News

Thursday Morning Crochet Alongs
February 01, 2024

Thursday Morning Crochet Alongs

It's almost a year since we started the "Coronation Keepsake Blanket Crochet Along" and the group is still going strong.  Since that first blanket we have worked on the King Cole "Rooms with a View" project followed by West Yorkshire Spinners' "Lapland Blanket".

Now we are embarking on "Fruit Garden" by Jane Crowfoot (free pattern on the Stylecraft website).  Here's what I achieved today:

Fruit Garden square 1 (partial)

And here's a view of the full blanket:

Fruit Garden Blanket by Jane Crowfoot and Stylecraft

Given that we've made so many blankets over the last 11 months, it's not certain that we'll all actually make a blanket, but the motifs are so beautiful and so versatile we're diving in anyway.  I'm hoping I'll make a lap blanket or maybe a wallhanging.  Others I know want to make a tote bag.  The beauty of this design is that you can make it into whatever you desire.

The Crochet Along group meets every Thursday from 10:30am to 12:30pm.  Cost is £3 to cover tea and coffee and heating.  There's just one rule: you have to work on crochet (we have general Craft and Chatters on Fridays - see our home page).  We'd love to have you join us. It's a wonderfully supportive group, with us all helping each other through the ups and downs of the process.

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Coronation Keepsake Blanket Crochet Along
February 15, 2023

Coronation Keepsake Blanket Crochet Along

Join us to make this beautiful crocheted Coronation Keepsake Blanket, designed by Anita of Made by Anita.  It contains a host of motifs inspired by King Charles' interests, the Crown Jewels and much more.

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New Charity Project
May 11, 2022

New Charity Project

We know how keen people in our community are to help others in need.  In the past we have made blankets for Alzheimer's patients, teddy bears for the Buddy Bag Foundation and many more beautiful things.  We have now teamed up with Project Linus UK to provide knitted and crocheted blankets for children in need around the UK.  

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Bargello Crochet Blanket Make-Along and Resources for New Knitters
February 22, 2021

Bargello Crochet Blanket Make-Along and Resources for New Knitters

Two of our favourite suppliers have come up with some fabulous ideas this month.

Stylecraft are highlighting a fabulous Crochet throw, while King Cole have been publishing some resources for new knitters.

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Warm and Cosy Arans
January 26, 2021

Warm and Cosy Arans

We love aran-weight yarns: they are usually soft and squishy, with more of a bounce than DKs. They work up quickly and produce a fabric that is warm and cosy without being too heavy.  So we've been inspired to share some of our selection of aran-weight yarns and a couple of projects that might inspire you too.

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Mandy's Washable Make Up Wipes
November 13, 2020

Mandy's Washable Make Up Wipes

If you've passed the shop recently you may have seen a beautiful little stack of makeup wipes in the window. The pattern is available here and on Ravelry.com

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THAT Treccia crochet bag
October 27, 2020

THAT Treccia crochet bag

Lots of people have admired the little bag that Brigid made from a Mondial Treccia gradient pack and so many have asked for the pattern that I've had a go at duplicating it.

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Autumn / Winter New Lines - Sirdar and West Yorkshire Spinners
September 22, 2020

Autumn / Winter New Lines - Sirdar and West Yorkshire Spinners

Autumn is always an exciting time if you're a yarn addict and this season is shaping up to be a great one in yarn terms.  Our favourite suppliers have come up with some really interesting and attractive new lines which we are keen to share with you. This time we focus on Sirdar and West Yorkshire Spinners.

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Hats Off for July and August
August 04, 2020

Hats Off for July and August

Our Hats Off patterns for July and August are Ware Gazebos and Different Drum.

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Sunny Daze Entrelac Blanket
July 06, 2020

Sunny Daze Entrelac Blanket

If you've been in the shop lately, you'll have seen this stunning wall hanging made by Brigid. It's a glorious celebration of colour and brightens up our day.

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Hat's Off for June
June 11, 2020

Hat's Off for June

Our June hat is..... River Lea Rambles!  This is a ribbed hat with travelling cables. 

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Shop Re-opening
June 10, 2020

Shop Re-opening

We are delighted to be able to re-open our shop on Monday June 15th.  We've put some safety measures in place, as you would expect, and we will have restricted hours for the next month or two, but we are so pleased to be back!

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Pink lacy hat viewed from the back
May 18, 2020

Hat's Off 2020 - May Hat

Throughout 2020 we are exploring different shapes and knitting styles through the medium of hats. Each month we will have a new, specially-designed hat pattern - a great way to try something new.

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May and June Challenge - Rainbows
May 13, 2020

May and June Challenge - Rainbows

Our May and June Challenge to you is to create something that is a rainbow or is inspired by one.  You can go all out as Becky has, or you can add a rainbow trim to a garment, or make a blanket - the possibilities are endless.

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April Challenge - 100g Stash Challenge
May 08, 2020

April Challenge - 100g Stash Challenge

During April we challenged ourselves to do something with our stash. The idea was to take 100g of any kind of yarn we happened to already have in our homes and make something with it - whether knitted, crocheted, woven, pompomed - anything at all!

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Brigid and Deb standing in the shop
March 30, 2020

COVID-19 Update

As you'll be aware, as a business that is not deemed to be an essential service, we have had to close the shop. But after a few days to work out how we could operate under these new circumstances we are delighted to be able to offer you a reduced, but hopefully helpful, mail-order service.

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Sirdar Snuggly Replay and Brights
February 25, 2020

Sirdar Snuggly Replay and Brights

Two great new ranges of yarn from Sirdar: Replay and Brights.  Replay features faded colours in its cotton/acrylic blend while Brights is an exciting extension to its popular Snuggly DK range.

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West Yorkshire Spinners Re:Treat
January 28, 2020

West Yorkshire Spinners Re:Treat

We have a wonderful new yarn in store - WYS Re:Treat - and what a treat it is. It is 100% British Wool - a blend of Blue-Faced Leicester and Kerry Hill - which is reared and produced entirely in the UK.  

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Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlette
September 13, 2019

Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlette

We had heard a lot of good things about Scheepjes Whirls and had fallen in love with the colours, but we had some questions so we have been both knitting and crocheting with it to find out!  

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