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

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Newsletter - November 2010

Hello to all our fellow Wool Addicts! 
Are you thinking what we’re thinking?


Knit Christmas Stockings by Sandy ScovilleYes, it’s already that time of year again, and the magic of Christmas is in the air.  If you need some help with gift ideas, pop in and take a relaxing look at our great range of pattern books.

Tasmanian Oak Knitting Needles by Art VivaThese festive coloured needles from Art Viva in Tasmania would make a gorgeous gift for any knitting fanatic.

If you don't know which size to choose, a Wool Addiction gift voucher would let your favourite knitter make their own decision!

Did you know …  
"The oldest artefact with a knitted appearance is a type of sock. It is believed that socks and stockings were the first pieces produced using techniques similar to knitting. Most histories of knitting place its origin somewhere in the Middle East, from where it spread to Europe by Mediterranean trade routes, and then to the Americas with European colonization. The earliest known examples of knitting have been found in Egypt and cover a range of items, including complex colourful wool fragments and indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries."
Yummy sock yarn by Fibra Natura
With that in mind how about celebrating the birth of knitting by make yourself or a loved one a pair of delicious socks?

Yummy by Fibranatura is a pot dyed 100% Superwash Merino Wool, it comes in huge 130gram skeins and there are lots of different colourways to choose from. Ideal for knitting socks.

Workshop News

Knit and felted slippers made in a Wool Addiction workshopHere is a gorgeous pair of slippers knitted and felted by Gabrielle from our Wednesday workshop.

If you have a project you'd like us to help you with, why not come and join us each week from 10am til 12noon?  The cost is just $100 for a 4-week block, which includes a delicious morning tea, and all the conversation you can eat ;-)  But please call first to check availability, as places are limited by the size of our couch!


Our first two Fair Isle workshops have been a great success.  The technique requires a lot of concentration and counting, but our ladies were very enthusiastic and a fun day was had by all.
Rowan fair isle inspirationWool Addiction Fair Isle Workshop in full swing


New Products

Look at these beauties!  We have two lovely new products in store by Namaste, Laguna bags and Oh Snap! mesh purses.

Namaste Laguna knitting bag in LimeNamaste Laguna knitting bag in Red

Namaste Oh Snap! pouches in PinkNamaste Oh Snap! pouches in Grey

Draw-string bags by Creative CoutureThese gorgeous draw-string bags from Creative Couture are just the thing to keep your yarn under control as you knit.  They feature a carabiner clip, so you can hook them onto your belt, and knit on the go!  How about whipping up supporters scarves and beanies whilst you're standing on the sidelines?  Multi-tasking at its most stylish :-)


Look out for more Christmas gifts and knits in our December newsletter. Until then… hope to see you soon at Wool Addiction or visit our website at www.wooladdiction.com.au

Happy knitting,
Jill & Emma

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Newsletter - October 2010

Hello to all our fellow Wool Addicts,
and welcome to our new look newsletter!

It’s October, and with summer just around the corner there are plenty of new goodies arriving at Wool Addiction. Fresh new yarns, accessories and books are finding their way onto the shelves, waiting for you to come and ponder your next project. We hope this newsletter will inspire you with new ideas to get your needles clicking…

New Products
These beautiful Betty Jane knitting needles from Art Viva are hand-painted, made from Tasmanian Oak, and are fabulous to knit with.

A percentage of the profits from the sale of these needles is donated to the McGrath Foundation here in Australia, which funds specialist Breast Care Nurses who act as patient advocates, co-ordinating care for women with breast cancer, their families and carers.

Sublime Bamboo & Pearls DK is a newcomer to Wool Addiction. It’s beautiful to look at, beautiful to touch and a dream to knit with.
The supporting book The most chic Sublime bamboo & pearls dk book has sixteen fabulous women's and girls' designs for you to choose from, designed by Sarah Hatton.


Rowan PureLife Revive recycled silk, cotton and viscose has also arrived, along with a wonderful selection of Rowan pattern books for summer and inspiration for next winter. The combination of fibres makes PureLife Revive a very interesting yarn to knit, and I love the look when knitted.

We also stock Rowan by Amy Butler belle organic dk, 50%cotton/50%wool.

This beautiful baby wrap has been created by Sue, one of our many lovely customers.

This baby wrap is knitted with Katia Candy, a soft, variegated pure cotton 4-ply which is a pleasure to knit, with a smooth silky feel.

The repeats are long, and give a slow, gradual colour-change effect.

Hot of the press is Debbie Bliss’s Fall/Winter 2010 Knitting Magazine which is selling like hot cakes. Don’t miss out, order now! This is just a little sneak peek...

So... have you ever wanted to knit a Fair Isle jumper or garment, but felt you needed a little guidance? Jill will be holding a one day workshop teaching all the techniques required to achieve this wonderful traditional technique that is currently making a huge resurgence in the knitting world.

If you are interested please call and check availability as the first workshop in October is already fully booked. Check out Debbie Bliss’s latest magazine for inspiration.

Workshops

It’s a hive of activity here at the shop: we are busy with workshops and the girls are producing some really beautiful work. We have various projects on the go: a knitted and felted bag; knitted and felted slippers; a Jo Sharp jacket and a sweet little tea cosy.

Look at Susan Buret’s gorgeous funky bag she just felted using the wonderful Freedom chunky yarn. Now she’s making a very stylish coffee plunger cosy using Tahki Sedona Hand Dyed yarn.

Emma knitted and felted some gorgeous slippers for her Mum’s birthday, so pretty!

Workshops are currently running on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10am – 12noon, and include a delicious morning tea, along with scintillating conversation!

Come and join in the fun at any stage with a project that you love and we’ll help you get it done.

A 4-week block costs just $100 and bookings are essential as places are limited.


School Holiday Fun

Stuck for ideas to keep your kiddies entertained in the holidays?

How about trying Clover Pom-pom Makers? They are easy to use, and a great way to use up all those old scraps of yarn you can't bear to throw away!

I’ve just had a mini workshop going on at my home with three of my littlies churning out pom-poms in every colour of the rainbow. It kept them amused for hours and they were very chuffed and proud of their work.

We turned them into garlands and strung them up all around their bedrooms. So much fun!

Big kids enjoy it too: look what happened to the shop window display... Tulip Time with topiary pom-poms!

Did I mention that we won a Highly Commended in the window competition for the Tulip Time 50th Year Celebrations?



Luxurious Scarf Kits


Wouldn’t these scarves make a lovely gift?

To knit these Luxurious Scarves you knit with 3 yarns at the same time, creating warmth and depth in colour. They’re available in kit form on our website or come in and check out the endless colour combinations you can come up with.

Hope to see you soon at Wool Addiction or visit our website at www.wooladdiction.com.au.

Happy knitting,
Jill & Emma.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Sale ends on Saturday!

Wool Addiction's
Winter Clearance Sale

ends on

Saturday 4th September


So you still have one whole day to stock up on books, needles, accessories and yarns - all at 20-50% off! This is a fantastic opportunity to treat yourself to something special, so hurry along to Bowral, or hop on to the website now.

(Please note that all books, needles and accessories are at least 20% off, but some yarns, such as new summer stock are not included in the sale.)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Winter Clearance Sale 2010

Starts on Saturday 28th August 2010
for one week only
~*~
20-50% off all books, needles, accessories
and many, many yarns!
~*~

Feel like grabbing a bargain? Why not head to Bowral for a spot of stash replenishment? Or, if Bowral's too far, you'll find plenty of bargains in our webshop too!



PLEASE NOTE: some yarns, particularly new season summer stock, will NOT be included in the sale.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Here she comes again!

There's no such thing as
too much of a good thing!

If, like us, you just can't get enough of Loani, you'll be thrilled to learn that she'll be back in Bowral on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 August.

Loan Priori's Wild Knitting Workshops are always great fun: we chat and knit and learn and laugh for two whole days - what could be nicer?

If you'd like to join us and find out why we keep on asking her back, please visit our webshop to book online, or call us on (02) 4862 4799 for more details.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

What are you doing tomorrow?

Why not come along to Loani Prior's

There are still a couple of places available for this hugely enjoyable two-day workshop.

10am - 5pm Wednesday 9th June 2010
9am - 4pm Thursday 10th June 2010

Loani uses the iconic tea cosy to demonstrate the wild and sculptural possibilities of knitting. You will be learning to knit in the round on two circular needles – a skill you can then transfer to knitting socks and jumpers and bags and all sorts of fabulous things. And you will learn to knit all kinds of beautiful motifs and accessories.

If you can knit a stitch and purl a stitch and cast on and cast off, you can join this class. If you consider yourself to be an advanced knitter and would like to start to knit outside the square of a pattern, this might also be the class for you.

Done Loani’s Workshop Before? If you have done a workshop with Loani before – be assured - she will have some new and wonderful knitting techniques for you to learn. Perhaps some cable knitting, or loopy knitting or Fair Isle knitting. So much to learn, so little time. She promises to send you home happy.

Book online now, or phone us for more details - 02 4862 4799

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Wool Addiction has a new home!

Wool Addiction has moved to
"The Penders",
Shop 3, 20 Station Street,
Bowral


After nearly 5 years in our quiet little cottage in Bundaroo Street, we are delighted to announce that Wool Addiction has a new home in Station Street, in the bustling heart of Bowral.

And, the icing on the homemade cake (so to speak), is that we now have a Tea Room instore!

So, why not come down to Bowral to visit us over the Easter Long Weekend? You can explore our lovely new shop, then sit down and relax over a gourmet sandwich and a cup of tea!

We're closed on Good Friday, but open from 10am til 4pm on Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

We're even easier to find than we were before: our new shop is on the corner of Station Street and Wingecarribee Street, right opposite Bowral Station.


For more information please visit our website, email us, or give us a call on (02) 4862 4799.


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Extended opening hours for Easter!

Wool Addiction will be open over the Easter long weekend!

Good Friday - Closed
Saturday, Sunday & Monday 10am - 4pm


Summer is winding down now, so why not pop down to Bowral at Easter, and plan your knitting strategy for Winter 2010...



Friday, January 15, 2010

24 hours to spend up on yarn!

Fiesta La Boheme

Wool Addiction's Summer Sale
ends
at midnight AEST
on Saturday 16th January 2010


All yarn is reduced by 20% - have you stocked up for 2010??

Yes, that's right: from merino to mohair, cashmere to cotton, sock to silk, bamboo to boucle, it's all down by 20%

Think of all the New Year's Resolutions you'll be able to tick off once you've added the right ingredients to your stash! Of course, that's assuming that "empty my stash" wasn't one of your resolutions... but, how could it be?!

MasterCardVisa
Now, a kindly customer pointed out to me today that that our site didn't seem to accept payment by credit card. But guess what? It does!

I've now updated the site to make it a bit clearer, so you don't need to be put off by the thought that we only accept PayPal payments. The truth is that we use PayPal to securely process all our online credit card transactions, which means that we never see your credit card details, and nor does anyone else (except PayPal), so you can rest assured that your secret numbers are safe!

This was really useful feedback, and has enabled us to make Wool Addiction instantly more user-friendly, so if you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on how to improve our site, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Summer Sale on now!

** 20% off ALL yarn **
until Saturday 16th January

To help you get your 2010 knitting year off to a flying start, we have reduced the cost of all yarn by a huge 20%!

This is great opportunity to plan ahead, with everything in the sale from cool cottons to warm winter wools.

Why not splurge on a little luxury, and treat yourself to some sensational silk, classic cashmere or marvellous mohair?

NB: Sale applies to in-stock items only, while stocks last.

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Years Resolutions

Wool Addiction will re-open on Tuesday 5th January 2010

We hope you've had a lovely Christmas, and wish you every happiness in the coming year.

Don't forget to include some knitting resolutions in your list this year - here's mine:
  1. Finish as many projects as I start
  2. Learn to knit lace
  3. Learn to knit cables
  4. Remember to keep the blog up-to-date!
It doesn't sound too hard, does it?