Some pretty pictures

In the newsletter I sent out last night, I showed a picture of the Hip to be Square jacket. I talked about other options for wearing the jacket and here is one.

My dad is responsible for the flags hanging off the front of the store. While in Myrtle Beach, mom and dad go flag shopping and are always on the lookout for something funky. This could be one of my all time favourites. I have people coming in wanting to buy the flags that are hanging and get quite angry when I tell them that they are just for decoration.



This is my dad. Dad is very involved with a group called "Carpenteros" who do work in Honduras. He has made 4 trips and will be going back this November. While there they do work for a community that is in need. Last week was a huge sports celebrity dinner that raised money for Honduras-none of the proceeds go towards travel. This year's celebrities were Tony Fernandez (former Toronto Blue Jay) and Marvis Frazier (a former boxes) whose dad was a very famous boxer Joe Frazier. In the auction my dad bought one of Joe's gloves.

Posting excuses

After feeling terrible for a couple of days I saw the on call doctor late Friday afternoon (my doctor closes at noon on Friday). I was diagnosed with pneumonia and pleurisy. Because of this I spent Saturday and Sunday on the couch watching tv and sleeping. There is absolutely no knitting to report-I can't even look at knitting needles without feeling tired.

I did manage to finish the fall class schedule complete. The first version had overlapping dates but that is now corrected. You can view the schedule on the website. I am also hoping to finish the latest newsletter asap.

It was time to get back in action yesterday so I was in Toronto. I had a meeting and while there I stopped by one of my suppliers and found some unexpected surprises.




The new Rowan Kid Silk Dream magazine is now in stock. Photographed by Peter Christian Christiansen and styled by Marie Wallin, ‘Kidsilk Dream’ features three of Rowan’s most successful yarns – Kidsilk Haze, Kidsilk Night & Kidsilk. The magazine features twelve pretty, easy to wear garments.

How hard is it to buy a couch?

Congrats Rhonda!! This has to do with Ravellry which I know absolutely nothing about. I came to the blog table late and will be late to Ravellry as well. She was contacted by Norah Gaughan today. Rhonda knit the Berroco Pike vest for me and has the pictures on her blog. Norah wants to use the pictures on Ravellry-Rhonda has made the big time!!!

Beth and I still need a couch for the loft. We need something comfy that the dogs can lay on and preferably not expensive. The Brick is out because of problems we had with them which leaves Leons. We found the perfect couch, chair and ottomans about 6 weeks ago. The salesman checked the computer and they were out of stock but he would call us when it came in. He never called so about 3 weeks ago we went back. "Oh, that couch has come in and is out of stock again" to which we replied "Why didn't you call?" We didn't get a good answer but put down a deposit and we were supposed to get the couch the next week. Guess what-still haven't heard from them. On Monday I stopped by a different Leon's and the store in Burlington has it in stock-that is where we put down our deposit. Beth called them and they promised it would be delivered on Thursday. Today she gets a call at 2pm and has to be at Leon's by 5pm to pay for it or we aren't getting it. No one mentioned this on Monday so Beth got a little pissed. A manager called her back and had no reason why we are still waiting for the couch. He is going to make a special exception for us and take a visa card when they deliver. Finally-we can watch tv on a comfy couch-you know what we will be doing on Friday night.

Not much knitting to report but the store is shaping up.

Someone asked about signing up for knitting classes-just give me a call in the store.

Tuesday afternoon ramblings

I am working on the class schedule for this fall. I have two courses decided on. The first will be an advanced finishing course-a four week course where you will learn how to properly sew side, shoulder and sleeve seams, how to make adjustments to a pattern to make the finishing easier, how to properly pick up stitches around a neck and down a front band on a jacket and if time permits some short rows. The other course will be for the scarf/dishcloth knitter or the person who wants to get back into knitting-we are going to get you knitting a sweater. The yarn will be Hug from Sirdar-big needles so it goes quickly. You can knit for a child, woman or man.



I did get a little knitting accomplished over the weekend. Unfortunately there wasn't much time on Sunday. There was 10 football games and a Nascar race all on at the same time. I spent all day working the converter.

















These amazing backpacks are from the new Noni patterns that will be available later this fall.

We are now carrying Alfa from Sandnesgarn. It is 85% wool and 15% mohair that knits on a 7mm needle.

The moving continues...

The moving around in the store continues. Fleece Artist yarn has been at the front door for a long time and I decided it was time to shake things up-kind of like Costco. Every time you walk in the store they have moved things so you have to walk every aisle to find what you want. Merino Otto is now at the door. This is an amazing 100% merino wool that is made in Italy. I can tell you from experience that this yarn does not pill. Bev has a jacket in it that she wears continually (she had it on again at the weekend). It looks as good as it does the day it was knit.

I have decided on my next project. In Monday's post I showed three pictures-I have decided on the top capelet-in the colours that are shown. It is knit in Merino Otto. You work the mitred squares first and then pick up to do the solid colours. I have cast on the first square and have about 6 rows done. The couch is calling my name-I'm going to knit and watch the Ti-Cat game.

Working in the store

Last night my dad calls because he wants to go to the TiCat game on Friday night. He asks Beth to go with him and she says 'no way'. She suggests that I go but dad says that I have to work. Beth says 'no problem-I will work in the store for her'. Beth hates working in the store-she really, really doesn't want to go to the football game. He then asks me if I want to go and I say 'no, I have to work. Why not ask mom?' He turns to mom and says 'the girls say you should go with me to the game'. Mom's response was 'I will work in the store and Julie can go with you'. Mom hasn't worked in the store in over 10 years so you know she really doesn't want to go. Poor dad, no one will go with him.

Sirdar has started a new company called Sublime with is making higher quality yarns. We have brought in Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK. Surprisingly it is a blend of 75% extra fine merino, 20% silk and 5% cashmere. There are four pattern books using this yarn for men, women, children and babies.

This is the Kimono Coat from book 606. There are 4 sizes available starting at 0-3 months and ending with 1-2 years.

Tonight is the night we have all been waiting for-Survivor.

300th post

Customers would come into the store and talk about their blogs or blogs they were reading and I thought they were crazy-now I am on my 300th post!!

The last two days have been spent unpacking boxes and straightening the store. While I was at it, I decided to move some things around again.

Here is a bit of my current knitting. The back of the Kimono Jacket-I think I am almost 2/3 done. The swatch (don't take a picture of knitting sitting on a granite counter top when it is sunny out) is for a jacket.

Trying to be a good blogger

At the weekend I was reprimanded numerous times because my blogging isn't very prompt.

Quick update from Barry for those of you who were on the weekend. "I got my upgrade on the way home. It was a bit rocky but a nice flight until about 10 minutes out from LAX when we crossed through the tailwind of a Jumbo Jet which forced to drop out of the sky, rock and roll from side to side and to almost turn around by 180 degrees in just seconds. Everything fell out of the kitchen, people fell out of their seats and everyone was screaming. It was not pretty when you saw the earth out of the side of the window. The pilot got us back on track and told us what happened and everyone felt a bit better."

I have been unpacking boxes all day. It will feel good when all the boxes are unpacked and I have no more packing until The Knitter's Frolic in April. Thank goodness I didn't have to pack up my apartment to move to the townhouse.

I have a couple of balls of Naturally Tussock Chunky in a bag to take home with me. I am going to play with something that has been roaming around in the my head for a couple of days. If it goes as planned, it will be a great car coat.

Home Again

We had a blast at the Gone Stitchin' weekend. I didn't get any pictures but I am hoping for some from the others who were there. It was amazing how many people who come on the weekend read my blog. They were all complaining that I hadn't updated in awhile.

Thursday night was a fun evening so Beth and I made up a game-Knitting Beat the Clock. We divided everyone into 5 teams and had them compete against each other. There were many laughs along with a few choice words.

The fashion show was Friday morning. I commentate the show and we had over 60 garments. Prism and Trendsetter both sent amazing trunk shows. Classes started after lunch. Sally taught '2 colours 2 hands' and Barry taught Mitres. Beth and I had to come home for a friend's wedding-the evening was a lot of fun visiting with people we hadn't seen in a while. We were up very early on Saturday morning (5 am) for the drive back up.

Breakfast is at 8am (no lounging at our weekend) and then classes start. Sally taught 2 classes-good grafting and borders. Barry taught a free form purse class which I sat in on. Monica-do you have the purse done yet? Saturday evening was more fun with the student fashion show and door prizes. Because it was our 10th anniversary, we drew for a free weekend for next year's retreat. Susan won the weekend which was amazing-she was the first one to pay this year.

We are all dragging by Sunday morning. There is one more class in the morning and then the pack up to come home. We have a huge market place at the weekend showing off new yarns, books and knitting bags. Luckily there was no traffic on the way home and made the trip in under 2 hours. Usually we are stop and go through Barrie.

I will have information on next year's retreat in about a month. Our instructors are set-Sally Melville and Barry Klein will be back next year. Both are already talking about the courses they would like to teach.

I didn't touch needles while I was away-absolutely no time-but I am inspired to get something new started.

The first two wraps are from Jane Slicer-Smith. The jacket is by Fayla Reiss. These are just a few of my 'wants'. We had some of Sally's garments in the fashion show and when you see them live, they are amazing. Another choice is the Einstein Coat. Simple to knit but it looks amazing.

How about Big Brother? I didn't get to see the show on Thursday night but Beth watched it at 11 and told me what happened. Dick and Danielle in the final. That is going to really tick some people off in the jury house.

Survivor starts on Thursday night-Hurray!!! It normally starts the Thursday of our retreat and I miss the first episode.

I can't write anymore tonight-I have to save some up for tomorrow!!

A quick post

The Knitter's Fair last Saturday was great. It is always fun to meet up and gossip with people that I haven't seen for a while. The date for next year's fair is Saturday, September 13 - one weekend later than normal.

I have my truck packed and ready to go for the Gone Stitchin' Weekend. I will be away from the computer until Sunday afternoon.

I have done a bit of knitting on the Kimono Jacket over the past week-maybe 30 rows on the back. I am itching to start something new, just not sure what it will be.

Dick, Danielle and Zach as the final three on Big Brother. I don't think anyone would have predicted that on week one.

Have a good weekend and I will check in on Monday.

Happy Day!!

The day started out great when the UPS man brought me a box of shawl pins from Wouldworks. These are the great wooden shawl pins that I showed a couple of weeks ago. A little while later the Canpar man came with a box that included a finished sweater in Sirdar Baby Bamboo. Then this afternoon, the post man brought me in a box from Moving Mud. These are the glass shawl pins that I showed Friday. Then, Rhonda came through the door with my Dream in Color shrug (no picture yet but I will get one at the Knitter's Fair). I finished knitting it but didn't have time to block and finish. Thanks Rhonda, it looks great. Rumour has it that you have a birthday coming up soon. All these shipments arrived just in time for the Knitter's Fair.

Last night I was doing some running around in the Expedition. How come our parking spots in Canada are smaller than those in the US? I was shopping across the border last week and the spots were definitely wider with much wider aisles. This wasn't one mall but at four different shopping areas that I visited. In many of the parking lots they also have angled parking. It is so much easier to pull in and out of the spots. We have a shopping area in Ancaster called The Meadowlands. It must have been designed by a man!! It is like a maze and the parking is very tight. Beth won't drive my Expedition over there because you have to park miles away from everything.

Another great tv night tonight. The first game of the NFL season and it should be a great one. Big Brother as well with two people being evicted tonight. The first vote of Jameka or Jessica should be interesting. I will laugh if America picks Jessica and Eric has to vote for her to leave.

See you on Saturday.

'Around the Bay' Knitting Guild

Last night was our first guild meeting for the year. There were 26 ladies out with quite a few newbies. Everyone introduced themselves and talked about what they are currently knitting. There wasn't enough time for me to tell everything that I am knitting!! Next meeting we have been asked to bring in yarn that we no longer want/need. There will be a silent auction for the yarn with the proceeds going towards cancer research.

Beth returned home from Myrtle Beach which means I have my bed back. The dogs stayed with me and liked to stretch out in bed at night. There were mornings that I woke up laying parallel to the headboard.

I am almost packed for the Knitter's Fair. Many of you are worried about being at the show right at 9:30. I suggest you wait until noon-the show starts to slow at that time. In the morning, the booths are so full that you can't move. Also, bring cash or credit cards. Most vendors don't have machines that can take debit cards.

Everyone is asking me what we are brining to the Knitter's Fair. I am keeping that a secret but I will tell you that
-Smooshy sock yarn is packed
-Blue Sky Alpacas sent some great garments

My shipment of Offhand Design bags arrived yesterday afternoon. I want them all!!!

Mom and dad are in Myrtle Beach for the next two weeks. Beth flew down to spend the long weekend with them. I am looking after the dogs. They are no problem but they don't want to let me sleep. If they are in bed with me they are both lying on top of me. Very comfortable!!!

You wouldn't believe the number of boxes I have unpacked this week. Cathy is coming to work with me on Tuesday to get it all put away.

We are going to be carrying some Jo Sharp yarns and magazines again. We will be carrying her Silk Road Aran Tweed and Silk Road DK Tweed. Her magazine KNIT Issue 3 is in the store.

From Debbie Bliss there are four new magazines.

Cashmerino Collection
Rialto
Rialto Aran
Luxury Collection

I put in links for the magazines so you could see the pictures but for some reason I kept getting an error back. I am a little lacking on patience this moring so I took the links out-sorry.














We also received two new sock yarns from Lana Grossa

House, dogs and new yarns

Sorry-I have been very slow making posts. I am surprised my mom hasn't said anything.

In the apartment, the computer was in the kitchen beside a TV. It was very easy to sit down, turn on the TV and write a post. Now I have to go upstairs and there is no TV. I usually run up and check my messages and then back downstairs to knit. I am getting more knitting done now!! There are also more chores to do in the house. The first being keeping it clean. I am sorry to say that our apartment looked like a tornado hit it but the house is very neat and orderly. Everything gets put away in it's proper place now.

This is our new mirror. The big picture didn't capture the colours so I took a close up. It was definitely worth the wait to get the colour we wanted.
Roko and Melo absolutely love the new house. They are resting after a round of playing. It is fun to go into the unfinished basement and wrestle. The top picture is Melo and Roko is sleeping at the front door. Roko is already bigger than Melo and he is only 9 months old.


We just received in a new shipment of Dream in Color Smooshy Sock yarn. Every colour arrived but I can't say how long we will have them for. You can have either of these patterns free with the purchase of a skein of Smooshy.



Yesterday afternoon three large boxes of Sirdar yarns arrived. There is a great new baby yarn called Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK. The yarn is a blend of 80% Bamboo and 20% Wool. It is machine washable and there is a pattern book with lots of great designs.

Hug is 50% wool and 50% polyester. There are 6 colours along with a great pattern book.

Has anyone been watching Canadian Idol? I live in Ancaster which is just on the outskirts of Hamilton. The city is in full 'vote for Brian Melo' mode. I was driving home yesterday afternoon and a lady was holding up signs at a traffic light that read 'Honk for Melo'. My parents don't watch the show but they are keeping up to date on his progress.

Back to knitting

The store has been slower today so I have been knitting away on a vest for myself. I haven't had much knitting time in the last few weeks so it feels good to get something accomplished. It is the Hip to be Square Jacket minus sleeves. There are a few changes being done but the basic design is the same. I need to get moving-all of a sudden last night it hit me that I have two weeks to get it done.

When I returned home from Columbus in June, I talked about shawl pins that would be coming from a company called Moving Mud. I just talked with them and my shawl pins will be ready next week-just in time for the Knitter's Fair. Here is a sample of what is coming-no two are the same because they are hand made.

Mom and dad came over last night (along with their friends) to hang our new mirror-it looks amazing. I will get pictures over the weekend. It is the first thing on our walls.

How about Big Brother? I thought Dick was going to hit Jen. Talk about going out like a sore loser!!! It will be interesting now because there aren't many house guests left-they are going to have to start turning on each other.

New Yarns

This post was started on Tuesday-I will add new content at the bottom.

Life might get back to normal this week-probably not.

I spent yesterday in front of the computer doing Gone Stitchin' work. The last mailing is now complete and will go out today. Now we just have to finish up the last minute details.

Roko is at the vets-he's being fixed today. Poor guy. Melo will be staying with mom and dad for a few days so that Roko can rest. It will be interesting-Roko has never been away from Melo.

Lots of boxes arrived today.

-Kaffe Fassett sock yarn

-Mirasol yarns

With no posting last week, I didn't talk about Hell's Kitchen. I was very happy to see Rock win-I think he will do a good job. How about Big Brother? Dustin getting voted off was amazing. I hate it when the house guests get cocky and think they are invincible. Eric voting against Dustin was great-the week before Dustin should have voted to get Eric out like he promised he would do. I bet he is second guessing himself.

It is now Thursday morning.

Roko is doing well. He has to wear a cone on his head so he doesn't scratch or lick-it isn't making him happy. He hasn't noticed that Melo isn't around. He isn't allowed on either of our beds so Beth spent the first night on the living room couch. Not very comfortable. We have moved her mattress-king size-into the loft so they can both sleep on it.

The new yarn, Silk Flamme, and books from Elsebeth Lavold have arrived. The yarn is amazing-wool, silk and alpaca.

It's time to start thinking about the Knitter's Fair in Kitchener. The show is only a couple of weeks away. A word of advice for those coming to the show-don't come until noon. The show is packed at 9:30 and you can't get into many of the booths. If you come at noon, the crowd starts to thin out a bit.

Catching Up

The store has been slow so far today (not surprising) so I am taking some time to catch up. I really should be putting yarn away but just can't make myself do it.

The tent sale was hugely successful for myself and everyone who came. They walked away with bags of yarn and got amazing deals. Some ladies paid as little as $150 and got over $500 worth of yarn. Since you can't lock the tent, we had to put the yarn away every night and haul it back out in the morning-I really don't want to see another box for a while.

Stitch N' Pitch had a great turnout. I believe there was close to 600 tickets sold. Everyone looked to be having a good time at the game. Ace (the Blue Jays mascot) visited out section for a bit and we were featured on the Videotron. The Toronto Blue Jays and Stitch N' Pitch are now working on some of the minor problems that did come up so that next year will run even smoother.

We are expecting many shipments next week of new yarns-more to follow.

Lace Weight

Two new yarns for shawls have arrived in the store.

This is Prism's Lace Wool. I received eight skeins to try it. The colours are amazing-the pictures don't do them any justice.


The second yarn is Fino from Alpaca with a Twist. We received about half the colours with the others coming in about two weeks.

Stitch N' Pitch

I now have internet in the store-very exciting that it worked earlier than Bell said it would.

I can not describe to you how much yarn we have for the tent sale. I know it won't all fit!!! You might think that it will only be odd balls-not true. I just pulled an aran weight cotton out of the back room and there were full bags of at least four colours. There were also full bags of Jamieson's Soft Shetland, Shetland Double Knitting, Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK, Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK and Lang Soft Shetland. Don't forget that if you pay with cash there will be an extra discount of 10%.

Just a reminder to all who are coming for Stitch N' Pitch on Wednesday night. We will all be entering through Gate 1. They have set up a special gate so there are no security problems with knitting needles. If you are picking up your tickets at the game, you can get them at Gate 1 as well.

See you at the game!!!

Jacket needs a name

I am very tired today and my brain isn't working. Any thoughts on a name for the jacket?

Robbed by my Mom

My mom called me this morning that she wanted to knit a sweater for my dad. She thought the new Highlander from Alpaca with a Twist would be nice to knit with. Unfortunately my dad does the laundry and the sweater would be ruined so I talked her into Pure Merino from Berroco. After being out and about she stopped by to pick it up. She decided she needed a nice knitting bag and she wanted the Jordana Paige Messenger Bag in the pink/black tweed. This she was going to pay for so she left me $80 on the counter. Of course she needed knitting needles as well. Bamboo would be nice to knit with but the Addi turbos would be better. Two sets of Addi circular went into the new knitting bag. Not a bad haul for Mom!!

The Mystery Sweater is done-okay, there are a few ends to sew in. Cathy is looking very tired in the pictures. She spent most of the day in the warehouse working on the tent sale yarn. Then she came to the store and worked on more of it. The tent is going to be very full with some great deals!!!

I used 18 balls of Naturally Vero colour 51 for the jacket. The pattern is almost finished.




This picture shows a different option with the shawl pin.