Lacet Wrist Warmer Pattern

Lacet Gloves – a delicate design for dainty hands

Chunky woolen gloves and mitts will keep you warm and give you a wintry glow. They are just the thing to wear on a crisp, icy day when you’re enjoying a country walk after a hearty meal or building snowmen with the kids. Venture out into the wintry night, however, and you’ll probably want to swap chunky knitwear for something that looks more elegant but is equally cosy.

Lacy gloves are just what you need. They look stylish and dainty but offer plenty of protection from the elements. knitshop.co.uk’s Twisted Lace Gloves are knitted in a luxurious blend of mulberry silk and merino wool. The gloves are incredibly soft to the touch but also very warm. The open lace-work style may look as though it won’t keep your hands as warm as chunky mittens, but those holes actually trap warm air. The same trapped-air principle works very effectively in duvets – or even igloos!

Another advantage to the lacy design of these Twisted Lace Gloves is that they allow for movement. Despite being tightly woven to fit your hands, well, like a glove, the open ladder stitch design ensures they are flexible. You can be getting on with essential tasks while your hands are kept nice and snug. The fingerless design means you can wear your glamorous gloves while you tap away on your laptop or phone – or simply show off your beautiful manicure.

knitshop.co.uk’s Twisted Lace Gloves can be knitted from a single 100g skein of Mulberry Silk Merino Wool Yarn on a set of 4mm double-pointed needles. You might also find it handy to use a stitch marker. The pattern is suitable for all but knitting novices and is a great project if you’re looking to increase your knitting skills. Even if you’ve never knitted in the round before, you should find it quite straightforward to follow the pattern for these pretty gloves. Just be sure not to twist your stitches when you first join the fabric together.

We’re holding a Knitting In The Round class on 29th March demonstrating this technique, with the Twisted Lace Glove pattern and yarn to make it included.

This Pattern was featured in the Knitting Magazine issue 93 and was designed by Julieta Brandao for knitshop.co.uk - click here if you want to download the pattern now.

Links to this blog:

Knitting Pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/161-knitshop-pattern

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

4mm double-pointed needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1696-bamboo-knitting-needles-4mm.html 

Knitting In The Round workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/254-knitting

The Creative Craft Show

knitshop.co.uk at the Creative Craft Show knitshop.co.uk will once again be taking part in a series of knitting and craft events this year. The first show in our 2013 calendar is the Creative Crafts Show at Five Lakes near Colchester in Essex. This takes place from 14th to 16th February and features a multitude of crafts covering all aspects of needlecraft from sewing, quilting and embroidery to knitting, felting and crochet. Julieta, knitshop.co.uk’s founder and designer, will be teaching three classes daily at the show. The day starts with a crochet class. Attendees learn how to create a foundation chain, how to hold the hook and how to make double and treble crochet stitches. The class is based around learning to crochet a flower.


Julieta will be teaching the invaluable technique of knitting in the round from 12.30 till 1.30pm. In this class, you’ll be shown how to distribute your yarn across multiple double-pointed needles, how to join your knitting to create your first round and how to create a seamless three-dimensional item. The class is based around knitting a wrist warmer – a great first project to knit this way. The final class each day will show you how to felt items and 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 takes place from 14th to 16th February. 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 Malvern from 28 February to 2 March and 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 Five Lakes, Essex: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13ff_proceed_shrt.html SCC Creative Crafts Show Malvern: http://www.sccshows.co.uk/13mv_proceed_shrt.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

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

Ladder-Stitch Scarf pattern: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitshop-pattern/1336-ladder-stitch-scarf-pattern.html

6mm bamboo needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1349-6mm-sp-bamboo.html

Cotton-Linen Blend yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/21-cotton-linen-blend

Lacet Wrist Warmers: link to be added

4mm double-pointed needles: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/knitting-accessories/1714-4mm-dp-20cm.html

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

Valentine’s Chocolates crochet pattern: http://ravel.me/Julieta/cboc

Mercerised Cotton 4ply yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/129-4ply-cotton

Felted Flower Kit: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/felting-kits/1073-flower-felt-kit.html

Felted Butterfly Kit: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/felting-kits/1408-butterfly-felt-kit.html

Merino Wool Tops for felting: http://knitshop.co.uk/24-merino-tops

Knitshop.co.uk gift vouchers: http://knitshop.co.uk/188-gift-voucher

February Workshops and Activities

Knitshop.co.uk – February class schedule

Knitting and crocheting are rewarding pastimes. The extensive choice of yarns, fibres and patterns now available means there are limitless possibilities to what you can make and how it will look.

As well as offering an impressive selection of knitting and crochet yarns, knitshop.co.uk supports its customers all the way with advice on which yarns are most suitable for a specific project and email advice if you find it difficult to complete a pattern.

We want you to get maximum enjoyment from your creative endeavours. One of the best feelings comes from the successful completion of a project that involves tackling new stitches and skills.

Whether you’re new to handknitting and crochet, or keen to extend your skills, taking a class can really boost your progress and give you the confidence to tackle challenging designs.

Each month, knitshop.co.uk holds classes at our Lee High Road Boutique Outlet where we show you how to get started with knitting, crochet or felting, or how to build on existing skills. Classes take place on Fridays and Saturdays, with dedicated classes for youngsters. Adult classes are £15 each, while classes for under 16s cost £10.

This February we’ve got a great choice of workshops to choose from. For our youngsters we are offering Swing The Needles and Let's Get Hooked on Friday 22 February, Saturday 16 and 23 February.

 New knitters are invited to join us on Saturday 16 February for our Learn To Knit class. where we’ll show you how to hold the needles and how to knit your first rows of stitches. By the end of this two-hour class, you will be able to knit your very own scarf. All the materials you need are provided. This class is suitable for both adults and children.

If it’s crochet you yearn to learn, our Crochet For Beginners class on 15 February is just for you. During this class you’ll learn basic crochet techniques and will use them to create a flower. After this you’ll be able to start crocheting everything from Granny squares to bags and scarves.

In fact, if you already know how to crochet doubles and trebles, our 1 February and 23 February class on combining colours in your crochet projects is a great next step. We’ll show you how to make a two-tone square using crochet. Don’t worry if you’re a bit rusty, we’ll offer a recap on essential crochet stitches too.

Alternatively, we’ll be holding an Introduction to Lace Crochet class on Saturday 8 February. Here, we’ll delve into the challenging world of fine crochet work using steel crochet hooks and crochet threads. You’ll need some experience of crochet in order to benefit from attending this class. However, you’ll learn how to read and work from US and European crochet patterns, as well as a range of crochet stitches. 

February’s knitting workshops include How To Knit A Cowl. Held on 2 February and 9 February, this workshop focuses on knitting in the round to create a cosy cowl based on a Mobius loop. If you’ve mastered stocking stitch and variations of knitting and purling, our Knitting in the Round workshop will take your knitting to the next dimension allowing you to create garments without seams. As well as a cowl, we’ll show you how to use the technique to create gloves and hats.

Finally, if you’re after a more delicate project, give our Flower Corsage class a try. Here, we use fine 2.5mm needles to conjure up a pretty rose that can be pinned to a jacket, dress or hat. The class, on 22 February, teaches you how to work increases and decreases to make a stunning accessory.

All classes take place at knitshop.co.uk’s 326 Lee High Road boutique outlet [map here] from 11am to 1pm, with no more than eight attendees per session. Materials and refreshments are provided.

For details of all our classes, click here.

Product of the Month

Feather Silk Yarn – back by popular demand

Accessories can make an outfit. They are the difference between an ensemble being smart and being stunning. You can dress up the plainest jacket or hat by adding a trim or a corsage – or even by adding feathers.

knitshop.co.uk Feather Silk Yarn is perfect for such uses. The combination of real feathers and silk means it’s much easier to work with than individual feathers. The great news is that this acclaimed luxury yarn is now back in stock at knitshop.co.uk – but only for a limited time. Feather Silk Yarn is in strong demand – and we can only get our hands on so much.

This unique yarn can be used for all sorts of creative projects, from fascinators and other elaborate headwear or to add fancy edging to evening gloves. If you like to make and felt bags, a feather flourish can really jazz it up and give it impact. Choose a contrasting shade for maximum impact!

Feather Silk Yarn comes in seven impressive shades, each of which is named after an exotic flower. Feather Silk Yarn options include Black Batflower, the striking red and orange Pincushion Protea and the delicate mauve Bismarkia Nobilis Palm. In each case, the colour of the silk thread complements the colour of the feathers. Each ball of Feather Silk Yarn is 26m long – more than enough to embellish several items or to cover a cushion in luxurious fashion.

Another option is to try nuno felting. This technique allows you felt merino wool tops and graft them onto a delicate item such as a silk scarf. Feather Silk Yarn is the obvious choice as a final flourish. We’re sure you have plenty of ideas of your own for how this amazing yarn can be used.

For inspiration of what can be achieved, see the fantastic scarf one of our customers made in our Customer Gallery on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knitshop/82318014483 

knitshop.co.uk Feather Silk Yarn also featured in Knit Today magazine, where it was used to make the cuffs of some impressive mohair gloves by Anni Howard. 

Links to this blog:

Feather Silk Yarn: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/82-feather-silk-yarn

Knitshop.co.uk Facebook photos page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.399143719483.173938.82318014483&type=3.

What's on in January - Workshops at Lee Green

Happy New Year! If one of your resolutions for 2013 is to pick up a new skill, you’ve come to the right place. knitshop.co.uk holds regular classes on Fridays and Saturdays for adults and children keen on knitting and crafting. Classes include felted jewellery making as well as knitting and crochet.

New knitters and those who want to build on existing needle skills are well catered for. On Saturday 5^th January, we’re holding a Beginners’ Knitting Workshop. As well as finding out how to hold the needles, cast on and create your first stitches, you’ll learn how to make your first project. By the end of the two-hour class you’ll know how to create a knitted flower – or even a scarf! The £15 workshop fee includes all the materials you need, so you’ll be able to take the project home with you and finish it in your own time.

Under 18s can also learn to knit. We’ll be running a Swing The Needles workshop for kids in parallel with our Beginners’ Knitting class. Here, children over the age of five will be shown finger knitting. We also teach youngsters how to knit with two needles and how to crochet. Bring them along and see which of these skills they take to.

Swing The Needles costs £10 per child, while Knitting For Beginners costs £15 per adult. Both workshops run from 11am to 1pm and are held at knitshop.co.uk’s Boutique Outlet at 326 Lee High Road.

If you can already knit, but would like to learn new techniques, our Knitting In The Round workshop is a great option. Even if you’re rather rusty with the needles, you’ll soon pick up this great technique, which allows you to make items such as gloves, socks and hats without any seams. During the two-hour class you’ll learn how to make a pair of wrist warmers, a hat or gloves. Knitting In The Round takes place on Saturday 19^th January. Full details here: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2671-knitting-in-the-round.html

Accessories make all the difference to an outfit. Add to your knitting repertoire by learning to Knit a Flower Corsage. The workshop on Saturday 12^th January will teach you all you need to know. You simply need to know how to knit and purl. We can refresh your memory about these skills too.

Both the Knitting In The Round and Knit a Flower Corsage classes cost £15 and take place from 11am to 1pm at knitshop.co.uk’s Boutique Outlet at 326 Lee High Road.

If it’s crochet rather than knitting that you’re keen to learn, we have two workshops for you. Crochet novices can learn the basics at our Crochet for Beginners class on Friday 4^th January. Once you’ve mastered how to hold the hook and creating your first crochet chain, we’ll show you how to turn them into a flower.

On Friday 11^th January we’ll be showing you how to Crochet a classic Granny Square. This class is ideal for anyone who knows how to make a crochet chain using doubles and trebles, but can also be taken by those who have never tried crochet before. As well as working with several colours, you’ll learn how to read a crochet chart and follow a pattern.

Both crochet classes cost £15 and take place from 11am to 1pm at knitshop.co.uk’s Boutique Outlet at 326 Lee High Road.

Finally, we’re offering you the chance to make your own jewellery. Our Creative Jewellery Felting Workshop demonstrates how to make and apply wet felting. During the two-hour course you’ll make a necklace or bracelet with beads and felt. 

 

To book any of our classes, click ‘Add to cart’ and choose ‘self pick-up’ when you check out.

Happy crafting!

Links to this blog:

Creative Jewellery Felting workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2673-bead-jewellery-felting.html

Crochet a Square workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2667-crochet-a-square.html

Kids’ Knitting/Crochet workshops: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2659-swing-the-needles.html

http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2657-lets-get-hooked.html

Knit A Flower Corsage workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2668-flower-corsage.html

Knitting In The Round workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2671-knitting-in-the-round.html

Learn To Knit workshop: http://www.knitshop.co.uk/workshops/2658-beginners-knitting-workshop.html

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

Competition

Knitshop.co.uk competition -
£50 of yarn to be won!

Fans ofknitshop.co.uk’syarns are pretty creative – and pretty competitive! 

So what betterway to see who has made the most incredible creations than to run aphoto-based competition to win some more yarn?

The naturalfibres of knitshop.co.uk’syarns are beautifulin their own right, but you also need skill and imagination for yourshowstopping knitting or crochet project. The winning entry willreceive a luxury selection of knitshop.co.ukyarns consisting of two hanks of AlpacaQuito Yarn,two hanks of Cottonplied Wool Yarn,a skein of knitshop.co.ukSock Yarnand four balls of Cotton4ply Mercerised.

To enterthe competition all you need to do is take a photo of an item you’vemade using knitshop.co.ukproductsand send it to us, along with a description, including the productsused,at info@knitshop.co.uk.We’ll post the shortlisted photos on our website and on ourFacebook page at facebook.com/knitshopand everyone can vote for which one’s the best.

Competitionentries will be accepted till 5 January, with the shortlistedphotos online from 6 January until 12 January. We’llannounce the winner on 14 January!

Everyonewho enters the competition will receive a free knitshop.co.ukpattern of their choice. Please state which pattern you would like toreceive when emailing in your photo entry and description. 

 

Links tothis blog:

Knitshop.co.ukcompetition prize details

One luckyprize winner will receive

AlpacaQuito Yarn– two hanks

Cottonplied Wool Yarn–two hanks

Cotton4ply Mercerised– four balls

knitshop.co.ukSock Yarn– one hank

Email aphoto of your knitshop.co.uk creation to info@knitshop.co.uk.