New Season Cotton 4ply Shades

We've introduced four new shades to our mercerised ply cotton collection. The knitshop.co.uk team have been busy researching this year's trends and colour must-haves and we've developed these four beautiful colours to add to our yarn selection.

Rose Pink, Electric Blue, Canary Yellow and Pumpkin Orange are all welcome additions and we're sure you have a key project this year that will deserve a bold and intense colour such as these.

Mercerised cottons are popular for their finish and lustre but also for it's strength and how successfully it dyes, which is how we've achieved these intense shades. Knitshop's mercersied come in fabulous ranges of colours from primary colours to more unusual colours that can really help make knitting and crochet projects more personal and bespoke.

We offer around 15 shades in the cotton 4ply including scarlet, leaf green, coral pink and silver. These new colours will certainly war-up the collection and the shop is certainly bursting with colour at the moment!

Rose Pink
This light and yet hearty pink is ideal for girl projects from baby knits to girls hats, boleros, and more. The girls here are loving the pink option, of course, and we have a variety of projects underway with this pink cotton involved. We suggest blending it with the Pumpkin Orange.

Electric Blue
We know this blue will be used widely within projects as it is bang on trend this 2012. A very bold yarn, if you're not confident about using this within projects, perhaps think about using it as a stripe and not a block colour. We think this would be suitable for many of Susan Crawfords vintage knit patterns found in A Stitch In Time volume I and II.

Pumpkin Orange
Another trendy colour for the season, we just love this new addition. Almost sour, this again is intense and bold but fantastic to brighten darker shades such as greys, silvers and charcoals. A very uni-sex colour, we think it's an all round success!

Canary Yellow
Who does not like yellow? This is such a beautiful shade of yellow, it takes all the best of yellow and pours it all onto this cotton. Bright, intense, cheerful, what more do you want for a yarn. We suggest Tropicana by Just Call me Ruby.

The mercerised cotton 4ply is sold in pull out skeins of 50grams at just £3.90 for each ball!

Cotton Special offer:
£2.90 per ball if you buy 20 per colour or more. And £3.00 off if you buy 10 per colour online!

Keen to get stuck in and use these new yarns? We have a perfect pattern for you. The Lily Jacket pattern is available instore and soon online. A girly jacket, all the girls here are desperate to use the Rose Pink!

The Lily Jacket pattern designed by Meg Crowther from the knitshop.co.uk was first seen in Knit Magazine last year. We've been inundated with keen knitters writing in with images of their Lily Jacket project knitted up with our Mercerised cotton. Julieta's colour choice: bordeaux, oyster and pastel pink, making the jacket rather smart-looking. We're keen for more knitters to try their hand at the pattern and incorporate the new yarns.

Best of luck with the 4ply mercersied cotton!

Links to this post:
Rose pink
Electric blue
Pumpkin orange
Canary yellow
Cotton 4ply Collection

Interweave Magazines

Knitting and Crochet Magazines new to knitshop.co.uk

New to knitshop.co.uk are the Interweave Magazines offering a variety of reads including Knitscene, Knits and Crochet. We are offering several issues from all these stunning magazine series.

These quality glossy magazines are informative and provide a fresh view to the knitting and crochet art. The knitshop.co.uk team is particularly keen on the creative opportunities featured across the magazines offering plenty of projects and opportunities to knitters and crocheters to get involved, start new projects and improve their skills.

We are also keen on the technical aspect, these magazines offer lots of advice on developing techniques and including them in projects making the most of your knitting and crochet needles and adding a contemporary feel to your knitting and crochet.

The suggested yarns are all available at the knitshop.co.uk or we can advise on something similar to what the projects offer. We recommend these magazines as gift subscriptions or for treats to keep knitters and crocheters in the loop.

Crochet by Interweave

This seasonal magazine offers in each edition at least 20 projects to get your needles into. These well explained and illustrated projects are for all levels of crochet and will challenge anyone's fingers and needles. Techniques are explained and developed in a lovely section dedicated to improving crochet techniques. These should encourage crocheters to pick-up their needle and yarn and to experiment not just with the technique, but how to hold needles and yarn and more.

Available form just £4.99, four times a year, this will certainly keep you entertained throughout the seasons.

Knitscene by Interweave

Knitscene delves into the finer points of knitting focusing on technique, easing your knitting experience and making sure you become a confident and comfortable knitter.

Issued every season, four times a year, this magazine is filled with amazing tips and step-by-step advice for techniques that can be practised and applied to further projects. The magazine also includes several new contemporary designs and projects to get your knitting needles moving and get you occupied during that particular season.

The magazine has a fabulous social atmosphere with letters from knitters and discussions to get involved in and get you thinking.

The magazine explores every aspect of knitting from techniques, to finishes to complete patterns and various methods of knitting. A lovely all round magazine that we strongly recommend for any knitting fanatic.

Knits by Interweave

Similar to Knitscene by Interweave this magazine also focuses on techniques through step-by-step articles and projects within the magazine. Quarterly, this magazine takes a more traditional angle looking at historical knitting and bringing it into the modern world.

Both magazines are worth a browse and we feel that the strength in their projects and advice will sway your decision as to which one suits you that season. From just £5.99, it's not a sin to get hold of both magazines to really get your knitting juices flowing.

Enjoy!

Links to this blog: 

Knit scene Magazine & Interweave Knits 

Interweave Crochet

Mother's Day Treats

Mother's DayTreat


As March rolls in, Mother's day is just around the corner. And we here, at the knitshop.co.uk, are all keen to treat our mums. It's hard to find the perfect gift which will represent what our mums mean to us, but we've put together a few treats for mums, sons, daughters and more.


Roll-up, roll-up for our Mother's Day Taster sessions, free and ideal to spend some quality time with your mum or loved one. Held on Sunday 18th of March, this session celebrates mums, needles, yarns and more.

Put-together with mums in mind, these session will inspire families and teach new techniques to be carried away and used beyond the session. A priceless gift, absolutely free! Make sure you book your places well in advance to guarantee entry as they will fill-up fast.

Crochet Taster Session is from 11am. Designed for all levels of crochet abilities, turn your hands to to the crochet needle and loop some yarns into pretty pieces. The knitshop.co.uk team will put all students at ease taking you through each step and leading the class at everyone's pace. A fun environment, relaxed, so you enjoy the session with your mum. A full hour dedicated to mums and crochet, what more can you ask for? A Knitting session?

Knitting Taster Session, from 12.30pm, will have mums and daughters clicking their needles away. This taster session introduces all candidates to the art of knitting teaching all the basic techniques and taking students through, at their pace. All levels of abilities are welcome to the class, and we'll provide the rest. The one hour session will push students to knit-up a sample and learn basic steps to take-away with them and continue the art. More importantly the joy of the session, and time spent with you will be well worth the knots and loops of knitting.

Needle Felting Taster Session starts at 2pm sharp! Don't miss this woolly pleasure aimed at all level of abilities this class will teach the basics to needle felting, and you'll be able to take home any samples you achieve throughout the session. This relaxed class will be an fantastic opportunity to wish your Mum a happy Mother's Day and something a little different to usual Sunday activities.

So if any of these three sessions takes your fancy, or perhaps you can see you mum wanting to learn or refresh her skills then make sure you book your places in advance. You can book in store, by phone or online by 'checking out' the session.


All sessions are held by Julieta Brandao from the knitshop.co.uk, experienced in teaching children, adults and family teams! Julieta and the knitshop team will welcome all candidates on this special occasion to the knitshop.co.uk shop in Lee Green to enjoy a session and will provide all materials and tools necessary and you'll be able to take home any project you were working on. Light refreshments will also be included as well as a fun, care-free environment to make the most of the time between family.

These taster sessions are free, but still need to be booked.
326 Lee High Road,
Lee Green, London,
SE13 5PJ

Links to this post:
Workshops at knitshop.co.uk
Crochet Session 11am - 12 noon
Knitting Session 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Needle Felting Session 2pm - 3pm
Boutique Outlet - where to find us

Spring is in the Air

Colour Palette for your Spring Projects

As the snow drops and daffodils emerge from the frozen earth the knitshop.co.uk is looking ahead at spring and summer trends. Whatever you are planning on knitting and crocheting in the months to come, make sure you choose the right colours to make an impression.

We've been researching the latest trends, delving deep into books, magazines and trend conferences and we propose this springs' knitting colour trends.

Tangerine

Deep oranges, tangerines and intense yellows will be a pivitol colour theme in all knitwear. This will be an ideal tone to inject in between contrasting colours. The bright orange Thick & Easy offered by the knitshop.co.uk is ideal for injecting stripes of colour into your work.

Sun-yellows and golds

Add some brightness and boldness into your knits with some intense yellows and mustard golds. Luxurious and glamorous, this Mulberry Silk Merino Wool yarn in sun yellow is stunning and beautiful knitted up.

Lilacs and mauves

Majestic mauves and delicate lilacs will make for beautiful block coloured knits. We just love this wine red Chinese silk, bold and full of character

Cabaret

Similarly, this rich dark purple Chinese silk is stunning and majestic. A wine filled cabaret colour perfect for jumpers, gloves, sock and more

Navy Blue Indigo

A classic, Navy Blue is always a great colour to use an all knits. Rich and traditional Navy Blue is winner.

This light weight Mulberry Silk yarn is a great yarn for luxurious spring and summer garments. Or this Steel Blue cotton Dk is an interesting twist on indigo blue

Greens

Green is a difficult tone to choose, it can be a little off putting if not the correct shade. But this leaf green cotton 4 ply is simply attractive and intriguing. Great for striping and edging.

Teal

One of my favourites is an intense teal green/blue. The knitshop.co.uk offers a gorgeous choice of teals to choose from

A beautiful turquoise Simply Wool and this fabulous teal Mulberry Silk Merino Wool and again, another Chinese silk

Oyster

This rather unique shade is sumptuous, we can't get enough of this and if you're keen to use a new original shade this Spring then this is the one cotton 4ply mercerised in oyster or this antique gold, luxurious and unique antique gold Chinese Silk

Whatever colour you choose this spring - keep knitting and please send us your stunning results for our customer gallery!
Lots of Happy Knitting - Julieta and the knitshop.co.uk Team

Links to this post:
Thick & Easy bright orange
Mulberry Silk / Merino Wool Yarn sun yellow
Chinese Silk wine red
Chinese Silk dark purple
Mulberry Silk Yarn navy blue
Cotton DK Yarn steel blue
Cotton 4ply mercerised leaf green
Cotton 4ply mercerised oyster

Valentine's Treats

Warm the cockles of your hearts with the knitshop's Valentine's treats and ideas.Outside it's freezing, and as we await the snow, ice and chilly winds, we here at the knitshop have some great projects to keep you warm at home and knitting loved-up treats for lovers, new dates, friends and more.


Felted flowers for your lover
Saturday 11th of February the knitshop team have a special felting session, to help you design and make your own felted flower. Using merino tops, you'll be walked through all the techniques for wet felting so you can carry-on making beautiful decorations at home. Include shimmering beads, a mix of colours or your own twist on the design, this makes an ideal gift for a lover.

Or how about bringing your date to the session? From 3-5pm, this relaxed, fun and exciting workshop is ideal to get to know a new partner. At £19 for this two hour workshop, with materials and refreshments included, its a worthwhile activity to bring out the romance between a found love.

Roses for your date
What better way to say 'I Love You' than an enormous bouquet of roses. Download knitshop's roses pattern and knit up a flower for your date. A free pattern, easy to follow and with everlasting roses, your love will be eternal. All you'll need is needles, 2.5mm and Cotton Mulberry 4ply, in any colour you choose. 'Check out' the pattern for free on the knitshop.co.uk website and get knitting.

Red V's Pink
For your own Valentine's projects, whether it be a knitted scarf, a warm jumper, a felted scene or something more unique, we've got some hot reds and pinks for your projects.

This warm and cosy red Alpaca brings out romance, love and importantly warmth this cold February. The beautiful pink Mulberry Silk / Merino Yarn is easy to knit with a great for love hearts and more. Tomato Red DK Simply Wool is ideal for hot romantic knits and we're hoping it may also keep your fingertips cosy and warm too.

The ideal gift
If you're at a loss of what to demand from your lover this Valentine's day, then insist on this beautiful knitting book with a heated sock theme! Knit two socks at the same time and have a pair of socks knitted in next to no time. Ideal for the frost and ice coming our way!

knitshop.co.uk include a host of gifts to indulge a loved one this Valentine's Day, but if you're at a loss of what to get someone, maybe vouchers is the best move! knitshop offers a variety of vouchers, get in touch or get online!

Links to this post:
Workshops at Lee Green for knitting, crochet and felting
FREE Knitted Rose Pattern to download
Gift Vouchers from knitshop.co.uk
Alpaca Yarns, 100% 4ply and aran-chunky alpaca
Mulberry Silk / Merino wool yarn, 50% silk & 50% merino DK yarn
Simply Wool 100% DK Yarn

Christmas Gifts

The knitshop.co.uk understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect gift for someone special. Christmas is just around the corner and many of you will be thinking of what you can find for relatives and friends.

We have conveniently put together some ideal gift sets that would sit perfectly under the tree and make a knitter, crocheter and felter very happy. These gifts are also a fantastic idea for crafty people who are perhaps interested in becoming involved in knitting, crochet and felting and need a little encouragement.

Firstly, the knitshop.co.uk offer gift vouchers. All year round and especially at Christmas our gift vouchers, for varying amounts, are purchased for keen knitters who may need to top-up on yarns, needles, patterns and books. We recommend knitshop.co.uk vouchers for anyone who may not know what to buy a knitter, the vouchers can be used in-store and online and are valid for anything the knitshop.co.uk offer including the various workshops and courses on offer.

We also create knitting, crochet and felting kits, which we feel is a fabulous gift for beginners or improver looking to work on their skills. Our kits will contain all tools and materials needed to achieve one complete project as well as the all important instructions and handy-tips leaflet.

The kits make a great gift for children and adults and the instructions are easy to follow for all ages. We endeavour to make sure the skills picked-up from the kits can further be applied to projects the artist can later work on by their selves. An endless gift of learning and improving is priceless. Our felting kits start at £4.98.

Books are a welcome gift any time of year. From pattern books to inspirational books and magazine, knitshop.co.uk offers all of these, and we are happy to help you find the perfect book or magazine for that someone you love. We have a huge variety of coffee table books with beautiful images and inspirational projects, to dedicated pattern books and even beginner books and self-teaching books. A book is something that is kept for many years, can be referred to over and over again and most people will appreciate a book under the tree!

Magazine are also ideal, we offer several key knitting magazines that offer several monthly patterns, regular articles about knitting artists and designers and have up-to date information about materials, boutiques and emerging techniques, machinery and more. 

We also recommend our workshops and courses as a perfect gift for a creative loved one. knitshop.co.uk offers a huge amount of regular workshops during the week and at weekends. Designed for beginner, improver or technically advanced knitters, crocheters and felters there is a workshop for everyone.

Workshops will last for two hours and have a maximum of eight students. Julieta Brandao will lead the workshop and her and the knitshop team endeavour to go at a pace that all students can manage and each person will receive individual attention. The workshop will also include all tools and materials necessary to achieve the project and the two hours should be enough for everyone to complete a finished project. The skills learnt at the workshop can be used in further projects within the students own time.

knitshop.co.uk also offer 6 week courses for knitting, crochet and felting. In these courses, beginners and improver can learn the basic skills to begin knitting, crocheting or felting and progressively through the weeks the candidate will learn useful techniques, how to read patterns and how to choose yarns for each project. These valuable skills will hopefully encourage students to carry-on in their own time and progress further within their chosen discipline.

Courses and workshops can be purchased online, in-store or over the phone and will be a much appreciated gift for someone creative. Workshops start at just £12 for a two hour session and are held in Lee Green South London.

Links to this post:

Gift Vouchers from knitshop.co.uk

Courses and Workshops, Schedule and online booking

Felting Kits for Children and Adults

Books, Magazines and Pattern

Make your own Fairy Lights

Fairy lights adorn your tree, shimmer in windows, decorate a wall and glisten in vases. Fairy lights are an all year round mood lifter, they'll glow in a room and most importantly they light-up your tree at Christmas.

Knitshop.co.uk are offering, due to very popular and persistent demand, a fairy light felting workshop. Just in time for decorating your tree before Christmas, this workshop will encourage students to learn the art of felting and to felt beautiful artefacts to surround fairy lights ready to adorn your Christmas tree or interior décor.

This limited workshop will be held at the Lee Green knitshop.co.uk Boutique Outlet in South London and will be held by Julieta Brandao. This will be an extended workshop, three and a half hours, from 2.30pm until 6pm on the 26^th of November. Make sure you book your place in advance as this workshop is sure to sell out in the next few days.

The workshop will begin with a crash course teaching the basics of felting, choosing materials and the best techniques to achieve felted fabrics and artefacts. Based on picture felting the skills gained here can be used for other personal projects.

The workshop will go at the students pace, with all beginners and improvers welcome. Attention will be focused individually so that all students understand the basics. The class will progress onto the fairy lights project, choosing colour palettes and designing felted art forms to surround the fairy lights.

Creativity and individuality is encouraged, this promises to be a very exciting and unique course. The knitshop.co.uk team will help students create their art-forms and fix them to the fairy lights. All students will be able to complete one project during the course of the class or will be well instructed to finish the project in their own time and will be able to take this home and use within their own home.

The class includes all materials necessary as well as light refreshments.

The class is aimed at candidates of all abilities and we welcome any novices. Children are also welcome to attend the class as long as they are accompanied by an adult. The class promises to be a relaxing environment with plenty of socialising and Christmas vibes!

The Felted Fairy Lights Workshop is followed by two fantastic Christmas themed felting workshops

Jewellery Felting 3rd December, 3-5pm

Felted Christmas Decoration - Needle Felting 2-5pm

All three workshops cover different topics and are going hand in hand to create your very own stunning Christmas Jewellery and Decoration. 

The class can be purchased online, in-store or over the phone but early application is recommended.

Enjoy!

Links to this post: 

Fairy Light Felting Workshop

Felting Materials and Equipment

knitshop.co.uk Boutique Outlet in Lee Green