Giant Christmas Mitten re-knitted

Today we are pleased to present to you our new version of the Christmas Mitten. The pattern was originally designed by Julieta Brandao in the super chunky Merino Wool Yarn Roving. However, we now have an updated version for you, using the brand new Thick & Easy Wool Yarn.

Giant Christmas Mitten, knitted in Merino Wool Yarn Roving
and Thick & Easy Wool Yarn.

Basically you knit the Christmas Mitten from the same pattern, using the Thick & Easy colours: Chilli Red and Olive Drab Green or Cherry Red and Papaya Whip.

The Christmas Mitten is knitted in the round and grafting is used to finish off the mitten. The knitting is done in a basic 1x1 rib to start with, and the rest is simple stocking stitch in the round.

Giant Christmas Mitten
knitted in Cherry Red and Papaya Whip

Using a 6-8mm needle, depending on your tension. For loose knitters we recommend a 6mm, or for tighter knitters we would recommend you use an 8mm circular needle, alternative you can use the longer version of the double pointed needles.

Thick & Easy Wool Yarn
colours from left to right: Seal Brown, Eggshell Beige,
Olive Drab Green, Papaya Whip, Blue Teal and Blue Black.

You will need two hanks, 1 per colour and you will easily get 3 mittens out of two hanks of Thick & Easy Yarn.The yarn is currently on offer for £5.92 / 100g hank. The pattern you can download for free this month from our website @knitshop.co.uk.If you are interested to read more about the original Giant Mitten, visit our previous blog post here: http://knitshopcouk.blogspot.bg/2013/12/giant-christmas-mittens-to-stash.html#uds-search-results

Christmas Mitten, perfect as stocking for your little ones.

For any questions, pattern help or instructions you can contact the shop on (UK +44) 020 7099 8864 or email us through the website, click here to open the contact us form.


Links to this blog:

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

Giant Christmas Mitten Pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2919-giant-mitten.html

Knitting Needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/274-knitting-crochet-accessories

Christmas Gifts from knitshop.co.uk

It is the Christmas spirit that we carry in our hearts that lights up the Christmas magic around us. It's been a while since knitshop.co.uk's last blog post, however we do want to keep the tradition of posting a blog about Christmas Gifts available from knitshop.co.uk.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. By Norman Vincent Peale

Our number one Gift this year and every year is something given with love. Something you made for someone you love..... choose from a selection of patterns at knitshop.co.uk, here is some that you can still tackle until the big day:


Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer, using an aran weight yarn, a more experienced pattern as it combines lace and cable stitches at the same time.

Purple Velvet Wrist Warmer designed by Julieta Brandao
using Kolibri Wool Yarn.

Linen Light Ladder Stitch Scarf, this was originally designed for the Cotton Linen Yarn from knitshop.co.uk, however it looks gorgeous in absolutely any yarn, is easy and quick to knit up. Choose your loved ones favourite colour and give it a go!

Linen Light Ladder Stitch Scarf designed by Julieta Brandao
using Cotton Linen Yarn.

To name just two patterns, find more on our website, some of them to download for free. And do not forget to check out our FREE DOWNLOAD of the month.

We can also offer you a selection of books and magazines that are an easy stocking filler and always a joy for crafter's. Or choose from our great selection of knitting and crochet yarns.

As said by Julieta Brandao, the owner and founder of knitshop.co.uk and knitshop yarns:

"For a Knitter I believe it is true to say that Yarn weighs more than Gold!"

And last but not least you can always get a Gift Voucher from knitshop.co.uk.
What ever you choose to give to the special people around you this Christmas, be sure it is something special for them!

Merry Christmas!
Your knitshop.co.uk Team. 



Links to this blog:

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

Linen Light Ladder Stitch Scarf: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2702-ladder-stitch-scarf-pattern.html

FREE Download of the month: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/content/11-free-patterns

Books and Magazines at knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/140-patterns-magazines-books

Knitting and crochet yarns: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/81-knitting-yarn

Gift Voucher from knitshop.co.uk: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/188-gift-voucher

Last-minute gifts for knitters

Stuck for what to buy a knitting or crochet fan this Christmas? knitshop.co.uk is at hand to help you choose a gift your creative friend or family member is bound to love.

We’ve got some simply irresistible yarns in the softest natural fibres – it’s all exclusive to knitshop.co.uk as we only sell our own yarns.

Velvet Purple knitted in our beautiful and colourful Kolibri Wool Yarn.

Our bestseller is Kolibri, a fairly chunky yarn that comes in 10 fantastic mixed shades and is sold in 100g skeins. One or two skeins of Kolibri is plenty for making a hat, scarf or pair of gloves or mittens. Check out our downloadable PDF patterns you can gift alongside this cosy yarn.

Eve Skater Set a downloadable pdf
knitted in Thick & Easy Wool Yarn

As well as our own pattern selection, we stock lots of books and magazines filled with patterns, techniques and ideas for needlecraft fans to savour. Vintage fans will be delighted to receive the Vintage Gifts To Knit book by queen of vintage Susan Crawford. It’s currently on special offer for just £11.20 rather than the usual £14. Those are ideal stocking fillers for your loved ones!

We’ve also got our own vintage cotton yarn, Coquette, which we produced in partnership with Susan. You’ll find lots of patterns for this yarn in the knitshop.co.uk pattern library including the easy to knit Reo Wrist Warmer.

REO Wrist Warmer knitted in Coquette Vintage Cotton Yarn

For a truly luxurious gift, consider our newly introduced Angora Soft Yarn. This snow-white yarn is simply the softest yarn available and is ideal for keeping a loved one wrapped up warm and for small heirloom knits. Our Angora Soft Yarn is ethically produced and is sure to be treasured by anyone receiving it.

Our brand new and absolutely gorgeous Angora Soft Yarn.

Knitters and crocheters can never have too many accessories and we offer a full range of circular, double- and single-pointed needles and crochet hooks. We stock felting needles and felting kits too.

We’ve just added a trio of oversized Addi knitting needles to our accessories range. These 12mm, 15mm and 25mm needles are used for super chunky knits, cost around £10 each and are great fun to use. Pair them with a bag of Merino Wool Tops and give them to a friend who either loves to make giant knits or who likes to spin or felt yarn. A 1kg Mixed Merino Bag contains four different shades while the Assorted Merino Tops Bag includes 20 shades.

Addi Knitting Needles now available online
at www.knitshop.co.uk.
visit the shop to find your sizes!

If you prefer to make your own gifts and are short on time you can also adventure into needle felting and try your hands on one of our Needle Felting Kits to make your own gifts this Christmas. Available are Flower, Butterfly, Jewellery - Necklace or Bracelet and a Felted Fairy.

Red Christmas Fairy Angel
now available as a kit to purchase from knitshop.co.uk

Last posting for Christmas is Saturday 20th December. After that we can’t guarantee your gifts will arrive on time. Our boutique outlet store is open this Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am until 4pm where you can buy, browse or collect your orders. If you live outside London, a knitshop.co.uk gift voucher may be a more suitable gift. These are available in £20 and £40 denominations and can be used to buy items from our shop or to pay for one of our creative workshops.

If you’d like to give a knitting or crochet-related gift, feel free to call us for ideas and advice on 020 7099 8864 or email info@knitshop.co.uk.  

Links to this blog:
Addi knitting needles http://www.knitshop.co.uk/334-addi-knitting-needles

Angora Soft Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/333-angora-yarn

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

Felting Kits: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/143-felting-kits

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

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

Knitting and Crochet Accessories: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/62-knitting-accessories
knitshop.co.uk Workshops: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/156-workshops
knitshop.co.uk Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/81-knitting-yarn

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

knitshop.co.uk Gift Voucher: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/188-gift-voucher

Merino Wool Tops:
http://www.knitshop.co.uk/merino-tops/2755-assorted-merino-bag.html

Merino Wool Tops 1kg Mixed Bag: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/merino-tops/2594-mixed-merino-bag.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

Giant Christmas Mittens to stash Christmas treats

By now you’ve probably got most of your Christmas shopping out the way, but have you considered how to present your gifts? The latest addition to knitshop.co.uk’s pattern range is a Giant Christmas Mitten that can be used to hold all kinds of goodies. It’s a great alternative to a Christmas stocking and if you hang it up next to the tree it’s bound to be a fun talking point. Just use some of the leftover yarn and make an i-cord. An i-cord is basically knitted rope. There are instructions on how to make it here. 

Giant Christmas Mitten by Julieta Brandao
knitted in Merino Wool Yarn/Roving

 

The Giant Christmas Mitten is really quick to make and the stripes look great. You can make it on 12mm circular needles using Merino Wool Roving Yarn, as we’ve done here, in which case you’ll end up with a mitten 41cm tall and with 32cm wide!

To make the Giant Christmas Mitten you need either double-pointed needles or long circular needles. A 40 or 60cm circular needle is ideal. We’ve used Red Merino Wool Roving Yarn and White Merino Wool Roving Yarn, but the Giant Christmas Mitten would also look fantastic if you used the Silver Merino Wool Roving Yarn rather than the white. 

 

Giant Christmas Mitten
knitted in Red and White Merino Wool Yarn/Roving

If you don’t to make want quite such a large mitten, you could use knitshop.co.uk Thick And Easy Yarn instead. For this you’d need 8mm or 9mm circular or double-pointed needles. As well as the Red and White shades in this range, Thick And Easy Yarn comes in Forest Green, which would also look festive.

Because the pattern uses circular or double-pointed needles, most of the Giant Christmas Mitten is made using knit stitch. The pattern is easy to follow, with line by line instructions explaining where you need to make or decrease stitches and photos to show what it should look like. The thumb and fingers are grafted together at the end, but you could easily cast off the stitches and then sew up the sides using mattress stitch. 

The Giant Christmas Mitten taken out
to Chinbrook Meadows.

 

We’re sure the Giant Christmas Mitten will be a big hit this Christmas, especially if it comes filled with lots of tasty treats.

Merry Christmas from the knitshop.co.uk Team
Julieta, Marcia, Mec, Rosie, Vladimir and Felix!

Links to this blog:

Giant Christmas Mitten pattern: http://webmail.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/2919-giant-mitten.html

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

Merino Wool Roving Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/105-wool-roving-yarn

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

12mm circular needles (80cm): http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1899-12mm-80cm-bamboo-circulars.html

9mm circular needles (80cm): http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1894-9mm-80cm-bamboo-circulars.html

How to make i-cord: http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingskills/qt/icord.htm

How to graft edges together: http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingskills/ss/toe-grafting.htm

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

November Workshops

November workshops

knitshop.co.uk has a bumper crop of workshops this month to help you build up your knitting and crochet skills and make festive items for Christmas. All our workshops take place at our Boutique Outlet at 326 Lee High Road in Lee Green from 11am to 1pm and are led by fully qualified knitwear designers and teachers.

On Friday 8 November we’ll be showing you how to master different types of knitted colourwork. Taking stocking stitch as a basis, the Colour Knitting workshop looks at how to incorporate two or more different colours of yarn into a design and when you use each technique. We’ll show you how to alternate colour yarns at the end of a row and carry the unused colour up the side of the work so you can use it later in the design. We’ll also look at how to change colours partway through a row.

Christmas Tree Tea Cosy - Pattern from knitshop.co.uk
One of the project you could make in our Colour and Fair Isle knitting workshops.

If you’ve got some experience of knitting projects containing several colour yarns, why not try a more advanced colourwork technique? Our Fairisle Knitting workshop on Friday 15 November also introduces you to knitting in the round. Using the techniques shown in the class, you’ll be able to knit seam-free designs such as a wristwarmer or a small bag.

On Saturday 9 November we’ll be holding the first of our festive workshops, showing you how to Crochet A Christmas Snowflake. This workshop is aimed at fairly confident crocheters, however, if you know how to crochet doubles, trebles and turn a chain, you should be fine.

Snowflakes crochet in fine Crochet Cotton

We’ll help you add half trebles and double trebles to your crochet repertoire and explain how to follow a chart so you can easily finish making your snowflake at home. You can also download the snowflake pattern for free.

We’ll also be making Christmas decorations at our crochet workshops on Saturday 16 November and Friday 29 November. It’s traditional to include handmade items on your Christmas tree, so why not find out how to make your own baubles? You’ll need some knowledge of crochet in order to tackle our Crochet Christmas Decorations workshop, but anyone who knows how to turn a chain and create doubles and trebles will soon be able to make their own crochet decorations.

Mini Christmas Stockings knitted in Coquette Vintage Cotton

Knitters will have plenty of chances to make Christmas items too. On Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November we’ll be Knitting A Christmas Stocking. In this workshop you’ll learn how to knit in the round using stocking stitch and how to turn a heel and shape the toe of your festive stocking. This workshop is therefore also a perfect introduction to sock knitting on a miniature scale!

If you enjoy our Fairisle Knitting workshop earlier in the month, you could even use your new skills to create a Fairisle version of a Christmas stocking. Find out how in our final November workshop where we’ll be knitting a Fairsle Christmas Stocking.

Links to this blog:

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

Colour Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2884-colour-knitting.html

Fairisle Knitting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2835-fair-isle-knittig.html

Knit Your Own Christmas Stocking workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2888-christmas-stocking-knitting.html

Crochet a Snowflake: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2881-crochet-snowflake.html

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

Crochet Christmas Decorations workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2887-crochet-ornament.html

Fairisle Christmas Stocking workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2889-christmas-stocking-knitting.html

Christmas Tree Tea Cosy

ChristmasTree Tea Cosy pattern – a festive pattern for you to knit

One of the joys of Christmas is all the decorative items to transform your home and welcome guests. Knitted and handmade Christmas decorations are often far nicer than coloured paper and plastic ones – and they have the advantage of being usable year after year. Trimming the tree with homemade baubles, Santas and snowmen figures is a popular tradition in many families.

Practical items can be jazzed up and made festive too. Christmas is such a sociable time of the year, when we invite friends and family into our homes to enjoy the seasonal cheer. It doesn’t always have to involve a glass of mulled wine either. We’re just as likely to be putting the kettle on and catching up over a pot of tea. Producing a festive teapot and a mince pie or Yule log is Christmassy too.

knitshop.co.uk has created a special pattern for just such occasions. The ChristmasTree Tea Cosy transforms even the plainest teapot – and of course has the benefit of keeping your tea warm while you chat. Knitted on 5mm needles using knitshop.co.uk’s Alpaca Fino Yarn, this cheery tea cosy is likely to be talking point all of its own. 

 

The front and back of the Christmas Tree Tea Cosy are both alike. It can be knitted by anyone with a bit of knitting experience. Because it knits up on 4.5mm and 5mm needles, it doesn’t take long to make, either.

As long as you know how to knit stocking stitch and how to increase and decrease, you’ll be able to tackle this fun project. The bobbles that represent the baubles on the tree are easy to incorporate into the pattern too and add a 3D element to the tea cosy design.

As well as written instructions, the pattern includes a clear reference chart showing where you need to change colour to make the Christmas tree and where the baubles should be added. We’ve used yellow Alpaca Fino Yarn for the baubles, but you could choose any colour from the range.

The knitshop.co.uk Christmas Tree Tea Cosy has overall dimensions of 21cm wide – measured from spout to handle opening – and 18cm tall. To achieve this, you’ll need a tension of 16 stitches over 22 rows on 4.5mm needles.

You’ll need a set of 4.5mm double-pointed needles as well as straight 4.5mm and 5mm needles. knitshop.co.uk stocks these, as well as the beautifully warm and soft Alpaca Fino Yarn on which this pattern is based. 

 

For the main colour, you’ll need a 100g hank of knitshop.co.uk AlpacaFino Yarn in red (item 40AF0420C). The Christmas tree design uses a hank of green Alpaca Fino Yarn (item 40AF0540C). And yellow for the bobbles (item 40AF0400C).

Links to this blog: 

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

Alpaca Fino Yarn - http://knitshop.co.uk/56-alpaca-yarn

Knitting Needles and Accessories - http://knitshop.co.uk/274-knitting-crochet-accessories

Let It Snow - Snowflake

Winter is knocking on our doors, Christmas is just around the corner and it would seem that the snowy weather could be upon us in the next few weeks.

Just in time for the Christmas season Julieta is teaching how to make a crochet snowflake and she has designed a new snowflake pattern which will be released in time for the Crochet Workshop at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green. This crochet workshop is an improver - advance class, it is best for candidates that have basic crochet knowledge and are looking to improve or refresh their skills. In this Snowflake workshop students will be shown the necessary techniques to achieve decorative snowflake textiles pieces.

Let It Snow Snowflake Pattern using fine crochet thread

Julieta and her knitshop.co.uk team will be focusing on the ideal way of holding yarn and needle, feeling comfortable as you crochet and achieving a smooth technique. The pattern uses basic crochet stitches as well as trebles and double trebles which are demonstrated by the tutor during the class. The two hour workshop will be a dedicated class with a maximum of eight students so that everyone goes at their own pace and as much attention as possible is focused on each student.

The class will also progress onto a variety of crochet techniques to achieve the decorative snowflakes. Each candidate will be able to complete at least one project during the 2 hour workshop or will be well instructed to finish the project in their own time and be able to carry on making snowflakes and similar projects at their own pace from home and beyond.

knitshop.co.uk will provide all materials necessary to complete one project and you'll be able to take home your work. The team at knitshop.co.uk are also keen to teach students to read patterns and charts so students skills can be applied to further own projects well after the class is over. Julieta and the team will be teaching students how to translate patterns into crochet and will answer and questions and qualms regarding this difficult, but useful, art.

If this workshop sounds like your kind of hobby, then come on down and take part. Whether it's for fun and make friends or if you are a keen crocheter. The next Snowflake workshop will be held on the 2nd November, from 11am until 1pm and again on the 7th December. This two hour workshop is a steal at just £15. All materials are provided as well as refreshments and smiles from the team!

Let It Snow Snowflake Pattern using 4ply cotton yarn

 

Make sure you book your place before the snow comes down! Call the knitshop.co.uk team, check-out online or simply visit in store to book your spot.

Can't make the workshop? We have plenty more workshops on offer to keep your cockles warm through-out the winter. But we are also offering a free snowflake pattern. Make sure you place this in your shopping basket online and checkout, to download your pattern, Free!

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

Links to this post:
FREE Crochet Snowflake Pattern
Crochet Workshops at the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green
Location and opening hours of the Boutique Outlet in Lee Green

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