The Autumn clock is ticking away and there is an all too familiar smell of snow in the air. The first stream of flurries showed up just south of us this week. I'm sure I saw some white stuff in the air too, but told myself it was only dryer lint. Lets hope the trick or treaters will have a pleasant forecast for next Sunday.

How many of you have started on your list of gift items just to get the jump on Christmas?

Here is this year's top ten list of most popular knit and crochet Christmas items-

10. Afghans

9. Vests

8. Peaked Caps

7. Aviator Hats

6. Shawls

5. Self-Striping Socks

4. Chunky Scarves

3. Wristwarmers

2. Mittens

1. Cowls

In stock this week, CROCHET ACCESSORIES from INTERWEAVE MAGAZINE. Forty-three patterns for crocheters with a good selection of one-skein gift ideas.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the designs inside this issue-

Nina's Beaded Scarf, worked lengthwise in Malabrigo Sock in a pretty openwork pattern

Sarah's Steampunk Collar, a little bit of Victorian charm worked sideways in a worsted weight yarn with matching button-up fingerless gloves

Peggy's Leg Warmers, a cosy gift item that whips up quickly in a merino/cotton blend

Audrey's Lace Cap, is crocheted from the top down in an interesting mix of patternwork

Falling For Colour

Its After Turkey Tuesday, the leftovers are stacked up in the fridge, the family has gone home til the next get-together and we are still revelling in this amazing weather with sunny skies and warm daytime temperatures. There is plenty of inspiration right outside the window in the spicy colours of Autumn and its echoed back in this week's newest yarn arrivals!

From Katia- vibrant colourways in a new self-striping worsted weight yarn, a super lightweight blend of wool and acrylic in these two latest colourways.

From Katia- pure merino wool in a polar weight yarn. Its squishy plush texture makes it hard to resist in two distinctively different colourways.

A Big Thank You

A big THANK YOU to everyone who voted MUSKOKA YARN CONNECTION 'BEST IN MUSKOKA' as part of The Muskokan Reader's Choice Awards. It has been a real pleasure to meet and greet new knitters and watch how quickly their passion and interest for the craft has grown over the years. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone's face light up after completing that first knitting project.

During the past five or six years knitting has really evolved, bringing people together, creating a little community all on its own. Where it once was a hobby for us to do at home in the quiet times, it has morphed into a whole new social gathering. Knitting groups are popping up at coffee shops, libraries, book stores, colleges, even at local pubs, getting together on a regular basis to learn new techniques, drop a few stitches, all the while sharing laughter, tears and stories of everyday life.

This is a knitting circle at UBC in 1943. From that to this in sixty-seven years-

Get together with friends, and share your love of knitting!