Autumn at Loop: What’s New
Few would dispute that autumn is knitting season. Whether you’re getting started on holiday knits or furiously finishing the frills that will keep you warm through the season, there’s no doubt that crafting is on the brain.
Pre-order Worsted – A Knitwear Collection Curated by Aimée Gille
Aimée Gille of La Bien Aimée has curated her first collection of knitwear and it’s now available for pre-order! We can’t wait to get our hands on this one. Worsted features 14 patterns by 10 heavy-hitting designers, including some of our favourite collaborators: Stephen West, Andrea Mowry, Norah Gaughan, and so many more. All of the designs use La Bien Aimée’s new Corrie Worsted yarn, a hand-dyed melange of Falkland Corriedale and Gotland wool. The latter gives the yarn a grey heathered base, adding beautiful depth to the colours. From sweaters and cardigans to shawls and hats featuring stripes, colourwork and textured patterns, Worsted will keep your needles clicking along this winter.
We’re especially looking forward to the Azucena colourwork pattern designed by Nadia Crétin-Lechenne, which can be worked either as a sweater or a cardigan and celebrates comfort, warmth and love. If texture is more your bag, you can’t beat the Perennial sweater designed by Norah Gaughan. This cabled design is a detailed structural masterpiece, worked in pieces and then seamed. The large, cabled Saraya shawl also brings lovely texture and a hint of flirtation using five skeins of Corrie Worsted. Designer Saysha Greene says it is inspired by romance and the excitement of romantic love, which is something we can all celebrate. True to form, Stephen West’s Knitprovisation shawl is a bright and colourful exploration of texture. We’ll be offering kits for Knitprovisation in two different colourways, or you can mix and match the different hues of this yarn to your heart’s content.
Left: Knitprovisation by Stephen West. Right: Saraya by Saysha Greene
More pattern previews from Worsted are coming out weekly on La Bien Aimée’s blog. Check it out for special insights into the process behind these gorgeous designs. Please note any items purchased with this pre-order will ship when the book is released in mid-November.
November Beginner Knitting Classes
Looking to start knitting? Autumn is the time for it, and we have a series of classes that will set you off on the right track. Under the tutelage of Loopette Emma Brace, our Beginner Knitting Classes teach you the basics of knitting: how to cast on, knit and purl, increase and decrease, add colour and texture, and cast off. A series of three sessions of two hours each are designed to give you the confidence to plan your own projects. Held on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Loop shop, this course is designed to fit around busy schedules. Our next beginner series will be held on November 10th, 17th and 24th. Sign up now!
New Celia Pym Mending Workshop Dates for Winter
We are so excited to welcome the queen of visible darning, Celia Pym, back to the Loop virtual workshop space throughout the winter. Since 2007, Celia has been mending everyday holes from wear and tear, moth damage and more extensive damage from water and nesting animals. This Mending Workshop explores how to repair knitted and woollen textiles and why it’s so important. With tenderness and care, participants practice mending and learn about artists working in the mending space. This series of workshops will take place on Zoom, allowing participants from all over the world as well as those who may be limited from coming to the shop for other reasons to enjoy Celia’s teaching. Celia’s workshops are always popular. In fact, her November Loop workshop has already sold out! Space is still available for January, February and March dates.
2022 Workshops with Julie Arkell
We’re excited to announce two more dates for Julie Arkell’s lovely Creature Workshop. This all-day workshop allows participants to get creative decorating and embellishing a papier-mache doll handmade by Julie with sewing and knitting patterns and a great range of supplies, as well as any particular treasures you might bring from home. Julie’s workshops at Loop through the end of 2021 have already sold out, but we’re pleased to be welcoming her back on February 20th and May 8th 2022.
The lovely Anne Kelly came to Loop recently for a book signing and left behind some delightful little treasures. Her totally unique Mini Bird Houses and Textile Brooches showcase her signature mixed media textile work and make beautiful adornments. These would make fantastic holiday gifts for any craft lover. Can’t you imagine them just poking out of the top of a stocking on Christmas morning? Anne will also be back at Loop on February 19th to lead another Folk Art Sampler Workshop following the success of the two held during London Craft Week.
These super precise, easy to handle snips are a fantastic choice for crafters, allowing fine control and clean cuts on yarns, threads and even lightweight rope. The industrial stainless steel is finished with midnight coating for a matte black effect. If black just isn’t your colour maybe the gold coated LDH Imperial Thread Snips will be more your speed.
Have a cosy weekend!
Leave a Reply