Sunday, October 31, 2010

Stitch 'N Bitch: Superstar Knitting


Go Beyond the Basics $21.95

Finally, the next installment in the Stitch 'N Bitch series is here! This time Debbie Stoller holds your hand as she takes you through a fun lesson on  the more technical and daunting techniques in knitting.  Part 1starts with colour knitting, moves into cables (which I personally think is easier than colour), then lace, embellishments,  and closes with miscellaneous useful technical stuff. Part 2 is all about designing your own pattern, starting with the basics, them moving into DIY drop shoulder sweater design, then raglan and yoke, set in sleeves, and finally teaches you about finished and estimating the amount of yarn required.

The technical illustrations, as always, are easy to understand and follow, and the little pictures illustrating the techniques as a metaphor are super cute.  I worship Debbie Stoller for her ability to write a technical book that reads like a long letter from your best friend.  Seriously, people who learn with her books have a very fast learning curve, we recommend her first book, Stitch 'N Bitch, to all or our beginners. 

The patterns are in section 3, conveniently located at the back so it's easy to find them.  There are some truly fun patterns, my favorites include:
  • Steeks and Stones, a fair isle skully cardigan
  • The Aquatic Life, a cute fair isle pullover with fishies (gotta love fishies!)
  • Skull Isle Socks, fair isle socks with skullies
  • Gretel Tam by Ysolda Teague, a gorgeous cabled beret (I made it a few years ago)
  • Saxon the City, thigh-high stockings with a full celtic motif up the sides
  • Beatrice Gloves, I don't normally go in for beading, but these are like vintage, blingy Isotoners
  • Dress to Impress, an adorable baby tunic/dress using the very easy slip stitch colour technique
Even if you don't like the projects, the books is wonderful for the instruction alone (it would make a great gift for someone who wants to move up the skills ladder). 


As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!


Saturday, October 30, 2010

Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010




The new Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010 has arrived and I'm happy to report that it's great! It's full of inspiring projects that will get your hook flying.  There's stuff for men, women, children and for the home.  Check out the contents HERE

I especially like the Shirley lace socks - you don't usually think of crochet when you make socks. The Audrey Lace Cape is also lovely!  Molly's Baby Mukluks are ADORABLE, and available online for free for a limited time).

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!

Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2010




The new Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2010 has arrived! This issue is all about inspiration and there are over 60 patterns that will get your motor running! All of the patterns are suitable for gift giving, several you will want to make and keep for yourself. There's something in there for everyone: men, women, babies, and grannies.  The projects vary in ability, but for the most part they lean towards the technical side - but that is Interweave's gestalt. 


You can browse the contents HERE (it's worth checking out, there is a HUGE pile of great projects in the issue!).

We also some back issues of the Holiday Gifts issues:
We also have Interweave Knits Special Weekend Issues:


As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!



Friday, October 29, 2010

Book & Magazine Sale!



We need more room on the book shelves, so we're having a big BOOK SALE!  All the sale magazines and booklets are $1 each, and the sale books are $10 and under!


Magazines Include ....
  • Vogue Knitting
  • Knit.1
  • Interweave Crochet
  • Crochet Today
  • Rebecca
Booklets From .....
  • Berroco
  • Rowan
  • Manos Del Uruguay
  • Mission Falls
  • Jaeger
  • Lang
  • Lana Grossa
  • Gedifra
  • Katia
  • Dale of Norway 
  • Schoeller Stahl 
Baby & Children's Booklets From ...
  • Schoeller Stahl
  • Dale of Norway
  • Lang
  • Lana Grossa
  • Wendy

Thursday, October 28, 2010

New Book - Gifted by Mags Kandis



I don't recall why this great book is a little late arriving, but it is here - Yay! Gifted joins a growing genre among knitting books - patterns for gift type projects. Like it's progenitors, Gifted is great because they are full of smallish, fast, patterns that aren't overly complicated. It's high on instant gratification and satisfaction, and of course, offers up a series of projects that you'll want to make for yourself or offer as gifts.  I especially like the assortment of projects, which encompass different kinds of gift giving, including holiday gifts, baby gifts, hostess gifts, gifts for knitters, friendship gifts, mothers' day gifts. There's a good number of little felted projects, and most of the patterns are simple and aren't particularly fussy.  The art direction is also nice with simple and homey - I lifestyle covered in little felted embellishments that you'll want to climb into and get cozy. The only thing wanting is the lack of projects for manly gifts. Regardless, you'll get a lot of use out of this book and enjoy it!

Check out the patterns in this book HERE.

To find our store go HERE.





Wednesday, October 27, 2010

New FREE Knitting Pattern - Bulky Mobius Cowl!

We've written up the free knitting pattern for one of our latest store samples, the Bulky Mobius Cowl in Malabrigo Rasta!



Free pattern by Haley Waxberg

The pattern is very simple, fast, and satisfying for time when you just need to produce something FAST. It is knit in the round using a really long circular needle and a nifty little cast on just for mobius knitting. To learn this easy new skill you can watch Cat Bohrdi’s great Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial on you tube. Cat’s instructions are clear and easy to follow and you’ll be an expert in no time!
Size 
S/M(M/L) 
tighter (looser) 
6.5” high unstretched 
Approx 13(14) inches long at bottom, lying flat
Materials 
1 skeins Malabrigo Rasta, 150g-82m, colour 853 
Abril 
10mm/36” circular needles 
1 Stitch Marker
Gauge 
8 sts & 21 rows = 4”/10cm in K3 rows, P3 rows rib
Techniques 
Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial by Cat Bohrdi on you tube: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4


New FREE Store Pattern - Long Mobius Cowl!

We've got a brand new free knitting pattern for you - our Long Mobius Cowl in Araucania Coliumo!




Pattern by Haley Waxberg


The pattern is very simple, fast, and satisfying for time when you just need to produce something FAST. It is knit in the round using a really long circular needle and a nifty little cast on just for mobius knitting. To learn this easy new skill you can watch Cat Bohrdi’s great Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial on you tube. Cat’s instructions are clear and easy to follow and you’ll be an expert in no time!
Size 
Lying flat with mobius twist on top, measured across the 
middles, unstretched 
28” long x 5.25” wide
Materials 
2 skeins Araucania Coliumo Multi, 30% silk, 70% wool, 
100g-87m, colour 9 
8mm/36” (40” or 47” are also good) circular needles 
1 Stitch Marker
Gauge 
in knit 3 rows, purl 3 rows rib 
12 sts & 20 r = 4”/10cm
Techniques 
Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial by Cat Bohrdi on you tube:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4

Monday, October 25, 2010

Kate Jacobs Live!



Cool news! Author Kate Jacobs will be joining our Stitch 'n Bitch us via Skype to talk about her latest book Knit the Season, the third book in the Friday Night Kitting Club series!  


Join us Thursday November 4th at 6pm! Plus, we'll be giving away an autographed copy of the book!! Also, contact us to reserve an autographed copy for purchase: (416) 653-7849 or info (at) knitomatic (dot) com


You can read the first chapter online. The paperback edition will be on sale Nov 2nd. 


Join the event on Facebook, or just pop in to the store!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

New Knit-O-Matic Pattern - Leaf lace Shawlette!




You've been asking for it and finally our Leaf Lace Shawlette pattern is live!  It only takes 1 skein of Casecade Eco+ Heathers, which is a very cost effective project at $20.50 a skein. Check it out on Ravelry, of come on over and try it on at the store! The pattern only costs $5.75 - that's only 38 cents per leaf!



Size
S/M (M/L)
Depth: Both sizes are 11”/25cm from neck to bottom edge
Length Neck Edge: approx 30(34)”
Length Bottom Edge: approx 78(88)”
Materials
1 skein Cascade Eco+, colour 2452, approx 350 (420)m of chunky weight yarn
6.0mm-24” circular needles
Small cable hook
7.5mm-29” circular needle (optional, for cast off)
Gauge
16 sts & 21 rows = 4”/10cm in stocking stitch
Notes
  • Shawlette is worked back and forth on circular needles
  • There is no chart for this pattern, as the details are too complicated. All the instructions are written.

New FREE Pattern - Crochet Farmer's Market Bag!


I know it's out of season, but I was updating the store's free patterns, and heck, the holidays are around the corner in terms of your gift production!  So here is a FREE pattern for you, our Crochet Farmer's Market Bag!   Hope you enjoy!  :-)


Friday, October 15, 2010

New Free Hat Pattern from Knit-O-Matic!

Simply Ribbed Hat in Noro Silk garden

Simply Ribbed Hat in Manos Maxima

FREE Pattern by Haley Waxberg for Knit-O-Matic

This is a very simply styled hat that anyone and everyone can make and wear. The 1 x 1 rib helps the hat keep it's shape and gives it a denisity for warmth. If the ribbing seems tight, don’t worry, we are making it tight on purpose because silk has a tendency to grow. We've also made it in a 100% merino wool, which is great beacuse it is soft and has lots of body (it's puffy by nature). If you would like to substitute another yarn, consider going up to a 4mm needle (or a size 0.5mm less than the median suggested size on the ballband).
Size
S(M, L, XL)
Head Circumference 21(22, 23, 24) inches
Materials: Striped Version
1(1, 2, 2) skeins Noro Silk Garden 
1 pair of 3.75mm-16” circular needles
3.75mm double pointed needles
4 stitch markers (1 in a contrasting colour)
Materials: Variegated Version
1 skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima or Malabrigo Worsted
1 pair of 4mm-16” circular needles
4mm double pointed needles
4 stitch markers (1 in a contrasting colour)

Download the Free pattern for the Simply Ribbed Hat on Knitomatic.com!  Or see it on Ravelry!


FREE Truman Vest Pattern in Berroco Blackstone Tweed


Berroco just published this really cute Free Vest Pattern named Truman using Berroco Blackstone Tweed!  I've been working with Blacsktone Tweed this week and am happy to report that it is soft, easy to work with, and has a lot of stretch to it (for some reason most tweeds do).  

The above pattern, Truman, is the worsted weight, hooded version of the vest pattern Berroco published in their Blackstone Tweed book #298, named Dickens, which is made with Blackstone Tweed Chunky. 


Friday, October 08, 2010

Thanksgiving Long Weekend Hours

During the Thanksgiving holiday we will be open the following hours:


Saturday: 11am to 6pm
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm
Monday: Closed


Thanks!

Thursday, October 07, 2010

New Book - Knitting at Home (Ella Rae Designs)


Knititng at Home: 60 Classics from Ella Rae Designs, by Leanne Prouse ~ $31.95

This book is a great surprise!  It's main theme is  projects for the home or farting around the house, and of course it is beautifully art directed, so you'll want to slide right into the relaxed lives of the people in the pictures (Why does time move so slowly in their world and so fast in mine?). The styling extends to the projects, they are all classics that can fit into any home. The familiar cast of characters is here, there are different blankets, pillows, hot water bottle covers, and tea cozies. Some of the patterns explore colour, some play with texture, some are simple and some more involved. There are several somethings for everyone. Some cozy, homey garments are also thrown in, including a couple simple sweaters, socks, a scarf, a bag, and some simple gauntlets.  There are some felted patterns, including a bird mobile/hangy thing, a purse, an ottoman, a hat, and slippers (on cover).  Now here's where it gets interesting - they've very conveniently included some baby & kid stuff! For kids there are felted boots (adorable), a felted bag, an aran pullover,an aran jacket, and dolls with their own sweaters. For babies there are some cute felted slippers, a felted doll with clothes (I guess so it can be washed frequently?), one crocheted blanket and four really nice baby blankets. 

The book is also organized in an interesting way - by room. Each room get's it's own design principle and palette. All of the palettes in the book match and are unified by neutrals, but each room has its own distinct mood, theme, and colour that represents it. I suspect that this book would be good inspiration for decorating you home, in addition to the patterns. 

NEW Book: Cowl Girls!



I've been waiting for Cowl Girls to arrive since this summer and I'm elated it's finally here!  It's a great collection of Cowls (knitted tubular things that go around your neck and keep you warm).  The collection is a bit eclectic, and there's some seriously questionable stuff in there, so just tear out some pictures you like from a magazine and cover them up, because there are lots of pieces that you will want to make for yourself and others. Hint-hint. Cowls are great holiday gifts: small, fast, affordable, and impressive. 

Here are some of my faves (by the way, there are really great photos of the projects on Ravelry, follow the links):

Mohair is Better: make it in a solid, click to see.







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