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.

"dress up" your projects with Chili

This came in from SandnesGarn: Chili, an eyelash blend with a touch of glitter in aran weight. Great for scarves, or add it to your favorite knit as a glamorous trim. This yarn looks great in felted items - simply knit along with your wool, then felt as usual. Chili won't felt, instead adding an interesting eyelash effect that will "dress-up" your project. We have several pattern books with patterns and ideas using this versatile yarn. Check the shade card.

I liked it right away

Neat little trick to make this hat with a double rolled brim. I had to look twice to understand how the brims roll up. It's called "School Colors Hat" and the pattern from fibertrends is available through us ($6.75). Inge knit it in a combination of our Vero and Smart yarns, but any worsted or bulky weight yarn would do.

More Dream Yarns from Berroco

New from Berroco: Seduce - a worsted weight rayon, linen, nylon and silk blend that has a lusterous look and feel to it. A great choice for sweaters, scarves and accessories. Each 40g skein retails for $8.80. See shade card.

New from Berroco: NaturLin - a lovely sport weight yarn with the beauty of linen combined with easy-care rayon. A great choice for summer projects, children's garments or knits for the home, Each 50g skein retails for $7.70 - get the shadecard here.

We also have two new books with pattern support for both yarns: Norah Gaughan Collection, Vol.2 for $19.75 and Home Essentials, NaturLin #273 for $10.95 - see cover to the right!

A Fireworks of New Yarns!

Some arrived late last year, more arrive now, some already for Spring and Summer! Stay tuned and check the blog often or even better, come visit our Needle & Arts Centre and check the look and feel: all unique, all beautiful yarns - plus many new patterns coming with them.

New from Berroco: Comfort DK; An ultrasoft microfibre yarn in the popular double knitting sport weight. Perfect for baby and kids knits, or for those sensitive to wool. This is a great, easy care yarn that will hold its shape and lustre, wash after wash. It's good value, too, for $3.25 for the 50g ball! We got all colours: check the shadecard! See also the Berroco pattern book #274, "Just for Tots", for a nice range of children's patterns featuring this yarn (photo left).

New from Berroco: SOX - a sock yarn with character! A new self-patterning yarn in twelve exciting colorways. Each 100g ball retails for $12.95 and will make a pair of socks. See shade card here.

Happy Knitting - Diagonal Scarf in Sarek

Happy New Year and Happy and Creative Knitting in 2008!

This pattern just came from Pam. This scarf comes out in a diagonal pattern, overlayed by horizontal colour segments (non repetitive colours!). Email us at info@needlenart.com for the pdf file!

Sarek from Marks & Kattens in Norway is 100% wool in twisted variegated threads. Check the shade card!

More and more free patterns are published in our pattern page. Check it out!

“Knit in the Park” items given to Ann Elmore House

For two years now local knitters celebrated the National “Knit in the Park” in Robert Ostler Park. Each year more than 20 knitters from all over the Island followed the invitation by the Needle & Arts Centre to enjoy the company and mostly sunny August days in the park, dedicating the jointly produced items to a charity.

Our Needle & Arts Centre donated yarn, needles and instructions, and 7-Eleven the refreshments. In the 2006 event the participants were knitting piles of squares for Afghans which were later crocheted together with love by Cindy Simpson. For 2007 different sock patterns were prepared for use by the participants.
Now, with all products finished and just timely for the cold days and Christmas, the knitters proudly presented their items to the Ann Elmore House, which is operated by the Campbell River and North Island Transition Society. In total: four warm Afghans, 13 pairs of colourful hand knitted socks for kids and moms, a kids sweater with touque, a scarf with touque and a scarf with hat. One of the Afghans was crocheted and donated by Leslie Skidmore.

The Campbell River and North Island Transition Society (CRNITS) is a non-profit registered society and registered Charitable Organization. The CRNITS was formed in 1985 for the purpose of providing service to women and children who are dealing with issues of abuse and violence. The Ann Elmore Transition House was opened in 1987 and has been sheltering women and children ever since. In 1997 services were expanded to include residential recovery from substance addiction. Various projects and programs have been added over the years.

Thanks all knitters who actively participated in this fun fundraiser and good cause!

In the photo you see standing from the left: Alison, Cindy, Janice, Valery Puetz (Ann Elmore House) and Inge; front row: Lois and Alison's Katie.

Warmth without Weight!

This is the slogan of Misti Alpaca, our latest yarn supplier. You have to touch it to believe the other slogan: "The softest yarn ever". Wow, this is 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca at its best.

We are pleased to introduce a new line of yarns: Misti Alpaca Chunky and Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky. This chunky weight 100% Baby Alpaca offers next-to-the-skin softness and comes in generous 100 gram skeins. It will knit up quickly and beautifully into scarves and accessories, sweaters, and is soft enough for baby and children's items. The solid skeins sell for $16.95 and the hand painted skeins retail for $24.95. You may want to visit www.mistialpaca.com and learn more about these unique animals.

Our Misti Alpaca sales rep Miriam Leth-Espensen sent us two of her patterns: Simple Sideways West in Garter, and Sideways Stripes in Orchid Sweater. Alison is checking them out and we will be glad to give them to you soon.

Quickly done: Lace Insert Scarf

Alison brought this scarf in: it is one of those little projects which can be done in no time as a gift for a special someone. It also shows the sophistication of the "Carat" lace yarn by Marks & Kattens, see the shade card. Here is the pattern for the Lace Insert Scarf from only one ball of Carat!

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.

Recycled Silk Yarn from India is in!

As you might know by now, we started importing Surina knitting and crochet needles and accessories directly from India. The most amazing product which came with the last shipment was a bunch of skeins of beautiful Recycled Silk yarn in different hues.

The charm of recycled Sari silk is that it is unpredictable, making knitting with it just as rewarding as your finished product. Each Recycled Silk skein is handspun creating natural inconsistencies and a rather scrappy nature. The yardage varies from skein to skein as does the colorway, gauge, twist and texture. The weight is between 100g and 250g per skein.

Each skein is an adventure and you can expect to find little bits of India in it.

Find all our Surina products at www.needlenart.com/id65.html.

Elegant Shawl Brooches from India!

With our first shipment as Surina Importers Canada we got a good selection of elegant Shawl Brooches in, made either from Surina wood or Sea Shells.
The Shawl Brooches come in diamond and in oval shape. The Shawl Brooches made from authentic Sea Shells are beautifully crafted and leightweight. They add more glamour to your attire. The Surina wood is lightweight, with a grained look and superb smoothness. The Luster-polish finish on the Shawl Brooches is achieved without use of any harmful chemical or agent.

Check our Surina product page for all new Surina products - try them and tell your friends!

Sweat Baby Cap - In a Storm

We were hit by a gigantic storm about 10 days ago and afterwards Alison sent me this email: "I hope you and the house survived the big windstorm intact. We fared well, except for our back fence which needed to be put back up, and a scared dog who hid under the bed for three hours after the lightning storm. We were without power for most of yesterday, but all is well.

The power outage gave me lots of time to knit yesterday (no housework with no electricity!), and I got a baby hat made from a pattern I found online.

It works really nicely with sock yarn, and can be made with less than one 50 gm ball. It should also work with Naturally Stella (bamboo), Mandarin Petit (cotton) and Alpaca with a Twist Fino for those who don't want to knit it in wool. I'll bring the hat in tomorrow".

Get the pattern and the source where Alison found it HERE and enjoy it even without having a storm!

Vivian Høxbro Design Collection arrived!

We are now carrying the coveted and beautiful knitting kits by Vivian Høxbro, distributed by Harrisville Designs. Find all designs at http://www.viv.dk/ and more about the historic Harrisville Mill and their products (including looms!) at http://www.harrisville.com/. As a Harrisville dealer we can get you any product pretty quick if we don't have it in stock!
Order from our web site at www.needlenart.com/id53.html !

About the Design Collection: This collection is created using Domino-Knitting as well as Shadow-Knitting. Vivian has worked especially with these 2 techniques and loves working with them - but she will of course work with other techniques also. Vivian loves techniques that are fun to knit and she wants the garments to be interesting to look at and flattering to wear.
In Vivian's own words: "It is important to me that knitting is very amusing and great fun, as well as being truly knittable. I cannot say that my designs are for beginners, but the instructions are very detailed and instructive, so - if you can keep a gauge - just get started."

About the Kits: Each model is available as a kit and comes in a vinyl bag with yarn, photos and instructions. This guarantees that you receive the correct yarn, colors and the desired end result!

SIZES: In this collection you will find designsfor all sizes, even size XS and XXL. Often the same garment will fit the short and/or slim knitters. It is only a question of choosing the right size. Some of the garments are only meant for slim persons, such as SHADOWS etc.

YARN: All kits come with 100% New England Shetland wool in beautiful colours from the Harrisville Mill in New Hampshire! (photo above)

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.

More, more ....

More Fall shipments roll in these days with several new yarns and still more coming - and a special event coming up in October. Stay tuned!

Just arrived:
We are now introducing yarns from Nashua Handknits!

Creative Focus Worsted from Nashua - a worsted weight wool and alpaca blend, this one would be perfect for sweaters, hats and accessories. Check the shade card. It has great yardage at 200 meters per 100g ball. Great for felting, too! Retails for $11.95.

For those who prefer organically produced fibers:
Natural Focus Ecologie Cotton from Nashua - a worsted weight, naturally dyed pima cotton. See the shade card! Wonderful for baby items, sweaters and accessories. Retails for $9.95.

Natural Focus Ecologie Wool from Nashua - a chunky weight, naturally dyed wool. See the shade card. This is a thick to thin yarn, so it would look great in scarves and other accessories. Very soft, it would feel great next to your skin as well, and would also be a nice choice for felting. Retails for $11.25.

From SandnesGarn:
Alpakka - a pure alpaca yarn that knits to a double knitting weight. Perfect for baby & kids knits, sweaters and accessories. This yarn retails for $7.95 and we have it in fifteen enticing colours! We also received a pattern book with over fifteen beatiful designs for this yarn.

From Marks & Kattens:
Sarek - a gorgeous bulky weight wool that changes colour as you work with it. We have it in six exciting colourways and it's guaranteed to work up quickly on 7 mm needles. Sarek retails for $7.95 per 50g ball and would look stunning in sweaters, scarves, hats and other accessories.

Stay tuned for more!!

Ready, Set, ...

Get ready for the next knitting season and start your projects now - if you ever had taken a break. All our Fall shipments roll in these days with several new yarns - and a special event coming up in October. Stay tuned!

Just arrived:
Carat from Marks & Kattens - a chunky weight ribbon yarn with a touch of glitter. Check the shade card. Perfect for scarves, shawls and for the upcoming holiday season. Retails for $11.95.

Duo from Marks & Kattens - a super bulky acrylic wool ribbon yarn. Check the shade card. Great for sweaters and accessories. Retails for $10.95. On 15 mm needles, everything will knit up extra quickly with this yarn!

A new hit from Kertzer: Northern Worsted - a very affordable easy care acrylic yarn in many solid and ombre (variegated) shades . It has the look and feel of wool and great yardage at 210m per 100g ball. In our store, Northern Worsted is a cheaper and better quality substitute of Patons Decor. It's a great choice for afghans, sweaters, hats, scarves and kid's knits.

Stay tuned for more yarns to come in (and others to drop out)!

New Yarns in June

Summer is here and time just flying. I've got some new projects/patterns to publish in this blog but still run behind.
Just a brief heads-up that we got some new yarns and are expecting more this week. Click on the yarn names for shade cards.

Stella is a fingering to sport weight yarn in 100% Bamboo from Naturally. It comes in five colours and includes some nice baby and adult patterns. Great for warm summer days! It retails for $8.95.

Dawn is a new fingering weight yharn in a luxurious wool and silk blend. Available in six colours, great for lace knitting, shawls and other lightweight items. It's also from Naturally and retails for $6.95.

Angora-Tweed is a new Angora and Merino blend from Garnstudio/Drops and comes in five colours and as usual with beautiful free patterns. It retails for $12.95. It is extremely soft and versatile and can also be used for felting.

"cool" patterns from Pam

Wristers are "in" and a good summer project for cooler days. Pam designed this one and as usual the pattern is $2 or free with the order of yarn. Pick your DK yarn from our yarn list by weight!

Two other treats coming from Pam:

First, a pattern for Basic Socks on 2 Circular Needles (instead of on 4 or 5 double pointed needles).

Second, a very handy Basic Formula for Socks. This gives you a basic sock pattern plus a table of stitches to cast on for Sock, DK and Worsted Weight Yarn and sizes ranging from Baby to X-large Adult! Again: $2 each or free with purchase of yarn. Ask your sock experts! We have one of largest selections of sock yarns for you!

Four new top yarns, plus new colours!

We just got four new high end yarns in which all are "to die for..", really "divine" to feel them.

Schulana's Sojabama from Bamboo and Soy fibres; Skacel's Adagio from baby llama and silk; Skacel's Divine from baby alpaca, silk and cashmere (!); Zitron's funny couloured Farfalla for felting and more.

Plus we got new colours in for several yarns. We got solid colours for Zitron's sock yarn Trekking pro natura, which contains 25% Bamboo.

Visit our News Page in our web site to learn more and see the shade cards.

We restructured our web Yarn Store...

... for easy navigation! It helps you find the right yarns and accessories for your projects!

We introduced Yarn Lists sorted by Yarn Name, Manufacturer, Yarn Weight and Project, and added a News Page and a Kits, Books and Accessories Page. Try it out - and if not already done so, please join our mailing list!

NEW Felting Kit for Summer Projects!

Try this out - Artfelt from Zitron is a new way of felting. We just got these felting kits in beautiful colour combinations, made by Zitron in Germany. What a nice Summer project which can be done outside and by the whole creative family.
Each kit (in a transparent bag) contains enough roving (150 g in different colours) and Easyfelt Paper to make either a scarf, several pillows, or a purse. It also contains two barbed needles, one plastic sheet for felting, and an instructional slide show DVD!

Each kit is Can$ 49.50 and can be ordered online. Ask for colour combinations (1-888-588-7834) or pick them in our store!
See sample projects in the picture.

Colours, Colours, Sunshine!

Spring here shows only glimpses of what it could be, but Summer is close and we will eventually see the sunny days and enjoy the beaches as these kids do.

Looking through the new pattern books and new yarns of this season, these photos just make me feel good about what we have to offer. The boy's red/blue sweater is done with Loft Classic, the other two colourful bulky sweaters are knit with Unikat. All yarns are from Zitron and all patterns in the newest Zitron kids pattern book - a feast for the eyes!

Great New Books just arrived!

I just posted 9 new books in our web site, which adds nicely to the ones which were already listed there. We carry more in our store, of course!

This is Inge's favourite new book:
Amy R. Singer: No Sheep For You - your guide to the wonders of knitting without wool. Get cozy with some of the most luxurious (not most expensive) fibres on the planet. Learn all about nonwool yarns, including cotton, silk, linen, soy, bamboo, hemp, Tencel, rayon, and their characteristics. Delight in the 21 knockout patterns. "No Sheep For You is full of wit, wisdom, and answers to questions I never even thought to ask about my favorite fibers. And it's a wonderful pattern book."

If you cannot wear wool, this is the perfect guide. We are glad to offer the beautiful and affordable Bamboo yarn Eden from Madil (see my earlier posting) - amazing colours and sheen! See our web site.

Bamboo Yarn - the "green" alternative for Silk

Eden by Madil is an Italian yarn made from 100% bamboo. Bamboo is an ecologically friendly source of fibre, as it grows fast without the need for special fertilizers. The resulting fibre looks and feels like silk, and drapes like silk, but at a fraction of the cost. This fibre breathes well, is cool, and wicks moisture away from the body.
It is available is solid colours and prints. When working with prints we recommend using two balls at once, knitting two rows with one ball and two rows with the other, and carrying the yarn up the side of the work. This will reduce the chances of "pooling" or getting patches of colour.

"This is the perfect summer fabric" says Kate O'Connor; "In addition to being less expensive and more environmental friendly than luxury textiles such as silk and cashmere, the green fabrics also enable designers to attract vegetarian and vegan customers who shun animal-based products. The novelty is only a plus".

Check out the solid Eden Bamboo colours in our store! Beautiful sheen!

NEW 100% Acrylic: Carro Magic

This new Marks+Kattens yarn comes in fresh variegated summer colours. For those who don't want to wear wool. Check the shade card, ask for these patterns!

Live and Learn - Knitting!

Enjoy a vacation while you learn knitting at April Point Resort & Spa, on Quadra Island, just off Campbell River.

From April 10 - 12 Pam will be holding a knitting workshop in this wonderful setting. Hone your knitting skills through three different projects designed for beginning and intermediate knitters! The package price is Can $149 and includes 2 nights accommodation and program instruction.

Please make your reservation with April Point Resort. See the detailed program in our web site!

Pam will have a selection of yarns and needles available for you to purchase, so you don't need to bring it all!

Needle Art Show coming closer!!

On Friday Feb. 23 and Saturday Feb. 24 we'll participate in the North Island Sewing & Needle Arts Show 2007 in Campbell River; click this link for the program.

We will have a booth (see photo of our last year's booth) with our yarn products, knitting accessories and display of some finished projects in the Merchant Mall plus we'll offer 3 knitting classes. You may sign up for them by following the instructions on the program.

Knitting Socks on 2 Circular Needles with Pam Dobbs
Learn to knit socks faster with 300 fewer "intersections" per average pair of socks. It is very simple to adapt your favourite sock pattern or apply the same technique to mittens and hats.
Finishing Techniques with Pam Dobbs
Give your hand knitted garments a professional finish. Learn how to finish a seam, pick up stitches around a neckline or jacket front, apply a zipper and darn in those ends.
Knitted Lace with Lois Laliberte
Learn the basics, how to read a chart, materials and needles to use. Lois will take you through the steps to knit an angel.(Participants are not able to do a lace knitting project in these 45 minutes. Lois will have samples and one work in progress, explains all the lace knitting symbols, techniques and the materials needed and will hand out written instructions. It's not a hands-on class.We might come up with a kit which we would sell at our booth, but it is not part of the class.)

If you are not living here: make it a retreat weekend in Campbell River and swing by our shop!

Mark Your Calendar!

These are two big events in 2007 for our Knitting and Needlework customers, worth to plan a weekend in our beautiful waterfront City if you are not living here permanently :

• North Island Sewing and Needle Art Show 2007 on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24; Large Merchant Mall and many Seminars plus Stage Shows; our store is one of the exhibitors and offers three Knitting Seminars; click the links for more information


• Knit in the Park on Saturday, August 11, to celebrate National Knitters Day on our Foreshore Park across from our Needle & Arts Centre

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Dear visitor of this Blog!
We made it easier for you to find postings in this blog for themes of your interest, by adding "Labels" to each posting. If your are looking for a Shrug Patern for example, click "Shrug" on the keyword list at the right, or just click "Pattern" to browse through all our patterns which we have published in this Blog so far.
Enjoy, and visit this Blog often for News, Tips and Events!

NEW: "Salmon Run" Scarf Pattern

Alison adapted a pattern to reflect the place where we are living: Campbell River, the "Salmon Capital of the World". The Salmon Run Scarf is reminiscent of the thousands of fish tails seen in our rivers during the autumn salmon run. Click on the photo and you'll see the tail ends in the pattern.

She recommends: "This scarf looks lovely done in a variegated, medium weight yarn such as Patons SWS or Naturally Vero Tweed."

Call (1-888-588-7834 or 250-287-8898) or email us (at info@needlenart.com) for a free pattern (pdf or hard copy). See the yarn shade cards in our web site.

Caterpillar Scarf and Hat

Now that inventory is over and our big annual sale is a thing of the past (thank you to all our customers for your support, by the way) we are ready to tackle some new projects. Alison has been knitting some great scarves to showcase a few of the wonderful yarns we carry. I found a picture in a magazine of a child's scarf and hat and came up with a pattern which, we think, is really cute.
Our version is knitted with two strands SandnesGarn Tove, (I like the colours), but a knitting worsted would work too. Please email or call if you would like a copy of the pattern.

Cozy knits

A Happy New Year to everyone. Here at the store we are in the middle of inventory - made much easier this year by the work Jurgen did creating lists of yarns we stock, prices etc. for our website. The yarn is nearly done - just half the storage room to do now. I am reorganizing as I go. Surprising how much more shelf space we have when things are neat and tidy. Let's hope they stay that way.


Before Christmas we met with several suppliers and look forward to all the new yarns arriving in a couple of months. Garnstudio have, at last, brought out a sock yarn. The colours look great and the price is very competitive. We hope to have that in the store in February.


A yarn we have stocked before is Little Mamma. It now comes in some really great colours and we brought in a couple of bags of each. Check out the cool hat - the pattern is on the label. It took about an hour to knit. I have visions of a wonderful afghan in the blue/green. So come in, take a look and perhaps sit and knit (or crochet) awhile.

Yes, we do Gift Certificates

Don't know what to buy that certain someone for Christmas? How about one of our Gift Certificates? They can be used in either The Needle & Arts Centre or The Framing Post so we really do have something for everyone. And they come nicely wrapped, too!

It's Here!

We have at last received a much anticipated new yarn from Garnstudio in Norway. I, for one, have really been looking forward to seeing it in real life after reading about it on the Garnstudio website. Silke Alpaca is a blend of 20% Silk and 80% Baby Alpaca and is everything I had hoped for. As expected the colours are beautiful. It can be handwashed and knits to a gauge of 17 stitches and 22 rows to 10 cms (4 inches) on a 5 mm needle. The 50 gram ball contains 60 metres. The yarn is so new that Garnstudio/Drops Design have not yet published patterns specifically for Silke Alpaca, however, all their patterns that call for either Alaska or Paris are compatible. Check out the hundreds of patterns available free on www.garnstudio.com. Silke Alpaca knits up beautifully to a soft sheen and a wonderful "hand" - just remember you will need an extra ball or so as there is less yardage than either Alaska or Paris.

Hat in Woolly Bully by Estelle

Alison and I have been madly knitting ear-flap hats in a great yarn from Estelle. A wool blend, it is beautifully soft, comes in great colours and knits up quickly on 10 mm needles. Our hats can be knitted up in an evening. Really!!!!

The pattern is available in the store or we can mail it out with the yarn. All our "made in store" patterns are free with the purchase of yarn.

Click on the picture to take a closer look.

New colours in Ethno by Zitron

A yarn from Germany that has been around for a little while, Ethno is a luxurious wool blend (85% new wool and 15 % nylon). It is hand dyed so the colour variegations are quite subtle. A 50 gram ball contains 90 metres and knits to a gauge of 14 stitches and 18 rows to 10 centimetres (4 inches) on 5 - 6 mm needles. The yarn has a slight boucle which makes for a very cozy sweater. The new colours are wonderful and the yarn lovely and soft, so whether you want to knit a scarf or a sweater, you can be sure of a successful project. For a closer look at the yarn and patterns click on the picture.

News from the "Web Master's" desk!

A lot of effort is being put into the development of our web site - especially for yarn customers.
First off: if you want to see what's "IN" in New York this winter, click on this link! Read this and other links.

Secondly: we want to make your online shopping experience more comfortable. On the way to a "real" on-line shop, I added nearly all of the shadecards to our about 200 differnt types of yarn! This makes it easier to select the right yarn and colours for your knitting project. Just klick on the yarn names in the yarn page. More information (prices, availability and which yarns are on SALE) are in the works.

Expect some more changes to happen in the next couple of days and check the web site often.

Also, now with the gift giving season upon us, I have added new product information on gift items to the different department pages. One is this this brand new Pullover Knitting Kit from Zitron for $133 - georgeous colours and great yarn quality. The kit is good for sizes up to men's size.

Have a great knitting season!
Jurgen

For the team of the Needle & Arts Centre