Creative Sparks for Crafty Larks
This is one of those weeks where absolutely all the things that have arrived in the shop (and a few things in the works) seem to inspire. From the ink and paper of recently arrived publications to the tactile sensations of yarn coloured by the plants of the Dorset hills, we just can’t get enough!
In Print
One of our favourite places to look for textile inspiration is Selvedge Magazine. This stunner of a periodical never fails to floor us with its breathtaking images. The latest issue spotlights the makers who are reinvigorating rural life and reviving heritage crafts in the process. It explores how technology first drove people into cities and away from rural life during the Industrial Revolution — and how it’s now enabling a return to the very traditions previously deemed “backward”. And if you’re feeling as inspired as we are, it even contains a practical guide to making your own escape to the country!
In Person
We’re thrilled to welcome Aitor Saraiba back to the shop in October. We were first wowed by the Spanish multimedia artist’s stitching techniques back in February, when he hosted a sold-out Incredible Stitching Workshop at Loop. He’ll run another Incredible Stitching session when he returns on 5 October as well as bringing his super popular Swatch Roll Workshop to Loop in two sessions on 4 October. All the materials for both classes are included. For the Incredible Stitching Workshop, that means a stitching kit developed by Aitor containing a linen fabric base, unique textiles for stitching, a picture of Aitor’s own stitching art for inspiration, and step-by-step instructions to create your own. For the Swatch Roll session, you’ll receive a scroll of fabric for stitching, textiles to incorporate into your piece, and a variety of yarn — including wool from Aitor’s own sheep! We expect all of these sessions to fill up quickly!
Most confident knitters have a few tricks up their sleeve, and now there’s a perfect way to add a few more cards to your deck with Sophie Heathscott’s Nifty Knitter’s Tips and Tricks class at Loop. Whether you want to save time and frustration, avoid common pitfalls, or learn work-arounds for tricky techniques, this class will definitely take your knitting to the next level! We’ll host this three-hour class on Saturday 21 June and Saturday 11 October — both dates are selling quickly!
In Fibre
Gorgeous yarn alert! Katie May of Elliott & May has sent her incredible Naturally Dyed Mini Sets of superwash merino. These hand-dyed yarns capture the wild colours of Dorset, where Katie lives and forages for her dye materials among the hills and hedgerows. Each set of six 20g skeins presents a lovely gradient of natural hues, from the moody blues and earthy greens of “Meadow” to the rich and comforting reds of “Bloom”. We’re so chuffed to have these in the shop!
And speaking of gorgeous yarn, Le Gros Silk Mohair from Biches & Bûches is on sale while supplies last. The colours of this yarn have been designed to coordinate with the other Biches & Bûches bases so it’s easy to hold double, and it’s also great to use as an alternative to DK or worsted weight yarns when you want to achieve a slightly lighter effect. Stock up now!
In Kits
We’ve welcomed a lovely new felt kit from Corinne Lapierre! The sweet Folk Squirrel Felt Kit celebrates the beloved red squirrel. Like all of Corinne’s kits, this is a calming project that pays homage to heritage stitching traditions and, when finished, makes a darling ornament that will make your home feel cosy. This kit has super clear instructions and contains everything you need to make your very own squirrel — even the toy stuffing!
We also have stocked up on the ever-popular Scout Kits and On the Spice Market Kits! Both of these shawls are colourful, engaging knits that make beautiful finished pieces. Scout designer Florence Spurling and On the Spice Market designer Melanie Berg have created some of the most popular patterns and kits at Loop, and these two are no exception! The Scout Kit includes five colours of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light while the On the Spice Market kit features seven colours of La Bien Aimée Merino Singles. Each kit saves you from buying full skeins of the contrast colours that aren’t fully utilised in the patterns.
In Use
We’re chock-a-block full of ChiaoGoo! We’ve restocked all the incredible haberdashery loveliness from this brand, from needle sets to tool kits and more. Dependable tools are the most basic knitting essential, and these ones are time-tested favourites. Stock up on your new go-to supplies or find a new must-have!
This post of yours is pretty inspirational itself, in many different ways. Thank you! I agree with your thoughts about the Selvedge Magazine; it’s gorgeous.