NEW Amirisu & Bristol Ivy

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Amirisu 19 Winter 2019

The new issue of Amirisu has arrived! Amirisu is another one of those coffee-table worthy pattern ‘magazines’, like Laine, that give me a strong desire to sit at my kitchen table with a cup of tea and stare off into space, contemplating dreamy things. It contains 12 patterns (see them on Ravelry), and they’re worth checking out.

  • Fall / Winter 2019 – Issue 19 features twelve knitwear designs by some of our favorite designers from Japan and abroad, to enjoy slow and relaxing days at your cozy home.
  • Participating designers: Bristol Ivy, Keiko Kikuno, Kiyomi Burgin, Trin-Annelie, Alice Caetano, Mikiko Gasnier, Paula Pereira, Megumi Sawada, Miyuki Watanabe, Melody Hoffmann, amirisu
  • Feature: Where We Dream And Work – introducing workspaces of fiber people around the world
  • Plus a project from Lori Ann Graham, an introduction to sashiko, a holiday pop-up card, a recipe, and more.
  • Download Code: A Ravelry download code of the entire magazine is printed on an inserted card.
  • See the Projects HERE

Knitting Outside the Box: Drape & Fold by Bristol Ivy

Introducing the six stunning designs from the new Bristol Ivy book! Bristol revisits her ethos that ‘knitting has traditions, but doesn’t have rules,’ with patterns that twist and turn conventional construction techniques.

The follow-up collection to her 2017 title Knitting Outside Box, this complementary edition of six knitting patterns delves deeper into innovative ways of working with knitted fabric by exploring drape and fold. Garments and accessories are reimagined with Bristol’s signature style, expanding the boundaries of how knitwear can be constructed and sit on the body. All accompanied by her encouraging and inspiring voice, giving knitters foundations to explore on their own.

See the Patterns on Ravelry

NEW PROJECT Getting Warmer

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The sweater in this picture is Carbeth, made with Cascade Eco Peruvian Tones

Getting Warmer

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get this project out to you (it’s been in the store window for a couple of weeks already) – you know how it goes … Life! Anyway, I thought it would make a great little neck accessory as the temperature drops. I love little shoulderettes, they’re so cosy and are great for changing seasons.

This one is Getting Warmer, a FREE pattern, and we made it with a yarn that’s new for us, Illimani Llama II. Illimani is a little company located in Quebec that imports gorgeous yarns from South America, especially alpaca and other camelids, like llama.

The pattern is pretty straight forward and is fairly accessible for beginners (depending on your level of beginnerness, of course). The ‘special’ skills include knit & purl in the same row, working in the round on circular needles, decreasing, and reading a pattern. Basically, if you can make a hat, you can make a Getting Warmer. The project works up on 6mm/US10 needles, so I think it qualifies as a “small, achievable goal”.

BTW, many thanks to Adrienne for doing the heavy lifting on this project!

Yarn Options

The yarn we used, Illimani Llama II, was a delight! It is super soft and is made from 100% de-haired llama, so it basically feels like baby alpaca (de-haired means that when the fibre is being processed the coarser parts of the coat are removed, leaving only the soft undercoat).

Other yarns options:

Cascade Eco Merino: one skein of Cascade Eco Merino would make an entire Getting Warmer, which would be pretty economical at $38.

Drops Air: two skeins of Drops Air would make a looser, more relaxed look, and the price tag would look sweet at under $20.

Diamond Baby Alpaca Sport: three skeins of super soft ‘n sexy Diamond Baby Alpaca Sport would make a neckie-thingie you’ll want to cozy up next to at the bar and offer to buy it a drink.

Berroco Vintage Chunky: three skeins of Berroco Vintage Chunky will get the job done with style and grace for people who are sensitive to wool or are really good at wrecking things by putting them in the washing machine.

Mineville Merino 2ply: If you want a little colour, you can still scoop up 3 skeins of Mineville Merino 2ply from our Clearance section!

Drops Brushed Alpaca and Silk: if you want mega texture, go for a super soft mohair effect with Drops Brushed Alpaca and Silk. For a loose, airy texture knit with a single strand (3 skeins), and for a denser, warmer fabric work with 2 strands held together (6 skeins). Both options are super affordable, from $18 to $36.

Materials

Needle Hack

If you don’t already have these needles in your kit, you might be interested in some Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable needles: you just buy one set of 3.5″ tips and two cords, and it saves having to purchase two separate circular needles. But note, you MUST get shorter tips that are 3.5″ to 4″ long! Any longer and they won’t work with the 16″ cord:

If you prefer Addi needles, they also make interchangeable tips that are the right length:

These shorter needles are ideal for making hats, neck things, baby things, and will always work with the longer cords from their respective brand. If you’re feeling like why not dive in and buy a whole set with a bunch of sizes (its usually more affordable than buying them one size at a time), here are a few brands who make them in the right size:

Short Interchangeable Needle Sets (with 3.5″ to 4″ tips)

NEW PROJECT Felix Pullover

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Felix Pullover

We recently finished this cozy sweater, and it’s definitely a WIN! It was a quick, simple knit with a timeless appeal and pretty, knitterly details. The pattern, Felix Pullover, is a beginner friendly top-down sweater that knits in one piece (no seaming). It works up on 6mm/US10 needles, so it makes a great project you can make AND wear THIS fall. We used two skeins of Cascade Eco+ Merino, which makes it an affordable project that comes in just over $75. It also makes a great gift to knit, should you happen to owe someone a sweater?

The Yarn

After seeing clients make a few gorgeous Carbeths with Cascade Eco+ Merino I wanted to give it a go! I’ve been feeling a need for colour lately, but I thought the neutral light grey would make for a pretty, simple sweater and show off the design details. Cascade Eco+ Merino is a soft, springy 100% South American merino wool, made in Bolivia. It’s spongy and has a ton of body and memory (seriously, it stands up majestically, like gigantic fake boobs). The only thing I’ve found about this yarn is that it’s very merino-ish, it creates great surface detail and would make gorgeous cables. The flip side is that it was slightly unforgiving when it came to weaving in the ends. I suggest splitting the strand when weaving in the tails, which will create less bulk.

Yarn Alternatives

DROPS AIR: The Felix Pullover was originally written to be a looser knit on an aran weight yarn that blooms. If you want to try a lighter or airier version, try super soft Drops Air: 4(5, 6, 6, 7) balls. This would would make a sensational spring pullover which would look great over a tank top, or be a great sweater for warm climates and for people who run warm. This is also a super affordable option, running from $40 to $70 (depending on size).

BERROCO VINTAGE CHUNKY: For a machine washable sweater or something for someone who is extra itchy or allergic, I’d go with Berroco Vintage Chunky: 5(6, 7, 7, 8) skeins. Vintage Chunky is also a pocket-book friendly choice, running from $40 to $80 for the project (depending on size).

DIAMOND LUXURY BABY ALPACA SPORT: For an extra soft and drapey version, try Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca Sport: 6(7, 8, 9, 9) skeins. NOTE: alpaca is VERY stretchy and you can probably go down a size from what you would normally wear.

QUNICE & CO KESTREL: Do you winter down south or live in a warm climate? I don’t, but if I did I’d go for an aran/chunky weight, machine washable linen like Quince & Co Kestrel: 9(10, 12, 13, 14) skeins. NOTE: Linen is VERY stretchy and you can probably go down one or two sizes from what you would normally wear.

Size

Felix is supposed to fit a little bit oversized and casual. We made the second size, which is a medium.

  • S(M, L, XL, XL2)
  • Circumference at bust at underarm: 39 (43 ½, 48, 52 ½, 57)”
  • Length from right front cast on to right neck edge: 21 (23, 24, 26, 27)”

Materials

  • Cascade Eco+ Merino: 2(2, 2, 2, 3) skeins
  • 5mm/US8-16″ and 24″ circular needles
  • 6mm/US10-16″ and 24″ circular needles
  • 5mm/US double pointed needles
  • 6mm/US10 double pointed needles
  • Stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Pattern: Felix Pullover
I wish the mannequin had a booty – the sad, empty butt reminds me of my cousin’s sagging jeans.

Many thanks to Tessa for making this happen!

NEW PATTERN Handspun Art Yarn Cowl

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Handspun Art Yarn Cowl

The first thing people say when they see Studioloo Handspun Art Yarn is “What do you make with it?” The quantities are generous and the yarn generally does all the work, but there is still room to play around. I like the idea of using an art yarn as a launch-pad and expanding on the aesthetic with a different texture, colour, or both. This is also a great way to make the most of handspun yarn if you only have a small amount, or you definitely don’t have enough for a full scarf or cowl.

With this pattern I’ve started with a skein of Studioloo Handspun Art Yarn, knitted it in a simple garter stitch, which really makes the different colours and textures in the yarn pop. Then I finished the project with a contrasting commercial yarn (Cascade Spuntaneous) with a slightly different tension and stitch pattern (K2P2 rib). I decided to keep the colour between the two yarns consistent (beige) for the sake of simplicity, but I normally like a little contrast (I was thinking or cream or even navy blue as alternate choices). Both yarns are a single ply, but the Cascade Spuntaneous is thicker and loftier, and knits on larger needles.

Skill Level: Beginner

Size: 33” long x 6” wide (lying flat)

Materials

NEW Studioloo Limited Edition Sets

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Studioloo Limited Edition Goosebumps Sets aren’t just yarn, they’re an EXPERIENCE! Whimsical and joyful, these kits take their inspiration from the children’s literary series Goosebumps. Each kit comes with one skein of hand-dyed sock yarn, hand-made project bag in a coordinating colour, and a classic Goosebumps book. These kits make quirky, original gifts for knitters & crocheters. All Studioloo yarns are available in-store and are final sale. WARNING: Reading silly books with children may lead to bonding and joy. 

 Each Kit Contains:

  • A Classic Goosebumps book (new or gently used)
  • Hand-dyed Studioloo ‘Tiptoe’ fingering weight yarn (80% superfine merino/ 20% nylon, 115g/402 yds)
  • Hand-sewn project bag in coordinating colours

SHOP ONLINE

Bibliography

The following yarn colours come with the corresponding Goosebumps titles listed below:

  • 01: Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes #34
  • 02: How to Kill a Monster #44
  • 03: Say Cheese and Die!
  • 04: The Beast From the East
  • 05: Why I’m Afraid of Bees #17
  • 06: The Horror at Camp Jelleyjam # 33
  • 07: Why I’m Afraid of Bees #17
  • 08: Say Cheese and Die – Again! #44
  • 09: Say Cheese and Die – Again! #44
  • 10: The Haunted Mask II #36
  • 11: Monster Blood
  • 12: The Werewolf of Fever Swamp #14
  • 13: The Haunted Mask II #36
  • 14: The Blob That Ate Everyone
  • 15: Piano Lessons Can Be Murder #13
  • 16: Welcome to Dead House
  • 17: Go Eat Worms! #21
  • 18: Ten Spooky Stories – Special Edition #5
  • 19: The Haunted Mask #11
  • 20: The Horror at Camp Jellyjam #33
  • 21: Phantom of the Auditorium #24
  • 22: Say Cheese and Die! #4
  • 23: Monster Blood II #18
  • 24: Monster Blood III #29
  • 25: Monster Blood II #18

TRUNK SHOW Lopi!

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Lopi Trunk Show

We just got a trunk show from Lopi in the store! Ever wondered what a Lopi sweater looks and feels like? Well, you can check it out and decide if you’re a Lopi person or not.

What: Real live samples of 12 garments (see below) from Lopi book no. 36. You can look, touch, and try them on.

When: Now until October 14th

Where: Knit-O-Matic, 1382 Bathurst St, Toronto On, during STORE HOURS

Who: Istex Lopi Yarns is located in Iceland and has been manufacturing hand knitting yarns since 1896. Best known for their Álafosslopi yarn the company makes all their products from 100% Icelandic wool. Lopi purchases their wool directly from Iceland farmers then spins, dyes and processes it into yarns all at their own manufacturing plant. Read more about Lopi/Icelandic wool HERE and a yarn review from Knitter’s Review HERE.

Note: we are not presently carrying Lopi yarns (they’re a bit in the itch side), but it’s fun to explore new things, so when the offer for a trunk show came up I said yes. All of the patterns are downloadable on Ravelry and we can help you chose a substitute yarn, or if you want to use Lopi we can look into special ordering it for you.