It Vanished - Happy Halloween

I had a great time in Vegas. I did write a blog post on Tuesday but see that it didn't post and now I can't find it. It has vanished. Very weird.

A lot has happened in the short time that I was away. The biggest being that madelinetosh yarns is now owned by Jimmy Beans. I'm excited about this move. Laura Zander who owns Jimmy Beans is a friend of mine and I know that she will do a great job helping madelinetosh. We might not get another shipment until the new year but more will be coming!!

While we are talking about Jimmy Beans (who also owns Namaste), there will be new colours of existing bags and new bags coming late November. We should have these just in time for Christmas. I will share more next week but here is a sneak peek.

Meet the Maker's Trunk. I saw a picture of this before it went into production. I think it is awesome!

Our Maker's Trunk was mindfully designed to bring a little bit of peace to your busy day-to-day life. With enough room to keep the essentials close by, the Maker's Trunk is the ideal way to carry your projects while minimizing clutter. The Trunk is ideal for storage at home, but the handles and latch closure allow you to safely and stylishly take your Trunk with you while you travel without worry. Including maker-specific features, such as two yarn feeders at the top of the trunk and adjustable trays, the Namaste Maker's Trunk is designed to help clear your mind and find Maker's Nirvana wherever you are.

Maker's Trunk

• Four fold out compartment trays: The top 2 trays have dividers, and the 2 trays on one side are magnetized
• Two U-Shaped yarn feeders at the top of the lids
• Vinyl sleeve/pattern holder inside each lid
• Deep bottom compartment
• Latch closure
• Four sturdy feet on the bottom provide stability and protection
• Outfitted with hardware in a sleek Gunmetal color

Mr. Canada Post delivered a big box of Opal this morning. While Lynn was putting it away I was adding it to the website.

Dinner is in the oven and we are waiting for kids to start coming. I'm going to hit publish and tomorrow I will tell you about the great show I saw Monday night in Vegas.

Hello from Vegas

I had a great time at the hockey game last night. Vegas winning made it even better. The pregame is quite a spectacle. 

I was up early this morning and visited The Conservatory at The Bellagio.

This could be the brightest display I have seen in The Conservatory. It was beautiful.

This skirt was in the window of Chanel. It is knit. Interesting is all I will say. 

My shawl is growing. Getting pictures in a hotel room isn’t easy. The lighting isn’t what I am used to.

The weather is cool today - it’s 11C right now. Perfect for going for a walk.

Happy Sunday

Ambah O'Brien has a new shawl pattern.

Knit up a big hug and keep this special piece for yourself or gift it to a dear friend. The Big Heart Wrap is one of my all-time favourite combinations of lace and stripes, knit up in a cosy and wearable wrap shape, with tapering ends to minimize bulk. Using three skeins of sumptuous yarn, you can choose between a bold contrast for your stripes or a more subtle version as shown here. The same applies with your choice of lace colour; a romantic lace featuring a sweet heart motif I developed long ago. There are so many options to make this wrap a beautiful, creative expression from your own heart.

You can purchase the pattern for the Big Heart Wrap on Ravelry.

The shawl takes three skeins of fingering weight.

I wrote this post before I left in case there wasn't time to post today. My flight arrived late last evening so I might sleep in. Then there is breakfast, walking around, shopping, football and then I hope to see the Golden Knights play this afternoon. I'll have lots of pictures for tomorrow's post.

Lynn has a new sweater

Lynn wore her sweater at the Woodstock Fleece Festival but she didn't have time to block it before the show. Now it is blocked and looks amazing!! (More amazing than it did before 😘) I told her that she should knit the sweater again and again in different colours because it fits her so well. I really like the short sleeves - when I get back to mine I will be doing short sleeves.

Pattern: Newleaf (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Le Petite Lambswool and Dyed in the Wool

Newleaf is inspired by my beloved houseplants. This easy sweater pattern includes options for short or long sleeves. Fingering or sport weight yarn makes this garment light weight and versatile. This piece is knit top down, seamlessly and in the round starting with a simple rolled neckline. With its easy to follow colorwork chart, this pattern is suitable for beginners and experienced knitters alike. While my sample hits at upper hip, you can easily add or subtract length if desired. Just try on as you go and choose the length that’s best for you. 

By the beginning of November we should have new Opal Sock Yarn. Dad and Beth have socks knit with Opal (thanks Jane) that they throw in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent (Cheer, Tide.....) and in the dryer . They do not look after them and the socks look great!!!

Opal is a blend of superwash wool and nylon. Perfect for socks.

Opal Schafpate XI "The Way of Sheep" 4 Ply. A collection of bold shades from Opal in their unmistakable self-patterning style, Schafpate XI 4 Ply is a vibrant range of sock yarn.

Another collection is called Freche Freunde - Naughty Friends.

And the last collection is Magic Sky

A tiny bit of glitter.

We have another order from Life in the Long Grass coming late November/early December. Caroline has many new colours. I love Winter View. You might say obsessed. I can't wait to see it in person.

Flight of Stitch Markers should be in the store November 1. The box has made it to BC and it will depend on how fast it travels across Canada. The stitch markers are on the website and we will ship the minute they arrive. I'm sad that they haven't arrived yet. They would have been perfect to put in my knitting bag on the plane.

I'm very early today with my post. The store closes at 4 and dad is picking me up at 5. My luggage is sort of packed. Everything is lying on the suitcase - now I need to actually pack.

Meet Boscoe

His mother is a Poodle and his father is a miniature Golden Retriever. Beth is fairly sure that this is the puppy she is going to chose.

We received a shipment of yarn today with two brand new colours of Eco +.

Eco+ is 100% Natural Peruvian Wool. Soft and wearable, this wool lends itself to either garments or felting. With amazing, big, generous skeins, it's perfect for all sorts of garments like cardigans, pullovers and blankets. 

We used Eco + to knit Veronika. We have patterns in the store or you can purchase it on Ravelry.

With a cozy, oversized shawl collar and textured ridge stitch body, Veronika will shine knit up in your favourite worsted weight wool. Whether paired with a tank, top or dress, Veronika is effortless and stylish. It’s sure to be a cardigan you’ll reach for over and over again. Knit in one piece, the unique construction of this roomy cardi makes it a quick and fun knit!

I wore my Veronika today and it is so comfortable. It is a very easy knit - all you need to know is knit, purl, make one, decreasing and picking up stitches. When you start you think that there is no way it is going to turn out but keep following the pattern and you'll love the finished result.

Make sure you sign up for our newsletter. You can do it in the top right corner of the blog. We will have one going out on Friday and you don't want to miss it.

Now I need to pack. Dad and I will be leaving for the airport right after the store closes tomorrow.

A few more rows

For the past hour I have been saying 'just two more rows and then I'll finish my blog post'. Now I'm finishing it.

Do you remember wearing these slippers when you were young? I remember knitting them. Churchmouse Yarns rewrote the pattern a few years ago. They chose Lamb's Pride Worsted (which we don't carry) so I suggest Cascade 220 or Cascade 220 Heathers. The colour choices are endless.

“Shoes off, slippers on!” 

A basket near the front door heaped with these Family Slippers makes for the warmest of welcomes. Our version of these nostalgic slippers evolved from several versions of the pattern found in every auntie’s knitting bag. We finessed the toe a little but left the heel in its simplest form. Embellish your slippers with pom-poms, tassels or buttons -- or try our split cuff for a preppy Oxford shirt look. It’s so easy! 

We chose to knit our slippers in Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, doubled. A sleeper favorite, we love the hardy durability and cushy comfort of this worsted weight, single spun yarn. And using two strands together means even more sturdy squish! Take a look at the Lamb’s Pride color palette -- you’ll find a range of rich classics, heathers and fun accents. 

We’ve provided the measurements for three finished sizes; small, medium and large. You’ll need one skein of Lamb’s Pride Worsted for the small size, and two skeins for the medium and large sizes.

Mr. FedEx stopped in late this afternoon with a box of yarn and some Lykke needles.

We finally have large double pointed needle sets back in stock.

The trees around the store are beautiful. 

It's too bad that we can't have leaves these colours all year round.

We're just finishing the Great Canadian Baking Show. I think I can get in another few rows.