Serenity Knits

This is embarrassing. I have done it again. I seem to have a problem reading calendars properly. Once last year, I announced a sale using the dates from an incorrect month. The first day of the sale came and went with hardly any customers. We were disappointed and surprised. Day 2 of the sale, same again. A customer came in saying she was just checking things out and would come back on Friday when the sale started. Light bulbs went on. Back in November I counted the Fridays until Christmas. There were 8, so OK 8 weeks to go to Christmas. Wrong, 8 Fridays means 7 weeks. Beth, you have done it again. Some one out there must have noticed I couldn't count. Couldn't you have saved me from embarrassing myself week after week. Like a couple of weeks ago when we were decorating the store for our Christmas Open House. Without me noticing, Gabriela clipped a Santa Claus clothes pin on the end of my pigtail. Then she let me go grocery shopping and doing various errands without telling me. I finally noticed it later than night when I was brushing out my hair before I went to bed. She thinks I have forgotten. I have not, I am just waiting for the right moment to exact my revenge. Any way

It is 2 and 1/2 weeks to Christmas

Quick Knits for Babies

Minnow hat is adorable and a quick knit. Knit as written in sock yarn, it fits a newborn with a head size of about 14". The same pattern knit with DK yarn and you have an 18" size for somewhat older kids. Other than the change of yarn to create the larger size, the only change I made was to increase the spacing between decrease rounds when you start the tail.

Minnow Hat in Sock yarn

Free pattern at the following link -
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minnow-hat

Easiest Ever Baby Blanket is just an over sized dish cloth and can be sized to use exactly the amount of yarn you have. Knit diagonally, you increase until you have used half your yarn and then start decreasing.

Free Pattern at the following link -
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-love-diagonal-baby-blanket

One Piece Top Down Cardigan from Cabin "Fever Need A Baby Cardigan" is quick and simple. This pattern book allows you to use any weight of yarn from sock to chunky to knit a basic cardigan for age newborn to 18 months. The DK or worsted version knits up in a couple of evenings and no seams. When you are finished knitting, sew on buttons and you are done.

Gifts for Knitters

One of our favourites collections of instructional knitting DVD's are Lucy Neatby's. Her teaching style is clear and entertaining. She has an extensive selection of topics. The full listing can be viewed on her website at the link below.

http://www.lucyneatby.com/index.php?department=DVDs

We always have a small selection of Lucy's DVDs on hand but if you want a particular topic, if you place an order by December 15th, we can have it in time for Christmas.

Pre-Christmas Specials

While supplies last, all magazines reduced 25%.

Beth

Quick Christmas Gifts

One of the quickest gifts ever is a hand knit dishcloth. I often knit dishcloth patterns in quality cotton or linen and give them as face clothes. Ravelry has close to 8000 patterns for dishcloths .

The original design, one many of us have knit.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grandmothers-favorite

An interesting variation is a textured version called Eloomanator.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eloomanators-diagonal-knit-dishcloth

My current favourite is the picot edged version from Churchmouse Designs.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/picot-edge-baby-blanket--washcloth

Knit up a couple either in craft cotton as dishcloth, or a better quality cotton or linen as a face cloth as a start to a gift basket.

With a face cloth, add a couple of bars of luxury soap, a good novel or magazine and you have a nice mini-spa.

If I might suggest, a local soap maker I have discovered at Aurora Farmers Market, has wonderful bath products - Kibo. The following link brings you to their website to view their selection and location.
http://www.kibo.ca/

Another nice gift package idea is to put together a little basket of kitchen based products; a couple of dish cloths, some hand cream and hand wash and maybe an aloe vera plant. My Mom always kept an aloe vera in the kitchen as first aid for burns or rough hands.

If you receive a burn just clip off a piece of the plant, squeeze out some of the goeey sap inside and apply directly to the sore or burnt skin. It really does help take out the sting. This is a safe folk remedy that has been used for decades.

Gifts for Knitters

Elizabeth Zimmermann was a British-born knitter known for revolutionizing the modern practice of knitting through her books and instructional series on American public television. I find Elizabeth Zimmerman fascinating. Her designs are unique and timeless. Many are one piece with minimal seaming and fit together like origami puzzles. Early in her designing career, she became frustrated with all the changes magazine editors were making to her designs. She was ahead of her time and rather than appreciating that, editors were trying to hold her back. So she started publishing her designs herself and Schoolhouse Press was born. Her daughter Meg Swansen, also an accomplished designer, has continued the publishing company. Knitters continue to be fascinated by her designs today. Baby Surprise Jacket is the number one cardigan on Ravelry with over 18,000 posted projects. If you enjoy unusual or creative structure, you would love Elizabeth's designs and books.

The now famous Baby Surprise Jacket.

A few of Elizabeth's many books.

Knit One Knit All is a recent Schoolhouse Press publication. Elizabeth's daughter,Meg has put together a collection of her mothers previously unpublished designs. Many have quite unusual structures.

I find this mitered cardigan very intriguing.

Pre-Christmas Specials

All books reduced 25%

Thought I would share with you a couple of Internet links sent to us by family and customers. Your smile for the day.

Cuteness overload: Shetland ponies wear Shetland wool sweaters on Shetland Isles

For the whole story, click on the link below.
http://animaltracks.today.com/_news/2013/01/24/16667405-cuteness-overload-shetland-ponies-wear-shetland-wool-sweaters-on-shetland-isles#.UQHa5s-JqwE.email

Check out the additional links at the bottom for further knitting/ sheep chuckles

18 Things That Happen When Knitters Get Together

Check the link below for some great pictures from Vogue Knitting Live

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/18-things-that-happen-when-knitters-get-together

Beth

The Jabez Blanket Ministry is an organization reaching out to help needy Orphans around the world - Orphans living in unimaginable poverty, bearing the marks of loneliness and desperation. To a child who has nothing, these hand-made blankets are a wonderful expression of love, saying to them ....."Someone cares for me." Not only is the recipient touched, but the giver as well. It is the goal of the Jabez Blanket Ministry, to bring comfort, hope and joy to some of the world's most desperately-needy Orphans, showing them that someone cares for them - through:
* lovingly-made woolen Blankets for warmth
* soft, endearing Teddy Bears for comforting hugs
* and needed School Supplies for Learning

Over the last seven years that Serenity Knits has been open, Karen and many of our customers have donated yarn to the wonderful knitters at Victory Baptist Church in Newmarket to knit and crochet blankets for the Jabez Blanket Ministry. Last month, they celebrated the remarkable milestone of BLANKET 1000.

The program coordinator, Faith Crosby, has asked us to Thank All Our Wonderful Customers who have donated yarn.

"Thank you to each one who has helped reach this wonderful milestone - from those who have knitted and crocheted, to those who have helped financially, to those who have purchased backpacks, teddy bears and school supplies - we could never have done this without you.. May God Himself, bless you in HIS own special way. Rejoicing with a grateful heart. Faith Crosby"

So, next time you might be tempted to do a little destashing, please remember the Victory Baptist Church Knitters & Crocheters. We are happy to receive donations on their behalf.

Beth & Karen

Socks is one of my favourite things to knit. Sometimes I enjoy a leisurely basic stockinette stitch sock with a nice hand paint or self-patterning yarn. When I feel like a bit more of a challenge, I love designs by Cookie A. If you are not familiar with Cookie, please do yourself a favour and check her out on Ravelry.
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/cookie-a

The number one most popular sock on Ravelry is her Monkey Sock from Knitty Winter 06 :

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html

The "no purl" version is also extremely popular. And it is exactly what it sounds, knit the pattern as written except convert all purl stitches to knit stitches.

Also Free on Knitty, Hederra:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATThedera.html

And Pomatomus : http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpomatomus.html

Cookie has dozens of unique sock designs to her credit. Recently she published her first collection of garment designs and they are amazing.

Cookie A Knitwear Volume 1: Shapes + Form

The 13 designs in this collection are available as an e-book collection or as individual downloads. We have fallen in love with several of them but our first choice was Conic; a beautiful shrug perfect for the summer. Gabriela has knit one up in Misti Alpaca sock yarn. You have to see it, pictures do not do it it justice. The construction is a bit unusual but never fear - with Gabriela's help it will be a snap.

Class	Conic (Gabriela) 4 two hour classes over six weeks- $80 plus project supplies
Date & Time	Wednesday 6:30-8:30, March 27, April 3, 17, May 4
Description	Taking pieces and fitting them together like a puzzle to form a functional whole. From: Shapes + Form, 13 knitting patterns by Cookie A This seamless bolero-style cardigan by Cookie A begins with a cabled back that is worked flat back and forth with shaping. The sleeves are picked up and worked in the round with decreases, creating a cone shape. The fingering weight yarn has drape and makes this an easy-to-wear piece. The pattern is available as a single pattern or as the complete e-book download.
Beth

We are all animal lovers at Serenity Knits. We have several cats & dogs between the 3 of us. I am often amused by the pet models I see on Ravelry. While surfing around Ravelry, looking for project ideas for one of our new yarns I found a fantastic pet model.

This is the yarn

This is the colour

This is our model photo. Co-ordinating cat and pillows - a new design trend!!!

We have other colours if Calico does not fit your colour scheme.

A really nice, machine washable acrylic with great yardage and a great price.

Beth

One of our favourite yarns at Serenity Knits is Classic Elite Liberty Wool Print. Karen recommends it for her mitered mittens class in October.

Class	Mitered Mittens (Karen) Two 2 hr classes - $40.00 + supplies
Date & Time	Wednesday evenings, October 15, and 29, 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M
Description	If you dislike working on double pointed needles, these are the mittens for you! Worked in one piece beginning with the cuff, seams are sewn along the outside of the hand and around the pointed top as well as the inside of the thumb. The thumb gusset is worked on the side of the mitten resulting in a mitten that will fit either hand. Garter stitch makes them extra squishy and warm and the mitered shaping adds interest in the self-striping yarn.
Prerequisites	Intermediate. The knitter should have good basic knitting skills and be able to follow simple patterns.

Classic Elite has offered this wool for many years and each season adds new colours. If you would like to check out the colour palette, visit their website below.. While you are there, check out their extensive selection of FREE patterns and sign up for their newsletter

http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/home.php

These are just a couple of colourways.

Liberty knits sort of in stripes but with some staggering of the colour shift.

It is also very fun to use in chevron, mitered or ripple style patterns.

The pattern for Favourite Scarf Ever (below) is FREE on Ravelry and looks fab in Liberty 7832

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/favorite-scarf-ever

Skinny Mitered Scarf pattern (shown in 7870)

is FREE on the Classic Elite Website.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skinny-mitered-scarf

At Serenity Knits we have 2 books of designs dedicated to Liberty Print.

Beth
Serenity Knits

Summer is just about finished. We have had a couple of really cold days. Thank heavens, it has not been as bad as poor Calgary. September 11 is a little too early for snow. If the cooler weather has you thinking knitting, and maybe you feel like learning something new, fall classes started this week at Serenity Knits. If you have not already had a look at them, check our website for details.
http://www.serenityknits.ca/knittingclasses.htm
As always, please feel free to call or drop by if you have any questions.

For more inspiration, both Vogue Magazine Website

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b7001c3dbde020aa0b7e5c04d&id=11e9cc5920&e=9af17ea975

and Interweave Magazine Website

http://nls.interweave.com/t/bfhbbSMMjQBLS~QQ-fBVfaFXJ6aaaBVfFXJ6?n=8@uD0CtD&X=iX0atVletTu_avmtTpe.jht&Xl=UlmofjXsfhg_oh0fhbs.Vvf&s=6-j&4=&k=%23

have great sales on patterns right now.

Vogue and Interweave have these sales several times a year. They offer a great opportunity to stock up on patterns.

I visit these websites often. If I am knitting from their magazines, I view the errata sections first to check if any problems or mistakes have been identified with the design I am about to begin. Both websites offer a large selection of FREE patterns. Visit their websites and sign up for their newsletters. Then you can access the free patterns and receive notification of future sales.

Beth

Serenity Knits

Yesterday I had such fun. I took a couple of classes at my local bead store -
That Bead Lady http://www.thatbeadlady.com/

My classes were on basic wire wrapping and pearl knotting. It was a little humbling to be on the student side of a class. My teacher Allison was incredibly patient, I persevered and finished with a couple of pretty cool projects.

They are a few blocks north of us on Davis Drive, just west of Main Street. We send a lot of people there to buy beads for our Knitting with Beads Classes.

Class	Knitting with Beads (Beth) One 2 hour Classes $20 plus supplies
Date & Time	Monday, September 29 6:00pm – 8:00pm OR Thursday, November 27 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Description	Add some bling to your knitting; embellishing garments and accessories with beads has become very popular. In this class we will review &practice a few simple techniques which will allow you to add beads to just about anything you like. A selection of popular projects using beads will be reviewed.
Prerequisites	Intermediate; knowledge of the basics.
	Jewelled Cowl, FREE pattern on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jeweled-cowl Churchmouse Before &After Scarf - purchased pattern we try to keep in stock, can be hard sometimes because we sell a lot of them, it is very popular.

They have a very extensive collection of beautiful quality seed bead in size 6/0, the size which works best for most of the beaded projects we feature at the store.

While there I found out the seed beads were on sale so I selected some beads for another Churchmouse Beaded Design I want to knit - their Beaded Mohair Scarf.

This is the yarn - Fleece Artist mohair.

These are the beads.

I look forward to getting started. I am so glad I discovered how to attach beads with a crochet hook. It is so much kinder to your yarn than stringing them all on advance and a lot easier as well. With variegated yarns and different coloured beads, the "attach as you go with a crochet hook" method also allows you to decide which colour beads best harmonizes with the yarn colours.

That Bead Lady has a sale on right now. Size 6/0 beads are on sale reduced 20% until September 20. A great time to stock up and the selection is great.

Beth

Serenity Knits

I made a run to a couple of our local distributors this week. Talk about "knitters' candy store". Row after row of shelves of luscious yarns. It is always so difficult for me to stick to my shopping list.
We have now restocked several of our basics.
* Sirdar Snuggly DK (your perfect baby yarn) and Click DK

Click DK is a wool/acrylic blend with some great tweedy colours. It is machine washable so especially well suited for kids stuff.

*Noro Silk Garden Sock.

Silk Garden Sock shade 87 is one of my all time favourites yarns. It is perfection for entrelac designs.

This pattern is a Free download on Knitting Daily. The link below will get you there via Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-basic-entrelac-scarf

Colour 211

The above cowl, Ronbiais. shown in Silk Garden Sock colour 211, is a recently posted FREE pattern on Ravelry. The pattern offers 3 sizes and as you can see, is perfect for self-striping yarns.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ronbiais

Noro Taiyo Sock is also self striping.

I have knit Rollercoaster Triangle with Taiyo and I quite like the way it turned out. The other bonus of this pattern, FREE on Ravelry, is you waste no yarn. You start with a few stitches and increase until you are almost out of yarn and then cast off. I love it. I hate wasting even a few precious meters of my favourite Noro yarns.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rollercoastertriangle

When we first opened, we used to carry Lana Grossa Sock yarns. And they were wonderful. For several years there was no Canadian distributor for Lana Grossa and it was hard to find. We were therefore pleased to see that Diamond now carries this wonderful collection. I picked just a couple of colours with many more to come as they arrive.

Aloha Bali

And last but not least, we are again offering Sirdar Big Softie. Thick bulky yarns are big again this year. Big Softie knits at 9 stitches over 4 inches and is perfect for soft warm cowls and scarves that will knit in a flash.

While supplies last, Big Softie patterns will be half price or Free with yarn purchase. Because of the current popularity of this weight of yarn, you will find hundreds of designs on Ravelry to inspire you. Here are just a couple -

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingjem/boho-blues-neckwarmer

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chunky-slouch-cap

Shroom from Knitty http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTshroom.php

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-one-ball-of-rasta-version-of-the-triangle-cowl

Happy Knitting.
Coming soon, Shopping Day Two, Estelle Yarns.
Beth

I forgot to mention, the Noro self-striping sock yarns which I selected at Diamond Yarns, would be excellent choices for a couple of classes being offered this fall. Both designs require two skeins of sock yarn and are particularly dramatic when one of the yarns is self-striping, with long colour changes.

Check them out on Ravelry

Dreambird

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal

Itineris

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/itineris

Class	Dreambird (Gabriela) 1 three hour class - $30 plus project supplies (pattern available for download) http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal
Date & Time	Friday 1:00-4:00pm, Oct. 24
Description	Dreambird looks more complicated than it is. When you strictly follow the instructions for the first feather the following ones will be a walk in the park! The shaping is done by short rows and Nadita Swings explains everything in detail so that you don’t need to be an advanced knitter to knit this piece. You can knit the feathers with a yarn of rather long color changes in fingering weight yarn or use Kid Silk Haze for a cozy wrap
Prerequisites	Intermediate; you will love short rows after this project!

Class	Itineris Shawl Knit-Along (KAL) Pattern by Hilary Smith Callis (Karen) Six 2 hour classes – Free with purchase of required yarn and pattern.
Date & Time	Wednesday afternoons: October 1 to November 5, 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Description	“Itineris (Latin for voyage) is a modern triangular wrap with a unique construction. The shawl is made up of three sections: a large triangle, a rectangular extension, and a smaller triangle to finish. The knitting will take you different routes while a graphic stripe sequence forms intersecting pathways along the side. Knit all in Garter Stitch with patterns and shaping that are easy to memorize, Itineris is a fun knit that results in a striking finished piece”.
Prerequisites	Good basic knitting skills and the ability to read patterns.
	Both classes still have spaces. And in case you didn't notice, Itineris is a FREE Knit-A-Long with Karen. Happy Knitting Beth

I am happy to report this is just a cute picture I found on the internet, not one of my cats trying to "help", as they sometimes do.

Beth

Serenity Knits

Estelle Yarns is the home of several of our favourites.
Cascade 220 Heathers

Cascade Heathers have a heavy mélange effect (Mélange yarn is dyed before spinning. The yarn is produced from color printed tops or slivers. The color bands are short enough that each fiber has multiple colors. This results in a heathered effect after spinning).

Cascade 220 Solids are just what the name implies. The same beautiful yarns in solid colours.

220 Solids - new colours

Cascade 220, both heathers and solids, are pure wool worsted weight yarns (knit at around 20 sts/4") and must be hand washed. Alternately, they are fabulous felting yarns if you want to shrink things on purpose.

Cascade 220 Superwash also comes in both heathers and solids. It is a pure wool, DK weight (22 sts/4") but has been treated to make it machine washable.

There is a huge colour palette for each of these 3 yarns: 70 colours of 220 heathers, 190 colours of 220 solids and 150 colours of 220 superwash. We try to carry a good range of colours in all three (and have just restocked) but we obviously can't stock them all. If there is a colour you would like that we do not have in stock, we can usually special order it for you the next time we order. If you want to check out the full colour range, visit Estelle's website at the link below.
http://www.estelleyarns.com/index.php
While you are there, take a look at the FREE patterns Estelle offers for these yarns. You can also visit the website for the American Cascade distributor for even more FREE patterns. When checking colours available to us, stay with Estelle. The 2 distributors offer different colour palettes. The link below will take you to the American site.
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/

New to cascade last year is Pacific Color Wave.
Pacific Colour Wave

Colour Wave is both mélange and what is referred to as self-striping. The 2 little hats below were both knit from the same colourway of Pacific Color Wave (colour 326). You just knit and the yarn changes colours and produces its own stripes. Very entertaining to knit.

Colour Wave is a mix of Superwash Merino and acrylic, knits as a worsted and is machine washable. Great for kids stuff.

Magnum - new colours

Magnum is a pure wool bulky yarn. Magnum knits at around 10sts to 4 inches and is perfect for the big chunky cowls so popular right now. The cowl below is a FREE one skein pattern on the Estelle website.

Magnum - new colours

Last but not least is a crazy, super bulky, thick and thin pure wool called Grosso

Estelle offers a FREE one skein project pattern for a simple cowl finished with a button closure. It would be super quick and super warm. And did I mention, this yarn is unbelievably soft. You will it and several other FREE patterns at the link below.

http://www.estelleyarns.com/estelle-patterns.php

Happy Knitting
Beth

New Magazines have arrived.

Make it! Knits gathers some of the best simple and quick knits from Interweave Knits and Knitscene magazines. Packed with 33 cool knits, this magazine is an excellent go-to-source for stylish and easy patterns that anyone can make! These 33 patterns were intentionally chosen for their heavier weight yarns, from worsted to bulky. You will find these projects perfect for anyone who is just learning to knit or for those who simply prefer quick and thick knits. We've included patterns that range from beginner to intermediate garments and accessories, and all of them include enough yarn information to make it easy to substitute from your stash. Including four articles focusing on knitting pattern basics, knitting in the round, reading charts, and determining how much yarn you need for a project – it has valuable information for knitters of all skill levels.

knit.wear takes a big step forward with the name change toknit.purl and a new cover design. The mission and vision for this special issue remains the same, however—a focus on simpler, stylish, contemporary knit designs with fresh studio photography and interesting articles

We have both of these new magazines and they are great.

Beth

Serenity knits

The Internet is a rich source of FREE patterns for knitters. Most knitters soon discover Ravelry and Knitty, but there are several others to be explored.

YARNSPIRATIONS is the website for PATONS, BERNAT and CARON yarns.

The link below will take you to their shared pattern website.
http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns.html?pattern_free=47816

I feel kind of guilty, we don't carry any of their yarns but we really like many of their patterns
Here are a couple I discovered recently.

These crocheted stash buckets
http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/cache-baskets.html

This great chunky, multi-yarn scarf.

http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/medley-muffler.html

Tea cozies have become very popular and I love this one.

http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/aran-sweater-tea-cozy.html

This website has page sand pages and pages of FREE patterns. Check them out.

Beth
Happy Knitting

P.S. I forgot to mention, Karen has a Learn to Knit Cables Class coming up very soon. If you have fallen in love with the cute Aran Sweater Tea Cozy but have not knit cables, here is your chance to learn in time to whip up a few as unique Christmas Gifts for your knitter friends.

The date and time, as listed in the classes on the website, has been changed as follows and there are a couple of spaces left.

Class	Introduction to Knitting Cables (Karen) One 2 hour workshop - $20
Date & Time	Thursday, October 9, 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Description	Cables form the intricate designs in Aran Knits or traditional Fisherman’s sweaters. They can add a designer touch to a basic sweater and look beautiful in afghans and pillows. They may appear complicated, but are actually quite simple when you break them down step by step. Learn the techniques needed to produce beautiful cable patterns.
Prerequisites	Good basic knitting skills

One of our Tuesday Morning Project Class Ladies discovered the unbelievably cute
Work Sock Baby Snuggler.

The Snuggler is the right size for a newborn. Some Ravelers have suggested it would be a great keepsake for the child to use later with a cherished toy .

The pattern is FREE on Ravelry. Here is your direct link -

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/work-sock-baby-monkey-snuggler

The snuggler uses 3 skeins of Berroco Vintage Chunky, a chunky, acrylic/wool blend which is machine washable

We currently have the three colours needed to knit this adorable snuggler. Thanks to Darlene for putting us on to this design. Feel free to let us know if you discover a design you think other may enjoy.

Happy Knitting

Beth

Gap-tastic is the second most popular cowl on Ravelry. It has over 13,000 posted projects. I have knit this design a few times and was planning for a couple more as Christmas gifts. I thought why not have a little Gap-tastic Knit-a-long.

Gap-tastic KAL
Monday, October 20, 27
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Prerequisites - knitter must be familiar with basic knit stitches, this pattern only requires knit and purl

This is a Knit-a-long which means minimal instruction provided but we will help you adjust the pattern to suit the yarn and size you would like.

I will be demonstrating a particular cast on called crochet cast on which you might like to use with this pattern. With crochet cast on, your cast on edge looks exactly the same as your cast off and is an attractive detail for a cowl where cast on and cast off are both visible, sometimes side by side.

The KAL is FREE. We just ask you be knitting with yarn purchased at Serenity Knits.

Gap-tastic Cowl by Jen Giegly

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gap-tastic-cowl

The original design, shown above, is a very large cowl, knit in bulky yarn - 9sts/4 inches on a 9mm circular. It is a very adaptable design which can basically be knit in any yarn you wish, to any size you like, it just requires a little math.

It is shown below in Berroco Vintage Chunky which knits at 14sts/4inches on a 6mm. I personally prefer that weight and needle size.

It is attractive in self striping yarns like Noro or Classic Elite Liberty Wool Print.

One of the things I like about this cowl, is its versatility; It can be worn long, like a scarf, It can be wound around two or three times depending on the length you knit and it can be wound more than once with one loop over your head to double as a hat/hood like the Raveler below.

So pick out your yarn, decide what size (ie circumference, it is knit in the round) and I will help you with the math to alter the pattern.

This a FREE Knit-a-long, but please give us a call so we know you are coming.

Supplies needed
Download the Pattern from Ravelry- use the link below
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gap-tastic-cowl
While you are on Ravelry you can view the projects posted to get some idea of the yarn weights and finished cowl size you might prefer
Yarn - you choose, again, please use yarn from Serenity Knits
Needles - a 36" circular in a size suitable for the weight of yarn you will be using, probably in the range of 4.5mm through 6mm if you select worsted to chunky yarns, 9mm if you go with the original design.
Crochet hook the same size as needle you are going to be knitting with
Pencil, paper, ruler, tape measure & calculator - to do the math and transcribe your pattern once we figure it out.
One O style stitch marker

Beth
Happy Knitting

We have just received our order of EUCALAN no-rinse wool wash.

Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash provides superb cleaning and conditioning for any natural fiber and is ideal for use by hand or machine. It is nontoxic, biodegradable, and phosphate free. The natural lanolin-enriched formula conditions the fiber and helps keep static away. We have just received our order in natural, eucalyptus, and lavender scents in 2 sizes - 16.9 oz size is 90-95 washes and the 3.3 oz size will give you about 15 washes.

Eucalyptus Scent

Eucalan’s Eucalyptus No Rinse Delicate Wash is our original scent. First introduced in 1989, it is scented using essential oil of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus oil is a natural moth and flea inhibitor, so use Eucalan Eucalyptus regularly on woolens and particularly before storing them for the season. The lanolin enriched formula helps to naturally condition fibres and keep static away. Use on all your delicates like sweaters, lingerie, hosiery, comforters, down jackets, bathing suits and baby items. An excellent choice for men.

Lavender Scent

Eucalan’s Lavender No Rinse Delicate Wash is scented using essential oil of lavender. Known for its natural moth and flea inhibiting and antiseptic properties, this is a great wash for all of your fibres. The lanolin enriched formula helps to naturally condition fibres and keep static away. Lavender’s soothing spa-like scent has been described as an aromatherapy treat for the user and is ideal for baby items like blankets, stuffed animals, clothing and wool diaper covers. Our most versatile scent, use it on all your delicates like sweaters, lingerie, hosiery, comforters, down jackets, bathing suits.

Natural Scent

Eucalan’s Natural No Rinse Delicate Wash is the same great formula, but no scent has been added to it. It is Eucalan, bare and naked, as we have not added any chemicals to take away the natural scent of the product. The lanolin enriched formula helps to condition fibres and keep static away. For those scent sensitive people, use Eucalan Natural on all your delicates like sweaters, lingerie, and hosiery, comforters, down jackets, bathing suits and baby items.

I love this stuff!!!
Beth

One of our favourite pattern sources is

CHURCHMOUSE YARNS AND TEAS
Today they release their newest collection and we are thrilled to have had the chance to preview and pre-order the collection. We loved all of their seven new designs, so we ordered them all, and they are here. We also restocked many of their older favs.
Here are the seven new designs

WALKING RIB COWL AND MUFFLER

TWO-TONE TWILL SCARF

Two-Tone Twill Scarf Pattern

ACCELERATING STRIPES FINGERLESS GLOVES AND COWL

Accelerating Stripes Fingerless Gloves & Cowl Pattern

CROCHETED LINEN STITCH SCARF AND LOOP

Crocheted 'Linen-Stitch' Scarf & Loop Pattern

MODERN WRAPPER FINE

GO-TO CARDIGAN

Go-To Cardigan Pattern

BETTER THAN BASIC PULLOVER

Go to Churchmouse at
http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/
to see all their wonderful patterns.

Churchmouse often re-works a pattern to a slightly different style or using a different yarn. One of their popular patterns, The Before & After Scarf has been reworked a couple of times.

Bias 'Before & After' Scarf Pattern

Original Before and After Scarf above

Ombré Infinity Scarf Project

Re-worked as a Cowl: Ombre InfinityLoop

Tahiti Bias 'Before & After' Scarf

Re-Yarned in Tahiti in which we currently have the following shades

Riviera Bermuda

Jungle Malaga

When they re-work a pattern, they offer FREE ADDENDUM on their website. So if you have purchased the original, you have a FREE variation to that pattern. ADDENDUM will not make any sense to you unless you have the original.

They also offer FREE stand alone patterns which are complete instructions. A recent addition to the FREE patterns is the Trellis Lace Scarf below. It has been knit in Rowan Fine Art Sock yarn.

Trellis Lace Scarf Project - Rowan Fine Art Version

We have several shades of Fine Art, a luxurious blend of Wool (45%), Mohair (20%), Silk (10%) and Polyamide (25%)

Happy Knitting (and these patterns can sure help accomplish that)
Beth

If you have not experienced the beauty of Zauberball self-striping yarn, you really need to treat yourself to a ball.

http://www.skacelknitting.com/

A large back-order of Zauberball arrived yesterday. Zauberball comes from Germany. Our wonderful Canadian distributor, Dennis from Wool & Wicker. tries very hard to keep us in good supply but Zauberball has become increasingly popular and is often sold out. We carry three varieties of Zauberball -

the original Zauberball sock yarn

a few colours below

Zauberball is a self-striping yarn with very long, gradual colour transitions. It started out as a sock yarn which is great fun to use to knit just a basic vanilla sock.

Designers very quickly discovered it's versatility and you will find hundreds of gorgeous designs posted on Ravelry. One of my favs is WINDWARD

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windward-2

Windward has multiple changes in knitting direction and Zauberball highlights it beautifully.

Zauberball Crazy

also a sock yarn, self striping with a marled effect

Stash Buster Baby Hat - pattern Fee with yarn purchase at the store, fits a new born and knit with just a few grams, left over from a pair of socks.

Whats Your Point Scarf

Pattern FREE on Skacel Website - link below

http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.46871/.f

I could not resist sharing this post of Hitchhiker knit in Zauberball.

I love Ravellers who use their pets for post models.

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker

Zauberball Starke 6 also a sock yarn but a heavier DK weight

One of our favourite projects for Starke 6 is the fabulous FIDDLE HEAD MITTENS

Pattern for purchase on Ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiddlehead-mittens

If you dislike ordering on line, Serenity Knits has been approved as a retailer for Ravelry patterns so you can now purchase through us

Karen starts a class on these beautiful mitts this Saturday and there are still a couple of spaces.

Class	Fiddlehead Mittens (Fair Isle Knitting) (Karen) Three 2 hr classes $55.00 + supplies
Date & Time	Saturday afternoons, October 18, 25, November 1, 1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M
Description	Fair Isle knitting provides a colourful, warm, double thick layer of knitted fabric. Combined with the popular Fiddlehead mitten pattern, you have the perfect winter mittens to keep your hands cozy. As you perfect your Fair Isle knitting skills, you will also learn new skills such as the I-cord cast on, mitten construction and knitting an attached lining. You may even want to begin knitting pairs for a start on this year’s Christmas gift list.
Prerequisites	Experience with circular knitting (see “An Overview of Circular Knitting” on September 27th if you need to learn this technique) and basic Fair Isle knitting (see the” Introduction to Stranded Fair Isle Knitting” workshop on October 4th if you need to learn this technique)
	We love Zauberball at Serenity Knits, so we have quite a large selection of samples knit in these three yarns. Beth Happy Knitting

2 and 1/2 weeks to go

It is 2 and 1/2 weeks to Christmas

Quick Knits for Babies

Gifts for Knitters

Pre-Christmas Specials

One and 0ne half weeks

Quick Christmas Gifts

Gifts for Knitters

Pre-Christmas Specials

Your Smile for the Day

Jabez Blanket Ministry International

Designer Cookie A.

Animal Models

Classic Elite Liberty Wool Print

When the weather cools, time to pick up your needles

Knitting with Beads

Beth Went Shopping This Week: Part One, Diamond yarns

A P.S. to Shopping at Diamond Yarns

Have you seen my knitting????

Shopping Part Two: Estelle Yarns

New magazines

Yarnspirations

Work Sock Baby Snuggler

Gap-tastic Cowl Knit-a-long

EUCALAN

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Zauberball

It is 2 and 1/2 weeks to Christmas

Quick Knits for Babies

Gifts for Knitters

Pre-Christmas Specials

﻿

Quick Christmas Gifts

Gifts for Knitters

Pre-Christmas Specials