Thursday, November 29, 2012

SALE! $5 Books, $2 Magazines, $1 patterns



Book Sale!
All sale items are located in our Clearance Section. All the books are $5, all the magazines are $2, and all of the loose-leaf patterns are $1!  




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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Headband Heaven






















Parisian Twist Headband



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Monday, November 26, 2012

Really Big Cowls


A knitterly friend was recently in Paris and said that while waiting in line at an art show she noticed that all the women were swaddled in huge, double wrapped cowls. 



Fluted Cowl



I love the texture on this cowl, it's so simple yet so effective. I just made it for the store, check out oout front window! I used 15mm-32" circular needles (but it's big, you can go longer) and 2 skeins of Cascade Magnum (I used every inch, see my notes on Ravelry). 



I love this pattern, it is simple enough for beginners, and stylish enough for Martha Stewart. You only need to knit with 1 strand using this yarn, so ignore the pattern's directions to triple it. 



This pattern calls for a 9mm needles, but I think it would be nice knit a bit looser on a 10mm needle, with a natural fibre that creates a bit of a halo. 



This pattern is not a true mobius, but it's easy and a good pattern for beginners. 



It's hard to see in the picture, but this cowl is knit on the diagonal. I think it would look super cool using a self striping yarn, like a Noro.


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Friday, November 23, 2012

Free Pattern: Quick Socks



Quick Socks
Pattern by Haley Waxberg

Notes
This is a quick, bulky weight sock that works up fast. I used a basic short row toe and heel, which I learned years ago from Wendy's Generic Toe Up Sock pattern. To make a child size cast on 12 sts and make 2 less W&T rows, to make a men’s size cast on 16 sts and make 2 more W&T rows.  This pattern is written with the expectation your you are already familiar with working short-rows (W&T), Otherwise links to good tutorials are offered below in Techniques. we also offer classes in store at Knit-O-Matic.

Size
Women

Materials
100m/109yds Bulky Yarn, ie. 1 skein of Dream in Color Groovy (we used collour Punky Fuchsia), Sweet Georgia Yarns Superwash Chunky, or Berroco Vintage Chunky (with 5.5mm needles)
6mm/US10 double pointed needles
scrap yarn
5mm/H crochet hook (for provisional cast on)
2 locking stitch markers

Gauge
3.5 sts & 5 rows = 1" in stocking stitch knitting in the round

Techniques
Provisional Cast On - Chained Cast On
This is the easiest provisional cast-on I've ever come across, it goes on fast and pops out like a zipper!  Be sure to leave the tail longer on the end you finish with so you know which end to start unraveling.  www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/knitting/provisional-cast-on

Short Rows
I really like this particular tutorial because it shows you how to make the stitches pretty:
www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/as-promised-a-short-row-heel-tutorial/
Otherwise, check out this article about the fundamentals of Short Rows on Knitty:
www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATbonnetric.html

Abbreviations
K         Knit
P         Purl
PM      Place marker on right needle
R         Row or Round
Rem    Remains
Sl        Slip stitch from Left to Right needle purlwise
SLM Slip Marker
St/s Stitch/esW&T   Wrap and turn (see Short Rows in Techniques)

Directions
Toe
With scrap yarn and crochet hook provisionally cast on (see techniques above) 14 sts.
R1: Purl.
R2: Sl1, K until 1 st rem, W&T.
R3: P until 1 st rem, W&T.
R4: K until 2 sts rem, W&T.
R5: P until 2 sts rem, W&T.
R6: K until 3 sts rem, W&T.
R7: P until 3 sts rem, W&T.
R8: K until 4 sts rem, W&T.
R9: P until 4 sts rem, W&T.
R10: K until 4sts rem, pick up wrap & knit it with the stitch (see techniques above), W&T.
R11: P until 4 sts rem, pick up wrap & purl it with the stitch (see techniques above), W&T.
R12: K until 3 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, W&T.
R13: P until 3 sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, W&T.
R14: K until 2 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, W&T.
R15: P until 2 sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, W&T.
R16: K until 1 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, turn, slip 1 st stitch.
R17: P until 1sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, turn.

Next Round: Sl1, K to end of row. (If you are going to have a gap or hole where the 2 sides meet, pick up 1 stitch and decrease it out on the next round). One stitch at a time, remove the scrap yarn and pick up the provisional stitches. Knit these stitches. (Again, if you are going to have a gap or hole pick up 1 stitch and decrease it out on the next round). (28 sts)

Foot
Knit in the round until piece measures 6” from toe (You can make them longer, but the superwash yarn seems to have a lot of stretch and may still fit longer feet).

Heel
Slip 14 sts onto one needle, and 14 on another. You will be working on the second set of sts.
Repeat rows 2 to 17.

Instep
Redistribute sts on 4 needles
R1: Sl1, knit to end of needle, PM, pick up & knit 2 sts in gap, K sts that were on hold, PM, pick up & knit 2 sts in gap, knit 7 sts. Place marker, this is now the beginning of the round.
R2, 4: knit.
R3, 5: K to 1st marker,  SLM, k2tog, k to next marker, SLM, ssk, k to end. At end of R5, Leave 1 marker in the last st.

Leg
Knit until piece measures 5” from stitch marker.
Next 2 rounds: *K1, P1; rep from * to end of round.
Cast off loosely in k1p1 rib.
Weave in ends.

© 2012 Haley Waxberg and Knit-o-Matic, all rights reserved. No pattern or other material may be reproduced or distributed - mechanically, electronically, or by other means, including photocopying - without written permission of Knit-O-Matic. Pattern is for personal use only and not to be used to create items for commercial sale. 
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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Quick Two Skein Holiday Gifts





Thorpe
You can't beat a classic hat with clean, sporty styling. 


Comfy Socks
House socks made with a bulky yarn are a very fast gift.











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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Parade of Pompoms


I'm making a prediction, I think the Pompom Toque is the new slouchy hat. Especially with cables! 

 You may ask, how do you make those luscious, fluffy confections? Why with a Clover Pompom maker! See the end of this post for details. 






I Heart Cables




Wouldn't this hat look awesome wearing your hair in braids?!  If you really want to rock it, make it in one of the Neon colours of Manos del Uruguay Maxima Semi-solids. 









I know few of you will agree, but I really want to see this hat in a base of Neon Pink Manos del Uruguay Maxima and flecks of light grey (also Manos). 



Hay Fever Hat






I made this hat for the store a year or so ago, and it definitely qualifies as a quick gift! The hat fits large, so petite cranuims should start decreases after the second section of ribs. I love the 4 colour version by White Elephant!









Clover Easy Pompom Makers
And how will you be crafting these luscious, perfect pompoms?  Why with a set of  Medium & Large size Clover Pompom makers ($9.97). The ingenious Clover tool design produces perfect pompoms every time. Quick and easy, too!  Watch a video HERE to see how easy it is to use the Clover Pom-pom maker. 



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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Quick One Skein Holiday Gifts



It's time for gift knitting! This year feels like getting down to basics, simple, fast little knits that friends and family treasure because you made them. 




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Monday, November 19, 2012

New Eucalan Wrapture!





If you aren't already acquainted with Eucalan, it is an excellent, high quality, no-rinse delicate wash, perfect for sweaters, lingerie, and everything worn between the two. Eucalan recently added a new scent to their stellar line-up, Wrapture by designer Kristin Omdahl, which is infused with the beneficial essential oil of Night Bloom Jasmine.

Jasmine oil is a natural antiseptic making it perfectly suited for your most delicate fibres. Like all Eucalan scents, Wrapture contains a touch of lanolin to naturally condition fibres and keep static to a minimum.

Wrap your delicates in the romantic and intoxicating scent of Jasmine.
  • Small 100ml size (perfect for travelling and gifts): $4.97
  • Large 500ml size: $12.97

We also carry all the other Scents from Eucalan (unscented, eucalypus, lavender & grapefruit) in both the 100ml and 500ml sizes (prices same as above), and we also offer refills ($9.97/500ml). If you like, we can also special order for you a 4L jug ($69.97, not yet available in Wrapture) and a pump for it ($7.97). 





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SALE 35% Off Select Cascade Yarns


We've got select colours of a bunch of Cascade Yarns on Sale right now, including 220 Superwash, 220 Superwash Sport, 220 Handpaint Superwash, and Greenland.  

 All the sale yarn is in our Clearance Section at the front of the store, and is labelled with it's discounted price.  Quantities are limited, and all is on display, so get it while it's around!

Cascade 220 Superwash - $8 
Cascade 220 Superwash is a staple around here, it's like flour milk & eggs - so basically it's pancakes. What can you make with it - anything. It is soft, nice and easy to work with, machine washable, and easy on the eyes. You can make hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, cowls, sweaters, blankets, pillows, boot socks, stuff for babies, stuff for men, dog coats, cat hats (I made that up, but then I checked to see if such a thing existed, and Spindles & Spices designs them). The only thing it won't do is felt. 

 Bags of 6+ balls are further discounted too!
  • Regularly $11.97
  • Worsted weight: 4.5mm needles or hook
  • Soft, 100% Peruvian highland wool
  • Machine washable
  • Browse pattern ideas



Cascade 220 Superwash Sport - $4.50 
Cascade 220 Superwash Sport is a very soft, almost silky feeling machine washable merino wool. It makes lovely gloves, hats, mid-weight socks, scarves, and things for babies or men. 
  • Regularly $6.97
  • Sport weight: 3.5mm to 4mm needles or hook
  • Soft, 100% merino wool
  • Machine washable
  • Browse pattern Ideas



Cascade 220 Superwash Paints - $10 
Cascade 220 Superwash Paints is the same great yarn as Cascade 220 Superwash, hand painted to super prettiness. It is soft, nice and easy to work with, machine washable, and easy on the eyes. 
  • Regularly $14.97
  • Worsted weight: 4.5mm needles or hook
  • Soft, 100% Peruvian highland wool
  • Hand Painted
  • Machine washable
  • Browse pattern ideas



Cascade Greenland - $9
Cascade Greenland is soft, machine washable, and easy on the eyes. It is a tight twist like a traditional aran yarn, giving it longevity and resilience, but without all the itch.  In addition to some pretty colours, we've also got lots of dark heathered grey left. 
  • Regularly $12.97
  • Aran weight: 5.5mm needles or hook
  • 100g/125m
  • Soft, 100% Merino wool
  • Machine washable
  • Browse pattern ideas


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