Notions

Happy Halloween. We forgot about jack o' lanterns so Beth bought pumpkins this morning. There wasn't a lot of selection and there definitely wasn't time to carve. She bought eyes at Party Packagers and got out her Sharpie. The eyes light up but the picture didn't turn out.

Last year we didn't have many kids. This year has been different. It's like they came by bus. There has been so many that Beth is standing on the front porch to hand out candy. There was no sense coming in because she'd close the door and more kids were here.

Mr Canada Post was at the store bright and early with two boxes. The first was from Cocoknits.

The Small Stitch Markers are so cute.

These are the mini version of our popular ring stitch markers. They are brightly colored and easily seen when marking rounds, increases, decreases, and stitch patterns. Made of nylon coated steel. Stitch markers accommodate up to US 7 / 4.5mm needle.

Stitch Stoppers

Colorful EVA foam plugs that slide all the way onto needles (not just on the tip) to secure your stitches. They also slip onto interchangeable needle cords to keep your stitches from sliding off while you try on your top-down garment or use your needles elsewhere.

Small Stitch Stoppers work for cords and needles up to size US 8 / 5mm.

Yarn Snips

This rustic, one-piece snip is made of forged black steel and comes packaged in a kraft tube for easy portability and storage. 4" in length.

See all the notions...

The second box was from Blue Sky Fibers. Lots and lots of Woolstok.

Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok is strong and sturdy and gently plied. Shows off pattern and texture in crisp relief, making it an ideal yarn for these warm cabled accessories. Surprisingly soft, lofty and light - you can almost feel the lanolin in this select 100% Peruvian Fine Highland Wool. A wonderfully expansive palette of twenty-one colors inspired by the craggy, unspoiled terrain of Peru.

Last week when it was really cold out I wore the Endless Wrap. I love it.

 

I think I really need it in 1309 Earth Ivy. I'm not a green person but this colour is calling me.

Beth has come in three times now for more chocolate. We're on the last box - I hope the kids start to slow down. I have a small pile set aside for myself and I'm afraid that Beth is going to take them.

Merinda

Yesterday afternoon I took a few minutes on Ravelry to see what people have knit with Skinny Singles. I came across this pattern from Ambah O'Brien. How come I haven't noticed this before?

Pattern: Merinda (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 3 skeins of fingering weight yarn

Eye-popping neons, speckled hand-dyes, elegant neutrals…
Merinda is an opportunity to let your colour style shine.
Written for three colours, it is easily adapted to suit any combination. Plus, Merinda’s rhythmic increases pair with asymmetrical triangular shaping to create a shawl that is terrific to knit and easy to wear. Sublime!

Suitable for an advanced beginner knitter.

Speaking of Skinny Singles, I've been working away on Outline today.

 

They're not here yet but I've been tracking the package. The US Post website says that they should be delivered early this week.

Mom and dad have another group of visitors this week. Lucy is loving all the attention. She is looking HUGE. Dad says that she can rest her head on the kitchen table now.

Derecho

This morning I put on a shawl that has been hanging in the store but I've never worn.

Pattern: Derecho by Laura Aylor (purchase on Ravelry)
The shawl above is knit in Mrs. Crosby Satchel and below in tosh sock.

I've loved this shawl from the first time I saw the pattern. Since I can't knit fast enough Lynda knit our store samples. I own the pattern and one day soon I'm going to make it.

Derecho - Spanish for ‘direct or straight ahead’. A derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. One of these storms hit here in the eastern United States while I was working on my second knit of this pattern.

A triangular shawl knit modularly in two directions to produce a pattern of interconnected stripes. Two circular needles are used to knit on one side at a time while keeping the other side’s stitches live.

Techniques: garter stitch, knit in front and back increase, picking up stitches

Lucy is loving Myrtle Beach. Mom sent this picture to Beth but Beth didn't really look at where Lucy was lying. The hardwood and patterned carpet are the living room and the grey carpet is the sun room. There is a step down between the rooms. Lucy's body is in the living room and her ears are touching the sun room floor. She is a weird dog :)

New Needles = New Project

They're here. The new special edition interchangeable needle set from Knitter's Pride.

Each limited edition set includes:

Nine pairs of vibrant color-coded Zing needles in US 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, and 11 (3.5, 3.75, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 & 8.0mm) that carry laser-marked sizes. 
Four color coded cables: one 24"(60cm - green), two 32" (80cm - orange), and one 40" (100cm - red).  
An assortment of knitting accessories: set of cord connectors, wool needles, and stitch holders, all packed in a coordinated monogrammed fabric pouch.
Everything is beautifully packaged in a box that is perfect for gifting. The Melodies of Life gift set is sure to top every knitter's wish list this holiday season!

I wanted to try the needles but it had to be a quick and easy project. The Inspira Cowl was the perfect choice. The pattern is free on Ravelry. I do the Steampunk Version with no shaping.

I'm using Liberty - 78119 for the main colour and 78126 for the contrast.

Yes, I love making the Inspira Cowl. These are cowls that I have made in the past.

The needles are very nice to knit with. The join is good - the yarn doesn't catch. The yarn slides nicely on the needles. I will say that they aren't as slippery as Addis. There is a touch of a drag. This isn't a bad thing - not everyone likes using Addis because they are afraid that their stitches will slide off.

Now the best news. The interchangeable set is $116. What an amazing gift for someone.

I'm going to join some tips and cast on stitches in the store so that you can try the needles.

If you live out of town, we'll ship. See the set on the website...

I was up early and got my day going. There has been a bit of accounting. Then the procrastinator in me said 'Why not write today's blog post - you can do the accounting tomorrow' so I did.

Winds

Churchmouse Yarns knit their new pattern, Fair Winds Beanie and Scarf (purchase the pattern on Ravelry) in Woolstok from Blue Sky Alpacas. The wind was howling at our house this morning and the scarf and beanie would have been great.

This nautical blessing describes that happy confluence of good fortune and the good sense to go with the flow. The simple braid pattern on the scarf has cable twists on alternating sides for complete reversibility. The cables on the cap converge neatly at the crest. Both promise smooth sailing!

Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok is strong and sturdy and gently plied. Shows off pattern and texture in crisp relief, making it an ideal yarn for these warm cabled accessories. Surprisingly soft, lofty and light - you can almost feel the lanolin in this select 100% Peruvian Fine Highland Wool. A wonderfully expansive palette of twenty-one colors inspired by the craggy, unspoiled terrain of Peru.

Beanie is knit in the round; scarf is knit flat. Instructions for both are given in text format, with charts for following cable patterns.

You'll need 2 skeins for the hat and 6 skeins for the scarf (8 skeins for a set).

We have a good selection of Woolstok with more arriving next week.

A customer was in earlier today looking for a knitting bag. I suggested that she take a look at ZigZag Stitches. Catherine has an Etsy store with many great designs and fabrics. These bags are made in Canada so the shipping time is quick. And you are paying in Canadian dollars.

Formerly known as my "sock project size", the generous dimensions of this bag will hold a project such as socks, mittens, a hat, a scarf, or a baby sweater. Knitting needles up to 11 inches long (28 cm) will fit. It's also great for carrying toiletries, small toys, or baby items. The handle/strap is long enough to carry over the arm as a wristlet.

 Lynn has a few different bags and is very happy with the quality.

A Boxy Bag is great for storing and transporting small knitting or craft projects, cosmetics, small toys, or baby items. Knitting needles or crochet hooks up to 8 inches long (20 cm) will fit. Enough yarn for a pair of socks, and double pointed or circular needles fit perfectly. The handle/strap is long enough to carry over the arm as a wristlet.

Take your small knitting or crochet project out in style in this handy drawstring bag. It's a lot cuter than a plastic bag! Socks, mittens, or any one-skein project will fit. My drawstring bags have a padded lining to protect your knitting needles and help prevent them from poking through the fabric. The bag will stand on its own, even when empty.
You can keep the yarn in the bag and hang the bag on your wrist while knitting. This is perfect for commuter knitting, for showing off at your knit night, or for keeping your knitting projects organized at home. The drawstring with a cord-lock holds the bag closed.

Clue 2 was started last night. Beth had to pause Survivor while I was picking up stitches along the I-Cord but we're on track and ready to go. I don't want to complain but the rows are getting very long :)

Hedgehog

We greeted Mr. Canada Post this morning with a cheer. He brought our box from Hedgehog Fibres. What a great way to start the day.

Skinny Singles still in the bag. We have 55 colours in stock.

It's been hard trying to do work. I just want to play with the yarn.

 

While we were putting the yarn away, Alex came in with her latest project. She is knitting Warm-Hearted (pattern free on Knitty.com) in Skinny Singles.

Outline is growing - it's the perfect World Series project because I have the pattern memorized.

Twist sock was in the box as well.

80% Blue Faced Leicester wool and 20% nylon, superwash. Hard-wearing fingering weight yarn with a high twist in the ply. Great stitch definition, best suited for sock knitting. That tight twist will keep precious hand knit socks in shape wash after wash after wash. Soft, yet durable and machine washable. Best of both worlds!

Lynn is working on Embossed Leaves (pattern purchased on Ravelry) with one skein of Twist Sock in Glacier.

It's time to put together some colour combinations for Shock Waves.

Big Wool

Rowan Big Wool just went on sale for 25% off. Now is the time to stock up. 

Big wool is a very popular yarn with designers and knitters alike. Made from soft 100% wool, Big Wool is easy to knit and produces designs with amazing cabling and stitch structure effects.

Here are some pattern suggestions. The Traveller Scarf is a free download on Ravelry.

Download Eveline...

One of my all time favourite scarves. You can purchase the pattern for the Tangle Scarf on Ravelry...

I'd take the Celtic Cable Scarf as well. Another Martin Storey design that you can purchase on Ravelry.

We have a great selection of colours right now.

Check out the other Rowan yarns that are on sale.

Game 1 of the World Series is on and I've been knitting on Building Blocks. I finally finished the first clue and am about to start Clue 2.

If the tracking online is correct, the shipment from Hedgehog Fibres should be coming in the morning. The minute it arrives Lynn will start unpacking and I will update the website. I can't wait to see what's in the box.

Wrap Jacket

 

Sally Melville wore this amazing jacket/wrap at Camp. It's her newest design and the pattern just went live on Ravelry. 

Campers tried it on and it looked great on everyone.

I called this a wrap jacket, not because it overlaps or ties in front … but because it is a cross between a wrap (a rectangular shawl) and a jacket—and functions beautifully as both!

It is a one-size-fits-all piece that is both easy to knit and to wear. For two weeks after I made it, I wore it every day—over a dress, a shirt, a sweater, even my pajamas! I am now thinking I need to knit a second version, in an alternate colour, but am finding the chartreuse surprisingly versatile!

What makes it easy to knit is that it has absolutely no shaping and only 2 tiny, near-invisible seams.

What makes it easy to wear is that it is spacious enough to slip over most anything!

There are notes in the pattern for how to add circumference or how to choose an appropriate substitute yarn. And there is a photo for the two tiny seams you will execute!

Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

You can use any Aran weight yarn
-Cascade 220 Superwash Aran
-tosh merino
-tosh vintage
-tosh chunky
-Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran Tonals
-Rowan Hemp Tweed

The closure is made by JUL. It screws in, so can be used for any number of projects.

I stopped at Home Depot this afternoon to pick up paint swatches. We're painting the shed. My original plan was pale grey with a dark grey/purple trim. But then we decided that might be boring so now I'm looking at colour. How wild is yet to be decided.

Snowflakes

Cathy brought in her latest FO - a very pretty scarf.
Pattern: Snowflake Party (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: One skein of Yarn and Soul

Tiny snowflakes are my favorite things in nature: They are fascinating geometric little creatures, delicate and short- lived. When I take a walk in winter and the wind blows some of them on the sleeve of my coat, I look at them with my kids, and they make all of us smile. The shape of the water molecules forming them is such that snowflakes will always have six arms and a hexagonal outline, which makes them hard to incorporate into knitting. So when I found a little six-armed lace snowflake motif, I thought they would look lovely having a ball on a cute shawlette. It is knit on the bias and is mostly garter stitch, so it is a relaxing knit with a little snow-flakey twist.

One 400m skein of fingering weight yarn will work for the scarf - I have a feeling that we all have one of those in our stash. If you want a new skein, our next shipment from Hedgehog Fibres should be arriving this week. It is in customs right now.

This colour is Medusa. I can't wait to see it dyed on the Skinny Singles.

The colour I really need is Pistachio. I ordered extra of this colour just to make sure there are skeins for me.

Today was spent working on Building Blocks. I'm on the last section of the first clue. I hope to finish this section tonight and start on the second clue tomorrow.