Well, back by popular demand is a few more tools. It seems that sorting out which tools might be useful for which project gives people some trouble. It’s also nice to find out about a tool that might make (or sadly, have made) your life easier.

First up is the row counter. I had a debate with Emily a few months ago about the merits of the row counter. Her argument was that it was easy enough for her to count up her rows, why bother with a little click? I had to respectfully disagree. It’s not that I can’t count my rows and read my knitting but sometimes it’s nice not to have to. I also definitely have trouble counting my rows when it comes to cables. It always looks like I’ve completed enough rows and I get tired of finding out I needed two more only after I’ve done another inch of knitting. I also enjoy the satisfaction of a little click when I’ve accomplished another row or round. Just lovely.

There are 2 types of row counters pictured above. The smaller one fits on the end of your straight needle and you turn it each time you finish a row. This one won’t work if you are working on DPN’s or circular needles. Actually it works just fine, it just won’t sit on your needle, you’ll have to keep it beside you. The other one sits beside me in it’s designated spot on the arm of my couch and offers a supportive and satisfying click.

These are stitch holders. Stitch holders are usually specified in the ingredients section of a pattern and they are used to hold stitches for a later use. This model is sort of a giant safety pin, you just slip the stitches on and squeeze it closed. Stitch holders are a lot easier than using a piece of waste yarn but they aren’t ideal in every stitch holding situation. For a mitten thumb, for example, I prefer to use a piece of waste yarn (simply weave it through the live stitches) because it’s more flexible. The stitch holders can make it more difficult to close the thumb gusset gap because you will have to stretch your stitches.

There are many types of cable needles and I’ve had the one pictured here for 11 years, it’s an old faithful. There are many like it but this one is mine. I am a firm believer in the ease of the cable needle. Others have tried to preach the  no-cable-needle-needed method of cabling but I simply won’t have it! I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve gotten so fast at cabling with my needle or the fact that my first 2-3 attempts at a needle-less cable just looked a little wrong, but I just can’t seem to come over to the dark side! If you are looking for a cabling tutorial, check out the post here, or if your feeling a little adventurous you can check out a needle-less cable tutorial here. I’m sure Anina will disagree with me, she’s all about the needle-less cable….

If you haven’t had the chance to make it to an Urban Yarns party, this Friday is your chance! We have had a few happening shindigs at the shop, including Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, as well as  Debbie Stoller. If there is one thing I can say about partying knitters: it isn’t what you might picture. Knitters are a pretty happening group that know how to let loose on a Friday night!

This Friday, the occasion (excuse), to have a party is the book Cowl Girl Knits by Cathy Carron. There will be a trunk show at the shop and ALL of the cowls in the book will be on display. There will also be several cowls that the UY gals have knit up in yarns from the shop. I have always been a big fan of the cowl, at least since I started at Urban Yarns, and I am pretty excited about this lovely book. It’s a whole book of cowls, I’m in heaven! I’ve already had a chance to see two cowls in person, Kynna has a lovely one on the go in some charmingly chunky alpaca and Amanda is knitting up hers in the soft and sumptuous Blue Sky Alpaca Brushed Suri. This pretty pink number is kind of like cotton candy, a look I find alluring.

The party details: Wine and Cheese Friday, February 25th from 7-9, at our Point Grey location.

See you there!

It’s 11:30 and I have almost missed National Sweater Day! This is a fairly aggregious error for such an avid knitter, I blame some friends who moved today and baby Hunter entirely. In fact, I have knit many more sweaters (that still don’t quite fit, but are getting closer) for her than myself. I am realizing as a write this that if I had finished all the sweaters I had started, that last statement wouldn’t be true. And there you have it, my dirty little knitterly secret: I have a terrible track record with finishing sweaters! I don’t really think it’s the sweaters though, I think it’s my intense love of knitted accessories and the ease with which I can be distracted.

Shalom Cardigan

When Anina told me that today was National Sweater Day, my first thought should definitely have been ‘I should work on my Reindeer sweater!’ but instead it was ‘I should look for a new sweater project on Ravelry!’. Thus the unfinished sweaters….. I went looking for some of the most popular sweater patterns on Ravelry and boy did I find some great ones. I like to start with the most popular because the patterns are usually (disclaimer: usually) very well written and there are lots of projects to look at. I don’t always stop at the most popular but I think it’s a good place to start. Here are the 3 popular sweaters I’m dying to knit up, I just need to pick one…..

First up is the Shalom Cardigan. This sweater description had a few words that really pique my interst: top down and button closure. I love to knit sweaters from the top down because I will avoid seaming at all costs. I think I may have mentioned my button affinity before…? The other nice thing about this sweater is the gauge, 13 stitches per 4 inches on 7mm needles, it will knit up in a snap. Perhaps this is the project I need to improve my sweater confidence. The only problem with this cardigan is the sizing. The pattern is written for a 32-34″ bust and that I am not. There are some instructions to make the sweater bigger and a lot of people seem to have done just that so it’s not that big of a deterrent for me.

Owls Sweater

Next is Owls. This pattern is wildly popular, 1157 projects and counting! I love a good cable any time and I knit an iPod cozy with the charming owl cable already and loved it. The sweater includes a lot of button eyes, which gives me yet another liscense to button. Kynna is currently working on her own Owl sweater and the thought of us paling around in matching sweaters sounds kind of fun. There is also a mini Owl (Owlet) pattern so I could match Hunter up as well…too much?

Owlet

The third pattern is somewhat new but already has a lot of projects, the Tea Leaves cardigan. One of my fave knitters at the shop knit this one up and it just looked so good I was immediately smitten. It has quite a simple shape but I’m drawn in by the details. This sweater definitely needs a hand dye in my opinion and perhaps even a slightly variegated yarn. For this purpose I am leaning towards a Dream in Colour Classy, just the right amount of variegation while remaining washable.

Tea Leaves

Now I just have to decide which one I’ll knit first, I will keep you updated!

Have you ever had a bad knitting day and needed a little pick me up? Sometimes a little luxurious yarn is the answer for me. There are some yarns around the shop that always make me happy not just to pet but to knit with as well. Here are my top 5 luxurious yarn picks (in no particular order):

1. Blue Sky Alpacas Royal: Mmmmm, not surprising that Blue Sky made the list. Royal alpaca is a thinner yarn, 24 stitches per 4 inches and absolutely buttery soft. It comes in some lighter shades and it’s perfect for a small shawl, some luxury socks, or the charming button up cowl.

2. Handmaiden Cashmere: I have knit many items with this 100% cashmere yarn but my favorite is a little one skein wonder I designed: the Simple Yet Effective Cowl. Just one skein of this hand dyed beauty and some 16 inch 3.75mm needles for a cowl that’s sure to please. If you’re in the mood for a hat instead the yarn comes with a pattern to make a ribbed toque that has been a hit with men and women alike.

3. Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca: This yarn is a little newer but has been incredibly popular, hard to keep in stock! It’s another Royal Alpaca yarn so it’s soft as can be. It’s a nice solidly dyed yarn in great colours. It’s been used for a few projects but easily the most popular is the Honey Cowl. 2 skeins of this yarn makes a nice long cowl that wraps around twice to keep you warm as can be.

4. SweetGeorgia Cashsilk Lace: Of course some SweetGeorgia had to make the list too. Another amazing colour palette and a super soft yarn with a little shine in the combination of silk and cashmere. A lace weight yarn, this beauty is perfect for any shawl but I personally recommend the Shetland Triangle. It’s a great pattern with a repeat that allows for almost any amount of yarn.

5. Alchemy Silk Purse: This yarn is another hand dye that is a great yarn to use when knitting for those allergic to wool, alpaca, and/or cashmere. As usual Alchemy’s colour palette is fantastic. Their yarns are so vibrant that the silk absolutely glows. It’s also super soft because it has hardly any spin to it. Perhaps a Springy scarf? Maybe a cardigan? Anything you knit will be a real statement piece.

With so many lovely yarns to choose from it’s time for a little yarn treat!