HRYC

June 27, 2013

More thoughts on Thermal.

Strange coincidence that shortly after having blogged about my first ever knit garmentThermal, we've got more stock of the same yarn I used for it - Naturally Haven. 

Why did I choose it? Because it was soft, had a beautiful hand, and was machine washable. It's safe to say that after 5 years of wear, it still looks fantastic. 

 

In the same line, we also now have Naturally's Waikiwi on the shelves. The best thing about Waikiwi? It's PERFECT for socks. A mix of NZ merino, possum, nylon and silk mean it is designed for the wear and tear socks are subjected to. It almost seems a shame just to put it on your feet, though. Wouldn't it also make a glorious Thermal? I think so. 

 

I'm trying to force myself to finish knitting my second  Rocky Coast before casting on anything new...but with all this exciting stock arriving, it's proving a challenge! Knitting and daydreaming about future projects will have to do for now.

 

I'm having a weird old weird day. If you're having one as well, or simply feel like getting out of the house, it's knit night tonight (Thursday). Come on by for some yarn squishing, knitting and tea. And toffee pops. And whatever else I can rummage up for you. We'll be here, knitting, from 7pm - 9pm.

xx Tash

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June 02, 2013

Handmade 2013: day one

Day one of Handmade was super duper awesomely amazing! We're here all ready to go for day 2, pumped full of coffee and excited about hanging out with everyone. 

Here's a few highlights:

Belinda created a new group of keen knitters 


Our knit lounge was filled with knitters and crocheters...


Today we'll be spinning and drum carding and eating chocolate and drinking coffee. If you're around, feel free to come down and join in the fun - and you can still book classes for today. We had a great time at Pecha Kucha last night - for just $10 you can hear a bunch of great people talk about what they love.

If you aren't in Wellington - I hope you are having a lovely crafty weekend. 

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May 28, 2013

Handmade 2013: plots and plans

There's a whole heaps of activities you can join in on at the Knit Lounge at Handmade this Queen's Birthday weekend. We'll be bringing along loads of yarn, needles, and treats to play with. You'll find us along with half the shop's stock on the third floor of Te Papa - just follow the signs. And don't worry - the shop will also be open if you're in town for the weekend and feel like a leisurely squish and fondle.


The Ashford Joy spinning wheel will be there for you to try...


As will an Ashford SampleIt Loom...


And our wee instax camera - wear something you've knit and we'll add you to the Wall of Fame...


Also, the super popular giant knitting needles will be back! 


Add in the chance to make super speedy pom poms to create a swathe of pom pom garlands & it'll look like yarn exploded all over the third floor of Te Papa.

On Saturday we're having a Ravelry and Twitter meet-up from 1pm - 3pm with free Ravelry badges. Sunday sees us spinning away from 1pm - 3pm - bring along your wheel or spindle for some fun with fibre. If you fancy hearing yours truly speak for 6 minutes about craft stuff then head along to the Pecha Kucha sessions - an absolute bargain of a fun time for only $10. 

See you this weekend! It's going to be an absolute blast!


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May 11, 2013

New Arrivals: Cascade!

Hip hip hooray it is finally here! After much putting-offness, we were at last able to do a giant Cascade order to replenish our non-existent stock. 


And thanks to a really great exchange rate, we've been able to drop the price of both Cascade 220 and Eco. Hooray! Most of the 220 is up online, and we've just put the Eco up there too (don't mind the dodgy images, once the light is better we'll take photos and put nice ones up). As always, the colours are simply glowing on the shelf, filling the shop with even more yarn joy. 

 

It's hard to describe the feeling of opening a great big box of yarn. Every time we receive an order there's this heart-bursting moment of cutting through the tape and seeing what's inside. So many colours all sitting together, just desperate to see the light of day and be made into something amazing. I will the skeins to plump up and spread out after being squished closely with their neighbours. Unexpected shades sit next to each other and suggest surprising combinations and bring daydreams of stripes. All the while, I sternly tell myself not to hide any for my own use. Tempting as it is, all this glorious yarn is for you. 

xx Tash

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April 12, 2013

New Arrivals: Tekapo 12ply

When Libby from Ashford visited me last year, I was treated to an early squish of the brand new version of Tekapo. Safe to say in a previous life I really wasn't a fan of this yarn - I found it coarse and scratchy and the colours mighty average. 

That we now have it on the shelves is testament to what a different yarn this now is. Lofty, bouncy, squishy and inifinitely softer than it once was. We ordered in 11 colours to start with in 12ply, but will be adding to this selection very quickly. The great thing is with Ashford being based in New Zealand, we can order this in anytime we please! If you need more, or fancy a different colour, it's no problem at all for us to order it in for you. It's also a fantastic alternative to the only other 12ply we usually stock, Cascade Eco (which will be returning to our shelves soon).

 



  

   

Ashford Tekapo 12ply comes in generous 100g balls, with 134m each. It is hand wash and comes in a glorious range of 29 colours.

It's pretty gosh darn perfect for a few of our favourite bulky yarn patterns:


Owls by Kate Davies


Aidez by Cirilia Rose

and


Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood


The hemlock ring blanket is the most likely project i'll first knit with Tekapo, as it's been lingering in my queue for ages. Already it's gone off to new homes intended for man hats and slippers - and keep people cosy and warm this winter. We've got it up for sale online if you can't make it into the shop for an in-person snuggle. We promise you won't regret it!


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