Here are a few random photos of some beautiful projects we’ve seen recently.

This is Marian modelling a scarf of her own creation. She also knit the handle on her bag:

We love the scattered button detail:

The buttons are from Button Button.

A customer recently brought in this beautiful Princess Crown:

It’s from the fantastic book, Alterknits, by Leigh Radford:

There are all sorts of cool, alternative projects in this book, like felted PDA cases, lace-up gloves, a silver squares necklace, paper lanterns, a screen door, a felted stash bag and many more. Anina knit this beautiful scarf from Alterknits:

Here’s a close-up:

Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s also super soft and cozy.

And now for something completely different, this is Judy’s masterpiece. It’s a Japanese pattern knit with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran:

Here’s the back:

Simply stunning. Judy is an amazing knitter. She likes this cardigan so much that she knit a second one in Rowan Wool Cotton. Here is her helpful husband, Michael, showing it off:

Yup, same sweater, with different yarn for different seasons. An amazing concept.

Okay, enough inspiration for today. Time for some knitting!

We’ve just received these great little kits from Lorna’s Laces:

Two skeins of handpainted Shepherd Sock yarn and a Basic Sock pattern inside a clear plastic paint can. A great holiday gift for a sock knitter!

We’ve also received a couple of new boxes of luscious Handmaiden yarn. There are new Devin’s Toque kits, Cashmere Cloche kits and Stormwater Shawl kits as well as their most luxurious yarn ever, Swiss Mountain Cashmere & Silk – spun to Swiss standards of perfection. We’ve also received some of the coveted Mini Maiden yarn, 50% silk, 50% wool. If you’re a lace knitter you’ll love this one. And the new Casbah Sock kits should be here any day.

We still have a few spaces left for the Handmaiden Yarn Tasting on November 20, 6-9 p.m. Register soon by email or phone. We hope you can join us!

Son of Stitch and Bitch has arrived!

This is a great book that’s loaded with edgy projects to knit and crochet for men. These are cool, hip designs that you’ll love to make for your guy or knit for yourself. This book is great value, with a total of 45 patterns for only $19.95. And we guarantee you’ll like the models…

If you’d like to meet the author, Debbie Stoller, be sure to register for the Canadian launch of her book on Sunday, December 2, from 6-9 p.m., at our Point Grey store. We hope you can join us!

We also have Louisa Harding’s gorgeous new book, “Knitting Little Luxuries, Beautiful Accessories to Knit”.

This book has over 20 great designs, divided into 4 sections: Eclectic and Quirky, Textured and Modern, Pretty and Feminine and Traditional and Folk. Choose a project based on your current mood… There are also some useful and informative sections on yarn information, abbreviations and various technique descriptions.

If you love to knit socks, check out our great selection of sock books. We have Interweave’s new “Favorite Socks” with 25 great sock designs:

Or a perennial favourite, “The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook”:

We also have “Knitting Vintage Socks” by Nancy Bush:

Sock-lovers, take your pick! Or you might have to have them all…

For a great reference book that you’ll use repeatedly, check out “The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns” by Ann Budd. This book has many basic patterns for mitts, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, vests and sweaters in multiple sizes and gauges. There’s also tons of useful information on various essential topics.

Or for something completely different, check out the crocheted dolls called Amigurumi. We have Elisabeth Doherty’s book with patterns for the cutest little creatures:

For holiday knitting you can’t beat “Handknit Holidays” by Melanie Falick. This is an eclectic collection of more than 50 original gifts, decorations and garments for Christmas, Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice. Projects include colourful ornaments, Christmas stockings, a wire-and-bead menorah, sparkly ribbon scarves, gift bags and a range of super-quick projects for the last-minute holiday rush. There’s even a recipe for festive crescent cookies.

Or take a look at the Interweave “Christmas Stockings” book. There’s a captivating snowman stocking designed by Nicky Epstein, a keepsake stocking for a baby’s first Christmas, classic Argyle, Estonian and Gansey designs and some miniature stockings and mitts that would be perfect for tree ornaments and present decorations:

We have loads of other titles, come on in and check ‘em out!

Today’s featured yarns are Berroco Jewel FX and Suede Deluxe, on sale at 40% off.

Jewel FX is a glittery yarn that can be knit on it’s own or held together with another yarn for decorative effect.

Suede Deluxe is a sparkly version of Berroco’s popular Suede yarn. Knit a beautiful necklace or braid some keychains for stocking stuffers with Suede Deluxe.

Or use your imagination with either of these yarns and create a sparkly scarf accessory for holiday events. Tis the Season…

If you’re a Boa Girl, you’ll love the ruffly scarves we’ve been making. Here’s Becky modelling the Red Ruffly:

And here’s a close-up:

These scarves are knit on 3.5 – 4.5 mm dp needles. They’re super easy, only 7 stitches per row. The ruffles magically appear as you knit. We have free patterns at both stores.

We started with the Online Solo Colour yarn, knit the sample and now everyone wants red ruffles. Sadly we can’t get the red yarn right now – there’s pretty much none left anywhere in Canada. One of these days it will reappear but in the meantime, we’ve stocked some Schachenmayr Geniale and Universal Tango. Hopefully one of these colours will appeal to you:

If you’re a Boa Girl, you should give one of these a try!

We’re happy to report that the gorgeous Manos del Uruguay yarn has finally arrived at Urban Yarns. What took us so long?

This stunning 100% wool kettle dyed yarn is handcrafted by a womens’ cooperative in Uruguay. It’s an aran weight so it’s a quick knit. Manos is a perfect yarn for so many projects like hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets or whatever else your heart desires. It’s a great felting yarn. And did we mention that it’s absolutely stunning?

We have 10 drop dead gorgeous colourways. Knock yourself out!

Please say hello to Nicholas, a new addition to the Urban Yarns gang:

Nicholas is a multi-talented guy. First of all, he’s a great knitter. He’s also funny and friendly, helpful and patient – you’ll like him a lot. He also plays and teaches percussion! And his latest talent is Knitwear Designer.

One day recently Nicholas was in the store, wearing his Cool Dude Toque (see photo above) and almost everyone who walked in the door that day wanted to knit the thing. The sorry response was “I just made it up, there is no pattern, blah, blah, blah…” We joked around a bit, said he should write a pattern and before we knew it, a pattern and sample were dropped on our desk. Nicholas Jacques, Knitwear Designer, was born. The pattern was released today and many have already been sold.

The toque is knit with Mirasol Sulka, a luscious mix of 60% merino wool, 20% alpaca and 20% silk. Super soft. And you’ll feel good that part of the proceeds from the sale of this yarn go directly to the Mirasol Project.

You’ll need 2 skeins of Sulka, 6mm needles and the “Nicholas Jacques Design”. Only $21. for the yarn and pattern – there couldn’t be a better Christmas present for your own cool dude…

Please join us in Point Grey on Remembrance Day, November 11, as Astor Tsang demonstrates how to crochet and felt a poppy. Astor designed a felted poppy to make and wear on Remembrance Day, in honour of our war veterans. The pattern is here.

We have some great classes starting in the upcoming month. Learn how to knit a pair of socks at one of our Sock Boot Camps, on Thursday, November 15 or 29 in Point Grey or Tuesday, December 10 in Edgemont, all from 6-9 p.m. Or if you know someone who’d like to learn to knit, there’s a Beginners Knitting Class starting on Monday, November 19, 7-9 p.m. For more information about all of our classes, have a look at our class schedule, which is regularly updated.

We’ve also scheduled two very special events, the Handmaiden Yarn Tasting on November 20 and the Debbie Stoller book signing on December 2. There’s limited space available for these events so register soon by email or phone. We hope you can join us!

We’re offering double weekly specials for the month of November!

Today’s featured yarns are Debbie Bliss Merino Aran and Merino DK, on sale at 30% off. These are both 100% merino wool and we have lots of colours to choose from.

View a collection of designs for Merino DK here and for Merino Aran here. The possibilities are endless…

We received a couple of boxes of 1824 wool today. It’s an aran weight merino superwash wool with a gorgeous colour palette. We have tons of colours in stock. This yarn is called 1824 wool because the gauge is 18 stitches, 24 rows. It’s perfect for many different types of projects.

We also stock the 1824 cotton. This is a machine washable cotton with a fantastic colour range. The Mission Falls wool and cotton are interchangeable as they both have the same gauge.

There are some fantastic Mission Falls pattern books to inspire you. We have most of these books. Just Kidding is one of our favourites:

There are designs for ages 4 to 12. There’s a basic easy-to-knit pullover pattern with some different neck and motif options. Also some cute designs for hats, scarves, mittens and backpacks.

Anina knit this sweater from Just Kidding, with 1824 wool, for her handsome dude, Luc:

Love the style, love the colours, love the sweater.