The Basic Knitting Kit

I have been Knitting for a very long time and for those just starting out I can only imagine that it might be a tad bit overwhelming. I am here to tell you - you don't need all the notions and every size of needle going when you first start out.

 I have here is what I would call the very basics - needles correct size for your project, yarn , a measuring tape, scissors, pen and note book to write down any notes about the pattern your working on. Oh and lastly a sewing needle to put your project together.

Now if you like to knit at night and your eyes tire quickly or it's hard to see I have a head lamp in my bag of knitting tricks. I will admit, I do have people giving me the double look but I love my headlamp. I can see if I was sitting outside on a sunny day.

As knitting projects roll by your basic kit will grow.

This is a picture of my everything you could ever need for knitting binder/brief case.

It was made by a mother daughter team called Hugli designs. It has been worth every penny.

There is a handle on the case - I just zip up and go to my next knitting destination with all my knitting needs in one place.

No matter what is in your knitting kit even if your in a pinch and knit with chop sticks . It gets the job done . The point is just knit. It's good for you

Sample Sale at The Knitting Basket

The time has come for the Samples in the store to be changed up.

 Stop by and have a look.

This is just a small sampling of what's in the store. They won't last long .

This is a cute little sweater for either a little boy or girl.

I made it out of Bernat Alpaca (acrylic and alpaca blend) and the contrasting colour is Patons Misty.

(a acrylic, wool and mohair blend)

I would have to say the size would be a 3x to 4

So soft and cozy.

This little vest was knit out of 

Patons Beehive Sport.

(acrylic) 

I love the two colours together, a cute baby blue t-shirt or

long sleeve and your little man is ready for the day.

size 6 to 12 months 

                                                                                

Just Like the little grey vest 

this pink vest was made out of Patons Beehive sport

size 6 to 12 months

                                                                              

Tank Update:

At the beginning of last month our dog - Tank was hit by a car out in front of our house.

It was a grim time in my home for a few weeks but he is bouncing back better than expected.

With a bit of research we discovered Canadian Animal Rehab Services 

and Tank is the proud new owner of a brace for his back legs. 

He is up and moving again. 

                                                                                     
                                                                                 
                                                                                                 

Mind you he isn't poetry in motion but he is in motion.

Thank you again for all the enquiries about him

:) 

                                                                                

Socks, socks and more socks

In the past few weeks I have mastered the art of Magic loop ! (Magic Loop is the popular name given to the technique of working in the round by using a single, long circular needle, in place of a short circular, multiple double-pointed needles, or two circular needles.)  I must admit there is something very satisfying about knitting a "pair of socks" all at once.

My recent project has been baby socks the pattern is easy as can be by Liat Gat and before you know it there done. On to the next. :)

I think this is a good project for many reasons - it's not overwhelmingly big to start out trying magic loop.  It's not a huge wallet buster to invest in yarn for; truly the opposite, it's a good way to use all those dribs and drabs of yarns that are to big to discard but not big enough for mitts or a hat.  If you ever wanted to try socks, these baby socks would fit the bill. Build up your confidence to tackle the real mc coys! Oh and did I mention they are super cute!!

The Knitting Basket will be holding classes in the fall.  How to knit socks will be one of the classes.  Please call The Knitting Basket at 705-434-4255 to see what other classes are available, as they can be customized to suit your skill level.

As mentioned above The Knitting Basket has sock yarn on sale until the end of May. Here is a small selection of what is in stock.

“ It is a peculiarity of knitters that they chronically underestimate the amount of time it takes to knit something. Birthday on Saturday? No problem. Socks are small. Never mind that the average sock knit out of sock-weight yarn contains about 17,000 stitches. Never mind that you need two of them. (That's 34,000 stitches, for anybody keeping track.)

Socks are only physically small. By stitch count, they are immense.” 

― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much    

An introduction.........

Welcome to The Knitting Basket Blog..

I would like to thank each of you who popped over from Gill's blog.  Your kind words are encouraging and Give me hope that this old girl can still learn new tricks..lol

As you have likely guessed My name isn't really The Knitting Basket - So here goes , let me tell you all a bit about me. I am Angie Thompson.

I live in Ontario Canada, married and have two beautiful daughters who have been my life's work. As it happens for us all at some point in out child rearing years - they don't need mom as much. They are strong, confident young ladies pretty much ready to spread their wings and fly.  That doesn't mean as soon as they leave the house for the day I am going to change the locks on the doors -oh goodness no. If I had my way I would keep them here for as long as I can. But it seems there are laws against that! lol 

So with that I needed something for me hence The Knitting Basket came about. I have always loved colour and colours.
As a young girl I enjoyed geography class....ooh all the pretty blues to colour the maps. As I got older and my husband and I had our first home - I used it as my own personal colouring book. My Kitchen was cantaloupe orange and baby blue-ish, our main bathroom was neon yellow,  boy those were the days. Once I ran out of rooms to paint, I'd paint everyone elses homes and from that I just started collecting cans of paint. I know right! If you can imagine a basement work space filled with cans of paint. That was back in the day when you didn't need to decide if you wanted to create or eat. Paint has gotten fairly pricey over the years alas to this day I have a closet filled with cans of paint. 

It seemed like the natural step to yarn. Ooh all the BEAUTIFUL colours - so so so many choices. I love it!

On cloudy/rainy grey days I walk into my shop and all these bright cheery faces there to greet me; I don't know if I mentioned but The Knitting Basket is attached to my home. 

Just in case you are wondering, when you get out of the car at the front of the house, the photos are what you will see on your way around to the store.......

Under Construction

Keep popping back!

There will be lots to see soon.