Hooray! Present this coupon either at our stall at Wonders of Wool tomorrow, Saturday 12 May for $1 off every single skein or ball of yarn you buy!

You can also use it in store at Holland Road Yarn Company – hip hip hooray!

The coupon only applies to wool products, does not include accessories, books, notions etc. It must be presented to redeem the discount. Offer only valid 10am – 4pm Saturday 12 May.

When I first started looking at Spud & Chloe, still uncertain as to if I’d order it for the shop, it made me weak at the knees just looking at pictures of it. The clear, bright colours, the smooth yarn with a touch of shine and some obvious bounce….oh, what dreams are made of!

It hasn’t failed to deliver. An unusual mix for us kiwis, it is a superwash mix of 55% wool 45% cotton. The cotton gives it an interesting feel – smooth, sturdy and super, super squishy.

After watching some of the regulars pick it up and start blankets with it, I finally gave in and joined them. Spud & Chloe Sweater is an honest to goodness delight to knit with. The excuse for casting on was that I needed shop knitting – something easy to pick up and put down and chat over. But really, I just wanted the pure and simple enjoyment of knitting with something so gorgeous.

Quick round-up: Spud & Chloe is divine. Squishy, soft, excellent drape, good stitch definition. Bright, clear colours that work for kids and adults alike. With the added bonus of being superwash (note that I haven’t washed it yet!). I have heard from a few people that some knitters aren’t that stoked with how it wears in adult garments. My advice: seeing as it contains cotton, try to avoid using it on the three bumps: boobs, bum, elbows. If you can’t avoid them, go for a pattern with positive ease (i.e. loose fitting). It will stretch downwards due to the weight of the cotton – so if you’re taller, don’t worry too much about adding extra rows for length. A customer mentioned reading advice to throw it in the dryer after washing – not until it is completely dry, but enough to get 90% of the moisture out. Just like your jeans, the cotton will shrink a bit and pull back to its old shape. Then block out as you usually would.

I’ll be writing up the pattern for the blanket i’m knitting as soon as it’s done. It’s been selling super fast but we have plenty on the shelves still and more due in a few weeks. Come and have a squish for yourself!

In the run-up to Handmade 2012, we’ve put together a list of classes that will be super awesome and we KNOW will sell out fast. If you’re in two minds about any, book! Trust us, these teachers are fantastic and you will come away being a better crafter for it.

Twice the Fun – Two Handed Stranded Knitting

Expert level class taught by Morag McKenzie

If you’ve ever wanted to improve your colourwork skills, GO TO THIS CLASS. It’s that simple.

Spinning A Yarn

Beginner level taught by Frances Strachl

Lots of people have been asking about spinning classes lately, and I must say i’m now addicted to spinning. Learn how to use a drop spindle – the best, most portable way of entering the world of spinning yarn.

This is my spinning, on a spindle made by the amazing Frances. Don’t judge me, i’m still learning!

Just Add Beads

Skilled level taught by Stella Lange

A class i’d take if there was a chance to run away from the Knit Lounge for a couple of hours. I’ve a pretty strong suspicion beads in knitting is one of those trends that will start to emerge over the next couple of years so this is the perfect way to get in and learn early.

Have you booked in yet? What are you going to? Are you trying something completely and totally new or taking the leap to upgrade your skills? Let us know!

Tash’s super talented Grandmother, Margaret Stove, featured on local tv show ‘Hearts and Crafts’ this past weekend.

Unfortunately we can’t embed the video into this post, but if you click here it will take you to watch the show.

Enjoy!

Handmade 2012 is approaching super duper fast, so we’re starting to get pretty excited. We’ll be posting a bunch over the coming weeks, including a few guest posts from various teachers and presenters.

Firstly though, you can come and learn to knit socks! Tash will be accompanying Belinda of Blendy Knits in the teaching of the skills you need to knit yourself some super cosy socks. They are honestly one of the best gifts you can give, and are a fantastic vehicle to carry great yarn and fun patterns.

In the class you’ll knit a tiny sock – learning magic loop, short rows, and kitchener stitch along the way.

A teeeny tiny sock just like what you can make with us!

Teeny tiny sock with normal size sock (which you’ll be knitting in no time!)

If last year is anything to go by, it’s wise to book in for classes in advance, which you can do here. We’ve also started a Handmade 2012 thread in the Holland Road Yarn Co Ravelry forum, so if you’re coming along be sure to let us know!

One of the most wonderful things about the internet and social media, I find, are the small magic moments where a friend shares something, you click through, and that something speaks to you so very deeply.

‘How Many Times Should You Say “I Love You”?’ by Christine Defrancisco is one such moment.

‘Our tragedy is that we believe something can only be beautiful when it is rare. We exist in a society that dismisses the beauty in everyday life. We overlook the small, fleeting moments that make up our day…’

Truth. Life is hectic, and slowly I’ve learned that my favourite moments are not the big ones: rather, they are the small simple things that bring a momentary sense of peace, a feeling that all is well with the world.This morning, it was a smile from the guy I bought bread from at the Riverbank Market, standing at the shop counter drinking the first long black of the day, and a text from a friend that simply said ‘HAPPY’. Our joy doesn’t need momentous occasions.

You may be wondering how on earth this is relevant to a yarn store. Every day we have the pleasure of sharing new things with new people, introducing someone to Ravelry for the first time, witnessing that first ‘Malabrigo Experience’, seeing you light up over the possibility of an exciting new project. And we get to see first hand how important it is for everyone to make some sort of connection to each other. Knit Night continues to get bigger every week – we’re on the hunt for more chairs so that we can fill the entire shop from front to back with happy knitters. Because if we can bring people together, and introduce you to someone new – that totally makes our day.

If you haven’t been to Knit Night before, and are worried about not knowing anyone: come anyway. You never know who you might meet.

A little magic – I love watching the faces of people as they go by, not quite sure what to make of the orchestra flash mob. (And trying to spy familiar faces!).

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra flash mob to celebrate the release of ‘Good for Nothing’ (in cinemas 3 May).

A post, inspired by the fact an ever increasing number of people seem to be pregnant right now* – something in the water, perhaps?

As per usual, click on the image to be taken to the Ravelry page (i’ll put in public links where available)

Justine Turner’s Aviatrix has to be at the absolute tippity top of our list – we have one knit up in the shop and constantly send people to her site for the pattern. It’s a fantastic wee hat that is easy to put on and pull off in a hurry.

While Puerperium may not be easiest name to say, this is the sweetest wee cardi – and Kelly Brooker is one exceptional pattern designer. All her patterns are for kids and ever since i’ve been around mama knitters, they have raved about the Looking Glass Longies and Vanilla Soaker patterns.

Puerperium

Beyond Puerperium

The adult version of Owls became one of those cult knitting patterns for good reason – I adore mine. And now: mini Owl!

Owlet by Kate Davies (how cuuuuute would this be in Malabrigo Rios in Sunset?)

The little sister dress would make a great ‘throw over tights and merino top’ for winter….

Little Sister dress by Tora Froseth

While we’re on the girly dresses, I kind of want an adult version of this for myself…

Fionas top by Sanne Bjerregaard

Back to more practical things, the Pebble vest has the cute (and no doubt handy) addition of buttons down one side.

Pebble by Nikol Lohr

Oh, how I could go on! There’s really no need to put small people in boring knitwear. It’s worth having a bit of fun when they are small enough not to argue what you dress them in.

If you have any favourite little people patterns add your own links in via the comments!

* I’m certainly NOT one of them, by the way. Just to clarify

A much needed update on the queue project: so far, so good.

I’ve finished Manu! Hooray!

Manu, by Kate Davies, knit in Cascade 220 SW sport

And I’ve got the tiniest wee bit left to go on Interlocking Leaves (anyone have the tiniest bit of Knitsch Sock Pencarrow floating around so I can finish?)

Knitting and beer – what could possibly go wrong??

All but done – Interlocking Leaves by Kelly Porpiglia

And Aidez has been cast on – two sleeves are done…but as I’m knitting in the round I need to sit down and put the two cable charts together so that I don’t make an almighty mess.

There have been a few distractions, especially with the gorgeous Blue Sky Alpaca yarns arriving. Added to that is the problem of picking project that are tricky to knit on Thursday nights, or when hanging out with customers in the shop. Just quietly there’s a second queue project going on – for projects knit specifically for shop display and easy enough that one can chat, knit and be distracted from.

What are you working on? Are you queue project-ing with me? Are you worring (like I am!) that you won’t achieve all your knitty goals for the year?

A guest post! Of sorts, anyway. Megan is the most wonderful feministy knitty sexy voiced friend. Plus, she has the odd afternoon off during the week so she’s great to hang out with when the shop is closed. Here is our collaboration on the most important of topics: the return of the hat.

The lovely Tash and I finally got around to seeing unveiled this week, and spent a delightful couple of hours wandering through Te Papa exclaiming at fabrics, tiny waists, and bemoaning our 2012 lack of elegance.

Not that we’re not elegant in our way, but we’re not swanning around in gorgeous red dresses, dolled up, complete with gloves and hats. So, we’ve decided we’re bringing back hats. Now, if you’ve been reading here a while, you’ll have seen photos of me wearing hats – in varying states of success. So, we’re on a mission.

Tash, as is her wont, immediately thought of the beautiful things she could knit:

Cloche, to my ears, is one of the more beautiful sounding words in our language. Naturally the cloche is one of my favourite hat styles – jaunty, elegant, sophisticated, tongue slightly in cheek.

Hats, to me, are a lovely way of finishing off a well-thought outfit. I suppose these days as we accessorise to the nth degree hats may seem a bit superfluous. In this city, famed for our love of black, I’m excited that this new ‘bring back the hat’ mission of ours will allow more colour into a winter wardrobe of black, grey, and black.

Ironically enough, I (Megan) have that Escargot hat in my Ravelry queue. My only concern is that I have knitted myself several hats, and I never end up wearing them. Right, first on the agenda is to wear one of them to the book launch this evening. Yes, Tash? I have a bright pink one that will do for the “bringing the colour” part. In fact, I believe it’s even in a Knitsch yarn.

Now, to add to my queue – cos, you know, it’s not nearly long enough – look how cute this cloche is! (though not in that scary green.)

For something a little more casual, this cabled slouchy-beret (What? It’s a technical term) is gorgeous.

However, were I too lazy to knit, I could also shop. “Were” and “Could” being euphemisms, of course. Hats are something you really need to try on, but some internet shopping will do for now.

So I did some hunting around the interwebs. Look how cute! I’d wear this to casual saturday afternoon drinks in the sun.

This one, I’d wear while shopping. In a coat and some kind of matching scarf/glove arrangement.

But let’s face it, Cloches are where it’s at. Cute and sophisticated, and with Ebay, available in actual vintage.

With this, I’d just need red lipstick, and a cigarette holder.

And lastly, it’s not a cloche. And yet, again, I’d really just need red lipstick, and an LBD. For that excellent Black Widow At A Funeral vibe. That sounds sarcastic, but that actually is one of my favourite looks.

Creepy mannequin, but.

So that’s it. Hats. They’re back. One thing I would say, is that hats – like red lipstick – take a bit of getting used to. It’s not like putting on a new dress. Yes, the pattern might be different, but the foundation is the same. But a hat changes your look, and it messes with your hair and your face and looks really odd in the mirror if you’re not prepared. Stick with it. We’re wearing them, and being elegant and interesting. Are you in? And what will you wear?