Welcoming Old Friends, Finding New Favourites

When was the last time you found a new favourite? Whether it’s stumbling on a hidden bakery no one seems to know about or following a tip from a friend to see a new favourite view of your city, that little thrill you get when you first find something you just know is going to become a huge part of your life is like gold dust.

That’s what happened to us with Valdani Threads. Susan first heard about this incredible brand from Aitor Saraiba (more on his joint residency at Loop with Tomomi Mimura below!) and instantly fell in love. These have Loop written all over them. From the classic label in each spool to the effortlessly cool vintage colour combinations they create, we simply could not wait to get these into the shop.

The quality of these is exquisite. Long-staple Egyptian cotton threads are carefully produced and dyed in small batches by Valdani in Romania, ensuring a beautiful finished product. The variegation is very much intentional — in fact, Valdani has honed the art of the perfect variegation: not so short that you can’t use segments of the thread for solid-coloured detail, and not so long that the effect of the colour play is lost in larger work.

These threads are incredible for all kinds of stitching work, from embroidery to quilting. These No. 12 threads bring precision and subtle texture to your stitches in addition to a really gorgeous depth of colour that makes your work stand out so much more. We utterly adore these, and we’re planning to use them for years to come.

Aitor Saraiba and Tomomi Mimura Take London!

Our week with Tomomi Mimura (aka @mimstermade) and Aitor Saraiba (@aitorsaraiba) is fast approaching and we’re getting very excited! We can’t wait for so much fabulous creativity during the week of May 18th. Many of you have already signed up to the classes Tomomi and Aitor are hosting together and individually, but there are plenty more ways to get involved. There are spaces available in the afternoon session of the Embroidered Bear Workshop on Saturday the 23rd of May (and one spot in the morning session on Wednesday the 20th of May, too!) This very special embroidered bear is the result of an exclusive collaboration between Tomomi and Aitor, combining their signature styles and motifs into one incredible piece. The two will teach this class together at the stunningly gorgeous historic Crafts Council in Islington. It’s truly an honour to have the opportunity to work in this building.

We’ve also now stocked up on all of Tomomi’s books, if you want to study up before her visitTiny Friends: A Guide to Mosaic Embroidery, Embroidery with Darning Stitch Book, Large Darning Embroidery, and Small Darning Embroidery are all beautiful explorations of her work, and the perfect way to learn more about her “mosaic” style of embroidery. We also have more Alice Kits from Aitor. Use this hand-chosen selection of vintage textiles and beautiful threads to express yourself and explore new ways of stitching!

Let’s Crochet! Issue 2 Preorder

Last year Laine released a special “one-shot” issue of Laine Magazine on crochet. That issue was such a smash hit that they’ve brought it back again this year! Issue 2 of Let’s Crochet! is a wonderful celebration of all things crochet, with 17 new patterns from fabulous designers all over the world, an interview with Canadian fibre artist and activist Alexandria Masse, and the story of a lifelong knitter who found a whole new way to craft when she picked up crochet. This issue is currently on preorder and will ship on launch day, the 2nd of April!

Classes

We’re so pleased to have loads of classes in the diary over the next few months (in addition to the excellent classes Aitor and Tomomi will host while they’re here) including some absolute Loop favourites. Celia Pym will be back in the shop to teach her ever-popular Mending Workshop a few times this year. The first is on the 9th of May, though there are only a couple of spots left on that! She’ll return on the 18th of July, 12th of September, and 14th of November for additional sessions. You can find out more about Celia’s approach to mending and her wonderful work to help more people practice this essential craft in her latest book, Socks: Imaginative Mending!

Judit Gummlich will also be back in the shop to teach three more sessions of her wonderful Embroidery on Knits Workshop in July (on the 25th and 26th) and in October (on the 4th). These sessions help you learn and apply the techniques she explores in her book of the same name. When we hosted this workshop a few weeks ago the creations were truly stunning! Bring your favourite knit piece, or an older one that needs a little zhuzh, and you’ll leave with something truly special and unique.

Finally, Roseanna Murray will host an Crochet Heirloom Quilt Class on the 28th of June, exploring different motifs that can be stitched together into a quilt or a whole range of other gorgeous things. This is perfect for people who want to take their crochet skills to the next level! Make sure you know the basic magic circle, chain and slip stitch, and double and treble crochet stitches.

Embroidered Sophie Kit Restock — and a New Colour!

Our Embroidered Sophie Kit is quickly becoming one of the most popular things in the shop! We’re so glad you all love this combination of Hedgehog Fibres Tweedy, Camarose Midnatssol, and embroidery on knitting as much as we do. We’re super chuffed to have restocked these kits across the colours “Bliss”, “Connemara”, and “Moonlight” and we’re absolutely thrilled to have added the brand new colour “Dreamy in Light” to our collection. Don’t forget you’ll save 10% on these yarns and on the PetiteKnit printed Sophie Scarf pattern (if you choose to include it) when you buy as part of this kit. The discount will be applied at checkout!

Tulip Tapestry Needles and Case

We may have just found our new favourite bit of haberdashery. The Tulip Tapestry Needles and Case is everything you want in a piece of craft equipment. Made by Tulip in collaboration with the Japan Amigurumi Association, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, this limited-edition set is a perfect tribute to the meticulous craft of amigurumi. The tools themselves are gorgeously crafted and highly specialised, they come in a convenient case with room for you to add your own favourite bits, and (maybe most important) it’s hard to lose at the bottom of your craft basket! The needles themselves were created with Amigurumi in mind. Their tips are slightly rounded to allow you to complete your finishing touches without splitting the yarn, they’re extra long so you can get from the top of a piece to the bottom without losing your needle in the middle, and the eyes are extra large for easy threading. If that sounds like the perfect tool for more than just amigurumi, you’re not alone! Enjoy the superior craftsmanship of these gorgeous needles, and keep track of your other notions while you’re at it!