Saturday, March 31, 2012

Knit Your Own Cat (save on vet bills)





Cat lovers and spinsters rejoice! It's the highly anticipated follow-up book to Knit Your Own Dog. With easy-to-follow instructions for 16 distinct felines, Knit Your Own Cat is the irresistible guide to knitting the pet you've always wanted. Knit Your Own Cat is packed with knitting patterns for 16 different fanciful felines, from a pretty Persian to a sleek Siamese, from a cuddly kitten to a traditional tabby. The cats are surprisingly easy to make: With a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. Each cat includes clear, step-by-step instructions for both knitting and assembling the parts. The cats can be knit into various positions such as standing, sitting, crouching, and curled up for a nap. You can add details like collars, bells, and bows. Photographs throughout show the finished cat from various angles, and each cat is accompanied by a description of its real-life temperament and physical characteristics. 

Cats include: Abyssinian, Bengal, Black Cat, Black White, British Shorthair, Burmese, Devon Rex, Kitten, Maine Coon, Orange, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Tabby, Tortoiseshell, and Turkish Van.  

See a slideshow HERE

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Friday, March 30, 2012

Just arrived, Spring 2012 issue of Knitting Traditions!






Be captivated with the knitting traditions from around the world and across time. PieceWork is proud to present its latest special issue, Knitting Traditions Spring 2012. From Islamic bags to Norwegian symbolism, and Civil War Socks to 1920s vintage knits, Knitting Traditions Spring 2012 offers a vast expanse of cultural traditions as well as historical traditions.
Explore timeless knitting in three major themes:

Useful Articles—Civil War socks, a seventeenth-century undershirt, and a knitted petticoat are just some of the projects found in this section. Discover the importance that knitting has played throughout the centuries and continues to play today.

Adornments—Russian wedding gloves, Norwegian symbolism mittens, and an Orenburg scarf are a couple of the detailed patterns in this section. From colorwork, texture, and lace, this section explores traditions through beautiful knitted items.

Vintage Knits—Baby booties, a child’s frock, lace patterns, and a bunny toy are a few of the projects that come straight from the pages of vintage knitting publications and into this section. See what was being knitted in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and create them yourself!
Inside Knitting Traditions Spring 2012 you’ll find:
  • Over 35 patterns from all over the world, designed by master knitters, such as Vicki Square, Donna Druchunas, Sara Lamb, Galina A. Khmeleva, Nancy Bush, and many more.
  • Inspiring and informative companion stories that frame the projects with cultural and historical context, taking you to the heart of knitting.
  • Focuses on techniques ranging from Orenburg lace, optical illusion colorwork, vintage lace, textured stitches, traditional colorwork motifs, and many others that will help beginners learn and inspire even the most seasoned knitters.

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

NEW Berroco Weekend




Just like it's big sister Berroco Weekend Chunky, Berroco Weekend is a great yarn for summer projects. It's a worsted weight, so very easy to sub for a multitude of projects. It is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, and ever so affordable. Made in Peru, it is a blend of Cotton and Acrylic (but not the icky stuff, just the happy variety), which makes it a lot lighter and bouncier than regular cottons. 
  • suggested knitting gauge: 18sts & 26 rows on 4.5mm needles  (4.5 sts/inch)
  • suggested crochet gauge: 16sc & 18 rows with 4mm/G hook (4sc/inch)
  • 100g/189m

  • free pattern on Ravelry
  • 5mm-29" circular needles
  • 4 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend 
  • yarn would cost $27.88 to $48.97 - not bad for a sweater!

  • free pattern on the Purl Bee
  • 4.5mm-29" circular needles
  • 1 skein of  Berroco Weekend in each of 7 colours
  • yarn would cost $48.79, not bad!



  • free pattern from Berroco
  • model knit in smaller size
  • 4.5mm needles
  • 5.5mm-29" circular needles
  • 7 to 8 skeins  Berroco Weekend
  • yarn would cost $48.79 to $55.76



  • free pattern from Berroco
  • 3.25mm and 3.5mm crochet hook
  • 8 to 9 skeins of  Berroco Weekend
  • I've made this pattern, it was super easy and I love wearing it!
  • yarn would cost $55.76 to $62.73




As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!





Saturday, March 24, 2012

NEW Berroco Weekend Chunky



Berroco Weekend Chunky $6.97
New to Knit-O-Matic, Berroco Weekend Chunky is a great summer bulky weight yarn. It is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, and ever so affordable. Made in Peru, it is a blend of Cotton and Acrylic (but not the icky stuff, just the happy variety), which makes it a lot lighter and bouncier than regular cottons. 

  • knitting gauge: 13 sts & 18 rows on 6.5mm needles  (3.25 sts/inch)
  • crochet gauge: 11sc & 14 rows with 6mm/J hook (2.75sc/inch)
  • 100g/110m




  • free pattern
  • 4 to 9 skeins  Berroco Weekend Chunky 
  • 7mm double pointed needles
  • 7mm circular needles: 16", 24" & 29" 
  • you can also use 6.5mm needles (same lengths as above)













As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Friday, March 23, 2012

New Books


Methods and techniques of hand knitting. The Bible is back in print! This may be the most thorough reference book on knitting published (712 pages).  It has been completely revised and updated (apparently the publisher lost the original documents and June had to hand type the whole thing out from scratch). Read a review HERE. The illustrations are in two colours, but the pictures are in black and white - I imagine that with a tome this size the cost of colour photos would jack the retail price way up. My only criticism is that physically the book resembles a first year anthropology textbook, but it's ok is it's low on sizzle because it's most definitely100% steak.


23 contemporary designs using classic cable patterns, by Martin Storey (Rowan yarns). These projects are so beautiful, it's a real shame the publisher hasn't bothered top upload the pictures to Ravelry. Martin Storey has been designing for Rowan Yarn for decades, and his style is generally classic, elegant and wearable. Projects include hats, gloves, socks, vests, shrugs, scarves, a bag, and of course several sweaters. The patterns are generally for women, but there are a few for men included too.  Beautiful.


22 vintage designs from Jennie Atkinson (Romantic Style, Rowan Magazine. Sooo pretty!  If you like lace, you are going to be very pleased. Projects are varied, and range from small to larger projects: gloves, stockings, sachets, shrug, camisole, bag, coin purse, scarf, dress, shirts, and sweaters.


30 project for science fiction, comic books, fantasy. You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy these patterns. I LOVE the princess Leia getup (note, with THREE hair style options)! Some of my favourites include Hobbit Feet, Horrible Gloves (who doesn't love Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog?! Check it out on Netflix or iTunes), Star Trek Mini-Dress (it's actually a great, simple dress or tunic), Robot (I think it was supposed to be a Cyberman from Dr. Who, but it's much cuter), and Raj's Sweater Vest from The Big Bang Theory.


As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!


Thursday, March 22, 2012

New Craft Stuff: Weave, Felt, Spin & Darn!



Some cool new stuff has been arriving for weaving, spinning, and needle felting!

Martha Stewart Knit & Weave Loom Kit $54.97
Compact enough to take anywhere, the Knit & Weave Loom Kit makes knitting and weaving easy for both beginners and pros. Use the included instructions to create scarves, hats, blankets, and crafts, or explore other possibilities on your own. Includes instructions for a hat, scarf, and blanket. There are also a multitude of Loom Knit and Woven on the Lionbrand website. Watch an Instructional Video on Youtube. 

30+ configurations:Weaving loom - makes woven squares 1.5in to 13.5in wide and rectangles 1.5 in to 25.5in wide.
Round loom - makes circular knit pieces 13.5in to 14in in circumference.
Rake loom - makes flat knit pieces 4in to 37in wide.
Rosette loom - makes a rosette approximately 2in in diameter.

Knit & Weave Loom Knit includes:(2) 36-hole straight pieces, (2) 28-hole semi-circle pieces, (4) 12-hole straight pieces, (2) 10-hole U-shaped pieces, (4) 6-hole straight pieces, (4) 6-hole corner pieces, 206 small-gauge pegs, 104 large-gauge pegs, knitting tool, weaving tool, crochet hook, small and large yarn needles, instruction booklet (English, Français, Español)  



Lionbrand Knitting Spool  $9.97
This charming lacquered wood spool knitter (also called a French knitter) is a delightful and entertaining craft tool for children. Using a spool knitter (essentially a very small round knitting loom), you can produce a variety of items. Includes spool, instructions, and needle. *Color of knitting spool may vary*


Needle Felting Kit  $21.97
Everything you need to start needle felting! Kit includes felting needles, 100% wool fibre (colours vary), re-useable foam pad.



Lacis Darning Egg  $5.97
100% Wood,  for darning/mending hand made socks.  



Fleece Artist Merino Sliver  $8.97
Perfect for felting and spinning. 100% Merino wool, 50g. 



Lacis Drop Soundle $13.97
The most basic and universal of all spinning devices. Kit comes with instructions. Download a FREE e-book from Spinning Daily - Drop Spindle Spinning: Learn How to Spin with Drop Spindles



As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!


Thursday, March 08, 2012

SALE Debbie Bliss Angel & Party Angel 20% Off




  • Sale $7.97 (reg. $10)
  • 25g/200m
  • 76% Superb Kid Mohair, 24% Silk
  • 3.25mm to 5mm needles

Mohair Hints
  • it is easier to work with mohair on pointy needles.
  • if making lace, the 'stickiness' of wood needles may be preferable (try Knit Picks Harmony wood interchangeable needles). if working in stocking or garter stitch (plain knitting) metal needles may be easier to work with (try Addi Turbo Lace or Knit Picks nickel plated interchangeable needles).
  • kid mohair knits very easily when holding 2 strands together.
  • if you need to rip back your work or your yarn catches in a knot, place your work in the freezer for about 30 minutes before ripping.
  • to keep a ball of mohair from unraveling while you work with it, keeping it in the leg of an old pair of pantyhose (or funky new ones from the dollar store)





  • Pattern: Free on Ravelry
  • 5mm-24" circular needles
  • 3 skeins of  Debbie Bliss Angel, 1 in each colour (good colour combo is 15003 smoke grey, 15007 silver grey, 15001 white)








As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!





Spring Cardigan Ideas





















  • 5.5mm-29" circular needles
  • 4.5mm needles
  • 1150m to 1345m worsted weight yarn
  • 6 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)










As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!




Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Spring Cleaning Clearance Sale - 20 to 60% Off!


Assorted Magazines 
40% Off or More
40% Off or More

Sport & DK Weight
3.5mm to 4mm needles

Worsted & Aran Weight 
4.5mm to 5mm needles
Chunky & Bulky Weight
5.5mm to 7mm needles
Super Bulky Weight
8mm to 25mm needles
As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!


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