Wednesday 15 May 2013

198 Yards of Heaven

Latest edition of "what did you make?" features Jacqueline and the "198 Yards of Heaven" shawl she's made.  Twice. (Happily, as opposed to last time, she got two shawls!)

Originally, she had knit one for her daughter (who occasionally hangs out with us at The Yarn Store) but was forced to make another for the store for fear her daughter would hate us all for keeping her pretty shawl from her.  No one wants that scenario.
198 Yards of Heaven by Christy Verity


So, Jacqueline knit another gorgeous shawl, and it's hanging in the store for all to see.  198 Yards of Heaven is a free pattern you can download from Ravelry. It's designed to use one skein of luxury yarn (198 - 220 yards / 180 - 200m) and the designer Christy Verity describes the project as a shawlette or a scarf.


Jacqueline chose to knit with the lovely natural fibre Araucania Ruca Multi which is available chez nous in  eight colour combos, as well as Ruca Solid in seven single colours, using a 4mm needle. This yarn has a luxurious drape, and is made of 100% sugarcane viscose.
Araucania Ruca Multi 18 (#74968)

Now, Jacqueline's not one to do things exactly by the rules, so she's made this one a little bigger than prescribed, using two skeins right to the very last inch.  
Jacqueline's (more than) 198 Yards of Heaven

Heavenly, wouldn't you agree? In the next photo, she models the shawl (officially a shawl, in this size).



Keep in mind that blocking is a very important step in the process of completing this - and any other - project.  Blocking will set the size and shape of your hand knitted item, including shaping details like the pretty points on this hem.
photo by Christy Verity

Here at the store we have two kinds of blocking mats.  One from Block 'N Roll and a modular set from Knit Picks.  If you've never blocked a project, come talk to us - we'll help convince you to try it (and suggest soap products for you, too) - and we'll bet you'll never skip this step again.



Come in to The Yarn Store to see and feel this little bit of shawl-shaped heaven, and get some of the yarn that Jacqueline used.  We've got a sale on right now, too...!



Block 'N Roll blocking mat #76410 (38x50" flat). 
Knit Picks Blocking Mat sets #70615 (9 mats each 12" square); 

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Betty Boop Felted Bag

Phew! It's been a busy April, folks, but we are back from our double-show extravaganza of the Creativ Festival and the Toronto Knitter's Frolic.  Both of which were a happy success, thanks to your patronage and support.

This time, Julia is sharing her experience making the Betty Boop Bag.

Following the instructions, knit the bag using two strands of 100% wool, and weave in ends to finish neatly.  Pure wool felts the best, whereas cotton or synthetics do not felt at all.  The bag will be considerably larger than the final felted version, so panic not.
In its original, knitted state.  Kleenex box is for size reference.  Don't lose your keys!


There are several ways to accomplish the felting process (which is a combination of shrinking and matting the fibres together - truly a process called "fulling"), but the simplest by far is to use your washing machine.  Don't bother with your efficient, new, front-loading washer, as there's simply not enough water or agitation to be helpful.  Find someone with a top-loader, and keep your eyes on your bag as you purposely shrink it with hot water and a small amount of detergent.  As you know, there is no way to unshrink anything, so don't walk away, and pull it out frequently to check the size.

When you're satisfied with the size, shape the shrunken mass into something better resembling a purse, and let it air dry.  This will take a couple of days, depending on the weather.  Good time to pick up one of your projects you haven't quite finished...it'll keep you from obsessing about whether your Betty's ready yet.

After the bag is completely dry, sew in the purse frame.  If you haven't already, knit the flowers (again, with good, solid 100% wool).  These you can wet-felt by hand in a bowl with hot water and a bit of detergent. Fun!
Felted flowers & soap...yum!

Once those knit blossoms are down to the size you want, lay them out and let them dry.  Find something to do, or place the soggy flowers somewhere clean and warm, with ventilation and circulation to hasten the drying.

Add the rhinestones to the flowers when they're all dry.  Everything looks nice with a little bling!  Using yarn, sew on the handles with flowers, and scatter more flowers over the purse front.  Sew those pretties on with yarn.  Sew on the purse flap and attach the turn key to the flap. On the inside of the purse, add the plastic canvas to add the needed shape and sturdiness.  Sew it into place.
Kleenex box switched for teacup - everything's smaller now!


Take a picture of your new Betty Boop and your proud, smiling face and email it to us!

Betty Boop purse hardware kits are available in store: #79698 small; #79696 medium; #79697 large
Yarn used in the sample was Shepherd's Wool, in Lime Green #79864 (the number of skeins needed depends upon the size of bag you choose to make).

Our Swiss Miss Yarn Girl, Jacqueline also blogged about this bag.  Read it here.