Whimsical, thoughtful and charming, Julie Arkell’s work gives us a moment to reflect on the magic of making. After the success of her exhibition ‘Away’ at Ruthin Craft Centre last year, we’ve just had whole flock of Julie’s creatures come to visit. Carefully handmade from papier mâché with homely knitted outfits and embroidered details, each has their own personality and story.
One of the many joys of knitting or crochet is the portability of the craft. Several of us keep projects in our bags for the daily commute or to have with us for those ‘just in case’ moments when our hands are idle. And taking your latest work in progress to your local knit night is another occasion where your craft relocates. Project bags can therefore sometimes be an overlooked knitting essential when you are out and about. Not just practical as they keep your project clean and untangled, but as these designs by Melissa Wastney (Tiny Happy) show, they can be truly beautiful. …
What would a beautiful piece of knitting be without the perfect accessories to compliment it? Whether an essential tool or the finishing touch of a button we love finding the right piece of haberdashery to delight you. We are currently counting down the days to the Selvedge Winter Fair at the end of this month where Loop will be selling a selection of treats and gift ideas. So here’s a little post to show off some of our favourite pieces and introduce you to some stunning new additions. Plus, in this weeks exciting competition we are giving you the chance …
As well as making sure that Loop inspires you with the most beautiful materials, we also love selecting handmade delights. From Sophie Digard’s scarves to Julie Arkell’s creatures, we know you appreciate the artistry and skill captured in a well made piece. This October we are thrilled to be part of the Selvedge Winter Fair, so we thought we would introduce you to a few special chaps before you meet them in person. The adorable lions are hand crocheted by designer Adriana Torres, the creator of Miga De Pan. Adriana brings her creative background in architecture, graphic design illistration and fine art to produce these …
The Christmas season is in full frenzy now, with just under two weeks until the biggest gift giving day of the year. It can be easy to be swept away in it all, but two new arrivals at Loop have the power to make us pause and meditate on the small, special things in life. Often at this time of year, knitters and crocheters can think of nothing but the chunkiest of wools for whipping up quick projects (more on that next week!), but it turns out that the perfect gift you’ve been looking for might be the one made …
We journeyed north last week, introducing you to the best Scandinavia has to offer at Loop. Today we’re staying north, but a little closer to home – Scotland! Loop is full of beautiful yarn, patterns and gifts from this textile history-rich land and we’re so pleased to be sharing them with you in their best autumn colours.
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to babies these days at Loop – there are so many adorable patterns and other bits and bobs perfect for the wee ones in our lives! From sweet cardis to dapper pullovers, precious toys to darling buttons, there’s so much to indulge both new parents and little people alike. Take for instance our very own Mignon pattern, pictured above. Knit in less than 100 g of DK weight yarn it’s the perfect pattern for a special hand-dyed (and machine washable!) skein like The Uncommon Thread BFL Sport/DK or a lovely Cashmere Merino Silk …
Today we’re excited to show you two new but very different products now in stock at Loop – the gorgeous new shawls from French designer Sophie Digard and an amazing knitwear ‘de-piller’ called the Lilly Brush! First up we’re showing off these stunning crocheted and embroidered shawls. Perfect for throwing over your shoulders on a cool summer evening, the needlework is extraordinary – even mind-boggling. Above Emma’s modelling a crocheted stole in merino with velvety buds appearing in each flower motif. All the shawls are handmade using tiny threads in different colours blended together to make completely unique, wearable works …