Sunday Knitting

It took longer than I thought but I finally finished. It'll be blocked this week and then the ends need to be tackled. There are quite a few.

Pattern: Building Blocks (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 4 skeins of tosh merino light

The cast off isn't a regular cast off but the I-Cord Bind Off.

BO all sts using an I-cord BO as follows, *k2, k2tog tbl, slip 3 sts onto left needle, repeat from * until all sts are bound off.

There were 568 stitches on my needle. It takes a really, really long time to I-Cord Bind Off that many stitches.

I pulled out The Endless Wrap to work on this evening. I'm at the halfway point.

Pattern: Endless Wrap (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok

A shipment is on the way from Blue Sky and we'll have all colours back in stock.

 

There are new colours of Lang sock yarn in the store. 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. We have used this yarn for many pairs of socks and don't look after them. They go in the washing machine and in the dryer. The interesting thing about Lang Self-Striping yarns is that they include heel re-inforcement yarn to strengthen the heels and toes which will lengthen the life of your sock.

We are well stocked in Magic Tweed from Lang.

Beautiful soft tweed superwash yarn. 62% Virgin Wool Superwash, 18% Nylon, 10% Viscose, 10% Acrylic.

Perfect for the person in your life who doesn't want wild socks.

Ombre Cowl Hood

Beth finished her scarf last night and Lynn sewed the ends in today. All four of them. You'd think that Beth could learn to do this by now but it's so much easier to send it with me and have someone else do it for her.

Yarn: Zauberball Starke 6 - 1 ball each of 2 colours
Needles: 3.75mm, 40cm circular
Pattern: Free in the store with yarn purchase

Faux Fur Pompoms are the rage right now.

We just received a small shipment of larger pompoms. These are 13cm (the other pompoms in stock are 10cm)

-petrol
-coral
-fuchsia
-orange

The supplier is out of black, cream and grey. I'll post when they arrive.

It's getting cold so I pulled out my Ombre Cowl Hood (pattern free on Ravelry).

This is a very simple stockinette-in-the-round pattern. Yarn is held double throughout, and colors are alternated to create ombre stripes.

The cowls are knit with three colours of Rowan Kidsilk Haze on 5mm, 60cm circular needles. 

For a different effect I used two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe. You can use two balls of the same colour (my cowl is 361) or two different colours.

The cowl is quick to knit and very, very warm.



UPDATE

The Hedgehog Fibres shipment is getting closer to us.

Item has been presented to Canada Border Services Agency for customs review.

Fingers crossed we will see the shipment next week.

Sock Minis

It's snowing lightly in Ancaster this morning. I guess it's time to start thinking about my Christmas shopping. 16 sleeps until the big day. Here are some ideas for the knitter in your life.

We are well stocked on ball winders and swifts. Wind your skeins into center pull balls faster.

Gift certificates are available in the store

If you aren't able to get in, we can do an email gift certificate for you. Give us a call in the store 1-800-667-9167.

While I'm thinking about the holidays. 

Holiday Hours
Friday December 23 10-7
Saturday December 24 10-2
Sunday December 25 Closed
Monday December 26 Closed
Tuesday December 27 10-5:30
Wednesday December 28 10-5:30
Thursday December 29 10-5:30
Friday December 30 12-7
Saturday December 31 10-1
Sunday January 1 Closed
Monday January 2 10-5:30

Our latest shipment from Hedgehog Fibres was divided into two boxes. The first box has arrived.

Twist Sock was in the box.

And we have Sock Minis.

A mini version of our Sock Yarn! Little cuties are 20g/80m.
Fingering weight yarn, 90% Merino wool, 10% nylon, superwash. 21.5 micron Merino wool, softly spun, non-scratchy yarn.
These are great for a pop of colour, a contrast edging, hem or a border. Or stripes, colourwork, granny squares, baby socks, hexipuffs, yarn swaps, and so much more!

I wasn't thinking when I placed the order and I only ordered one bundle of minis. That means 30 colours, one skein each. There are more bundles ordered and they will be coming in the new year.

She's home. Mom, dad and Lucy stopped by the store this morning. They were on the way to drop mom off at the hair salon so they brought me a tea. Lucy is waiting for dad to give her a cookie. She knows that there are treats when you go through the Tim Horton's drive thru. Someone wasn't the best behaved but she already had a crazy morning.

Lucy went to the office with dad. The dogs had been running around on the front lawn and now it's cookie time.

Dinner is finished and it's time to get ready for football. We're starting the playoffs in fantasy football this week. Beth and I were first in the league all year and then lost the last two weeks. We're second heading into tonight. Hopefully the downhill slide is over and our team performs better.

Family Slippers

The minute I saw the pattern from Churchmouse Yarns I thought of my Aunt Jane. She used to make these slippers. By the dozens.

A basket near the front door heaped with these Family Slippers makes for the warmest of welcomes. Our version of these nostalgic slippers evolved from several versions of the pattern found in every auntie’s knitting bag. We finessed the toe a little but left the heel in its simplest form. Embellish your slippers with pom-poms, tassels or buttons -- or try our split cuff for a preppy Oxford shirt look. It’s so easy!

I haven't had a chance to make a pair yet but Lynn knit them over the weekend. She used double strand Cascade 220. You need 2 skeins to make adult slippers. This morning she made pompoms. Before trimming the pompoms I suggested that she steam them over a kettle or pot of hot water. This will fluff them up a bit. Then she can trim them down.

Download the pattern...

UPDATE

We are patiently waiting for our next order from Hedgehog Fibres. It left Ireland and made it to Heathrow. It's been sitting there for a few days and I'm hoping it makes it on a plane to Canada soon.

The previews of Rowan Magazine 61 are great. You can start making a wish list so you're ready when the magazine arrives.

I have a few chores to do before Survivor. I'm still up in the air as to who I want to win. I will say that it's been an exciting season with the blind sides. No one is safe.

Lucy

It's been a fun day opening boxes.

The first had 4 colours of Cashmere Premium from Lang.

Pure top quality cashmere. Only the finest cashmere is used to make this yarn. Premium animal fibre for incredible comfort with lightness, breathability and incomparable warmth.

Composition 100% Cashmere
Metreage ∼115m / 25g
Needle size (mm) 3½ - 4½

The second box was from Cocoknits. We are well stocked on notions. Perfect stocking stuffers for your knitting friends. Or buy them to fill your own stocking :)

 

Softyak is used for quite a few garments in the next Rowan magazine. The colours coming for spring are great.

Beth and I are very excited. Lucy is coming home tomorrow. Mom and dad too :) We can't wait to see how much she has grown.

Knitting Camp 2017

I've been working on Knitting Camp today.

She's coming back. Beth Casey from Lorna's Laces will be joining us in September. For one class there will be two instructors and to do this class we've invited back another special friend, Fiona Ellis. Beth and Fiona together. Hmmmm. Maybe I need to rethink this :) I can't share the details yet but I'm definitely taking this one.

We're still working on pricing. And the brochure. And the class descriptions. What do I know? The dates are September 21-24, 2017 and we will be back at Bayview-Wildwood.

My other job today was finishing a newsletter. Watch your inbox tomorrow morning. If you don't receive our newsletters, you can sign up on the website or here on the blog. Look in the top right corner of this page and enter your email address.

I'm home and tonight's housework is finished. It's time for a cup of tea and a few rows of knitting.

I almost forgot. Wannietta texted me a picture of Lemongrass so far.

The cables look amazing. I don't think we'll have to wait long for the sweater. She's almost finished the body and then the sleeves. Remember, she knits really, really fast.

Knit one to give, give one to knit, or treat yourself!

I finally made it to the last clue. There are 586 stitches on the needle right now. It takes a bit to get through a row.

I was playing around on Raverly and came across some great patterns that use Rowan Cocoon. We currently have Cocoon on sale for 25% off. Take advantage and knit a great gift or make something for yourself.

Knit this accessory textured snood, available as a free pattern to download. Designed by Vicky Sedgwick using the luxurious yarn Cocoon (wool and mohair), this snood can be knitted in the pattern to your desired length and can be worn loose or wrapped round double.

Pattern: Textured Snood (free from Rowan)
Yarn: 2 balls of Rowan Cocoon

Pattern: Ambergate (free from Rowan)
Yarn: 4 balls of Cocoon

Churchmouse Yarns has a free pattern for a cowl knit with two strands of Cocoon.

Right on trend, these Last-Minute Cowls can be knit up before you can say, “I couldn’t possibly finish a gift in time.” Using US 17 (12mm) needles and some of our favorite super-chunky-weight and bulky-weight wools, the results are gorgeous. Not to mention incredibly warm. Knit one to give, give one to knit, or treat yourself! Our updated free pattern now includes mistake rib in addition to seed stitch and 2x2 rib. For the men in your life to wear (or make!)

We've made single-strand versions using our favorite super-chunky yarns, and double-stranded versions using bulky yarns, like Rowan Cocoon. These yarns are lofty, soft, easy to knit and give great stitch definition. They’re unbelievably snuggly, and the chunkiness of the yarn makes these simple stitch patterns really pop!

This cowl is knit with two different colours - one ball each.

I made the Seed Stitch version of the cowl. Super fast. Super easy. Looks great.

I need to get back to my knitting. The kettle is boiled for a cup of tea and the football game is on. My goal is a couple more rows before bed.

Mondo Throw

It's finished. The throw is super soft and really, really, really warm.

Rowan is sharing photos from Magazine 61 (coming in February) on their Facebook page.

It looks like it's going to be another great magazine.

Someone is very comfortable on the bed. Mom sent a text last night asking where she was going to sleep (mom, not Lucy). I told her to pick another bedroom because it doesn't look like Lucy is going to move.

Rainbows

Thank you Donna. She let me know that Frabjous Fibers just introduced a new So Fond of Rainbows kit. They are on order and I think we will see them in January. I'll blog about them when they arrive.

It's the rainbowload of Mini Skeins, oh yes. Four of our popular Mini Skein Packs are combined into one enormous, beautiful rainbow for a full-spectrum knitting experience! Twenty 1-oz Mini Skeins: combine them all for a large project, or spread them out over several smaller projects. The possibilities are truly endless!
Cheshire Cat fingering: 128 yards per 1 oz. skein, 2560 yards total

We had fun at One of a Kind last night. This is the Rock Bottom Vessel from Studio 50.

The functionality of science glass with the industrial ruggedness of concrete. The 1000ml boiling flasks is constructed of scientific grade-glass that can withstand both extreme hot and extreme cold liquids. The concrete base both cradles and supports the glass flask, and can serve as a warming or cooling plate. Perfect for serving soups, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, ice cold water, lemonade, or fun entertaining cocktails. The flask holds an entire bottle of wine and acts as a fabulous decanter!

They are so cool. You put the concrete base in the freezer for 4 hours. Then fill the flask with white wine. It will keep the wine cold for 3 hours. You can do the reverse and put the concrete in the oven for 20 minutes. Great for gravy, soup, tea or coffee. And it looks really good on my counter. 

There were a few other things but they are Christmas gifts so I can't show right now.

Our friend Nancy gifted Lucy some bandanas. Mom took a picture but Lucy decided to move. I asked for another picture but Lucy didn't want to pose. Dad decided that a cookie would do the trick.

Hurry up dad. I need my cookie!!!

Marley

Lorna's Laces. Franklin Habit. Knitting. Don't miss out.

Let's all close our eyes for a minute and fast forward past the holiday wonder and madness and imagine that we finished all of our projects with plenty of time left over to enjoy an extra glass of eggnog. Yeah, I know it's magical thinking, but this is my story and that's how I want it to go.

That post holiday lull is probably my favorite time of the year when it comes to projects. No pressure, just fun. It can be anything I want it to be. I have time to join in a KAL if I want and maybe have a little fun with my yarn peeps.

We were talking the other day about how we might want a KAL to look and decided that Franklin Habit would make a wonderful master of ceremonies. As luck would have it, he was available! Rumor on the street tells me that Ms. Dolores Van Hoofen will be joining in as well! Did I hear a squee?!

The next question was what do we want to work on? We all agreed that a blanket would be ideal. We liked the idea of working on something cozy. Plus, Tin Can Knits had just released their new book, Colour Madness and the Marley Blanket had struck all of us as SO DARN CUTE.

We are going to be doing the Cloudgate kits - these will make the bulky version. The colours available are

Cam

Ernie

Pedro

Samwise

Rosamund

Lorna's Laces did not do the red/yellow version that is pictured in the finished throw but they can make you a kit in it's likeness if that is the colourway you want.

There are 4 sizes on the blanket pattern. The pattern is not included in the kit - you need to purchase it on Ravelry.

The finished blanket measures approximately 27 (36, 48, 58)” wide by 36 (49, 70, 83)” long, but will vary based upon finished gauge and blocking. 

Small - takes 1 kit
Medium - takes 2 kits
Large - takes 3 kits
XLarge - takes 4 kits

Each kit is $125. If you order your kit (kits) before December 10th we will give you 10% off. That makes the kits $112.50. 

We will have the kits in stock before the end of December to make sure you can participate. There will be lots of time to mail if you live out of town.

I'm leaning between Cam and Rosamond but I think Cam is going to work.

We received a shipment of Cascade yarns today and there were skeins of Mondo in Walnut Heather. We've kitted the yarn up for a throw.

Don't tell anyone but I'm sneaking out early. We're heading to Toronto for the One of a Kind show. Yay!!