Welcoming Woolia — the Wonder Yarn from Gepard!

How would you describe your perfect yarn? If you asked most knitters they’d probably say soft but hardy, versatile, ethically produced, and with tons of colour options — oh, and affordable too. Pipe dream, right?

Well, we’re not sure how, but the lovely folks over at Gepard have cracked the code. Wonderful Woolia ticks just about every box you could throw at it. Cosy but robust? tick. Wide range of colours, from brights to neutrals? tick. Suited to a range of needle sizes? tick. Organic? tick. Focused on animal welfare? tick. Easy on the eyes as well as the wallet? tick and tick.

It also plays nicely with others — you can hold it double with another yarn like Kid Seta Silk Mohair or combine it with accents of super poppy yarns like Teddy Dear to push the look and feel beyond its DK/Aran weight roots.

From the olive groves of Puglia where the heritage sheep breed whose wool is used in this yarn are raised to your needles, every step of the process of producing this yarn is ethical and traceable. Not only should that give you comfort, it also results in a better product.

This yarn is so great we kind of can’t stop thinking of things we want to use it to knit. It brings all the cosiness we’re currently craving without giving an inch on the style front. Just what we love!

The Busan Sweater by aegyoknit was developed holding Woolia and Kid Seta together. This simple silhouette with a big braided cable down the middle is a sophisticated piece that really shows up the best of the yarns. Anne Ventzel also developed her Villa Wrap using these two yarns. This piece is equally at home poolside or at the ski resort. And while Anne’s Super Selene sweater was developed using different yarns, we think Woolia and Kid Seta would work a treat on that pattern too. (And while we’re on the subject, Super Selene would also be nice in Snefnug held with a laceweight silk mohair.)

One of our favourite things about Woolia is the really wonderful range of colours it’s available in, and the Tandfe Sweater by Skabagtig really makes the most of that feature. The houndstooth-like repeating colourwork pattern here is super fun and eye-catching, not to mention a blast to knit!

Some other fabulous patterns that were developed using different yarns have been shown to work super well with Woolia. The Esther Jacket by PetiteKnit uses two strands to make an Aran weight, but a single strand of Woolia would do the trick. The knobby Bernie Cardigan by Clarissa Schellong is an absolute classic, and the boxy Eurus Sweater screams “autumnal comfort”.

There are also some beautiful pieces that are made with a strand of Kid Seta along with another DK/Aran weight yarn where Woolia could easily be substituted. The Helia sweater by Joanna Ang, Hilda Structure Sweater by Spektakelstrik, and Cable Raglan Sweater by Sus Gepard are all intricately textured pieces where Woolia would shine.

Finally, for little ones, the Juicy Sweater Junior by Popknit is a Gepard bonanza, using Woolia as well as Gepard’s chunky bouclé yarn Teddy Dear. No matter what cosiness you’re cooking up this winter, Woolia won’t let you down!

Lærke Bagger Old and New!

“Europe’s coolest knitter” Lærke Bagger is back at it with an all new book featuring her signature approach to knitting — big, bold, and wild! Knit it Out delves deeper into Lærke’s belief in therapeutic knitting, exploring her fraught relationship with her father in three personal essays and 12 unique patterns with more than 30 variations. This is a truly touching book that reminds us all why we knit and just might help you through whatever emotional journey you’re on right now. We also have Lærke’s first book, Close Knit back in stock. Make it a double bill!

Even More from Rico

We’re thrilled to have more of the much adored, long-awaited Mini Shawls and Made by Me booklets! These beauties sold so quickly last time we had them, and it’s no wonder why. They’re the perfect collection of super stylish, quick to knit projects. And we’re super excited to have this year’s Rico 2024 Crochet Advent Calendar! Behind each of the 24 doors there is a little treasure that will help you make a crochet gingerbread house over the course of the month, with detailed instructions provided each Sunday. Plus, the calendar is eco-friendly and reusable. You could even save it to assemble your own crafty advent calendar next year! And it goes without saying that this gingerbread decoration will immediately become a staple of the annual rotation. You can also get Rico’s “Christmas Rocks” Advent Calendar for more festive flair.

Keeping a Journal with Jessie Chorley

Writers write, photographers photograph, stitchers stitch. We all have ways of keeping track of the big moments in our lives, and Jessie Chorley’s latest book celebrates the art of stitching as a way of telling our stories. Journal with Threads introduces the reader to the practice and encourages some curatorial habits to collect and showcase the items and memories most precious to you. And if this practice appeals to you, stay tuned next week when we’ll be introducing a very special collection that will put your new stitch journaling habit into overdrive!

In the meantime, enjoy your WIPs!