Charity Event

Sunday February 24, 2008 Knit+Stitch=Bliss will be hosting a special event in the store to benefit the organization CHABHA (Children Affected by HIV/AIDS).

This organization works to provide relief to children in Africa impacted by HIV/AIDS. In part they accomplish this through handknit comfort dolls. Knitters in the USA knit the dolls and a portion of them are taken to Africa and distributed to children. Another portion are used as a part of the fundraising events that provide the organization with the money they need to help these kids.

So come out Sunday February 24th from Noon to 5pm to knit dolls with us and learn more about CHABHA and their work. If you cannot join us, feel free to visit their website and consider knitting some dolls on your own. Free pattern is provided under the "Dudaza Comfort Doll" link on the website. Scroll to the bottom of the page for 2 version plus the address to which completed dolls can be sent.

new stuff

This week we got in three new goodies from Berroco--two new yarns and new colors of an old favourite.


Comfort
50% Acrylic, 50% Nylon. This worsted weight yarn comes in bright happy shades great for afghans and kids' garments. It can be machine washed and dried, yet it has a surprisingly soft touch you would not expect from an all-synthetic yarn.

Seduce
47% Rayon, 25% Linen, 17% Silk, 11% Nylon. This is a great summery linen blend with a beautiful drape and lovely sheen. It knits to 5 stitches per inch and comes in rich colors. One of Berroco's newest yarns, the pattern support is fresh and forward looking.

Touche
We are pleased to add three lovely colors to our selection of this cotton/rayon blend. Softer shades of cocoa brown, sage green, and muted salmon add sophistication to a line of colors dominated by intense hues and baby shades.

Aside form the Berroco shipment, we continue to add colors to our selection of Cascade 220, In addition to the standard crayon box colors we have added some new browns, pale colors, and several heathered and "twist" shades.

all the way at the bottom of the page

This is only a 50% self-serving blog update. I'm really looking out for all of you. No, really.

All the way at the bottom of the classes page there is a listing for crochet classes. I point it out because it is easily missed at the very bottom of the page, and because it will actually be happening this class season!

Often we don't have enough people signed up for the class to teach it, and this session we are lucky enough to have enough people signed up already! There is still room so if you have been turned away in the past because of under attendance or you have given up on signing up for it because we have canceled it in the past, here is your chance. Come in and crochet with me. It is fun, easy, and it may even give you new inspiration in your knitting.

Never again will you turn away from a beautful pattern in Rowan's books with a sigh because... that trim is crocheted.

See no reason to crochet? Take a chance and let me show you a whole new world of projects and techniques unique to the hook. There is more to hooking than doilies and granny squares.

Beginning Crochet
$65
Saturdays February 2 & 9 11:30am-1:30 pm.
supplies: light colored worsted weight yarn and a size "H" or "I" crochet hook. come in 15 minutes before class to select the supplies you will need.

in this week....

Yesterday we got a big order of Manos in at the shop. Our most popular variegated colors are now back in stock, including our number 1 seller--Wildflower. And let me say that this particular batch of Wildflower is truly stunning. Each batch of Manos is a little different, and the colors are always a surprise. This Wildflower was a great surprise. Come in and pick out a wonderful wool for a sweater or some cozy mittens!

We also have restocked our Cascade 220 colors. You are making this yarn a great success. We are glad we decided to stock it! Please let us know specific colors you would like to see us add!

Finally, we have received a shipment of Schaefer Yarn's fantastic sock yarn--Anne. Is it a coincidence that this yarn carries the same name as our resident Sock Queen? I like to think the Schaefer folks had a hunch. Come in a pick out a great variegated color for fancy socks. I am in love with the shades of pink.

Delicious.

how typical

Here at Knit+Stitch we are like a typical family. By the time we get everyone together to take the picture and then decide to share it, it is already out of date!

Really, that is a good thing because it means be have added some awesome new members to the staff. So here we are, as pictured....

(bottom L-R) Cary, Ethel, Abby
(center L-R) Sara, Lyn, Yvette, Andrea
(top L-R) Diedrick, Sue, Anne, Joan

Want to join our family?

Come in a talk with Lyn. She is especially interested in people who are able to work evenings and weekends. You need to be comfortable with intermediate knitting techniques (crochet techniques a bonus!), but beyond that, enthusiasm and a willingness to help customers get the most out of their knitting are the major qualifications.

just in time.

We have new things! Just under the wire for the holidays we have some new wonderful yarns as well as some new colors in old favourites.

New Yarns
Crystal Palace Bamboozle
This is a beautiful yarn we are adding to our wonderful wall of kid-friendly fibers. It is a blend of 55% Bamboo, 24% Cotton, and 21% Elastic Nylon that knits up at 4.5 stitches to the inch on a size US 8 needle. Crystal Palace says.... Great for adult garments, baby projects and socks, too! A lovely lustre and feel due to the bamboo & cotton.

Plymouth Happy Feet
This yarn is so new that the company has yet to add a page for it on their website! This soft 90% Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Nylon blend knits at 8 stitches to the inch on a size US 2 needle and come in beautiful variegated shades. This is by far our best value in the handpainted look yarns. You can knit a pair of socks for under $15! Tuck this in your favourite sock knitter's stocking and you will have more than Happy Feet!

Crystal Palace Kid Merino
You ask for it, and Lyn listens! In an effort to bring more affordable choices in mohair yarns to the shop, Lyn is testing out this beautiful Kid Mohair, Merino wool, and Nylon blend that knits anywhere from a lace gauge to a DK weight depending on the needle size you select. This offering is very similar to Rowan's Kidsilk Haze (which we will continue to carry!) but comes in some different colors and has a lower price point. Please give us feedback on this yarn and help us decide if we should continue to expand our selection.

Cascade 220
We are pleased to announce that we are now be carrying a perennial favourite for both felters and garment knitters--Cascade 220! Somewhat sadly this means we will be parting ways with Lamb's Pride. It will not be 100% out of our lives. We are still happy to special order anything from them you need. Part of our decision was based on getting you a better price--you get more yards for less money with Cascade 220. Another part of our decision was based on color selection. We hope the bright shades we ordered will fill your needs! As we expand this line, please let us know what colors you want to see.

New Colors
Berroco Ultra Alpaca
This yarn is a store favourite. I am using it to knit the Gathered Pullover from the current issue of Interweave Knits. Lyn has a stunning Kaffe Fasset sweater (in about 20 colors!) on the needles for her husband and Anne has a very pretty cabled number going for herself in Ultra Alpaca. If the test of any product's quality is whether or not the suppliers are knitting with it, then I would say this one passes with flying colors. Make that... lots of new flying colors!

Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande
We cannot keep this yarn on the shelf! Now more colors to love! We added a pink/wine twist, chocolate brown, and beige (in addition to restocking old favourites). You still have enough time to knit a quick hat or scarf in this chunky gauge yarn. Or!! Give the gift of softness to the knitter you love!


Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush
The soft and fuzzy cousin of Grande, this yarn is a good value and beautiful alternative for folks who cannot wear mohair. We have added two "paints" colors plus a soft pink and mauve! Come in and fall in love with this little cloud of softness!

(Great story from the shop... This week a husband came in and bought his knitter wife a sweater quantity of Baby Alpaca Brush! This thoughtful man included a pattern, notions kit, and Sweater Wizard Software in her stocking. Have you been training your Special Santa the way one savvy knitter has?)


Special Buy!

Crystal Palace is discontinuing some of their yarns and Lyn snapped them up to give you a chance to get your hands on them before they are gone! Buy what you need while we have it, these darlings are able to be reordered.

First we have Labrador, a 100% wool thick and thin yarn that knits at a super bulky gauge. Next we have Cotton Chenille in discontinued colors like a lovely pale salmon. Spring will be here before you know it, and wouldn't be lovely to have a bit of this in your stash?

Check back at the blog for more discontinued yarns in the future. Lyn has her eyes peeled for these special buys so we can bring you special yarns before they are gone for good.

disappearing act

Normally I make weekly updates about what has come into the shop. I say "normally" because i have obviously not been doing that for a bit now. Why is that, you may ask? Well. I will tell you.

We cannot keep our new shipments on the shelves. Everything we are order this time of year is to restock bare shelves, and you fantastic folks keep buying us out right after we open the boxes!

I'm not complaining. Really. Please, take our Baby Alpaca Grande. Take our Baby Alpaca Brush. Be gone with the Ultra Alpaca and Pure Merino! Manos del Uruguay, adieu! And Cashmere. Ahh, Karabella Cashmere Elite.... fair thee well.

The good news is that I can safely say that we ordered 6 boxes of the French Blue Cashmere Elite, and we still have it in stock. Knit the Pure Bliss Scarf! You know you want to. Still finishing your holiday knitting and don't have the "time" to knit yourself a cashmere delight?

We'll still be here after January 1st... you know... when you buy yourself what you really wanted.