The floodgates have opened, we have a great new source for Rowan books. Could be very dangerous…

We’ve had many requests for this one:

There are over 35 versatile designs for women sized 14 – 24, including cardigans, sweaters and jackets, sleeveless tops, bags, scarves and more. The book is divided into three colour palettes. First cool blues, greys and blacks, next the neutral shades of nature and finally some splendid autumn colours. It’s nice to see that Canadian book prices are finally dropping – this one is $29.95, a great value for 128 pages of fantastic designs, photos and all sorts of informative bits and pieces.

There are a couple of great new books for babies. This one’s called Baby Knits:

It’s a collection of 20 great designs for babies from newborn to 24 months. There are cardigans, tops, rompers, hats, bootees and the cute all-in-one teddy suit that’s on the cover. There are also some great ideas for decorating the nursery like a colourful wall hanging with pockets and a matching blanket and cushion.

If you prefer to crochet, check out Baby Crochet, equal opportunity for crocheters, again with 20 cute designs for babies from newborn to 24 months. This one also has garment designs, as well as some great decorating ideas.

Scottish Island Knits is another fantastic new Rowan title:

This is a collection of designs by some of Rowan’s top designers like Kaffe Fassett, Sarah Dallas and Sarah Hatton. Create a stunning new cabled Scottish tweed sweater using the gorgeous Scottish Tweed Aran or Chunky that are currently on our specials list at 30% off the regular price.

And don’t forget, our pre-inventory sale continues through this weekend. There are tons of great bargains left, the entire list is right here. We’ve added a few new items this week like the RYC Cashmere Tweed at 40% off. If you’re a cashmere kitten, be sure to have a peek and meow at this one.

Yesterday I picked up a bright red Colinette sweater kit that I’m hoping will meet my needles later today. I stayed up late last night finishing my version of the Yarn Harlot’s Unoriginal Hat, knit with BSA Duotones. The gauge didn’t work out perfectly, it’s kind of a monster-size hat. But I’ll just roll up the edge and it’ll be fine. This yarn is 50% alpaca, it’s one of the softest and warmest hats I’ve ever knit. A perfect soccer mom hat. Photos will follow…

Anyways, it’s finished so I can start on the new sweater. Not that I have project monogamy or anything, I must confess that there are at least three unfinished blankets in my closet, among many other partially finished items. I haven’t abandonned you, my lovely blankets, but Colinette’s scrumptious yarn is calling me today. I’ve been knitting scarves, shawls, blankets and hats lately, I haven’t knit a sweater for a year or so and I’m looking forward to this one.

Anina went home yesterday with a couple of balls of SWTC Amaizing to knit a little baby outfit. Be sure to check out this yarn, it’s one of our ‘go green’ yarns, 100% corn fibre and very soft when knit up. It’s on sale at 25% off and there are lots of great colours left.

So many beautiful knitting options and so little time…

Herman just brought us a box full of the new Rowan magazines!

There are 147 pages of stunning photographs, informative articles and over 35 inspiring designs.

The first section is Heavenly, with a beautiful collection of ethereal and dreamlike designs, like Spook, by Sarah Hatton, knit in Kid Silk Haze:

Next up is Weekender, a colourful and fun to wear collection of relaxed designs inspired by 1960’s and 1970’s London. We like Sarah Hatton’s Capri cardigan, knit in Calmer:

Finally there’s Elemental, a sophisticated collection of gentle and unassuming designs inspired by the natural textures of rock and wood. I’m adding Lisa Richardson’s Stoney vest to my wish list. It’s knit in the wonderful Summer Tweed yarn that’s 70% silk and 30% cotton:

In addition to the fantastic designs there’s an informative section on sewing up your garments (I’m studying this one). There’s also a great article about going green with the new Rowan Purelife cotton (coming soon..) – it’s produced in a way that respects the environment and all those involved in creating it. And there’s a great profile of Sarah Hatton, one of Rowan’s talented in-house designers.

We also received a bunch of other fantastic new Rowan books, stay tuned for details…

The much requested BSA Skinny Organic Cotton is in the house:

We have the entire colour palette. This cotton knits to a gauge of 5-6 stitches per inch on 3.25m – 3.75m needles.

Use this yarn to crochet the cutest baby dress for sizes 9 months to 4 years:

Or knit the lovely Sleeveless Wrap Top for yourself:

We also have the delicious new Spring shades of the ever popular BSA Alpaca Silk yarn:

They’re juicy colours like passionfruit, guava, lime, mango and papaya. Yum!

And check out the adorable new sundress design for little girls aged 6 months to 5 years:

This one’s knit with the popular aran weight organic cotton, we have loads of colours to choose from. Or if you prefer, use the undyed organic cotton in natural shades that are totally free from bleach or dyes.

There are snowdrops popping up in the garden today, next to a little patch of snow. Sundresses, sleeveless tops and snowdrops… Spring is definitely on the way!

Meet Herman, our Postie:

We’re always happy to see Herman’s smiling face, especially when he’s delivering some big boxes of Fleece Artist yarn.

On Friday he brought us some of the charming new Sea Vines vest kits:

These have 200g of Seawool (70% merino and 30% seacell) and are knit on 4mm needles.

And some new Little Squares Blanket kits:

It looks so cozy. These have 500g of Mo and 500g of Blue Face Leicester, knit on 7mm needles. I just might have to add one of these kits to my stash(es). Yes, Anina and I often take things home with us and tuck them away like little squirrels. My handsome groom was recently puzzled to find yet another stash in one of our closets, he just doesn’t get it. “But you have a whole store full of yarn?!?”, I think I heard him mutter. (He’s learned not to speak so disrespectfully at normal volume.) Needless to say, his comment did not justify a reply…

We also have lots more of the luscious, supersoft Peter Rabbit angora, in a bunch of new colourways:

Warning: to touch it is to covet it!

And there are tons of great bargains left in our Pre-Inventory sale that runs until February 10. The entire list is right here. Might be a good time to add to your stash or better yet, start a new one….

We’ll be closed on Wednesday, February 20, to count our inventory. It’s a loathsome job but it must be done.

We’d rather sell the stuff than count it so we’re having a big Pre-Inventory sale, starting tomorrow. The entire sale list is right here. It’s a great time to add some lovely new yarn to your stash…

Have a look at Interweave Knit’s Spring issue. As usual, there are many wonderful, inspiring projects that we’d love to tackle. The magazine will be available in a few weeks.

We love the Good Stripe Dress by Mareike Sattler:

Look here for some additional views. It’s knit with Louet Euroflax sportweight – a big box of this yarn has just been shipped to us. We may not receive these exact colours but if you want them, we’ll order them. Simple as that!

We also have Louisa Harding’s gorgeous Cinnabar yarn that’s used to knit the cute Frock Camisole by Katie Himmelberg:

More views of this one right here.

This is Connie Chang Chinchio’s Drawstring Chemise that’s knit with Cotton Glace, part of our Rowan collection:

Have a closer look at the details here.

And check out the Dovetail Pullover by Kathy Zimmerman that’s knit with Mission Falls 1824 Cotton, we have loads of colours in stock:

Of course we’re always happy to help you find a substitute yarn for any project. Finish whatever’s on your needles right now (or not) and pick a pretty new project for Spring!

We’ve just put a bunch of needles and hooks on sale at 40% off. There are some Addis, Clover, Crystal Palace and Lantern Moon (yes, the lovely rosewood and ebony ones…) among others. We’re overrun with needles right now so we have to say adieu to at least a few of them… If you happen to need some rosewood dp’s, sizes 4.5m, 5m or 5.5m, for example, you’re in luck:

We’ve also culled our leaflet patterns. We’ve put hundreds of leaflets on sale, some at half-price and others at $1. If you like felting, check out the Pick Up Sticks hat, bag and flower patterns. And have a look at the Blue Sky Alpacas designs, like the pleated skirt:

Or the One Cable Vest:

There are loads more patterns sitting in our sale bins. We sometimes get a little carried away with our orders, we have a hard time saying no to lovely new things. When our leaflet binders start to burst at the seams, we know it’s time to part with some of them.

Our bookshelves are also overflowing so we’ve added some magazines and books to our sale bins, most at 40% off. If you are a book junkie, now is the time to add to your collection.

Our special yarn today is Jaeger Aqua, on sale at 40% off. This is a lovely dk-weight mercerized cotton that’s machine washable.

Check out all of our specials right here. We’ve reduced the price of some of our current specials including Alessandra Gemma, Berroco Candy FX and Jewel FX, Italyarns Iris (30% cashmere!) and Plassard Symphonie. We’re just bursting with bargains for you this week…

Learn how to knit the phenomenal Coriolis Socks from Cat Bordhi’s book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters:

This book has received a lot of buzz for it’s unique sock-knitting methods and designs. Cat Bordhi has created eight different sock ‘architectures’ with the arch expansion in different locations on the foot rather than the standard expansion on either side of the heel.

Each of the ‘architectures’ is introduced with a baby sock so you can learn the basic principles before moving on to the real deal. And there are several patterns for each architecture. One of the best features of the book is that the patterns allow you to create your own designs with any gauge of yarn, any foot size, top-down or toe-up, whichever you choose.

Our favourite design is the Coriolis, named after the Coriolis Effect. In this design, the expansion occurs in a spiral coriolis band that swirls around the foot.

We’ve just scheduled a new Coriolis Sock Class, starting on Wednesday evening, February 13, from 7 – 9 p.m. Learn how to knit a Coriolus Sock and discover how to perfectly customize your sock to your own measurements. This class will continue on subsequent Wednesday evenings for a total of four classes, with the talented Sivia Harding instructing. Check our class schedule or phone us for more information.

Jennifer knit these beautiful Coriolis Socks last Fall after taking Sivia’s class:

They’re knit with just one skein of Cascade 220. It’s a lovely subtle pattern, with calf-hugging ridges. And they’re a perfect fit. Nice work Jennifer! Thanks for sharing.

Knit and felt some hearts for Valentines Day:

This is a Fiber Trends pattern that can be knit with either worsted or bulky weight yarn. Try the Garnstudios Eskimo yarn for this pattern, the fuchsia and red colours would make perfect Valentines.

We have lots of different Fiber Trends patterns, like the Felted Clogs:

They’re a fast and easy knit. A customer recently knit a pair and absolutely loves wearing them. She said they’re like woollen Crocs. They’re knit with double-stranded worsted weight yarn.

If your dog needs a new coat, try The Dandy Dog Coats pattern:

This pattern has three different designs that will fit a large variety of dogs. These are quick knits in worsted weight yarn.

Or there’s the popular Everyone’s Favourite Hat and Scarf:

It’s a great set that’s knit in K2 P2 rib. The pattern works for worsted, bulky or super-bulky weight yarn.

Apparently there’s snow on the way this weekend. A good time to grab a new project and cocoon with your knitting…

We’ve just received some scrumptious Malabrigo Lace that’s spun from the finest merino wool. Malabrigo is a small, family owned yarn company in Northern Uruguay. Here’s a sample:

Look what Sivia Harding knit with 2 skeins of Malabrigo Lace. Another absolutely stunning shawl, this may be her most beautiful one yet. We’ll have the pattern soon.

We’ve also re-stocked our Fiddlesticks Zephyr Laceweight supply with some great new colours.:

And we have the new Fiddlesticks Lace Sensation yarn that’s 100% raw silk. Use this yarn to knit the new Fiddlesticks pattern, Silken Dream, featuring a beautiful Japanese lace motif:

Or Enchanting, a cute lace top that’s knit in the round to the armholes so there’s very little sewing up:

Lovely new lace, indeed!