Knit-O-Matic News: 01/01/2015

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

One Skein Cashmere Classics

I'm kind of in love with one skein cashmere projects, especially with Handmaiden 4ply Cashmere. It's just so soft and cuddly, it's like wearing a loving hug - and in the midst of a long cold winter, who doesn't need one of those? I made the following projects for the store but absconded with them and wear them every day! In fact, I love them so much I'm making another set in a brighter colour (something else necessary to get through the grey, dark days). Plus, both patterns are FREE!!!!

Simple Yet Effective Cowl

So snuggly! I like to wear this one inside out (pic on the left), but either way it's like wearing a bunny (but much lighter). The German Twisted Cast-On was very effective for this piece and I highly suggest it. Otherwise, make sure your cast-on and bind-off are loose so your cowl will stretch when you put it on and take it off.

Classic French Beret

This hat is so pretty and so cosy I have to have another!

Monday, January 26, 2015

New Project: Noro Striped Scarf

Finally, I have something for your famished eyes, a recently finished Noro Striped Scarf! Simple yet effective, the NSS is straightforward, easy knitting, with a glorious effect! Can't go wrong!

We Used

2 skeins of new Noro Kureopatora: one skein of colour 1009 and 1011
4.5mm/US7 needles
Eucalan delicate wash
FREE pattern: Noro Striped Scarf

We alternated 2 colours (see below), but we've also seen stunning results with 2 balls of the same colour, but started at different parts of the colourway (colour 1021 - will try to capture a pic!). We used Noro Kureopatora (it has amazing yardage!), but the pattern looks equally stunning made with Noro Silk Garden (you'll need about 6 skeins, 3 of each colourway). After we were done knitting we washed our scarf in Eucalan to soften it up - and now it's AWESOMENESS!

What's New Knit-O-Matic?

The hardest question I am ever asked is "So what's new?" How many new things do we get in at any one time? It's a really hard question to answer on the spot! Everything is important, but somethings are physically so small they get overlooked.

Thanks to technology, however, it's also now extremely easy to answer! Just click on the 'NEW' link at the top of our web-store and all the new products will be displayed on one page.

New Yarns

New Notions

New Buttons

Thursday, January 15, 2015

New Yarn: Regia Stripemania

Regia 6ply Stipemania

Regia 6ply Stripemania yarn makes gorgeous, brilliant, even stripes, all by itself! It's a top quality, long-wearing sock yarn that's machine washable AND dryable! Plus, it's a bit thicker than regular sock yarn, so it works up faster for cozy boot socks and fun kids sweaters. One skein is enough to make a pair of adult socks.

75% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide
150g/375 m
DK Weight
22 sts & 30 rows = 4" (10cm)
3mm to 4mm needles (US 3 to 6)
Machine wash & dry cool
Made in Italy
Shop Online

a. Mad Creek Mitts

b. Ojos Del Salado free

c. Mount Mocco free

d. Chevron Lace Inifinity Scarf free

e. Chembra Peak free

f. Nanga Parbat free

Next Yarn Swap!

Our next Yarn Swap is Sunday Jan 25th from 1-4pm!

A yarn swap is a big eco-friendly redistribution of yarn, needles and other craft supplies. Bring in the crafty stuff you never want to see again and deposit it in one of our baskets. Poke around at all the other donations and take home whatever you from the donations. Don't be embarrassed by the quality of yarn you bring, whatever is left over is donated to charities like Street Knit, Sistering, Silver Circle Seniors Services, and Gilda's Club, most of whom prefer acrylic. The only rule: no moths please!

Friday, January 09, 2015

NEW Knitscene Magazine!

Knitscene Spring 2015

Coburn Pullover

Option 1 - merino wool: Cascade 220 Superwash Sport (7 to 14 skeins)
Option 2 - pima cotton: Cascade Ultra Pima (4 to 9 skeins)
4mm/US6 - 16" & 32" circular needles
4mm/US6 double pointed needles
3.75mm/US5 - 16" & 32" circular needles
3.75mm/US5 Double pointed needles
Stitch Markers
Stitch Holders
Tapestry Needle

Agamenticus Shawl

Option 1 - merino wool: Madeline Tosh Merino Light (2 skeins) & 3.75mm/US5 - 32" circular needles (or size to suit your preferred tension)
Option 2 - pima cotton: Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton (4 skeins) & 4mm/US6 - 32" circular needles
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle

Vana Shrug

Option 1: Malabrigo Merino Lace (4 to 5 skeins)
Option 2: Malabrigo Silkpaca Lace (4 to 5 skeins)
Option 3: Madeline Tosh Merino Light (4 to 5 skeins)
Option 3: Shibui Staccato (8 to 10 skeins)
3.25mm/US3 needles (straight or circular)
3.25mm/US3 double pointed needles
Stitch Markers
Stitch Holders
Tapestry Needle

Thursday, January 08, 2015

NEW Noro Kureopatora!

Noro Kureopatora

New from Noro for Spring 2015, Kureopatora (japanese for Cleopatra) is a great new take on a single ply 100% wool. Softer than Kureon, it's made from a lofty blend of merino wool. It's got incredible yardage and comes in super bight & pretty colours. It also has a slightly sheep-chic quality (it does not smell like barn, there are not any twigs in it, but it's lofty and there's a smidge of lanolin in it - enough to pretty-up your cuticles). Currently, we're working with it on a Noro Striped Scarf and a Langfield Hat (photos to come) and we are in Noro heaven! Plus, the new issue of Noro Magazine is out with a pile of Kureopatorific patterns (see below).