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

The Perfect Finish - Professional Finishing Techniques

Edges of knitted fabrics can sometimes be a little untidy, the cast-on and off can be a little loser or tighter than the rest of the fabric, and simply for further decoration to your fabric or garment, finishing techniques will create the perfect finish.

There are a vast range of techniques that can be applied to fabrics, and just some of these will be covered in the knitshop's 'Professional Knitting Finishing Techniques' workshop.

The Perfect Finish - Finishing Techniques Workshop:
25 and 26 November, 11am - 1pm from £12.00 per 2 hour session

Casting off

Simple but effective is the cast-off technique. It is key to keep your tension the same as the entire fabric, but more easily said than done, for many people a cast-off will result in a taught tension.

The best way to describe casting off, is to knit two stitches as you have been the entire fabric. The second first of the two stitches is dropped, by being looped over the second stitch and then off the end of the knitting needle, leaving one stitch on the needle.

Knit a second stitch, and repeat the above by dropping the first stitch, looping it over the second and off the needle. Carry on the process, being very careful with your tension, until one stitch remains. I usually cut the remaining yarn and bring it through the last loop and create a knot and weave the yarn back in.

Odds and Ends

All knitted fabrics will have yarn ends, either from yarn breakages, changing colours or similar activities that leave yarns hanging from your fabric. The best way to finish off your fabrics is imply to weave these ends in on the wrong-side of the fabric so it is less likely your stitches will come apart and the ends are tucked away neatly and safely.

Crochet hooks or darning needles are ideal to weave the yarn back into your stitches, however simply threading a sewing needle will achieve a similar finish.

Binding or Stitch decrease.

Another ideal way to finish a fabric is the 'fashioning' or decreasing of the fabric and stitches. Usually this will be used for garment finishing techniques for sleeves, necklines and similar.

Again a similar technique to casting off is used, however the fabric is not cast-off all in one row. Decreasing the number of stitches by casting off a few stitches with each row is the usual pattern. Decreasing will usually occur on the edges of the fabric, each garment will propose a different pattern which, should be followed to achieve the best fit and finish for your project.

Linking

Linking pieces of fabric is a great way to eliminate or finish edges, but also to create a new finished edge. Linking can be done by hand or on a linker. Two edges are cast onto needles and then can be immediately cast off or knitted further so two edges make one. Linking also means two different knitted fabrics can be linked together, and this can be a form of finish. One example is; a fine knitted strip linked to a chunkier fabric. This is a perfect edge for a cardigan. Another example is a ribbed edge, such as a cuff, can be linked to a chunkier and wider sleeve.

Mattress Stitch

The perfect seamless seam. This works best on chunkier yarn, finer yarns require patience and small stitches. But the results is a fabric that has a seam, but it is invisible.

Firstly iron flat your fabrics and lay them flat side by side, correct side facing upwards. The aim is to stitch together the selvedges so they continue and give the illusion of a continuous fabric. Use a sewing needle and the same yarn the fabric is knitted with and use a stocking stitch to join the pieces. Pull tight.

Ribbed Edge

A basic technique is ribbing. This technique is simple and adds a little elasticity to your fabric. However incorporating elastic with your knitting yarn can added elasticity to create edges such as cuffs, waistbands and more.

The rib technique uses knit and pearl stitch in the same row. Knit three stitches, pearl three stitches, knit three stitches and carry on until the end of the row. On the next row, you'll need to stick to your three stitches pattern, but where you did three knit stitches, this time do three pearl stitches. This will result in a vertical stripe design with knit and pearl stitches on the same side of the fabric.Ribbed edges can be linked onto a fabric or you can integrate the stitch from another.

Felting

Sometimes a finishing technique can be felting your fabric. Some projects may require a combination of felted and non felted fabrics. Mixing non felted and felted pieces creates a wonderful and original finished project. Always test your yarn to see how much it will shrink by when felted. And similarly if you are adding a felted piece, make sure you knit-it up large enough to shrink. Felted panels can be cut to size.

If you do want to participate in one of our workshops please reserve a space at http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops - all our workshop are held at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green.

Links to this post:
Workshop booking page
How to find the knitshop.co.uk Boutique Outlet in Lee Green

Pictures of A Stitch In Time Vol 2 using knitshop.co.uk yarns

Cryscelle - Front Cover
Mulberry Silk Yarn black and silver white
page 100

This Attractive Affair
Cotton 4ply mercerised bordeaux and oyster
page 35

Striped Sun Top
Cotton 4ply mercerised coral pink, mint green, arctic white
page 49

Box Coat
Tundra Wool Yarn dark green
page 218

Ribbon Threaded Jumper
Cotton Plied Wool Yarn apricot
page 310

Jumper with Collar Flowers
Cotton 4ply mercerised shell pink and arctic white
page 284

Cocktail Jumper
Mulberry Silk Yarn light pink and black
page 387

 

A Stitch In Time Vol 2 is available to purchase from knitshop.co.uk.
"The book takes you on a journey through knitting pattern history from 1930 to 1959. This substantial treasury contains 80 stunning, c;assic patterns for women..." A Stitch In Time Vol 2

"This truly amazing book is for all knitters, young and old, and of all abilities."

Photography: Susan Crawford
Pictures are curtsey of Arbour House Publishing LTD

Link to purchase A Stitch In Time Vol 2
http://www.knitshop.co.uk/patterns-magazines-books/2141-a-stitch-in-time-2.html

A Stitch in Time, Volume 2

Step right up for A Stitch In Time was a blog featured by knitshop.co.uk and now it has finally been published and is available to everyone, Susan Crawfords' masterpiece, combining a variety of vintage knitting patterns from 1930 - 1959. 

If you haven't already taken a peek at A Stitch in Time, Volume 1, then you are missing out on some really stunning knitwear patterns. However, A Stitch in Time, Volume 2, is here and worthwhile having a flick through because this coffee table book has some amazing images of the final garments.

This beautiful book contains many patterns for all levels of knitting ability, and the images are really inspiring. Obviously, the most important feature of the book, the patterns, are sublime. Wonderfully explained with a step-by-step pattern, beautifully illustrated.

The patterns range from 1930's to the 1960's, a variety of jumpers, cardigans, dresses and more. There is a little something for everyone in this book, and for anyone who is just starting to knit, the book will walk you step by step through choosing yarn, colours and f course the pattern. The result is a wonderfully knitted vintage-inspired garment followed to a 'T' from the pattern or with some artistic inspiration of your very own.

Of course, what knit pattern book is complete without a little helping hand from the knitshop.co.uk team? Knitshop.co.uk yarns were used within several of these projects as they are perfect to achieve a vintage inspired garment.

Knitshop.co.uk yarns have been featured on the front cover of the book, a real privileged. Susan's stunning Cryscelle was chosen to adorn the front cover and for this piece the Mulberry Silk was used. A perfect choice in yarn for such an amazing theatrical top. The striped silver white and black Mulberry silk reflect the light stunningly and the sumptuous silk makes this a great top for evening wear as well as office and day-wear.

Firstly, on page 35 is featured the pattern 'This Attractive Affair'. A beautiful 1930's inspired pattern which makes an ideal gift for someone deserving. Susan opted to use our 4ply mercerised cotton in Bordeaux and Oyster Colours. This rich palette is warm, perfect for this winter's trend but also spot on for the colours of the 1930's. This light weight yarn is soft to the touch but strong and easily washable.

On page 49 you will also find our 4ply mercerised cotton. A fabulous summer knit pattern, this 'Striped Sun Top' includes our coral pink, white and mint green cotton. We encourage you to use a variety of your own favourite colours, but Susan's choice really accentuates the shape of the top and will be stunning in hot sunshine.

This is followed by 'The Box Coat' on page 218. A 1940's inspired coat knitted in Tundra Wool. This chunky yarn, ideal for winter knits is a clear winner for this pattern. The thickness of the final fabric will keep you warm through this winter and more to come. The choice of the dark green yarn is ideal for winter 2011 and represents the palettes of the 1940's. knitshop.co.uk also offer a mustard yellow which I feel is also ideal for this pattern.

Patterns from the 1950's includes a fabulous jumper with glorious flower and collar detailing, 'Jumper with Collar and Flowers' on page 284. Very 1950's this pattern is great for children and adults. I love how this can be combined with pencil skirts or glamorous trousers as well as your every day jeans. Knitted in 4ply mercerised cotton makes this a light and warm jumper. The cotton works well in the finer detail of the flowers and is sure not to aggravate the skin around the neckline like a wool could. Susan opted for knitshop's shell pink, Arctic white and canary yellow for the floral detailing, but again the choice is yours.

Another great jumper is the 'Ribbon Threaded' jumper found on page 310 An inspired use of ribbon makes this jumper very cute and pretty. The apricot yarn brings out the girly pattern and we can definitely recommend this to any knitter who enjoys using various materials aside from just yarn. A fun pattern, Susan chose to use knitshop's Cotton Plied Wool for it's softness and warmth. We recommend needle size 3-4 which is also recommended in the pattern.

Finally, knitshop.co.uk yarns were used in the 'Cocktail Jumper' on page 387. Another 1950's inspired pattern for knitting, this jumper uses the Mulberry Silk for a sumptuous finish. Ideal for drinks parties and formal dinner parties, we love this pattern for it's unique design. The light pink Mulberry Silk was combined with the black to achieve another glorious pattern by Susan Crawford.

Which is your favourite vintage pattern? Email us your pictures of your A Stitch In Time garments!

And Happy Knitting!!

Links to this post:

A Stitch In Time Vol 2 - order your book today for delivery tomorrow!

A Stitch In Time Vol 1 - still available at knitshop.co.uk

Cotton 4ply mercerised - oyster, bordeaux, light pink, mint green, coral pink and white

Mulberry Silk Yarn - black, silvery white and light pink

Cotton plied Wool Yarn - apricot

Wool Yarn Tundra - dark green

Step right up for A Stitch In Time

Susan Crawford Vintage Blog

The Lacet Wrist Warmer

We're offering 6x 50g hanks of Merino Wool / Mulberry Silk to one lucky winner who sends in a picture of their Lacet Wrist Warmer. Tackle the Lacet Wrist Warmer pattern using any knitshop.co.uk yarn and then take a picture of the finished pieces. Get creative and make sure your wrist warmers are unique and beautifully finished. Take a picture and send it to the knitshop.co.uk team. Competition deadline has been extended to 15 November 2011. The winner will be contacted by email.
Good luck!

knitshop.co.uk's very own Julieta Brandao, is well known for designing and calculating knitting and crochet patterns to be featured in magazines, across the internet and further afield.

Julieta strives to create a variety of patterns that can be used by all knitters of varying skills and this latest pattern, the Lacet Wrist Warmer, is a fantastic pattern aimed at beginner and improver knitting levels.

Perfect for the autumn, the Lacet Wrist Warmer is elbow long, although this can be adjusted, and comes up mid-way on the hand. A thumb-hole means that the wrist warmer leaves your fingers available to continue day to day activities.

The wrist warmer can be worn as out-door cold weather accessory, matched with your winter coat or jacket and even as an indoor garment to be styled with your daily fashions. The knitshop.co.uk found hundreds of uses for this wrist warmer, including; working in the garden, working in a warehouse, typing in your office, walking the dog and more!

Lacet Wrist Warmer from Knitting Magazine issue 93

Julieta has chosen to knit-up her pattern for the Lacet Wrist Warmer with knitshop.co.uk Mulberry Silk and Merino Wool. This deep crimson red featured in the sample is perfect for this autumn and will carry you on into the spring trends. The mulberry silk is soft to touch and work with and the Merino wool is warm, adding depth and softness to the piece.

The combination brings out a fabulous colour and texture but also the best qualities from the both yarns. Pick your favourite colour from our wide selection of yarns and make the wrist warmer personal. Stripes and multi-tonal colours are a perfect way of putting your mark on these.

The pattern itself is lacey and uses some techniques that are perfect to use in other projects. The laceyness of the pattern makes the wrist warmer even warmer, trapping air and creating a layer of warmth, lovely and cosy. The wrist warmer is knitted in the round and we suggest using double pointed or circular bamboo knitting needles. You can buy these through us! We also suggest using a DK weight yarn, which is 8ply for UK yarns.

If you're keen to start making your own wrist warmers, or even think this makes a wonderful gift for someone who needs to keep their hands and wrists warm, the you can purchase the pattern which was featured in the Knitting Magazine issue 93.  The pattern will soon be available to purchase as a single pattern from knitshop.co.uk in the pattern section and you can place this in your shopping basket and check-it-out with all your other goodies.

Enjoy! And remember we're always here to help with any knitting problems and qualms you may have!
Contact us or visit the Boutique Outlet at 326 Lee High Road, Lee Green, London, SE13 5PJ

Links to this post: 

Mulberry Silk/Merino Wool Yarn

Knitting Magazine - Lacet Pattern
Double Pointed Bamboo Knitting Needles

Circular Bamboo Knitting Needles
Simply Wool Yarn - DK 100% wool yarn

A little snatch at Autumn

As the British Autumn approaches fast, the leaves turn gold and the skies darken we all feel pleased to have a lovely project to be getting on with, keeping us warm and look forward to what the new season will inspire us with.

Le Rouge

This season's on trend colours are deep crimson, mauves, violets, peaches and reds. Coming together these colours will make for a warm autumn colour palette. I love this alpaca yarn in crimson. It's the ideal colour of the season. Warm colour matched with a warm texture, this is all you need to complete an autumn project. Alpaca Fino Yarn in pink.

One of our popular yarns in-store is this dark purple Chinese silk, the colour and sheen create a wonderful yarn that when knitted is sumptuous to all senses! Try using a dash of this lilac to smooth between the warmer colours. 100% this is soft to the touch and even used alone in a project, this is a wonderful colour to work with and one that is always popular from season to season. knitshop's Simply wool yarn.

This mulberry merino is perfect. A stunning shade, soft and easy to knit and crochet with, this yarn is a winner with me and represents the crimson colour palette perfectly.

The Canary

Other colours to also look out for are the blacks and greys with a splash of canary yellow to liven the palette. The mustard and grey linen blend is a great example of the palette trend, however I would add a darker grey or black for further contrast and impact. This zesty canary yellow alpaca is simply perfect to add a stripe of colour to projects.

For a touch of texture and dramatic effect, why not try the mohair in yellow. This yarn when knitted up will have a beautiful fluffy texture and the tiny yellow fibres will blend and merge into the black and grey dispersing and giving a wonderful subtle finish.

This mulberry silk silver would be a perfect match to the above yellows, and a gorgeous yarn to knit with. This is ideal for winter aran knits and more.

Indigo and you

But watch out for teals, indigos and greens as these will be taken us through from winter into spring. Again the cotton linen blend the knitshop.co.uk offer is ideal as the palette is already created for you. The subtle mix in teal and indigo dye knits-up wonderfully giving the fabric a shadow and depth that is beautiful. I also like the denim blue Chinese silk. I like the raw feel of the yarn and the slightly washed out look you would get with denim-wear. I find this yarn very inspiring and look forward to use it in future projects.

If you are looking for a merino wool, then look no further than this blazing neon blue. This is a statement colour, but definitely one worth using for your fashion projects as this is this winters must have sparkler! However, if this is a little too bright, then perhaps try the denim merino.

Gold

A classic British colour palette is always a safe bet, browns, golds, and creams. Of course the knitshop.co.uk have plenty to offer here too when it comes to yarns. Again the Chinese silk really stands out colour-wise. This gold is stunning, it has the right shine to it and is a little more unique than most browns and golds sold at the moment

This deep brown is really representative of the season and not to be missed out on if you are planning to use autumn shades. The softness of the merino wool will make your project lovely and easy to knit up and most importantly wonderfully soft.

Finally this antique gold mulberry silk will complete your palette or is perfect to be used as a single colour in your projects. Ideal for vintage patterns, the parchment colour is original.

 

Links to this post:
Autumn Half Term Activities

Alpaca Fino Yarn, pink

Chinese Silk Yarn

Simply Wool Yarn

Mulberry Silk/Merino Wool Yarn

Cotton Linen blend yarn

Mohair Silk Yarn in yellow

Mulberry Silk silver

Autumn Half Term Activities

Leaves are falling and its getting pretty cold outside. We at knitshop.co.uk have put together a fantastic new training program this autumn. For one week only we are bringing back our most popular kids workshops during half term week, great new autumn, winter and Christmas workshops have been added to the schedule. 

Swing The Needles and Let Get Hooked
Friday 28th October and Saturday 29th October, 11am - 1pm

Two hours of knitting and crochet, dedicated to teaching creative minds how to finger knit and crochet. All materials are provided and each student is encouraged to knit or crochet something to take home with them. We held our first 'Swing the Needles' course on Wednesday and it was a resounding success with many students desperate to carry on finger knitting!

All children's workshops are priced at £10 for two hours. We welcome a second child at half price making this a brilliant activity to keep the children entertained. All students under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian, who can also take part in the knitting fun!

Felting Jewellery Workshop

Saturday 29th October, 3pm - 5pm

Our jewellery design workshop is available to all skill levels and are a great new skill to learn this autumn to create some unique and inspired jewellery. Participants will be shown the techniques of achieving three dimensional felted pieces perfect to create beads or sculptural shapes for decorative jewellery.

Taught by Julieta, the course includes all the materials necessary for the two hour workshop as well as a project to take home and keep you inspired and creative. The workshop is available to be booked online for just £19.00.

Felted Necklace

Knitting and Crochet Workshops

every Friday and Saturday 11am - 1pm

Our regular knitting and crochet sessions are running as usual this half term week. Want to learn to crochet, refresh your knitting skills or simply enjoy good company - visit our Boutique Outlet every Friday and Saturday from 11am and join the fun. Remember to book your place to get the discounted pre-booked rate, book now online or call 020 8144 4523.

Knitting and Crochet short term Courses
New knitting and crochet courses have started last week, however there is still time to join the course for 3 or 6 weeks. Whether you are wanting to learn to knit or crochet, or simply improve your skills, these is the right course for you. Designed to build up on your skills and confidence, the tutor helps you every stitch of the project to reach your goal. Read more about our especially designed short term courses in this blog. 
To book your place visit the online shop or call 020 8144 4523. 

Result of a Crochet Granny Square Workshop

What ever you up to this autumn, be sure to reserve your space at knitshop.co.uk to improve your crafting skills and give your loved ones great handmade gifts this Christmas!


Happy Halloween!

Links to this post
Book Workshops online
Workshop Schedule overview
Short term courses blog

Pictures Alexandra Palace 2011

This year knitshop.co.uk was located in the great hall, stand D15 of the Alexandra Palace Knitting & Stitching Show. It was a very busy show once again and we had nearly everything happening to our stand.... Dont you just love the challenges of the 11th hour... One of our tables collapsed on Thursday morning, about 1 hour before show opening, which brought down with it shelves and all other props on it. If that was not enough, one of the side walls of our stand began to give in at the same time! Disaster! In an hour of such urgency - a good team shines - and we pulled it off for which I say thanks to my girls! We pulled together and managed to get it all sorted so finally the stand looked great to meet our valued customers. Here are some pictures....

Needle Felting Demonstration

Wet Felted Flower from Julieta's Felting Class

knitshop.co.uk Stand D15

knitshop.co.uk Stand D15

Merino Wool Tops - one of our best sellers!

Real sheep's fleece

sweety yarn shop!

 

 

 

Cotton 4ply mercerised - a show stopper!

What we displayed on the show along with all the classes we did - in case you liked it so much and wanted to continue enriching your skills or if you did not manage to get in our workshops or to our stand you can compensate by visiting us in our High Street Boutique Outlet in South East London - Between Lewisham and Greenwich. We have some extra workshops coming up and spaces are filling up quickly so please dont forget to call in and reserve your space or if you were adventurous you can always book on our secure website (get clicking below)! Here is a reminder of this weeks workshops:

Crochet A Snowflake - Friday 14th Oct, 11am
Free Knitting & Crochet Taster Session - Friday 14th Oct, 1.30pm
Knitted Flower Corsage - Saturday 15th Oct, 11am
Free Knitting & Crochet Taster Session - Saturday 15th Oct, 1.30pm
Autumn Felting Workshop - Saturday 15th Oct, 3pm

Prices start from FREE for a 1-hour session... Book now to secure your space. Check on-line @ www.knitshop.co.uk, call us on 020 8144 4523 or email through the contact us form.(the free sessions are currently only available in-store, by email enquiry or by phone).

Happy Knitting!

Links to this post:
Workshop Schedule
Contact us form

Knitshop.co.uk at the Knitting and Stitch Show

It's that time of year again, when knitters across the globe flock to Alexandra Palace to take part in the Knitting and Stitch show. And of course, what would the Knitting and Stitch show be without knitshop.co.uk?
 
The team are getting ready for another busy four days on the stand and we've put in place a few treats for our followers.
 
Knitshop.co.uk will be located on stand D15 in the main hall. Make sure you make your way through the crowds to meet the team, and if this was not enough of a treat we are offering a 15% discount on everything on the stand (not including discounted products).
 
We'll be selling everything from yarn to magazines, patterns and needles. We'll have a variety of home-knitted garments on display to get you inspired and do not miss our new cotton 4ply. Available in many colours suitable for this Autumn and Winter be sure to pick a few hanks of the cotton 4ply. The teal and royal blue are a particular favourite as these are bang-on-trend this season.
http://knitshop.co.uk/4ply-cotton/1931-green-cotton-4ply.html
 
 
From Thursday the 6th of October 2011 until Sunday 9th, the Knitting and Stitch show will welcome knitters, crocheters, felters and more through the doors.
 
As you may well know from previous visits the show includes a variety of stands displaying and selling anything and everything linked to knitting and creative disciplines. This year there will be shibori dyeing, jewellery-making and card-making added to a fun-packed and busy schedule.
 
As always a host of activities will also be available and there's always the cafe's to sit and have a quick knit at.
 
There is also a dedicated exhibition space, featuring leading artists and groups recent work. This creative space is always a favourite amongst visitors and always worth a visit. From textile designers to fine artists and graduates, the work is always of the highest standard and pushing new boundaries in the world of knit and stitch. I can't wait to see what work will be featured this year.
 
After your checklist has been exhausted of things to do and see at the Knitting and Stitch show, make sure you have popped-by our stand. We'll be bring new stock out through-out the day and the weekend so there will always be something new to see and various special offers will be happening so do not miss-out
 
The Knitting and Stitch Show
London Alexandria Palace
01473 320407 Tickets
 
knitshop.co.uk
Stand D15  in the main hall – see you there!
 
 
 
 
 

Stitch-up for the National Knitting Week 2011

For the past 6 years, national knitting week has been a week dedicated to promoting, encouraging, involving and socialising for knitters. Knitting Magazine set up this week in 2005 and since then it has been going from strength to strength with companies such as ourselves putting on events and embracing knitting, crochet and more. Celebs are seen with needles in their hands and Adrian Chiles has taken up the topic for his new series of That Sunday Night Show on ITV.

This year National Knitting Week will be celebrated in-store, at the Lee Green Boutique, between October 1^st and 15^th. In honour of National Knitting Week 2011, knitshop.co.uk are offering free workshops, tutorials and surgery sessions to one and all. From the 13^th to the 15^th of October the knitshop.co.uk team are taking on people young and old, of all knitting abilities and will be setting projects through the workshops to teach new skills to all attendees.

Make sure you book your free place at these workshops as they fill-up quick. Workshops will be held between 1.30 and 2.30pm every afternoon. Contact the team online, by phone or in person for more information or to book your place.

Individual tutorials and surgeries will encourage and help knitters through their personal projects and hopefully inspire people to bring projects out of the closet and get stuck back into knitting.

The Workshops, tutorials and surgeries will be held at the knitshop.co.uk boutique in Lee Green where attendees can immerse themselves into the world of knit, pick up some new project patterns, inspiring yarns and the latest in knitting needles.

Additionally, Julieta and the knitshop.co.uk team will be holding a knitting marathon. Make sure your fingers are nimble and brace yourselves for a week-long chase with knit and pearl stitches hopefully not running loose. The knitting marathon will begin on the 13th of October at 11am, be sure not to miss the beginning of this historical day. The knitshop.co.uk, and any knitters willing to embrace this challenge, will be knitting continually throughout the week and at least until the 15^th of October, but who knows, it's a marathon therefore there is no set finish date!

Alongside the knitting marathon there will be a competition with fantastic prizes worth £50, whoever will knit the longest will win themselves a fabulous yarn, runners up will also get prizes and everyone involved will have helped knit throughout this exciting period. Be sure to visit the knitshop.co.uk Boutique Outlet in Lee Green between 13th and 15th October 2011 to be part of this fantastic event!

Address: 326 Lee High Road, Lee Green, London, SE13 5PJ

Get yourself, your children, your friends, your family down to this fantastic event as 2011's National Knitting Week will be spectacular.

Get Knitting!

Knitting, Crochet and Felting Workshops
National Knitting Week 2011
That Sunday Night Show ITV
Knitting Magazine
knitshop.co.uk Boutique Outlet in Lee Green

Jigsaw Puzzle - Intarsia Knitting

Take-on Intarsia - Think of intarsia as a jigsaw puzzle, several pieces are fitted together. These pieces can be of varying colour and materials, and in fact this makes intarsia more interesting. The knitted pieces can be of different knitting techniques, even different weight yarns the mix and match possibilities are endless.

Intarsia is different to multi-coloured knitting techniques such as Fair isle and Double Knitting as there can only be one 'active' colour when working and the different yarns are not carried across the back of the knit they are left 'hanging'.

The best example of intarsia is argyle socks usually with a diamond knit pattern of varying colours. Intarsia is also common for jumpers with knitted patterns and designs.

Hand Knitting with intarsia - what you will need:
Standard needles
Various coloured yarns
experienced in basic stitches including knit and purl
Bobbins

The bobbins are used to keep the 'inactive' yarn to one side, they resemble sewing machine bobbins but are much larger, however these intarsia bobbins can snap tight to keep the yarn from unwinding, especially useful when you drop one and you have to go chasing after it!

Knitting
The knitter will begin knitting their pattern, when a colour change is required the new colour is brought in from underneath the old colour strand and continues to knit. Just like with regular knitting, when you turn your knitting around, just continue as normal and change the colour when desired remembering to bring the new colour up from underneath the old. This should prevent holes.

Intarsia patterns can be as simple as vertical stripes, changing the colour in the exact same place every row. A great example is this Vest pattern published by knitshop.co.uk

They can become more complicated with geometrical shapes and even more complicated with designs of various shapes. However these can be calculated a little like a 'paint by number' project, except you knit by number. Intarsia patterns are given as charts which have little squares where a pattern or design are displayed. Remember to read the pattern from the lower right upwards.

For more information about intarsia knitting why not join us for our Colour Knitting workshops. Saturday 24th September Julieta will be teaching intarsia as well as fair isle knitting. This workshop will be repeated on October 1st. The two hour workshop will provide students with all materials and the class of 8 students maximum will mean a one-to-one teaching can be provided.

Machine Knitting with Intarsia
For all you machine knitters we've included a small segment on knitting by machine with intarsia - what you will need:
knitting machine
Intarsia carriage
Various coloured yarns

Knitting
The intarsia carriage resembles a normal machine knitting carriage, however this helps the knitter 'hold' the needles that do not require the colour you are using as well as change the colour and not create a hole.

The knitter will bring forward the needles that will be 'held' and will knit across the needles that are not 'held'. The knitter will adjust the needles when they need to change colour. However it is important to pull back the needles you have been knitting on before knitting across with the new colour. It is also advised to put plenty of weight on the segments being knitted.

The intarsia helps the segments merge creating one knitted fabric unlike if you were to use the holding technique which is restrictive for this type of knitting.

With machine knitting intarsia you have the added benefits of using punch cards to create interesting patterns.



Links to this post: 
Pattern from knitshop.co.uk
Needles and other knitting accessories
Knitting and crochet yarns
Workshops and courses

 

Get Inspired This Summer

Finally the sun managed to break through the clouds in time for the summer holidays. If you are still looking for kids activities, check out our Summer Holidays Kids Workshops. If you are looking for a light summer project for yourself, here at the knitshop, we've put together a few ideas to inspire you and help you have a smooth summer knitting.

• Learn to knit

A little time off can be ideal to learn to knit or pick up a new skill like felting or crochet. The knitshop.co.uk provides various courses and workshops across the summer which are ideal for beginners, or we offer books that will help you learn the basics to the best stitch techniques. These are great for going away or when you need to keep an eye on the children

• Visiting the knitshop.co.uk

Online and in-store we have plenty of special offers, gorgeous yarns, high quality materials, unique patterns and interesting courses to entice any keen knitter, to instil a little inspiration and provide the best yarns to create your masterpiece.

• Courses and workshops

The knitshop.co.uk have included a variety of 6 week and 2 hour workshops available to anyone interested in knitting, crochet or felting. We have even included children's specials. For example, on the 5th August Julieta from the Knitshop.co.uk will be hosting a Learn to Crochet Coloured Granny Squares Workshop. 

• Grab a Magazine

We all love a glossy magazine, grab a knitting magazine from the knitshop for ideas, inspiration, yarn reviews and the latest gossip of the happenings in the knit world. Mollie Makes suggests ways to making crochet simpler and Knitting Magazine includes a variety of knitting patterns for you to turn your hand to. They include everything from a small project to something that may take up your entire holiday! Read the latest yarn reviews about knitshop.co.uk in the recent Inside Crochet. 

• Joan Crawford

Download your knit, crochet and felting patterns from the knitshop.co.uk. Joan Crawford is a new knitting pattern available to knitshop.co.uk the online shop and is the perfect project to get stuck into this summer to create the perfect autumn jumper with style and vintage class. 

• Try something new

Be bold and try something new this summer. Ever knitted in the round? Get yourself some bamboo circular knitting needles and knit up some socks, arm warmers or something different! Try felting. Felt some floral decorations to add to your knitted fashion or go one step further and make some felted beads to create necklaces and more!

There is lots of potential for crafters of all ages this summer so take a look at the site and start a project. Julieta and knitshop.co.uk team are here for any advice, hiccups or more and remember to book your places in advance for any workshops or courses to get started on your new skills.

Good luck and happy knitting! 

Useful Links

Magazines - to browse and purchase

Joan Crawford Pattern

Patterns available at knitshop.co.uk

Felting Courses and Workshops

Kids Workshops & activities