Ley Lines

The chore last night was to work on accounting. That lasted until Grey's Anatomy started when I turned off the computer and started my new project. I knit for an hour and then went back to the numbers. The accounting is finished so now it's full steam ahead on the knitting. I did a bit in the store today and I love the colour. The pattern is well written and easy to follow.

Here is Joji's description of the shawl

It is amazing how our focus shifts in the most random ways and, like happened with this design, it often takes us to a very creative place when we let it wander around. The ribbing in this shawl will let your imagination and attention wander around too while you work its very simple instructions, and will leave you amazed at the direction your knitting took when you bind off the last remaining stitch.

I wasn't sure what my post was going to be about tonight when an email came in from Churchmouse Yarns. They have a new free pattern.

Alexandra's Airplane Scarf
To get the pattern, go to Churchmouse's website and add the free PDF to your cart. Then checkout.

Yes, this is knit in Kidsilk Haze Stripe. If you don't want multi-colours, you can use Kidsilk Haze.

From the Churchmouse website

When Boston-based author and long-time Churchmouse friend Alexandra Dane was recently in Seattle attending a writing retreat, she stopped by the shop wearing a scarf that turned our heads.  

It was just the kind of thing we love—simple, simple, simple, and all about the color. Just a sheer tube of lace-weight mohair pressed flat, it’s the kind of scarf we’ll knit again and again.  

We used two skeins of Kidsilk Haze Stripe for this glorious version, shown here in color 361 Chiaroscuro. It’s the perfect accessory to work on or to wear for cross-country flights (hence the name) and we’re so grateful that Alex shared it with all of us.

We have lots of Kidsilk Haze Stripe in stock. Yes, I love this yarn.

Late this afternoon Ms. UPS came in with lots of boxes from Rowan. Could it be the new magazine? I don't know. I was busy with customers so we'll open the boxes first thing in the morning.

Soakboxes

I brought out my Classic Elite Come Together kit this morning. As I was knitting away I remembered the great pictures that I took at TNNA.

The kit is 6 balls of Silky Alpaca Lace that you wind together into one ball.. You can make this great scarf plus a hat or a small cowl from the kit.

Mr. Canpar brought in a box with Malabrigo Sock. I fell in love with the colour Pocion which means a new project is going to be started tonight.

Pattern: Ley Lines from joji purchased on Ravelry

Beth finished a project last night.

Another checkerboard cowl, this time knit in one skein of madelinetosh home (the colour is mandala) on 10mm needles. I wish that you could feel the cowl, it is so soft and squishy. Perfect for the yucky weather we are having today.

We're making more room. In stock Soakboxes are on sale.

Grape Gatsby
-shepherd sock
-heel cream
-Soak
-nail polish dyed to match your yarn
Originally $60 and on sale for $40.

Fingerless Gloves with the patterns designed by Fiona Ellis. These kits were originally $50 and are on sale for $30.

Available in the store and on the website...

It's a busy TV night so I just wound a skein of Malabrigo sock to start my new project. Grey's Anatomy. How to Get Away With Murder. Top Chef. LOTS OF KNITTING!!!

April will be here before we know it

Mark your calendars. It's almost time for the Knitter's Frolic. Now we need to start planning what we'll be bringing to the show.

Cathy has been busy making hats. These were made as gifts but the model decided that she wants them so Cathy has to get her fingers going to make more.

Pattern: Cold Snap (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 3 balls of Zara Plus for the middle size

Pattern: Goldfish Hat (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: tosh sock

I'd like to show some of my knitting but the past few days have been spent on accounting. UGH!! Thankfully it's almost done and I can get the needles out again.

Spring Cleaning

There are many new yarns coming for spring. Small problem - we need room in the store. The solution - we're marking down some bulky yarns.

The Thick 'n' Thin feature of the yarn gives the knitted fabric a unique textured finish, made from 100% wool this fashion yarn is ideal for winter accessories, but will equally add definition to any knitted sweater.

Regular $9.99 a ball

Sale $6.99 a ball

See what we have in stock - don't delay because once it's sold we won't have any more until next fall.

A free pattern from Rowan - Lassan

Knit this accessory cowl, available as a free pattern to download. Designed by Heike Kruessel using the beautiful yarn Thick 'n' Thin (wool), this ribbed cowl can be knitted as either a narrow or wide version.

Keep checking back - we have more yarns to clear out.

Speaking of new yarn

The yarn is called Degrade.
100% wool made in Italy
120m on a 200gram skein
$29.99

I quickly made a cowl over the weekend.

One skein and 15mm needles. We put a twist in the cowl for a different look. The pattern will be written up tonight and we will give it to you with the purchase of a skein of Degrade.

I'm almost finished another shawl. Very close. Lynn is actually casting it off right now. Why? To make her sit down and rest for a minute. She's been on the go since 10am and won't sit down unless you make her. The second reason - I'm teaching her a new cast off.

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off as explained by Ysolda Teague - watch the video. A great edge for a shawl - it is stretchy so when you block the shawl you don't have a cast off edge that is pulled too tight. Lynn has almost finished the cast off and exclaimed that she has enjoyed doing it. It doesn't take any more time than a regular cast off.

Pattern: Auburn Wave
Yarn: 2 skeins of Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single
Needles: 4mm

Remember my Resolution
-I am going to knit 4 garments this year
-every month I am going to finish a project that has been started and sitting around the house

Auburn Wave is the second project that I finished in January so I'm holding it over until February :)

Oh yeah - a finished project so I get to start something new. I'm waiting a few days for a box to arrive from Prism.

Snow

My morning drive. It was snowing like crazy in Ancaster. There was at least 2cm of snow on the ground when I got to the store. Wilson Street is a parking lot because the highway is a parking lot.

That picture was taken at 9:30. It's now 10:40 and the snow has stopped and the sun is out. Come on weather. Make up your mind. Snow or not but don't keep changing all day.

I haven't been paying too much attention to what is happening outside - it's 11:40 and snowing again. What a crazy day. At least I (and hopefully you) don't live on the east coast of the US. They are getting ready for one heck of a storm. Think of the knitting we could accomplish if we were snowed in for a few days.

To get you thinking about spring, here are the pretty new colours that Lorna's Laces is bringing out in a few weeks.

I'm home from work. I ducked out an hour early. The snow is still coming down in Ancaster and the roads are not very nice. Glad I made it home while it was still light out. It's knitting time. I started a new series yesterday on Netflix - Bones. Not too much thinking. Great knitting TV. I'm almost finished another project. Hopefully tonight.

If you are out on the roads, please be safe.

Zen Yarn Garden

I've been knitting with yarn from Zen Yarn Garden and I'm excited about new colours that I saw at TNNA. Here are some of the great colours coming soon in Serenity Glitter Sock

Serenity Glitter Sock: 80% Superwash Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Sparkling Nylon 

3-Ply Fingering Weight | Approx. 400 yards (100 g)

 Atlantis

The yarns from Zen Yarn Garden are made in Canada and dyed in Canada.

 Coast Guard

 Crocus

 Eclipse

 Hypnotic

 Lake Mist

 Mahogany

 Mambo

 Marooned

 Moody

 Sienna

Vixen

Two skeins of Serenity Glitter Sock will make the Plank Stole. One skein will make a scarf version. When I went to Ravelry to get a link to the pattern I found a link to a video on 5 different ways to wear the Plank Stole.

 

Of course I did some searching on Ravelry. Roxanne (from Zen Yarn Garden) knit a great shawl. She said that I could use her pictures as long as I gave credit to Gail Zucker - she took the awesome photos.

Pattern: Point of View (purchased on Ravelry)

Worked sideways, this asymmetrical-triangle shawl is shaped with short rows. It features seed stitch sections in a contrasting color. 

You’ll need about 400 yds for the main color and about 260 for the contrasting color. 

Finished Measurements: 61” wide (across top edge), 22” deep

Quick, finish up a few of the projects that you have hidden under the couch so you can start something new when the yarn arrives. :)

For every project you finish...

Cathy dropped by this morning wearing her Techincolor Cowl. She says that it is one of her favourite cowls to wear.

She didn't want her picture taken so I promised to cut off her head. I'm bad at taking pictures but not that bad - it was planned :)

We picked out colours for her to knit another one. I can't wait to see it finished.

Rebecca and her husband were in with cans for the food drive. 48 cans of soup and 10 juice boxes. She is very serious about winning! Thank you for the awesome donation.

Thank you to Dalia and Michael for the huge basket of cans. It was the end of the day and I didn't get a picture but everyone is taking this seriously. Thanks!!

What have I been working on? I'm finishing up an Auburn Wave that has been almost finished for a while.

Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single - 2 skeins in Botanical. The cool thing about Zen Yarn Gardens is that their yarns are made and dyed in Canada.

Remember, for every project that you finish you get to start two new ones. Yes, you can quote me on that :)