Colour of the year 2022

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”…

Super chunky knits

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…

Working with Bamboo and Cotton Yarns

There are some gorgeous cotton and bamboo yarns around at the moment, but how much do you know about these fibres and the best ways to work with them? It is worth knowing a little about where these yarns come from and how they are made up, so you can get the most out of…

Taking photos of your knits

There are lots of places you might share a picture of your knitting and crochet projects – Facebook and Instagram feeds, blogs, online knitting groups, or to “readers makes” type call outs on social media like our “Finished object Friday” threads and our month Facebook cover picture competition. However, getting the best pictures of your…

Nothing wrong with “selfish” knitting (or crochet)

We’re pretty certain that lots of you have made plenty items for others this year – whether that be making items for charity appeals, yarn bombing your local area with rainbows or Christmas decorations or completing a mile-long gift list. But some people will still describe knitting something for yourself as selfish. We don’t agree…

Into the red

In the Red According to the catwalk reports and the fashion magazines one of the colours of this winter is going to be strong red. And it is certainly a Christmassy colour Red is a great colour choice for a time when we definitely need things that are cheery and positive. And depending on whether…

Quick chunky knits

With the weather we’re having at this time of year, it is easy to get caught out and discover your lovely cosy knitted hat is nowhere to be found in a cold snap. This one of the many reasons we love chunky yarns – you can turn out a warm accessory or two in very…

Classic Blue – the colour for 2020

Each year a panel at colour experts Pantone selects the colour of the year. The idea is the shade is something they expect to see in design this year which also embodies the mood of the time. In recent years some of their colour choices have been a bit of a challenge to knitters and…

New Year Knitting Resolutions

  Instead of going on a diet or setting yourself some extreme exercise challenges, have you thought about making some knitting or crochet new year resolutions. We have a few ideas: Learn a new technique. Choose a technique that would allow you to tackle a pattern you’ve always admired but didn’t feel you had the…

Stashbusting Christmas decoration patterns

Have you ever knitted or crocheted your own Christmas decorations? These can be great stash busting projects (which, let’s face it, we all need once in a while!) as a lot of decorations are small items so don’t take much yarn to make. The larger projects on this list still don’t require a lot of…