Fans of Amy Butler fabrics and sewing patterns will be very interested to know that Amy Butler is launching a range of DK and Aran yarns, in collaboration with Rowan.

Called “Belle Organic“, the yarn will be a organic wool and cotton mix.

To accompany the yarn, Amy has also written a book called “Midwest Modern Knits”: a collection of fashion, accessory and home knits.

Amy Butler Midwest Modern Knits

My rep will be showing me the yarns next week and they will be available in April.  More details will follow as soon as I have more to share!

I had a delivery today which included some Regia Hand Dye Effect Sock Yarn plus a brand new pattern booklet to accompany the yarn.

The Regia Hand-Dye Effect sock yarn is a soft 4 ply yarn which has been dyed using a technique which gives it a hand dyed appearance as the gorgeous saturated colours blend into each other.

The pattern booklet, Regia Journal 608, has just been published and contains 12 patterns specifically for this yarn, although you could easily substitute another 4 ply yarn if you preferred.

So if you’re still feeling the chill, why not whip up something to keep you warm and cozy.

Just ask if you want to know the yarn requirements for a particular pattern.

Knitting socks is a very popular pastime for many knitters and there are lots of way to do it – cuff-down, toe-up, with the magic loop method, two at a time…  Well in this issue of Knitting Traditions you can learn the technique of knitting socks: two at a time, one INSIDE the other! That’s right – one inside the other.

Knitting Traditions magazine is special issue from Interweave Press which contains over 40 knitting projects including socks, shawls and scarves, items for baby, a variety of hand coverings, hats, squares and edgings, and finger puppets.  The contents for Knitting Traditions were selecte from previous issues of Piecework magazine, most of which are no longer available.  (Piecework is another publication from Interweave Press).

The interesting thing about this magazine is that each project is presented with its historical context.  You can read about the tradition of knitting throughout the centuries and and techniques from around the world.  So there’s traditional turkish knitted stockings, lace knitting from New Zealand, shawls from Russia and the Faroe Islands, Swedish mittens and much, much more.

You can view the Table of Contents on the Interweave website here

Knitting Traditions is available for £9.99 on our website.

Amongst the recent releases of Rowan pattern books are two books that you might like if you enjoy knitting for children.

Rowan Miniature Classics knitting pattern book contains 16 patterns for babies and toddlers aged from 0-3 months to 3 years.  The designs use Rowan Handknit Cotton, Rowan Calmer, Rowan Denim, Rowan Fine Milk Cotton and Rowan Cashsoft DK yarns.  All simply adorable in my opinion!

Rowan Miniature Classics

Rowan Kids is the second children’s knitting pattern book Rowan are releasing this Spring.  There are plenty of baby and toddler knitting patterns around, however there never seems to be much for older children.  To accompany Rowan Magazine 46, Rowan released some patterns on their website for teenagers, and then to fill the gap they have published this book which contains 18 designs for the 6 – 12 age range.

Rowan Kids

Children in this age group might not always like wearing hand knits, but I don’t think they would have many objections to some of these patterns.  Rowan have done very well here in my opinion.

Both books are only £7.95 each.

A nice surprise this afternoon… our shop copies of Rowan Studio 18 arrived.  The patterns remind me of the 80’s – I guess it’s the slouchy feel that they have.

Rowan Studio 18

All the patterns in this latest Studio book are made with Rowan’s Felted Tweed yarns.  Available to buy online on our website at only £4.95

To accompany Rowan’s latest magazine 47, Rowan have published a collection of Kaffe Fassett knitting patterns on their website, which you can download free of charge.  Renowned textile artist Kaffe Fassett has designed a charming collection of throws, cushions and hangings for Rowan Magazine 47 all using Rowan’s Summer Tweed yarn and all reflecting his unique style and bold use of colours.

You can download these and other patterns from Kaffe’s Summer House Collection on Rowan’s website

Rowan Magazine 47 featuring lots of lovely spring and summer knitting and crochet patterns has arrived!  With all the recent snow and ice around, it’s nice to be thinking of Spring and the warmer weather to come.

This issue contains pattern using all of Rowan’s beautiful summer yarns including Yarns used are Summer Tweed, Handknit Cotton, Fine Milk Cotton, Milk Cotton DK, Lenpur Linen, Pima Cotton, Organic 4 Ply and DK Cotton, Cotton Glace and Kidsilk Haze.

You can see pictures from Rowan 47 and order your copy from our website.

Pictures for the forthcoming Studio 18 book from Rowan have just been released.  Thought you might like a preview.  All the patterns use Rowan’s felted tweed yarns which is ideal for the oversized and slouchy garments with fazed stripes and subtle pattern that are theme for this collection of knitting patterns.

Available mid-January for just £4.95.

It’s finally here – Kim Hargreaves’ latest book “Winter Blooms” was delivered to the shop this afternoon.  It’s taken longer than anticipated but there is still time to get a copy for Christmas.

Kim Hargreaves Winter Blooms

The book is sure to be a hit with fans of Kim’s work and features 21 patterns for cardigans, jackets, jumpers and accessories.  Pictures of all the knitting patterns can be found on the product page.

Little Luxury Knits by Alison Crowther-Smith has been out of print for a while, but we’re delighted to have received brand new copies today. If you enjoy knitting with Rowan Kidsilk Haze or Kidsilk Aura then you’ll LOVE this book.

Little Luxury Knits

With some great lace projects, delicate little edgings for existing jumpers, marvellously soft and feminine scarves and shawls and even cushions and home decorations, this book of little knits would make a wonderful Christmas present. View the 20 patterns featured in this book on our website.