Yarn Shop Day – Saturday May 3rd

April 26, 2014April 26, 2014 LeftFootDaisy4 Comments

It seems like I’ve been trying to write this post for weeks now what with computer and internet problems *sigh*

Anyway….

Yarn shop day (taking place on Saturday May 3rd) is all about you showing your love for local yarn shops. It is also an important opportunity for bricks and mortar shops – such as ourselves – to remind our customers how valuable our personal experience and knowledge of all things wonderful and wooly really is.

Whilst the online yarn market is fantastic for those that cannot manage to get into a shop or can’t find something particular it is also unfortunately taking away from the tradition of local yarn shops. There is nothing better than going into your local yarn shop and having a good squidge and play with the wool, as well as getting hands on help and advice. Knitters and crocheters alike are an enthusiastic bunch and our shop has often played host to a number of excited discussions about new projects and ideas between strangers that have bonded over their love of the craft.

Yarn shops are fast becoming an endangered species and every week I will have someone come in and say how nice it is to have found a wool shop because they no longer have a local one. A visit to the yarn shop was something I looked forward to as a child and even now I still get excited when I go to a new place and discover they have a yarn shop to explore.

So in the spirit of all things woolly we are planning the following events, giveaways and special offers to celebrate Yarn Shop Day.

The first 15 customers to spend €25 or more receive a baby knits goody bag.
11am – There will be a demonstration on how to use the amazing Clover Pom-Pom Makers.
2-4pm – We are holding a competition to see who can knit a “Knit Happens” stocking the fastest.
There will be a woolly raffle with prizes including Knit Pro needles, Scrumptious Yarn and a variety of books. (Details of the raffle will be posted here and on Facebook in the coming days.)
A free Sparklemouse pattern will be sent to your via e-mail when you spend €5 or more.
Clearance packs of yarn and books will be available to buy throughout the day on our market stall outside at less than even Stash Dash Prices.

Throughout the week we will try (I stress the word try) to pop up photos of some of the items that will be putting on the market stall and using as raffle prizes.

How to use Clover Pom-pom Makers

January 14, 2014January 14, 2014 LeftFootDaisy6 Comments

Being often asked to demonstrate how to use the pom-pom makers from Clover I thought it might be a good idea to pop up a post about them. Warning though, the post is photo heavy and I’ve tried to cover everything I’ve been asked about them, so apologies beforehand for waffling on a bit.

These clever little gadgets are available in the following sizes with all but the extra large consisting of two makers.

X Small – 20mm & 25mm

Small – 35mm & 45mm

Large – 65mm & 85mm

X Large – 115mm

Clover have also developed heart-shaped pompom makers which I will demonstrate on another post later.

1st Step Open both sides of the maker.

You will notice that it is made up of two separate pieces that slot into each other, this is to allow you to take your completed pompom out.

2nd Step Begin winding your yarn around one side of the maker

I tend to start from the centre of the semi-circle, holding my yarn against the curve and wrapping my first few turns over the end to secure it. I’ve had the most success with my pompoms by keeping the yarn fairly taut when covering the arcs.

Continue to wind the yarn around one side of the maker until it is almost full. Be careful to try and keep it to ensure a more rounded pompom.

4th Step Break your yarn off, close your first side in and complete the second side of the pompom.

5th Step Cut a piece of your yarn long enough to tie round your pompom. Remember to make it long enough as you can use this to sew your pompom on. Then, using sharp scissors and following the groove between either side of the maker, cut around the pompom, making sure you snip each thread completely.

6th Step Wrap your piece of yarn between either side of the maker and tie in a knot tightly being careful not to break your yarn. (some wool may not be strong enough to do this, so you can always use a scrap from another kind of yarn)

7th Step Open both sides of the pompom maker and separate it to reveal your squidgy pompom. Roll it around in your hands a few times and give it a little trim – don’t cut your ties if you need to sew it on to anything.

Voilá! Pompom magic.

Happy Pompoming!

Top Woolly Gifts This Year

December 21, 2013 LeftFootDaisy2 Comments

As there are only 3 more shopping days for your loved ones to get down to the shop, I thought I’d show you our most popular gift items this year.

In no particular order ……

All things Knitpro Symphonie

The new Knitpro Karbonz Sets have also been popular.

The extra special Knitpro Box of Joy

Clover Pompom Maker are a great stocking Filler.

The heart shaped ones are a little bit different too.

The very gorgeous Hedgehog Fibres.

Scarf Yarns

Gift Vouchers

Cushendale Boucle

Let us interrogate you for a bit about the person, give us a budget and we’ll make up a kit.

Happy Knitting!

Bergere De France

September 28, 2012 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

FAT087_83026_8 — Bergere De France Duvetine

It seems we’re getting orders in all the time at the moment and I’m struggling slightly to keep up. It’s like Christmas every day though opening sack after sack of gorgeous yarn and patterns.
One of the companies I’ve been looking at stocking for some time now is Bergere De France and this week I took delivery of our first order from them which included the lovely, squidgy yarn Duvetine. Duvetine is chunky yarn with a recommended tension of 12sts to 17 rows when knitted on 6.5mm needles.

Of the 8 shades available I ordered 6 with my particular favourite being the blue/turquoise.

I think I could possibly have fallen in love with the blue because I love this.

In addition to the Duvetine I also ordered a few individual packs of yarns to ‘try out’ before I decide whether to begin stocking them as with many European yarn companies Bergere De France’s yarns are not all standard, which means they will only really work with certain patterns. Talking of patterns I did get a little carried away with ordering patterns, books and magazines from Bergere – purely in the name of research. As many of you may have already seen on the Facebook page I indulged in a few knitting bags and notions purses. I also ordered some of their quirky little buttons but it would seem there’s been a little mix-up with those so they’ll be a little bit delayed.

In addition to the new bits from Bergere there have also been new goodies from Knitpro, Clover and Rico and if that wasn’t enough 19 shades of Cushendale Lace yarn arrived in too. The 1 ball 1 scarf yarn makes an ideal gift to give at Christmas and it’s homegrown too.

Feature Mohair Knitting — Cushendale Mohair

I’ve knitted a sample up in ‘Storm’ and it’s on display in the shop, I think the scarves/wrap would look great doubled up in 2 different shades, pop in and have a look if you have the time I guarantee you’ll love it too.

Happy Knitting!