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

Navigation made Easier!

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.