Knit from the Heart

I spent this morning at a funeral for a friend who passed away a few days ago. The place was packed, he was a well-loved and wonderful man. I shed some tears while reminiscing with his wife and kids, watching his little grandchildren run around the room.

Although I felt terribly sad afterwards, one memory brought a smile to my face. It was the thought of the hat I knit him a couple of years ago, not long after he was diagnosed with cancer. He told me he loved the hat, loved the colours, that it was a perfect fit. I think he was quite tickled that I had taken the time to knit something for him.

I regret not spending more time with him over the last few months but I'm so glad I knit him that hat.

Knit or crochet a gift from the heart for someone you love. You'll be glad you did.

An extra 10% off

We've extended our pre-inventory sale to February 17. Then it's time for us to start counting everything, ugh. And this year we have two stores to count, double ugh.

You can take an extra 10% off all sale items. The complete list is right here. Yup, all those books at 40% off, now you can take 50% off. And that big table that's chock-a-block full of Blue Sky Alpacas, Ella Rae, Fleece Artist, Louisa Harding and Rowan? Was all 25% off, now it's 35%. The sale also includes our weekly specials, take an extra 10% off everything on our Specials list. Berroco Candy FX was 70% off, now it's 80%. You get the idea, I could go on and on but you can read the list yourselves.

If you like incredible bargains, now's the time to drop by for a visit...

Join the Sock-Knitting Stampede

We have some fabulous new colours of SWTC Tofutsies on our shelves. This yarn is a great combination of superwash wool, soysilk, cotton and chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells). And for all you Tofutsies fans, we've just received some Collectors Edition Tofutsies kits:


The kits include a cute little project bag, four skeins of Tofutsies and a CD with ten sock patterns on it. The bag and CD are thrown in for free - it's a great deal!

If you're looking for some new sock patterns for your Tofutsies, check out these SWTC designs: Tidal Wave, Feet Tart, Dusty Rose and Cutesie. Or have a look at these 'Through the Loop' sock patterns: Nasturtium and Rhodie.

If you've never knit a pair of socks but would like to learn how, sign up for one of our Sock Boot Camps. Learn to knit a sock in just one day! Our next SBC runs on Thursday, February 21, 6-9 p.m., in Point Grey.

Or if you'd like to move beyond the sock-knitting basics, sign up for Sivia Harding's Coriolis Sock Class that starts this Wednesday, February 13, from 7-9 p.m. You'll learn to knit a very cool new sock design, as well as how to perfectly customize your socks to different sizes.

Phone us at 604-228-1122 to register for a sock class and join the Sock-Knitting Stampede...

Many More Rowan titles

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...

Heavenly, Relaxed and Elemental

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...

Get the Skinny

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!

What did Herman Bring?

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....