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