No. It's not an official week - that I know of - it's just what the pop up store is concentrating on this week.
We have 100% cotton yarns, cotton blends with wool, rayon or acrylic, some even have multiple fibres blended in with the cotton for super drapiness, as well as other plant fibres such as hemp and flax.
There's even a little surprise fibre in here that isn't plant fibre but I don't like lumping it in with animal fibre because it feels more like a plant fibre even though it comes out of an insect's butt. You guessed it! I have some silk in the mix this week.
I will try to post the yarns along with their prices every week so call me out if I miss a week so that I know someone is reading the blog 😉
written by Lori, fake skeptical TCL owner, who understands her blog isn't the most captivating in the web-verse but still appreciates each and every one of you that takes the time to read it.
In the fifteen hundreds, though, the term 'lace' began to be associated with the sort of thing we think of today: a decorative fabric usually made from fine thread -- anything from gold to silk, linen and cotton...and eventually, wool. 😊
There are several types of lace, classified by the techniques used to make them: needle lace, cut-work, bobbin lace, embroidered lace, tape lace, tatted lace -- and the favourite of our yarn customers: crocheted or knitted lace.
Shown at right: knitted lace on the needles. Pattern: "Rhea Stole" from Valley Yarns; yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts lace weight super-wash wool.
Source: Wikipedia Commons.
My colleague, Anne, just finished crocheting her first lace shawl -- a gift for a friend in a lovely green silk yarn.
Me? I'm currently knitting a lacy pattern in a pair of socks -- the "Hummingbird Socks" designed by Sandi Rosener and published in The Knitter's Book of Socks. While I'm enjoying the project -- and I'm well into the leg section of the second sock -- when Anne mentioned in her last post that she doesn't recommend knitting or crocheting lace while walking...well...she's right! I can carry on a rather stilted conversation while working on this pattern, but it's not recommended!
You may be thinking to yourself now, "Oh dear! I haven't a hope of mastering lace if it's that difficult!"
I can't vouch for crocheted lace -- because I don't crochet -- but I can tell you that knitted lace doesn't have to be as complicated as the Rhea Stole (above) or those Hummingbird Socks. No indeed!
After all, knitting is only loops, involving two stitches: knit and purl. Then...how do we get lace out of that? With a 'yarn over'. That makes a hole. It also makes an extra stitch -- which is handily taken care of by a "k 2 tog" (knit 2 together) or an "ssk" (slip, slip knit -- as in, slip 1 stitch; slip another stitch; knit the two together). That's all there is to it.
Easy? Yes...BUT...
It's recommended you have a bit of experience "reading" your knitting before you try knitting lace. That way, you can figure out if you missed a yarn over, or forgot a "k 2 tog" or dropped a stitch. (Check out this series by Brooklyn Tweed on reading your work; it'll help when you can't drop in to The Shop for one-on-one assistance!)
Speaking of dropped stitches...Sometimes in lace knitting, a pattern is so complex that it's hard to pick up a dropped stitch. This is made even more difficult if you're using a slippery yarn (like silk) or fuzzy yarn (like mohair). The solution? Inserting a "life line", which is a line of waste yarn placed in a spot in your knitting that 'rescues' your work when you've made an error. Here's a quick video that shows you how to install a 'proactive' life line in a complex pattern involving lace and cables:
Learning to read your knitting, knowing that lace involves adding only yarn-overs and knitting decreases (k 2 tog and ssk) to your skill set, and installing a life line will make your first lace knitting project a happier experience.
That said, if you're Absolutely Terrified, rest assured that we -- Anne, Margaret and Lori-The-Crafty-Lady-Herself -- can help you with a private lesson. Just call the shop at 403-782-7238 to book a time. The cost is $15 per hour ($5 per 20 minutes) and worth every penny to help you fall in love with your lace knitting -- or crochet!
To help get you started, this week we're offering this lovely yarn as our Super Special Sale:
You could trythis version of the "Moonlit Waters" Shawl...
Read through this post and still don't want to try lace?
This yarn is versatile...you can check out other projects HERE on Ravelry!
There are plenty of options -- and as the weather continues to turn colder, it's time to get those needles and hooks in action!
On another note...this post comes right after the celebration of Thanksgiving here in Canada. Anne, Margaret and Lori-The-Crafty-Lady-Herself want to say "thank you" for over 25 years of support for our business, for your friendship and your feedback -- helping us to serve you better.
It's a blessing to share our passion for yarn and stitch and beads and thread with you.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
