March 2010 Newsletter

New Luxury Yarns

Don't you just want to cuddle up with these adorable creatures...yak, bison and muskox? Well, if you are not able to appreciate these creatures "in person", we will have samples of "their" yarn available to touch, feel and knit with, so you, too, can experience the magic produced from these exquisite animals.

First up, we have yak from Bijou Basin. This yarn is as soft as cashmere and yet extremely warm and light. We have three different weights including: laceweight - 100% yak; Lhasa Wilderness - 75% yak/25% bamboo; and Himalayan Trail - 75% yak/25% merino. Exquisite! If you'd like to see a video of these beautiful animals visit their website and scroll down to the denverpost.com entry. Love the close up of that kissable(?) face.

Next, we have bison from Buffalo Gold. Lux is a beautiful yarn made from 45% bison down, 20% mulberry silk, 20% cashmere and 15% tencel, which is a regenerated cellulose fibre made from dissolved wood pulp. Vogue Knitting chose this yarn as one of their Holiday 2009 top picks!

And, last but not least, muskox from Qiviuk. This animal has an exquisitely soft undercoat that is exceptionally fine and precious, protecting this prehistoric mammal against the cold of the Canadian High Arctic. Once a year, rumbling herds of muskox begin to show their downy undercoat, which is softer than cashmere and warmer than wool. This undercoat is collected and made into beautiful yarn. The blend we are featuring is 80% merino, 15% qiviuk, and 5% mulberry silk.

More Lovely New Things

Be sure to have a look at our blog for regular updates about our new products and specials. Or, better yet, drop in and take a look for yourself. We also have our online store for your convenience where we are adding products daily. However, if you can't find what you're looking for, please give us a call and we'll be happy to help you.

Here's a look at some of our new arrivals:

• From Classic Elite, Silky Alpaca Lace, a beautiful blend spun into a gossamer yarn for stunning lightweight projects.
• Also from Classic Elite, Firefly. This yarn has a lustrous sheen, made from 75% linen and 25% viscose, knit on a 3.75mm needle. Great for spring and Summer projects!
• Louisa Harding's Jasmine and Mulberry. Jasmine is a soft and silky cotton, bamboo, silk blend in a DK weight; Mulberry is an elegant 100% silk yarn, also perfect for spring projects.
• ShibuiKnit 100% merino superwash sock yarn in a variety of variegated and solid colours. We also have lots of ShibuiKnit patterns using this yarn including Transition Gloves, a Two Colour Cardigan and a Vintage Baby Cardigan.
• A new shipment of Mini Maiden, beautiful colours perfect for lace and shawl projects.
• A beautiful Challah Infinity Scarf pattern by Pam Powers using Berocco Peruvia.
• Incredibly unique Sock Yarn Balloon Tying Creations which includes 10 pattern cards, you have to see it to believe it.
• From Moving Mud Studio, we now carry an assortment of gorgeous buttons, shawl pins, and stick pins. These pieces of art are hand-made and each button or pin has a unique, “one-of-a-kind” design.

New Books and Magazines

• The Handmade Marketplace, How to sell your crafts locally, globally and online by Kari Chapin, a great guide for navigating the craft marketplace. Both encouraging and inspiring!
• Hand dyeing Yarn and Fleece by Gail Callahan including tips for dip-dyeing, hand-painting, tie-dying, and other creative techniques.
• Belle by Louisa Harding, with 12 project ideas using mulberry silk, including shawls, wraps and sweaters.
• Bijoux, also by Louisa Harding, including 12 projects using Merletto and Jasmine. Patterns include beautiful sweaters and shawls, as well as very unique dresses.
• The Mirasol Collection, the little book of Hap'i Sweaters, Book 9 by Jane Ellison.
• Also by Jane Ellison, The Mirasol Collection, the little book of Nuna cardigans, Book 10.
• Sublime Booklets 631, 632, 633 and 634. 631 includes 14 designs from birth to 3 years using Baby Cotton; 632 includes 16 patterns for men, women, boys and girls using Soya Cotton DK; 633 features 16 designs for women and girls using Bamboo and Pearls DK; and 634 has a nautical theme for babies to 3 years including patterns for garments and accessories.
• Picnic by Classic Elite. Contains simple, yet elegant designs including a stunning ballet wrap.
• Also by Classic Elite, Curvy Knits Park Street, a great book for fuller figures including four fabulous essentials for your spring closet.

Classes

There's still space available in many of our classes so, if you want to learn some new techniques, see the great selection below being offered in both our Point Grey and Edgemont locations.

Point Grey

Beginner Knitting - Mon. March 22, 29, April 5 & 12th, 7-9pm
Learn to knit in this class taught by Deanna.

Beginner Crochet - Mon. April 19, 26, May 3 & 10th, 6:30-8:30pm
Crochet is becoming more and more popular. In this class Deanna will teach you all the basics you need.

5 Hour Top Down Baby Sweater - Tues. March 16 & 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm
In this class Alexa will teach you how to make an adorable top down baby sweater.

Spring Lace Class - Tues. March 30, April 6 & 13th, 6:30-8:30pm
Alexa will teach you how to make a beautiful lace project for spring.

Knitted Skirt Class - Tues. March 20 & 27th, 6:30-8:30
Learn to make a flattering A-line skirt with a lacy hem. A sample of this skirt is currently on display at our Point Grey location.

Q & A with Astor - Wed. ongoing
Having difficulty with a particular project and can't seem to find the help you need? Book an hour with Astor and she will put you on the right path. Please book two days in advance.

Making Knitting Possible II - Wed. March 3, 17, 31 & April 14th, 9:30-11:30
Astor will teach this very informative class to bring you beyond the basics.

Kids Spring Daycamp - (ages 7-12) March 10, 11 & 12th, 1:00-2:00pm
Has your child ever suggested they would like to learn how to knit? In this class Amanda will patiently teach the basics of knitting.

Sock Boot Camp - Wed. Mar. 17, 31, April 14 or 28th, 6:30-9:30pm
Jackie will teach you how to knit a sock in just one night! Basic knitting skills are required.

Granny Square Crocheted Baby Blanket - Wed. March 24, 6-9pm
Alexa will teach you how to make this adorable crocheted baby blanket. Great gift idea!

Making Knitting Possible I - Thurs. March. 25, April 1, 8 & 15th, 10-12noon
Beginner Knitting with Astor. She believes that everyone can learn to knit.

French Press Felted Slippers - Thurs. March 18 & 25th, 6-8pm
Amanda will teach you how to make these beautiful felted slippers.

Toy Workshop - Thurs. April 1 & 8th, 6-8pm
You will love this class Amanda teaches. For the child in all of us!

Beyond Beginner Knitting - Thurs. April 15, 22, 29 & May 6, 7-9pm
If you've already learned the basics of knitting, Sandra will instruct you on how to go beyond the basics, from learning to read a pattern to finishing techniques.

Q&A with Alexa - Fridays from 5-6pm
Book an hour with Alexa and she will be able to answer all your knitting questions. Please book two days in advance.

Stitch and Bitch - Fridays from 6-9
Bring in your latest project and share stories and projects with fellow crafters.

Amigurumi Crocheted Creatures - Sun. April 18, 25 & May 2, 1-3pm
Erica will teach you how to knit these adorable creatures. A sample is available in the store for inspiration.

Yarn 101 - 3rd Sun. of every second month starting March 21, 10-11am
Astor will give you a tour of Urban Yarns and discuss materials, gauge, and yarn substitutions. A great class for anyone!

Tunisian Style Crochet Stash Buster Blanket - Sun. 10-12, date TBA
Back by popular demand, this class that is a combination between knitting and crocheting uses a very long hook, bulky yarn, and makes a great last-minute gift.

Edgemont

Sock Boot Camp - Tues. Mar. 30th, 6-9pm
Learn to knit a sock in just one night! Basic knitting skills are required. You will knit a top-down, mini training sock on 4 DP needles by the end of the class. An educational "Sock Knitting" handout and free sock pattern will be included.

The European/Continental Knitting Method - Tues. Mar. 23rd, 6-8pm
Jessica will teach this one night class for those who know the basics of knitting, but want to learn a new method.Switching methods can reduce strain on the hands.

Kids Knitting - Tues. March 2nd, 9th and 16th, 6-7pm
When better to start learning to knit. Jessica will teach your young ones the basics of knitting for a life long skill. Suitable for ages 9-13.

Beginner Knitting - Wed. Mar. 24, 31 and April 7th, 6-8pm
In this class Sandra will teach you all the basics of knitting such as how to cast on and off, knit, purl, increase and decrease.

Beyond Beginner Knitting - April 7, 21, 28 and May 5th, 6-8pm
If you've already learned the basics of knitting, in this class you will go beyond the basics from learning to read a pattern to finishing techniques.

We are also planning to hold a number of other classes, so for current updates, click here.

Project Ideas

You'll love this adorable free hat pattern by Spud and Chloe. Using 3 skeins of Outer, this hat will keep your noggin warm on the coolest of days.

Anina knit the most gorgeous Stitch Diva Sahara pattern for her Olympic knitathon. She suggested this was one of her most favourite projects and it looks absolutely exquisite. She knit the small size and used 2 skeins of Tilli Tomas Pure and Simple and just squeaked by with one skein of Rock Star.

Community Corner

As mentioned in the last newsletter, Urban Yarns has put together a team to enter the Ride to Conquer Cancer. We will all ride from Vancouver to Seattle on June 19 and 20, 2010, to raise money for the BC Cancer Foundation. You don't have to be a strong athlete for this event, just someone who wants to make a difference.

There's still time to sign up so once again we would like to extend this invitation to anyone who wants to take the challenge with us. We currently have 22 committed riders. If you're interested you can contact Anina or Jan at anina@urbanyarns.ca or call us at 604-228-1122. For more information check out the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

If you aren't interested in participating in the ride but want to contribute, we are collecting funds for the Cancer Foundation on behalf of the team. You can donate cash or write a cheque to The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2010 and drop it off at the store and you will be issued a tax receipt by The Cancer Foundation. In addition, we will be fund-raising through a silent auction and would appreciate any donations for this event.

Weekly Specials

Check out our weekly specials online or on our blog. Order the specials in person, by email or by phone. The sale price applies until we're sold out - quantities are usually limited.

Recent specials include:

• Fleece Artist Harvest Jackets at 25% off!
• Sirdar Peru at 40% off! We have 4 colours to chose from and loads of great patterns to match!
• Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed at 40% off. Remember those cute mitts that Kalin made from Interweave Accessories? This yarn would be perfect for that project.

Have a look at our entire Specials List right here....

HAPPY KNITTING AND CROCHETING!!