Monday, November 03, 2008

Knit-O-Matic Newsletter






Knit-O-Matic Newsletter
November 2008

November: Getting down to Knitting
We've
been so busy we're not sure how November get here so fast! The holidays
are just around the corner and November marks the start of holiday
knitting season!  We've got lots of small project ideas for knitting
and crocheting for your loved ones  Handmade gifts are also more
ecologically friendly, so you can also give something to the air and
the water and the animals. Speaking of Eco-consciousness, we're moving
further towards our our goal of maximizing our green-ness with new
bags! Finally, we know the financial news has been overwhelming lately,
which is why we are trying to focus our stock on products that are
gentle to the touch and to the wallet.

Coccoon in confidence, we've go you covered!

We Go Greener!

Envirosax
We
are very excited that our green-ness is taking a big next step forward
this month!  Our love affair with plastic bags is waning. They're made
from petrochemicals (lets not think about how many chemicals are used
to transform crude oil into a flimsy plastic bag), they aren't
bio-degradeable and they go directly into the garbage. We really want
to try and cut back on the disposeable plastics, so we're orienting our
products so you won't have to take one.

Starting this week we are carrying Envirosax
reuseable nylon tote bags. Envirosax are large (19" x 17"), extremely
pretty, light as a feather, fold up into a small packet (4" x 2.5"
1.5"), and best of all are very in-expensive, costing only $8.50. They
are just the right size to keep permanently in your handbag or the
pocket of your coat for unanticipated purchases and are big enough to
carry a full sweater's worth of yarn. Plus, at that price they make
great hostess gifts for the holiday season and you can also give them
to the people on your list who don't appreciate and/or deserve a
hand-made gift.
Our second line of defense is the replacement of
plastic bags with new bio-degradeable, corn-starch based bags. They
aren't a panacea, they are still processed and disposeable, but if you
don't have a tote on you they're still a notch above their oily
cousins.
If you'd like to find out more ways you can be green check out One Million Acts of Green.

Holiday Gift Project Ideas sunset beret 
It's
time to start Holiday knitting!  But what to make?  Here are some fast
and easy ideas help fill the void (all links are to Ravelry.com, so if
you aren't already a member now is defeintely the time. In the interim
you can enter via our client account: login = knitomatic2, password =
knitomatic).

1. Holiday Decorations
Deorations
can be small and fast and make a sentimental gift that will be used for
years to come. Patterns for little ornaments can be glued to card stock
and given as a card (you can get packages of blank cards with envelopes
at art supply stores).

2. Christmas Stockings
Yes,
I know it's an obvious one, but babies are born and people marry into
the family and they all need their own Christmas Stocking.

3. Slippers
Everyone
appreciates a nice pair of slippers!  Plus, in these days of
eco-consciousness and high fuel prices they are a thermostat's best
friend.

4. Quick Knit Scarves
Make
it from really thick yarn like Burly Spun or Woolly Bully and you'll be
done in just a few hours (and it only takes 1 skein to make a scarf)!

5. Quick Knit Hats
Hats are great because they're fasty, easy and affordable!

6. Quick Knit Mittens
Mitts take a smidge more time than hats but they look really impressive!

7. Gauntlets & Arm Warmers

8. Quick Knit Shawls, Wraps & Capelets

9. Quick Socks

10. Neck Warmers/Cowls
We've already covered this topic in our blog, so just click HERE to see our ideas!

11. Toys
Toys are small, fast and don't use up much yarn!

12. Sock Monkeys


Events:  Stitch 'n Bitch & Yarn  Swap

The next YARN SWAP will be on November 23rd from 1 to
5pm. Bring in your old, unwanted yarns and we'll find them a good home! You can see all the
upcoming dates and find out more about yarn swaps on our website.
Our
Sunday Stitch 'n Bitch is a success! Sunday is definitely hang-out day
and we love your company, especially as the chilly weather closes in.
We are still offering 3 weekly Stich 'n Bitches: Tuesday from 12-4pm,
Thursday from 5 to 8pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5pm.
Just a
friendly reminder, Stitch 'n Bitch is not teaching time. If you need
help with your project please call us at (416) 653-7849 or
info@knitomatic.com to make an appointment. You might only need a few
minutes of help to get you back on track or you may require a private class/tutorial, which are affordably priced at $10 per hour.

Popular Yarns on the Block
Studioloo Handspun Art Yarn in
The yarns that have been receiving the most attention by our clients ....

1. Cascade Ecological Wool and Eco Plus
People
keep asking what the hitch is with Cascade Eco Wool, it seems too good
to be true. Well, sorry, it's not. It's a soft, chunky weight yarn (6mm
needles/ 3.5 sts per inch), comes in skeins of 250g/437m and sells for
only $17.75! It is 100% Peruvian Highland wool, just like Cascade 220.
Ecological Wool is undyed and Eco Plus is dyed. It felts like a dream
and you only need a few skeins for a sweater.  the only drawback we've
found so far is the colour selection in the Eco Plus leans to the
bright side, but at that price, who's complaining?!

2. Cadenza Sock Yarn
It
doesn't have a big brand name but Cadenza is the little Sock Yarn that
could. It is a luxury sock yarn composed of 80% Merino wool (super
soft) and 20% Tussah Silk (even softer), but it only costs $17.50 for
100g skein (which makes 1 pair of socks)! The yarn is a kettle dyed,
semi-solid and comes in a range of colours from jewel tones to more
muted colours. Cadenza makes gorgeous lace socks and is machine
washable so it's also suitable for babies. Similar silk blend sock
yarns sell for $25/skein,

3. Studioloo Handspun Art Yarns
Like
snowflakes, no two Studioloo yarns are alike (except for the 3 little
skeins of hand dyed merino which are alike). All Studioloo yarns are
hand spun by artist Cindy Cole and are individually priced and range
from $12 to $50. 1 skein is usually enough to make a scarf.

Last Month's Popular Yarns
1. Cascade 220 Heathers
2. Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed
3. Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Sock Yarn

New On Sale!

tofutsies sock yarn Tofutsies $13.50 (reg. $18)

50% superwash wool, 25% soysilk, 22.5% cotton, 2.5% chitin
100g/425m
machine wash & dry
8sts = 1 inch on 2.5mm needles
very soft!







Addi Click Kits: Update

The new and anticipated Addi Click Kits
were supposed to arrive in mid-October but the distributor has just
sent an update letting us know that Addi is taking a little bit longer
than anticipated to get them to market. They apologize for the delay,
they're just making sure the product quality is impeccable.
We've been taking pre-orders for the Addi Click Kits and if you want one you're in luck because we still have room for another 6 orders! Contact us at info@knitomatic.com or 416-653-7849 to reserve yours.

New Books, Magazines & DVDs!
Books
DVDs
 Magazines


November Classes
If
you would like to learn something that is not on our
schedule or has already been offered we can always book a private tutorial: finishing, thrummed mittens, tunisian crochet, hairpin lace, entre-lac, fair isle, lace,
needle felting, design principles, kool-aid dyeing or even your own
project group! Just contact us at 416-653-7849 or info@knitomatic.com.


My First Toe-Up Sock


Tuesday Nov 4 & 11,

6:00-8pm


Socks seem hard, but
they don't have to be. While you make your sock, you'll follow a pattern, use
double pointed needles, increase, decrease and pick up and wrap stitches. You'll
also shape a toe without complicated grafting and turn a professional looking
heel without the usual math. It doesn't get any easier!   You must know how to
knit, purl, cast-on & off for this class.


·        

Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks


·        

$80 + tax (includes materials)


Knit Mitten Workshop 



Monday Nov 10 & 17,

6:30-8pm



The next step after making hats is making mitts! Mitts are a lot like hats:
fast, easy, satisfying, inexpensive, and they make great gifts! We'll teach you
how to knit in the round, on double pointed needles, (the ones that look like
little chop sticks), decrease stitches, increase stitches, pick-up stitches and
read a pattern. Knowing how to cast on and knit is the only requisite.



·        

Consists of 2 sessions
over 2 weeks.


·        

$55 + tax (includes materials)


·        

receive an $11 discount if you take the hat class


Beginner Knitting
  


Tuesday Nov 18 & 25,

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


· $55 + tax (includes materials).


Knitted Hat Workshop  

Monday Nov 24 & Dec
1,
6:30-8pm



The next step after making scarves is making hats! Hats are fast, easy, are
very, very satisfying! 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. Knowing how
to cast on and knit is the only requisite.


·
Consists of 2 sessions
over 2 weeks.


· $65 + tax (includes materials)


NEW
Knitted
Gloves 



Tuesday Dec 2 & 9,
6:00-8pm



Feel like making glove? If you're ready for the challenge, this is a very
satisfying experience. Learn how to manipulate double pointed needles like a pro
as you turn wrists, fingers and thumbs. When you're done, you may just need a
cigarette.



·   

Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks



·   

$75 + tax (includes materials)

Contact Information
phone: (416) 653-7849
e-mail: info@knitomatic.com
web: www.knitomatic.com

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