Saturday, November 27, 2010

Instant Gratification Holiday Gifts - Free Quick Fingerless Mitts & Gloves!


Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don't have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic







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

New Book - Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques


The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques - $36.95
by Margaret Radcliffe

Wawa-wee-wa! This is a serious technical tome and backs up it's title with quality content. It's almost purely technical, and for the most part isn't about patterns (although there are a few). There something for everyone in the book, even the artsy will be happy with the chapters on playing around with stripes and multi-coloured yarns, which is pretty good for helping you visualize how they might knit up in different ways. The bulk of the book is focused on instructing you how to do the fussier techniques like intarsia, stranded knitting, illusion knitting, twined knitting, double knitting, modular knitting, entrelac, tips & tricks to achieve a beautiful finish, and designing. It also provides a series of pattern stitches that are accompanied by instructions that walk you through their accompanying techniques.  The instructions are clear and easy to follow, as are the pictures. In conclusion, this is an excellent reference book to keep on your shelf - you'll use it over and over for years to come. 

P.S.
Radcliffe's other book, The Knitting Answer Book, is also an excellent resource, which is available in store ($18.95). 


As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com

Friday, November 26, 2010

New Book - Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders


I've been anticipating this book's arrival for awhile and I'm so glad it is here!  I love the Once-Skein Wonders series (we have the whole series at the store), and using up sock yarn is such a no-brainer. You may know where I'm coming from, sock yarns can be so stunning and slip into a stash so easily - they're sly little skeins, they are!  This book is completely focused on projects made with sock yarns, all of which use only one skein (yardage depends on the particular brand and yarn).  Projects include scarves, shawls, bags, kids & baby clothes, fingerless gloves & mitts, mitts, gloves, doll clothes, tea cozies, a dog coat, a netbook cover, and homey stuff. 

My favourites ...

Little Hanten (343m required)


Twist & Slouch Hat (320m required)


Moso Netbook Sock (211m required)



As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com



New Envirosax!

Envirosax roll-up bags make great stocking stuffers and   hostess gifts, for knitters and muggles alike!

Envirosax - $9.50 to $10.50
Every knitter needs a bag for those moments of stash enrichment, and Envirosax are the perfect little assistant to keep in your bag for just such occasions (they're only 4" x 1.7" rolled up). They're made of  lightweight polyester, waterproof, and weigh just 1.4oz each.  They also have reinforced seams, so each surprisingly large bag (19.7" x 16.5" unrolled) can hold a weight the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags (44lbs - not that that is a concern when carrying yarn, but good at the supermarket). 


Minisax - $6.50

Minisax were originally designed as a reusable lunch bag, but we knitters know better, because they are also perfect little project bags!  It is made from Envirosax RPET fabric, which incorporates recycled plastic bottles and other plastic waste into fabric (45% of the fabric is RPET, to be precise).  The minis fold up into their own, built-in case, and when the bag is in use it subs as a little takeaway coffee cup holder.


As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com

Soaked for the Holidays!

We've got a full collections of Soak Wash in stock for the holidays, including mini and full sized bottles of all five regular scents, as well as the special Unleashed scent, and both of their the shallow and deep basins.  

Now, I know it seems like a strange gift to give, but I swear that any person who receives this will fall deeply in love with the stuff. Once you go Soak, you don't go back. The mini bottles make a great stocking stuffer, and a large bottle coupled with a basin makes a great gift that you know they'll actually use!  

Just one caveat - if you are newly married, or want to be, I don't suggest you gift Soak unless it's been requested (you're good if it's on the list). In order to fan the fires of romance, I suggest a knitting needle set (a set of Addi Turbos will put you in good stead for years!), a wool winder and/or a swift (an equally sexy choice), a needle case, or a gift certificate. Of course, we have all of the above and will help you choose.


Soak Wash - Special Fibre Care
120ml/$10.50 or 425ml/$16.50
Soak is a special fibre wash which is perfect for both hand knits as well as lingere, unmentionables, and clothes you love. It is easy to use, and doesn't require rinsing out, and is made in Canada. It is available in 5 fresh fragrances, as well as scentless:
  • Citrus has the delicious smell of “fresh-squeezed clean”.
  • Aquae is a “purely elemental” scent that’s like a breath of fresh sea air.
  • Celebration smells intoxicating though it’s really just ‘good clean fun’.
  • Flora is a lovely spring fragrance that will make you “stop and smell the fibers”  
  • Scentless keeps your hand-washables (and sensitive skin) completely fragrance-free. Just a fresh and ultra-clear way to take care of the fine fibers you care about most.
  • Celebration is an original limited edition fragrance that has transcended traditional fiber care to become a timeless classic.




Soak Wash Unleash 
250ml/$13.50
Unleash is a special collection from Soak, inspired by everything Ravelry. Unleash your creative juices with this sweet and spicy scent you’d follow anywhere. Unleash is the core of this new collaboration between Soak and Ravelry.




Carrie and Phil Basins from Soak
Phil (shallow)/$30.50 or Carrie (deep)/$34.50
Carrie and Phil are wash an storage basins, perfect for Soaking your hand wash.  They are sturdy, high quality vessels which are also great for storage, stash containment, and home pedicures. They are available in a range of bright colours.
  • Non-toxic
  • Beveled edges for easy pouring.
  • Tall/short wash basin
  • Frost and UV resistant
  • Flexible
  • Made in Spain
Gift a Carrie and/or Phil with a bottle of Soak, a few skeins of yarn and some needles, or a pedicure set.  You won't regret purchasing a Carrie or Phil, they are the best little buckets you never thought you'd fall in love with.  Once it's in your home, you'll laugh at yourself for ever thinking that something cheap & made in China is equivalent - take it from me, a skeptic, there's just no comparison. 


Eucalan Delicate Wash
100ml/$4.50 or 500ml/$11.50
If you aren't into fragrances and want something a little more on the natural side, Eucalan will be right up your alley. Like Soak, Eucalan is a no rinse delicate wash, it is also made in Canada, and it works exactly as well for all the same purposes. But Eucalan comes in a series of natural scents, derived from essential oils. It does not contain pthalates, which are normally associated with fragrance.  Eucalan comes in unscented, lavender, grapefruit, and eucalyptus, and the small 100ml bottles make great stocking stuffers! Eucalyptus also has antibacterial properties, which makes it great for washing hand knitted socks (some people gift a bottle when they give socks). Eucalan is also especially helpful for scratchy sweaters, as the lanolin in it will soften the up a bit. 



As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com

Thursday, November 25, 2010

New Namaste Accessories!



Namaste Circular Knitting Needle Case $24
The Namaste Circular Case is the solution to storing and organizing all of your circular needles. Features a unique accordion-style opening and labeling system to take the guesswork out of finding the right size. Compact, clever, and oh-so cute! Currently, we have black, red and purple. Made from animal-friendly faux leather. One size: 5 1/2" L x 3 1/2" W x 7" H. 




Namaste Buddy Case $18
BUDDY cases are the essential accessory for your little stuff- bring your BUDDY along to tote your personal, crafting, or travel notions so you'll never be without. The BUDDY case features hidden magnetized interior walls to keep your metal items in place, a removable interior divider, and is made of the lush animal-friendly faux leather that you've come to expect. Contrast stitching, solid construction, and snap button closure- everybody needs a BUDDY! Currently, only available in purple. Made from PVC free, animal-friendly faux leather. One size: 5.5" L x 1.75" W x 3" H. 



Namaste Mini Cozy - $10.80
The Mini Cozy is a perfect way to stash and carry your DPN's or crochet hooks. The metal frame and shiny clasp closure make the Mini Cozy sophisticated yet functional. Besides, anything Mini is just plain fun!  Available in purple, red, pink, lime, and turquoise. Made from PVC-free, animal-friendly faux leather. One size: 2 3/4" W x 8.5" H x 1/4" D. 



Namaste Small Pouch - $6
Tired of you small notions ending up at the bottom of your bag? The Small Pouch is a perfect way to keep everything just within reach. The pattern coordinates with the entire Cali Collection color pallette and, well, it's darn cute!! Currently, only available in Catalina print. One size: 7" W x 4 1/2" H x 2" D.


Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don't have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic.

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Instant Gratification Holiday Gifts - Free Quick Socks & Slippers!

Some more gift ideas you don't have to spend a lifetime making .... :-)






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

Holiday Gifting - Needle Felting Kit



Clover Needle Felting Kit - $41.50
Know someone crafty (like yourself)?  The Clover Needle Felting Kit is a great gift for both new and seasoned felters. It comes with one needle felting tool, small felting brush mat, and highest quality wool roving in off white, red and green. Clover makes premium quality products, so you know they will work and won't break right after opening the package. 


Clover Felting Needle Refill $10
A package of felting needle refills makes a nice addition to the felting kit and/or stocking stuffer for felters.


Clover Needle Felting Claw & Mat Cleaner $10.50
The Claw/Mat Cleaner is another great stocking stuffer!  It helps keep small pieces i place, acts as a blending tool, and works as a brush to remove wool from the felting mat.


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

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Unbelievably Cute Baby (&Kid) Knits!

Sirdar also makes some unimaginably cute baby knits (actually, the pattern range from birth up to 7 years)!  Click on the links below the pictures to see the patterns inside. As always, you can find us at www.knitomatic.com.





Saturday, November 20, 2010

Unbelieveably Cute Kids Knits!

Sirdar makes some Unbelieveably cute children`s patterns, which we thought you might enjoy! Patterns fit from size 2 to 13 years. Click on the links below the pictures to see the patterns inside.  As always, you can find us at www.knitomatic.com.




Friday, November 19, 2010

Instant Gratification Holiday Gifts - Free Quick Hats!

More Holiday Gift Project Inspiration ... these hat patterns are all FREE and all are worked on Big needles (8mm to 10mm) with Big yarn for instant gratification and satisfying gift completion. 

Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don't have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic.


     Cable Beret

    Cordova



    From Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine Fall/Winter 2009





   Shroom
     From Knitty Winter 2009


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

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Instant Gratification Holiday Gifts - Free Cowls

Yup, it's that time of year, the holidays are closing in fast.  Luckily, you can make up your Holiday gifts fast too!  Over the following weeks we'll try and help inspire you and give you great ideas for gifts that will make people squeal with excitement when they open.  

Big cowls (also called snoods) are big this year, which is a convenient intersection of art and life, because forecasts predict we're in for a very cold winter. 

    
    Featured in Martha Stewart Living


    Network Cowl



    From Rowan Studio 7, by Sarah Hatton



    Marian





    
   




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


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