Hello all! We have been a bit quiet over here in ECY Shedquarters as I have been off for surgery (I’m still recovering but a bit more mobile for work — I’ve got a long way to go yet). It definitely feels as though summer is over, it is getting a lot cooler and I am needing to wear more of my woollens now. I feel the cold really badly as well, so by the time it’s properly cold I’ll be completely bundled up. ????
I have two updates to tell you about. Both have already happened but were quite large updates so there is plenty still to choose from. The first update was Bowland 4ply (100% Superwash British Bluefaced Leicester). I was looking back through past updates and was really shocked to see that the last big update of this yarn was 18 months ago!! Considering this is a classic ECY base it really is quite a big deal, but supply was really limited for quite a while and we got distracted with other things (as you do!).
This update is all semisolids which are perfect for garments, stripes or colourwork. You can browse the colourways in this update in the flickr album and we have also included some combination suggestions. There are also a few yarn packs of multiple colour combinations in the Bowland 4ply collection on our website. Image shows Bowland 4ply in colourways Linen, Apricot Tulip, Cloudberry, Azalea and Dianthus.
The second update is Bowland DK. Another long-term favourite, Bowland DK is also 100% Superwash British Bluefaced Leicester. This update is also all semi-solids as I really do see them as the core of my business. You can browse the colourways and colour combination suggestions in the update flickr album and find all available Bowland DK on our website. The image shows Bowland DK in Cottage Original 2409211415, Thunder, Tarn and Larkspur.
I have recently seen a lot of pattern inspiration focused around stripes; Veera Valimaki’s recent book and the Douglas Cardi by Andrea Mowry in particular. The cardi really inspired me and so I went up to the garage (aka stock room) and pulled together some new five colour DK yarn packs but using two x 100g skeins of each colour rather than one.
There is a new menu category for “5 colour DK packs 1kg”. We have also converted these into yarn packs specifically for the Douglas Cardi with different size options based on the yarn requirements. Most sizes use two skeins of each colour but if you are at either end of the range the quantities of yarn have been adjusted for you. The sizing from the pattern is shown in the listings to help you out.
There are also a number of Milburn DK packs; these have more size options so please do check carefully to make sure you get the right one for you. Design specific yarn packs have their own category in the Yarn menu to make it even easier to find them. One of these selections is shown in the images.
Moorit has launched!
We are so excited about Moorit, a new crochet magazine. We have copies of the magazine and yarn packs for the cover design which is a wonderfully cosy sweater in Whitfell Chunky. We also have a preorder running for Pendle Chunky in a selection of colours all shown in the image. The preorder will close on 15th October so make sure you get orders in before then. Yarn packs for the Cumulo sweater are listed by size with the sizing from the pattern detailed on the product page. All yarn packs come with a discount to the price of the yarn sold separately.
Inspiration
Also on the website we have yarn packs for the Shikhar wrap by Jaya of Apoorva Designs, which was released in August (I didn’t quite get the yarn done before my surgery so it’s had to wait). You can find more information about this wrap on the pattern page on Payhip. The Shikhar Wrap is made up of sections of different stitches and patterns inspired by architectural elements of the Taj Mahal, including striped chevrons, honeycomb lace, an intarsia floral design and an arched section. The wrap uses sparkly Rosedale 4ply in Natural, Red Kite, Larch and Charcoal and these yarns can be bought together as a yarn pack at a discount compared to buying the yarns individually. This can be found in the Design specific yarn pack collection. Also, for a limited time Jaya is offering a free copy of the pattern to the first five folks who buy the yarn! In with your order you will receive a discount code to be used to get the free pattern from Payhip.
We still have plenty of five colour hand dyed yarn packs that could be used the the Stephen West Shawlography MKAL or Starting Point/Fading Point if you are taking part in Joji’s Fall KAL. These packs could also be used for any other five colour (500g) 4ply/fingering weight pattern. Check out the available selection in the “Five colour 4ply pack – 500g” collection.
I finally have some good news about our Milburn DK production. We have received new batches of Althaea, Night Sky and Natural which is a massive relief. Natural has been out of stock for a REALLY long time! This also means more DK yarn packs have been added to the website as quite a lot of our combinations use it. There are more colours in the queue to be restocked and we expect those to start arriving in the next few weeks!
Oops, I seem to have rambled on again! I will try not to leave it so long again next time,
Happy Crafting!! x