Knit Your Own Cat (save on vet bills)

Knit Your Own Cat $17.97

Cat lovers and spinsters rejoice! It's the highly anticipated follow-up book to Knit Your Own Dog. With easy-to-follow instructions for 16 distinct felines, Knit Your Own Cat is the irresistible guide to knitting the pet you've always wanted. Knit Your Own Cat is packed with knitting patterns for 16 different fanciful felines, from a pretty Persian to a sleek Siamese, from a cuddly kitten to a traditional tabby. The cats are surprisingly easy to make: With a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. Each cat includes clear, step-by-step instructions for both knitting and assembling the parts. The cats can be knit into various positions such as standing, sitting, crouching, and curled up for a nap. You can add details like collars, bells, and bows. Photographs throughout show the finished cat from various angles, and each cat is accompanied by a description of its real-life temperament and physical characteristics. 

Cats include: Abyssinian, Bengal, Black Cat, Black White, British Shorthair, Burmese, Devon Rex, Kitten, Maine Coon, Orange, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Tabby, Tortoiseshell, and Turkish Van.  

See a slideshow HERE. 

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

Books for Doll & Animal Lovers

Knit Your Own Dog $17.95

Knit Your Own Dog is the irresistible guide to knitting the perfect pup. With patterns for 25 different pedigree pooches, Knit Your Own Dog lets you choose the dog you want, whether it's a pretty Poodle or a loyal Labrador. Or knit them all for your own little dog park! Each pattern is extremely detailed and includes all of the distinguishing features of each breed, from the startling blue eyes of the Siberian Husky and the long, woolly curls of the Old English Sheepdog to the lolling tongue of the German Shepherd. Accompanying the patterns are a brief description of each breed, as well as expert tips on choosing yarns, stuffing and sewing the dogs, and adding personality to your creation. Breeds include: Afghan Hound, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Dachshund, Dalmatian, English Bulldog, English Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Jack Russell, Labrador, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pug, Red Setter, Rough Collie, Scottish Terrier, Siberian Husky, West Highland Terrier, Whippet, Wire-haired Fox Terrier.

Hello My Name is Amineko $19.95

Hello My Name is Amineko is a seriously cool book. It is part crochet instructions, part adult picture book, and perfect for any grown up who still wants to play with dolls. The book follows the journey of Amineko the Crochet Cat and his crocheted friends as they eat, sleep, and have lots of fun and adventures. The book comes with complete step-by-step photography and instructions for creating two sizes of Amineko, and personalizing this cute cat with different facial expressions, clothing, and even bedding. Hundreds of color photographs tell the adorable tales, and mischief that Amineko and his friends find themselves in, with complete instructions for knitting adventures of your own.

Knit this Doll! by Nicki Moulton $23.95

Doll lover will covet this book. It starts with a basic, 15 inch doll pattern, but the core of the book is a series of instructions on different options for personalizing your doll. This includes a menues of feet, legs, arms, heads, faces, hands, clothes, and accessories. It also includes a chapter of patterns for other kinds of creatures, including dogs, bears, cats, mermaids, fauns, angel wings and tails. Photographys are excellent and plentiful, and the number of examples are endless. If you make them for a little person, these dolls will become heirlooms. Alternately, if you're a grown up with a thing for dolls you'll never get tired of them. On a Canadian tangent, one of the dolls is photographed sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs button. 

Super-Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench $24.95

Super-cute Crochet shows you how to make 35 gorgeous crochet creatures. The patterns are really easy, so you can make as many as you like, and the creatures will grow quickly on your crochet hook! When you've crocheted the bodies, enjoy adding clothes and accessories to make each little cutie a real character. Patterns include:

• Dolls: a boy and a girl doll, and a baby doll
• Sundry Cute Animals: kitty, puppy, bunny,  bears, and an alien.
• Farm Animals: chicken, chicks, eggs (for Easter!), pony, guinea pig, cow, goat, piggy, mice, donkey.
• Exotic Animals: lion, baby elephant, monkey, panda, koala, emu, alpaca (!), squid/octopus, dolphin, fish, seal.
• Bugs: bee and spider, snail
• Holiday Classics: rein deer, snow man, and a fairy (could become an angel).

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

New Book - Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders

Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders - $23.95

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 Book! Fresh Fashion Knits

Fresh Fashion Knits: More than 20 Must-Have Designs from Rowan's Studio Collection

Edited by Kate Buller - $25.99

Fresh from Rowan is a re-publication of some of the favourites from Rowan's Studio Series of booklets (mainly books 2, 3, 5 and 12). The studio books are all about hand-knit style and fashion and all of these patterns are by Sarah Hatton. The pieces they've pulled for this book fall on the side of wearable and the styles are mixed, so there are several things for everyone.  

Patterns include (but are not exclusive to):

• Harwood, Rowan Studio 3 (my favourite!)
• Firefly, Rowan Studio 2
• Sloppy Joe, Rowan Studio 12
• Lotte, Rowan Studio 3
• Vali, Rowan Studio 2
• Slouchy, Rowan Studio 5
• Sweetheart, Rowan Studio 12
• Malin, Rowan Studio 2
• Martha, Rowan Studio 2
• Jana, Rowan Studio 3
• Jolien, Rowan Studio 3

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com

Knitted Wild Animals

Knitted Wild Animals $22.99

15 Adorable, Easy-To-Knit Toys

What can i say, I'm a sucker for toy knits. I can't help it, they're just so cute. And you can make little sweaters for them and dress them up like people. All of the patterns are made with the same yarn, they suggest a worsted weight. It looks like they have used acrylic, but I would prefer Cascade 220 Superwash or if you want a yummier knitting experience Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran or Dream in Color Classy.

The projects include an elephant, giraffe, zebra, tiger, lion, crocodile, monkey, snake, hippo, rhino, panda, wharthog (poor, neglect warthog), koala, penguin, and the cliche mascot of Canadian national identity, the moose (he gets a red sweater with a maple leaf).  I think I am smitten with the hippo, giraffe, and monkey.

On a personal note, I especially like this book because it has a pile of jungle animals, and my brother and sister-in-law are decorating their soon to be baby's nursery in jungle themed sheets. And also because monkeys are funny.  Infact, they are so beloved that the Monkey pattern in this book is available online for FREE! I think I will make one for my niece/nephew in progress and dress it in a sweater. 

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

Wool Toys & Friends

Wool Toys & Friends

Step-by-Step Instructions for Needle Felting Fun $24.99

There's been a  lot of interest in Needle Felting lately and if you are among the throngs you're going to want to take a look at this book. It has detailed instructions on how to make 15 ADORABLE little felted projects.  Contents include,  the sock monkey on the cover, a mushroom house (like the kind the smurfs occupy), a picture book, finger puppets, matryoshka dolls (the Russian nesting dolls), an elephant pull toy, a Dala horse (a Swedish thing), and a Japanese doll.  There are lots of other projects too.  

The pictures and directions are clear and easy to follow and there are full scale patters at the back of the book for the few projects that require some cut-out pieces. 

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

Stitch 'N Bitch: Superstar Knitting

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!

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

New Book - Gifted by Mags Kandis

Gifted by Mags Kandis  ~ $24.95

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.

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!

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!

Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron  $25.95

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.

Silver Streak

Fit to be Tied

New Book! Brave New Knits

Brave New Knits: 26 Projects and Personalities from the Knitting Blogosphere $26.50

Brave new Knits is a compilation of patterns from different designers who are all knit bloggers.  The contents are mixed, part familiar names and part new fare. Among the freshmen are notable works by Melissa Wehrle (aka. Neoknits), Teresa Gregorio (aka. Canary Sanctuary), and Ruth P. (aka. Wooly Wormhead). Familiar faces include Jared Flood (aka. Brooklyn Tweed), Norah Gaughan, Wendy Bernard (aka. Knit and Tonic), Ysolda Teague, Kristi Porter, Joam McGowan-Michael, Kat Coyle, Shannon Okey, Kathy Veeza (aka. Grumperina), Jordana Paige, and Stefanie Japel. 

And very cleverly, they've set up a Facebook Page for the book! And of course, since it's a blogger's book, the author, Julie Turjoman, has been blogging it too! She has also graciously uploaded all of the projects in the book to Ravelry, so you can get a good gander. 

Origami Shrug by Melissa Wehrle (aka. Neoknits)

Global Cable Coat by Jennifer Hagan (aka Figknits)

Hydrangea Neckwarmer by Anne Hanson (aka Knitspot)

Orchid Thief by Ysolda Teague 

Textured Tam by Wendy Bernard (aka. Knit and Tonic)

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Berroco Booklet 298: Tweed!

Berroco Booklet 298: Blackstone Tweed & Tweed Chunky - $8.50

Check out this great scarf pattern called Payson in the new Berroco Booklet 298!  It is made with 3 balls of Berroco Blackstone Tweed.  

Baudelaire in Blackstone Tweed

Dickens in Blackstone Tweed Chunky

New Book: Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery

Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery

Check out Veronik Avery's great new book, Knitting 24/7!  It is full of great patterns, mostly small and medium sized projects for hats, gloves, mitts, scarves, shawls, bags, slippers, a headband, a tea cozy, a bookmark, a pillow, a vest, and a nice pullover. In other words, it's a book you'll use - frequently!

You can also download a FREE pattern from the book for the Cabled Beret. 

NEW! Knitting Mochimochi!

Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi $23.99

By Anna Hrachovec

If you aren't already familiar with Mochimochi, you're due.  Before the book, there was Mochimochi Land, and now you can take it home with you! These toys are so cute you'll start stocking up on safety eyes.  And they are all knitted, so if you don't crochet or don't want to, you are in luck! Check out an interview with the author on Kathryn Ivy.

New Book: New England Knits!

New England Knits  $24.95

by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre  

This is a great new book from Interweave Press, full of classic shapes and looks that are still interesting to knit and wear. There are a variety of skill levels, some patterns are easier and some a little more involved, but all are lovely! 

New Book: Design It, Knit It Babies by Debbie Bliss

Design It, Knit It Babies by Debbie Bliss $31.95 (hardcover)

"Design It, Knit It Babies" is the follow-up to Debbie Bliss's great adult book "Design It, Knit It".  It comes with all of her knowledge and experience, but this time specializes in knits for babies. Each chapter comes with 2 patterns for all kinds for baby knits (cardies, blankets, jackets, pullovers, dresses, itts, scarf, beret, and legwarmers). Additionally, it includes knitter's graph paper, alphabet charts and nursery motif charts. There are even pictures at the back you can use to make hand made tags for your gifts! A great resource for sure!

Misty by Kim Hargreaves

Check out this great new book,  Misty: In Light and Shade by Kim Hargreaves! Kim's patterns are always stunning and wearable.

New Book: Tea Cozies 2 (electric boogaloo)

Tea Cozies 2  $19.50
The first tea Cozies was snapped up quickly, so I know this one will interest you too! My faves include:

• Simple cozy in a msitake rib in Noro Silk Garden
• School Tweed cozy
• Washday cozy (on book cover)
• Fondant bon-bon candy cozy
• Cat & Mouse cozy

Publisher's Description

The first Tea Cozies book (a charming introduction to knitted, crocheted, or sewn covers that keep a teapot warm) was so popular that we needed to create another! This new collection features a fantastic range of motifs, including a cheerful Sunflower Garden with tiny bees, classic blue-and-white Cornish Ware pattern, and adorable Little Black Dress for the well-dressed teapot to wear. A techniques section explains the basic skills, and the original designs—all created by readers of Knitting magazine—are as easy to make as they are colorful and imaginative.