Saturday April 3: 11 am to 5 pm (pick-up & delivery)
Sunday April 4: Closed
Monday April 5: 11 am to 5 pm (pick-up & delivery)
Last Minute Adorable Easter Creatures
New from the Crafty Kit Company, these needle felting kits contain everything you need to create adorable baby animals. You’ll learn how to make the basic shapes, then build them up with felting wool, and finally, add the details that will really bring your creation to life. Each kit comes with all the felting wool you need, a tube with felting needles, a mat to work on, wire pipe cleaner, nesting materials and clear step by step instructions.
While trolling for inspiration I found this really need little capsule collection for Fibre Co. Meadow by Japanese designer michiyo. I was really impressed, the designer clearly understands the fabric and makes the most of it’s natural lightness and drape. Meadow is a gorgeous yarn, a heavy lace-weight made with a very yummy blend of baby llama, silk, linen and merino wool. It’s great for layering pieces, light sweaters, and shaws and wraps.
Photos by Tommy Martin, shown in colour Fennel
Tsumuzikaze
Besides that fact that it’s a great combination of interesting, different and beautiful, I that this top looks really good on lots of people (see the finished projects HERE)! Tsumuzikazeis a Japanese word that means whirlwind, the design inspiration for this lovely pattern with an asymmetrical ‘whirling’ hem. This pullover is worked from the top down in the round. An eyelet pattern on the shoulders are worked as increases. The sleeves are worked separately, then in the round from the armhole. The lower edge is shaped with short rows.
Photos by michiyo, shown in colour Indigo
Size
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference up to: S 83(32¾), M 92(36¼), L 103(40½), XL 113(44½)
Finished bust: 102 (110, 120, 146) cm 40 (43¼, 47¼, 57¼) in
Finished Length: 62 (65.5, 70.5, 74) cm 24½ (25¾, 27¾, 29¼) in
Finished Hem circumference: 76 (80, 88, 99) cm 30 (31½, 34¾, 39)in
Photos by CozySunny Day, shown in colour Bellflower
Photos by Tommy Martin, shown in colour Gentian VioletPhotos by Tommy Martin, shown in colour Gentian Violet
Kagerou
When I first saw this project I didn’t realize that it was a vest! It’s like a cross between a tank and a vest … a Vank Top? A Test Top? Is it a waistcoat? Feel free to throw in your two cents! Whatever it’s called, it is worked from the bottom up; the fronts and back are worked together back and forth up to the armhole, then the yokes are worked separately. Short rows are then worked to make the back longer than the front. The back, left front and right front of the upper body are worked separately on smaller needles in a rib pattern. Finally the shoulders are joined and the piece is finished by adding buttons and blocking gently.
Photos by Handknitlife, shown in colour Pokeweed
Size
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference up to : S 83cm(32¾), M 92cm(36¼), L 103cm(40½), XL 113cm(44½)
Finished Bust: 90 (92, 102, 113) cm or 35½ (36¼, 40, 44) in
Finished Length (back): 70 (71, 73.5, 77) cm or 27½ (28, 29, 30¼) in
Finished Shoulder width: 32 (33, 36, 38) cm or 12½ (13, 14¼, 15) in
Finished Hem circumference: 142 (146, 162.5, 178.5) cm or 56 (57½, 64, 70¼) in
Photos by Tommy Martin, shown in Larkspur for MC and Pennyroyal for CC
Kinomi
Kinomi is a light top designed with minimal shaping and lots of flow. The pattern is written for two lengths; the shorter version is illustrated, whilst the longer version is designed to cover the hip. Kinomi is worked in pieces separately from the bottom up. The neck band is made in two pieces in a contrasting colour with the ends grafted and then sewn onto the body. Ribbing is added to the armholes and the piece is finishing with light steaming.
Photos by roko, show in Bedstraw for MC and Queen Annes Lace for CC
Size
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference up to: S 83(32¾), M 92(36¼), L 103(40½), XL 113(44½)
Finished bust: 115 (124, 133, 142.5) cm 45¼ (48¾, 52¼, 56) in
Short length: 53.5 (54.5, 56, 57.5) cm 21 (21½, 22, 22½) in
Long length: 71.5 (72, 76.5, 78) cm 28 (28¼, 30, 30¾) in
Centre back neck to cuff: 35 (37, 39, 41.5) cm 13¾ (14½, 15¼, 16¼) in
Hem circumference: 152.5 (163.5, 174.5, 185) cm 60 (64¼, 68¾, 72¾) in
Light and romantic, this cardigan is the perfect topper for sunny spring days and cool summer nights. It can be worn as a cardigan or a cape/shawl. This pattern is worked from the top down seamlessly and the lace is charted.
Photos by LilyLilyLily, shown in colour Prairie
Size
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference up to: S 83(32¾), M 92(36¼), L 103(40½), XL 113(44½)
Finished bust: 99 (105, 116, 128) cm 39 (41¼, 45¾, 50½) in
Finished Length: 44.5 (45.5, 47.5, 50) cm 17½ (18, 18¾, 19¾) in
Finished Centre back neck to cuff: 70 (72, 74.5, 77) cm 27½ (28¼, 29¼, 30¼) in
Finished Hem circumference: 155.5 (166, 182.5, 204) cm 61¼ (65¼, 71¾, 80¼) in
Photos by Tommy Martin, shown in colour Ladyslipper
Rourou
Rourou is a Japanese word that means hazy light, the kind that filters through the leaves of trees on a sunny summer day. The front and back of Rourou are worked in pieces separately from the bottom up creating the sleeves at the same time with side increases.
Photo by cosysunnyday, show in colour Queen Anne’s Lace
Size
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference up to: S 83(32¾), M 92(36¼), L 103(40½), XL 113(44½)
Finished bust: 110 (120, 130, 140) cm 43¼ (47¼, 51¼, 55) in
Length: 58.5 (60, 61.5, 62.5) cm 23 (23¾, 24¼, 24½) in
Centre back neck to cuff: 38.5 (41, 43, 46) cm 15¼ (16¼, 17, 18¼) in
I’m so in love with the spring weather, it’s clearing out so many winter dulldrums! Outdoor dinning has opened up in the city, and infectious disease specialists are totally down with dinning al fresco, so I thought some projects to help support our new local lifestyle (and the restauranteurs in our communities) would be great. After a much needed socially distanced back-yard burger experience with my family last night, I got a feel for the types of garments required. Layering accessories that don’t get in the way (ie. in your food), go on and come off easily, and can be stashed in a tote are my key points. I’m also looking for pieces that work up relatively quickly on larger needles, so you can wear and enjoy them now!
FYI: Store Still Not Open
Just a quick heads up, the store is NOT open for in-store shopping, I don’t feel it is safe for our clients, our staff, and all the people we are connected with. We’re totally here to discuss your project needs so you can get the right products. If you give us a call ahead of time we can gather together whatever you want to look at and bring stuff to the door for you to see in person. You can pick up your order, have it shipped, or if you live close enough to us you can have it delivered on the same day or next day (depending on the cut-off time). If you’ve had both of your vaccination shots (and 2 weeks have passed since your second) you should have as much protection as you’re going to get (and I’ll likely not inadvertently kill you), so I’m open to making an appointment for you to come in. Right now I know 2 people in this position, and only one knits, but with time the numbers will grow.
Last night, while catching up in the back-yard, my sister-in-law told me that the kids’ school had had a mild COVID scare when 3 children had received ambiguous COVID test results. It affected over 150 other kids who were connected with them and their siblings, all had to stay home and get tested. Luckily, in this case the second tests came back negative, but it illustrates to me how many people are so easily affected (the total number of people didn’t even include the adults potentially involved). One carrier can spread out into thousands, like a ripple on a pond, and that person probably won’t even know that they’re sick until well after they’ve spread the virus. Doctors are expecting the new COVID variants to spread much faster, for case counts to tripleby April, and for patients to be younger and sicker than they were with the original stain of COVID. It isn’t the same game as it was before, last stores reopened it was much less risky. The human mind is really good at lying to itself and convincing itself what it wants to believe, especially when it sees other people doing it. So look out for yourself, look out for the welfare of others. The two aren’t separate; what you do for yourself you do for others, and what you do for others you do for yourself.
Mountain Capelet
This capelet is simple, minimal, and effective. It works up FAST on 15mm/US19 needles, although you can go down to 12mm/US17 needles if you want yours smaller.
Size
circumference around bottom: approx. 45″
circumference around cowl: approx. 24″
height from bottom edge to bottom of cowl: 12″
height from bottom edge to top of cowl: 20″
Materials
FYI: when venturing into projects with unusually large needles interchangeable needlesare an economical way to expand your large sized needles – you can buy one set of tips and different length cords as you need them.
This is project is a thinner version of the one above, but it comes in multiple sizes. You can work it with 1 strand of a Super Bulky Weight yarn like Drops Andes, or 2 strands held together of a soft fuzzy yarn like Drops Melody (this is my kind of thing; light, fuzzy & cozy), or you could combine a bulky weight yarn with one strand of fuzzy Drops Melody.
Yarn Options
You’ll need 275(330, 385, 440)m of yarn if you’re working with a single strand or a total of 550(660, 770, 880)m if you’re holding two strands together.
FYI: when venturing into projects with unusually large needles interchangeable needlesare an economical way to expand your large sized needles – you can buy one set of tips and different length cords as you need them.
height from bottom edge to bottom of cowl: 15 ½ (16, 17, 17 ¾)”
height from bottom edge to top of cowl: 22 (22 ½, 24 ¼, 25)”
Getting Warmer
For something a little lighter, try Getting Warmer. You can make it in a variety of different yarns, and if you want to make. it bigger, just use a thicker yarn on a bigger needle. Since this is a garment that’s right next to your neck I’m only recommending yarns that are soft and comfortable. For a look like in our picture above try using Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca SportSALE(3 skeins). For something light, airy and a bit springy, go for Illimani AmelieSALE (2 skeins).
Yarns: For a Looser Look & Feel
For a looser look, use light-weight yarns or yarns that are a bit thiner than one ones recommended, but stick with the 6mm/US10 needles recommended by the pattern.
If you are a new knitter and don’t really want to spend your life savings on knitting needles, you can get away with buying 1 set of 3.5″ needle tips, and a pair of 16″ cords and 24″ cords. Be sure to get the shorter 3.5″ tips! The regular length 4.5″ tip will not work with 16″ cords. If you’re in the market for a full set of interchangeable needles Chiaogoo makes set with 4″ tips, which are a nice compromise.
I saw this sweater and felt a jolt of “Yes PLEASE!” Lapponia is a simple round yoke sweater, with easy colourwork from collar to hem. The sweater has a short cropped length and easy, relaxed fit. It’s knit in a fingering weight yarn, which is a nice transitional-season thickness and offers you lots of yarn choices. (If you’re planning on buying this pattern get it now, it’s on sale for the next couple of days.)
Choose a size with approx. 4-8” 10-20 cm of positive ease.
Yarn Options
Lapponia is designed with fingering weight yarn, so you’ve got lots of different options to choose from. All of the yarns below are soft, comfortable, easy to work with, and will look beautiful. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s the right choice for you, so I’ve tried to break them down:
The Budget Friendliest Option: Cascade Heritage is a staple fingering weight yarn. It’s incredibly soft and easy to work with, and comes in lots of colours (and if we don’t have one we can look into ordering it for you). It mostly comes in solid colours, but also some heathers. 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon; 100g/400m (437 yds), machine washable, made in India. $16.97/skein.
You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1 (pink in the sample), 1 skein of CC2 (yellow in the sample), and 2(2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins of MC (turquoise/teal in the sample) of Cascade Heritage.
The Artsiest Option: Artfil Belleis a gorgeous hand-painted yarn from Quebec (it’s both milled and dyed there). It’s super soft and has a lot of body and squish. The dyeing is very painterly; sometimes subtle and other times very vivid. 80% superwash merino wool & 20% nylon; 100g/354m (387 yds), machine washable, made in Canada. $28.97/skein.
You’ll need: You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1, 1 skein of CC2, and 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins of MC of Artfil Belle.
The Knitterly/Eco Option: Fibre Co Amble is a gorgeous fingering weight yarn made with sustainable materials. It’s super soft, squishy, and gorgeous to work with and wear. If you’re a knitterly kind of knitter (some use the term ‘yarn snob’, but I prefer ‘afficiando’), or if you just have an appreciation for gorgeous textiles (previously known as a ‘clothes horse’, I prefer ‘connoisseur’) this yarn will make you very happy. Incidentally, the heathered colours are the result of combining the natural colours of merino wool and alpaca. 70% Easy-wash Merino wool, 20% Easy-wash alpaca, 10% recycled nylon; 100g/325m (355 yds), machine washable, made in Peru. $29.97/skein.
You’ll need: You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1, 1 skein of CC2, and 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins of MC of Fibre Co Amble.
The 100% Natural Option (Budget Friendy): Amano Chaski is a great, all natural fingering weight sock yarn with ZERO synthetic fibres. It’s a soft and extremely comfortable blend of superwash merino, pima cotton and linen. The fibre blend also makes it a great yarn for transitional seasons. Chaskis comes in a selection of soft colours, and is also a budget friendly choice. We’re expecting our first shipment of Chaski this week, but you can place your order now! 60% uperwash merino, 30% pima cotton, 10% linen; 100g/350m (383 yds), machine washable, made in Peru. $20.97/skein.
You’ll need: You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1, 1 skein of CC2, and 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins of MC of Amano Chaski.
The Light as a Feather Option: Fibre Co. Meadow is a super yummy blend of wool, llama, silk and linen, making it a great yarn for shifting seasons. It’s super soft and luxurious, but also has a bit of texture and depth of colour because of the fibre blend (and sometimes the dyeing is fancy too). Meadow technically a heavy lace-weight yarn, which is a bit thinner than what the pattern pattern calls for, so you’ll want to go down to a 3.25mm/US3 needle and possibly make a size larger in the pattern (keep an eye on your tension). The extra yardage on the thinner yarn may also pay off for sizes in the 44″ to 60″ range because you’ll need less of the main colour. The 40% wool, 25% llama, 20% silk, 15% linen; 100g/498m (545 yds), hand wash, made in Peru. $34.97/skein.
You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1, 1 skein of CC2, and 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins of MC of Fibre Co. Meadow.
The Kitchen Sink Option (budget friendly, all Season, no-wool, eco friendly): Berroco Remix Lightis a very light blend of recycled fibres that’s easy and comfortable to wear all year and work with. It has a slightly tweedy texture, which makes it a great wool-free alternative for stranded knitting (the finished projects on Ravelry are AMAZING). Customers are constantly pleasantly surprised by this yarn’s incredible performance – this is a ‘listen to me now, believe me later’ moment. My suggestion is to let go of what you think you believe about synthetic fibres (beliefs aren’t real anyway, they’re just constructs our minds come up with because our pre-frontal cortex likes to concoct narratives and then host story-time over and over and over). Take a leap, close your eyes and knit. I promise it does not look or feel like plastic; those who know me know I can’t stand squeaky yarns (except for making pompoms, squeaky yarns make amazing pompoms) and I would never recommend one without a warning and a good reason. Remix Lightis technically a DK weight, so you should go down a size in the pattern and go up to a 3.75mm/US5 needle. 10% silk, 9% linen, 27% cotton, 30% nylon, 24% acrylic; 100g/400m (432 yds), machine washable, made in France. $15.97/skein.
You’ll need: 1 skein of CC1 (pink in the sample), 1 skein of CC2 (yellow in the sample), and 2(2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins of MC (turquoise/teal in the sample) of Berroco Remix Light.
P.S. Streaming Pic Of the Week
My current streaming pic is the The Great British Baking Show on the CBC Gem app. I’ve been watching seasons 8 & 9, and the finale of season 9 is amazing … I won’t spoil it, but I want to! If you find yourself falling down this particular rabbit-hole I heartily suggest upgrading for your free month of premium service, otherwise the commercials will drive you up the wall (you’ll never be able to look at an avocado again).
We just received our first restock of Kelbourne Mojave, and it’s got me thinking about summer tops. Kelbourne Mojave is a super soft and light blend of cotton & linen. It comes in some really beautiful muted colours and also some awesomely bright colours. Happily, Kebourne has introduced several great new colours this year, my favourites include the Electric Blue and Fuchsia!
Availability
Mojave’s availability is a bit limited this year. It is manufactured in Peru and they have been hard-hit by COVID (the mills there have either been shut down or running at minimal capacity for the last year). We have only received half of the colours in our order, the rest is expected in May (fingers crossed). I think this is going to be the story for a lot of products this summer, especially those milled in South America.
From my perspective, I’m grateful, I’m enjoying what I can get my hands on and am not worrying about what isn’t. The world is full of abundance and opportunity, you just have to receive it when life brings it to you. When you let go and follow the flow the results are even better than if you had gone with your original plan.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, we are still closed for in-store shopping and based on both reason (research) and intuition, I don’t think it’s going to be safe to do so until May. I know the government seems to think it’s safe for retailers to allow customers inside, but everything I read from researchers, scientists and doctors says otherwise. We’re already going into a third wave, and the case counts are expected to be much higher than before. So one more push – the vaccines are starting to roll out, so hopefully this time will be shorter, and the weather is getting warmer so we can get out and enjoy nature more!
Photo: PetiteKnit
Ankler’s Summer Shirt
I figured we can all use something to look forward to, and the seasons’ changing is one of those things you can always bank on (at least in Canada – we have A LOT of weather). Anker’s Summer Shirt is a simple summer top, worked in one piece from the top down. The yoke is worked in sections of rib with increases in the round, followed by classic raglan increases when the stockinette stitch section begins. The sleeves are worked at the end, either on double-pointed needles or on circular needles using the Magic Loop technique. Anker’s Summer Shirt has no finishing other than weaving in ends.
Size
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL
To fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39¼) 39¼-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ inches].
Total length: 52 (54) 56 (60) 62 (62) 64 cm [20½ (21¼) 22 (23½) 24½ (24½) 25¼ inches]
Ease: The shirt is designed to have approx. 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] – of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] larger in circumference than your widest upper body measurement.
Measurements: The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern (note that these measurements are only achieved if the correct gauge is kept). Before beginning your project, measure yourself with a measuring tape around your bust (or your widest upper body part) to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 95 cm [37½ inches] you should knit a size M. A size M shirt has a finished circumference of 96 cm [37¾ inches], which in the given example would mean 1 cm [½ inches] of positive ease.
I want to thank everyone who attended the online yarn tasting on Sunday afternoon! It was pretty good considering it was my first time, and I accidentally deleted part of my hard drive while preparing for it. I really enjoyed answering your questions, and based on past history I’ll get better at managing the medium (Zoom) with time & experience (and maybe some lessons from my niece). It was definitely nice to hang out in my yoga clothes, under a hand-knit, of course. Now that I’ve broken the ice it would be good to get together again and explore some of the opportunities …. I’d really like to teach you guys how to do a proper pattern search on Ravelry, and I think Zoom might be a good place).
1. We can order you whatever you want, in whatever quantity from Berroco. They have been incredibly kind and accommodating during the Pandemic! If they sell it, we cans ask them for it (as long as it is in stock – if it is not, then you may have to wait for it, or choose another colour).
2. I want to make all of the resources from the event available to everyone. I have put it all into a file in the cloud that anyone can access. You can find the links below, but I have also added them to the Berroco Yarn Tasting Kit & Party product page on our website (if you’re looking for it just type “Yarn Tasting” in the search box on our website, or you can also find it under EVENTS in the main menu.
Hearkening back to my days in graduate school, I apparently still have some sweet hand-out skills (although I forgot how much time a thorough research project takes). Each of the yarns included in the yarn tasting has its own little FAQ page with the info we all really need the most; insights on how to use the yarn and PATTERNS that work with it. I have also added the two books I mentioned during the yarn tasting to the end of the resource sheet.
Pattern Bundles
Each yarn has a link to a Pattern Bundle – a gallery or collection of patterns on Ravelry that should work with the yarn (the one above is the Berroco Medina Bundle). Yarns that have been around a few years have more recommendations (including finished projects to help you visualize how it works up), newer ones have less, but all include options that are both designed with the yarn, and those that are not but will suit it. The patterns tend to be heavy on ladies garments & shawls/wraps, but wherever I found a men’s sweater, baby things, bags, baskets, they were included. I’m also adding links to the pattern bundles to the product pages on our website (I just added it to Berroco Remix Light and Berroco Summer Sesame).
All the patterns are available online (free or paid), and include english instructions. I prefer to choose patterns from reliable designers, but I’ll be honest, I was often a little tired when I was doing this work and sometimes I just see something pretty or inspiring and click on it. Because it’s a seasonal yarn collection many of the patterns lean in that direction, however some of the yarns like Berroco Medina and Berroco Remix Light also have all-season/wool-free/vegan applications, so I’ve included those too (we live all over the planet, everyone has their own weather). The patterns are sorted by type of project (tees, tanks, cardigans, pullovers, shawls, etc), so just keep scrolling through to the next page to find more.
Strands of Joy by Anna Johanna features 20 versatile colourwork patterns, including sweaters and cardigans as well as an elegant dress, a warming hat and a kid’s pullover. The patterns are worked seamlessly from the top down. Cast on a mindless two-colour project or let your mind find peace in more complicated knits that require you to stay focused.
Anna Johanna is a knitwear designer from Muurame, Central Finland. She is known for her often-romantic knits with much love for details, textures and colours. Since 2020, this former statistician has been designing full-time. Strands of Joy (Finnish title Onnensäikeitä) is her debut book.
176 pages
20 colourwork knitting patterns
Hardcover
Weight: Approx. 900 g / 2 lb
Print only, no digital download code available.
Printed in Latvia.
PomPom Quarterly 36: Spring 2021
Pre-Order your copy of Making Marls and it will be shipped or be available for pick-up on or before March 30, 2021!
Pom-Pom’s quilt-inspired collection honours the resourcefulness, practicality, community, and design elements traditionally associated with this textile-based practice! With knit and crochet patterns that embrace improvisation, find a home for treasured mini skeins and mimic the comfort of a much-loved quilt!
Embody
Pre-Order your copy of Making Marls and it will be shipped or be available for pick-up on or before March 30, 2021!
Jacqueline Cieslak’s commitment to embracing all of our community has won us over completely, so Pom Pom Press is publishing her first book! Jacqui’s fundamental design philosophy is that bodies are deserving of clothes that fit perfectly. Embody consists of three infinitely adaptable patterns — two knitting, one sewing — with bespoke instructions to create customized, perfectly fitted garments that are graded for chests up to 64 inches. This book is designed to be the foundation of any maker’s me-made wardrobe.
Marie Greene is back with a fresh new direction for her signature seamless style in this collection of 24 new patterns for kids! With 12 sweaters (sizes 0-10) and 12 matching beanies (preemie to adult), Knit a Little reimagines some of Marie’s most popular designs on a small scale. Whether you’re looking for ideas to use your yarn stash, have little ones to knit for, or just love the satisfaction of a small project, this book offers quick-to-knit, gender-neutral patterns in a range of yarn weights. You’ll find cardigans and pullovers with colorwork, cables, simple texture and more. These versatile designs will become wearable favorites in no time – and Marie’s clear instructions and helpful tips will ensure your success from start to finish. The hardest part will be choosing which one to cast on first!
Epistemology DARUMA Collectionfeatures ten timeless and stylish amirisu designs, with photographs taken at DARUMA’s vintage-looking dye house in Kyoto.
10 patterns: 4 sweaters, 1 cardigan, 1 scarf, 2 cowls, 1 hat, and 1 pair of mittens
Ready, Set, Raglan is a great book for newish knitters who want to take their skills to the next level and make sweaters. It’s the follow-up to Pompom Press’ beginner book Knit How (see below), taking the straightforward raglan-sleeve pullover (the kind of sweater with diagonal seams at the sleeves) as a blank canvas and walks you through all the ways to make it your own. They offer blueprints for 8 distinct raglans and coach you through choosing perfect-for-you necklines, hemlines, ribbing, stitch textures, and fancy raglan increases. And, of course, they show you how to create jaw-dropping colour combinations.
Their raglans sweaters are designed to empower improving knitters with customisation skills, but also to free advanced knitters to fly through stressless shapes, easy customisations, and the joys of colourplay. For the truly adventurous, they even provide a formula to design your own raglan! Let’s all get out our sketchbooks and dream together.
From the needles of your favourite quarterly comes the ultimate learn-to-knit book! The only guide a novice will need to start a journey through the world of yarn, Knit How is a friendly and easy-to-use introduction to knitting. The book includes ten knitting patterns for accessories and garments, along with illustrated techniques and essential top tips for the beginner knitter, all in Pom Pom’s signature style.
Packed full of tutorials and advice, Knit How guides you through the wonderful world of knitting, from your first few shaky stitches through a host of projects, each increasing in complexity until you have truly mastered your craft! Want to pick and choose? The choice is yours! These patterns offer something for everyone. All you need to know is ready and waiting, pick up your needles and let’s cast on!
52 Weeks of Socks
Pre-Order your copy and it will be shipped or be available for pick-up on or before March 30, 2021!
Just in case you missed out on this GORGEOUS book, now is the time to order yourself a copy. Seriously, it’s STUNNING – no regrets!
52 Weeks of Socks is the first hardcover book of Laine Publishing. It contains 52 knitting patterns by 46 designers and is a true encyclopedia of socks. The patterns are beautifully photographed and laid out on 256 pages in the style Laine is known and loved for. This book will only be available in print, it will NOT be available as a digital download. The book contains patterns from a VERY long list of designers following (52 to be precise). 256 pages (it’s a hefty book).
Pre-Order your copy and it will be shipped or be available for pick-up on or before March 30, 2021!
Imagine being told you have to stop knitting because of discomfort in your hands, arms, neck, or back. Imagine the sense of frustration and the longing to get the needles back in your hands. Imagine the lingering doubt you might have when you can pick them up again: “What was I doing wrong after all these years of knitting?” “Will I get hurt again?” “Will I have to stop knitting forever to make this pain go away?” Maybe you’d like to be a faster, more efficient knitter, or a knitter who produces more projects, but you’re not sure what’s getting in the way.
This book will help you understand the ergonomics of knitting so you can improve your safety, efficiency, and productivity in knitting. You’ll learn to identify ergonomic risks that contribute to injury and reduce knitting efficiency. Throughout the book, you’ll be provided with activities and guidance to improve your knitting ergonomics so you can knit more confidently and comfortably. Through instruction in stretches, exercise, and self-care, you’ll also learn how to manage the discomfort common to knitters before it becomes an injury, and how to recognize when it’s time to seek help from a health-care professional.
NOTE: This book is only available through yarn stores and is not available on Amazon or Indigo.
The City of Toronto will be open again for in-store shopping on Monday March 8, but we are NOT REOPENING. This choice is a hard one for me to make, but the right choice isn’t always the easy choice. I don’t feel that it is safe for our staff, our clients, myself, and all of the thousands of people in our collective lives (connections fan out pretty far). Studies have found that the UK stain of COVID spreads 70% faster, is at least 30% more deadly, it affects women more than men (not great in a knitting store), and it will most likely be responsible for another lockdown in April. Local ICU doctors confirm the science, reopening is short-sighted, and they should know, they’re the ones in the trenches. I really, really, really hope that I’m wrong, and that it is safe to re-open, but all lives have value and they are too precious to take that chance.
I know everyone REALLY wants to get back the little pleasures we all took for granted a year ago, and the people-pleaser part of me is groaning to give it to you. But I can’t, it’s not right. What I can give you is this – I see and talk to a good number of people every day, and this is what I have seen throughout the last year:
The people who are focussed on what they have, have been consistently happy, and some have become even happier.
The people who have been focussed on what they do not have, have been unhappy.
The people who were previously focussed on what they don’t have, but during the pandemic came to appreciate what they do have, have become lighter, happier, less anxious, and less depressed.
Joy and happiness aren’t mysterious commodities that are doled out by the universe to some people and held back from others. They are an active choice that people make every day, they are part of a practice and a skill-set. Lots of us are raised in an environment where we aren’t taught these skills, and we don’t even know they exist. Que sera, nobody has control over the cards they’re dealt in life, but we all have complete signority over the way we play them. You have control over how you choose to view the world, connect with yourself and engage with others. The best part is, the gateway to this skill-set is simple, it’s just practicing gratitude.
Gratitude Lightens the Mood
Practicing gratitude is completely free, it’s a relaxing occupation for your brain during those little bits of down-time (plus you can knit while you do it), and it’s a heck of a lot more productive than staring at your phone. The next time you feel blah/meh/burned-out/cranky/below-baseline/etc., try listing as many things as possible that you are grateful for.
Every day, list at least 15 things that you are grateful for. At first this will feel like a lot, but quickly you’ll find you can go on and on.
When you are doing things (walking the dog, doing the laundry) look for the elements in it that you are grateful for. I’m super grateful for washing machines, I’m also grateful for that nice, crisp feeling clean sheets have on their first night.
Brain Hack: when something good happens, lean into it, savour and memorize it, take a photo or a movie of it in your mind. It’s takes 12 or more seconds for a positive experience to be stored in your memory, while negative ones are almost instantaneous (it’s called a negativity bias).
You can choose anything to be grateful for; you can be grateful for objects you have (your home), people in your life (your kids), personal attributes (your awesomeness), abstract concepts (unconditional love). Finding things to be grateful for can become a creative exercise.
One important thing – the things you are grateful for need to be positive things that you have, not things you are grateful you do not have. For example, “I am grateful I live in the first-world” works, but “I am grateful that I do not live in the third-world” doesn’t work. Say the former statements to yourself and see if you notice the difference. Even as I write and re-read them I feel a bit elevated by the former and definitely weighed down by the latter.
If you don’t see a difference in yourself right away, don’t give up! Gratitude is a practice, a neurological skill which is no different than other skills you’ve learned. When your brain learns something newit starts making new connections, neurons, and every time you practice, a little bit of myelin build’s up on the neuron (this is a very general description). Myelin increases the speed and efficiency with which signals travel down the nerve cells. The neurons responsible for the skills you are good at are covered in a thick myelin sheath, because you’ve practiced a lot. When you start something new you can expect it to be rough around the edges, and as you practice it gets better – it’s how brains work!
My last two points in favour of adopting (or deepening) a gratitutde practice …
If you’re already hanging out in your head feeling unhappy, what do you have to lose? Nothing. What do you have to gain? EVERYTHING.
I recently read or heard something (sorry, the author escapes me) very prescient: “What you do for yourself you do for the world, and what you do for the world, you do for yourself”. Everything is connected. On the micro level, your happiness has a direct connection with the people you live, work, and interact with. Not only will your happiness improve theirs, it will improve your relationships, and smooth out the waves in life. In the macro, when you elevate your joy it fans out in all directions, and much like the butterfly effect, you won’t know who or how far it will reach, but it all goes into the collective bucket.
The Fibre Company has paired up with several designers this spring for an exhibition of sock-spiration with their new (ish) sock yarn, Amble. All the Amble deets are at the bottom, below the gorgeous sockies, but to sum it up its a super soft and yummy yarn that was designed with as small an environmental footprint possible.
The Fibre Company’s yarns always come with happy energy, when I open a shipment from them it’s like meeting someone new who you know will become a good, lifelong friend. Their corporate tag-line is “Yarn for projects you’re proud of”, but their behind the scenes mantra, what really motivates them, is Sustainability (which is something that I think also takes a lot of integrity).
Anyway, ideals aside, if you want to work with a yarn that’s HAPPY, give Fibre Company Amble a whirl. The patterns below have all been knitted with Amble, and if you bought a copy of 52 Weeks of Socks you’ll definitely want to check in out, it’s ideal for textures, single coloured sock patterns. To help get this awesome yarn into your hands, Fibre Company Amble will be 10% Off from now until the end of the month (the discount will automatically be added in your chart at check-out, so you don’t need to jump through any hoops). Just promise me one thing – don’t delay this particular gratification. Don’t stash it this yarn, get it on your needles and use it NOW! Everyone needs a little boost, and everyone deserves happiness.
Hedera
Hedera by Coraline Kerisit features a delicate lace pattern reminiscent of the shape of leaves. Sample shown in Amble, shade Isel.
Mind Garden
Mind Garden by Yucca has the option for two beautiful patterns on the leg. Samples shown in Amble, shades Buttermere and Scafell Pike.
Wollaton Socks
Wollaton Socks by Emily Joy Rickard features interlinked cables moving into a rib texture across the foot. Sample shown in Amble, shade Windermere.
Mara Socks
Mara Socks by Zsuzsanna Orthodoxou features a lattice stitch and reinforced heel. Sample shown in Amble, shade Buttermere.
One Sock Pattern
To go along with Amble, The Fibre Company has also come out with a universally sized pattern called One Sock, a classic top-down sock pattern to fit all feet. With lots of opportunities to customise the fit and design, this pattern comes with the ‘One Sock Guidebook’, a resource that walks makers through the process of knitting beautiful socks that fit. You can find the pattern HERE. The pattern is written by Kate Atherly, one of the best knitting teachers I’ve ever come across. In my opinion, this pattern is a great deal for someone who is new to sock knitting. I know the pattern is supposed to be the main attraction, but I think the guidebook alone is well worth the cost of admission!
Fibre Company Amble
The Fibre Company Ambleis a soft, beautiful, and eco-friendly sock yarn! It’s super soft, squishy, and gorgeous to work with and wear. The composition is a springy 2ply fingering weight full of body. While it’s perfect for socks, it also makes great hats, mitts, shawls & wraps, sweaters – anything you want to wear against your skin. Plus, what really made me extra happy is that it’s made with environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and uses recycled nylon to further reduce its environmental footprint (read more below).
70% Easy-wash Merino wool, 20% Easy-wash alpaca, 10% recycled nylon (see below for details)
100g/325m (355 yds)
Fingering Weight
32 sts per 10 cm / 4 in
2.5 mm/1.5 US needles
Machine wash on wool cycle or hand wash at 30C / 86F. Dry flat.
You guys have been feeling kinda blah these days – I hear that! Let’s start looking towards spring for inspiration (springspiration). I’m looking forward to the brighter colours, new textures, and the refreshing little changes that a new season brings. We just got our first shipment of Berroco Remix Light, it’s so refreshing to see fun, pretty spring and summer colours!
Speaking of changes, the province may be allowing retail stores to reopen soon, but we are not going to reopen for in-store shopping until I feel comfortable that it’s safe … and I don’t feel that right now. I know it’s a bummer, and the opposite of what your weary heart wants to hear, but in challenging times doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing. Until things shift, we’re here for pick-up, shipping and delivery, and our turnaround for same-day pick-up is usually well under an hour, seven days a week. I know you are chafing at the bit to get in and see everything with your own eyes, but until that’s feasible we’re still here to help you choose the right products by email or phone.
Berroco Remix Light
We just got fresh some fresh spring stock of Berroco Remix Light, 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. It’s a Double Knitting weight yarn and can be used for any pattern that calls for that (and sometimes you can get away with Sport weight or even some Fingering weight patterns).
The kits we’ve listed on our website are set up as Pre-Orders, but if we have your colour and quantity in stock we will put your kit together right away! Our inventory is always live online, so if you want to see if we have it in stock just choose your colour in the Drop-Down Menu to see the numbers for it.
Amber Waves Kit
Amber Waves is a very cleverly designed triangular shawl. It begins at one tip and is worked sideways with a traveling charted stitch pattern to mimic waves of wheat on the plains. The finished shawl blocks out to more than 7 feet long, but only requires two balls of Berroco Remix Light.
A simple lace pattern and three balls of Berroco Remix Light make a super long scarf knitting pattern that you’ll want to wear all year long. She Stitch pattern is both written out and charted.
Two colors of Berroco Remix Light are paired together in a slipped-stitch pattern to create horizontal and vertical stripes in a large stole knitting pattern.
