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
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
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… Continue reading Working with Bamboo and Cotton Yarns
Sometimes we all want to make a pattern in a different yarn from the one recommended in the pattern. It could be that you’ve fallen for a newly launched yarn and want to use it with a pattern you already love or that you’ve saved a pattern but the yarn has been discontinued. It is… Continue reading Using a different yarn for your pattern
There are lots of new yarns appearing at the moment. Sadly, it still isn’t possible to pop into your local yarn shop for a good squish at the moment but many of your favourite shops will still be getting them in and will be very glad to take your orders and send them out. So,… Continue reading A look at some new yarns
What do yellow and grey say to you? Fantastic stripes or strong opposites? Colours you never wear or is one of them your go-to colour? Every year the colour experts at Pantone chose a colour (or occasionally colours) of the year. These are supposed to predict the shades that designers will be drawn to and… Continue reading Colours for 2021
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… Continue reading Nothing wrong with “selfish” knitting (or crochet)
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