Yokes =Top Right – ‘Cockatoo Brae’ and Bottom Left ‘Buchanan’ and Shetland Trader Book Two = Top Left ‘Nikka Vord’ and Bottom Right ‘Burrafirth’
Inspiring knits and beautiful photography, yet again we are falling for the latest pattern books! Two esteemed designers, Gudrun Johnston and Kate Davies offer us their newest designs in The Shetland Trader Book Two and Yokes. Read more ›
Home and Madder Anthology with beautiful selection of Quince & Co Yarns – Piper in Guadalupe, Lark in Chanterelle and Tern in Dusk.
We’ve been completely spoilt for choice with so many beautiful books arriving to inspire us for the new year. Currently the Loopettes are swooning over the elegant stitch pattern extravaganza of Madder Anthology One and the cosy simplicity of Quince & Co.’s first printed book Home.
Both take advantage of the amazing selection of Quince & Co. yarn that Loop stocks so we thought we’d introduce you to some of our favourites!
Bergson Socks from Home by Pam Allen. Photo courtsey of Quince & Co
First to Home, a book dedicated to knits that make a space all the more comfortable and familiar. Designer Pam Allen, owner of Quince & Co. described how initially the ideas for Home where knitted accessories like cushions and baskets. However, she found herself drawn to squishy jumpers, warm socks and easy to wear cardigans – garments that are so key to our rituals of relaxing and telling us we are home.
Quince & Co. Puffin CW from Top Left – Sabine, Twig, Delft, Iceland
Many of the projects use bulky yarns like Osprey and Puffin, as used in the Bergson socks above. These bulky projects are easy to knit and good projects for intermediate knitter. They are of course also the ideal instant gratification knits for the knitter who just want something simple to switch off with at the end of the day
Maggie Cardigan in Osprey - Iceland
The books light and simple photography echos the subtle pallet of neutrals, blues and occasional plums. The Maggie Cardigan uses the plump and squidgy Osprey in the softest tone of grey, but we think it this the prefect blank canvas for a bolder colour too.
Quince & Co. Osprey CW from top – Belize, Fjord and Kulimen’s Gull
Another classic cardie is Stella, over sized and ingenious! This garment can be worn upside down, allowing the length to become a cosy shawl collar.
Stella – knit with Lark in Damson. Photo courtesy of Quince & Co.
Stella in Lark – Hem Up. Photo courtesy of Quince & Co
If you’re not one for chunky knits then the most delicate mohair cardigan Anna is the most delightful wisp of colour and garter stitch. There is just something very satisfying about the humble garter stitch, which works to show off the soft halo of Piper, Quince & Co.’s mohair and merino blend.
Anna Cardigan in Piper. Photo courtesy of Quince & Co.
Plus, a pillow (or two!) is needed to make sure you’re perfectly comfy while knitting.
Liden and Alder pillows . Photo courtesy of Quince & Co.
And if you’re wondering what to do with all those scraps of bulky yarn …
Tai Basket in Puffin. Photo courtesy of Quince & Co.
Now if Home was your knits for winter, Madder Anthology One is the promise of spring. These pretty garments with their delicate stitch patterns embody the distinctive style of designer Carrie Bostick Hodge.
Art director and knitwear designer at Quince & Co. this anthology is a selection of soft and feminine designs. The patterns all stem from four unique ‘stitch stories’ that Carrie has effortlessly incorporated into her patterns. They reflect what she loves about knitting “beauty, movement and intrigue through stitches”.
Camilla from Madder Anthology by Carrie Bostick Hodge. Osprey in Sedum. Photocopyright of Carrie Bostick Hodge
The Camilla stitch pattern, a cascading fan boarded with eyelets, features on a jumper sized for both adults and babies.
Camilla Kid, Baby and Blanket from Madder Anthology by Carrie Bostick Hodge. Osprey in Frost, Egret and Clay. Photocopyright of Carrie Bostick Hodge.
Quince & Co. Osprey. CW from Top – Petal, Clay, Egret.
One of the qualities of many of the Quince & Co. yarns is its high twist. This means that it provides excellent stitch definition for these patterns, as shown in the elongated stitches of the Beatrice Cardigan.
Beatrice Cardigan in Lark from Madder Anthology by Carrie Bostick Hodge. Photocopyright of Carrie Bostick Hodge.
Quince & Co. Lark in Chanterelle.
Though we’ve been singing the praises of Quince & Co. (and we could for several posts!) Madder Anthology One features some other brands too. Loop is particularly pleased that the Sibella Cardigan gives us an excuse to chose our favourite shade in The Fibre Company’s Canopy Fingering.
Sibella Cardigan in The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering in Manatee. Madder Anthology 1 by Carrie Bostick Hodge. Photocopyright of Carrie Bostick Hodge.
Canopy Fingering is a gorgeously soft blend of alpaca, merino and bamboo. Each shade has the a blend of colours, giving the most subtle heather to this drapey and smooth yarn.
The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering - CW from Top – Purple Passion, River Dolphin and Palmbud
The fourth stitch pattern from Madder Anthology One is Imogen, a cascade of floral lace, this time using Quince and Co.’s wool and silk blend Tern.
Imogen Tee in Tern -Terra Cotta. Madder Anthology by Carrie Bostick Hodge. Photocopyright of Carrie Bostick Hodge.
And if these luscious designs weren’t enough we are thrilled to have Madder Anthology Two arriving in February! Expect the same beautiful stitch details and gorgeous photography from the talented Carrie. Just send us a email, shop@loopknitting.com, if you would like to be notified when this (or any other item) is in stock.
Quince & Co. Tern. CW from top L- Mist, Terra Cotta, Oyster, Prouts Neck.
And if you’re still not sure what to knit remember that our first Knit Along for Sous Sous starts on the 1st February!
Sous Sous is available to purchase as a PDF and a printed pattern, so make sure you get your copy of the pattern.
Also we are receiving a huge delivery of Madelinetosh Merino DK and Eden Cottage Bowland DK at the end of the month so everyone can chose their perfect colour in time.
We’ll be guiding you every step of the way with expert tips and tutorials, so come join the fun at the Loop group on Ravelry!
Happy Knitting!
Happy 2015! We hope you’ve all had wonderful holiday and are ready to kick start your wooly based resolutions into action! We have new workshops with inspirational designers, lessons in the basics of crochet and knitting (because this is the year you’re going to master those new techniques) and an exciting knit along for our gorgeous pattern Sous Sous!
First, a little more about our Sous Sous knit along. This swingy textured jumper designed for Loop by cable queen Norah Gaughan was released late last year – and we’ve been in love with it ever since. To celebrate this special collaboration we will be holding a knit along (KAL) which we will start officially on the 1st February.
There will be tutorials and technical help from Norah Gaughan and our resident technical editor Rachel Atkinson. All the details are on our new Sous Sous KAL forum topic on Ravelry, so make sure you join in the fun there!
The aim is to complete Sous Sous by 1st May – of course you don’t have to finish your jumper for then, but every completed project that is posted on the forum will be entered into our prize draw. One finished project will be chosen at random and the winner will receive a £25 Loop gift voucher to spend on anything their heart desires!
The yarn recommended for Sous Sous is Madelinetosh DK, which is currently being parcelled up and shipped to Loop especially for you all! You can browse our Sous Sous blog post for some inspiration or see all the colours here. If there is a particular shade you are after just email the shop and we can be sure to let you know when it arrives.
Madelinetosh Merino DK in Antique Lace
We’re planning our version with Eden Cottage Bowland DK and again Loop is expecting another big delivery at the end of this month – rather perfect timing, Now it’s just a case of choosing a colour…
To keep up to date with the KAL be sure to join the Loop group on Ravelry.
This weekend Loop is playing host to Melanie Berg, teaching her shawl construction and colour work classes, and Hélène Magnússon revealing the secrets of steeking.
These workshops are now fully booked, but don’t despair as we have many more courses lined up for the new year. For those of you who have perfected the basics of sock knitting and are ready to expand your skills we have a Sock Knitting Master Class taught by Holger Auffenberg, known on Ravelry as General Hogbuffer.
His class will cover how to adjust existing designs to your individual taste and fit requirements plus how to tackle more complicated patterns. As it it covering the more technical elements of sock knitting it is important you are already comfortable with the main elements used when constructing a basic sock.
Known at Loop for her adorable crochet creations Adrianna Torres, the designer and maker behind Miga De Pan will be teaching an embroidery class. Visiting from Argentina, she will teach three classes at Loop on the 5th, 6th and 7th June.
We also have our ‘classic’ collection of lessons rescheduled for the new year. Chose from beginners and improvers classes in knitting and crochet, as well as Fair Isle, Continental Knitting and introduction to Lace. All the dates are times are detailed here, so just give the shop a call if you have any questions or want to book a place.
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!