The Blogs of Knitter's Addiction

Computer/Server Issue Resolved!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:08:00 GMT

OMG...right after our sale my main computer/server crashed! Luckily my computer genius of a husband has rebuilt everything and recovered all of the data and we are now up and running again!

Talk about stress, right?!?!

Thank goodness all of the orders were sent out before it crashed! I had an angel looking over me!

But now I am finally able to get back to my blogs and a few new items will be added soon.

I hope everyone is doing well!

30% OFF 100 HOUR SALE! LAST TIME THIS YEAR!

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:04:00 GMT

This is just a quick note to let you know we are having a 100 Hour Sale for all of our yarns.

Knitter's Addiction will not be shipping items during the month of December so we thought we would have this sale so that you can stock up before hand.

All cashmere yarns will be marked 30% off for 100 hours only. The sale starts on Friday. Be sure to stock up your stash now!

To get this discount all you do is enter the code 100HOURSALE when you are checking out. Please let us know if you have any questions because we are happy to help.

Happy Shopping!!

Before You Learn To Knit...Some Great Pointers You Should Know

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:02:00 GMT

Learning to knit only involves five steps:

Making a slip knot
Casting on your stitches
Learning the Knit stitch
Learning the purl stitch
Binding off

Once you know these you are ready to go! The next few blogs will go over these techniques to help you get started with the wonderful world of knitting! But first I thought I would share with you some great things to know as a beginner.

Remember Rome was not built in a day...so take it slowly with some patience...before you know it you will get the hand of the knit and purl stitch
Try both English and Continental style knitting to see which you prefer
Learn a few ways to cast on to see how this process works and how different cast on's have different looking edges
Once you feel comfortable with your knit and purl stitch, try a small project...there is no need to try cabling or lace now because it will just overwhelm you
Before you start your project, read through the knitting pattern completely to ensure you understand all of it
Always knit a swatch before you start a new project...there is nothing more frustrating than spending hours knitting a sweater and then finding out it is either ten times too big or ten times too small! Also, with your swatch you can learn how to bind off your stitches.
If your first project requires a few balls of the same coloured yarn, be sure to check the dye lot to make sure they match
Do not stress if you run into problems...remember even the most experienced knitters have issues from time to time

New Vogue International Designer Knitting Magazine Fall 2009 In-Stock

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:45:00 GMT

Be sure to grab your copy while stocks last. This issue is full of lots of textured and cabled knits which are perfect for layering. It also has some great hats and accessories which are perfect to make for those cool nights that are still lingering around!

Crochet Basics: How To Hold Your Hook

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:07:00 GMT

Welcome to Crochet Basics 101. Over the next few blogs we will go through the basics of crochet and hopefully inspire you to try this wonderful craft.

The first things to learn is how to hold your crochet hook. There are two basic ways to hold your hook:

Hold your hook like you are holding your pencil, or
Hold your hook in the overhand method similar to holding a knife

Either way works great. I use the pencil hold but ironically I hold my pencil different than most people so really you can modify your holding style a little to whatever works best for you.

Substituting Yarn and How This Opens Up a Whole Range of Possibilities for Your Project: Part 1

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:41:00 GMT

It happens to us all...we get the latest knitting magazine and we see a pattern we just have to do. But we do not like the original yarn or we have a whole stash full of yarn already. So what do we do?

First, look at the pattern and find the pattern's recommended gauge. Now look at the original yarn the pattern uses. For example, let's say the original pattern uses an 8 ply wool with a gauge of 20 sts per 10 cm (4 inches). What do we do now? How do we know which yarn in our stash will work best as a substitute? How do we know we have enough yarn?

There are a few factors to consider when substituting yarn such as:

Some of the specifics of the original yarn the pattern calls for (ie. fibre content, gauge, how it handles, etc.)
Gauge of the pattern
Length Required (in metres or yards)
Texture of the yarn (both the original and for the look you want to achieve)
Drape of the fabric in the finished item
Is the yarn going to produce any strange results you need to consider (ie. felting, blooming, etc)

The next few blogs will look at how to substitute yarns successfully. Knowing how to substitute will open up endless possibilities for all of the projects you want to make....it will also help you clear out that stash of gorgeous yarns you have collected over the years! We want to help you make your project ideas reality....all of them are within your reach!

Two Fabulous New Colours Arrived Today

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:47:00 GMT

Two great new colours have arrived today in our 4 ply 100% premium cashmere. A wonderful classic red and a cool slate grey. Perfect for all of the great patterns released for the Northern Hemisphere autumn!

Label Astray? What to Do With and Without Yarn Labels

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:45:00 GMT

How Do You Read a Yarn Label?

Dye Lot - This is an important bit of information if you will be using more than one skein or ball in the same colour. You want to make sure they all come from the same dye lot to ensure your project is consistent. You may not think there is a difference but once your project is done you may wind up with different shades of the same colour which stick out like a sore thumb

Fiber Content - This is good to know if you are knitting for someone else or if you suffer from allergies. But for most of us this doesn't really matter....it only matters if the yarn feels and look beautiful! This info can also be helpful for knowing how to care for your finished item.

Washing Instructions - Important for those of you who are looking for a machine washable yarn. I almost always hand wash all of my knitted and crocheted items....but there are a few yarns which are incredibly resilient and can handle the toughest stuff you can throw at them! I will be posting a blog soon on what the little icons on the labels mean...this will be found in my blog How To Care For Your Cashmere and Other Yarns.

Suggested Needle or Hook Size - This is important to know if you are using the yarn as a substitute to the original yarn in a pattern. But this is not as important as the suggested gauge/tension. (See the next point below). It is important to point out that some vintage yarns refer to sizes of hooks and knitting needles which may not relate to the current standard sizes. (If you are unsure...just make a swatch to see how the yarn works!)

Suggested Gauge/Tension - This is very important as a "gauge" to whether the yarn will fit the project you want to do. For example, you will not want to accidentally buy a thick yarn when you are going to be doing a lace weight project or vice versa. The reason I say this is a "gauge" is because we all knit and crochet differently and a suggested gauge/tension is just that...SUGGESTED! It is just a place to start. You may find you work the yarn better at a smaller or larger tension....or you just find the fabric has a better drape at a larger or smaller tension. This is perfectly fine to do. Some knitters/crocheters like to stick exactly with the recommended gauge/tension...but others loooovvvvveeee to stretch their limits and go beyond what is recommended....I say if you do a swatch and you like the results, then go for it! Just remember you do need to follow the gauge/tension your pattern calls for (but we will discuss that in another blog post soon!). If you want to try to see how your yarn works at a different tension I suggest knitting a swatch in the following way: first knit/crochet with the recommended needle/hook, once you have done about 14cm switch to a different size needle and knit/crochet another 14cm. Now you can have a play with your swatch to see which size you liked using better.

Length of Yarn (in yards or metres) - This is important to know to ensure you have enough yarn for your project.

Weight of the Ball or Skein (in grams or ounces) - This is not really that important. If you substitute yarns based on weight (and not length) you may get yourself into heaps of trouble because you may not have enough yarn. A ball of thick yarn that weighs 50g is going to have less yardage than a ball of thin yarn that weighs 50g. The one useful thing with having weight information, though, is that you can kind of get an idea of the yarn thickness if you do not have any other information on the yarn size.

Now What If You Do Not Have a Label?

If you find a ball or skein in your stash and you have no idea what it is, there are some tricks to help you out.

To find out what it is made of, you can burn it to see if it is mainly animal fibers. Animal fibers curl up and break apart when burned (and they also have that distinct burning hair smell). Synthetics usually smell like plastic! But if the yarn is a combination of fibers, this trick does not really work. So the best thing to do is to always hand wash and assume it could be anything! One good trick for keeping track of your yarns is to keep a journal of all that you buy. If you record all the manufacturer's or the label info in the beginning, then you do not have to worry about the information at all.

If you need to know the length of your ball of yarn you can do this by positioning two chairs exactly a metre or yard apart. Now wind the yarn around the chairs until you run out. Next, you just count the number of threads on each side of the chairs (or count one side and multiply by 2). This will give you an approximately length of your ball of yarn.

If you need to know what size needles or hook to use, look at the thickness of the yarn and compare it to another yarn in your stash that you know the gauge for. Alternatively, you can try to guess the size needed and make a swatch. Once you start your swatch you will quickly know if you have guessed closely to what the label may have told you.

New 4 Ply 100% Cashmere Colours Now Available!

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:11:00 GMT

We have more great new colours being added to our 4 ply range. This week we have just added a fabulous creamy beige shade along with a new green which is perfect for spring, and finally a great classic black!

We also have got more of the best selling Cebu Blue available again....this sold out in the first few days it was released several months ago!

More colours to be added soon!

Click, Clack..Which Needle Type Is the Best?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:45:00 GMT

When you are a beginner you may not realize the pros and cons of different knitting needle types. Matter of fact when you go to buy your first pair you may be confused by the different types starting back at you from the shelves.

There are three basic types available:

Metal - These are the traditional needle type. They are the heaviest and do not bend easily. They are perfect if you tend to have a really tight tension as you do not have to worry about accidentally snapping a needle in half. (This may sound funny...but I know of someone who knits so tightly that they have trouble getting their stitches off their needles...I guess they are pretty wound up and the tension is coming out in their tension?) Metal needles are very slippery so you will find that your stitches slip off the ends easily...this is one reason I would not suggest a beginner to use these. When you are more advanced in your knitting technique you may like the way the stitches slip easily off the needle...it means you can knit super fast! Metal needles are not that great to use with smooth yarns such as merino, cashmere, etc may slide off too easily! One little benefit of metal needles is that you really hear the "click, clack" of your knitting...it really helps for those of us who use their knitting as meditation (maybe this is not working yet for my friend with the really, really, intensely tight tension?).

Plastic - These are cheap and very easy to use. They are light weight and great for people with arthritis. These needles are also flexible, but sturdy. You can easily use most yarn types on plastic needles...though you may still find them too slippery for some smooth yarns.

Wood - This is the latest craze in needle type. They have a fabulously warm feel to them when you are knitting. Wooden needles are great for smooth yarns and perfect for all knitting skill levels. You can choose between a variety of woods, for example bamboo, rosewood and surina wood. Some wooden needles are highly smoothed (ie. rosewood) and do not "grab" the stitches as much as bamboo or surina needles. So keep this in mind when choosing which wooden ones you would like to use. Also, wooden needles in smaller sizes can accidentally snap, so you will want to take care when using them.

My personal favorite is wooden needles. I like them the best because they are the most comfortable (I find metal really harsh and hard on my joints...I do have some carpal tunnel issues still). I also like wooden because they are more environmentally friendly (I try to avoid any excess exposure to plastic...don't think I am a freak...I have just read too many scientific reports and books on the negative effects of plastic on the body and the environment...I am a "greenie").

Regardless of my opinion, I suggest you try all of the types before you settle on one. You need to find the one that you love the most because it will mean you enjoy your knitting even more!

Are Sari Silk Yarns Really Silk?

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:30:00 GMT

Recycled sari silk is one of my favorite yarns. I always feel as though the yarn tells a story because so many women have touched these fibers and it has traveled so far to be on my knitting needles or crochet hook. It has had an adventure before it becomes the garment you are making.

Saris fabrics in South Asia are made mainly of silk, cotton, rayon and a few other synthetics. The high quality fabrics are silk whereas the rayon or synthetic fabrics are the cheaper substitute. With this in mind, when you purchase recycled sari silk yarns you may find that you yarn is a mixture of these fibers or it may be 100% silk.

Before I go any further, having a recycled sari silk yarn that is not 100% silk does not mean the yarn is any less fabulous. It really is a personal choice and can depend on individual skeins...as crafters and yarn lovers we all know you can have some lovely yarns that are made with cotton or rayon...so really it is like comparing apples to apples in a sense. Some people may prefer to have cotton or rayon because they do not like wearing yarns made from animal products.

But if you are wanting your recycled sari silk to be silk, then it is important to know how to tell the difference.

The first thing you can do is to smell your yarn....the more silk you have the more your yarn will smell "funny"...after all silk is an animal product so you should not be surprised about this. I have had friends talk about the smell of some recycled sari yarns thinking it was from some cleaner used on the fibers....well actually it is from the silk (if it is silk). (I love these homemade natural cinamon candles that my friend makes and I have them not too far from where I keep my silk yarns because it helps counteract the smell of the silk)

The second method is to burn your yarn. This is a bit unrealistic when you are out buying yarn at a shop or online. I actually test my recycled sari silk yarns for their content often but I do this in a very safe way. For those pyromaniacs out there you can tell your fiber content by the way it burns (yes this works for other yarns too!).

If your yarn is an animal fiber it will burn reluctantly with a crackling sound. The fire should die out easily or even on its own. You will have that distinct "burning human hair" smell. If your yarn is silk it will turn into silvery clumps that crumble easily (make sure it is cool before touching!).

If you yarn is a plant fiber (ie. cotton), it will burn really well with a very bright flame. The fibers will still glow when the flame is put out. It will smell like burned paper (so it will not be a noxious smell like animal fibers produce). But remember, rayon is a plant fiber!

If it is synthetic, then the yarn will burn like plastic. They usually burn really well and when cooled the "mess" that was your yarn will be a hard clump that does not crumble. The smell will be like burning plastic as well....so it will stink and the fumes could be harmful.

We tested our sari silk yarns when we got them in and they silk. The smell before and after burning gave it away...not to mention the mess of silvery clumps I had disintegrating everywhere! But since we work with a community in Nepal for our Recycled Sari Silk yarn, we expect that the odd skein may have a few rayon fibers in it just because of the way the yarns are produced. I am sure this is an issue with all recycled sari silk yarns. After all, most of the communities get their remnants from a factory and they cannot afford to test every fiber that passes into their hands. Regardless, the women we help try to give us an amazing product and we have been very happy with their results. I am just in love with the solid colours (especially the teal and dark pink colour).

This month we will be releasing a new 100% silk yarn that comes from a community in India. This yarn is carded much better than the sari silk yarns so it is a smoother, finer yarn. I am very excited to get my hands on this yarn. The colours are vibrant which is similar to the sari silk so I am sure you will love it too! Silkworms produce the silk when they create their cocoons (photo below).

If you choose to ever burn your yarn to test it PLEASE be very careful because if you yarn has any synthetic materials in it, the fumes from burning can be harmful to you, your loved ones and your pets.

Fabulous Niddy Noddy Skein Maker is Here!

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:18:00 GMT

The great Niddy Noddy from Ashfords is now here! It will make life so much easier when you are making your skeins for hand dyeing. We all know how painful it can be to do this on the back of a chair...so now you have the niddy noddy which makes it a piece of cake!

Makes a 1.5m (5') round skein. Take the yarn from the spinning wheel bobbin onto the niddy noddy. It has specially shaped crossbars that allow the skein (hank) of yarn to slide off easily.

We are just loving our Niddy Noddy!

Fabulous Bamboo Yarn Has Now Arrived

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:42:00 GMT

We just got in our new 100% bamboo yarn. It is a stunning yarn for anytime of year. It is a great combo of soft and silky. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and very durable (so yes if you want to you can pop it into the washing machine). This yarn is a great eco-friendly yarn which is perfect for those of you who do not wear animal fibers.

Ummm...Thanks But No Thanks?! How to Give the Perfect Knitted or Crocheted Gift (and Avoid the Heartbreak From Giving an Ugly Sweater!)

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:31:00 GMT

We all have had it happen to us...we are given the gift of a hand knitted or crocheted sweater and we have to pretend we like it when we really think it is the most hideous thing we have ever seen!

To avoid repeating this horrible "tradition" I have the following recommendations:

What is your recipient's gender and age? (ie. Teenagers are incredibly picky about their clothes and most men are hard to knit for...remember the boyfriend's sweater curse?!)
What colours does your recipient wear mostly? (ie. Do not pick a bright yarn for someone who wears dark or muted colours all the time)
Does your recipient need heavy clothes? (ie. There is no point in making a heavy coat for someone who lives in a year-round hot climate)
Does your recipient have allergies? (ie. You would not want them sneezing or itching every time they are in the same room as your gift)
If you are making something for a child, then have you picked a yarn that is durable? (ie. toys and clothing will be treated roughly so you want to make sure your gift lasts)
Will your recipient mind high maintenance items? (ie. Will they mind having to hand wash a cashmere or angora jumper?)
Is your recipient a vegan or conscious about the environment? (ie. Some people do not wear animal fibers so it would not be wise to give them a wool jumper!)

If you keep these questions in mind when you choose your yarn and project, you will avoid accidentally making something that is unliked. You will be spending time making this gift so you do not want it to be shoved into drawer to never see the light of day again. With this in mind, I would make one last suggestion....try to make gifts with smoother yarns in a single shade as your recipient may not like multi-colour, overly fuzzy textured projects! (In other words...keep it simple and you are less likely to make an ugly gift!)

Let's Break the Ugly Sweater Habit! (BTW...I am still scarred from the ugly jumper my auntie gave me for Christmas when I was about 10...it was this horrible thing that had a tight turtleneck and was white with fluorescent jellybeans all over it...it was so gross that I shudder thinking about it now!)

Book Review of Granny Squares Now by Susan Cottrell

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:53:00 GMT

I had to pass on my opinion of the book Granny Squares Now: Dozens of Fresh Takes on a Crochet Classic by Susan Cottrell because I am so inspired by it.

The book has the following sections:

Intro and Before You Begin
Granny Squares and Motifs
Embellishments
Granny Square Creations
Metric Conversion Charts

The "Before You Begin" section is a great introduction to crochet and crochet basics. It presents the information in an easy to understand method and shows you that crochet is very easy to learn. It also takes the time to explain crochet, the importance of gauge and simple finishing techniques. It also points out how patterns can vary dramatically with just small changes in the pattern. The author explains how easy it is to apply the motifs to your own pattern which is incredibly helpful if this is your first time to make granny squares.

The book presents a wealth of different granny square patterns. The show the versatility of crochet and how you can use different colours or yarns to create scrumptious squares. I find the patterns with accompanying photos really inspires your creative side.

The next section is on embellishments which shows how you can incorporate your granny squares into your wardrobe. Again the author is very inspiring by showing you how you can use many different colours and textures to spruce up any garment.

Following this section, there is a great section with creations to make completely out of granny squares. My favorites include some cozy slippers, a stunning ribbon skirt, an uptown shrug as well as two wonderful afghan throws/rugs.

I just love the fresh new ideas presented in this book. The author shows you that the granny square technique is simple yet so intricate and stylish.

I think to sum this review up, it is best said in the authors own words....this book truly shows that "today's granny squares aren't square!" We do stock this book, but if we are sold out we are more than happy to special order it for you!