Classes this March

Knitting and crochet classes at knitshop.co.uk this March
Mothering Sunday gifts and Easter decorations feature heavily in our March knitting and crochet workshop programme. Our Knit A Mother’s Day Gift class on Saturday 14 March focuses on small knitted items that you can make in time for Mother’s Day. You have the choice of making a pair of wrist warmers, a flower corsage or fancy boot-toppers.

Knitted Rose - the perfect flowers for Mother's Day!

If crochet’s your thing, sign up for our Crochet A Mother’s Day Gift class on Friday 13 March. Here, we’ll give you a refresher lesson in crochet techniques (or teach you how to crochet) then let you apply what you’ve learnt while making flowers, wrist warmers or a coaster.

Crochet Daffodil, the perfect spring flower!

For something slightly different try our Tunisian Crochet workshop, which introduces a very firm, tight crochet technique that has elements of both knitting and crochet. It’s ideal for making hardwearing homewares.

Tunisian Crochet Workshop for a different type of crochet!

On Saturday 21 March and Friday 27 March we’ll be showing you how to Crochet An Easter Egg Decoration. The brightly-coloured orbs made a striking alternative to Easter chicks and flowers. The techniques used here are fairly easy to master, so these classes are fine for both beginner crocheters and those with some experience.

Crochet Easter Decoration - learn how to make your own.

If you’d prefer to learn the basics first and then on your own projects at a later date, our introduction to knitting and crochet workshops are just for you. The Beginner’s Crochet class on Friday 6 March takes you through holding the crochet hook and manipulating the crochet yarn, creating foundation chains and working your first crochet stitches. Master these elements and you’ll soon be able to crochet your first items.

If you want to make something both Spring-like and a potential Mother’s Day present, check out the Crochet Daffodil pattern in our pattern library. It’s easy to make and all the proceeds from the sale of the pattern go to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Workshop at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green.

Don’t worry if you get in a pickle with the projects you start in our workshops. We offer plenty of post-workshop phone and email support and also hold free Knitting and Crochet SOS clinics at the end of each month where you can bring along a project and get advice on how to get it back on track. Just follow the link to book your place.

Some people love to make socks and can’t seem to stop making them once they learn how. Making socks involves specialist techniques such as turning a heel and grafting the toes, so we’ve split our Toe Up Sock Making workshop into two parts. You’ll also need to be confident at increasing and decreasing and at knitting in the round. Toe Up Sock Making Part I is on Saturday 21 March, with Sock Making part II the week after on Saturday 28 March. 

Long knitted Socks and Boot Toppers are perfect for the changing seasons!

Finally, if you’re after a challenging new crochet project, why not join us for our Crochet A Lace Shawl class on 27 March where we’ll be using very fine crochet hooks and lace yarn to make a delicate wrap. We’ll give you a thorough grounding in how to read both European and American crochet patterns and help you with any crochet stitches you’ve not encountered before. As with all our classes, full support is provided, so you can embark on this rewarding crochet project with confidence.

All knitshop.co.uk workshops are taught by fully qualified tutors and are held in our south-east London boutique outlet at 326 Lee High Road, Lewisham SE13 5PJ. Classes last two hours and run from 11am to 1pm. Full instructions and materials are provided. To book a class just follow its link and choose ‘self pick-up’ at the checkout.


Links to this blog:

March workshops list: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/243-march

Beginner’s Crochet class: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2920-beginners-crochet-workshop.html

Crochet a Mother’s Day gift: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2985-crochet-mothers-day-gift.html

Crochet a Lace Shawl: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3049-lace-crochet-shawl.html

Crochet A Decorative Easter Egg: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3233-crochet-easter-egg-decoration-workshop.html

Crocheted daffodil pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/3028-daffodil.html

Knit A Mother’s Day gift: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2979-mothers-day-gift-knitting-workshop.html

Knitting For Beginners: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2017-07-mar-beginner-knitting-learn-workshop.html

Free Knitting SOS clinic: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2980-free-sos-clinic.html
Marie Curie Cancer Care: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk

Tunisian Crochet workshop, 20 March: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2924-beginners-tunisian-crochet-workshop.html

Toe-Up Sock Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2706-sock-knitting.html

knitshop.co.uk Christmas patterns and workshops

With Christmas looming, knitshop.co.uk is focusing on gifts and decorations. Check out our patterns library for free patterns to download including the cheerful Christmas Tree Cosy. We’ve also got lots of Yuletide ideas for you to try at our weekly Friday and Saturday workshops.  

On Friday 5 December you can either try your hand at crocheting baubles to hang on your Christmas tree or learn how to make a dainty snowflake. The Crochet Christmas Ornaments course covers a range of crochet techniques and stitches which will help you take your crocheting to the next level.

Christmas Mini Stockings for small presents or the tree.
Knitted using Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn.

If you’re more of a knitter, sign up for our Knit A Christmas Stocking class on 13 December when we’ll be making tiny Christmas stockings. These cute multi-coloured socks are knitted in the round, so they’re seam-free. The tricky part is turning the heel, but you’ll be fine once we show you how. You need basic knitting and purl skills for this class. We’ll show you the rest. Your finished stockings will look great on the tree filled with chocolates or other treats.

The last weekend before Christmas is all about handmade gifts. Our class on Friday 19 December covers Crochet Christmas Gifts and we’ll show you how to make a range of gifts. If you know basic crochet, you’ll learn to make a flower or a pouch- why not fill it with scented soap? If you’re ready to learn how to crochet in the round, we’ll help you get started with a wristwarmer or a cowl. 

Velvet Purple Wrist Warmer
quick to knit and a great present!

 

Knitters also get the chance to tackle a delicate pair of wristwarmers or a chunky cowl in our Saturday 20 December Last-Minute Knitted Christmas Gifts class.

Finally, if you’ve already embarked on a knitting or crochet project and need a hand, we’re holding a free SOS Class on Friday 19 December. Bring along a stalled project and we’ll help you work out where you’ve gone wrong and help you get it back on track. Who knows, you might be able to complete that planned Christmas knit after all. Please note that the SOS Class is free to attend but you need to book in advance by following this link.

A variety of yarns are available at the Lee Green Boutique Outlet.

knitshop.co.uk workshops take place from 11am to 1pm at our boutique outlet at 326 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ. Each class costs £15 and can be booked by following the links below and selecting ‘self-pickup’ at the checkout. Instructions, materials and refreshments are provided, as is post-class phone and email support.

Links to this blog:

knitshop.co.uk patterns: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/161-knitshop-pattern

Christmas Tree Cosy pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2632-christmas-tree-tea-cosy.html

Crochet Christmas Gifts, 19 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3116-knit-a-cowl.html

Crochet Christmas Ornaments, 5 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3113-crochet-ornament.html

Free SOS clinic, 19 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3100-free-sos-clinic.html

Knit A Christmas Corsage, 6 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3114-christmas-corsage.html

Knit A Christmas Stocking, 13 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3115-christmas-stocking-knitting.html

Last-Minute Knitted Christmas Gifts, 20 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3117-knit-a-cowl.html

November workshops

Make your own Christmas gifts with knitshop.co.uk

There’s no denying the inevitable march towards Christmas, but there’s no need to panic about what to buy everyone: knitshop.co.uk has devised a great set of workshops in which you can make your very own Christmas gifts.

On November 15th we’ll be learning how to Crochet a Flower Corsage – a lovely adornment to a hat, jacket or bag. You need only basic crochet skills to attempt this project (in fact, we don’t mind showing you the basics of crochet) and we’ll give you a choice of at half a dozen shades of crochet yarn to use. By the end of the two-hour class you’ll be able to work double and single crochets and may well have completed your first corsage. 

Crochet a Christmas Flower on 15th November @knitshop Lee Green.

Saturday 22nd November sees us focus on that crochet classic, the granny square. A building block for crocheted bags, scarves and other fast-to-make items, our Crochet A Granny Square class uses foundation chains, single, double and half-double crochets, along with other staple crochet stitches. We’ll also look at how to read both European and US crochet patterns – an important skill if you want to start work on other crochet patterns.

Once you’ve got the hang of making granny squares just sew or crochet two together and add a fabric liner to make a neat gift bag or purse. Link 10 to 15 squares together to make a striking crochet scarf that’s sure to delight the vintage fan in your family. 

Do you want to learn how to make a Christmas Tree Tea Cosy?
Join us on Friday's or Saturday's at 11am to learn how!

Socks are another Christmas staple. Why not surprise someone special with a hand-knitted pair? We’re running a two-part Sock Knitting workshop on Friday 14th and Friday 21st November showing you how to make knee-length socks. You’ll have a choice of eight shades from knitshop’s Sock Yarn range. Techniques you’ll learn include knitting in the round, grafting and turning a heel. If you prefer, we can also show you how to make ankle or calf-length socks. 

If you’re new to knitting or crochet but fancy the idea of making handmade gifts, why not sign up to our Beginners’ Knitting class on 7 November or Beginners’ Crochet class on 8 November? We’ll start with the absolute basics of how to how your needles or crochet hook, how to cast on and create your first stitches. The skills you learn will be ideal for making your first scarf or cowl. 

Socks - or mini stockings, you choose!

All knitshop.co.uk workshops are two hours long and take place in our boutique outlet at 356 Lee High Road, London SE13 5PJ from 11am to 1pm. Materials, instructions and refreshments are all included.

To book, please follow the links below and choose self-pickup at checkout. Workshops are £15 per session, except kids’ classes which are £10 per child. A parent or guardian also needs to be present.

Links to this blog:

November workshops list: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/251-november

Beginner’s Crochet class: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2287-23-july-crochet.html

Beginners’ Knitting class: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3096-beginners-knitting-workshop.html

Crochet A Flower Corsage: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3111-crochet-corsage.html

Crochet A Granny Square: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3112-12-jan-granny-squares-crochet.html

knitshop.co.uk Crochet Cotton: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/237-crochet-cotton-thread

knitshop.co,uk Sock Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/165-socks-yarn

Sock Knitting workshop part I: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3097-sock-knitting.html

Sock Knitting workshop part II: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3098-sock-knitting.html

Swing The Needles kids’ knitting class: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3106-swing-the-needles.html

Why Wool?

Wool Week promotions from knitshop.co.uk
Wool Week is back 5 - 12 October!

Why Wool? This question and many others are answered on the website The Campaign For Wool. At knitshop.co.uk we are all about wool and natural fibres. Wool week is now running in its 5th year and hosts a number of activities to showcase the best wool has to offer. 

One of the most spectacular events is the Wool Ride. More than 300 wool-clad cyclists will take a ride around historical parts of London as well as wool famous areas such as Jermyn Street. Celebrate wool interiors is running for one week and one day at Southwark Cathedral in London for you to visit and admire this year's most beautiful wool moment. 

Wool Week 2014 - 5 - 12 October.

with a host of activities planned to showcase the best wool has to offer - See more at: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/wool-week-is-back/#sthash.PQP4nahv.dpuf

with a host of activities planned to showcase the best wool has to offer - See more at: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/wool-week-is-back/#sthash.PQP4nahv.dpuf

with a host of activities planned to showcase the best wool has to offer - See more at: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/wool-week-is-back/#sthash.PQP4nahv.dpuf

with a host of activities planned to showcase the best wool has to offer - See more at: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/wool-week-is-back/#sthash.PQP4nahv.dpuf

Wool Week is a week dedicated to natural yarn that exactly chimes with the knitshop.co.uk ethos. If you didn’t already know, we sell nothing but natural fibre yarns. To celebrate Campaign For Wool’s annual championing of natural fibres, we’ve got some fantastic promotions for you.

First off, we’re giving away a fantastic free pattern specially written for our Thick And Easy pure wool yarn. The Samuel Waistcoat is just the thing to keep boys or girls snug and the pattern is straightforward enough for anyone to knit. The pattern includes instructions for knitting the Samuel Waistcoat in sizes to fit kids from four to 11 years old. You’ll need no more than three balls of knitshop.co.uk Thick And Easy Yarn. Choose from 16 different solid shades including Blue Denim, Aubergine, Dark Red and Dusky Rose. This chunky yarn knits up on 7mm or 8mm needles and comes in 100g balls of roughly 100m. 

Samuel Waistcoat Pattern using 100% pure wool yarn.
Free to download this week only!

We’re also giving away the pattern for our Silk Merino Yarn vest. An ideal cover-up for teens and adults, it looks fantastic knitted in contrasting colours. We designed the pattern for our Mulberry Silk Merino Yarn which contains 50% of each fibre, making it strong but warm. This comes in vibrant shades such as Peacock, Bright Purple and Antique Gold, as well as more muted options such as Silver-Grey and Lavender. Each 100g skein contains 300m of this wonderful yarn. You’ll need two of the main colour and one of the contrast colour in order to knit your Silk Merino Yarn vest.

If you prefer an all wool yarn, try our Simply Wool Yarn. It’s slightly chunkier than the mulberry and merino yarn but is ideal for use with the 3.75mm needles that the vest pattern recommends. Simply Wool Yarn comes in 200m balls, so you’ll need three for the main colour and one for the contrast trim to knit your cosy vest.

All about wool. Simply Striped Waistcoat and Beanie Hat
is knitted in 100% pure wool, the pattern is available to download from the website.

Both patterns use the knitting in the round technique for a seam-free finish. If you’ve yet to master knitting this way, why not sign up for our Knitting In The Round workshop on Saturday 18 October – for this month only, our Saturday workshops cost just £7.00 each.

ALL ABOUT WOOL! - knitshop.co.uk is offering a wide range of
natural, quality designer yarns.

Links to this blog:

knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk

Campaign For Wool: http://www.campaignforwool.org/news-item/wool-week-is-back

Knitting In The Round workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3103-knitting-in-the-round.html

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

October workshops list: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/250-october

Samuel’s Waistcoat pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2838-samuels-waistcoat.html

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

Silk Merino Vest pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2745-silk-merino-vest.html

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

knitshop.co.uk June workshops

knitshop.co.uk has some brilliant workshops coming up in June that will build your knitting and crochet confidence and expand your repertoire of techniques.

We start with our Continental Knitting workshop on 6 June. In this type of knitting the yarn is held to the left of the needles and the yarn is passed over the needles nearer the top, making knitting faster and tighter. You also have better control over the tension – something that’s really important if you’re knitting an item that needs to fit properly.

Bonneterie Socks by Sarah Wilson as seen in The Knitter issue 29,
using knitshop.co.uk Socks Yarn in mustard.

Crochet is becoming increasingly popular, so we’ve added several new classes to our line-up. Our first ever Sock Crochet class is on Saturday 7 June and is a great, achievable project for intermediate crocheters to tackle. You’ll use standard crochet stitches to make a pair of baby socks.

If you prefer to make something decorative, try our new Double-Layer Flower Corsage workshop or our Crocheted Mandala class on 14 June. This brightly-coloured circular design is originally symbolic of the universe and tranquility. It can also be adapted to make a geometric pattern of your own design. The beautiful eye-catching colours are sure to be a talking point.

For a real statement piece, sign up to our Lacy Summer Shawl crochet project. You’ll be crocheting on very fine Cotton Crochet Thread and will have your pick of 14 bright and pastel shades.

Crochet Cotton Thread by knitshop.co.uk

Because this is a complex project, we’re running it in two parts on Friday 20 and 27 June. There’s also an option to learn all the skills needed in a single class on Saturday 28 June. You’ll need to be a confident crocheter, but we’re sure you’ll find the results well worth the effort.

If you’re having problems with your knitting, we have a free monthly Knitting SOS class where you can bring along your troublesome projects and get advice on how to rescue and complete them. Several customers who visited our boutique outlet on the recent Yarn Shop Day shared their tales of unfinished projects, so we’ve got an additional free workshop on Friday 13 June devoted to Fixing Knitting Mistakes to help you get stalled projects back on track. Just follow the link for either clinic to book your free space.

Workshop at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green,
326 Lee High Road, London

knitshop.co.uk workshops cost £15 per session and are held at our boutique outlet at 326 Lee High Road, SE13 5PJ. The two-hour classes start at 11am and all materials and refreshments are provided.

To book, please follow the workshop link and choose ‘self-pick-up’ at checkout.

Links to this blog:

June workshops: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/246-june

Continental Knitting workshop, 6 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/june/2106-6-june-continental-knitting-workshop.html

Crochet Cotton Thread: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/237-crochet-cotton-thread

Crochet A Double-Layered Flower, 21 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3045-21-june-crochet-flower-double-layer-advanced.html

Crochet A Pair of Socks, 7 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2149-7-june-crochet-a-sock.html

Crochet A Mandala, 14 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2108-13-june-crochet-mandala.html

Crochet A Lacy Summer Shawl, pt I, 20 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3018-lace-crochet-shawl-part1-.html

Crochet A Lacy Summer Shawl, pt II 27 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3048-lace-crochet-shawl.html

Crochet A Lacy Summer Shawl, 28 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3049-summer-lace-crochet-shawl.html

Fixing Knitting Mistakes, 13 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2479-free-sos-clinic.html

Knitting SOS, 27 June: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3046-free-sos-clinic.html

What is continental knitting?: Continental knitting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_knitting

What is a mandala?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

knitshop.co.uk May workshops

The warmer months are on their way and it’s a great time to acquire some new needlecraft skills so you can make some suitably summery attire. Crochet is the perfect option – its lacy structure covers you up without weighing you down. Crocheted designs can also be fast to knit.

On Friday 9 May we’re running a Summer Lace Crochet class showing you everything you need to know to make your first lacy crochet items. This is an improvers’ class, so you’ll need to know how to turn chains and create double and treble crochet stitches. We’ll help you build on these basics, building up your repertoire of crochet stitches and introducing you to new techniques. We’ll show you how to read a lace crochet pattern and discuss the challenges involved in working with fine cotton yarn and very slim crochet hooks.

Crochet Cotton in different thicknesses

We are also running a slightly more general Improve Your Crochet class on Friday 2 May in which we’ll explain how to read crochet patterns and introduce several new crochet stitches. Both classes are intended to give you the confidence to tackle your first crochet accessories. A bolero, headband, scarf or cowl are all great first projects.

If you get into a pickle, you can always book yourself into our free Knitting And Crochet SOS class on Saturday 30 May. We’ll help you unravel (excuse the pun) any mistakes and help you get your project back on track.

Lily Jacket is knitted in Coquette Cotton.
It is a great pattern to start colour work.

Knitters have a great choice of techniques-based workshops to choose from too, including Intarsia and Fair Isle colour knitting classes. We’ll be showing you how to knit your first pair of socks in our class on Saturday 24 May using circular or double-pointed needles and knitting in the round from the toe up. There’s a lovely selection of knitshop.co.uk Sock Yarn shades to choose from and we’ll give you the pattern to take home so you can complete both socks.

All knitshop.co.uk workshops take place at our boutique outlet at 326 Lee High Road, London SE23 (nearest stations Blackheath, Lee or Lewisham) from 11am to 1pm and cost £15 per adult. Refreshments, tuition materials, patterns and follow-up advice are all included. To book a class just follow the link below and choose ‘self-pickup’ at the checkout.

Links to this blog:

May workshops list: www.knitshop.co.uk/245-may

Improve Your Crochet workshop, 2 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3014-2-may-crochet-improvers-charts-reading-stitches.html

Summer Lace Crochet workshop, 9 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3018-lace-crochet.html

Fair Isle Knitting workshop, 10 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3019-10-may-fairisle-knitting-crochet.html

Tunisian Crochet workshop, 16 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3021-16-may-tunisian-afghan-crochet.html

Intarsia Knitting workshop, 17 May: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3022-17-may-intarsia-colour-knitting-workshop.html

Finishing Techniques: Crochet, 23 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3023-crochet.html

Sock Knitting workshop, 24 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3024-sock-knitting.html

Kids’ Crochet workshop, 30 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3025-lets-get-hooked.html

Crocheting in Colour workshop, 30 May: www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3026-crochet-workshop-colour-motifs.html

Knitshop.co.uk Crochet Cotton Thread: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/237-crochet-cotton-thread

Knitshop.co.uk Sock Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/165-socks-yarn

Steel Crochet Hooks: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/322-steel-crochet-hook

December Workshops & Christmas Party

There’s no ignoring the fact that Christmas is just around the corner, so this month’s workshops focus on all things festive.

We start with Crochet a Snowflake on Friday 13 December on how to create a Christmas snowflake. The delicate crochet decorations are made using a combination of double, treble and slip stitches.

We recommend this class for anyone who knows the basics of crocheting and who is looking for a small project they can work on while learning new crochet skills. We’ll show you how to work each crochet stitch and how to read the chart needed to complete your snowflake. Once you’ve mastered how to Crochet a Snowflake, you’ll be able to make more at home and decorate your window, Christmas tree or even embellish gifts with them. They’re made using knitshop.co.uk’s 4ply Cotton Yarn or Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn in Snow. 

Let It Snow - Snowflake crochet in Coquette Vintage Cotton
by Julieta Brandao

On Saturday 14 December we continue with Knit A Christmas Tree Decoration. Here, you’ll learn how to knit tiny two-colour Christmas stocking that you can hang on the tree, with or without a hidden chocolate-y treat.

You’ll need to know how to knit and purl, but the class will show you other techniques including knitting in the round, working with two or more colours at once and reading a pattern.

Depending on your level of experience and confidence, you can make either striped Christmas stockings or more complex stranded Fairisle ones. Of course, once you know how to make tiny Christmas stockings, you’ll be all set to explore the addictive world of sock knitting. 

Mini Stockings knitted in Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn
colours: Snow, Flame and Highland by Julieta Brandao

Our second December workshop, also on Saturday 14 December, shows you how to knit Fairisle Christmas gifts. With Nordic Christmas patterns being all the rage at the moment, we show you how to use this impressive colourwork technique to make either a pair of wristwarmers or a small bag. Either will make lovely handmade Christmas gifts.

As with the Knit A Christmas Tree Decoration workshop, you’ll need to know how to knit and purl, but we’ll show you how to do everything else. You’ll learn how to work in colour changes in the same row in order to build up your Fairisle pattern and how to read a chart showing where the colour changes need to be made. We’ll also show you how to knit in the round so your wristwarmers are seam-free.

On Saturday 14 December we’ll be showing knitters how to make a Christmas corsage to pin on a jacket or bag. As well as knitting and purling, we’ll look at how to use continental knitting techniques to create a slightly different knitted effect. The corsage flower also involves increasing stitches within a row, so we’ll also show you how to do this. 

Christmas Tree Tea Cosy knitted in
Alpaca Fino Yarn

Everyone loves to get cosy knitwear as a Christmas gift and on Friday 20 December we’ll be showing you how to Crochet a cowl. The workshop introduces you to crocheting in the round and also explains how to give your cowl a twist by adding a Mobius loop. Using the technique we demonstrate, you’ll go on to be able to crochet wristwarmers and hats using your crochet-in-the-round skills.

If you like the idea of making a cowl but you knit rather than crochet, our final pre-Christmas workshop is for you. On Saturday 21 December in our Last-minute Christmas Gifts workshop we’ll be knitting in the round and making a cowl. We’ll show you how to knit this way if you’ve never done so before.

Once you’ve joined the round you just knit, knit, knit and your cowl will grow really quickly. If you like the technique, there’s a gorgeous next project for you to try too: our brand-new Kolibri wristwarmer pattern is also knitted in the round. 

Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer knitted in
Kolibri Wool Yarn by Julieta Brandao

All knitshop.co.uk workshops take place at our Boutique at 326 Lee High Road from 11am to 1pm. Full instructions, patterns and materials are provided, along with post-class support to help you complete your project. To book a workshop, add it to your shopping basket and then choose self-pickup at the checkout. Workshops cost £15 to attend. 

AND our CHRISTMAS PARTY with MINCED PIES and MULLED WINE on Friday 20 December from 11am onwards. 

Links to this blog:

December workshops at knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/252-december

Crochet a Snowflake workshop, 13 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2882-crochet-snowflake.html

Knit a Christmas Corsage workshop, 14 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2900-christmas-corsage.html

Crochet a Cowl workshop, 20 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2901-knit-a-cowl.html

Last-minute Christmas Gifts workshop, 21 December: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2902-knit-a-cowl.html

Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/323-coquette-vintage-cotton

Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn Snow: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/coquette-vintage-cotton/2801-snow-coquette.html

Kolibri Wristwarmers pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2896-purple-velvet.html

Snowflake crochet pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/1972-free-pattern-let-it-snow-snowflake.html

Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer

Kolibri Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer

If ever there was an excuse to show off your knitting skills, it’s autumn and winter. Everyone’s wrapped up warm but few people can resist checking out what other people have chosen to keep off the chill and how stylish their resulting attire looks.

Handmade garments invariably look better than shop-bought ones anyway and the fancy patterns and colours of wintry knitwear make a fashion statement all of their own. 

Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer in Purple-Berry Kolibri Wool Yarn

 

Our latest pattern offers both colour and fancy knitwork in abundance. knitshop.co.uk’s Kolibri Purple Velvet Wrist Warmers feature both lacework and cables and are knitted in knitshop.co.uk’s incredibly popular Kolibri Wool Yarn. This variegated yarn knits up densely on 5mm needles but the subtle colour changes don’t detract from the pattern.

We really love the luxurious length of the gloves – they come halfway up your forearm. They even have a proper knitted thumb, which not all wristwarmers include.

The Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer is a great project if you’ve already got some experience of lacework and can work yarnovers and knit two stitches together. You do need to know how to knit in the round, but once you’re underway you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to follow this gorgeous pattern.

The cabling featured here isn’t complicated and the results are really stunning. For some cable knitting projects you need a cable needle, but you’ll find it just as easy to use a short double-pointed needle.

You’ll need one 100g hank of knitshop.co.uk Kolibri Wool Yarn and a pair of 5mm needles. The pattern knits to a tension of XX stitches by XX rows over a 10cm square. You’ll probably also find it useful to use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each pattern repeat. 

 

We used Kolibri in the Purple-Berry shade for our version. For a more muted effect that really shows off the stitches choose either Kolibri in Pink-Aquamarine or in the rich Brown-Mix shade. 

 

Kolibri Wool Yarn usually costs £8.89 per 100g hank but there’s a 15 percent discount voucher included with the Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer pattern. Just download the PDF pattern once you’ve checked out at knitshop.co.uk’s online store, then scan the QR code voucher.

Links to this blog:

Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2896-purple-velvet.html

Kolibri yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/176-kolibri-yarn

Kolibri Brown-Mix yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/kolibri-yarn/338-brown-mix-kolibri.html

Kolibri Pink-Aquamarine: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/kolibri-yarn/441-pink-aquamarine-kolibri.html

Kolibri Purple-Berry yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/kolibri-yarn/873-purple-berry-kolibri.html

5mm bamboo needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1699-bamboo-knitting-needles-5mm.html

5mm double-pointed needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1486-bamboo-knitting-needles-5mm.html