Road Trip

I promised that my shawl would be finished today. That's not going to happen. There was a road trip last night - more about that in a bit. This afternoon there was a nap and then dinner with friends. Then out to see another set of friends. The dogs are wondering if we are really home now or if we're going to leave again.

It's so close. 56 rows of the lace pattern complete. Five more lace rows then three rows of stocking stitch. Tomorrow??

It was beautiful yesterday when I got home from work so Beth and I decided to go for a road trip. 

When I was young my dad built Flamboro Downs race track. We went to work with him every Saturday. They built the barns first and we would spend time with the trainers, jockeys and horses. When the track opened we went a few times. Then when we were older we would round up a group of friends and go on a Saturday night for fun. 

Last night we made a bit longer trip to Mohawk Raceway.

We didn't win anything but we had fun. The weather was beautiful. A great night to be outdoors.

Rowan Fazed Tweed

Fazed Tweed is a new yarn coming from Rowan for fall.

72% wool

22% alpaca

6% nylon

69m on a 50gram ball

Chunky weight - knit on 6mm needles

Designed by Marie Wallin, The Fazed Tweed Collection showcases 16 designs for women in one of Rowan's new yarns for the Autumn/Winter 14/15 season. 

Fazed Tweed is a light, soft rounded yarn in a fabulous blend of Merino Wool and Alpaca created with a hazy printed colour effect resulting in knit garments which are both comfortable and sumptuous to wear. This lovely collection of garments and accessories range from traditional aran, cable and tweed stitches through modern colourful block stripes and colour blocking.

Last night we finally finished watching the last few episodes of The Blacklist. It is going in a weird direction. It will be interesting to see where it goes next season.

My knitting is progressing. I'm 9 rows from having Auburn Wave done. Tomorrow. I even brought a mannequin home from the store for pre-blocking pictures. I never knit on just one project at a time. My fingers are really itching to work on something else :)

New Samples

Mr. Canada Post stopped in this morning with a box from Lynda. More beautiful samples.

This is Delilah knit in Louisa Harding Noema. The pattern is from her Noema book. My cowl is the long version - 5 balls. There is also a shorter version (2 wraps around the neck instead of 3) that takes 2 balls. The cowl is knit on 5mm needles which gives it a light, airy feeling.

The yarn is 75% cotton, 20% acrylic and 5% nylon.

The other sample in the box is Awelon (pattern purchased on Ravelry). This is the second one that Lynda has knit. This version is knit in Phoenix Print from Trendsetter Yarns. LOVE IT!!!

For the first two pictures my friend wore the shawl one way and then we changed it for the second two pictures. There are many different looks.

Asymmetrical design that is flowing along the lower edge. 

This shawl is perfect for spring and summer and will dress up any outfit. 

The shawl took 10 balls. We don't have enough of the sample colour in the store (it should be here next week) but we have lots of

110 Denim Drive

752 Plum Pudding

919 Adobe Dreams

976 Sahara

Mr. UPS just left a box with a new book. Designer Knits from Sarah Hatton and Martin Storey.

Sarah Hatton and Martin Storey bring you a collection of 21 stylish knits for men and women. Sarah's 11 women's high-fashion knits include a sloppy joe, aran coat and twisted cable sweater. Martin's 11 stylish designs for men include a textured sweater, neat tailored jacket and herringbone cardigan.

See all the patterns... 

I haven't knit today so I'm going to hit 'Publish', close up my computer and pick up my needles.

How much yarn do I need?

We only have 11 days left to finish Auburn Wave. What are the prizes? We will be drawing for two. Everyone who finishes will have their name put in a draw.

Two skeins - your choice of colour - Rowan Fine Art.

Two skeins of Mrs. Crosby Train Case in Red King Radish.

Train Case is 55% superwash merino, 15% nylon and 30% Outlast.

Both yarns are fingering weight. You can make another Auburn Wave or try a different shawl.

The Tent Sale is coming up and there is a common question at the sale.

'How much yarn do I need?'

There is a great app that you can download on your phone to help you with this.

Ann Budd's Knit Handy

Knit Handy helps you quickly determine exactly how much yarn you need for your next knitting project. Ann Budd, expert knitter, has transformed her successful Knitter’s Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements (Interweave) into the perfect app for knitters of all skill levels. This visual tool explores the yardage requirements for eight of the most popular knitted items: sweaters, vests, mittens, gloves, socks, scarves, tams, and hats. Knit Handy shows all sizes ranging from baby or toddler to large adult, and for multiple gauges from fine to bulk yarns. You’ll want this app any time you’re buying yarn—always! It’s the best go-everywhere accessory for knitters.

Purchase on iTunes

If you've been to the sale you know that it can be really busy. I wish we could but we can't go through your patterns with you and figure out how much of a certain yarn you need to go with that pattern. Now you can use the app for a guide. I suggest that you always buy an extra ball. Just in case. You would be shocked at how many people come to us 2 or 3 or 6 years after the sale and are short of yarn. The yarn at the sale is sometimes discontinued. We can't get any more.

So you came to the sale and bought 15 balls of Noro Kogarashi but now don't know what to do with it.
Check out Ravelry.

Go to yarn and type in Kogarashi

This will come up

Click on 834 projects. You will see what others have used the yarn for.

Maybe you want to make a cardigan so you don't want to look at hats and scarves. You can filter out projects too. Click on Filter these projects and this screen comes up. Choose Pattern Category and keep clicking to narrow your search.

Remember, Ravelry is your friend!

Rowan Magazine 56

For the next few weeks I'm going to have many great pictures for the blog. I want to get you excited for the arrival of the new Rowan for fall. And there is lots to get excited about. Hurry and finish up your current projects because you will want to cast on when the new magazines and yarn arrive at the end of July.

Today's pictures are from Rowan Magazine 56.

I wanted to get the description of the magazine but couldn't find it anywhere. Then I remembered that when I watched the youtube video a description was there. Small problem. It wouldn't let me copy it. I got around that. I took screen shots on my phone so here is the description.

I'm very excited about the magazine. There are a lot of garments that I would call 'Rowan Garments'. Lots of colour or lots of cables. The garments that Rowan started showing 27 years ago.

Really big swatch revealed

This morning I ordered Debbie Bliss yarns for fall. These should be arriving sometime in August.

Roma is a new super bulky. It's very soft with great colours.

70% wool
30% alpaca
80m on a 100gram ball

9 stitches and 12 rows = 4" on 12mm needles

Poloma Tweed - love it.

60% baby alpaca
40% merino wool

65m on a 50gram skein

12 stitches and 18 rows = 4" on 10mm needles

Paloma Tweed is a lofty chainette yarn. It works up at a bulky gauge, but thanks to the construction, it is light.

My job this afternoon has been adding Elizabeth Bradley needlepoint kits to the website.

OUR TAPESTRY KITSA wealth of carefully selected designs combined with premium quality materials.
BLUE LINE CANVASBeautifully printed and woven ensuring strength,structure and a precise hole count of 10 holes per inch.
UNIQUE WOOL CARDCoded cards with colour and background options.
OUR WOOLQuality 4 ply tapestry wool in muted shades.
QUALITY NEEDLESTwo size 20 needles selected for bluntness and durability.
PLUSBeautifully packaged with comprehensive instructions, our kits also include a full sized colour coded chart and instructions for Victorian Cross Stitch to tension the canvas.

This is what is in stock today. We can special order any Elizabeth Bradley kit.

The new Noro magazine should be arriving next week.

Knit in Silk Garden.

Crocheted in Taiyo Sock.

Knit in Silk Garden

Knit in Obi.

See all the patterns...

And remember the super secret Rowan jacket that I'm knitting? I can share the picture now. It's called Roan.

You can see the greens and golds in the bird section. A little different than my swatch.

The yarn is Rowan Tweed and Colourspun.

It's time to get back to my knitting. I need to get Auburn Wave done, like yesterday, so I can start another one and get back to Roan.