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STORE HOURS Victoria Day Weekend

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Victoria Day Weekend Store Hours

Friday May 20: 12 to 6 pm

Saturday May 21: 12 to 6pm

Sunday May 22: CLOSED

Monday May 23: CLOSED

Victorian Knitting Manuals

Normally I post a little pattern for you, but I feel like a national celebration of the birthday of a long-dead Monarch (Queen Victoria) deserves something a little more …. today I share the digitized collection of Victorian Knitting Manuals, gratis the Univerity of Southampton’s Knitting Reference Library & JStor. There are 67 books in the collection, so it should keep you busy.

I like the Silkworm Series: Myra’s Knitting Lessons no.1, it has lots of stitch patterns you can swatch & experiment with. You can also find free old-timey (and more recent) knitting books on the Internet Archive. The Art of Knitting from 1892 (brought to you by the Smithsonian), has a bunch of patterns worth exploring.

It just goes to show, you can take the girl out of the library and put her in a store full of yarn, but apparently, you can’t take the library out of the girl!

Featured post

SUMMER STORE HOURS Start This Weekend

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Summer Store Hours

The weather is FINALLY gorgeous, so it’s time to shift to our summer store hours … starting THIS WEEKEND we will be closed on Sundays:

May 14 to Sept 12:

Monday to Saturday: 12 pm to 6pm

Have a beautiful weekend!

NEW Playful (re-run)

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I don’t know why the formatting on this post went crazy … sometimes technology just doesn’t read our minds and things go sideways. I guess the way we choose to deal with the belly-flops is as important (if not more) than our successes? Anyway, that’s the story I’m telling myself today! So here is a re-run of our Playful Wrap, hopefully, the pictures will play nice this time. Have a great long weekend!

Playful

Playful is a great little project for travel or any other time when you want something portable and simple on your needles. It’s a little scarfy-shawly thing that works up quickly, making it very giftable and equally wearable. We used two contrasting colours of Berroco Summer Sesame (5238 Orchid, 5250 Sand) and took advantage of its natural self-striping abilities. The yarn’s texture also adds a little depth to the garter stitch, giving it a quasi-earthy richness (I love garter worked with textured yarns, they look so artisanal).

The Pattern is a freebie, and the project only requires one set of needles and two balls of yarn, so overall I think this project is an accessible little spring/summer treat.

Size

  • length: 14″/37cm high at widest point
  • width: 70″/175cm tip to tip

Materials

SHOP ONLINE

Combining Colours

The striping works best when your yarns have a decent amount of contrast. In our case, the purple yarn is a reasonable amount darker than the beige. Any of the colours available in BERROCO SUMMER SESAME will work well with 5250 Sand as a contrast – you can’t go wrong with a neutral!

If you use two colours that are too close in value (the amount of lightness or darkness) or colour then you won’t see your stripes. For example, 5249 Alloy (black), 5242 Ocean (dark blue), and 5238 Orchid are all very dark, and you won’t see much contrast if you combine any of them.

Neutral colours, like natural, beige, grey, and black are often ideal contrast colours. Dark blues like Navy can also make a very clever contrast colour.

SHOP ONLINE

Your reward for making it to the end… gratuitous bird photos! Never one to miss his 15 minutes of fame, Gru hopped up on the mannequin towards the end of the photography and made cute faces.

PROJECT Quince & Co Cloverdale

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Hankering for a project that’s a bit more challenging? The  Cloverdale tee features a classic A-line silhouette brought to life by easy slip-stitches, cap-sleeves, and a lovely Latvian braid at the neckline. The result? A bold, graphic hand-knit tee that’s warm weather-ready. All you have to do is choose your two favorite contrasting colorways and you’re good to go!

Cloverdale is designed with Quince & Co Sparrow, my go-to summer yarn – my summer “store uniform” is made with Sparrow. Sparrow is the best linen I’ve ever come across – its machine washable (I put it in the dryer on low heat), soft, comfortable durable, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sweaters I’ve made with it. This top is worked on small needles, so the tension is tight enough that you won’t have to wear a cami under it.

Construction

Tee is worked flat from the bottom up. A-line shaping decreases are worked up to the underarm, and then increases are worked for the sleeve caps. Front and back are seamed at the sides and shoulders. Sleeve openings feature a built-in i-cord edge. Neckline is finished with a Latvian braid.

Size

  • Bust circumference: 39 (43½, 47, 51½, 55) (59½, 63¾, 67½, 71)” / 99
  • Sample shown in size 51½“ / 131 cm on a 39” / 99 cm, 5’7” / 170 cm tall model (12½” / 32 cm positive ease).
  • Suggested ease: positive 8–12½“ / 20.5–32 cm

Materials

Skills

German twisted cast on, mattress stitch (links provided); increasing, decreasing.

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Gauge

26 sts and 40 rows = 4” / 10 cm in slip stitch pattern, after blocking.
26 sts and 34 rows = 4” / 10 cm in 1×1 ribbing pattern, after blocking.

KITS Blanket of Joy in Worsted or Chunky

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MDK Blanket of Joy

As per your request, I’ve reshuffled the Blanket of Joy kit to include both a worsted weight (4.5mm/US7 needle) and a chunky/bulky weight (6mm/US10 needle) option. I had to play around a bit with the colours for the Chunky weight, but getting the project done faster may have more value to you than having the colours ‘just-so’. Additionally, a few people found the pattern unclear in some places (myself included) so I made revisions to clarify everything and even drew up a chart for you to keep track row by row.

The Blanket of Joy is a simple knit, which is also important right now … Keep It Simple, am I right? Simple bands of colour are knit in offset segments of stocking and reverse stocking stitch to create an easy, graphic combination of colour and texture. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most brilliant! Need some help with weaving in the ends? Check out our Skills Page!

Size

  • approx 50″ x 76″ (125cm x 190cm)

Kit Includes

Kit Does NOT Include

  • 4.5mm/US7 or 6mm/US10 – 36″ (or longer) circular needles
  • Tapestry/darning needle

Colour & Change

In the book Joyful, Ingrid Fetel Lee talks about the revitalization of the run-down, crime-ridden city of Tirana, Albania … which was initiated with the very easy and affordable approach of painting buildings bright colours. I’ll leave the details for you to read up on (the book was really good), but if painting a run-down building bright orange can initiate the transformation of a city, maybe it’s not too far a stretch to posit that a joyfully coloured blanket can initiate positive change in a life?

PROJECT Fountaingrove

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Fountaingrove

Fountaingrove is the perfect cast-on to get you ready for the warm season to come. The pretty lace panel is simple and effective. It’s made with Quince & Co Kestrel, an aran weight 100% organic linen yarn that’s been a summer staple here for years! The linen provised gorgeous stitch definition, unparalleled drape, and cool comfort perfect for warm weather.

SEE OUR FAVOURITE PROJECTS WITH QUINCE & CO KESTREL

Construction

Fountaingrove is worked in the round from the bottom up to the underarms. Front and back yokes are worked flat.

Size

  • Bust Circumference: 33½ (36¼, 39, 42) (44¾, 47½, 50¼, 53¼) (56, 58¾, 61¾, 64½)” [85 (92, 99, 106.5) (113.5, 120.5, 127.5, 135.5) (142, 149, 157, 164) cm] 
  • Shown in size 42″ [106.5 cm] on a 39″ [99 cm], 5’7″ [170 cm] tall model (3″ [7.5 cm] positive ease) 
  • Suggested ease: positive 0–3″ [0–7.5 cm]

Materials

Skills

Long tail cast-on, three-needle bind off (links provided); increasing, decreasing, working in the round. Charts and line-by-line instructions included.

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Gauge

17 sts and 25 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch, after blocking

PRE-ORDER Knitter’s Pride Row Counter Rings

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PRE-ORDER Knitters Pride Row Counter Rings

I bought one of these row-counter rings from Knitter’s Pride to check them out, see what they’re about, and I’m happy to say they meet with my approval! I’m not usually into ‘knitting’ jewellery, but I like this little guy – especially now that they are available in a pretty colour. They aren’t a necessary tool for keeping track of your rows, but they are definitely a nifty gadget, and sometimes I wear mine just cause I think it’s pretty. I haven’t had any allergic reactions, which is impressive because my body is fairly sensitive (and I am very allergic to nickel and cobalt).

  • Made with hypoallergenic stainless steel.
  • Available in either rainbow-coloured metallic finish or black.
  • Row counters rings are intended to be worn on your index finger or thumb. 
  • Rings come packed in a gift box with a clear window.
  • Available in standard ring sizes 7 (17.3mm diameter) to 12 (21.4mm diameter).

NOTE

  • the rainbow-coloured rings seem to photograph a bit on the blue/purple side in the company product-shots, but they are multi-coloured (see picture above – that’s my ring)
  • some reviews recommend buying a size larger than you would normally wear (for a wedding band or engagement ring)

DOWNLOAD A RING SIZE CHART

WATCH A PRODUCT REVIEW

Special-Order

Because this is something with so many size options and two colour options, they’re. bit hard to keep in stock in store, so we are going to start by selling them as a Pre-Order and play it by ear. Your order will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need it for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible. 

PRE-ORDER Amirisu no. 24 Spring/Summer 2022

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PRE-ORDER Amirisu no. 24: Spring/Summer 2022

Release Date: June 10, 2022

Pre-Orders will be available to pick-up/will ship on June 10, 2022

Harmonized by a soft palette of pastel and neutral hues, the twelve knitwear designs in this issue are inspired by the customs, family traditions, and special places that have contributed to each designer’s heritage.

Participating designers: Rosemary (Romi) Hill / Leeni Hoimela / Rastus Hsu / Sari Nordlund / Inese Sang / Megumi Sawada / Susanne Sommer / yamagara / Yucca / Dianna Walla / amirisu

Feature: Craft Guide to Toronto
Three locals, Laura Chau and Kiyomi & Sachiko Burgin, share some of their favorite spots in the city.

Plus, a project from Lori Ann Graham, a machine-quilted tote bag project, a look at Retrosaria Rosa Pomar’s new shop, and more!

Format: A4 size/ 130 pages/ Printed in Japan

Download Code: A Ravelry download code of the entire magazine is printed on an inserted card.

RE-STOCK Berroco Remix Light

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Berroco Remix Light

Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find the garments made with it become some of your favourites (you know, the one you wear over and over and over again, until you get tired of the colour so you make another in a new colour … etc). It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres.

It’s great for people who are allergic to wool, and light enough for perfect for people whose bodies run warm and wearing a knit is more about dressing and less about warmth. It’s popularity also stems from it’s INCREDIBLE yardage – it’s a DK weight yarn that comes in a 100g/400m skein (for those of you who don’t live in a yarn store, that’s like a bonus 150m to 200m). Remix Light is great for sweaters, tanks, tees, blankets, socks, scarves, shawls, bags, etc. It’s great for everyone: babies, kids, adults. 

SEE OUR FAVROURITE PROJECTS WITH BERROCO REMIX LIGHT

  • 10% silk, 9% linen, 27% cotton, 30% nylon, 24% acrylic
  • 100g/400m (432 yds)
  • 3.75mm/US5 needles
  • Knitting gauge: 22 sts & 32 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet gauge: 20 sc x 22 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine Wash in cold water, delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
  • Read more about how Berroco Remix and Remix Light are made HERE. 

Trendy Patterns

Patterns & Projects

Ship Shape

I love Ship Shape , it’s such a perfect spring/summer knit. The navy stripes are classic, and the neck-line and shoulder detail are simple and elegant. I have a friend who says navy blue is a neutral, but I think that’s bull. Navy is just unassuming, it’s a spy embedded in colour society, it lives under the radar.

Ship Shape is knit seamlessly, top down, beginning with 2 separate pieces for the shoulder gussets. The yoke is a drop shoulder / raglan hybrid, making it perfect for playing with stripes, self striping yarn, or colour blocking! Body and sleeves are knit in the round.

Size

  • XXS(XS, S1, S2, M1, M2, L , XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)
  • 33½(35¾, 38, 40, 42¼, 45, 48, 51½, 55, 58¾, 63, 66½, 70)”
  • Intended to fit with approximately 10-17 cm (4-7 inches) of positive ease around the chest. The body length is slightly cropped and the sleeves are 3/4 length, but both can easily be modified as they are knit top down. Just make sure you have enough yarn if you plan to lengthen anything.
  • Sample shown in size S2 with about 15 cm (6 inches) of positive ease.

Materials

  • Berroco Remix Light: MC 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) shown in 6949 Nightfall, CC 1(1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) shown in 6901 Birch
  • Pattern
  • 3.25mm needles (see pattern for details)
  • 3.5mm/US4 needles (see pattern for details)
  • Stitch markers

Notes

Skills 

  • Knitting flat and in the round
  • increases and decreases
  • picking up stitches

Fragaria Kit

Fragaria is quickly knit this simple cropped tee knitting pattern with just a few balls of Berroco Remix Light! The body is knit in the round with a mesh panel at the sides, that carries up and over to form the yoke.

Size

  •  Bust—32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)”
  • Length—16 (16½, 17, 17½, 18, 18½, 20, 20)”
  • This garment was designed with approximately 2–4″ of ease.  Please take this into consideration when selecting your size.
  • Shown in size 36″

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

  • 3.25mm/US3 – 29″ circular needles
  • Waste yarn or a spare needle (size 3 or smaller) to hold sts
  • 2 st markers
  • 2 removable st markers (or safety pins)

Notes

Derecho Kit

Derecho is a seamless tee that begins at the neck and is worked down. Easy eyelet stitches shape the yoke and add decoration to the neckline at the same time. Derecho is worked in one piece from the neck down. Neck and lower edges are shaped using short rows. There’s also a children’s version of this top, Amari.

Size

  • Bust—34(37-40-43-46-49-52-55-58)”
  • Back Length—23(24-24½-25-25½-25¾-26-26¼-26½)”
  • Shown in size 37″
  • Recommended ease: 4–6″

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rnds = 4″ in St st on larger needles

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

  • 3.25mm/US3 – 16″ circular needles
  • 3.25mm/US3 – 29″ circular needles
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 16″ circular needles
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 29″ circular needles
  • 3.25mm/US3 double pointed needles
  • 5 st markers (1 a different color for beg-of-rnd)
  • Waste yarn to hold sts

Notes

Amari Kit

Amari is a seamless tee that begins at the neck and is worked down. Easy eyelet stitches shape the yoke and add decoration to the neckline at the same time. Derecho is worked in one piece from the neck down. Neck and lower edges are shaped using short rows. For an adult version of this top see Derecho.

Skill Level: Advanced-Beginner

Size

  • Chest: (22, 24, 26, 27½, 30)” / (56, 61, 66, 70, 76) cm
  • Back Length: (13½, 15, 16½, 17½, 19)” / (34.5, 38, 42, 44.5, 48.5) cm (front is ½” / 1 cm shorter)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

PROJECT Quince & Co Petaluma

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Petaluma

Petaluma is an elegant and versatile top-down tee, an instant classic for your summer wardrobe. I love the sweet little details of this boxy tee: from its tailored shoulder shaping to its generous neckline. This top will be your go-to summer garment!

Petaluma is designed with Quince & Co Sparrow (which is re-stocked), my go-to summer yarn – my summer “store uniform” is made with Sparrow. Sparrow is the best linen I’ve ever come across – its machine washable (I put it in the dryer on low heat), soft, comfortable durable, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sweaters I’ve made with it. This top is worked on small needles, so the tension is tight enough that you won’t have to wear a cami under it.

SEE ALL OUR FAVOURITE PROJECTS FOR SPARROW

Construction

Tee is worked seamlessly from the top-down, beginning with the upper back and front, worked flat, and then joined in the round below the armholes. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole and sleeves are worked in the round. The shoulders and sleeve caps are shaped using German short rows. This design features tailored shoulder shaping, in which the shoulder ‘seams’ are shifted towards the back of the body.

Size

  • Bust circumference: 37½ (41½, 44½, 48½, 52) (55½, 58¾, 62¾, 66¼)” / 95.5 (105.5, 113, 123, 132) (141, 149, 159.5, 168.5) cm
  • Sample shown in size 44½“ / 113 cm on a 39” / 99 cm, 5’7” / 170 cm tall model (5½” / 14 cm positive ease)
  • Suggested ease: positive 2–8” / 5–20.5 cm

Gauge

26 sts and 35 rnds = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch with larger needle, after blocking.

Materials

Skills

I-cord cast on, backwards loop cast on, picking up stitches, German short rows (links provided); increasing, decreasing, working in the round.

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS