Posts Tagged ‘Madelinetosh’

Low Tide

Monday, August 20th, 2012
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Emily and I (jointly Tin Can Knits) have been working diligently for the last many months to put together our second collection : Pacific Knits. 18 irresistible earthy knits with sweater patterns ranging in size from newborn to 4XL and many access to choose from. All patterns inspired by the Pacific north west, our neighborhood! The book went to the printers this past week and I will keep everyone posted for the launch in September. We have decided to pre-release one of our patterns due to popular demand, so I introduce to you, Low Tide.
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This cardigan is knit in a couple of pieces but stitches are picked up so there is very little seaming. The other draw of this summery lightweight cardigan? It looks good on everyone! Emily’s genius construction and design make this a seriously pleasing knit. It is done in sock weight yarn but with cap sleeves and lace it only takes a few skeins to get it done. We worked in Tosh Sock but really and beautiful hand-dyed yarn will do!
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Whimsical Little Knits 3

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

That’s right, one of our favorites, Ysolda Teague has a brand new book in the shop. Whimsical Little Knits 1 and 2 are really just that, some smaller scale knits all touched with Ysolda’s personal flair for detail and whimsy. Book number 3 has her same great flair for fashion and fun but I think it has an added sophistication as well.

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Some of my faves from the book are her adorable button cap, Hendreary. This hat has my favorite things this spring: yellow, and buttons. Of course the yellow part is optional and the buttons are done in colourwork but you see what I mean! I will be knitting mine up in Blue Sky Alpacas Sport (or perhaps some Melange…)

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Kynna (possibly one of Ysolda’s biggest fans) is knitting up a pair of Sherman socks in the lovely Madelinetosh Pashmina. She went with Glazed Pecan, which is no great surprise considering she seems permanently attached to her beautiful honey cowl in the same colour!

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Whimsical Little Knits 3 is available on the shelves and there is an interesting little article in the latest Vogue Magazine featuring Ysolda as well so give it a read!

Hey Girl….

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

This one had us rolling in the isles this Friday (thanks for sending it my way Em):

Ryan Gosling

There is just something about a cute boy who appreciates knitting prowess, a charming combination in my opinion! I think Ryan Gosling has a point though, the Honey Cowl is a great knit (and I wish mine hadn’t been a gift or I WOULD rock a Honey Cowl like no one else!). It seems as though everyone has knit at least one of these lovely textured cowls and there is always at least one hanging around the shop.

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Kynna seems to be permanently attached to her Glazed Pecan Tosh DK version (and I can’t say I blame her). Amanda’s Fathom Tosh Merino DK version seems to be watching me all day, begging me to knit another one… I’ve seen electric green versions, deep reds, variegated, kettle dyed, and solid versions. Longer ones, shorter ones, you name it, it has walked through the doors of Urban Yarns! About 450 yards of DK weight yarn is all you need to get started.

Cabled Love

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

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In keeping with my favorite baby knit theme of mini’s I recently knit up this lovely little Gramps Cardigan. There are a few knits out there designed to replicate the glory that is the old man sweater. I think everyone’s grampa has a signature sweater, something comfortable and likely made with love. A sweater that was probably made by gramma or great gramma. A sweater meant not to just be worn, but to be worn out. Patches, repair jobs, replaced buttons, all are the hallmark of the grampa sweater.

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This little number has the cabled lovliness and shawl collar that say: I am a comfortable sweater and I have been made with love! I normally wouldn’t knit this cardigan in such a variegated yarn (Madelinetosh Merino DK in Plaid Blanket), why go to all the trouble of cables if they are just going to be hidden in the changing colours of the yarn? But it really does work. Ann turned me on to this pattern/yarn combo and boy was she right!

Introducing Fulton

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Michael has been at the shop for a few months now and we are proud to announce his very first pattern: Fulton!

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This lovely little hat caught my eye last Friday because it has 2 things I love right now, cables and Madelinetosh DK. Michael knit this little wonder up in a great fall colourway too, Terrarium. The cable detail adds a little extra something to this toque and it has that ‘fresh off the slopes’ look about it. I’m picturing a blustery fall day with me in my North Winds Hat and my hubby in a Fulton….

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The hat is of a rare breed, it works for guys and gals alike. It’s not always simple to find a toque pattern that the male of the species will happily wear but I think Michael has done it (and who would know better really?). One skein of Tosh DK is all it takes so cast on for a Fulton hat today!

The patter is available here on Ravelry.

Mini

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

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I have a new obsession of late: mini versions of great sweaters. I’m not sure why but I really love dressing Hunter as a mini-adult rather than in baby clothes. This is not a style for all (and I have gotten a few comments to that effect) but I love it! So you can imagine my excitement when I cam across the Mini Manu cardigan!

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I’ve been thinking about the Manu cardigan ever since I saw KT’s excellent felted tweed version while ago. The pleats, pockets, and i-cord bind are all pretty feminine features, perfect for my bald little baby who is always mistaken for a boy. I had also been eyeing up a couple of skeins of Madelinetosh DK in the colour way Cousteau so it was a match made in heaven!

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My Mini Manu took 2 skeins and is the 18 month size. It is blocked and ready to go, as soon as Hunter grows a little more!  If you are loving the mini you might also want to try the Tiny Tea Leaves and the February Baby sweater (I know the baby one came first but there are both baby and adult versions in the world).

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Show and Tell

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

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My very favorite thing about working in a yarn store has to be the show and tell. The stunning and unique finished projects that come through the doors never cease to amaze and inspire. It is a very special treat to see (or at least see photos of) a finished object that I happen to be working on at the moment! This pretty Larch cardigan came through the doors in exactly the yarn I’m working in too! Kynna immediately offered to model and grabbed her camera.

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This beauty comes to us care of Aliza, a knitter whose shear number of sweaterly accomplishments has me in awe! Her Larch (like mine) is knit in Madelinetosh DK yarn in the deep and lovely colour of Cousteau. I’m liking the yarn so far, it’s a smidge thicker than the original but I think it’s going to work anyways. Aliza has noted that a good blocking gave her sweater a nice drape so I’m pretty excited.

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To read more of Aliza’s tips and to grab any further details you can check out her ‘Diving into Larch‘ project on Ravelry.


Larch

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

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I don’t often find myself casting on for a knit for myself and I find myself casting on for a sweater even less often. And yet, I find myself doing both this week! I’m casting on for a Larch cardigan in my most recent favorite yarn: Madelinetosh DK. The yarn is fantastic and I’m working in a dark purple. This sweater has to be the most debated and long awaited project of all time.

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I hummed and hawed over the pattern and the yarn for ages. When I finally decided on the Tosh DK I had to wait for the latest shipment to come in. I have been thinking/dreaming/obsessing over this sweater for months! I debated about the colour most. It looks so great in a mustard yellow but I just felt I would wear a darker colour much more, even if some of the details were lost in the darkness of it.

The pattern is the Larch Cardigan and it’s simple but lovely, I’m so excited! As usual I dream of this being the greatest sweater ever knit, visions of grandeur! Definitely come and check out our latest supply of the ever popular Madelinetosh yarns!

Tosh Tosh Tosh!

Thursday, May 5th, 2011
Thermis Cowl knit in 1 skein Tosh DK

Thermis Cowl knit in 1 skein Tosh DK

I’m so excited! I have been waiting a LONG time (even in knitting time) for this yarn to come in. I am in love with all things Madelinetosh andp it seems like the feeling has been sweeping the knitting world. What I love the most about this yarn are the colourways. Some are a very subtle kettle dye, while others are a little bolder, all have a dimension that is to die for! I’ve been particularly smitten with kettle dyes myself. Instead of a flat colour there is just so much more to them. It’s really adds something to even a simple stockinette piece. A kettle dye can also be preferable to a variegated yarn when it comes to lacy or cabled patterns. The pattern still comes through but the piece is more interesting than it might be in a flat colour.

We have 3 different kinds of Tosh in: Tosh DK, Tosh Merino DK, and Pure Silk Lace. You might be wondering about the 2 DK weights (DK, by the way, stands for Double Knitting, and knits up around 22 stitches per 4 inches). The Tosh DK is a plied superwash yarn. Perfect for garments you don’t want to handwash (I feel some baby garments coming on) but still a hand dye, what a great combination. The Tosh Merino DK is a single ply yarn, this means it has little spin to it so it’s super soft but keep it far away from hot soapy water (unless you are felting but that’s a special circumstance). I like the Merino DK for a scarf or hat, something that doesn’t see a lot of friction and needs to be buttery soft. The DK is great for a sweater or mittens, something that needs a heartier yarn. The lace, of course, is perfect for any piece of summery lace and the shine combined with the stunning colourways is stunning. At a very generous 1000 yards per skein you could knit 2 smaller shawls or 1 large one with just one skein, how fabulous! I’m starting to think my Rock Island shawl should be a Madelintosh one…..