WOOL-TYME Kingstonlogo

725 Gardiners Rd, Kingston ON                     613-384-3951 

For further information about products or to place an order
 - Please  email us or call 613-384-3951
September 2011

The newsletter that knits us together.

WOOL-TYME Kingston Logo 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

TO US ALL!

Who can believe that Sept 12th will mark

the 15th Anniversary of our store

When we opened  I only had 1 computer and no email address, I Opening Daydid my bookkeeping in a ledger, kept mailing addresses for the newsletter in a guest book, and  the only people under 30 who came in to the store were reluctant companions.

(<-Opening day madness.)

Now, we have a team of 5 of us running the store, we have  3 computers,  2 blogs and a newsletter service with over 1200 subscribers, twice the floor space and 4 times the stock, and every day we see as many knitters under the age of 30 as we did in any given month.

And of course, a main ingredient to our success has been

the continued support of you, our wonderful and loyal customers.

So to express our appreciation Knitting Cake

we are inviting you to our

15th ANNIVERSARY SALE

AND COFFEE BREAK FOR ALZHEIMERS

 

Monday, Sept 12th to Wednesday Sept 14th

 

15% off everything in the store

(except sale merchandise of course.)

 

 

And join us for a celebration cupcake and drink and contribute to the Canadian Alzheimer's Society's September Coffee Break campaign. 

   Prince of Wales Fairisle - Beautiful, and not nearly as scary as you might think.  

This is the picture of a former Prince of Wales that set off the style and brought Fairisle knitting to the attention of the fashion world. Since then it has also been popularized in Nordic knits and so many other styles.

 

If you're intrigued by the beautiful offering that this style of knitting has to offer, sign up now for WOOL-TYME Kingston's class with Elizabeth McCarten - designer and teacher, which takes place on November 5th. Meanwhile, here is an overview of some resources to help you take on the rewarding challenges of Fairisle knitting. 

 

Mastering Color Knitting

Mastering color knitting by Melissa Leapman.

 Actually, you get 3 times your money's worth with this new book from one of the best knitting authors around. Included are simple yet comprehensive instructions for "stranded" (among which is the Fairisle tradition), "intarsia" (or the art of knitting pictures, like the puppies we had on our sweaters as kids) and "Double Knitting" (very cool, reversible way of knitting). 200 original stitch patterns and 12 gorgeous projects that are both stylish and possible!  

 

 Here's a Fairisle tip to save time and stress:

 Traditionally, Fairisle or stranded knitting is done with a single background colour and a series of other colours making up the design. BUT with the advent of our wonderful selection of multi coloured, self-striping and self-patterning yarns, you can use a single contrast strand to achieve a beautiful fabric. Try out any of our multis, from 4 ply sock yarns to variegated chunkies. 

 Philosopher's Wool Pattern purse

Philosopher's Wool Company 

has set the standard in Canadian Fairisle knitting designs and teaching. Anne Bourgeois, co-owner of Philosopher's Wool has been demonstrating the two-handed Fairisle method since long before there were video tapes, and now you can link here to get this great sampler purse pattern and to watch Anne's demonstration. GIve it a try, it's a great place to start. 

 

Tricksy Knitter, Megan Goodacre

 

Megan Goodacre, is Tricksy Knitter 

 Check out Megan's site for a most wonderful tool: your very own Fairisle chart maker. Also she has lots of great knitting tricks and tips to share.  

     

Eshaness Cardi by Anne FeatonbyThis beautiful cardigan is called Eshaness by Anne Featonby. She is a designer who specializes in traditional Fairisle patterns and has taken some of the mystery out the stranding process by offering videos on  her blog showing how she deals with multiple strands.  

Anne Featonby Patterns on Ravelry.

 

 

 

NEW YARNS AND STYLES

FOR KIDS AND BABIES

Jenny Watson for King Cole YarnsJenny Watson Designs - Book 3,  for King Cole Yarns 

A terrific collection of up to the minute designs for knits that young moms really want! 

 

 Snowflake Chunky by Sirdar

  Snuggly Snowflake Chunky from Sirdar 

 This  super fast, super fun plushy yarn has returned in multi colours and self striping designs.   Makes the coziest blanket you can imagine.  

  

Wicked DK by King ColeWICKED DK by King Cole Yarns 

Funny name for a great kids' yarn. Shots of muticolours throughout the fabric make this the perfect yarn to jazz up  simple patterns. BABY WOOL COLOR by Schachenmayr

 

BABY WOOL COLOR by SMC

A wonderfully soft, 4 ply superwash baby wool that's perfect as an accent, as the background in Fairisle

work or by itself.  

NEW PRODUCTSLothlorian, merino possum gloves- now in stock

Lothlorian gloves

 

 Afraid of running out of time with a special gift that you need? I love these gloves, full length and fingerless versions made of Merino wool and possum fibre, they are the height of elegance. 

Interweave Knits 2012 Calendar

 

 

Sweater Workbook Calendar 2012

Get 'em while you can...We've been using a copy of last year's Interweave Knits calendar and it's truly inspirational (from a knitting perspective, that is.) Beautifully designed and full of punchy ideas to take your knitting thoughts up a notch.

Debbie Bliss Fall 2011

 Debbie Has Arrived

Debbie Bliss's magazine is the one publication that is anxiously awaited by everyone who has ever owned a previous issue. And this one doesn't disappoint. Come in soon to pick up your copy, it ALWAYS sells out!

PROJECTS THAT WE'RE PROUD OF AT logo

 The first of the kits for the Block Afghan project were delivered just before September 1st and already I've heard of people casting on for their first square.

Everyone -

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JOIN US ON TUESDAY, Sept 20th from 6:30-8:30pm to learn more about this wonderful project that gives you a chance to improve your knitting and finishing skills, and allows you to stretch your knitterly confidence.

Check out the project by linking to our blog.

  _________________________

2011- Irish Knitting Tour

 
WOOL-TYME Kingston's Irish Knitting Tour
Our first (of what we are hoping will become an annual) knitting tour will be leaving from Toronto on Monday, Sept. 26th, heading for Dublin for a 10-day tour of the southern part of Ireland.

 

Visit our blog Link to the blog to follow us as we make our way through Wateford, the Aran Isles, Galway and back to Dublin for a final knitting workshop on the finer points of Irish knitting.

 

Meet some of the wonderful folks that we encounter along the way, and see how many of us actually have the courage to kiss the Blarney Stone.

 

And for all of you who have expressed regret at not being able to join us this year, but would like to take part in future trips, here's your chance to put your 2 cents worth in with Pam at Service Guaranteed Travel about other destinations where you would like to join us with your enthusiam and your needles.

Coming EventsWHAT'S COMING IN SEPTEMBER?

 

 

 15th Anniversary Sale

going on at WOOL-TYME Kingston from Monday, Sept 12th 

to Wednesday, Sept 14th.

See opening article for more details. 

 

 PICK UP YOUR SCHEDULE OF ALL OUR CLASSES OFFERED UNTIL DECEMBER 2011.

(but here are the ones coming up in September.)

 

DARN THOSE SOCKS! Darn those socks!

Wednesday. Sept. 14th  6:30-8:30pm.

Teacher: Anne Woodall.

Everything you need to know to add years to the  life of your knitwear.  

 

 SOCK IN A DAY

Saturday, Sept. 14th, 10am-2:30pm

Teacher: Anne Woodall

 Yes, it's true. If you can knit and purl comfortably, you can learn to make socks in just one day.

 

KNITS THAT FIT YOU!

Wednesday, September 28th

6:30-8:30pm

Teacher: Deb White

Deb's class is back by popular demand. What you need to know to choose and adapt designs so that they fit and flatter you. A must for any knitter who wants to knit for themselves.

Link here for more information on all upcoming classes. Call (613 384 3951) or email us at the store to register.

 

ATTENTION BLOCK AFGHAN KNITTING PARTICIPANTS.

The 1st of our monthly get togethers to swap stories, pick up finishing tricks and  to support each other towards a beautifully finished afghan will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 20th at the store from 6:30-8:30pm.

KNITTERS WE MEET AND HEAR ABOUT.

Sissel Borgh Svange from NORWAY on Ravelry 

 Sissel Borgh Svange

A few weeks ago we had a visit from a lovely lady, Sissel, who was visiting Canada while taking a much deserved holiday from working at her Yarn shop, Jens Hoff in Trondheim, in the northern part of Norway. Check out her website where you can get to see her lovely store, view some of the products that they carry, decipher some Norwegian words and perhaps even send her an email from this side of the world. Don't worry, her English is excellent.

 

Bishop Richard RuttRICHARD RUTT 

On July 27th Richard Rutt, the Anglican Bishop of Leicester died. This would not typically be news that I would report here, if it were not for the fact that Monsignor Rutt was somewhat like the Elizabeth Zimmermann of knitting in Great Britain, as the author of the definitive work: A History of Hand Knitting, and the contributor of his extensive library of historical knitting books to the University of Southampton's vast  Knitting Collection. A fine life indeed.  

Farewell yarns,

Welcome bargains!

 To make room for our new yarns, this month we're bidding adieu to  Sirdar's PERSIA, a chunky boucle that is great for accessories    

 

ASPEN, a multi coloured chunky that is just $2.99/50g ball. It's a steal.

Naturally's BUTTONS is a superwash pure wool, in the very popular DK weight. Great for kids sweaters. More than 35% off, you'll want to grab some of each of these vibrant colours. 

ALSO, keep checking our SALE area for "orphans", and other yarns that we are pleased to offer at up to 50% off.

 

  WHAT'S ON ANNE'S's NEEDLES? Anne
 
I try not to pile up the WIPs (works in progress) but this month I got a little carried away, what  with new yarns coming in and the need for a variety of knitting projects while on our recent holidays out West. Consequently I now have 3 projects all at the half way mark to completion.

Since we got the FLYING SAUCER sock yarn, that purports to knit into 2 identical funky socks, I had to see it for myself. I'm not surprised that it was not quite as easy as one would expect to get 2 identical socks from 2 strands of yarn that have been dyed exactly the same. Everyone's tension varies a bit from day to day (or minute to minute in some cases), but it's not too difficulty control if you're paying attention and to bring it back on track. It also gave me a chance to get some hands on experience with our fabulous new WIP project holders from Nancy's Knit Knacks. 
 
I'm also working on a Ridged Baktus Scarf using POEMS self striping yarn and quite enjoying the blending of colours. See our FREE PATTERN feature below to read more about this simple yet effective design.

 

Finally, we have been getting so many new yarns lately and I just had to try out the new DRAKE from Estelle Designs. It's absolutely gorgeous and would work for so many chunky/bulky accessories, including our ever populuar Classic Diagonal Scarf.

 

P.S. Sorry that I haven't any pictures of my actual works in progress, but I brought my camera all the way to B.C. without taking it out of the case once, only to lose it in the week since I've been back. Arghh.
Knitting on the  NetKNITTING ON THE NET Elizabeth Taylor

You'll love these wonderful pictures of the queens of Hollywood plying their/our favourite pastime (and not one of them looks staged). Kitty Kelley, in her unathorized biography, "Elizabeth", wrote that fiance Richard Burton would quip that when he was on stage, Elizabeth would often be in the wings, knitting.

   

HOW WE KNIT A couple of months ogo, we were talking in knitting class about how many diferent ways there are of holding our yarn, our needles and our hands while knitting. Michelle, who was part of the discussion, sent me this link View our videos on YouTubeto a great little video that shows just that. The video was made by the folks at WEBS in Northhampton MA, which I've had the privelege of visiting on a couple of occasions. 

Thanks, Michelle. 

 

 Charles Darwin and knitted friendMR DARWIN AND HIS KNITTED FRIEND

 This statue of Charles Darwin has been befriended by "Plarchie", a life size replica of "Archie" the giant squid that lives in London's Museum of Natural History. Plarchie was knitted from 162 cut up plastic grocery bags and has even made the cover of KNIT THE CITY, a Knitting Whodunnit. The question remains: Why?

   Amy Herzog

I recently posted on my blog about Amy Herzog's wonderful series: Fit to Flatter.  This fabulous study is 123 pages of pure info for those of us who are sick of falling in love with styles that don't suit our body shape. I've recommended it to several people over the past few weeks who aren't even knitters, just people who want to save time when trying on clothes in stores.  
 

Phone AppsThe other day I had a lady bring in a Canadian Living yoked fairisle sweater pattern from the early '80s that I had made at least 4 times in the old days. What nostalgia! Zoom ahead 30 years and we have 3 HANDY PHONE APPS FROM the Canadian Living blog. With life getting busier over the years and the fact that I've somewhat outlived their major demographic group, I haven't kept up my subscription but I still keep an eye on Canadian Living and appreciate what they do to connect us.

Thanks Barb for sending the app link.  

  

SEPTEMBER'S FREE PATTERN: 

Ridged Baktus ScarfTHE RIDGED BAKTUS SCARF 

One of our most popular and versatile patterns, the Ridged Baktus Scarf can be worn as a shawlette, a fichu, or just casually draped around your neck as an accent scarf.
Adapted in this 2 tone ridged version by Alana Baig for WOOL-TYME Kingston, this scarf is easy enough for beginners, yet has a WOW factor that we love.
The pattern is also available in kit form at the store in many colour options, which takes the guess work out of choosing and measuring the yarns. Or if you prefer, you can download the pattern from our popular WOOL-TYME Kingston Pattern Site and put your creativity (and your stash?) to work making as many variations as you can think of.