Fall Yarns

We are finally having a nice spring day and I spent this morning ordering yarns for fall.

The first thing we looked at was Noro.  There are four new yarns and I ordered three of them for the store. Also ordered were new shades of Silk Garden and Kureyon.  The new shades of Kureyon will work great in my Log Cabin Afghan.  Here is the square that I finished while in Myrtle Beach.

The next thing out of the bag was Debbie Bliss.  There are two new yarns.  Riva is a chunky wool blend that has gently colour changes.  Not exactly stripes but close.  You can see the designs in the new Riva book on Facebook.  The second yarn is Paloma.  60% Baby Alpaca and 40% Merino.  Paloma is a chunky version of Rowan's Lima.  It has the same feel and construction.  Both yarns are from Peru and I would guess they are from the same mill because many colours are exactly the same.

Scarves are still going to be big this fall.  Tonia and Triana are interchangeable.  Fingers crossed the Tonia will be here sometime in June.  The pictures aren't great but you can see that we will have new and exciting colours coming.  I didn't take into account the sun shining outside when I took these in my front room.

There are a few new colours of Triana for fall but the exciting news is Triana Lux. There is a very small amount of glitter in the yarn.

I can't give a date when this will be here but watch for updates.

Ondas has many new colours coming as well.

This is just the start.  Over the next few weeks I will be meeting with sales reps for many of my suppliers.  Not all companies will let me take pictures and post early what is coming but I will try my best to give you some hints about the exciting news for fall.

Hallett's Ledge

I missed Myrtle Beach today but it was good to be back at work.

Rhonda came in this afternoon with a project she has been working on.

Pattern: Hallett's Ledge from Fall 2010 Twist Collective
(The pattern can only be purchased on the Twist Collective website.)

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Aran

The pattern called for 10 balls and Rhonda needed to start the 11th ball to finish the front band.

Absolutely beautiful!!

This yarn was meant for cables.

Seven boxes are ready to go to the post office tomorrow morning including three for my knitters.  It is time to get serious about having garments made for Knitting Camp. Are you coming to Camp? Watch your inbox-a newsletter just went out. Still thinking about Camp?  Don't wait too long.  We have 33 signed up and classes are starting to fill up.

The baseball and hockey games are interesting so I'm moving to a more comfortable seat on the couch to watch.  I still have Celebrity Apprentice from Sunday night to get through as well.  I'm not sure that I can handle three hours of those people all at once.

Back at home

I'm home again after a fairly uneventful travel day.  When I got home I laid down for a nap which lasted about 4 hours.  I guess I was a bit tired. My morning started at 6:30. I needed to dry the towels I used last night. I didn't think leaving wet towels in my parents house when they won't be back for at least a month wouldn't be a good idea.

Then I had to run to my house (it belongs to Beth and I but writing that every time is going to get long and cumbersome) to check on something for my dad.  This is from the driveway at 7am this morning.

I was at the airport in plenty of time but the weather was nice so I caught a few more rays.  When I went through security they saw something in my suitcase they didn't like.  I asked if it was all the keys I had.  No.  It was something else.

They opened up my bag and pulled out the dryer balls that I bought. The knitting needles weren't questioned.

From Bed, Bath and Beyond (you might have seen them advertised on TV).

Save money and energy when you use Dryer Balls with your laundry. Tumbling in the dryer, the Dryer Balls lift and separate laundry allowing efficient airflow and cutting your drying time. Their soft tips massage fabrics giving you softer and fluffier clothes without using chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. They also significantly reduce lines and wrinkles. And Dryer Balls last for years so you can use them over and over.

All the people working security (men and women) came to look at them and wanted to read how they worked.  I always thought that plastic wouldn't show up in the screening but it does.

I finished a Log Cabin square last night (finally we are back to knitting content) but the picture I took this morning wasn't good. Here is the next square I started and worked on at the airport.

I was sad last night that The Globetrotters didn't win the Amazing Race.  They were my pick from the start.  It was the first finale where I liked all the teams and wasn't rooting against someone.

It's time to get back to work. This week's job is to get class confirmations for Knitting Camp emailed out.

Taking a break

I'm sitting on the couch for a much needed break. This is what I am looking at.


We bought the TV after breakfast yesterday morning but didn't want to hang it until the cable company comes. Unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment during this trip.

It is hot today. 84. I forgot what that feels like. I slept at mom and dad's last because they were leaving at 4 this morning to head home. I went back to sleep for a bit and then headed out again.

I think I have bought just about everything. Beth and I are planning a trip back for a weekend in June and we can finish then.

It is now 8pm and I am watching the finale of The Amazing Race. The knitting needles are coming out for the first time this trip.


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Shopping again

I am at my parents for a few minutes before we head to breakfast and then more shopping. The list seems to get longer the more we buy. :)

The first furniture truck arrived at 7 yesterday morning and the next one at 8. Needless to say that I was tired and in bed by 10 last night.

Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far.






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Location:Lindrick Ct,Conway,United States

Travel Day

I'm sitting in the airport and boarding should begin in about 15 minutes. This is my first time flying from the airport in Niagara Falls, NY. Very small. You can park right in front of the terminal for $5 a day or further away for free. There are 4 gates. No place to buy a magazine but there is a snack bar. Not a restaurant. :)

I got to the border early thinking I could spend an hour at the Outlet Mall. The mall is less than 5 minutes from here. The best laid plans. The Customs Officer pulled the two cars in front of me in and I knew things weren't going to be good. Where was I going? Myrtle Beach. Why? To visit my parents. They live there? Part of the year. How long have they been there? Three weeks. Shouldn't they be home now? Don't they spend the winter in the south and summer in Canada? No. What are bringing that you will be leaving with them? Two money orders. That did it. He wanted blood! I went inside and while sitting there (for over half an hour) I saw lots. A young couple who were denied entry because he had been charged with first degree murder. A guy who used to be in a bike gang. Then a man in handcuffs. Let me out!! Finally they called my name and told me he was wrong to pull me in. I didn't have cash so I was okay. Seriously.

I started this yesterday afternoon and haven't sat down long enough to finish it. I arrived safely and have been running. I will attempt another post with pictures later tonight.


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Rushing

There isn't much to write about tonight.  I worked like crazy today and have the store in fairly good shape.  Price signs should be with all the yarns now.  After a few stray baskets are taken downstairs it should be presentable.

We received some cool bags from Lantern Moon last week for the Frolic and have a few left in the store.

The Meadow Pouch is great for carrying around a small project-socks, scarf, log cabin afghan square...

There is still laundry to do before I can pack.  I decided to take some Noro Kureyon and work on a few more squares for my Log Cabin Afghan.  Perfect airplane knitting!!  I will try and blog from Myrtle Beach.

Tosh

My job today is getting the store back in order.  When we unloaded yesterday we opened the door and brought in the boxes but nothing was unpacked.  I have my work cut out for me.  While I am unpacking things are being moved around.  This has to be done by tomorrow afternoon because I am leaving for Myrtle Beach on Thursday.

Just after I started my post Mr. Canada Post came through the door with 9 huge boxes.

The 7 boxes of madelinetosh along with a box of Spud & Chloe and a box of Kauni.

I jumped between emptying boxes of new yarn and unpacking from the Frolic. The store is almost in order. Okay, it is a mess.

There is a lot of tosh in the store.

Some yarns are living in the front room for now until I can really move yarns around.

The box on the left is dk and the box on the right is merino light.

A box of pashmina.

There are many baskets on the floor as well with six more to be moved tomorrow-merino and vintage.

I am trying to decide what I want to take away with me. I'm not sure why I think there will be time to knit. Dad will keep me busy.

Tonight is dinner out for a friend's birthday.  When I get home my job will be getting the new yarns on the website.  I am deciding what to wear but I know there will be a turtleneck involved.  It is seriously cold out.

Bettie Boop

Last week I received an email from Nora at Noni Designs.  I fell in love with her new bag.

The Bettie Boop Bag.

Inspired by the beloved, alluringly feminine icon of the 1930's, this bag is both flirty and straightforward, delicate yet ever so comfortable. Just as the original Miss B. practically purred with the romantic gleam of the jazz age and the revolutionary confidence of the Flappers, The Bettie Boop will give you the irresistible urge to flaunt your feminine side while still staying perfectly put together. Elegant underpinnings, including a clever, fully assembled (USA-made) hex frame and a totally innovative blossom-shaped turn-lock, create the ideal silhouette to show off sculpted blooms and the sparkle of crystals and beads.

I will be doing an order this week for the pattern and accessories.  Four colours are available-pink, clear, black and green.

Sparkle rivets add flirty dazzle to the centers of the Bling flowers. 

Two different turn locks are available.

Add style and security to the bag with a beautiful turn lock

This is the round turn lock. On the pink bag above is the flower turn lock. I'm going with the flower lock for my bag.

We will also be getting in the Hex Frames.

Hex frames to add structure to the Bettie Boop are available in 3 sizes. These all-USA made frames are fully assembled for easy installation. 

The finishing pieces to the bags are the JUL 18" Hong Kong handles use genuine patent leather with nickel rings.

I can't wait for the pattern to get here so that I can start!!

Knitter's Frolic

The Knitter's Frolic yesterday was great.  The day did start out a bit shaky.  I arrived at 7 to find out that no one from the Japanese Cultural Centre was there to open the doors.  They didn't show up until 8. Luckily Beth and I got most of the work done on Friday evening.  I wanted that hour to make sure I like where we put everything and start putting out sweaters and bags.  Sarah, Jane and Lynn arrived at 8 and we had to hustle to get the booth done.

Here are the ladies before the doors opened.

Lynn is wearing Elizabeth, the Liberty cardigan that she knit and finished late Friday night.

Sarah is wearing the Noro Tanabata vest.

Jane is wearing a lace cardigan knit in Classic Elite Firefly.

The mannequin is wearing Ravinia from indigirl.

Here are some photos from around the booth.

The madelinetosh that we had in the booth was a big hit.  My shipment that has been caught in Customs was released on Friday afternoon. I should have it in the store on Tuesday.  Great timing!

My Christel Seyfarth shawl.

Many people stopped by to say hello.  Sorry if I missed you.

Beth and I were supposed to unload the van today but we decided that walking with boxes in the rain doesn't sound like fun.  We decided to go TV shopping for the house in Myrtle Beach.  A much better idea.  :)

Booth set up

I am posting a few quick pictures before heading to bed. My plan is to be up at 5 and on the road by 6 in the morning.

The mannequins will look much better tomorrow when they are properly dressed.

We made sure there was lots of room for people to move around in the booth.

If you are at the Knitter's Frolic please stop by and say hello.

Another finished project

Today has been challenging.  I started dressing the mannequins this morning and a few have put on weight since the last show. Their clothes are a bit snug. The XS shirts had to be replaced with Small.

The button fairy did not come so I had to finish sewing buttons on my baby sweater. I got them on and all ends are done.

Pattern:  Easy Baby Sweater from Classic Elite.  It is free when you buy the yarn
Yarn:  Liberty Wool colour 7806 Reflecting Pool
Size:  18-24 months

The madelinetosh is still sitting in customs.  It has been there since the 20th.  Come on.  Let it go. I hope they aren't sitting there using my yarn.  :)

I don't know if there will be time to blog over the next few days. Tomorrow morning we pick up the van and need to get it packed and on the road by 1:30.  Fingers crossed we won't have any traffic on the way to Toronto.  Who am I kidding?  Friday afternoon.  There is going to be lots of traffic.  We should be home by 8 or 9 and then I will be doing last minute things.  Of course I will have forgotten a few items like a sign or a basket or a garment.  Saturday morning I will be on the road by 6am. There isn't a lot of time in there to write but I will if I can.

I believe that everything is in order and packed.  I am off to the chiropractor and then home to rest up for the big day.

Ebony

Today was crazy in the store but we are almost packed.  I have come to the realization that the madelinetosh yarns are not going to be here in time.  I just checked online and they are still sitting in Canada Customs. There is absolutely nothing we can do. There is no one to call. They work at their own pace. Don't worry though.  We will have lots of tosh dk, tosh merino dk, tosh pashmina and tosh sock in the booth.

Mr. UPS brought a package from indigirl today with patterns and two garments for the Frolic-Every Last Yard and Ravinia.  They are great. Kits are made for both in great colours.

A shipment of Kollage Square needles arrived this afternoon.  They are priced and packed.

The store is an absolute disaster.  I can't wait for Friday morning when it will be neat again.  Okay, as neat as the store can be.  :)  Cathy is working on Friday and Saturday so you know it will be in order.

Last night I took out my Ebony Lantern Moon Interchangeable needles and put them in my case from Offhand Designs.

Each slot has the size on it to make it easy keeping track of the needles.

There is an empty slot because the 6.5mm are in use.  It was a late night watching hockey so I cast on a scarf for Beth.  I am using Naturally Aran Tweed and making a linen stitch scarf. 400 stitches were cast on and three rows were done before the overtime goal.

I need to hit Publish because we have another overtime game.

Scarf Yarn Update

Mr. CanPar braved the cold/wet/foggy weather to bring us a box of Ondas and Triana.  Unfortunately it was a small box and many colours are still backordered.

In Ondas we received colour 74-fushica. This is the bright colour that is shown on the pattern that we give out with the yarn.

I was going through the pictures on my computer looking for my finished Triana scarf and found one of the Ondas scarf that I knit for my chiropractor. Here is a picture of colour 71 knit up.

In Triana we received
45-fushcia (pictured)
50-sea green/blue

More colours will be arriving over the next few weeks.

Sunnyside Baby Sweater Again

In yesterday's post I showed the Sunnyside Baby Sweater from Tanis. Sorry but I got the link to the pattern wrong.  Here is the link and I made sure that it works.

While I am showing pictures of cute baby sweaters here is mine in Liberty Wool from Classic Elite.  It has been blocked and I just need the buttons.  No, I wouldn't think of using a shawl pin on a babies sweater. Even I know that isn't a good idea.

Many customers ask why thy need to block their finished garments.  When I was done the cardigan the front bands curled in.  I couldn't take a picture they were so bad. Now after being blocked they sit nice and flat.

Blocking doesn't have to be a lot of work.  I soak the garment in Soak for 5-10 minutes.  Then I roll it in a towel to get out the excess water.  Now I lay it out to dry. If it is nice weather I lay it outside on the deck. It doesn't take much effort but can make all the difference in your finished project.

I'm have a bit of a freak out because it doesn't look like my madelinetosh order is going to make it in time for the Frolic.  Now I am redoing the booth.  I have the tracking numbers but it is up to Canada Customs and how long they want to keep the boxes.  Luckily we have lots of great yarn and samples from many companies so we will have a fully stocked booth.  :)

Sunnyside Baby Sweater

Today has been a crazy day of running around.  I left the house at 10am and didn't get home until almost 4pm.  Many errands were accomplished.  The most important one was hooks for hanging yarn at the Frolic.  During my errands I made stops at three different banks and a trip to the drug store for my mom.  No I will not pay 5 cents for a bag. I would rather walk out with my arms full.  Then there was a stop to buy printer ink and paper.

Since getting home I have been working on mail, tax returns and laundry.  Four returns are done.  Everyone is getting a refund but me. Not fair.  For the Frolic we need table coverings.  I use sheets and they were in need of a cleaning.  They are all pretty again (no Cathy I did not iron them) except for one sheet that has a stain in it.  I think it is from a butter tart.  Beth always makes us lunch and the highlight is butter tarts.

I decided to take a break and write before it gets too late.

Of course I have been checking Twitter while working and Tanis posted that she has a new baby pattern.  I'm not sure where Tanis found this sunny weather.  It is pouring again in Ancaster.  And it is cold.  Earlier today I drove by the driving range and it was jammed.  People-it is only April.  There will be lots of days to swing a golf club.

Sorry.  Back to the sweaters.  Extremely cute and you can download the pattern for free.   The yarn is her yummy Purple Label Cashmere Sock yarn-70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere and 10% nylon.  I have some in the store and will be ordering more tomorrow.  For those going to the Frolic, Tanis will have a booth there and you can check out the garments and yarn.

The Amazing Race was sad last night.  Jet and Cord were my pick to win.  They kept putting themselves in bad situations from the first episode and it finally caught up with them.  We didn't get to Celebrity Apprentice because the hockey was way to exciting to miss.  Maybe tonight.

I think that I have procrastinated long enough.  Now to finish the mail.

A Knit-and-Read Book

On Thursday afternoon we received a shipment of books including the new book Spud & Chloe at the Farm.  The patterns are extremely cute.

Thirteen knitting projects, accompanied by a read-aloud story, follow Spud, a feisty pet sheep, and Chloe, his perky owner, as they travel to a farm and meet the inhabitants of the barnyard-a farm dog, a pair of piglets, a mother hen and chicks, and more!

I just Soaked the Liberty cardigan and it is lying outside to dry. Being in a lazy mood today I didn't bother pinning it out to the proper measurements.  I just stretched it out on a towel.

While taking pictures Beth and Roko were playing Frisbee. This is Roko's favourite past time. He would play for hours if someone was silly enough to keep throwing it to him.

I love how green our back yard is. The artificial grass is still looking great.

As promised here is a picture of Dryad.  This will definitely need some blocking when it is done.

The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I highly recommend working from one of Jared's patterns.

The Frolic is less than a week away.  I posted these a few weeks ago but in case you missed them here are a few tips if you are attending

-If you don't like crowds then plan to arrive after noon.  It starts to thin out a bit and it is easier for you to get into the booths.  This could mean that you might miss out on some of the hand dyed yarns. 
-Bring your own lunch. Why waste time standing in line when you could be shopping?
-Parking can be an issue so car pool if possible
-If you see something you like write down the booth number.  It is amazing how many people are running around at the end of the day looking for xyz and they can't remember where they saw it.


And some more from the organizers of the Frolic

Tips to Make the Most of the Frolic
. Exact change for the entrance fee is appreciated.
. Bring cash and your credit card. There is no ATM on site. Note that a number of vendors will only accept cash.
. Please come prepared to carry purchased items in your own bags. Vendors must charge 5¢ per plastic bag (City of Toronto bylaw).
. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking, looking at booths, going away, and going back again - maybe several times.
. There will be a café serving coffee and light snacks on site, sponsored by the Knit Café. Take a break and enjoy yourself.

Beth and I are on our way to Burlington for Easter dinner.  It is always a great day when we can get together with family and friends.  Dinner at Aunt Rene's is an afternoon of laughter mixed with great food.

Busy Knitters

Finally it felt like spring today.  Warmer weather and no rain.

There are two new samples hanging in the store.

This beautiful cardigan was in the parcel from Lynda that I received earlier this week. There should be one button on the cardigan but the button fairy didn't stop in this week.

Pattern: Sirdar book 398
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Bella colour 09 Old Rose

The yarn is 85% cotton, 10% silk and 5% cashmere and shows stitch patterns very well.

Emma stopped by early today with the Kari Cowl

Pattern:  Kari Cowl from KnitWhits
Yarn:  Coastline colourway of Freia

The cowl is knit in the round and the lace pattern is easy to master.

I finished the baby cardigan I was knitting in Classic Elite Liberty.  Now it just needs to be blocked and have the buttons sewn on.  The blocking will be done tomorrow and the buttons are coming from Lantern Moon.

Last night I couldn't decide what to knit.  I pulled out a scarf that I was working on in tosh pashmina.  Small problem-I couldn't find the pattern. It isn't in my house (and when I got to work today I found out that all the patterns have been sold).  Then I pulled out Dryad, an amazing cabled scarf pattern from Jared Flood.  The pattern calls for 20 pattern repeats and I have 13 done.  It was fun to work on cables again.  I will try and get a picture tomorrow.

The third period is about to start in a 0-0 game.  I think it is time to concentrate.

Decorating

I started to do a bit of house shopping online.  When we go to Columbus for TNNA there is an amazing store called The Great Indoors.  They have anything and everything for the home.

I went to their website and found a shower curtain that I liked.

Mom and Beth decided to do the bathrooms in a light brown/beige/cream/?? colour.  It was easier to make the room neutral and then pick out fun accessories.

The hooks for the curtain.  Beth and I bought a shower curtain in the store a few years ago and we picked it because they have great matching hooks.

I had to have the matching bath rug.

The best part was that I picked these out last week and when I ordered them yesterday they were on sale. Then there was an extra 10% off this weekend.  Bonus!!

Late yesterday afternoon a box came in with a poster for a new Noro book.  I didn't know we were getting another one this spring.  I called the distributor and they knew nothing about the book.  Can't tell me when it is coming.  Can't tell me the yarns that are used.  All they can say is that sometime we will have it.

It is from Jenny Watson so I know there will be amazing designs.  From the colour combination on the cover jacket I am guessing it is knit in Silk Garden Lite.