HRYC

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?