Well, I hope everyone had a nice wrap up to 2012. Personally I find that no matter what, it’s an exhausting time of year. Now don’t get me wrong, lots of visiting, good food, friends. On the other hand, lots of visiting, too much pastry and food, and for those of us in the service/retail industry, well… It is certainly stressful no matter where you work.

Many people are renowned for their annual resolutions (my favourite this year was “I resolve to keep talking about starting to do yoga”). Did you make any resolutions? Myself, I don’t typically bother, I prefer to make ‘running changes’ to anything I feel needs improving, rather than waiting and trying to commit to everything at once. That being said, I would like to spend more time knitting, and maybe dip into some other crafts as well (crocheting? Finally finishing that crewel kit I started ages ago?). I will do my best to do so, but I have just started my graduate program this past week, so I predict that I will be busy, to say the least.

A great resolution for anyone would be to take some knitting classes! We’ve got a great line-up this winter over at the main site (http://www.urbanyarns.com/classes/) With cables, lace, sweaters, socks, beginner, beyond beginner, all sorts of goodies to meet your schedule with day and evening offerings! We always want to know what you (yes, you) are interested in, though, so if there is something you’re interested in learning, let us know, and a class may not be all that far away…

One class in particular that I’m offering this month is the Guernsey Wrap by Jared Flood. It’s a really great advanced beginner project since it just incorporates knit and purl, but does get you comfortable with charts. All it takes is 640m of worsted or aran weight yarn (it’s a wrap, gauge is not so crucial, another reason it’s appealing), and you’re away! A sample is in the Point Grey store to get your hands on…

Hunter, Gary and Jones in the snow

From all of us here at Urban Yarns have a very merry Christmas and may Santa bring you yarn and needles! I will be settling in with some worsted weight yarn and some double pointed needles for some nice thick Christmas socks.

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.