HRYC

I'm a big Twitter user. Like, big: i'm on there constantly. I love how it means I can chat to people all day long even though I spend most of the day working on my own. Same with Ravelry - it enables connections between knitters that may otherwise never meet.

There aren't many occasions here in NZ to have a Ravelry party, so I decided we need to have one of our very own!

Ravelry & Twitter Meet Up

Saturday 2 June
12.30pm - 2.30pm
HRYC Knit Lounge
Oceania Room
Te Papa

It's free to one and all - and we have a limited number of Ravelry badges so you can out yourself as your Rav or Twitter pseudonym.

The event is all part of Handmade 2012 - so come along for a bit knitty fun and the chance to meet some new (or not so new) people!

Hip hip hooray!

We have a 'Twice as Nice' pass to give to one lovely person...and we're going to spot you a couple of vouchers for High Tea at Sweet Pea (valued at $40) AND a $50 Holland Road Shop Voucher....

So what do you need to do in order to win?

Simply comment below (make sure you include your email address in the comment form), post on our Facebook timeline, or Tweet @knitsch of what you're most looking forward to doing at Handmade. Simple as that! Just be sure to do it by 5pm Monday 28 May NZ time.

We'll draw the winner at random at 5.30pm on Monday, and will be in touch via email/FB message/DM straight away so you can get planning your weekend!

Quickly, to be clear:

WIN: A Twice as Nice pass to Handmade 2012, High Tea for two at Sweet Pea in Petone, $50 HRYC gift voucher
HOW: comment, facebook, or tweet us what you're looking forward to
WHEN: by 5pm Monday 28 May NZ time

Small print: If we can't get in touch with the winner by 5pm Tuesday 29 May we will re-draw the prize. Winner will be able to choose which classes they go to subject to availability. Winner will need to make their own way to/from Wellington if they are from another city. Twice As Nice pass entitles the winner to attend two classes and two lectures at Handmade 2012. High Tea Voucher entitles the winner to 2 x $20 per person High Tea to be booked at the winner's convenience. Please not Sweet Pea is very busy on weekends so you may not be able to book for Handmade weekend.

The lovely Sofia is our guest blogger today: she has been busy teaching absolute beginners here at the shop over the past couple of months. Every single one of her students has come out of the classes with great big smiles of success. You can sign up for her Amigurumi Vintage Rabbit class at Handmade 2012 here (it's under the World category, rather than yarn).

Take it away, Sofia!

I love Amigurumi

The word is said and spelled ‘A-mi-gu-ru-mi’.  It’s not as big a tongue twister as you might think, though I have to admit to taking weeks to get it right myself.  The reason I love Amigurumi  so much:

1. I love toys.
2.  I love that it doesn’t take much yarn.
3. I love that it’s so easy for a beginner crocheter to make something so CUTE

It’s possible to knit Amigurumi toys, (the word translates literally to crocheted or knitted stuffed toy) however I’m a total newb at knitting and the knitted toys I’ve seen often require a LOT of short rows.  Crocheted toys are generally worked in the round, you only need to know how to create a chain, single crochet stitch and how to thread yarn onto a needle to sew in the ends and attach the various body parts.  But oh, the results are so cute.  Here’s a few Amigurumi projects that make people ooooh and aaaah the most.

monkey!

Dino!

Ballet Bunny!

I dream of making these in the future...

Lollo the African Flower Bear by Heidi Bears

Padma by Dawn Toussaint

Fish to Sushi by Irene Kiss

Dreamy Giraffes by Irene Strange

Amigurumi has opened up the world of ‘yarn’ to me, I am now also learning to knit and spin.  I have a queue that’s forever growing with various projects I dream about.  Non-toy projects are taking more of my attention as my various crochet and knitting skills increase, however those toys will always be my first yarn love.   So now getting others ‘hooked’ is one of my spare time activities, I can’t wait to see what others create and how their own yarn addictions develop as they too gain more confidence.

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!