Archive for 2007

October Lessons

Monday, October 8th, 2007

Take a knitting lesson and learn a new skill this Fall! We have lots of classes starting this month:

Mondays
Edgemont Village: Sock Boot Camp
October 15; 6-9 p.m.; $25.

Tuesdays
Point Grey: Beyond Beginner Knitting
October 16, 30, November 6, 13; 7-9 p.m.; $95.

Wednesdays
Point Grey: Lace Knitting for Adventurous Beginners
October 17, 24 & November 7; 7-9 p.m.; $85.
Instructor: Sivia Harding

Thursdays:
Edgemont Village: Aran Block of the Month
October 18, November 22, December 13, January 24, February 21, March 20, April 24;
6-8 p.m.; $140.

Point Grey: Sock Boot Camp
October 11; 6-9 p.m.; $25.

Sundays:
Point Grey: Knitting Q & A
Every Sunday; 11 a.m. – 12 noon; $20.
Instructor: Astor Tsang

Point Grey: Aran Block of the Month
October 14, November 18, December 9, January 20, February 17, March 16, April 20
2:30-4:30 p.m.; $140.

For more details and a complete list of lessons, check out our class schedule.

Go Green

Saturday, October 6th, 2007


Check out our collection of earth friendly fibres from the Southwest Trading Company. Both UY stores currently have displays of earth-friendly SWTC yarns, sample garments and free informative handouts.

We recently received the SWTC “Amaizing” yarn, made of 100% corn fibre. Corn fibre is a completely natural, renewable resource and is wholly biodegradable. The yarn is very soft, the colours won’t fade and it is machine washable and dryable. This is a perfect yarn to use for children’s garments, baby blankets and baby clothes. Just wash those spills away in the machine. Come to think of it, I should knit myself a sweater with this one…

We also have the SWTC “Pure” yarn, made of 100% soysilk and dyed in gorgeous, rich jewel colours. Soysilk fibre is made from the soybean residue remaining after tofu is produced. Soy is another natural, renewable resource that is wholly biodegradable. Soysilk fibre feels as soft as real silk and has a shiny pearl-like lustre.

One of our most popular new sock yarns is SWTC “Tofutsies“, a yarn containing the chitin fibre. Chitin is made from the shells of shrimp and crab! It’s extracted from the shells discarded by the commercial seafood industry. This yarn has natural deodorizing and anti-bacterial properties. Shouldn’t all socks contain this fibre? If you love to knit socks with Tofutsies, check out the Tofutsies Sock Club.

You should also have a look at the SWTC yarn, “Love“, made of 70% bamboo and 30% silk. Bamboo is another natural and renewable resource that is processed free of any petrochemicals. It’s cool to the skin and comfortable to wear, with a beautiful drape and softness.

For your next project, choose one of these beautiful, earth-friendly fibres and Go Green with your knitting!

Sheltering Stitch

Thursday, October 4th, 2007

How would you like to help out some of Vancouver’s homeless men and women this winter? You can help a homeless person stay warm by knitting a hat, mittens, scarf, sweater, socks or blanket and donating it to the Sheltering Stitch. Or you can donate those bits of your stash that may never make it onto your needles. The donated yarn will be knit by volunteers.

The Sheltering Stitch was founded and is coordinated by Vancouver author and avid knitter, Nancy Lee. A very sweet lady with a generous heart.

We’ve discovered that there are many benevolent knitters in Vancouver. Between September and December, 2006, the Lookout Emergency Aid Society was the appreciative recipient of 75 hand knit hats, 57 scarves, 10 sweaters, 5 blankets and 1 pair of gloves. Kudos to champion volunteer knitter, Nancy Chen, who donated 40 hats and 34 scarves!

Terri recently donated this box full of treasures:


Thank you Terri! And thanks to all of the generous donors and volunteer knitters. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Tuesday Specials

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

Our Tuesday specials are back!

The featured yarn this week is Rowan Ribbon Twist at 30% off. Ribbon Twist is a beautiful yarn with a spray dyed ribbon wrapped around loosely twisted wool. It knits up quickly on big 12mm needles.

Take this opportunity to knit a sweater from the “Ribbon Twist Collection” with 15 designs featuring Ribbon Twist. The book includes patterns for cozy sweaters, jackets, capelets, hats, scarves and bags, by popular designer, Kim Hargreaves.

We put a few other tidbits on sale today. Look in the specials section in Point Grey for 30% off select colours of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and 35% off select colours of Rowan 4 ply soft. They won’t last long…

Sock Boot Camps

Monday, October 1st, 2007

We’ve had a lot of fun with our Sock Boot Camps. Troops learn to knit a mini-training sock in a 3 hour session, then take their new techniques home and knit a real pair of socks. Does it work? Just ask Heidi:

“I attended your Sock Boot Camp in West 10th on August 21st and have now completed my first sock. Just one so far but the other has been started. I just wanted to say that the “boot camp” really seemed to work as I did not need any help during the time it took to knit this one. I did seem to remember the steps as I went along even though I was skeptical going in to class that I could pull this off. I wanted to make one right away before the training left my head…. I am confident now and want to thank you for offering the class and for Jackie for being a good teacher. (I’ve only been knitting since May of this year and am still very much a beginner.)”

This is Heidi’s first sock:

Not only is it gorgeous, it’s a perfect fit. And the second sock is almost completed. Congrats Heidi!

Sock Boot Camps are scheduled in Point Grey on Thursdays, October 11 & November 1 and in Edgemont Village on Monday, October 15. All classes run from 6 – 9 p.m. To register, send an email or phone us at 604-228-1122. Have a look at our class schedule for more information on all of our upcoming classes.

What’s New?

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Some big boxes of the luscious Handmaiden yarn arrived this week. They were absolutely bursting with exquisite colours and textures. Here’s a small sample of the beauty we beheld:


Gorgeous bias shawl kits, cashmere cloche kits, devins toque kits, stormwater shawl kits, textures scarf kits and wavy scarf kits in some stunning new colourways. All lovingly hand-dyed in small batches by Jana and her maidens. Pure knitting inspiration!

Welcome!

Friday, September 28th, 2007

We’ve finally got this blog going after forever saying “we really should”. Thanks to our blog angel, Nicole, for getting us on track.

We have so much to write about! We plan to tell you about our new products, specials, classes and special events. We hope to inspire you with photos of some of the beautiful knit and crocheted creations we see every day in our stores. Please email us photos of your projects and we’ll post them here. We’ll also keep you up to date on the latest knitting and crochet trends and industry buzz.

Speaking of special events, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll be hosting the Canadian launch party for Kim Werker’s new book, “Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution” on October 23, from 6 – 9 p.m. We hope you can join us. This is Kim’s new book:


Kim is the editor of Interweave Crochet magazine and the founder and creative director of crochetme.com. She lives in Vancouver and is a regular UY customer. Kim is on a mission to revolutionize crochet by reinterpreting crochet design and demonstrating that crochet can be stylish, edgy and fun. With her abundant charm, boundless energy and determination, this woman will accomplish anything she decides to do!

Kim will be signing her book and giving a talk about the many creative possibilities of crochet. There may be an opportunity to learn some new techniques so be sure to bring a hook and some yarn. We’ll also preview some of the outstanding fashions featured in the book in an exclusive trunk show.

To register for this event, please send us an email or phone us at 604-228-1122. You’ll be guaranteed a spot if you sign up by October 9. There may be a small admission charge, depending on the number of registrants.

Kim’s book will be released on October 8 and we expect to receive our shipment in mid-October. We have one advance copy of the book so come in and check it out at our Point Grey store. To reserve a copy, please send us an email or phone us at 604-228-1122.