Friday 31 October 2014

New crochet classes!


Crochet

If you've always had a hankering to learn how to knit or crochet, then cast your eyes over our new class list for November and December - we have classes to suit all skill levels and learning requirements! If you'd like to book a class, please email us at shop@woolarium.com or call us on (03) 9486 5275. Further information on booking classes can be found at the bottom of this post.

Learn Crochet
Always wanted to learn to crochet? Then this is the class for you! Covers all the basic techniques you need to lead you into the wonderful world of crochet.

2 x 2hrs sessions $80, plus materials fee.

In this class you will
  • learn basic crochet stitches - chain, double crochet and treble
  • learn how to read a pattern or diagram
  • learn how to change colours and weave in ends
  • make granny squares
Dates: Saturday November 15th and 22nd
Time: 10am - 12 noon

Crochet Herringbone Scarf (pictured above)
Learn to crochet the herringbone stitch to make a scarf.

1 x 2hrs sessions $40.00, plus materials fee.

This class requires basic crochet skills.

In this class you will:
  • learn ripple stitch
  • learn how to change colours and weave in ends
  • learn finishing techniques
Date: Saturday 8th November
Time: 10am - 12 noon

Crochet Summer Scarf
   

Learn the crochet techniques required to make this beautiful summer scarf, available as a free download:
Julienne Outing Scarf http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/julien-outing-shawl

1 x 2hrs session $40.00, plus materials fee.

In this class you will:
  • learn how to read a crochet pattern
  • learn the different stitches needed for the lace pattern
  • learn finishing techniques
Date: Saturday November 22nd
Time: 1pm - 3pm

Crochet Snowflakes


Learn to crochet snowflakes for Christmas Decorations. Delicate and beautiful yet easy to make, they are ideal for decorating Christmas trees, gifts or your home.

1 x 2hrs session $40.00, plus materials fee.

In this class you will:
  • learn the techniques required to make large and small snowflakes
  • learn different stitches 
  • learn finishing techniques
Date: Saturday 29th November
Time: 10am - 12 noon

Flowers
 

Learn the Puff Daisy Stitch - a beautiful crochet stitch pattern that can be joined together to form a scarf or baby blanket.

For this class you will need to be familiar with basic crochet stitches and terminology.

1 x 2hrs session $40, plus materials fee.

In this class you will:
  • learn the Puff Daisy Stitch
  • learn to join flowers as you go
  • learn to change colours and weave in ends.
  • start a baby blanket or scarf.
Saturday  11am - 1pm
Date: TBA


General Information
As the class numbers will be kept small we ask that you book and pay in advance. If for any reason you need to cancel please let us know ASAP. If the class numbers go below the minimum, the class maybe rescheduled.

In an effort to keep the cost of the classes down we ask that you purchase yarn from Woolarium for the class.

Once you have chosen your class please contact us to make your booking: shop@woolarium.com

Friday 24 October 2014

Chunky Cable Cowl Pattern

We have been busy bees over at Woolarium the last few months. Behind the scenes there has been much thinking, much planning, much knitting. But it has all been worth it - for today we launch the first of the patterns that we have been working on!

We're very proud to introduce you to our Chunky Cable Cowl pattern, exclusively designed by Leisl Shanley for Woolarium. Created with beginner knitters in mind, it's a fabulous introduction to cabling, and is sure to keep many a neck snug and warm in the colder months!

Chunky-Cable1

The cowl is knit up in Spud & Chloë Outer - a lovely super bulky weight yarn composed of superwash wool and organic cotton. Knit using 10mm needles, this is a quick, fun knit - making it ideal for Christmas gifts. The yarn is so deliciously soft that you'll want to make one for everybody on your Christmas list, especially with a cable pattern as easy as this one!

The pattern is free with every purchase of Spud & Chloë Outer. 2 skeins results in a cowl approximately 95cm long, however if you like your cowls to be longer we recommend using 3 skeins.

Chunky-Cable2

Our cowl is knit up in shade Rhino (7220), which is a gorgeous soft grey which works beautifully with dark winter coats. However, it took us ages to pick a colour for the sample, as there are so many lovely shades to choose from. You can view our range of Outer colours on the Woolarium website.

Chunky-Cable3

We've had so much fun creating this pattern, and hope you love it as much as we do. Many thanks to our model Kate (who has requested one of her own in payment!), and to Spud & Chloë for creating such a gorgeous yarn to work with. We're looking forward to seeing our customer's versions!



Friday 17 October 2014

Summer Tees

It's soon to be summer, which means that it's time to slip, slop, slap - slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat - and if that shirt happens to be a gorgeous hand-knitted one, then all the better! For when the sun is beaming down and the mercury is rising, there is nothing better than the feel of cool, crisp natural fibres on the skin, like cotton, linen and bamboo.

Sharron and Leisl at Woolarium are both planning some lovely summer tee knits - here's the shortlist of their absolute favourites!

Hane


Hane by Kirsten Johnstone is a beautiful design that looks stunning for both day and night. With gently gathered side shaping and an asymmetrical drape, this tee will suit all body types. The pattern comes with 6 design variations, including sleeves and sleeve ruffle. Designed for linen, we think the Shibui Linen would be perfect for this garment. Leisl is going to make hers up in the Poppy colourway, so if you head into the store over summer you might be lucky enough to see her wearing it!

Irokata


Another beautiful design is the Irokata Tee by Olga Buraya-Kefelian. This colour-blocked tee is made for 4 ply yarns, and once again the Shibui Linen would be ideal. Short row techniques employed for the neckline and colour shaping mean that minimal finishing is required - hoorah! We love how cleverly Olga designs her knits, and this one is another winner.

Boxy


This being Melbourne, however, you can never trust the weather to stay warm and settled for long. When the cool wind blows in, a versatile top with longer sleeves is often required - like Boxy by Joji Locatelli. With a wide body and slim, flattering sleeves, this easy knit is the ideal top for cooler days, or for covering up in at the beach. Knit in a 4 ply yarn, we think the Spud and Chloe FineRowan Wool Cotton or Shibui Staccato or Linen would be lovely choices.

Vertical

Last but definitely not least is this gorgeous tank top designed by Sharron herself! Called Vertical, this beautiful design is knit up in the wonderfully drapey Baby Bamboo. Designed with relaxed summer days in mind, this top will look equally good over pants as it does over your favourite bikini! The lace centre stripe gives this classic design a modern edge, and it is sure to become a summer staple. Simply purchase yarn for this divine tank, and the pattern is yours for free!

If you purchase the yarn by mail order, drop us a note and we'll include the pattern in your parcel. Meanwhile, we are looking forward to seeing all your lovely summer knits - be sure to pop into the shop to show them off to us if you can!


Friday 10 October 2014

Feature Project - Red Lace Cardigan

There is no more versatile piece of clothing than the humble cardigan. You can wear it with jeans or over a dress. It can be kept casual or fancied up for an evening out. Keeps you covered in summer and warm in winter. It's the best piece of clothing in the wardrobe!

You guessed it - we are big cardigan fans here at Woolarium, so today we thought we'd introduce you to one of our favourites. Leisl knitted this cardigan a few summers ago for her daughter, and it has been worn over and over again. Made up in Baby Bamboo, it looks as good as new, despite constant wear over the summer months.

Red-Cardigan

The pattern used was Sirdar design #1325 (leaflet available in store!) which was designed for the Baby Bamboo yarn. The yarn and pattern complement each other perfectly - the design is light and comfortable to wear, has not stretched at all despite continual use, and the yarn looks as good today as the day it was first knit up, with not a pill in sight.

Woolarium stocks a lovely range of colours in the Baby Bamboo, and it really is the ideal yarn for warm weather projects.

Red Yarn #1

Composed of 80% bamboo and 20% wool, this 8 ply yarn has a beautiful lustre and drape, resulting in a fabric that feels silky to the touch. It's perfect for all sorts of projects, from summer tees to light sweaters to tunics. The yarn breathes well, and knits up quickly and easily with no snags.

So if you have a little girl in need of a cardigan (the pattern comes in sizes 0-6 months up to 7 years) you really can't beat this combination. Or if you fancy knitting something special for yourself, the Baby Bamboo is a lovely choice - we'd love to see what you make from it, so be sure to share your projects with us!

Friday 3 October 2014

Blue Sky Alpacas

If you have been into the Woolarium store lately, you may have noticed that we have several walls of yarn. And if you looked more closely, you may have been delighted and thrilled to discover that one of these walls contains the glorious, the wonderful, the dazzlingly spectacular yarns from Blue Sky Alpacas!

Blue Sky #1

Both the Blue Sky Alpacas and their off-shoot brand Spud & Chloe are high-quality yarns with sumptuous finishes yet hard-wearing capabilities. Coming in a huge range of colours ranging from bright contemporary hues to more classic shades, the yarns are available in a wide variety of plys and fibres, including organic cottons. Let's take a closer look!

Blue Sky #2

The yarns in the picture above are, from left to right:
Metalico - 5 ply yarn made up of 50% Baby Alpaca and 50% Silk.
Sport Weight - 100% Baby Alpaca in an 8 ply
Techno - A chunky weight yarn comprised of 68% Baby Alpaca, 10% Extra Fine Merino and 22% silk
Worsted Cotton - 100% Organic Cotton
Outer - A super bulky yarn, made up of 65% Wool and 35% Organic Cotton
Extra - 10 ply, comprised of 50% Baby Alpaca and 50% Fine Merino
Sweater - Another 10 ply, this superwash yarn is 55% Wool and 45% Organic Cotton
Fine - 4 ply, made up of 80% superwash Wool and 20% silk.

We are proud to be the only store in Melbourne to stock both of these ranges. Not only are the yarns themselves absolutely lovely to knit with, but they also come supported by a fabulous range of patterns, which you can see in-store.

Blue Sky #4

We also have the full range of colour cards, so if you can't find the right shade or ply for your project, just let us know and we can show you the other types of  yarn available and then order them in for you.

Blue Sky #5

You can peruse our range of Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloe in our online store - and don't forget, we offer free shipping with every purchase, no matter how big or small!