball!

Hanks is proud to say that we're one of many shops in the Gainesville and Jacksonville areas working together to help plan (...drumroll please...) Stitch 'n' Pitch at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville!

Sunday, June 7th at 3:05 PM, the Jacksonville Suns will be taking on the Carolina Mudcats, and you know you want to be there. Cheer on the Suns as you crochet or knit (or embroider... or cross-stitch...) and show other fans that your love of baseball is almost as much as your love for the fiber and needle arts. Did we mention that goody-bags are available for crafters while supplies last? Friends and family are of course welcome too!

You can get tickets (only $9 each) and meal tickets ($10 each, redeemable for a large sandwich, large beverage, and a snack) by calling Meghan Clark at 904-358-2846.

Class: 2009 Afghan - The June Square

June 6 (Saturday) 2:00-5:00 | $15 (materials not included)/$30 (materials included)


During 2009 we will be making an afghan. While the patterns will always be free (like the 2008 scarf patterns), we will be offering workshops for those that need a little jump-start. Classes will give you dedicated class time and instruction, a set of needles, and appropriate yarn for the project. Should you already have your yarn picked out, we are offering the workshop for half-price if you provide your own materials.



The June Square is a simple slipped stitch pattern designed to either use up those little scraps from earlier squares, or to feature a self-striping yarn. Anyone familiar with casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and binding off can do this square.

During the class we will get you started on the June square. We will provide needles and the appropriate weight yarn for the afghan (all squares will call for a worsted weight yarn that gets between 4-5 sts/inch on a US 7-9 needle), get you cast on and the first pattern repeat accomplished. As mentioned above, if you already have your yarn picked out, we are offering the workshop for half-price for providing your own materials.

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. Individual classes/lessons available by request (prices may vary). Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

2009: The Year of the Afghan (June)

The June square! As you know already, while we will be using yarn from our shop to make each square, the patterns will be written for any worsted weight yarn that gets approximately 4.5 stitches/inch on a US 8. So feel free to substitute anything you have in your stash! At the end of the year you will have twelve squares (more, if you do some of them twice) and while the squares will be interesting enough to keep even advanced knitters interested, it would also be a good project for the new or intermediate knitter who is interested in learning some new skills throughout the year. The squares are designed to get increasingly more challenging and exciting as the year goes on, but this month we've slipped in one that is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. The June Square is nothing but knits, purls, and slipped stitches. This is going to be a great one for using up scraps of yarn from previous squares (if you've been using different colors) or for showing off some variegated colorways. I like this pattern so much I've already made two, will be making a third this month, and can see myself coming back to it later in the year when I have more bits of other colorways to work through.

The June pattern is available here, and you can check it out on Ravelry here.

Class: Introduction to Knitting

June 4, 11, 18, and 25 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $100 | Materials Included


This class will be for those who have never knit before, or perhaps learned years ago but set it aside and feel that they need a refresher from the beginning steps.

Week One: Learn about different weights of yarn and the different projects they can be used for; how to read a yarn label; tools of the trade; casting on; the knit stitch.

Week Two: Refresher on casting on and the knit stitch; the purl stitch; the difference between garter and stockinette.

Week Three: Ribbing; increases and decreases; changing to a new ball of yarn; changing to a different color.

Week Four: Symbols and charts; the importance of dye lots; yarn substitution; cables; binding off.


Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.