Books, baby sock and our e-newsletter.

What a great season this is, when we receive the newest batch of patterns and books from Sirdar, our number one supplier of baby and Aran patterns. Among the newest arrivals is Dressing Up Knits in which they open the doors to a knitted fairy costume, Red Riding Hood, Easter Bunny, devil, Santa Clause (for him and her) and other outfits for the little ones in your life. I've often thought what a great life the Sirdar design team must have. Their patterns are always a treat.

 

 

I wanted to show you what I had on my needles this weekend. As it became evident last night that I was knitting a baby sock (out of our newest sock yarn, HACHITO from Mirasol) I had to assure my husband that it was merely a store sample of a manageable size, and not my way of making any family announcement.

Don't forget to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter which will be coming next week. I'm always so gratified when I hear customers asking anxiously when the next newsletter is coming. It's a big job each month but one that is well worth it for the fun that it brings to me, our customers and friends around the world. Don't miss out, sign up today!

Out with the Old, In with the New...Egyptian Cotton, that is.

We have just received our initial shipment of Sublime's gorgeous EGYPTIAN COTTON DK in 6 colours, with more to come. It's a beauty and we're hoping that it will become our standard DK cotton for all your spring and summer knitting needs.

But to make way for the new, we've moved our former Egyptian cotton selection, alas no longer available, to our sale table where you can get a real steal at $3.49/50g. Get it while you can!

Hachito sock yarn from Mirasol

I compare this photo to the lovely skein of yarn sitting beside me as I write this and feel confident that you will absolutely get the right impression.
HACHITO from Mirasol is  lovely, bubbling with colours, rich and soft in texture.
And you can feel particularly good about buying HACHITO, as a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all Mirasol Yarns go to support a school for the children of Peru's shepherds in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno.

Orphans need a home!

Phew!
November and December are crazy in the retail world as in so many others. But here we are back to let you in on some of the products that we're featuring in the store.

These are our Orphan Balls, 20-40m of assorted yarns that have been tidied up and are looking for a home with people who appreciate them. All kinds of treasures to be found in our sale bin for just $2 or $3.50.

We`re always so glad to find quality products that answer your needs and the Knitter`s Pride line certainly falls into that category. New to KnitTraders is the full line of Knitter`s Pride notions including wooden cable needles, 3 pack of stitch holders and these above: the very best stitch markers around.

Also just in, for the discerning sock knitter is the beauty of their line of Karbonz double pointed needles: carbon fiber tips with light, warm hardwood shafts. Super.

Yarn Bowls and blocking wires

Just in for Christmas giving, these gorgeous hand crafted, locally made yarn bowls to keep your yarn clean and tidy, and just as pretty as can be.

Also, for those of you who have ever tried blocking and ended up with scallopped edges where none were called for, or where points on lace just didn't look pointy enough, we have a good quantity of blocking wires at a great price. Every blocker's must have tools.

The Gladstone Jacket

A few years ago, Patons began their "Next Step" series of books, aimed at bringing newish but eager knitters beyond the scarf stage. This gorgeous jacket is from the cover Next Steps 3, offering a series of variations on a basic chunky cardigan/coat. We had a sample garment version on display in the store in the original Shetland Chunky Tweeds. When that one sold, we decided to redo this amazingly popular pattern in the new Gladstone Chunky, a wonderful yarn in a variety of colourways to suit every mood and personality.

When planning gifts for the wannabe knitters in your life, we are assembling Beginner Kits that include everything for that first project: the basic scarf found in Patons Next Step 1 book. The introductory book is designed to take the complete novice through the different levels all the way to knitting a blanket on circular needles.

 Although we will do everything to keep these popular gifts in stock, we would ask you to please call ahead to make sure that we have some available. Or to order your kit in a particular colour for that special beginner please notify us by calling 613-384-3951

Lantern Moon Baskets and other new arrivals to the store.

Now's the time of the year that we make an effort to bring in products that would make wonderful gifts for you, our knitting customers, but also gifts that might be of use and desirable to others on your Christmas list. These LANTERN MOON rice baskets are just the thing.

What the picture doesn't show is that the top and handles of these  baskets fold in, creating a lovely bowl effect. Very classy.

The sizes are a bit difficult to discern from the picture but the mini is a great small or partial project size, where as the largest once could easily carry a 2 year-old. A size for everyone, that fits into any decor. This is the natural coloured version, but they are also available with red, navy and purple detail.

Also from LANTERN MOON are these great little stocking stuffer tape measures: pull the tail and you can measure your knitting progress. They are too cute to pass up.

Finally, we just got a great shipment of TURTLEPURL fleece roving in merino and Blueface Leister wools. We have customers who fall in love with the colours without having a clue what to do with this gorgeous unspun fibre. The roving is mainly designed for spinners to ply (pardon the pun) their craft, but for the rest of us, we have a super selection of Thrum Mitten Kits available featuring the TURTLEPURL fleece so you can drool over your mittens as you make them. Seriously, for those who want to use the roving with their own thrum patterns, we have a sheet of directions to make the most of one of these braids, in order to get 2 pairs of mittens from each.

Just ask, we'd be glad to give you one to go with your purchase.