They're here

The newest patterns from Churchmouse Yarns have arrived. The patterns that Churchmouse Yarns produce are very well written and I highly recommend using them.

Fair Winds Beanie and Scarf

Library Vest

Saddle Shoulder Pullover

Spin Stitch Scarf and Poncho

Quadrangle Wrap

Pattern: Zig-Zaggerate (currently free on Ravelry but it could become a pay pattern so hurry over)

The yarn is Cheshire Cat from Frabjous Fibers. Think how awesome this cowl will look in a mini skein kit.

So Bright and Sticky

Fuchsia to Yellow Shadow

I've been working on Building Blocks. Section 7 is almost finished. The more I knit on it the more I like it. I'll bring it to work tomorrow for pictures.

Twice Reversible

We have just received another shipment of Cascade Eco +. The colours look great.

I added some brighter colours in this shipment.

Eco + is perfect for the Twice Reversible Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns. We have patterns in the store or you can purchase on Ravelry.

Two skeins will make the S/M or L/XL sizes of the poncho.

We’ve finessed the details of this longtime favorite style to make it ‘twice reversible’: both the fabric and the shape can be flipped. We chose a stitch pattern that has two ‘right sides’ and added a nifty hybrid graft/seam for true reversibility. You can wear your poncho point-in-front for relaxed ‘boho’ style or point-in-back for a little more polish. Options upon options!

This poncho shape doesn’t follow the usual conventions of sizing (bust/waist/hips)—it’s more about scale. We designed this poncho in two sizes so your result will be comfortable and flattering. The two keys to the fit are the neckline and the back/arm length. The width of the rectangle determines where it hits—we like just at the bent elbow, which is also just above the waist.

Work Bag Three

They finally arrived. Somehow the wrong postal code ended up on our shipping label. The box was in limbo for a bit but now it's found.

100% Genuine Leather

Hand made in the JUL Studio

Large measures 19 inches wide at bag opening X 6 inches high X 8 inches deep with 20 inch handles

Work Bag Three was originally created as a harvest bag for gathering produce while working in the garden.  I wanted something shallow so that vegetables were not piled so deep that things at the bottom were crushed by things at the top.   I didn't want to buy anything.  I didn't want anything bulky like a basket. My solution was this shallow leather bag with fairly short handles in a thick, sturdy leather that would hold its shape, staying open during harvesting and not crushing in on the contents when it was full.  After I finished the bag and used it in the garden I fell in love with its characteristics for other purposes -- as a project bag for knitting, art supplies, picnics, carrying tools, so many uses! 

The bags are $175.50. We have one black (someone took him home) and two brown. The bags are awesome.

There are 5-100 gram skeins of Hedgehog Twist Sock in the bag with lots of room to spare.

My Inspira Cowl is finished. I'll block it tomorrow. This is my 6th one - I really like the pattern :)

Pattern: Inspira Cowl (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool - 2 balls of one colour and one ball of a contrast
Needles: 5mm, 60cm
Version: Steampunk

The pattern isn't difficult. If you haven't knit fair isle, this is a great way to learn.

One project finished. That means I'm allowed to start something new tomorrow. Good thing I brought some yarn home with me.

Cookies

Sharon's husband Ray makes the best cookies. Sharon was in on Saturday and I casually mentioned that Ray hadn't brought cookies in a long time. This morning he brought me some. Thanks Ray!!! They are awesome.

The Evolution kits have arrived. They are a blend of cotton and acrylic and one kit will make a scarf. Patterns are in the box.

The best part - the kits are $25.95.

We are restocked on Erika Knight's Studio Linen. It's available in the store and on the website.

Linen is an ancient, sustainable, natural fibre spun from the flax plant. Flax itself is naturally resistant to pests and therefore practically no pesticides nor herbicides are necessary to grow these eco-friendly stem fibre plants. Flax plants produce large amounts of usable fibre per acre and do not require irrigation.

Linen is durable, soft, lustrous and flexible and will naturally soften with wear and washing.

Studio linen is made from 100% linen.

85% is recycled rayon-linen fibre, sorted from selected wastage and regenerated using the eco-friendly hydrolysis method. Blended with 15% premium natural linen, these fibres are twisted and dyed by a specialist Italian spinner in Biella to produce a unique yarn with a dry hand feel and subtle sheen.

Cool to the touch, and with a delicate drape Studio Linen is the perfect yarn for summer. With a refined palette of eight essential colours that will work with everything you wear and a clear stitch definition, Studio Linen crafts beautiful garments both in knit and crochet.
Made in Italy

50g hank

85% recycled rayon linen / 15% premium linen

approx. 120m / 131yds

21-22 sts & 28-30 rows = 10cm/4in

UK 3.75-4mm / US 5-6 needles

Erika has designed nine patterns for the Linen.

Now it's time for tea and knitting. I'm back to little needles tonight.

One Day Shawl

I've been knitting with 3.5mm needles for one project and 4mm needles on another. I decided to switch it up today.

Pattern: Winter Cove (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: 2 skeins of madelinetosh ASAP - I used Spectrum
Needles: 15mm, 80cm circular

Winter Cove knits up in an evening and is a great starter project for a beginner.

This is knit from the bottom up and can be easily adjusted depending on how much yarn you have.

The pattern is written and charted.

Suitable for super bulky, bulky doubled or 4 strands of worsted.

I started the shawl as the 1pm football games were starting and I cast off at 8pm. It was fun finishing a project that fast. There could be another ASAP project in my near future.

Beth has been knitting on her favourite pattern. She's using Zauberball Starke 6 - the DK version of Crazy.

Beth was complaining as I was casting off. Her project wasn't going as fast as she wanted it to. She's knitting on 3.75mm so it can only go so fast. My job tomorrow is to find her a hat pattern - she wants some instant gratification.

Smoke

Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns has an awesome sweater in the new Vogue Knitting Holiday Edition. We don't carry the magazine in the store but you can find it at Chapters or in the grocery store.

The model is wearing the Blue Lagoon colourway.

For this boat-neck pullover, Bryant chose an asymmetrical chevron pattern stitch, with one leg longer than the other, causing the fabric to bias. It’s worked in a luscious combination of Prism’s Merino Mia and Radiant Petite Madison, a merino, cashmere and silk blend shot through with a bit of gold and silver sparkle.

The response has been so great that Laura has put together three more colourways.

Embers

A rich compilation of warm rusts accented with strong deep plum and magenta.

Smoke

Soft neutral gray and taupe is accented with rich deep plum and steel blue/gray.

Tumbleweed

Our ever-popular Tumbleweed with its sage green, khaki and soft plum is accented with more of the same tones.

Kits are available for sizes S-XL.

Laura's colour sense is amazing. Smoke is calling my name. If you don't want to make the sweater, the yarn would make an amazing shawl. The smallest size kit has 1800 yards.  Outline?

There hasn't been much knitting time this week but Building Blocks is growing. I think there is going to be another Good Wife marathon tonight and I should make it to the third clue.

Free Pattern Friday

Stephanie (the owner of Frabjous Fibers) just put out a hat pattern for their worsted mini skein kits.
The pattern, Latitude Lines, is a free download.

Make striped, slouchy hats for everyone in the family! Sized from toddler on up to adult large, not a head in your household will go cold when the temperature drops.
We like to use Wonderland Yarns Color Morph or Down the Rabbit Hole Mini Skein Packs for a gradient from the simple ribbed brim to the top.
Each mini skein pack can make two toddler or child hats, or an adult and child hat, and you’ll work them up in no time in March Hare worsted!

We have great colours in stock...

We have a new yarn in the store. Eco + from Cascade. There are 8 colours on the shelf with more coming late next week.

Eco+ is 100% Natural Peruvian Wool. Eco+ is the colorful version of our popular Ecological Wool® with a fabulous range of stunning solid colors. Soft and wearable, this wool lends itself to either garments or felting. With amazing, big, generous skeins, it's perfect for all sorts of garments like cardigans, pullovers and blankets.

DETAILS

100% Peruvian Highland Wool
Weight: 250 g / 8.82 oz
Approx. Yardage: 478 yds / 437 m
Knitting Needle Size: US 9 - 10 / 5.5 - 6.0 mm
Knitting Gauge: 14 - 16 sts = 4" (10 cm)

The Eco + Quilt and Cable Blanket is a free pattern from Cascade.

The Bayside Cardigan is another free pattern from Cascade.

I found a few more patterns (these are paid, not free) that look great in Eco +
The famous Owls sweater
Joji's Lemongrass
Jared Flood's Wool Leaves
Wolf River

It's almost time to head home. A quick dinner (Beth is ordering pizza) and then a few more rows on Building Blocks. I just passed the halfway point of the 6th section.

Lest We Forget

In remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.

Pattern Holder

Whenever I have a spare minute in the store I pick up my Inspira Cowl and work a few rows.

I'm almost ready to cast off and block. I really like working with the new Knitter's Pride needles - Melodies of Life.

Something has been bothering Lynn lately. Could she knit a pair of socks with 2 balls of Liberty from Classic Elite?

We had a sample ball in the store so she took it to the cottage last weekend. She used the Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers pattern (free on Ravelry). There was about 15grams of yarn left over after knitting the sock.

These socks are designed with the first-time sock knitter in mind. Sock knitting can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need to be able to do is work in the round, decrease and pick up stitches, and you can make these socks!

Now she knows. She can get a short pair of socks out of 2 balls and a taller pair will take 3 balls.

We have a really big problem now. That colour is discontinued. Either we find one in the odd ball bag or she is going to have a pair of mismatched socks. 

Pattern holders are back in stock.

This indispensable pattern holder is a handy way to keep and display patterns and charts while working on a project. Useful for all knitters, but a “must-have” for lace knitters, especially
Convenient tool for keeping patterns close and easy to read
Easy to fold and unfold for storage; Lays flat when folded
Can stand upright when folded open, vertically or horizontally
Snap closure insures that materials inside stay neat and put
Extremely strong magnets keep patterns and/or charts in place
One extra long magnet strip also works as an indicator guide
Handy pocket holds patterns and charts
Pen pocket keeps marker close at hand
Black poly-jacquard fabric is sturdy and easy to keep clean

Dimensions (in open position): 50cm x 30cm (20" x 12")
Dimensions (in folded position): 25cm x 30cm (10" x 12")

We have a new episode of The Big Bang Theory tonight. Beth has watched every episode. I came to the party later. The show is really funny. Even episodes you've seen before. You can watch them over and over. I must admit that Sheldon is my favourite. There is a bit of paperwork to do before it starts so I need to run.

Cheshire Cat

A huge box just arrived from Frabjous Fibers. We are very well stocked in Cheshire Cat mini skein kits. I've knit two shawls in the Cheshire Cat and really like the yarn.

For the Fleece Festival we used the kits to make Hitchhiker.

Lynn is wearing Shillings and Pence.
Wannietta is wearing Too Much Pepper.
Sarah made hers with a SweetGeorgia Party of Five kit in the colour Swell. (I didn't want to cut her out of the picture - she looks good wearing her Hitchhiker)

Cathy knit her Hitchhiker in Lime to Turquoise.

I think I need to make Hitchhiker in Jub-Jub Bird.

Lynda knit Chevrione (pattern purchased on Ravelry) before the Fleece Festival in Freia's Shawl Ball.

She is making it again (it is so beautiful) in a Cheshire Cat kit in the colour Mimsy. I LOVE purple but I don't have many purple scarves. I can't wait for this one.

We decided to rearrange this afternoon. Some summer yarns needed to put away and it's time for the bulky/get it knit quick yarns. I love Rasta from Malabrigo. One skein will make a cowl and you can make that cowl in one evening.

A lightly-fulled single-ply yarn of magnum proportions! Whip out a super-cozy accessory in just hours with this super-sized delight of a yarn. Our premium Uruguayan merino is just as soft as ever, and Rasta comes in a range of our unique “watercolor multi” colorways as well as a rainbow of semi-solid basics. Unbelievably squishy, this is the yarn to turn to when you want the ultimate in warmth (or the ultimate in speed!)

There are 16 pages of patterns on Ravelry for Rasta.

It's just about time for Survivor. I'm not really sure who I want to win. It's been an interesting season so far.