Indigodragonfly in the shop now!!

New pretties in the shop! Indigodragonfly from Canada.

We have lace, MCN sock, DK and a sport/DK Polworth/silk blend in jumbo skeins, all hand-dyed by the lovely Kim. We will have a blog interview with her soon.

I'm really struggling to photo the greeny-blue yarns, so there are a few missing photos. I've added descriptions of the colours which I hope will help you choose, (colours listed dominant first) but I didn't want to put photos on that are really miles away from how the yarns look in real life.

We also have just taken delivery of some Sweet Georgia yarn, which will also be in the shop soon. Mum reports the colours are yuuuumy, I will get to see them tomorrow!

Also, the website will soon be getting a revamp so apols if things look a bit neglected here for a while. We hope to have the new shiny one up and running before Christmas.

Have a look at it all here!

Kate

WIP: Crochet blanket

This blanket has been on the go for two years, and uses all the Classic Romney colours. Advice on how to stop gratefully received! This is my first crochet project so ideas on edgings for hexagons would be fab....

Gads!

Good grief, I haven't posted here for a whole year. Is having a baby a good enough excuse? I suspect not. A few weeks, maybe, but not a whole year.

Anyway, I have been shamed, and told off, and it has been pointed out that I do actually have some things I can show you, so here is a lovely scarf knitted from our Manos Serena:

This pattern is Kleio, available through Ravelry for $6.50.

Here's also the reason for my slight distractability these days:

The cuteness! And yes, she has several hand knits already...

New Stock!

Loads of lovely new goodies for you!

Manos del Uraguay Serena yarn, a baby alpaca / pima cotton blend which is soooo soft and which I am going to be using for a scarf of some description or perhaps the Layering Shrug (can't believe how far back in my favourites list that is already).

KnitPro Spectra Trendz and KnitPro chart keepers. The Trendz are really funky. Have to say I've given up using straight needles for anything these days and live off my KP interchangeable circs. They are truly genius.

There are some other new bits and pieces, check it out online.

Open Day

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the open morning! As well as tea and possibly cake, we've got some great new Knit Pro bits and pieces including Trendz sets and Magma chart keepers, and some Manos del Uraguay Serena yarn, a lovely baby alpaca / pima cotton mix for 3-4mm needles, great for lace scarves, socks, or summer knitting.
We're looking into stocking some other yarn lines, so any feedback is welcome on brands and producers you'd like to see or find it hard to get hold of.

K

Woolstore Open Day

Next open day will be Saturday 18 June from 10am to 1pm at Aragon Farm.

More details to follow, we look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Easter

For all you lovely AY knitters, here is a free Easter pattern for you. It only takes an hour to knit and then you just stuff it in the washing machine. Get egg-cosy happy!

Easter Egg Cosies

100% wool yarn - one 50g ball will do two or three cosies

8mm circular needle with long-ish cord, or 8mm double points (dpns)

Tapestry needle

As these cosies get felted, accuracy is not in the least bit imperative. If you have a 9mm or 7mm needle, that's fine. If your stitches are uneven, it really doesn't matter. It all comes out in the wash.

Cast on 26 st and join in the round. Either use dpns or magic loop method. (You can also knit these flat and seamed before felting if you really can't bear knitting circularly.)

Knit in the round for 2.5 inches in st st.

K2tog 4 times evenly spaced in the round – 22 st

Decrease 4 st in the same manner every 5^th row two more times – 14 st

Decrease 4 st every 4^th row two times – 6 st

Knit three rows

K2tog three times – 3 st

Knit five rows of icord (you can do this on the circular needle)

K2tog, K1

K 2 tog

Pass end of yarn through final stitch and pull tight.

Weave in end hanging from cast off edge. Leave 3 inches or so of yarn at the top and break off leaving a rough end. This will felt in an interesting curly crimpy manner.

Felt in the washing machine at 40-60 degrees with a towel / pair of jeans in the machine. The felted fabric will still be mouldable when it comes out so pull and stretch it to make the shape you want – be tough!

Leave to dry thoroughly.

Happy Easter to you all!