WINTER SALE 2012 Feb 3rd & 4th 20-60% Off!

We will be having our Annual Winter Sale FEBRUARY 3rd and 4th.
All Regularly Priced yarn will be 20% off!

All Clearance Yarns will be 25-60% off !(prices will be as marked)
All Books will be 20% off (excludes magazines and leaflets)

The Sale Starts Friday @ 9:30 am- 6pm, and Saturday from 10:30 am -6pm.

*no exchanges or price adjustments during the sale. Any holds picked up during the sale will be at regular price. All sale purchases are final sales.

WINTER SPRING CLASSES 2012

Winter/Spring 2012 KNITTING CLASSES
REGISTER TODAY!

KNITTING FOR BEGINNER 101
(limit 8 students)
Learn to knit with a small projects (cowl). Learn basic stitches and pattern reading ). For those who have never knit before.


1 classes

Sunday February 19th: 12:30- 4:30pm

or

Sunday March 4th 12:30-4:30

or

Sunday April 8th 12:30-4:30

Fee 40$

(materials not included, estimated cost from 25$)

KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS 102

Go beyond the basics. For those who have rudimentary knitting skills and want to go beyond scarfs. The project will be a hat and will cover: Increasing, Decreasing, Knitting in the round, Pattern Reading and Cables.

Sunday February 26th 12:30-4:00

or

Sunday March 4th 9:00-12:30

or

Sunday April 8th 12:30-4:00 pm

Cost 40$

Material costs from 20$

PICK YOUR PROJECT (Intermediate Knitting)

(limit 8 students)

Choose your next knitting project in any technique. For those with basic skills, who want to learn more. (Possible projects include colour work, socks, lace, finishing, help with difficult patterns, help with adjusting patterns to fit, ect...)
Class Fee $30 (register for 2 or more sessions, 25$ each)

1 classes

Sunday February 19th: 9:00am- 12 noon

or

Sunday March 4th 9:00am-12 noon

or

Sunday April 8th 9:00 am- 12 noon

FINISHING
Learn the tips and tricks that will allow you to finish and sew together your garments like a pro. Seaming, pinning, blocking, buttons and edges will all be covered. Students are encouraged to bring finished projects that they would like help putting together to the class.
Class Fee 30$

Sunday March 25th

9:00am- 12 noon

SOCKS 101
Learn to knit basic socks on 4 needles with our easy chunky slipper sock pattern.
Class Fee: $40
Estimated Materials Fee: from $30 (16$ yarn+ 14$ needles)

Sunday February 12th

or

Sunday March 11th

12:30- 4:30pm
1 class

MAGIC LOOP SOCKS
Say goodbye to sets of 4. Learn to make socks using one long circular needle using this special technique. Class includes custom patterns for 3 weights of yarn.

Class fee: 40$
Estimated Materials Fee: from $30 (10$ yarn, 20$ addi needles)

March 18th

12:30- 4:30pm 1 class

MAGICAL MITTENS
Learn to make mittens on magic loop without a set of four (or with a set of four if you prefer). Class will also cover how to knit in the round and how to make a thumb without getting holes at the base. If you prefer, you can make cabled finger gloves in the same class.

Class fee: 30$
Estimated Materials Fee: From $30 (10$ yarn, 20$ addi needles)

Sunday March 18th

9:00 am- 12 noon

1 class

SEAMLESS TOP DOWN BABY SWEATER

Learn to knit garment in one piece without seams! Top down sweaters are great for those who hate seaming, and for children's sweaters, since they are easy to lengthen when your child or baby grows. Sweater is in super-bulky rasta, and can be finished by the end of the class!

Class fee: 30$
Estimated Materials Fee: average $40 (28$ yarn, 12$needles)

Sunday

Feb 26th

or

Sunday March 11th

9:00 am- 12 noon

LACE & Beads

Lace is not as hard as it looks. Learn to read charted lace patterns, knit with beads, and install lifelines in this fun weekend workshop.

Class fee: 39$

Estimated Materials Fee: from $30

Sunday
March 25th

12:30-4:30pm

TO CHARGE BY PHONE 604-734-4840

- Classes are limited in size so register early
- Registration is confirmed when paid in full
- No cash refunds unless the class is canceled
- Store credits or transfers must be made 7 days prior to starting date
- Fees cover instruction only unless otherwise stated
- Please arrive on time in consideration of teachers and classmates
- ALL SUPPLIES USED IN OUR CLASSES MUST BE PURCHASED AT GINA BROWN’S YARN (needles are an exception, although addi needles must be used for magic loop classes)
- Your purchases allow us to subsidize the cost of our classes, so that we can offer quality instruction, in small groups, at an affordable price.

-PRIVATE LESSON RATES: 45$ per 1.5 hours for single person lessons, 60$(30$ per person) for two-person lessons. Minimum lesson size is 1.5 hours. Please call 604 734 4840 to book a time. Time slots are flexible based on instructor availability. Please book 7 +days in advance.

Ropes Cowl

Ropes Cowl:

Materials:

12mm dpns (set of 4 or 5)

1 Hank Malabrigo Rasta

five small stitch holders, or large safety pins

three 1-1.5 " buttons

darning needle

k=knit

k2tog= knit 2 together

m1= make 1 by lifting the bar between two stitches onto the left hand needle, then knit this bar through the back.

i-cord= using 2 dpns: with 4 sts on needle, knit side facing and yarn attached at left side of work, insert right needle into 1st stitch on left hand needle (note: this is the opposite side to where the yarn is attached). **Knit 4 stitches, pulling yarn very tight for first stitch. DO NOT TURN WORK AROUND. Slide stitches so that the knit side is facing and the yarn is attached to stitch on the far left side of the left hand needle. Repeat this process from** , tugging on the cord as it grows every few inches. Youtube is also a great visual aid if you need help making the i-cords(click here for video by Judy).

Pattern:

With 12 mm cast on 15 sts.

Knit 4 rows

Begin i-cords:

***k3, m1. place remaining stitches on holder.

using these four stitches , work in i-cord for 22"

place i-cord stitches on holder (safety pins work well), break yarn.

Place next 3 stitches from original holder onto needle.Re-attach yarn to these 3 stitches and repeat the process from ***, making each cord 3.5" longer than the previous one.

Once you have five cords, place all the stitches from these 5 cords onto one needle, insuring cords aren't twisted.

K3, k2together, k2, k2together, k2, k2together, k2, k2together, k3.

All cords should now be joined by the k2togethers of last row.

Knit in garter stitch until yarn is almost used up.

Cast off.

Sew 3 buttons to band.

Weave in all ends. (Stuffing them down the icord centres is a good way to hide them :).)

Arleigh's Cool Cowl

Want a quick and easy project for summer? Arleigh came up with this great skinny cowl. Perfect for a beach project:

Materials:
40" 6 mm circular needle
1 ball Lang Sol Degrade

Cast On 240 Stitches.
Join Round
Knit 1 round
Pattern:
Round 1: (k2tog, yo), repeat () to end of round
Repeat round 1 until approximately17 rounds of pattern have been worked.
Knit 1 round
Cast off loosely, (use a larger needle if necessary)
Weave in ends.

Sale/Specials for Spring/Summer 2011!

The following yarns are now on SALE/CLEARANCE SPECIAL:

• Malabrigo Silky Merino
• Malabrigo Gruesa
• Ecco Cashmere (100% Cashmere)
• Ecco Silk
• Ecco Silk Boucle
• Ecco Baby Camel
  
• Debbie Bliss Pure Silk
  
• Debbie Bliss Fez
  
• Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky
  
• Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran
  
• Debbie Bliss Como
  
• Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca Sport Tweeds
  
• Wooly Bully
  
• Arucania Ranco Multi Hand-dyed sock
  
• Fleece Artist Saldahna 2
• Colinette Jitterbug
  
• Fleece Artists Lanica Organic Merino
  
• Footloose Hand-dyed sock
  
• Louisa Harding Impressions
  
• Louisa Harding Cinnabar
  
• Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby
  
• Noro Kureyon Sock
  
• Angorissima 100% Angora
  
• Noro Silk Garden Sock
  
• Highland Tweed
  
• Noro Cash Iroha
  
• Filatura di Crosa Pixel
  
• Fleece Artist Overburgh
  
• Step Sock Yarn 4ply
  
• Lang Jawoll Magic Sock
  
• Noro Maiko
  
• Mirasol Hacho 100% Merino Hand dyed
  
• Online Starlight Lurex
  
• Llama Silk
  
• Mirasol Q'ina
• Drops Nepal
• Noro Yuzen
• Louisa Harding Grace Hand Dyed (Disc Colours)
• Noro Iro
• Katia Iceberg
• Colinette Art
• Punta Hand Paint Merino Lace
• Mission Falls 1824 Wool
• Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
• Sublime Organic Merino DK
• Sublime Organic Cotton DK
• Ester Bitran Handyed Yarns
• Arucania Liwen
• Arucania Limari
• Arucania Rehue
• Arucania Pehuen
• Arucania Pomaire Multi

and many more…..

All of these yarns are 20-60% off regular retail price

(Above: Knitty 2007 Wisp scarf made with 1 Ball of Kureyon Sock, On sale for 14.47)

SALE! Friday February 4th and 5th.

We are having our first ever sale Friday February 4th and Saturday February 5th. Save 15-60% off all yarns in our store.
We will be open Friday an hour earlier than usual at 9:30, and Saturday regular hours (10:30-6). Shop early for best selection. Free gift with purchase for first 20 customers.
Hope to see you then :).

15-60% OFF ALL Yarns

Kristina

Sorry no returns, exchanges, holds or price adjustments during the sale.
All discounted sales are final.

Cedric's Slouchy Cashmere Cap

This year, I kept it easy for Christmas presents. And since sometimes a simple knit is best for really beautiful yarns, I decide to create this very plain hat for my friend
Cedric. It has a little bit of slouch, which means it will fit anyone, even the large-headed of us out there. This cashmere ca is easy, but very effective. The only difficult bit might be parting with it when it's finished :)

Materials:
2 balls Schulana 100% Cashmere Trend (58 meters/25grams per ball)
1 40cm/16" circular needle 6 mm/US 10
1 set double pointed needles 6 mm/US 10(you may not need the set of 4, use only if it becomes impossible to continue knitting at top for decreases)

Gauge: 15 sts= 10 cm/4" when lightly stretched open
Abbreviations: k= knit; p= purl; sts= stitches; p2tog= purl 2 together; ssk= slip next two stitches from left to right needle one at a time, insert left tip into front of these two stiches, knit these two stitches together.

To fit 21-24" adult head



Pattern
Cast on 72 sts
Join round and place marker
Round 1: (k3,p3)*, repeat ( )* to end of round
Repeat round 1 until hat measures 8 3/4"/23cm
Decrease Rounds:
Round 1: (k3, p2tog, p1)*, repeat ()* to end of round
Round 2: (k3,p2)*, repeat ( )* to end of round
Round 3: (k3, p2tog)*, repeat ( )* to end of round
Round 4: (k3, p1)*, repeat ( )* to end of round
Round 5: (k2, ssk)*, repeat ( )* to end of round
Round 6: knit
Round 7: (k1, ssk), repeat ( )* to end of round
Round 8: knit

Break yarn, pull through all remaining stitches tightly, fasten, and weave in all ends.

Note: This hat is knit fairly loosely. For a tighter knit, Cast on 78 sts with 5.5 mm/US9 needles. Work on 5.5 mm/US 9 throughout. Work hat until 8.5"/22cm before decreases.

Triple Loop Button Cowl

Want instant gratification? Looking for a quick and easy holiday gift you can knit in less than 2 hours? Try this Triple Loop Button Cowl: (It can also be nice long scarf too, just add a fringe and omit the button)


Materials:

2 Balls Berroco Sundae (Shown in 8715)(Yarn A)
1 Ball Katia Iceberg (Shown in 5557) (Yarn B)

15mm Circular Needle, at least 80 cm/32" long
1 Large Button (Button pictured 2.5"x 1.5")

With Yarn A, Cast on 146 stitches.
Knit 3 rows
Attach Yarn B To opposite end of work to where Yarn A currently hangs, Knit 1 row with Yarn B.
Pick Up Yarn A, and Purl 2 rows with Yarn A.
Pick up Yarn B and Purl 1 row
Going back to the end where Yarn A is currently attached, pick up Yarn A and Purl 2 rows.
Going Back to where Yarn B is currently attached, pick up yarn B and Knit 1 row.
Pick Up Yarn A and Purl 3 rows
Cast off very loosely in Yarn A.

Button Tabs:

Off one short ends of the cowl, pick up and knit 8 stitches
Knit 5 rows
Cast off.

Off other short end of cowl, pick up and knit 8 stitches
Knit 2 rows
Button Hole Row: knit 3, k2tog, yo, knit 3
Knit 2 rows.
Cast off.

Sew button to centre of first tab.

Weave in all ends.
Button.
Cowl should be long enough to Loop at least 3 times around neck.

Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 together
yo: yarn over

New Free Pattern! Cable Cowl

Cable Cowl


Materials:
Long Version: (shown in white)
200 grams (approx. 200 meters) of Baby Alpaca Sport

Short Version:(shown in blue)
100 grams (approx. 160 meters) of Alta-Moda Cashmere

Needles: 1 pair 8mm needles or needle required to obtain Tensions

Buttons: 4 Buttons, 0.5-0.75 " in diameter

Tension: 12 stitches = 4 inches in stocking stitch

Abbreviations:

K= Knit
P= Purl
TBL: insert needle through the back of the loop (stitch)

C20Back= Slip next 10 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 10 stitches from left hand needle, knit 10 stitches from cable needle.

C20Front: Slip next 10 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 10 stitches from left hand needle, knit 10 stitches from cable needle.



Cowl:

With 8 mm needles, cast on 34 stitches

Row 1: Slip 1 TBL, Knit to end of row
Row 2: Slip 1 TBL, Purl to end of row

Repeat rows 1&2 4 times more (10 rows have been worked), these rows set the Stocking stitch pattern with slipped-stitch edge for all non- cable rows.

*Next Row:
Slip 1 TBL, K 1, C20Back, K 12

Work 9 rows in stocking stitch with slipped-stitch edge

Next Row:
Slip 1 TBL, K 11, C20Front, K 2

Work 9 rows in stocking stitch with slipped-stitch edge

Repeat these 20 rows from * until desired length. The short cowl is meant to loop around the neck only once and should measure 25-30". The long cowl is meant to hang long or be looped around twice and should measure at least 56".

Cast off.

Sew 4 buttons evenly spaced to cast on edge. Button to cast off edge.

(Alternatively, the cowl can be sew shut.)

Fun Quick Summer Projects

The Diamond Scarf

Yarn: Punta Cotton- 1ball= 235 yards (worsted weight)

Needles: One pair 5.5 mm

Finished Length: 60"

Abbreviations:

k= knit; p=purl; ssk= slip, slip, insert left needle into front of 2 slipped stitches, knit together; k2tog= knit 2 together; yo= yarn over; S2KP= slip two stitches knitwise, knit 1, pass both stitches over this knit stitch.

Cast on 31 stitches with 5.5 mm needles

Knit 6 rows

Lace pattern:

Row1: K4, *yo,ssk ,k1, k2tog ,yo,k1; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 2: K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row3: K4, *k1, yo, S2KP, yo, k2; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 4: K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 5: K4, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3

Row 6: K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Row 7: K3, k2tog, *yo, k3, yo, S2KP; repeat from * to last 8 stitches, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3.

Row 8: K3, purl to last 3 stitches, k3.

Continue in Lace Pattern until scarf measures desired length, or until you have enough yarn left to work final border:

Knit 6 rows.

Cast off loosely.

Note: For a longer scarf, use two balls and double the length, working for 90+ inches before the border. For a wider scarf, you can add to the number of cast on stitches in multiples of 6. For example, you could cast on 37 (31=6), 43 (31+12), or 49 (31+18) stitches; however, a wider scarf will also require more yarn.

The Skinny Scarf:

Materials:

Noro Sekku: 1 ball = 420 yards (lace weight)

Needles: 4mm

Finished length: 80-90 inches

With 4 mm needles, cast on 51 stitches

Knit 6 rows

Pattern:

Row 1: Slip 1, k1, *yo,k2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 2: Slip 1, purl to end of row.

Repeat rows 1&2 until desired length.

Knit 6 rows

Cast off loosely.

Note: This scarf is meant to be soft, and roll in on it's edges; however, if you would like a flat lying scarf, replace row 2 with the following: Slip 1, knit to end of row.

Spring Specials

For a limited time, we have Mirasol hand-dyed merino yarn "Hacho" on special for
$ 5.47.(Reg. 8.99!). It is very soft and has a nice springiness to it. We also still have some Footloose Merino-nylon hand-dyed sock yarn on for the same price.
Here are a few examples of the colours we have in stock:

Hours Change

New Store Hours:

Monday- Saturday 10:30-6
PLUS 6:30-8:30 Thursdays for Knit Night/Late Shopping
Sunday: 12-5

New Shawl Pins By Rae*

Just in time for the Holidays, we have a bunch of handcrafted shawl pins by local jewelry designer Rae*. They are so gorgeous, and each one is unique and comes gift-boxed. They are the perfect accompaniment to button-less cardies, cowl scarves, and of course, shawls. They also really add the final touch to a project done in hand-dyed yarn. Here are a few pictures:

Men's Books

When it rains it pours.... For the first time in years, most of the top yarn companies have finally come out with really nice books of patterns for men. We currently have two fabulous ones from Jane Ellison, The Queensland Collection and Noro Men (just came in yesterday), as well as a beautiful men's book from Berroco by Norah Gaughan. Come take a look!

A Sneak Peek...

SOFT OPENING DATE: OCTOBER 23rd

We will be opening our doors for the first time on Friday October 23rd at 10 am until 6 pm. After a long renovation process, the store is finally coming together. Diana Brown, my mum , will be flying in for the day from Calgary (which is very nice of her considering the Calgary store is insanely busy right now) to launch the new store.

We will have lots of yarn for everyone to fondle, and will be offering a little surprise gift with purchase while quantities last. There may also be a few nibbles for those with a sweet tooth.

Hope to see you there

Kristina

The Yarn is Here!

The boxes are here! (Diana is demonstrating just how tall the piles are.) Now we just have to unpack them all....

West Coast Knitter's Guild

I will be at the October 6th West Coast Knitter's guild meeting from 7-9 pm at Oakridge Seniors Centre on 41st Avenue W to introduce myself and our store to the Vancouver knitting community. I'll have information about Gina Brown's and our 40 year history, as well as some giveaways for guild members. As I understand it, visitors are always welcome at their meetings, so come out and say hi!

UPDATE:

I would just like to say a huge thank you to the guild for having me at their meeting. I was so much fun getting to know you all. I have never gotten to tell the story of my Grandma Gina and her store to such a large group before, and it was honestly a really touching moment for me. It was neat being a room full of so many knitters again.

Thanks especially to Lynn and everyone for making me feel so welcome. I can’t wait to see you all in my shop.

Kristina

Preview of Store Samples...

The Weekend Sweater Knit in Baby Alpaca Sport
Cellulose Scarf Knit in Silk Maiden By Handmaiden