Valentines Deal of the Week!

Valentines Deal of the Week! 20% Off Manos Silk Blend One Week Only! Feb 12 to 19, 2009 Happy Valentines Day! For one week Manos Silk Blend (Semi-Solids and Space Dyed) is on sale for 20% off! This yarn is soft, pretty and delightful to work with. Because silks tend to grow with wear it is perfect for projects that require lots of drape and less shape. What do we want to make with it? A Perfect Pie Shawl! Sale Price: Solids $10.00, Multis $10.80 Reg. Price: Solids $12.50, Multis $13.50 50g/135m 30% Silk, 70% Merino Wool 22 to 24 sts = 4"/10cm on 3.5 to 4.25mm needles. 2 skeins makes a beautiful scarf 1 skein makes a hat or mitts 4 to 6 skeins makes a shawl 5 to 10 skeins make a sweater Favourite FREE Silky Projects As usual, our links go to Ravelry.com (so you can see all sorts of finished examples). If you don't already have an account you can use ours, login = knitomatic2, password = knitomatic. Clapotis scarf/wrap - 6 skeins Hew mini ballet top - 2 to 5 skeins February Lady Sweater - 5 to 10 skeins Little Arrowhead Shawl - 2 skeins Maja Shawl/Wrap - 4 skeins Saartje's Bootees - 1 skein Argosy Shawl - 6 skeins For Heads Marsan Watchcap - 1 to 2 skeins Boy Hat - 1 skein Star Crossed Slouchy Beret - 2 skeins For Hands Women's Handwarmers - 1 skein Garter Stitch Mitts (arm warmers) - 1 skein For Necks My So Called Scarf - 2 to 3 skeins Prismatic Scarf - 2 skeins Bainbridge Scarf - 2 skeins Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks Scarf - 2 skeins Laure geometric ruffle scarf - Herringbone Cowl - 1 skein Spiral Cowl - 2 skeins

Knit-O-Matic Newslette: February 2009

February: Snow Days ________________________________________________________________ Will the snow ever end? Will the cold ever dissipate? Possibly, but not likely any time soon. Down here at Knit-O-Matic Yarns and Amateur Psychotherapy we not surprisingly believe that the best way to survive the winter blahs is to pick up your knitting and crochet and get jiggy with your yarn. In this newsletter we offer up some project ideas to help make the long, dark days of winter fly into spring! The dead of winter is also a great time to acquire mad skillz (we have so many street credits that they are crowding out our Girl Guide badges. Seriously, we're too cool for school, we don't have any Girl Guide badges, we were only in the Brownies, but it was back when the Brownies were still hardcore and they made you wear brown). You can take an online tutorial in the cozy comfort of your home, or if your home is a dump and you're climbing the walls you can sign up for one of our workshops and visit us here! (If you've got cabin fever we also host Stitch 'n Bitch groups 3 times a week: Tuesdays from 12 to 4pm, Thursdays from 5 to 8pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.) Other things that will keep you amused until the patios re-open and the birkenstocks send the socks into exhile is blog gazing. Craft blogs are great, they're an infinite source of inspiration and free patterns. Of course we'll share our favorites with you, we love to share! Just a little housekeeping, you may have noticed that you've been getting more mail from us lately. That's because we've started offering a "Deal of the Week". We don't like bombarding you with e-mails, but since it is for the sake of a sale we figured you would want to be in the know. Every week one yarn or product will be on sale for a limited period of time, so if you want it you've got to get it quick and take advantage of the sale before the price goes back to normal. Let us know if you need help finding a project to go with your dream yarn, we are good at that sort of thing. xox Haley P.S. As usual, most links lead to Ravelry.com, so if you don't already have an account you can use ours (login = knitomatic2, password = knitomatic).

New Yarns, Books & Magazines ____________________________________________________________ Briggs & Little Soft Spun $7.70 From Canadian wool manufacturers Briggs & Little, Soft Spun is a brand new worsted weight wool made soft for the sensitive of skin. It's comparable in touch to Cascade 220 but is thicker and has more body, perfect for cable knitting. - Soft enough for most people to wear next to their skin. - Has an earthy quality without being too sheepy. - Made in New Brunswick Canada, leaves a smaller carbon footprint. - Excellent for felting! - 100% wool, 2ply - 113g/219m - 20sts=4"/10 cm on 4.5 mm needles (heavy worsted weight) - Available in 8 colours: green, blue, pink, natural, brown, black, red & navy. - Check it out on Ravelry New Books French Girl Knits Amber by Kim Hargreaves Knitting Goes Large Nordic Felted Knits New Magazines Vogue Knitting Winter 2009 Knitscene Spring 2009 New DVDs Knitting Daily TV Season 1 Winter Inspiration _________________________________________________________________________ The problem with February knitting is that winter clothing isn't quite so exciting now that you have to wear 3 layers of it. It's time to dress up your home. The long, dark days of winter are the ideal time to start (and finish) home projects like a large project like a blanket or afghan. My favourite part of knitting a blanket is that I get to cuddle under it while I work on it. My other favorite part is that it becomes an heirloom, I have it and use it forever (unless it turns out kinda ugly, in that case some else gets to have it and use it forever). As usual, all roads lead to Ravelry.com, but if you don't already have an account you can use ours (login = knitomatic2, password = knitomatic). - Ombre Knit Blanket (above)from 'Last Minute Knitted Gifts' - a fast & easy throw - Reversible Cabled Throw by Lily Chin (a leaflet pattern by Fibertrends, we got 'em!) - Modern Log Cabin Blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting is FREE and is great in Super 10 Cotton (you could also make the Moderne Baby Blanket also FREE) - Make an Afghan from Manos Silky Woolif you're feeling the need for luxury or sub in someting more economical, it's all good! Crochet is also great for long, slow stretches because it's faster than knitting. 8 Color Crochet Afgan FREE Stash Baskets FREE Babette Blanket Nubby Brim Cloche FREE Crocheted Monkey by ChimuChimu FREE Baby Mary Jane Skimmers(or anything from Sylvia Schuchardt) February is also a great time to learn a new skill! Stitch Diva Stash Buster Blanket in Tunisian Crochet Needle Felted Applique Decoration 3D/Sculptural Needle Felting Broomstick Crochet Lace Hairpin Lace Knit or Crochet With Wire Entrelac Knitting Dyeing Self Striping Yarn Lace Knitting Inspiring Craft Blogs __________________________________________________________ It takes a bit of effort to get through the winter duldrums and blogs are a great source of inspiration fro the artsy and the crafty. We offer up some of our favourites for your crafty pleasure! Inspiration + Application - Whip Up: projects, tutorials and inspiration aplenty! - Craftzine: soooo good! Tutorials, patterns, exhibits, lots of goodies! - Betz White: the chick likes felting sweaters and hs lots of great tutorials! - Design Sponge: lots of great tutorials and ideas for the homebody. - Frayed at the Edges: our blog, we love great free patterns! Inspiration - Twinkie Chan: no patterns or tutorials, but the stuff she makes is sooooo cool! - Wee Wonderfuls: not particularly knitterly but lots of cute, lots of toys, lots of quality kitsch. - Anna the Red's Bento Factory: occupies a liminal place between cuisine and craft, but it's a FABULOUS place! - Toronto Craft Alert: a news blog strictly limited to craft-happenings in the Toronto area. Essential Web Sites - Knitting Daily: free patterns, tutorials and general guidance. It isn't a blog but they'll send you an e-mail with their daily update. - Craftster: your friendly, neighbourhood crafting community. - Ravelry: the ultimate resource for finding free and indie patterns, as well as helpful for finding a project to match your yarn.

February Classes _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to learn something that is not on our schedule or has already been offered we can always book a private tutorial: finishing, thrummed mittens, tunisian crochet, hairpin lace, entre-lac, fair isle, lace, needle felting, design principles, kool-aid dyeing or even your own project group! Just contact us at 416-653-7849 or info@knitomatic.com. Knitted Hat Workshop Liane Schwarz Skill Level: beginner (after scarves) Monday Feb 2 & 9, 6:30-8pm The next step after making scarves is making hats! Hats are fast, easy, are very, very satisfying! We'll teach you how to knit in the round (on those funny looking Siamese twin needles), knit on double pointed needles (the ones that look like little chop sticks), decrease stitches and read a pattern. Knowing how to cast on and knit is the only requisite. · Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks. · $65 + tax (includes materials) NEW Simple Adult Cardigan Liane Schwarz Skill Level: intermediate Tuesday Feb 3, 10 & 17, 6-8pm all three nights An excellent way to get your sweater feet wet! In this workshop you'll make a simple paneled sweater that will make you wonder why you've been putting this off. Along the way you'll learn the basics of shaping armholes, knitting sleeves, how to read a pattern, and how to put the finished product together. With this under your belt, you'll have the courage to tackle that big pullover you've been dying to make. · Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks · $125 + tax (includes materials) Beginner Knitting Liane Schwarz Skill Level: absolute beginner Monday Feb 16 & 23, 6:30-8pm You'll learn all the basics: how to knit, purl, put stitches on your needle (cast on), finish up (cast off), change yarn in the middle of your project, weave in your ends, and how to read the information that comes on a ball of yarn. You should be able to make a scarf in this class (but you have to do your homework, so get ready to spend a few hours of down time working on your 'assignment' in front of the TV). · Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks · $55 + tax (includes materials). My First Toe Up Sock Liane Schwarz Skill Level: advanced-beginner Tuesday Feb 24 & Mar 3, 6:00-8pm Socks seem hard, but they don't have to be. While you make your sock, you'll follow a pattern, use double pointed needles, increase, decrease and pick up and wrap stitches. You'll also shape a toe without complicated grafting and turn a professional looking heel without the usual math. It doesn't get any easier! You must know how to knit, purl, cast-on & off for this class. · Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks · $80 + tax (includes materials) Events: Next Yarn Swap ______________________________________________________________________ The next YARN SWAP will be on February 22, 2009 from 1 to 5pm. Bring in your old, unwanted yarns and we'll find them a good home! You can see all the upcoming dates and find out more about yarn swaps on our website. Contact Information __________________________________________________________________ phone: (416) 653-7849 e-mail: info@knitomatic.com web: www.knitomatic.com __________________________________________________________________

Deal of the Week! 20% Off Nashua Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca

Deal of the Week!

20% Off Nashua Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca




One Week Only! Feb 5 to 12, 2009
For one week only Nashua Creative Focus Brushed Mohair is on sale for 20% off!

• Soft to the touch, light as air, a perfect substitution of mohair!
  
• 100% Alpaca, Made in Peru
  
• 50g/173m
• 16 sts & 22 rows = 4"/10cm on 5mm needles.
  
• 1 ball makes a skinny scarf, a hat, mitts
• 2 balls make a scarf, long arm warmers, legwarmers
• 3 to 4 balls make a shawl or wrap
  

Sale Price: $8.00
Reg Price: $10.00

Favourite Fuzzy Projects
The links below are from Ravelry.com. If you don't already have a Ravelry account you can use ours: login = knitomatic2, password = knitomatic

• Floppy Toque from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2008 (1 ball)
  
• Spiderweb Capelet from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation or Cold Shoulders from Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet
  
• Fetching Hand Warmers FREE (1 ball)
• Rose Red Beret by Ysolda Teague (1 to 2 balls)
  
• Hanna Cardigan by Julie Weidenberger (4 to 6 balls)
  
• Cowl Neck Sweater from Vogue Knitting Fall 2006
• Lacey Shrug FREE (3 to 4 balls)
  
• Wisp Shawl FREE (4 balls)
  
• Perfect Pie Shawl from Weekend Knitting

SALE No Sheep for You $18.25

SALE No Sheep for You $18.25 (reg. $28.95)

• check out the No Sheep KAL (knit-a-long)
• see the patterns from the book on Ravelry
  
• look inside the book
  
• pattern corrections
  

Great Sheepless Patterns

• Tomato
  
• Tuscany Shawl
• River Rock Scarf
  
• Cables and Os
• Bacardi
  

New Stuff on Sale!

Fleece Artist Sea Wool Sock Yarn 25% off
$19.15 (reg. 25.50)

Handmaiden Casbah Cashmere Sock Yarn 25% off
$19.50 (reg. $26)

Tofutsies Sock Yarn 45% off
Price dropped to $9.90 (reg. $18)

Misti Suri Alpaca and Silk 40% off
price dropped to $15 (reg. $25.10)

Mission Falls 1824 Wool 10% off
old dyle lots only, $5.85 (reg. $6.50)

Cascade Eco Wool and Eco+ 20% off
$14 (reg. $17.50)

Product Recall: Fleece Artist BFL Socks

We've just received notice from FLeece Artist that their BFL sock yarn is not superwash, as previously advertised. If you have purchased BFL sock yarn from up you can return it for a refund with your receipt. If you really love your BFL sock yarn, that is ok, it's won't explode, jut keep in mind that it needs to be hand washed, it will felt in the machine.

Best,

Haley

Holiday

Our hours will stay the same as usual, but we will be closed Dec 25th, 26th and Jan 1st for the holiday. We will also be closing early at 4:30 on Dec 24th.

Our annual Boxing week sale will take place from Dec 27 to Jan 3rd, all yarns will be 20% off!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year and Festivus Maximus!

Newsflash!

Unfortunately, prices on some products have started to respond to the lazy Canadian Dollar. We'll try to keep you up to date and let you know when products are expected to go up so you can get them before the price jumps. Consider it a mini-sale!





Manos Del Uruguay yarns and books are also going up in price. Prices will be adjusted after Christmas, however special orders will be billed at the new price.

• Manos Silk Blend Solid Colours are going from $12.50 to $14.50
• Manos Space Dyed Colours are rising from $13.50 to $15.50.

Interweave Press books and magazines are going back the the marked "Canadian" prices, so get them at the old price while they are on the shelf. Prices are adjusted on an idividual basis as new stock comes in.

• Interweave Knits
• Interweave Crochet
• Knitscene
• Knitting books 
• Crochet books