AVICRAFTWOOL SHOP
  • Home
  • Online Store
  • New In
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Free Patterns
  • Blog
  • Lessons and Workshops

Catching you up on the new yarns for autumn

29/9/2022

0 Comments

 
It has been a while since I updated you on what is new in the shop, and we do have a couple of exciting new yarns, especially now that the cooler weather is here and we are all craving warm clothing (I know I am!). First up, a yarn that has been popular in the double knitting weight, now also available in chunky- Stylecraft ReCreate Chunky.
Picture
Stylecraft ReCreate Chunky
In 8 beautiful shades, this lovely yarn is sure to be a favourite, just like its DK sibling.  A conscientious choice as it contains all recycled fibres, 40% wool, 30% acrylic and 30% polyester, lessening its impact on the planet.  We also stock the full pattern range here.  
Next up are there is the new Ricorumi offering from Rico in the form of three box sets of yarn cakes.  Spin Spin is a double knit in 8 shades of multicoloured cakes, and 16 tonal cakes with graduated changes in the colours.  Twinkly Twinkly are solid colours with a polyester sparkly thread.  Rico have also published two books using the yarn sets, Element Heads, and Fresh Friends, which will give you plenty of ideas for unusual toys - my personal favourites are Mountain Head and the super cute mushroom!

​Find the books here. Spin Spin boxes and Twinkly Twinkly boxes are available in the shop.
Picture
Enjoy colour changing yarns and knitting with super chunky wool? Then this is the yarn for you!  Stylecraft have brought out Merry Go Round colour changing yarn in a super chunky yarn weight.  Perfect for quick children's garments, all manner of accessories, even bold adult garments if you are so inclined!
Picture
Lastly, Stylecraft have brought out 2 ranges of Head Over Heels sock yarn over the last couple of months.  Those of you who watched the Great British Sewing Bee might remember Stuart Hillard.  He has teamed up with Stylecraft to expand their sock yarn range, first with the Show Your Pride range with two different width of rainbow stripe - wide stripes with Be Bold and thinner stripes with Be You.  This week we have received our order of the next collection he has brought out - the Walking In Nature range in the colourways Promenade, Dilly Dally, Ramble and Hike.

If you would like more content like this delivered straight to your inbox, please consider subscribing to our newletter!

Subscribe to Newsletter
0 Comments

Christmas Craft Ideas!

28/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Now that most of our Christmas bits and pieces are online, I thought it would be a nice idea to do a general post about what we have in store (and online) that is geared towards Christmas crafting.  

Firstly, for the sock knitters among you, I have to show you this year's Christmas colourway from West Yorkshire Spinners in their Signature 4 Ply.  With a pretty silver sparkle thread running through it, the Vintage Tinsel colourway is a pop of nostalgic fun for your feet this Christmas.  With each purchase of this colourway, you get a 4 page pattern booklet for the Twinkle Toes sock designed by Winwick Mum.  You can find this on our website here and of course, in store.  We also still have a couple of balls of a previous Christmas colourway, Robin.
Picture
If you're a crocheter and want to make something cute for your tree, what about this teddy and deer bauble kit?  The box contains everything you need except the hook and sewing up needle, but if you don't already have a 3 mm hook we have plenty in stock.  I think the deer one is so cute with her nose freckles!
Picture
Or maybe a Christmas themed cross stitch kit is how you envisage relaxing in the run up to Christmas?  We have lots of different options, but my favourite are these DMC kits, which use navy Aida fabric to make the designs really pop. There are 10 different designs to choose from, from gingerbread houses to reindeers, puppies, and love birds.  These Felt Cross Stitch Hoop Kits are also a good option for children to make, as the holes are much easier from young hands to work with, compared to Aida fabric.  Plus with the included hoop, the finished piece would make a great grandparent Christmas gift!  The wooden Ornament Cross Stitch Kits are even simpler to make thanks to the wooden template with pre-drilled holes, all that's left to do is decide on the design!
In store we also have a section in our bookcase dedicated to Christmas Knitting and Crochet books, with lots of projects and inspiration for any Christmas related item.  There are knitted and crocheted toys aplenty, both large and small.  There is even a Christmas jumper book by Rico which has Christmas Jumper designs whose sizes vary from baby to adult, so the whole family can match at Christmas time!  Below are a few examples of what we have, but there are lots more!
Picture
We also have lots of Christmas themed ribbons, both bright and neutral with all manner of designs. There are a few bundles of Christmas Fat Quarters for anyone handy with a sewing needle, and for children's crafts we have felt in an arrangement of colours, as well as decorative craft buttons to add interest to their creations.  We can even help if you're in need of some jingle bells, with coloured, silver and gold in a couple of sizes available in the shop. 
0 Comments

Introducing our new fur yarns!

22/10/2021

0 Comments

 
This post is a bit different, as rather than introduce you to one yarn, I'm going to show you two very similar yarns, both fun fur yarns.  We had a very similar yarn last year that was very popular so we're excited to stock some very similar yarns again this year.  Fur yarns are super chunky weight yarns, working up quickly on 8-10mm needles to give a fabric that looks just like fur.  The individual stitches aren't visible, but you end up with a beautiful and ever so soft knitted fabric, perfect for accessories, teddies and even garments.  So, let me introduce you to Rico Creative Petit Lapin (Left), and James C Brett Chinchilla (Right)!
We are stocking 5 shades of the Rico Creative Petit Lapin and 8 of the James C Brett Chinchilla - a mix of plain colours and realistic fur colours which are lightened on the ends, as below (Petit Lapin on the left and Chinchilla on the right).  The Petit Lapin even comes in a mottled blue and black shade that's very unusual.
There are patterns from both companies to go along with their yarns, including a waistcoat pattern with both adult and child sizes - just in time to get cozy for winter!
Rico Creative Petit Lapin
Super Chunky
100g Ball
60m Per Ball
8-10mm Needles or Hook
100% Polyester
9sts and 12 rows 

James C Brett Chinchilla
Super Chunky
100g Ball
66m/71yds Per Ball
10mm Needles or Hook
100% Polyester
7sts and 10 rows 
Rico Creative Petit Lapin can be found here, and James C Brett Chinchilla can be found here.
0 Comments

WYS Zandra Rhodes Collection

7/10/2021

0 Comments

 
We are pleased to bring you the latest offering from West Yorkshire Spinners, a brand new collaboration with Dame Zandra Rhodes with 6 brand new colourways for two of their most popular ranges, Signature 4Ply and ColourLab DK
Picture
As I'm sure you know, we have recently started adding West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK to our shelves ( and online here ) as we feel it a is a really good all round 100% wool yarn with an affordable price. And of course we have stocked their Signature 4Ply for a good few years as it really is one of the best sock yarns, whilst still being soft enough for accessories too. So we were very happy when they brought out this range of 6 multicoloured yarns, with all 6 colourways available in both ColourLab DK (on the left) and Signature 4Ply (on the right).
As you can see, they are bright and fun, like Zandra herself.  There are 2 of the yarns that come out in stripes, 2 that are multi coloured and 2 that are mottled so there is something to appeal to everyone!
She has also brought out a book with 15 patterns, from garments to accessories and socks, in her trademark colourful and bold style.  
I was really taken with the Forest Stripe colourway, and as I was sitting trying to warm my hands back up in the shop I decided to cast on a quick pair of handwarmers which should hopefully be ready in a day or so.  To get them done quicker I decided to go with ColourLab DK and I've been really impressed with both how soft the yarn is, especially as its 100% wool, and also how neat the colour changes are.  Sometimes in multi coloured yarns the place where the colour changes is dragged out so that you end up with  a lot of muddy stitches in between the 2 colours, but not so with this yarn. I'm really excited to get them done (and worn!)
Picture
Value
Signature 4Ply
Colourlab DK
​Yarn Type
4Ply
DK
​Ball Weight
100g
100g
Length
400m / 437yds
225m / 245yds
Needles Required
3.25mm
4mm
​Composition
75% Wool 25% Nylon
100% British Wool
Gauge for a 10x10cm square
28sts and 36 rows
22sts and 28 rows
ColourLab DK Zandra Rhodes collection can be found here
Signature 4Ply Zandra Rhodes collection can be found here
0 Comments

Stylecraft Softie Chunky

24/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Whilst this isn't strictly New In, Stylecraft have brought out 4 new shades which really brighten the colourways available for this fun yarn.  The yarn is light and airy thanks to its loosely spun construction whilst retaining good stitch definition for cabled items.
Picture
Stylecraft Softie now comes in 10 shades, making a really nice palette that encompasses both brights and neutrals.  There is good pattern support available in store, just look for the "Stylecraft Ladies Chunky Patterns" folder on the pattern bookcase.  It also has a tension that makes it a good yarn to use for any Chunky pattern.
Picture
Yarn Type
Chunky
Ball Weight
100g
Length
170m / 186yds
Needles Required
6-7mm
Composition
80% Premium Acrylic 20% Wool
Gauge
​For a 10x10cm square
on 6mm - 14sts and 20 rows
on 7mm - 14sts and 18 rows
Stylecraft Softie Chunky can be found here 
0 Comments

Stylecraft Life DK, Aran Chunky and Super Chunky

24/9/2021

0 Comments

 
We are really pleased to have begun stocking the Life range of yarns from Stylecraft!  I'm sure many of you will be aware of this great yarn, but for those who aren't, allow me to introduce you!
Picture
Stylecraft Life takes all the positives of their premium acrylic found in the Special range, such as it's softness, durability, ease of washing, and blends it with 25% wool to make it even better.  A little bit of extra warmth but with none of the inconvenience of a pure wool yarn (scratchy and unforgiving when it's time  to wash it!) - who can say no to that!
I have knit 2 garments for my parents using Life DK as they need to be warm (My poor mum is always freezing!) and easy to care for as they are not used to having to care for hand knitted items.  I picked Denim and Blue Haze as blue is the family's favourite colour and they came out so well, were a really lovely knit and very much appreciated!  They have been worn consistently since I gifted them and still look perfect.
Yarn Type
Double Knit
Aran
Chunky
Super Chunky
Ball Weight
100g
100g
100g
100g
Length
298m / 326yds
198m / 217yds
148m / 162yds
80m / 87yds
Needles Required
4mm
5mm
6mm
10mm
Composition
Plain shades - 75% Premium acrylic, 25% wool
Nepp shades - 72% premium acrylic, 25% wool 3% viscose
​Plain shades - 75% Premium acrylic, 25% wool
Nepp shades - 72% premium acrylic, 25% wool 3% viscose
​Plain shades - 75% Premium acrylic, 25% wool
Nepp shades - 72% premium acrylic, 25% wool 3% viscose
 75% Premium acrylic, 25% wool
Gauge
​10x10cm square:
22sts and 30 rows 
18sts and 24 rows
14 sts and 20 rows
9.5sts and 13 rows
All these yarns are now available on the website.  

​Life DK can be found here
Life Aran can be found here
Life Chunky can be found  here
Life Super Chunky can be found here

0 Comments

Stylecraft ReCreate DK

15/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Stylecraft ReCreate is a brand new yarn and is a part of Stylecraft's efforts to produce yarns with less impact on the environment.  It is a blended yarn made entirely from recycled fibres.  40% wool from recycled garments, 30% acrylic also from recycled garments and 30% polyester that comes from shredded plastic bottles and is then spun.  It comes in 8 shades (above), and there are 6 patterns to go with them.

Picture

I was very excited to cast on the cabled cardigan for myself in the navy yarn shown in the pattern.. It's a really lovely shade of navy with a mostly cream fleck which I really like.  I'm hoping the largest size will work for me, and I was pleasantly surprised that it only requires 7 balls!

You can find the yarn here and the patterns here.

Yarn Type
DK
Ball Weight
100g
Length
350m
Needles Required
4mm
Composition
40% Wool, 30% Acrylic, 30% Polyester, all recycled 
Gauge
22sts and 30 rows for a 10x10cm square
​
0 Comments

James C Brett Stonewashed DK

8/7/2021

0 Comments

 
This lovely yarn isn't technically "new in" as its been here for a few weeks, but it's so nice I felt it deserved its own post to sing its praises!  Stonewashed DK is a lovely colourful yarn which knits up as mottled colours rather than stripes, with all the colours blending well together.  Its a 100% premium acrylic yarn which feels very nice to the touch.
Picture
Stonewashed DK
Yarn Type
DK
Ball Weight
100g
Length
290m/317yds
Needles Required
4mm
Composition
100% Premium Acrylic
Gauge
22sts and 28 rows for a 10x10cm square
0 Comments

Welcoming Wendy Peter Pan Yarns!

7/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are pleased to announce that we are now stocking the iconic Peter Pan yarns by Wendy!  We have in stock the full colour range in the 4ply (12 pastel colours) and DK (24 colours, both pastels and brighter colours) as well as white 3ply, and the full range of baby and children's Peter Pan patterns.

I didn't realise just how long a history Wendy and Peter Pan both have - Wendy started up in 1898, changing the name to Wendy in 1928, as the owner Arthur Carter was an acquaintance of J M Barrie and was granted permission to use the name.  They launched Peter Pan in 1965 to become one of the best known names for knitters looking for high quality yarns.


​Sharon has already tried out the yarn by knitting the very cute and very tiny cardigan in my first picture, using one of the Peter Pan patterns.  She was very impressed by it, it knitted up beautifully and was a very enjoyable knit, the yarn didn't split and feels very soft.  The pattern was very clear - Peter Pan patterns have the brilliant feature where each size is printed in a different colour to make it much easier to follow along and not make mistakes.
​
Picture
​
All of the options are now live on the website so you can browse online as well as in store.  You can find them here. I'm loving the pale grey shade, Whisper as it looks modern whilst still maintaining a "baby" palette.  It would also pair beautifully with many of the other colours to make a stunning stripey crochet baby blanket!

Here is my usual "technical specs" table featuring the DK, 4ply and 3ply:
Yarn Type
Double Knitting
4 Ply
3 Ply
Ball Weight
50g
50g
50g
Length
160m / 174yds
226m / 246yds
301m / 328yds
Needles Required
4mm
3.25mm
3mm
Composition
55% Polyamide, 45% Premium Acrylic
​55% Polyamide, 45% Premium Acrylic
​55% Polyamide, 45% Premium Acrylic
Gauge
​22sts and 28 rows for a 10x10cm square
28sts and 36 rows for a 10x10cm square
32sts and 40 rows for a 10x10cm square
0 Comments

Stylecraft Special Super Chunky and 4ply

27/4/2018

0 Comments

 
We love the Stylecraft Special range and have in stock at the shop over 80 shades of Special DK.
We've recently added the complete range of Special 4ply, Special Superchunky and Special Super Chunky Tweeds and increased our range of Chunky and Aran.
Once we have sold some of our clearance yarns we will have the space to carry the whole range of Stylecraft Special.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    September 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    October 2016
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Online Store
  • New In
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Free Patterns
  • Blog
  • Lessons and Workshops