New products from REGIA

With all the new books and yarns (click to get the lists of the new products) in September, I nearly forgot to announce two handy dandy products from Regia.

Regia ABS Latex - You can now create your own non-slip socks with this Latex product which comes in three colours, red, blue and black and is without Ammoniak.

Anyone who has tried wearing socks or slippers on hardwood flooring knows the importance of a good grip. Now you can add it to the bottom of any sock or slipper. The latex boes on like glue (it comes with a handy template collection), then quickly dries, creating a rubber-like surface with excellent grip. The 100ml bottle will do several pairs and retails for $13.25.

Regia 4-ply Color Sock Yarn "Flusi the Sock Monster"

This fun sock yarn comes with a little kids booklet by Bine Braendle, which also includes basic sock knitting instructions and a size table for children's socks.

The Regia "Flusi" sock yarn has shorter repeats especially for children's socks. Come see our samples. The 50g ball (210m) retails for $8.45; the yarn is made from 75% wool and 25% Polyamide and is machine washable. Here is the funniest shade card!

Top Yarn Designs by Kaffe Fassett

NEW from Regia:

These beautiful new colour worlds "out of this world" are perfect for socks, but also for sweaters and more. See the new Regia pattern books which come with them.

Galaxy "Saturn" - for a true "out of this world sock knitting experience we recommend this new yarn. A unique yarn with a self-striping pattern that evokes the shape of ovals, arrows and spirals. Each of the twelve colorways is named after rings of the Saturn system and make it a "stellar" yarn sock. The 100g ball retails for $17.25 and at 420 metres is enough for the average pair of adult socks.

Kaffe Fassett Design Line - Designer Kaffe Fassett created the "Mirage", "Landscape" and Exotic color inspirations exclusively for Regia."It was quite a challenge for me to create a new self-striping yarn for Regia. It was a wonderful experience in my career. I hope all knitting enthusiasts will have fun knitting and experiencing my color inspirations" says Kaffe Fassett.

Check the shade cards for all our new Regia sock yarns: the Design Line, Design Line Color and Exotic Color. Some of the yarns are 4-ply and some 6-ply. All come on 50g balls and retail for $8.50.

Last not least: We already had Regia Softy sock yarn in our store since February, now Regia added lush variegated colours as Softy Color for the same price of $9.95. Here is the updated shade card.

Check some of the new Regia design books here!

just briefly

I don't want to bother you with too many new yarns and rather write about our in-store projects - which will follow today.

We just got in from Alpaca with a Twist: Punch!

Alison writes: Add some "Punch" to your knitting with this lovely new yarn. An alpaca/nylon blend, Punch works up to a sport weight and would work well in sweaters, scarves and accessories. It's exceptional softness makes it perfect for babies as well. Each 50g ball retails for $8.25 and boasts 127 yards. See the shade card here.

And - I nearly "forgot" these 2 exceptional sock yarns: On Your Toes 4-ply and On Your Toes Bamboo. The latter one is our only (soft!!!!) sock yarn from Bamboo and nylon. Click on the names for the shade cards.

Another Treat for your Feet

When I thought I was done with documenting new yarns, two new very unique ones came in to push our huge selection of sock yarns one step further!

New from Regia:

Regia Silk Color - a super soft 4-ply Merino yarn with 20% Silk! Silk provides exceptional comfort and a rich look. Merino wool adds warmth. The addition of Polyamide makes this yarn machine washable and dryable. This yarn is so soft - it's good for your baby, too! Here is the shade card.

Regia Pompon - a soft 4-ply yarn with fluffy-soft pompons for a pleasant-homely wearing comfort. Washable and dryable - and perfect for babies, too. Check the shades.

Try these Basic Boot Socks

Using our new On Your Toes DK, infused with Aloe Vera, this classic boot sock pattern features our “easy knit heel”. Try one pair and you’ll be making them for everyone on your list! Email us for the pattern at info@needlenart.com.

Find more FREE patterns in our web site!

Socks, Socks and much more

A huge selection of sock yarns and our store expertise should bring us on top of the sock knitting trend. But we got even more in store and the fun doesn't end!

Two new yarns from REGIA:
Regia Design Line by Kaffe Fassett - a sock yarn from the Design line of renowned knitwear designer Kaffe Fassett. His exceptional eye for colour is reflected in the stunning shades of this variegated yarn. Each 50g ball reteils for $8.50; check our shade card!

Regia Softy - a versatile sport weight yarn with a touch of eyelash detail for snuggly softness. It's cozy, machine washable blend is perfect for sweaters, socks, accessories and kidswear. Wonderful for babies, too! We have it in nine great shades (see shade card) and each 50g ball retails for $9,95.
We also received a wonderful collection of designs for this yarn, Regia Softy Journal 602, which includes a wide range of knits for all ages. See example to the left!

New from Kertzer:
On Your Toes DK - a DK boot sock yarn with Aloe Vera. The same yarn as "On your Toes", but new is the slightly heavier DK weight. Perfect for work or hiking socks in our wetter West Coast climate. Each shade (see shade card here) is a composite of three colors, giving it a tweed effect. It also has the added touch of Aloe Vera, making it softer on the knitting hands. Each 100g ball has 250 meters and retails for $10.45. Make a pair of rugged, long lasting socks for under $25.00!

New from SandnesGarn:
Strompegarn - a great basic sock yarn at a better price! We have it in four solig shades and five tweeds (see shade card). The best part? Each 100g ball retails for only $8.50!

New from Estelle:
Arequipa - we can hardly pronounce the name, but we know we like it! A hand painted sock weight alpaca blend made in Peru, that's a treat for your toes. Each 100g skein retails for $17.00 and will make a pair of socks. Also fabulous for scarves, shawls and lace knitting! Check our shade card.

Don't fear the Sock!

"Socks are one of the most popular projects among experienced knitters, yet they hold an aura of mystique among beginning knitters. Sure, socks require techniques not typically used in simple projects such as scarves and hats, but these techniques are as easy to learn as the basic knit and purl stitches." This was taken from an earlier issue of KnittingDaily. If you haven't signed up yet, go to http://www.knittingdaily.com/!

We don't fear the sock for several reasons. First, we have a selection of sock yarn a knitter can dream of. We don't brag to have the biggest selection, but I think we actually have...

Secondly, we have a lot of sock knitting expertise in our store which we like to share one on one in our Knit Cafe.

Now, as a special treat, we received Zitron's Trekking Hand Art (photo above) - a hand dyed yarn that raises sock knitting to an art form. Treat yourself (or the sock knitter in your life) to a skein or two of this luxurious yarn. A 100g ball retails for $20.95 and will make one pair of socks. It's beautiful for lace, baby and children's projects, too!

In Summer we had our Knit in the Park, as you remember. The project was to knit socks for our Women's Centre (correct: the Ann Elmore Transition House). Here they are, nicely decorating the Christmas tree in our store. In a couple of days, these socks and a couple of blankets will be handed over to warm the needy.

Sock Tips

With so many of you knitting socks these days, I thought I would share with you a few of the tips and tricks we have learnt over the years to make sock knitting easier. The first one involves the loose stitches that often occur when joining the round after casting on. If you slip the first stitch cast on onto the last needle, and the last stitch onto the first needle (in effect, crossing the stitches), then proceed with the ribbing, you will find you have a nice firm join. This tip works, of course, any time you have to join a round.

Next, we come to the heel flap. Whatever stitch you decide to use for your heel flap, try knitting the first stitch of every row. This gives a straighter edge for picking up stitches for the instep and makes counting the rows easier, also adds a little decorative detail to the heel. Talking about picking up stitches, pick up an extra stitch at the end of the 1st needle, right in the corner and also at the beginning of the 4th needle. On the first round, knit this extra stitch (through the back of the loops) together with the first stitch on needle 2 and the last stitch of needle 3. This should prevent a hole from appearing. This trick works well when you are picking up stitches for mitten thumbs!!!

Now we come to the toe and I know what a pain grafting can be. I avoid it as much as possible, especially when I am using fine yarn. Decrease in the usual manner to 12 stitches (or so), knit 2 together all around, break yarn, thread through the remaining stitches and pull up firmly, darn in end.

I know many of you will already be using some of these tricks and perhaps have a few more. We would love to hear them - anything that will make life easier!!

What about those socks!

We have received a new shipment of Trekking sock yarn in the wildest colours. Trekking is a very high quality yarn, 75% wool and 25% man-made fibre (for wear). The socks can be washed in the washing machine but should be dried flat. We knit ours on five needles, size 2.5 mm, and Lois has developed a very easy to follow pattern which is free with the yarn. Of course, if you need help, we can do that too. Socks are great to knit while travelling, and bamboo needles can now be taken on the plane.

We have also just received some new plastic needles from Drops. We just have the straight ones at present in sizes 5.5 mm to 12 mm and each size comes in a unique colour. They are very reasonably priced. Great for a beginner knitter and look pretty too.

We shall be receiving lots of new yarn over the next few weeks so I shall be letting you know as it arrives.