It's a Mystery

Carol and Dianne have begun their newest Saturday morning challenges.  Stay tuned for more...what will this be? And who is knitting it?

Men;s Knitting Class

One of our new classes started last night -- Men's Beginner Knitting. Four fellows showed up, and are off to a really good start. Take a look at their needles....there's several inches showing! Roisin reported that three of the four are here in Powell River as part of the Telus work crew installing the new fibre optic lines, so kudos to these guys for finding GBOW and deciding to learn to knit while they're away from home on a work assignment! 

The Couple That Knits Together....

Our new favourite knitting couple, Gemma and Chris. Beginner knitters and now onto knitting hats. 

Devin Knits

Boys CAN knit TOO (and many do)!  Roisin's grandson Devin proves it.

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).

Christmas List...Print This!

Here is a long list of lovely yarn-y related items that may include lots of things you would be happy to find under the tree and in your stocking. So, print it off and leave it where your personal Santa will find it. Remember Santas, you can get a gift certificate if you can't decide.
And where can all this be found? Why, at the greatest local yarn shop, Great Balls of Wool at 4722A Marine Ave, right here in Powell River!

1. Knit Kit - The swiss army knife for knitters.  All the essentials, tape measure, stitch counter, yarn cutter, scissors, crochet hook stitch markers, tapestry needle, needle gauge and point protectors.

2. Felting kit by Fiber Trends - everything for the beginning felter - under $30.

3. New pattern book from Universal Yarns - 50 patterns for under $20.00. The gift that keeps giving!

4. Check out the Pattern book bargain bin for gifts under $10.00

5. Hand-made buttons from Ontario - under $10.00 each

6. Knitting Needle Set. Interchangeable needles. We have a variety of sets. 

7. Kids beginners kit. For 5 yr olds and up.  French Knitter with one ball of variegated cotton under $15.00. Get a child started on a lifelong hobby and passion.

8. "Grab & Run" Tool kit for knitters - $25.00 (reg price $29.99)  All the essentials!

9. Malabrigo light weight yarn to drool over -  $19.99 and up. And of course, we have tons of other yummy yarns. 

10. Antique sock darning tools. How cute! 

11. Knitters Pride Pattern stand. Hands free!

12. Yarn Swifts & Ball Winder. If you are using your Santa's hands or the back of a chair to wind hanks of yarn into nice balls, these. They can make the job go much more smoothly. 

The first two pictures are swifts, and the yarn is spun off onto a winder, picture #3. 

So, there you have it, The Twelve Present Suggestions from Great Balls of Wool! Nine more shopping days until Christmas...

Carmen's Sheep Sticker

Carmen is from our Wednesday "sort of beginners" group, now "moving on to other projects" group.  Carmen got the first 'Sheep Sticker' award for going home and figuring out a very difficult pattern that Roisin had advised her to give up on.  So there, Roisin!  
Carmen gets big time kudos!
You too can now win a 'Carmen Sheep' sticker award when either Lynda or Roisin feel you deserve it.

Cathy's Deserves-A-Prize Sweater

If there was such a thing as a juried knitting/crochet show, this one would definitely win a prize!  Cathy's best-sweatered granddaughter will be receiving this special 100% cotton sweater.  Photos do not do it justice--it is AWESOME!

Great job on the seams too. Congrats Cathy!

Donna's Afghan

Donna's latest effort - another wonderful heirloom afghan for a lucky grandchild. Donna has definitely mastered this pattern. It works up nicely in superwash Odin by Viking,   We're looking forward to the next one!

Petra's Shawl

This is the first time we've seen the Big Ball of Verdi - Garnstudio Mohair, Wool, Acrylic - knit up.  Petra is making this fantastic shawl, and so far has used less than one ball.  We have the pattern at the store. It's perfect for this yarn. Isn't it great how the colours stripe perfectly!

Pat's Sweater

Pat's Condo-Sweater.  It looks great--comfortable-- and only used 150g of Murano Lace, vareigated.  It's a Wool and Acrylic blend.  Pat adjusted the pattern to fit her perfectly, and it does.

Laura's Baby Blanket

Laura finished this beautiful Malabrigo baby blanket (almost) just as baby was being born.  How's that for timing?  It's lovely and soft.  The basket weave pattern is a big favourite at GBOW.  First introduced to us by Alane with her 'Purple Blanket of Love'....now spreading out to wrap more fresh babes.

Group Knit

Our happy 11 - 1 pm Wednesday Loopy Lounge group.  It began and still is Beginner's Continental but they're now doing all kinds of projects. Knit on, ladies!

Rita's Cowl

Aren't us mature types just gorgeous?  Rita certainly knows the right colours and yarn to enhance her beauty.  The cowl is made from Madras, by Laines du Nord (9% Acrylic, 34% Merino, 25% Polyamide, 32% Rayon) and we have lots of colours in stock to choose from.

Nadine's Noro Hat

Nadine, an accomplished knewbie knitter with her beautiful hat - and doesn't it look gorgeous on her?  Noro must have made this yarn especially for her. Notice how the little bit of blue in the yarn picks up the colour of her eyes.  We can't wait to see the baby blanket she makes next, using the Purple Blanket of Love pattern. 

Patti's Felted Handbags

Every once in awhile there's a piece that absolutely takes your breath away-- like the jacket in the previous post. But sometimes awesomeness is plentiful!  Patti did such amazing work on this felted creation and had fun doing it.  We were stunned, I'm sure you will be too.
A mixture of yarns went into the handbag, some 100% wool, some not, which gives it all the popping out bits.  The felted petals are Patti's own design.  Really wonderful.

Another awesome bag by Patti.  This one will live in Vancouver when completed and felted.  Gorgeous - subtle but still has the nubbly additions, like the one above.  It will look great with the hardware she chose too. 

Awesome Jacket

Literally awesome, this jacket produces awe. Taking knitting to a new level - this customer is highly skilled in Kaffe Fassett* ways--not his amazing use of colour so much here as the incredible needlework, producing a jacket that looks and feels like it's woven. She's now making a matching skirt. We do hope to see the final ensemble.  

*The Wikipedia article on Fassett helpfully includes a pronunciation guide. His name rhymes with "safe asset." 

Hats, By Carmen and Jill.

Carmen is a graduate of Lynda's hat class and already in love with Malabrigo....she used Pocion, 100% Superwash Merino. The colours really suit her

Another class, another hat...! Jill proudly showing off her accomplishment from beginners' class. Her very first Noro hat and another great colour choice. 

Iyoumi's First Hat

Iyoumi made this very nice hat under Marlaine's guidance, during Thursday night Drop-In Class hours.
It looks great, Iyoumi!

Donna B's Afghan

Donna B finished her fantastic reversible Afghan (we have pattern at the store).  This one is made with Viking Odin yarn, Superwash.  Previously, Donna has made two Afghans with Chunky Marble with the same pattern.  She's now making two more with Viking Odin.