The Scottish Independence Referendum Debate

I'm English through and through. As far as my family knows our ancestors were English working people, tilling the land, gardeners, or doing whatever they could to make a living. Despite my lack of Scottish heritage I've been keenly following the run up to the Scottish referendum for independence, which will take place on 18th September. I have Scottish friends who moved to England and English friends who moved to Scotland. Life in the 21st century in Britain is very much a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures.

Scottish Blackface Sheep

It's up to Scottish people to decide their own future. I, however, would be very sad to see Scotland go it alone and break away from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We have a shared culture, history and purpose that comes from living on the same island in the north of Europe. Together we are stronger and more tolerant.

Knitting-wise I've very much been influenced by techniques hailing from Scotland such as fair isle and the knitted gansey. Way back when I was a young child we went on a family holiday to visit friends in the Shetland Islands and I remember then loving the sheep in the landscape and all the knitwear in the shops. It's one of my ambitions to go back during Shetland Wool Week.

There are also some wonderful wool shops in Scotland I've heard of and are on my 'all the best yarn shops I've never visited' list. Take, for example, Ginger Twist Studios, an indie yarn shop. Their selection of hand-dyed yarn looks extremely tempting.

I don't want to see border posts in between England and Scotland, or a rise in nasty nationalism on either side. The decision is in the Scottish people's hands, but the outcome of voting on 18th September will affect all of us in the UK.

What should be my blog's tag line if Scotland does go independent? An amusing note amongst a serious online article about what the UK could be called without Scotland suggested the 'former UK' until it realised the unfortunate abbreviation. Whatever happens, I'll still go on championing yarn and designers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Let's Knit Magazine Knit British Special

October 2014's issue of Let's Knit magazine is dedicated to what readers of this blog love - knitting British. It's a celebration of British yarn and design talent and comes with two gifts: a kit to knit a penguin or bow wrist-warmers, and a pattern book with seven knits for Christmas.

As I love to find out about new British yarns and designers I went out straight and bought the issue. Certainly I wasn't disappointed. Let's Knit is aimed at new and intermediate knitters, and sometimes I've found that, as someone who already has enough hats, scarves and gloves, there's not much in there to interest me. This issue was different. I doubt I'll knit the penguin or Christmas gift patterns, but the editorial in the magazine excels with its array of knitting news and the latest British wools, some of which I hadn't heard about before. There are also some wonderful shopping pages with ideas for gifts for knitters (I want nearly all of them myself) and an abundance of competitions.

My favourite section is the Beautifully British review of eight UK yarns. I've already used Titus and Excelana, but have yet to sample the delights of Jillybean's hand-dyed yarns - I adore the look of the shade pink passion - or King Cole's Masham DK.

There's also a great round-up of what's new in the Autumn-Winter 2014 season from your favourite knitting companies, although this feature does include brands from overseas as well as home-grown ones.

In next month's issue there's knitted Christmas jumper patterns. I'm just about to cast on Susan Crawford's Perfect Christmas Jumper, having had the pattern and yarn for over a year. Hopefully it will be finished in time for the festive season. Watch this space!

Catwalk Gives Thumbs Up To Knitwear

Opening up Grazia magazine this week (issue 489) I came across fashion spread featuring the 'wonder of woolies'. Apparently this season knitwear goes head to toe as a skinny model sat on a horse, frolicked in a field and looked sultry next to a tree.

Picture courtesy of Stella McCartney

The knitted jumper has always been an Autumn/Winter staple but now designers are favouring knitted dresses, bags, jackets and even trousers. I must admit that even I draw the line at knitted trousers: they look OK on the model, just, but baggy is not best for every woman's figure.

It's great to see British designers embracing the woolly look. Knits feature heavily in Stella McCartney's collection, with lots of black and neutral shades as well as a vibrant blue. My favourite is the chunky knit asymmetric sweater, but at £550 you've got one of Stella's celebrity friends to be able to afford it.

So how can you knit the look yourself? I did a quick search for patterns online and came up with the lovely Louisa jumper on Ravelry and a great asymmetric pattern from Rowan's Farmhouse Knits. Depending on the quality of yarn you choose - and in my opinion it's worth plumping for the best you can afford to ensure the finished make is soft and ever-wearable - you should be able to knit one for around £50.

And the knitted trousers? Well virtually all the patterns I found were for children under two years old, unable yet to voice their protestations about wearing them. I did find, however, one pattern on Ravelry for casual bootcut pants that look just about wearable. Sadly Grazia magazine's pictures of knitted trousers aren't online to show you.

Is wearing knitted trousers a step too far for you? Or will we all be wearing them this time next year? Let me know what you think in the comments box below.

Learning About British Wool

Want to put your needles down for a bit and read about your favourite hobby? I've come across two interesting features on the internet recently that promote and teach about British wool and its heritage.

Images courtesy of Loveknitting

The first is a blog post from the online wool store Loveknitting. Complete with some lovely photos the post tells that wool traditions date back to 10,000 BC - that's a very long time ago - and that wool shearing and production have been an integral part of the British economy for centuries. In the Middle Ages we exported our wool to many countries across Europe.

During the Industrial Revolution the wool industry and its mills rose to the fore with the mechanisation of the spinning and weaving process.

Over British Wool Learning there's a curriculum-based resource for teachers to pass on our heritage to their pupils from early years to age 11. There's also a family section with craft ideas and games. The activities there are great to help a child while away a rainy afternoon - and to introduce them to crafting with British wool of course. For an addictive game yourself why not play 'count the sheep'? The challenge is to do it without falling asleep!

Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine Issue 13

Debbie Bliss is a powerhouse: her brand goes from strength to strength with the regular launch of new yarns, pattern books and her twice yearly knitting magazine, which is published on both sides of the pond we call the Atlantic Ocean. On top of all this in the Spring she launched a homewares collection with great gifts for knitters who have enough yarn in their stash to keep them going for some time. Stitch mug and tea towel - check! Knitting aid apron - check!

The latest issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine, issue 13, is in the shops now. As well as showcasing the many facets of Debbie's business it contains some great articles and patterns. The only way a British reader would know that the magazine also caters for the American market is by the mention of 'fall' instead of 'Autumn' and adverts for wool stores in the US.

Now here comes a confession: I'm slightly biased when it comes to reviewing this edition because I've written an article in it all about the ways to keep in touch with Debbie Bliss via social media. Reader, I'll leave it up to you to decide whether you like that feature or not. Elsewhere there's a great round-up of Debbie's new pattern books and yarns, without giving them the hard sell. Luscious photography certainly makes the yarns look attractive. I also like the 'Ask Rosy' page with knitting questions. I was glad to see I'm not alone in wondering how to tell if a small amount of yarn will last for another row or not. The '25 ways to be a better knitter' article contains some good tips.

Pattern-wise there are lots for women and children, with a range of garments, accessories and gifts. My favourite is the Ombre Sweater that channels the on-trend ombre look with varying shades of blue at the bottom of a cream, cosy jumper.

It's great to see this British designer (who is just as lovely in person as her designs are) going from strength to strength and conquering America! In the UK you can buy a magazine subscription online from GMC Publications.

Follow the Herdy

Picture courtesy of Herdy

A short Summer break in Northumberland has meant that I've not updated the blog for a while. Now I'm back, full of praise for the county's wonderful coastal scenery and general sense of spaciousness you feel driving along its country roads, past fields and fields of sheep.

Whilst I wouldn't want to be in the field with one I do love pictures of sheep and the crafty versions. Sheep, in all their different breeds, appear to be such British, cuddly animals, with their fleeces bringing much joy to knitters.

The British company Herdy has a sheep on their logo and sells a craft line of wool and patterns. They've recently added a sheep crochet pattern to their range, along with patterns for fabulous adult or children's hats.  Herdy is short for Herdwick sheep from the Lake District. As well selling a fun yarn line made from Herdy sheep, sourced from a cooperative of Herdwick farmers, the company supports rural and community projects both at home and overseas.

Picture courtesy of Herdy

I'd love to visit one of their shops in Grasmere, Hawes or Keswick, but until then I get my crafty sheep fix from their website. Herdy is great example of a modern British wool company. Next year I'd like a North Yorkshire Summer break to visit the Hawes shop. Until then I'll have to make do with crocheting a Herdy sheep - but which colour to choose from Herdy's signature green, grey, light blue, dark blue, pink or orange yarns?

Rowan's Big Wool Colour Collection

When I first got back into knitting, about a decade ago, some of my first projects were with Rowan Big Wool. As it's so chunky it knits up quickly and it's possible to knit up a bag or hat in a night - perfect for the born-again beginner who wants to see quick results.

Big Wool Colour - Carnival

I've used Big Wool sporadically ever since, most notably to make a heart jumper, which some of my friends liked so much they asked me to knit one for then. Now there's a new Big Wool variation in town: Big Wool Colour.


Rowan kindly sent me a ball of Big Wool Colour and the supporting pattern book, Big Wool Colour Collection, to review. My opinions are my own. Big Wool Colour is the same weight as Big Wool but is twisted with lots of different shades. There are six colourways: Fete, Fairground, Carnival, Jamboree, Waltzer and Carousel. I received Carnival. It's fun and bright, with the same knitting qualities I'm used to with Big Wool.

Me modelling Rumba

The supporting patterns in Big Wool Colour Collection use both Big Wool and Big Wool Colour. To try out the yarn I tried out the looped scarf pattern Rumba. The pattern uses two balls but as I only had one I made a shorter version. After casting on, Rumba only has one row of instructions which is continually repeated. The looped scarf knitted up like a dream and looks great. Big Wool does have a tendency to split, being so thick, but using size ten (UK) needles it's easy to avoid.

Big Wool Colour Collection gets the thumbs up from me too. Published for the Autumn/Winter 2014 season, it includes 13 patterns with both quick and easy knits (like Rumba) and slightly less quick knits including a jumper or cardigan. Big Wool Colour doesn't come cheap, retailing at around £10.50 per ball, so beginners may want to start with a two ball hat or scarf project. The medium size of the wonderful sloppy joe jumper Cancan, which I have my eye on to knit, uses nine balls.

All in all Big Wool Colour and the Big Wool Colour Collection are a great addition to Rowan's yarn and pattern range. My guess is that they will be particularly beloved by beginner and younger knitters who will be charmed by the yarns' bright colours, the patterns' funky designs, and the short amount of time they take to knit up.

Cancan