Two Angels - angels & petals AND crafty angel

Loving a Magnum

Magnum chunky is flying off our shelves right now. This versatile chunky 25% wool yarn knits and crochets on anything from a 6 to a 8mm needle or hook.

 
At £3.65 for 100g & 110 metres, it goes a long way too. We're currently stocking it in all the colours in the left hand shelves (above) and the combinations of colours I've seen put together are stunning.

 
This blanket is being crocheted in a variety of stitches.

 
And this Nordic inspired blanket is being done in a variety of different knit stitches in a patchwork design.

Look out for more pictures coming soon.

Pom Pom Pup

 

Apologies to Sarah & her very lovely Jack Russell, as I should have posted this before I went away. Here Poppy is modeling the latest Pet Accessory from our K&N collection knitted by her 'mum' Sarah Hill. I think you'll agree, she looks very pretty indeed.

Touched by Angel

Ladies, I'm delighted to say that our Angel order has arrived, and it is really lovely yarn.

 
For a limited time I'm offering a free Debbie Bliss magazine with 6 or more balls of Angel. Or 50% off the magazine with 3 or more. The magazine has some really gorgeous patterns for this yarn. Or just be creative. 2 balls knitted or crocheted on big needles/hook would make a yummy shawl.

In the same delivery came Debbie Bliss Eco Baby Cotton in a selection of soft colours. This is a fair trade organic cotton, which is suitable for far more than just baby knits. Guilt free pleasure!

I'm away for a few days now, but Jane will have the shop open as usual.

Cotton pickin'

It was with some degree of sadness that those of us who love to crochet with the cotton yarns, realised Kontiki is being discontinued.

But fear not......................

 
We have now received our stock of Rico cotton. Lots of yummy colours (pic doesn't do them justice) and I'd say a pretty good substitute for kontiki.

Don't forget cushions for May & Doorstops for July - if you're looking for a reason to use them!!

 

And there's more............

 
Lets take a closer look at some of the other blankets exhibited that weren't in Isabella's top 4, but certainly would have been if there was any way she could have juggled it!

 
Sarah Hill's lovely pink cot blanket whos textured hearts and delicate edging were admired by many.

 
Inspired by mulled wine & log fires this random patchwork blanket of Jo Barretts was soooo tactile. I spent half the afternoon stroking a furry pink square. (sorry Jo!)

 
Sue Rogers, Master Knitter!! created this gorgeous blanket the rest of us could only marvel at. It really had to be seen to appreciate the work that went into it. Sue must have been awake for many nights to finish this one.

 
How pretty is Chrissie Cole's baby blanket? Inspired by Spring and adorned with daisies, this blanket had many admirers on Sunday.

 
Holes where they are meant to be! Now that was a novelty - a real talking point for our visitors and a favourite with many. Designed and made by Trish Back and inspired by pebbles, this blanket had real movement & texture.

 
Our own Jane Richards tucked herself away in her lovely cottage and then produced this beautiful double bed sized crocheted throw - as if like magic! I know there were times when she was tearing her hair out trying to decide how to edge it, but the results prove it was all worth it.

 

At last!  Emily Kemp's gorgeous blanket in all it's finished glory! Our judge was very taken with the 'sweater style' textures & stitches of this one. Well worth staying up all night to finish Em.

 
Well, I couldn't set my lovely K&N ladies the challenge of making a jazzy blanket and not join in, could I? So here is my offering, inspired by a cottage garden.

I hope you have all enjoyed viewing our work. If you would like to join Knit & Natter, we meet every Tuesday & Thursday in Crafty Angel/Angels & Petals, Hatherleigh at 7.30pm. Our next exhibition will be in the spring. Look out for details, coming soon.

A blanket triumph

 
Wow! What a superb display of blanket we had to show off on Sunday. Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to make it a truly stunning exhibition. Not forgetting those who provided an array of delicious cakes which kept us sustained throughout the day and were greatly appreciated by our visitors. I have been stopped a couple of times today by people who popped in to see the exhibition and were genuinely impressed. You all deserve a pat on the back and I hope you are really proud of what you achieved.

 
One side of the hall

 
And the other.

 
Isabella Whitworth had the unenviable task of choosing her favourites. A task she took seriously and ensuring I knew her thoughts about each blanket, which I could pass on.

 
And winner was Debbie Fowler's cable edged beauty, inspired by sweet peas in her garden. Well deserved indeed.

 
Second place went to Sue Tinkler's raspberry, grey & white blanket inspired by a favourite Ikea cushion. Isabella especially loved the rippled edging. On the left is Olive Bush's Neapolitan ice cream blanket who's tonal shades were admired by our judge and awarded 4th place.

 
3rd place went to Rosemary Cooke and her cot blanket inspired by log cabin quilts. The hard work that went into all those little peices of knitting was appreciated by Isabella who also felt it truly was a 'Jazzy Blanket' .

Well done girls.

Check back later in the week to see all of the blankets we had on display

Happy Birthday to Knit & Natter

It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since we began K&N with just myself and 4 others. We are now twice a week & regularly have 12 or more ladies on a Tuesday.

We were unusually only 10 last night, but that just made second helpings of cake an unexpected treat!

If you've ever wondered about joining us - just do it! 

We are a very friendly bunch and there is no high brow snobbery about our knitting. We knit what we like, when we like, are encouraged by others, and helped along at any stage if we get a little stuck. We are more than happy to teach complete beginners and haven't ever had anyone we couldn't get to master their knitting.

So, tea & biscuits, great company, free tuition & advice,  a chance to shop when it's closed!, and no commitment on your part to attend each week all for £2, sounds like a bargain to us. What are you waiting for? See you on Thursday then? (or Tuesday or both).
 

Because I felt like it!

'Not more yarn' cried Jane as I arrived up at the shop with the latest delivery.

It's true, we are running out of space, but it looked so yummy I couldn't resist.

Made from 100% wool, this would be perfect for knitted or felted acessories.

 
Felted purses in blue perhaps?

A hat or a bag in these autumnal hues..............

This one is just crying out for being turned into knitted bed socks or felted slippers.

Great little projects for Christmas gifts, don't you think?
 
  

Knit your own pet

Brand new out and such fun is this book, Knit & Purl Pets

Designed to be knitted for children who constantly ask for a pet, these little chaps will be loved by children and adults alike.

Bamber the labrador pup - less messy than the real thing.

Cute kitty, knitted in the round & very easy.

'can I have a rabbit mum'

'yes of course darling, I'll have it ready by morning!'

 You might need until the weekend to knock up this one.

How lovely is Zoom? I want one of these.

Also included are patterns for a snake, tortoise, guinea pig, mouse, rats, pony, hens, birds and even a stegosaurus - covering all possible requests!

Indian Summer

I read this morning (yes, on 'my' paper round!!), that we are due a couple of lovely weeks of sunshine. Lets hope its true. Certainly there have been some beautiful days recently and today has the same promise.

However, which ever way you dress it up winter is not too far away now, but if we can keep it at bay for a little bit longer, that will give us time to knit something warm and cosy.

So, how about these lovely Sock Kits which arrived this week..............

 

They come complete with self patterning yarn, needles and pattern.

Beautiful in blue

Out on the Moor type colours

Pretty with a hint of pink.
 

Make great Christmas gifts don't you think?