On the needle, hook and hoop!

New in store and learn a new skill this Summer!

WIPs!

I've been stacking up some new WIPs (works in progress) this week, I do like to have a few things on the go so I can work on whichever my moods takes me.

First up on the hook is Cross Stitch Crochet vest (Ravelry link) by Sara Dudek. It's quite the commitment of single crochet, with *a lot* of rows of single crochet, but I am committed, and the hand painted variegated Anchor Bay really helps! I'm really looking forward to the cross stitch part so onwards I go.

Next up, another plain stitch, knitting this time, but again I'm looking forward to the applied decoration on the back. Maggie Cardigan (Ravelry link) by PetiteKnit. It's a lovely construction though and I am enjoying that. For those of you who didn't see last week's newsletter, I'm applying surface decoration using duplicate stitch and embroidery techniques with this design, Unicorn Tapestry (Ravelry link) by Tamara Jordan

I've started a shop sample for the new Fingerless gloves skill builder class that I'm knitting along with the first class, using WildWestDye's merino/ cashmere/ nylon DK

And last, for now, is a Kiriki doll kit, I've been wanting to make Llama for a while. It has some fun stitches, Turkey work, couching and tassels which I'm looking forward to stitching!

Merino/cashmere/silk DK

WildWestDye's Merino/cashmere/nylon DK has been restocked! We have 12 colours from you to choose from, including customer favourites, and new ones too!

This is the yarn I'm using for my Fingerless glove sample, it's such a fun yarn to work with as I love the colour changes!

The yarn is dyed 2/3rds main colour, and 1/3 variegated colours. Resist ties are placed round the yarn and the 2/3rd section is dyed first, either in the indigo vat, dye pot or both. The 1/3rd colour is applied by hand painting and steaming. When there's blue (or green) in the 1/3rd section, this part also gets dipped in the indigo vat!

It's a lot of fun to dye, I'm normally inspired by rainbows, flowers, unicorns and art!

With this dyeing technique you get fun mini stripes on small circumference knits like fingerless gloves and socks, spirals on cowls and hats, and surprise pooling on shawls and sweaters. When I first dyed yarn using this technique, I designed a really fun shawl, Yarn Your Own Adventure shawl (Ravelry link) where you knit or purl depending what colour is on your needles and what colour your about to knit with. I'll bring the sample to the shop today if you'd like to take a look.

Learn something new this Summer!

During the Summer months we adjust our beginner classes as we know it can be hard to commit to a 4 week session when there's holidays and so on happening!

This year, we are offering a 2 part Learn to Knit and Learn to Crochet class and a 3 hour Learn to Tunisian workshop. They are all based around making a dishcloth with the fun and fabulous Ricorumi Spin Spin!

These classes are suitable for anyone aged 10 and up, did you know our oldest student is 90! It's never to late to learn something new! If you, or someone you know would like to learn a new skill this Summer, then choose from one of these classes!

I'll be working on the Summer schedule over the next couple of weeks so watch this space!

And heads up, we have 3 spots left for our Knit a Sweater that fits class starting on Tuesday June 9th! Knit your sweater through Summer so you're ready for Fall!