Rowan Jubilee Throw

I have been a great admirer of Kaffe Fassetts work since hearing him give a talk at Stourbridge Town Hall more years ago than I care to remember! 

So, when I saw the Jubilee Quilt displayed in all it's glory at a trade show a couple of years back it stuck in my mind and has remained there ever since. I kept looking at the picture in the Rowan Magazine and even ventured as far as to take a look at the pattern, and eventually could resist temptation no longer and having been asked to teach this as a class decided to bite the bullet and make a start on this fabulous throw in January 2014. 

As you can see from the photos, block one is on its way and I really have the bug now - just cannot put it down! 

Hopefully, if all goes according to plan classes should start after Easter. If you are interested in this challenge, please let me know as places on this course will be very limited!

Beginners Crochet Throw - Book Your Place!

We're pleased to introduce our brand new for 2014 beginners crochet throw class - can you believe that this gorgeous throw can be produced by someone learning crochet as a new skill?!

Crochet a fabulous Throw over eleven monthly lessons.(£20 each lesson)

Just join in with Lesson One at any session!

A brilliant way of spreading the cost of creating your own Crochet Throw! Crochet hook included in Lesson One. All yarns included in price (as required).

Tea/coffee and cake provided.

Book your place here.

Rhaar Scarf Kits Now Available!

We're pleased to announce the availability of Karen's latest knitting kit - the Rhaar Scarf!

"The Rhaar Scarf has it''s own little story. The design came about as my daughters other half wanted a chunky scarf for Christmas. I thought that Rowan Big Wool would be the ideal yarn to use. However, having several colours to choose from (and my daughter being a Personal Stylist) I thought it best to consult over the best colour for ''The Man in Her Life''.

The only way I could think of to describe the gold/yellow colour that I planned to use was that it was the colour of a lion, and as we were in a noisy shop at the time and she could not hear me say 'lion' I ended up clawing the air and doing an impression of a roaring lion, much to the amusement of the other customers in the shop! Hence The Rhaar Scarf!"

The Rhaar Scarf can be purchased as a finished item, but we had lots of requests for kits so that those able to could knit it for themselves. So we have the Rhaar Scarf Kit! Contained in it's own bag this Chunky Scarf Knitting Kit makes a thoughtful gift for a knitter. The finished item would be a fabulous accessory for your own wardrobe or you could always make it as a gift for one of your favourite people! The kit contains everything you need to knit the scarf, from the yarn, to the needles, to the pattern, and you can get your own here!

Rowan Shrug

This lovely shrug was whipped up by Karen in Rowan Alpaca Chunky for Emily when she pleaded 'ack! I can't find anything to go with this dress!' Knitting skills to the rescue once again! 

You can find the pattern in the wonderful Rowan Winter Warmers pattern book and is called the Crystal Bolero. It's a delightfully warm and cosy shrug and looks just as at home with jeans and a tee shirt as it does with a fancy frock. The ribbon detailing on the back just makes it extra special.

(And yes, it did go with the dress, and went on an outing to a family wedding!)

By Hand London Anna Dress (Or, brushing off the dressmaking cobwebs!)

Hello everyone, Emily here!

For one reason or another I haven't done any dressmaking for well over a year (moving house without my sewing machine, tension on said machine getting mucked up in move, pedal for said machine going missing!) but the urge grew too strong, so I looked for a nice easy pattern to ease myself back in with.

I went for the Anna dress from By Hand London - it had an easy rating, was the retro shape I love, and I'd seen others made up looking lovely on various blogs that I follow. The chosen fabric was a half bolt of squirrel print fabric that I'd snagged at a trade show, knowing that I'd do something with it sooner or later!

So, I set to work, and thoroughly enjoyed the process - the dress came together pretty quickly over an afternoon and a couple of evening's sewing, and although it's not perfect, I'm really pleased with the results.

I'm looking forward to making another Anna now, and changing the few things I need to. Firstly my measurements put me at a 20 according to the sizing on the pattern envelope. However, although I definitely need the 20 across the shoulders and hips, I had to take the bodice in at the side seams and darts for the bust and the waist, so may grade the pattern down in these areas when I cut it next time. Along with this the bodice is around an inch too short, so the skirt hits just above my natural waist. This isn't an unusual problem for me at 5 foot 7, and again is easy enough to rectify the next time. I also fancy swapping out the boat neck to the V neckline variation, as it came out higher than I expected and I don't think it's the most flattering for my shape.

So, now I have a good excuse to go fabric shopping so I can get started on another frock, I've definitely got the dressmaking bug back now!

More Granny Squares!

Yup, this certainly has been a Summer of crochet for us!

After the success of our granny square cushion, we couldn't help but give it another go in a different colour, so here it is, pretty in pink! You can now buy your own in either colour over at our Etsy Shop.

Details: Pink Crochet Granny Cushion  100% Cotton Yarn. Inner Fabric 100% Cotton

Crochet & Knitted Broach Bouquet

The flower broaches have evolved again!

Presenting... The Loopy Ladies Knitted Broach Bouquet! Perfect for your crafty big day!

The bouquet (£95.00) is composed of twelve individual brooches which can be detached  and given to members of the Wedding Party as Tokens of Thanks. Colours may be selected for your own colour scheme and more flowers can be included at additional cost. Individual flowers are also available as Corsage's. Also can be ordered as a table centre piece where flowers can be used as wedding favours.

They will be available from our Etsy shop soon, but in the meantime if you would like to make an enquiry just contact Karen!