New Books

Vintage Baby Knits: More Than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s - $30

This is a great new book! It's got piles of attractive and not overly complicated patterns you'll want to knit. They have done a great job of interpreting and updating vintage styles for today. Many of the yarns used are reasonable, washable, and easy enough to substitute if you can't find it or don't want to spend that much. The patterns are original, not the kind of thing you can find for free all over the internet. Projects range from cardigans, pullovers, several blankets, soakers, toys, hats, a hood, a pretty lace dress, kimono, sailor top, an old fashioned snow suit (with leggings), slippers, pants. Sizes vary from pattern to pattern and range from 3 to 24 months.  In additon to the patterns, the book is just plain pretty. Lots of pictures of adorable babies, the colours used are pretty and the layout is very attractive.  Good job folks!  This is definitely a quality purchase.

Design It, Knit It: Secrets from the Designer's Studio - $26.95

I was very curious to see this book and find out what veteran knitting designer Debbie Bliss has to share. First off, this book is not exclusively for people who want to design knits, there are lots of gorgeous Debbie Bliss patterns, 3 per chapter, 36 total. Each pattern ilustrates a design principle that she is discussing, but you certainly don't have to read the chapter to knit the garment.  As far as the design part, she has filled in a huge gap in the literature. Deborah Newton's Designing Knitwear is the bible, it's strenght is teaching you the logistics of how to construct a knit from the ground up, but the aesthetic side of desiging garments is missing. Debbie steps in and teaches you the nuances of design, especcially the details she is so well know for. She discusses incorporating shaping, colour and texture while maintaining proportion. Then she delved  into designing for children, and a design workbook at the end which includes knitters graph paper. Just one caveat: this book is very inspiring but is not a replacement for more technical guides.  The chapters are brief, they are not exhaustive lists of different types of details you can add, how to design complicated shaping or sizing. If you want analytical support I suggest you looks at Deborah Newton's Designing Knitwear.

Markdowns: Noro Silk Garden

We're marking down some yarns to clear them out, so get 'em while you can!

Noro Silk Garden
regularly $11, now marked down to $7.50

 

Markdowns: Fleece Artist

We're marking down some yarns to clear them out, so get 'em while you can!

Fleece Artist Thrum Mitten Kits and Soft Mitten Kits
regularly $28, now marked down to $16.80

 

Markdowns: Handmaiden Cashmere

We're marking down some yarns to clear them out, so get 'em while you can!

Handmaiden 4ply Cashmere Kits: Devin's Toque & Cashmere Cloche
regularly $37, now marked down to $22.25

 

 

Markdowns Manos Silk Blend

We're marking down some yarns to clear them out, so get 'em while you can!

Manos Silk Blend Solids
regularly $12.50 (when the dollar was at par), now marked down to $7.50

 
Citric 3068, Hibiscus 3069


 
Rust 300U, Bing Cherry 300m, Black 3008


Manos Silk Blend Multi Colours
regularly $13.50 (when the dollar was at par), now marked down to $8.10


Stellar 3110, 3119 Adobe, Autumn 3106,

New Books

Breeze by Kim Hargreaves ~ $37

Sock Innovation by Cokkie. A. - $28.95

Simple Style, ed. Ann Budd ~ $31.95

New Berroco Pattern Books

Norah Gaughan Vol. 4 ~ $21.50

Book 286 Mica ~ $10

More Spring/Summer 2009 Magazines

Knit.1 Magazine Spring/Summer 2009
 

Interweave Knits Summer 2009
 

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2009

Spring-Summer 2009 Classes & Workshops

Spring-Summer 2009 Classes & Workshops
Unless otherwise stated, you must pre-register for regular classes by paying the class fee beforehand.

Knitting Classes
Beginner Knitting Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner!
Tuesday May 19 & 26, 6:30-8pm
Monday June 1 & 8, 6:30-8pm
Tuesday July14 & 21, 6:30-8pm
Monday Aug 24 & 31, 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). Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $60 + tax (includes materials).

NEW Knitted Flowers Workshop Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Monday June 2 & 9, 6:30-8pm
The perfect embellishment! Felted or not, knitted flowers are a wonderful addition to a hat, a purse or anything else you can think of. In this workshop, you will learn a few basic flower and leaf shapes, how to make I-cord stems, and, should you choose, how to felt these flowers into the most cost-effective accessory you’ll ever make. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $60 + tax (includes materials)

NEW Lacey Wristlets Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Monday August 10 & 17, 6-8pm
A perfect project for summer into fall! Learn lace basics while you shape these beautiful gauntlets. This class will add knitting in the round, manipulating double pointed needles, working increases and decreases, and, of course, knitting lace to your repertoire. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $70+ tax (includes materials)

NEW Easy Silk Bias Shawl Workshop
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Saturday June 20, 10am-12pm
A fantastic, quick summer project made in a stunning, hand dyed, textured silk yarn. This workshop is great for post-beginners, you’ll learn how to knit a basic lace and follow a simple pattern. Materials are included.

• Class is one session only
• $75+ tax (includes materials)

My First Toe Up Sock Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Advanced-Beginner
Tuesday July 20 & 27, 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. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $90 + tax (includes materials)

NEW Easy Baby Hoodie Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tuesday July 28 and Aug 4, 6:00-8pm
Whether you need baby steps to get over the sweater hump or you need to outfit your favourite munchkin, this is the class for you. Learn how to read a sweater pattern, how to work in the round and use double pointed needles, how to shape necks and sleeves, how to increase raglan-style, how to pick up stitches and how to orchestrate a 3-needle bind off. You must know how to cast-on, and how to knit and purl. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $90 + tax (includes materials)

NEW Easy No-Sew Cotton Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tuesday June 15, 22 & 29, 6-8pm all three nights
An excellent way to get your sweater feet wet! In this workshop you’ll make a simple neck-down cardigan that will make you wonder why you’ve been putting this off. Along the way you’ll learn how to read a pattern, the basics of raglan shaping, knitting sleeves, how to pick up stitches, and how to put the finished product together. With this under your belt, you’ll have the courage to tackle that big pullover you’ve been dying to make. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $160 + tax (includes materials)

Crochet Classes
Beginner Crochet Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner!
Tuesday June 16 & 23, 6:30-8pm
Tuesday August 11 & 18 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 crochet in the round and how to read a basic pattern. After this class, you will have the knowledge to make a scarf, and, if time permits, a granny square or a crocheted flower. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $60 + tax (includes materials).

NEW Easy Crochet Market Bag
Skill level: Beyond Beginner Saturday
June 6 & 13,10-11:30am
This workshop is a great follow-up to the beginner class or is for anyone who knows the basic skills of crochet and wants to learn how to apply them. You will learn how to read and follow a crochet pattern, crochet in the round, increase and decrease. All you need to know to take this class is how to make a chain (ch), slip stitch (sl), single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $75 + tax (materials included)

NEW Open Crochet Workshop Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Beyond Beginner
Tuesday August 25, 6-8pm
This workshop is for any one who wants to think outside the box. If you have ever wanted to make a crocheted hat, or crocheted flowers, or a shopping bag, or would like to learn the basics of Tunisian crochet, this is the workshop for you. Come with a project in mind and we will give you the tech-support to get you going.

• Class is one session only
• $45 + tax (Not including materials)

NEW Easy No-Sew Crochet Shrug
Liane Schwarz Skill level: Intermediate Beginner
Tuesday June 30 & July 7, 6-8pm
This beautiful neck-down cotton shrug will show you how easy it is to shape a sweater with crochet. We’ll take the basics you learned as a beginner and step it up a notch with artful combinations and custom increasing and decreasing that will produce the perfect accessory for your summer wardrobe. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $130 + tax (includes materials)

NEW Easy Crochet Lace Liane Schwarz
Skill level: Intermediate beginner
Monday July 6 & 13, 6:30-8pm
This workshop will demonstrate how easy it is to make lace with crochet. Whether you decide to make a scarf or something more complex, this class will give you the basics of simple crocheted lace and will set you on your way to whatever project you desire. Materials are included.

• Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
• $70 + tax (materials included)
  

NEW Boteh Silk Scarf Workshop Haley Waxberg
Skill level:
Intermediate beginner
Saturday June 27, 10am to 1pm
We'll give you a leg up on this simple and extremely satisfying pattern, the Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick. We'll give you a leg up on this simple and extremely satisfying pattern. It's a great summer project, you'll be able to take it to the cottage, the beach or on a plane. Make it to give away as gifts or keep it for yourself. Included in the price of the class is the pattern, 1 skein of Handmiaden Sea Silk, 1 Clover crochet hook and a packet of Clover locking stitch markers.

• Class consists of 1 session only
  
• $85 + tax (materials are included)

Private Classes
Monday to Friday 11:30am to 4:30pm
By appointment only
$10/hour per person + materials and applicable taxes