Treasured Tools of the Trade

They say a poor workman blames his tools, so it must also be true that a good craftswoman venerates hers. From project to project, these loyal objects remain close at hand and always get the job done. Here are some of our most coveted and comforting tools of the trade.

Darning Jellyfish

You’ve heard of the darning egg, you’ve heard of the darning mushroom, but have you yet met the whimsical Darning Jellyfish by Hikaru Noguchi? This magical tool from this incredible designer at the vanguard of visible mending will surely not go amiss in your toolbox. Its flat bottom means it works well when placed on a flat surface as well as held in your hand and the elastic band ensures the item being mended is held taut. Prepare to see your mending pile diminish!

Feathered Friends Scissors

Can you ever really have enough scissors? The need arises so often we find it best to keep a pair in every project bag rather than try to find the one good pair each time a tail needs trimming. These Feathered Friends Scissors are the perfect addition to any collection. The adorned handles make them cute enough to display (another way to save on searching time) and their high quality stainless steel blades and sharp tips allow for anything from delicate trims to quick snips. The antiqued gold version of these scissors is currently in the shop, and from next week we will have an antiqued copper version as well.

Bee and Blossom Stitch Marker Sets

We have a new addition to our collection of Handmade Stitch Markers themed around Bees and Blossoms. These beauties from California use Czech glass and antiqued bronze flower beads to create the cutest little project helpers in four sweet colours. They come in sets of five stitch markers and one removable progress keeper that can also be used as a unique marker to establish the beginning of a round. We love these bees!

Qing Fibre Yarns

Of course a knitter’s favourite tool of all is her yarn, and our incredible range from Qing Fibres always ranks among our favourite wools to work with. Melted Baby Suri and Merino Singles have recently arrived in the shop and we’ve fallen in love all over again with the smooshy, soft, light texture of the Suri and the lustre and drape of the Singles. All of these yarns are gorgeously hand-dyed by Layla Qing in London and we just can’t get enough of them.

Previewing Aleks Byrd’s ‘Traditions Revisited’

We are so excited for Aleks Byrd’s book of modern Estonian knits to arrive in a few weeks, and we’re over the moon that there is now a sneak peak at the patterns and some images available to browse on our website. Full pattern previews are also available on Ravelry. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy!

Have a great weekend in your workshop!