New Yarns!



Handmaiden Sea Silk ~ $38.50
70% silk/30% sea cell, 400m/100g, 3mm needles, 28 sts = 4"



Handmaiden Silk Lace ~ $41
100% silk, 600m/100g, 2.5mm needles, 28sts = 4"




Handmaiden Silken ~ $41
100% silk, 250m/100g, 3.5mm needles, 24sts = 4"




Handmaiden Rumple ~ $41
100% silk, 300m/100g, 3mm needles, 28sts & 4"




Handmaiden Mini Maiden ~ $33
50% silk/50% wool, 500m/100g, 3mm needles, 26 sts = 4"




Needful Ceramic ~ $14.90
5% ceramic/95% viscose, 150m per ball, 5mm needles, 16 sts & 20 rows.

This yarn lowers your body temperature by 5 degrees, protexts against UVA & UVB rays and is anti-satic. I'm going to make Stitch Diva Sahara in Ceramic for the Summer - I hope it'll be a great way to lower my power bills and go green this summer!






Needful Geranium ~ $7
50% linen/30% acrylic/20% viscose, 7mm needles, 50g/95m, 11sts & 15 rows = 4"

New Books!

Punk Knits by Share Ross ~ $23.95
Share Ross is addicted to the needle—the knitting needle. A few years back, this punk guitarist and singer wouldn’t have given knitting a second thought. She is a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, and knitting . . . well, knitting was for grannies. Then a friend showed up at her house wearing a scarf that she found totally amazing. When Ross asked her where she’d gotten it, she said she’d knit it herself. Ross was hooked.
With Punk Knits, Ross shares her passion and unorthodox approach to the ancient craft she’s so grateful our grannies preserved. All of the 26 designs—beginner- to intermediate--level projects that include arm- and leg-warmers, scarves, miniskirts, hats, and sweaters—draw their inspiration from the style and independent spirit of rock ’n’ roll legends like Sid Vicious, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, and the New York Dolls, and they’re all modeled by pierced and tattooed Hollywood rock ’n’ rollers and scenesters.
If you think knitting can’t be punk, consider this from Ross: “Knitting can be as artistic as you want. You can make a statement. And by knitting garments instead of buying them, you can snub the corporations that strip away your individuality.” So what’s not punk about knitting?

SHARE ROSS, currently an avid knitter/designer and the guitarist and singer for the award-winning independent rockers Bubble, formerly played bass for the platinum-selling EMI recording artists Vixen. Her knitwear designs have appeared in the magazine Knit.1 and the book Stitch ’n Bitch Nation. She lives in Los Angeles. Los Angeles–based artist and musician BAM ROSS shoots publicity shots for rock/punk bands and has created CD and album artwork for The Dogs D’Amour, Bubble, The Blessings, and The Wildhearts. He has also directed videos and edited commercials for Geffen, Dreamworks, and Universal Records. Visit his website at bam13films.com.



Runway Knits by Berta Karapetyan ~ $39.95
For more than two decades, New York City fashion maven Berta Karapetyan has been creating gorgeous high-end knit-wear, designing awe-inspiring sweaters, and working as a technical knitwear developer for the likes of Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein, as well as Banana Republic and Gap. Now, after founding the highly successful and inventive yarn company Karabella Yarns, Berta focuses her keen designer’s eye on the sophisticated knitting patterns revealed here in Runway Knits.
From ruffled sweaters to fur-trimmed scarves and serious jackets, there’s something for everyone in this stunning collection of thirty designs. The book is divided into four sections: spirited, featuring bold and adventurous outfits that demand attention; playful, which includes lively and eye-catching items of all kinds; demure, designs for the modest girls or those who just like to play coy; and driven, outfits for career-minded women.
Packed with plenty of lavish color photographs as well as clear techniques and construction methods for creating thirty must-have designs, Runway Knits is sure to inspire any level of knitter—novice, intermediate, or expert.

Berta Karapetyan founded The Karabella Company in 1993. It quickly became a coveted resource among New York’s top designers for developing knit collections. Clientele includes Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Banana Republic, and Gap. Berta later launched Karabella Yarns in New York City, a wholesale yarn division that has rapidly become one of the most innovative yarn companies today.

New from Clover!

Wonder Knitter $13
Knitting made Quick & Easy with Clovers New Wonder Knitter. The special removable turning heads allows you to make Fashionable Knitted Accessories. The Wonder Knitter comes with a 3 pin and a 6 pin removable head. Great tool for Beadwork Jewelry, accessories for Scarf, Sweaters, Pants, Handbags and much more!

Knitting Counter "MINI" KACHA-KACHA $13.90
A convenient way to track the number of knitted stitches and rows. Pendant style knitting counter. Locks so your numbers won't change.

Coil Knitting Needle Holder Large & Small $8.20
3 pieces. Non slip holder winds around knitting needles.

CHIBI Tapestry Needle Set Bent Style $8.90
A darning needle set in a knitting needle shaped case. (3 needles in a set - tapestry needles no. 12/2 ea., no. 15/1 ea.

Friday Freebies!

Some great free patterns excerpted from current knitting & crochet books from Canadian Living Crafts


Twinkle Cardi

Monkey



Ballband Dishcloth

Knit-O-Matic Classes

1378 Bathurst St, Toronto Ontario M5R 3J1 info@knitomatic.com 416-653-7849

* unless otherwise stated, you must pre-register for regular classes by paying the class fee beforehand.

Beginner Knitting • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: absolute beginner

Tuesday May 8 & 15, 6:30-8pm

Monday July 9 & 16, 6:30-8pm

Tuesday August 21 & 28, 6:30-8pm

You'll learn all the basics: how to knit, purl, put stitches on your needle (cast on), finish up (cast off), change yarn in the middle of your project, weave in your ends, and how to read the information that comes on a ball of yarn. You should be able to make a scarf in this class (but you have to do your homework so get ready to spend a few hours of down time working on your 'assignment' in front of the TV).

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks

• $50 + tax (includes materials).

Knit Hat Workshop • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: beginner (after scarves)

TBA

The next step after making scarves is making hats! Hats are fast, easy, are very, very satisfying and make affordable gifts for the Holidays. We'll teach you how to knit in the round (on those funny looking siamese twin needles), knit on double pointed needles (the ones that look like little chop sticks), decrease stitches and read a pattern.

• Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to cast-on and knit for this class; knowing how to purl is an asset.

• $65 + tax (includes materials)

Cables Workshop • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: intermediate-beginner

Monday June 11 & 18, 6:30-8pm

Cables are another thing in knitting that look hard but are really simple once someone shows you how it's done. In this workshop you will make a hat with cables, follow a cable pattern and chart, use circular needles, and use double pointed needles. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to cast-on, cast off, knit, purl and read a basic knitting pattern for this class.

• $55 + tax (includes materials)

Felted Slippers • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: intermediate-beginner

Tuesday June 26 & July3, 6:00-8:30pm

Find out why felting is so addictive! Learn the technique for making socks and the principles of felting in one fell swoop! You'll follow a pattern, use double pointed needles, increase and decrease stitches, pick up stitches and felt the suckers!

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to knit, purl, cast-on & cast off for this class; knowing how to use double pointed needles is an asset.

• $80 + tax (includes materials)

My First Sock • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: advanced-beginner

Monday August 7 & 14, 6-8:30pm

Socks seem hard, but they don't have to be. While you make your sock, you'll follow a sock pattern, use double pointed needles, increase and decrease stitches and pick up stitches.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to knit, purl, cast-on & cast off for this class; knowing how to use double pointed needles is an asset.

• $80 + tax (includes materials)

Lace Workshop • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: advanced-beginner

Monday August 20 & 27, 6:30-8pm

Lace is pretty, impressive and way too easy for you to not learn!You’ll learn the basic stitches in lace, how to follow a lace chart and the tricks of the trade to keep you on track.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to cast-on, knit, purl and read a basic knitting pattern for this class.

• $55 + tax (includes materials)

My First Sweater • Haley Waxberg

Skill Level: advanced-beginner

Saturday May 19 & 26, June 2, 9 & 16, 9:30-11am

This is a class for people who've never knit a sweater or who are still a bit daunted by sweater projects. We will complete a raglan sweater knit in the round from start to finish.

• You must have basic knitting skills to attend this class. You should be able to cast on, knit, purl and cast off on your own and be able to consult a reference book. Knowledge of increasing and decreasing is useful but not necessary, as is reading patterns.

• You will need to bring 5mm/24” circular needles, 5mm/16” circular needles and stitch markers

• $180 + tax (includes sweater kit)

Knitting Pictures in Colour • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: advanced-beginner

Monday July 23 & 30, 6-8pm

How do you knit pictures with different colours? It may look hard, but it’s not! You’ll bring in your own two colour picture (keep it simple) and learn how to put it into a chart, then knit it up using 2 colours of yarn. Seriously, it’s not hard and you’ll be very impressed with yourself!

• Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to cast-on, knit, purl and read a basic knitting pattern for this class.

• $65 + tax (includes materials)

Finishing Workshop • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: advanced-beginner

Tuesday May 22 & 29, 6-8pm

Learn how to steam block, weave in ends, put sweaters together, make nice seams, pick up stitches for a collar or button band.

• You must bring at least 2 swatches or a sweater you need to put together. You will also need locking stitch markers

• $55 + tax (includes materials)

Basic Knit Design (Sweater DIY) • Haley Waxberg

Skill Level: Intermediate

Saturday June 23 & 30, 9:30-11am

Learn the basics of how to fit a pattern to your dimensions and design a sweater all by yourself! You’ll learn how to measure gauge, take body measurements, standard ease and basic design principles and resources.

• You must have already knit a sweater from a pattern, know how to read a pattern and be comfortable consulting a reference book or website.

• Please bring a swatch 6” x 6” you would like to design a sweater with and a calculator.

• $50 + tax (includes materials).

Beginner Crochet • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: absolute beginner!

Monday May 28 & June 4, 6:30-8pm

Tuesday, July 24 & 31, 6:30-8pm

Crochet is fast, easy and becoming very popular. You'll learn all the basics: how to make a chain, the foundation stitches (single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, slip stitch), how to follow a crochet pattern and read the information on a ball of yarn. You should be able to make a scarf after this class and if we have time (depending on student progress) a granny square.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• $50 + tax (includes materials).

Crochet Flowers • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: beginner

Monday April 30, 6-8pm

Monday May 7, 6-8pm

Monday June 25, 6-8pm

Let your flowers bloom all year round! Crochet flowers are so pretty on hats, bags, hair clips, pins, or just display them around the house. While you make your flowers you’ll learn how to slip stitch, crochet in the round, follow basic patterns and change colours.

• You must know how to chain, single crochet and double crochet for this class.

• $36 + tax (includes materials).

Crochet Squares • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: beginner

Tuesday June 12 & 19, 6-8pm

Where do you go after intro? Squares! Squares are to crochet what scarves are to knitting, the road to everything. Make baby blankets, pillows, afghans, or bags. You will learn how to slip stitch, crochet in the round, make granny squares, follow basic patterns, change colours and block and seam your blocks together.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.

• You must know how to chain, single crochet and double crochet for this class.

• $60 + tax (includes materials).

Crochet Hats • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: intermediate-beginner

Monday May 14, 6-9pm

Tuesday June 5, 6-9pm

Crochet hats are stylin’ and keep you cool too! While you make your hat you’ll learn how to crochet in the round, increase, slip stitch, make a fan stitch and read a basic pattern.

• You must know how to chain, single crochet and double crochet for this class.

• $50 + tax (includes materials).

Crochet Edges • Liane Schwarz

Skill Level: intermediate-beginner

Monday July 13, 6-8pm

Crochet edgings are a fast, easy way to trim both crochet and knitting projects. Finish a baby blanket or afghan, add a pretty trim to a sweater or make an edging and sew it on jeans or a skirt!

• You must know how to chain, single crochet and double crochet for this class.

• $36 + tax (includes materials).

Private Classes
Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm, By appointment only

Class cost is $10/hour + materials + tax

Skill Levels

Absolute Beginner: Never done it before or you can’t remember for the life of you how to do it! You don’t know how to do anything and need someone to hold your hand.

Beginner: Just starting out, you’ve taken an intro class but you’re still making squares & scarves and it’s time to move on. Knitting: You already know how to cast on, cast off, knit and maybe purl. Crochet: you already know how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, maybe triple crochet.

Intermediate-Beginner: You’re getting into this thing and want to learn more skills. Knitting: you know how to decrease, read a simple pattern, maybe increase. Crochet: you know how to follow a simple pattern, maybe crochet in the round.

Advanced-Beginner: You’re in the groove, you’re becoming more independent and are ready to try some of the things that look hard. Knitting: you already know how to increase, follow basic patterns, consult a reference book or website. Crochet: you already know how to decrease, work in the round, follow basic patterns, consult a reference book or website.

What's New Staring at You?
The Yarns Have Eyes

Figuratively. And not like a scary movie, more like "look at that puppy in the window". This is just a casual, conversational update to let you know whwhich puppies have come in lately.

Interweave's Felt Frenzy by Shannon okey just showed up on the doorstep! I like this Okey chick, she's got some really cool & attractive projects in the book, plus useful instructions. In addition to knitted felt she also includes needle felting and felting with wool fibre, which I personally would really like to learn! It's only $27.95 - me likey!


Felt Fenzy By Shannon Okey




A bunch of REALLY nice colours arrived in Dale Svale, some of them new this year. It's DK weight, made of silk, cotton & viscose, has a great drape, cool in the summer. The colours are solid but tone on tone because of the fibre mix which gives it a great depth of colour. My favorite part is that it's totally affordable, they dropped the price by two bucks this year, it's only $7 a ball now! Same goes for for Dale Baby Ull, the price just fell by two dollars to $7 a ball so we got some! Baby Ull is the bomb, it's 100% super soft, super wash baby weight merino wool, which makes it great for babies, great for socks and great for fair isle! and if you have the patience to make a sweater in it, more power to you!


Dale Svale


Dale Baby Ull


Fleece Artist provisions have come in, although more is on it's way (Sea wool, Angora, Celtic Cardigan Kits, etc). Fleece Artist Merino Sock Kits are here in hand paints and semi-solids. We also got some Goldilocks Triangle Shawl kits in to keep you occupied this spring - it's kist mohair with silk and a dead-easy, no thinking allowed pattern for instant gratification.


Fleece Artist Merino Socks


Fleece Artist Goldielocks Shawl


More Super 10 Cotton (the greek one with the butterfly on the wrapper) came in, we were out of some of the prime colours for a few weeks.

We also FINALLY got those metric needle sizes circular needles that Clover doesn't make: 3mm, 4mm & 7mm aplenty in 40cm, 60cm & 80cm lengths.

Next week the Needful Ceramic Yarn will arrive as well as the new colours of Needful Geranium. I'm excited about the Ceramic because it lowers your body temperature by five degrees! It also blocks UVA & UVB rays, bonus! I'm making a tunic for myself for the summer. Know someone who's menopausal? They'll be in your debt for life! The geranium if just darn pretty and a fast knit to boot! A textured, linen blend that knits on 7mm needles it a fun one for spring & summer.


Needful Ceramic


Needful Geranium

Dale of Norway Svale ~ $7
Brand spanking new and lookin' great for Spring!
Dale Svale is better than ever - they've dropped the price $2 per ball! Tone on tone fibers create a soft, strong & luxurious yarn with a gorgeous depth of colour. It is 10% Silk, 50% cotton & 40% viscose and has a soft, silky texture. DK weight, knits on 4mm needles, 23 sts = 4". Perfect for casual or fancy projects, adults or baby.


Top Row: Pale Green 9012 (new), Celery Green 9425
Bottom Row: Sea Foam 7432, Dark Sage Green 9451


Top Row:Coral 3608 (new), Pale Mauve Pink 4612
Bottom Row: Tangerine 3108, Raspberry 4227


Top Row: Cream 0020, Pale Blue 5812
Bottom Row: Brown 3081 (new), Eggplant 5061 (new)