Thursday, October 25, 2012

New Della-Q Bags & Needle Cases

Della-Q Cleo Yarn Caddy  $43.97
Cleo stands on her own with pockets, pockets, pockets - four exterior and two interior. She won't let you down and fall over. She's a caddy and not a shoulder bag. Don't try to throw her over your shoulder, she prefers to swing next to you. The Cleo Yarn Caddy is perfect for a medium size project. We threw this bag in a front loading washing machine and let it air dry. It looks fantastic! It is a bit softer, but it is still stiff enough to stand up.The inside includes a zip pocket and an open pocket for smaller tools. Width: 8 inches, Height: 12.5 inches.



Della-Q Lily Combo Case  $46.97
Haven’t made the decision yet whether you like straights, circulars or double points? Maybe you like them all and want them in one case. This tri-fold case includes nine pockets in the center for circulars. The outer flaps hold 18 straights and/or double points. We know this is a common design, but our case holds more than most cases and it is far prettier! The case is tall enough for those needles that insist on being a bit too tall to fit in any other case. There are no numbers like many of our other cases so you’ll need to be a little bit organized or keep a needle gauge in the case. Oh, right, there is also a zip pocket for stitch markers or a piece of chocolate. Fold it up and tie it in a bow (refer to your mother for bow tying instructions).
  • Eighteen unnumbered pockets for straights and double points
  • Nine unnumbered pockets for circulars
  • Includes numbered tabs for customization
  • Open: 14.5" w x 15" h Closed: 15.5" x 6"
  • Taffeta silk and Poly Silk
  • Now available in Black!



Della-Q Que Theo Circular Needle Case $46.97
The Que Theo for circular needles is the same smart design as theThe Que Lily, it just comes in solid colors rather than stripes. For those who don’t know about our circular needle cases, let's just say “they rock”! The case includes twelve numbered pockets. Did you catch that? Numbered. For those who need directions, put the size 6 needle in the size 6 pocket. You can even store more than one set in each pocket. The security flap on each pocket can be folded over the top or tucked in like an envelope. Includes a small zip pocket behind the sixth pocket for storing notions or an emergency piece of chocolate.
  • Twelve numbered pockets
  • Secure flap on each pocket to hold needles
  • US Numbers: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 13, 15
  • Metric Numbers: 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Closed: 8.5" w x 8.5" h Open: 18.5" x 8.5"
  • Poly Silk
  • Now available in Black!



Della-Q Que Grand Circular Needle Case  $80.97
Are you a circular needle whore? This case is for you. If you have more needles than this case will hold, you might as well get a wheelbarrow. With 21 numbered pockets and three blank pockets there is a perfect spot for every needle. Each pocket has a flap to secure your circular needles and there is a zip pocket just in case you need to store something other than a circular needle.
  • Twenty-one numbered pockets, three blank pockets
  • Secure flap on each pocket to hold needles
  • US Numbers: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 13, 15, 17 (no US equivalent for 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm)
  • Metric Numbers: 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
  • Closed: 12” w x 8” h Open: 20” w x 12” h
  • Poly Silk



Della-Q Eden Large Bag $12.97
You'll need one for every project. Why use a plastic grocery bag when you can use something pretty? Large enough for a scarf or small sweater project. Makes a fantastic gift bag for your knitted gift!
  • Includes an interior pocket for small notions. Pocket: 4"w x 4"h
  • 14.5"w x 16.5"h
  • 100% Cotton





Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Thanks for the Yarn Swap!



Thanks to everyoone who came out to our Yarn Swap last Sunday!  In addition to having a great time, we collected a couple of garbage bags of yarn to donate to both
Streetknit, Silver Circle West Toronto Services for Seniors. They sincerely appreciate your patronage, and so do we.


Winter Knit-O-Matic Yarn Swap 
The Winter Knit-O-Matic Yarn Swap will be held on SUNDAY JANUARY 13, from 1 to 4 pm! 

Bring the stuff you don't need, want, or are never going to use, including but not exclusive to yarn, needles, hooks, patterns, books & magazines. Take anything you like from the stuff donated by other people. ALL of the leftovers go to charity (Streetknit, Silver Circle West Toronto Services for Seniors, etc.) and all kinds of donations are welcome (especially the squeakiest of synthetic yarns).

Attendance at Yarn Swap is FR
EE, just drop by! And bring your knitting and stay with us for a Stitch 'n Bitch!

You can also drop off hand knit or crochet donations for 
Streetknit and we will pass them along. They make and then donate hand knit/crochet outerwear and blankets to Toronto's street people. Hats, scarves, mitts, socks, and squares are all welcome.

If you can't attend, but you still want to donate your old knit & crochet materials, you can drop it off at the store (in a sealed plastic bag please) any time we are open:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 11am to 6pm
Wed: 11am to 8pm
Sun: 12 to 5pm

Friday, October 19, 2012

New Knitscene Winter 2012 Magazine



The new issue of Interweave Knitscene just landed, and it's full of great patterns that will get your motor running and keep your hands busy. 

There are some really cool patterns that play with short-rows.


  • 1 to 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Burly Spun 
  • 9mm straight needles
  • 5.5mm double pointed needles and 5.5mm-16" circular needles





Jane Auten Knits Fall 2012



The latest issue of Interweave's Special magazine Jane Austen Knits just landed! if you like romantic, classic styles, this mag is for you. This issue features a large number of wearable projects, including hats, mitts, gloves, socks, wraps, and even sweaters! I especially like the military jacket. 



New Neon Manos Maxima!


Squeeee!  The yarn I've been waiting for finally arrived - Manos Del Uruguay Maxima Semi Solids in NEON colours! Now, if you you don't want to wake you up before you go-go, I understand, but listen to me now and believe me later - a little bit of highlighter colour, while not for the faint of heart, rocks.  

Manos Del Uruguay Maxima  is 100% fair trade, kettle dyed, extra fine merino wool.  100g/ 200m. 18 to 20 sts = 4" on 4mm to 5mm needles. $19.97/skein.



The good people at Purl Bee get it. The people on the Pinterest interweb get it too. The key to working the new new neon, is use is small doses, and pair it with a neutral (off white, grey, camel). 

    Top Row, left to right:  2552 Foil, 2590 Natural.
    Bottom Row, left to right:  2060 Highlighter, 2431 Helium, 2341 Acid, 2175 Shocking, 2169 Speeding Ticket.


  • Free Pattern
  • Hat: 1 skein Manos Maxima  in Colour, 1 skein Manos Maxima  in off white, 3.75mm-16" circular needles and 3.75mm double pointed needles
  • Cowl: 2 skeins Manos Maxima  in Colour, 2 skeins Manos Maxima in off white, 4mm-29" circular needles


  • Free Pattern
  • 1 skein Manos Maxima in Colour, 1 skein Manos Maxima in light grey
  • 4.5mm-16" circular needles and 4.5mm double pointed needles






Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Easy, Fast Projects for Novices & Gifts


Fall has landed and knitting season is in full gear. Welcome back to all of our established stick-handlers, and a hearty welcome to the newcomers. Gift season is coming up in a few months, and we believe that even the greenest knitter can combine hobby and holiday budgets - you just need a little inspiration and guidance.

To get you started ...

  • Your new best friend is a website for knitters & crocheters, Ravelry.com. Ravelry is knitters' Mecca and most of our links go there.  It is free to join Ravelry, and you don't have to give them any information you don't want to. They won't spam you or sell your e-mail address, but if you are concerned feel free to use a 'junk' or spare e-mail address to sign up (ie. gmail, yahoo or hotmail).  
  • There is a TON of free technical support on the internet. Knittinghelp.com is an excellent place for novices to start, and Knitting Daily has an excellent glossary of terms. There are many good videos on Youtube from Knit Picks and BerrocoTechknitting is the place for those more experienced who want a detailed explanation.
  • When seaming use Mattress Stitch for a pretty finish.
  • Leave about 5 to 6 inch tails (ends), to make weaving in easier. 
  • Knitting and crochet patterns are a bit like Recipes. They give you your ingredients first, and then directions, often written with standardized abbreviations. An explanation of the abbreviations used, or glossary, is usually included, or you can look them up on the internet. For more on how to read patterns there are some good instruction via the Craft Yarn Council.
  • Knitting needles come in a variety of sizing systems: Metric is the standard in Canada, Europe, Australia & New Zealand. The US has it's own system, as do the Japanese. If you have old needles that came from Canada or the UK, they might be sized in the older UK system. See this chart for details. Contemporary patterns will give you a needle size based on the country in which it was published.  Vintage patterns often give sizes in the old UK system. The easiest way to find out what size your needle is to buy an affordable (approx $3.50 to $4) little gadget called a Needle Gauge, which measures the circumference of your needle and tells you what it is in the various sizes.  



  • Skill Level: Beginner (after Scarves)
  • Free from Martha Stewart Living
  • Yarn: 2 skeins Cascade Magnum
  • Needles: 15mm-32" circular 
  • Skills: knit, purl, cast on, cast off, knit in the round, weave in ends.
  • Notes: knit with a single strand (pattern uses 3 held together)








  • Skill Level: Absolute Beginner!
  • Free from Ravelry
  • Yarn: 1 skein Malabrigo Worsted
  • Needles: 4.5mm straight needles
  • Skills: cast on, cast off, knit, seam, weave in ends. 




  • Skill Level: Beginner (after scarves)
  • Free: from Lionbrand
  • Yarn: 2 to 4 skeins Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, or 1 to 2 skeins 1 skein Malabrigo Worsted
  • Needles: 5mm needles
  • Skills: cast on, cast off, knit, purl, increase (knit into the front then the back of the stitch), seam, weave in ends. 



Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Thanksgiving Weekend Hours



this awesome turkey hat made by Angela Catirina, you can find the pattern HERE

We will be closed for Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday October 7 and 8. We hope you have a very relaxing holiday and we'll see you soon!


you can find the free pattern for this cornucopia HERE

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