Making It

The sun came out for a bit this afternoon so I ran out and took pictures.

This Nightshift was knit with Noro Ito colours 16 & 17. I have another Nightshift almost finished and am considering what colours to use for another one. I love seeing how the colours play together.

The three new fabrics from Zigzag Stitches.

Beth and I are watching the new season of Making It. I have one complaint about the show - it is impossible to knit while it is on. You have to watch the TV. For many shows I can just listen but you need to see what is going on.

Beth is getting very excited - she gets to play with Boscoe tomorrow. Just for a few minutes and then he heads off with the trainer who will send pictures and videos so Beth can see how he is progressing.

Roadblock

We had a visitor today. We have renamed her Roadblock. She lies down and there is no way around her. And there is no moving her until she decides she wants to get up.

Catherine from ZigZag Stitches dropped off our new bags. The fabric is so cute in person.

The Maker's Mini Backpack from Namaste will be coming early December. I carry the bigger backpack but some people find it too big. This is smaller and very cute.

The Maker's Mini Backpack was mindfully designed for those who value the space and ease of our Maker's Backpack, but at a smaller scale. The Maker's Mini Backpack has three compartments, allowing you to keep your crafting and daily life separate. With plenty of pockets, and a large middle compartment complete with yarn feeder, the Maker's Mini Backpack is ideal for crafters looking to fashionably and comfortably find nirvana where ever they are.

Maker's Mini Backpack

• A claw closure on the front of the backpack cinches the compartments together for a more compact look and functionality.
• The front compartment has one zippered pocket, as well as three pen pockets and a small and medium sized pocket.
• The zipped middle-compartment is deep-set and has a yarn feeder.
• The back compartment has a large pocket, perfect for an iPad or small tablet.
Two sturdy pockets on the sides of the bag allow you to place items for easy access, such as your phone.
• A vertical zip pocket along the back of the backpack allows for easy access for small items, like a passport, wallet, or keys.
• Four metal feet on the bottom provide protection and stability.

It's the time of year where knitters start thinking about Christmas gifts. We have great colours of Lorna's Laces Cloudgate on sale for $15 a skein. Hats, mitts, scarves, cowls, slippers.....

Yardage

120 yards(110 meters)

Unit weight

100 grams (3.53 ounces)

Gauge

3.5 sts = 1 inch

Needle size

US 10 - 6.0 mm

Fibers

90% Wool - Merino

10% Manufactured Fibers - Nylon / Polyamide

We gain an hour of sleep tonight so I should be able to do some knitting. Should is the important word in that sentence. I might fall asleep in my chair.

Cats

Wow it was cold this morning. Luckily I have a few wool sweaters to choose from. I think the problem is that we aren't acclimated to the cold yet. In January we will be happy to see a day like today and we'll call it warm.

New bags from ZigZag Stitches should be in the store tomorrow morning. Catherine is driving past and will be dropping them off.

I cropped and enlarged the pattern so that you could see the cute cats wearing sweaters. Catherine is making us Drawstring bags as well as all three sizes of Wedge bags.

Churchmouse Yarn has a pattern called Woolly Wreath & Garland. We have a few copies in the store or you can purchase it on Ravelry.

Years ago we knitted mammoth woolly wreaths using loop stitch for our shop holiday display. They were so popular that we created home-sized versions for a cozy accent all winter long. The little garland is charming wrapped around your tree, over the mantle, down the banister—anywhere you want a little woolly magic. We've even been known to wear it!

The small wreath can be knit with 2 skeins of Slubby from Fleece Artist and the larger wreath takes 4 skeins. We have three beautiful colours in stock.

If you want more colourful wreaths, take a look at tosh home or tosh asap.

Of course I took a ball of yarn and needles to try the pattern. It is very easy. You are only working on 9 stitches with 10mm needles. This yarn is called Fluffy - it is 95% wool and 5% acrylic. We have it on sale for $15 a ball. It is super bulky so I am using it single strand. It will be in the store so you can try a row and see how easy it is.

Take a look at all the projects on Ravelry. Some people made small, small wreaths for tree decorations with 3" embroidery hoops. I think I am going to make a few for our Christmas tree. They are so cute!

So I started reading on Ravelry and people mentioned an addendum to the pattern for making the ornaments. You can download the addendum here - you will need to purchase the original pattern as well.

What began as mammoth woolly wreaths for our shop holiday display evolved into a home-sized version for a cozy accent. Now we're taking cozy to the next level with a wee Woolly Wreath ornament.  

Grab the pattern below (if you don’t already own it) along with the 3" hoops and yarn. If you already own the Woolly Loop & Garland pattern, click on "The Free Adaptation" tab to see the changes for making wee ornaments. You’ll have a few whipped up before you know it!

The ornaments are knit with double strand worsted weight yarn on 5mm needles - think of the possibilities!!!

We're catching up on TV shows. Love it or List it Vancouver is next. A few more rows on my shawl and then bed.

Back at Work

We had an amazing time at Camp with Laura Bryant. Her classes were awesome. She brought many garments for our fashion show. Here are a few.

This shawl is stunning!!! It is from Vogue Knitting and I am ordering yarn from Laura to make one for myself.

Laura is all about colour!

There were many Rowan garments too. In previous years I did a fashion show brochure that was printed and everyone could follow along. This year Laura brought her garments and I didn't know what was coming. That makes it harder to write a brochure so the models carried signs.

New shawl cuffs arrived while we were away and should be on the website this week.

While unpacking boxes we did some rearranging. Project bags from Zigzag Stitches. These are beautifully made in Ontario.

I'm early today. I did get a bit of knitting done last night and am ready to do more tonight. After the colourwork in the yoke there are more short rows. I finished those last night and now it's around and around until it's time for the armholes.

Lynn has separated for her sleeves. It looks great!

Baseball, football and a new Love it or List it Vancouver. A good TV evening.

Boxes

Mr. Canada Post was here early this morning with a big box from Zigzag Stitches. Catherine does an amazing job making these bags. We have lots of new fabrics.

The Wedge bags come in three sizes - small, shawl and sweater.

The drawstring bags are great for smaller projects.

I'm working on getting all the bags on the website.

It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts for the knitter/crocheter in your life.

I just saw this on Ravelry - the pattern for this great hat is free until tomorrow morning (September 21, 9am EST). Thanks Alexis - your Aldershot hat is awesome. Easy to knit and looks great.

Created to optimize those leftover (yet still cherished!) bits of sock yarn, The Aldershot Hat is an easy-to-wear, easy-to-customize stash-buster. Wear it cool and slouchy, or roll up the brim for a cozy fitted beanie. Make it larger or smaller, longer or shorter. Use two colours…or three, or four. Dive into your stash and use your imagination…you can’t go wrong with this super-versatile hat.

Since I was so late writing yesterday I decided to write this morning and then the pressure will be off.

Laine Magazine #9 is in stock.

Laine is a high-quality Nordic knit & lifestyle magazine for knit folks. Laine cherishes natural fibers, slow living, local craftsmanship, and beautiful, simple things in life. 

Laine includes patterns from leading knitwear designers, insightful, long-format stories from the world of wool, interviews, exciting travel articles, seasonal recipes, and strong, visual storytelling.

The magazine is filled with beautiful knitwear designs as well as stunning photography.
 

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Issue nine, 1833, includes:

• an interview with Lavanya Patricella
• a long-format story about Petra Mikaelsson from Fru Valborg
• my story by Kristine Vejar from A Verb For Keeping Warm
• a column by Jeanette Sloan 
• seasonal recipes
• a travel guide to Munich, featuring the best spots to stay, eat and shop
• 13 knitting patterns from a talented group of designers.

The patterns are beautiful as always.

Now I have a lot of work updating the website. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather. I heard a commercial on the radio this morning about snow tires and putting them on your car early. YUCK!!!