KINGSTON STITCHES FOR SYRIANS

 FLASH NEWS BULLETIN about upcoming events

For the next 3 Saturdays in January, KnitTraders will be hosting a good old fashioned Tea and Working Bee, on Jan. 9th, 16th and 23rd from 1-3pm
ALL ARE WELCOME to share a cuppa and goodies and get help finishing up your projects to be donated to Kingston Stitches for Syrians, or assist us in sorting, labeling and packaging the donations that we’ve already received.
RSVP to KnitTraders 613 384 3951 or shop @ knittraders dot com

 

This is Omar (6) and one of his little sisters, Noor (8 months) who are among the lucky family who are being sponsored by the Four Rivers Presbytery Chapter of Save A Family From Syria.

According to the report from CBC, the Kingston area is getting ready to receive 600 refugees from Syria within the next few months who will all need to be welcomed with warm clothes and well as warm intentions. Several crafting businesses and organizations in our general area are pleased to be participating in the KINGSTON STITCHES FOR SYRIANS campaign to collect hats, mitts, scarves and neck warmers, socks/slippers, toys and blankets to offer these newest members of our community.

We are calling all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and sewers who would like to contribute to this collection to read the following guidelines carefully to make the most efficient use of resources during this challenging yet extraordinarily valuable effort.

We ask that all donations be new and have some handmade touch to them.

Although Syrians practice a variety of religions, the dominant religion is Muslim/Islam so please avoid imagery on clothing.

Fiber requirements:
Hats, cowls & mittens: blends of wool and acrylic are best with more wool if possible.
Blankets: ideally machine washable yarns.
Toys & Slippers: machine washable yarns, please!

Please attach a completed donation tag noting the garment type, and age/size (adult, teen, child, infant). You may wish to attach a ball band from your yarn stating fibre content and washing instructions, or you can write these on the tag. Also include your first name only and a general message  of welcome if you wish.

Place your donation in a clear ziploc bag with the donation tag visible for easy sorting and distribution.

Drop your donation off at KnitTraders 725 Gardiners Rd. or at Minotaur Games and Gifts at 78 Princess. Other drop off points in the area are Rosa’s Cafe in Bath and at The Wool Shed, Topsy Farms on Amherst Island

Share pictures and comments about your donation at the 1000 Stitches for Syria Ravelry Group page (on the Kingston thread), or on our Ravelry Group page.

Please share this project with friends and neighbours of the crafting persuasion who would like to participate. Remember, no donation is too small or too big, whether it's a small beginners' scarf or a family sized afghan - we need them all.
For more information please email kingstonstitches2015@gmail.com

Indie Dyers - Glorious Fingering weight yarns.

We're thrilled to feature the Peppino line from the Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze in his signature Stipple effect. This yarn is a stunning 100% merino that is so firmly spun as to make it sturdy enough for socks, but soft and supple enough for all your fingering lace projects.

And for those who appreciate true decadence, we have Couleurs Mouton from Quebec, with the Kargil line composed of 80% fine merino, 10% cashmere and 10% nylon. This sockette that we've made in the Souris des Laurentides (Laurentian Mouse) colourway will absolutely seduce you.
Read the interview with Daniele on the ACCROCHET blog.

Kingston SpinMania 2015

Kingston SpinMania 2015

Sponsored by KHWS and 

 Mon. October 5th - Sun. October 11th

SpinMania is an event where handspinners compete in a friendly challenge to see who can spin the most yarn in a week!

Here's how it works: 

-Spinners register beginning September 1st, 2015.

-Registration forms available via email from Stacey or Anne

or at through Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Guild 

or at KnitTraders at 725 Gardiners Rd.

-Return registration and a $10 fee to either of the above locations on or before Sat. October 3rd.

-Spinning starts October 5th at 12:00am and continues until October 11th at 11:59pm.

-Record as you go - We are on the honour system.

-Post yardage and pictures to KnitTraders Ravelry Group or email your name and yardage to either Stacey or Anne

-Post to our Facebook pages for fun! KHWS and KnitTraders. 

We want to see pics of your lovely yarn. 

(Technical details re plying: We will give you credit for plying. This is totally optional - you don't have to ply your yarn at all. Plying is spinning.

If you do choose to ply this is how you can calculate the yardage for which you can claim credit: [plied yardage] + [plied yardage x # of plies] = total number of spun yards. 

Chain or Navajo ply is a 3 ply yarn. )

Why should you participate?

-Raise awareness of handspinning in Kingston, the yarn universe and beyond.

-Decrease your fibre stash...make room for more!

-Push past your fears: The more yarn you spin, the better spinner you will become! Try something NEW!

-It's fun!  Fibre Prizes! and you will be contributing to a good cause. 

(All proceeds after prizes will be donated to a local charity.)

All About Socks

A GREAT NEW BATCH OF OPAL HAS ARRIVED

including some of the glitter ones, and a good selection of their beautiful solid colours as well.
Grab it while you can as it is the last big order that we'll be receiving until mid summer.

And for you saddened fans of Cascade FIXATION cotton sock yarn with elastic which hasn't been easily available for some time, we're thrilled to offer you a great selection of colours on Special Purchase for just $3.50/ball.
It really is a unique sock yarn that works beautifully for other projects as well that require the firmness of the cotton and elastic blend. Link to the Cascade site for their free patterns for FIXATION

And for those of you who are not yet part of the ranks of the confident (and sometimes addicted) sock knitters, don't miss your last chance before the summer. If you can knit and purl with confidence, you can learn all the skills that you need to make socks during this 5 hour class.
There are still a few spots left for the ever popular Sock In A Day class at KnitTraders  on Saturday, May 23rd.  And if you're a sock knitter who would like to increase your confidence and skill level, there is much for you to gain from this intensive learning experience.

Link to our class Page for further details on registration.

Amigurumi has Arrived!

AMIGURUMI LUNCH ANYONE!

From Katia we are so pleased to offer these multi packs of beautiful mercerized cotton in brilliant colours, to create all of your favourite amigurumi toys.  They come in 4 colour ranges and are soft and easy to work with.

Link here to the free pattern for lunch above.

Lakeland Chunky is one of our favourites.

 James C. Brett has done it again!

 

The first day we received Lakeland Chunky in the store I brought some home to do a swatch and was amazed at the beautiful look and texture of this chained, self-striping chunky blend. I was so impressed that I immediately packed some off to one of the store knitters to create this gorgeous Chunky Shrug Bolero.

Didn't it turn out great?

You can find the pattern on our Free Pattern Website and the beauty is that although I personally love how the self striping yarns work with this particular pattern, you can use any Chunky weight yarn with great success. 

3 Cozy New Samples to get you through the winter

  This beautiful Borgo di Pazzi's NATURALIA pure wool Sofa Throw Kit is a way to add a touch of warmth while sprucing up your home decor with an up to the minute fashion trend: The Big Stitch in natural woolen hues. The kit includes 3 luxurious hanks of NATURALIA in one of the 6 natural shades, BIG size 15mm wooden needles and the pattern: everything you need to create this layer of luxury in no time at all.

I've also just finished a sample scarf in the ever popular Feather and Fan pattern using this season's new MULBERRY LINEN from the Diamond Luxury Collection. A classic look and feel.

 The newest yarn that we have brought in from Cascade is the SWADDLE and it's been selling like hotcakes since displaying this quick and cozy diamond shaped baby blanket made from just 2 balls. Simple enough for beginners,

The Proper Way to Receive a Knitted Gift

The following was sent to us on Facebook and it seemed absolutely perfect in a delightfully tongue in cheek way.
It's a list of Dos and Don'ts that should be shared with all friends and family members of knitters. Knitters can be emotionally fragile when giving handcrafted gifts. Recipients should make the effort to learn how to receive the gift well so that they can be assured of remaining part of our cherished entourage.

Thanks to Sheri for passing this our way. 

The Proper Way To Receive A Knitted Gift.

1. Open the gift, and immediately say something positive. (Suggestions are things like "Oh wow!" or "Oh my goodness!")

2. Hold up the item and smile broadly.

3. If you do not know what the item is, DO NOT SAY SO. We understand that knitting can produce some unusual items, and that the nature of handmade objects can further complicate things. If, after admiring the item for some time you are still not sure what it is, say something like "This is beautiful. Oh my gosh. Can you show me how I would wear it? I want to do it justice."

4. After admiring and identifying the item, RUB IT ON YOUR FACE, or at the very least, cuddle it against your neck while saying something positive like "Mmmmmm". Knitters love this. It's because we've been worried that you wouldn't like it, and knitting is a tactile thing. Lots of non-knitters find some textiles scratchy or uncomfortable, and we're worried that will be you. Making immediate physical contact with the item reassures us. 

5. Pronounce the item the best gift you have ever gotten. Kiss or hug the knitter and show the item off to at least one other person over the course of the day. 

6. Place the item in a place of honour and continue to admire it at intervals, remarking (see gift re: Respect above) that you can't believe that a knitter thought you were worth that much time. 

DO NOT: 

-Comment that it doesn't fit. This is not something you discuss today. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. Or in a week. Not today. Your knitter has been busting a more for weeks or months for you. They probably finished a hat at 2am and are a little fragile. Save it. 

-Similarly, do not say it is scratchy, or uncomfortable or not what you wanted. Despite what some other non-knitters may have you think, knitting is a super expensive gift - and if someone gave you a Ferrari, you wouldn't pout and tell them you wanted it in blue.

Now go forth and love your knitter. They're amazing.