T-shirt yarn now at Woolarium! Plus classes!

Is this, or is this not one of the most fabulous yarns you've ever seen? Introducing Cool Tee Yarn by Hook and Hop - available in a brilliant range of colours at Woolarium.

The yarn is made in Spain from upcycled fabric salvaged from factories that otherwise would have gone to landfill. It's perfect for large chunky projects - anything from necklaces or cowls that are works of art to baskets to floor cushions. In fact, if you are looking for some inspiration, take a peek at this Pinterest page devoted to t-shirt yarn project ideas!




The yarn can be used for both knitting and crochet projects - in fact, we even have a kit available that comes in a beautiful jute bag, full of all the materials and supplies you'd need to make the basket shown in the pic above. So if you've always wanted to work with something new, give the Cool Tee Yarn a go!

Speaking of all things new, we have some great classes available if you'd like to learn some new skills! Our current class schedule includes:

- Sock Knitting
- Lace Knitting
- Learn To Knit
- Knit Clinic

Take a look at our Classes page for further details, dates and pricing.

Best baby and children's knits

There is nothing more satisfying than knitting for a baby or small child. Not only do these projects tend to get finished rather quickly, but they are also a wonderful way to learn new skills. Plus, who can resist the thought of a little one wrapped lovingly in a hand knit?

Not us, that's for sure, so we have compiled a list of our favourite small person knits!



We love all of the Debbie Bliss baby patterns, but this sweet cross-over cardigan from Baby Cashmerino 5 takes the cake! It's a wonderful knit for a small girl, as the ties mean that you can adjust the fit of the cardigan as they grow. Knit up in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, both the yarn and the book are available in-store.



The crew at Millamia are also famed for their gorgeous children's designs. These patterns, which have previously been published in their books, are now available as single pamphlet patterns! Knit up in the Millamia Naturally Soft Merino 5 ply, they are too cute to resist. The top one is the ever popular Carlotta dress (sizes 1 year to 5 years) and the bottom pattern is the Bjorn Tank Top (3 months to 36 months). With any luck somebody you know will have a boy and girl set of twins so you can knit them both up!



We also have lots of beautiful designs from Sublime, available as pamphlets in-store, including this stunning lace cardigan, knitted up by Leisl for her daughter. Knit using the Baby Bamboo 8ply, the size range is from birth to 7 years, and is available as both a short and long sleeve version.

So next time a new bub is born, you know where to head for your knitting supplies to give them a proper, hand-knit welcome to the world!

New classes for February, March and April

Our new class schedule is out now, and is chock-full of great learning opportunities for every level of knitter and crocheter! So if you'd like to increase your knitting/crochet skill set, read on...

Sock Knitting
Keep your toes toasty warm this year with a pair of hand knitted socks! This class is ideal for those familiar with the basics of knitting (knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing, general knitting terminology).

3 x 2 hours class.
Cost: $120 classes plus $47.50 materials and pattern

In this class you will:

• Discover the different yarns and patterns used for sock knitting
• Learn to knit in the round using fine yarn on double-pointed needles
• Learn sock knitting techniques such as turning a heel, knitting a cuff, kitchener stitch for grafting stitches and finishing the toe.

Dates: Saturday 21st February and Saturday 14th and 28th March
Time: 10am -12 noon

Lace Knitting
Learn the basics of lace knitting and knit this beautiful lace scarf. This class is ideal for those familiar with the basics of knitting (knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing, general knitting terminology).

                                                                         
3 x 2hr sessions
Cost: $120 classes plus $40.55 materials and pattern

In this class you will learn:

• The provisional cast on method
• How to knit directional decreases and yarn overs
• How to read a lace chart
• How to knit on a border
• The basic techniques for all lace knitting projects

The pattern used in this class is Colette Simon's Fundamentals of Lace Scarf pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fundamentals-of-lace
Date: Saturday 21st February and Saturday 14th and 28th March
Time: 1pm-3pm

Knitting Clinics
Do you require assistance with a project? Need help fixing a mistake? Don't know a particular technique required to finish an item? Our knitting clinic is for you! Come along with your project and pattern and our expert knitting teacher will guide you through, teaching you the techniques required to get that project finished.

Cost: $30
Dates: Saturday 28th February, Saturday 21st March and 18th April
Times: 1pm - 3pm

Learn To Knit
Perfect for the beginner or if you are looking for a refresher. No knitting experience is required for this class!
These classes will run once a month in February, March and April.                                                                                  
1 x 2hr sessions
Cost:   $40 Class plus $30 Materials

In this class you will:

• Learn to cast on and off
• Learn the knit and purl stitches
• Learn how to choose the correct needles for your yarn
• Understand the importance of tension.

Date: Saturday 28th February, 21st March and 18th April.

Times: 10am to 12 noon

Colour Work - Knitting
Brighten your knitting with this fun colour work class, and learn how to knit with different colours using intarsia and duplicate stitches. Once you have mastered these techniques in sample pieces, you will be ready to embark upon the Fair Isle techniques required to make the Peerie Fooers Hat: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peerie-flooers

For this class you will need to be familiar with basic knitting techniques (knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing, general knitting terminology).

3 x 2hrs sessions
Cost:  TBA (includes all materials and pattern)

In this class you will learn:

• Overview of different colour work techniques
• Tradition of Fair Isle knitting
• Learn Intarsia and Duplicate stitches, and create samples with these techniques
• Make the Peerie Flooers Hat by Kate Davies using Fair Isle techniques.

Date: TBA
Time: TBA

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
Cost:   TBA(included all materials required)

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: TBA
Time: TBA

Crochet Herringbone Scarf























Learn to crochet herringbone stitch to make a scarf. This class requires basic crochet skills.

1 x 2hrs sessions
Cost:   TBA(includes all materials plus pattern)

In this class you will:

• learn ripple stitch
• learn how to change colours and weave in ends

Date: TBA
Time: TBA

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
Cost:   TBA(includes all materials and pattern)

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: TBA
Time: TBA 

Crochet 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
Cost:  TBA(includes all materials and pattern)

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.

Date: TBA
Time: TBA

Private Classes
Private classes cover specific skills you may to learn, help with a particular pattern or help solve your knitting problems.
1 x 1hr session $40
Please call shop to discuss what you'd like to learn and to set up a time.

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. Email us on: shop@woolarium.com or call on (03) 9486 5275.

Project of the week: Vitamin D cardigan

Hello, and welcome back to our blog after our summer break! We hope you had a fabulous holiday season yourself, and are as excited to get knitting and crocheting as we are in 2015.



We thought we'd start the year with a freshly finished project by Leisl. It's the Vitamin D cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier, available as a download from Ravelry. Leisl made hers using the Jo Sharp Mulberry Silk Georgette, and says that it is her most favourite cardigan ever!

The drape of the yarn works beautifully with this design, which features an eyelet pattern to enhance the drape of the waterfall front and swing back. The yarn is cosy without being heavy, which makes it a great choice for a warmer weather cardigan.

Besides the eyelets, this top-down cardigan also features short-row shaping to create the distinctive silhouette. The cardigan itself is a great project for both more experienced knitters and also beginners looking for a challenge, being full of great techniques without being difficult to knit.

The yarn required is a 5ply - Leisl is thrilled with how the Jo Sharp Mulberry Silk Georgette knit up, but the Millamia 5 ply merino or the Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico would both be gorgeous choices.




What big yarn projects do you have planned for 2015? We'd love to hear about them - and if you'd like to know about ours, keep an eye on this blog or follow us @woolarium on Instagram!

Holiday wishes and Holiday Hours!

This is our last blog post for the year, and what a year it has been! We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful customers, and to thank you all for creating another year of wonderful memories for us. We couldn't do it without you, and are so grateful for your support of the store!

We hope each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season, filled with love from family and friends, delicious food and hopefully some crafting time! If you need supplies, here are our holiday hours:

Monday 22nd Dec: 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 23rd Dec: 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 24th Dec: 10am - 1pm

After that we are going to have a little break ourselves and close the store, and try and get some of our wips finished!

We will open again on Friday the 2nd of January. For the first week of January the shop hours are:

Reopen Friday 2nd Jan: 10am - 3pm
Saturday 3rd Jan: 10am - 3pm
Sunday 4th Jan: Closed
Monday 5th Jan: Closed.

Our online shop will remain open, and orders will be dispatched as soon as we receive them, so if you have a yarn emergency, jump onto our website!

During January we are going to have reduced hours:

Mondays: Closed.
Tuesday - Sat: 10am - 3pm
Sunday: 12am - 4pm

Have a wonderful finish to your year, and we are looking forward to seeing you all and your projects in 2015!

x The Woolarium crew.

Christmas decorations

Tinsel is nice, and fairy lights even better, but what we really love at Woolarium is a knitted Christmas decoration, which is why our shop is beautifully decorated with them!



These gorgeous Christmas stockings are knitted using a Millamia pattern and their Naturally Soft Merino yarn, both of which are available in-store. Just the thing for hanging on a mantle and stuffing full of treats for Christmas day!



We'll admit it - we've gone crazy for Millamia festive decorations this year, like these hanging baubles. The pattern is available as a pdf, and they look gorgeous hanging from a tree!



Christmas wouldn't be complete without a wreath adorning your door, so pop on in and pick up one of our fun Pom Pom Christmas Wreath Kits! Each kit comes with the wire frame, a pom pom maker and the yarn required. It's a great Christmas activity for the kids, and a brilliant way to add some festive cheer!

Speaking of festive cheer, it's not too late to pick up some yarn for your loved ones. We also have gift vouchers available, which is a gift any knitter or crocheter would love to receive!

Christmas Festive Evening at Woolarium

Come and celebrate Christmas with us at our special Christmas Festive Evening! On Thursday 11th December we will stay open late until 8pm, giving you plenty of time to pop in and enjoy some yuletide cheer at Woolarium.

It's the ideal opportunity to find the perfect gift for the yarn lovers in your life (or even maybe just a special present for yourself!). We can help you put a gorgeous gift together, or you could choose one of our beautiful kits for quick and easy presents, or even get some yarn to make beautiful Christmas decorations.

There's also free gift wrapping, plus free postage for any items sent within Australia. And if you really can't decide, there's always gift vouchers, made up in the amount of your choice. That's Christmas sorted!

We'd also love the chance to thank you for your support over the year - it's been another great year here at Woolarium, and it's all thanks for our amazing customers. So come on in, enjoy our Christmas decorations, have a glass of bubbly and let's make this a wonderful Christmas for all the knitters and crocheters!

And if that isn't enough Christmas fun for you, the Northcote Town Hall Kris Kringle Night Market is on just down the road on the same evening. Hopefully we'll see you then - let's make it an evening to remember!

Christmas Festive Evening
December 11th, 2014
Woolarium
211a High St, Northcote
Special opening hours: 10am - 8pm