Inventory, Ugh...

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...

New Spring Knits

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!

Need Some New Needles?

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...

Coriolis Socks

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.

Valentines Day is Coming

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...

Lovely New Lace

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!

Luscious Cashmere and Silk

We've been gushing about the Handmaiden Swiss Mountain Cashmere and Silk ever since it first arrived in our stores a couple of months ago. It's a sumptuous mix of 65% cashmere and 35% silk. We often have customers do a 'touch test' of this yarn and it never disappoints. It's simply divine. Knitters Review recently described this yarn as an 'extraordinary cashmere'. And Clara Parkes has touched a lot of cashmere. Read the entire review right here. Here's a hat pattern that uses just one skein of SMCS. The hat is on display in our Point Grey store.

Knitters Review also likes Lantern Moon's new Sox Stix:

Here's the review. Sox Stix are 5" rosewood or ebony dp's, sizes 2 to 3.75 mm, that are packaged in a cute organza fabric pouch. One of these sets would be a great 'needle and notion' bag to accompany your latest sock project. They'd also make a great gift for a fellow sock-knitter.

And if you've caught the pervasive sock-knitting bug, you should check out the Knitters Review top-four picks of the many recently published sock books. We have three of these books in our stores. The popular Getting Started Knitting Socks, by Ann Budd, has a wonderful collection of tips and techniques for any sock-knitter, from beginner to experienced:


Amongst the many great sock patterns in this book is a versatile basic sock pattern that's provided in 5 different yarn gauges and 5 different sizes.

Interweave's Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs is a collection of nineteen of the best sock designs from past issues of Interweave and Spin Off magazines:

In addition to the wonderful patterns there are some very useful technique illustrations.

And then there's Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Sock Book:

This book has some sock-knitting history, great technique descriptions and twenty-five beautiful patterns. A very handy feature of this book is the "sock calculator" that allows you to modify two basic sock patterns, one top-down and one toe-up, for 3 different yarn gauges and 10 different sizes. Casting all modesty aside, Vogue calls this book, "...the most complete guide to sock knitting ever published." Check it out and see if you agree.