Workshops & Activities October

Knitshop.co.uk October workshops

knitshop.co.uk has some brilliant workshops coming up this month. Some of them will help build your confidence with knitting and crochet if you’re a beginner; others help you take your craft to the next level with creative projects that might just turn into very popular gifts. We’re talking cute amigurumi creatures, knitting in the round and that perennial favourite, the granny square.

Amigurumi is the Japanese term for a quirky stuffed toy, usually crocheted, but sometimes knitted. Amigurumi make great gifts and are really fun to make and can easily be customised to make them unique. knitshop.co.uk’s Amigurumi Crochet Workshop on 24 October introduces the basic crochet techniques needed to create amigurumi figures and gives you a choice of objects to make, from bears, frogs and monkeys to mice and zebras. Be warned, amigurumi is not the sort of creation you make just one of. Our workshop could be the start of a whole collection. 

choose one one pattern from these cute Amigurumi
to work during these crochet class.

The two-hour amigurumi class is ideal if you’re already a crocheter. If you’ve not yet mastered hooking with yarn, our Crochet For Beginners workshop on 10 October is an obvious introduction. We’ll supply everything you need to know and get you started with your first project. We’ll show you how to make a coaster or crochet a flower and give you the pattern to take home to complete it.

However, we’re sure you’ll soon be hooked and keen to make your first granny square. That’s where our Crochet A Granny Square class on 17 October comes in. These charming squares are a crochet classic and the foundation for many a crocheted garment, bag or blanket. 

our kids workshops are back this autumn half term!

We’ve got some great knitting workshops this month too. We’re running both a Beginner’s Knitting class for adults and our Swing The Needles kids’ class on Saturday 25 October. These start with first principles but are also suitable to attend if you’ve tried to learn to knit and need some expert pointers. If you’re midway through a project, meanwhile, and have got into a pickle, book yourself in to our free end of month Knitting SOS class and let us help you unravel your mistakes and get back on track.

If you can confidently knit and purl, it’s time to expand your repertoire of techniques with our Knitting In The Round class. Here, you’ll learn how to use a circular needle and how to make seam-free garments such as a pair of wristwarmers. Knitting and not having to sew up seams afterwards will be a revelation! 

learn to make beautiful wrist warmers,
a hat or even socks this autumn at knitshop.co.uk

All knitshop.co.uk classes run from 11am to 1pm in our boutique outlet shop on Lee High Road, midway between Lewisham and Blackheath. Adult classes are £15 each, while kids’ classes are £10. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Our tutors are fully qualified and are experienced knitters, crocheters and designers and are happy to provide advice on projects you may wish to work on during your class. Patterns and refreshments are provided. Post-workshop support is provided by phone or email.

To book a workshop, please follow the relevant web link and choose ‘self-pickup’ at the online checkout. 

 

Special Promotion - book our Saturday workshops in October now until 10th October for only £7 per class. 

learn to make quick & easy gifts for your loved ones.

Links to this blog:

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

Amigurumi Crochet workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2333-amigurumi-crochet.html

Beginners’ Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3104-beginners-knitting-workshop.html

Crochet For Beginners workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2150-10-october-crochet.html

Crochet Granny Squares workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3092-12-jan-granny-squares-crochet.html

Crochet Patterns and Charts workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3094-12-jan-granny-squares-crochet.html

Children’s Crochet workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3099-free-sos-clinic.html

Children’s Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3107-swing-the-needles.html

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

Knitting SOS workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/3099-free-sos-clinic.html

Lacet Wrist Warmers pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2701-lacet.html

Autumn Workshops & Activities

Learn new knitting and crochet skills this Autumn

knitshop.co.uk ‘s knitting and crochet classes are back in full swing in September after running a reduced program over the summer. New classes to tempt you include Crochet With Colours and Fairisle Knitting.

First off all, the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green will be open again on Saturday's 10am - 3pm and workshops will resume from the 28th September, every Saturday 11am - 1pm. 

This autumn we are offering you workshops for all colour knitting fans. Come along to our Colour Knitting and Fair Isle workshops in November to find out about the different techniques you can use to brighten up your knits. From stripes to stranding, slip-stitch and intarsia, there are lots of ways of introducing colour to your knitting and it’s not always obvious which technique is the best to use. 

Fair Isle knitted Wrist Warmer pattern by Julieta, knitshop.co.uk

If you’ve a particular interest in either Fairisle or Intarsia colour knitting, our dedicated two-hour workshops on each of these topics will be sure to pique your interest. We use our Fairisle Wrist Warmer pattern as the basis of our Fairisle workshop. It’s a great introduction to this knitting technique and can be knitted flat or in the round. Intarsia knitting, on the other hand, is almost always knitted on a flat piece of work. Both types of colourwork are usually described in knitting patterns using graphs, so we’ll help you understand these too.

knitshop.co.uk workshops are held at our boutique outlet at 326 Lee High Road, Lee Green from 11am to 1pm. All materials needed for your workshop will be provided and you’ll have a choice of colours to work in. You’ll have plenty of personal attention from the tutor as there will be no more than six people in the class. You’ll be able to take your project away with you along with the pattern so you can complete it in your own time. We provide email and phone support to help ensure you’re able to do so. 

Simply Striped Waistcoat and Beanie Hat pattern
by Julieta, knitshop.co.uk

If you want to improve your knitting and / or crochet skills, we have some beginners and basic knitting and crochet technique workshops on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September and again Friday 4 and Saturday 5 October. For more information and details visit our workshop booking page http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops. 

If you prefer to, we’re happy to help you with a related project of your own. We have plenty of books and patterns to inspire you. 

Another date for your calendar is this month knitting and craft show in Skipton. Yarndale is held on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September. Lovely Susan Crawford will be exhibiting with her Vintage Collection of Pattern, Books and Yarn, which includes knitshop yarn's Coquette Vintage Cotton. Julieta will be visiting the show on Saturday 28 September, email her if you want to meet her at the show. 

This Attractive Affair from A Stitch In Time by Susan Crawford
see this garment in Skipton at stand 144

Autumn half term is still more than a month away, however we have got a full packed program for your little ones and if you want to book a workshop please visit our online shop to book or call 020 7099 8864. 

Here are some dates:

Let's Get Hooked - Crochet for kids: 26 October and 2 November
Swing The Needles - Knitting for kids: 25 October and 1 November

For our full list of workshops click here.

To keep up with offers, launches and classes at knitshop.co.uk, join our mailing list here.

Links to this blog:

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

Knitshop.co.uk Bookshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/166-book-shop

Knitshop.co.uk Patterns: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/161-knitshop-pattern

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