Knit & Stitch It Show

Brand new for 2013 - knitshop.co.uk will be teaching at the debut Knit & Stitch It Show in Farnborough at the start of March. The first ever Knit & Stitch It Show runs from 1 to 3 March and is a tandem show to the popular Make It Papercrafting Show. Both events are held at Farnborough FIVE, the huge exhibition venue at Farnborough airfield on the Surrey/Hampshire border.

knitshop.co.uk will be offering classes on all three days of the Knit & Stitch It Show. If you know the basics of crochet – or are keen to learn – the Crochet A Square class is a great option. We’ll have you turning chains and crocheting doubles and trebles in no time.

For knitters there’s the sophisticated Knit A Rose class. This two-tone flower is worked using knit and purl stitches and creates a stunning corsage or accessory.

Finally, if you’ve never tried it before, we’ve a great introduction to felting. Our felted beads workshop involved felting wool tops on to baubles to create a unique bracelet or necklace.

Each class costs £7 and lasts an hour. All the materials you need are provided. For details and to book see http://knitandstitch-it.org.uk/workshops-kns.php.

knitshop.co.uk can be found on stand G33, which is also where our classes in crochet, knitting and felting will take place. Classes can be booked online or on the day.

As well as being able to admire firsthand the natural yarns offered by knitshop.co.uk, you’ll be able to explore plenty of other knitting, crochet and needlecraft stalls. Knit & Stitch It was put together in response to demand from needlecraft fans and has attracted around 100 exhibitors.

The Knit & Stitch It Show takes place from Friday 1 March to Sunday 3 March. Doors open at 10am (9.30am for disabled visitors) and close at 5pm. The show finishes at 4pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £7.50 per adult, per day, or £15 for the full three days (advance purchase only). Tickets on the door are £9.50 per adult or £8 for concessions. Under-16s are free.

Farnborough FIVE is served by three train stations – Farnborough, North Camp and Ash Vale – as well as being well-connected by road. It’s just next to the M3/M4 intersection. Parking is free and there are shuttle buses from each of the nearby train stations.

knitshop.co.uk will also be at the Creative Crafts Show in Malvern from 28 Feb to 2 March.

Please note that due to our involvement in these events, the Lee Green Boutique Outlet will be closed on 1 and 2 March.

Details of workshops held at our Boutique Outlet can be found here: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops

Links to this blog

Knit & Stitch It Show: http://knitandstitch-it.org.uk

Make It Show: http://www.make-it.org.uk/

Creative Crafts Show, Malvern: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13mv_proceed_shrt.html

knitshop.co.uk workshop schedule: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops

The Creative Craft Show Malvern

Knitting and craft workshops at Creative Craft Show Malvern

At the end of February knitshop.co.uk will be exhibiting at the Creative Crafts Show near Malvern where we will be running three separate workshops. The show takes place at the Three Counties Showground from 28 February to 2 March and offers plenty of interest for the knitting, crochet and needlecrafts fan.

JulietaBrandao, knitshop.co.uk’s founder and designer, will be teaching three classes daily at the show.

The first of the day is for anyone who would like to learn crochet. Attendees learn how to make double and treble crochet stitches and how to use these techniques to make a granny square. The hour-long class starts at 11am and is suitable for beginners. 

 

From 12.30 till 1.30pm Julieta will be teaching the invaluable technique of knitting in the round. You’ll be shown how to distribute your yarn across three or four double-pointed needles and join them up to create your first round. Once you’ve mastered this useful technique you’ll be able to create seamless three-dimensional items such as socks, mittens and hats. 

 

The final class runs from 2pm to 3pm each day. In this workshop you will discover how to felt items and then apply small pieces of felt to baubles to create felted beads. Once you master the process you’ll be able to make unique necklaces, bracelets and decorations. 

 

The crochet class is from 11am to noon; the knitting in the round workshop is from 12.30 until 1.30pm, and the felted beads class is from 2pm to 3pm. Each class lasts an hour and costs £5.

The Creative Crafts Show Malvern takes place from Thursday 28 February to Saturdauy 2 March. The show is open from 10am to 5pm each day and costs £7.95 per adult or £6.95 for concessions.

Classes can be booked through knitshop.co.uk, or you can book a slot (if places are still available) at the show. 

 

knitshop.co.uk will also be participating in the Stitches and Creative Crafts Shows in Shepton Mallet from 25 to 28 April.

If you can’t make any of these dates, check out the schedule of classes in knitting, crochet and felting at our Lee Green Boutique Outlet.

Links to this blog:

SCC Creative Crafts Show Malvern: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13mv_proceed_shrt.html

Workshops at SCC Creative Crafts Show Malvern: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13mv_see&do.html

SCC Creative Crafts Show Shepton Mallet: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13sm_proceed.html

Workshop schedule at knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops

Lacet Wrist Warmer Pattern

Lacet Gloves – a delicate design for dainty hands

Chunky woolen gloves and mitts will keep you warm and give you a wintry glow. They are just the thing to wear on a crisp, icy day when you’re enjoying a country walk after a hearty meal or building snowmen with the kids. Venture out into the wintry night, however, and you’ll probably want to swap chunky knitwear for something that looks more elegant but is equally cosy.

Lacy gloves are just what you need. They look stylish and dainty but offer plenty of protection from the elements. knitshop.co.uk’s Twisted Lace Gloves are knitted in a luxurious blend of mulberry silk and merino wool. The gloves are incredibly soft to the touch but also very warm. The open lace-work style may look as though it won’t keep your hands as warm as chunky mittens, but those holes actually trap warm air. The same trapped-air principle works very effectively in duvets – or even igloos!

Another advantage to the lacy design of these Twisted Lace Gloves is that they allow for movement. Despite being tightly woven to fit your hands, well, like a glove, the open ladder stitch design ensures they are flexible. You can be getting on with essential tasks while your hands are kept nice and snug. The fingerless design means you can wear your glamorous gloves while you tap away on your laptop or phone – or simply show off your beautiful manicure.

knitshop.co.uk’s Twisted Lace Gloves can be knitted from a single 100g skein of Mulberry Silk Merino Wool Yarn on a set of 4mm double-pointed needles. You might also find it handy to use a stitch marker. The pattern is suitable for all but knitting novices and is a great project if you’re looking to increase your knitting skills. Even if you’ve never knitted in the round before, you should find it quite straightforward to follow the pattern for these pretty gloves. Just be sure not to twist your stitches when you first join the fabric together.

We’re holding a Knitting In The Round class on 29th March demonstrating this technique, with the Twisted Lace Glove pattern and yarn to make it included.

This Pattern was featured in the Knitting Magazine issue 93 and was designed by Julieta Brandao for knitshop.co.uk - click here if you want to download the pattern now.

Links to this blog:

Knitting Pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/161-knitshop-pattern

Mulberry Silk Merino Wool yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/29-silk-wool-blend

4mm double-pointed needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1696-bamboo-knitting-needles-4mm.html 

Knitting In The Round workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/254-knitting

The Creative Craft Show

knitshop.co.uk at the Creative Craft Show knitshop.co.uk will once again be taking part in a series of knitting and craft events this year. The first show in our 2013 calendar is the Creative Crafts Show at Five Lakes near Colchester in Essex. This takes place from 14th to 16th February and features a multitude of crafts covering all aspects of needlecraft from sewing, quilting and embroidery to knitting, felting and crochet. Julieta, knitshop.co.uk’s founder and designer, will be teaching three classes daily at the show. The day starts with a crochet class. Attendees learn how to create a foundation chain, how to hold the hook and how to make double and treble crochet stitches. The class is based around learning to crochet a flower.


Julieta will be teaching the invaluable technique of knitting in the round from 12.30 till 1.30pm. In this class, you’ll be shown how to distribute your yarn across multiple double-pointed needles, how to join your knitting to create your first round and how to create a seamless three-dimensional item. The class is based around knitting a wrist warmer – a great first project to knit this way. The final class each day will show you how to felt items and apply small pieces of felt to baubles to create felted beads. Once you master the process you’ll be able to make unique necklaces, bracelets and decorations. The crochet class is from 11am to noon; the knitting in the round workshop is from 12.30 until 1.30pm, and the felted beads class is from 2pm to 3pm. Each class lasts an hour and costs £5. The Creative Crafts Show takes place from 14th to 16th February. The show is open from 10am to 5pm each day and costs £7.95 per adult or £6.95 for concessions. Classes can be booked through knitshop.co.uk, or you can book a slot (if places are still available) at the show. knitshop.co.uk will also be participating in the Stitches and Creative Crafts Shows in Malvern from 28 February to 2 March and in Shepton Mallet from 25 to 28 April. If you can’t make any of these dates, check out the schedule of classes in knitting, crochet and felting at our Lee Green boutique outlet.


Links to this blog: SCC Creative Crafts Show Five Lakes, Essex: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13ff_proceed_shrt.html SCC Creative Crafts Show Malvern: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13mv_proceed_shrt.html SCC Creative Crafts Show Shepton Mallet: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13sm_proceed.html Workshop schedule at knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops

Valentine's Day inspiration

Romance is in the air with Valentine’s Day on the horizon. Depending on which account you read, Valentine was either a priest who secretly married Christian couples against the Roman emperor Claudius’ commands or a figure for courtly love promoted in the Middle Ages, particularly by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Whatever the truth of the St Valentine’s legend, his commitment in romantic love continues to inspire couples. And what better way to show you care than with a hand-knitted gift?

knitshop.co.uk offers plenty of inspiration. We’ve got yarn and patterns to create hats, gloves and scarves that you can gift-wrap and present to your sweetheart.

Sports fanatics are sure to fall for the Football Scarf made from Thick And Easy yarn. This knits up quickly on 7 or 8mm needles. Just match the colours to that of their favourite team.

For a more delicate choice try the Mohair Silk Yarn. From just two skeins you can easily make a snug scarf. You don’t even need to use a fancy pattern as the yarn is striking enough. Use 4mm needles and simple garter stitch and knit to the desired length. 
 

For a lighter-weight scarf, the Ladder Stitch scarf pattern is a great option. This open-stitch design is knitted using 6mm needles and uses Cotton-Linen Blend yarn. This yarn comes in eight striking variegated shades including carnation red, violet and cherry blossom.

Another pattern that uses ladder stitch is our dainty Lacet Wrist Warmer design. Knitted in the round using Mulberry Silk Merino Wool yarn and 4mm double-pointed needles.

If you’d like your beloved to hold you close to their heart, why not knit a pretty hot water bottle cover. knitshop.co.uk’s Simply Wool is an ideal yarn here and comes in a choice of 15 colours.

Alternatively, make your own roses using our free Flower Corsage pattern. A single flower would look pretty adorning a dress or jacket. An even more romantic gesture would be to knit a dozen roses and attach them to wire stems so you can present them as a bouquet. The flowers look particularly good when knitted in knitshop.co.uk Mulberry Silk yarn. This knits up on 2.5mm needles and has a luxurious sheen.

For something a bit different, why not felt a flower? Knitshop.co.uk offers complete needle felting kits as well as merino wool tops so you can felt your own designs.

Nature lovers, meanwhile, will be charmed by the thoughtfulness of a handmade Felted Butterfly – another striking accessory that will look wonderful adorning a jacket or bag. The complete kit costs just £5 and has easy-to-follow instructions.

If you’re really keen to impress, how about crocheting a box of chocolates? You’ll find the free pattern on our Ravelry page. We recommend Mercerised Cotton 4ply yarn for this fun but romantic project.

Visit knitshop.co.uk’s Lee Green boutique outlet and you’ll find even more Valentine’s Day inspiration. We’ve got patterns so you can crochet your own chocolates, as well as an extensive selection of all-natural yarns – the ideal gift with which to surprise the knitter in your life.

We also sell gift vouchers in £20 and £40 denominations.

Links to this blog:

Flower Corsage pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2145-knitted-roses.html

Mulberry Silk Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/31-mulberry-silk-twist

2.5mm needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/bamboo-needles/1603-2mm-sp-bamboo5.html

Football Scarf pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/1669-world-cup-scarf.html

Thick And Easy Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/106-thick-easy-yarn

7mm bamboo needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1605-bamboo-knitting-needles-7mm.html

8mm bamboo needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1351-8mm-sp-bamboo.html

Mohair Silk Yarn: http://knitshop.co.uk/57-mohair-wool-yarn

All knitting and crochet accessories - http://knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1696-bamboo-knitting-needles-4mm.html

Simply Wool yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/126-simply-wool-yarn

Ladder-Stitch Scarf pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/1336-ladder-stitch-scarf-pattern.html

6mm bamboo needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1349-6mm-sp-bamboo.html

Cotton-Linen Blend yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/21-cotton-linen-blend

Lacet Wrist Warmers: link to be added

4mm double-pointed needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1714-4mm-dp-20cm.html

Mulberry Silk Merino Wool Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/29-silk-wool-blend

Valentine’s Chocolates crochet pattern: http://ravel.me/Julieta/cboc

Mercerised Cotton 4ply yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/129-4ply-cotton

Felted Flower Kit: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/felting-kits/1073-flower-felt-kit.html

Felted Butterfly Kit: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/felting-kits/1408-butterfly-felt-kit.html

Merino Wool Tops for felting: http://knitshop.co.uk/24-merino-tops

Knitshop.co.uk gift vouchers: http://knitshop.co.uk/188-gift-voucher

February Workshops and Activities

Knitshop.co.uk – February class schedule

Knitting and crocheting are rewarding pastimes. The extensive choice of yarns, fibres and patterns now available means there are limitless possibilities to what you can make and how it will look.

As well as offering an impressive selection of knitting and crochet yarns, knitshop.co.uk supports its customers all the way with advice on which yarns are most suitable for a specific project and email advice if you find it difficult to complete a pattern.

We want you to get maximum enjoyment from your creative endeavours. One of the best feelings comes from the successful completion of a project that involves tackling new stitches and skills.

Whether you’re new to handknitting and crochet, or keen to extend your skills, taking a class can really boost your progress and give you the confidence to tackle challenging designs.

Each month, knitshop.co.uk holds classes at our Lee High Road Boutique Outlet where we show you how to get started with knitting, crochet or felting, or how to build on existing skills. Classes take place on Fridays and Saturdays, with dedicated classes for youngsters. Adult classes are £15 each, while classes for under 16s cost £10.

This February we’ve got a great choice of workshops to choose from. For our youngsters we are offering Swing The Needles and Let's Get Hooked on Friday 22 February, Saturday 16 and 23 February.

 New knitters are invited to join us on Saturday 16 February for our Learn To Knit class. where we’ll show you how to hold the needles and how to knit your first rows of stitches. By the end of this two-hour class, you will be able to knit your very own scarf. All the materials you need are provided. This class is suitable for both adults and children.

If it’s crochet you yearn to learn, our Crochet For Beginners class on 15 February is just for you. During this class you’ll learn basic crochet techniques and will use them to create a flower. After this you’ll be able to start crocheting everything from Granny squares to bags and scarves.

In fact, if you already know how to crochet doubles and trebles, our 1 February and 23 February class on combining colours in your crochet projects is a great next step. We’ll show you how to make a two-tone square using crochet. Don’t worry if you’re a bit rusty, we’ll offer a recap on essential crochet stitches too.

Alternatively, we’ll be holding an Introduction to Lace Crochet class on Saturday 8 February. Here, we’ll delve into the challenging world of fine crochet work using steel crochet hooks and crochet threads. You’ll need some experience of crochet in order to benefit from attending this class. However, you’ll learn how to read and work from US and European crochet patterns, as well as a range of crochet stitches. 

February’s knitting workshops include How To Knit A Cowl. Held on 2 February and 9 February, this workshop focuses on knitting in the round to create a cosy cowl based on a Mobius loop. If you’ve mastered stocking stitch and variations of knitting and purling, our Knitting in the Round workshop will take your knitting to the next dimension allowing you to create garments without seams. As well as a cowl, we’ll show you how to use the technique to create gloves and hats.

Finally, if you’re after a more delicate project, give our Flower Corsage class a try. Here, we use fine 2.5mm needles to conjure up a pretty rose that can be pinned to a jacket, dress or hat. The class, on 22 February, teaches you how to work increases and decreases to make a stunning accessory.

All classes take place at knitshop.co.uk’s 326 Lee High Road boutique outlet [map here] from 11am to 1pm, with no more than eight attendees per session. Materials and refreshments are provided.

For details of all our classes, click here.