Maker's Keep

A new book is on the way from Kim Hargreaves. It should be here late Wednesday afternoon.

‘Bitter' is the latest collection from Kim Hargreaves. Twelve stunning designs knitted in Rowan Big Wool, Kidsilk Haze, Brushed Fleece, Fine Lace and Rowan's new Alpaca Soft DK. Elegant cardigans, sweaters and accessories are all perfect knits for the Winter season.

These three garments are knit in Brushed Fleece. I love this yarn.

I've been tracking the new Maker's Keeps from Cocoknits. Canada Post says that they are expected to arrive on the 28th. I've edited my post - they arrived this morning.

Keep your metal bits and tools close at hand with the Maker's Keep. 

The silicone slap bracelet sports a brushed steel-plated magnet, has measuring lines for inches and centimeters on the underside, and fits any size wrist. 

Originally designed to hold our row counter, stitch markers, and yarn snips — any steel accessories will cling to the magnet, so it is perfect for makers of all kinds. Knitters, sewists, hair and clothing stylists, fly fishers, or weekend warriors will all find it handy to keep nails, screws, pins and endless small items close at hand while creating.

Here are a few more colours of Rockshelter Sock that should be in our shipment.

I got home from work and realized that I left my knitting in the store. I hope it's in the store. It isn't here. I'm going to work on True Colors. It's been on hiatus for a few weeks.

Getting organized to go

I was looking for something last week and found a scarf that Beth knit but didn't block. Who are we kidding - I didn't block it :) It's been blocked and now it's hanging in the store. The scarf takes two balls of Zauberball Starke 6 - one ball each of two different colours.

Last night she finished a cowl. Lynn has sewn in the ends and is going to block it for Beth.

Pattern: Cara Cowl (purchased on Ravelry)

This slipped stitch polka dot pattern is a simple way to add a beautiful texture to Stockinette stitch. Knit in the round, the finishing couldn’t be more simple. Enjoy the color play as you watch this pattern unfold.

Yarn: Tosh merino - 1 skein each of cloud dweller and spectrum

The true colours of True Colors in day light.

Pom poms are a great addition to a knit hat. We have a limited supply of faux fur pom poms in the store. An order should be arriving on Thursday with more. I placed another large order today and received an email from the supplier that they have a limited amount in stock and then won't be receiving any more until the end of December. Don't be disappointed. Get them while we have them.

I just talked to my parents and they are leaving Myrtle Beach in the morning and will be home tomorrow night. I should have the Cocoknits accessories in the store some time on Thursday.

The new Lykke Interchangeable sets should be arriving in the US later this week or early next week. I'm predicting that we will see them in the store around December 13. This is just a guess and I hope that it will be sooner.

I went through my list of people who have preordered the kits. After they get theirs it looks like we will have 6 each of the Indigo and Umber kits available.

I always love visiting Trish. My hair is no longer grey and it is much shorter. I'm ready to go away on Friday. I even managed to knit a few rows at the salon. Now it's time to do some laundry so I have clothes for Vegas.

It looks like we are going to have nice weather.

Pom Poms

True Colors is growing. The further I get the more I like it. (I'm writing quickly so I can get a few more rows finished before bed.)

Great news. Mr. UPS dropped off my box of Cocoknits notions in Myrtle Beach today. Mom and dad should be coming home on Wednesday and the notions should be in the store on Thursday. Should is an important word in this sentence. Things can change my parents might not drive home until Thursday.

Pom Pom Makers arrived today. Large and X-Large. This tool will help you to make clean, tight pom poms.

Here is a YouTube video from Kristin Nicholas for making a Pom Pom Garland.

I'm very excited. The contract was signed today. Knitting Camp 2018 will be at Bayview-Wildwood Resort from September 19-23, 2018. Beth Casey will be back with us for yarn dying. Beth and I have been discussing some fun new ideas.

I'll have more information (including more instructors) in a few weeks but I wanted everyone to know the dates. 

Effortless and Stylish

Mr. Canada Post dropped off a box from Lynda this morning. Veronika is here. And she is fabulous.

Pattern: Veronika (purchased on Ravelry)

This select pattern is included in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long! Come join us at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long for all the inspiration, chat and cheer you’ll need to get your gifts finished this year. My gift to you is a 25% discount on this pattern when you use the coupon code “giftalong2017” from Nov 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm US EST to Nov 28, 2017 at 11:59pm US EST.

Size: 2nd
Yarn: 3 skeins of Eco + (there was almost 1/4 of a skein left over)
Buttons: These are JUL Pedestal Buttons.

JUL Screw-in Pedestal Button Styling Tacks take you way beyond what you expect of buttons. We like to think of them not only as a button substitute, but as unique mechanisms for styling in creative ways.  They are moveable and removeable, flexible, versatile, sleek, and stylish.

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 can't wait to wear True Colors.

In case you didn't receive our latest newsletter, here is the link. The store is ready - signs are hung. Look for the pink signs that say Black Friday Sale. The website is ready. I've set up one page for all the sale yarns.

I have 15 minutes to get the rest of my tasks finished before Survivor starts. Yay. It's knitting time.

Black Friday

Diana stopped in after work with True Colors. I love it. It was way too dark outside for pictures so I took a few in the store.

A newsletter just went out about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you don't receive our newsletters, you can sign up at the top of the blog. There will be a few more yarns on sale that aren't on the website. These are in store only. The first is Flurry. I'll reveal more tomorrow.

Flurry Chunky is a wonderfully soft and cosy yarn with a gorgeous fleecy texture. It comes in a range of turbo-dyed colour effect shades, these include soft, powdery colours, as well as stronger, more vibrant ones too. Flurry is the perfect yarn for creating the snuggest of knits for all the family and we have a gorgeous collection of designs with patterns for women, children and babies. Flurry Chunky is machine washable on a wool cycle.

Flurry will be on sale for $5 a ball. That's half price. 

5 - 7 balls are needed to make a blanket.

2 - 5 balls are needed for this sweater. Sizing is from newborn to 7 years.

The 2017 Indie Gift-A-Long starts tonight on Ravelry. Here is the link to the discussion thread.

What is the Indie Design Gift-A-Long?

It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. Tons of indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. There are eight KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun!

I cast on Match & Move this evening. The pattern is very mindless - it will be perfect for my trip next week. So mindless that I couldn't stop. I should have been in bed by now.

Cross My Palm

Our good friend Kate Atherley has a new pattern - Cross My Palm (purchased on Ravelry)

Less than 50gm of any medium-to-heavy fingering weight sock yarn turns into a fabulous pair of fingerless mittens.

The bias rib makes them a little more interesting to knit and wear than the usual, but not so challenging that you’ll have to stop watching your favourite TV show… It also improves the fit - they are snug and sleek, so that you can layer them under other mittens, or wear them without impeding your ability to work the computer or coffee machine.

Suitable for knitters with experience working in the round, and working increases and decreases.

You need 160m of fingering weight yarn and 2.75mm needles. One skein of tosh sock will make you two pairs.

We will be sending out a newsletter tomorrow. It's one that you don't want to miss. You can sign up in the top right corner of the blog. Black Friday? Cyber Monday? We'll have details in the newsletter.

Last week I decided that I was going to work on two projects at once. I'm kind of addicted to True Colors so the other shawl is going to have to wait a few days. Melanie Berg writes a very good pattern that is easy to follow. I have the chart memorized and it's a fun knit.

True Colors

I started knitting with the Fuse Singles this afternoon.The yarn is very nice to knit with and I really like the colours that Rebecca dyed.

I decided to make Melanie Berg's True Colors (pattern purchased on Ravelry)

Let your true colors shine in this eye-catching shawl!

Whether your style is bold, elegant, playful, or simply unique - you’ll find this asymmetrical triangle shawl to be the perfect playground for your personality.

It knits up to a generous size, with a simple lace pattern creating a stunning scalloped effect. Eyelet stripes separate gradient color bands, which become the accent color when the scheme is reversed near the end.

Melanie used Shepherd Sock from Lorna's Laces. This colourway comes as a kit (a full skein of Shepherd Sock and mini skeins for the stripes) and Diana knit the shawl in these colours. She blocked it this weekend and we'll have it in the store later this week.

Beth finished her Hanasuko Cowl. I was too busy knitting today to block it for her. I'll let her make dinner tomorrow and then I'll do it. A fair trade :)

I cast off Veronika last night. The ends need to be sewn in but I was having too much fun knitting this afternoon to start on them.

I wrote my blog post earlier and then went back to knitting. Another repeat finished. I really need to go to bed.