WOOL-TYME Kingstonlogo Kingston Newsletter
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January 2010
THE E-NEWSLETTER THAT KNITS US TOGETHER.
                                                      
Life Magazine 1941Welcome 2010!! 
A new year: a time to put away the decorations and sweep up the dust bunnies that have collected behind the tree and in our brains. A time to hunker down and enjoy the long evenings with some new knitting projects.
 Isn't this young lady sweet? It's all in how you hold your mouth. I did notice that she was holding her needles from the top and not "like a fork" as many of her generation were taught to do, because it was more "ladylike".
Whatever way you hold your needles, it only matters that you enjoy it and be relaxed in the process.
Why not make a resolution to take a class, learn a new technique, join in the Knitting Olympics (see below), anything to experience the creative enthusiasm that your favourite craft can bestow upon your brain. 
NEW IN BOOKS
Knitting a Kiss in every stitch
Nicky Epstein has brought us so many great knitting ideas in the past and this book is just another example of her practical creativity.
 
KNITTING A KISS IN EVERY STITCH
is not so much a book of knitted gifts as it is a selection of patterns to make for those we really care about when they need something special. It's for those who want to give of themselves when they share their knitting with loved ones.
Projects include extra special... just about anything. A knitting angel (or fairy godmother) hat, lovely beaded socks, a gorgeous bride's purse, a shawl created entirely of hearts (a great stash buster), 2 stunning lacy wraps with cuffs, a cat mat and a scarf/hat for poochie. There is a gift for everyone you feel close to.
And as a special feature are included 4 full pages of organizations to whom you can donate your knitting projects. Unfortunately all listings are for the USA but there is still inspiration in these pages for all of us.
 NEW PRODUCTS JUST IN. 
 
black sheepOur small packets of  unspun fleece, suitable for felting, crafting, thrum projects, etc. has been just flying out the door. Crafters of all stripes are finding many different uses for this most basic of fibre materials. Now to add to the great selection are 2 new colours of natural, undyed fleece: light grey and black/brown.
JOKE: Where does virgin wool come from?
Answer: From the fastest sheep!
We also have pieces of pure wool, undyed felted wool fabric for your crafting needs.
(Note: Click on the black sheep above to link to a very profound discussion about the colour of sheep in Scotland.)
 
"SWATCHLESS" and friends.
Knitting Olympics
 On the right is Kingston's pride, Vickie Keith, wearing her official Olympic mittens and holding the Olympic torch as it went through town a few weeks ago. On the left is Rachel Bearse, writer of "Swatchless", a terrific new knitting blog , with her own hand knitted version of these great patriotic mittens. Click on the picture and find more pictures and the link to buy the pattern on line. (As the official mittens are as scarce as hen's teeth, why not make a pair for all your Olympic afficionados.)
In the spirit of the season, half of the proceeds from this pattern will go to the Penguins Can Fly, a YMCA Aquatics Program for children with disabilities and their able bodied siblings where no one "sits on the bench". 
STOP THE PRESSES...This just in from the SWATCHLESS post of Dec. 31st: NBC's Official Olympic website has featured an article about Rachel's Olympic mittens. How exciting is that!
 
Rachel, a teacher at KCVI, is also the mother hen to the unbelievably energetic and accomplished knitting club at this local High School. knitted grad dress
Here is one of last year's graduates. Nicole Tavares has several aspects to her young knitting carreer that make her stand out: she knitted her graduation dress in alpaca lace yarn (shown here), and she's a great designer. Check out the free pattern at the end of the newsletter to try out Nicole's beautiful SNOWFALL MITTENS. Nicole is also documenting her own knitting journey on her blog: To Knit Invisible Stars. Knitting is indeed alive and well among the young.
knitting on the netKNITTING ON THE NET
 
Anyone who has had the wish to please a child byIntarsia knitting knitting their favourite cartoon character has been almost always disappointed by the fact that these licensed characters are seldom available in knitting patterns. There is a solution. By knitting a swatch (of any size!!!), you can create your own Knitter's graph paper on which you can trace the design you want and BEHOLD! your very own "Kitty" or whatever.
 
knitted chair
Believe it or not, now is the time to get out your plastic lawn chairs and plan to spruce them up for the summer or for indoor use during the many months they hide out in storage waiting for spring. At the Knitted Chairs site, you can see a whole selection of chair covers, practical and whimsical, waiting to inspire you.  This is my Worry Dollfavourite as it reminds me of my Grandpa's chair (I can almost see his ashtray beside it.)
 
This beautiful doll is crocheted, using Guatamalan "worry dolls" as beads to make up the dress. See this and other works of knitting artist: Karen Searle and check out her newest book: KNITTING ART.
Canadian Guild of Knitters

Big Changes for the Canadian Guild of Knitters, in a WIN-WIN agreement.
 
A Needle Pulling ThreadCynthia McDougall of the Canadian Guild of Knitters announced recently that the Guild would be joining forces with highly respected A NEEDLE PULLING THREAD magazine. By joining the Canadian Guild of Knitters, you receive this wonderful magazine for about the same price as a regular subscription! What a great deal!This Canadian magazine, in publication since 2005, has been recommended to me by several customers. I'm so glad that we will be receiving it regularly as part of my own retailer subscription as a member of the CGK. 
 
While not exclusively dedicated to knitting/crochet, this magazine offers much to crafters in general and I was impressed at how many of the projects did fall within the scope of the crafting customers that we meet every day. They've also recently expanded their knitting component and hired a knitting editor so we look forward to a home grown quality crafting publication in our midst.
Link here to the CGK site and to the NEEDLE PULLING THREAD and remember that WOOL-TYME Kingston is proud to honour members of the Canadian Guild of Knitters with a 10% discount on all regularly priced merchandise.
News from the Blanket Front
Project Linus Thanks again to all who have donated yarn, time, blankets and their folding/wrapping talents to getting our Project Linus blankets out to the kids who are needing some extra special security during a difficult time in their lives.
When dropping off some blankets at Children's Aid just before Christmas, I received a letter from Heather who puts together the Comfort Bags that children receive when they come into foster care. She expressed the delight of the children upon receiving their packs and blankets. It's heart-warming to all of us to be part of such a great project.
 
I'm often asked where the blankets are delivered after they leave the store. Here are a few of the locales: Children's Aid, Pathways for Children and Youth, The Native Friendship Centre, Dawn House, Interval House, Almost Home, Ryandale House, Bridge House, Better Beginnings.
 
If you know of any other organizations in the Gananoque, Kingston, Napanee areas that deal with children who are going through a difficult time in their lives and would like to make these blankets available to the children, please contact me at [email protected]
WHAT'S ON ANNE'S NEEDLES?
swatch design 
The Swatch
A few years ago when I turned 50 I realized that this is an important time in life and decided to knit all the people in my family a sweater for their 50th birthday. My brother, Anthony's turn comes up this September.
I had put aside some beautifully soft Noro in browns (the lower portion of the swatch above) for this sweater, then when I was speaking with him a few weeks ago, he told me that he really likes greens. I'm not prepared to give up on the brown yet, and it works beautifully with the Manos del Uruguay green mix so I think that I'll go with blending the 2 colours on alternating double rows.
The main reason why I decided to knit/design for my siblings' half century birthday is to force me to challenge my designing self. I'm looking forward to the process and no doubt you'll be seeing more of this sweater as it progresses. 
Double WOOLY BULLY scarf
My latest knitting for the store is this scarf made of 2 strongly contrasting colours of WOOL BULLY. I love it. The free pattern is available at the store.
KNITTING MUSIC???   
Tricot Machine
 Not really, but I just heard this great band from Quebec whose name happens to fit in well with our aim to bring you interesting facts about the knitting/fibre world: TRICOT MACHINE. Link here to the MySpace page to listen to some of their soft indie sounds.
Dates to remember January's List of Events
 
  Fimo Buttons on Carolyn's Jacket -Learn to make FIMO polymer clay buttons. We are so please to have Carolyn Barnett come to teach us how. An amazing treat. Saturday, January 23rd 1-4pm  
Link here to the WOOL-TYME Kingston blog for more information about this and our February classes: KNITTING WITH THRUMS (unspun tufts of wool) and BEGINNERS RUG HOOKING. 
 
-The Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners have a great line up of classes this winter, including lace knitting with handspun yarns, and Introduction to weaving, and a Colour Workout with Dorothy Young, which I will be attending on Jan. 30th. Link here for the complete listing.
 
-Tuesday, Jan. 19th, the gang will be meeting at Chapters in their Community Room from 7-9pm for some knitting fun.
-Wed. Jan. 13th & 27th: Rug hookers, new and experienced are encouraged to join us at WOOL-TYME Kingston from 6:30-8:30. FREE! 
 
Do you know of any knitting related activity that you would like to add to this list? Email me at: [email protected] and we'll be glad to include your news. 
LET THE GAMES BE PREPARED! 
 
Vancouver 2010The actual OLYMPICS in Vancouver are not starting until next month but now is the time to organize your KNITTING OLYMPICS project.
2010 mitts 
 The object of the exercise is to complete a knitting project that will challenge you, your abilities and your creativity. You  begin your project at the lighting of the Olympic torch on Feb. 12th and strive to finish it by the closing ceremonies on Feb. 28th.
 
Join us at WOOL-TYME Kingston for the kick off party on Friday, Feb. 12th at 6:30 as we follow the proceedings.
Here are some other ways to share in the fun with other knitters near and far. Link here to the Ravelry group: Vancouver 2010; get together with some friends and make up your own team; join us on the Tuesdays, 16th and the 23rd of Feb. at Jakk Tuesdays Sports Bar, next to the WOOL-TYME Kingston store for some Olympic Watching and knitting on their 120" screen TV. Any other ideas??? We'd love to hear them.
This is the month to get ourselves in shape for the big show!
 Knitting Tip of the Month :  
Knitter, know thyself (and thy project): We have to get realistic about what yarn we use to create the beautiful project that is in our brain.
  Chunky yarns are fast and gratifying if you're wanting a big, bulky "wrap-'em-up" type of sweater, but it won't make you a sweater that can be worn indoors for most of the year. On the other hand, the gorgeous fine draping sweaters that are found in retail stores are usually machine made with very fine yarn for a reason: they would kill the knitter with boredom to do them by hand.
 
 So realistic in yarn choice means asking the following questions:
 Where and when will my garment be worn? If it's midwinter don't make a jacket. If it's spring/summer don't go for a chunky (no, not even in cotton). If it's indoors, don't go thicker than Aran weight, preferably DK or sports weight. If you are head over heals for a yarn that is inappropriate for the circumstances of the wearing of it...CHANGE YOUR PLAN.
How washable does it need to be? If it's a hat or scarf or most darker coloured projects, you can go with the beautiful "handwash only" yarn. After all, how often will it need to be cleaned? If it's kids' clothes, mittens or  a summer top, go with a good practical cotton blend- you'll be washing it several times over the season.
Will it be worn against the skin or over a shirt? To create an overgarment, you don't need a yarn that is as soft as a baby's bottom; almost any yarn you fall in love with will be very wearable. For anything that will be against the skin try it by gently brushing the skein of yarn against the inside of your forearm - not your face. The forearm is a better tester of skin's sensitivity.
What is more important to me as a knitter: the process of knitting the garment or the overall appeal of the finished product? If you're a person who simply enjoys the knitting and is not too concerned about what it will look like after a season or two, then choose whatever you want and aim for projects that don't have to fit too precisely. If your aim is to create a piece that can represent your craftsmanship for years to come and can make you proud, you want to pay close attention to the details and perhaps be a bit more flexible about the precise colour or texture that you envisage. Perfection may only be in your dreams and you don't want to go through all that work to be disappointed.
 
Whatever your response is to these very important questions, bring these thoughts with you when you come to the store to choose your yarn. Your answers will help guide both you and  us to the best selections for your next project.
Do you have any knitting, finishing or fibre care questions that you'd like answered? If you do, others probably have the same question too. Please e-mail me at
[email protected] and we'll see about adding it to this Knitting Tip of the Month space.
JANUARY's Free Pattern
SNOWFALL MITTENS
Snowfall Mitten Pattern These exquisite mittens were designed by Kingston's own Nicole Tavares, young knitting writter and designer. Link here to her blog and pattern.
This is how Nicole describes the mitten experience: "Mittens are my favourite thing to knit in the fall because they seem like the perfect way to prepare for the winter. Thereʼs nothing like having warm mittens to slip your hands in when the snow begins to fly. These mittens were inspired by that first winter snow. The braid on the cuff helps the cuff to lie flat and the two colour fair isle pattern makes them thicker than a single colour mitten."
 
Link here for the WOOL-TYME Kingston website for other free knitting patterns.