One question that regularly comes to the Yarn Doctors is about different patterns using different abbreviations for cables. There are several styles of notation for creating cables which can seem confusing but, despite this, the actual way of making cables remains the same. All cable instructions ask you to put a certain number of stitches… Continue reading Decoding cable patterns
Summer knitting is always a topic for debate. Some people think that working with yarn is a cold weather only activity while others of us wouldn’t be without our needles and hooks regardless of what the thermometer says. That said, casting on an over-sized chunky cardigan may not be the ideal option for a sunny… Continue reading Summer accessory knitting
At UK Hand Knitting we are big fans of knitting and crochet groups of every type – in person and virtual. But right now, we’re really enjoying the return of yarn shop knitting groups. As with other knitting groups, those hosted in yarn shops offer a range of benefits to crafters. There is simply the… Continue reading Settling in to knit at your local yarn shop
We recently showed you some of the fantastic recycled yarns on the market, but you can also use your crafting skills to reduce the amount of single-use items you consume. One of the most famous eco-knitting projects is to create “plarn” (plastic yarn) by cutting up plastic bags and then knitting or crocheting up into… Continue reading Knit and crochet to reduce waste
One of the great things about knitting and crochet is that we all take different approaches and enjoy different things while all still relying on the same basic stitches. What makes you happy from your yarn craft won’t necessarily be the same as your best knitting friend. And that is true of how many projects… Continue reading Monogamous knitting or the multi-project life
If you have decided to be more environmentally aware in 2022, it is worth your while looking at yarns that include recycled fibres. UK Hand Knitting members have started including these types of yarns in their ranges because they too want to reduce their environmental impact. Here are a few yarns you might want to… Continue reading Recycled and recovered yarns
Every new year the experts at Pantone identify their colour of the year, which they think sums up the shades and tones likely to influence the next twelve months of design. This year they have taken it a step further and added a new purply blue to their palette for 2022. Pantone describes “Very Peri”… Continue reading Colour of the year 2022
When the chilly weather arrives at this time of year, sometimes you want to be able to work up a new woolly in no time flat. This is when a super chunky yarn comes in very handy indeed. Super chunkies are knitted or crocheted on 10mm or 12mm needles and hooks which means your work… Continue reading Super chunky knits
September is when we celebrate all the knitters and crocheters out there who tirelessly make items for charities to help with fundraising or to raise awareness of a particular campaign. It is also when we ask all knitters and crocheters to make just one item for a charity or organisation to show their support for our Commit… Continue reading Get ready to Commit to Knit a Hat for the Homeless
We’ve come across some online discussions about counting rows recently and realised there is a lot of confusion about what or where to count so we’ve some tips to help. Count the bumps rather than the Vs If you try to count the Vs of your stitches (left in picture), you run the risk of… Continue reading Count your rows accurately
ukhandknitting.wordpress.com 