As promised, here’s the trio of gorgeous Rowan Classic books for Fall, all designs by Martin Storey.

Winter Gifts has a delightful collection of gift ideas:

It’s a fantastic collection of fresh takes on typical gift items like hats, scarves, socks, gloves and mitts. There’s also a cute cardi, a vest, a shrug, legwarmers, as well as a tea cosy and hot water bottle cover. Our friend Jen’s knitting the hot water bottle cover for someone special – it’s going to be a very snuggly and treasured gift. Get inspired ideas for your Christmas gift knitting with this book. Yup, it’s that time of year again…

Vintage has a tempting collection of cardis and pullovers in beautiful contemporary classic styles:

All knit in luxurious RYC DK weight yarns.

And the third book is Alpine, with a cozy collection of cardis, coats and pullovers that will keep you warm in the chilly winter weather that’s around the corner:

These designs are knit in beautiful RYC aran and chunky weight yarns.

They’re coffee table quality books, with stunning photographs and designs that are second to none. Definitely worth a look…

We’ll be open in both stores this weekend on Saturday and Sunday but closed on Thanksgiving Monday.

If you’re looking for some Thanksgiving knitting inspiration, check out the November 22, 2007 post at Habetrot Knitting. LOL.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Every season Rowan publishes stacks of design books that are incredibly inspiring. When the new books arrive, we gather around, flip through the pages and drool over the fantastic new designs. There are always way too many choices…

This season is no exception. Rowan kicked off the Fall knitting season in July with Magazine 44, a special anniversary issue. Fabulous as ever.

The Cocoon Collection is another new Rowan book for Fall:

With sixteen enticing designs using the luscious Cocoon yarn, an uber-soft merino and kid mohair mix with a 14 stitch gauge for quick results. There are many tempting projects in this one.

And check out The Colourscape Chunky Collection:

This collection has fourteen terrific new designs by Sarah Hatton using the fantastic new Colourscape Chunky yarn by Kaffe Fassett. This 100% lambswool yarn is created by a unique process – only 300 kils per machine can be produced in a week. The colours of this yarn are absolutely amazing, from deep mysterious tones of purples, maroons and turquoise to the softness of dusty pastels. Drop by sometime and have a look at this beautiful new yarn.

The British Sheep Breeds Collection is another great new Rowan book for Fall. Classic designs, classic yarn, Rowan’s gone back to its roots with this one.

Next up are the Rowan Studio books featuring up to the minute contemporary designs published every two months. The cutting edge of fashion… This is Issue Seven, Twists and Turns:

Featuring seven elegant classics with a twist. The designs feature a sampling of Rowan’s yarns including Wool Cotton, Kid Classic, Scottish Tweed DK, Big Wool and Kid Silk Haze. We have ‘em all…

And to top it all off, there’s Kim Hargreaves’ fabulous series of books for Rowan yarns. Her latest, Thrown Together, has sixteen terrific designs:

We adore this book and the luscious yarns that go with it. Big Wool, Calmer, Felted Tweed, Kid Classic, Kid Silk Haze, Kid Silk Aura, all on our shelves.

We also have Kim Hargreaves’ popular books Nectar and Heartfelt. This is Heartfelt, The Dark House Collection:

With another twenty-one fantastic designs for a variety of Rowan yarns including Big Wool, Biggy Print, Calmer, Cocoon, Felted Tweed, Handknit Cotton, Kid Classic, Kid Silk Haze, Kid Silk Aura and Summer Tweed, they’re all out on our shelves.

Check out the Cherish Cardigan, a fabulous fitted cropped cardi with garter stitch edging, slightly flared sleeves and single button fastening. A quick knit with just 4 – 5 balls of Big Wool on 12mm needles. If you’re a Big Wool fan, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve just added three colours to our Big Wool special at 40% off:

They’re a great bargain at only $9.57 per ball. These colours aren’t yet in Edgemont but they’ll arrive sometime next week.

Remarkably, there are even more Rowan books this season. We haven’t yet shown the three fabulous Rowan Classic books that were recently published. Stay tuned for more details…

Have a look at these adorable babes:

This is Baby Bamboo Too, the new pattern book for Sirdar’s popular Baby Bamboo yarn. Made from 100% natural bamboo and wool, it’s gorgeously soft for wearing next to a baby’s skin. This book features sixteen wonderful designs for babies and children to age 7 years.

We also have some sweet new leaflet patterns for Baby Bamboo, like this little cardigan:

So cute. Knit it with a collar or add a snuggly hood.

And check out the fantastic new book for Snuggly DK, Little Speckled Chicks:

With 12 cozy, speckled knits for babies and children to age 7 years. Snuggly DK is a great easy-care machine washable yarn and we have lots of it.

There’s also the charming Little Sweet Peas book for Snuggly DK:

It’s crammed full of twenty-two beautiful designs for little ones up to 7 years of age. And the Sirdar books are great value at only $14.95.

We have loads of lovely new Handmaiden in both stores. These colours give us an almost irresistible urge to grab a skein and start knitting:

Take a knitting or crochet lesson and learn a new skill this Fall!

These ladies had fun learning how to crochet the beautiful Babette Blanket this summer:

We’ve just added two new lessons to our Point Grey Class Schedule. Sivia Harding will teach a Toe Up Sock Class starting Wednesday, October 22, from 7 – 9 p.m. Get a perfect fit for your socks with the toe-up technique. And Sandra Dunkin will teach another Beginner Knitting Class starting Thursday, November 13, from 7 – 9 p.m.

There are several other lessons starting in Point Grey over the next few weeks. Deanna will teach a Beginners Crochet class, starting next Monday, October 6, from 7 – 9 p.m. Sock Boot Camps are scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 or 28, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. You’ll learn to knit a sock in just one day! And Sivia Harding will give a Jewelry Knitting Clinic on Wednesday, October 15, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Take one look at Sivia’s stunning sample necklace that’s on display in Point Grey and you’ll want to take this class.

We also have some excellent lessons starting soon in Edgemont. Donna will teach a Felted Bag class starting next Tuesday, October 7, from 7 – 9 p.m. She’ll also teach a Beginners Knitting class, starting on Tuesday, October 14, from 7 – 9 p.m. Nick will take you beyond the basics in Intermediate Knitting, starting this Thursday, October 2, from 7 – 9 p.m. Or learn to knit Fingerless Gloves starting on Thursday October 6, from 7 – 9 p.m.

For more information, check out our entire class schedule.

Drop by Point Grey this Sunday, October 6 to learn the hairpin lace technique. Astor Tsang will demonstrate the technique all afternoon, there’s no charge and no need to register. You’ll quickly learn to easily create some unique hairpin lace pieces, like this elegant shawl or a fabulous scarf.

Astor will also teach a Yarn 101 Class on the second Sunday of each month in Point Grey, starting October 12, from 11 a.m. – noon. She’ll give a tour of the yarn in the shop, discussing materials, gauge and yarn substitutions. Bring a pattern you love and challenge Astor to find the perfect yarn for the pattern! You must pre-register by the preceding Thursday for this class. There’s a $5. charge which you may apply towards any yarn purchased that day.

And don’t forget about our Jane Ellison event at UBC on Saturday, October 25, from 12 noon – 3:00 p.m. Tickets are selling fast and seating is limited so register early to avoid disappointment. Should be tons of fun!