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We're joining the teens!!!
Is this not the dream cake of any 13 year old girl? It was how my niece celebrated her 13th birthday a few days ago, which happens to come just weeks before WOOL-TYME Kingston's 13th anniversary on September 12th.(Anyone who knows how much I swoon over any kind of cake will understand how I covet her celebration.)
It's hard to believe that the store has been in Kingston as long as 13 years! But it's not so difficult when I realize how many styles, colour palettes and trends in knitting have come, gone and sometimes even returned again as the newest and hottest craze. Remember eyelash yarn. Or who would have imagined a decade ago that we would actually knit to purposely SHRINK our knitting. Or self-striping yarns. Or the never ending love affair that many knitters have with making socks.
Some things have also changed forever, and mostly for the better: Knitting's presence on the internet being the major one that comes to mind (see this issue of Knitting on the Net below), but also our interest in cooperatively produced yarns from developing countries, and our love affair with exotic fibres like cashmere, bamboo, silks, and how easily available they all are.
To so many of us September signals the beginning of new year. It's a time to make resolutions based on learning and becoming more aware of what is new in the greater world of knitting; and WOOL-TYME Kingston is right there waiting for you with our list of classes listed at the right and on the WOOL-TYME Kingston blog. And speaking of a new year, we're happy to introduce Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's 2010 edition of the "Never Not Knitting" Page A Day Calendar. Get 'em while you can. Last year they sold out in the slip of a stitch. |
 I was blown away when first introduced to this newest member of the Manos del Uruguay family of eco/people friendly yarns: The Naturals. Like it's siblings, this yarn is cooperatively hand dyed and spun in Uruguay but has the added dimension of a multi-hued beauty of different shades of wool blended before the dyeing process. I'm working on a sample scarf design right now. It's truly seductive.
So here's the answer to What's on Anne's needles: POM, Europe's new knitting fashion craze...and it's HOT. A series of sturdy pompoms are laced between knitting strands to create a soft, rich textured fabric that is great for scarves, cuffs, headbands, etc. Easy to knit and ridiculously quick, POM could quickly become Canada's hottest craze too. Ask for your free pattern for the 30 Minute Scarf.
Sirdar has really gone all out this year in creating 3 new yarns that I really love:
NOMAD, CROFTER CHUNKY AND PERSIA
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BOOKS GALORE
There are way too many new books that have come in this month to describe them all; you'll just have to make yourself come and have a browse. I'd hate to have to choose - they're all beautiful. Here are a few titles and covers to wet your appetite:
 - New Twists On Twined Knitting by Laura Farson
-The Best Dressed Knitted Bear, by Emma King
-Cables, Diamonds, Herrigbone. Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters by Sabine Domnick.
-Knits From the North Sea, Lace in the Shetland Tradition, by Noble and Peterson.
-Knitting Goes Large 20 Designs to Flatter Your Figure by Sharon Brant
-Knits for Dogs & Cats by Tina Barrett |
New Patterns from trusted friends
From Sirdar, our customers' most trusted patterns source: 5 new books for favourite yarns. Did you know that at WOOL-TYME Kingston, Sirdar patterns outsell all the other companies put together by about 2 to 1. Our customers love their designs, their patterns, not to mention the amazing photography.
Patons book 875, Monkey Business is one of the funniest sets of knitted dolls I've seen in years. And there's a free tear off leaflet of the basic knitted "socks monkey" just to get you in the mood for the rest of these cuties in the book. Lots of other great free leaflets from Patons and Bernat too.
 SR Kertzer has sent us 4 new books with a total of 18 new patterns in those popular but sometimes hard to find worsted and chunky weight designs. Lots of other great individual leaflets too. |
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Knitting Blogs -(how do they type and knit at the same time?)
This special announcement just in from Vogue Knitting Magazine, Fall 2009 -O f all the special interest groups on the web, knitters has the highest number of bloggers, including our favourite: The Yarn Harlot shown here.
And that doesn't even count all the Ravelers who are seriously connected to each other through their favourite on-line knitting community: RAVELRY without the aid of a blog.
To confirm VKM's statement, it took me about 3 minutes to find the following link to Ringsurf, a single web link which alone boasts 1543 knitting bloggers and counting. (You can link to it from here to register your own blog - And while you're at it, why not send me an email at wooltymekingston@gmail.com and I'd be glad to put a link to your site from the store's blog.) |
 KNITTING ON THE NET
Knitters are indeed cyber savvy and we at  WOOL-TYME Kingston have recently broken with tradition by displaying 2 sample sweaters made from patterns that we can't sell !!! What would possess us to do such a strange thing from a marketing perspective, you might ask.
Well the reality is that there are some very talented knitwear designers who are only offering their patterns on-line, and we want to support these designers and offer quality yarns to our customers who would like to make these projects.
At the store we offer an Info sheet for each of these sweaters which includes details re sizing and materials needed as well as our knitter's suggestions (both sweaters have been made by our own staff members). A copy of the pattern is also at the store - but ONLY for the staff member to help you with any questions that you might have.
Out of respect for the wishes of the designers, both patterns must be obtained on-line:
Do check out these patterns and please feel free to come into the store with your own copy to obtain our info support sheets when you purchase the materials for either of these gorgeous sweaters.
And speaking of patterns o  nly available on the net: Isn't this cute little knitted & felted "Brown Bag" just the perfect thing for back to school (or work). Link here for Knitty.com's wonderful pattern. |
 NEW STUFF TO LOVE
No wonder we think of this time of the year as the other New year, there is so much that is new to discover in the knitting world.
The first are the answer to many sock knitters' prayers: 9inch circular needles by Takumi/Clover. Finally, a single circular needle that is short enough to comfortably work around any adult sock. Also great for baby bonnets and small sleeves.
We also have from Estelle's new line of quality bamboo needles, the shorter 6" sets of double pointed needles - also fabulous for socks, and their 9" shorter pairs of bamboo needles. It's great to have suppliers who respond to the needs of their customers with well priced, quality products.
Those of you who know the beauty using EUCALAN for your fine washables will recognize the quality of their newest product that comes to the rescue in emergencies: EUCALAN WIPES, effective, gentle and handy. Reg. $3.50/4wipes
September's introductory special: $2.99 | |
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WHAT'S ON ANNE'S NEEDLES? 
This is a picture of one of the tidbits that I've been working on this month. When customers see me at work/play with this project the most popular question seems to be: "What are you DOING??"
For the answer to this pressing querry, see our New Yarns section below and left. |
Fall Class Schedule
 Kingston
The list is all set and we're waiting for you to make your selection of which exciting classes you're up for this fall.
Below is a quick summary of what is offered and when, but link here to the WOOL-TYME Kingston blog to get all the details for each class. -CROCHET FOR CONFIRMED KNITTERS Sat. Sept 19th.
-SOCK-IN-A-DAY. 2 dates to choose from: Sat. Sept. 26th or Sat. Dec. 12th.
-TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING. FOR BEGINNERS. Sat. Oct. 3rd.
-Crazy MODULAR SCARF with Deb White. Sat. Oct 17th.
-RUG HOOKING, FINISHING TECHNIQUES. Sat. Oct 24th.
-EASY LACE - FEATHER AND FAN. Sat Oct. 31st.
-FELT AS ART DEMO WITH ANDREA GRAHAM. Sat. Nov 7th.
-DROP SPINDLE FOR BEGINNERS. Sat. Nov. 14th.
- MITT-IN-A-DAY. Sat. Nov. 21st.
-INVISIBLE SEAMS - MATTRESS STITCH. Sat. Dec 5th. |
 September knitting activities
-Sept. 12 & 13 , The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum's (MVTM) Fibrefest in Almont Ont. (just east of Carleton Place) features fibre art vendors, demonstrations, a weaving exhibit, a textile appraisal fair, mill worker re-enactments and a theatrical play!
-Sat. Sept 19th Crochet for the Confirmed Knitter class with Janette Atwell.
- Sat. Sept 26th Sock in a Day class with Anne Woodall. Link to our blog for details on both of these classes. -Tuesday, Sept. 15th, the Kingston Knitting Circle will be meeting at Chapters Community Room from 7-9pm for some chat and stitching fun. Please join us.
-Wed. Sept. 9th and Sept 23rd Rug hookers, new and experienced are encouraged to join us at WOOL-TYME Kingston from 6:30-8:30. Come and see what this time honoured to craft has to offer you fibre fans.
-Every Wednesday evening, a group of avid knitters has been meeting at the Loyal Oarsman pub at 7pm in the mall behind McDonald's on Bath Rd, west of Days Rd. They would love to welcome new friends.
-Attention Downtowners! Monday's at Starbucks in the Indigo Book store on lower Princess St there is a Stitch and Chat group that meets at 7pm. All are welcome. |
KNITTING FOR SOLDIERS - Operation Santa Claus was a great success.
Thanks to all of you who donated crafty gifts and stocking stuffers for our Canadian Troops in Afghanistan. On Aug. 17th I mailed a package which contained 13 scarves, 3 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of slippers, 2 hats, a neck warmer, a capelet and a great assortment of little comforts from home. I'm sure it will all be greatly appreciated. You're all wonderful! |
A new way to use an old favourite.
Here's a story from a true Eucalan believer:
"I wash my towels using Eucalan, then I put them in the dryer for 10 minutes to soften them up and then put them on the line. They dry beautifully soft. I have been doing this forever! All I wear is cotton, linen and silk clothing and I can't stand ironing, so this is my try and true sucess story!"
Lynne
If you haven't tried our wonderful Eucalan Wool Wash, now is the time to treat yourself and freshen up the fall knits.
Save $2 on our 500ml bottle- just $8.99 for the month of September.
(refills are just $7.49 save $1.50) |
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This one is made of odd balls of Noro's KUREYON, but could be equally stunning as a stash buster augmented with some of the great finds from our Clearance area.
The pattern also offers the opportunity for more advanced knitters to learn the "Knitting backwards" technique. September should be all about learning new stuff.
HOW FUN IS THAT! | |
Kingston Newsletter
Knitting Tip of the Month :
Cloche Hat