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Tweed is In

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

That’s right, ALL the Brooklyn Tweed patterns are in! There are so many to choose from the binder is overflowing. Here are a few of the gems I’ve been eyeballing:

Elfreide

Spruce Forest

Rosebud

Sweetgrass

All of the Brooklyn Tweed patterns are in either worsted weight or sock weight so there are tons of yarns that will work. The most reliable substitutions as far as fibre content and feel are the Rowan Tweed Fine (subbing in for Loft) and the Harrisville Highland subbing in for the Shelter. There are lots of other choices of course so come on in and we’ll give you a tour of the shop!

Tags: Brooklyn Tweed, Rowan
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Twisted

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

The new Twist Collective is out! It is chock full of summer knits to get on your needles. First up (of my own personal faves) is Giardina. This lovely shawl is done in the ever popular SweetGeorgia Merino Silk Lace. I (somewhat) recently finished the Rock Island shawl in this yarn and very recently started my Rae in it too (yarn held doubled). It is a luxurious yarn with both sheen and bounce.

Sylvatica

Next up is a summery top with a leafy panel and vintage button details, Sylvatica. This top is done up in Filatura Di Crosa Zarina. A washable sport weight yarn that comes in a ton of colours.

Giardina

Lastly I feel a sudden urge to cast on a pair of socks. Kamala is a toe to cuff sock pattern, any sock yarn will do! Just pick your favorite sock yarn, your favorite way of knitting socks (double points? 2 circulars? magic loop?) and cast on.

Kamala

Tags: Twist Collective
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Show and Tell

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Well, it took me long enough but here are the final projects from our Tiny Owl Knits KAL!

Some Cloudy Day - Kynna

These are Kynna’s Some Cloudy Day legwarmers. Pear tree yarn is so soft and yummy!

Repunzel- Marianela

Marianela knit up this Repunzel in Twinkle Soft Chunky from Classic Elite, skipping the Repunzel hair….

Catching Butterflies - Iona

Iona’s Catching Butterflies gloves were done in Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk. She also finished some adorable kitty mittens, that’s dedication!

Ships and Seaside - Ashley

Ashley’s Ships and Seaside is sumptuous. Knit up in Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca it’s hard not to want one hanging around MY neck!

Well done everybody, looking forward to the Jane Richmond party!

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Julie and Jane Patterns

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

There are some exciting new patterns in the shop from 2 great designers, Jane Richmond (that’s right they arrived, time to choose your project for tomorrow!) and Julie Hoover. I’ve mentioned Jane a few times before (ok a lot of times, get used to it, I love her designs!) but Julie Hoover is new to me.

Encadre by Julie Hoover

Her designs are both fresh and classic, with simple but effective looks. I’m particularly fond of Encadre, a pretty cowl knit in a 2 colours of lace weight yarn. I suppose any lace weight would do but I’m definitely thinking some SweetGeorgia Cashsilk Lace would be amazing. Perhaps some charcoal and china doll for a black/pink combo?

Tisse by Julie Hoover

Tisse is another pretty lace weight number from Julie. It has a woven look to it that I adore. The herringbone pattern lends a wonderful texture to a simple scarf. This one might be best knit in a neutral shade, something to be worn with anything. A tip, choose a hand dyed yarn with a lot of shade variation, the more the merrier. A flat colour tends to lose the stitch pattern and the woven feel.

I hope you enjoy these new designers as much as I do!

Tags: Jane Richmond, Julie Hoover, SweetGeorgia
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4 Ways to Take Better Photos of Your Knitting

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

There are a lot of knitting photos out there, both of yarn and projects and as an amateur photographer I thought I would share some tips on improving your knitting shots. Since we knitters put so much time and effort into our knitwear we should show it off in it’s best possible light!

1. Natural Light: I know this can be tough in the long winter months but now that the sun is staying out later, there is no excuse for poor lighting and the odd colours poor lighting can produce. Place your knitting near a window or right outside for the best possible light. Direct sunlight should be avoided (your knitting will look washed out). Some shade is just perfect!

2. Remember your subject: This may not apply to all your photos but if you wish to take the best photos of your knitting then make your knitting the star! Take close ups of pretty details to share with all of your Ravelry friends.

3. This is more of a personal note but baby knits look kinda creepy when photographed on dolls. Just saying.

4. Don’t forget to take photos of your knitting before you gift it. There is nothing worse than gifting a beautiful garment and having nothing to brag about. (also giftees are not always reliable photo takers).

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KAL the next

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

After a successful finish to our last KAL, Tiny Owl Knits, it’s time to start another (I know, we are relentless!). Note: pics from the TOK KAL are coming shortly, there were some amazing projects finished. I’m pretty excited about the next KAL, the designer is one of my very favorites, Jane Richmond!

Georgia

Jane is a local gal (if you call the island local, and I do) with a flair for great simple designs. Her hats are quickly becoming legend with their double thick brims and her sweater constructions are wonderfully intuitive. I love a straight forward design that shows off some beautiful yarn.

Jane

I will be casting on (OK I cheated a little and already cast on both) the Children’s Classic Raglan, and Rae. Kynna will also be working on Rae, it’s such a great use of that skein of sock yarn you have been coveting. I’m using the SweetGeorgia Silk Merino Lace for the Rae, in the newest colourway to UY Lemon Curd. The yarn will be held doubled to get the right gauge.

Rae

Patterns will be arriving at UY this weekend so cast on starts next Friday (I’ll be casting on a 3rd project I just haven’t figured out which one). As an added treat the end of the KAL will be Friday the 25th of May, when Jane herself will party down with us!

Tags: Jane Richmond, KAL
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Party Time!

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

That’s right, it’s time to pull an all nighter people, Tiny Owl Knits party is tomorrow! I’ll be working on my little Bee-Keeper Cushion to the last minute even though I happen to know a few knitters will be attired in multiple items. Feel free to bring your WIP’s along, I might be joining you….

Kynna has finished her pretty legwarmers. I thought for some reason she had knit them in the Berocco Ultra Alpaca but of course she knit them in the luxurious Pear Tree Yarns.

Amanda added to her beautiful Oh My Bear with a cute little pair of Rosie Wristlettes. She crocheted these in Rowan Cocoon, Debbie Bliss Angel and Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (along with a couple of odds and ends for the leaves).

Party is tomorrow at 6:30 and there will be cookies and tea as usual! See you there!

Tags: Amanda Kaffka, Debbie Bliss Yarns, Kynna, Pear Tree Yarns, Rowan Cocoon, Sublime Yarns, Tiny Owl Knits
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Ribbon Tank

Monday, March 26th, 2012

The charming and talented Donna (of North Van Urban Yarns fame) has come up with a great little summery tank that is sure to get you in the mood for some hotter weather. She knit this beauty up in the Great Adirondack 1/2-inch ribbon, a unique yarn in its ribbon-y texture. Great Adirondack comes in some fantastic hand dyed colours, perfect for the bright season ahead.

The tank knits up quick on 8mm (US 11) needles with a cable detail in the middle to keep things interesting. The yarn has a lot of drape (it’s made of rayon) so it works well for a swingy tank! The pattern is available for free in the shop with yarn purchase.

Tags: 1/2 inch ribbon, Donna, Great Adirondack
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A Spot of Tea

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

There may be no greater combination than knitting and a warm beverage. Whether you are a tea drinker, a coffee-holic, or if you enjoy a soothing hot chocolate, any of them go swimmingly with a pair of needles and a ball of wool. Thus I began my search for a simple, classic looking, tea pot cozy pattern. I think I have found just the pattern and wool combination in a Churchmouse pattern and Harrisville’s Tweed yarn.

Churchmouse designs are simple and straightforward, nothing terribly fancy, just well written classics. The ribbed tea cozy (and it’s ruffly counterpart) are done in an 18 stitch gauge yarn and I felt that something rustic and tweedy was in order. Enter the Harrisville’s Tweed. It’s a rustic wool yarn that is light and warm, perfect for keeping tea hot hot hot.

Of course some people enjoy getting their warm beverages on the outside and a coffee cozy like this one is just the right thing to bring the warmth of home to your local coffee shop. Something simple to make for you (and an easy peasy gift for others) from your aran/worsted weight scraps.

Tags: Churchmouse, tea cozy
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Tea Leaves Accomplished

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

I have now knit the Tea Leaves and it’s mini counterpart, the Tiny Tea Leaves, 3 times. I think I could whip one up from memory if pressed. I think I might be most happy with the last one I finished, my SweetGeorgia wonder. This sweater is knit from the top down (my current favorite construction) and once you get past the yoke it’s pretty simple (the yoke isn’t really that tricky either).

The best thing about this sweater? When Kynna tried it on for me, it looked great! Not every sweater I have created looked as good when finished as this one. It has just the right swing, it’s just the length I wanted (long for butt coverage), and it isn’t too loose or too tight in the arms. I could not be more pleased with the results if I tried. It took me 5 skeins of SweetGeorgia Superwash worsted and the colourway is Cypress. The colour is a wonderful mix of green and grey and I just love it too. Are there any more ways to say how much I love this project?! This sweater will be keeping Ursula (the shop mannequin) warm for a while and then it will gifted to a deserving recipient, and I can admire it all over again when it graces the shoulders of it’s intended wearer.

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