I don't understand charts. Where do I start? Charts are simply another way of providing knitting instructions and if they are well drawn they should to some extent be a diagram of how your knitting should look. The most straightforward charts to understand are those for colourwork. Each square on the chart represents a stitch… Continue reading Ask the yarn doctors: Knitting from charts
Worldwide Knit in Public day is on Saturday 10 June. We’re big fans of this international celebration of yarn crafts when knitters (and crocheters) gather outdoors or in public spaces to make together. And we’re delighted to see some of our premium shop members (and yarn crawl participants) taking part too. The Craft Cabin, PontyPool… Continue reading Knit in Public Day 2023
I’ve only knitted on straight needles but I’m seeing more and more patterns for circularneedles. Why? And have you any tips? Historically garments have been knitted in the round all over the world but especially in Scandinavia and the Scottish Islands. It was only with the advent of modern manufacturing techniques that they have started… Continue reading Ask the Yarn Doctors – Knitting on circular needles
When you are deciding on which increases and decreases to use, it often depends where and on what sort of project you are using them. The simplest increase is to make a stitch by putting the yarn over your needle before working your next stitch – we’ve all done it by mistake when learning. The… Continue reading Ask the Yarn Doctors: What are the best increases and decreases?
The Great British Yarn Crawl will run from mid-April to the end of June and, for anyone who loves visiting a yarn shop, it couldn’t be easier to take part. A real treat and a great excuse for a yarnie road trip. You’ll be able to pick up a Yarn Crawl card from any of the… Continue reading The Great British Yarn Crawl
Our current appeal for socks and other warm items to go Ukraine mentions that the socks can be made in any yarn. This is because these are socks to sleep in rather than ones that will be worn all days inside boots If you are making socks for normal wear in boots or shoes you… Continue reading What’s in a sock yarn?
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. The choice tends to be quite influential with designers producing new work and, because the colour experts have used a lot of design sources… Continue reading Viva Magenta – the colour of the year
Have you ever watched any of the decluttering or living for less type TV shows? You often come across experts showing people how to “shop their wardrobe”. This means taking out every garment they own – often a large amount including unworn garments, thanks to fast fashion – and creating new outfits as if they… Continue reading Shop Your Stash
Did you go to any of our Yarnstravaganza celebratory events at yarns shops last month? Hundreds of shops ran events, did giveaways or offered special discounts in the week long celebration of local yarn retailers. The result was shops having more customers during the week and new knitters and crocheters discovering them. Below is what… Continue reading Our first Yarnstravaganza hits the spot
A knitted tank top or vest with jeans is the stylish look going into autumn according to the fashion mags – check out this piece about model Kendal Jenner from Harpers Bazaar (ignore the fact they can’t tell knitting from crochet). You could start wearing tops like these by themselves and then add a tee… Continue reading Look on trend with a knitted tank top
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