HRYC

For the last two months we've had god's eyes hanging in the window. Twice this morning i've been asked how to make them, and at least that many more in the past week. They make great Christmas decorations and are super easy to put together. 

Seeing as I only have two hands and that isn't quite enough to photograph my own tutorial, here's a couple that go through the process:

Wikihow - How to make a god's eye

and Spoonful.com's how to make a god's eye

Our popsicle sticks came from Warehouse Stationery, but I think collecting a bunch of sticks works just as well. Sitcks look a bit more organic and awesome, plus hunting for suitable sticks is fun for small people to do.

While i'm at it, we've put together DIY felt ball garland kits in both Christmas colours and anytime themes. Once i'm organised i'll get them online, but for now you can pick them in-store (they come in pizza boxes!).

My Sparkle's felt ball garland tutorial is the best i've found online - and her blog is super cute.

Want one more? How about pom poms for Christmas? Our Clover pom pom makers turn tedium into super-speedy, and it's a great way to use up leftover yarn. 

Do you have any awesome yarny non-knitting craft ideas? I'd love to hear them! And they may well end up in the shop window...

Right now i'm sitting on the couch, trying to figure out where the Christmas tree should go. It's now December, summer has undoubtedly arrived and there's no more denying that the end of the year is rapidly approaching. 

Usually I'm pretty ambivalent about Christmas. I'm a firm believer in quality time over gifts, but after what can only be described as an interesting year, i'm ready to throw myself into the spirit of things. Gift-giving and all. 

As I try to figure out where to put the Christmas tree, i'm browsing around online for present ideas. This year has seen so many indie business-owners really make their mark. Back in 2008 when I first got involved with Craft2.0, many of the people now opening stores and proving their worth online were just getting started. 

So below is my mostly-NZ-owned-business gift guide for this year. It's on Pinterest, so i'll continue adding to it. Buying locally means that people working super hard to live their dream are able to keep going. That's an honourable thing to support, and i'll be doing my darndest to only buy from small & locally owned businesses this year. 

Sale stuff! Hooray! I fancy a bit of a clear out and so you get some pretty super deals if I do say so myself. 

There's 20% off all Addi needles, Zealana Willow, Cascade Sport (non superwash), Twilley's Echo Cotton (in-store only) and a bunch of other stuff. Oh, and Blonde Chicken Yarn is down from $24 a skein to $14.40. 

All are absolutely beautiful products, but we need to make space for summer stock and some new treats that the second store will allow us to introduce to our ranges.

In other news, it's my birthday this weekend! Eeep! And yeah, it's a milestone. Numbers don't bother me, but I find it interesting to reflect on my twenties. Who would have guessed that taking up knitting as a rebellion against crocheting colleagues when I was 23 could lead to opening a yarn store? Not me!

Anyway, to celebrate, tonight is the last Knit Night of the year, so there is a fancy-pants raspberry chocolate cake, Six Barrel Soda Co sodas, and bubbles. Plus a whole lot of knitting and giving thanks for surviving another year. Couldn't come at a better time, really, considering it is, actually, thanksgiving in the States today. 

Happy thanksgiving! Hopefully see you at the shop tonight from 7 - 9pm!

xx Tash

Hello! It's been a while. I have a bunch of new blog posts up my sleeve, but I really wanted to share this with you first. 

A super talented pair of Aucklanders have taken a deep breath, a big leap and mega risk to start up their own textile design studio. I am in awe, awe I tell you! 

Evie Kemp has done some work for us before (namely our most recent Ravelry Ads):

and she's built a name for herself over the past few years with her cute and fun animal illustrations.

Amy Larke has been a maker and seamstress on the handmade scene for a while now, initially as Victoria N Bird, now as Mylarke. It's so great to see these two team up and do something that takes a whole lot of guts.

Rust & Stardust is their name, and ohmygoodness their aesthetic is....well, have a look.

Evie and Amy, image pinched from Rust & Stardust

Starting a new business is a tricky enterprise. So Evie & Amy are running a PledgeMe campaign to help them add more kit to their outfit. The rewards are ridiculously awesome (i'm smitten with the Moon Stuck cushion and Nothing Ventured tee). I couldn't think of a more worthy cause to support, and so well timed right before Christmas. 

I want to move into their studio. And hang out with their dogs. And basically be as awesome as them. I guess i'll have to make do with simply buying everything they make. 

xx Tash

Sometimes we need something to wrap ourselves up in. A bit of luxury, an accessory to put on when life is a bit tricky. Something that brings us back to ourselves. With this in mind I started hunting around Ravelry - here's what I found. Each of these has a certain je ne sais quoi resulting in a simple elegant beauty that would be easy to throw on with any outift. Add in a luxury yarn and you have a truly special hand knit. 

Intersection by Cindy Garland - would be fantastic in Knitsch Sock or Malabrigo Sock

Clapo-ktus is a gorgeous, drapey and incredibly satisfying knit - especially once you get to drop all those stitches...

Asunder by Lisa Mutch - perhaps in Fyberspates Scrumptious Sport?

Ellipses by Romi HIll - how great are those little tassels? 

In other news, we've had some pretty fantastic new arrivals this week:

The latest book by Ysolda Teague - the Rhinebeck Sweater is here!

And GIANT buttons from Toft in the UK. I can't wait to find a project for these! 

This coming week we have more Fyberspates and Spud & Chloe arriving. And maybe a brand new yarn from Zealana, fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful knitty day x