Win a year's subscription to Knit 'n Style Magazine

Have you seen the latest issue of Knit 'n Style. Not only does the October issue have lots of terrific patterns for you to make, they've even got one using our own Caledon Hills yarn. It's a pretty Chanel-inspired jacket created by Drew Emborsky. I love the color Drew selected for his design; it's one that flatters every complexion.

Because we think this issue of Knit 'n Style has so many fantastic patterns for you to try, we're going to give away a free one-year subscription (that's six issues) to one of our Shear Bagatelle readers. Just post a comment telling us which is your favorite pattern in the October issue -- and why -- and we'll have the editor, Penelope Taylor, select a winner from all the entries we receive by August 1.

Isn't that easy? So pick up a copy and have a look because we know you're going to find lots of designs you'll love. If you're already a subscriber to Knit 'n Style you could win another year of your subscription absolutely free. And if you're not a subscriber, you'll appreciate receiving your very own copy every other month.

You've got until August 1st to tell us what you like!

Monday, Monday...

Well, it's only Monday and I'm already exhausted. We've been working away on our newest issue of Knitch Magazine (which will be out later this week) and we've just started creating another issue of Spotlight.

I've taken a break and have been poring over the latest issue of Knit 'n Style. The October issue is fantastic, and we're delighted there's a new pattern for Caledon Hills by the fantastic Drew Emborsky. Stefanie will create a project on Yarnmarket so you can buy the magazine, yarn and tools in one easy click.

When I popped over to Facebook to send Drew a note, I couldn't help but chuckle at these shots of pea chicks that were posted by Vinny Pinto, the fellow who has held Katrinka -- of Fabulous Felines fame -- in his arms for five minutes without being clawed to death. Vinny is the proud owner and photographer of a Mama Peacock and her five babies. Can you imagine having your very own peacock?!

I asked him if I could share these photos with you because it's not every day you get to see a mama and her baby peacocks. My own mother, who has wild turkey babies in her yard, is a little bit envious of Vinny and the Peacocks.

Do you think I ought to try to get my Mom a peacock for his birthday in November? Do peacocks make nice gifts? And, more importantly, can they survive a Canadian winter?

Yarnmarket features Jojoland -- new yarns and patterns from a new yarn company!

Have you seen today's Yarnmarket newsletter? It's packed with great summer ideas that Jan recommends. One of her selections, the Rhythm Winter Wrap is already getting a buzz on Ravelry. This is a gorgeous garment that you won't be able to resist. It's made with the colorful wool yarn, Jojoland Rhythm, that is marled with a tweedy effect.

Jan's done a great job pulling together sensational summer ideas that you'll want to add to your wardrobe...so if you're not getting your copy of the Yarnmarket Newsletter be sure to sign up for it on our web site.

The winner of the Spotlight Lantern Moon Contest is...

Lynne W. of Costa Mesa, California.

Lynne is receiving a prize package that includes a Lantern Moon Tote bag, sheep welcome mat, 2 skeins of the glorious Gelato ribbon yarn, a repair hook, Sox Sticks, straight needles, a sheep tape measure and a note book. The value of the prize is over $150.

Be sure to sign up for Yarnmarket newsletters so you can enter our next contest!

Congratulations, Lynne!

Are you going to TKGA's Event in New Hampshire this weekend?

If so, be sure to say hi to Jan who'll be there for the announcement of the TKGA/Yarnmarket Knitting Design Contest winners. The finalists will be on display and then Jan and Penny Sitler will be announcing the winners and presenting them with their gift certificates. Grand Prize is a $1000 Gift Certificate from Yarnmarket.

Be sure to visit the TKGA site to get all the details about this event because if you're anywhere near Manchester, NH on July 9 - 10 you'll want to attend.

Also, if you're not familiar with TKGA or how Penny Sitler, Executive Director of TKGA, works so hard to support knitters be sure to read our new KnitchMagazine article we just posted today.

Watch Ysolda Teague in the newest online video from Let's Knit2Gether

She's one of the shining stars of knitting design and is known for her unique, creative patterns. Watch CAT interview the lively and lovely Ysolda Teague in the newest Let's Knit2Gether video.

Learn about Ysolda's motivations, her past...and how she really hated knitting when she first learned the craft! She almost became a writer or a film producer, so we should all be very thankful that she chose to design instead!

Happy Canada Day!

Alex and I returned from Italy last night and I'm catching up on a gazillion emails. Make that two gazillion. You'd be amazed at how many nice girls in Russia write to tell me that they want to be my wife.

Because today is Canada Day I thought I ought to check on what's going on up in the Great White North. The G20 have left Toronto and the city's getting back to normal. My Mom has 6 baby turkeys, 4 baby raccoons and 2 baby red-headed woodpeckers in her yard now. And YarnHarlot is working on a really terrific lace project.

As I was reading YarnHarlot's blog I saw that she's doing a lot to support Medicins sans Frontier through her Tricoteuses sans Frontieres (Knitters Without Borders) program. Please take a look at it because I know a lot of you already donate to MSF and it would be helpful if you let YarnHarlot know how much you've donated so she can add it to her tally.

A few minutes ago Jan dropped by to say, "Welcome back" and to let me know how KnitchMagazine is coming along. Our summer issue will be out very soon.

And she also mentioned we've had some queries about the Stefan's Dinosaur sweater that was the winner in last year's Yarnmarket/TKGA design contest. The pattern is almost ready to be posted.

As some of you know, the winner of the contest was unable to complete the entire pattern after submitting it for the contest. You know how it is...stuff happens that you've got to deal with and you go into "Have-To-Do" mode rather than "Want-To-Do." She sent us what she could, and we commissioned the brilliant and talented Jennifer Penney to complete the pattern for us. Now, that was a challenge! But after a VERY considerable amount of effort, Jennifer is now finalizing the charts and it looks like we'll be posting the pattern very soon. Hurray! I'll let everyone know when it's up.

So...KnitchMagazine is on the way, the Dinosaur sweater pattern is almost complete, and I'm sure that in a month or two -- if I work very hard -- I'll be caught up with all my emails!