Archive for February, 2009

Newsletter

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Check out our latest newsletter right here.  It’s chock a block full of all the latest UY news like our latest products, upcoming classes, specials and more.

If you’d like to receive our monthly newsletter by email, please let us know.  Just phone us or send an email.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!  Apparently there’s mixed rain and snow on the way for Vancouver.  Oh well, that’s good weather for knitting…

Frost

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Knit the stunning wrap scarf on the cover of the Winter 08/09 issue of Vogue Knitting:

vogue

A guaranteed quick knit with two strands of Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky held together, on 15mm needles.  We have seven colours in stock, including Frost, the gorgeous ice blue shade on the cover.

Adieu

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

We were sad to hear that Handmaiden Fine Yarn is moving back to it’s roots in Nova Scotia.  Jana, the Main Maiden, dropped by yesterday to say good-bye. 

Happily for us she brought with her several big bins bursting full of beautiful hand-dyed yarns.  Wools, silks, mohair, cashmere and sea cell, in pretty much every colour imaginable.  We have sumptuous new skeins of Lace Silk, Samira Silk, Mini Maiden, Maiden Hair, Lady Godiva and a bit of the brand new Handmaiden yarn, Sea Three, a beautiful aran-weight mix of silk and seacell.

Perhaps best of all, Jana gave us a few “I’d rather sell it than move it'” discounts.  And we’re passing these discounts on to you as our weekly special, all at 25% off the regular price.  There’s some luscious black 2 ply cashmere, with 300 metres per 50 gram skein.  And some gorgeous hand-dyed Sea Silk, 70% silk and 30% seacell, with a whopping 600 metres per 150 gram skein.  Last but not least is the stunning hand-dyed Angel Hair, 70% kid mohair and 30% nylon, with 400 metres per 50 gram skein.  Plus a few other bits and bobs that were lying around the Handmaiden studio.  These won’t last long…

Farewell Jana, we’ll miss having you around.  Be sure to drop by for a visit next time you’re in town!

Sneak Peek

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Blog posts have been a bit infrequent lately as we’ve been hard at work putting the finishing touches on an exciting new project.  Please be kind, getting to this point was a kajillion times more complicated than one might expect.  We’d love to have more bells and whistles as well as a much longer product list – it’s a work in progress.  Should be operational by the end of the month…

In the meantime, Becky’s been unpacking boxes like crazy.  There’s tons of new Blue Sky Alpacas colours and designs.  Love the Sunday cardigan:

bsa-summer-cardigan

Two huge Mission Falls boxes were unpacked yesterday.  Loads more 1824 wool and some pretty new multi-colours of 1824 cotton.  Some gorgeous Indigo Moon hand-dyes came out of another box.  Also some fabulous Stitch Diva patterns and several new KnitWhits kits like the cute Elfin Booties:

elfin-booties

We also have some cool new tidbits like Tunisian Crochet Hooks and  Sweater Blockers.

And don’t forget, our Stashbuster Sale continues until this Sunday.  Three more days to pick up some incredible bargains. 

It’s just a hubbub of activity around here these days…

An Extra 10%

Monday, February 16th, 2009

We’ve extended our Stashbuster Sale to February 22.  We still need more room for all the lovely new things that are arriving daily.  So take an extra 10% off everything on our sale list.  All items that were 25% are now 35% off.  And yes, items that were 60% off are now 70% off.  Of course we’ve sold out of some things but there’s still scads of yarn bursting out of bins, boxes and cubbies all over our stores.

If you like incredible bargains this week would definitely be a good time to drop by for a visit.

Tsunami

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

That’s what it often feels like in our tiny office as waves of new boxes hit us with surprising frequency. 

We’ve unpacked some wonderful new items this week, including French Girl Knits:

french-girl-knits 

Or if you prefer hooks to needles, check out Wrapped in Crochet:

wrapped-in-crochet 

A huge Cascade re-stock recently arrived.  Anina’s loving the Pastaza, she used it to knit some adorable Valentine hearts:

hearts

Look here for more info.  I’m tempted to tackle Jared’s Girasole blanket but I don’t really have time for it right now.  Please, help me resist, keep me away from the Pastaza…

We’ve just opened an enormous Blue Sky Alpacas re-stock with all the usual tempting suspects.  Sumptuously soft as always, with a glorious colour palette.

And yesterday we unpacked three big boxes of Garnstudio with loads of Eskimo, Alpaca and the lovely Lin.

There’s also Cherry Hill Sock yarn, stunning Tilli Tomas delicacies and a beautiful new line of shawl sticks, belt buckles and stitch marker necklaces.  Love the KNIT keychain:

knit-keychain

Although we’ve been known to groan at the sight of a new wave of boxes, we’re always truly excited to see what’s inside.  Drop by sometime and share the excitement…

New Rowan

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

In addition to Magazine 45 there are three new Rowan collections for Spring.  The Lenpur Linen Collection:

lenpur-linen-collection

With fourteen fabulous designs by Sarah Hatton ranging from slinky summer tops, shrugs, vests and cardis.  Lenpur is an innovative new fibre made using wood pulp, a renewable resource.  Lenpur Linen is a lovely mix of 75% lenpur and 25% linen, giving a smooth, soft yarn with a beautiful drape.

If you’re looking for some great new kids’ designs, check out The Organic Cotton Kids Collection:

organic-cotton-kids2 

With sixteen designs by Marie Wallin for boys, girls and babies including children’s coats, dresses, slipovers, cardis and sweaters.  This collection uses the lovely Organic Cotton DK and 4 ply.

The Milk Cotton Collection has a charming assortment of ladies spring and summer wear by Marie Wallin:

milk-cotton-collection

With fifteen designs ranging from simple modern shapes to delicate florals and lace.  All garments are knit in Milk Cotton DK.

And we’ve stocked the classic Rowan All Seasons Cotton for the first time.  This is a great aran weight yarn that’s 60% cotton and 40% microfibre, giving a soft touch and a lofty texture.  There are endless options for this one.

We also have a bunch of new Rowan Classic books and yarn.  Details will follow.

And don’t forget about our stashbuster sale that continues through to Sunday.  There are loads of fantastic bargains to be had in both stores.  We need to make room for all the new stuff that’s arriving every day…

Debbie Bliss Spring

Friday, February 6th, 2009

 debbiemag22

Just as good as the first issue…

There was a wonderful buzz in the stores today
as the bargains were devoured.  The boxes and bins are still overflowing with loads of discounted yarns and this weekend will be busy.  Be prepared for occasional line-ups and please be patient – we’re moving as fast as we can!

Stashbuster Sale

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

Boxes are stacked to the rafters and yarn is bursting out of the bins.  We have piles of boxes in our basements.  The time has come to bust the Urban Yarns stash.  Every February we do an inventory count and we’d rather sell it than count it….

We’re giving first notice of the sale to all our loyal blog readers.  The doors will open Friday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m.   There are over 200 different yarns on sale, discounted from 25% – 60% off the regular price.   These are fabulous yarns like Alchemy, Blue Sky, Colinette, Debbie Bliss, Fleece Artist, Louisa Harding, Mirasol, Noro, Rowan and many, many more.  Check out Rowan Chunky Print, Ribbon Twist and Soft Baby at 60% off!  Of course there are also books, needles, knitting bags, knit kits, the list goes on and on.   We have good quantities of many yarns and limited quantities of others so come early for the best selection.

Have a look at the entire list right here.  Knock yourself out!

Have you Habu’d?

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

Check out these great new kits from Habu, direct from Manhattan.  Habu uses interesting and unusual fibres from Japan to create their seriously cool designs. 

We have the Paper Mohair Jacket kit, made with linen, mohair and silk:

kit-36

Ms. Habu told us this jacket looks good on everyone and is an easy knit. 

We like the look of the Kushu Kushu felted scarf:

kit-78

This kit includes silk, merino and stainless steel.  Yup, stainless steel…  We also have the Silk Stainless yarn in cute little cones.  Use your imagination with this one.

The Paper and Silk Handbag kit and Paper Moire Silk Vest kit are also very appealing.  Better drop by and have a look…