snoooooooowwwwwww - time to knit!

Okay - i don't get this weather. It finally warms up and we start to lose lots of the snow. That's a good thing. Then it rains. And then it snows. And snows some more. And the wind blows, and blows and blows. However, it's still warm, so i guess we'll take what we can get!

My KnitWits were in this morning, working away on their "Freedom Sweater" which has proven to be very popular. Chicks with Sticks will begin this pattern next Tuesday. It's an excellent choice for those who are just beginning to knit garments. Chunky wool, big needles and luscious colours!

Why not consider starting a group knitting group? You could meet here regularly (and you don't have to vacuum to get ready!) with your friends, or friends you have yet to meet! I will guide your group; teach when required, opine when required, help with decisions, measure works in progress or measure on the body! I also pour coffee! All this for a nominal charge! We usually start at 10:30, end around noon or whenever you want to leave. KnitWits have been meeting at On The Lamb every Thursday morning for almost 2 years! Chicks With Sticks have begun meeting most Tuesdays and seem to be having a ball.

Give it some thought - It's a great way to upgrade your skills, learn new and wonderful techniques, have fun and meet your new best friend! Plus, i make pretty good coffee.

Call me and i can make some suggestions for putting a group together.

what's new in this blustery month!?

The new stuff is arriving for spring and it's better than Christmas! By March 1st we will be all stocked up for your spring knitting.

The new Debbie Bliss Magazine for spring has arrived and it's better than the winter version. I just love 'dainty's' for the house, knit up in white, white, white cotton? No? How about a hot pink Bolero? Reminds me of hot, humid nights! And the shapes are changing in women's garments - they flow, they ease over the body. They are flattering!

We have begun to stock Debbie Bliss product: Luxury Tweed is here, Alpaca Silk DK is here and more arriving monthly (i'm ordering Prima cotton as a result of the magazine!)

If you haven't been in the shop lately, the latest rage is our "Freedom" sweater (named after the wool) - couldn't be easier - it's constructed with simple shaping. And fixed with the wonderful Brooches by BijouxBelts - it's a stunner! I'm teaching 2 classes for this cardigan and am ordering the wool weekly from my supplier to keep up.

New sock yarns have arrived - for those who love Sox (a workhorse from Berroco) - you'll love Sox Metallic! And Yummy - how could you not love a yarn called Yummy - especially as it is!

Drop in and visit - don't mind the floors - it's impossible to keep them clean - just one more reason why i'm kinda looking forward to the spring!

a few thoughts from Ellen

i have just been reading Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Casts Off - and as always, it's very funny. (i have for sale if you are intrigued!)
When i got to the chapter entitled "Five Things to tell to a Recent Immigrant to Knitting" i broke up laughing! These are the same things i've been saying all along, and i think they bear repeating.
1. This is not Rocket Science. I've seen schematics for rockets and they are way harder than knitting. So take a deep breath, steady your hands, roll your shoulders back and down and smile. You are half way there!
2. No one knits well the first time! Because my darling hubby is a golfer and i did try to take it up in a foolish moment, i liken learning knitting to golfing - it can feel like the most unnatural motion in the world - you just have to practice and practice makes perfect. AND, knitting is un-doable. We can fix it.
3. We all make mistakes - and sometimes those of us who are supposed to know better, make them! Chalk it up to experience and move on. Don't give up - your masterpiece is right around the corner!
4. Don't knit with crappy yarn!!!! Look ... if you have to cast on 85 stitches and the gauge is 17 st and 24 rows to 4", that's 20" x 120 rows of knitting to knit a square, but 2,040 stitches. Multiply that by ... lots and all of a sudden you've got a garment that has potentially thousands of stitches and you're knitting it in ... acrylic? This is after you've bought bamboo needles because they are ecco friendly and you're knitting ... plastic. You've invested the time ... invest the money and buy the best quality of yarn you can afford. Your project will reflect your efforts. Promise.
5. Buy some good wool cleanser - it really doesn't take long to rinse out a wool sweater and the extra time you spend on cleaning will result in lots of years of use.

Okay - steady now. Knitters forward!

Almost Merry Christmas...

okay - fess up - how many of us gave a 1/2 done project for Christmas with the enthusiastic promise of completion ... soon! I even wrapped the darn things up - very pretty with bows and stuff. But that doesn't forgive the fact that the project was 1/2 done - sorry Ryan. (and in the case of Christopher and Taryn -they only got the ball of wool - i didn't even start it!!!!)

We're sitting in the middle of what will probably be the first of many snow storms this year - haul that project out! Forgive yourself, move on, get that project done ... because there is only so much time and just so, so much wool!

Ravelry - and other stuff!

And a happy new year .... that was sung in a trilling alto, if you didn't know!
The new year has begun - and we're going gangbusters. I'm going to take this weekend to set up some classes - if you have a request - let me know!

I wanted to tell you all about Ravelry - it's a fab spot to connect with other knitters and crocheters. You can keep track of your stash (i personally don't have that kind of time... stash is too big!), your projects, find new projects, new FREE patterns and just generally chat with a group of knitters that shares your interests. For example, two groups i belong to are "knitters with Pugs" and "LYSO" (which are Local Yarn Store Owners). I have received tons of info about how to run a shop, or not. And how to diagnose that really strange noise Purl makes in the middle of the night that scares the crap out of me! I'm also a member in "Knitters who Ski", "Durham Knitters", "Canadian Knitters", GTA Knitters - you get the idea. I'm sure there are groups for people who love horses and want to knit them sweaters (really, i have a Lopi pattern for one - too funny!)

Here's the really great part - i have a group on Ravelry called - wait for it - On The Lamb! It's a place where customers and friends of the shop can meet and chat and share patterns and all that stuff. Each month, i'm going to put a secret word within my chat room on the group. If you know the word - you get 10% off. How fun is that?

And just to give you a giggle - here are the men in my life - i bought them the 'team' shirts for Christmas! Aren't they handsome? That's the "heir-t0-the-throne" on the left (Christopher), Taryn's beau Peter, Christopher's beau Ryan and hubby Warren. I know! I can hardly stand it!

Wishing you and yours the very best of life, health and happiness in the New Year!

Christmas is delightful ... especially at On The Lamb!

ooooohhhhhh, the weather outside is frightful...

No, it's not. Not really! But it definitely is winter and it's time for snuggling up in front of the gas fireplace, or the micro heater or the floor vent and pull out a warm, rewarding project that will provide someone with years of comfort and smiles. OR, now here's a thought, make something for yourself!

We have lots of 'one skein' wonder ideas if you need to pull off a quickie project (how about Felted Bowls?) a terrific scarf or those cute little 'gauntlets' (fingerless gloves.) Don't forget our Artisan teas - such a wonderful addition to a stocking - and we have kits made up with delicate tea cup infusers and packages of tea for your ease of gifting. And how about a Sock Kit????? Socks are such a hot item right now ... jump on the bandwagon. Don't know how? Let's talk in the new year and we'll get you 'learned'!

I'm on the hunt for a perfect doggie coat for Purl - the last one i made for her was a little small this year (hmmmmmmm, there is a reason Pugs are one vowel away from pig!) So if anyone has a pattern for the perfect jacket for pug with no neck...

Super Duper news for you! A pre-Christmas sale begins Wednesday December 17th and runs until the 23rd. 20% off store wide - does not apply to special orders (that means stuff i have to order in for you, which i will do happily, but it's not on sale.)

Please check the website for updates to class schedule - it's by no means exhaustive - we would be happy to accommodate your times and needs.

okay - gotta go 'cause i'm gonna get this little jacket knit up for a family 'do' on Saturday. Think i can do it? i may be knitting during the two hour drive to the party ... but it won't be the first time.

Just a note - we are closed December 24 - 29th and Jan 1 & 2.

Merry, merry, merry Christmas!

oh man! SNOW! WINTER! Let it come!

It's sunny and snowing and what could be better? I'm about to start a super chunky sweater for Christopher and because it's done on 7mm needles, i anticipate getting it done for Christmas. That is if i don't keep getting sidetracked knitting sweaters for Purlie - poor little puggy - she's really avoiding the cold and we all know what that means!

Send me a note - what are you working on? What is exciting in your knitting basket?