Village Yarns

Rowan Magazine 44 and New Arrivals

2008-07-28T22:30:00.006-04:00

Greetings!

The new Rowan Magazine #44 for Fall 2008 is now in stock at Village Yarns. We ship worldwide using Canada Post and you may contact us toll free across North America at 888-343-8885. Our local number in Toronto is 416-232-2361.

Three new books for babies and children are now in stock including designs by Marie Wallin featured in The Rowan Story Book of Little Knits . . .

Easy Knits For Little Kids by Catherine Tough . . .

The Rowan Milk Cotton Baby Collection is a new publication to support Rowan's new Milk Cotton Yarn in 4Ply & DK weights.

Back in stock at Village Yarns is Heartfelt by Kim Hargreaves. A best seller since it's spring release with fabulous designs featuring Rowan Big Wool, Wool Cotton and Kid Silk Aura.

Note our Summer 2008 Holiday Closing:
Closed Friday August 01 - Wednesday August 13, 2008.

We re-open Thursday, August 14, 2008 with a preview of Fall 2008.

Berroco Patterns Fall/Winter 2008

2008-07-12T11:02:00.012-04:00

Greetings!

In stock now is the new Berroco pattern collection for Fall-Winter 2008.

These collections of garments and accessories are absolutely stunning featuring wearable modern classics to whimsical accessories for both Knitting & Crochet from Norah Gaughan and the design team at Berroco.

Volume 3 of the Norah Gaughan Collection features two unique themes:

Woodland Gothic : 8 knitted pieces inspired by Gothic architecture.

Art House : 8 knitted pieces with a modern aesthetic, inspired by sculpture and graphic art.

5 new Berroco Pattern Booklets are in stock and ready to ship, including . . .

Geode & Jasper #276

Peruvia #277

Comfort Home #278

Ultra Alpaca & Ultra Alpaca Light #279

Sockcetera #280

Cuzco & Peruvia Quick #281

To order contact us toll free 888-343-8885 in North America or Toronto local 416-232-2361. We ship across town, across Canada, North America, the world!

Happy Knitting.
The Village People.

Namaste Cali Collection at Village Yarns

2008-05-07T23:17:00.002-04:00

Village Yarns Awarded Best Booth Display at
Spring 2008 Creative Festival.

Hello and Welcome Spring!

We had a wonderful time presenting our exciting collection of hand knitting yarns for Spring 2008 at the recent Creative Festival in Toronto.

This three day event allowed us to meet new people, greet old friends and create an enticing presentation of luxury hand dyed knitting yarns from our Spring 2008 hand knitting yarn collection. The Prism Yarn line was the feature collection at the show with highlights from Blue Heron, Fleece Artist, Hand Maiden and Muench yarns.

All of us at Village Yarns are very proud of being presented with the Crative Festival's award for best booth display! This is very much a team effort and we work hard to ensure our displays showcase our products in the best way possible and that our booth is a reflection of what you will see when you visit our store.

New Arrivals for May 2008

We have just received another shipment of the beautiful Knittng Bags & Accessories from Namaste of California featuring their new "Cali" line of faux leather Knitting handbags, needle cases and purses.

One of the hottest sellers since this line arrived is the new "Cali Clutch" featuring a slim, well designed shape to hold your straights, circulars, credit cards, cash, keys, phone, sunglasses and a small knitting project.

Available in 5 fabulous colors year round, and two additional seasonal colors.

The colours and texture of the new Cali Collection of knitting bags are so seductive, you'll want a complete set. They are going fast so give us a call at the store to set aside your favorite colour.

Village Yarns also features the Cali Collection Malibu Bag in five fabulous colours...

Namaste has also updated their Needle Binders this year in coordinating Cali Collection colours to hold an assortment of straight, circular and Double Pointed needles. These binders/organizers will accomodate all your knitting accessories in one practical and stylish tote. Additional inserts are available in singles or multi-packs of four.

Namaste Knitting Accessories are well crafted with wonderful decorative stitching and metal stud accents featuring contemporary styling and colours for knitters of all ages.

The new Laguna Bag from the Cali Collection features a generous split interior, central zip compartement for personal items and the beautiful Namaste colours.

We also stock the Namaste Knitube in Cranberry and Peacock. Perfect for knitters on the go - wherever the locale.

We invite you to visit us at Village Yarns in Toronto, Ontario to view our complete line of Namaste Hand Knitting Accessories, Bags and Glass Knitting Needles.

Please contact us toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local 416-232-2361 to enquire or order a Namaste Knitting Bag or Accessory.

Village Yarns is located in the west end of Toronto in the Village of Islington. We are a convenient destination close to all major routes and just north of Islington subway station. For knitters passing through Toronto at Pearson International Airport, we are minutes away via taxi or TTC for those in need of a fabulous fibre fix! Visit our main website for maps and additional information: www.villageyarns.com

Take care and enjoy your passion!

Village Yarns at the Creative Festival Spring Show 2008

2008-04-16T21:43:00.002-04:00

Village Yarns will be showing at the Spring 2008 Creative Festival in Toronto on April 26, 27 & 28. Come see our exciting presentation for Spring 2008!

For more information log on to the Creative Festival Website

Creativity, Learning and Fellowship: The Joy of Knitting & Crochet at Village Yarns

2008-01-22T20:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Village Yarns weblog. Village Yarns has been located in the Village of Islington for 30+ years, now amalgamated with the city of Toronto. We are in the west end of the city and a 5 minute walk north of Islington Subway station. We are a full-service retailer of hand knitting & crochet yarns, patterns and classes.

Village Yarns features a wide assortment of wool, cotton, alpaca, cashmere, silk and Qiviuk fibres from producers such as Noro, Debbi Bliss, Filatura di Crosa, Rowan, Berroco, Dale of Norway, Ozark Handspun, Colinettte, Alchemy Yarns of Transformation, Trendsetter, Alpaca With A Twist and Prism Yarns.

Village Yarns is also a proud retailer of Canadian hand-dyed yarn lines Fleece Artist and Hand Maiden.

We invite you to visit our store weekdays from 12 Noon - 7Pm and Saturday 10am - 5pm. We have free parking directly behind the store and curbside parking as well. For those of you from outside of Toronto, please read our other posts on this weblog for additional product information or visit our store website . We ship to customers worldwide everyday and you may contact us directly toll free to order.

You will always see interesting window displays featuring new products and newly created patterns. The window display picutred features an elegant shoulder wrap designed by Robin Hunter featuring hand dyed Pearls and Dover by Prism Yarns.

Inside the front door we have a focus table of new arrivals, class and workshop schedules and feature projects and kits.

We invite you to take your time, look and touch at your leisure. Store samples of garments and accessories abound for you to try on. Linda looks fabulous modelling our Fleece Artist Kid Silk Shrug....

Don't be surprised to walk in and find a impromptu design class in progress at Village Yarns...

We are always happy to work with our customers on modifying projects to suit their personal tastes and body shapes...

Pictured is a Modular Wrap that will be available as a kit for Spring 2008 featuring Berroco, Prism and Trensetter yarns...

Village Yarns - Where Creativity Abounds...

Our customers love the variety and selection of fibres we retail from around the world. Adventurous knitters especially love the Prism Yarn line created by Laura Bryant. Who can resist all the gorgeous colours and textures that make up the Prism Yarn Line.

Working from their own designs or using Laura's fabulous "Yarn Stash Workbook" as a guide, Village Yarns customers can create fabulous one-of-a-kind creations from the many garment and accessory patterns in this book.

Pictured below is Athena, our foremost "fearless" knitter who is intimidated by no knitting technique or pattern. Her current project is Laura Bryant's Lapel Coat from the Stash Workbook.

Athena chose to use a Prism Fiber Art Bag in the Rusts colourway, combined with Berroco Ultra Alpaca for the base yarn.

Worked in Linen Stitch, the combination of texture created by the stitch technique and the individual Prism yarns is truly stunning.

We'll update you with more pictures when the garment is completed.

Another creative genius and lover of all textures and colours is Ghazal, modeling an asymmetrical jacket she created using Prism Neat Stuff in the Mozambique colourway.

Neat Stuff is comprised of 30-40 different yarns, all gauge related and hand dyed by Prism in Florida. Ghazal was smitten with Neat Stuff from the day it arrived and having bought one skein for a scarf, this soon developed into a full scale garment with stunning results.

Here are some detail shots for you to enjoy and to admire the way in which the jacket was constructed:

6 half skeins (150 yards each) of Prism Neat Stuff used in total....

The colours and resulting fabric are truly stunning...

Finding patterns to fit a curvy, 5'1" frame is challenging but Ghazal has an innate sense of proportion and knows how she likes garments to drape and fit.

Ghazal can live with sleeves that are a wee bit long in her opinion because she is so pleased with the resulting fabric and colours. We agree!

Hand Knitting & Crochet Classes at Village Yarns

For customers requiring guidance in their pursuit of hand knitting and Crochet, Village Yarns offers workshops and Instructional Knitting & Crochet classes for all skill levels. Current class information can be found on our store website.

We offer five Project Groups every week in which student customers bring current projects to work on and have a teacher present to offer guidance and assistance. Lively and informative, Project Classes allow you to see what other knitters are creating and follow their progress from week to week.

Mary joins us Monday evenings and is a prolific knitter and crocheter preferring to focus on socks and accessories. Persons lucky enough to be on her gift list receive beautiful knit scarves made of Wool and Silk with yarns by Hand Maiden. Mary is modeling the Hand Maiden Textures Scarf Kit...

and additional Textures Scarves colourways knit by Mary are below...

We also provide personal, one-on-one classes scheduled at the convenience of the student and teacher 5 days a week. Please feel free to drop in or call us to discuss booking a private class.

Pattern Drafting classes are offered where students have the opportunity to make their own, personal Bodice and Set-In Sleeve pattern to their measurements.

Andrea participated in the Pattern Drafting Class and then used her Christmas holidays to create a Cardigan based on an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern, in which the entire garment is knit in one piece with shaping being done by decreasing on the body and then on the sleeve according to calculations. No easy feat! Andrea applied her true body measurements from the pattern created in class and created a beautiful, understated cardigan using Filatura di Crosa Zarina, a delicious 4 Ply weight Merino Wool.

Below is a detail shot of the subtle yet intricate shaping that happens where the sleeve is decreased into the body and then the reverse happens when shaping the crown of the sleeve.

Worked in one piece with a 1x1 front band that blends into a Shawl Collar and fully-fashioned shaping for all curves and seams, you can see how adding subtle waist shaping makes for a flattering fit.

It is very gratifying to see customers return proudly wearing or showing completed projects. Nothing beats the look of accomplishment and pride that you see in their eyes of a job well done.
As part of our "Edutainment" series of workshops, Village Yarns was proud to have hosted Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton just before Christmas for a workshop on the Evolution Of The Stitch Pattern. Pictured below is Karen Dinner of Village Yarns and Cornelia on her right.

Guests were treated to an informative presentation of Cornelia's work as published in her 5 Pattern Collections for Noro Yarns. Cornelia led guests through a stitch sampler while discussing and showing garments that utilized the same stitch technique, and how the shape of the garment dictated how the stitch pattern was incorporated.

Always a good time at Village Yarns events!

For more information on classes, workshops or upcoming events please visit our store website at www.villageyarns.com or contact in Toronto toll free 888-343-8885 or local 416-232-2361.

We look forward to welcoming you to Village Yarns!

Enjoy Your Passion.

Prism Dover

2007-12-27T07:44:00.000-05:00

We invite you to visit us at Village Yarns in Toronto to view our selection of Prism Hand Dyed Yarns. Today we give the spotlight to Prism Dover.

Prism Dover was one of the first Double Dye yarns developed by Laura Bryant, Creative Director of Prism Yarns. Double Dyeing is a process where a yarn with two fiber contents requires two types of dye; the end result creates amazing colour combinations and depth.

Prism Dover is available in all of Laura Bryant's hand dyed colors, but with subtle differences.

Dover: 75% nylon, 25% rayon 2 oz/ 150 yds
Suggested Gauge: 16 sts = 4" 6mm/US#10

Prism Dover consists of a soft nylon knitted tube which is then captured inside a rayon railroad ribbon.

The nylon is dyed two or more colors, while the rayon stays white. The rayon is then dyed two or more colors, which do not affect the nylon. The effect is of tiny bits of colored confetti sprinkled over a glistening field of air.

We love Dover for its soft yet crisp hand with lots of body, and for the complex colors. It has spectacular yardage as well, making very light weight garments that hold their shape.

Great as one element amongst other yarns, Dover is perfect for use with Prism StuffTM for a project from the various "Stuff Plus" pattern books.

Here we have combined Dover with Prism Pearls for a cute little shoulder hug designed and knit by Robin Hunter for Village Yarns. The pattern and yarn are available from Village Yarns in Toronto. To order please email us: shop@villagyarns.com

UPCOMING KNIT-A-LONG PROJECTS:
Look for information regarding a Knit-A-Long Project Class featuring this beautiful Spiral Scarf designed by Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns featuring Prism Indulence. Kits are available and in-stock at Village Yarns in Toronto. For more information please contact us at shop@villageyarns.com or 416-232-2361.

Knitscene Central Park Hoodie Pattern

2007-12-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

Looking for a copy of Knitscene Fall 2006 featuring the ever popular Central Park Hoodie? Look no further than Village Yarns - we have 15 copies left in stock.

Recipients of the Knitting Daily e-news letter from Interweave Press will know that this is still one of the most popular garment patterns around. For knitter's new to cables, Knitscene has included a Cable Tutorial in this issue, including a practice swatch using the back centre cable from designer Heather Lodinsky's pattern.

Generous sizing up to a 48" bust featuring an interesting cable pattern using an Aran Weight (Heavy Worsted in the US) yarn.

To order Knitscene Fall 2006 featuring the Central Park Hoodie pattern, or other Interweave Press publications contact us at Village Yarns in Toronto toll free 888-343-8885, Toronto local 416-232-2361 or online shop@villageyarns.com.

Qiviuk Hand Knitting Yarn at Village Yarns

2007-12-11T13:41:00.000-05:00

Qiviuk is the inner down of the Canadian Arctic Muskox. It is a fiber of exceptional quality. Noticeably softer and lighter than cashmere, and 8 times warmer than wool.

The Muskox is a prehistoric animal still alive today and thriving. Their survival through the last ice age was largely due to their remarkable coat. An outer layer, the guard hair sometimes as long as 24 inches, and the inner layer, shield them from minus 50 †C degrees temperature. Because of their shaggy coats, Muskoxen appear to be massive animals; in fact, they rarely grow more than chest high on a human. In May, when arctic temperatures begins to rise, Muskoxen shed their inner coats, and the tundra becomes littered the precious fleece.

With proper care and protection they have made a steady comeback both in numbers and in occupied range. The herds are monitored by the Canadian government, protected by the Inuvialuit Group of the Northwest Territories, and managed in a way that combines tradition and sustainability, ensuring their unthreatened existence.

In consideration of commitment and experience in Qiviuk, the Inuvialuit organizations have selected Jacques Cartier Ltd. to exclusively acquire, process and manufacture their precious Qiviuk fiber. Village Yarns in Toronto is pleased to offer this unique fibre to our customers.

The perfect yarn for Lace shawls, scarves, sweaters and the lightest, warmest gloves you will ever wear!

Qiviuk is featured in the Holiday 2007 issue from Interweave Knits.

Qiviuk Tam and Scarf by Gayle Roehm

We invite you to visit Village Yarns in Toronto and see our interpretation of Evelyn Clark's Flower Basket Scarf pattern published by Fiber Trends patterns and available at Village Yarns.

We chose our luxurious Qiviuk Yarn in a pretty Mauve colourway for our store sample. Qiviuk is so light and soft that only 1 ball was required to knit this scarf pattern!

Qiviuk is available at Village Yarns in natural brown 100% Qiviuk and in 10 colourways blended with Merino Wool and Silk.

Knitting for this pattern begins at the centre back over a few stitches, working increases into this pretty lace pattern to the full width, which ends in a simple scallop edging.

Modelled by Rae Brenne, this delicate lace stitch pattern becomes a chic neck scarf, the perfect accessory for around the office or under your winter coat.

A shawl version is included in the instructions using the Flower Basket lace stitch patern and requires 3-5 balls of Qiviuk to complete, depending on the finished dimensions.

Discover for yourself the beauty that is Qiviuk in our 10 classic colourways.

100% Qiviuk (aka Qiviut) in Natural Brown:

Qiviuk blended with Merino Wool and Silk in the following colourways:

Sage

Orange

Light Grey

Mauve

Red Ochre

Slate Blue

Loden Green

Please contact us for more information or to order at shop@villageyarns.com or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Filatura di Crosa Fall/Winter 2007 at Village Yarns

2007-11-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

Filatura di Crosa Fall/Winter 2007 at Village Yarns
Timeless, elegant, classic knitwear endures and for Fall/Winter 2007 Filatura di Crosa presents a beautiful collection of hand knit designs sure to become favourites. We invite you to visit Village Yarns in Toronto and view our complete collection of Filatura di Crosa hand knitting yarns and patterns.

Cropped Jacket

Ruffled Pullover

Hat, Neck Warmer & Fingerless Gloves

Cap-Sleeve Cabled Pullover

Bell Sleeve Cardigan

The Merino Wool Masters
Filatura di Crosa comes to us from Biella, Italy, just outside of Milan. A division of Gruppo Luigi Botto, the Filatura di Crosa mill produces hand knitting yarns of the highest quality and is recognized as one of the best mills in the world for the spinning and dyeing of Australian and New Zealand Merino Wool.

Village Yarns carries the complete line of Filatura di Crosa Merino Hand Knitting Yarn including:

Zarina (4ply)

GAUGE: 28 stitches x 32 rows/10cm
NEEDLE SIZE: 3mm - 3.25mm depending on your personal tension.
LENGTH: 165 metres/50 grams
Machine Wash Gentle Knits. Dry Flat.

Zara (DK/Double Knitting)

GAUGE: 23 stitches x 31 rows/10cm
NEEDLE SIZE: 3.5 mm - 4mm depending on your personal tension.
LENGTH: 125 metres/50 grams
Machine Wash Gentle Knits. Dry Flat.

Zara Plus (Aran/Chunky).

GAUGE: 18 stitches x 20 rows / 10cm
NEEDLE SIZE: 4.5 mm - 5mm depending on your personal tension.
LENGTH: 70 metres/50G
Machine Wash Gentle Knits. Dry Flat.

For more information or to order Filatura di Crosa yarns and patterns, please contact us at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Fleece Artist Garter Stitch Jacket Kits at Village Yarns

2007-11-03T09:11:00.000-04:00

A perennial favourite is now back in stock at Village Yarns. Kathryn and her team at Fleece Artist have given the Garter Stitch Jacket a new twist for Fall 2007 by introducing Curly Locks and Mo as the yarn components. Knit singly in alternating rows, these textures of a mohair boucle and a brushed mohair blend to create a lovely, cozy jacket sure to be a favourite in your wardrobe.

The Garter Stitch Jacket appeals to knitters of all skill levels as the fit and subtle waist shaping flatter many figures. Worked on 6mm needles in garter stitch, subtle waist shaping is achieved by reducing needle sizes and sleeves are completed top down for accurate length. The Garter Stitch Jacket makes a great first project for new knitters wanting to move beyond accessories.

The Garter Stitch Jacket Kit is available in Fleece Artist semi-solid shades of Gold, Ruby Red and Turquoise:

Also in stock are Fleece Artist Variegated Colourways including; Seashore, Peacock, Stone, Cosmic Dawn, Sorbetto and Rain Forest.

These hand dyed beauties never last long so come visit us at 4895 Dundas Street West in Toronto or to order your Garter Stitch Jacket kit, contact us at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Noro Yarn Collection for Fall/Winter 2007 at Village Yarns

2007-11-02T01:23:00.000-04:00

We hope you enjoy our Fall/Winter 2007 preview of the Noro Yarn Collection and invite you to Village Yarns in the west end of Toronto to view the new yarn qualities, patterns and updated colours that are now in stock. For product information or to order contact us toll free at 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416) 232-2361.

Noro Niji: New for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns
45% Wool, 5% Nylon, 25% Silk, 25% Kid Mohair
Worsted-Aran Weight knitting on 4.5mm - 5.5mm needle, available in an 7 rich colourways.

Niji is Noro's newest yarn featuring a tightly spun bloucle yarn that is so light when knit up, making it the perfect choice for jackets, sweaters and wraps. Niji features Noro's colourful striping sequences in a blend of Wool, Silk and Mohair.

Pattern support is found in the newest Noro Publication: Pure Noro by Jane Ellison. Noro Niji is in stock in all colourways at Village Yarns, Toronto.

Pure Noro by Jane Ellison: New for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns
Delightful new designs from Jane Ellison for Fall 2007 featuring Noro Ni Ji - a new tightly spun nubbly yarn in Wool, Silk and Kid Mohair. Ni Ji is interchangeable with Silver Thaw, Kureyon and Silk Garden. Jackets abound worked in simple Garter Stitch and textural cables. Sure to become a new favourite! In stock now at Village Yarns.

Noro Silk Garden: New Colours for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns
45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Lambswool
Worsted Weight knitting on 4.5mm available in an 22 glorious colourways.

New colours of Noro Silk Garden for 2007 are in stock and Wow! They are gorgeous. If you have never knit with Silk Garden, come see our store samples and see for yourself why this is our best-selling Noro fibre. Soft, luxurious Silk, Mohair and Lambswool in 22 outstanding colourways. Pattern support for Silk Garden is extensive with projects and garment patterns for Men and Women available in stock now, at Village Yarns in Toronto, Ontario.

Noro Magazine #22: New for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns

Featuring Transitions, Kureyon, Silver Thaw, Silk Mountain and Blossom. To order contact Village Yarns toll free 888-343-8885, Toronto local (416)232-2361 or villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Noro Blossom at Village Yarns
40% Wool, 10% Nylon, 20% Silk, 30% Kid Mohair
Chunky Weight knitting on 5.5mm - 6mm needle, available in an 10 colourways.

Noro Blossom is a tightly spun bloucle yarn featuring colourful striping sequences in Wool, Silk and Mohair.

Noro Knits by Jane Ellison at Village Yarns
One of our best selling pattern books, Noro Knits features a great assortment of designs appealing to knitters of all ages and skill levels. From socks to home furnishings, this book showcases the gorgeous colours that Noro is famous for. Come to Village Yarns to see our samples knit from this great pattern book by Jane Ellison.

Noro Iro at Village Yarns
75% Wool, 25% Silk
Bulky Weight knitting on 8mm needle, available in an 11 fantastic transitional colourways.

Looking for a handspun yarn with great colour and that knits up quickly? Look no further than Noro Iro. Great for Hats, Scarves and outerwear. In stock at Village Yarns.

Noro Silk Mountain at Village Yarns
65% Wool, 25% Silk, 10% Kid Mohair
Chunky Weight knitting on 6mm needle, available in an 8 subtle colourways.

Silk Mountain is a gorgeous, nubbly boucle fancy yarn from Noro with a beautiful hand in Wool, Silk and Mohair. New colours for 2007 in stock now at Village Yarns.

Noro Silver Thaw at Village Yarns
55% Wool, 7% Alpaca, 10% Silk, 7% Kid Mohair, 7% Cashmere, 7% Angora, 7% Camel
Aran Weight knitting on 5mm - 5.5mm needle, available in an 5 striking colourways.

Naturally Noro by Jane Ellison at Village Yarns
Jane Ellison certainly hit her stride with this publication of knitting patterns for Noro. This pattern book contains wonderful, contemporary sweaters, jackets and wraps showcasing the colourful fibres Noro is famous for. A favourite of Village Yarns staff members.

Noro Transitions at Village Yarns
55% Wool, 7% Alpaca, 10% Silk, 7% Kid Mohair, 7% Cashmere, 7% Angora, 7% Camel
Chunky Weight knitting on 6mm needle, available in an 8 beautiful transitional colourways.

Noro Cash Iroha at Village Yarns
10% Nylon, 40% Silk, 30% Lambswool, 20% Cashmere
Worsted Weight knitting on 4.5mm - 5mm needle, available in an 24 solid colours.

To order contact Village Yarns toll free 888-343-8885, Toronto local (416)232-2361 or villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Noro Kureyon at Village Yarns
100% Wool, Worsted Weight knitting on 4.5mm - 5mm needle, available in an amazing array of self-striping colours.

Noro Kureyon is one of our best selling pure wools, the perfect outerwear yarn and great for felting. Featured in the new Noro Magazine #22. New colours for Fall 2007 in stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton: Book Number 1
The patterns and colour choices of Cornelia Hamilton's designs for Noro evoke an esthetic very popular with our clientelle. Taking inspriation from the rich colour pallette of Eisaku Noro's products, these designs remain timeless classics at Village Yarns.

Noro Kochoran at Village Yarns
50% Wool, 20% Silk, 30% Angora
Chunky Weight knitting on 6.5mm needle, available in 8 pretty colourways.

Noro Kochoron is our favourite Angora blended with Silk and Wool. Gorgeous accessories, afghans and jackets knit up in this super soft yarn. In stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

Noro Aurora at Village Yarns
55% Wool, 20% Silk, 20% Kid Mohair, 5% Polyester
Double Knitting Weight knitting on 4mm needle, available in 6 colourways.

Noro Aurora is the perfect accent yarn for scarves, shawls and hats. A double knitting weight, it pairs perfectly with Merino for mittens and gloves and is a wonderful accent for felting projects. In stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

Other Noro pattern books by Jane Ellison & Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton available at Village Yarns.

Noro Yarns: Hand Dyed & Hand Spun

Noro Hand Knitting Yarns are produced using a process unlike no other in the world. No other yarn company or mill goes to the lengths that Noro does to achieve the depth of colour and texture found in their yarns. Many yarn mills around the world have tried to duplicate Noro Yarns but have failed. The self-striping yarns we see today are a result of trying to copy the Noro process, which relies heavily on hand dyeing and spinning where possible, which is economically impossible for large mills. This is the only way the marvellous colourways and textures can be achieved.

Pure white raw wools are hand dyed in various colors, which are then blended together for the first step of making yarn.

Several tones of colored raw wool fibers are manually aligned one by one to make a singles yarn.

The raw wool is then fed into the carding machine to straighten the fibers and remove impurities, forming a thin web of aligned fibers. The web is next divided and rolled to create rope-like slivers. The slivers are drafted, twisted, and then wound onto bobbins.

The produced yarn is ready to be transformed into products.

For more information on this facinating yarn line and their unique processes please use this link to the Noro Website.

Please contact us to order Noro Yarn products and publications at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885, Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Prism Fiber Art Bags at Village Yarns

2007-10-27T12:13:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year Village Yarns introduced Prism Fiber Art Bags and the response has been so great we have expanded our selection to include all available colourways.

What is a Fiber Art Bag? Why a fabulous yarn stash bag of colour coordinated yarns in a mix of textures and fibre qualities from Prism Yarns of St. Petersburg, Florida.

No two bags are alike. Each bag contains two and a half pounds of colour coordinated Prism Yarn that Laura Bryant, Creative Director of Prism and her team hand select - more than enough yarn to make a garment. How the yarns are used is entirely up to your imagination! Gauges may range from 6 per inch up to 2 per inch.

Since each bag is essentially a bag of stash, these are the perfect choice for knitters who enjoy modular or free-form knitting or wish to enhance their yarn stash with the beautiful assortment of Prism Yarns. Shawls, coats, jackets, afghans, home furnishings, the possibilities are endless!

For knitters wanting to expand their knitting experience and learn about colour theory, Laura Bryant has published "The Yarn Stash Workbook" which provides her tips and techniques for coordinating and combining diverse colours and textures with patterns included for accessories, garments and soft furnishings.

We present the complete colour range for Fiber Art Bags available at Village Yarns in Toronto.

For more information or to order Prism Yarns and patterns, please contact us at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Trendsetter Yarns: Fall 2007 at Village Yarns

2007-10-19T07:18:00.000-04:00

New for Fall 2007: Trendsetter Nylon Duffle Knitting Bags with Rounded Handles
Practical and stylish bags convert quickly from a Messenger Style Bag with an adjustable shoulder strap to a round handle Executive Style. Sturdy construction with excellent finishing details, these Nylon bags have plenty of compartments for all your knitting and daily travel essentials. Available in Black and Brown.

New for Fall 2007: Trendsetter Nylon Knitting Bags.
Contemporary and practical, these sturdy construction bags are perfect for knitters on the run. Weekend travel, conferences, TTC travel. Generous proportions with attractive honey-brown shoulder straps and handles.

New for Fall 2007: Trendsetter Braided Linen & Beads Bag Handles and coordinating Buttons
Hand crafted Italian handles make the perfect finishing touch for elegant evening bags. Handles are 34" in length with perfectly finished metal attachments. Coordinating Beaded Buttons are 1 1/4" in diameter which work perfectly clustered together for shawls or adornments.

Trendsetter Purse Frames
Freeform Knitting and Crochet continues in popularity and what better way to present your individual creations than with our Trendsetter Purse Frames. Sturdy yet flexible plastic mesh is moulded and preformed to make purse construction a breeze.

Trendsetter Purse Frames are available in three classic purse shapes from Village Yarns:

Trendsetter Boat Bag Frame from Village Yarns

Trendsetter Evening Bag Frame from Village Yarns

Trendsetter Box Bag Frame from Village Yarns

Trendsetter Purse Frames are featured in Prudence Mapstone's "Never Too Many Handbags" - a truly inspirational book available at Village Yarns for adventurous knitter's and Crochet enthusiasts.

Village Yarns is presenting "Too Many Handbags?" Workshop with Gloria Williams on Thusday, August 23 at 7pm. Part of Village Yarns ClassPort Summer Teaching series. Click on this link for more details:
Too Many Handgags? Workshop

For additional ClassPort information click on this link to take you to our full class schedule:
Village Yarns Summer 2007 Class Schedule

To order Trendsetter products or register for Classes contact Village Yarns in Toronto toll-free at (888)343-8885 or email us villageyarns@sympatico.ca

New Trendsetter Tonalita Colours for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns
Tonalita is a Wool-blend that changes colors from one shade to another in a very subtle way. The yarn is not spun raw and dyed, but it is dyed as un-spun raw fiber and spun into the colorways that we bring to life for you here.
TONALITA
52% Wool, 48% Acrylic
50 grams/skein - +/- 100 yards/skein
STS/IN NEEDLE: 18 sts/10cm on 5.5mm
Non-Felting

Tonalita #2395 Peacock

2397 Smoke & Ash

2396 Starry Night

We feature Trendsetter Patterns for Tonalita in many styles including:

3300 - Boxed MP Cardigan

3306 - Tonalita Scarves

FRC#60 - Girls Skirt & Butterfly Jacket

Trendsetter Dichroic Glass Stix in new colours for Fall 2007. The perfect closure for shawls and wraps. Glass bead on polished wood.

Trendsetter Dune at Village Yarns
We invite you to stop by the store and see our updated colour selection of Trendsetter Dune. New colours including solids for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns.

41% Mohair - 29% Nylon - 30% Acrylic - 50 grams/skein - 80 yards/skein
20 sts=10cm on 5.5mm Very suitable to larger needle sizes for soft accessories.

Barry Klein, Creative Director of Trendsetter Yarns brings Dune and it's companion yarn Segue to life with these Village Yarns favourites:

Trendsetter Segue ribbon yarn at Village Yarns

To order Trendsetter products contact Village Yarns in Toronto toll-free at (888)343-8885 or email us villageyarns@sympatico.ca We ship worldwide.

Happy Knitting and we hope to see you soon!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Interweave Bag Style at Village Yarns

2007-10-11T22:29:00.000-04:00

Following in the path of Scarf Style, Wrap Style and Lace Style, Interweave Knits presents Bag Style - a collection of 22 signature bag designs by top knitwear designers including Kristin Nicholas, Nora Gaughan and Canadian designers Mags Kandis and Veronique Avery!

Featuring Knitting, Crochet and Felting techniques with gorgeous photography and thorough step-by-step instructions that Interweave Press is famous for, knitter's of all skill levels will find Bag Style a welcome addition to their knitting library.

In stock now at Village Yarns in Toronto.

Chullah Pouch by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Penny Rug Pouch by Mags Kandis

Zenith Carpet Bag by Veronik Avery

YoYo Hobo by Judith Swartz

Felted Laptop Case by Kate Jackson

Linen tube Purse by Ruthie Nussbaum

Tone on Tone Bag by Mary D'Alton

Cabana Backpack by Mags Kandis

Classic Crochet Purse by Nora Gaughan

Fair Isle Book Bag by Kristin Nicholas

Rugged Weekender Bag by Joshua Eckels

Lace Doily Purse by Lisa Daehlin

We hope you enjoy this preview of Interweave Bag Style and invite you to Village Yarns in Toronto to see this wonderful pattern collection for yourself and look for store samples coming soon!

Please contact us for more information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Feature Yarns & Accessories at Viilage Yarns in Toronto.

2007-10-08T10:29:00.001-04:00

Della Q at Village Yarns

2007-10-06T07:17:00.000-04:00

Introducing the Della Q line of luxury bags, totes and accessories for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns in Toronto. We could not pass up these gorgeous colours and fabrics featuring classic checks, tweeds and plaids in sophisticated colourways coupled with the eye catching bright stripes to liven up the grey days ahead.

The Que - Lily Tweed
The ultimate circular needle case! Holds multiple sets in 12 numbered pockets. The Que also includes a small zip pocket.
8.5"w x 8.5"h. 100% Cotton. Shown in Brown/White Tweed. Also Available in Black/White and Blue/Brown Tweed.

Theodora
100% Silk. Shown in Blue/Brown Tweed. Also available in Black/White Tweed and Brown/White Tweed.

The Que - Lily
The ultimate circular needle case! Holds multiple sets in 12 numbered pockets. Lily also includes a small zip pocket.
8.5"w x 8.5"h. 100% Silk. Shown in Green Stripe. Also Available in Red, Brown and Blue Stripe.

Lily - Medium
Embrace the stripes this Fall with Lily.
14.5"w x 4"w x 10"h. 100% Silk. Shown in Blue. Also Available in Green, Red, and Brown.

Lily - Large
Multi-tasking is the name of the game - Lily succeeds. Her size allows room for both knitting and your laptop!
Includes inside zip pockets and two open pockets.
14.5"w x 4"w x 15"h. 100% Silk. Shown in Blue Stripe. Also available in Red, Brown and Green Stripe.

Theodora
Theodora – you are the answer! I always loved Agnes, yet I simply filled her to the brim with things I really didn’t need – Five knitting projects for an afternoon at the lake? Same great style, Theodora is smaller in size to help you control the desire to bring your entire household out.
19.5" w x 5.5" w x 14.5" h. 100% Silk. Shown in Red. Also available in Green, Blue and Brown.

Agnes
Can't decide what to bring? Bring it all! Agnes's generous girth allows for all your knitting accessories plus a little extra. Agnes now includes 6 metal feet and a large zip on top!
19.5" w x 5.5" w x 14.5" h. 100% Silk. Shown in Blue Stripe. Also Available in Green, Red and Brown Stripe.

Lily Combo Needle Case
Store your straights, double pointed and circular needles in this gorgeous striped combo case! Includes space for 18 straight needles and nine circular. Includes a small zip pouch for markers, etc. Tie closure.
14.5"w x 0 x 15"h. 100% Silk. Shown in Green Stripe. Also Availalbe in Red, Brown and Blue Stripe.

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Della Q 100% Silk Colourways for Fall 2007:

Blue Stripe

Orange Stripe

Green Stripe

Red Stripe

Weekender
Big enough for not just the weekend, but for a week!
19.5"w x 5.5"w x 14.5"h. 100% Silk. Shown in Orange; in stock at Village Yarns in Green.

The following Della Q models are available by special order from Village Yarns : please click on the model name for colour selection and dimensions.

NAOMI

OLIVIA

VENUS

DAPHNE

Please contact us for more Della Q product information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts at Village Yarns

2007-10-04T19:51:00.001-04:00

Looking for great gift ideas or something beautiful to treat yourself with? Look no further than Interweave Knits 2007 Holiday Gifts issue newly arrived at Village Yarns in Toronto.

Enjoy our preview of this great issue and call or visit Village Yarns for your copy today.

Annetrelac Socks by Sandy Beadle

Classic Teddy Bear by Mary Ann Gebhardt

Sugarplum Shrug in Rowan Aura by Erika Knight

Citrine Socklets in Alchemy Yarns by Marilyn Webster

Qiviuk Webs Tam and Scarf by Gayle Roehm

Twisted Stitch Gauntlets by Deborah Newton

Candy Stripes Kerchief by Kat Coyle

Miniature Cowichan Cardigan by Véronik Avery

Please contact us for more information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Berroco Fall 2007 Pattern Books

2007-09-30T01:40:00.000-04:00

For Fall 2007, Berroco continues to lead the way in innovative garment designs, reflecting classic features with soft, easy shapes which wrap around the body giving a feeling of luxury, softness and warmth.

Marjorie Winter, Creative Director of Berroco along with Nora Gaughan, Design Director, have created a unique and dynamic focus for Berroco through their extensive pattern collection which we feel reflects the varied tastes and body shapes of the Village Yarns customer.

We have in stock five new Berroco Books for Fall 2007. Two of these books feature Berroco Jasper and Peruvia, new yarns recently introduced at Village Yarns. Come test knit with our sample skeins and give us your feedback. Your opinion matters to us.

Berroco Fall 2007 Pattern Books

Peruvia #264: This book introduces Berroco's Peruvian Highland Wool - Peruvia. Available in 22 heathers and 3 solid shades, this yarn is ideal for felting as well as regular knitting.

The pattern focus is on line and symmetry.

Plenty of texture and travelling stitches create interesting garments to knit.

Peruvia™
NEW for Fall/Winter '07/'08
100% Peruvian Highland Wool
174 yds / 160 m
GAUGE: 4.25 sts = 1"
17 sts & 22 rows = 4" (10cm)
NEEDLE SIZE: 10 (US) / 6 mm

"Peruvia is the perfect felting yarn and while not a butter soft merino, I love the way this yarn knits up. Definitely a wool for when the temperature drops. Cottagers would appreciate it's warmth with our cool Ontario evenings. Peruvia knits up fast, and although recommended to be knit on a 6mm for the soft shaping of some of the featured designs, I achieved a Worsted Weight gauge of 20 stitches using 4.5mm needles." - Patrick Madden, Village Yarns.

Everything Felted #265: The focus is felt. Designs feature accessories knit using new yarns Peruvia and Jasper.

Jasper #266: Contemporary designs with new twists on garment construction show the beautiful colours in this super soft Merino.

A focus on volume, with a looser silhouette. Cozy, attractive, colourful knitwear.

Interesting colour striping, intriguing garment construction and shapes. Best suited to a simple knitting technique like Stocking Stitch. Generous yet not overwhelming proportions give this wrap coat flair and finesse.

Norah Gaughan and her team continue to have fun with mitred shapes worked into garments.

Jasper™
NEW for Fall/Winter '07/'08
100% Fine Merino Wool
98 yds / 90 m
GAUGE: 4.5 sts = 1"
18 sts & 22 rows = 4" (10 cm)
NEEDLE SIZE: 9 (US) / 5.5 mm

Uptown Girl #267:

A different sensibility with this collection. Colour and texture play together within recognizable shapes. The functionality and appeal of shrugs continues.

Something About Stripes #268

The appeal and ease of self striping yarns continues with a collection of designs utilizing these technical marvels ability to change colour and hue.

Berroco Yarn & Patterns at Village Yarns
In addition to these latest arrivals, Village Yarns offers a great selection of yarn qualities and colours from the extensive Berroco Yarn & Pattern Collection. We offer in-store pattern support for all our Berroco yarns and are happy to assist you in planning your next project.

To order Berroco Yarns and Patterns contact Village Yarns: 1-888-343-8885 or locally (416)232-2361. email enquiries and orders to villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Happy Knitting.
The Village People.
www.villageyarns.com

Rowan Ribbon Twist at Village Yarns

2007-09-24T22:48:00.002-04:00

Chunky knits are still a popular choice with hand knitters and are featured prominently in fashion collections for Fall 2007. Standing the test of time is the Rowan Ribbon Twist Collection designed by Kim Hargreaves featuring Rowan Ribbon Twist hand knitting yarn.

First introduced in 2004 these patterns have become timeless classics featuring great fit and proportion.

Kim Hargreaves design talent shines in this collection of 12 designs that flatter the body and ensure a great fit by featuring set-in sleeves, defined waists and playful stitch details along hems and cuffs.

Rowan Ribbon Twist is a companion yarn to Rowan Big Wool with a lovely contrasting ribbon twisted along with the plush merino single, all bound together with a fine thread wound around the two.

Warm and cozy, Ribbon Twist knits up into beautiful sweaters, cardigans and accessories.

We invite you to visit Village Yarns in Toronto and see our selection of Rowan Ribbon Twist and our collection of Rowan Hand Knitting Yarns and Patterns.

Please contact us for more information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Rowan Kid Silk Aura at Village Yarns

2007-09-21T22:18:00.001-04:00

New from Rowan for Fall 2007/Winter 2008 is the newest member of the Kid Silk family - Rowan Kid Silk Aura. A luscious blend of 75% Super Kid Mohair and 25% Silk available in 16 subtle shades - all in stock now at Village Yarns in Toronto.

Rowan Kid Silk Aura
75% Super Kid Mohair + 25% Silk
Worsted Weight Gauge of 19 stitches x 28 rows.
75 metres/25g ball.
Click on the shade card for a larger image.

Rowan has also introduced the Kid Silk Aura Pattern Collection featuring 12 designs by Marie Wallin and Sarah Hatton using this new chunkier version of the Kid Silk Haze family of brushed mohairs.

We invite you to stop by Village Yarns to see and try on our store model of "Nissa" shown in the photo below. Our model is knit in Aura colour #755 Cypress. Julia Dinner knit our store sample and did most of the knitting in-flight on a recent holiday to Vienna. Enjoy the Rowan Kid Silk Aura pattern preview...

Nissa

Blossom

Donella

Faylin

Gelsey

Liliana

Odette

Rosalba

Sebille

Shaylee

We invite you to visit our store in the west end of Toronto to view these and other Rowan products. Please contact us for more information or to order Rowan Kid Silk Aura via email at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or by phone toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Please note our new store hours featuring selected Sunday openings and holiday closings for Fall 2007/Winter 2008. Click on this link for more information: Village Yarns Store Hours & Directions.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Sunday Shopping At Village Yarns: September - December 2007.

2007-09-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

Greetings!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Select Sunday Shopping At Village Yarns

In response to requests from many of our customers, we are pleased to add these select Sundays thru December 2007 for your yarn shopping convenience. Please note Thanksgiving & Christmas holdiay closures and mark your calendar accordingly.

Sunday Openings in 2007:

Sunday September 23: 12pm - 4pm

Sunday October 21: 12pm - 4pm
Closed October 07 & 08 for Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday.

Sunday November 04 & 18: 12pm - 4pm

Sunday December 02 & 16: 12pm - 4pm.
Closed December 24, 25, 26 fro Christmas Holidays.

Tell all your friends! Tell your better half to look after the house and kids and get away for a few hours. Come fondle yarn, look at books, touch and see our amazing new arrivals for Fall 2007 and relax with a cup of tea.

Stuck for inspiration or ideas for holiday gift giving? Come see our Knitting & Crochet Gift Chest. Superb ideas for all ages, genders, many one skein projects, quick to complete and fabulous to receive.

Free parking behind the store or take the TTC and do some subway knitting on the way here. If you are driving in from outside Toronto or taking transit, click on the links for directions on the right hand column of this blog.

Our regular store hours are:
Monday thru Friday: 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm.
Sunday: closed with the exception of the dates listed above.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Prism Lotus at Village Yarns

2007-09-11T08:41:00.000-04:00

New for Fall 2007/Winter 2008 at Village Yarns...

Prism Lotus is a beautiful plied blend of 58% Wool, 27% Bamboo and 15% Silk. The feel of this hand dyed yarn is so luxurious and the colourways so incredible it defines the term luxury yarn.

The unique percentages of Wool, Bamboo and Silk result in a hand dyed yarn with a subtle tweed effect. This is created as the wool and silk plies are dyed first while the bamboo remains white. Then the skeins are turned and the bamboo is dyed, resulting in the silk plies taking additional dye - creating very subtle colours. This beautiful combination of fibres creates a soft yet firm luxury yarn knitting to a gauge of 16 - 18 stitches depending on needle size.

Lotus is a superb garment yarn as well as an alternate choice for Luxury Socks. As a component yarn, it adds contrast and depth to lighter, reflective Prism Yarns. Perfect for creating interesting knit fabrics like A-B-C stripes worked in Half-Linen stitch. Those of you who have hand dyed will appreciate the beautiful results and consistency Laura Bryant and her team at Prism achieve.

In the photo above are Prism Lotus (right), Dover (left) and Carnival (top) - all shown in the Prism "Antique" colourway. Available from Village Yarns in Toronto.

Lotus is featured in Prism Book #40: Classics Redefined knit in two alternating colourways for Laura Bryant's Landscape Jacket (#4008) - a delightful and intriguing jacket pattern featuring multiple sections of short rows.

Prism Lotus is available in 60 Hand Dyed Colourways from Village Yarns in Toronto. Here is a sampler of these colourways...

Lotus: 58% wool, 27% bamboo, 15% silk 2 oz/105 yds
Suggested Gauge 16 st = 4" on 5.5mm/US#8 or 18 st=4" on 5mm/US#9
Hand wash in cool water with Eucalan and lay flat to dry for garment care at home or dry clean.

Please contact us for more information on Prism Yarns or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide via Canada Post.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Mirasol Yarn Collection at Village Yarns

2007-09-10T01:22:00.000-04:00

Introducing the Mirasol line of hand knitting yarns from Peru.

The brainchild of knitwear designer Jane Ellison and Peter Mulley of Canadian yarn distributor Diamond Yarns, Mirasol is produced by Michell & Company; the largest Alpaca textile group in Peru.

This is a Fair Trade project in which proceeds of the sale of this yarn will go to the Mirasol Association, which is focused on infant and child care programs for children of the Shepherds who tend the Alpaca herds in this impoverished area of Peru. Please click on the following link to read more about The Mirasol Project: www.mirasolperu.com/

Read more about this project and Jane's motivation on her website using this link: Jane Ellison: The Mirasol Collection

Jane developed the colours for the yarns including Miski - a 100% Baby Llama yarn available in 10 colours...

and Sulka - a blend of Merino Wool, Alpaca and Silk available in 12 colouways at Village Yarns in Toronto...

Accompanying these yarns is a beautiful collection of garments desinged by Jane Ellison for the Mirasol Yarn Collection. Jane also designed the fabulous Mirasol logo.

We hope you enjoy this preview of the garment patterns included...

Please contact us for more information regarding Mirasol Yarns & Patterns or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Nora Gaughan Vol. 1 at Village Yarns: Part 2 of 2 - Urban Layers

2007-09-04T01:20:00.000-04:00

Nora Gaughan Vol.1 presents two distinct themes and approaches to dressing. Published as a "flipbook", Volume 1 has two stories featuring 22 great designs. Eleanor's Search, which we previewed in our last post, is about unique shapes and structures with punches of colour. Today we focus on Urban Layers: muted colour palettes, simple, wearable pieces and fantastic accessories.

As our weather changes dressing becomes all about layering and mixing pieces. You know how it is. Choose your knitting projects wisely and invest your time and effort in great accessories that will compliment your wardrobe.

A long vest with simple construction and gentle ribbing knit with a soft Peruvian Wool-Alpaca blend. In classic colours like Camel or Grey, solids or heathered tones, this will take you through the coming Fall and Winter. Wear it over skirts, over pants, around the house, at work, this is a great investment piece that you will wear and wear.

A few evenings a week and look at the pretty accessories you can make. Time to knit? Yes, there is always time to knit. Plan now, knit now, wear it later. And look fabulous!

Nora Gaughan brings a fresh alternative to classic knitting patterns. The proportions of the pieces, the simple construction and interesting stitch details makes this collection for Berroco a welcome change. As many of our customers have responded - "She Get's Us!"

Simple, understated, refined. When worked in a muted shade like Fennel (Ultra Alpaca #6249) this duster coat will become your favourite to throw on when heading downtown on the subway, picking the kids up at school or on your way to lunch.

Worked in a light worsted weight yarn, these pieces will not stretch out of shape nor be hot and bulky. Smart choices for the seasons to come.

The A line shaping of this skirt with it's generous design ease and a soft, stocking stich waist band with side buttons allows you to wear this as both a skirt and a dress. Pair it with a shirt or fine gauge knits.

Great accessories work up quickly in Worsted and Aran weight hand knitting yarns.

This vest combines assymetry and easy elegance with the creative addition of a brass ring to draw the tails through creating a pretty draped front.

Ultra Alpaca is a great yarn choice for felting projects such as "Jatta" - 2 skeins of Ultra Alpaca to make this pretty handbag.

"Kaari" features a generous proportion with raglan sleeve shaping and these fun workman's pockets around the perimeter. Optional of course. A great sweater style for layering worked in an Aran weight Merino Wool.

Nora's "Kirsti" felted bag takes 3 skeins of Ultra Alpaca to knit and felt. This model shown in Blue Berry Mix #6288, one of our more popular colours of Ultra Alpaca.

Village Yarns stocks the complete colour range for Berroco Ultra Alpaca. Available in 61 solid and heather tones.

To view images of the "flipside" patterns from Nora Gaughan Vol.1 - click on this link for Eleanor's Search.

We hope you enjoy this preview and invite you to Village Yarns in Toronto to see the patterns for yourself and look for store samples coming soon.

Please contact us for more information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Nora Gaughan Vol. 1 at Village Yarns; Part 1 of 2

2007-08-31T08:11:00.000-04:00

Since joining Berroco as Design Director, Nora Gaughan has made a wonderful contribution to this yarn company with her deft hand for intriguing garment design and construction.

For Fall 2007 Village Yarns presents Nora's first self-titled collection of knitwear for Berroco; Nora Gaughan Vol. 1.

In Part 1 we preview "Eleanor's Search" followed by Part 2 previewing the flip-side collection titled "Urban Layers". Two decidedly different focuses published in one great "flip book" design. With 22 pieces of garments and accessories, this knitting pattern collection offers wonderful twists on classic shapes with interesting stitch and construction details.

Eleanor's Search: 9 designs featuring Hexagons, Lace, Stripes and Circles are paired with simple construcion techniques that make these intricate looking knitting patterns fun to knit without being too challenging.

Manon.
This Cardigan presents interesting construction details by repeating a mitred triangle motif with cables and moss stitch which creates the peplum. This is joined to the bodice which is finished in simple Stocking Stitch. 3/4 sleeves with a split cuff round out the interesting details. Worked in an Aran-weight Merino, the perfect choice for the office, school or about town.

Aamu.
A cute cropped U-neck, this is the perfect quick-knit for Fall 2007. Shown in a self-striping Merino, solid shades will work equally as well for those not wanting horizonal lines. The U-shape neckline is perfect for knitters who don't alway want a crew and provides a nice alternative to v-necks. The ribbing can be modified if you don't want that volume at your neck - or increased for more of a cowl. Elbow length sleeves make this the perfect topper for fine gauge turtlenecks and long sleeve t-shirts.

Astrid.
A series of web-like circles of various sizes knit seperately then joined to form this light and lovely shawl. Interesting, textural, the perfect accessory for travellers. Wear it on the plane, packs light and takes you from day to evening.

Aune (Skirt).
To date, this overskirt pattern has generated the most interest with it's pretty hexagon counterpanes knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca and joined with a simple Crochet chain stitch. Soft, pretty, very feminine, this skirt can be worn endlessly for many occassions.

Sabine FX (Scarf).
You can never have too many scarves! It's all about the accessories. Dreading the dark colours that decend on us as we move into Fall and Winter? Give your wardrobe a boost with this interesting twisted ladder construction knit in shiny Metallic FX.

Elodie.
A shrug of generous proportions yet just touching the waist, full sleeves to envelope you in texture and warmth. Like lace knitting but not on 2mm needles? This stitch pattern worked in a Double Knitting weight Alpaca works up quickly, giving the hands the fun of forming yarn overs and paired increases all framed by 2x2 ribbing.

Luce.
Nora Gaughan takes a lovely colour transition merino and knits it in alternating rows of casting on, knitting and casting off to create volume and texture which is Luce. We loved this sample when viewed at TNNA in June.

Noemi (Scarf).
An excellent choice for new knitters wishing to move beyond basic knit and purl. This scarf features paired increases and simple lace stitches in an easy to follow chart.

Knit in a Double Knitting weight Alpaca/Wool blend, this is a great yarn weight to work with and produces a soft, textural scarf.

Chantal (Sweater).
Simplicity, line, proportion. Chantal features nicely set-in sleeves and a wider neckline to be worn over dresses, blouses and super-fine knits. Construction details are that the bodice is worked in a Double Knitting Gauge Alpaca/Wool and the ribbing in the next gauge up, Light Worsted.

Part 2 previewing the flip-side collection titled "Urban Layers" follows in the next post.

Nora Gaughan Vol. 1 is in stock at Village Yarns in Toronto, as well as the complete Berroco Pattern library. Please contact us for more information or to order Nora Gaughan Vol.1 at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide via Canada Post.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Needful Yarns Kim & Kelly at Village Yarns

2007-08-28T22:56:00.000-04:00

What a cute bear and blankets adorning our windows at Village Yarns in Toronto. These patterns are among our best sellers for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The cheeful colour range of Needful Yarns Kim Cotton blend make this a practical-care choice as it goes in the washer and dryer without any fuss. Both blankets feature easy to follow instructions for beginner knitters, including the Colour Block Baby Blanket which is a great introduction to the Intarsia knitting technique. Very little yarn ends to sew in with this project.

This colourful bear pattern is knit in Stocking Stitch using the Intarsia colour block knitting technique in the solid Kim colourways. The bear pattern is from our best selling book Family Circle Easy Baby Knits, featuring over 50 designs including clothing, blankets and toys.

These baby blanket patterns are exclusive to Village Yarns and free with the purchase of Village Yarns Baby Blanket kits featuring King Textiles Kim & Kelly.

KIM - available in 29 solid colours.
Composition 55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic.
Yardage 108 Yds.
Gauge 19 STS x 26 ROWS
Needles US:8.0 Metric:5mm UK:6

KELLY - available in 15 self striping colours.
Composition 55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic.
Yardage 108 Yds.
Gauge 19 STS x 26 ROWS
Needles US:8.0 Metric:5mm UK:6

Please contact us for more information on Needful Yarns products and Family Circle publications or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Prism Lace Wool at Village Yarns

2007-08-26T09:03:00.001-04:00

We invite you to Village Yarns to see our complete collection of Prism Yarns including the exquisite Prism Lace Wool; 100% Merino Wool spun it Italy and hand dyed by Laura Bryant and her team at Prism in St. Petersburg Florida.

The hand of this wool is so soft it has to be touched to believe, with enough stick to the fibers that it doesn't slide around so your lace has beautiful definition. Great yardage with 1460 yards per skein allows knitters to complete many lace projects with a single skein.

One skein does a generously sized shawl or several scarves. The perfect choice for "mystery shawl" knitters.

When Lace Wool arrived at Village Yarns last February we knew that a sample must be knit using the "Flirty Ruffles" lace shawl pattern by Dorothy Siemens of Fiddlesticks Knitting. To show our customers how large a shawl can be knit from one skein of Prism Lace Wool, we reduced the finished size from that on Dorothy's pattern. For a larger shawl with more volume, a second skein would be purchased.

At Village Yarns you can touch and try on our sample of "Flirty Ruffles". Knit in Prism Lace Wool it is light as a feather with the subtle, beautiful colours of Prism hand dyed yarns. Village Yarns store model was knit in the Prism Dune colourway.

Prism Fall Fantastic Book 42, new for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns features Lace Wool on the front cover, left image. An inventive wrap with sleeves that can be worn several ways. Click on the highlighted book name to take you to a preview of Fall Fantastic; at the bottom of page 3 is "Lacy Wrap", knit using 2 skiens of Prism Lace Wool .

Prism Lace Wool is available from Village Yarns in 60 gorgeous hand dyed colourways. Remember that we ship worldwide so contact us toll free at 888-343-8885 if you have any questions or wish to order Prism Lace Wool.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some eye candy shots of 23 of the 60 colourways of Prism Lace Wool available at Village Yarns in Toronto:

Prism Lace Wool:
100% merino wool
3.5 oz skein/1460 yards
Needle size variable for Lace Weight patterns.

To view the complete colour range for Prism Yarns, click on this link to their website:

Prism Hand Dyed Colours at Village Yarns Toronto

Please contact Village Yarns in Toronto for more information on Prism Lace Wool or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Fiber Trends Flower Basket Lace Scarf in Qiviuk at Village Yarns

2007-08-25T22:56:00.000-04:00

We invite you to Village Yarns to see and try on our delightful interpretation of Evelyn A. Clark's Flower Basket Scarf designed for Fiber Trends Patterns.

We chose our luxurious Qiviuk Yarn in a pretty Mauve colourway for our store sample. Qiviuk is so light and soft that only 1 ball was required to knit this scarf pattern!

Spun from the very fine undercoat of the Muskox, which is native to the Canadian Arctic, 100% Qiviuk ( pronounced kee-vee-uk) is warmer than wool and cashmere and works up beautifully in fine gauge knitting.

Qiviuk is available at Village Yarns in natural brown 100% Qiviuk and in 10 colourways blended with Merino Wool and Silk.

Knitting for this pattern begins at the centre back over a few stitches, working increases and this pretty lace pattern to the full width, which ends in a simple scallop edging.

Modelled by Rae Brenne, this delicate lace stitch pattern becomes a chic neck scarf, the perfect fall accessory.

A shawl version is included in the instructions using the Flower Basket lace stitch patern and requires 3-5 balls of Qiviuk to complete, depending on the finished dimensions.

Please contact us for more information or to order Qiviuk or the Fiber Trends Flower Basket Shawl pattern at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Modern Classics by Louisa Harding at Village Yarns

2007-08-22T09:15:00.000-04:00

With the change in the weather come thoughts of a different style of dressing. The need for additional layers comes back to us rather quickly and our thoughts turn to the knits that we wish we had in our wardrobe that we can just throw on and know that we look great wearing - whatever the occassion! Classics. They don't have to be boring and staid but must live up to the wearability and flexibility we demand of them.

One of Village Yarns best selling pattern books is Modern Classics by Louisa Harding. Louisa has created 24 simple, classic and wearable designs updated with proportions and styling suitable for women of all ages. A timeless collection for all lifestyles with simple and elegant yarn choices, allowing you to create lasting pieces for your wardrobe.

Bulky and quick-knit chunky yarns have their place but 4-ply and Double Knitting (DK) weights of hand knitting yarns are really a knitters best friend. Worked either in Merino, Silk, Cotton or Bamboo, these yarn weights are wearable and look great on all figures. If you feel that your body is betraying you with temperature fluctuations, these garments designed by Louisa Harding offer the flexibility of using fibres that breathe and keep you cool while still flattering the figure.

Merino and Silk yarns knit up beautifully in V-Neck Cardigans with Lace and textured stitch details. Hand dyed yarns find classic garment shapes that enhance their beautiful colour combinations, with subtle stitch techniques which don't compete but compliment hand dyed colourways.

Delicate styling features are included to allow for creative touches. Day to evening, cottage to corporate world, working woman at home, working woman at the office, working woman with a few minutes to herself and her creative outlets.

To compliment these designs may we suggest:

Prism Andee: Hand Dyed 50% Alpaca 50% Wool shown in Highlands colourway. Hand dyed in 60 colourways .

Prism Kashmir: Hand Dyed 65% Cashmere 35% Silk shown in Tumbleweed (left) and Brass (right) colourways. Hand dyed in 60 colourways.

Rowan Yarn Classics Silk Wool DK

Fleece Artist Woolie Silk Super Fine DK.

Rowan Kid Silk Night & Kid Silk Spray

We invite you to Village Yarns in Toronto, Ontario to see our complete collection of hand knitting & crochet books, magazines and yarns from around the world.

Contact Village Yarns for more information or to order Modern Classics by Louisa Harding toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361 or via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Prism Yarn Collection Fall 2007 Part 1: Neat Stuff, Velvet, Pearls and Fall Fantastic Book #42

2007-08-21T00:46:00.000-04:00

Greetings!

For Fall 2007 Village Yarns continues our long-standing relationship with Prism Yarns by introducing 15 new yarn qualities and new patterns for Fall 2007. We invite you to Village Yarns in Toronto to view our complete Prism Hand Dyed Yarn Collection for fall 2007.

We began our relationship with Prism Yarns years ago by introducing the Prism Stuff line of hand dyed & hand tied exotic fibre assortments.

This includes Light Stuff, Cool Stuff, Wild Stuff and Impressions.

New! Prism Neat Stuff at Village Yarns, Toronto.
Prism Neat Stuff is the newest addition to the Stuff Line of hand knitting yarns.

Developed by Laura Bryant, Creative Director of Prism, Neat Stuff is composed of 30-40 yarn textures without any eyelash or metallic yarn components. The subtle member of the Stuff yarn collection, Neat Stuff is available in 7 colourways, including the newest addition for Fall 2007 - Moss.

Prism Neat Stuff: In stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

New! Prism Pearls at Village Yarns.
Prism Pearls is a pretty chained cotton and rayon blend touched with a bit of mother of pearl.

The cotton and rayon take the dye, leaving the pearl thread untouched and shining. The rayon dyes a bit more intensely than the cotton, lending a mildly tweedy look to the colors.

The hand of the yarn when knit is firm and cool to the touch. This is a great yarn for classic color work, textured stitches and mitered squares. The perfect alternative to animal fibres for those of you with allergies or body temperature fluctuations.

Prism Pearls: In stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

New! Prism Velvet at Village Yarns.
Making it's debut for Fall 2007, Prism Velvet is a light as air ribbon yarn that has one chenille edge. This construction techniques means no worming of stitches after being knit.

When knitted, the fabric acquires an incredibly plush, soft hand reminiscent of your favorite cozy towels or bathrobe--but with more elegance and sophistication!

When worked on a larger needle or more openly with long stitches or in eyelet designs, the combination of ribbon and chenille shows through even more.

Prism Velvet: In stock now at Village Yarns, Toronto.

New! Prism Book 42: Fall Fantastic

About Prism Yarns
Laura Bryant is Creative Director and founder of Prism Yarns which is based in Florida. Laura sources her yarns from the finest European mills and then hand dyes these in her St. Petersburg studio.

First and foremost an artist, Laura Bryant's brilliant colour-sense is expressed in the colourways she has developed for Prism Yarns. Laura is definitely a leader in introducing innovative and unique fibre textures for hand knitting and is highly regarded as an pattern writer and teacher. Several Village Yarns staff members have had the priveledge of attending her workshops - most recently in June at TNNA Columbus. Patrick still raves about the seven hour colour workshop he attended.

We invite you to view the Prism website so you may see the truly amazing colourways, yarns and patterns Laura has developed.

Please contact us for more information or to order Prism Yarns and patterns; email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Village Life & Felted Jewelry

2007-08-17T22:12:00.000-04:00

Greetings Village People!

We hope you are enjoying this outstanding summer of 2007. Hello to our friends in the Yukon Territory, South Africa, Brazil, England and the United States! The internet makes our store a truly Global community and we thank you for your positive feedback on our weblog. We enjoy the "Village Life" at our store with amazing relationships and bonds of friendship formed with wonderful and charming knitters.

We do not see or view knitting as a fad or a trend - it is an integral part of our lives. For many of us it is the key to our sanity, to our creative expression - even if it is only a few minutes a day. We love sharing our passion for knitting and crochet with you and are proud to retail what we consider to be some of the finest hand knitting yarns in the world.

We believe in community and supporting one another. That begins with our customer service, our attention to detail and the level of support we provide to our customers be it a few minutes explaining a pattern instruction, the varied classes and workshops we provide, to being a shoulder to lean on when life gets a little crazy.

Many books have been written of late around the theme of life in a yarn shop - and we could certainly write our own! We live that life. A crazy, at times hectic but beautiful, colourful life of texture, colour and passion!

We would like to share photos from this past Thursday when we gathered to bid goodluck to our friend Judy Strathdee who is moving to the Niagara region. Judy is a long-time customer and attends classes regularly at Village Yarns.

Judy's classmates honoured her with a rich chocolate cake and best wishes. The staff of Village Yarns would like to thank Judy for her patronage and we wish you well in your new home. You will be missed. Of course this is not good bye as we know Judy will keep in touch.

Thursday was also a time to celebrate Gloria Williams birthday. Gloria teaches all levels of knitting instruction at Village Yarns and is an important person in many of our lives. Dependable, inspiring, caring and a joy to be around. The queen of knitting and crochet techniques, Gloria is a treasure. Happy Birthday!

On The Needles.
Like many of you I can admit to having a few knitting UFO's at home and here is one I have recently connected with again.

The garment pattern is "Jethro" by Martin Storey for Jaeger. A cardigan I started many moons ago which I am knitting using Filatura di Crosa Zara.

Rather than focus on why I put it down for so long I am just happy to be back into working on this and finishing it!

It is a lovely pattern to work. A 12 stitch cross cable alternating over 18 stitches plus a slip stitch 1x2 cable and seed stitch is the stitch pattern. The real joy of this is knitting with Zara. We stock a fair amount of Merino yarns in solids, hand dyed, etc. but nothing in the double knitting range beats Zara. It is sheer joy to knit with and shows this cable pattern off real fine!

After a day of assisting others with their knitting it's nice to come home, crack open a beer and just knit!

We invite you to share your knitting projects purchased at Village Yarns with us. Send us jpeg photos of completed or in the works knitting or crochet projects and we'll post them. Many of you are working on the same pattens and it is amazing from our perspective to see your progress and achievements. We love show and tell at the store so the next time you know you will be coming to Village Yarns, bring us your knitting or crochet to see.

Felted Jewelry Workshop with Rae Brenne.
Today we had the pleasure of hosting a Felted Jewelry workshop taught by Jewelry Designer Rae Brenne. This workshop is part of our summer ClassPort teaching series.

Rae led students through the basics of needle felting and wet felting, having the students work with hand dyed wool roving to manipulate it into unique shapes using the two methods.

Ms. Brenne demonstrated how the addition of beads and other elements can be incorporated into their designs.

Free-form aspects of design were also introduced by creating larger shapes and felting multiple layers into rolls which can then be cut, exposing layer of colour inside.

Rae then instructed students in methods used to assemble felted shapes into necklaces, brooches and rings using beading wire and clasps.

Students benefitted from Rae's experience of working with wire and her demonstrating how to balance and secure sections of felted shapes when making necklaces.

Our Felted Jewelry Workshop is a great idea for birthday parties or to gather as a family and create together. If you are interested in this workshop, please contact Village Yarns and ask to be put on our Felted Jewelry class wish list or to book available dates. We need a minimum of 4 student to make a class and we will contact you with dates and times.

We retail a wide selection of hand dyed rovings from Fleece Artists and needle felting tools from Clover.

Please contact us for more information or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Thank you for visiting our weblog.

Enjoy Your Passion!
Village Yarns.
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Tahki Yarns Fall 2007: Shannon and Tahki Tweed Collection at Village Yarns

2007-08-10T22:45:00.000-04:00

Tahki Shannon at Village Yarns
This lush wool yarn is created by twisting a tweed-like roving strand with a fine multicolor printed strand that results in a richly-layered color effect. Tahki Shannon knits to a Worsted Weight Gauge of 20 stitches/10cm on a suggested needles size of 4.5mm/US#7. Shannon is featured in Tahki Tweed Collection - new for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns.

Shannon is the perfect garment yarn for those wanting a subtle yet colourful knit fabric, warm and comfortable accessories and an excellent choice for felted projects. Available in 11 colourways.

100% Wool
20 sts = 10cm on size 4.5 mm/US#7 knitting needle. Size H-8/5mm Crochet Hook.
Hand wash, lay flat to dry. 50 g/85 m.

Here are some highlights from the Takhi Tweed Collection pattern book at Village Yarns:

For more information or to order Tahki Shannon and the Takhi Tweed Collection pattern book, contact us via email at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or by phone toll free (888)343-8885 or Toronto local at (416)232-2361 . We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Stacy Charles Ritratto

2007-08-08T01:51:00.001-04:00

Today we focus on Ritratto from the Stacy Charles Collection at Village Yarns.

Ritratto compliments our Mohair yarn grouping with a lovely Metallic thread wrapping it's way around painted brushed Kid Mohair and Viscose resulting in a divine blend of fibres.

A pretty yarn for garments and accessories, Ritratto is a DK or Double Knitting weight yarn for use with garments knitting on a 3.75-4mm needle. Don't hesitate to knit on a larger needle for a more open fabric with lots of drape for shawls and scarves. Gauntlets and gloves knit up very pretty in Ritratto bringing a lovely accent to fall and winter clothing.

53% Viscose, 28% Kid Mohair, 10% Nylon, 9% Polyester
GAUGE: 22 stitches/10cm
NEEDLE SIZE: 3.75MM/US#5 CROCHET HOOK SIZE: 3.75 mm/US#5 or F
Hand wash cold, lay flat to dry
1.75 oz (50 g) 198 yds (180 m) per ball.

Ritratto is featured in the Fall/Winter 2007 Stacy Charles Pattern Book and other pattern collections including:

Ritratto Puff Sleeve Cowl Neck Pullover

Ritratto Shrug with Ruffled Sleeves

Cosmos & Ritratto Round Edge Jacket

Ritratto Lacy Bolero

Ritratto & Rialto Buttoned Cape

Ritratto & Venus Cardigan

Cosmos Jacket w Ritratto Ruffled Edging

As Seen in Vogue Knitting

Stacy Charles features Ritratto in this cute ruffled pullover pattern which is available for free on the Tahki-Stacy Charles website.

The Ritratto Party Favorite Pullover designed by Irina Poludnenko for S. Charles Collezione.

Here is the link to the free pattern.

RITRATTO PARTY FAVOURITE

To order Ritratto or other Stacy Charles hand knitting yarns, contact us at Village Yarns in Toronto.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Alpaca With A Twist: Baby Twist, Fino and Highlander

2007-08-05T13:17:00.000-04:00

Introducing Alpaca With A Twist at Village Yarns!

We had been searching the yarn market for an outstanding line of Alpaca Hand Knitting Yarn for quite some time and it was not until this past June when we encountered Alpaca With A Twist at The National Needle Arts (TNNA) trade show in Columbus.

Admittedly there are many Alpaca yarn lines on the market and we had shopped them all. For Village Yarns one criteria is that we like to distinguish ourselves by the variety of yarn lines we carry and to make our selection of hand knitting yarns as different as possible to the other fantastic yarn retailers here in Ontario.

Most important is the quality and colour range of the product. Alpaca With A Twist met our highest standards!

Read more information about Jennifer & Sean Orr of Alapaca With A Twist with this link to their website.

We invite you to visit Village Yarns in Toronto to view the following Alpaca With A Twist qualities featured in this post. For more information or to order please contact us via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885.

Say Hello to Baby Twist!
You will melt when you feel this divine Baby Alpaca Double Knitting weight yarn in your hands. You will cradle the skein and hug it - and the desire to sit down and start knitting with it will possess you! Be warned! Baby Twist has an amazingly soft yet solid hand available at Village Yarns in 42 colours.

Baby Twist is a DK or Double Knitting Weight hand knitting yarn with a Gauge of 22 sts/10cm on a recommended needle size of 4mm/US #6. 250g skein with 549 yards.

The full colour range is in stock at Village Yarns in the following colours:

Here are some eye candy snapshots of Baby Twist...

To order Baby Twist please contact us via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885.

Highlander is the newest addition to the Alpaca With A Twist yarn line. When we saw the sample garment at their TNNA booth we could not believe how realistic a "donegal tweed" effect they produced at their mill. As we approached the Highlander sample we were praying that it would be a substantial yarn yet soft to the touch as one expects with a luxury fibre. It definitely lived up to that expectation. Come feel and touch for yourself this exquisite blend of Baby Alpaca + Extra Fine Merino; the perfect fibre combination for highly textured garments that will show great stitch definition and retain their shape.

Highlander is an Aran Weight hand knitting yarn with a Gauge of 18 sts/10cm on a recommended needle size 5mm/US #8. 100g skein with 145 yards.

To order Highlander please contact us via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885.

Part of the criteria for a new Alpaca yarn line was that they offered a Lace Weight yarn of exceptional quality in a colour range to compliment our hand dyed lace yarns. Fino by Alpaca With A Twist provides a lovely blend of 70% Baby Alpaca with 30% Silk for lace shawls, stoles and fine gauge knits. The full colour range is available at Village Yarns in Toronto.

Fino is a Lace Weight hand knitting yarn with a Gauge of 28 sts/10cm on a recommended needle size 3.25mm/US #3. 100g skein with 875 yards.

To order Fino please contact us via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885.

For our clientele of Hand Spinners, Dyers and Felters we are happy to retail Alpaca With A Twist HANDSPINNERS DREAM.

Handspinner's Dream is 250 grams of 100% Baby Alpaca Combed Top.

Note that Handspinner's Dream is available in the hard to source "Black Pearl #0500".

We hope you found this Alpaca With A Twist preview informative and look forward to seeing you at Village Yarns.

For more information or to order please contact us via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Cat Bordhi: New Pathways for Sock Knitters

2007-08-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Greetings!

Our shipment of Cat Bordhi's latest book "New Pathways for Sock Knitters" will arrive early this coming week and copies will go fast. Contact Village Yarns in Toronto to reserve your copy using Visa or MasterCard at 416-232-2361, toll free at (888)343-8885 or email: villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Mary Pat MacDonald of Village Yarns attended Cat's workshop based upon this new book at The National Needle Arts tradeshow in Columbus, Ohio this past June. Mary Pat thinks sock knitters will love the new techniques and approaches to sock knitting Cat Bordhi introduces. The learning curve never ends!

We also stock Cat's three other books:

As avid sock knitters, we love knitting socks using this technique...we know how to knit using Double Points but this method we love!

Come visit us at Village Yarns and sit with a cup of tea while reviewing the Cat Bordhi collection. We are open Monday thru Friday 12pm-7pm and Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed on Sunday.

Enjoy Your Knitting!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Tink Knit Pattern Collection by Marta McCall at Village Yarns

2007-08-03T00:57:00.000-04:00

Village Yarns is proud to announce the arrival of Tink Knit patterns by Marta McCall.

We fell in love with this pattern the minute we saw it. If you love jewellery then you are going to want to add the "Felted Purls" pattern to your Gift Chest Knitting. What freind, sister, mother, niece, yours truly writing this - would not love one of these. Felt on the fingers keeps them warm! On the hands or around the neck on a chain and embellish as you please.

Marta's pattern collection includes knitted and felted bags with embellishment touches she is famous for. From classics to the avant garde, Marta's choice of materials and colour combination vary from serene to invigorating.

The Silver Leaf Satchel by Tink Knit

The Hampton Bag by Tink Knit

The Famous Penny Bag by Tink Knit

The Bucket Bag by Tink Knit

Many of you will recognize Marta McCall's work from this next photo. It is her irresistable Weekend Getaway Bag that appeared in Interweave Knits three years ago and can now be found in the fabulous and well written Felt Magazine from Interweave Press.

Village Yarns built a Project Class around this fabulous bag and the results were stunning. If you are interested in participating in a project class, please contact Village Yarns at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or call us at 416-232-2361. We will add you to our "Class Wish List" and contact you with exact dates and times.

Marta McCall Profile from Spin-Off Magazine

To order Tink Knit Patters call us at 416-232-2361 or online at villageyarns@sympatico.ca

Enjoy the day!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario Canada
www.villageyarns.com

Fall 2007 Rowan 42, Stacy Charles, Teva Durham & Vogue Knitting Preview

2007-08-02T00:31:00.000-04:00

Three fabulous publications just arrived for Fall 2007 plus more arriving daily...we will bring you an expanded look at these and all our Fall/Winter 2007 pattern collections as they arrive ...

Just Arrived!
Rowan Magazine #42 in stock at Village Yarns.

Just Arrived!
Stacy Charles Collezionne Fall/Winter 2007

Just Arrived!
Teva Durham: Loop d'Loop Volume One
We have the new Teva Durham: Loop d' Loop Volume One in stock - sorry but no images available at time of posting. Stacy Charles is producing Teva's new yarn and pattern collection. We viewed the complete collection at TNNA in Columbus this past June and for our adventurous, fashion forward customers this collection of patterns will thrill you!

In Stock!
Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary
The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: Articles from twenty-five years of VK in one comprehensive volume.

Just Arrived!!! IT IS FABULOUS!!!
Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary Issue.
Log on to Vogue Knitting's fabulous new website. Totally restyled, revamped - very impressive.

Vogue Knitting Magazine Fall 2007 Preview>

Vogue Knitting is offering 10 free patterns available for your personal use on their website, including:

Trendsetter Dune...

Filatura di Crosa Zara

Rowan KidSilk Night &
KidSilk Haze...

Stop by Village Yarns in the west end of Toronto to view these new and inspiring publications or contact us at villageyarns@sympatico.ca to place an order. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy the Day!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Louet Hand Dye Sock Yarn Workshop

2007-08-01T21:51:00.000-04:00

Greetings Fibre Enthusiasts!

We would like to share with you photos of our "Socks To Dye For!" Hand Dye Workshop hosted by Rosa Tarle at Village Yarns last night. We really have a great time at this store and invite you to join us for interesting and informative classes that happen year round.

Village Yarns retails these fabulous hand dyeing kits from Louet which contain three skeins of their Gems Sock Yarn in a natural colour and three jars of dye powder. These kits are available in five colourways including Red, Brown, Blue, Green and Purple.

To help demystify the process we structured this workshop where Rosa Tarle, having already dyed and knit a pair of socks using a kit, would lead the class through the steps. These workshops are always a blast and this one was no exception.

Rosa began the workshop providing an overview of the process and taking participants through the instructions that come with the kit.

Water baths were prepared and the Louet Gems sock yarn that comes with the kits was soaked for a required amount of time before dyeing.

Rosa explained the various dyeing methods used to achieve different colour combinations. Using her own hand dyed sample students were able to see how colour depth and saturation is achieved, in addition to seeing the variations one achieves allowing colous to bleed into one another.

Then it was plastic gloves on and down to the dyeing. As the Hand Dyeing Kits come in five colourways, Rosa divided the participants into colour teams - first up were the Reds.

The Hand Dye Kits come with three dyes in various intensities in powder form which are mixed with water and then using squeeze bottles, the dye is applied directly to the natural skeins. Various methods abound for dyeing and this group decided on working bands of colours to get shorter colour repeats.

Connie working her magic with the "Red" colourway kit. Note the various colourweights one can achieve from just one kit. Pretty awesome!

Village Yarns teacher Rosa Tarle.

Rosa and Dawn.

Here is a great shot showing the before and after stages as the dye is applied.

Gloria and her Grand Daughter Taylor, both fibre enthusiasts.

Once students are happy with the colour saturation the skeins are wrapped in plastic and the colour is set by heating in a microwave oven. Susan with her fresh from the oven skeins.

Susan's dyed yarn after heat setting, just before it is hung to dry. Careful! It's hot!!!

After the skeins are heat set, they are unwrapped and hung to allow them to cool and dry. Results of the Red team dyeing.

Connie and Gloria with their gorgeous skeins.

Once the Reds were finished the Blues stepped up to the table.

Dawn - alchemist in action!

Dawn's gorgeous Blues.

Connie and Gloria.

Gloria worked in a different direction with her colours incorporating more yellow, green and resulting teals.

Rosa shows Taylor how to wrap the skeins in plastic so that it overlaps, seperating the individual skeins.

Taylor's skeins just after heat setting. This is a fabulous workshop for persons of any age. Adult supervision is required but kids just love working with the colours and learing about this facinating process. Encourage creativity!

All participants thoroughly enjoyed Rosa's presentation and were thrilled with the resulting skeins.

Rosa was thrilled to see Connie's Hand Dyed Skeins come to Village Yarns today all dried and ready for winding into cakes. Look at those colours! Stunning.

Our Lady of Swift Transformation. Rosa places Connie's skeins, one at a time, onto the swift which holds the yarn in place so it can then be wound into a ball or "cake" for knitting.

Voila! Sock yarn ready to knit!

Participants of another sock class held at the same time were so enamoured of the process and results that Village Yarns will be hosting another "Socks To Dye For" Workshop based on customer requests.

Contact Village Yarns via email villageyarns@sympatico.ca or by phone 416-232-2361 and ask to be put on our class wish list. Let us know your preference for days of the week. This is a 2 hour workshop; 7-9pm. We will advise you of the date. You can pay for this workshop and materials kit using a Credit Card over the phone. The Louet Hand Dyeing Kit must be purchased at Village Yarns.

We will update you with the other colours as customers bring them into the store and the completed socks as well.

Happy Knitting.
Village Yarns, Toronto.
www.villageyarns.com

Socks! Louet Hand Dyeing Kits, Fleece Artist Angora & Knitscene Fall 2007

2007-07-30T00:25:00.000-04:00

This summer we have devoted Tuesdays nights to Sock Knitting as part of our ClassPort 2007 summer teaching series.

Our staff are avid sock knitters and speak Toe Up, Top Down, 4 Needle, 3 Needle, Magic Loop, 2 Circs, 2 Socks on 2 Circs and more! In addition to assisting you with purchases and knitting emergencies our retail staff teach many of the classes offered at Village Yarns. We pride ourselves on great customer service and invite you to stop by our store and say hello.

To help our clientelle demystify the hundreds of patterns, techniques and methods available to knitters, every Tuesday this summer we present SockPort where we take you through the various methods popular today for constructing a sock. See our full schedule using this link:
SockPort Summer 2007 Schedule

Cast On Methods focuses on eleven different Cast On Techniques that we feel are important for Sock Knitters to know and know when to use them. See this link for full details:
SockPort Cast On Methods

Sock Talk is for those of you seeking fellowship, to share sock knitting and have access to a teacher to answer any questions that may arise.

Village Yarns summer class series "CLASSPORT" continues through the end of August, with bonus classes in September and October. Click on this link to our website for complete class listings:
Village Yarns Summer 2007 Class Schedule

Louet Hand Dyeing Sock Kit
If you have been curious as to how companies such as Fleece Artist and Prism hand dye their gorgeous yarns, come join Rosa Tarle this Tuesday, July 31 as she leads us through this fascinating process in her "Socks To Dye For" workshop from 7-9pm.

Using Louet Hand Dyeing Kits available at Village Yarns, Rosa will explain the methods and instructions that come with these kits and take you from undyed natural yarn to finished skein.

Drop by the store and see Rosa's skein dyed using the Brown colourway kit and her finished socks. Contact Village Yarns at 416-232-2361 or toll free 1-888-343-8885 to register for this workshop or to order the Louet Hand Dyeing Kits.

I-cord Cast On
This weeks Cast On Methods workshop focuses on the i-cord cast on method for sock knitters. Patrick Madden will take you through the steps of knitting this sturdy and fashionable edging which is a nice detail on socks and along the cuff on gloves and mitts. Tuesday, July 31. 7pm.

Fleece Artist Angora

We recently received a new shipment of Fleece Artist Angora and have some divine samples on hand for you to touch and cuddle with.
You will find the Peter Rabit and Bunny Hare qualities on our Sock Feature table, right in front of the wall of sock yarn.

Margaret Della Rosa, sock teacher and sample knitter extroirdinaire! knit these socks and there was enough yardage in a single skein to knit 1 extra long sock, 1 standard and 1 Baby Bootie. So a pair of long adult socks easily. Shown are both qualities of Fleece Artist Angora: Peter Rabbit has 90% Angora/10% Nylon and Bunny Hare has 70% Angora/30% Nylon.

New soft colours arrived last week and are heaven to feel. We love luxury. Just imagine how cozy your feet will feel waking up and walking around the house in a pair of these? Bed socks, house socks, pedicure socks, comfort socks. Village Socks!

To order Fleece Artist Angora, call Village Yarns in Toronto at 416-232-2361 or toll free 1-888-343-8885 or email us villageyarns@sympatico.ca.

Trekking XXL and Pro Natura Sock Yarn
We recently added the Trekking line of sock yarn to our selection with two qualities available: Trekking XXL in a blend of machine washable wool and nylon and Trekking Pro Natura, a machine washable sock wool blended with Bamboo for strength and softness.
Wonderful solids as well as tweeds, these yarns knit up beautifully with a very nice feel on the foot. Our store model is a mens size 11/12 with a nice long leg length knit in a 6x2 rib from one skein. Stop by Village Yarns to see our full colour range of Trekking Sock Yarns.

Knitscene Fall 2007
The fall issue of Interweave's Knitscene is instore and as always, plenty of designs featuring great designs for those with a not-so classic fashion sensibility. Which we love thank you very much!

Ribby Retro Socks caught our eye and can be knit using Regia 4ply in similar tones.

Designs featured with Village Yarns include:

Hideout Coat by Katie Himmelberg features Rowan Big Wool.

Herringbone Skirt by Chrissy Gardiner. Crochet with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool.

Seaweed Sweater by Cat Cole knit up in the etheral Filatura di Crosa Baby Kid Extra.

Enjoy the day! Go outside and knit!
Village Yarns.
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com