With holiday knitting on the go there is a problem that inevitably comes up: pairs. There are always pairs of things to be knit for December, pairs of mittens, pairs of socks, and there are always pairs of that favorite gift, a cowl for Aunt D AND Aunt T, scarf for hubby AND your brother. How do you make the perfect pair?

Marshmallow - an upcoming pattern from TCK

1. Dyelot: Make sure you have enough yarn in the same dyelot. You don’t want to have the tip of mitten 2 to be a different color. If you are working in a hand dyed yarn definitely think about alternating rows, to avoid pooling in sock number 2 that didn’t happen in sock number 1.

2. Make notes. I can’t stress this enough. Note how many rows you did in the cuff, how many rounds in the thumb, what needles you used, what cast on method and, of course, any changes you made to the pattern. Anything you will want to be the same, make a note.

3. Measure. Make sure they are the same. If you can count the rows or rounds that is great but measuring keeps you honest. This advise sounds obvious but who doesn’t need a little reminder every once in a while?

4. It’s not that fun to knit the same thing over and over. Instead of knitting the same hat pattern keep it varied. Something similar sure, the same, maybe not. At least vary up your yarn choice to keep the interest going. I realize there are a few knitters out there thinking ‘What?! I love knitting the same thing!’ but you know you are a rare breed of knitter! I always think it will be fun to knit a sweater 5 times (I’m looking at you Antler, sure there were 3 kiddie versions but still…..), but by the end I’m ready to throw a half finished garment into the netherworld of my stash closet never to be seen or heard from again. Variety is the spice of life. It’s just a suggestion. There are a ton of great new patterns and magazines in the shop to check out. Knit something new and different!

Hello everyone!

Hey that's me!

My name’s Michael (that’s me up there), and I am absolutely stoked to have been asked to start contributing to this blog, and I hope that I can provide some complimentary content to the brilliant things that we’re all used to seeing from Alexa.

A little bit about me: I’ve been working and teaching at Urban Yarns for just over a year now, and I’ve been knitting for about 9 years altogether. I also run my personal knitting blog over at Michael Knits. As is to be expected, I quite like knitting. In general, the more intricate the project, the more I enjoy it. If it’s got lace or cables, I am all over it (some of my personal favourites below).

Regency Era Fichu

Cabled Cardi

I have a soft spot for traditional techniques, styles, and yarns. If it’s good and rustic, let me at it. Some current favourites are the Harrisville Designs products, and the new Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester (and if you promise not to tell anyone, you can see a sneak preview of a new pattern for the store right here – look forward to more information about the pattern and a bigger project soon).

Well that’s about it for me this week – a brief post, I know, but I’ve got loads more in mind to write about, so expect lots of chatter about yarn choices, some free patterns, product and book reviews, knitting for and by men, techniques and tutorials, and of course, much more.

Grace by Jane Richmond

It is definitely sweater weather. I, the queen of the flip-flop, even put on socks the other day. It felt wrong. It’s time to pull your knits from years past out of the dusty corner of the closet and wear them in the name of fashion, pride, and practicality!

Campfire by Tin Can Knits

The nice thing about a knitted sweater (to a knitter anyway) is that they are, for the most part, really timeless. I rarely see a hand knit sweater and think ‘those really aren’t this year’s colors’ or ‘cardigans are totally out’. This isn’t to say that out of date knits don’t exist, it’s just that you can’t really go wrong with a simple or classic design.

If you are working on a sweater for this season or your first sweater ever we have a wide range of colors in SweetGeorgia superwash worsted. I love this yarn and have knit both adult sized sweaters and many children’s sweaters in the stuff. The colors are amazing and washability is a great thing in a larger garment. It’s perfect for that classic sweater you will be wearing for years to come!

I know, I have a serious Tosh problem. Who could resist though? Washable yarns (mostly) in stunning subtle hand dyes? As a mum and a bit of a yarn snob is there a combination I could possibly like more?

Enter 2 new weights! We have Tosh Prairie, a 100% merino lace weight yarn with a generous 840 yards per skein. You could whip up a large shawl (or really 2 scarf sized shawls) with just one skein. The single ply is so nice for lace, it plumps (or blooms if you will) with washing and has a luxurious and soft feel.

Next up is Pashmina Worsted. This is perfect for a great hat for that special someone. It has a hint of cashmere and silk to it and of course, it comes in great Tosh colours! We have the sport weight Pashmina as well if you are looking for a thinner version with the same great blend of fibers.

There’s something new from Tiny Owl Knits: The Woodsy Association. In her usual whimsical fashion TOK has created a whole forest of wrist warmers. Their little tails are clearly the best part!

It’s been a while since our Tiny Owl Knits KAL and I bet Amanda already has a couple of pairs of these bad boys on the needles. A little sock yarn will go a long way with these, they are a petite knit and I’m guessing they are pretty addictive. This pattern comes just in time to kick off that knitterly/crafting season that is fall. Knitters have to be on the ball to get a few things accomplished before December. Start now people!

Surprise! I love cashmere. It’s really hard not to love cashmere because it is buttery soft and has that lovely slight halo that only cashmere has. Just as I am starting to consider holiday knitting (that’s right, I didn’t start in August this year so I’m probably in trouble!) what should I spy on the counter? Lace weight cashmere of course!

The colours are deep and beautiful and of course, it’s softer than little Jones’ bum. 400 yards is perfect for a scarf sized shawl or a Simple Pleasures hat. The only problem is you definitely won’t want to give away cashmere!

Every once in a while I come across a must have. This is an item that my wardrobe (and probably my mum’s wardrobe and cousin’s wardrobe, and my friend’s wardrobe….) just can’t do without. This knit is just such an item: the shawl collar cowl.

For those of you who have seen my designs, I’m a big fan of the shawl collar. It has a vintage yet modern flare that is kind of hipster-ish without being totally obnoxious. It looks good, it makes an item versatile, it’s just a good thing! This cowl combines everything I love about the shawl collar but combines it with the wonder of the cowl. Oh the speed of knitting, the instant gratification! Cast on a Shawl Collar cowl in some soft and sumptuous Techno from Blue Sky!

I think knitting has always been a social activity. I picture Laura Ingalls knitting within her family circle. Whiling away the winter hours and listening to a book read aloud. I picture her putting her needles away in the harvest seasons and pulling them out to enjoy a little winter down time (while trying not to freeze and making sure the stores in the basement will last until spring). Knitting has not been relegated solely to the home of course, women would gather to knit socks for soldiers, hats for babies, and sweaters for their families among other things of course.

When I think of my own knitting I definitely think of it as a more social activity. I knit with people a lot of the time, and discuss knitting even more often than that. There is also an abundant online knitting community. Even if I’m all alone with my laptop there are still thousands of knitters I can connect with on Ravelry and blogs. It really is a social activity!

One of the ways knitting is social is the KAL. We all knit from the same designer or even the same pattern and the results are all different. This is definitely a topic of discussion among the social circle at Knit Night. The time has come for another KAL party! Bring your FO’s (that’s finished objects) and your photo face to Urban Yarns tomorrow at 7 and be social.

The latest edition of Petite Purls has been released and there is a cute little pullover in it (if I do say so myself).

Petite Purls is an online knitting magazine with some great free patterns for wee ones. There is everything from sweaters and cardigans, to adorable party hats and toys. Their most recent edition includes a few sewing patterns and patterns that include both knitting and sewing combined. My little pullover Blossom is a plain old knit but it will make the perfect baby shower gift!

One of my dear friends is expecting a girl and she already has little Violet’s name picked out. What do you knit for a baby girl named Vi? Why a little violet pullover of course! I eked this out of 1 skein of Tosh Merino DK (if you want a sleeve more than an inch you will need 2 skeins) and it’s just adorable. Short sleeves make it perfect for layering a tiny new baby, but the pattern ranges in size from newborn to 8 years old. You can get the patter here, all you need is some yarn to match!