Canada Day Long Weekend Hours

Great Balls of Wool will be closed Monday, July 2, for the Canada Day holiday. Back to normal hours on Tuesday, July 3. Have a great weekend everyone, even if you need wellies and a raincoat to enjoy our part of this wonderful country!
(The crocheted flag image comes from the Fibre Person blog, here, which is written by Toronto-based artist, Alisa McRonald.)






(The crocheted flag image is from the Fibre Person blog which is written by Toronto-based artist Alisa McRonald...you can see it here.)

Russian Hat Set

"Catherine the Great" dropped by and agreed to model the "Russian Hat Set" by Roisin, made with absolutely wonderful, fashionable cozy warm silk/mohair, wool/angora mix Odori by Noro. Perfect for wet coastal summers...or any time!
And maybe the hat could double as a tea cozy!

Retro Poncho

"Retro Poncho" may be an oxymoron...This poncho is made from an old pattern book from the 1960s, so is genuinely retro. The knitter is from New Zealand, and visits Powell River every summer. She brought this yarn with her, but the really interesting part for Roisin was the fringe. it's different from any she's ever done, and it sets the edge of nicely, don't you think?

Crochet Sock

A unique style in this crochet sock. (And crochet itself is unusual for socks, isn't it?)  The yarn is Handpainted Merisock by Punta Yarns from Uruguay.  Hard to describe, it's a ' you had to feel it' yarn.  This sock is on its way to University in Northern Ontario (with its crochet-er who might need to nice, warm socks).

In Progress

Done!

Roisin's Musings & Some Woolly Wisdom

Roisin said: "It was an interesting day yesterday......we had a group of women from Comox visit Powell River, for a walking tour. They did a walk-on ferry trip, took the Willingdon Beach Trail to Townsite, enjoyed lunch at the Magpie Diner and, on their way back to the ferry, stopped in at Great Balls of Wool (for exotic sock yarn)--and then, back to the ferry!

Lynda commented on how that is not a trip that could be done in reverse because you HAVE to have a vehicle when you get off the ferry in Comox. We have so much in this region to offer visitors! 

Also, I am not sure if there's something in the water, the way the stars were aligned or just another partly sunny/partly rainy day, making it not quite summer in paradise, but many of our customers are not happy with their projects.  This made me think of how that happens for me. I particularly remember the green Galway Heather long vest I knit.   Made it, tried it on, looked in the mirror, bleuaaaah, yuck, ugh, ick.  It made me look fatter, older etc. etc.  So, I hung it on the store wall to display yarn.  Many positive comments later,  I could grudgingly accept that the yarn and pattern were great, although, don't look TOO closely at the knitting.  I could still see glaring mistakes.  Luckily the 'knit police' never came by with their magnifying glass!   


Then, one cool day I took it down from the wall to wear - a year or so after making it - and didn't look in the mirror, I was just cold.  Customers were enthralled with it, said it suited me, colours were great, ooh and aaah.  I looked in the mirror and actually, surprise surprise, it did look good on me!  WOW!   Lesson Learned.

Lynda figures it's because you spend so much intense time making it, thinking about it, checking it, re-checking it, ripping it out, re-making it, criticizing it that you need some time apart to get over IT!
Whatever....my advice is...wallowing in negativity alone doesn't work, so do it with the rest of us!  Bring it in to the store, get opinions from others (knitters in the Loopy lounge always have great ideas and opinions!) We'll always tell you what we think, even if it's not what you want to hear--at the time."

Lucky Lynda!

The lovely Lynda modelling her very own Mystery Moebius Shawl, made by Roisin, with Casino nylon yarn. Hairy, hairy nice!

Tea Cozy Classes?

As well as being a fan of knitting dish cloths and spa cloths, I also like knitting tea cozies, for similar reasons. They are small(ish) projects, fun, and gratification comes quickly. I'm knitting one that will be felted, and this led to conversations at the store with Roisin, Lynda, Marlaine and Elly about the possibility of offering tea cozy classes. 


Tea cozies can be made in just about any kind of yarn, can use all sorts of knitting and crocheting techniques and stitches, and can be as fanciful or traditional as you like. 


What do you think? Have a look at a few pictures from my two tea cozy books to spark your imagination. And let us know if tea cozy classes would be of interest! 


This one is an old-fashioned yet very practical style--the yarn that is pulled tight to form the folds makes the cozy thick and warm--and can look fresh and fun in up-to-date colours.

But how about this one? Not traditional at all, very whimsical, but still practical, as it is felted, and so nice and thick.

Or this? A great way to learn to knit loops and make something for that friend who loves sheep.

Or if crocheting is what you like, how about this pretty, colourful effort? And Marlaine says it is easy to do. 

And if you don't like them as tea cozies, sew up the spout and handle slits and, voila!, you have hats. 

Roisin's In-Progress Shawl: Part 3

Roisin stopped at 130 stitches and 24 inches (no way she was following the pattern!) and separated for the neck.  She said she will be working it up around the back next.  Stay tuned.  No more work on this project until Tuesday (and I tell you, by that time, it could have morphed into a yarn bomb cover for a bus).

Lyn Gets A Moebius Shawl

Roisin's Mystery Moebius Shawl on headless* Lyn - it's her birthday present - lucky Lyn! And it looks fabulous.

From the back - Lyn is taking flight.

*Someone suggested using cardboard movie star heads as stand ins for customers who choose to remain headless for photos...we like that! "Would you like the Marilyn Monroe, the Kristen Stewart, or the Halle Berry?"

Roisin's Slipper-Socks for Finella

Finella is Roisin's grand-daughter, in Australia, and of course it is winter there so these slipper-socks will be off to Oz on Monday. And yes!  They did felt, even though the wool content was only 34%. Just proves there's no harm in trying things. 

Bobbley Cardigan

This cardigan was knitted with Aran Weight Sirdar Recycled, a  cotton/acrylic mix, using a Sirdar pattern.  Nicely done and our headless* customer said it feels cozy! Which, this "summer", is a good thing. 

* We are not really bad photographers. Some customers just do not want their faces in the photos! Hence, all the "headless" shots.

New In Stock

There's lot's of wonderful new yarns in stock from Auraucania, from Chile. All are hand dyed. 

Pehuen, 100% cotton,  100g - Aran weight

Limari, 70% Merino, 20% Alpaca, 10% silk, 100g - Chunky

Nature Wool, 100% wool,100g & 220 metres, worsted weight. There are two shades in stock. 

                        Quellon, 82% Viscose, 8% cotton, 100g, Chunky - This one is yummy!

Roisin's In-Progress Shawl: Part 2

I told you Roisin would not stick to the pattern for the shawl she is knitting with the lovely Aruacania yarn. Here's what she just sent me: 

"88 stitches.  Pattern says knit 90 stitches and then divide for the neck,  but I'm going to go to 150 stitches (I think) to get the size I want.  Still have 29 grams left on a 50 gram ball. Lovely to knit with.

Not a bad way to spend the afternoon, listening to Leonard Cohen, knitting, chatting to customers.  Life is good!"

Coral Shell

This short sleeved sweater is beautiful! The colour is great and the handiwork amazing. It drapes beautifully, and looks comfortable as well. Our headless customer knit it using a 100% Bamboo yarn from SWTC--she is an exceptional knitter who "designs her own."

Roisin's In-Progress Shawl

Here's that wonderful Aruacania Lontue yarn (50% Line, 50% Cotton) again, being knit into a "Chantal Shawl." Roisin started this morning* with 4 stitches, increasing each side, every second row and will keep going until there's 90 stitches (maybe...she never follows a pattern). There are 40 stitches on the needle in the photo.

* She's probably finished by now (3:30pm)!

Marlaine's Skinny Summer Scarf

Marlaine's latest creation--a skinny scarf (24 stitches, K2, P2) made with Aruacania Lontue, 50% Linen, 50% Cotton.  Marlaine kept knitting until she ran out of yarn. 50g made a 100" scarf, perfect for wrapping several times, as you can see.

The yarn is our latest infatuation at Great Balls of Wool. And it is going fast!

One Skein Cowl

Roisin knitted this some time ago, but Denise is modelling it so her sister can see the finished garment, as she will be getting the pattern and yarn as a gift. 

Which, by the by, is an excellent gift for yarn people, especially if you are familiar with their skill levels. Not only do the recipients get some choice yarn, they get an experience as well.

Roisin used 1 skein of Noro Sock Yarn. 

Cathy's Crazy Sweater

Cathy sent along a photo of her sweater-in-progress that she is calling "Crazy Sweater" She said, "I have to say this is a fun sweater to make, and not nearly as time consuming as one might think. As you might be able to tell, I have the back and rf done, the fronts don't take much time at all!"  

She is making it from Sirdar Raffaella, a cotton acrylic blend. The pattern and yarn are available at the store.

Send us a photo of the finished sweater, Cathy!

Class Photos

Here are photos from the first session of the Baby Surprise Jacket Class in the Loopy Lounge, which has just ended. The second class is next week, on the 27th. 

And here is teacher Lynda, cracking the whip (not!).

New In Stock

Ester Bitran "Canela", a hand dyed yarn made in Chile (or, as the label reads "Maden in Chile") is 33% Rayon, 34% Cotton and 33% Acrylic.

As with all hand dyed yarns, the colour numbers really shouldn't be taken as guidelines as each hank or skein will have different shades and distributions. Here's the recommendation from the producer: "As there are not dye lots, we recommend buying enough yarn at one time to complete each individual project. Knit with two hanks in assorted rows (2-4). This will ensure an overall blended effect."

Berry Nice

Here is a new colour in the Butterfly mercerized cotton yarn, from Greece. Can't you see a nice little cardigan in this berry colour?

More Mystery Moebius

Roisin has finished a third mysterious moebius shawl, this time in a delightfully hairy 100% nylon fine yarn from Italy, Casino. 

Here, again, is the first one, hung in a new spot, all the better for viewing. This one is made with soyasilk, wool and cotton sock yarn from SWTC.

Baby Surprise Jacket Class - Tomorrow!

Yes, it is June 19th already, although it doesn't really feel like it. Will we have to start saying we live on the Sometimes Sunshine Coast?
A reminder that the Baby Surprise Jacket class starts tomorrow, June 20th, Wednesday at 11 am, with Lynda guiding you.
The cost is $50. + materials
This class will be repeated monthly.
Please pre-register by calling the store
Skill level required - cast on, knit, cast off. You all can do that, right? 

A Favourite Spot

Lynda is often to be found sitting on the stool in this spot in the store, organizing and pricing yarns, or in this case, working on her baby surprise jacket. On our left (her right) is the easy, summery long top/short dress knitted by Roisin from Gemma by Alessandra Filati, 100% Polyamide, in a colour called Caribe--no wonder, as it looks like the ocean in the Caribbean. And it is a perfect match for the turquoise hat knitted by Lynda. 

Marlaine's Woven Scarf

Not all things made with yarn from the store end up being knitted or crocheted. The multi-talented Marlaine wove this scarf, using many kinds of yarns. She has fastened it with one of the wooden picks available for sale at the store. 

Yummy Sock Yarn

This is Viking of Norway, Nordlys which is a 4 ply sock yarn, 75% Superwash wool, and 25% Nylon. You can see some photos of finished, stripey socks at the Diamond Yarn website here.

Lynda's Baby Surprise Jacket Class

Fabulous colours!  This is a work in progress and nearly done. Well, you too can make one (or more) of these cute jackets. Every baby should have one!
Update: I forgot to mention that the yarn is Viking of Norway Odin, 100% Superwash wool.

The class starts on Wed June 20th - 11am - 1 pm $50. for 4 classes + materials. Pattern is provided - choose any yarn, any size needle.


Better get started, Christmas is coming!


Lynda has painstakingly re-written the pattern line-by-line for you to follow. (and she is a wonderfully patient teacher)


Call the store to register.

Knitting In The Public Store

The weather really was not cooperative this morning. When I got to the store and the Loopy Lounge around 11am, the rain was lashing against the south-east facing windows. Not weather to be sitting out on the lawn knitting.

So, instead of knitting out in the "big public" outdoors, attendees knitted in the dry, warm "small public" Loopy Lounge. Roisin generously provided California rolls, and muffins, and chips and dip, and it was most companionable.

Johanna was spinning, and I discovered that the sound of a spinning wheel is soothing. Here is a photo of Johanna spinning, amid her piles of wool.

Knitting...in the Loopy Lounge

And in the main part of the store....

Update on the Noro Magazine

It was exciting to discover that Holli Yeoh is the designer of the cover hat on the premiere issue of the Noro Knitting magazine (that we featured here)--and that she has two more designs inside. Exciting because Holli lives in Vancouver (yay, for BC designers) but also because she is the step-daughter of Nigel (a good friend of mine) who designed the Baronial Slippers Roisin made for her son Bob. All sing now..."It's a small world after all..."


Holli blogged about her submissions to the Noro magazine here. Nigel's pattern for the slipper socks is here. 

Party On!

Yes, despite the weather (although, it is not raining right now...that is good) Worldwide Knit in Public Day is happening 11am - 4pm at the store today! We'll be outside if the rain holds off (and a little less wind would be nice), and if not, the Loopy Lounge is the venue.

 Johanna is coming by to spin. There will be sushi and other snacks. And of course, plenty of yarns, verbal and woolly. We'd love you to visit. Drop in anytime.

 And many thanks to all of our loyal customers and supporters.

Warning - Cute Baby Photo

Here is a cute baby wrapped in his very own Malabrigo Baby Blanket by Lynda.  A winning combo....Lynda loved knitting it, baby's Mother and Grandmother love it and baby snuggled into it on first touch--snuggled or chewed? No matter, he clearly is enjoying it.

Here is a closeup of the blankie.

And here is the baby's sister, with her own blankie...she is not sure what all the fuss is about. (And she is cute too!)

Premier Issue

Yarn producer Noro has recently issued the premier issue (Fall 2012) of its magazine. Roisin sent the cover photo (below) to me to post here, and I forgot to do so. And I am glad because this afternoon I looked through the magazine--and got two copies, one for me and one for my sister. And I picked out a pattern I thought she'd like and got her the yarn to make it, as a birthday present.
Which is a long-winded way  of saying, this is a lovely magazine with terrific looking patterns, using Noro's yarns, many of which are available at the store. And there will be more coming later, in July, all set for fall knitting.

New Yarns From Aruacania

Ooooh, lovely stuff from Chilean yarn producer Aruacania.

The first three photos show different colours of  hand-painted Aruacania, Lontue - 50% Cotton 50% Linen Blend - 228 metres in a skein.
The last photo shows two yarns from Araucania. The twisted skein (R) shows hand-dyed Cau-Cau,  60% cotton, 40% Silk - Gorgeous! The loose skein (L) is hand-painted Araucania Huasco - 100% Extra fine Merino.  Must see, must touch!