Archive: January 2024

Archive: January 2024

Where did we get up to?


Since we last caught up, there’s been Christmas, New Year, and the longest month! But now the skies are blue and the air is warmer. We have reached a clearing, a little oasis. February is close!


I hope you are all OK and looking forward to a fabulously colourful and creative 2024. Let’s chat!

I am so looking forward to being back on the road very soon, but it means I am deep in show prep, hence the little radio silence here. Creativity is something I absolutely love, as is planning and being imaginative in my dye studio. My dye studio, however, seems to hate me and is refusing to warm up to a temperature over a maximum of 3 degrees at the moment. Anyone remember the Michelin Man? That’s my daily look!


Regardless, I have some new yarn bases I will share prior to the shows and some new colorways, which I love. Expect new textures, blends, and colorways; that’s all I will say for now. But based on your previous favourites, I think you are going to love what has been happening in said studio, ice box, and fridge of creativity.

On the Road in 2024

I am kicking off the 2024 show season with Unravel at Farnham Maltings at the end of February, which will be my first time at this show. I am so looking forward to meeting some Instagram friends and customers IRL!

Soon after returning to the East Anglia Yarn Show in Norfolk, I love this show and can’t wait to catch up with other yarn dyers and customers. If you are attending, are you going to Stitch Night on Friday evening?


In April, I will be returning to WonderWool in Wales. Again, I love this show. If you love the Welsh countryside and fancy a weekend away with friends and stroking yam, this is your show!


And there’s more booked in the diary; please check the links at the bottom of this email for further details. Come along to one; they’re feel-good weekends, literally!

Little Loops Sweater by Amy Hymer aka @knit_folk

Several of us knitters are test knitting Amy’s amazing sweater, Little Loops, and I can’t wait for the pattern release once all testers have fed back.


The pattern allows you to choose your own neck and sleeve style, and it is knit in my boucle. You can choose from a single colour or mix your colours like Amy has. It’s versatile, fun, and cosy!


I will be increasing my range of boucle very soon; please keep checking my website or email me at amy@mamieandflorrie.co.uk with pre-order enquiries.


If you don’t already follow Amy on her @knit_folk account, please do so and await the pattern release of Little Loops.

Makes

Look at this hat knit by @missannis in my Swizzels Chunky yarn! Such beautiful knitting!  Thank you, Annis for making my yarn look better than I ever imagined!

New Lining Fabric for Boucle Bags

I have added some gorgeous gingham and neon lining fabrics to my web shop and made my own little clutch using Afflecks boucle, pink gingham, and a wooden handle. I love this little bag and will be using it for sock projects!

Finally finished

I finally finished my Ghost Whisperer by Park Williams for my daughter!  I strayed from the pattern, increasing the body and arm length, and added a label which I think is so appropriate!

Geo-Metry Cocoons and Accessories are Back in Stock

I have a healthy stock of Geo-Metry cocoons, inner bags, and cute little pouches. I also have some stunning shoulder straps, so you too can walk and knit as you go.


Geo-Metry products do sell quickly, so if you are considering a cocoon, I do encourage you to buy one and any accessories together to avoid disappointment.


Read here why I love Geo-Metry products and feel happy to add them to my range.
Geo-Metry Cocoons and Accessories

Have you seen?  Things I love and want to share!

Wouldn’t that sweater by knitsbybendix on the left look great knit in Swizzels Chunky and Suri/4ply? And the new Lil Fluff Shawl by Julie Knits in Paris is going on my needles in the next week. And colour and texture love of cuffs and shoes…those mohair skirts, oh, those nails, and Adidas too!


By the way, have you seen knitsbybendix patterns?  Link in resources below, prepare to swoon.


Knit Hacks

A cheeky cast off by @rukeofficial which needs noting!

Crochet Love - Zeens and Roger

Crochet was my first love before becoming a little absorbed in knitting, and I do apologise if my focus tends to be more knit than crochet, but I am still obsessed, as my obsession is really all things cool and textile!


I have always admired Rosina, aka @zeensandroger crochet, which really does bring colour to miserable weather.


Here’s what I have seen and loved by Rosina, link to her patterns in resources.

I still have a tiny few Granny Crochet Cowl kits available if you are looking to hook one up quickly, Sorry not sorry there!
Crochet Cowl Kit by Zeens and Roger

And non yarn related


I love following Cecelia in Svalbord from “an island close to the North Pole." Do you follow her? She and her partner live in a cabin in Svalbord in the Arctic Circle. I find it fascinating to follow her, as she is currently living in total darkness. She walks her dog with caution in case of polar bears and shares her daily rituals and customs. It’s beautiful, and I try not to bleat too much about the cold after watching her, although she does have a far more impressive thermal wardrobe than me!

Parcel Sending First Week of Feb


I have some work I need to do between Monday, February 5th, and Saturday, February 10th, so orders placed within this time will be sent on Monday, February 12th. Thank you for your patience.


Any Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Palentine’s hints, please make sure they have been received in good time!



I will share the results of this work very soon in my next newsletter.

Please read, I’ve been putting my head in the sand…

I have been hiding from the fact that I needed to review my yarn prices. I have been in denial and pretending the problem is going to disappear. I have not wanted to make increases when times are hard for everyone. But after nearly two years, I have had to bite the bullet. It’s the incredible increase in the cost of electricity that has made me review it in the last couple of months, and it has had a big impact on me.


So, without waffling anymore, I do need to increase my prices on several of my yarn bases. This includes sock, mohair, and DK, and the price will increase by £1.00 per skein, effective February 1st. Sadly, I can't sustain the price increases of my raw materials and overheads and grow my business.


One of my ambitions is to be able to offer gainful employment and training and to contribute to my local rural community. I hope to grow my business to a position where I can offer this before too long, which will also mean I can produce more.  I simply can’t offer everything I would like to on my own.


Living in a rural community often makes it hard to find employment doing the things we would like to do long-term, especially without travel and costly child care fees.


There will be several bits of very exciting positive news soon, I promise!

Sample Knitters

Do you enjoy sample knitting and would be able to offer some time to knit for me? I would love to hear from you. Please include your rate with your interest, thank you.

Until next time

My parting shot this time is of yarn drying in the fresh air yesterday. Bring on the sunshine and fresh air drying days!  Speak soon or see you at a show soon?

Don’t forget to share your makes using the hashtag #mamieandflorrie #mamieandflorrieyarn

It’s wonderful to see your fabulous creativity.

Terug naar blog