Fab new yarns for Jo Sharp

Dionne    Knitting and Crochet, What's New     641 Soul, 642 Metal, 643 Seasalt, 644 Tulip, 869 Poppy, alpaca kid lustre, jo sharp, rare comfort kid mohair

It has been more than three years, but your patience has been rewarded.  Jo Sharp has added 5 new colours to her yarn range, in ‘lust-have’ colours of the season.

Introducing 869 Poppy for Alpaca Kid Lustre,

Poppy is an on trend colour this season, a soft, lusterous dk yarn.

… and 641 Soul, 644 Tulip, 643 Seasalt and 642 Metal added to the Rare Comfort Kid Mohair.

From left to right; Soul, Tulip, Seasalt and Metal. So far Tulip and Seasalt have been the most popular.

Gotta have them?  No problem!

Poppy, Soul, Seasalt, Metal and Tulip are all available online and in store now amongst our Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre and Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair ranges.

Simply Sublime hand knits for boys

Dionne    Knitting and Crochet, What's New     knitting, new colours, sublime, sublime baby cashmere merino silk dk

The ninth little Sublime hand knit book arrived in store this week along with the Sublime’s usual compliment of four new shades for the season.  I must admit I was a little hesistant with the neutral palette in the book, especially after the roaring success of the recent vibrant colours released in the last 12 months.  However, the new colours are far more lovely ‘in real life’ than in a picture.  Check them out in store now.  If you can’t get into see them here they are.  You can buy them online too.

Introducing Nutkin, Skipper, Tittlemouse and Muffin.

Keep your little boy snug in these traditional with a flair knits for boys.  There are some designs for smart occasions and others for keeping them cosy every day.  For the beginner there are two easy knit and purl cardies, Gilbert and George. There is a lovely two tone sweater and matching Jockey helmet, and a vintage inspired tank.  The jumper on the front features Rover the dog and there is a luxurious garter stitch blanket that would make a lovely gift for a newborn.  The ninth little Sublime hand knit book really is a lovely little pattern book just for little boys.

Patterns just for little boys between 0-3 years

2012 The Year in Stitches, and new thread too.

Dionne    What's New     2012 The Year in Stitches, Danish Design 2012 calendar, Haandarbejdets Fremme, Marianne Thornberg

Haandarbejdets Fremme, the Danish Handcrafts Guild, 2012 calendar is now available, with lovely designs by Marianne Thornberg.  For a William Morris fiend like myself, this calendar is heavenly with so many of the designs reminiscent of his crisp wallpapers.  There are also an additional 28 colours to the range of Flower Threads for those who love the smooth fibres but lamented the limited palatte of the range.  Both the Calendar and new threads are available online and in store now.

ooo new thread!

Dionne    What's New    

“May you live in interesting times”, Mark Twain.

I could do with things being a little less interesting and being far more predictable at the moment.  It is a tough time in retail and hobbies and crafts have been especially hard hit as people appear to have less disposable income with rising costs of fuel, energy and food.   As a consequence of this, many small craft manufacturers have stopped producing and are shutting their doors.

As an Australian business we are looking at what we can do to help ensure there is a healthy industry for our customers to enjoy, now and when things improve.  Part of that plan is a conscious choice to stock more Australian products amongst our ranges.  Regulars in store visitors would be aware of the increase in Fiona Jude’s Country Threads, Stewart Merrett, Danico and our range of Australian themed canvases.

We are now looking at Australian thread ranges.  First to be added to our stock thread range is Mogear Embroidery Yarn in the Gossamer 100% mohair and Silky 70% mohair and 30% wool.  The Gossamer is a 2 ply yarn, hand-dyed in solid and varigated colours.  Gossamer solid colors are available in 10 metre skeins.  Gossamer varigated and all Silky threads are available in 8 metre skeins.  Silky is a 3-4ply thread.  Both Gossamer and Silky thread weights are also available in fun multipacks of related colours in half lengths.  The full palatte of 90 colours is available now online and in store.

Lilac: Elaine’s Botanicals

Dionne    Embroidery and Crewel, What's New     double running stitch, Elaine's botanicals, embroidery, french knots, stem stitch

These heady scented flowers are almost past their best at this time of year.  Their rich aroma fills the night air and the colours are those of romance and passion with soft pinks through to purples with a few lovely blues thrown in.  Stitching this little design means you can enjoy it all year round instead of just in early spring, or mid spring in the highlands.

With mostly stem stitch, double running stitch and a few french knots, Lilac is one of the easier embroidery designs amongst the range from Elaine’s Botanicals.