Fun project inspiration for Sari Ribbon!

We love Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon!  It’s an amazing sparkly ribbon yarn, which can be used for garments (2 skeins for a little shrug), accessories, or for some really lovely and unusual trimmings making it a very versatile yarn.

With 120 metres in a 100g skein, even if you just use it as a pretty ribbon for tying around presents, it’s a bargain, working out at just over 8p per metre at full price or just over 5p per metre if you use your HEATWAVE discount code to get 35% off!

If you fancy making a cute accessory instead, how about this lovely free Easy-Peasy bag pattern which you can find on Knitting Fever’s website here?  It only takes one 100g skein!

Louisa Harding’s Etcetera book has a range of patterns for Sari Ribbon, Mila, Jesse, Mulberry, Grace Hand dyed and Mulberry Hand beaded.

If you fancy making a garment, how about this pretty little cardi? It takes 2 – 3 skeins of Sari Ribbon, just add an extra skein if you want to make the version with elbow length sleeves.  Or how about this lovely lace cushion cover?  Just 3 skeins will make a really eye catching addition to your sofa that knits up quickly on 7mm needles.

If you’re looking for another creative idea for Sari Ribbon, how about making little yarn eggs?  Anne has been busy making these cute little packages which are perfect for filling with chocolate as little gifts!

To make these, get some little balloons (those sold for making water bombs are perfect), soak the ribbon in glue and wrap it randomly around the inflated balloons, leaving a few little gaps (so you can fill them later) and leave them to dry.  Then pop the ballons, remove them from inside the yarn eggs and fill them with whatever takes your fancy.  Great fun!

Happy Knitting!

Summer Madness! 35% off everything!

Yes, that’s right, you can get 35% off everything in our Summer Madness Sale!

Just use the code ‘HEATWAVE’ at the checkout to get your discount, but hurry, this offer is only valid on current stock, so if there’s something you’ve got your eye on, get it now before it’s gone!

Happy Knitting!  🙂

What are we knitting?

We love to see what you have been knitting, it’s always really exciting when a customer brings in a lovely project in progress or a beautiful finished object to show us.  So we thought it would be fun to share what we have been making with you!

First to share her project with us is Anne, who’s knitting a cardigan in Fyberspates Cumulus.  Over to you Anne…..

Fyberspates Cumulus is so light and airy that it really does remind me of clouds!  I was keen to knit a cardigan in it ever since I first had a ball to squish.

Finally I came across a pattern which I could use… ‘Wave’ from Kim Hargreaves’ Echoes book.  I know it’s not a pattern for Cumulus, but it’s working out superbly.

‘Wave’ is designed to be knitted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze doubled, which is near enough the same weight as a single strand of Cumulus and for this slouchy cardigan it is ideal!  So I am one happy knitter.

I’m making a few modifications to the pattern.  I’ve knitted the body in one piece as it gets rid of the seams; as the knitted fabric is be so light I didn’t want them showing.

The pattern uses a 4.5mm for the knit row and 8mm for the purl row to create the striped effect so I’m using Knit Pro Symfonie interchangeable needles with one point of each size on a single cable so I’ve just got one long circular needle!

I used at three needle cast off on the shoulders so there was no sewing up.  I know some folk have trouble with finishing garments….

At the moment I have picked up the stitches for the front band and am trying to decide how wide to do it.  In the pattern there are only 10 rows, but I think I will make it wider so that I can wrap it round me.

Then it will be time to knit the sleeves!  I’m planning to pick up stitches round the armholes and knit down with short rows to create shaping for the sleeve caps instead of knitting the sleeves separately from the bottom up and seaming them.  I’ve never used this technique before so I’ll be looking for guidance from this informative blog post on DayanaKnits.

When it’s finished I’ll let you know!

Happy Knitting! 🙂

Knit Pro Marblz Collection Interchangeable Needle Sets!

We’ve just taken delivery of some stunning new needle sets…..

The Limited Edition Knit Pro Marblz Collection Interchangeable Needle set is a fabulous new addition to the Knit Pro range of interchangeable needles.

Compatible with all Knit Pro standard length interchangeables, this gorgeous set of needles have a beautiful marble effect, specially designed so each needle appears uniquely exclusive and different to any other.

The colours are truly gorgeous!

The set includes 8 pairs of needles in sizes 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 7.0mm & 8.0mm and three cables (in lengths 60cm, 80cm and 100cm) which come in a lovely presentation box and would make a wonderful gift for that special knitter in your life, or for yourself!  A show stopping Christmas gift (start dropping hints now) 😉

You even get a very special Knit Pro Symfonie wood pen (not available to buy separately), cable connectors (so you can join two shorter cables together to make a longer one) and a needle size gauge.

If you want a set, you’d better be quick!  We only have ten sets available and they’re already selling fast!  When they’re gone, they’re gone!

Get yours here.

Happy Knitting!

Echo Mittens

Every wondered what the the Stash staff get up to when they’re not working in our shop?

Well wonder no longer…..

Copyright Let’s Knit 2013 (used with kind permission)

Charlotte (or Lottie as you might know her) who works with us here at Stash, designs patterns when she’s not here in the shop and she’s got a pattern in the latest issue of Let’s Knit magazine, out today!

Her Echo Mitts are knitted in coordinating shades of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade #659/Ultra and Manos Del Uruguay Fino and feature a lacy edging and a faux placket adorned with cute little buttons.

Copyright Let’s Knit 2013 (used with kind permission)

While we don’t stock Manos Del Uruguay Fino, Artesano Alpaca 4ply in shade #7609/Paraguay would be a perfect substitute and is an almost identical colour (but you could use any 4ply yarn instead).  Or you could try Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply and Debbie Bliss Angel, Party Angel or Rowan Kidsilk Haze Eclipse for a more glamourous look!  The mittens use less than half a ball of each so you could make two pairs from a ball of each yarn.

If you’re curious as to what goes into a design like this, Charlotte has written about the design process behind the mittens on her blog here.

Have a good weekend and Happy Knitting!

Exciting new arrivals: Accessories!

We’ve got lots of new accessories to show you today, so if you fancy some fab new tools to make you knitting life easier, we have something to tempt you!

First of all, we have a whole new range of more affordable needles!  We’re very pleased to be stocking Milward needles and the range we have in stock includes aluminium, plastic and bamboo straight and circular needles, as well as DPNs and crochet hooks.

We also have some new Knit Pro accessories for all of you who like to knit lace (like me!), everything you could possibly need for perfectly blocked lace:

Knit Pro Blocking Mats:

Knit Pro Blocking Wires:

and Knit Pro Lace Blocking T-Pins:

Next time we’ve got some new books to show you!

Happy Knitting!

New this week!

It’s been another busy week here at Stash, with more new yarns and patterns arriving for the coming Autumn/Winter 2013/2014 Season.

So, what’s new?

As it has been a bit of a baby themed week following the arrival of Prince George, I thought I’d start with the latest book of adorable patterns for the miniature people in your life, the new Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino Book 5:

Why not make one of these sweet patterns for your little Prince or Princess?

All the patterns use either Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino or Debbie Bliss Eco Baby (which are interchangeable) and with all the different colours available you can really make these designs your own.  There are patterns for babies and children up to five years so you can come back to these great designs for years to come.

Here are some of our favourites:

There’s this lovely rosebud patterned cardi and matching bear:

…….. a cute little two colour raglan sweater:

…… a very pretty trellis stitch jacket:

…… a practical top for boys:

… and a fairisle band top for girls:

There are plenty more fabulous designs in this book, more than we’ve got room for here, but you can browse pictures of all fifteen of them on our website here.

We’ve just taken delivery of two lovely new yarns from Mirasol, both of which reference the recent trend for ombre style knits.

Paqu Pura is a beautifully soft sportweight (between a double knit and a 4ply) 100% Alpaca yarn with long, sophisticated colour changes and with 300m/per 100g skein it goes a long way!

We’ve got some lovely single patterns in this yarn by Claudia Wersing:

From stylish sweaters:

To cosy accessories:

As well as a textured slipover for men:

The second new Mirasol yarn this season is Sami:

Sami is a DK weight 100% Wool yarn made from two plies of shaded yarn spun together to create a slightly marled shaded effect.

There are some lovely single patterns in this yarn too that really make the most of the eye-catching shading in the yarn.

From this snuggly collared tunic:

To this intriguing cardigan:

…. and this mitred cardigan that makes the stripes in the yarn change direction:

We’ve also just taken delivery of some great new knitting bags and needle holders!

With their cute button print these are sure to brighten your day!

We’ve got Button Boutique Yarn Bags (no more balls of yarn rolling all over the floor!):

Button Boutique Needle Holders to keep all your needles in their rightful place:

….and Button Boutique Knitting Bags in various sizes to suit each and every work-in-progress (if you’re anything like me you’ll have quite a few):

Last but not least there are some amazing bargains to be had in our clearance sale – you can save up to a third on discontinued yarns and colours!

There’s lots to choose from, and new additions this week include:

Beautifully soft Debbie Bliss Paloma in 4 gorgeous shades…..

Some lovely shades in Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran (this is just a small selection, there are more colours on the website):

For fans of Noro yarns, we’ve got two shades of Kureyon, #220 (on the left) and #264 (on the right):

… and three shades of Noro Silk Garden (from left to right: shades #299, #304, #314):

We’ve also got some lovely Mirasol yarns in the sale, four shades of Ushya (a super chunky 100% wool):

…. and one shade in Mirasol Hasa, gorgeously soft light chunky:

Last but not least, bringing us back to the Royal Baby theme, we’ve got some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in the sale too in selected colours (just a selection shown here, but lots more on our website), but hurry these are going fast!

We’ve also added our remaining stock of some discontinued colours in Rowan yarns to the sale – take a look at them here – but stocks are very limited so don’t wait too long!

Happy Knitting!

Debbie Bliss – Knits For You & Your Home

I have decided to tell you all about Debbie Bliss’s new ‘Knits For You & Your Home’ because I just love it! After looking through this book time and time again I just can’t decide which project I would start with first? It may have something to do with the fact that I have very recently become a homeowner of my very first home and I want to make everything that I can to stick in it? But what is the matter with that? I am sure my fiance would love our new home to be filled with handknitted cushions and pouffes and blankets and I am 95% certain he would love our wine bottles to have cosy knitted wine bottle covers, wouldn’t he? Anyway… Debbie Bliss states in the introduction,

‘Whenever I meet knitters I am reminded time and time again that they are some of the most selfless of people; so many times I hear the refrain ‘I am making this project for a friend/partner/grandchild’ or the classic phrase ‘I never have time to make anything for myself.’ So with this book of over thirty designs I hope to entice the crafter – if only for a short time – away from the projects they are planning to make for everyone else and to knit something for themselves.‘

I am sure we can all agree that is very true! The statement helps explain why Debbie has chosen to split the book into four sections – Pamper, Cocoon, Detox and Indulge. Each section is kept to an individual colour palette whilst containing a mix of items for yourself as well as items for your home. I have chosen my 3 favourite designs from each section to show to you – a very hard decision might I add! And if you want to see more it means you must want to buy the book so you can start making them!

The book begins with Debbie explaining exactly why she has chosen each specific yarn for each project. Making sure the knitter is aware of the properties of the yarn she chooses to use and what to consider when using a substitute.

Starting with Pamper first – the blue section.

‘Pamper is for the ultimate time out, so bring the spa into your home and put your feet up on a giant pouffe, drift off with a sleep mask or make hearts containing relaxing lavender. While for those of you who like me suffer from ‘knitter’s neck’ there is a neck cushion that can be heated up for extra soothing powers.‘

        

I love these lavender hearts I would hang them all around my house, off every corner or hook, I would hide them under cushions and under my pillows just because I love lavender and these hearts would look and smell great. I would then sit down on my new pouffe with my new heated neck pillow to start knitting another project, then as time was ticking by I would take a nice little nap with my new knitted sleep mask. Mmm … heaven.

Cocoon – the red section.

‘Cocoon has knits to envelop and comfort you, from super-soft throws and a snuggly snood to cosy chair covers. The designs to wear are in luxurious fibres, which are ever so gentle against your skin.‘

       

I would love to wear this Trapper Hat especially to keep me warm in the weather we are having at the moment, never mind it was the first day of spring yesterday, we are still set for snow this weekend! After my day out in the snow, I would love to come home, put on my new cable knitted socks and cuddle up in front of the fire with my new beautiful hand knitted blanket.

Detox – the green section.

‘Detox is for those who sometimes relax by pottering around. I relax by sorting out my crayons by colour or my sketchbooks by size, rearranging my mood boards, gently tidying (but nothing too energetic!), so in this section I have included projects that will help you sort, stack and tuck away.‘

       

I am sure my fiance would love to come home to find that I had knitted these wonderful storage solutions. This magazine holder would tidy up my latest magazine reads that I usually have sprawled across the coffee table very nicely, and as suggested in the book I would indeed make more of them in different colours for my different subjects. The storage file would definitely help with storing my crafts/documents in as well as bringing colour to our shelves. And the hanging pockets on the back of a door, how perfect for storing all my crafty accessories! My knitting needles, my tape measures, scissors, rulers, tools … the list would go on forever!

Indulge – the pink section.

‘Indulge has projects to make you feel that little bit extra-special, bringing some well-deserved glamour into your life. Get some movie-queen style with delicate knits in super-fine, gossamer-like mohair, a 1920s-style turban for your inner flapper and a beautiful classic beaded purse.‘ 

       

This delicate, pretty shrug is BEAUTIFUL. How I would enjoy swanning around the house in this, with a beautiful floaty dress just like the photograph underneath it, swanning past my beautiful knitted keepsake boxes and falling elegantly against my lovely hand beaded, hand knitted cushions. How we can dream…

The book is full of wonderful designs that I am certain you would all love.

‘Knits for You & Your Home puts the focus back on you. Why not make yourself something special. After all, you deserve it. Of course, you could make any of these projects for a cherished friend or loved one … if you can bear to part with it, that is.‘

Nearly Decemeber

As it is nearly December we have been creating new images just to show how Christmasy we are … One for our website, one for Facebook, one for Twitter etc etc… very fun and very festive. We have had some lovely stock in this week that would again make great Christmas presents. Check out these new Swarovski Crystal Knitting needles,

   

Click on the images to enlarge them and drool over their beauty! 148 Swarovski Crystals Circular 10mm x 80cm Needle Set. The addiArt edition is the cherry on top of addi’s needle assortment . All their passion for handcrafting and beautiful things evolves in a surprising and inspiring collectors edition. The first one in the edition is the addiArt Diamond. A circular knitting needle size 10mm x 80cm which we fill up by hand with 148 precious Swarovski elements. Pure luxury for all senses, beautiful to look at and great to knit with. addiArt needles are only produced on one single day and are therefore a rare encounter. A one of special edition set not to be repeated. Attractively boxed this makes an ideal unique Christmas present for a loved one.

Next up we have The Turbo Felting Machine,

      

Felting was never this fast: with addiQuick you can make accessories, ornaments, figures, quilts and even shoes from wool in the blink of an eye. The addiQuick felting machine shoots the needle 2,500 times per minute into the fabrics and the fibres felt very quickly. With the help of the addiQuick you can work wonderful shapes. The felting with needles makes felting more precise and quicker than the wet felting method. Again this makes a great Christmas present.

We have ‘Knitted Scarfs & Shrugs‘ By Sarah Hatton, just what is needed to keep the cold away. The book has 22 original hand knit patterns inside.

We have had in some more lovely pattern books; Angel Print & Luxury Tweed Aran both by Debbie Bliss. As per usual the designs are beautiful.

Angel Prints By Debbie Bliss (Above)

Luxury Tweed Aran By Debbie Bliss (Above)

As well as these we have also had in these patterns by DY…

              

To end this weeks post we have these lovely cushions knitted by a member of our team, Les in DY Choice Rumba Tweed.

Lots of knitting material

Hi everybody! Sorry we missed our post last friday! We’ve all been very excited here preparing for Christmas!

New and fresh in today we have ‘My First Regia’.

Well handknits and babies just go together don’t they? Especially when knit in super soft Regia “My first Regia”. You’ll find adorable designs that are both fashionable and practical. We have all the yarn in stock and even have a gift set for it all! Perfect to suit for Christmas if I don’t say so myself! Here’s just some of the patterns inside the book.

                   

                   

Here’s just some of the other new books/magazines that we’ve had in this week..     

There are some beautiful patterns inside the books, take my word for it … and if you would like to just be sure then check our website to view all of the patterns for yourself.

We have back in stock Jane Austin Knits, Knit.Wear and Knitscene – 3 very popular books. If you would like a copy then act fast as they really do sell out very fast.

Our beautiful Shawl pins have been selling wonderfully, just as we knew they would!

Check out our new Christmas Board on Pinterest .. you will find lots of free patterns and beautiful festive crafts. You wont regret it.

Thanks for reading I know this is a shorter post than usual … but just like most of you out there … we have lots to prepare and get ready for an exciting month ahead never mind Christmas! Yay!