I need to find a good online supplier for Phildar magazines. Hopefully someone in the US so I don’t have to pay $12 in shipping. Two of the latest magazines, Tendances and Irlandais are the reasons why. They’re just lovely, simple and unique. And best of all, none of these designs are made with big fat bulky yarn.
I’m usually pretty open-minded, and I appreciate the differences in all the people in my world, and I thought it was strange when about a year ago I heard wisps of conversations about how the HYUK crowd was taking over the knitting community and ruining it for all the seasoned knitters out there. But I do have to say that the bulky garter stitch scarf/hat/mitten/sweater trend in design is starting to get to me.
Not all knitting need be “quick”.
Anyhow, I know that there are a lot of you Phildar knitter’s out there that are saying, geez where have you been?, and I’d appreciate the scoop on where you get your patterns…
February 24th, 2004 at 8:12 pm
Have you seen www.knitntyme.com? Phildar patterns, in English, but in Canada. Too much for postage? I’m not sure. I’m in Canada too!
February 25th, 2004 at 7:49 am
Thanks, Erica! I did see that but postage to the states is $12. It’s weird that I can’t find a single supplier here. I may have to open my own shop!
February 25th, 2004 at 8:41 pm
Yikes! That is pricey. I absolutely think you should open a yarn store, though, and then I’ll open mine, and then the world will be perfect…
February 25th, 2004 at 10:58 pm
Welcome to the world of Phildar. hee hee!
If you can read French you can get the patterns directly from Phildar’s site for only about 9 euros, postage included. Some knitters use the originals in French, and translate the terms using an online dictionary. I don’t speak a word of German, but I’ve done that with Rebecca mags. I’d rather pay 5 euros for the original than pay 19 dollars for a translated version!
Re knitntyme and other Canadian suppliers, it is overpriced, imo. But I do know that some knitters get from there and don’t seem unhappy with the service. I’ve never seen the patterns translations, but I know for a fact that not all of them are of the best quality; some are even “undecipherable”. But I think that a knowledgeable knitter could muddle his/her way through them.
February 26th, 2004 at 9:15 am
“But I do have to say that the bulky garter stitch scarf/hat/mitten/sweater trend in design is starting to get to me.”
Amen to that sister.
February 26th, 2004 at 9:54 am
Oui, oui, je pense que j’essayerai la traduction au Français. Ce sera une déviation intéressante et alors je saurai que je l’obtiens droite. Merci Becky de l’encouragement !
Translation: Yes, yes, I think I will attempt the translation to French. It will be an interesting diversion and then I will know that I’m getting it right. Thanks Becky for the encouragement!
Plus, I work with a Frenchman and if I get stuck, I suppose I can ask for his insight. Won’t that be a trip!
February 26th, 2004 at 6:17 pm
Often used words translated for French, German and Spanish: http://perso.club-internet.fr/mybev/dico.html
February 26th, 2004 at 7:52 pm
I’ve got a thing for Phildar, too. I check the site regularly to get the free patterns they post, and these patterns are from their current magazines. Once you translate the words for row, stitch, increase, decrease, and a few other common knitting terms you should be able to understand the directions. They write their patterns in a particular format which I find easy to understand and follow.
During a frantic search for yarn to make this cardigan (http://annamation.ca/annaknits/patterns/cardiganraye.php) I found a Dutch site, www.breiweb.com, that sells all things Phildar. Hoping someone there understood English I emailed them and they got me the yarn I needed. They were great, and payment by Paypal made it easy. Yarn was cheap, and as you already mentioned international shipping is pricey. However, if you were to stock up it maybe worth the pricey shipping cost.
My experience with purchasing the magazine directly from Phildar has been good. It cost about $12 US to get the Irlandais copy. I felt it was reasonable since they let you view all the patterns in the magazine at the website, and I really like everything in it. I knew what I was paying for.
Good luck. Let us know if you find some affordable stateside connection.
February 29th, 2004 at 1:38 am
Postage is really $12? Has the dollar’s value fallen? I got my copy of Irlandais direct from France for about $11, total.
March 4th, 2004 at 3:27 pm
Hi,
I have a had great success finding Phildar magazines at www.knitntyme. I requested that my magazines be sent air mail and I certainly saved on postage. The $12. shipping is for priority, . Just request air mail and save on postage! Great service.
March 5th, 2004 at 7:28 am
The bulky thing is getting to me too. So are chickie’s sitting in coffee shops knitting (cause purling is WAY to hard) and discussing knitting like it’s so deep. Knitting can be deep, sure. Learn to PURL and we’ll talk.
March 9th, 2004 at 3:17 pm
i’ve been craving Tendances for the longest time. but my yarn store does not carry it.
March 24th, 2004 at 9:38 am
There is some part of me, too, that resents these new bulky yarn, garter-stitch, big-needle types, too. I am tired of sitting in a waiting room somewhere knitting and having people say to me, “Oh, your knitting. Every one I know is knitting now.” I think to myself, “knitting.” I am not sure I would call it that. I find myself telling these people how long I have been knitting just so I won’t get lumped in with the trendy knitters, like it really matters to them! I call many of these new garter-stitch knitters a new breed of knitters since they don’t seem interested in learning the craft; many of them do it for fashion.
March 25th, 2004 at 6:02 am
I got my tendances in Toronto (Romni Wool - www.romniwools.com) for $11.95 CDN. It is in French but comes with an English insert (all patterns described). Phildar does not have a distributor in the US. I found this out while searching for the magazine in New York. I hope this helps at least the Canadians.
April 20th, 2004 at 4:37 pm
Geez, when did knitters get so mean? I’m pretty new to the craft, but I’m taking it seriously and learning to do all kinds of cool things. We’ve all got to start somewhere! I say, let’s be supportive of one another–not catty! New knitters help keep the craft alive.
April 21st, 2004 at 1:15 pm
I don’t think you’re part of the target audience these comments are pointing out, Helen. I’m very excited about all the new knitters, too, especially those that want to learn everything they can - I’m one of them - I’ve personally only been knitting 3 years or so. And frankly I don’t care if others knit garter stich scarves all their lives, I just wish the magazines would cycle back to more innovative designs for the rest of us.
April 24th, 2004 at 9:54 am
Don`t know where you live, but I used to live in Suffolk and there was a great shop in Bury St. Edmunds called Jaycrafts. They had loads of Phildar stuff. Don`t know if they are still there or would post to you, but thought I would pop it on here anyway
April 24th, 2004 at 9:57 am
Me again. Just looked, no website but here is address and phone no. Hope they can help, they were brill in the shop.
78-79 St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SQ
Tel 01284 752982
April 25th, 2004 at 8:29 am
I need 2 skeins of Phildar International (Anouchka 009) 1 25th oz skeins #474B130. It is yellow, 80% acrylique, 16% mohair, 4% wool. Thanks. Barbara
April 26th, 2004 at 3:42 am
As an English knitter living in Belgium, I’ve had to learn how to knit “in French” and it has not been so difficult. In some of the Phildar pattern books for babies, aimed at new mothers/parents who are new to knitting, the pattern book explains all the stitches required. If there’s something I don’t understand I look here and the diagrams are a better translation as to what the stitch is. A particularly helpful pattern book was “Tricotez Calin” No 5, Winter 2003 (No 394). I would encourage any fairly experienced knitter to try a pattern in French and you’ll find out it’s not so difficult! On the subject of Phildar, I discovered them when I moved here and I love the designs and the quality of the yarns.
May 25th, 2004 at 1:11 pm
Hi - I’ve wanted to order Phildar mag’s from knitntyme as well… good luck with that. I am a new knitter and even I am annoyed with all the basic & simple, bulky & quick crap that has been out. I am glad I don’t have a subscription to all these knitting magazines because lately they’ve been really boring!
By the way? How come everything seems to be knit flat? Like I said I’m new, but it seems that almost every project in these magazines is knit flat - why not round??
love your site!!
June 2nd, 2004 at 4:39 pm
I have just dicovered them as well, see the latest entry in my blog! Links etc..
July 9th, 2004 at 9:22 pm
Just wanted to comment that I just received a copy of Phildar Tendances (it IS fabulous, by the way) from Ron at Threadbearfiberarts.com. He is delightful to work with and my total Paypal bill was something like $10.50. I’m not certain if they carry the Phildar yarns but they do have most of the books. Have fun!!