Friday, November 28, 2008

Addi Clicks

The Good News:

Addi's new interchangeable needle sets have arrived in Point Grey:


These are fantastic sets, with 10 different sizes of addi tips, 3 different lengths of cord and one connector piece. Simply insert the cord into the tip, then twist. The tip will remain secure until you change it.

The Bad News:

You guessed it, we didn't receive many sets. The quantity ordered means nothing with a hot product like this. What can I say, we're in Canada, eh?

So it's first come, first served and we're pretty sure they'll be sold out today. The first customers to arrive in Point Grey or phone with $179.95 plus tax will be among the first in Canada to own one of these coveted needle sets.

If you miss out and are terribly disappointed, please accept our apologies - we're disappointed too! Just put your name on your list and we promise to call when the next shipment arrives.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Holiday Inspiration

Looking for some great gift ideas? We've picked out a few books that are loaded with inspiration.

Melanie Falick's 'Handknit Holidays' has some great designs for Christmas, Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice:


Rowan Classic 'Winter Gifts' has 24 contemporary classic gift ideas including hats, scarves, socks, gloves, mitts, legwarmers, a tea cosy and a hot water bottle, all knit with sumptuous yarns:


Louisa Harding's 'Knitting Little Luxuries' is loaded with stylish and luxurious projects that would make gorgeous gifts:


Leigh Radford's 'One Skein' has become a classic source of last minute gift ideas. All 30 projects are knit or crocheted with just one skein of yarn so they're bound to be quick:


And if you need a gift for Rover:

We have lots more fantastic ideas for every creature on your list! Just ask us, we'd be happy to help.

PS
This afternoon Becky unpacked a stack of 'Last Minute Knitted Gifts':


A veritable treasure trove of gift ideas and the projects are helpfully grouped into sections according to estimated knitting time. There are gift ideas for kids, women and men. It's not only a great book for gift inspiration but also a great gift for fellow knitters. This one's only in Point Grey right now but it will make it across the bridge to Edgemont in a few days...

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

New Noro

Boxes and boxes of it...

There's loads more Silk Garden Chunky in many beautiful colourways. Julia knit this beautiful capelet with three balls of SGC:


The pattern is right here. Knit in less than 24 hours, finished with a Perl Grey leaf brooch et voila, tres jolie! Thanks Julia!

Alexa used Silk Garden Chunky to knit this great scarf:


Another quick knit on 8mm needles with three balls of SGC. Just cast on 22 stitches and work a K1, P1 rib until you're done.

The Yarn Harlot is currently addicted to the Silk Garden striped scarf, she's on her third. I found this project very addicting last year:

It's Jared's pattern. I've been thinking this scarf would be a perfect Christmas gift for a friend so yesterday I came home with several skeins of Silk Garden tucked in my bag. A girl just can't have too many projects on the go, especially this time of year... We have many Silk Garden colour options, the combo possibilities are endless.

We've just unpacked several new colours of the beautiful Blossom in both stores. Try using this one for a gorgeous Bloom Shawl. There are also several fantastic Blossom projects in the many Noro books we have on our shelves.

And we have buckets of most of the other stunning Noro yarns including Kureyon, Iro, Kochoron and Transitions.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out Noro Mini Knits, by Jenny Watson:


Our most popular Noro book right now. It's bursting with marvellous little Noro projects, there are lots of great quick-knit gift ideas in this one. Knock yourself out!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Odds and Sods

This week's special is Pure Angora:


There are three beautiful colourways that aren't quite as bright as shown in this photo. The yarn is soft as a feather and there's 114 metres per ball. It's 40% off the regular price, only $7.77.

Don't forget our Knit Nights this week on Tuesday in Edgemont, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m and Wednesday in Point Grey, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. As a special bonus this week, you'll receive 10% off your purchases at any Knit Night. First put a dent in your holiday gift shopping, then buy a little something for yourself. Or perhaps the other way around...

If you were disappointed we sold out of the Debbie Bliss magazine, you're in luck. We've managed to find ten more copies so call us if you want one, first come first served. We can't get more - our supplier is sold out and this issue won't be re-printed. But we've ordered lots of Issue 2, watch for it this Spring. If you don't want to miss out, put your name on our list and we'll call you when Issue 2 arrives.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Fab New Book

A superb new book just arrived on our doorstep:


It's another great production by Leigh Radford who previously published 'One Skein' and 'Alterknits'.

This book provides great explanations and instructions on the basics of felting. There are also descriptions of special techniques, abbreviations and diagrams to help round out your felting knowledge.

And check out the 30 edgy designs including bags, accessories, household items and gift ideas like felted rings, bracelets and Christmas tree ornaments. These projects really push the design envelope.

The book is bursting with colour, imagination and inspiration. Kick-start some great new felting projects with Alterknits Felt...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Gnarly Gnome


Anina knit and felted this cute Gnome and Mushroom set. It's a Marie Mayhew design - we have the patterns as well as a kit with extras like roving for the nose and beard, beads for the eyes, cork for the pipe and plastic pellets and fibrefill for stuffing. If you prefer, make a few simple changes and turn your gnome into Santa Claus. Have a look at photos of Anina's gnome on her ravelry site.

Apparently this felting of little creatures is a bit addictive, Anina's now working on a set of Snowbabies:


The pattern includes directions for three hat designs and a scarf. These babes will be about 4 1/2" tall after felting.

We have several other fabulous Marie Mayhew designs, including Woolly Holiday Ornaments:


The pattern includes three ornament designs: a classic ball, teardrop and beaded ball.

Love the Crazy Quilt Holiday Stocking:


Use your imagination for embroidery and embellishments to make your own unique stocking. The finished size is about 8" wide and 22" high.

These are all great gift ideas. And they're manageable projects that could easily be started and finished in a weekend. Drop by and check out our collection of Marie Mayhew designs and all the other new stuff we have on our shelves...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

New Lessons

We have some great new lessons starting soon in Point Grey.

We've scheduled two sessions of Sock Boot Camp on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Choose either November 25 or December 9. Learn to knit a sock in just one day!

Sivia Harding will run another Jewelry Knitting workshop on Wednesday, November 26 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. You'll learn how to create a fabulous necklace that would be a great Christmas present. Check out the beautiful sample that's currently on display in Point Grey.

Alexa Ludeman will teach a Christmas Gift Ideas workshop on Wednesday, December 3 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn to knit a beautiful buttoned scarf with just one skein of luscious yarn. If you've always drooled over the sumptuous cashmere, alpaca and silk blends hanging on our walls, this would be a good time to give one a try.

And if you or someone you know would like to learn to knit, Sandra Dunkin will get you going in her Beginner Knitting class on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., starting this evening, November 20.

If you've reached an impasse with a current project or would like to learn a new technique, consider registering for Christa's Classroom on Friday afternoons from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Christa's classes are currently scheduled for Nov. 21, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

If you'd like some assistance with pattern reading, complicated stitches or finishing, sign up for Astor Tsang's Knitting Q & A class that runs most Sunday mornings from 11:00 - noon. On Sunday, Dec. 5, Astor will switch to Yarn 101 where you'll learn to make yarn substitutions. She'll show you what to do if you love a pattern but can't find the right yarn.

Phew, that's a lot of classes. Hopefully you'll find the perfect class on our list. But if none of these classes fit into your schedule, consider scheduling a private lesson, by yourself or with a friend. Just send an email to Kathleen or phone her at 604-228-1122 and she'll get you going.

Have a look at our entire class schedule right here. This schedule is regularly updated as new classes are organized. Have fun learning a new skill this winter!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Point Grey Knit Night

We hope you'll join us for Wednesday evening Knit Nights in Point Grey. Drop by and knit or crochet with Alexa Ludeman from 7 - 9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, starting today! No need to register, just drop in whenever you can make it. And you'll receive 10% off your purchases at any November Knit Night - perhaps some early Christmas shopping is in order...

Our special yarn this week is Filatura di Crosa Folly at 40% off. It's a fun novelty yarn that would be great for scarves, shawls and trims - use your imagination with this one.

And we have lots more Filatura di Crosa yarns on our shelves. There are the staple superwash yarns, Zara and Zara Plus with a beautiful colour range. If you've picked up the Interweave Knits Holiday '08 issue, try knitting the Aran Isle Slippers with Zara Plus.

127 Print is a great felting yarn, we've see some fab felted slippers knit with this one. Or try the Calorimetry head scarf from Knitty. Advance warning: we have only two colours left and we can't get more.

Maxime and Maxime Print are great for socks. We also have Allegro, Love, New Malizioso, Puff and Venezia, most of which are in both stores.

We've received tons of new stuff lately, we're opening boxes faster than I can write about it all... If you'd like to check out all our new items, just look for the 'new product' signs on the shelves.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hand-dyed Splendour

We have a luscious new yarn, Maiden Hair:

Lovingly hand-dyed by the maidens at Handmaiden. It's a sumptuous mix of 67% silk, 23% kid mohair and 10% nylon with a stunning sheen and texture. There's a generous 250 metres to each 100g skein and we have four gorgeous colourways. These won't last long...

We also have the cutest new MinKim kits from Perl Grey:


A kimono-style sweater that's knit in one piece. The yarn is the beautiful Fleece Artist Lanica that's 100% organic merino.

The Perl Grey designs are always kitted with Fleece Artist yarns because the owners are sisters. Kathryn started Fleece Artist many years ago. Her sister, Adrienne, runs Perl Grey and her daughter, Jana, is the main maiden at Handmaiden Yarns. Three very cool and creative family businesses.

And our weekly special? Not hand-dyed but splendid nonetheless. Online Tessa, Tessa Tweed and Tessa Colour are 40% off the regular price, just $3.89 for Tessa and $4.49 for Tessa Tweed and Colour. They're 100% superwash wools with 85 metres per 50g ball, knitting to a 20 stitch gauge on 4.5m needles. These yarns would be perfect for a multitude of different projects.

And the boxes just keep coming, love this time of year...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Drops Designs

Have a look at the new Drops baby design collection. There's a great selection of patterns for little guys and gals, like this cute sweater coat knit with Garnstudios Eskimo:


You should also check out the Drops Autumn/Winter 08/09 women's design collection. There are loads of fantastic sweaters and cardigans as well as tons of great gift knitting ideas like hats, mitts, bags, scarves and more.

We have scads of the quick-knit Garnstudios Eskimo in both stores, it's a fabulous felting yarn. We also have Alpaca, Fabel, Glitter and Lin on our shelves in both Edgemont and Point Grey. And if you have your heart set on another Garnstudio yarn, let us know and we might be able to special order it for you.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Weekly Special

This week it's Rowan Biggy Print at 50% off the regular price. Biggy Print is a super-chunky 100% merino wool yarn with a variegated thickness:


It's the penultimate quick-knit yarn, you won't find many others that will knit up faster than this one. It comes in striking colour combinations and would be perfect for a cozy scarf or hat for winter. Try these Super Bulky Mittens for Women. Or Kim Hargreave's Shrug with Garter Stitch Trim:


It's from her recent book, Heartfelt. We're smitten with all of Kim's recent books. We've just put Thrown Together and Nectar back on our shelves. And we'll soon have Kim's latest collection, Amber. Looks like another winner...

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Blue Sky Designs

Blue Sky Alpacas has some of the nicest patterns around and there are some fantastic new designs for Fall. We love the Audrey Coat:


Knit in Alpaca Sportweight, it's a fantastic contemporary classic design.

The Cabled Cowl is another wonderful new design. This one's on display in our Edgemont store, knit by Valerie with the sumptuously soft Suri Merino and finished off with a couple of Perl Grey pewter leaf buttons. It's truly one of the nicest cowls I've seen. We're a little low on copies of this pattern right now but it will soon be re-stocked.

The Kitty Hat pattern is uber-cute:


This one's knit in the gorgeous Suri Merino. Alexa knit a sweet Momma and Baby Kitty Hat set, they're currently on display in Point Grey.

And if you're knitting for a little girl these days, you should have a look at the Smocked Coat:


It would be wonderfully cozy for the cold winter months ahead. This coat is designed for the BSA Bulky yarn and will knit up quickly on 10 mm needles.

There are a bunch more new BSA designs for Fall including the Kids Pullover, the Knit Quilt and the Ribbon Trim Cardigan. We have them all.

There's also a free Skinny Striped Hat pattern that was recently added to the BSA pattern collection. You can download the pattern right here. Choose three colours of Skinny Cotton to knit this hat, we have lots of options.

And we have the entire line of luxurious Blue Sky Alpacas yarn, have a look at the entire collection right here. You have to feel them to believe their softness so drop by sometime for a touch test. Yummy....

Monday, November 3, 2008

Cheep Cheep

Check out the new Pretty Cheep Project Bags from Blue Sky Alpacas:


They're 100% cotton and 12" square with a drawstring closure - perfect for individual projects. There are three bright silkscreened bird designs and best of all, they're only $7.95.

We also have the BSA 5" double-pointed needles that come in cute little tins:


These needles are made from reclaimed wood and polished to a brilliant luster. They come in sizes 2mm to 4mm, with a different coloured tin for each size.

And we love the BSA Knitters Little Helper Cream:

I use it every day for my dry, cracked cuticles. No greasy residue with this one. It's packaged in a great retro-chic tin, "Zen in a Jar".

All of these BSA accessories would make great gifts for yourself or a friend. And we have loads of new BSA leaflets and yarn, stay tuned for more details...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Edgemont Knit Nights

Join us for Tuesday evening Knit Nights in Edgemont!

Drop by and knit or crochet with Jessica from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 11, 25 and December 9, 16 and 23. Take a break from your busy life and share some inspiration with other local knitters and crocheters. No need to register for Knit Night, just drop in whenever you can make it.

As a special bonus you'll receive 10% off your purchases at any November Knit Night. Hope to see you there...