Hello everyone. I can't believe we are nearly into September. It's been a super busy month for us here at KWM, new yarn, new books, new work in progress and finished objects. Its been fabulous seeing you all with your summer, and not so summer, project plans and ideas.
Graham and I managed to have a week away in Dorset and got back Saturday evening. A big thanks to Coral, Amelia, Mahwish and Chloe for looking after things whilst we were away and from your messages and reviews they clearly did a fabulous job! We stayed at a wee cottage in the middle of nowhere with no rain or distractions. Lots of reading, podcasts and of course knitting, plenty of food and great views. An absolute dream and well needed break for both of us. It went by far too quickly though, as always, but more so after realising on the second day that i'd forgotten cartridges for my insulin pump and having to drive 2.5 hours back to London to get them! Sorry Graham lol.
Doing different tasks uses different mental muscles and helps clear fatigue and refreshes my mind. I don't even think it needs to be wildly different to gain the benefits. A change in my environment stops me feeling stuck in a rut. Although, rut is not a good word to use and I adore what I do. However even a change to the same daily journey on the tube really breaks the monotony. New surroundings and activities help spark curiosity for me and helps bring my focus back and restore my energy, motivation and excitement. The only negative I could think of is missing you guys, my team and our cat Frankie. Do you feel the same once returned from a break?
We are back now and excited to get back into things at the shop and we have plenty to share. So once back from your Bank Holiday escapades, pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and lets dive in.
Finished Projects
It's taken me a while to finish my Lillie Tee by Kolibri by Johanna (1), and now it's done the weather has started to change. Isn't it always the way? It was a simple knit and the lace pattern is intuitive and memorable so I didn't have to keep looking back and forth to the chart. Pasculai Suave is an unbelievably soft and fluffy cotton which feels like clouds against your skin. However, I have to be honest, I lost my mojo half way through. This happens once or twice a year for me.
With lots of encouragement from you, our lovely customers, in person and on social media, I decided to pick up something completely different to refresh my mojo. I started a crochet project called the Shell Bag by Lilla Bjorn (2) using Noro ITO. It was a quick project and I adore how it has turned out. I've used a PetiteKnit leather strap to finish it off and a snap for a closure. The texture is incredible and Lilla's video links in her pattern were super helpful to my rusty crochet skills. It's one of those patterns you don't want to put down as the yarn colour changes. What do you think?
By the time I'd finished the bag I was ready to go again with the Lillie Tee. I've had a lot of compliments about this tee and the colour on me so we added Lillie Tee Kits to the website. It adds a nice pop to my classic autumnal wardrobe.
My other finished project is my Zakkuri Cardigan by Noriko Ichikaza (3). Well, nearly finished. I started this last year but then got distracted and it went to the naughty corner. I took it with me on holiday last week to make progress and actually finished it. I used De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in the colour Cacao. It looks great, a bit like a knitted bomber jacket, but the sleeves have turned out a little long on me after blocking. I'm trying to decide between re-doing the cuffs or cutting them and grafting them back after unravelling an inch. What would you do? Then I get to choose buttons!
So many NEW goodies ... buckle-up.
Kumula by Gepard | 100% Fluffy Cashmere
£15.50
Oh my! Kumula is a fluffy 100% cashmere yarn made entirely from pure cashmere fibres, chosen to create a light, airy, and exceptionally soft yarn. It feels incredible next to the skin and retains its shape through wear. The high fibre quality also ensures minimal pilling and long-term durability. The perfect combo and we have plenty of ideas for how you can use it!
- Nelli Scarf by Lisa Hannes
- Blouse No. 5 - My Favourite Things
- Cloudy busan - aegyoknit, by Karoline Skovgaard Bentsen
- Fold Wrap by Anne Ventzel
- The Living Scarf by Sus Gepard
Le Gros Silk & Mohair | Biches & Bûches
£18.90
Its finally here. Amelia has been asking on a weekly basis lol. Le Gros Silk & Mohair by Biches & Buches is made of 28% Mulberry Silk and 72% Super Kid Mohair, creating a beautifully soft, luxurious and fatter silk mohair yarn. Biches & Buches developed this yarn with their producers in Italy renowned for their expertise and for their respectful, responsible practices toward both the environment and the people who work there.
Looking for ideas for using this yarn. We gotcha as always!
- Flock Vest by Teti Lutsack
- Listopera by Teti Lutsak
- Jamie by Aurélie Tixier
- Seaside Shawl by Biches & Bûches
- Yuki No Hi No by eri shimizu
- Christstollen Sweater by Soumine KIM
- Pousse Cafe by Thea Colman
Bambok | Manos Del Uruguay Merino + Bamboo
£19.50
I popped straight over to the shop after Knit + Natter yesterday to photograph this beauty as I just couldn't wait to get it on the website and on the shop floor after it arrived last week when we were on holiday. Manos Del Uruguay Bambok blends 70% superwash merino with 30% bamboo to deliver everything you want in a sock yarn: softness, resilience and the stunning colours Manos are known for. The merino brings classic softness and bounce, while the bamboo adds breathability and increased strength without the use of any nylon. This provides a naturally anti-microbial quality to the sock base, creating a perfect balance for hand-knit socks that feel luxurious yet durable. However, don't stop at socks. This yarn is great for any type of knitting including shawls, jumpers, cardigans and hats. Also great to hold with another yarn such as a lace silk mohair and knit together at a Sport/DK gauge.
Hope Sweater Kit
Elenor Mortensen + Ainsworth & Prin
from
£73.70
The stunning Hope Sweater by Eleanor Mortesen is a loose-fitting sweater with lace and cable patterns along all the edges. The pattern instructions describe the long-sleeve and short sleeve version and this kit is for the long sleeve version as shown in the photographs.
This kit is only available in the suggested A&P Merino Silk singles in the colour shown in the photographs, Wormwood. Choose your size and the correct number of skeins will be added to the basket along with a copy of the Ravelry pattern. Please be aware that even though it is only available in one colour you still need to choose the colour to add it to your basket.
Knit The City Building Blocks | Jake Henzler
£16.99
A fun collection of stranded colourwork and intarsia knitting charts to make buildings inspired by iconic cities including London, Paris, Copenhagen, Sydney, Amsterdam, Prague and New York. I took this on holiday with me as had thought about making a wall hanging of the KWM shop front but the colours I took weren't quite right so I've popped it on hold till i can have a good look at colours again when back in the shop.
Australian designer, Jake Henzler who is known as Boy Knits World, has created knitted building blocks for classic buildings from well-known cities around the world. There are guidelines for yarn amounts and the number of blocks needed to make three different sized projects for each city: a large blanket; and baby blanket and a cushion cover but you can use your knitted building blocks however you like - the world is your oyster!
Inkari Stuffed Alpaca Animals
from
£27.00
They are back! Each year we get these beautiful Inkari Stuffed Alpaca Animals which have to be squished to be believed. Words cannot do justice to how adorable, and crazy soft, these stuffed Alpaca animals are. We usually get them in around October but have them early this year and we just don't know if we will be able to get any more in before ... ok I'll say it ... Christmas. Sorry!!!
We have a new size this time around, the mini and they are scrummy!
Over the past 7 years Inkari have created a community of over 100 families from Peru who are working together to grow and improve all of the livelihoods in the community including the animals and the farmers. Each of these stuffed animals has been hand made by the Inkari community in Peru.
Fancy learning something new?
For the month of September we have one or two spots left in our upcoming workshops. We have Chloe introducing you to all things crochet in our beginners workshop where you will make some fingerless gloves, and an introduction to interlocking crochet where you will make a lovely little wallet guided by the fabulous Sophie.
We have spaces left in our Sashiko workshop where you will make a little cedar pouch and ONE spot left in our sock knitting workshop for beginners in October. Its great to learn as part of a group and in person and all of our classes are held upstairs in the Richmond Hill store in our dedicated workshop space.
Introduction to Sashiko Workshop | Cedar Stitch Pouch
Introduction to Sock Knitting Workshop
Knit With Me 100% Cotton Tote Bag
We are over the moon with our new Knit With Me 100% Cotton Tote shoulder bags (it only took 3 years) and you guys have been loving it too! These tote bags are made from are undyed 100% cotton and have a gusset all the way around so it can fit lots of yummy yarn, or your laptop, trainers and a water bottle. It has a hand drawn image of our Richmond Hill shop on the front including our cat sculpture upstairs in the window. Thanks to Graham, the bag also has an inside pocket with a 10cm "swatch aid" so no more excuses lol
You guys have been loving them so much that we have already sold out! Click this link and add your email for an automatic notification of when we get a restock later next month so you don't miss out.
What the KWM Team are working on
A little update about what is on the teams needles and hooks. I swatched for the Lash Lash Sweater by Anne Ventzel (1) using a very luxurious combo as a real holiday treat. I have knit Gepard Kumula held together with Gepard Horsilke for swatches in the shop and immediately fell in love. I swatched the colourwork pattern using a couple of different needle sizes to see what fabric I liked and opted to use the needles as recommended in the knitting pattern. Everyone at Knit + Natter loved the swatches, so we might have a few more Lash Lash sweaters in the works soon and I was very excited cast-on last night. Finally, I also started the Floks Vest by Teti Lutsak (2) using Biches & Buches le gros Silk Mohair, a new addition to the KWM shop offerings and its knitting up so quickly.
Amelia is currently working on the Balabonnet by Simone Bergh (3). She is using Camarose Snefnug held double and its knitting up a treat and will be finished soon.
Coral is currently on holiday up in Scotland with family and their Tunisian Crochet travel project is the Fabled Cable Top by Ashley Rivas (4). It still blows my mind what can be done in Tunisian or standard crochet, especially cables. Coral is using Lang Vaya in the colour 0097. Looking forward to seeing how this looks when they get back.
You've reached the end! Well done!! Sorry it was a big one. I also need to let you know there will be another mid September to let you all know about our Socktober plans. For the month of October we are going mad for all things socks, with classes, new kits and books, a new window display and Sock Knit Social on Zoom.
We are all looking forward to seeing lots of you in the store, at classes, next Friday for our rescheduled Inspo Live on Instagram or at our next Knit + Natter at the end of September.
Happy Knitting!
Carol and the team x