The last of the winter yarns have now arrived and the shop is full to overflowing with lots of lovely things to knit and crochet. We’ve had to redo the layout in the shop a little to squeeze everything in but please ask if you can’t find something. Two of the new yarns that are very popular already are the Freedom Spirit Chunky and the new Drift from Naturally. The Freedom Chunky knits to a 12/14 ply and comes in the beautiful colours of the Freedom Spirit Dk. It is also a slightly felted yarn with the slubby stripes that has made Freedom Dk so popular. Drift is a 10ply in a subdued tweedy colour range, quite different from other 10plys currently available. It reminds me of cool overcast wintry days, the type of garment to snuggle into and go for an amble down a country lane…..
Baby yarns, as ever are very popular but something that is worth considering knitting (or crocheting) is a Baby Cocoon. Rather than a blanket these little capsules keep baby snuggly warm without ends coming loose and flapping in the breeze. They are literally made in the shape of a cocoon and can be made with a hood or without. The one’s without the hood usually come with a pattern for a matching hat. There are some booklets with multiple patterns available plus single patterns in other baby books and they certainly make a change from the traditional blankets and shawls. Until last week we had one in the shop for sale made in 4ply Bamboo which is ideal for summer but now with the colder weather fast approaching wool would be a better option.
At Woolybutt we not only have traditional knittng and crochet patterns but a very large range of knitting and crochet books for sale from all over the world. A new and interesting arrival on the book scene is Toni Carr who has done some really cute books – we stock two of hers: Knitting for Nerds (for Sci Fi enthusiasts and Gamers) and Knockdown Knits. As the mother of a Roller Derby competitor this last book is particularly appealing. I especially like the Packet of Peas (a knitted holder for frozen packets of peas). As any of us know who has ministered frozen packets of peas to various bruises throughout the years frostbite can be a bit of a hazard – this cute little holder takes away all the pain! There are of course lots of other great patterns in this book as well.
Just a reminder that Woolybutt has both Knitting and Crochet classes. They run on Saturday and Tuesday mornings from 10.30am until 12.30 and all skill levels are welcome. We keep the class sizes small so that individuals are catered for so if you haven’t crocheted/knitted for years and want to brush up your skills or if you are a beginner give the shop a call and book in!
Current projects: another 10ply Aran tunic dress for granddaughter as she grew out of the last one and loved it to bits so another one has been ordered. This time I’m experimenting by knitting it in Charly by Filatura di Crosa rather than the Aran Tweed. There are two reasons for this: she wanted it in “purple” and Aran Tweed doesn’t come in purple and Charly has the added bonus in that it is machine washable. I’m also trying to complete an afghan rug which I’ve been cobbling together from the “stash” and which will go to the local Aged Care home when it is finished to brighten up someone’s bed.
Happy Knitting
Lorraine