Monday 25 November 2013

Ridged Lace Shawl

How often do people ask if I knit all of the samples in the store? Often enough that it's embarrassing to have to admit (over and over again) that it was one of the staff, or one of my knitters who has accomplished this or that work of knitting beauty. But this latest shawl on display is mine! And I love it, mainly because for my first attempt at knitting with lace weight yarn, it was incredibly easy and satisfying.
 
It is called the Ridged Lace Shawl, which can be found on the KnitTraders Pattern site.
 
The Ridged Lace Shawl is a great first time project in fine yarn -- made up of a series of bands of basic stitch patterns that are repeated with consistent increases until the yarn (in this case, Whisper Lace but you can use any of our many and wonderful fine yarns) is nearly all gone. It could easily be done as a precious Christmas project, or would make a wonderful winter project for yourself, after the Holidays.
 
And once again, I'm thrilled and amazed at the miracle of blocking:  how a piece of knitted lace blossoms so beautifully when wet, stretched and blocked to size where it can show it's true nature. 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Chroma and Stonewash - 2 great new chunky yarns

 
Diamond Yarns is one of our favourite Canadian suppliers, and in addition to the yarns that they import for other companies, they have added a new line, DIAMOND SELECT, of special yarns that they have chosen themselves from mills around the world.
We are thrilled to announce these 2 wonderful yarns from this line. Above is CHROMA, a luxurious pure wool chunky in beautiful colours of wide striping. Check out the sample scarf now on display at the store - it's lovely. Beautiful colours and a wonderful feel to work with.
 
For former fans of Sirdar's line of Denim Tweed yarns, comes Diamond Select's STONEWASH
This yarn is a practical and rich blend of cotton, acrylic and wool in a classic chunky weight. It's proving to be one of the most popular yarns of the season and is flying off our shelves for its rich texture and it denim look.