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 Our warmest greetings!
Last week I was in Novel Idea Bookstore on Princess St and bought this wonderful collection of Christmas cards showing the yarn painting techniques of the Huichol people of Mexico. The "paintings" are created by covering wood with a mixture of beeswax and pine resin, then pressing in threads of brightly coloured yarn.The deer and wolves in this painting symbolize the means by which important messages are conveyed to humans.
It's wonderful to see how people from other parts of the world have adapted the medium that we use to make hats, mitts, scarves and sweaters, to express their rich heritage.
We at WOOL-TYME Kingston wish you and yours a wonderful run up to the Holidays, full of the awareness of how much we have, how much we share, and how much we need each other. |
What's New in Yarns? Lots.  The word of the month, when it comes to the new yarns in the store, would have to be Avalanche!
But how can you complain when they're all as beautiful as can be. The yarn to the left is called FIAMATO and has been selling like hotcakes for all kinds of fast and simple gift giving projects, but works to a standard chunky tension making it a perfect choice for a simple sweater to wow them over the holidays.
 CASCADE YARNS is quickly becoming North America's favourite for classic, beautiful and affordable fibre yarns. Their newest, MAGNUM is a glorious super bulky, softly spun yarn that can be used in so many ways: quick accessories, as fleece in your thrum projects, wet and needle felting, so many possibilities...
Plymouth Yarn's Earth Collection has brought us HILLSIDE LINEN, a seductive blend of alpaca and linen in natural colours produced under strict earth friendly conditions.
 Are you ready to treat yourself? From Lana Gatto, comes CLASS, an 80/20 blend of superfine Merino wool and angora, this yarn is just perfect for that special DK/ light worsted project you've been planning. 
Another softee and a return by popular demand to the shelves of WOOL-TYME Kingston is KITTEN MOHAIR, a lovely blend of mohair, wool and high quality Courtelle acrylic. This yarn can fill a dozen needs, either as an affordable luxury yarn, as an add in to give a touch of softness to any project or as classic worsted/DK yarn on its own. |
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STYLE IN NEW BOOKS
 Patons' book 877, PURE STYLE is such a perfect example of the consistent quality in designs that this company has been achieving over the past few years. Who could believe 8 stunning patterns in a single book for $4.95? This one will become a standard.
And by the way, all the patterns in this book can be knit in Patons DECOR, which has improved immeasurably over the past year. To give them their due, we've gone from only stocking about a dozen colours of Decor to 40 of them. We're glad to have this standard back, taking its place among other good Canadian yarns.
  Another consistantly fine source of knitting patterns are the publishers of Knitter's Magazine. And as they've done for jackets, Aran knits and many other themes, they've collected the best of their home decor knitting patterns into this latest book: Knitter's at HOME.
One might wonder how many afghan and pillow patterns we might need, but this is a terrific book for many other reasons: great ideas and colour combinations as well as specific instructions for nearly every knitting technique that I know, including fabulous directions on how to make the yarn fringe on the KNIT pillow shown above. A terrific resource to ask the Book Elf to bring you for Christmas. |
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GIFTS FOR KNITTERS AND CRAFTERS
 Not just around the Holidays but all year I have my eyes open for new and unusual products of interest to knitters and crafters in general. It is one of the favourite aspects of what I do. Well this year we've got a fabulous collection of interesting stocking stuffers, gifts and add-ons that you won't be able to resist. This lovely little felted bag from Nepal is for holding your notions and they come in other shapes and colours. Also available are circular and straight needle cases.  We received a great selection of gift tags like this one to attach to your knitted gifts: "Just because it's HANDMADE doesn't mean it's cheap." We have note cards, a gorgeous selection of locallly crafted knitting bags, sets of knitting needles and crochet hooks, not to mention a great assortment of books for all levels of ability and interests.
And of course, if you're a bit nervous about Santa's selection ability, you can always recommend a WOOL-TYME Kingston gift certificate, our most popular gift item of the season. |
MORE ON RUG HOOKING !
Our corner of supplies for rug hookers is becoming more and more popular as people discover and rediscover this beautiful traditional craft.
We carry in stock 3 gauges of burlap, printed patterns, kits for beginners and experienced practitioners, thread, binding, hoops, a selection of sample yarn skeins in 2 different weights and dozens of wonderful colours in pure wool plus many sample balls of yarns of all descriptions.
My latest and most prized product is the Puritain rug hooking frame which can be special ordered for customers, as can rotary cutters and most other rug hooking supplies and products.
I'm also thrilled to now have a source for the best in books from RUG HOOKING MAGAZINE. One of the ones that we carry regularly is the RUG HOOKER'S BIBLE, which is considered to be one of the best on the market. |
KNITTING/READING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
 It has been my observation that knitting and reading seem to naturally go together. In browsing the KF Public Library site, I found 690 books under the subject of knitting, and at least 20% of those appeared to be novels about knitting, knitters and yarn/fiber fans. I know too that the folks at Chapters, as our monthly hosts for the Kingston Knitting Circle meetings, (3rd Tues. of the month, except this month - see December events) are always aware of those of us who are looking for knitting literature, and are willing to point out new additions to their collection.
Speaking of which we have started our own collection of great craft related books to browse through at the store and some genre novels that people are welcome to borrow. Our first novel is "A Good Yarn" by Debbie Macomber which I got at the library's book sale. Anyone who would like to donate to our collection to share among our customers is welcome to do so.
Meanwhile, in case you only have a few minutes to spend on your reading (finishing off those last minute gifts) here's a great little short story (especially for the sci-fi group) featured in the latest issue of Knitty.com called "The Sock Thief". |
 KNITTING ON THE NET
 This unusual knitted piece is a Christmas Tree hat. Can't you just imagine all the ways that you could decorate it? Can you imagine who would wear it??? Although I wouldn't consider this to be a last minute project, there are many others on Knitting Pattern Central, where I found it  .
This Candy Cane Cozy would be a perfect example of a project found there that can be done with kids or by any knitter in the blink of an eye.
Rather than becoming jaded about the amazing ways in which the Internet has changed our lives over the past decade, I always find something with which I am truly amazed every time I spend a few minutes browsing around what's out there. | |
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WHAT'S ON ANNE'S NEEDLES?
Warning: your promise of secrecy made last month, with regards to these knitted gifts for my family is still binding. 
Slipper #1.
I'm sure that I'll have plenty of time to finish up these slippers before Christmas, but I had gotten about half way through a sock in SWTC Tofutsie for this daughter, who always asks for socks...then when she was home in October, she asked if Mrs Claus might be sending her a pair of slippers this year?
As promised last month, here is a picture of daughter #1's felted ADVENTURE BAG now that it's been all tidied up and handle attached. I show this final phase of the felting/finishing process to emphasize how lovely felted knits look despite their misshapen attitude when first they emerge from the washing machine. It really is a wonderful pattern and quite easy for any knitter.
This is GNOCCI, the newest of the pompom yarns to hit the store and I happen to like it a lot. The scarf took just 2 balls of yarn and less than an hour to complete. The whole pompom yarn phenomenon is taking off and with such a beautiful fabric, we're glad it is. |
 Kingston
This month, I'll be teaching 2 classes and both are among our most sought after skills:
Dec. 5th, 1-4pm: Invisible Seams. Learn how to finish the seams of your knitted garments like a pro. 
Dec. 12th, 10am - 2pm SOCK-IN-A-DAY That's right, in a day! It may not be pretty but the sock that you create on this day will give you all you need to knit socks for anyone, in any weight of yarn.
What's Coming in the New Year?
Designing and creating FIMO buttons with Carolyn Barnett;
Thrum Mitts and more, with Anne;
and another beginners class in Rug Hooking, a perennial favourite. |
 December's Knitting Events
We had such a wonderful time on Friday, Nov. 13th, getting together with knitters from around to the city to enjoy the company of likeminded crafters that we decided to do it again! Actually it's our 10th annual Christmas OPEN HOUSE which will be on Tuesday, Dec. 15th from 7-9pm All are welcome to bring some treats and have some of our warm cider and decaf. We'd love to see you.
-Wed. Dec. 9th & 23rd: Rug hookers, new and experienced are encouraged to join us at WOOL-TYME Kingston from 6:30-8:30. Come and see my new Puritain rug hooking frame. I LOVE IT!
- Although not strictly a knitting related event, and not to take anything away from all of the other very worthy bazaars going on at this time of the year, I want to let you know about this one as I've the planning to attend it since speaking with the organizer last summer. On both weekends from Dec. 11th to Dec. 20th a Bazaar in support of Calcutta Rescue Canada will be happening at 193 Earl St. Some of you may know Daniell Aird from her booth at Market Square where she sells beautiful silk products in support of the the poor of West Bengal. tThe products are stunningly beautiful and the way that Danielle and her helpers go about raising funds for Calcutta Rescue is awe inspiring in its compassion and simplicity. Further details: Danielle 613-544-6625
Do you know of any knitting related activity that you would like to add to this list? Email me at: wooltymekingston@gmail.com and we'll be glad to include your news. |
"Shepherds enjoying shear profits."
When we think of shepherds at this time of the year, the fellows above tend to come to mind.
But according to a recent agricultural article in the Globe and Mail, lamb producers are working up a campaign to help raise the profile of their industry that has quietly maintained healthy margins in recent years, unlike pork and beef producers.
Their aim is to have retailer and consumer demands satisfied with local product rather than through imports.
Let's hear it for the benefits of healthy eating of local products! | |
Kingston Newsletter
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