How fun and quick to knit are these!!   Hello everyone,   Well, fall is rapidly approaching,  and with it, the Farm Stands and Farmers Markets which will be chock full of gorgeous produce! And these market bags will be just perfect for holding the squashes, corn, honey, jams, and all manner of fruit and veg that will be on offer!  I love that there are two sizes..the small one pictured was knit from Katie “Bahamas” which is a 100% cotton with 360 metres, so just one ball is needed. There are quite a few different yarn that will work great for this project!! The larger one knits up quickly from Cascade Pima Cotton with 200 metres per ball & just two balls needed for that size. And check out the FREE pattern from the links below.... https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lets-go-shopping---market-bag  We also have several other DK options that would work perfectly for either of these bags. And of course, these are not just for veggies, these are great for carrying books, shoes, knitting, or whatever else you can think of. Feel free to pop in or shoot me an email and I will gladly put aside your yarn choices. Happy Knitting, Lynn

 

Three great Canadian knitting books!!                                  “ Ahhh, Newfoundland!” Hello everyone,    Before I tell you about these great book, just another change to my hours, I have decided to no longer do appointments on Thursdays.  So my hours are now  Thursday 10 am to 3 pm  drop in anytime  Friday  10 am to 3 pm drop in anytime  Saturday 10 am to 3 pm drop in anytime.  If you can't make it during those hours email me and something can hopefully be arranged for a different time.     Although I have not been to Newfoundland (YET!!), I immediately felt as though I were there when I sat down and read through these “Saltwater” books!  Oh my goodness! Not only are there gorgeous photos and fabulous patterns, but the stories!! The stories were what made me feel as though I were right there, knitting along with Christine and Shirley as they brought these classic patterns to life.   All three books..”Saltwater Mittens”.....”Saltwater Gifts”...and “Saltwater Classics” are just $29.99 each, and you will want all three on the table beside your knitting chair...I cannot decide which is my favourite, and luckily I do not have to, as all three are in stock!  I love a book, especially a knitting book, that can transport you to a place you long to go, and that for me, these books accomplished wonderfully! Shoot me an email and I will tuck 1,2 or all 3 aside for you... Happy Knitting, Lynn P.S.  Saltwater Gifts is the newest one that just came out!!

Another great summer yarn  Hello everyone!   Well, I cannot believe that it is August already! And this hot weather calls for some sweet cotton blendsocks. I just love the sherbet/ ice cream colours of this Katia Bombay yarn!   This Superwash yarn with 41% cotton, 39% wool and 20% Polyester and Polymide is just the perfect combination for yoga socks, running socks, bed socks or whatever strikes your fancy.   And, at just $ 13.99 a ball, AND as a special to you my wonderful customers I would like to give you an additional 20% off for just one week. Which means you will get it for $11.19  a ball!!  So pick out your colours, send me an email, and I will tuck a couple of these away for you!  Happy Knitting,  Lynn

A Quick and easy summer top!!  Hi  Everyone: Hope you are all doing well. Just a small housekeeping note. Starting this week we will no longer be doing appointments on  Fridays. .  Hours are still open Thursdays by appointment  10 am to 3 pm.   then drop in  Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to 3pm.  Thanks for being flexible to all of these changes. Anyway onto the main reason for this newsletter. I have just finished knitting this great little top, it is one I have wanted to knit for several years. It is a loose fitting fun little top and you make the pattern your own as you knit it. picking which stitch pattern you want to do next.   It is a free pattern on Ravelry , in fact it is two free patterns, I know that sounds strange, there is the original version which is super  simple to knit just two big rectangles that you then sew together. Here is the link  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cancun-boxy-lace-top or this version of it which is what I used.  In this version you can do much more size alterations and it is knit all in one piece for no sewing at the end. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sierras-lacy-tunic  there is a little bit of calculating LOL but she maps it all out for you. With this version you can use any yarn , any weight and make any size you want. I have made this top out of Juniper Moon's Zooey a wonderful blend of 60% cotton and 40% linen. which gets more lovely the more you wash it, and comes in so many really great colours. So for $60.00 worth of yarn and a free pattern from Ravelry you to can knit this great little top. If you would like me to put a colour  aside for you just send me an email and we can go from there. Take care and Happy knitting Lynn

A fun and easy poncho!! Hello everyone! I love when a project can go from season to season, and this one certainly does! With either a dress, a tank top, a turtleneck or a light cotton blouse, this poncho easily transitions through three seasons! And, proud Grandmother that I am, I could not resist using this photo of one of my granddaughters in this cute poncho knit from this gorgeous Katia  “Alabama” yarn. There are four colour-ways, as shown and this kit comes with 6 balls of this 50 cotton/50 acrylic yarn and the pattern for just $45.99 plus HST. It is a super simple knit, basically just two rectangles, but the different colours keep It interesting and fun to knit up while you are sitting on the dock or in the boat, or just gazing out at your garden... As always, shoot me an email, choose your colours and we will connect you with this quick and easy kit. Happy knitting, Lynn

"Balm" We hope you find peace in every stitch, calm with every breath.... Hello Everyone,   I just love thinking up new ideas and new ways to showcase our local talent. So, with that in mind, this is what is next at The Purple Sock!! I hope you like it as much as I do!!    Our “Special Summer Promotion”......presenting a local dyer, local designer, local test knitters, and of course, your local yarn shop!   This striking "Balm"  shawl is designed by Carolyn of The Next Beautiful Thing in Barrie, just look at the stitches, the patterns and of course, the shape! And Jane from 3dogsknits in Waubaushene, has dyed this fingering weight yarn in three gorgeous colourways. And lastly, but certainly not least, our two dedicated and fabulous test knitters, Darlene from Coldwater and Margo from Hillsdale, have knit up this treasure carefully to make sure it is an easy knit for all of you.....and combine that with it being EXCLUSIVE to The Purple Sock until September, and here you have it! The perfect way to stay local, and to support local!   The kit contains Carolyn’s original pattern, a full skein of the light colour and a half skein of the deep colour, both in this soft and wonderful fingering weight 50% silk and 50% merino wool yarn  hand dyed by Jane of 3dogsknits  There are three colourways  to choose from, Amethyst/Deep Violet,Silver/Smoke and Aqua/Teal. With all the craziness going on right now in the world, it just makes me happy to hunker down with this totally local kit, It makes me feel as though I am getting a hug from these ladies. I know we cannot do that in person as yet, but this is the next BEST thing!   The price for this kit is $62.99 and all you have to do is send me an email with your colour choices, and we will take it from there. Until then, stay cool stay safe, and keep knitting! As always we are happy to arrange curbside pick up or do mail order. Please let me know if you would like your skeins wound into balls and we are happy to do that also before you pick it up.   Happy knitting, Lynn

Casapinka has done it again  Hello Everyone!! Well this email is Chock-a-block full of information!!   Casapinka has done it again, another great shawl pattern designed by her to help promote Indie dyers and yarn stores.  She has supplied yarn shops like myself with coupon codes to be given out with purchase of yarn for this lovely shawl. I have knit several of her patterns in the past and I have really loved them!! Ancient Arts yarns from Calgary, Alberta has made up 3 amazing kits to make this shawl. They will be available from me in two different fibre contents and both with enough yarn to make this shawl.    The first is the“Socknado” kit which will have two skeins ( one solid and one variegated) in 80% Superwash Fine Merino & 20% Nylon (3 ply) with 350 metres in 100 grams. This kit is $62.00 + HST   Next is “Merino/Silk” Fingering which is comprised of 75% Super wash Extra Fine Merino and 25%. Light Fingering Silk ( what an AWESOME combination!) There will also be two skeins in this kit, with 400 metres in each of the 100 gram skeins. This kit is $68.00 + HST. And of course with either kit the pattern is free.    SO! Now that we have all the ‘particulars” out of the way...HERE is the REASON for this fun offering! June 4th is (Inter) National “Hug Your Cat” Day...BUT hey, we could not forget all the other critter pets, so it has been expanded to include dogs, bunnies, snakes, gerbils, lizards, hamsters, birds..you get the idea! and so now it is NOW   “National Hug Your Pet” WEEKEND! From June 5th to 7th!   Once you order your kit, you will be issued a Ravelry Code for the FREE PATTERN! All codes will be sent to kit purchasers via email, after May 31st...and from June 5th to June 7th  you can download your free pattern and start knitting away on this delightful, delicious and darling shawl!! The 3 colour combo's are pictured here for you to see , Please note these pictures were done with the Socknado yarn, so the colours will be slighly different on the merino sllk blend. Different fibres take the dye a bit differently. But I imagine the merino silk blend will be wonderful to work with.!   So, feel free to email me at lynn@thepurplesock.ca  with your choices, and I will add you to the list as the yarn is on its way here,  and I will let know the minute it arrives, and then you can get started!    Happy Knitting, Lynn

Covid update and a great pattern and kit!!  Colourway # 1 colourway #4  Hello everyone,  Well, I will keep this short and sweet! For although the Premier has said we can open, I have decided to wait an extra couple of weeks to see what happens. I am in the process of instituting safety protocols at The Purple Sock as my shop is small and I want to focus on keeping both my customers and myself safe.  Please know that we are still doing contact-free sales  of items from the shop! All you have to do is place an order through lynn@thepurplesock.ca, and we will happily process your order for either mailing or ‘porch pick-up” at a house here in town.  Please stay well, stay safe and know that we will all be back together when this is over!  Now, with that said, let’s focus on the FUN STUFF!! I have two new kits available for the Shetland Wool Week hat! And yes, while there is no Wool Week this year, there is still this adorable hat!  https://www.shetlandwoolweek.com/free-knitting-pattern/ The two kits will make a hat similar to Colourway # 1 or Colourway #4 on the pattern.  Not exactly the same but close as some colours are not avalable.  The pattern is free and the kit is $45.99 plus HST. Just check them out, shoot me an email and grab your needles!   Happy Knitting, Lynn

Covid-19  Hi everyone, I have thought long and hard over the last couple of days as to what would be the best course of action for me to take, and have decided to close my shop to the public as we weather this pandemic.   I am happy to mail anything to you that you might need, or I will bring your order out to your car at a predetermined time....just  email me and we will arrange credit card payment or etransfer ..I would not like to see you going without your yarn fix! I will not be at the store most of the time, so the best way to reach me is by email.......lynn@thepurplesock.ca  At this point in time there is really no date as to when I will reopen but will certainly keep you all posted.  Needless to say all knit alongs are posponed until I reopen. But certainly if you already have the yarn feel free to go ahead and work on your sweater for either knit-along at home. I will start a thread in my group on Ravelry  for each of them where you can post questions, info and updates on your progress. It is a place where we can post and feel connected to each other. Feel free to post and let us know what you are working on and how you are doing! Please take care of yourselves and be mindful of others. Thanks, Lynn

I feel like a Celebrity!!

Hello everyone, Well, the Oscars may just be behind us, but I still feel a little bit like a celebrity having a yarn named for my shop! So, finally, we have more "Purple Sock-A-Licious" from TimberYarns, back in stock, and it is such a beauty! Just look at how it knits up! And don't forget the Hudson Bay stripes! Easy to tell that these yarns are "Made in Canada", eh? In 80% Superwash Merino and 20% nylon, this yarn comes in two identically dyed single skeins so your socks will match perfectly. And check out the darling little singles in co-ordinating colours for heels and toes..well, it does not get better than that! Shoot me an email and I will tuck away a skein or two away for you as I am sure they will not last long. Happy Knitting, Lynn