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  Celebrate the coming chill of the season with NATURAL BEAUTY.  Kingston - is proud to introduce our fine range of "ECOLOGICAL" wools and other animal fibres:
-CHAN CHAN Bulky wool from Diamond's LUXURY Collection.
-ECOLOGICAL WOOL Chunky from Cascade Yarns.
-RAINSHADOW Chunky alpaca from the Earth Collection.
-BABY CAMEL Chunky from the Earth Collection.
-HOMESTEAD Aran from the Earth Collection.
-ECO WOOL DK from Sirdar.
-CASHMERE Laceweight from the Earth Collection.
Each of these yarns has been chosen for its natural undyed beauty and feel, focusing on minimal processing and high standards.
-And for those of you who have always been afraid of dealing with the cleaning of natural animal fibres, see below for our tips on how to care for your prized knitted projects. |
 OTHER NEW YARNS: 
King Cole has had a great reputation for good quality yarns at a reasonable price. And this season we're so excited about 2 of their new products that are bound to be a real hit.
MIRAGE, a gorgeous 50/50 blend of wool and acrylic, has soft striping hues that add style and beauty to any DK pattern, including their own extraordinary collection for this season.
SPLASH is a beautifully spun, high quality acrylic in vibrant self patterning colours that has been flying off the shelves already. Alright you glitter fanatics, STARLIGHT is here. This soft spin of viscose and polyester in a DK weight is just the thing for dressing up a classic sweater, that New Year's Eve "cami", or to add a bit of glamour to any project.
 ALPACAS KNOW ABOUT SOFT...
2 new alpaca yarns are leading the dribble-fest this month: Misti Alpaca's sock yarn boasts the same amazing colour detail that has swept the knitting world in their handpaint lace weight, only in a 4 ply blend with merino wool, silk and nylon it's just the thing for exquisite socks for you and all of those special feet in your life.
BABY ALPACA LACE from Diamond's Luxury line is the newest yarn in our lace lineup and deserves a special place for colour, softness and affordability. Luxury on a budget. |
NEWS from Patons design team!
 This very fashionable, office friendly sweater is just one of the designs in book #865, "9 to 5 (Knit and Crochet)". I also wanted to tell you about their latest sock book called "Socks in the City" #869, but it appears as if it's so new that it isn't even on their website. It is one heckuva lot of excellent sock patterns for $3.95. Lace, cables, slippers, entrelac. Their design department really does deserve a pat on the back.
Oops, can't forget to let you know about their newest free leaflet: the famous, yet illusive pattern for a "SPIRAL SOCK" (#146) with no heel. How much easier can a sock get? |
Kingston
is looking for a new employee, and of course among our amazing customers we have a tremendous pool of potential.
At least once a week someone says to us: "This must be the best place to work in the world. Being surrounded by yarn - and you can just knit all day."
Well you may want to "curb your enthusiasm" and recognize that although we get to spend time in a wonderful environment, with fabulous people (you, our customers), it's a very demanding job, physically and in terms of knowledge. For the right person though it can be a wonderful position.
We are looking for someone with the following skills and traits (in this order):
-Excellent people skills.
-Available 10 -20 hours a week with flexibility to fill in other shifts as needed.
-Healthy, energetic and strong (lots of running around, up and down ladders, and wrestling with boxes.)
-A quick learner who is a detail oriented person but can also work well within a team.
-A problem solver who can apply that skill to knitting as well as the daily running of the shop.
-An observant, self motivated person.
-Good knowledge of knitting (crochet, felting, spinning, traditional rug hooking and/or any other crafts are sometimes valuable too).
-Experience in retail is helpful.
If you are truly interested in learning about the craft yarn industry and see your love of knitting as a door to open a broader vision of your working life, please email me your resume at wooltyme@kingston.net |
IDEAS for Christmas 
Getting Started:
We have copies of both Interweave KNITS and KNIT SIMPLE magazine's Holiday editions and they really are the first place that you should head for festive gifts, garments and decor. 
Another great source of inspiration to get you in the holiday prep mode is Paton's CLASSIC HOLIDAYS book #856, full of creative, quick ideas .
For the knitter (yourself or knitting friends): The hottest book for the holidays in the knitting humour category would be "It Itches" by Franklin Habit. His cartoon animals (human and others), his insight into the compulsive world of knitting, and his intelligent whit make this a book worth keeping within reach for those frustrating days when knitting doesn't feel like yoga anymore. Get to know Franklin by visiting his wonderful blog.
For the loved ones: Now is the time to line up realistic projects that you can make for your holiday gift giving. And to help you out, here are a few quick ideas:
-Felted mitts, bags, slippers, anything felted is quick and easy.
-Lace cashmere scarf: come and see our sample in the store using the ever-popular feather and fan pattern. Exquisite.
-Socks: we have over 20 sock yarns to choose from. You'll find something for everyone.
-Afghan: No, seriously, this fluffy light afghan at the right I call my "wedding afghan" as it's so quick and easy (and affordable) that I can actually make a his and hers version before the big day.
-Vests: No sleeves! Cuts the knitting by about 30%.
For Santa to fill:Are these not the cutest FREE Christmas stocking patterns, brought to you from the wonderful people at Cascade yarns. Oh Yeah, did I mention that this and a whole slew of other wonderful patterns are yours, absolutely FREE? Really! See what else you can make with the glorious Cascade 220 wool that we are having to restock nearly every week. |
Books for Bambinos:
 KNITTED CRITTERS. FOR KIDS TO WEAR. More than 40 animal themed accessories by Jean Adel.Too cute to describe, you'll have to come and see it for yourself.
Susan B. Anderson has more baby knitting projects in this new book, Itty Bitty Nursery, than you can ever imagine: sweaters and hats, blankets, bear and bunny - sure, all pretty normal. But a mobile of playful mice, chenille peas and carrots, a Fruit Loops tote bag, knitted tea set and cupcakes? Truly original knitting. You'll crack up. Link for your free pattern from the book for a flower pacifier holder. |
 This wonderful group from Gananoque collect and distribute cotton hats for chemo patients. Gretchen Huntley informed us that this fall they passed an amazing milestone: "We have now warmed both the heads and hearts of 10,000 cancer patients." CONGRATULATIONS GANG!
 Andy Fund Christmas Cards
WOOL-TYME Kingston is proud to once again be part of the Andy Fund Christmas Card campaign. Designed by a young local artist, Victoria Tolls, this year's design reminds us of the beauty that children bring to us, and how much children with cancer need our help. Please look for these beautiful cards and support this local and very deserving charity. |
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Tips for caring for your handknits.  All handknits, but especially those of pure animal fibres, should be treated with "respect".
-Because these garments are often worn over another layer of clothing, they would probably only need to be cleaned once or twice a season.
-When you do need to wash, do it by hand or in the gentlest of handwash cycles in your machine (if you're willing to take the risk) using a low suds, no-rinse formulation such as Eucalan, available at WOOL-TYME Kingston. (Don't expect too many bubbles, they don't need to be there to clean the fabric).
-Use lots of water: about 1 tsp of solution per gallon of water. It's the free movement of cool water that helps remove the dirt.
-When cleaned, carefully lift the garments (one at a time) making sure that they NEVER stretch. (A large metal colander, or even a dishpan can be slipped under the pieces while they are still in the water. Then they can be transfered to the machine to gently spin the water out of them, or rolled in a towel to remove excess moisture.)
-If you want a good low tech way of getting out as much water as possible before laying your garments to dry, roll them in a towel and place them in the bathtub. Put your favourite high energy music on your sound system, take off your shoes and dance on the rolled towel/garment package. Incredibly effective. | |
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November's Featured Pattern!
Ecological fibre jacket This gorgeous jacket is just the thing for the latest trend of layering. Chunky knit in either the new "BABY CAMEL" or Cascade's 'ECOLOGICAL WOOL CHUNKY" the natural colours set off the simple styling and cable pattern beautifully.
During the month of NOVEMBER, you save 15% when you buy the pattern and materials for this great design.
and you'll feel good about working with such exquisite, natural undyed fibres. |
November Classes
There are still some places left in both of our intriguing classes for November.
INTARSIA KNITTING
is on Sat. Nov the 8th and will give you the ins and outs of following picture graphs in your knitting and even designing your own.
On Nov. 15th, Helga Konecny will be teaching us how to knit a BEADED MEMORY BAG. This exquisite little piece is just the right challenge for anyone who loves fine work that's not too demanding.
Just call the store and save your place for one of these skill expanding workshops.
613-384-3951
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 LOST IN THE MAIL?I read of this story in a post on Ravelry the other day and had to share it with you.
-A knitting magazine subscriber explains that she only received one copy of her new, anxiously anticipated knitting magazine, which was supposed to be delivered to her post office box, yet every single bill seemed to find it's way to her at the same address. She suspected sticky fingers on the part of an avid knitting fan working within the US postal system.
NO! Say it isn't so...a dishonest knitter??? |
KNITTING CRUISE TO BERMUDA WITH SALLY MELVILLE
Can you imagine a better way to spend 7 days? Link to the WOOL-TYME Nepean site and for more information about this great opportunity coming up next August. Sally will be teaching a seminar based on her next book: Mother and Daughter Knits, coming out spring of 2009. |
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FIBRE ARTS NEWS IN KINGSTON
We should be proud in Kingston of all of the wonderful artists that call this area home, Kate Sykes among them. She will be displaying new works in felt and mixed media at the Artel Gallery, 205 Sydenham Street from Nov. 13th to the 30th, with the Opening Reception on Nov. 15th from 1-5pm.
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WOOL-TYME Kingston pattern goes south.
I got an email the other day from a woman who makes organic baby products and was asking to use our design for the Baby Washcloth and Dribble Cloth, as seen on our Free Pattern Site. The cool thing is that this lady was emailing me from Australia. I think that's amazing, that someone on the other side of the world has seen the pattern and wants to share it with her customers. It can be a very small world when people share an interest. | |
