Category Archives: holiday

Holiday Ornament Knits

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There are a lot of decoration projects & pattern ideas out there (see the links below) but I’ve rounded up a few for you that have caught my eye …

December Bow

I can totally see myself getting caught up in making these bows …. either a bunch for myself or give them as little gifts. They’re very charming, kind of semiotically neutral, and essentially a pretty basic knit. The December Bow is worked back and forth in one piece from tip to tip in garter stitch with i-cord edges. The work is folded into a bow and sewn together at the end following the diagram with instructions that can be found at the end of the pattern. The money from the sale of December Bow will go to Save the Children in the time period between the 1st of December 2022 and 1st of December 2023.

Materials

Yarn Alternatives

You’ll need 100m of each of the two yarns above, or 100m of a DK weight yarn like the following:

Snowman

Another winter creature, the snowperson is a delight for everyone’s eyes. To help your snowpeople stand tall, try putting some metal washers in their bottoms (you can get them at the hardware store) – it will improve their balance immensely.

Yarn Options

Double knitting weight yarn is perfect for this project – I love a textured yarn like Drops Soft Tweed, but I know some people like the simple grace of a pure merino like Sandnes Garn Double Sunday. If you want to keep things cheap ‘n cheerful go for Berroco Vintage Baby (it comes in 50g balls), or if you want a village of snowpeople you can also opt for Berroco Vintage DK in 100g skeins.

Materials

I prefer shorter double-pointed needles for little projects like this: either the 5″ DPNS from Clover, the 6″ DPNs from Knitters Pride, or the 8″ Flexi-Flips from Addi

Christmas Wreath, Holly & Mistletoe

There are a lot of wreath patterns out there, for all seasons and occasions, but I just kind of enjoyed this one because it’s so leafy – I love the idea of using different shades of greens and different textures of yarn to recreate a natural abundance.

Yarn Options

Materials

Little Tanenbaum

This must be one of the easiest patterns goings …. a simple tree ornament. This pattern is great for less experienced knitters … that pattern PDF even has links to video tutorials for the skills.

Materials

Crochet Christmas Tree

This adorable little tree is a simple crochet (only chain and single crochet are used), and it comes with a free video tutorial to walk you through it! Make one, make a forest, and decorate them with little beads for ornaments or leave them in their natural state.

Yarn Options

Materials

Never Not Gnoming

Gnomes can be knit mini (ornament) sized with fingering weight yarn, or start upsizing with a thicker yarn and make yours a super-gnome! Whatever you choose will be marvelous …. you’ll never stock gnoming! Go down approximately 1 mm from the recommended needle size to get a tight tension.

Materials

SALE ENDS SOON! & Long Weekend Hours

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Labour Day Weekend Store Hours

I’m needed by my family this weekend for an 80th birthday party, followed by my sister-in-law’s departure for her first academic conference (we’re so proud of her!), so I’m taking an extra day off this Saturday. The last weekend of the summer is not traditionally a busy one in the yarn store, so I don’t think you’ll miss me too, too much. I adore it when you come by, but I also love it when people are out taking advantage of beautiful weather and just enjoying life.

Friday: 12 pm to 6 pm

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: CLOSED

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: 12 pm to 6 pm

My current reading suggestion is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. You can read it on paper, digitally download it, or get it as an audiobook (which is read by the author), so you can knit/crochet/wash dishes/walk/run/get your nails done while you read. It is also accompanied by a chapter-by-chapter podcast with Oprah (stream free online or on any podcast service, including Spotify), so you can test the water and see if it’s for you, and if it is, you can read along with the author, lady-O, and regular people asking really good questions. I feel kind of silly having come so late to the Tolle party (especially after seeing Oprah’s podcast was recorded in early 2019), but I guess I wasn’t ready. Now that I’m here I see exactly why Oprah has been such a fan. Tolle isn’t just talking about spiritual life, he’s talking about LIFE (or to the point, spiritual life IS life).

If you’re at a place where you want to change yourself, your life and our world for the better, this book is a great point of reference to help you level up. Just one caveat – people who are negative and aren’t ready to leave that state won’t get this book (and judging by the reviews online it seems to make them really angry). If you have a negative person in your life, giving them this book won’t ‘fix’ them – they have to be open to healing themselves. People who aren’t quite ready, but are getting there, might read a chapter or two but it won’t stick, it’ll sort of go through them – if this is you or a loved one it’s a good sign, hold on to the book, it’ll be there for you when it’s needed next. Anyway, the best books are always the ones you can read over and over and get something new from each time.

Effortless Cardigan

Get your fall off to a great start with a simple cardie you can wear everywhere, all the time. The Effortless Cardigan is made with a simple worsted weight yarn and ONE pair of 4.5mm – 32″ circular needles. It’s knit from the top-down in one piece (the underside of the sleeves are seamed, but if you prefer you can knit them in the round). The pattern is free, and there are a range of affordable yarn options, so if you end up loving your sweater you can keep making them and fill your wardrobe!

See Finished Projects

Size

  • Finished Bust (not including front bands) 34 (38.5, 42, 45.5, 49.5)” in.” or (86.5 (98, 106.5, 115.5, 125.5) cm)

Yarn Options

  • Berroco Vintage: Super soft, machine washable, blend of wool & synthetic. ($10.47 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Drops Air: Cozy and light – super soft baby alpaca blown in an airy nylon core. ($10.97 ea) – 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash: Soft, machine washable, 100% Peruvian wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($13.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Berroco Summer Sesame: Great for warm climates … light, machine-washable, colourful and slightly textured (go up a size in the pattern). SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97) – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Super soft, machine washable, 100% Merino wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($15.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Malabrigo Rios: Super soft, hand-dyed, machine washable, 100% Merino wool. We suggest alternating skeins to get the best colour distribution. ($23.97 ea) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls

Other Materials

SEE ALL SALE PRODUCTS

Our SUMMER SALE is ending Sept 5th! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).

See our Past Project Ideas For:

Berroco Remix Light: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Kestrel: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Sparrow: SALE $11.22 (Reg $14.97)

See Projects

Berroco Summer Sesame: SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97)

See Projects

Rico Creative So Cool So Soft: SALE $8.98 (Reg. $11.97)

See Projects

Berroco Pima Soft: SALE $7.48 (Reg. $9.97)

See Projects

Assorted Crafty Kits 25% Off

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!

ORANGE SHIRT DAY Knits

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September 30th is Canada’s first official National Day for TRUTH and Reconciliation, but before it was a federal holiday it was know as Orange Shirt Day. While every day should be Orange Shirt Day, I thought today was a good time to revisit some Canadian Indigenous contributions to knitting.

On a serious note, this is a holiday that recognizes an immense cultural trauma, but not everyone can handle other people’s pain, they’ve got enough of their own to unpack. If you aren’t at a place where you can connect, I suggest following the very wise insights of Resmaa Menakem and work on processing your own cultural guck … after all, on this side of the pond the vast majority of us are immigrants, and from my perspective, nobody moves to Canada for the weather. Plus, why lug around a bag of stuff that makes you unhappy, when you can work towards sending it to the curb? The great thing about the universe is that all energy is recycled, there aren’t any landfills!

But back to the knits ….

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Indigenous Designer: Jessie Mae Martinson

I found some gorgeous patterns by Jessie Mae Martinson, an incredibly talented indigenous designer from the US (I tracked her down through BIPOC in Fiber). She designs pretty little tops & bottoms, great for warm weather. Her patterns are size inclusive and priced on a “choose what you pay” scale.

To make the sweater above choose a fingering weight yarn (Cascade Heritage, Artfil Belle, Fibre Co Amble, Fleece Artist Merino Slim are all perfect, Fibre Co Meadow would also be lovely) as the base and pair it with a fuzzy yarn like Drops Kid Silk. The base yarn will be the dominant colour and the mohair will create a halo effect.

Stories & Patterns: Sylvia Olsen

I also came across the book, Knitting Stories: Personal Essays and Seven Coast Salish-inspired Knitting Patterns (2014) by Sylvia Olsen, which you can buy as a Ravelry Download or as a soft cover from Sononis Press. You can also download 7 of the patterns individually. Alexa Ludman of Tin Can Knits highly recommends the book!

Olsen is non-native, but has spent much of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. She is also author of the very recently published Unravelling Canada: A Knitting Odyssey (2021) and Working with Wool (2010), which received the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing. She has several knitting patterns available as downloads on Ravelry. I’ve only just discovered Olsen’s work, but if you’ve read her books please let me know what you thought!

I also found an interview with Sylvia Olsen on the Cabin Boy Knits Podcast!

Photo: Joshua Lawrence

Infinity Scarf

If you want to make the cowl above, I suggest using Cascade Heritage in colours 5742 Silver Grey Heather, 5631 Charcoal Heather, and 5672 Black. This pattern also includes a link to a video of Sylvia Olsen demonstrating Intuitive Colourwork (I don’t know what that is either, but it sounds interesting, I might have to buy the pattern to find out).

It would also be GORGEOUS made with Fibre Co Amble in Scaefel Pike (light brown), Fair Hill (medium brown), and Saddleback Slate (dark grey) …. the colours are all heathered, so they keep that ‘sheepy’ look, but they are soft as a puppy, so you can skip the itchy, sheepy feel.

Photo: Jane Richmond

West Coast Cardigan

Should you now be feeling inspired to whip up your own Cowichan sweater, consider Canadian designer Jane Richmond’s West Coast Cardigan, which is not a real Cowichan sweater, but is respectfully inspired by the traditional style of the Cowichan Sweaters of the Coast Salish people. I suggest using Drops Andes, or for a more contemporary look try a blown yarn like Drops Wish.

More Insight: Articles & Documentaries

For those who are academically inclined or just want more context, I also found a journal article from 2012: The Coast Salish Knitters and the Cowichan Sweater: An Event of National Historic Significance, by Marianne P. Stopp. You can download it HERE (it takes a few seconds to load the site) or HERE.

Photos by Jeffrey Bosdet

And if journal articles aren’t your speed, I also found a nice little article in a lifestyle Magazine from Victoria: The Story of the Cowichan Sweaters.

A Canadian Indigenous Knitting Tradition

I also came across an older documentary made in 2000 for the NFB about the Coast Salish Knitters. I like this film, it’s older, but it addresses the complicated and often exploitative history connected with the makers of these sweaters. For us knitting is a leisure activity, but it’s important to keep in mind that for many of the families involved in the production of these sweaters, knitting meant the difference between starving and survival.

STORE HOURS Canada Day Long Weekend

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Canada Day Long Weekend Store Hours

Wednesday June 30: 12:30 pm to 6 pm

Thursday July 1: CLOSED

Friday July 2: CLOSED

Saturday July 3: 12 pm to 4 pm

Sunday July 4: CLOSED

Monday July 5: 11 am to 6 pm

Normally around holidays I post a free pattern for a project that’s somewhat related to the holiday, and around Canada Day it’s usually something maple-leafy or involving a beaver or a Canada Goose. Recent events have me thinking about this holiday, and what our country’s birthday means in a broader sense. I wanted to feature designs by Canadian Indigenous designers of knit/crochet patterns, but disappointingly nothing turned up. My research was limited to a day and unfortunately I didn’t have the time to start digging below the surface, so if you know of any please send me a note and I’ll update this blog post and include them.

What I did manage to extract from the interweb follows ….

Photo: Jessie Mae Martinson

Indigenous Designer

I found some gorgeous patterns by Jessie Mae Martinson, an incredibly talented indigenous designer from the US (I tracked her down through BIPOC in Fiber). She designs pretty little tops & bottoms, great for warm weather. Her patterns are size inclusive and priced on a “choose what you pay” scale. If you want a summer yarn to make her projects designed in fingering weight yarn, try Quince & Co Sparrow. For the DK weight I’d go for Kelbourne Woolens Mojave (no wool, it’s just super soft cotton and linen in gorgeous colours).

Canadian Indigenous Knitting Tradition

I also came across an older documentary made in 2000 for the NFB about the Coast Salish Knitters. I like this film, it’s older, but it addresses the complicated and often exploitative history connected with the makers of these sweaters. For us knitting is a leisure activity, but it’s important to keep in mind that for many of the families involved in the production of these sweaters, knitting meant the difference between starving and survival.

See the bottom of this page for a couple of articles on the Cowichan Sweaters of the Coast Salish people.

I also came across the book, Knitting Stories: Personal Essays and Seven Coast Salish-inspired Knitting Patterns (2014) by Sylvia Olsen, which you can buy as a Ravelry Download or as a soft cover from Sononis Press. You can also download 7 of the patterns individually. Alexa Ludman of Tin Can Knits highly recommends the book!

Olsen is non-native, but has spent much of her life living in Tsartlip First Nation, where her children and grandchildren now live. She is also author of the very recently published Unravelling Canada: A Knitting Odyssey (2021) and Working with Wool (2010), which received the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing. She has several knitting patterns available as downloads on Ravelry. I’ve only just discovered Olsen’s work, but if you’ve read her books please let me know what you thought!

Photo: Joshua Lawrence

If you want to make the cowl above, I suggest using Cascade Heritage in colours 5742 Silver Grey Heather, 5631 Charcoal Heather, and 5672 Black. This pattern also includes a link to a video of Sylvia Olsen demonstrating Intuitive Colourwork (I don’t know what that is either, but it sounds interesting, I might have to buy the pattern to find out).

Photo: Jane Richmond

Should you now be feeling inspired to whip up your own Cowichan sweater, consider Canadian designer Jane Richmond’s West Coast Cardigan, which is not a real Cowichan sweater, but is respectfully inspired by the traditional style of the Cowichan Sweaters of the Coast Salish people. I suggest using Drops Andes, or for a more contemporary look try a blown yarn like Drops Wish.

More Insight

For those who are academically inclined or just want more context, I also found a journal article from 2012: The Coast Salish Knitters and the Cowichan Sweater: An Event of National Historic Significance, by Marianne P. Stopp. You can download it HERE (it takes a few seconds to load the site) or HERE. I’ll be reading this over the long weekend!

Photos by Jeffrey Bosdet

And if journal articles aren’t your speed, I also found a nice little article in a lifestyle Magazine from Victoria: The Story of the Cowichan Sweaters.

STORE HOURS Victoria Day + Summer Hours

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Porcupine lace Washcloth by Jennifer Hansen, featuring a mid-Victorian lace pattern

Victoria Day Weekend

Saturday May 22: 11 am to 5pm

Sunday May 23: CLOSED

Monday May 24: CLOSED

Porcupine Lace Wash Cloth

Crochet Grocery Bag by Knit-O-Matic

Summer Store Hours: May 23 to Sept 13

We’re shifting over to our Summer Store Hours after the Victoria Day long weekend, so please note that we are CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. We go back to the regular store schedule the week of September 13th.

Monday to Saturday: 11 am to 5pm

Sunday: CLOSED

Crochet Grocery Bag

STORE HOURS Easter Weekend

easter chicks.jpg
Photo & Free Pattern: fuzzymiten

Easter Weekend Store Hours

Friday April 2:  Closed

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.

Skill Level: Beginner/Easy Peasy, Age 10+

STORE HOURS Mother’s Day, Victoria Day + Summer Hours

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Mother’s Day Washcloths by Purl Soho

Mother’s Day Weekend

Saturday May 11: 11 am to 6pm

Sunday May 12: CLOSED

Porcupine lace Washcloth by Jennifer Hansen, featuring a mid-Victorian lace pattern

Victoria Day Weekend

Saturday May 18: 11 am to 6pm

Sunday May 19: CLOSED

Monday May 20: CLOSED

Crochet Grocery Bag by Knit-O-Matic

Summer Store Hours: May 22 to Sept 15

We’re shifting over to our Summer Store Hours after the Victoria Day long weekend, so please note that the daytime Sit & Knit moves to MONDAY & SATURDAY, and we are CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. We go back to the regular store schedule the week of September 16th.

Monday: 11 am to 6pm (Sit & Knit: 12 to 4pm)

Tuesday: 11 am to 6pm

Wednesday: 11 am to 8pm (Sit & Knit: 5 to 8pm)

Thursday: 11 am to 6pm

Friday : 11 am to 6pm

Saturday: 11 am to 6pm (Sit & Knit: 1 to 4pm)

Sunday: CLOSED

Holiday Hours: Easter & Passover

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Photo: Sara Elizabeth Kellner

HOLIDAY STORE HOURS

Friday April19: CLOSED

Saturday April 20: CLOSED

Sunday April 21: 11 am to 6 pm

Monday April 22: 11 am to 6 pm

Bluebird of Happiness

I adore this little bird, and little holiday projects are a great way to use up small quantities of leftover yarn. Wouldn’t it make a super special garland you can pull out for decoration every spring?

  • FREE Pattern
  • worsted weight yarn
  • 3.5mm/US4 double pointed needles
  • stuffing

STORE HOURS Canada Day Long Weekend

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canada goose

Holiday Store Hours

Friday, June 29: 11am – 6pm

Saturday, June 30: 11am – 6pm  (Stitch ‘n Bitch: 1 – 4pm)

Sunday July 1: CLOSED

Monday July 2: CLOSED

Tuesday, July 3: 11am – 6pm  (Stitch ‘n Bitch: 12 – 4pm)

 

Betsy’s Goose

Celebrate the birth of your country by crafting yourself the perfect Canada Goose – no attitude and no poop!

 

goose combo