The house was packed last night for the launch of Kim Werker’s new book, “Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution”. Kim gave a fascinating talk about her passion for crochet, the startup of crochetme.com and her involvement with Interweave Crochet. She showed us some beautiful samples from her book and past issues of Interweave Crochet. Julie Holetz talked about her design process and showed off the striking plaid scarf and edgy messenger bag she designed for “Crochet Me”.

Kim’s presentation was so engaging that we almost forgot to take photos. We finally got around to snapping a few shots. Kim showed us the Larger-than-Life Bag, designed by Cecily Kein, from the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet.


And the stunning Babette Blanket, designed by Kathy Merrick, from the Spring 2006 issue of Interweave Crochet:

There were also many fantastic knitted and crocheted garments in the crowd. Sadly, we have photos of only a small sampling of the many beautiful creations we saw last night as I have the attention span of a gnat and was constantly distracted.

Valerie wore a lovely crocheted sweater of her own design:

Jill wore a great crocheted vest, accessorized with a cute little crocheted flower:

Stacey wore a gorgeous cardigan, knit with Rowan Felted Tweed and Kid Silk Haze:

Stacey’s cardigan is NOT lopsided. It just looks that way because of my terrible lack of attention to detail. Sorry about that, Stacey. I clearly need photography lessons.

We were mesmerized by the Babette Blanket:


Kim says it’s an easy project that’s suitable for a beginner. Anyone up for Crochet Boot Camp?

This is the Circle Rug, designed by Donna Hulka, from Crochet Me:


Jackie modelled the “I’m a Crochet Sweater”, designed by Missa Hills, from Crochet Me:

There were many more fantastic samples that we fondled and modelled and lusted after. It’s definitely a new generation of crochet and we love it!

Kim sent us a sweet thank-you note: “I cannot thank you enough for the amazing launch event you put on last night! With so much of my work focused on travelling and far-off places, I was all a-tingle to be here in my hometown, at my LYS, doing my crochet schpiel and meeting people, with friends and family in attendance to boot. It was a very special, and terribly fun night for me. Thank you.”

Thanks Kim. We had tons of fun and were honoured to host such a special event. We’ll do it again sometime soon.

P.S. Check out Kim’s, Julie’s and Carol’s reviews of the event. And Kalin’s fantastic review of the book…


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Today’s featured yarn is Berroco Candy FX, on sale at 40% off. This is a beautiful shimmery yarn with little bobbly bits on a string. It’s best used to glam up a second yarn that has more substance but less glitz.

I knit a scarf combining Candy FX and Rowan Kid Soft:

Max modelled because there were no humans nearby. Here’s a close-up:

The scarf is cozy, lightweight and has a lovely shimmer. The finished size is about 4.5″ wide and 64″ long. Only $15.50 for the yarn and it’s a very quick knit. I used 1 ball of Kid Soft no. 756 and 2 balls of Candy FX no. 8757, with 7mm needles. Here’s the pattern:

Cast on 16 stitches, holding one strand of each yarn together. Repeat the following 4 rows throughout:

Rows 1 & 2: Slip 1st stitch, knit to end.
Row 3: *Knit 1, YO*, to end of row. You’ll have 32 stitches on your needle.
Row 4: Knit to end of row, dropping off all YO’s. You’re back to 16 stitches.

Cast off when the yarn is almost all used up.

Couldn’t be simpler. I think I’ll knit this scarf for last minute Christmas gifts. Only 62 knitting days left….


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This is a beautiful new yarn from Sirdar that’s 80% bamboo, 20% wool. Baby Bamboo is incredibly soft so it’s perfect for wearing next to a baby or toddler’s delicate skin. We re-stocked our supply last week and have all ten colours, plus some great patterns.

The Baby Bamboo Knits book has 13 designs for babies, girls and boys from birth to 6 years:

We also have a few Baby Bamboo leaflet patterns.

We received some new Sirdar books and leaflets that we think you’ll like. The books are well-priced at $14.95 and the leaflets are only $4.95.

There’s a great Baby Blanket book:

There are 10 diverse blanket patterns from a classic cable patterned blanket to a cute one with a pocket for a knitted teddy and a beautiful keepsake blanket with the baby’s name and birthdate on it.

If you like to knit with DK-weight yarns, there are two new books for you. Lazy Days and Holidays has a collection of contemporary designs for babies and children to 10 years:

And Vintage Snuggly DK Knits has a beautiful collection of designs for sizes new born to 8 years:


If you prefer aran-weight yarns, Secret Garden has a collection of 14 updated classics. The patterns are designed for children aged 2 to 13 years:

We also have the Sirdar Design Collection catalogue 2007 – 2008 in our stores. If you have a design in mind but can’t find a pattern, this catalogue might help you out. There are hundreds of patterns for babies, kids and adults and we’re happy to place a special order for you.

Finally, for those of you who’d like to knit the perfect Christmas baby outfit, we have just the thing:

Or not.


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This time of year some of our lucky customers head down south to escape the Wet Coast weather. One of the most FAQ’s in our stores is: “Can I take my knitting needles on the plane?” Yes Virginia, you can take your needles.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has deemed that knitting needles and crochet hooks are not a security threat. They’re on the list of permitted items for air travel, in both carry-on and checked baggage, under the heading “Penetrating objects”.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also declared that… “knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage.” Oddly, the U.S. notice goes on to say that… “Our Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security.” So don’t take those mace-emitting needles with you, okay?

If you’re still concerned about losing your favourite pair of rosewood needles, we suggest you take a self-addressed stamped envelope with you. Then if you happen to encounter a grumpy clerk who doesn’t like knitting, you’ll be able to save those needles.

Have a great trip and send us a postcard!


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We’re proud to carry the Mirasol yarn collection. A portion of every purchase of Mirasol yarn goes directly to the funding of a childrens’ centre in the village of Munani, in the Peruvian highlands.

The Mirasol Project is named after a young Peruvian girl who, with her brother, tends 350 alpacas. Meet Mirasol here. The project will assist in the education of and care for the children of the alpaca shepherds’ families in Munani village.

We have three new yarns from the Mirasol collection, Sulka, Hacho and Miski. They’re all gorgeous. And there are some fantastic patterns in the Mirasol Collection Book One.

There are Mirasol sample garments displayed in both Point Grey and Edgemont.

We published our October newsletter today. Have a look and send us an email if you’d like to subscribe.

Be sure to check out Angela Murrill’s amusing review of our Sock Boot Camps in today’s Georgia Straight. We have three Sock Boot Camps scheduled for November. Phone us to register!


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We recently received a big shipment of the Zephyr Laceweight Wool-Silk yarn. It’s a beautifully soft blend of 50% merino wool and 50% Tussah silk. There are some great new colours.

Alison knit this gorgeous Peacock Feathers Shawl with the Zephyr Laceweight:

Here’s a close-up:

This was Alison’s first laceweight pattern – what a stunning accomplishment! Alison told us “… it was very straight forward to make and to block. I simply adhered to all D. Siemens’ instructions, right down to the needle size et voila, a lovely shawl!” I’ll say. More from Alison on the shawl’s esthetic appeal, “…it has a sheen and is gossamer-like transparent…” And did we mention, simply exquisite?

We have some other beautiful Fiddlesticks patterns, including the Lotus Blossom Shawl:

And the Paisley Long Shawl:

Inspired yet?


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Today’s featured yarn is Rowan Kid Soft, on sale at 40% off. Kid Soft is 70% lambswool, 26% kid mohair, 4% nylon. Knitters Review called this yarn “truly exquisite…it’s a luxuriously soft but ‘wooly’yarn with the perfect combination of depth and sheen.”

We also have the Rowan Kid Soft pattern magazine with 4 great patterns for only $6.95.

We recently re-stocked some of our popular Gedifra specials. We have some new colours of Beauty Cotton, Living, Ombretta and Wellness.

Check out the specials page on our website for all of our current and upcoming specials.


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I loved this blanket pattern the moment I saw it. I bought the yarn right away and started knitting. It was challenging at first but once I got going, I adored knitting it and couldn’t stop. It’s an excellent pattern, with links to useful technique pages like this one on blocking techniques. I used Kureyon no. 185.

“Ta da”, here’s the finished blanket:


And here’s a close-up…


I was lazy and didn’t do the edging. Maybe one day… If you’d like a closer look, the blanket is on display in Point Grey.

We love all the Noro yarns and we recently ordered a new one, Silk Garden Light. This is a DK version of the current aran-weight Silk Garden. It’s 45% silk, 45% kid mohair, 10% lambswool, 125 metres per ball and knits to a 20-22 stitch gauge on 4.0 – 4.5mm needles. We’ll start with 5 colours, 2013, 2028, 2030, 2031 and 2033:

A terrible photo, I know, but it’s the best we have. Come into the store for a better look, it should arrive any day.


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Bunches of sock kits! This big box full of gorgeous Fleece Artist Bordello sock kits and Tilting Block sock kits arrived this week.

We also received more of the beautiful Colinette Jitterbug sock kits.

Jennifer took Sivia’s recent Coriolus Sock Class and knit this wonderful pair of socks:

Check out the lovely subtle pattern and the ridges that hug her calf. No slouching socks here. Jennifer used Cascade 220 yarn, just one skein for the pair. The pattern is from Cat Bordhi’s popular new book, “New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One”:


Thanks for sharing, Jennifer.


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Sivia was one of our first visitors when we opened our Point Grey store over 3 years ago. She’s been teaching lessons for us ever since.

Sivia is both a talented designer and instructor. She designs beautiful lace and beaded knitting patterns. We received a big shipment of her patterns this week, including the Gothic Leaf Stole, the Angel Pearls Beaded Scarf, the Hanging Garden Stole, the Follow the Leader Faroese Shawl, the Shetland Garden Faroese Shawl and the gorgeous new Waves in the Square Shawl. If you’re a lace knitter, you will adore these patterns.

If you’d like to learn how to knit lace, you should register for Sivia’s new class, “Lace Knitting for the Adventurous Beginner” on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 17, 24 and Nov. 7, 7-9 p.m. You’ll learn how to knit her popular Diamond Fantasy Shawl. Check out the Yarn Harlot’s review of this shawl. She gave the pattern a “10 out of 10″. Cara called it the most gorgeous thing she’s ever knit. You’d better make time for this class…


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