One of the questions the Yarn Doctors are asked more than anything else is: “How do I start knitting in the round?” While some people might say “Well, you just start knitting”, what this is really about is starting neatly in the round without ending up with a ladder or stretched stitch at the beginning.… Continue reading Quick tip: joining in the round
As with most events UK Hand Knitting attend, we were joined by men on our stand at various times during our visit to last week’s Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show. Just like other knitters they came to teach, to learn, to show off projects and in one case to prove he could produce a neater… Continue reading Books for men who knit or want to
For a number years we have been following, and promoting, the research by Betsan Corkhill and others that shows that knitting and crochet is good for our mental and our physical health. Our very own Bronagh has even knitted on live TV while wearing a heart monitor to prove how calming and relaxing making one… Continue reading Knitting, practical mindfulness and the benefits of “craftfulness”
We recently talked about the trend for big cables and one way to achieve this is using chunky and super chunky yarns. These thicker yarns can also produce interesting lace effects and are great for quickly producing accessories such as hats and scarves or big and bold homewares. One of the advantages of using… Continue reading Knitting with chunky and super chunky yarns
With bonfire parties this week we’ve been thinking about wrapping kids up in cute knitted items. Making things for children, especially accessories, can feel very quick and it is satisfying to have finished items, plus smaller items are a fun way to try new shapes, techniques, etc. With Christmas coming up we’ve picked out some… Continue reading Lovely cosy accessories for kids
As Remembrance Sunday approaches and we mark a century from the end of World War One, knitted and crocheted poppies are spreading across the UK. An impressive number of communities, churches and businesses have decided to mark the anniversary with swathes of hand craft remembrance poppies. Creating the poppies and displaying them has brought people… Continue reading Knitted poppies bloom across the country
Recently lots of you have been asking the Yarn Doctors about sock knitting and in particular how to join the toes of your socks. We usually use Kitchener stitch, a sewing method that results in a seamless toe – so as comfortable as possible. Because there are a number of steps to the instructions for… Continue reading Tip time: Join the toes of your sock seamlessly
Now the weather is cooling off, we are all thinking about cosy winter knits and if you want to be on trend this season you can have a lot of fun with your hand knits because along with bright colours and mismatched fair isle, big and bold cables are certainly the order of the day.… Continue reading Trendwatch: Going big and bold with cables
When we are teaching and encouraging people to knit and crochet at yarn shows round the country, we are often approached by people with a very specific request. These are usually groups of two or three people where one person is keen to teach their companion(s) some aspect of knitting or crochet and ask if… Continue reading Find a space to share your skills
We are running our Annual Christmas Stocking Appeal again this autumn. We are asking knitters and crocheters across the country to join to help us spread some festive cheer by making mini stockings for care homes, lunch clubs, hospices and foodbanks. Last year we distributed more than 1,500 stockings to organisations all over the country.… Continue reading Christmas stocking appeal
