The Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet arrived at the shop yesterday.

In this issue, they explore lace for winter with several big, bold winter lace designs and a handful of fine lace designs, to add a light touch of lace to your burly winter garb. And socks! We have three ways to make socks, including fabulous Pamir slip-stitch socks. Maire Treanor’s series on Clones lace continues with two shamrock designs. Add some jackets and vests, as well as a blanket, and it all adds up to 22 projects to cheer you through winter.

Rico Eco Tinto Chunky is an ultra soft 100% wool roving that knits up very quickly on 7mm needles. The wool is organic and dyed using environmentally friendly dyes. Despite not being plied or twisted, the yarn is very strong and knits up well when used in colourwork or textured knits.

Available in 6 lovely shades on our website for £3.99 a ball.

Rowan Kidsilk Creation is a limited edition yarn from Rowan who have taken their best selling yarn, Kidsilk Haze and made a yarn that has a tubular net construction. Kidsilk Haze is 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk and the scarf is as light as a feather!

The colours have been selected from the favourite shades of Kidsilk Haze cream, dewberry, trance, candy girl, jelly and smoke. Using a special technique one 50g hank will knit or crochet this Kidsilk Creation scarf.

Our video shows you how.

If you love knitting with Rowan Kidsilk Haze, then you are going to find it hard to resist Rowan’s new offering – Kidsilk Haze Stripe – a stripy version with colours put together by the King of Colour, Kaffe Fassett.

Kidsilk Haze Stripe is available is 6 different shades and can be used in any kidsilk haze pattern as it is exactly the same gauge.

When you see the price of the yarn, you may gasp and think that it is too expensive, but it is in fact a 50g ball, whereas Kidsilk Haze normally comes in 25g balls.  So you are getting twice as much yarn!

One ball will knit a scarf like this which has moss stitch edging:

Instructions are on the inside of the ball band.

We’re delighted to be able to show you about these gorgeous new knitting bags that have been made exclusively for us.

Each knitting bag measures 45cm x 32cm and contains pockets inside to hold your notions and other bits.

Sublime are sadly discontinuing their Cotton Kapok DK yarn so we’ve put it on special offer, reducing it from £4.75 to £4.00 a ball – that’s just over 15% off – whilst stocks last.  Do get it quick whilst you can!

Lacy loveliness and fabulous projects for children are the hallmarks of the Interweave Crochet Spring 2011 issue, with twenty-five bright designs for Spring.

Rowan Summer Baby is a beautiful brochure full of fun and colourful knits for little girls and boys. Featuring designs by the Rowan design team in their favourite cotton yarns, this lovely pattern books is sure to be a hit with parents and grandparents alike.

Designs range from pretty floral dresses and party dress cardigans to graphic animal stripes and star patterns for the boys.

One of the highlights in January is the publication of Rowan’s Spring/Summer Magazine.  Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine 49 will celebrate knitwear through the form of extreme ultra fine and see through pieces, contrasting with more dense, textured and natural yarns.

Fine, hazy and draping styles in lace, crochet and cut out details will feature heavily throughout, with transparency being the key trend.

These trends are reflected in the following three stories:

• Illusion is inspired by mysterious atmospheres and draws from a veiled colour palette of time-worn pales, spectral greys, powdered pinks and green shadows.
• Homespun celebrates fresh, sunny hues and modest rural simplicity. This story is all about easy, unstructured designs and fun, loose fitting garments perfect for bright Summer days.
• Summer Essentials is part of a brand new addition to the Rowan magazine. Each edition will now include this groundbreaking section where the season’s key looks are translated into simplified, easy to wear styles.

The yarns used in the book include Lenpur Linen, Pima Cotton, Purelife Revive, Denim, Kidsilk Haze, Summer Tweed, Cotton Glace, Siena, Fine Milk Cotton and Organic Cotton 4ply

Interweave Crochet Summer issue arrived from the USA yesterday.

Interweave Crochet Summer 2010

This issue has a special emphasis on shawls. Also included are patterns for flirty skirts, easy-wearing tops and lightweight lacy garments by some of your favorite designers—Annette Petavy, Kristin Omdahl, Doris Chan, Lisa Naskrent, and more—as well as projects by emerging designers. In addition, Beyond the Basics introduces you to a variation of Tunisian crochet called double-ended crochet, with table mats to practice your technique. In the Craftivism column, Betsy Greer focuses on charities for homeless pets, including a pattern for a Cat Nap Mat by Laura Rintala. In all, there are 25 projects to keep you crocheting through the summer!

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