SOCK CLASSES COMING UP

has 2 great sock classes coming up this fall...

 

The ever popular SOCK-IN-A-DAY

Sat. Oct. 26th 10am-2:30PM

 

To be perfectly honest, this sock pictured above is the sock that we are aiming to knit in just a day. It ain't exactly pretty and is not meant to be of much except as an excellent teaching tool.
If you can knit and purl with relative ease, you'll be able to complete this sock, which will give you all the skills required to knit a classic sock on 4 needles, in any size.
A template pattern is also included as part of the course materials to help you choose yarns, needles and the number of stitches required to make your own socks in any size.
Teacher: Anne Woodall
Cost: $45. (includes all materials)
Please call the store (613-384-3951) or email us shop@knittraders.com to save your spot.

OTHER SOCK TECHNIQUES

including basic toe-up socks and the magic loop method.
Sat. Nov. 23rd, 1-4pm

 

For some feet, regular sock construction just isn't as comfortable as other sock knitting techniques can be. Some folks find that knitting socks from the toe up creates a much more comfortable and form fitting sock.
We at KnitTraders have also discovered through our classes that learning the "Magic Loop" method of knitting with a long circular needle also works beautifully when  learning the toe up technique.
So we have married the introduction of these two very practical techniques into a single class that is designed for those who have knit traditional socks and are familiar with their construction and working in the round.
Teacher: Anne Woodall
Cost: $45 which includes a $10 coupon to put towards your favourite circular needle.
Materials: worsted weight yarn and a long 3.75mm circular needle (80cm-100cm long)
Please call the store (613-384-3951) or email us shop@knittraders.com to save your spot.



Exciting New "Add Ons" for knitters.

'Tis the season of gift-searching and inspiration-seeking to get your fall knitting under way. We've just received a good selection of quality non-fibre products that are designed to help you with your project choices, and to give you ideas for future gifts to ask Santa for, or to give to your knitting friends and family members.

 

The 2014 Knitting Page-a-Day Calendar.

More than 100 patterns in this year of knitting calendar (some take up more than one page.) This is always a hot seller and is long gone by November, so grab it while you can.

 

Handmade here in Ontario of beautiful hardwoods from around the world, these shawl sticks provide a stylish way to hold your knitted scarf or shawl in place, orwork as a simple accent piece on a knitted sweater. A good selection of other styles are also available.

In the new year, we're planning on offering  a Crochet Class for the Hook Phobic. What better way to invite people to tackle a new challenge than by introducing these rich, soft handled hooks that make the craft transition all the more pleasant. They're wonderful for anyone with hand issues that want to make their crochet experience more comfortable.

Hiya Hiya's small Silk Project Bags are so incredibly beautiful that they would entice you to deliberately choose a project that is tidy enough to fit inside. Stylish, and sensual - and only available until our supply sells out. So get your Santa to do his shopping early.

These exquisitely designed Roll Ups by Eden will hold your many needles and notions together in a tidy pack that you can have at hand whenever you take your knitting with you.

We have a lovely assortment in now, but you might want to take a look soon, for best selection of colours.

Interweave KNITS Holiday Gifts Magazine, and Knitter's Pride accessories.

Lots of new products from:

 

 

Waves Crochet Hooks, individually or in sets. Aluminum hooks and soft touch handles.

Other new products from Knitters Pride:

Blocking wires, T-pins,

Sew in leather purse handles.

Clicky Row Counters.

 

 

And after a weekend visit to an Indie Trade Show, I am thrilled to let you in on some of the beautiful yarns that I found including this:

100% Himalayan Silk in fingering weight, perfect for all lace work, that gets more beautiful through the warmth of your hands as you knit with it.

Also, a new lace weight mohair blend and 3 new colours in our ever popular

Cotton Tweed from Cabin Fever,

 

and the much sought after 2013 edition of Interweave KNITS Holiday Gifts Magazine.

 

Vincent Van Gogh's socks

Over the years we've heard much about Opal Sock yarn and I finally took the plunge when I discovered this beautiful new line of colourways.
Each of the 8 shades of the Opal Vincent Van Gogh line is based on the colours found in one of his most beautiful paintings. Here we have the colourway based on "Café Terrace at Night", rich with blues, golds and twinking whites.
Come and see the entire series and take your pick.

Could you be our new Team Member?

KnitTraders is looking for a new employee.
And of course among you, our fabulous customers and friends, we have a  tremendous pool of potential.

While many fantasize about working in a yarn shop: "you get to sit around and knit all day", the reality is that it is a very demanding job, both physically and in terms of knowledge. But for the right person it can be a wonderfully enriching experience.

We are looking for someone with a strong mix of the following skills and straits:

. Excellent people skills.
. Available 10-20 hours per week for both morning and afternoon shifts, and the ability to fill in other shifts when required. (Please check the hours we are open to be sure that these are realistic for you.)
. Healthy, energetic and strong. The job requires that you spend a lot of time on your feet, up and down ladders, and lifting boxes.
. A quick learner who is detail oriented and works well within a team.
. A calm and confident problem solver who can apply their skills to handling the wide variety day to day events at the shop.
. Observant, self-disciplined and self-motivated.
. Sound knowledge and experience in knitting ( also but to a lesser extent in crochet, felting, spinning and traditional rug hooking.)
. Retail, customer service, and/or cash experience is a definite asset.

If this sounds like you, and you are interested in learning about the yarn industry and bringing your love of fibre arts into your working life, please apply but...
DO NOT RESPOND HERE.

Please send an email with your resume and a little about yourself before Friday, Aug. 9th to anne@knittraders.com. Include email contact information as well as a phone number.
If you have any further questions please address them to the email above.

Anne Woodall
 from KnitTraders of Kingston

The first of the New Fall Yarns

The first of the new Fall Yarns just arrived last week, and what a way to start the season: Manos del Uruguay's  FINO is a beautiful hand dyed fingering weight yarn in varying tones. 70% wool and 30% silk enhance the colour grading and make you want to rub your face in it. (We knitters are a very sensory bunch). 4 colours in stock and more to come.

We are also welcoming back a old favourite in great new colours. King Cole's FASHION ARAN is just the answer for those searching the classic look of tweed. 5 rich base colours with flecks of colour throughout in a wool acrylic blend worsted weight.

Comfort Dolls for South Africa

 

 

I know that many of you knit for charities but this request is a bit different.

Our fellow Kingstonian, Rosemary Jolly from Queens University, in the course of her amazing work in South Africa is the co-founder of a network of Rape Crisis Clinics in that country.
It is extremely distressing to imagine why such places would need knitted comfort dolls like the ones above, but I am assured that they are of great value and therapeutic use for young victims who come to the clinic, as well as many others of all ages.

I've told Rosemary that I would ask our customers to contribute their time and talents for a 4 month drive from July to the end of October to collect as many of these simple yet precious dolls as we can so they can be shipped and arrive at the Clinics in South Africa before the New Year.

 

All you need are some bits of soft, medium weight (worsted) yarn, some fiberfill stuffing and a tapestry needle. (Note that we have baskets of "orphan" balls of yarns at the store for just $2, which will make several sweaters or pants for these little darlings.)

 

Completed dolls can be dropped off at the KnitTraders store anytime before Oct. 31st and we will keep you informed as to our progress through this blog and our monthly e-newsletter.

 

Link here to find the pattern. You can embellish the dolls by using stripes and interesting yarns, as you wish.

For those of you who aren't sure how these dolls are made, please join us for a demonstration of how they are assembled and decorated  on Friday afternoon, July 26th from 1-3pm