Knit a Neutral

Posted on July 14, 2019 by MayaB

I thoroughly enjoyed doing the Knit a Rainbow series, it was a great way to explore the shop and focus into a single colour. But how can I forget neutrals!

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The fleeces of animals that we spin to make yarn are infinitely varied when it comes to colour. Undyed and neutral shades offer us an experience to create something as naturally as possible. It’s also quite nice to see how the natural colour of the yarn effects the dyed shades, which can be seen quite clearly in the grey of the Hillesvåg Pelsullgarn and the G-uld undyed white and greys. Natural shades are earthy and warm and these inviting tones vary from blacks, to browns, to greys, to creams. Natural shades can also be blended to create a whole tonal palette which can be seen in the amazing number of shades of Garthenor Number 1 (there are more, I just couldn’t fit them in).

So here we have them, my pick of the neutrals. For more details of each brand look below. Or if you would like to search out your own neutral, follow this link to the undyed section of our website: UNDYED.

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G-uld – alpaca in Undyed Grey and Undyed White – 4ply 50g – 100% Alpaca. Naturally dyed and oh so soft alpaca yarn from G-uld.

Hillesvåg – Sølje in Naturgrå – 100g 4ply – 100% Norwegian Pelsullgarn. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in lustrous Norwegian Pelt wool, Sølje is an 4Ply weight yarn in a colour palette which richness is unlike anything else.

Växbo Lin – Lingarn in Unbleached – 4ply 100g – 100% Linen. This 100% natural pure linen yarn, traditionally grown and spun in Sweden, is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

Purl Alpaca Designs – Medium in Champagne and Copper – DK 50g – 100% Alpaca. A classic weight, luxurious yarn with a lovely stitch definition which shows off lace and cabled garments for adults and children perfectly.

From The Mountain – Afghan Cashmere in Dark Brown and Light Brown – Sport 100g – 100% Cashmere. A 100% cashmere yarn hand spun in Afghanistan by women being paid fairly for their work. It is deliciously soft, with a hand you have to feel to believe.

Hey Mama Wolf – Schafwolle #03 in Natural Grey – Worsted 100g – 100% Organic Wool. Schafwolle #03 is a natural dyed, worsted weight organic wool yarn from Hey Mama Wolf.

Hillesvåg – Sol – DK 100g – 100% Norwegian Lambswool. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in 100% Norwegian Lambs Wool, Sol is the finest white fibres in a DK weight yarn.

Garthenor – Number 1 in Chalk, Pebble Shale, Oartmeal, Moorit, Chalkboard – Lace 50g – 100% Organic Wool. All British and certified organic! Garthenor Number 1 is a laceweight yarn suitable for practical wear as well as for very special heirloom pieces.

Woollen or Worsted?

Posted on July 12, 2019 by MayaB

Woollen or worsted? You may or may not have come across these terms before, they sound like so many others in the knitting world. Woollen does not necessarily mean something that is wooly and worsted is not just a yarn weight found commonly in America. What I’m talking about here is the way the yarn is spun. Woollen and worsted spun yarns have very different properties and are great for different projects. But how do you identify them and what are they good for. It’s taken me a while to puzzle that out but I will share with you what I have learnt.

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There are two distinct ways in which fibre is spun into yarn and this twist gives different qualities, from plumpy and fibrous to strong and smooth. The shelves of Knit With Attitude contain a selection of all these types and hopefully after reading this post you will be able to identify them.

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Woolen examples above are Kettle Yarn Ramble and The Fibre Co. Lore.

Woollen

Woollen spun yarns are lighter and airier, are a lot more squishy and often fuzzier or more fibrous. The twist is often quite loose and the yarn has less strength. Woolen spun yarns are carded and the fibres spread out evenly but they are not combed and don’t all lie in one direction. They face all directions creating the bouncy airy quality. This process also does not remove fibres of different lengths, which gives you a yarn with more of a halo and more likely to bloom after washing. As they are not combed to remove the shorter fibres you often find bits of hay and vegetation within the yarn.

Woollen spun yarns have these qualities:

It is warmer due to more air trapped in the fibre.
This airy trapping along with the irregular direction of the fibres creates a plump squishy yarn.
It’s more likely to bloom and have a halo due to the various fibre lengths, this may give slightly less definition to textural stitches.
It is much lighter but weaker than worsted spun yarns

How do you identify a woolen yarn? Characteristics to look for are: Light bouncy twist, irregular ply, more fibrous with a halo or fuzzy, squishy. It’s a great yarn if you are looking for something warm and cosy with a softer definition and less drape.

worsted-web Worsted examples above are John Arbon Knit by Numbers and Hey Mama Wolf Schaffewolle #03.

Worsted

Worsted spun yarns are denser and strong, they are often smoother, closely plied and lustrous. Worsted spun yarns have an extra process which involves aligning the fibres and combing out shorter hairs. This leaves you with an even fibre with a tight twist, where air is squeezed out. This results in a yarn that is much stronger and denser, owing to the alignment and evening out of the fibres and less likely to bloom or be fuzzy because of this. All this gives you great definition and drape.

Worsted spun yarns have these qualities:

Great stitch definition due to tight twist and even fibres.
A smooth even yarn with less halo.
Strong due to the longer fibres and less air between them.
Often softer due to smaller fibres being removed.
Not as warm as woollen due to being denser.

How do you identify a worsted yarn? Characteristics to look for are: A tight even twist, very little halo or fuzz, more lustrous, denser. It’s a great yarn if you are looking for superb definition and durability and more drape.

Needle in a Yarn Shop – Knitting needles and their materials

Posted on July 10, 2019 by MayaB

Wood, bamboo, metal, carbon fibre! At Knit With Attitude we stock a variety needle types made from all sorts of different materials, but what to choose? In this post I will talk a little bit about the different materials and what qualities they have.

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We do four different types of needles in Wood, Bamboo, Metal and Carbon. In these we have circulars, double points and straights. Let’s take a closer look at each type.

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Metal

Metal needles are probably quite familiar to most of us. They are strong, durable and super smooth. This smoothness makes them a good go to when tackling most yarns, from the fibrous to the smooth, as stitches glide with ease. This makes for speedier knitting.

Metal are one of the pointiest, making them great for projects that involve a lot of decreases or picking up, as the point is perfect for slipping between stitches. That being said yarns that tend to split like ones that are loosely plied can be easily split by the pointedness of the metal needles.

Metal is one of the heaviest and hardest, this makes them more durable but can also cause hand fatigue with some people over long periods of time.

In the range of metal needles we stock are the Knit Pro Zings. These strong and smooth needles are colour coded to easily identify between sizes. They all have bright silver tips which stand out against your projects. We sell the 35cm Straights, the 20cm DPN’s and fixed Circulars in 40 or 80cm’s. Along with the Knit Pro, Soft Grip Metal Crochet Hooks.

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Bamboo

Next we have bamboo, bamboo is softer and more yielding in the hands than metal. Not to say bendy, but with a little bit more bounce which can make them more comfortable in the hands. Also much lighter than metal so when working on heavier projects you are less likely to feel weighed down.

One quality of bamboo that really sets it apart from metal is their grippyness. By that I mean the slight textural nature of Bamboo holds the yarn but doesn’t snag. This makes them the perfect needles for slippery yarns like silks and bamboo fibre. Their grippyness gives you more control so stitches are less likely to slip off, or the needle sliding off and flying across the room. This is definitely a bonus if you are knitting with DPN’s. In this regard they are perfect for beginners who are just getting to grips with the basics. Slightly less pointed than Metal, so less likely to split looser yarns.

In Bamboo needles we Stock Clover 33cm Straights, 20cm DPN’s and Fixed Circulars in 60 and 80cms. As well as Bamboo Crochet Hooks.

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Wood

Wood sits between bamboo and metal when it comes to hardness, weight and grip on the yarn. Wood are warmer in the hands with a little bit more weight than Bamboo. Great for those who are looking for a more comfortable alternative to metal with slightly less grip than Bamboo. Wood are great all round needle and work well with most yarns. Similarly not as pointy to avoid splitting, but pointy enough to cope with complicated knitting projects.

Wood like bamboo are not as strong as metal so smaller sizes are more likely to snap from careless use. But well looked after will reward you with hours of comfortable knitting.

In wood we stock Knit Pro Symfonie range, a strong and durable needle made from laminated birch in attractive multicolours. We have 30cm Straights, 20/15cm DPN’s and Interchangeable Tips in short and standard sizes, which work with the Knit Pro Cables.

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Carbon

Lastly we come to the carbon knitting needles. These are made from carbon fibre. Carbon fibre gives you one of the strongest needles you will find, its also used in aircraft making and spaceships. Strength is not the only quality carbon fibre has, it is also supple, with a slight give making them more comfortable to hold. They are also warmer to touch and lighter in the hand, also contributing to a comfortable knit. They work really well when it comes to using smaller sizes because of this. Carbon fibre is smooth but with a very slight grip on the yarn, allowing stitches to glide with ease but also giving you control. Perfect for working on smaller projects or DPN’s. The carbon fibre needles we stock have brass metal tips giving them a flawlessly point which is helpful when doing more complicated work.

In carbon we stock Knit Pro Karbonz a strong durable carbon fibre needle with pointy brass tips. We have 30cm Straights,15cm DPN’s and Interchangeable Tips in short and standard sizes, which work with the Knit Pro Cables.

Craftivism – The Craftivist Collective

Posted on July 6, 2019 by MayaB

It seems more important now that the tools and skills that we have at our disposal should be used as a force for good. Craft with activism have a long history as a way of harnessing a ‘traditional’ skill to provoke or communicate a message. So if you haven’t come across craftivism or would like to know more, let me introduce it along with the Craftivist Collective.

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Craft is an outlet that can be so many things for so many people. Craft is a voice. You are physically bringing something into the world. It’s how you choose to use this voice which is important to craftivism. For some people craft is a process for themselves and the people close to them. It is a process that can be about the journey, about mindfulness or a way of challenging ones own skills. For others craft is an outlet, a place in which to engage with what matters to them. It’s a voice in an otherwise loud world. Where there is a space to share views and participate in a field where maybe confidence in other outlets, such as public speaking might be a no go.

Craftivsim as a term was coined in 2003 by writer Betsy Greer. She says of it: ‘Craftivism to me is way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper & your quest for justice more infinite.’1 Though craft and activism have been around for much longer than that. Sarah Corbett in her book ‘How to be a Craftivist’ talks about the origins of craftivism. Like for example Arpilleras in Chile. Which are brightly coloured patchwork pictures created by women during the military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990). Depicted the harsh living conditions of life under the dictatorship which had a particular impact on women. These were distributed abroad and sold to provide a vital source of income.

The Craftivist Collective formed in 2009 by Sarah Corbett out of a need for an alternative to other forms of activism. With no projects or groups for her to join, she decided to have a go at creating her own craftivism projects. With an emphasis on a ‘Gentle Protest’ approach to craftivism. An activism that calls for a more respectful and contemplative approach, promoting conversation and collaboration. Using craft to engage, empower and encourage. Sarah uses craft to build connections with people by using a medium that is hand made, thoughtful and often softer than other forms of communication.

To provide people with the tools to tackle craftivism for themselves Sarah has produced Craftivist Kits. These little ideas give you the starting point for your own craftivist issues. Allowing you a medium to spread what matters to you. Like the Don’t Blow it hanky kit, inspired by Sarah’s frustration with the lack of communication with her local MP. After repeatedly contacting them with very little interest Sarah created a gift of a stitched hanky, asking her MP to stand up to and fight injustices. This thoughtful act bridged the gap between passive emails to active connections on a personal level.

Or Your Footprint kit which asks you to reflect on the imprint you leave in the world and is centred around this quote by Helen Keller: “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do.”

If you feel inspired to do some craftivism yourself the Craftivist Collective kits are a great insight into this form of activism. Or if simply you want to learn how to be a craftivist and read Sara Corbett’s story the the ‘How to be a Craftivist’ is a great book. But at the end of it, craftivism is about choosing a craft that feels appropriate and comfortable for you and using that craft as your voice. Then use it to talk through, no matter how small or how big you are using craft to initiate a change and express good.

This seems a good place to remind ourselves of the power of craft in bringing the East London Knitters together for the trump rally.

The Trump Visit Protest March, London 2018. Photo credit ©Vicky Bamforth

1. Finn, Julie (April 4, 2009). “Crafting a Green World. What is Craftivism? Division over the Definition Explodes Etsy Team”. Crafting a Green World.

Knit a Rainbow – Pink

Posted on June 25, 2019 by MayaB

Here at Knit with attitude colour is one of the most debated topics. So instead of doing a fibre or brand feature, I thought I would do little colour ones instead. So this post bypasses projects and specific yarn weights and lets us just love colour. Hopefully if you have a favourite colour in mind, or just looking for that right shade, this will give you some inspiration. Did you know you can search our website by colour as well?

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The last post in my rainbow colour series goes to pink. Pink is a strange one and doesn’t seem to our eyes to appear in the selection of seven visible colours of the rainbow. But is instead a combination of red and blue light (without green), and doesn’t have its own wavelength. Regardless of this, it is still a beautiful colour and deserves it’s own post. Pink can vary from light pale pinks to darker magentas. With more yellow it heads towards coral and more blue towards a purple. It can be shocking and neon but also muted and gentle.

So here we have them, my pick of the pinks. For more details of each brand look below. Or if you would like to search out your own pink, follow this link to the purple section of our website: PINK.

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Hillesvåg – Tinde in Mørk Rosa – DK 100g – 100% Norwegian Pelsullgarn. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in lustrous Norwegian Pelt wool, Tinde is an DK weight yarn in a colour palette which richness is unlike anything else.

Coopknits – Socks Yeah DK in 217 Xenon – DK 50g – 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon. Socks Yeah! DK is a fabulous, hardwearing yarn with a high twist and a brilliant stitch definition in a gorgeous palette of 10 colours.

Nuturing Fibres – Eco-Cotton in Sweet Pea – DK 50g – 100% Cotton. Nurturing Fibres Eco-Cotton is a soft cotton with a lovely stitch definition suitable to properly show off your favourite crochet and knitting projects.

G-uld – alpaca in KWA05 – 4ply 50g – 100% Alpaca. Naturally dyed and oh so soft alpaca yarn from G-uld.

Nuturing Fibres – Eco-Bamboo in Sweet Pea – 4ply 50g – 100% Bamboo. Nurturing Fibres Eco-Bambo has a gorgeous drape and a lustrous shine, however due to its twist this Bamboo yarn will ‘sag’ less than the usual Bamboo yarns.

Blue Sky Fibres – Alpaca Sport in 538 Hibiscus – Sport 50g – 100% Baby Alpaca. A 100% baby alpaca yarn with a high sheen and springy softness with an excellent stitch definition that creates an amazing drape.

Fyberspates – Vivacious DK in Mixed Magentas – DK 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A high twist superwash Merino, hand dyed in Peru and spun to perfection as a light weight multipurpose yarn perfect for kids wear.

The Fibre Co. – Meadow in Cosmos – Lace 100g – 40% Merino, 25% Baby Llama, 20% Silk, 15% Linen. Meadow is a perfect combination of four luxurious fibres. The merino and baby llama provide softness and bounce, the silk sheen and drape, and the linen a crisp hand and lovely stitch definition.

John Arbon – Devonia DK in Broken Flower – DK 100g – 50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Devon Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Devon Wensleydale. A gorgeous blend of 3 UK breeds, creating a soft to the hand and shiny yarn in 4Ply and DK.

Kettle Yarn – Islington DK in Padparadscha – DK 100g – 55% British Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 45% Silk. A lightweight BFL wool and silk blend, versatile and strong while maintaining buttery softness – a sophisticated choice for everyday items, luxurious next-to-skin wear and precious accessories.

Garnsurr – Søkke Merino in Frau – 4ply 100g – 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon. Garnsurr is a social integration project for refugee women. Enabling women through learning the language and the wonderful creative art of hand dyeing.

John Arbon – Knit by Numbers in KBN24 – DK 100g – 100% Merino. An exciting range of double knit organically farmed Merino, spun in a colour palette that aims to provide knitters with the precise shade they require.

Hedgehog – Fibres Merino DK in Jelly – DK 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A great all purpose yarn, hardwearing and machine washable, still next to the skin it feels soft. The ideal yarn for sweaters, scarves, hats, literarily anything you can think of!

Kettle Yarn – Beyul in Electric Amaranth – 4ply 100g – 20% Baby Yak, 20% Silk, 60% Merino. Kettle Yarn’s BEYUL combines the best of 3 fibres – the gentle halo of high quality Yak down, a subtle shimmer from silk, and the bouncy goodness of the softest superwash Merino.

Hedgehog Fibres – Skinny Singles in Rosehip – 4ply 100g – 100% Merino. Squishy and soft, with the right amount of twist! This yarn will work for any lace pattern, especially Stephen West designs for fingering/4Ply weight yarns.

Du Store Alpakka – Alpakka Tweed in 121 Cyclamen – Aran 50g – 50% Alpaca, 30% Merino, 20% Donegal. A tweed blend which is sturdy yet soft against the skin. In a classic aran weight it is perfect for those winter favourites.

Susan Crawford – Fenella in Constance Spry – 2ply 25g – 100% Pure British Wool. A 2 ply yarn that knits up to that elusive vintage ‘3 ply’ tension, grown, spun, dyed and finished in Britain.

Coopknits – Socks Yeah! in 116 Ruby – 4ply 50g – 75% Merino 25% Nylon. A fabulous sock yarn with a gorgeous palette in a wide range of colours designed by Rachel Coopey. Socks Yeah! is hardwearing and can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

Knit a Rainbow – Purple

Posted on June 18, 2019 by MayaB

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Continuing with classic rainbow order we find ourselves at the end of the rainbow with purple! From pale lilacs and lavenders to richer and moody dark royal purples. Found in nature, with flowers like Violets that give their name to the colour. Violet being the true end of the spectrum of light and purple itself being a colour that exists between red and blue. More red and it becomes electric, more blue and it becomes richer. It’s the colour of plums and aubergines. A royal colour and a colour piety.

So here we have them, my pick of the purples. For more details of each brand look below. Or if you would like to search out your own purple, follow this link to the purple section of our website: PURPLE.

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Fyberspates – Vicacious 4ply in 628 Blueberry Imps – 4ply 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A high twist superwash Merino, hand dyed in Peru and spun to perfection as a light weight multipurpose yarn perfect for showing off lace and cabled knits.

Nuturing Fibres – Eco-Bamboo in Violet – 4ply 50g – 100% Bamboo. Nurturing Fibres Eco-Bambo has a gorgeous drape and a lustrous shine, however due to its twist this Bamboo yarn will ‘sag’ less than the usual Bamboo yarns.

John Arbon – Devonia 4ply in Nightshade – 4ply 100g – 50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Devon Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Devon Wensleydale. A gorgeous blend of 3 UK breeds, creating a soft to the hand and shiny yarn in 4Ply and DK.

Black Elephant – Merino Singles in Knights of Cydonia – 4ply 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. Handdyed Merino Singles from Black Elephant in a gorgeous array of deep speckles and solids.

Kettle Yarn – Ramble in Damson – 4ply 100g – 100% Wool, Romney and Shetland fibres. Kettle Yarn Co.’s Ramble melds the softest grades of traditional fibres into a delicately lightweight, springy yarn. Think Shetland haps, Fair Isle and Fisherman’s jumpers, or just deliciously toothsome garter stitch.

Nuturing Fibres – Eco-Lush in Lilac – 4ply 50g – 40% Bamboo, 60% Cotton. Eco-Lush is a 40/60 blend of bamboo and cotton yarn that can be used for everything from cardigans to blankets. The cotton and bamboo are locally grown and while not certified organic, they have been farmed within these principles.

Nuturing Fibres – Eco-Cotton in Bordeaux – DK 50g – 100% Cotton. Nurturing Fibres Eco-Cotton is a soft cotton with a lovely stitch definition suitable to properly show off your favourite crochet and knitting projects.

Hillesvåg – Sølje in Gråfiolett – 100g 4ply – 100% Norwegian Pelsullgarn. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in lustrous Norwegian Pelt wool, Sølje is an 4Ply weight yarn in a colour palette which richness is unlike anything else.

Växbo Lin – Lingarn in Lilac – 4ply 100g – 100% Linen. This 100% natural pure linen yarn, traditionally grown and spun in Sweden, is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

Du Store Alpakka – Alpakka Tweed in 117 Purple – Aran 50g – 50% Alpaca, 30% Merino, 20% Donegal. A tweed blend which is sturdy yet soft against the skin. In a classic aran weight it is perfect for those winter favourites.

Fyberspates – Scrumptious Lace in Amethyst – Lace 100g – 55% Merino, 45% Silk. This lace weight merino and silk blend yarn is a must for lush knitting, and with its tight twist and superb stitch definition it will show off techniques lace and structured stitches spectacularly.

Coopknits – Socks Yeah! in 112 Sugilite – 4ply 50g – 75% Merino 25% Nylon. A fabulous sock yarn with a gorgeous palette in a wide range of colours designed by Rachel Coopey. Socks Yeah! is hardwearing and can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

G-uld – alpaca in KWA09 – 4ply 50g – 100% Alpaca. Naturally dyed and oh so soft alpaca yarn from G-uld.

Hey Mama Wolf – Ahimsa No.10 in The Sky Was All Violet – Lace 50g – 100% Eri Silk. Ahimsa No.10 is handdyed using plant dyes, it is organic and fair traded, a true luxurious fibre.

Garnsurr – Pan in Tesu – DK 100g – 70% Buck Moahir, 30% Dallasheep. Garnsurr is a social integration project for refugee women. Enabling women through learning the language and the wonderful creative art of hand dyeing.

Hedgehog – Fibres Merino DK in Spell – DK 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A great all purpose yarn, hardwearing and machine washable, still next to the skin it feels soft. The ideal yarn for sweaters, scarves, hats, literarily anything you can think of!

Knit a Rainbow – Blue

Posted on June 14, 2019 by MayaB

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Continuing with classic rainbow order we move on to blue! Blue, one of the three primary colours. Stretches from dark moody navy, to bright and light sky blues. On the spectrum between green and violet. Move towards green and you have teal, go the other way to violet you head towards ultramarine. Often seen as a cold colour, or a colour of sadness. But it is also the colour the sea and the sky. In ancient times a rare and expensive colour ground from lapis lazuli. But now a whole host of blues exist for us to enjoy.

So here we have them, my pick of the blues. For more details of each brand look below. Or if you would like to search out your own blue, follow this link to the green section of our website: BLUE.

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Clockwise from top left:

Växbo Lin – Lingarn in Turquoise – 4ply 100g – 100% Linen. This 100% natural pure linen yarn, traditionally grown and spun in Sweden, is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

Du Store Alpaca – Hexa in 923 – Aran 50g – 100% Alpaca. This alpaca yarn is made from a single strand of twisted fibres knit into an I-cord. Hexa is super-soft and thick, still as lightweight as feathers.

G-uld – alpaca in KWA16 – 4ply 50g – 100% Alpaca. Naturally dyed and oh so soft alpaca yarn from G-uld.

Black Elephant – Merino Singles Mini in Tranquility – 4ply 20g – 100% Superwash Merino. The mini version of Black Elephants popular Merino Singles. A sumptuous range of moody shades.

Hey Mama Wolf – Ahimsa No.10 in Pale Blue Eyes – Lace 50g – 100% Eri Silk. Ahimsa No.10 is handdyed using plant dyes, it is organic and fair traded, a true luxurious fibre.

Hedgehog – Fibres Merino DK in Dragonfly – DK 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A great all purpose yarn, hardwearing and machine washable, still next to the skin it feels soft. The ideal yarn for sweaters, scarves, hats, literarily anything you can think of!

The Fibre Co – Terra in Sorrel – Aran 100g – 40% Alpaca, 40% Merino, 20% Silk. Terra is an aran weight single ply yarn with a rustic look and incredibly soft handle and bounce. The blend of alpaca, merino and silk noil is kettle dyed.

Hedgehog Fibres – Skinny Singles in Cedar – 4ply 100g – 100% Merino. Squishy and soft, with the right amount of twist! This yarn will work for any lace pattern, especially Stephen West designs for fingering/4Ply weight yarns.

The Fibre Co. – Meadow in Bellflower – Lace 100g – 40% Merino, 25% Baby Llama, 20% Silk, 15% Linen. Meadow is a perfect combination of four luxurious fibres. The merino and baby llama provide softness and bounce, the silk sheen and drape, and the linen a crisp hand and lovely stitch definition.

Fyberspates – Cumulus in 906 Turquoise – Lace 25g – 74% Baby Suri Alpaca, 26% Mulberry Silk. Cumulus is a deliciously soft, heavy lace weight baby alpaca yarn with a wonderful halo.

Kettle Yarn – Beyul in Delft – 4ply 100g – 20% Baby Yak, 20% Silk, 60% Merino. Kettle Yarn’s BEYUL combines the best of 3 fibres – the gentle halo of high quality Yak down, a subtle shimmer from silk, and the bouncy goodness of the softest superwash Merino.

Fyberspates – Vivacious 4ply in Shoreline – 4ply 100g – 100% Superwash Merino. A high twist superwash Merino, hand dyed in Peru and spun to perfection as a light weight multipurpose yarn perfect for showing off lace and cabled knits.

Kate Davies – Àrd-Thìr in Ardnave – Arn 50g – 60% Highland Wool, 40% Alpaca. Àrd-Thìr is a beautiful alpaca/wool blend aran weight yarn in an mouthwatering palette of colours inspired by the Scottish Highlands.

Coopknits – Socks Yeah! in 120 Azurite – 4ply 50g – 75% Merino 25% Nylon. A fabulous sock yarn with a gorgeous palette in a wide range of colours designed by Rachel Coopey. Socks Yeah! is hardwearing and can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

The Fibre Co. – Lore in Reliable – DK 100g – 100% Kent Lambswool. Lore is a 100% Lambswool, an honest woollen spun DK weight yarn that blooms into a beautiful knitted fabric after washing.

Växbo Lin – Lingarn in Blue – 4ply 100g – 100% Linen. This 100% natural pure linen yarn, traditionally grown and spun in Sweden, is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

Stolen Stitches – Nua in Hatter’s Teal Party – Sport 50g – 60% Merino, 20% Yak, 20% Linen. Nua is a lightweight blend of merino, yak, and linen, in a gorgeous range of colours with a natural tweed effect.

The Fibre Co. – Luma in Breton – DK 50g – 50% Merino, 25% Cotton, 15% Linen and 10% Silk. A classic DK weight yarn. Plant-based fibres mixed with silk and wool provide a built-in layer of warmth in winter yet lightness when required in warmer temperatures.

Hillesvåg – Tinde in Blåturkis – DK 100g – 100% Norwegian Pelsullgarn. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in lustrous Norwegian Pelt wool, Tinde is an DK weight yarn in a colour palette which richness is unlike anything else.

Fyberspates – Scrumptious 4ply in 309 Midnight – 4ply/Sport 100g – 55% Superwash Merino, 45% Silk. This 4-ply merino and silk blend yarn is a must for your favourite projects, and with its tight twist and superb stitch definition it will show off techniques like cables and lace spectacularly.

Give Away Time: Win Pom Pom 29 and Yarn to Crochet Milton by Isa Catepillán

Posted on June 10, 2019 by MayaB

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Have you seen the latest issue of Pom Pom magazine yet? Issue 29 takes its inspiration from tiles and repeating motifs. This summer issue is packed with inspiring projects to fill your summer wardrobe. So what better time than on a day that feels like summer is deserting us and the rain doesn’t show signs of stopping. Lets keep our faith that sunny weather will return, by announcing a give away. We love the Minton by Isa Catepillán so we are giving you a chance to win the yarn to make it, plus a copy of Pom Pom 29. So reach for your crochet hook and head over to social media for a chance of winning.

All you need to do is head over to Facebook or Instagram @knitwithattitude. Like or follow us. Like the competition post and tag or mention two friends in the comments you think might want to join in on the fun.

We will draw the winner Thursday June 13th midday UK time, and yes, we will ship the prize to wherever you are!

Below I have pulled some great colour combos that I think the Minton will look perfect in, so pick your favourite! You will win one yarn kit below of your choice, which consists of 4 skeins of Växbo Lingarn, 3 for the Main Colour and 1 for the Contrast Colour. Plus an issue of Pom Pom 29.

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Earthy – Brick red tones make up this warm combo, combined with a subtle natural colour. Like a smartly pointed brick wall. Växbo Lingarn in Pale Bleached and Brick Red.

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Shoreline – The cool waves lapping the sandy shores make this the perfect combo for taking to the beach. Växbo Lingarn in Light Blue and Umbra

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Nature Lover – The harmonious combination of these two greens give a natural tree canopy vibe. Växbo Lingarn in Olive Green and Moss Green.

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Blue and White – This combo brings to mind traditional ceramics with their blue and white decorations. Växbo Lingarn in Bleached and Blue.

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Neon Flash – This striking combo sets one of the brightest against a base of dark grey. Like a neon sign illuminated on a grey day. Växbo Lingarn in Lime and Graphite.

Knit a Rainbow – Green

Posted on June 9, 2019 by MayaB

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Continuing with classic rainbow order we move on to green! This has to be my favourite, I love these greens. Green can be pulled in many directions, towards blue becoming teal, sea green or jade. Towards brown becoming more olive or moss. Even yellow plays with green making it more acidic, like lime. Green is the colour of nature, of forests and of leaves, to be green thumbed is to be good in the garden but you can also be green with envy, a term we have to thank Shakespeare for.

So here we have them, my pick of the greens. For more details of each brand look below. Or if you would like to search out your own green, follow this link to the green section of our website: GREEN.

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The Fibre Co. – Cumbria in Helvellyn – 4ply 100g – 60% Merino wool, 30% Brown Masham, 10% Mohair. Cumbria comes in a classic 4Ply weight, it is a sturdy still soft to the touch yarn, suitable for all 4Ply knitting projects.

Garnsurr – Pan in Preinas – DK 100g – 70% Buck Moahir, 30% Dallasheep. Garnsurr is a social integration project for refugee women. Enabling women through learning the language and the wonderful creative art of hand dyeing.

Fyberspates – Cumulus in 903 Bottle Green – Lace 25g – 74% Baby Suri Alpaca, 26% Mulberry Silk. Cumulus is a deliciously soft, heavy lace weight baby alpaca yarn with a wonderful halo.

Kettle Yarn – Islington DK in Ochre – DK 100g – 55% British Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 45% Silk. A lightweight BFL wool and silk blend, versatile and strong while maintaining buttery softness – a sophisticated choice for everyday items, luxurious next-to-skin wear and precious accessories.

Växbo Lin – Lingarn in Leaf Green – 4ply 100g – 100% Linen. This 100% natural pure linen yarn, traditionally grown and spun in Sweden, is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

Coopknits – Socks Yeah! in 114 Peridot – 4ply 50g – 75% Merino 25% Nylon. A fabulous sock yarn with a gorgeous palette in a wide range of colours designed by Rachel Coopey. Socks Yeah! is hardwearing and can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

Hedgehog Fibres – Kidsilk Lace in Shamrock – Lace 50g – 70% Kid Moahir, 30% Silk. The Kidsilk Lace is a glowing pure silk core wrapped in soft fuzzy mohair halo, the ultimate lace yarn.

G-uld – alpaca in KWA20 – 4ply 50g – 100% Alpaca. Naturally dyed and oh so soft alpaca yarn from G-uld.

The Fibre Co. – Lore in Earthy – DK 100g – 100% Kent Lambswool. Lore is a 100% Lambswool, an honest woollen spun DK weight yarn that blooms into a beautiful knitted fabric after washing.

Susan Crawford – Fenella in Myrtle – 2ply 25g – 100% Pure British Wool. A 2 ply yarn that knits up to that elusive vintage ‘3 ply’ tension, grown, spun, dyed and finished in Britain.

John Arbon – Devonia DK in Ivy Leaf – DK 100g – 50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Devon Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Devon Wensleydale. A gorgeous blend of 3 UK breeds, creating a soft to the hand and shiny yarn in 4Ply and DK.

Hey Mama Wolf – Schafwolle #03 in Buckthorn Green II – Worsted 100g – 100% Organic Wool. Schafwolle #03 is a natural dyed, worsted weight organic wool yarn from Hey Mama Wol

Nurturing Fibres – Eco-Fusion in Emerald – 4ply 50g – 50% Bamboo, 50% Cotton. Eco-Fusion is a 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton yarn that can be used for everything from cardigans to blankets. The cotton and bamboo are locally grown and while not certified organic, they have been farmed with these principles.

Hillesvåg – Troll in Lys Olivengrønn – Aran 100g – 100% Norwegian Wool. Traditionally spun by the family owned mill Hillesvåg, in 100% Norwegian Wool, Troll is an Aran weight yarn in a wide colour palette.

Stolen Stitches – Nua in Mosquito Coast – Sport 50g – 60% Merino, 20% Yak, 20% Linen. Nua is a lightweight blend of merino, yak, and linen, in a gorgeous range of colours with a natural tweed effect.

Fyberspates – Scrumptious 4ply in Key Lime – 4ply/Sport 100g – 55% Superwash Merino, 45% Silk. This 4-ply merino and silk blend yarn is a must for your favourite projects, and with its tight twist and superb stitch definition it will show off techniques like cables and lace spectacularly.

Throwback Thursday: Växbo Lin Lingarn

Posted on June 6, 2019 by MayaB

Linen is back! Not a moment too soon… One of our go to summer yarns is Växbo Lin’s Lingarn, so this little Throwback Thursday post is here to celebrate it again. We have recently restocked on 22 shades of this gorgeous and unusual fibre. So in case you missed it, here is why linen is so great.

Lingarn is a 100% natural pure linen yarn traditionally grown and spun in Sweden. Växbo Lin’s Lingarn is certified with the Swedish Good Environmental Choice label (Bra Miljöval) because of its durability and environmentally friendly processing.

The earliest trace of flax culture in the Swedish county Hälsingland is dated to circa 200 AD. Evidence from the Viking age indicates that women wore linen chemises under their woolen skirts. Flax has been grown for domestic use throughout Sweden. In medieval times there was a surplus of flax in Hälsingland and linen became an item of trade. In fact, linen rather than money was used to pay taxes and fines.

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Heres a little bit about how linen fibre is made from one of our earlier Fibre Fridays posts. ‘Linen comes from a plant called flax. Unlike cotton, where the fibre comes from a pod that the plant produces, linen is made from the inner stalk. This type of fibre is called a bast fibre. Other bast fibres include nettle, hemp and rattan. The plant is grown to a height of about 4 feet. When it is ready, the plants are pulled up from the roots and left to decompose in a process called retting. This unbinds the unwanted outer bark from the inner bark that makes the fibre. The two types of bark are separated by big metal rollers in a process called scutching. The fibre lengths are combed to find the longest fibres which are then spun into thread or yarn.’

Linen is a tough fibre that may feel stiff an unyielding at first, but the more you work it the more it softens. It is recommended winding linen by hand, as this begins the softening process, which continues the more you work with it.

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What Throwback Thursday would be complete without a look at projects past. Do you remember Maya’s Selja she knit last year? Selja by Jonna Hietala is knit top down holding two strands together on 5.5mm needles. A super speedy knit for a quick summer project. Maya chose the Umbra colour. To read more about Selja read Maya’s – What Maya Knits Blog Post.

And a couple of summers back Natalie launched her design The Mirabeau Top! The Mirabeau is an attractive striped summer top with a fetching lace panel. Idea for summer holidays and evenings dining al fresco. Light and cool, with fun Breton stripes, allowing you an opportunity to play with colour.

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I also knit with linen earlier this year when I finished my Parachutey by Stephen West. It came very handy in the hot halls of the Edinburgh Yarn Festival where I wore it over a shirt and kept perfectly cool. I knit this one in Moss Green, Olive Green, Graphite and Lime.

So go grab your needles while the sun is still shining.

The Knit with attitude Blog

– an East London Yarn Shop