As they say, a change is as good as a holiday!

This year is racing by super fast, and suddenly you look around and see things change. Sometimes you can't quite put your finger on it, other times you spot a way of doing things better, make adjustments and swap things around.

So, this week will see our last Thursday Knit Night. Don't be sad! No! On to bigger and better things!

Introducing:

Saturday Sit & Knit!

Every Saturday from 1 September

11am - 1pm

this is the time to hang out on our couches, drink tea, eat fresh baking, and ask technical questions. This is the important bit! If you are flustered, befuddled, confused, tangled: come and ask us for advice, and it will be gladly given.

To recap:

Thursday 16 August is our LAST KNIT NIGHT

Saturday 1 September is our FIRST SATURDAY SIT & KNIT

Onwards and upwards and change and sunshine!

Also, a quick thanks to the talented Evie Kemp for suggesting the name for our Saturday sessions. Mwahs!

I'm browsing around for interesting knitting quotes for a little project...and really can't help but share with you some of my favourites.

I thought about making them all pretty, but doing so would mean i'd probably never get around to sharing them!

"Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands, and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage."

--Elizabeth Zimmerman, From Knitting Without Tears

“I'm bored with knitting. I've taken up arson.”

― Audrey Niffenegger, Her Fearful Symmetry

'There is no right way to knit; there is no wrong way to knit. So if anybody kindly tells you that what you are doing is "wrong," don't take umbrage; they mean well. Smile submissively, and listen, keeping your disagreement on an entirely mental level. They may be right, in this particular case, and even if not, they may drop off pieces of information which will come in very handy if you file them away carefully in your brain for future reference.'

--Elizabeth Zimmerman

'It is my considered belief that the number one reason knitters knit is because they are so smart that they need knitting to make boring things interesting. Knitters are so compellingly clever that they simply can't tolerate boredom.'

--Stephanie Pearl-McPhee  from Free Range Knitter

'Advice for new knitters: When choosing a pattern, look for ones that have words such as "simple", "basic", and "easy". If you see the words "intriguing", "challenging", or "intricate", look elsewhere.

If you happen across a pattern that says "heirloom", slowly put down the pattern and back away.

"Heirloom" is knitting code for "This pattern is so difficult that you would consider death a relief".”
― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee from At Knit's End

“Sitting here with one's knitting, one just sees the facts.”

-- Agatha Christie

What projects are keeping your hands busy at the moment? I'm actually trying to get some finished....

The day Malabrigo arrived, at long last, we were so excited blogging about it was entirely forgotten.

But! It is here! And it is just as squishy and delicious as ever. This time round we ordered more yarn from our Uruguayan friends than ever before, and even added Lace to our stable of Malabrigo stock.

As per usual, this hand-dyed yarn of deliciousness is selling super quick - and we're finding it incredibly hard not to pinch it off the shelves to knit with ourselves.

See! Now the tricky decision of WHAT TO MAKE....

It's been a a little quiet here on the blog lately - not for want of things to write, either. It's the busiest time of year and there are some changes being made to our online presence - which means lots of late and nights and LOTS of coffee.

Lists, coffee, and Malabrigo Lace in Pagoda

Coffee and (the now finished!) Colour Affection

Watch this space to see the changes we've been making...

Yay! So excited to be able to announce that we will have the great pleasure of hosting Morag McKenzie of Vintage Purls for the weekend of 30 June / 1 July to teach a couple of technical classes, hang out in the shop and sell Vintage Purls yarn.

It’s a Wrap! – shawl construction and design. In which we examine traditional shapes (e.g. triangles, squares and circles) and other constructions. Explore how to fit stitch patterns into a chosen shape and the pros and cons of each. You’ll learn the skills to build your own patterns and advice on the best yarn selection, stitch patterning & finishing for your vision.
9.30am - 12.30pm, Saturday 30 June, $45 incl morning tea

Make it Fit - working with top-down patterns to get a fit that’s right for you. In which we learn how to select the best size and style of top-down pattern for you. Examine the ways to alter an existing pattern to best fit your unique shape.
9.30am - 12.30pm, Sunday 1 July, $45 incl morning tea

After both classes and a break for lunch, Morag will be in the shop to help the morning students and answer technical knitting questions anyone else may have. We’ll knit the whole weekend away and be selling Vintage Purls yarn too. Email tash (at) Knitschyarns (dot) co (dot) nz to sign up.