Archive for April, 2009

Fall Collections

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

For a few weeks we’ve been welcoming Spring and the lightweight yarns and designs that come with the season.  But this weekend, Anina and I are flying to Toronto and abruptly changing course to view samples of winter woolly yarns and design sketches for cold weather wear.  It’s always fun to see what’s new.  And we’ve booked tix for Jersey Boys, the must-see show in town.  Definitely looking forward to that.  When we return next week we’ll give  you a full report on the hot new yarns and designs for Fall…

Top pick from the new boxes this week was the Handmaiden Bias Shawl kits:

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Kathleen’s a big fan of these shawls, in fact she just finished knitting one.

We also have some stunning new skeins of Fleece Artist Peter Rabbit.  This sumptuous angora just calls out to be fondled, more than any other yarn we’ve seen.  It’s like having a row of soft, fluffy clouds hanging on the wall.  If you’re an angora fan, you should drop by for a look and a touch.

See you next week…

Spring Cleaning Part I

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

It’s that time of year again.  We’re bursting at the seams so we’re cleaning up and clearing out.

This week we’ve purged our Fleece Artist wall.  It’s jam-packed full of beautiful textures and colours – all gorgeous fibres that were too tempting to resist.  Only one problem – we have too much!  So this week’s special is a Fleece Artist Sale Bonanza.

There’s Nyoni and Merino with Angel Hair at 40% off the regular price.  Order online before May 1 and you’ll receive a gift certificate for an additional 10% of the original price.

Leba and Tara are also 40% off.  Leba’s a light dk weight blend of kid, wool and nylon with 425 metres to a 250 gram skein.  And Tara’s a lace weight blend of the same fibres, with a whopping 2000 metres per 250 gram skein.

Fleece Artist Min Kim kits are also on sale at 40% off:

fleece-artist-min-kim-kits

Min Kims are kimono style sweaters using 100% organic wool, in sizes 1-2 years or 3-4 years.  Very cute.

And there are bits and bobs of other Fleece Artist kits and yarn at 25% off like Tilting Block Sock kits and Blue Face Aran yarn, as well as select colours of Bordello Sock kits and Suri Blue yarn.  All gorgeous stuff.

Watch for little surprise sale baskets that will appear in our stores from time to time over the next few weeks as we continue our Spring Cleaning.  This week you’ll find several skeins of the stunning Handmaiden Sea Three and Lace Silk at 15% off.  And in Point Grey there’s a basket full of luscious Blue Sky Alpacas Royal at 40% off.  Grab a skein of Royal and knit the Knot Hat or the newborn Royal Baby Set.  Or tackle a bigger project like the crocheted Cap Sleeve Wrap or the Royal Cardigan.

These beautiful yarns don’t go on sale every day so if you’re tempted, we suggest you pick ‘em up quickly before they’re all gone….

Sock Stuff

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Everyone’s knitting socks these days.  They’re great portable little projects, you can whip them out and knit a few rows anywhere you go.  And almost everybody enjoys wearing a pair of handknit socks.  We have tons and tons of sock stuff in our stores right now. 

Of course there are scads of sock yarn options.  The most recent arrival is Alchemy Juniper:

alchemy-juniper2

Absolutely stunning colourways.  Gina Wilde is the best.

Another new arrival is the Schachenmayr Regia Stretch Colour.  We had lots of requests for stretchy sock yarn so we brought in some Stretch Colour.  And if you’re a Regia fan, you’ll be happy to know that we also have Regia Bamboo Colour, Cotton Colour and the classic 4 ply and 6 ply. 

There’s also Kureyon Sock, Malabrigo Sock, Online 4 ply Harlekin and 6 ply Relax, just to name a few.  We have countless other sock yarn options, too many to mention in just one post.  Drop by, phone or email and we’d be happy to give you more info.

If you’re short on time, grab a Fleece Artist Merino Sock kit.  Or order a kit online.  One compact package contains both a pattern and 115 grams of beautiful hand-dyed sock yarn.  Presto bingo, you’re ready to cast on.

We also have lots of sock patterns, sock books and sock needles if you need them.  Have a look at the Hiya Hiya dp needle kit with three different sizes for sock knitting, bamboo or metal, in one cute little pouch.  We also have their 9 inch circulars which are also perfect for sock knitting.  Or treat yourself to a set of the Blue Sky Alpacas rosewood 5″ dp needles that come in their own tin with a different colour for each size:

bsa-rosewood-needles

 Love those cute, colourful little tins and the needles are fabulous.

Another very popular sockaholic tool is the Fiber Trends Sock Blocker.  If you’re knitting lots of socks these days, you’ll want a set of these.

And if you’d like to learn how to knit a pair of socks, sign up for one of our Sock Boot Camps and learn to knit a sock in just one day.  Sock Boot Camps are currently scheduled in Point Grey on Tuesday, May 12 or May 26, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.  If you’d like to register or need more info, just phone us at 604-228-1122.  You can have a look at our entire Spring Class Schedule right here.

Happy Sock Knitting!

Lost and Found

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

A fabulous new book is out on our shelves today:

alchemy-lost-and-found1

Have a look at all twenty-one fantastic patterns right here.

We also have the new Alchemy sock yarn, Juniper.  Gina Wilde has once again worked her extraordinary magic with these wonderful colourways.  Juniper is currently only in Point Grey but will arrive in Edgemont next week.

Don’t despair Edgemont knitters, a great new book arrived today in North Vancouver:

kh-breeze1 

Breeze is the latest collection from Designer Diva, Kim Hargreaves.  With twenty-one fabulous designs using many of Rowan’s lighter-weight yarns like All Seasons Cotton, Pima Cotton DK, Wool Cotton, Handknit Cotton and Summer Tweed – they’re all out on our shelves.  And a big box full of Breeze books will soon has arrived in Point Grey….

Summer Tweed

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Our special last week was several colours of Summer Tweed at 40% off.  And we have even more colours of Summer Tweed at regular price.  Rowan has cooperated by posting on it’s website free patterns for seven classic Kim Hargreaves designs using Summer Tweed.  Have a look at Coral:

summer-tweed-coral 

A great pattern for beginners using just four skeins of Summer Tweed. 

We’ve always liked Ginger:

summer-tweed-ginger 

A cute summer top with a v-cut back.  Another great pattern for beginners, again using only four skeins.

Be sure to check out the other vintage Kim Hargreaves designs that are offered as free patterns including Anemone, Fusion, Hunter, Pebbles and Sea Breeze

And there are a couple more great designs for Summer Tweed in Nectar, one of Kim Hargreave’s wonderful collections.  Glint is a cute cropped shrug with short sleeves.  And Glimmer is a striking jacket with double buttons and slightly flared sleeves with lovely ruffled edging. 

Our special this week is another classic Rowan yarn, 4 ply cotton at 40% off the regular price.  This is a beautiful matte-finish, soft cotton yarn that’s perfect for lightweight summer projects.  There are loads of designs for 4 ply cotton in Rowan’s current and past summer magazines.  And have a look at two recent Kim Hargreaves designs in Nectar using 4 ply cotton, Glisten and Jasmine.

We have tons of ideas for summer knitting and crocheting projects.  Just ask and we’d be happy to help you out!

Loads of Boxes

Friday, April 17th, 2009

 boxes2

Can you guess what we’re doing today?

Knit-Along

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Jessica is our front-end gal, 4 – 5 days a week, in Edgemont Village.  She’s developed quite a following with the North Shore crafters, she has an effervescent personality and her enthusiasm for the fibre arts is infectious! 

Last Fall, Jess begged us to let her run some Knit Nights and they’ve been wildly successful.  On a recent Tuesday evening there were fourteen ladies crammed into our little Edgemont store, chit chatting, needles clickety clacking, all having a marvellous time.

Jessica and Teresa recently completed their first Knit Night Knit-Along project, the February Lady Sweater:

february-ladies 

Jess used Araucania Nature Wool and Teresa used Malabrigo Merino Worsted.  Well done ladies, they’re beautiful! 

Next up is the Mr. Greenjeans cardi.  This sweater’s slightly cropped, with a single button closure and a cable pattern that’s easy enough for your first cable project.  Six knitters cast on last Tuesday evening and for a couple of them, it’s their first sweater ever.  If you’d like to join the Mr. Greenjeans Knit-Along, it’s not too late, just give Jessica a call at 984-2214.  She’d be happy to help you out.

New Stuff

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

We’ve replenished our supply of Noro Silk Garden and Silk Garden Sock with several fantastic new colours. We’re always happy to pull some new Noro out of  the boxes…

We’ve added the eco-friendly Takumi Velvet needles to our collection.  You’re gonna love knitting with these.  They’re highly polished and lightweight, with a perfect needle point.

There’s some new Laines du Nord Mulberry Silk on our shelves.  Shimmery pure silk in lively colours like carmine, lavender and neon green.  

And we’ve re-stocked loads of the ever popular Mission Falls wool and cotton.  Machine-washable, loads of colours and a very appealing price. 

Our special this week is Rowan Summer Tweed at 40% off the regular price.  A beautiful silk/cotton blend with a wonderful texture provided by the contrasting nubs spun throughout the yarn.  Have a look at the fab designs in Kim Hargreaves’ classic, Summer Tweed Collection.  Please take note, there are just four colours on sale this week, the others remain at regular price.  We currently have a great list of specials, check out the entire list right here.

 And we have some exciting news for all you Malabrigo fans.  Malabrigo Chunky is coming to town!  We’ve waited a long time for this one.  It’s expected to arrive in Canada next week and should be in our stores by the end of April.  Put your name on our list and we’ll let you know when it arrives…  

Tidbits

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

 Julia and Kathleen are modelling two of Julia’s latest FO’s.  The pale blue hat is ‘You Don’t Know Our Women’, in Araucania Azapa and the darker one is  ‘Amanda Hat’ in Cascade 220 Paints. 

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Julia’s a talented and prolific knitter whose creations are always extremely inspiring.  You should check out her Ravelry project gallery and her blog, Crispy Noodle Knits to see what she’s been knitting lately. 

We received a bunch more boxes this week.  There’s some luscious Blue Sky Alpacas yarn going out on the shelves today.  There are several new colours in the mix and the BSA bins are once again bursting full of uber-soft alpaca yarns.  We have loads of the popular and ultra-quick-knit Bulky.  Becky used it to knit this cozy neck scarf:

bsa-bulky-neck-scarf-006

Grab a skein and a set of 20mm needles and you’ll have a new FO in no time.  The pattern’s free when you buy the yarn.

We’re also making room for a bunch of new Dream in Colour Classy.  Gorgeous stuff.  Currently only in Point Grey but will arrive in Edgemont next week…

Use Classy to knit the popular Tulip Baby Cardi that’s worked in one piece.  It’s knit from the neck down with no seaming:

tulip-baby-cardi

We have the pattern for both babies and grownups. 

Or knit the Spice Headband with just one skein.  Classy’s also a great yarn for the February Lady Sweater.  So many options, so little time….

We also have the new Knit Kits, a wonderful new all-in-one gadget including a tape measure, stitch counter, thread cutter, scissors, crochet hook, stitch holders and tip protectors, all in one compact device.  Great to have all your most frequently used tools in one place!

There are a couple of new books on our shelves.  Things I Learned from Knitting…whether I wanted to or not:

things-i-learned-from-knitting

Another hilarious book by the Yarn Harlot.

And Knitted Lace of Estonia, by Nancy Bush:

knitted-lace-of-estonia

Chock-a-block full of fantastic lace patterns.  If you’re a lace knitter you’re going to want this book.

Have a great holiday weekend – hope the Easter Bunny is good to you!

Sunshine

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

The sun’s been shining the last couple of days and everyone’s asking for lightweight yarns for spring and summer projects.  We have loads of options!

One of our best-sellers this time of year is Blue Sky Alpacas beautiful Alpaca Silk.  A gorgeous DK weight, alpaca/silk combo with a lustrous sheen.  There are many designs for this one.  If you’d like to try a little lace-knitting, check out the Rivulet scarf, designed by Heather Asbeck:

rivulet-scarf

A lovely lacy scarf that’s simple to knit, perfect for a novice lace knitter.

Or pick up the Spring 09 issue of Interweave Knits and have a look at the stylin’ Silk Cocoon Cardigan, designed by Connie Chang Chinchio:

silk-cocoon-cardigan

Start knitting now and you’ll be wearing it all summer long.

There are several fantastic BSA patterns for Alpaca Silk, including the ever popular Rectangle Shawl, the cute Silk Shrug and the recently released Sunday Cardigan.  If you haven’t yet seen this yarn you should really drop by and give it the touch test.  It’s stunning.

Of course cotton is a popular choice this time of year and BSA Skinny Cotton is one of our faves.  The Purl Dot Cardi is a cute new release.  Or try the Girls Skinny Tank , a free pattern over at Blue Sky.

Our special this week is Rowan Classic Luxury Cotton DK at 40% off.  Another ideal yarn for light weight spring and summer projects.  It’s a classic DK weight so there are endless pattern options.  

And of course we have many more lightweight yarns for spring and summer knits.  We’re always happy to help you find the perfect yarn and design.  Just pick up the phone, send an email or better yet, drop by for a visit and we’ll help you find the perfect new project.