New Knitting Book

Friend-Of-GBOW and sock instructor, Nigel, is very proud of his stepdaughter, knitting designer Holli Yeoh. She collaborated with Felicia Lo of SweetGeorgia Yarns and the result is a brand new book of 11 patterns by Holli, made with SweetGeorgia yarn, called Tempest. Nigel knit two of the test garments, and is credited as the editor. 
The book was given a fabulous launch at Knit City 2014 and Felicia wrote about it, including a wonderful photo of Holli, her husband Rod, and Nigel's grandson, Devan. 
Have a look at the patterns....GBOW does not carry SweetGeorgia yarns, but Roisin, Carola or Brenda can steer you towards yarns that would work beautifully with Holli's lovely designs. And ask to see Roisin's tea cozy based on a hat design by Holli. It's fab.

Easter

Happy Easter or Passover, if these are holidays you celebrate.
I always like to have a look on the web to see what sort of knitting related holiday pictures I can find. There is no shortage of photos of knitted eggs, bunnies, chicks and so on....but this is even better, and looks like a totally whackadoodle book. Anybody actually own this? Who are these guys?! Aside from being "Scandinavian knit designers" (as the back of the book says).

New Crochet Book

We've just received a new Noro crochet book with thirty amazing patterns.  It's a hard cover book for $29.95--and NO PST!

Nova Scotian Double Knitting

Customer Carol brought the pamphlet pictured below in, Traditional Nova Scotian Double-Knitting Patterns .  It's wonderful. These are original designs gathered in 1972 in Nova Scotia.  Roisin's favourite is "Mrs. Hearn's wallpaper" pattern. Come in and have a look!

The librarian in me had to know more...the pamphlet pictured here was published in 1972, the first edition. It has been re-issued once, as far as I can tell, in 1985, with a fancier cover....that's the one you will find at Amazon and Indigo.

And double-knitting here does not mean the weight of the yarn. It refers to using two strands of different coloured yarn at the same time. Here's an excerpt from an interesting document on the "Historical Crafts" of Nova Scotia, issued for 4-H leaders, in Nova Scotia. 

Knitting was a daily craft done by settlers throughout Nova Scotia.  Every member of the family needed a supply of mitts, socks, sweaters and underwear to keep warm during the cold Nova Scotia winters.  The odd bits of yarn were used to make blankets and floor coverings.  In winter, men wore breeches which they often knit themselves of raw wool.  These items were prized and often handed down as a family heirloom.  Knitted leggings were worn by infants and young children.  Women and girls wore knee-high socks.  The socks were made of silk or cotton for summer and fine wool for winter.  The fancy patterns were hidden by long skirts.  Mitts were often double knit or 'Fair Isle' pattern.  In some areas of Nova Scotia, the term double knit was referred to using two strands of wool at the same time.

The full document is here: 
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4h/manuals/heritage/crafts.pdf 

Double knit scarves from Lucy Neatby, Dartmouth, NS. 

Statement Sweaters

Can't you imagine this hoodie being a BIG hit with a tween or teen of your acquaintance? 

(Update: Marlaine reported she does not see the photo, just the html. This may be a browser issue, as I see the photo, using Google Chrome)

The image comes from a book by artist Sarah Browne whose work is on exhibit at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver until September 2.  (Roisin  has ordered the book).

From the website:

A MODEL SOCIETY, PATTERNS & THOUGHTS

Jul 2008

Author: Sarah Browne
ISBN: 978-0-9554976-3-6
Published: Jul 07, 2008
Publisher: Cottagelab
Price: $20 CDN

This book of knitting patterns came from two years of conversation between artist Sarah Browne and people living in Iceland. These sweaters contain fragments of these discussions about Icelandic Society knitted into their fabric, and this book illustrates how to knit or adapt these sweaters for yourself.

Includes an essay by Gisli Palsson.

Softcover, ringbound, 50 pages, 25 colour illustrations

The Book of Everything

We have a new book you must come and have a look at...it is Finishing School: A master class for knitters by Deborah Newton. If you need tips on finishing projects (and who doesn't?) this book has all the answers. We have a few copies for purchase at the store, or you can peruse the store's copy, in the Loopy Lounge Library, courtesy of Marlaine who reviewed it before we bought the store's copies. 

More on Dogs--and Men Who Knit

I can hardly wait to see this whole book of knitting for men and dog companions. Roisin sent me a few more photos....just way too silly (IMO). Cute dogs though.

Roisin on the Road

So after some adventures, Roisin is in Vancouver prior to catching a flight to Oz. She emailed me and said she had some time on Commercial Drive, and found this book. She bought it, thank goodness.