last but not least... new Sock Yarns!

We added two new Fortissima sock yarns from Schoeller + Stahl to our LARGE selection of sock colours:

Fortissima Socka Bambou - A variegated blend of superwash wool, bamboo and nylon. The bamboo adds both reinforcement and softness to the yarn. Nicely priced at $19.95 for a 100g ball. Here is the shade card!

Sockina Cotton - For those who love socks but have trouble with wood, try this variegated blend of cotton, acrylic and nylon. It retails for $15.95 for 100g. Shadecard is coming soon.

We also have new colours in the ever-popular Marble yarn. This 100% acrylic yarn has the look and feel of wool and works well for kid and adult knits. See the updated shade card.

A new source: Alpaca with a Twist

From Alpaca with a Twist we received three new alpaca yarns - made in Peru.

Never tried alpaca? If not, give it a try! It's benefits include:
- Incredible color range;
- Hypoallergenic - many peaople who cannot wear other natural fibres such as wool or mohair find that alpaca is okay for them, as it is less irritatiing to the skin;
- Next-to-the-skin softness, which makes it ideal for baby and childrfens items, sweaters, hats and gloves;
- Alpaca is a natural fiber, so it's perfect for those who prefer ecologically friendly yarns. It's versatile too, so you can even felt with it.

Baby Twist - is a 100% baby alpaca yarn that knitsup to DK weight. This yarn has a heathered effect and would be perfect for baby knits, sweaters and accessories. It retails for $9.95 per 50mg ball - find a not so perfect shade card here.

Big Baby - if you prefer bulkier knits, try Big Baby, also made with 100% baby alpaca. This yarn knits up to 3 sts per inch on 8 mm needles and would look fabulous in hats, scarves, even sweaters. It retails for $19.95 per 100mg skein. Here is the shade card.

Fino - for those who enjoy lace knitting, we are pleased to off Fino, a lace weight blend of baby alpaca and silk. Besides lace, this yarn would also work beautifully for classic baby knits that call for 4 ply yarns (28 sts par 4 inches). The 100 g skein has 875 yards and retails for $29.95. Check the shade card.

Now in: Amazing Berroco Yarns

I thought it would be coming to an end, but here is another treat: we brought in several new yarns from Berroco!

Trilogy - An aran weight yarn in a mix of wool, cotton and nylon. As the name suggest, this yarn is the composite of at least three yarns, giving it some variety in texture and color. We have several sweater patterns for this yarn and it would also look great in accent pieces such as hats and scarves. See the Trilogy shadecard here, it retails for $8.95. See photo of free pattern to the right!

Jasper - A gorgeous aran weight merino wool dyed in multicolored jeweled tones. With next-to-the-skin softness, Jasperwould be perfect for sweaters and accessories. Check the shadecard; it retails for $8.95

Memoirs - A variegated mohair/wool blend that works up to a chunky weight. This one must be seen and felt to be truly appreciated, and would look stunning in a hat, scarf or sweater. Check out the shadecard, it retails for $10.95.

Visit http://www.berroco.com/ for free patterns and pattern book previews for these yarns!

More exciting new books!

You find all books and prices at www.needlenart.com/id53.html. Buy them online or in our store!

From the publishers of Knitter's Magazine, in the "Knitter's Dozen" series: Ponchos and Wraps - twenty-two favorites from past issues of Knitter's, including an adaptation of Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Pi" shawl. If you have a knitter on your gift list, here's a great book to "wrap up" your shopping early!

Kids - another "Knitter's Dozen"; this one with nineteen great designs for children. Many of the sweaters go up to size twelve, so you are sure to find something for your favorite kids, whether they be toddlers or tweenies.

Arans and Celtics - Classic cabled sweater, vest and accessories patterns from past issues. This one is sure to become a favorite of intermediate and advanced knitters who enjoy the challenge of arans and guernseys.

The Great American Aran Afghan - This is the fourth afghan in the magazine's popular series of afghans published in past issues. It includes twenty-four cabled square designs, so you can create your own, one-of-a-bird heirloom afghan.

Last, but certainly not least, popular designer Cat Bordhi has a new book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One. With her innovative techniques and patterns, Cat is guaranteed to catch the attention of new and experienced sock knitters alike. We also have in stock copies of two of her other books, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.

Check www.needlenart.com/id53.html for more!

That's about it for this year...

We think, our yarn selection now covers it all and is pretty amazing. These yarns all arrived in September and Inge and Alison need all hands to find space and to knit samples. Again: check the "news" for a special event coming up in October. Stay tuned!

From renowned Australian designer Jo Sharp: Silkroad DK Tweed; a glorious wool, silk and cashmere blend that must be felt to be appreciated. This worsted weight yarn with a subtle tweed effect would work up nicely in sweaters, hats, scarves and other accessories. We have in stock Jo Sharp's Knit: Issue 3, which includes several patterns for this yarn which retails for $10.95 per ball. Click for the shade card.

From Scheepjeswol we got Alpine, a 75% wool/25% acrylic blend variegated yarn that works up to a chunky weight. Check the shade card. This one has the look and feel of pure wool with the convenience of being machine washable. Alpine retails for $5.95 and would be terrific in sweaters, blankets, scarves and other accessories.

Our popular yarn Ambiance from Markoma now comes with a multicolored version called Ambiance Print. Like the original, this yarn is a wool/acrylic blend that knits up to a chunky weight. The 100g ball retails for $8.95 and here is the shade card.

And finally from Naturally we got the italian yarn KISS - a chunky weight eyelash and mohair mix with a touch of glitter. Perfect for scarves and accessories for the upcoming holiday season. It retails for $15.95. Pick your colour from this shade card!

New Books for new Projects

Here comes the first "batch" of interesting new books in store. See details and prices at www.needlenart.com/id53.html!

New books from the "Vogue Knitting On the Go" series: Chunky Scarves and Hats and Svarves Two. Lots of great projects for the upcoming fall and holiday seasons.

Two books from renowned British designer Debbie Bliss: Junior Knits features fun and functional patterns for kids aged 3 to 10 years. Baby Knits for Beginners features simple yet sensational designs for the little ones in our life.