There is a certain type of knitter out there. They long for thin yarn, tiny needles, and charts, oh the charts… 60 yards of bulky yarn? Wasted on them! They want hundreds of yards of fine fine yarn, preferably in a solid or a subtle hand dye to show off their pretty yarn overs and ssks. Natural fibers only please, acrylics just won’t block. What items would this type of knitter crave?

1. Lace yarn of course! A couple of skeins of Malabrigo Lace would make a mighty shawl at a reasonable price. A range of colours for every pallette and a single ply and loft that makes the finished product light as air.

2. Blocking wires: I have come to believe that no knitter should be without them but none more than the lace knitter. Lace really looks like a whole lot of nothing until it has been properly (and in my opinion vigorously) blocked. The pattern comes alive and the stitches start to make sense after a SOAK bath, some wires, and some T-Pins. Did I mention T-Pins? Get an extra pack for your knitter’s stocking, you really can’t have too many.

3. A great lace pattern: try some Brooklyn Tweed. Rock Island has lace on both sides of the work, a challenge for anyone!

4. Addi Lace Needles: I just won’t knit lace on anything else. They are a little ‘stickier’ so your yarn doesn’t slide off the needles and their sharper point, while dangerous, will help you keep those stitches in line.

There seem to be 2 types of knitters out there: those who knit for themselves and those who knit for others. That’s not to say that these two types never cross to the other side, it’s just a general rule for some knitters. Arguments include ‘it takes so much time and effort, how can I give it away?!’ and ‘it took a lot of time and effort, it makes a perfect gift’.

This post is for the gift knitter in your life. They love to give so let’s get them what they need to do that. I think this season has a perfect combo:

1. Jane Richmond’s new book Island. It has adorable accessories and one great sweater. I knit up a Renfrew hat in SweetGeorgia yarn and I love it!

2. Yarn to match: choose a pattern and match it with some great yarn

Grace: 3-4 skeins of hand dyed sock yarn. Some Handmaiden Casbah in a subtle hand dye would go perfectly with this pattern. A hint of cashmere never hurt!

Arbutus and Rathtrevor: just one skein of Madelinetosh DK makes a whole cowl or a pair of fingerless gloves, Jane knows how to make a skein go a long way!

Strathcona: 2 skeins of Euroflax Linen for this simple pretty scarf.

Renfrew: 1 skein SweetGeorgia Worsted for this little number.

3. Wrap and gift!

It’s coming down to the wire. Holiday parties are piling up, relatives are arriving in town, and snow is starting to fall, time for some last minute knits! A usual favorite for me is a cowl, it’s quick and easy and pretty much everyone loves them. A great cowl pattern plus bulky yarn means a personalized gift for someone on your list.

First up is Marian by Jane Richmond. This is one of the most popular patterns on Ravelry and I’ve knit more than one myself! It takes one skein of Malabrigo Rasta, a buttery soft yarn that comes in an array of bright fun colours. Great big needles and nice thick yarn make quick work, an evening should do it!

Next is another free pattern, the Eleventh Hour Cowl. Kynna and I both knit one up last year and I have a few on my list of things to complete this year. Another bulky item using just one skein, this time in the Spud and Chloe outer. A washable bulky yarn (such a rare breed) and the perfect vehicle for my second love: buttons. 3 big buttons give this simple cowl a little flair and personality.

I know we’re only halfway through December, but for those of you crazy knitters out there who are hell-bent on producing knit gifts for all your loved ones… well it can be difficult to find the time, so quick knits are a big plus! Last year ruffle scarves were all the rage, and they still make for a great easy gift this year. Hands down the nicest, most luxurious ruffle scarf kit is the Rowan Kidsilk Creation (both the solid and the stripe versions). You can knit or crochet one of these out in an evening, no trouble!

And today’s freebie is for the crocheters out there! I can’t find the exact pattern I was looking for right now, but HERE are a couple of dozen options for crochet snowflakes. We’ve got a bunch starched up, hanging on our tree and around the house. They work up pretty quickly, and are a lovely addition to your Christmas decorations.

New babies are a great reason to start knitting. They look so adorable in wool, and they have to wear a sweater it if you put it on them. They can’t rip it off the way a two year old can! When the weather turns cold there is nothing like wrapping your new bundle in wool. You know they will be warm, Vancouver rain or not.

For the knitterly new mum a couple of skeins of washable yarn is a wonderful gift. 400 yards of worsted weight yarn can make a sweater for a 0-2 year old no problem. A beautiful hand dye is extra special, for that little sweater that will passed down through the years. Madelinetosh Vintage and SweetGeorgia worsted have a subtle variation in their unique kettle dyed colors.

For patterns there are really more than I can mention. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino books have many adorable little knits, Brooklyn tweed has great baby blanket patterns, 9 months of knitting has they ever adorable Gramps sweater pattern, and Jane Richmond has some cute baby accessories too. As if that weren’t enough there is also a whole binder of baby pattern leaflets to thumb through. Choose your pattern, let us help you pick out some pretty yarn to match and you’ve got yourself a little joy for under the tree.

One of my favorite types of knitter is the beginner. There is so much potential, so much enthusiasm, and so much to learn! There are different reasons people pick up the needles, just when I think I’ve heard them all there is something new. My personal faves are baby on the way (either mum herself of someone who will be knitting for the wee babe) and I need to do something with my hands so I don’t eat too much while I watch TV. The second one cracks me up.

So what do you get the new knitter for Christmas? Yarn, needles, and a pattern book. It’s a sure winner! I recommend some worsted weight yarn (just ask one of the lovely ladies or gent working, they will lead you in the right direction), some 5mm needles (to match the yarn) and a book that is dear to my own knitterly heart: Debbie Stoller’s Stitch and Bitch. It’s chalk full of clear explanations and makes a great reference for knitters new and old. Your new knitter will be whipping you up a scarf in no time!

Many years ago, after I had been knitting for a while, I came to work at Urban Yarns. It was then that I first heard of a phenomenon called blocking. I know, it seems crazy, but when I had really only worked in acrylic yarns or dishcloth cottons, blocking really wasn’t too important. Anyhow, I heard of blocking but I thought it seemed overly fussy and unnecessary.

I have never been more wrong! All of my knitting looks better after a block. The stitches are more even, the cables or lace really pop, it looks kind of like my knitting has been to the spa. It’s been rejuvenated, it shines, it’s had a lovely soak in the tub and is feeling fresh. A great stocking stuffer for your knitter is a bottle of soak. It’s the best smelling way to block your knitting. There’s no need to rinse it out so it’s easy peasy, just fill sink with water and a dollop of soak, and submerge your knitting. Lay flat to dry. Done.

If you are gifting some knitting this year you may want to toss a small bottle of soak in with your gifts, that will make it clear that they are hand wash only too! Soak also makes great hand and foot creams, perfect for gifting with mittens or socks. Come on in and smell them all!

I love unwrapping a perfectly rectangular present from under the tree. Square corners means an easy wrap job and most likely a book!  But really it means so much more. It means, most of all, a window into a world of knowledge and inspiration. The best books offer both. I am always inspired by a great stitch, a stunning colour, or a wonderful tale of a knitters journey. You will have to consider which type of book your knitter needs this year.

1. A great stitch: A stitchionary is a wonderful present for a more experienced knitter. Perhaps a budding designer or an adventurous pattern-changer (you know who you are). We have several stitchionary’s but my fave is the Vogue Knitting series. There is a stitchionary for every style, texture, cables, lace, and colourwork (now conveniently in soft cover too!).

2. Patterns: the most popular style of knitting book is of course, the pattern book. There is inspiration oozing from the pages of these little wonders. Two of my faves are the Knitted Gift books from Joelle Hoverson. They are beautifully photographed and full of colour and texture that makes you want to cast on immediately!

3. A knitters journey: no knitter’s library is complete without a little Zimmerman. Her books have patterns, thoughtful reflections on both knitting and life, as well as a LOT of great information about knitting that doesn’t really fall under any normal categories. Her books read like thoughts and ideas with a little knitting thrown in. They make me want to curl up by the fire, under a warm knitted blanket.

When shopping as a knitter or for a knitter this year you may want to think local. Here in Vancouver we have some great local dyers and designers and it’s oh so nice to support the home team. I give you my own personal short list:

1. SweetGeorgia: I have LONG been a fan of Felicia’s stunning  hand dyed yarns and Urban Yarns now carries a great selection of her sock yarn, fairy floss, chunky, and worsted weights. It’s a wonderful rainbow to behold! The chunky is perfect for those quick last minute gifts too!

2. Jane Richmond: Jane hails from Vancouver Island and girl can design a knit! Combine one of her great sock weight sweater patterns with some SweetGeorgia Tough Love and you’ve got yourself some magic to put under the tree.

3. Urban Yarns Designers: Urban Yarns is quickly cultivating a mighty list of designers including Michael, Amanda, and I, as well as alum like Annie Sue and Emily Wessel. Between us there are designers for every yarn, size, and taste. From simple to fancy, lace to bulky, and in a wide range of sizes there is a pattern that best suits you.

4. Gourmet Crafter Yarn: Need a special pair of socks? Check out my Gourmet Crafter Yarn. It has a hint of cashmere for wonderful softness and colourways are based upon a local (or Canadian) sight. Each skein has a tag with the photo attached, making it a great gift.

Free pattern showcase: Antler Hat. This cabled number is perfect for every boy and girl on Santa’s route!

Today’s gift idea is an interchangeable kit. This is the perfect gift for a new knitter (they haven’t amassed a great quantity of needles yet) or a long time knitter (because who doesn’t need an upgrade once in a while?).

We have a few sets of interchangeables in a range of prices. The most important question is probably which material you like the best, we have acrylic, wood, bamboo, and the nickel plated addis. For more information on all our needles you can check out Michael’s thorough post here.

Free pattern of the day is the ever popular Honey Cowl. This design is a great way to show off a beautiful yarn. There are MANY options at the shop and the knit is quick and simple. Enjoy!