Festive Season Takes Flight at Loop!

The daylight is dwindling, there’s a chill in the air, and everywhere we go around London twinkly lights are starting to appear hung on streetlights and strung across alleys. There’s no denying it: the holidays are here!

We do get a thrill this time of year. With plenty of gifts to be given and shivery mornings to wrap up against, the last few months of the year are always a knitter’s delight. And this year we can’t wait to make merry. To kick the season off in style, we’re uber thrilled to have Wallace Sewell Fabric Ribbon Bundles in the shop. We’ve been coveting these little gems for years. We love how they embody the spirit of valuing and using every little bit of beauty and minimising waste, and of course we always love to work with other businesses based in Islington! Whether you have a craft project in mind or just want some extra-special gift toppers this year, these ribbon bundles are totally gorgeous.

Speaking of zero-waste beauty, we’ve got more delightful Fabric Swatches from Minä Perhonen in the shop! Minä Perhonen is on a mission to bring beauty into the every day, and that means they treasure every small piece of wonder they produce. These gorgeous and unique collections of bijou motifs are offcuts from larger pieces of fabric, ensuring nothing goes to waste. They’re perfect for stitchwork, whether you’re adding an extra-special mend to your favourite thing to wear or bringing some folklore-inspired artwork into a quilt or wall hanging. If there are stitchers on your gift list, these swatches would make the perfect surprise pack!

Now is also a fabulous time to start crocheting a mistletoe garland or wreath using our Mistletoe Garland Free Crochet Pattern. Gift toppers, home decor, brooches, and more, this crocheted motif has so many applications over the holidays. And by mixing and matching BC Garn Lino colours you can achieve so many different effects!

Book Signing Meet & Greet with Aleks Byrd

Don’t forget this Sunday is our Meet & Greet with Aleks Byrd to celebrate her latest book, Kindred Knits: Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives. This book is a glorious exploration of family history and the craft traditions of Estonia, and we can’t wait to see the whole trunk show! Joining Aleks will be Jonna Helin of Laine Publishing, whose knowledge of the knitting world knows no bounds! It promises to be a really lovely afternoon. Stop by between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday the 9th of November — no need to book. See you there!

Signed Granny Square Stitches Card Decks

We were so pleased so many of you could make it to our Meet + Greet with Claire Montgomerie last weekend for a preview of her Granny Square Stitches Card Deck. If you couldn’t make it, don’t fret — Claire has now signed all copies of the card deck that are currently in stock at Loop! Claire’s card decks are always popular, and we’re chuffed that these ones have a little something extra.

New Cosy Knits

As we head into cosy season, two patterns are top of mind: Sailor Slippers by Annie Germain and Sweater No. 33 by My Favourite Things. If these two pieces can’t keep you warm, nothing can! The Sailor Slippers have totally taken the knitting world by storm since they launched just a few weeks ago. Chunky knits are so satisfying this time of year, minimising the time between cast on and cuddling up. Mrs Moon Plump has been flying off the shelves as so many of you rush to get a pair of these knitted up, and De Rerum Natura Cyrano or BC Garn Hamilton Tweed 2 would be good choices as well. Can you imagine everyone in the family lined up on Christmas morning with a custom pair? Too cute!

Less than a week since the pattern launched, we’re already in love with Sweater No. 33. It’s the perfect couch to conference room piece that will keep you feeling comfortable and stylish no matter what you’re up to. It urses Isager Silk Mohair (or the lace weight yarn of your choice) held double with an extra fluffy worsted weight yarn like CaMaRose Host, CaMaRose Snefnug (or Snefnug Organic Natural), or Biches & Buches Le Cotton & Alpaca. This one is going to be on heavy rotation this winter!

Bomboloni Blanket Kits

Lovely news for those of you who have been waiting patiently for one of our fab Bomboloni Babette Kits — they are back and nearly ready to ship! We’ll start sending these on Tuesday 11 November. In the meantime there are still more available to preorder so you can be at the top of the list to get these as they come in. This kit is really so special to us, and we’re sure it’ll be special to you. Designed by Kathy Merrick, this blanket was a favourite shop sample for years and has always been destined to become a modern heirloom. In your hands, it’ll become a special item that your family will treasure for decades to come.

Laine 27 Preorder

The winter issue of Laine Magazine is launching on 28 November and it’s available now to preorder! The theme of this issue is “Dawn” and it’s full of inspiration for the season ahead and beyond. This issue also marks the first in Laine’s new approach to the magazine, with more knitting inspiration and patterns in each issue. We can’t wait to crack this one open!

Thank You for Helping Us Fundraise for Charity!

We are so grateful for everyone who bought a sample from our Sample Sale for Charity. We raised £1,853! With Loop matching funds we were able to donate that amount to both The Trussell Trust and MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians). In addition, we raised £960 for MAP through our fundraiser on Instagram. We are incredibly touched and proud that we’ve raised and donated so much money to these two incredible organisations together. Don’t forget, today is the last day to enter our Charity Donation Prize Draw to win one of the really gorgeous bundles of 20th anniversary goodies we put together, with proceeds going to the same two charities. We’ll be closing entries at midnight GMT and drawing our winners on Sunday. Bonne chance!

xoxo