Royal Botanical Gardens

Thank you to everyone who posted suggestions for the name of my Color Play Mohair Wrap. I've been reading them as they came in and had some favourites. Beth just read through them all (without any input from me) and we have made our decision.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Congratulations to Linda S. from London, Ontario.

Here is my favourite idea for a name for your lovely wrap. How about "Royal Botanical Garden". This honours a special place, the near to Ancaster Royal Botanical Gardens and the recent Royal birth of Prince George.

Linda, please give me a call and we will discuss the colourway you would like and where I should send it.

Ponchos are coming back. Ann knit this in Faroe Super Chunky from Sirdar. It's super simple-two rectangles sewn together.

Faroe Super Chunky is a beautiful yarn inspired by the timeless landscape, sea and sky of the ancient Faroe Isles. The yarn comes in a range of gently blended colours for women and girls that are perfect for creating cosy, chunky outerwear knits, that will see you through many winter days to come. The yarn is machine washable and will knit to any Sirdar Super Chunky design. There are also lots of Faroe leaflets and a Faroe Knits book with easy quick knit casual designs for women and girls. There are simple cables, cosy waistcoats and pretty pull on hats that will have you looking stylish and warm this winter.

Pattern: Sirdar leaflet 9651
13 balls of yarn on 10mm needles. Gotta love those 10mm needles.

Mr. Roko had his surgery today. Leann said that he is doing well. She didn't want us to come in tonight because it would make it harder for him to stay overnight. We have to keep him quiet for the next few weeks. No jumping into the truck. Beth has to lift him in. No jumping onto the bed so we are moving Beth's mattress to the floor in the loft. Of course the dogs sleep on our beds. :) Mr. Melo is lying on the floor with a very sad look on his face. His little buddy is missing.

Big Brother is taping so we're moving upstairs to watch and knit. I'm still working on Windward. The last bit is taking much longer than I thought. Maybe tomorrow.

We need help so we're having a contest

There was another Color Play Mohair Wrap in the box that arrived yesterday from Ann.

A bit of a funny story. The wrap on the right is the one that I just finished. The one on the left is the one in the box from Ann. The same colours but in a different order. When I knit mine I didn't remember that these were the colours I sent to Ann. Obviously I really like them.

We are having a contest. What should I name this colour combination? I would like a garden/flowery name.

Please leave a comment on this post with your first name, last initial, province and your suggestion for the name for this colour combination.

Comments are moderated so they won't show up until I post them. They will be posted when the contest closes.

Enter as often as you would like.

The winner will be picked by The Needle Emporium and their decision is final.

The contest is open to residents of Canada.

The contest will close on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 9pm EST.

The person who submits the name that we choose will win a Color Play Mohair Wrap kit of their choice. It can be one of the four colours on our website or the colour you just named.

We will ship the winner their kit.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 31.

We look forward to seeing the names that you come up with. :)

Color Play Mohair Wrap #3

We lived through golf yesterday. It was touch and go for a while. I got a really bad migraine but thanks to my pills it went away just before we sat down to dinner. Boy was it hot. If we weren't in a tournament we would have quit after about 12 holes. Or maybe earlier.

The Color Play Mohair Wrap is done. I just need to block it and will do that when I get home. Now the decision is what to take to Myrtle Beach to knit.

This is my own colourway. When you stop in the store take a look at the wraps-we have 5 on display now.

Lynda knit the Color Play Mohair Scarf. It has less stitches and isn't as long as the wrap but still a great size. It is knit in solid colours of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I used a mauve, purple, fuchsia and hot pink.

Beth forgot (it's her job) to tape Big Brother last night. Luckily we get west coast channels as well so we taped it and will watch tonight before the new episode.

This afternoon Michael brought me my new laptop. (This is Windows based so that I can do my accounting. To change to an accounting program that will work on my MacBook would be time consuming and would probably cause me to pull my hair out.) It turns on. The battery works. What more can someone ask for? Small problem. The mouse pad is backwards to my MacBook. I click and click but nothing happens. The Windows 8 is taking a bit to get used to as well. I hit something and the screen changes on me. Then there is the panic to get back to where I was. I will get it. A part of me says to take it to Myrtle Beach with me so that I can play with it and the other part says to take my MacBook because I know how to use it. I started my blog earlier today and decided to finish it up on the laptop. I keep yelling that I've messed up and Beth is laughing at me. She has a new Windows 8 computer as well but has had it for a few weeks so she's way ahead on the learning curve.

It's time for winding yarn to take. The Colinette Throw, Arizona Dream, won. Then Big Brother and bed.

It's here

Actually it's been here for just over a week and I thought I put it in a blog post but customers have been shocked to see it in the parking lot when they arrive at the store. Maybe I didn't blog about him. We have been having fun. Lots of little trips here and there and we get lots of looks in it. I joke that I can pick up any 16 year old boy that I want. They love the car. My dad called Beth last Tuesday and asked if I was working. I was, why? He saw a car just like this fly by him on the 407. He thought it was me. So far I've been very good. Just a touch over the speed limit. It's very easy for a police officer to spot this car. :)

Rowan Magazine #54 hit stores in the UK today. We hope that ours will be shipped in the next few days and arrive next week. Here is a free pattern from Rowan

Knit this womens sweater with side tuck detail from Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 54 as an exclusive free download, a design by Julia Frank using our ever popular yarn Kidsilk Haze (super kid mohair). This design has raglan sleeves and is worked in one piece to the armholes.  This free pattern PDF has also been translated into French, German & Dutch - only print the pages you need after downloading.

Download the pattern... 

I'm almost at the last section of my Color Play Mohair Wrap. There will be lots of knitting tonight. The Amazing Race Canada starts at 9pm. The Home Run Derby is on along with Big Break and Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls.

The new reality competition show “Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls” (NBC at 9) challenges a group of adventurers (gunning for a $500,000 prize, of course) to take a tough journey across New Zealand’s South Island with the famed survivalist. Each week, Bear sends home one team that fares the worst in the dramatic climate.

It is a reality show but the contestants are really being put to the test. Definitely a lot harder than Big Brother. Speaking of Big Brother-last night was awesome. There were a couple of times that Beth rewound to watch a scene again because she was laughing so hard. There are a few people who have their heads in the clouds.

Rowan Warm and Toasty

My dad came by earlier today to hang new flags at the store. I've been thinking about them for a few weeks but he has been so busy working that I didn't want to ask him to change them.

Did I say addictive? I started this last Sunday and I hope to have it finished tomorrow. Not bad.

Now there is a new question. I'm flying to Myrtle Beach next weekend. There are a few things that need to be done so I volunteered to go. :) What do I take? Part of me says Arizona Dream from Colinette and the other part of me says to finish Aileen-the vest I started in tosh vintage. Arizona Dream could go to Wannietta because she just finished a project. That might be the smart decision. I have until Monday to decide. Then I need to mail her yarn.

Here are a few garments from Warm and Toasty - a new magazine from Rowan for fall.

A beautiful collection of women’s accessory designs from simple shrugs and capelets to snoods and hats. Using the stunning yarns Alpaca Chunky and Tumble the collection offers small projects to keep you ‘warm and toasty’ throughout the winter months.

Alpaca Chunky is a beautiful alpaca yarn which is amazingly soft. The rounded chain construction creates a yarn which is light in weight yet warm and comforting to wear.

Beth is golfing. The dogs are visiting their grandparents. I'm going home to knit. Or nap. But I think knit because I'm almost to the last colour on the wrap.

Happy Friday

What a beautiful day. Not too humid but nice and sunny. Can it stay like this until October?

Talmadge, knit in Captiva, is today's free pattern from Berroco.

A shimmering summer knit, this short sleeved pullover features elegant lace framed in beautiful ribbing and stockinette. 

Captiva gets a subtle dose of glitz with the introduction of a single sparkling filament 

Download the pattern...

Here are a few more colour suggestions from Churchmouse for the Color Play Mohair Scarf

This is Sea Shells

Terra Cotta

Berries

I put together my own colour combination that Lynda is knitting right now. I can't wait to see it because I have no clue what colours I sent to her. :)

I was ready to hit Publish and then decided to add a few more pictures from Rowan Magazine #54. These are from the Essentials section.

Essentials - A collection of the key shapes and textures on trend, designed into simple, easy to wear styles that compliment the season's essential looks

My Color Play Mohair Wrap is growing. I took this before heading to work this morning. There is an internal debate going on right now. Update the website or keep knitting. Fate might be on my side because the battery is almost dead on my laptop so while it is charging I can knit. :)

Please stop reading if you have Big Brother taped to watch sometime over the weekend.

Big Brother last night was awesome. Didn't see it coming. I love it when the people who think they are in control of the house get blindsided. This next week is going to be great. Helen as HOH. We should get another person out who thinks that they are running the game.

Norah Gaughan Volume 13

I totally forgot to blog that the new Norah Gaughan book for fall has arrived.

She said she’d never do it, but for her thirteenth installment, Norah went from the top down! Every sweater is knit seamlessly, starting from the neck and working toward the hem.

The unusual ribbed neckline of this top-down pullover is echoed by the v-shaped splits on the cuffs of the three-quarter length sleeves.

Delany knit in Blackstone Tweed. One of my favourite yarns. Who doesn't love tweed?

A wide ribbed waistband flows into a cascade of cables on this knee-length skirt knit from the top down.

Dickson is knit in Ultra Alpaca. I haven't added Ultra Alpaca to the website yet but we have lots of great colours in stock including three shades of grey.

See all the patterns in the book...

There is so much to show right now that I have three draft blog posts written. Then something else arrives and I put them on the back burner for another day. July is a great month in a yarn shop.

I decided on my Colinette kit. Sleepy Sunday. The colours are perfect for my great room.

I was here very early today (Mr. Melo decided it was time to get out of bed at 6:30) so I opened the kit, took it outside to get a picture of the beautiful yarn and scanned in images from the pattern. My job this afternoon is to start getting the kits on the website.

There are 11 different skeins in the kit including
-mohair
-wool/bamboo
-cotton tape
-wool/viscose

There is enough yarn to make one of five throws. Which to make? I like Grand Teton but there is already a Colinette throw with a ripple pattern on my couch. Denali is calling my name. Broomstick lace-a blast from the past.

From Colinette

I've made it through the greens and back into purple. That makes me happy. :) I might make it to colour D tonight. Big Brother and Hell's Kitchen. TV you don't really need to pay attention to.

Mr. Roko had his x-rays today and surgery is set for the end of the month. He is really going to play this up. And put on a lot of weight.

I'm Obsessed

This is how far I was when I went home last night.

I thought I was tired at 8pm and almost went to bed. I picked up my knitting and worked until 11. I debated staying up longer but knew that I wouldn't be happy about that today.

It's 4pm and the rain is about to start in Ancaster. I wanted to wait a little longer for this picture (to get to the next colour) but decided that I didn't want to get wet.

100% mink. You are reading that correctly. Actually hand dyed 100% mink.

These beauties were in the box from Trendsetter.

300m (330yards) on a 50 gram skein
24 stitches = 4" on 3.5mm needles

Two skeins will make a beautiful shawl. The yarn is called Mimi Hand Dyed. If you are playing on Ravelry, put Mimi (Lotus Yarns) under yarn and see some of the projects that people have made.

Mr. DHL came in today with the throw kits from Colinette. I'm going to open a kit but still deciding which colour I want to knit. I'm also afraid that once I open the kit I will need to start right away. It's pretty obvious that I have absolutely no will power against starting a new project. :)

The packaging is beautiful but there is a glare from the plastic. That's why I really need to open one up. Decisions, decisions.

There are five pattern options in each kit.

We're trying to keep Mr. Roko calm and not let him run around. Yes, he tries to run and looks like a 3 legged dog. He is going for more x-rays tomorrow. The vet doing the surgery wants a few more to decide exactly what he needs to do. Then surgery next week or the week after. Roko is going to put on 20 pounds by then. Lots of cookies and no exercise. 

It's a busy TV night. I can't decide which person on Big Brother I want to go home first. There are some pretty unlikeable people this season. Master Chef and The American Baking Competition too. How far can I get tonight? I'm excited to see how the next colour plays out.

More Fall Rowan

Pioneer-a brochure coming from Rowan for fall. The designs are from Martin Storey. His cable work is amazing.

A collection of hand knits for both men and women inspired by the pioneer look of the Midwest and hand crafted lifestyle. The collection features rustic cables, intarsia star jackets and also simple to knit minimal designs in a palette of dark neutrals with rose and lime highlights.

These three garments are knit in Big Wool. Can't wait!

It's my day off and I was hoping to sit down and work on my accounting. Yes, I wanted to do that. Unfortunately my laptop won't turn on. I think it knows that I have been looking at a new one. Mine is very old and slow. The battery lasts about 2 minutes. Did I mention it is really slow. And old. There is a call into the computer guy. Please hurry!

I got through the first nine inches of the wrap last night. If you have a colour suggestion, please wait to post it. There will be a contest. With prizes.

Mr. Roko has been at the vets all morning. Thursday afternoon Beth took the dogs to the dog park. They were running around fine and then Roko started limping and crying. Beth ran him right to the vets. Leeann thought it might be his ACL but suggested we wait through the weekend and get x-rays this morning. Leeann has looked after our dogs for over 25 years so we totally trust her opinion. The x-rays this morning confirmed that he ruptured his ACL. She says that he isn't in pain. It is uncomfortable and feels weird to him but he will be fine until surgery-hopefully this week or early next week. He is definitely playing it up. It gets him lots of cookies. Lots!