Happy New Year from Fiddlesticks – now that the festivities are behind us and with a few long winter nights ahead our thoughts turn not to spring but to knitting of course! Maybe a quick knit in a lovely chunky, or maybe a longer term project with a fine knit for the summer, whatever your choice I will do my best to help you at Fiddlesticks.
I am currently clearing out many of the fancy yarns useful for knitting scarves so check out the shop for a last minute bargain, from £1 a ball (were £3.75).
I also have a new superchunky yarn in stock from Wendy, the Pampas range, in lovely solid and variegated colourways with quick and simple patterns to support them – a guaranteed quick and easy knit………
Though my shop is already well stocked I will be squeezing lots more in over the next few weeks, nothing stands still for long in the knitting world, there is too much to choose from. At the luxury end I have in stock the delightful Knitwitches yarns – these are hand dyed (in Wales) and are sumptious. These are laceweight/heavy laceweight silk, cashmere and kidsilk mohair. Prices range from £14 – £18 per hank. One hank will complete a shawl knitting on 4mm – 6mm needles – even better using Brittany birch needles now in stock, they are simply the best, with a 5 year guarantee!
Noro lovers – why not check out the new ‘Noro mini knits’ book, priced £7.50, the patterns are ideal for using smaller amounts of this luxury hand spun yarn for an individual look.
Bergere de France have produced yet another really stylish book of baby patterns, (magazine 510), with over 40 stylish knits in one book, only a small quantity in stock due to Bergere having to go into re-print due to high demand, but I have some on back order!
Teddies for Tragedies
I want to extend a big thank you to all the knitters of Honiton and beyond who have knitted Teddies for Tragedies. To date we have sent off 395 completed teddies, with bags and at least 50 more in the pipeline, awaiting completion. Do keep the teddies coming in, there is no deadline and Fiddlesticks will maintain support for the scheme for the foreseeable future. I have some lovely photos in the shop and on the web and will be producing some teddy cards to purchase in the shop with sale proceeds to the Teddies scheme.
Forthcoming courses:
Local textile artist, Pat Cooper, will be hosting courses in the shop on Knitting with Wire, and Peg Loom Weaving. We already have two dates in February to offer for the
Peg Loom Weaving:
Monday Feb 11th and Thursday Feb 21st (10 am to 4 pm with half hour lunch break)
The course involves working with knitting yarns to create a piece of weaving. Peg looming is very easy to do and is a good way to use up odd bits of yarn. The chunkier the yarn the better for the base, and several yarns can be used together to give a more interesting look. From your completed piece of work you will be able to make a hand bag or wall hanging. We will provide peg looms for use on the day and oddments of yarn. Any yarn purchases from the shop on the day will receive a 10% discount.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be included. You may wish to bring a packed lunch or purchase food from the deli next door.
Space is limited to 6 persons and costs £35 each. Please call the shop to book as soon as possible.
Knitting with wire:
Working with very fine wire and adding beads it is possible to obtain interesting textures for 3D pieces for flowers, bracelets and brooches. Starting with the basics it should be possible to complete a bracelet within the one day workshop. Dates for these courses will be sent out soon – let me know if you are interested.
Details of other courses will be available soon.
Knitting club:
These are fortnightly and after the Christmas break will recommence on Thursdays. Beginning 14th February 10 am – 12 and 5pm – 7pm in the shop. See you there.
Keep knitting,
Barbara