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
One question we get asked a lot, is about how to substitute one yarn for another in a pattern. This may be because the pattern is for a discontinued yarn but it could also because you find your perfect shade in a completely different yarn or you might have some balls you want to use… Continue reading Substituting yarns – a friendly guide
At UK Hand Knitting we’ve been enjoying seeing some of the new yarns that are appearing for this autumn so we thought it was time to share a few that we like the look of. First off, we have two yarns that are new takes on classic yarns and which could become regulars for your… Continue reading New yarns for autumn 2018
