...AND THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES!
Monday September 25, 2017 – Upcoming classes and a NEW Canadian afghan pattern
…And the Celebration Continues….
Welcome to this Monday’s email! I hope you are all not melting too much out there in this excessive heat. Even though we are getting warmer weather now than we did during the entire summer, the store has been very busy with all of you getting your “itchy fingers” back and diving into your new fall projects. Don’t forget, as hard as it is to believe, there is only 3 months until Christmas! Yikes, let’s get busy with all of those gifts we need to knit up before the big day.
With that in mind I would like to introduce you to a fabulous new knitting project. Last week, 2 local knitting designers, Gladys Ottens and Christie Poolman of GC Designs dropped into the store to share their latest book release with us, “A Canadian Afghan, eh!” This year, 2017, proves to be the perfect release date for this book as we keep celebrating the 150th birthday of our great country. The pattern comes in a printed book, and can be knit either in blocks and sewn together at the end, or knit all in one piece. The book was even printed locally, in Sarnia Ontario! Each afghan block has both charted and written instructions for both types of knitters. There are 18 different patterns for the squares around the centre panel but only 16 are required for the afghan. Pick and choose your favourites, and if you like all 18 then there are also instructions for how to turn two squares into throw pillows! The centre panel features a Mountie on a horse, with the word "Canada” below it and a Canadian flag above. Every panel uses basic cable stitches and a really creative use of texture to make the shapes pop out of the background.
We are thrilled to be carrying this book in the store and our first order has arrived and is “in stock”! We are also very pleased to be able to offer you many choices of knitting yarn to use for this project. Natural fibre, synthetics, or blends can all be used to create this beautiful afghan. Choose from: Cascade 220, Tradition, Briggs & Little Tuffy, Heritage, or Regal, Patons Classic Wool, Gems Merino Superwash, or Bernat Super Value. There is a choice for every preference and budget!
Keep in mind that the many stitch patterns offered in this book do not just have to be used to make the afghan. Feel free to use the designs in throw or bolster cushions, sweater panels or motifs, scarves, cowls or smaller versions of the original in lap throws. Using a sport or DK weight of yarn would also be a great possibility for a slightly smaller throw. This book truly offers something for everyone.
Very soon, we will be offering special Orientation and Mentoring Workshops for this project. To allow us to have sufficient yarn of your choosing on hand, please let us know ASAP if you are interested so we can secure enough of your choice of colour and dye lot before we begin.
We have a sample of this afghan knit up that was generously provided by Gladys and Christie, so hurry in to see it in person! We expect the books to fly off the shelf, so if you want a copy then stop in or give us a call to purchase a copy.
Left to Right: Inukshuk, Wheat, Igloo
Left to Right: Canada 150 logo, the Canada banner, Totem Pole
The Mountie is proudly featured in the centre of the afghan. Look at all the texture in his horse! The tail is a beautiful, creative use of eyelets and texture to create “movement” in a static fabric!
In keeping with the “Canada 150” celebrations, we are still offering the uber-popular Maple Leaf Shawl as a fun and fantastic knit. We will also be offering special Mentoring Workshops for this project as well, one of which will be focusing on the most important blocking of the finished shawl. Those dates will be published in next week’s email. Keep an eye out next Monday for all of these new dates!
Second, here's a reminder of our upcoming fall class schedule. We have had to reschedule the second OOPS! class due to a conflict, so it is now in the afternoon on November 11th. Due to a very high demand for the first option of the Cabled Cowl/Scarf class (it’s now full!), we have created a new class on those same days (Sept 30 and Oct 7) in the afternoon.
The rest of our classes are filling up quickly, so please make sure you call or stop in soon if you’d like to register! If you’d like to register over the phone, give us a call: (519) 474-0403
OOPS! I MADE A MISTAKE – For Beginners
One 2.5-hour Session
Cost: $35.00
Dates & Times:
Option 1: Friday September 29 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm
Option 2: Saturday November 11 from
12:30pm to 3:00pm (**REVISED TIME**)
Teacher: Louise
THIS CLASS IS PERFECT FOR ALL BEGINNER KNITTERS
Lately we have had loads of requests to do a workshop on fixing mistakes. Well here it is! This hands-on class will not only teach you how to deal with all kinds of “knitting disasters” like dropped and twisted stitches and un-picking one or many rows, but will also deal with things like; “how do I know what row of my pattern I’m on” and “Oh-No! All of the stitches fell off of my needle! What do I do? And “Oh-No! The phone rang, I set down my knitting and now I don’t know how to start up again! So often customers tell us that they unravelled all of their knitting and started over simply because they didn’t have the skills to fix their mistake; Oh My! Never again after this workshop! Simply put, all beginner knitters can benefit from taking this class.
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit & Purl Stitches
Bring to Class – 4.5mm needles & one spare needle, 4.5mm crochet hook, worsted weight yarn, pen & paper, completed homework
HOMEWORK to be done prior to first class
CABLED COWL or SCARF
Two 1.5-hour Sessions
Cost: $40 (includes yarn & pattern)
Dates & Times:
Option 1: Saturday Sept 30 AND Saturday Oct 7 from 10am to 11:30am both sessions
(**FULL**)
Option 2: Saturday Sept 30 AND Saturday Oct 7 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm both sessions (**NEW**)
Option 3: Saturday Nov 11 AND Saturday Nov 18 from 10am to 11:30 am both sessions
Teacher: Louise
This class will give you a chance to work with a bulky weight yarn that knits up quickly and at the same time, add to your knitting skills repertoire! The Cabled Cowl or Scarf class is suitable for all knitters, from beginners who know how to knit & purl to the experienced who want to brush up on their cable skills (i.e. How to prevent “that gap” at the cable crossings) And you may choose if you prefer to knit the pattern as a cowl, or to finish it as a scarf.
During class you will learn how to read a pattern, do a provisional cast on (or crochet cast on, if you are knitting the Scarf), keep borders aligned, seed stitch, crossing cables both right & left, use of cable needle, markers & lifeline, and to finish your Cowl, you have the choice of mattress stitch, 3-needle cast-off or grafting. Plus any number of other skills/techniques that may arise in class from what we affectionately call a “Teachable Moment” (i.e. picking up stitches, ripping back, fixing miss-crossed cables, etc).
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit and Purl Stitches
Includes – 2 balls of Bernat Softee Chunky & pattern (Bernat Tear off Leaflet #99000600786)
Bring to Class – 9 mm Knitting Needles, stitch markers, waste yarn, 9mm crochet hook, large eye darning needle, pen, paper
CABLED MITTS ON 2-NEEDLES
Four 2-hour Sessions
Cost: $110 (yarn & pattern book included)
Dates & Times:
Session 1: Sunday October 1 from 10am to 12pm
Session 2: Sunday October 8 from 10am to 12pm
Session 3: Sunday October 15 from 10am to 12pm
Session 4: Sunday October 22 from 10am to 12pm
Teacher: Louise
These mitts are interesting to knit and will be admired by all who see them! The mitts are knit flat and then seamed using mattress stitch. The cable pattern is intricate and will give you an opportunity to learn how to keep several different patterns working along side each other, all at the same time. We will also learn how to pick up stitches, how to increase & decrease “while keeping the pattern correct”. Choice of two cuffs styles available.
Rated: Intermediate Course
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit and Purl Stitches & familiar with cable techniques
Includes – 2 skeins Tradition KW or Cascade 220 & Paton’s Next Steps 7 book
Bring to Class – 3.5mm needles, cable needle, darning needle, stitch markers, pen, paper
TOE UP SOCKS
Three Sessions of varying lengths
Cost: $85 (includes yarn & pattern)
Dates & Times:
Session 1: Friday October 6 from 1pm to 2:30pm
Session 2: Friday October 13 from 1pm to 4pm
Session 3: Friday October 20 from 1pm to 2pm
Teacher: Louise
With sock knitting being all the rage, let’s experiment with different ways of knitting them. Toe up socks are easy to do, and if you think about it, make a whole lot of sense. By knitting your socks from the toe up, you can be guaranteed a perfect fit because you can try them on as you go AND , more importantly, if you are running shy on yarn, you are guaranteed of getting at least both of your feet knit – no more different coloured toes! Basically your yarn supply will determine whether you are making ankle socks or knee socks! The great thing about this workshop, other than knitting socks, of course, is that you will learn a wonderful new cast-on, a new way to turn a heel, and a neat new way to cast-off; and, you guessed it… you don’t need to graft the toes when you are finished!
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit and Purl Stitches; Beneficial to have worked on double pointed or 2 circulars
Includes – 100gr sock yarn (up to $20) and DP-62 “Toe Up Socks” pattern
Bring to Class – 2.25mm DPNs, set of 5
BEGINNER’S SOCKS
Four 1.5-hour Sessions
Cost: $85 (Yarn & Pattern Included)
Dates & Times:
Session 1: Friday October 27 from 1:30pm to 3pm
Session 2: Friday November 10 from 1:30pm to 3pm
Session 3: Friday November 17 from 1:30pm to 3pm
Session 4: Friday November 24 from 1:30pm to 3pm
Teacher: Louise
Sock knitting has dominated the knitting world for the past several years and will continue to do so for many years to come. Don’t be afraid to dive into your first pair of socks! We will guide you through every step of the way from casting on and knitting the leg, completing your heel flap, turning the heel, knitting the foot and grafting the toe. Soon you will be turning heels and tapering toes like a pro! Warning: Knitting socks is highly contagious! Once you start, you can’t stop. You simply can’t just make one! (pair, that is).
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit & Purl Stitches
Includes – 100gr of sock yarn (up to $20) & DP-1 pattern (choose a lighter colour)
Bring to Class – 2.25mm DPNs, tape measure, darning needle, scissors, pen, paper
SOCK MONKEY
Three 2-hour Sessions
Cost: $90 (yarn, stuffing & pattern with workshop notes included)
Dates & Times:
Session 1: Sunday October 29 from 10am to 12pm
Session 2: Sunday November 12 from 10am to 12pm
Session 3: Sunday November 26 from 10am to 12pm
Teacher: Louise
What’s old is new again!! Join us and knit an ‘old favourite’ that everyone loves! Create you own unique Sock Monkey - choose from traditional colours or liven up your Sock Monkey by choosing some bright & funky colours. Techniques learned in class will include cable cast on, joining & knitting in the round on double pointed needles, garter stitch, knit front & back increases, make one increases, changing colours with a
jogless stripe, magic cast on, an SSK decrease and it’s mirroring decrease of K2tog, grafting (kitchener stitch), securely attaching pieces to the body, methods of stuffing and Satin Stitch embroidery for the eyes & nose (or if preferred, you can use safety eyes). This ‘Cheeky Monkey’ Class has everything you need to know about knitting, all in one cuddly little project, and a friend to keep at the end!
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit Stitch; Familiar with using Double Pointed Needles
Includes – 3 balls of Patons Classic Wool or Bernat Super Saver, stuffing, & pattern with workshop notes
Bring to Class – 3.25mm DPNs (set of 4 or 5), stitch markers, stitch holders, darning needle, pen, and paper
BUILDING BLOCKS - BLOCK OF THE MONTH FOR HAND KNITTERS
Five 3-hour Sessions
Cost: $145 + Book (yarn included)
Dates & Times:
Session 1: Friday October 13 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Session 2: Friday October 27 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Session 3: Friday November 10 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Session 4: Friday November 24 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Session 5: Friday December 8 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Teacher: Louise
Would you like to improve your hand knitting skills and have a gorgeous sampler afghan to show for it? Louise will help you on your way with this “Customer Favourite” educational class. Each session we will work on two different blocks while focusing on expanding our knitting knowledge. Start with the simple knit & purl stitch squares and then watch your confidence grow as you master the techniques of each square with advancing difficulty. We will be covering skills such as pattern reading, pattern abbreviations, gauge, pattern appropriate increase & decrease techniques, lifelines, lace work, cable knitting, reading charts and, of course, methods of casting on & off. By the end of session 5 we will be ready to finish an afghan that is approximately 36” x 48” and decide on your favourite border option.
Rated: All Knitters
Pre-Requisite: Knowledge of Knit & Purl Stitches or have completed London Yarns “Learn to Knit” class
Includes – 4 balls of Bernat Super Saver
Bring to Class – 5mm needles, cable needle, stitch markers, pen, paper
To Purchase – “Building Blocks” pattern book
Take care and have a great week!
Janet and Jen
LONDON YARNS
519-474-0403
Website - http://www.londonyarns.com
Email - info@londonyarns.com
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