Available for pre-order: BagSmith Block 'n Roll!

Photo copyright The BagSmith.

Block n Roll - Block to perfection, store with ease. This exciting new product will be available in July. Call the boutique today to pre-order yours!

Let Block n Roll make your beautiful projects look even better. The generous surface area of Block n Roll can accommodate projects of many sizes for knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, needlepoint, cross stitch, and/or scrapbooking. Projects may be pinned directly onto the surface of the mat. The 20mm X 20mm grid is very useful in lining up and keeping straight edges, hems and seams.

The Teflon coated surface is heat and water resistant. This allows for steam, wet blocking and pressing. For best results, let your project remain on the mat until it is dry. While Block n Roll is safe to use on most surfaces, it is advised to test a small area before proceeding with your project, especially if using pins. Block n Roll is not to be used as a cutting mat.

Before storing, make sure Block n Roll is completely dry. Starting at the end of the mat that has no fabric ties, begin rolling with the grid pattern on the outside, like a jellyroll. Once the mat is rolled, take one set of ties around the roll, each tie in an opposite direction and make an overhand knot to secure in place. Repeat with the ties at the other end of the mat. Store Block n Roll in a dry place. Due to its rolled up size, it should be easy to find a place to store Block n Roll so it will be readily available when you need it again.

Dimensions: 38” W x 50” L opened flat. Rolled size: 38" L x 6" diameter.

Material Content: Teflon® coated fabric laminated to fire retardant 8mm foam.

Two finished objects in summer whites!

Sandy recently completed this stunning stole knit in Louet Euroflax sport weight. The pattern, Casey, comes from Louet's Trudy Van Stralen, and Sandy added sparkling crystal and seed beads to the elegant rivers of cables. She reports that she is looking forward to wearing it to an upcoming wedding that she will be attending.



We always love seeing Elaine's finished objects, and today she brought in a recently completed breezy summer tunic knit out of Maggi Knits Maggi's Linen. The pattern, Lace Tunic (#01) by Gordana Gehlhausen, was published in the Spring/Summer 2010 edition of Vogue Knitting. This versatile tunic would look great as a swimsuit cover-up, or be equally at home paired with some leggings or a skirt.

TNNA update!

Sandy and Tamara are still recovering from a busy weekend at TNNA, but they report that they came across a lot of fun new stuff that will be arriving at the boutique over the next several weeks.



Sandy was particularly taken with the yarn and patterns on offer from MillaMia, a company based in the UK, but with Scandinavian roots. With a focus on children's wear and supersoft 100% Merino machine-washable wool, MillaMia patterns are inspired by the latest fashion trends. MillaMia's Naturally Soft Merino yarn (50 g, 136.7 yds, 25 sts and 34 rows/4 in square) is offered in a sophisticated color palette ranging from darks to lights and neutrals to brights.



Also on order are new products from Malabrigo (Rasta, Silky Merino, Sock and Twist), SMC Select (Tweed Deluxe and Diverso), Rowan (Colourspun), Skacel (HiKoo WoolieBullie, Zitron Filigran, Schulana Silverstar), Berroco (Flicker, Vintage Chunky) and more! For more details, check out Tamara's post on Facebook, and keep an eye out for these exciting new products!

Finished objects: two cool summer tops!

Sandy recently completed two summer tops, both featured in the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of Vogue Knitting, from two different wonderful worsted-weight yarns.



First up is pattern 22, the Cable Collar Top, designed by Norah Gaughan. Sandy made it her own by omitting the cable on the collar and by substituting Nashua Creative Focus Linen in place of the pattern's recommended yarn. Creative Focus Linen is a worsted-weight yarn made up of 50% linen and 50% cotton. Sandy chose color 1723, bright pink, but YBD currently has 11 colors of this versatile yarn to choose from.



Like a ray of sunshine, Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton in color 628, dandelion, will brighten up your day. Sandy knit this cheerful yarn into pattern 24, the Diagonal Front Vest, by Mel Clark. This menswear-style vest has fronts worked on the diagonal and a ribbed back with a cute cable detail. Yellow not your color? We currently have more than ten colors of Worsted Cotton in stock, along with those charming buttons from Mission Falls.