US yarns now easily available in UK

I have news my fibre loving friends.  It is now possible to buy the much longed for Cascade 220 yarn easily in the UK.  No you have not fallen asleep and had a naughty fibre filled dream again, it is true!  Deramores is now stocking a million shades of this fantastic yarn (I maybe exaggerating just a tiny bit).  I love working with this yarn especially for felting projects (be sure not to order the superwash variety if you are wanting it to felt, I did this once!).

Do you remember ‘On A Roll’, the felted needle roll I designed for Simply Knitting magazine?  This was designed using cascade 220, you can read about it here

I know its only a couple of days ago I was writing telling you to support your local yarn store and now here I am telling you to shop online, the irony is not lost on me.  However,  if Cascade are to follow in the foot steps of Lion Brand we will soon see these previously near impossible to buy in the UK yarns,  available in local yarn stores!  I had a very interesting chat with the folks at Lion Brand last week and they were telling me that they now have a warehouse here in the UK and are going to supply our yarn stores.  I was really excited to hear this news, especially as I had just fallen in love with their Bonbon yarn packs.

For those of you have not seen these cute little packs…..

There are three yarn types to choose from; acrylic, metallic and cotton. Each pack contains 8 x 10g balls of yarn in great colours.

Bonbon is not the only yarn in the Lion Brand range to make it to the UK, so far they have launched;

Hometown USA, Hearland, Fishermans’s wool, Fun Fur, Jiffy, Imagine, Wool Ease, Unique, Homespun, Amazing, Kitchen Cotton, Vanna’s Choice (including Baby and Glamour), Babysoft,  and Baby’s First.  If you want to see these in your local yarn store tell the owner.  They too may be surprised to hear the news.

Have you found Lion Brand or Cascade in your local yarn store? Tell others about it!  Leave a comment here on the blog and I will spread the word.

Yarntopia, Yarn Shop Day (warning contains a weepy plea)

Those of us in the UK often talk of our dreams to live in the ‘States,  their blogs and magazines paint pictures of yarn stores on every street. But not just any yarn store – beautiful stores, that stock the most exquisite yarns,  staff with a wealth of knowledge that are only too happy to share it with you.  Workshop programs so enticing you consider becoming a full-time student.  Yarn stores where you can pull up a chair and sit and knit with like-minded fibre heads with a slice of cake nearby.

Here in the UK there never seems to be enough yarn stores and rarely the yarntopias I describe.  Talk to any UK yarn store owner and they will tell you that there isn’t the trade to support these ventures, and that online retailers are forcing them out of business.  I do not claim to be a business wiz, but the ‘States have online yarn retailers too!  Anyway,  I feel I am starting to digress!  My reason for writing this post is to tell you about an exciting initiative from Let’s Knit, Let’s Get Crafting and Craft Business magazines to support local businesses.

Yarn Shop Day is on 3^rd May and has been launched to encourage knitters and crocheters to head to their local yarn shop and meet up with like-minded crafters, attend workshops, and hopefully eat a slice of cake or two.  Find out if your local yarn store has signed up yet here,  if they have not, ask them why!

UK designers including Erika Knight, Louisa Harding, Jenny Watson, Sarah Hatton,  Sue Stratford, Sarah Hazell, ME, Anniken Allis, Julie Ferguson, Lynne Rowe, ME,  Catherine Hirst, Amanda Berry, Lauren O’Farrell and did I mention, Jane Burns?  We will be joining the campaign as ambassadors, and will be visiting local shops on the big day – so keep an eye out for the events planned at your local store!

Let’s Knit Magazine asked me to write a short article about why yarn stores are important to me.  For maximum effect please read the following whilst listening to ‘Our Tune’ the weepy theme tune from the Simon Bates radio show, that played in the background whilst the saddest tales were read aloud on air.

“In our ever increasingly hectic lives more and more of it is spent online.  We yarn lovers spend hours drooling over the 1000’s of beautiful patterns available at the click of a button.  Then we think nothing of swiftly ordering the required yarn, even if it is 1am.  It is a great feeling when that squishy parcel of yarnie goodness arrives.  But, take a moment to remember just how much you love the bricks and mortar knitting shop.  How they are always keen to help you when you are stuck, or you are not sure about the yarn substitution you are about to make.  Remember the times when the postman has delivered your yarn and you have thought, that’s not quite the colour I ordered, or that’s a little scratchy.  Yarn stores are so much more than just a shop; they are little communities where like-minded fibre enthusiasts gather to share experience and inspiration.  Please support your local store, I need them.  It is the only place I can go and not get strange looks for stroking delicate fibres against my face.”

Please encourage your local yarn shop to sign up.  More importantly, clear your diary and get along to your yarn shop and join in and make new fibre-loving friends.

I would love to hear from you about what makes your local yarn store special, or what you would like to see in your area.  What makes a great yarn store?

A touch of elegant yarn bombing for your bathroom

As you may have noticed I am not really a garment knitting type of girl.  I am drawn to those projects that I can complete over a couple of evenings.  I like to have my creations around me where I can see them, use them and give them a squeeze.  I am always on the look out for new ways to apply yarn to everyday objects.  In this months issue of Let’s Knit Magazine I have ‘upcycled’ some towels with a pretty and simple lace edging.

So if your bathroom is due a little makeover, why not edge your towels and or face cloths with this pretty trim.  It is worked using DMC Petra thread, do not be put off by the word thread,  it really is just 4ply!  The yarn is 100% natural mercerised cotton with a lovely smooth finish and being cotton it will launder well.  The yarn is available in 28 shades so let your imagination run wild with your colour scheme.  Please post your pictures on my Facebook page.

Nervous about knitting lace edgings?  Then let the adorable Franklin Habit hold your hand with his fantastic Craftsy Course, Heirloom Lace Edgings.

Issue 77 of Let’s Knit Magazine is on the shelves now and available in the App store for those of you who like to download your magazines and cast on straight away.

Happy Knitting,
x

Magic Cupcake for Mother’s Day

As a Mum I  just adore handmade gifts from my children,  this doesn’t seem to have changed since my children were in Infant School.  Here in the UK Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I was delighted when Let’s Knit Magazine asked me to design a gift for this occasion.  Fear not there is still plenty of time for you to make this super cute (even if I do say so myself) magic tape measure.

Maybe you could make this for the person who taught you to knit or sew,  the person who sat patiently beside you trying to muster excitement and praise as you spewed out lengths of miss-shapen, hole ridden fabric.  Imagine the great sense of pride you will have handing over something you made as a thank you.

So what makes this magic?  Not only is it good enough to eat and also doubles as a pin cushion, but

Take off the cupcake case, and you have yourself a  cute little notions holders for stitch markers and other small bits and pieces.

Issue 77 is on the shelves on Friday 14th February and available to buy from the App Store for you to download and cast on.

As always I would love to pictures of your finished projects on my Facebook page.

Oh and saving the best bit for last….. It is on the front cover,  I can’t describe just how excited it makes me feel when that happens.  Or maybe that should read,  in order to spare blushes, I will refrain from describing how excited it makes me feel when that happens.

Happy Knitting
x

Taming the yarn covered hedgehog, PLUS ticket giveaway for Knitting & Stitching Show

The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show, 13th – 16th March 2014

As I mentioned a short while ago, I am teaching as part of the Prima Make & Take Workshops at Olympia in March.  I can now tell you all about my second class in which  I am going to take the fear out of double pointed needles!  I am really looking forward to teaching you how to tame the yarn covered hedgehog,  that can be knitting in the round on dpn’s.  Keep reading for how you can win a pair of tickets to the Knitting & Stitching show.

Knit a Napkin Ring with Double Pointed Needles – Class code 129

Taking the fear out of Double Pointed Needles and knit a Napkin Ring

Sunday 16^th March 2014

2.15 – 3.15

Have you ever watched in orr as others knit their way around socks and mittens using double pointed needles?  Need some help?

During this hour long class I will teach you how to cast on using double pointed needles,  show  you how to join your work into the round and get you knitting in the round with confidence.  You will knit yourself a napkin ring with the materials provided.  We will also discuss working from charts and the pro’s and con’s of knitting in the round.  Come and learn a new skill and have some fun with other yarn loving dare devils.

Kit comprises:

The pattern and yarn you will need for your project. (Needles are available to borrow,  if you would like to bring your own you will need a set of four 3.25mm  double pointed needles).

The kit is kindly sponsored by Stylecraft Yarns.

The class costs just £10 and includes the kit.

To enjoy this class you will need to be able to knit and purl.

You can book your place online or call 0844 848 0159 (the website is a little confusing and I would highly recommend phoning to book your tickets.  Also note that the £10 class fee does not include your entry ticket to the venue).

So you want to get your hands on a free pair of entry tickets for the show?

What do you have to do to be in with a chance?  Simply!  Follow my blog and one lucky winner will be chosen on 6th March.  I will announce the winner on the blog, drop me an email to claim your tickets, (please include your postal address).  Only available to UK residents I am afraid.

  

Want to learn to bead your knitting with a crochet hook? Let me teach you how

The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show, 13th – 16th March 2014

I am teaching as part of the Prima Make & Take Workshops at Olympia in March.  I have been itching to share the details with you,  I am teaching two classes and I am so excited!  It will be great to get to meet you and get you all beading with a crochet hook.  The first class is;

Knit a Beaded Bracelet using a Crochet Hook – Class code 60

Friday 14th March 2.15-3.15

All of my designs use this method of beading,  I can’t recommend taking the time to learn this technique enough!  So if you would like to learn how to apply beads to your knitting without painstakingly threading hundreds of beads onto your yarn first, this is the class for you.

During the class you will knit a cute beaded bracelet, whilst learning how to apply beads using a crochet hook as you knit.  We will look at the difference between pre-stringing beads and using a crochet hook and discuss benefits.   I promise you will have a fun time learning a new skill,  I can’t promise you won’t become addicted to applying beads to your knitted projects.

The kit is sponsored by Patons and Debbie Abrahams Beads. Debbie’s beads are just divine, you are in for a real treat!

The class costs just £10 and includes the kit.

Hooks and needles are available to borrow,  if you would like to bring your own you will need two double pointed needles size 2.5mm and a crochet hook size 0.75mm.

To enjoy this class you will need to be able to knit and purl.

You can book your place online or call 0844 848 0159 (the website is a little confusing and I would highly recommend phoning to book your tickets.  Also note that the £10 class fee does not include your entry ticket to the venue).

Details of my other class will feature here on the blog soon…….