Fun Vintage Patterns Galore!

Hey everyone- did you know there is a great section on the Mary Maxim website where you can buy vintage patterns online? There are newer patterns too, but my favourite part is definitely the vintage stuff.

It's a lot of fun- I just discovered it today and had to prowl through all the neat patterns. There are so much of these that I'd love to make for myself!
Mary Maxim Patterns

I love this kid's pattern- so timeless! 

 The shaping on this cardigan is lovely and pretty- I'd certainly wear it!

Ok, I might not knit myself a brushed mohair suit, but I love the peacoat!

Vintage Patterns There are so many more on the main Mary Maxim website. Please take a look!

Fall Sweater Time

Hi everyone!
It's almost fall sweater time, and I have to let you know that we have an amazing deal right now if you need some wool.
Right now we have Juvel superwash DK wool on for only $2.97 a ball. It's lovely and soft, and it's a really great bargain. We have some up at the front of the store and the clearance section, but it's not going to last long.
Check it out at Yarndex here:
http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=6840
It's also great for blankets- it would make a great blanket for a wedding gift. Just ask me, I know about those (only 5 left to make this year...).
I brought home the pink and natural to make a sweater- come see all the lovely colours for your own fall sweater!

Yummy New Stuff

We have been getting some seriously exciting stuff in lately. Check out this gorgeous new chunky organic cotton. It's so soft- between the touch of this yarn and these colours, I am just dying to make a baby blanket for a little baby girl. 

We got it in a lovely cream and a red as well, and it came in an order with this worsted weight friend sitting underneath it.

Cricket is a linen/cotton blend that just has the most gorgeous drape to it. If you're thinking of a garment this summer, you have to come give it a squeeze.

Linen/cotton is such a great combination. Linen is one of those magical fibres that just keeps getting softer and softer every time you wash it. Both of them are very durable fibres, so this yarn will make something special that will last, and look good doing it.

This one is just fun. Between the rainbow of colours, the fun multicolours and the amazing highlighter neons, I can't wait to see what people make with this. The big balls of the super bulky are 200g, which means you'll get a small project out of one ball and it'll go fast, too. I have a friend who's almost done her Christmas knitting already (doesn't it make you sick? I don't think I'll start crocheting for Christmas until November again this year). Still, I'm thinking that this yarn might inspire me to get a move on and make some simple presents to have on hand just in case. 

Or maybe I'll make a white and neon striped baby blanket (putting this much amazing colour right by the front desk is a bad idea, I just know some of it is going home with me soon enough). 

This Whisper Lace is proving a temptation to all of us. Gabe gave in and is making a stunning shawl from it in that amazing turquoise.

It's got a bit more body to it than most laceweights- it's just a little bit heavier. So soft, and a great value. I just can't decide which colour I love best.

We just got a restock of that lovely old favorite 100% wool, Cascade 220. Our restock included some new colours- we were listening when you asked us where yellows and oranges were, and we got some pinks that are so pretty I am just itching to get my hands on them.

But my favorite new thing is this pretty stuff. Cascade Eco+! It's a chunky weight 100% wool that is such a good value, and the colours we got are fantastic.

The yellow and pink are my favorite, and the light blue is really tempting Gabe. Kate is looking at the royal blue and planning Leafs themed projects- but all of us want to make something from this.

It's a 250g ball with 478yds/438m, so two is enough for a small sweater. Just one will make you a hat and mitt set, and since it's a chunky weight it will be seriously warm.

Alright, now I'm going to have to go and pet these new yarns a bit more. You should come in and pet them too.

-Lynn



Colours and Caring for Yarn

There are so many pretty colours around this store, but this time of year when we organize our cotton yarns we get the prettiest rainbows!

I love our cotton wall. Everytime I look at it I decide on another few colours that I want to try together. 

The Cascade Ultra Pima has such amazing rich tones, and it's sheen is just beautiful. I keep having to remind myself that just last year I made a top with it and I still have some at home. I do not need more- but if you want to make a cottony summer project this season, you just might need it.

This one is a new one for us. It's a bit off-season, but chunky alpaca is wonderful to touch any time. Of course you might want to hold off  a few months on a sweater out of it, but this new Baby Alpaca Sport Hand Paints selection would make excellent cold weather presents. Some of our incredibly organized customers have already started on Christmas presents, and this yarn is awesome for gifts.
Last year, our staff made lots of last minute items out of the solid- just one ball is enough for a little cozy cowl, and these new haindpaints make even a simple pattern very special. Wouldn't it feel good to be so organized you already had a present finished for the holiday season?

And this one is definitely good for the weather right now! Sirdar's Baby Bamboo is one of my favorites. It's a blend of 80% Bamboo 20% Wool, which makes it a great yarn for this weather. Wool is wicking, so it keeps you dry, while bamboo will keep you cool.
Take a look at the colours, too. It just comes in such a wonderful rainbow. It's not just a baby project thing, I want to make something for me!

We got a few patterns in stock recently that will be perfect for an adult garment with this yarn. This Sirdar pattern just came in, and I really want to make it. Of course since I'm a crocheter I'll have to come up with my own version (some of you may have seen my experiments with crochet stockinette!). It calls for Sirdar Flirt, but Flirt and Baby Bamboo are the same weight and fibre content. We do have the Flirt, but it comes in a lot less colours.
Of course, being a wool/bamboo blend you'll want to be a little careful with it. Don't forget to wash and hang your swatch to find how it grows (because bamboo, a bit like cotton, is heavy and will grow, especially if it's worked too loose!) and you'll want to handwash or delicate wash this one to keep it looking lovely for a long time.

Hempathy is a favorite around here. The blend is a bit stiff, but like all yarns in that style it'll soften as you wear it. Not to mention the incredible stitch definition you get with it! It's just lovely to work with, and the colour palette is really gorgeous (we're expecting a restock any day now). Also, since it's such a hard wearing yarn you really can throw it through the machine, although washing it seperately at first is always a good idea.

Actually, for the first wash and block of any project, I suggest a special wool wash because it is so easy to use. We carry Eucalan, and it makes life so simple. Especially if you're like me and don't have a washing machine in your home. All you need to do is soak your item in lukewarm water for about ten minutes, then lay it flat to dry. That's it! No rinsing necessary, although I like to give it a quick rinse anyway. It's really great because you can wash any small project in your bathroom sink easily.

I always roll things in a towel and press out excess water, then put a fan on it once I've pinned it flat. Most projects will be dry overnight. The whole process only takes 15-20 minutes, even if you have more than one thing to wash. Handwashing delicates is not as hard as you might think.

Giving anything a wash after you finish it is almost always a good idea! It'll even out your stitches and make your work look more professional, it'll alert you to any really obvious issues with washing and it'll get off the dirt and dust that gets on your projects while you're working.
It's also really good for other delicate items- I love to take it along when I go on vacation in case I need to wash something or I spill something. It's pretty fantastic because you can use it in a hotel sink anywhere.
Anyway, come visit us and take a look at our pretty rainbows (and our wool wash!)
-Lynn



Rainy Afternoon Knitting

It seems like there have been a lot of rainy afternoons lately, and the rain always makes me want to curl up in a comfy chair with a pot of tea and my knitting.

My rainy afternoon knitting project is usually a simple shawl in a cozy-soft or beautifully dyed yarn. A garter-stitch pattern (like the directionally-shaped shawl we’ll be making in the June Project class) is an excellent way to use up single skeins or left-over balls, and versatile enough to make a stylish and practical accessory for any season just by choosing a suitable yarn.



JUST IN from Diamond Luxury Collection, "Foostie" sock-weight yarn. 

 Been thinking about an extra layer to fight off the chilly spring air? Consider using a sock-weight yarn. Looking for a light summer cover-up? A lace-weight cotton or linen would make a light and airy wrap. Planning something to keep your shoulders warm in the fall? Work in dk-weight for a cozier fabric. Always cold in the winter? Reach for the worsted-weight wool, or a super-warm alpaca blend. The possibilities are endless!

Our selection of bright and cheerful summer cottons

One of my favourite things about this type of pattern is that you really can use any yarn you like, since it’s not necessary to match a given gauge. You might still have to try a couple needle sizes before you start, but it’s more about getting a knitted fabric that you like, as opposed to matching numbers and measurements.

Sample of the crescent-shaped shawl for June's project class, knit in Mellowspun.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about directional shaping or how to change needle size to get the fabric you want, drop by the shop and sign up for the June project class! The class will be held Saturday June 28 from 2pm-4pm, and the class fee is $25, plus materials.

Have a great weekend!  :D
-Gabe

Clearance Section

Our clearance section is nice and full right now. We just got a new shipment yesterday, and there is some fantastic stuff in there. Some of the cotton is awesome; if you've been wanting to make a summer top, a beach bag or maybe a summer hat, this is a good chance to come down and find a bargain.

 We still have some Paton's Grace in, and we just got this Carezza yarn yesterday. It's a worsted weight 100% cotton and feels lovely. It would be perfect for a summer cotton cardigan.

And this Treasure Chest, with it's bright colours and (we're guessing) most likely cotton and acrylic blend, not to mention the low price point, would be ideal for a summer project for a kid. A little pullover, a baby blanket- you could do a lot with this flexible yarn.

You may have noticed some sock yarn up top there. We still have some of our own sock yarn and a few others on sale right now. The Kertzer On Your Toes is a fun self-striping (we have it in pink) that works up into really durable socks. Our Step it Up is a tonal solid that comes in some plain dark neutrals- perfect for guys (and makes great sweaters, just ask the staff! I think we're up to 2 or 3 sweaters between us from our sale sock yarns).

We also have a little bit left in our Gemstones, which has colours inspired by precious rocks.

In this photo above, you can see our Bounce yarn- a great yarn with some elastic to make stretchy socks. We also have you covered if you're starting Christmas knitting or crocheting early- Twinkle Toes comes in sparkly Christmas appropriate colours!

These yarns are awesome. You can see here the Okitek sparkly mohair, Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash, and Louisa Harding Nautical cottom- all of which have gone home with me, and Cottonwood Organic cotton, which hasn't yet. I can tell you, they are awesome!

The sparkly mohair is such a tempting yarn. Pretty and soft and glitzy, it is perfect for little accessories. I'm making a little shrug with it to wear over summer dresses when the evening starts to get cool. I'm a bit of a magpie, but the sparkly bits in it were just irresistable.

The Classic Wool DK is a bargain we almost didn't believe when it came in. It's amazing for sweaters, blankets- just about anything. I haven't decided on my project yet, but I see a sweater in it's future.

The Nautical cotton is nice for little summer garments and accessories. It's soft and has a bit of texture to keep your project interesting.

The Cottonwood organic cotton is a slightly heavier weight and perfect for baby things for the mom who worries about where the yarn came from.

And one more shot, showing some yarn we just got a restock of. The Country Style DK at the bottom is the old put-up of 100g. It now comes in 50g balls, but we have just a little bit left of the old style. It's a versatile yarn in a wool/acrylic/nylon blend that makes it soft and sturdy. I've made a sweater with this and it's something I love to wear.

The Family Aran with wool is a wool/acrylic blend that gets snatched up quickly. It's perfect for blankets, sweaters- just about anything you want to be hard wearing. It's the season for babies and weddings, and this yarn would make a cozy gift for either occasion.

Just don't ask me to help, I have four wedding blankets to finish this summer!

-Lynn

Welcome to the Store

We're moving things around for summer right now, so our cotton is at the front but most of our displays are still winter stuff! Don't worry, lots of great samples and patterns are on their way to us now so we can swap things up for the season.

This is one of our newest yarns. It's Manos Del Uruguay Allegria. It's handpainted and every skein is a little bit different, and a lot gorgeous. It's a sock weight yarn, 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamide.
(Also, check out the sequined Rowan Kidsilk below it. It's pretty awesome! It also came with some really gorgeous pattern books)

 The range goes from these awesome jewel tones, through some amazing neons...

... to these gorgeous colours that make me want to go to the beach.
I've already made a little shawl with the blue/grey/white closest to the right in this picture. I have to block it, but I'll post a picture to share with you all once I get around to that!
-Lynn

Mary Maxim Toronto

Hey there!
Welcome to the new Mary Maxim Toronto blog.
We're part of the Mary Maxim company, which you may have heard of as a Canadian mail order company that's been around a long time. We have a lot more to offer than just Cowichan sweaters and basic acrylics, though!

The Toronto retail store is a boutique location that carries a full range from the most basic acrylic for blankets, baby garments and more, to a full range of 100% natural options, including great yarns from Cascade, Manos Del Uruguay, Malabrigo, Debbie Bliss and many more. Not only that, we have a clearance section that gets yarns you wouldn't believe for amazing bargains.

We carry a wide range of needles and hooks, including Addi, Knitter's Pride and other kits and supplies. Our range of knitting and crochet accessories includes great products from Clover, Knitter's Pride and Unique.
Our friendly staff behind the counter are all experts in craft- you can get great help when you stumble with your knit or crochet project, and some of our staff are experts in other areas, including cross stitch, needlepoint and more.
We offer great classes from beginner to expert, and have different project classes every month to inspire your knitting and crochet!

We also carry a much wider selection of craft supplies- rug hooking, cross stitch, embroidery, plastic canvas, needlepoint, tatting, beading and more.

Come on in and give our yarns a good squish and say hello!