Hello! How are you? It’s busy isn’t it?

So, let’s make it easier on ourselves this Christmas. I’ve got a few solutions to help you give the best gifts, and maybe a little treat for you. Think about the down time in between Christmas and New Year (now known as Betwixmas) and the opportunity to relax with yarn.

Maybe you can forward this email to a struggling loved one with the title “Please…”

I am adding more gorgeous stock to my Christmas Gifts and Kit Shop all of the time. Here’s a little gift guide today.

Learn to Knit Socks

If you haven’t tried, try now! I will say that if I can knit socks, then you can, blindfolded!

Here are my top 5 reasons to sock knit - in my own personal and humble opinion.

1. Sock knitting is super portable - a small project you can take anywhere!

2. The designs. Have you seen some of the sock designers out there? @winwickmum @stoneknits and @summerleeknits to mention a few.

3. Comfort.  I kid you not, you are walking on air, wrapped in a cloud.

4. Long-term use.  These wear longer than shop-bought socks and you will never lose one in the laundry. Who would lose one of these babies?

5. Price per wear. One skein will make one pair of good adult size 13 with decent leg length! That means several pairs of shorties, a good pair of size 6 with left-over yarn to add to stash, and see point 4, they last forever!

I have specifically kept the colours in the kits less fussy for ease of use.  

Each kit includes:

• A 100g skein of sock yarn

• Addi SockWunder Circular needles

• A pack of double-pointed needles

• The Basic 4ply Sock Knitting pattern, by Winwick Mum

• Mamie and Florrie project bag

A big thank you to Christine Perry (AKA @winwickmum) who kindly gave me permission to use her free pattern in this kit. Please give her a follow, and she does have a wonderful Facebook group you can join and share questions and tips.

The Easy Cosy Cowl Kit

Perfect for relaxation knitting - that time when the wrapping paper has been swept aside, you’ve poured a drink, and opened the chocolates. The Easy Cosy Cowl Kit is perfect.

Cast on this gorgeous cowl, a simple 2x2 rib - you can knit it as long as you want.  I have knit mine long enough to put over my face in the cold wind and tuck into my top for extra warmth.  

There’s a slight issue, however - these are selling fast!  

In the kit:

• One 100g skein of 4ply in my Bluefaced Leicester / Merino John Arbon base

• One 50g skein of mohair

• Easy Cosy Cowl Pattern by Mamie and Florrie

• Mamie and Florrie Project Bag

The Banging Beanie!

Jane (AKA @Yarnison) has delivered again and has published a fantastic beanie pattern.  This is the pattern you will keep in your knitting toolbox forever. The pattern includes sizes that range from Baby to Large Adult and is a great simple hat.  Perfect for beginners and more competent knitters alike.  

I have made up some kits comprising of:

• 1 x 100g BLF DK skein

• 1 x 20g DK mini skein in contrasting colour

• Mamie and Florrie Project Bag - cute!

One mini skein will give you enough yarn for your contrasting brim; add another if you wish for a contrasting pom-pom.  So many possibilities and plenty of yarn to make matching baby and adult hats if you so wish.

Granny Cowl Kits

If you are a crocheter, then you are bound to be familiar with crochet designer Zeens and Roger.  I saw the Granny Cowl on @zeenandroger instagram a couple of weeks ago and instantly got in touch with Rosina to ask her permission to design a kit around her pattern.

A super quick crochet using a main colour and five contrasting colours.   The cowl is crocheted on the flat and sewn together at the centre back. I used single crochet in a contrasting colour to seam my cowl. I’m not a fan of the mattress stitch and love the contrast colour seam.

Voila! A great pattern and some lovely colour combos for you to make your own. I love a cowl!

Each kit includes:

• 1 x 100g DK skein

• 5 x 20g Mini DK Skein

• Colour print booklet pattern by Zeens and Roger

• Mamie and Florrie project bag

Events

Sadly, I have taken the decision not to continue with my Open Studio dates for December.

My little studio is the perfect space for me and my dyeing needs, but frighteningly cold in Winter.  I have decided that it’s not fair to expect you to come to me; we can do that in warmer weather. So, if you wish, let the postman bring me to you in yarn form.

Click and Collect is still available from the studio; just select Local Pick Up at the check-out and we will find a time to suit you for collection.

I will be in Chorlton on Saturday 16th December - this will be the last time for a few months.  Next year, I have some wonderful events booked, and several of these clash with Chorlton dates, unfortunately.  If you are a regular to Chorlton and can make it on the 16th, it will be lovely to see you then.

2024

Confirmed Shows

Unravel

Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th February

Farnham Maltings

East Anglia Yarn Festival

Saturday 9th - Sunday 19th March

Norwich Show Ground

Buxton Wool Gathering

Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th March

Pavilion Gardens Buxton y

Lastly

While at Makers at the Mill this weekend I did have a giggle, and several people asked how Wodge was!  Wodge, my gorgeous dog, appears to have a small following.  Wodge is doing great, thank you.  He was 13 a couple of weeks ago, slowing down a little but living his best life.

So here you are, a cheeky snap from a cold walk this week.  Does he warrant a regular feature?

Speak soon, and thank you!