knitshop.co.uk: February

Showing posts with label February. Show all posts

Thursday, February 5

Workshops at knitshop.co.uk in February

knitshop.co.uk has lined up an exciting selection of knitting and crochet classes in February. They range from self-contained workshops in which you create a specific item to classes focusing on particular techniques that you can apply to lots of different projects.

We kick off with an introduction to knitting in the round with our Knitted Wrist Warmers workshop on Friday 6th. Wrist warmers are a great first project to practice working with double-pointed needles – a technique recommended for anyone who dreams of making seam-free garments. They’re quick to knit and could make a thoughtful present – a gift for your Valentine, perhaps?

REO Wrist Warmer knitted in Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn

On Saturday 7thand 14th we’re running introductory crochet classes. Here, you’ll learn the basics of this rewarding craft, from holding the hook and making a foundation chain to creating simple crocheted items. The 14th February crochet class, Let’s Get Hooked, is for children. Adult places are £15 while under-16s cost £10.

We’re also holding a Swing The Needles kids’ knitting class on Friday 13th February while our adults’ Learn To Knit workshop is on Friday 20th February.

Knitted Lace Shawl
New Pattern in Spice Nigella Seeds coming soon.

If you’re looking for a more ambitious project, our Crochet A Lace Shawl workshop on Friday 27th February could be just the thing. Making your own shawl is a major – and majorly rewarding – undertaking. Getting the initial setup correct is critical, which is where our expert tutoring comes in. We’ll provide a quiet and relaxed environment where you can fully concentrate. You need to be a confident crocheter to tackle a large project like this but our Crochet A Lace Shawl workshop will help build on your own previous experience.

For something more frivolous, try our Amigurumi Crochet workshop on Friday 21st February. Amigurumi is Japanese for cute knitted or crocheted toys. Using simple crochet techniques you’ll make quirky creatures that you can customise and bring to life by stitching on eyes, nose and mouth. This workshop is suitable for those new to crochet as well as anyone who has mastered the basics.

Boutique Outlet in Lee Green, come and join us for one of our workshops
on Friday's and Saturday's from 11am.

All knitshop.co.uk classes are taught by fully qualified, experienced needlecrafters. They take place from 11am to 1pm at our Lee Green boutique store. You’ll have a choice of projects to work on during your two-hour workshop and will be able to take it home along with instructions for completing your item. We offer both email and phone-based post-class support, so feel free to get in touch with any help you need.

We also run monthly SOS classes that are free to attend. The next SOS class is on Saturday 27th February. Please book a place using the online booking system so we don’t end up oversubscribed!

Links to this blog

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

Amigurumi Crochet workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2407-amigurumi-crochet.html

Crochet For Beginners: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2425-7-february-beginner-crochet.html

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

Kids’ Crochet workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2408-14-february.html

Kids’ Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2698-swing-the-needles.html

Knitting and Crochet SOS class: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2980-free-sos-clinic.html

Knitted Wrist Warmers workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/1995-6-feb-knitted-wrist-warmer.html

Learn To Knit workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2672-beginners-knitting-workshop.html

Tuesday, February 4

Products of the Month February

Roses are red… and are so our February deals

We love February. It’s the most romantic month of the year and also marks the start of the shift away from forbidding winter to the new shoots of spring. We’re still wrapping up warm, but already thinking of places to visit and longer walks to enjoy with our nearest and dearest.

In fact, because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, we’ve had a rummage through our yarns and come up with 10 fabulous red yarns you can use to get creative and show off your affections. And to encourage you in your romantic endeavours, we’re giving you 15 percent off any of these 10 red yarns throughout the month of February.

Lacet Wrist Warmer in Dark Red
as seen in the Knitting Magazine.

If you want to make something snug to keep your loved one cosy, how about knitting a pair of Lacet Wrist Warmers in Bright Red Mulberry Silk Merino Wool Yarn? You’ll need just a single skein of yarn and a set of 4mm double-pointed needles.

Your sweetheart is also certain to love a gift of snug wristwarmers made from a skein of our popular multi-coloured Kolibri Wool Yarn. Using 5mm dpns or a circular needle, you’ll be able to impress them with a pair of fabulous Velvet Wrist Warmers knitted in Red Berry Kolibri Yarn combining lace and cabled panels.

Wrist warmers are ideal for this time of year when it’s getting warmer but still a bit chilly. Another great way to cover up is with a lightweight Ladder Stitch Scarf knitted in knitshop.co.uk’s Cotton Linen Blend Yarn. Make one in Carnation Red from a single 100g skein.

For a cosy and soft scarf, opt for a couple of skeins of Red Cotton Plied Wool yarn . This luxurious yarn is warm and lightweight and looks wonderful when used to knit simple but bold patterns. For example, you could use it to create a k4 p4 rib pattern on 4.5mm needles.

Monday, February 25

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 1to 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 2March.

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

Friday, February 22

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

Saturday, February 9

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