Category Archives: book

New Book – Gifted by Mags Kandis

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Gifted by Mags Kandis  ~ $24.95

I don’t recall why this great book is a little late arriving, but it is here – Yay! Gifted joins a growing genre among knitting books – patterns for gift type projects. Like it’s progenitors, Gifted is great because they are full of smallish, fast, patterns that aren’t overly complicated. It’s high on instant gratification and satisfaction, and of course, offers up a series of projects that you’ll want to make for yourself or offer as gifts.  I especially like the assortment of projects, which encompass different kinds of gift giving, including holiday gifts, baby gifts, hostess gifts, gifts for knitters, friendship gifts, mothers’ day gifts. There’s a good number of little felted projects, and most of the patterns are simple and aren’t particularly fussy.  The art direction is also nice with simple and homey – I lifestyle covered in little felted embellishments that you’ll want to climb into and get cozy. The only thing wanting is the lack of projects for manly gifts. Regardless, you’ll get a lot of use out of this book and enjoy it!

Check out the patterns in this book HERE.

To find our store go HERE.

Kate Jacobs Live!

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Cool news! Author Kate Jacobs will be joining our Stitch ‘n Bitch us via Skype to talk about her latest book Knit the Season, the third book in the Friday Night Kitting Club series!  


Join us Thursday November 4th at 6pm! Plus, we’ll be giving away an autographed copy of the book!! Also, contact us to reserve an autographed copy for purchase: (416) 653-7849 or info (at) knitomatic (dot) com


You can read the first chapter online. The paperback edition will be on sale Nov 2nd. 


Join the event on Facebook, or just pop in to the store!

New Book – Knitting at Home (Ella Rae Designs)

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Knititng at Home: 60 Classics from Ella Rae Designs, by Leanne Prouse ~ $31.95

This book is a great surprise!  It’s main theme is  projects for the home or farting around the house, and of course it is beautifully art directed, so you’ll want to slide right into the relaxed lives of the people in the pictures (Why does time move so slowly in their world and so fast in mine?). The styling extends to the projects, they are all classics that can fit into any home. The familiar cast of characters is here, there are different blankets, pillows, hot water bottle covers, and tea cozies. Some of the patterns explore colour, some play with texture, some are simple and some more involved. There are several somethings for everyone. Some cozy, homey garments are also thrown in, including a couple simple sweaters, socks, a scarf, a bag, and some simple gauntlets.  There are some felted patterns, including a bird mobile/hangy thing, a purse, an ottoman, a hat, and slippers (on cover).  Now here’s where it gets interesting – they’ve very conveniently included some baby & kid stuff! For kids there are felted boots (adorable), a felted bag, an aran pullover,an aran jacket, and dolls with their own sweaters. For babies there are some cute felted slippers, a felted doll with clothes (I guess so it can be washed frequently?), one crocheted blanket and four really nice baby blankets. 

The book is also organized in an interesting way – by room. Each room get’s it’s own design principle and palette. All of the palettes in the book match and are unified by neutrals, but each room has its own distinct mood, theme, and colour that represents it. I suspect that this book would be good inspiration for decorating you home, in addition to the patterns. 

NEW Book: Cowl Girls!

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Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron  $25.95

I’ve been waiting for Cowl Girls to arrive since this summer and I’m elated it’s finally here!  It’s a great collection of Cowls (knitted tubular things that go around your neck and keep you warm).  The collection is a bit eclectic, and there’s some seriously questionable stuff in there, so just tear out some pictures you like from a magazine and cover them up, because there are lots of pieces that you will want to make for yourself and others. Hint-hint. Cowls are great holiday gifts: small, fast, affordable, and impressive. 

Here are some of my faves (by the way, there are really great photos of the projects on Ravelry, follow the links):

Mohair is Better: make it in a solid, click to see.

Silver Streak

Fit to be Tied





New Book! Brave New Knits

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Brave new Knits is a compilation of patterns from different designers who are all knit bloggers.  The contents are mixed, part familiar names and part new fare. Among the freshmen are notable works by Melissa Wehrle (aka. Neoknits), Teresa Gregorio (aka. Canary Sanctuary), and Ruth P. (aka. Wooly Wormhead). Familiar faces include Jared Flood (aka. Brooklyn Tweed), Norah Gaughan, Wendy Bernard (aka. Knit and Tonic), Ysolda Teague, Kristi Porter, Joam McGowan-Michael, Kat Coyle, Shannon Okey, Kathy Veeza (aka. Grumperina), Jordana Paige, and Stefanie Japel. 
And very cleverly, they’ve set up a Facebook Page for the book! And of course, since it’s a blogger’s book, the author, Julie Turjoman, has been blogging it too! She has also graciously uploaded all of the projects in the book to Ravelry, so you can get a good gander. 
Origami Shrug by Melissa Wehrle (aka. Neoknits)
Global Cable Coat by Jennifer Hagan (aka Figknits)
Hydrangea Neckwarmer by Anne Hanson (aka Knitspot)
Orchid Thief by Ysolda Teague 
Textured Tam by Wendy Bernard (aka. Knit and Tonic)

Berroco Booklet 298: Tweed!

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Berroco Booklet 298: Blackstone Tweed & Tweed Chunky – $8.50

Check out this great scarf pattern called Payson in the new Berroco Booklet 298!  It is made with 3 balls of Berroco Blackstone Tweed.  


Baudelaire in Blackstone Tweed


Dickens in Blackstone Tweed Chunky


New Book: Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery

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Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery
Check out Veronik Avery’s great new book, Knitting 24/7!  It is full of great patterns, mostly small and medium sized projects for hats, gloves, mitts, scarves, shawls, bags, slippers, a headband, a tea cozy, a bookmark, a pillow, a vest, and a nice pullover. In other words, it’s a book you’ll use – frequently!
You can also download a FREE pattern from the book for the Cabled Beret. 

NEW! Knitting Mochimochi!

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Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi $23.99
By Anna Hrachovec
If you aren’t already familiar with Mochimochi, you’re due.  Before the book, there was Mochimochi Land, and now you can take it home with you! These toys are so cute you’ll start stocking up on safety eyes.  And they are all knitted, so if you don’t crochet or don’t want to, you are in luck! Check out an interview with the author on Kathryn Ivy.

New Book: New England Knits!

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New England Knits  $24.95
by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre  
This is a great new book from Interweave Press, full of classic shapes and looks that are still interesting to knit and wear. There are a variety of skill levels, some patterns are easier and some a little more involved, but all are lovely! 

New Book: Design It, Knit It Babies by Debbie Bliss

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Design It, Knit It Babies by Debbie Bliss $31.95 (hardcover)
“Design It, Knit It Babies” is the follow-up to Debbie Bliss’s great adult book “Design It, Knit It”.  It comes with all of her knowledge and experience, but this time specializes in knits for babies. Each chapter comes with 2 patterns for all kinds for baby knits (cardies, blankets, jackets, pullovers, dresses, itts, scarf, beret, and legwarmers). Additionally, it includes knitter’s graph paper, alphabet charts and nursery motif charts. There are even pictures at the back you can use to make hand made tags for your gifts! A great resource for sure!