Xanthe

Ambah has a new pattern out. I think I've found my next project.

Xanthe Wrap is an invitation to play. Choose a trio of colours to express your style, the variations are endless; stripe two neutrals and add a lace colour pop, or keep it neutral for a classic look. Use your wildest speckle yarn striped with a solid and co-ordinating lace colour for something as fun to knit as it is to wear. The stretches of garter stitch make this a perfect project for travel or mindless knitting while beautiful lace keeps it interesting.  

Xanthe is knit on the bias which results in a rhomboid shape; it is easy to wear and will fast become a wardrobe staple. 

Pattern includes fully written instructions accompanied by a chart for the lace section.

Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

Introductory offer: Enjoy 20% off Xanthe, with the Ravelry check out code xanthe. through midnight April 3.

The shawl is knit with 3 skeins of fingering weight yarn.

I think that we might need to do this a KAL.

A new colour of Debbie Bliss Rialto Luxury Sock arrived today. This is Soundwave.

This would be great as one of the colours in Around the Corner.

The new season of The Amazing Race started last night. We have it taped and will watch tonight. I'm not sure why they put it on at 10pm. It's a show that the whole family can watch.

Now I need to go pick out some skeins of yarn to take home and wind :)

Fresh & Juicy

Today was an interesting day. We had crazy weather. Beth sent this picture from her work in Caledonia. Melo doesn't look impressed.

When I got to work this morning and opened my computer it wouldn't connect to the Internet. After doing all the usual things (unplug the modem, unplug the router, restart the computer) I called my Internet provider. It took almost 2 hours of calls with them to decide that the router is damaged and I need a new one. You forget how much you rely on the Internet until you don't have it. I'll be heading to Best Buy tomorrow before work.

Now the happy news.

Mr. Canada Post brought us more sock yarn yesterday morning.

The colours of Opal's new Fresh & Juicy are awesome.

Mr. UPS brought us a box from Classic Elite yesterday afternoon that included more colours of Hanako.

One skein will make this cute hat.

We received more colours of Palace as well. Seven skeins will make this cozy Pi Shawl.

Alex stopped by the store with the pieces of the Shaded Landscape Wrap.

This is what the Wrap will look like when finished. The store sample will be edged in fuchsia.

Three strands of slender, silky Delicato team up in varying color combinations to create this dramatic wrap. 

You take charge, changing color gradually and at will. 

No Internet meant that I had some time to knit. I'm working away on the Sleeveless Slipover. The Studio Linen is very nice to work with. There is a slight sheen to the yarn when it is knit.

We finally have a new episode of The Big Bang Theory. I'm off to watch. And if I don't hurry Beth is going to start without me.

Rainbows

Mr. Canada Post brought in a very important box this morning. Lynda finished Rainbows in the Gorge. She did an amazing job.

Lynn had it on before I could say good morning to her. It is super soft and very light.

Wannietta is knitting the bright version of the jacket and we should have that next week.

Kits are available on the website...

A new Kim Hargreaves book arrived late yesterday afternoon.

This new twelve-piece collection by Kim Hargreaves features summery patterns in Handknit Cotton, Kidsilk Haze and Original Denim. Patterns include feminine, fitted cardigans, breezy vests and a striped slouchy-fitted sweater, offering something for knitters of all skill levels.

Available in the store and online...

Day is knit in Denim.

Hearts is knit in Handknit Cotton.

Rowan Magazine 61 is back in stock.

It's been a busy day unpacking boxes but I'm going to save the rest for tomorrow. Some days I get excited and tell too much and then I don't have anything for the next day.

Another Finished Project

The ends are sewn in. Actually, I had to do them twice because I sewed them in on the right side of the shawl the first time. That wasn't the best way to start the day.

Pattern: Find Your Fade (purchased on Ravelry)

Yarn: Rockshelter Sock - 1 skein each of
146 Holding Hands 
144 Boy in Green
65 Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
38 Palenque
98 Hedgerow Flora
122 Tridacna
133 Malachite

I didn't realize how quickly I knit this. I started on February 22. Just over a month. And the knitting has been done for a week.

The yarn was amazing to work with. The colours are fun and you want to keep knitting to get to the next one. I was a bit worried about the teal colours. Sometimes teal (as well as red, navy, dark green and black) can bleed when you soak it. There wasn't a drop of dye in the water.

A large shipment of Rockshelter should be here in a couple of weeks. Here are a few of the colours coming.

 Fragrant Flowering Tobacco

 Decadence

 Sage

 Hippy Chick

Snow Covered Phlox

What a beautiful day. I need to get the license sticker for the mustang so it can come out of the garage. Today would have been the perfect day.

Spring/Summer Hours starting soon

It's my last Monday in the store until September. Mondays are supposed to be the day that Beth and I golf. Last summer we only made it out once and it was so hot we only played nine holes. I hope to change that this summer.

Spring/Summer hours start on April 1

Monday Closed

Tuesday 10-5:30

Wednesday 10-5:30

Thursday 10-5:30

Friday noon-7

Saturday 10-4

Sunday Closed

Cathy and Sarah are busy working away on their Assana Wraps. Both decided to use Graphite and make the stripes more defined. They are going to look great in the booth at the Frolic.

I did a bit more cleaning in the store today. There is a new section on the website called Clearance.

Great deals on yarns that we will no longer be carrying...

Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Glitter Sock - 25% off

Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Singles are also 25% off.

I couldn't help myself - I picked 7 colours for Find Your Fade. From top to bottom
-Atlantis
-Aurora
-Irish Hills
-Dish of Pears
-Boreal
-Armada
-Blue Nude

Mr. FedEx dropped off a box this afternoon from Erika Knight in the UK. All colours of Studio Linen are back in stock.

Now I need to run a pack a few mail orders. If I hurry I can get them finished before Mr/Ms. Canada Post arrives.

More Spring Cleaning

We have some pretty flowers sitting on the breakfast bar. Very springy. Now I want my gardens to start blooming.

Spring cleaning has continued at home. It's time to finish a few projects. I'm very close on Hale-Bopp. There are about 100 rows on this section. The good thing is that the rows are short and are getting shorter. Then I need to pick up along the bottom edge and do the lace section.

Roko had some friends visiting today. The birds hung out in field for most of the afternoon. The dogs just watched. There wasn't barking until the two geese came close. Then both dogs were at the fence. The geese just kept on their way. Walking slowly which really upset the dogs.

Now it's back to my knitting. My mission to finish projects is going well. Find Your Fade #2 is done. It's been blocked and I'll sew in the ends tomorrow. Hopefully it's nice out so that I can get pictures.

Spring Cleaning

We've been doing some spring cleaning in the store. Today we worked in the DK room, moving the spring/summer yarns together.

Rowan Tetra Cotton has been marked down and is now 35% off which makes it $7.77 a ball. It knits to a tension of 23 stitches to 4" so you can use it for double knitting weight patterns. It will work for the Sleeveless Slipover from Churchmouse Yarns.

Tetra Cotton is a unique modern construction of four shades, creating an interesting yet delicate colour palette.

Here are a few more patterns that I found on Ravelry.

This deep V neck cardigan is now available as a paid pattern download. Designed by Sarah Hatton it has short row shaping and lace patterning at the hem making it suitable for the knitter with some experience.

Purchase the pattern on Ravelry... 

Knit this pretty ladies vest, designed exclusively for Knitrowan by Lisa Richardson. Using Tetra Cotton, a unique modern construction of four shades (cotton), this round neck vest has a ladder stitch rib section and garter stitch edgings.

Purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

Another colour of Flurry from Sirdar arrived yesterday. The yarn is super soft.

This pattern has the cutest baby blankets. You need 5-7 balls of Flurry depending on the pattern.

Dinner is finished. The dishwasher is running. Now it's time for some serious knitting.

Around the Corner

Brian Smith has a new shawl pattern out. Brian's patterns are well written and easy to knit.

This asymmetric shawl starts at a corner and increases and decreases create the width and the angle of the stocking stitch pattern. Then working on just one side the pattern moves, “Around the corner”.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

If you can knit and purl then you'll be able to make this shawl.

Stitches used  

Stocking stitch, with a garter ridge every ten rows  

Kfb:Knit into front and back of next stitch  

SSK:Slip two stitches separately knitwise, then put left hand needle through front of loops and knit together  

P2tog:Purl next two stitches together  

K2tog:Knit next two stitches together

The yarn is Debbie Bliss Rialto Luxury Sock. You need two balls - one each of two different colours.

The sample is knit with Wilderness and Beniccasim

There are new colours of Rialto Luxury Sock. 

A beautiful wool blend which comes in rainbow shades with a touch of tweed.

I took them outside (it's beautiful out today) to get pictures of the whole ball. 

15 Abundance

16 Newport

17 Highlight

18 Splendour and 19 Petaport

20 Woodstock

Find Your Fade had a quick bath this morning and it will be blocked tonight. Pineapple Soak was the scent of choice today. The laundry room smells great.