501 patterns fighting to get out ...

Those of you that know me, know that the wheels are always turning, even when I'm sleeping. How can I make this sweater seamless? How can I make self striping yarns more flattering by creating vertical stripes? How can I improve upon ...?

Introducing LN061A!

A couple of months back, my aunt bought two skeins of this lovely yarn from me (Ella Rae Phoenix Print #18 Banana Ice) to make a cowl for herself. She changed her mind and sent it back to me. Well, I couldn't just let it languish in front of me, knowing that her brand new great grandson had coloring perfect for these colours!

My original Vertical Vest pattern (LN061) was written to be made with a single ball of 6ply / dk yarn so it could only be completed with no sleeves or a cap sleeve at best.

(The photo to the right shows what happens when you don't have quite enough yarn for the second cap sleeve.)

I knew I had enough yarn to make a size 2 sweater with sleeves but the question was how to make 'seamless' sleeves (using provisional cast on and Kitchener Stitch) so that the stripes remained vertical like the rest of the sweater and still have properly fitted sleeves. Through trial and error and a total of three sleeves, I finally figured it out.

You will also notice that the body is a near perfect mirror image from one side to the other - front and back. The two balls were nearly perfect twins (only ~12' difference at the beginning of the balls) so I started the back in the middle with a provisional cast on and I made one full side then picked out the cast on and worked the other side. This would not have been possible with two of the original three yarns I used in the vest pattern because the colour changes were much more random in the Lang Tosca Light and the Jawoll Magic 6ply. 

This pattern is not yet on paper (or digitally available) because I think I will make it a Stocking Stitch version so that the Kitchener join is less of a headache. If you've never tried using a Kitchener Stitch on garter stitch, give it a try. You'll see what I mean.

written by Lori, happy TCL owner, who has enjoyed a chance to get another one of the 501 patterns rolling around in my head a chance to get out.

New Sirdar Yarns!

We have two new yarns. One thinks it's an animal, and the other one can't decide what it is.

Husky (65 m $7.00)

Top Row: Misty, Bluff
Bottom Row: Flecky, Waffle, Eskie

Waffle up close.

This is a super chunky (6) made up of 87% acrylic and 13% nylon. It's nice and soft. All the colours are spotted naturals. Three in the brown/tan range and two in the black/grey.

Although it's called Husky it reminds me more of kittens. Either way, a really nice yarn for cowls, scarves and hats or a big cuddly sweater. Let this be the yarn to bring out the animal in you. Or start you purring. It has purrsonality. Some might say it's purrfect. It certainly has purrsibilities. Okay, I'll stop.

Top: Paradiso, Fortuna
Middle: Florentine, Frencesca
Bottom: Lucia, Esther

Divine (150 m  $9.00)

Fortuna up close.

This is the yarn that is embracing its multiple personality disorder. It's 72% polyester and 28% acrylic. Ravelry says it's a DK (3). Sirdar says it's an Aran (4). It's thick and thin so I guess it's both. There's metallic running through its fluffy fibers and its colours are variegated.

This yarn looks like so much fun to knit up because each stitch is going to be different. It calls for a simple pattern - fancy stitches will get lost. Just let the yarn do all the work while you knit it watching TV, making dinner, learning a language or doing an aerobics class.

Esther up close.

Posted by Anna Maria Junus happy employee who can easily find projects for these yarns. Like I need more projects.

Caress and Blush or Blush and Caress (Does That Sound Too X-Rated?)

Did I get your attention?

Okay, now that I've intrigued you, the answer is Diamond Yarns! I guess blushing and caressing can lead to diamonds.

Diamond Luxury Collection: Blush  100m $9.00

Top: Moby Grape
L-R: King Crimson, Blue Cheer, Mellow Yellow, Purple Haze,
Green Tamberine, Moody Blues, Green Onion

Oh, go look at the link. The colors are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Tonals! Which means you get variations of the same color. Want to do a solid color sweater? Well, you can only with a little extra oomph. You can do cables and lace stitches and they will still show up! And you can do really interesting fair isle, intarsia, and color blocking.

And it's sooooo soft! I didn't want to blog about it because I'm afraid it will all disappear before I get to buy any!

This is alpaca! 100% DK weight. We have ALL the colors!


Diamond Luxury Collection: Caress  75m $13.00

L-R: Fawn, Polar Bear, Bunny

Caress is a chunky yarn with 68% alpaca (yes alpaca, don't you just love alpaca?) and 32% polyamide.

Think comfy cozy sweaters, cuddly scarves and cowls. and warm hats.

The colors are go-with-everything neutrals. White, gray and tan.

Did I mention how soft this yarn is? It's really, really, really, soft. You'll want to hibernate with it.


Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee, although Lori is evil for bringing in yarns that make me want to spend my paycheck). 

New Berroco and Diamond Yarns

We have some new yarns in!

Berroco Espresso

Espresso has beautiful variations of colors within one skein. 50% cotton, 50% acrylic which makes it easy to care for.


It's a chunky weight, (5) so it will work up quickly and is suitable for chunky patterns, cowls and hats. This picture doesn't do this delicious yarn justice so click on the link to see those colors.

138 yds/145 m $28.00


It's so hard to pick just one!

Colors in stock:


7933 Gelato
7956 Fico
7957 Limone
7959 Pistacchio
7961 Fragole
7962 Cioccolato
7963 Melone


And if you're drooling over the yarn but don't know what to make with it, Berroco has put out a book especially for Espresso which we have in stock. Four sweaters, a shawl, a cowl and a purse. Book #356 $12.00



Berroco Fiora

Fiora is a DK (3) weight that is made up of all kinds of fibers. Cotton fans? 40%. Love alpaca? 15%. There's also a touch of rayon, viscose, nylon and wool.

Fiora comes in 15 deep rich colors. Click on the link to see!
We have all these wonderful shades in stock.


3805 Georgia
3808 Savannah

3812 Tybee
3814 Elberta
3818 Buford
3820 Marietta
3828 Ray
3830 Holly
3832 Augusta
3835 Bristol
3837 Mary
3846 Daisy
3855 Peach Tree
3856 Cornelia
3860 Grape

246yds/225m  $12.75


The corresponding booklet #355 has 4 sweaters, a dress, a pair of socks, a shawl and a hat. $12.00



 Berroco Indigo

Indigo is a worsted weight (4) yarn made from 100% recycled materials. Made out of 95% cotton and 5% other fibers it has the look of slightly faded denim. Machine wash and dry flat.

219 yds/200 m  $14.00



We have all 12 beautiful colors in stock!

Neutrals:

6402 Cut Offs
6407 Relaxed
6410 Faded
6434 Night
6463 Denim
6470 Boyfriend

Colors:

6441 Mermaid
6442 Bell Bottoms
6444 Tangerine
6452 Monroe
6453 Skinny
6457 Aubergine


The Berroco Indigo Book #353 is filled with some really wonderful patterns using lace and cables. Four sweaters, a tunic, a large shawl, a purse and a scarf. $12.00

Diamond Fine Merino Superwash Lace

L-R Watermelon, Blueberry, Saffron, Apple, Heather, Robin Egg 

Do you love the look of fine lace (1)? We have it here for you. 100% Merino wool. It is so soft and we have six beautiful colors. They are slightly heathered so you'll get a lovely depth to your finished project. The colors oh so subtly change as you work. We have six colors in stock. The picture doesn't do these colors justice. The Watermelon is much more pink and far prettier. Click on the link to see the real colors!



You can also double up lace yarn to get a bigger gauge. And at 400 m and only $8.00 it's easy to do. This yarn is also machine washable. Lay flat to dry.


5 Saffron, 6 Watermelon, 7 Apple, 8 Robin Egg, 9 Blueberry, 10 Heather

With a new year it's time to start a new project, so we look forward to seeing you. And remember, we do mail order too.

Christmas Hours and New Yarn

We have Christmas Hours.

Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm.
Saturday 9am - 6pm

Sunday we're closed as usual because we have to rest sometime from all the crazy. Besides, our knitting is calling to us.

More time to shop!

More time to shop for new yarn.

Guess what? We have new yarn!

Schachenmayr (say that three times real fast).

Schachenmayr has come out with Merino Extrafine Color 120 which is a DK weight and comes in fun patterns, and Merino Extrafine 85, an aran weight that comes in solid colors that match the 120. So you can make a beautiful solid color sweater out of the 85 and a matching vest or scarf with the funkier colors of 120!

Hint: If you click on the highlighted yarn it will take you to more info about it.

Regia Stadion Color

We also have red and white candy cane sock yarn. Or you could proudly wear the colors of Canada. Either way, you'll be all bright and cheery for the holidays.