We welcome a new thread in the topic knitting, and it's XXL!
Tapilaine thread, 100% wool, knitting needles 10 mm :

Available in 3 colors (more soon !) :

Ivoire, moutarde et amande

What to do with this rustic yarn ... a pouf! The pattern (french) is available online for free:

A brief history
AFNOR (French Standards Agency) conducted in 1977 a campaign of measurements on the French population, in order to develop tables of body measurements: man, woman and child and a standardized labeling of making . This labeling was never actually put into practice because of the disappearance of the frech sizes (36,38 etc. ..) in favor of a significant measurements ranking, chest, waist, etc...

These measurements were used as a basis for the designers work and the world of clothing into the 2000s (for those wanting to follow because many companies have their own references, which explains the disparity in size following brand). The customer feedback on the non-matching clothes with the bodies showed their evolution and thus the need create new measurement tables.

In 2008, at the request of a professionals group, IFTH (French institute of textile and clothing), organized a major measurements campaign performed throughout France with cabins developed for a more reliable action. All data were analyzed in order to establish new measurements tables.

Tables available on the website are those of the AFNOR 1977 revised in 1987.
Tables of measurements developed by IFTH in 2008 are reserved for professionals, use is under license ( the purchase is quite expensive).

How to use the measurements tables
Firstly, you should know they can help you and give you a basis but they don’t reflect anymore the French population today.
Comparing with the recent measurement tables, we can see that, specially for women, the waist measurement is thicker.
They are still used to manufacture sewing or knitting patterns for home designing and sewing. Professional use is definitively not serious.
All measurements given are body measurements taken without any ease.

Gradation sheets sold on the website:
First, what is it?
A gradation sheet, from a standard size reference pattern, enables to get all other sizes by direct drawing.
All gradation sheets have been developed in the A&A design office. Developments have been based on AFNOR 1987 measures tables data.
All points of the pattern change in abscissa and ordinate in parallel to the straight grain and to the bust line.
This method is only valid when starting with a basis pattern in standard size, a custom tailored pattern fits to a single person and can’t  be graded.

Measurement tables are freely available on line here.

It's the moment to say a last goodbye to our old fashion A&A Patrons website after 12 years working online...

In fact on your screens, a-et-a.com is completely renewed. Remember sometime ago you saw this:

The home page

The shop

It was an hard technologic migration...

but now we are proud to provide you via our new website:

• an up-to-date look matching our new image,
• an enriched websitewith new products including a new knitting department
• a browsing developed to help you search in our catalog always more abundant,
• a rich and easy communication with you, our customers,
  customers that will now have access to their account, orders etc ...
• a special attention to the professionals who are always more numerous to trust us,
• all backed by the last opensource software web technology on which we aquire competences in order a better service and more security in our relationship and for your shopping.

Of course the paint is still fresh and we count on you to send us your feedback.

And this is just the beginning because the functionality of this site are such that they allow us to update quickly, easily add new products, be reactive to your needs.

If you ordered between 2000 and September 24, 2012

• You probably already have an account with us,
• we will send you a password by clicking on the top My Account and forgotten password ,
• You can then log into your account to verify your information.
• of course you can use this account to place new orders. 
  commands that you would pass as a guest (no login) will not be recorded or monitored via your account.
• Orders placed before 24 September 2012 are unfortunately not visible via this interface (however they are well managed, don't worry).