Friday 26 September 2014

Cardigan Inspiration

Weather report for this coming Sunday: Bendigo - sunny with a top of 26 C. Surry Hills: Mild and sunny, top of 24 C. Darwin: Sunny periods with slight cloud cover, top of 34. Toowoomba: Sunny day, top of 24.

Hmm. I think I'm seeing a trend here. The cool days are gone, and the warmth is picking up as we head into spring and summer. So no matter where you are in Australia at the moment, it's time to put away the scarves, hats and gloves, pack up your winter knitting and get cracking on some summertime projects. And what makes for a better project than a summer cardigan? Perfect for throwing over a summer frock, or for warming cool shoulders as the night draws in, cardigans are the ultimate layering piece and are invaluable during the warmer months.

We LOVE a good cardigan at Woolarium, so we have chosen our favourite designs to give you a bit of cardigan inspiration. There's a design and ply to keep everybody happy!

Featherweight

For those who can't bear anything too heavy during the heat, but still want to be protected from the sun, the Featherweight cardigan by Hanna Fettig is the design for you. Knit in a 2 ply yarn, this gorgeous cardigan is minimalistic chic, and is sure to go with everything. We think the Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace or the Shibui Cima would be perfect for this garment. The pattern can be purchased as a Ravelry download.

Grace

Another must-knit is the Grace cardigan by Jane Richmond. And it's not just a favourite with us - it's a firm favourite with the Ravelry crowd (where it can be downloaded), with over 400 versions made so far. Our image above shows a long sleeved version, but this seamless design can easily be knit with short or 3/4 length sleeves. Made up in a 4 ply yarn, we suggest the heavenly Malabrigo Sock, the Rowan Wool Cotton 4ply or Rowan Siena, the Shibui Staccato or the Spud and Chloe Fine.

VitaminD

The next cardigan on our list is actually being knitted by Leisl as we speak. It's the lovely Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier. Cleverly designed to incorporate a waterfall front which drapes beautifully due to the radial eyelet increases, Leisl is knitting hers up in the Jo Sharp Mulberry Silk Georgette. Other 5 plys that would look equally divine are the Millamia Naturally Soft Merino or the Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico.

Surry Hills

What's that you say? You want more lace? Allrighty - let's try the Surry Hills on for size! This vintage-inspired garment, designed by Maria Magnusson, would look equally at home over a simple cotton frock as it would layered over an evening dress for a special occasion. Knit up in 8 ply yarn, we'd love to see this made up in the Rowan Creative Linen, Zara, Sublime Baby Bamboo or Rowan Wool Cotton DK. Best of all, this pattern is a free Ravelry download! Thank you Maria, on behalf of all lace cardigan knitters everywhere!

Thanks for joining us for our inspiration post today. If you have any other beautiful cardigan ideas that you'd like to share, let us know in the comment section below - or even better, pop into the shop and tell us about it in person. We love to know what our customers are making!

Friday 19 September 2014

New in store: Malabrigo yarns!

There are days in your life that stand out from all the others. The ones you remember fondly years down the track, when all other days have faded from memory. I like to think that the day the boxes containing Malabrigo yarns arrived at Woolarium will be remembered thus forever more.

For what is not to love? Hand dyed yarns so soft to the touch - it's yarn heaven! We currently have the Merino Worsted and the Sock in-store and online, and both are absolutely divine.

Malabrigo #2

The Merino Worsted is 100% supersoft merino wool, and each skein contains a generous 192m. This 10ply yarn is perfect for sweaters, cardigans, hats, baby garments, shawlettes and cowls. Our colour range currently contains Blue Graphite 508, Pearl Ten 69 (shown above), Burgundy 41, Frost Gray 606, Ravelry Red 611, Tuareg 98 (shown above) and Polar Moon 9. No matter which colour you choose, you'll love wearing these hand-dyed yarns.

Malabrigo #3

The Sock is a 4ply yarn with each skein containing a whopping 402m. This 100% merino wool is ideal for lighter weight garments, baby clothes, delicate laces - and socks, of course! We currently have 7 colours available - Lettuce 37 (shown above), Ochre 803, Eggplant 811, Persia 852, Indiectita 416 (shown above), Tiziano Red 800 and Impressionist Sky 806.

If there is a particular colour that you'd like that we don't stock, please let us know and we can order it in for you. You can see the full range of colours on the Malabrigo website, plus lots of patterns to inspire your knitting.

We also have the below free patterns in store, so come on in to see the yarn and pick up one of the patterns of your choice.

Malabrigo #1

And last but not least, it's our birthday this weekend - come along and celebrate with us! The details are:

Woolarium Birthday Party

Dates:
Saturday 20th September, 11am - 5pm
Sunday 21st September, 11am - 4pm

Birthday Treats:
20% in-store purchases (exclusions apply)
Birthday Cake
Spot Prizes for Best Hand Knits/Crochets seen in-store!

* 20% sale applies to in-store purchases only. Excluded from sale are Malabrigo yarns, and Baby Alpaca, Staccato and Kavo by Shibui.

Friday 12 September 2014

Woolarium is turning one - let's have a birthday party!


Birthday

Can you believe it? Woolarium is turning one - and we can think of no better way to celebrate and to thank all of our wonderful customers for their support during our very first year than with a fabulous birthday party!

So pop in to Woolarium during our birthday weekend (Saturday 20th + Sunday 21st September, 2014) and join in the fun. There will be cake, balloons and more pompoms than you can poke a stick at!

What? Balloons and pompoms not enough? Ok - how about 20% off pretty much everything in the store?* It's our birthday gift to you, because after all, we couldn't have done it without our amazing customers.

We will also be having spot prizes for the best hand knits to make an appearance during our birthday weekend, so don your favourite knitted garments and come along and join in the fun.

Our regular Sit'n'Knit will be running on the Sunday. Bring along your current project, have some cake and enjoy the party!

Woolarium Birthday Party
Dates:
Saturday 20th September, 11am - 5pm
Sunday 21st September, 11am - 4pm

Birthday Treats:
20% in-store purchases (exclusions apply)
Birthday Cake
Spot Prizes for Best Hand Knits/Crochets

* 20% sale applies to in-store purchases only. Excluded from sale are Malabrigo yarns, and Baby Alpaca, Staccato and Kavo by Shibui.