Summer Sizzlers

As the sunshine and warm weather continues to surprise us, knitshop.co.uk has been stocking up on summer yarns for our lightweight knits and crochets.

We've just recently received stock of a 4ply 100% mercerised cotton that has been dazzling in the sun rays at the knitshop.co.uk. The stunning sheen of the mercerised cotton has been almost blinding passers by and calling people into the shop to pick up a selection of colours.

As many keen knitters know mercerised cottons are popular due to their finish and lustre but also for it's strength and how successfully it takes dyes. Mercersied cottons in particular 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.

Currently the knitshop.co.uk are offering this classic and traditional mercerised cotton, in-store and online, in inspiring colours including girly favourites, fushia, light lilac, light pink and ice blue. A great combination! More exotic colours up for grabs includes a silver mercerised cotton and a beautiful oyster colour. Also available are some muted naturals such as green, yellow, brown, orange, purple and royal blue – gorgeous.

A total of fifteen colours are currently available and we are soon receiving even more colours! The 4ply mercerised cottons come in 50gram balls and can be machine washed at 40 degrees, however a wool wash is recommended. The knitshop.co.uk recommend 2.5-3 mm needles (shop here for needles) for the best tension and textile finish.

This particular 4ply mercerised cotton has caught the eye of many knitters including Meg from the Knit Magazine, who has worked her knitting magic with our cotton and designed a pattern for a Lily Jacket. Our silver, purple and light lilac 4ply mercerised cotton was perfect for Meg to sample her latest pattern, the lustre of the cotton is perfect for this jacket and in particular the silver really is sublime.

Meg's pattern is available to purchase through the Knit Magazine, and knitshop.co.uk is excited to announce that Meg will be designing patterns exclusive for the knitshop.co.uk. So be sure to keep an eye on our site for more information about these forth coming patterns.

The 4ply mercerised cotton was also used in Susan Crawfords' vintage pattern featured in her latest coffee table knitting pattern book 'A Stitch in Time II'. Click here for more information about Crawfords' vintage pattern book and to pre-order your copy through the knitshop.co.uk.

If you feel inspired to incorporate some mercerised cottons in your projects then take a look at some of our patterns available for this Spring Summer! Julieta Brandao in particular recommends the cotton for vintage knit and crochet projects. Julieta recently achieved some knitted fingerless gloves using a lacy knit technique that really brought out the qualities of this yarn. Watch out for a free pattern, using the cotton 4ply, to be published on knitshop.co.uk's pattern page very soon.

Here are some comments from knitshop.co.uk customers who have already received their yarns;

“I just love working with the cotton, the colours are very fresh and the quality is absolutely fantastic!”

"I am in the process of knitting a shawl with the purple cotton, I love the handle of this yarn. I have recommended you to my crochet group. Once again , many thanks"

"I got the yarns today. What great colours!"

Links to this post: 
Cotton 4ply mercerised
Shop - 326 Lee High Road, Lee Green
Lily Jacket on Ravelry
Knit Magazine
Knitting Pattern
Step right up for A Stitch In Time
Pre-order A Stitch In Time 2
Julieta Brandao
Fingerless Gloves / Wrist warmer