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A While back I decided to begin featuring more than fibre supplies on our front page mini-Etsy gadget (everything is still local though).  I didn't really announce the change...so I hope it isn't confusing.  What has stayed the same is that we only list Etsy shops which sell supplies in our shop online section of the community page

Eeek.  Sometimes I feel like maybe I treat this site too much like a personal space, like a room in my house that I like to re-arrange every once and a while.  It actually did start that way, as a yarn store list for my own personal use. 

So, since this site is NOT just for me, not by a long shot, I invite you to offer any input you have, like if you want to see anything on the site or see something that doesn't quite feel right let me know!

Every once and while I'll do a local search on Etsy to add to my growing collection of Vancouver shops which I use as a sort of grab bag for picking front page items.  I spot new local treasures each time.  These are what I found today, magnets of animal torsos and butts.  They crack me up.  They're by Vancouverite Chantelle Agbayani at Original Animal Magnets.

Janna


 
 
Loving this new shawl from Sylvia over at Soft Sweater KnitsCaitlin you are such a ham.  I love it. 

Here's the pattern for free download on Ravelry.
 
 

These look like exciting books!  They're both by local authors too.  I haven't seen the insides of either of them yet, but I look forward to the day.  Have any of you readers out there had the pleasure of leafing through these gems?

Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery is by Leanne Praine, who also co-authored Yarn Bombing: The Art of Knit Graffiti which was stellar.  This one features some work by Capilano University Textile Program graduates which is very exciting.  Go Cap!

Covet
is a collection of patterns by Cheryl Niamath.of Fetching Knits.  Her designs are really elegant and easy to follow, so this one promises to be a goodie. 

Has anyone had the pleasure?  Not I.  I feel so out of the loop sometimes out here in Montreal.  Comment if you please :)
 
 
These two talented westcoasters, Jane Richmond (above) and Cheryl Niamath (below) have their fab spring designs featured in the current issue of Knitty.  You know that means their free right! Bring on the Sunshine.
 
 
Collages by Tracy Jager of Living Feral make me smile.  They remind me of those weird dreams where characters turn into other people randomly, and you know you're in your house but it doesn't look like your house - you know those kind?

Above is a new one that I'm loving.  Also check out the awesome desk calendar she offers.

<3 J
 
 
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Childs tea set from last year's All Handmade Sale, by Robyn Williams


Circle Craft ends tomorrow, check out the list of exhibitors!    If you're planning on going be sure to stop by the Capilano U Textile Arts table.  They are there to answer any questions you have about the program and flaunt their hand-mades.  Alumni Wendy Van Riesen of Dahlia Drive and Vanessa Cunningham of Thrums are there.  Vanessa says her red shawls are going fast. 

Next weekend is the All Handmade Sale on 1st Ave and Salsbury.  It's personally my favourite Vancouver winter market.  In the past I've left with a homemade frozen cookie dough log, hand-made mugs from JustPotters, lovely wooden earrings, a hand-knit cowl with the cutest buttons, locally grown vegetables and hand-made soaps.  Oh and I also rented a mini potted Christmas tree from this market.  It was later picked-up from my home and re-planted in the ground.  So awesome!

See our calendar for details on both events

Image taken from the All Handmade Sale facebook page
 
 
If you follow us you know how much we love Sweetgeorgia YarnsSweetgeorgia Yarns are all  hand-dyed in the SGY studio/shop on Main and 4th.  Designer Felicia Lo is a colour wizard.  She calls it unapologetic colour.  Indeed.  In the yarn shops I've visited here in Montreal the shop owners drool over the saturation of the SGY colours. They rave at how new dye-lots are always unbelievable matches to the last, and that they haven't so much as found a stray off-colour streak in one hank.  For those of you who are not privy to dyeing fibre, this is no easy feat.  That's not to say it doesn't happen in the studio, inevitabley it will, but is rather a testament to the standard of quality that Felicia maintains for the yarn that leaves the studio for someone else' enjoyment.  I for one really appreciate that.  I also just appreciate the fact that she loves doing what she does, not that I know this first hand but it comes out in her work; just check out all these amazing colourways, and these ones for her monthly fibre and yarn clubs.

photo is from the Sweetgeorgia website
 
 
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Marla Sweater from Little Houses
framed miniature art by Snazzy 
cameo ring by Crush Jewels
bronze acorn pendant by Lost Apostle
Raincity boot warmers by Kove
 
 
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Above are some of my picks from Cecile Benac's Fall & Winter line.  Celcile has been making beautiful and very wearable knitwear since the 80's.  All of her pieces are made here in Vancouver, with the exception of a few very special one-of-a-kinds hand-knit by her mother in Peru.  How great is that!?

You can find Cecile's pieces at Tutta Mia, in fact they just got re-stocked with her Fall line.  Go see!
 
 
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Cinnamon
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Belle Skirt
I don't claim to know about all of the very talented knit designers in Vancouver, but seriously how have I never seen Elena Nodel's amazing designs?  Just now I was cruising Ravelry where I stumbled upon one design and shortly thereafter was led to her website and proceeded to drop everything to write this blog post.
It's obvious that if you have a little lady to knit for Elena's website is a place you must visit.  The bellow pattern Sprite is one of her many free patterns.

Aren't they the best?  There are many more on her site, some of which are on their way in adult sizes as well.  Check out her links bellow.

You'll also be glad to know that Elena teaches beginner knitting at Wool & Wicker in Richmond!

Elena's links:
website: http://www.anadiomenadesigns.com/
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/elena-nodel


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Sprite