Knitter's Frolic Fun

What did we do today when we weren't at work at Serenity Knits? Frolic! Gabriela, Laurie and I went to the Knitter's Frolic at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto. It showcased the lovely yarns, patterns, books and knitting supplies from many of the area yarn shops.

Here Gabriela and Karen arrive - with empty bags!

There was booth after booth of knitting temptations.

It's exciting to be surrounded by so many people sharing their love of knitting.

Gabriela met one of her favourite lace knitwear designers. She has knit several garments with Ilga Leja's wonderful patterns.

Misti Alpaca's booth provided a treat for the eyes and fingers with their selections of hand dyed alpaca yarns. Karen had a chance to talk with their representative, Mary about the soon to be released, washable alpaca sock yarn that will be arriving at Serenity Knits this summer.

We didn't have the nerve to frolic with the yarns all day and leave Karen's husband Steve to mind the store all alone. What an amazing guy! He is great with the customers - always an answer for every question that is garanteed to bring a smile to their faces. He is also an expert at operating the wool winding equipment. Thanks Steve, you did a super job.

Karen

Designing My Perfect Sweater

One of our most popular knitting classes is "Designing My Perfect Sweater". The knitter starts with a beautiful yarn and some ideas and transforms them into a perfect fitting designer sweater. The class runs for 6 weeks and starts with plenty of swatching, measuring and sketching. The ideas develop into schematics and a working pattern and the knitting begins. By the last class, most of the knitting has been accomplished and the last of the finishing details need to be completed at home. It's exciting to see the students come back in a week or two, modeling their final designs.

Susan brought back her finished sweater and it was absolutely magnificent. Her design began with a radiating lace motif that she saw featured on the back of a sweater pattern. She choose an alpaca and merino blend of yarn in her favourite colour. Susan even added "steeks" to the front lace pattern so that it could be cut open (really - with scissors!) and bordered as a cardigan. Bell sleeves and a shawl collar were knit to complete the original design.

It's fun to become the designer and turn your ideas into a wearable one of a kind garment. Along the way, you start to understand the various elements that go into a perfect sweater. Most importantly, you learn more about becoming a better knitter - a goal that we can all appreciate.

Karen

Socks, Socks & More Socks

It seems like all knitters are knitting socks these days - and it would be hard not to. Hand knitted socks just have love written all over them. They are the perfect gift to tell someone how much you care. They are portable and can be made with endless design options and stitch possibilities. The yarn can do all the hard work for you and make you appear like a knitting genius. That is probably why our sock yarn corner is bursting with so many new offerings.

The long awaited Noro sock yarn has arrived with its magnificant array of vibrant colours.

Beth has almost finished her first Noro sock and it looks terrific.

Collinette's Jitterbug is certain to brighten any day. It has an unusual diagonal colour pool - very eye catching!

Fleece Artist continues to be a favourite sock knitter's choice. As with most knitting projects, the hardest part is often choosing which colour to use first.

Sock knitting does come with a couple of warnings. After wearing hand knit socks and feeling their luxurious fibres and perfect fit, many people never want to go back to wearing manufactured socks again. The biggest "problem" though is that sock knitting can be addictive - a risk that we feel is well worth taking - after all you can never have or give away too many socks.

Karen

Great Knitting Projects from our Classes

Our "Project Class" knitters are such great knitters. They amaze us with not only the quantity of knitting, but also the excellent quality.

Jeanette has completed a Norah Gaughan design with a detailed yoke of interlocking pentagons.

Mary Joe is wearing her lovely Noro sweater (the second one that she has completed this winter).

Nancy is working on another top so that she is ready when spring actually arrives. She just celebrated a special birthday with a surprise cruise with the family. Her mother, Maria, knit her a spectacular skirt from Handmaiden Sea Silk with a coordinating top to wear during the trip.

Heather designed and knit this lovely sweater in the "Designing Your Perfect Sweater" class. She has placed a delicate lace patterned panel up the middle of each side of the cardigan and matching lace insets in the sleeves. The entire project was completed in just 2 months - from design concept to swatching, schematics, knitting, perfect finishing and now wearing with pride.



Well done to all our knitters. You inspire and motivate us! We celebrate with you when you share your finished projects with us. Keep the needles clicking and enjoy the many rewards that knitting brings.

Karen

Manos del Uruguay Trunk Show

In spite of an unwelcome blustery winter storm, Serenity Knits hosted a Manos Del Uruguay Trunk show last night. Our brave distributor from Ashley Yarns in Hamilton endured the horrible road conditions and spent a few hours "crawling" to our store. Our customers, who also deserve credit for struggling through the ice and snow, were rewarded with an exciting line of beautiful yarns.

There was plenty of anticipation as Letha from Ashley Yarns, brought bags (and a "trunk") full of garments, yarn and patterns into the store.

The new Manos silk and fine merino blend in a lighter DK weight had a lustrous palette of colours. There was also the traditional aran weight 100% wool and the worsted weight cotton "Stria" for us to enjoy. Over 100 hand dyed colours are now available.

Heather ( above left) and Gabriela (above right) both cuddled some "yummy" yarn that was begging to go home with them.

Joan (left)with help from Doris had fun trying to figure our which was the right way to wear the Manos "many options" knit jacket. It did look great!

Patti (right) checked out the colour choices - the hardest part was picking just one favourite.

Letha explained the Free Trade aims of the Manos Del Uruguay Cooperative. "The goal was to develop economic opportunities for the women in rural Uruguay, where there were and continue to be few opportunities for work." The dyeing process that was originally done in iron kettles heated over wood fires has been refined. The colours are now kept consistent using stainless steel pots and steam heat to produce the beautiful Manos "stria" trademark product. The co-ops spin and dye Manos yarn as well as knit blankets and garments. These artisans and handworkers are provided with a fair wage for their high quality products.

If you weren't able to attend the Manos Trunk Show, Ashley Yarns has graciously allowed us to display most of the garments, yarn and patterns for another week. You still have time to be inspired by this exciting yarn and as the Manos co-operatives say "We'd like to change the world, one skein at a time".

Karen

Spring has Arrived

Our store transformation has happened. The winter yarns have gone into hibernation, only to be replaced by the bright colours of the spring fibres. I am a bit of a "clean and neat freak" around the store (actually Beth would likely call it compulsive) and can't stand seeing a skein out of place. The last couple of weeks have been "traumatic" for me, with the store totally upside down (see March 8'08 blog). Right on time though, spring arrived here with the new yarns blossoming with incredible project possibilities. Here is a preview of what you'll find.

Above is our Super 10 Butterfly Cotton that knits beautifully to either DK (22 st / 4 in) or worsted (20 st / 4 in) depending on your choice of needle size. It is machine washable and dryer safe. There are cheery colours for every taste.

This is Needful Yarns "Kelly" in variegated shades with the coordinating "Kim" solids. It is a worsted cotton blend - light and cool, with a great selection of patterns for summer fashions.
Nashua's Creative Focus Cotton, a 100% worsted cotton, was extremely popular last summer with its extensive array of colours. We brought it back this year complete with all the new shades. It is perfect for lace garments and there are samples in the store so you can see and feel the lovely effect.

Felting is still extremely popular, with many knitters making the Noni purses, blooming with bouquets of felted flowers for spring and summer. We have an entire "felting wall" complete with Cascade 220 and Nashua Creative Focus yarns.

If you still have a few winter projects that you need to get to before starting on your spring wardrobe, we don't mind disturbing our hibernating yarns for you. We are in awe of the organized knitters who are working on gifts for next Christmas. We aren't that disciplined, so you'll need to excuse us as we happily play with the new arrivals. Welcome Spring!

Karen

Farewell to a Dear Friend

Many of you were greeted in the store during the first months that we were open by my two dogs. My sheltie, Sprite and black lab, Sierra would join me at work when there wasn't going to be anyone at home to look after them. By the time that evening classes were underway, they were worn out from all their duties of the day and were quite content to catch a few winks under the teaching table.

Sprite was well versed in knitting; usually sitting at my feet when I was working on a project. He was unquestionably the cutest model that we had for store samples. This was his modelling debut, sporting Barbara Telford's "Cat and Mouse" hat.

It is with heartfelt sadness that I'm sharing with you that Sprite went to "doggy heaven" this week following complications of an age-related illness. He had been our family's faithful companion for 14 years. You'll understand my red eyes and more than usual slip-ups when you see me in the store for the next little while. My furry knitting partner will be truly missed.

Karen