I’ll start with the new Rowan Magazine 51; as usual they have managed to combine practicality with style and class. 

The three themes:  Artisan, Riviera and Essentials cover all you could possibly need for the summer.  Vintage designs in Riviera are classics which will endure!  I love Cannes, a lacy tunic top knitted in Fine Lace ( keep an eye out for the gorgeous new shades coming out on 1st February )

In it we are introduced to Josh Bennett, who has a New York inspired range specifically for Rowan, and to Fiona Brooker on her travels to South India.  All worth finding out about!

There are 2 new pattern books available for the gorgeous Scrumptious yarns and some new shades from Ysolda Teague.  The Scrumptious Baby book includes a gorgeous, delicate lace shawl for the baby or you…., some cute cardigans and accessories too.  There is also a little help section which gives detailed instructions for one of the lace patterns by Kyoko Nakayoshi - so clear.

The printed version of  Carol Feller’s Scrumptious Knits book has arrived ( must confess I’ve already bought the PDF version… do I need to the printed version…..? Probably so that I don’t need to keep turning on the computer…)  This includes seven elegant patterns – garments and accessories, using Scrumptious 4 ply, DK, aran and chunky so something for everyone.

Next up are the new seasons yarns and pattern books from Debbie Bliss.  Debbie has brought out a lace weight yarn in her Rialto range, 100% Merino and machine washable, so versatile and practical.   I am loving Debbie’s patterns for the lace – just a case of choosing one and trying to decide on which colour ( only 20 to choose from! ).  There’s this shade:

   then this one:     and this one (just to start) :

Have a look at Debbie’s other books too – Celebrating Family and The Village.   Celebrating Family includes toddler and baby patterns with a few for the ladies, whilst The Village is just for the ladies.

Soon we will be putting up a list of our new workshops.

The colours of the yarns range from subtle colour changes in the Extra Soft Merino Color to the vibrant shades of the Highland Alpaca Fino.   The Extra Soft Merino Color is shown off  in the Ladies Patchwork jacket. 

The Highland Alpaca Fino is a fine DK and the patterns in Moments No 003 show the finest of this yarn off perfectly.  The lace shawl shown in shade #7325 Natural would work out a treat in shade #7362.

 There are plenty more to look through and plan… but time is running out for the offer.   Yes,  we have a 15% Introductory discount offer on all SMC Select Yarns until the New Year… Happy Christmas.

We are getting ready for a delivery from The Natural Dye Studio and hopefully soon some more Scrumptious from Fyberspates with some new patterns.

The other exciting news from us is the arrival of the SMC Select range of yarns and patterns.  The yarns and shades are amazing – I’ll tell you more when we have had time to up pack it all and have a good look!

Last Saturday we opened our doors for a few hours, we were so busy that I did not have time to take a photo of the afternoon – happy customers, tea, coffee, cake and mince pies all around the tree, oh and some yarn in baskets too…It warmed  the cockles, here’s our tree – trimmed with Elle Sensual Radical Roll, a little extra luxury

Vintage Designs to Knit has a wide range of Kim’s patterns from her years as as designer for Rowan, which have been collected together in one book.  The varied collection ranges from chunky jackets and sweaters to elegant tops and cardigans.   There are also substitute yarns for those patterns that were originally in yarns that have been discontinued.

We have some newly arrived luxurious undyed yarns in stock,  two lace weights – one with a sparkle, a fine lace and a sparkle DK.  

Imagine these knitted up – beautiful shawls and scarves, in time for the festive season.

There is a choice of 2  free patterns with the yarn too.

And don’t forget we are open this SATURDAY ( 3rd December) from 12 till 5pm, see you then.

We have a range of shades of Scrumptious in 5 weights from lace to chunky.  Scrumptious consists of 45% silk and 55% merino or 55% superwash merino, the drape and feel of this yarn is such that you want to take it home just to stroke! 

The patterns in Collection 1 range from Childry, an elegant shawl,  using 1 skein of Scrumptious 4ply  to Alvescot, a fitted lace panel sweater knitted in Scrumptious Chunky, and everything in between.  Again the question is where to start?  and which colour?  I can never make up my mind as to the shade I want,  but what comes first the pattern or the yarn?

Looking closely at the yarn, it does look as if it would be a good substitute for Patons Colour Works Aran, for which we have a wide range of patterns, the most popular being an edge to edge jacket, from Patons Booklet 3776

( although it is called Aran it does knit up on a 6.5mm needle )

We have been having a tidy up in the shop and found several ex-display garments which we are sorting out and putting up for sale,  Sale Rail 1 is already available and keep your eyes on the website for more….

Here it is:

The beauty of knitting in the round is that there are no seams!

The noise level does rise occassionally but generally they have been very quiet as they concentrate on using one hand to knit with and the other to purl with.

Here’s what they are aiming for

We have had a little time to start an SMC Lofty scarf, here’s what we have so far…

We discovered the further apart you space your stitches the fluffier the scarf is.

Louisa Harding’s Grace Hand Beaded has arrived and is beautiful. 

 Louisa has managed to get  the combination just right, the beads are evenly spread through the yarn making it suitable for a complete garment

 or for a stripe

or just  a trim

Her patterns in Three Graces combine all 3 of her Grace yarns : Grace, Grace Hand-dyed and Grace Hand Beaded.  Now which to start with….