Newsletter April 24th 2021

We’ve just marked our second Local Yarn Store Day at the helm of Riverside Yarns, and for the second time we were not able to have our friends and customers in the store. Not to worry: we’ve figured out early on how to celebrate our love of yarn and creativity while respecting lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.

We’ve created our store window display as eye candy for those who can come by for curb-side pick-up. It’s a colourful confection of shawls made by friends and employees of Riverside Yarns. We’re so pleased to have two versions of ‘Waiting for the Sun” and “Papillon/Butterfly,” as well as a gorgeous crochet shawl, the “One Row Shawl."

We’ve also taken to reaching out more via social media, where we’re able to show folks near and far what we’re working on, and introduce them to new products in the store. Tag us @riversideyarns - we love being part of your finished project posts!

Our most effective tool, by far, has been Zoom, that ubiquitous web app that can be used to host meetings, dinner parties and yes, Knit Nights. We’ve used it for two Knit-Alongs, numerous knit help sessions, a team meeting, and to see new product offerings. And we especially look forward to our weekly Zoom Knit Night, where we continue to share tips, stories, laughter, and friendship in spite of everything! Thanks for hanging in there with us!

Photo above: Detail of the Hexagon Blanket by Johanna Thompson, done in Briggs and Little Heritage. Pattern: https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html

Got a project? Bag it!

It's easy to look stylish when crafting with these one-of-a-kind project bags and zippered pouches. What a beautiful yet practical way to store and carry your projects wherever you are. These gorgeous bags are designed and hand-made in Orillia by Marilyn Felbert, who uses curated fabrics and sturdy materials to craft wrist bags, notions pouches, and project bags.

The wrist bags (top left) are a perfect way to take small knitting projects on the go. Waiting in line is part of our lives now - might as well make use of that time to work on your latest sock or dishcloth! $25.00

The zippered pouches (top right) come in assorted sizes. They are designed to hold either 6" DPNs or 8" DPNs. Each one is different, so please call the store for details. $25.00

The large project bag (bottom left) is very generous at 26cm/10" in diameter and 30cm/ 12" high - large enough for a blanket or a sweater. Inside there are three large pockets to hold notions and patterns, and a drawstring close keeps everything neat and tidy. $85.00

The medium project bag (bottom right) measures 20cm/8” in diameter and 26cm/10” high. It features two inside pockets, a drawstring close, and comfortable handles. $70.00

Check it out!

Fun New Sock Yarns from Lang and Pro Lana

Pro Lana has done it again with this cotton and wool blend, Alicante 13. This fun, bright sock yarn is perfect for spring, and the colourful stripes and blocks of jacquard patterning will brighten anyone's day.
41% Cotton, 39% Wool, 13% Polyamide, 7% Elite
460m/ 100 g ball
Needle Size/Tension: 2.5-3.0mm | 28-32sts
6 colours, $16.00

Check it out

If you're looking for a soft yarn to make the ultimate in comfy socks, we have Alpaca Soxx from Lang. Alpaca Soxx 4-ply is made up of 70% superfine alpaca and 30% nylon. Lang uses an enzyme treatment during the production process for this yarn, so no harsh chemicals are used. The result is a super soft, super durable yarn.
390m/ 100g ball
Needle Size/Tension: 2.5-3.5mm | 28sts
6 colours, $30.00

Check it out

Finished Object Gallery

Left: Karli Whitmore continues to delight us with her finished objects. This is her Birch Tree Shawl, knit up in one of our favourite yarns, Sirocco by The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze. The MC is Bejewelled and the CC is Strawberry Finches. The shawl is designed by Jodi Brown, and the pattern is available on Ravelry.

Right: Hana Perreault Fortin tried her hand at macrame and we think the result is stunning. She used Katia Macramé Cord and followed instructions in a book she has at home.

Left: Marilyn Griffith jumped on the Harry Styles Sweater bandwagon for her granddaughter, who is thrilled with the result. Marilyn used various colours of Cascade 220 Superwash to make the JW Anderson Colour Block Patchwork Cardigan. The pattern is a free Ravelry download.

Right: Amanda Strutt shows off her Free Flow Shawl which she made with Briggs and Little Heritage in Fundy Fog and Sugarbush Drizzle in Pink Puddle. She held three strands together - one strand of B+L and two strands of Drizzle. The shawl pattern starts with a garter tab cast on and ends with an I-cord bind off. To see more of Amanda's fibre art visit www.amandastrutt.com, or follow her on Instagram @amanda.strutt.

Joan Hawksbridge has been using Meaford Wool Roving for some very interesting felted projects. At right, she's created a colourful felted greeting card. Bottom right and left are more of her own designs. Each design is copyright protected.

Left: We love the colour of this baby blanket which Franziska Edney designed and did in Tunisian crochet. She used assorted sock yarn for the colourful squares, and Sockenwolle Uni for the bright solid ones.

Right: This is the first of four wee sweaters that Simone has knit based on the Kimes Cardigan pattern. She has adapted the pattern, which is a free Ravelry download, from a cardigan to a pullover. She knit this one in King Cole Drifter Chunky in the Istanbul colourway. The matching cap is so sweet!

Sandra Kilby is on a hat kick. Here is her Taconite Hat (left) knit in Cascade 220 Superwash Merino.
Hillcrest (right) was knit with Cascade 220 Superwash Merino and Rowan Kidsilk Haze held double. Sandra was very happy with the effect of the pink merino worsted and the light blue mohair. The Taconite Hat by Virginia Sattler-Reimer is a paid Ravelry pattern, while Hillcrest, designed by Galt House of Yarn, is available for free on Ravelry.

And now, showing off finished projects from Riverside Yarns staff. At left, Cathy models her Oxbow shawlette, which she knit using Colour Story Bulky by Estelle. This is a great one-skein project and the shawlette is a perfect transitional piece.

Shawna does wonders with a crochet hook! This Cameo Cardigan by Jessica Cooper is light enough for late spring days, yet warm enough for unseasonable weather. She used two weights of yarn - Malabrigo Rios (worsted) and Manos del Uruguay Cabrito (mohair lace) to great effect. The colour ways she used were Zarzamora in Rios and Kindness in Cabrito.

It's sale time!
We're offering all our stock of
BC Garn at 20%off
ONLINE ONLY
Monday, May 3

This Danish company is well-known for its organic and ecologically-minded yarns that have a touch of luxury while still being incredibly affordable. All their yarns are richly textured with deep jewelled colours.

See our BC Garn here

As a non-essential retailer, Riverside Yarns is closed to the public. We want you to continue to create, so we're keeping our regular store hours.

Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Tuesday - Friday 12- 5 PM

We're available during these hours for curb-side pick-up of pre-paid orders, phone orders (519-371-4311), and email enquiries (cathy@riversideyarns.ca). Our webstore is open 24/7, and we ship Monday to Friday.

We're here for you, and we look forward to the day when we can safely see you back in the store.

Newsletter April 24th 2021

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