Thursday, May 5, 2011

New Classes, Groups and Workshops

We have lots of new classes running
at Wool Addiction this autumn...

Workshops run on specific dates, but many of our classes and groups run on a rolling basis, so, if you want to join the 4-week Sock Course you just come along when you're ready to start, and then for the following 3 weeks!
Beginners Crochet 3-week course

Beginners Crochet 3-week course

Tuesdays, 10am - 12 noon
This workshop will teach you the basics of crochet, making mini granny squares with a lovely retro...[MORE]
Finishing Techniques Workshop

Finishing Techniques Workshop

Friday 13th May, 10am - 12 noon
It is often the finishing details that make or break a garment. In this workshop we will discuss and demonstrate:...[MORE]
Mobius Workshop

Mobius Workshop

Thursday 19th May, 12.30 - 3.30pm
A mobius is an intriguing 3-dimensional shape, which has only one side, and one edge. Come along to our workshop,...[MORE]
Social Knitting Group (Thursday evenings)

Social Knitting Group (Thursday evenings)

Thurdays, 5pm - 8.30pm
This social group is to encourage beginner knitters along with experienced knitters.  We will be...[MORE]
Social Knitting Group (Wednesday)

Social Knitting Group (Wednesday)

Wednesdays, 10am - 12 noon
This workshop is a continual group of knitters that have been coming together and enjoying each other's company, learning ...[MORE]
Sock Knitting 4-week course

Sock Knitting 4-week course

Thursdays, 10am - 12 noon
Learn the art of knitting socks in this 4-week course.  We meet each Thursday,  ...[MORE]
Tension Squares Workshop

Tension Squares Workshop

Tuesday 24th May, 10am - 1pm
Have you ever wondered why your knitting ends up larger or smaller than you expect? Or whether your pattern will work in...[MORE]

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

2 spots left on Loani's workshop this week!!

Are you ready to do something spontaneous?

We unexpectedly have room for two more knitters on the couch at Loani Prior's Wild Tea Cosies Workshop this week.

The workshop runs from 10am til 5pm on Friday 6th May, and from 9.30am til 4pm Saturday 7th May, and is open to knitters of all abilities.  Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned expert, you'll have a ball exploring the sculptural possibilities of knitting with Loani.

Why not book your place online now, and find out what all the fuss is about!

Hurry!  First in, best dressed :-)


Friday, April 8, 2011

Easter Opening Hours

Good Friday ~ Closed
Saturday ~ 10am-4pm
Easter Sunday ~ 10am-4pm
Monday (Anzac Day) ~ 11am-4pm
Tuesday (Easter Monday) ~ 10am-2pm

After a restful break I am now back in the shop and enjoying unpacking all our wonderful new yarns ready for the winter.  Our sale is still on selected items until sold.

Looking forward to seeing you over the break,
Jill

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February Newsletter

Waiting, waiting, waiting.......

...we are all very excited and desperately waiting for the arrival of our winter stock which will be in store in the next few weeks or so.  With Alpaca mixes, beautiful soft merinos and some amazing and very funky new yarns I just won't know where to start....

Hmmm, I suppose I should finish off what I am knitting at the moment which is the cutest overcoat in the Millamia Naturally Soft Merino yarn, and I must say it is such an enjoyable yarn to knit with. This soft merino yarn has really filled the gap in the 5-ply area: their colour range is from soft pastels to vibrant solid colours, and there are 3 books available with great designs for babies, toddlers and kiddies up to 5 years. Coming soon!

Meanwhile, I guess there must be something in the water as there are lots of new babies and baby bumps here in the Southern Highlands. With that in mind, how about knitting for a new life at the start of a new year? Come and get some inspiration, we have some beautiful pattern books for baby clothes and blankets.


Something for the older kids too…

Rowan’s latest Kids book has 19 fresh designs for 5 to 12 year olds to ooh and aah over.  It's great to find a book that has cool styles for boys as well as girls: we love this unusual butterfly-adorned bolero, and the smart v-neck "cricket" sweater.

Knitting Workshops

With our Wednesday ladies back and really into the swing of knitting again, there are a few interesting projects being knitted in our circle. Three girls have started on their first pair of socks using dpns and with the magical Opal and Noro sock yarns they look fab! Two other girls are learning the art of short row shaping with a swirly scarf pattern using the gorgeous Noro Silk Garden yarn, and last but not least one gal is determind to finish off a jumper thats been around....hmmm, let's say, a wee while, before starting something new (although I see her brain ticking as to what her next project will be).

Crochet News


Last month's crochet workshop was a great success: the girls learnt to crochet mini granny squares in the most vibrant of colours, and once completed they crocheted them together to make a small rug.  We will being scheduling in another beginners crochet workshop within the next couple of weeks so please keep an eye on our website for the date/time etc.

Here is my fandabidozi crocheted bag that holds my latest crochet project, it is inspired by Lucy at Attic24. The pattern is very simple to follow and another good excuse to have fun with colour. I used Fibranatura Sensational which is a lovely 100% superwash wool of which we stock an extensive colour palette. We are offering a 10% discount on this yarn for the rest of February, so don’t miss out on this great price!

Happy knitting,
Jill & Emma.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Our gift to you...!

Just spend over $50 in our online shop before Christmas
to claim your FREE pair of Red 5mm x 20cm Art Viva straights!

Here's what you need to do:
    Tasmanian Oak Knitting Needles - 5mm x 20cm *CHRISTMAS SPECIAL*
  1. Add at least $50-worth of products to your cart
  2. Add a pair of Tasmanian Oak Knitting Needles - 5mm x 20cm *CHRISTMAS SPECIAL* to your cart
  3. Enter the coupon code 'i-love-art-viva' at checkout to get the needles for FREE!
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 for a free pair with as many $50 orders as you like!
We're guessing you'll want keep these for yourself, but, as usual we'll gift-wrap your order and post it anywhere in the world if you want to send it as a last-minute Christmas present!

Holiday Dates

Wool Addiction's Bowral shop will be closed from 1pm on 24th December until 3rd January, re-opening on Tuesday 4th January.

Our website will still be open, so you can continue to shop online, but orders will not be posted during the break.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customer a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year for 2011.

Jill, Emma & Wendy 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas newsletter

Merry Christmas to all our fellow Wool Addicts!

It’s December already, and we’re really getting in the mood with our Christmas decorations.

Just look at our pretty tree!  Pom-poms in red and white add a lovely homemade touch to your Christmas decorations.

Get the the littlies involved, they’ll love it!

These magical gingerbread houses and christmas trees are really worth a visit to the shop for a closer look. They even have battery operated twinkling lights inside, just gorgeous!

They are beautifully handmade locally, and we'll be taking orders in-store and online until 17th December.  The houses will be available for you to collect from the shop until 23rd December.

Get in quick to place an order and have a lovely piece of Christmas cheer in your home.

Christmas gift ideas

If you are looking for a present for someone special here are some of our favourite ideas:

These kits from Lisette Designs make an excellent present as everything you need (except the needles) is in the can.  There are two styles of knitted then felted bag kits to choose from.  Once made up, the petite Lisette's Trug is very popular with little girls, as every girl should have somewhere to keep their essentials, no matter how small!

Then for the bigger girls the larger Lisette's Pocket Trug kit is just perfect and very funky.

While we’re on the subject of bags, NEW in store are some beautiful shiny new Jordana Paige "Rio" knitting bags, perfect for keeping all your knitting needs in with lots of pockets and zipped up compartments. You’ll be so organised and looking ever so stylish at the same time. We have three colours available to choose from: Aubergine (Eggplant Purple), Pesto (Green Olive) and Black Onyx.

Just a reminder about these gorgeous needle sets from Art Viva.  We've just stocked up for Christmas, what a great present they would make for a true knitting addict!  There are 4 different sets available, all hand-painted and made from Tasmanian Oak.

Did you know that every item ordered from our online shop is beautifully gift-wrapped before we post it?  And of course, we can post directly to your favourite knitter, even if they're overseas!  Or, if you just don't know what to choose, it's never too late to send a Wool Addiction Gift Voucher!

Recent Wool Addiction projects

Here's a beautiful knitted and felted bag from "Knit: Handmade Style" made by Mandy from our Wednesday workshop.  Didn’t she do a great job?  The colours are stunning, she used Jo Sharp Classic DK, pistachio (green) and china (blue), it felts so well.  Mandy now has a very practical and stylish knitting bag to hold all of the projects she is working on.

This pretty cotton patchwork purse gets quite a lot of attention sitting on our shop counter, and is a strong contender to be included in the many workshops now being planned for the new year!

The pattern is Patch Intarsia Purse, from KnitWhits, and it's been knitted here in a lovely, soft mixture of Jo Sharp Soho Cotton and Sublime Soya Cotton, which combine to give a great selection of colours.  Worked in cottons, it’s a great project for the summer months, nice and cool to work with, and if you're keen to get started you can click the button below to download the pattern now.

Patch Intarsia Purse - US$5.50 - from KnitWhits


Having been a seriously addicted knitter for the past 20-odd years, I have now developed a rather serious addiction to crocheting, and all the wonderful techniques, shapes and textures this versatile craft allows.

Can’t stop making these sweet little granny squares, I’m using the incredible colours of Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK with Zara by Filatura Di Crosa which works so well.  I’ve used a 3mm hook to create a tight and taut fabric, which will certainly make either a cushion cover or perhaps a bag.  I'll keep you posted...

Here’s the start of a patchwork blanket, again using Zara and Sublime dk yarns, lots of fun with colour play.  And it doesn’t stop there!  I have quite a lengthy list of projects now that I have finally got the hang of this wonderful craft.


Aaaahhh, a sweet little bolero from Rowan “Miniature Classics”!  Fran has just finished knitting this ever-so pretty bolero for a friend who has just had a baby girl, and it only takes 2 balls of Filatura Di Crosa Dolce Amore 4ply cotton!  I just love the lacy edge and the finishing touch of the flower, it really is a beautiful knit.

One last thought,with Christmas just around the corner how about a cute toy for one of the little angels in your life? There is still time to knit a present that will be cherished for years.

The pattern for this sleepy teddy is in Debbie Bliss’s latest magazine. You might remember him from our October newsletter he is a very popular knit, pretty hard to resist. Hmm… I might just have to put down my hook and pick up the needles to have one made for my littlest this Christmas.

Happy knitting,
Jill and Emma