tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466187828397946892024-03-05T20:51:55.241+00:00BritYarnAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-1334630256997443612017-09-05T13:25:00.000+01:002017-09-06T09:48:48.594+01:00GB Socks Away KAL 17<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes the GB Socks Away KAL is returning for a third year! The chatter has already started in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brityarn" target="_blank">BritYarn Ravelry Group</a> but don't worry as we don't cast on until Friday 22nd September 2017. There is plenty of time to place that little <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/" target="_blank">BritYarn</a> order or to have a stash or patten rummage. Also in the chatter thread are the rules but for those that have taken part previously they are the same as previous years. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlVdJNi2ETFOqTWojDkY3cNfB71nPJ6SPCggheXJacwWc0h3gRbDXt_UzerSDW7521dykfGe20HxnmH-cfjzuIHuohChVTQWZ6SGUaSqqQiJxOw5Iaw2HvHqSiXed-iC6VIaDBn-puA/s1600/fullsizeoutput_144f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlVdJNi2ETFOqTWojDkY3cNfB71nPJ6SPCggheXJacwWc0h3gRbDXt_UzerSDW7521dykfGe20HxnmH-cfjzuIHuohChVTQWZ6SGUaSqqQiJxOw5Iaw2HvHqSiXed-iC6VIaDBn-puA/s400/fullsizeoutput_144f.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of socky yarns available at BritYarn</td></tr>
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There will be prizes for both FO's and for chatter. If you have never knit socks before come and join us. This KAL in previous years has been the starting point for lots of new sock knitters. Also it is not just knitting socks..... crochet socks are of course always welcome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For pattern ideas you can browse the special <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/knitting-crochet-patterns/Socks" target="_blank">sock section</a> of the BritYarn website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look forward to chatting with you in the BritYarn Ravelry Group.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-59349229960512315082017-04-12T10:32:00.000+01:002017-04-12T10:32:32.202+01:00Come and join me on Saturday 6th May at Countess Ablaze, Manchester<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Yes it is happening again! BritYarn is returning to the wonder of the Countess Ablaze studio on Saturday 6th May 2017. I will be bringing along a section of yarns, books and of course </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/BritYarn-Canvas-Shopping-Bag" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Ethel canvas shopping bags</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">. This time I will be joined on the day by </span><a href="http://www.whistlebare.co.uk/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Whistlebare</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;"> and </span><a href="http://www.thelittlegreygirl.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The Little Grey Gir</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">l. I hope you can join us! </span><br />
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<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">Since last years event Countess Ablaze has moved to the centre of </span><a href="https://www.countessablaze.com/pages/visit-the-studio" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Manchester</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">. The studio can be found at 21 Swan Street (in the Northern Quarter) which is a 15 - 20 minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station (buses and taxis are of course another option). There are lots of really nice cafes and shops in the surrounding area if you want to make a day of it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px;">I have started a thread in the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brityarn" target="_blank"> BritYarn group</a> for the day if you want to pop over and say hi and see how else is going. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-24401050950216193042017-03-20T13:06:00.002+00:002017-03-20T13:06:29.095+00:00Samite Silk Blend - A New Yarn from Blacker Yarns<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new yarn from Blacker Yarns, Samite Silk Blend <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Yarns-Samite-Silk-Blend" target="_blank">launches on 23rd March and of course BritYarn will be stocking it. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought it might be useful to share some of the thoughts of bloggers and podcasters who have tried this amazing yarn already. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First up is a blog post by <a href="http://www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk/blog/creating-new-yarn-range-samite" target="_blank">Sue Blacker</a> explaining in a lot more detail about how the blend was created.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The lovely Lisa from the <a href="https://erickaeckles.wordpress.com/2017/03/09/liquid-moonlight-and-silk-woollen-stitches/" target="_blank">Erika Eckles</a> blog gave Samite a road test a few weeks ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Louise Scollay chatted about Samite on <a href="http://www.knitbritish.net/ep-78/" target="_blank">Episode 78 </a>of the KnitBritish podcast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.louisetilbrookdesigns.net/everyday-knitter/2017/3/8/when-swatching-is-a-pleasure" target="_blank">Louise Tilbrook</a> (I am a big fan of her sock and shawl designs) wrote a review recently after knitting a little sample in the gorgeous Drowsy Flowers shade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Helen Stewart of <a href="http://curioushandmade.com/ch-162-new-month-new-yarns-new-designs/" target="_blank">Curious Handmade</a> chatted about Samite during episode 162 of her podcast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have started a Samite thread on the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brityarn" target="_blank"> BritYarn Ravelry group page</a>, feel free to chat there about your Samite cast on plans.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo used with kind permission from Blacker Yarns.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Samite is a permanent addition to the Blacker Yarns range. This 3 ply woollen spun yarn is a blend of 30% Bluefaced Leicester, 40% Shetland, 20% Ahimsa silk and 10% Gotland from Sue Blacker's own flock. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-85174096185622556352016-12-01T10:22:00.001+00:002016-12-01T10:22:33.077+00:00Christmas and New Year <div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t believe it is this time again!! May I wish you all the very best of seasons greetings and a very happy 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to confirm the posting arrangements then..........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orders will be posted up to and including 21st December. This is also the last recommended Royal Mail posting date for delivery before Christmas if you are in the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are ordering from overseas please check the Royal Mail website for you countries last recommended dates for International Standard postage. <a href="http://www.royalmail.com/greetings" style="color: #666666;">http://www.royalmail.com/greetings</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Orders placed after the post office run on the 21st December will be posted from Wednesday 28th December (apart from New Years Day etc).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always during the festive and New Year period please allow extra time for delivery and also for your order to be dispatched. I am away for Christmas and New Year but a very good friend of mine will be looking after BritYarn while I am away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful December.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isla</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-43190991373678181952016-10-10T15:01:00.003+01:002016-10-10T15:01:33.783+01:00Shetland Wool Week 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been home for just over a week and think I am now ready to try and sum up in words my amazing week on Shetland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The preparations had been ongoing for nearly a year so it seemed hard to believe that the time had come to catch the train up to Aberdeen a few Fridays ago. By the time I boarded the ferry giddy dancing had set in much to the amusement of my two fellow Shetland Wool Week friends (hello ladies)! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The overnight ferry turned into a serious knitting party. This is what happens when you get a 'purl' of knitters who happen to also share a love of gin in a bar. It was a brilliant start to the week - finally meeting those that I only knew through Instagram and making new friends along the way (including the makings of a new knitter). Needless to say the chatter and laughter went on into the small hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A visit to a blustery Sumburgh Head on the Saturday morning followed by coffee and cake in the stunning cafe blew the cobwebs away from the previous night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunday I decided to head south from our base in Lerwick to St Ninian's Isle. The isle is reached by a sand tombolo which in itself is pretty amazing. </span><br />
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Never before have I had to decide which sea side of the beach to walk on. I must admit to having no real plans but instead just decided to wonder around and see what I came across. Luckily I eventually found the remains of the ancient chapel towards the end of my walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent the next few days mainly in Lerwick where I purchased an amazing cape from Jamiesons of Shetland and added my knitted square to the 'From Shetland with Love' blanket. I also had a very soggy walk with a friend I had recently met (who also loved walking in the wind and rain) around the Knab of Lerwick. The idea had been to walk to Clickimin Broch but we decided to cut the walk short after finding a gem of a cafe / bar which served a mean mojito. I really wish I had been wearing my waterproof trousers that walk.... I was soaked to the skin! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the week I saw some truly stunning knitwear. One memorable trip was to Ollaberry Community Hall in Northmavine. The local community had put on an exhibition of haps along with homebakes and tea to raise funds for their local community. The ladies were just so lovely, passionate and generous and I will never, ever forget them or their haps on display. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haps at Ollaberry.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bressay Lighthouse.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another trip during the week was to take the short ferry from Lerwick to Bressay. I loved walking down to the lighthouse, taking in the scenery and weather (changeable) and exploring some of the derelict croft houses. At the lighthouse (along with a very welcoming cup of tea) was a lovely collection of garments including spencers and long johns. They also had an antique loom which I was very kindly allowed to have a go on. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The loom in the engine room.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend and I spent quite a bit of time just chatting and drinking tea with some of the ladies who were helping out. It was only later I realised that I had been sitting next to someone I follow on Instagram! Luckily we saw each other again at the Makers Market and caught up again. My day on Bressay was definitely another highlight of the week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also just want to say a big hello to the fab ladies whom I drank gin with on the ferry and who then invited us all over for a curry on the Thursday evening. Despite burning the candle at both ends all week I had a super night! Same time next year??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friday was here before I knew it and with it a great trip to Uradale Farm. Here I made my first yarny purchase of the week! Ronnie and Sue made the group feel really welcome as they chatted about their organic farm and fed us amazing soup and cake. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ronnie and his Shetland Rams.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can tell I had the best of weeks! I was feeling pretty gutted as the ferry departed Lerwick. Our love of wool and knitting brings people together from all walks of life and forms friendships which will last forever. x </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you next year!</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-86420207477515183062016-09-16T10:20:00.001+01:002016-09-16T10:20:11.646+01:00Blacker Cornish Tin 11th Birthday Blend<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of you will remember this time last year we were all getting very excited about Blacker Yarns 10th Birthday and their very special limited edition 10th Birthday Blend. It sold out so quickly, it wasn't long before both the shelves at BritYarn and Blacker were looking quite bare. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzdsVxSMherhPQri1CnKIKsEyqKHHDhPnC6QcyBiEGDk3Jup9pQp_eQV8ulThVxz8TdhNhOYWaFuI4by8zjGsS3LDFu_uzp0FXzFILfyMH-MmYtLlDqtDtK3FaQE0bdHbGJ4CSrXW8g/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzdsVxSMherhPQri1CnKIKsEyqKHHDhPnC6QcyBiEGDk3Jup9pQp_eQV8ulThVxz8TdhNhOYWaFuI4by8zjGsS3LDFu_uzp0FXzFILfyMH-MmYtLlDqtDtK3FaQE0bdHbGJ4CSrXW8g/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornish Tin II in all its glory.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wonderful people at <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/blacker-yarns" target="_blank">Blacker</a> have decided, as so many of you missed out last year, to create another unique limited edition blend to celebrate their 11th birthday - Cornish Tin II. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BritYarn is delighted to be stocking this amazing yarn in both <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Cornish-Tin-II-11th-Birthday-Blend-4-ply" target="_blank">4 ply</a> and <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Cornish-Tin-II-11th-Birthday-Blend-DK" target="_blank">DK</a>. The yarn comes in 100g skeins (350m for 4 ply and 220m for DK). This time there are seven rich dyed shades and one undyed natural grey all named after Cornish Tin Mines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 11th Birthday Blend has been created by blending together </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alpaca, Portland, Saxon Merino, Gotland, Jacob, Shetland, Black Welsh Mountain, Mohair, and English Merino. All the sheep live in the UK and come from Blacker Yarns favourite small producers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was very lucky to be sent a little sample to have a play with before the big boxes started arriving at BritYarn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the squish the yarn feels very bouncy and has a silkiness to it but not a squishy soft silkiness (if that makes sense!). As different fibres (and their natural shades) react differently to dye the seven dyed shades have lovely subtle variations </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you can still see some of the amazing darker fibres.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The undyed Levant Grey is a stunning silver shade with lovely hints of lighter and darker fibres.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7V2JUaLG3B0dv5be6-gcw5DccelIrvm-VP6_NkHI44LhaVfikpXY4sCwtRD8GpZtWBoLHYya5NwLsxq4bRQOCN7rO84VTYdQPothK1W-l12HRW2nIMIwhGSaPPWj-6UeOIM8zGLqPA/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7V2JUaLG3B0dv5be6-gcw5DccelIrvm-VP6_NkHI44LhaVfikpXY4sCwtRD8GpZtWBoLHYya5NwLsxq4bRQOCN7rO84VTYdQPothK1W-l12HRW2nIMIwhGSaPPWj-6UeOIM8zGLqPA/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little skein of Poldice Pink.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted my swatch to test out as many things as I could. I picked out the Cascading Leaves pattern from 750 Knitting Stitches. I decided to alter the background stitch for the bottom and top sections to stocking stitch rather than reverse stocking stitch. Sadly I ran out of yarn so that last few rows and cast off was actually done in my leftover sample mini skein of Cornish Tin 10th Birthday Blend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yarn was a real pleasure to work with. It flowed through my fingers really smoothly (the 10th Blend had more of a rustic and sticky feel to it). While knitting the yarn felt substantial and strong and I am sure it would love being ripped out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The stitches in my unblocked swatch look wonderfully defined and sit nicely together making the yarn brilliant for colourwork projects. My unblocked swatch was noticeable softer then my precious blocked 10th Birthday Blend swatch. There was a slight halo to the swatch and it had a lovely drape. I should add my yarn was DK and I used 4mm needles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDVKYPxSVS0hhn6h3TaIGnOwbsSw0DGjlmngWklSuulLyR5T1XxdHTtufzAUdzvMNZzh0quHzR9jveDTa8g-BdXkZgrLdMMUndhntJJ5tLD8skPdqjLqkCTLRCsq9MfaSm6VqvgHSkA/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDVKYPxSVS0hhn6h3TaIGnOwbsSw0DGjlmngWklSuulLyR5T1XxdHTtufzAUdzvMNZzh0quHzR9jveDTa8g-BdXkZgrLdMMUndhntJJ5tLD8skPdqjLqkCTLRCsq9MfaSm6VqvgHSkA/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unblocked</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we all know giving our projects a nice bath and a block does magical things.......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi11TNJ_ZsTAHvWRz3l9Kcvp5pHd-OhMHDvN7ioecAE468csrnnGiX-9XRJY-_5tDUynF5rvcx1kdEMKjb1khT8ET3JimIYb4izJsj8llL6aCPIOJVGsi3K5OD-XKm7ng-jpSXyIRroA/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi11TNJ_ZsTAHvWRz3l9Kcvp5pHd-OhMHDvN7ioecAE468csrnnGiX-9XRJY-_5tDUynF5rvcx1kdEMKjb1khT8ET3JimIYb4izJsj8llL6aCPIOJVGsi3K5OD-XKm7ng-jpSXyIRroA/s400/IMG_1165.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My blocked swatch<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now I loved the 10th Birthday Tin but I have to be very honest and say I love this even more! The yarn has bloomed and my swatch just feels devine. It has a substance to it that is really pleasing but a lovely softness to it (I don't mean buttery BFL soft but I can't think of the right word). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornish Tin II would be amazing for pretty much everything. It would be great for open work, colourwork and cables. It would equally be just wonderful in relaxing garter or stocking stitch projects. Accessories would be amazing such as hats, shawls, gloves. It would also make a very special garment. I am thinking jumpers and cardigans by </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/knitting-crochet-patterns/Tin-Can-Knits" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tin Can Knits</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> especially. The only thing I personally would not use it for is socks..... why you ask? Because this yarn just needs to be shown off to the world and not hidden in shoes and boots! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornish Tin II 11th Birthday Blend goes on sale Tuesday 20th September 2016. Remember this yarn is limited edition and will only be made this once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are thinking about using Cornish Tin II with perhaps <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/blacker-yarns" target="_blank">Tamar or Classic 4 ply </a>I highly recommend you check out the amazing blog by <a href="https://erickaeckles.wordpress.com/2016/09/12/a-very-special-yarn-full-of-bounce-and-boing/" target="_blank">Erika </a><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>Eccles</u></span>. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 203px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1337px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 203px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1337px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-55554788529959047082016-09-13T15:09:00.001+01:002016-09-13T15:09:07.370+01:00The Great British Socks Away KAL is returning<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right everyone The Great British Socks Away KAL is coming back next Friday 23rd September. Everyone who took part last year had a great time. It has brilliant to hear how the KAL has inspired so many of you in your sock knitting adventures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like last year it will take place over in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brityarn" target="_blank">BritYarn Ravelry Group</a>. If anyone wants to share their photos on Twitter and Instagram you can use the hashtag #</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GBSocksAwayKAL16</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chatter has already started in the group with plans being made and stash being rummaged through. The rules are straightforward:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will all cast on our socks of choice on Friday 23rd September 2016.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yarn must be grown in Britain OR be grown local to you if you do not live in Great Britain. Of course you are still welcome to use British grown yarn if you wish. The yarn can be from your stash, a BritYarn purchase or bought from elsewhere.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blends (taken from BritYarn’s Woolly Principles) using other natural fibres can be used e.g. linen as long as they comprise a maximum of 50% of the total content. Synthetic material in a blend, e.g. nylon should only account for 25% of the total content.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any sock pattern can be used.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be eligible for a prizes you need to post a photo of your finished pair of socks in the FO thread in the BritYarn Ravelry group by midnight Monday 31st October 2016.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are more than welcome to double dip as long as the above rules apply.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are new to sock knitting and fancy taking part please don't be shy..... there are all skill levels taking part and everyone is really friendly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope to see you over in the BritYarn group! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking for inspiration.......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczjoQ51feQUgZucMcm5CbtcwvVb2LQS5T3EL0cYuX9tnPzF0spkW8s0NEwZ8mgONFVou_GwE2M_yGqZd8YJRBlCiMmWCwWbgDjQv_mcfeFc3FIZ1D037G9tjW505BnfMbvPnPywIO2g/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczjoQ51feQUgZucMcm5CbtcwvVb2LQS5T3EL0cYuX9tnPzF0spkW8s0NEwZ8mgONFVou_GwE2M_yGqZd8YJRBlCiMmWCwWbgDjQv_mcfeFc3FIZ1D037G9tjW505BnfMbvPnPywIO2g/s200/cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Lazy-Sunday-Knitted-Socks-Jane-Burns" target="_blank">Lazy Sunday Knitted Socks by Jane Burns</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGue6lnKBVyM_xdBjPs9jomjT-RNMW0K6_GIOr2OwZRn2cvr8PZeEp554fNOlNsQXYFtAkuZ5aMHJv6toeLrT-gn7TVU9uDI8ZmlFJAS-yXvAEBnD0JGpH4U7JtsDULWKnFR_JoLTAeA/s1600/Sock+Anatomy+Cover_sq_instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGue6lnKBVyM_xdBjPs9jomjT-RNMW0K6_GIOr2OwZRn2cvr8PZeEp554fNOlNsQXYFtAkuZ5aMHJv6toeLrT-gn7TVU9uDI8ZmlFJAS-yXvAEBnD0JGpH4U7JtsDULWKnFR_JoLTAeA/s200/Sock+Anatomy+Cover_sq_instagram.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Sock-Anatomy-clare-devine" target="_blank">Sock Anatomy by Clare Devine</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoCpAdaP_pPOrY-j3XRJRqTzK8X17LbKjBw9PECxnllShe0HGx9SpIbdk5oeQxsYxwyWkDkOcS6tUowb3qX9KTROGhvQarmiscwPQc4fIhYyGkbs6HjNQXc3LIZqA4gE0p8r08UseMg/s1600/IMG_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoCpAdaP_pPOrY-j3XRJRqTzK8X17LbKjBw9PECxnllShe0HGx9SpIbdk5oeQxsYxwyWkDkOcS6tUowb3qX9KTROGhvQarmiscwPQc4fIhYyGkbs6HjNQXc3LIZqA4gE0p8r08UseMg/s200/IMG_0564.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Classic-4-ply-British-Wool" target="_blank">Blacker Classic 4 Ply</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf6vDIa356_owveGrTqD7J6vEbhtn39eylBPbK_dN5utICEq3QnLXqXKv-_Q5bx-FqzwW8bvIhhKssK6t5w6lX5Rt5xPZlZbHKkcFPKu9Pph1AhA-gL1ug66-yUH9fhAchn6aq1OAzA/s1600/IMG_4630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf6vDIa356_owveGrTqD7J6vEbhtn39eylBPbK_dN5utICEq3QnLXqXKv-_Q5bx-FqzwW8bvIhhKssK6t5w6lX5Rt5xPZlZbHKkcFPKu9Pph1AhA-gL1ug66-yUH9fhAchn6aq1OAzA/s200/IMG_4630.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Sock-wool-Cocktail" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners Cocktail Range </a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NS0RXzQOeLFCoWHCzRKGzQgq_OzgrENfRCLnT_Hk50WD9rcPEmOMX8qVzzWXfVucYDWII3wcatv_1BZaLrOzsQskyENija9TJxJ6KcDrzOKL3RgjPeh53T6-_uwMNcX1PSM_Eo857w/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NS0RXzQOeLFCoWHCzRKGzQgq_OzgrENfRCLnT_Hk50WD9rcPEmOMX8qVzzWXfVucYDWII3wcatv_1BZaLrOzsQskyENija9TJxJ6KcDrzOKL3RgjPeh53T6-_uwMNcX1PSM_Eo857w/s200/DSC_0232.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/The-Knitting-Goddess" target="_blank">Britsock - The Knitting Goddess</a></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-80347441202332325982016-07-04T11:55:00.002+01:002016-07-04T11:55:44.666+01:00Monday 11th July and Tuesday 12th July 2016<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello everyone. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a little note to say no orders will be posted on Monday 11th July and Tuesday 12th July. Any orders which are placed after the Friday 8th July post office run will not be posted until Wednesday 13th July. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will however try and post as many orders as I can over the weekend but I can't promise anything as I am also taking part in two art installations!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a good week everyone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">p.s. we still have a few yarns reduced at the moment...... I will pop a little link <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/Reduced" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-33481973307196764672016-05-31T13:11:00.002+01:002016-05-31T13:11:15.725+01:00A little meet up at Leeds Wool Festival 2016<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/armleymills/Wool-Festival.aspx" target="_blank">Leeds Wool Festival</a> this Saturday and <a href="http://www.joelicreates.com/" target="_blank">Joeli Creates</a> and myself are holding a little meet up at 1pm. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went last year and had a brilliant day. You can read all about my day last </span><a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/leeds-yarn-festival-2015.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will meet up outside on the grass area which is to the right of the main entrance (same place we sat last year). If you follow the main building to the very end you come to a lovely sheltered garden area. I will post a photo on Instagram and Twitter just before 1pm so you know roughly where we are. If the weather is not kind to us I will pop a post on Instagram / Twitter to let you know of the alternative arrangements. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope to see you there.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-14586528953793656402016-04-23T16:52:00.002+01:002016-04-23T16:52:41.866+01:00A chat with Jane Burns - Lazy Sunday Socks<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Jane </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for BritYarn. If you are sitting comfortably with a beverage to hand lets begin!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Could introduce yourself to BritYarn’s readers? </b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am Jane and I design knitting and occasionally crochet patterns whose magic lies in the simplicity. Knitting time is precious and I help knitters make projects that have an easily achievable wow factor. Until recently I worked full time designing for the UK knitting magazines, and now I have now started my self-publishing journey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMLK_LTnhCTDfAXmaWgsk6-9kJOIGgQOJ7zApllBLlqD7A2KH-fDjApBypsirH40MwUmQ6s4aCHEfVdbc_UfNrQvEi4XxMPqDLZGtFQbG-3kjqddUy6Dmy6HmuzYl7fKPkBXgWtkG7w/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMLK_LTnhCTDfAXmaWgsk6-9kJOIGgQOJ7zApllBLlqD7A2KH-fDjApBypsirH40MwUmQ6s4aCHEfVdbc_UfNrQvEi4XxMPqDLZGtFQbG-3kjqddUy6Dmy6HmuzYl7fKPkBXgWtkG7w/s320/cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What started your journey into designing knitting and crochet patterns?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like many designers I had a ‘chance’ entry into the industry. In 2009 I owned an online knitting shop (specialising in sock yarns) and Let’s Knit Magazine approached me and asked if I designed sock knitting patterns. I had designed a couple of patterns as yarn support for the yarn I stocked, so I jumped at the opportunity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What are your favourite woolly / fibre crafts?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a knitter, I would probably still be knitting night and day even if it were not my job. A few years ago I taught myself to crochet as an alternative way to relax. Knitting had become my full time job, I thought crochet would help me unwind. But shortly after I was asked to design some crochet pieces…. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You have just launched your new book <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Lazy-Sunday-Knitted-Socks-Jane-Burns" target="_blank">‘Lazy Sunday Knitted Socks</a>’. Could you tell us a little bit about it?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to design a collection of socks that were indulgent. Knitting time is precious and we rarely spend that time knitting projects to pamper ourselves. This is a collection of beautiful beaded socks to knit. The book teaches you how to apply beads using a crochet hook, which is by far my favourite method of applying beads to knitting. . There is a range of patterns; whilst some of the designs look incredibly complex, if you can knit socks and follow a chart they really are quite simple. For example, ‘No Room For Ravers’ may look a little daunting but in reality the chart has only an eight row repeat, coupled with some simple cables and eyelets you have some stunning socks, that are achievable for most sock knitters. And if you are not a fan of reading charts, the book includes full written instructions for ‘No Room For Ravers’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many people (including myself) may never have used beads in socks before…. can you share any hints or tips?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find yourself a good video tutorial, there is one on my blog <a href="http://janeburns.co.uk/2016/04/learn-to-bead-in-just-26-seconds/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 99, 193); color: #0463c1;">http://janeburns.co.uk/2016/04/learn-to-bead-in-just-26-seconds/</span></a> seeing this technique demonstrated will leave you addicted to beading. Most people watch the technique and say, ‘that is so simple’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All hooks and beads are not made equal, I highly recommend purchasing a Clover Soft Touch Steel tipped crochet hook, I have tried a lot of hooks and in my opinion these are the best. Good quality beads such as Debbie Abrahams beads or Matsuno seed beads are also highly recommended. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtmXvOva_lhYm_d_h1kCUuFFOkYoERLB3PJggcK6-d9f3OCQIeSdVk2GYsHUW8R8UDx9SVpXvpqT_hfJC3eQ63DDPwmfZdr8g6-fzeXZP98E03GaTVgGbzkLTMUPWQQ8a6h-xUc9JzA/s1600/all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtmXvOva_lhYm_d_h1kCUuFFOkYoERLB3PJggcK6-d9f3OCQIeSdVk2GYsHUW8R8UDx9SVpXvpqT_hfJC3eQ63DDPwmfZdr8g6-fzeXZP98E03GaTVgGbzkLTMUPWQQ8a6h-xUc9JzA/s320/all.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Is there one thing you couldn't live without when designing a pattern and why?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stitchmastery! Stitchmastery allows me to manipulate stitch patterns easily, it has saved me many hours of drawing charts on paper and rubbing them out! It also has a fantastic chart ‘checking’ facility that is a life saver.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It’s tea break time…. what is your favourite biscuit?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh Isla, I am a biscuit-o-holic, it is easier to tell you which biscuits I do not like…. Ginger Nuts! Ginger Nuts are pure evil, I think this may be a deep rooted psychological issue. I was the only red head in my primary school and it was harsh! I needed Catherine Tate and Tim Minchin when I was growing up, if I had heard the Tim Minchin song, ‘Only A Ginger can call another Ginger, Ginger’ life would have been so different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Are there any future plans / projects you can share with BritYarn?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, throughout the year there will be more sock patterns, not all of them beaded. But even more exciting I am working on my second book. I am sitting here resisting the urge to tell you all about it, but I must be strong…..</span></div>
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You can purchase Jane's book <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Lazy-Sunday-Knitted-Socks-Jane-Burns" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Images used with kind permission from </span>Jane<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> Burns.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-80834975662665283192016-04-13T11:59:00.003+01:002016-04-13T12:03:24.450+01:00British Wool Marketing Board - Part 3<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part 3 covers the tour of the Wool Grading Department at Bradford. The same process happens across the BWMB eleven depots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sheets enter the depot, either from a sub depot or direct from a producer dropping off their packed sheets. All the sheets are weighed as they enter the depot and are marked with the producers information.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drop off area and Grading</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sheets are moved into position ready for the fleeces to be hand graded and sorted. The fleeces are graded according to their type. The grader takes around 5 - 6 seconds per fleece to access this is looking at among other things staple length, colour, breed and cleanliness. That fleece is then placed in the appropriate blue tup (skep) depending on decision the grader makes. The breed of the sheep is not always the main consideration when a grader sorts through the fleeces although breeds like Bluefaced Leicester are always sorted and kept together.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grading</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is after this point that the fleeces are no longer farm specific (the weights and grades for each producer are recorded so that accurate payments can be made) but instead classified by their grade. Every grade has a grade number which classifies it into one of the six categories (fine, medium, cross, lustre, hill and mountain) which are then broken down even further (hogs, ewes, breed, colour etc). </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Full Skeps (you can see the grade numbers above)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once eight skeps of the same grade have been gathered they are then baled into large green bales using the machine below. The machine compresses the fleeces and wraps them in plastic. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-qRUxV2iANpHvqZd9w2imvK49MDvwJhwDkNtGm3qJn2dwxvgaFkyzokUTPh3Oa0cn3ssTAPbukIZ3Odgcwn8inDMnTfP2CA8wrwozlWZ2t6QOj-gRgP047ApU7nyUb7Fnu0m8Lfvtw/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-qRUxV2iANpHvqZd9w2imvK49MDvwJhwDkNtGm3qJn2dwxvgaFkyzokUTPh3Oa0cn3ssTAPbukIZ3Odgcwn8inDMnTfP2CA8wrwozlWZ2t6QOj-gRgP047ApU7nyUb7Fnu0m8Lfvtw/s320/IMG_4281.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Green bales</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibSx2iRtVm8y-wboJK5dcgXmRD8MP3_MwFh2OFr1odVcLDYTf0xbVUp7uFL12L7g2ndDfnIaPNSB8wN0EnBLp6pkdB72uYRMs1YU7ArmlKkuY2D5IR8MDvjG8D3jb8JXPJvqatfA4sw/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibSx2iRtVm8y-wboJK5dcgXmRD8MP3_MwFh2OFr1odVcLDYTf0xbVUp7uFL12L7g2ndDfnIaPNSB8wN0EnBLp6pkdB72uYRMs1YU7ArmlKkuY2D5IR8MDvjG8D3jb8JXPJvqatfA4sw/s320/IMG_4279.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The green baler machine</td></tr>
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<br />The green bales are then placed in the warehouse area. Once there are roughly 24 bales (around 8000kg) this can then go to auction as one lot. Before the sale a core sample from each bale is taken which is scientifically analysed to provide additional information for potential buyers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other things to note relating to grading and auctioning the wool</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A producer has the option to drop off their sheets at a depot or one of the 14 sub depots. If they choose not to do this then they are changed a fee depending on where the fleeces are collected from.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is a <a href="http://www.britishwool.org.uk/page/wool-sales/quality-control.php" target="_blank">link</a> to the different grades of fleece (scroll to the bottom of the page).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are eighteen auctions a year. They are all held at Bradford.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">any questions</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> let me know! The next few blog posts will all be focused on answering the questions we had over in the BritYarn Ravelry group.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-53325065169946113722016-04-07T17:04:00.002+01:002016-04-07T17:04:55.032+01:00British Wool Marketing Board - Part 2<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/a-visit-to-british-wool-marketing-board.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> I talked about a very informative presentation by Gareth </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Jones BWMB Producer Communications Manager. In this second post about my visit to the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) I thought I would share some of the things I learnt during his talk.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I mentioned a few stats last time but another interesting and thought provoking one was in 2014 only 1.3% </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: '"calibri"', sans-serif;">of the fibre produced globally</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: '"calibri"', sans-serif;"> was made from wool.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"> 62.9% was synthetic, 29.1% was cotton with cellulosic, silk, flax and other animal fibres making up the other areas. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">When the board was established in 1950 there was 130,000 sheep farmers (producers) registered with the board. The board was created to encourage farmers to keep sheep for wool after World War Two. There was a price guarantee set by the government which dictated the price the farmers would receive for their fleeces. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Currently there are approximately 45,000 sheep farmers registered with the board. The demand for cheaper man made fibres certainly is a massive contributing factor to the decline in numbers of sheep farmers and the demand for wool globally has dropped in the last 15 years. However, some of this decline in producers can be attributed to them not being registered with the board and instead using their fleeces for their own business ventures. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">An area which surprised me was just how much the BWMB try and help registered producers regardless of size of flock (58% producers produce less than 500kg fleece) or their location in the country. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">One thing we all need to remember is that sheep must be sheared for welfare reasons, and so those costs are part and parcel of keeping sheep. The board provide an end to end service from providing the sheets (see part 1), collection of the fleeces from a farm (or a farmer can drop them off at a local depot), grading and auction. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">In theory 'all' the farmer has do once a sheep has been clipped is to ensure their fleeces are packed into the sheets ready for collection. These sheets are huge and must be packed according to BWMB instructions. Having seen them being manually moved on a recent BBC programme 'This Farming Life' and read how unpopular they are on social media I can understand why producers might not be happy. Not just with the physicality of using them them but also in the time taken after a sheep has been sheared to correctly pack the fleece into the sheet. However, I can now appreciate and better understand why the BWMB insist on them having seen the process in action (more in Part 3). </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The BWMB aims to achieve the best possible market price for British wool for the producers (don't forget the board is made up of farmers) and to make buying British wool as attractive prospect as possible to merchants. It does this by assisting merchants with things like haulage services and storage. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Also each and every green bale in an auction lot is scientifically tested to provide additional information to a buyer such yield, vegetable matter, micron count and colour. This not only ensures quality control but also provides much needed information so a buyer can make an informed choice on auction day. The services the BWMB provide make then unique.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrosHtfIf1_gAulyMuevSYzT7elyUkZoyJodlyKVdQrwmxDKeXzwGEsv_kVqe3kdhomznKtsmv0lH_-iRxEndENUpm7o-Qc4oqETMlpq3eGok5-d6zCXkIhjHGhvkyyxXyEzWzUxmakA/s1600/IMG_4282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrosHtfIf1_gAulyMuevSYzT7elyUkZoyJodlyKVdQrwmxDKeXzwGEsv_kVqe3kdhomznKtsmv0lH_-iRxEndENUpm7o-Qc4oqETMlpq3eGok5-d6zCXkIhjHGhvkyyxXyEzWzUxmakA/s320/IMG_4282.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lorry being loaded with sold lots</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Like I mentioned in part 1 British wool is such a tiny percentage of the global market. The BWMB are trying to go one step further and get British wool noticed on a global market by working together with producers. For that they certainly get my respect and thanks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Part three will all be about the grading side.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-81616163493608949122016-03-30T12:47:00.000+01:002016-04-06T11:43:31.214+01:00A Visit to the British Wool Marketing Board - Part 1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An introduction to the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I was invited to go on a Wool Processing Tour at the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) depot and Head Office at Bradford. It was an opportunity I jumped at due to having mixed feelings about the board. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were many things I wanted to get a better understanding of and answers to. Over in our BritYarn Ravelry group we also had lots a great discussion in the run up to me going. Many of your questions and thoughts reflected mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I went I grouped these thoughts and questions together into themes. I will take each one in turn in separate blogs posts over the next few weeks. A big thank you to each and everyone of you for your input. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post is a summary of the day at the BWMB. I am not sure how many parts there will be as there was a lot to take in and I want to be able to share with you as much as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The day was roughly split into two. The first part around the BWMB and the work that they do. The second, after lunch, was a visit to Haworth Scouring (owned by Curtis Wool Direct).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJy9yGQ4nNSJa3eRiPqC2pxKgOHhQdEupgfWrI7YmLhlKawYQ4ENTyBm2eFwjViFjylZtb-BGqpB8stPDpDMaFONDMbrMVnh2XOEpnSuyqkgssW5SnwTMm9HGC4kjvu0i2chNO78fUw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJy9yGQ4nNSJa3eRiPqC2pxKgOHhQdEupgfWrI7YmLhlKawYQ4ENTyBm2eFwjViFjylZtb-BGqpB8stPDpDMaFONDMbrMVnh2XOEpnSuyqkgssW5SnwTMm9HGC4kjvu0i2chNO78fUw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the tour were people from lots of different backgrounds. There were yarny people like myself, a journalist from BBC Radio York, two farmers and the carpet industry was also represented. I thought this was really good as it gave different points of view and knowledge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After introductions around the table, Gareth Jones BWMB </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Producer Communications Manager gave a presentation on the work of the board including its history, lots of statistical information about the global wool market and the work the BWMB undertakes</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> today. Again a lot of information was talked about here which warrants a blog post of its own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Some thought provoking stats like British wool (by this they mean greasy wool straight from the sheep) only accounts for 2% of wool produced on the global market and globally 2.1 million tons of greasy wool is produced per annum got me thinking. Globally British wool is a very small player in the wool industry and while our sheep breeds are very special, merchants could easily survive without us. For me, this makes it even more vital that we all do everything we can to buy British and support the British wool industry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Gareth also explained that the BWMB is a farmers cooperative and receives no financial support from the government. It is fully funded by the producers (the farmers whose fleece they process and sell). The BWMB takes 1p ker kilo off the farmer to provide an end to end service (collection to selling at auction).</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpLe6-a4dB66gzq0H8ntnEEbS55Ds9PtoG8OVw3LiOD687R5PAnw-3-gLXLYQk7oO3YfmEhL7VBjBEam8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">At the end of Gareth's presentation he explained how merchants buy wool at auction. We then went into a live auction which was like no auction I have ever seen, the auctions are all digital. All bids are placed by just click of the mouse button. It is all really, really fast! While we were not allowed to take any photos inside the auction room for privacy reasons this little video clip shows the screen the merchants see at their desks in the auction room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">After this we were taken to where the fleeces are graded, sorted, packed and stored. Again this warrants a more in-depth blog </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">post on this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The set up at Bradford is mirrored across the 11 national depots although the Bradford depot is the largest. Every single fleece in the country that comes into a depot is hand graded. This was something I didn't appreciate before my visit. The grading and sorting is undertaken by a skilled Wool Grader who has undertaken a 5 year apprenticeship. It takes a grader around 5 - 6 seconds to grade each fleece. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">We were shown where the fleeces enter the BWMB from either sub depots or farmer drop offs. The fleeces are packed in sheets (big white bags similar to what you might use to store things under your bed but a lot bigger). A sheet is emptied out to a table, graded and then sorted into the blue containers (skeps) you can see in the photo. It is after this point that they are no longer farm specific but grade (and sometimes breed specific). Once sufficient skeps of the same grade (8) have been gathered they are then compressed into green bales. Everything here is uniformed by size to maximise storage in the warehouses. The green bales are auctioned in roughly 8000 - 9000kg lots! Like I said getting your head around the sheer volumes was really hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The BWMB part of the day was rounded off by a talk from Tim Booth </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">BWMB Marketing Manager. It is at this point I had to keep reminding myself that the carpet industry dominate the British Wool industry (55% of British wool goes into the making of carpets). So a lot of the marketing around British wool is influenced by this. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I hope that this first post has helped share some of what I saw and learnt during my tour. Look out for more posts about my day over the coming weeks.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-19401801291516298992016-03-23T12:45:00.002+00:002016-03-23T12:45:36.117+00:00Save the Date 30th April - A BritYarn Trunk Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmF1CNVFKbQMH1AiCntz_vOOJ02yjNTXCZmcDbH-sbadga8sKPkB48365AFV4bcgVWjMb8eXDRUonnFPl-7p5WDcdL8ll-sE8LQUj8xRYKeGzpMVh_EC57oEffcmDqw3XLmCQF_3nOw/s1600/YarnShopDay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmF1CNVFKbQMH1AiCntz_vOOJ02yjNTXCZmcDbH-sbadga8sKPkB48365AFV4bcgVWjMb8eXDRUonnFPl-7p5WDcdL8ll-sE8LQUj8xRYKeGzpMVh_EC57oEffcmDqw3XLmCQF_3nOw/s400/YarnShopDay.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fantastic Countess Ablaze is opening her Manchester dye studio doors for Yarn Shop Day and has invited BritYarn to join her in the studio with a Trunk Show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will bring along a big selection of yarny goodness including the new </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/blacker-yarns" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Blacker Yarns Tamar</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Sweet-Spice-Sock" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">WYS Signature 4ply</a>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There will be</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">h</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and dyed yarns from </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/The-Knitting-Goddess" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Knitting Goddess</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> as well a range of </span><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/natural-undyed-British-Wool" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">undyed yarns</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">breed specific yarns for you to squish, plus pattern books, stitch markers and Ethel canvas bags. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Countess will be dyeing up lots of her British breed yarns (The Countess always <a href="http://www.countessablaze.com/pages/yarn-bases" target="_blank">advises</a> where her yarns have been grown and spun). It will be an amazing British wool extravaganza! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCYdSyzznF1jM3RweEHwfq6txn_jkQLqddgsoUS8I7vPd1gnPB60Hy-ExcHtRruSgz36h_5QMAmafTQPlfyZF4lFs11PNDQwoxKFBq_FIW4Fen-KR04gm4_p1ia7SUaoe2zA7yf-KBA/s1600/islaLyndsey_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCYdSyzznF1jM3RweEHwfq6txn_jkQLqddgsoUS8I7vPd1gnPB60Hy-ExcHtRruSgz36h_5QMAmafTQPlfyZF4lFs11PNDQwoxKFBq_FIW4Fen-KR04gm4_p1ia7SUaoe2zA7yf-KBA/s200/islaLyndsey_large.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There will be tea, coffee and cake throughout the day and lots of chatter about all things yarn related. The doors will open from 10am until 5pm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The studio is really easy to get to from </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Manchester. The address is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">101 Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester, M27 4AA. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For further information on how to get there take a look at the </span><a href="http://www.countessablaze.com/pages/visit-the-studio" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Visiting the Countess Ablaze Dye Studio</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really do hope you can make it on the 30th April. I have started a thread in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/brityarn/3394808/1-25#9" target="_blank">BritYarn Ravelry group</a> and the Countess has created an event in Ravelry.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o2p8HkgC6c7gegzvdPG-lGcpUh0IDyheIF6zo3_B8FhxZmoXMdtI7Fg1RHpxxuSAggXGvRkPmALJMSzAOfju3TF-rDoZIRX8ggrHH0jijhmdhb6Qh5hyphenhyphenbq7IaOrawYVmRQbhuKluNg/s1600/business_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o2p8HkgC6c7gegzvdPG-lGcpUh0IDyheIF6zo3_B8FhxZmoXMdtI7Fg1RHpxxuSAggXGvRkPmALJMSzAOfju3TF-rDoZIRX8ggrHH0jijhmdhb6Qh5hyphenhyphenbq7IaOrawYVmRQbhuKluNg/s320/business_logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Images used with kind permission from Countess Ablaze.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-17595109406424720542016-03-14T11:58:00.002+00:002016-03-14T12:04:50.820+00:00A new hand dyed yarn from The Knitting Goddess<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90h2vPYUCIBm3oX-5YyzJZlFvA2mY1SiY7UruIxAFbmS0TXIxXO1ogFRKJxZ0lNECMYHjWDjKo_pyYIOrGCOcfoTUjGPk4hhn7WrXlAeeNerIkh5K-6yRx3NdFeS8odtldp3zLV5S8g/s1600/flat-shot-600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90h2vPYUCIBm3oX-5YyzJZlFvA2mY1SiY7UruIxAFbmS0TXIxXO1ogFRKJxZ0lNECMYHjWDjKo_pyYIOrGCOcfoTUjGPk4hhn7WrXlAeeNerIkh5K-6yRx3NdFeS8odtldp3zLV5S8g/s320/flat-shot-600px.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long time readers will know I am a big fan of The Knitting Goddess (run by Joy and Bobbie from their studio in Harrogate). Not only do they dye amazing colours but they all also passionate about British wool. So imagine my excitement </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when an email popped into my inbox about their new yarn launching at Edinburgh Yarn Festival! Then quadruple that excitement as they wanted BritYarn to help launch it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The yarn will make its debut on Friday 18th March at The Knitting Goddess stall at Edinburgh<b> AND</b> in <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/The-Knitting-Goddess-Wensleydale-Shetland-4ply" target="_blank">BritYarn's shop</a>! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4GOrEtd_lUN10kDIDBKm3Uc7DtosAZjlkLnzNcJ7V62FBglVY5HgSB6rcT06NXYBMgJccecRvVubpLCVx1EVASybh2ptvvTw8wwkKc7KPjr6TvQNIlGj-hVtd-AYgmACFukiPYiChA/s1600/ws---silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4GOrEtd_lUN10kDIDBKm3Uc7DtosAZjlkLnzNcJ7V62FBglVY5HgSB6rcT06NXYBMgJccecRvVubpLCVx1EVASybh2ptvvTw8wwkKc7KPjr6TvQNIlGj-hVtd-AYgmACFukiPYiChA/s200/ws---silver.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now let me tell you about this amazing yarn. It is 4ply and a blend of 85% Wensleydale and 15% Shetland (both British grown of course). Each 100g skein is approximately 400m long and will cost £18.50. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The yarn has been spun (in Cornwall) to a high twist making it a great option for socks without nylon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a massive amount of fun swatching with this new yarn, it has lots of character and I just wanted to keep on knitting. The high twist not only gives the yarn additional strength but also allows the stitches to stand out beautifully against the slight halo of the Wensleydale. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ0W8-qDYCOzQnSkJ-1iCOr31RtPLZKPQUSZRNHxku2hqM2CFD5FH5TwZsx_O-ENoX-w4zxWGcPjzKLm-6kYjXQb-2t7ITAEE-G0BmPkUX2dvQF-Lww4shIhrJrUhHy4uQra-aXh0Jw/s1600/ws-navy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ0W8-qDYCOzQnSkJ-1iCOr31RtPLZKPQUSZRNHxku2hqM2CFD5FH5TwZsx_O-ENoX-w4zxWGcPjzKLm-6kYjXQb-2t7ITAEE-G0BmPkUX2dvQF-Lww4shIhrJrUhHy4uQra-aXh0Jw/s200/ws-navy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Navy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is not the softest of yarns to squish (it has a good sturdiness to it which I love). I happily wore my blocked swatch next to my skin. I had to smile when Joy told me she gets Bobbie to 'itch test' new yarns. I do the same with Mr BritYarn! Mr BritYarn is pretty sensitive to things which might itch / tickle. I am pleased to report he wore the swatch for several hours and I had to remind if I could have it back..... a big thumbs up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/The-Knitting-Goddess-Wensleydale-Shetland-4ply" target="_blank">The Knitting Goddess Wensleydale Shetland</a> yarn is perfect for so many different projects.... not just socks and shawls but I am also thinking lightweight but warm garments ready for Spring! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfMCdvqpazZwnqFsRNiKLlM_h2J2kgb9H1OB0CZ9RFh8CNsgCJCCdYDJlbuz_X-E1rXZu6C-SuPFUt4utU_Zosv9d7d6aog2ksytBf8oV51GGdV07OuWhrzvhUFB0Py9pMru4K9FRbg/s1600/blocked.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfMCdvqpazZwnqFsRNiKLlM_h2J2kgb9H1OB0CZ9RFh8CNsgCJCCdYDJlbuz_X-E1rXZu6C-SuPFUt4utU_Zosv9d7d6aog2ksytBf8oV51GGdV07OuWhrzvhUFB0Py9pMru4K9FRbg/s200/blocked.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My blocked swatch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4OgqV8XsTqWAjXqP_VeDKVuv2HRrGHR8humZYhMZXtjqtDdxIm0fs2OTgl_u8ufxSfQLwvdCvI32hiNYlaWHhHgbg2CbSwEDGt56bGhp6ON0DXyJC01V7uGXWIzzYa0dKvzRQOMA5A/s1600/unblocked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4OgqV8XsTqWAjXqP_VeDKVuv2HRrGHR8humZYhMZXtjqtDdxIm0fs2OTgl_u8ufxSfQLwvdCvI32hiNYlaWHhHgbg2CbSwEDGt56bGhp6ON0DXyJC01V7uGXWIzzYa0dKvzRQOMA5A/s200/unblocked.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My unblocked swatch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Orders will be posted as usual while I am away at Edinburgh, thanks to Mr BritYarn. So if you order early enough on Friday you could be casting on with this new yarn on Saturday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Images of the yarn used with kind permission from The Knitting Goddess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-33772092231979370202016-03-07T13:48:00.000+00:002016-03-07T13:48:33.337+00:00A chat with Sue Blacker from Blacker Yarns<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<b>Could you introduce yourself to BritYarn’s readers? (Who you are, what you do, little bit about your background)</b></div>
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I’m Sue Blacker, Managing Director of The Natural Fibre Company and Blacker Yarns. The two businesses are partners so that we both spin for many crafters, farmers, smallholders and commercial customers as well as designing and making knitting and crochet yarns for the Blacker Yarns brand.</div>
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I was born and grew up in Cornwall, UK, and then after university worked for many years in London, mainly in the City as an investment analyst. Eventually the call of Cornwall grew too strong and I came home and worked on community and economic development projects for partnerships and charities. While doing this we also got some sheep to keep the grass down around our holiday cottages and so I got into wool production.</div>
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I sent the wool for processing to Myra at The Natural Fibre Company, then in Wales, and eventually when she wanted to retire, I managed to buy the company and relocate it to Cornwall, where we have been busy ever since …</div>
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<b>How and when did Blacker Yarns come about?</b></div>
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In Wales, Myra had a business called Naturals, which made yarns and textiles from her own and bought-in wool. So there was a pattern for doing this.</div>
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After we had fully established our spinning operation for The Natural Fibre Company, we looked again at the idea of making yarns for sale, carefully distinguished from those of NFC customers, who sell single farm yarns. For the quantities we knew we need to buy from several farms and we also recognised that we could support the British breeds this way, and regional wool, without cutting across the single farm producers. Also some of our best producers were either growing more wool than they themselves needed, did not want to set up a yarn or craft business, while some continued with the animals but retired from their yarn sales business, so there was a ready supply of really high quality wool.</div>
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So we set up Blacker Yarns, initially focusing on individual breed yarns, which is still our key emphasis. We specialise in ensuring that the yarn is the “right” one for the style of fibre, as working with single breeds means we need to be very specific to maintain the quality and best performance of the fibre through into the corresponding yarn.</div>
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As we have grown we have developed a series of blended ranges, Classic, Swan, Lyonesse, Tweed, our Birthday Tin and the new Tamar, as well as maintaining a selection of limited edition rare and regional breed yarns, and also patterns to support the style of each yarn and blend.</div>
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<b>What does your ‘typical’ day look like?</b></div>
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There’s really no such thing! When I’m at home, the day always includes one or more visits to my Gotland flock of sheep, depending on the time of year. Then some days we are away at shows or visiting customers, some days I work from home when writing or designing or planning and the other 25 days a week are spent at our mill!</div>
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Here the work can be anything from answering the phone, responding to enquiries, loads of email (of course), proof reading copy of our newsletters, planning new yarns and products, training and supporting staff, working with our Production Manager on scheduling, buying in fleeces, paying the bills, making the coffee … we are a small team of only 15 so we all do multi-tasking!</div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">What are your favourite woolly / fibre crafts?</b></div>
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I do like knitting best – less keen on crochet, though it’s very useful structurally and very portable! I also love sewing, embroidery and tapestry. I’m less keen on making felt though I love working with it. I also enjoy, but am very bad at, hand spinning!</div>
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<b>If you were only allowed to knit with one British grown base what would it be and why? (a blend or 100% pure) </b></div>
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If I were limited like this I might have to give up knitting all together! Part of the joy is the enormous variety of styles of yarn which are possible with British breeds. Generally I think a woollen spun Gotland is pretty useful though, for most things … which is why I also love our Classic and Tweed … and then …</div>
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<b>The stunning <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Yarns-Tamar-4-ply" target="_blank">Tamar</a> has recently launched….. could you tell us a bit more about the base and how you decided what breeds of sheep to use?</b></div>
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We felt that there was a gap in our range, and the market, for a lustre yarn which was not too “shiny” or mohair-like but which would take dye as stunningly as Gotland and Mohair. We wanted a leaner yarn with drape, to complement our bulkier and lofty yarns, while of course seeking the softness we know people love.</div>
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We also knew that any serious volume of yarn would require quite a lot of lustre fibre, and generally the lustre long-wool sheep are amongst the smallest of flocks and breed populations so we decided to create a blend of several lustre breeds. </div>
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This meant that we could help promote rare breeds and encourage their survival and possibly even growth in numbers, while not having to rely on a tiny supply from just one breed. Teeswater and Wensleydale in particular are relatively few, while there are more Cotswold but even so they are not numerous. Adding the Leicester Longwool also gave us the opportunity to include naturally coloured fibre, which is one of our major trademark attributes, giving our yarns a softness and depth of colour whether natural or dyed, which is very attractive and natural in appearance.</div>
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So in the end it was a bit of a mixture, based on what was available and at the right quality. We then needed something with a bit of bulk to reduce the slight tendency to hairiness from a pure long-wool yarn and also hold the yarn together better and give it some body, so we added Cornish-sourced Mule wool, which is around half Blue-faced Leicester and half local sheep, blended at the breeding stage, rather than in the wool! </div>
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<b>Tamar comes in fifteen dyed shades and two natural shades…… what was your inspiration behind them?</b></div>
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Seeking a locally inspired name for a flowing, draping yarn, it seemed our local Tamar river, which is a lovely word anyway, was the right choice for the range name. The Tamar is also the largest local river, so when deriving the colours, it seemed fairly obvious to go for complementary rivers or even tributaries of the Tamar! And some of them also have great local names …</div>
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Then it was a question of seeking the names to fit the colour palette. We wanted to make the shades all able to mix and match either complementing or contrasting with each other, as with our other ranges. We started with the idea of having two bases, one slightly darker and one more silvery, and then aimed for a dip-dye range of greys, purples, pinks, greens and blues, plus a stand-out gold. This was based on our experience of what our customers like in our other ranges, the current popular colour trends and of course a few local likes and dislikes amongst the team!</div>
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We shall aim to refresh the range in the future, so will be keen to hear suggestions?</div>
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<b>It’s tea break time…. What is your favourite biscuit?</b></div>
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I’m slightly lucky in that I don’t like many biscuits, or my waistline would be even more disastrous. I have a weakness for oat and raisin cookies and for the Bahlsen or Co-op chocolate-covered biscuits, which disappear all too quickly when I’m around!</div>
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<b>Are there any future Blacker Yarns plans / projects you can share with BritYarn’s readers?</b></div>
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At present we have just updated our Classic colour palette and have plans for refreshing the Swan shade palette, adding some more colours to Lyonesse and possibly Tweed, updating our worsted spun Jacob yarn and adding a few shades to our main Shetland. Gotland and Blue-faced Leicester breed yarns. We have several new rare breed limited edition yarns in the pipe-line too.</div>
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In addition …. Well, we did enjoy our 10<span style="line-height: normal;"><sup>th</sup></span> birthday so we think it will be good to have an 11<span style="line-height: normal;"><sup>th</sup></span> birthday this year, and then there might be another new range to come early next year. Plus we have some very interesting plans to work with more partners, along the lines we started with Blacker Swan: so watch this space!!</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Many thanks Sue for taking the time out of your </span>busy<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> day to answer out questions.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">All images featured in this blog post are used with kind permission from Blacker Yarns.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-57219575737229443602016-03-01T13:59:00.002+00:002016-03-01T13:59:25.848+00:00Joeli's Kitchen Retreat 2016<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent last weekend in Manchester at my first ever knitting retreat. The retreat was organised and hosted by <a href="http://www.joelicreates.com/" target="_blank">Joeli Creates</a> (Joeli was Joeli's Kitchen) and took place in hotel in the centre of Manchester. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All packed and ready to go</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit to being really nervous when I caught the train to Manchester on Friday afternoon (and very excited at the same time). Not only was it my first knitting retreat but it was BritYarn's first attendance at a little pop up market. This explains the giant suitcase. I should not have worried, knitters are awesome people of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The retreat included classes by the amazing and hugely talented <a href="http://kateatherley.com/" target="_blank">Kate Atherley</a>, <a href="http://woollenflower.bigcartel.com/faq" target="_blank">Julia Billings</a>, <a href="http://www.fourth-edition.co.uk/" target="_blank">Karie Westermann</a> and Joeli herself. It was really hard choosing what classes to do (we had pick two before the event). The two things I wanted to master this year was to improve my colourwork knitting and start spinning. I put my name down for Karie's 'Introduction to Two-Handed Colourwork' and Joeli's Drop Spindle Class. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday morning Joeli welcomed everybody to the retreat and we were handed our amazing goody bags. Then Kate Atherley did a fascinating talk about her knitting journey and why she loves doing teaching knitting related classes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the afternoon it was time for me to take my first steps into two-handed colourwork. We started off by learning how to knit continental (a very odd feeling but we all mastered it really quickly) and then progressed into knitting two handed. Along the way Karie chatted about colour dominance and different things to think about when starting a colour work projects.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first ever two handed knitting</td></tr>
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In the evening Louise Scollay of <a href="http://www.knitbritish.net/" target="_blank">KnitBritish</a> gave an informative and passionate talk on why she knits British and the journey this has taken her on. This was followed by the draw for door prizes (I won a copy of Take Heart by Fiona Alice so I was very happy!) and lots of knitting and chatter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday morning arrived (where had Saturday gone?) and with it drop spindling. It is no secret I am fascinated by spinning but I have always stayed safely on the sidelines.... not any more! Joeli got us all stuck in with drafting and then showing us, how to spin. It look a bit if getting the hang of but at the end of the class we had all produced a little skein of wool. Seven new spinners were realised into the world that day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me it was then straight onto setting up my stall for the retreat market place. I had the absolute pleasure of sharing a room with the Countess Ablaze, it was great to catch up again following our first meeting last December. Being behind the BritYarn stall meant that it kept me at a safe distance from the countesses yarns following my weakness last time we met! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of squishing and purchases were made that afternoon. It was just fantastic being able to show everyone a selection of different British yarns and for everyone to be able to see them first hand. Then the weekend, my first ever knitting retreat, was over. I caught the train home feeling tired but very, very happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a brilliant weekend, I met and chatted to so many like minded people and was able to meet so many of you that I have only chatted to online. A massive thank you Joeli for organising everything. I hope to see you all again soon and who knows maybe at next years retreat?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-30676713668702701462016-02-19T16:02:00.000+00:002016-03-10T13:53:48.929+00:00Tamar: A New Yarn from Blacker Yarns<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have lots of new things landing at BritYarn HQ at the moment. Last week we received Kate Davies new book<a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Buachaille-At-Home-in-the-Highlands-by-Kate-Davies" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Buachaille-At-Home-in-the-Highlands-by-Kate-Davies" target="_blank">Buachaille: At Home in the Highlands</a> and this week (ready for its launch on 3rd March) the new yarn from Blacker Yarns <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Yarns-Tamar-4-ply" target="_blank">Tamar Lustre Blend</a> arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was very lucky receive a sample of this yarn a little while ago and loved every minute of knitting my swatch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We will be stocking all seventeen shades (<a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Yarns-Tamar-4-ply" target="_blank">fifteen dyed shades </a>and two undyed) in 4 ply (Edited to add we now have the<a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Blacker-Yarns-Tamar-DK" target="_blank"> DK</a> in stock). Just like Cornish Tin, the yarn comes in 100g skeins and there is 350 metres per 100g. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unblocked Swatch and Shade Card</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tamar is a lustrous blend of British grown Wensleydale, Teeswater, Cotswold and Black Leicester Longwool, all famed for their elegant ringlets of wavy fleece. These breeds are all classified as either 'at risk' or 'vulnerable' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Added to these amazing longwools is 30% Cornish Mule which gives the blend </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">body and bounce</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Blacker Yarns have selected the finest Cornish Mule lambswool to compliment the long staple length of the longwools which have then been worsted spun together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to say I was very excited opening up my little parcel containing my samples and shade card..... the dyed shades are stunning and work brilliantly together, making the yarn ideal for colourwork projects. The two natural greys compliment the dyed shades beautifully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The skein feels soft but not squishy (I hope that makes sense!) with lots of bounce. And yes it absolutely shines with lustre as you would expect. The yarn also has a slight halo from the longwools.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Knitting my swatch was a dream, even ripping out part of it and starting again was a pleasure! Tamar felt incredibly smooth to work with and has produced a swatch with well defined stitches. The swatch before blocking had plenty of drape and felt soft with some body to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The swatch bloomed during its bath and once dry felt silky and soft with a nice degree of drape. In true Knitbritish swatch along fashion I also wore my swatch all day..... it just melted away and I cold not feel it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again Blacker Yarns have produced another stunning yarn and the good news is that this one is not limited edition!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For your chance to win a skein of Tamar 4ply and a BritYarn Canvas 'Ethel' bag keep on eye on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brityarn" target="_blank">BritYarn Ravelry Group</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In case you are wondering the yarn is named after the River Tamar which acts like a border between Cornwall and Devon. The shade names are all after the tributaries of the Tamar river.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tamar 4ply. Image used with kind permission<br />from Blacker Yarns</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-9354809760924744382016-01-25T12:37:00.004+00:002016-01-25T12:37:55.071+00:00Nature's Shades Along.....Progress So Far<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping well and managing to avoid some of the germs that seem to be flying around at the moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We cast on for the Natures Shades KAL a few weeks ago and already a few finished objects have stared to appear in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/brityarn/3350704/1-25#7" target="_blank">FO thread</a>. Everyone is making great progress and there are some truly amazing projects being worked on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end after much dithering I decide to knit Swale by Karie Westermann. It is one of the beautiful designs in the <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Drift-Collection-Eden-Cottage-Yarns" target="_blank">Drift Collection</a>. The pattern is written for two different shades but I am going to use four (for the KAL a minimum of three undyed shades must be used). The shawl is constructed along the lines of a hap. I am knitting the inner triangle one colour, the stripes two different colours and the edge the fourth colour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't be the only one who buys odd skeins of natural undyed yarns and then wonders what to do with them when they get home (apart from admiring and squishing them). This KAL was the ideal opportunity for me to have a bit of a stash rummage and select some of those sheepy shades. This is what I decided on..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cream is from Woolly Chic, the pale grey and the really dark shade is North Ronaldsay and the mid grey is Exmoor Zwartbles from John Arbon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My next decision was what order to knit them..... after much playing around and quite a bit of discussion with Mr BritYarn I decided to use the cream for the inner triangle, the two greys for the stripes and the dark for the edging. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planning</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Progress so far...... I am loving knitting with the Woolly Chic yarn and I am making steady progress on the inner triangle. My next two shades are balled up ready and waiting. </span><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">My Swale has not had that much attention since casting on as I am close to finishing several other projects including </span><a href="http://ravel.me/Isla111/rtpt5" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"> Mahy</a><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">. However, my Swale did come with me to York on Sunday as it is an idea travel project and perfect knitting while chatting with friends. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is not too late to join myself, Louise of KnitBritish and other fans of natures shades - all the details can be found <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/natures-shades-along-kal.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you fancy joining in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are having a Natures Shades KAL virtual knit night on Friday 12th February at 7pm. As usual this will take place on Twitter, Instagram and in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitbritish/3340975/1126-1150#1132" target="_blank">KAL chat thread</a>. Get your drink of choice and nibbles at the ready.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-27919261784800220952016-01-06T12:45:00.001+00:002016-01-06T12:45:26.439+00:00Nature's Shades Along KAL<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year Everyone! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just want to say a big thank you for all your seasonal best wishes and your congratulations when BritYarn made the front page of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>! The success of BritYarn is all down to you and your support. Again a massive thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, a new year and a new KAL. If you listen and follow Louise of <a href="http://www.knitbritish.net/ep-50/" target="_blank">KnitBritish</a> you will have already heard the details but just in case you have not here they are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Nature's Shades Along KAL is all about exploring the amazing variety of natural undyed shades available from our sheep, alpaca and other animals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rules of the KAL are as follows.....</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all start our projects on Thursday 14th January 2016.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can knit / weave / crochet any pattern but it must be something you can wear.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yarn must be undyed / natural.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must use a minimum of three shades. Any fibre can be used.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The yarn must be grown in Britain OR be grown local to you if you do not live in Great Britain. Of course you are still welcome to use British grown yarn if you wish.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">You must be a member of both the BritYarn and Knit British Ravelry Groups.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">To be eligiable for a prize your project must meet the above </span>criteria and your finished photo posted in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/brityarn/topics/3350704" target="_blank">BritYarn Nature's Shades Along FO</a> thread before midnight GMT 19th March 2016</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can tag your projects Naturesshades in Ravelry and </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#naturesshades on Instagram and Twitter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have noticed the cast off date? If you are going to Edinburgh Yarn Festival we will be holding a KAL meet up where we can all wear our FO's. We will let you know the details nearer the time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you any thoughts on your project or perhaps what yarns you might use? I am still really undecided although <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-festival" target="_blank">Spring Festival, </a>which was a shawl included in the 2015 EYF </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brochure, is high on my list. Perhaps done in a DK rather than 4ply........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need any yarn help all of BritYarn's undyed shades are grouped together <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/natural-undyed-British-Wool" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look forward to seeing your plans over in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitbritish/3340975/1-25" target="_blank">chat thread</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-58422880422597908632015-12-04T14:02:00.002+00:002015-12-04T14:02:26.357+00:00Festive News<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello Everyone, <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Christmas-Special" target="_blank">Holly Berry and Cherry Drop</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a little note to let you know the postage details during December and into the New Year. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lease keep in mind that it takes Royal Mail longer to deliver parcels so allow extra time for your orders to arrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Last Postage Dates</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recommended latest postage dates for Christmas have been published by Royal Mail. I have included some of the main dates but if your country is not listed below please check the Royal Mail website <a href="http://www.royalmail.com/greetings?iid=HPRHS_PROMO2_GREETINGS" target="_blank">here</a>. These dates are latest recommended posting dates. To be on the safe side it's best not to leave things to the last minute.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden Tuesday 15th December 2015</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ireland, Portugal and Spain Wednesday 16th December 2015</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">France Thursday 17th December 2015</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">UK Monday 21st December</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <b>last</b> BritYarn post office run of the year will be on Wednesday 23rd December. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While BritYarn is always open for your woolly shopping there will be <b>no orders posted after Wednesday 23rd December. Orders received after the last post office on the 23rd will start to be posted from Tuesday 5th January 2016.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A massive thank you to each and everyone of you for your support during our first six months. I hope you all have a restful festive break with lots of time for knitting, crochet and spinning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Merry Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">p.s. we've still got a few balls left of the <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Christmas-Special" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners limited edition festive yarn Holly Berry</a> and we have a few things <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/Reduced" target="_blank">reduced</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-73032889425975681962015-12-03T15:44:00.004+00:002015-12-03T15:45:12.606+00:00The Great British Pattern Pick - Winter by Jo Milmine<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Welcome to the third Great British Pattern Pick at BritYarn. In this series of blog posts, we’re aiming to bring you some of the best British-based design talent out there at the moment. We’ll also give you some suggestions as to which lovely yarns you could use for the project. All of our pattern enabling is fully compliant with BritYarn’s Woolly Principles, so you can be sure you’re shopping local!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Knit Me by Louise Zass-Bangham</span> </td></tr>
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I’m not sure about you, but Autumn seems to have flown past in barely a flurry of golden leaves and we’re already on the downhill slope to Christmas! No doubt some of you will be feverishly working on gifts for loved ones or a well-deserved project for yourself. Although it’s a hectic time of year, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a new cast-on over the festive period. With that in mind, let’s dive in to some cosy knits to enjoy with a hot chocolate.<br />
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The perfect accompaniment to yarns variegated and solid, <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Knit-Me-Inspiration-Knits" target="_blank">Knit Me by Louise Zass-Bangham</a> is a great go-to pattern. An easy knit, it shows off a jazzy yarn to its best effect, yet still has enough interest for a semi-solid to shine. There’s always a use for a scarf to keep the chill off your neck when doing your Christmas shopping. Avoid that freeze/thaw feeling you get from walking in and out of baking hot shops to the outside by choosing something a little lighter weight.</div>
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Louise loves hand dyed yarns and specifically designs her patterns to show off their individual beauty and character, so for this pattern I’d go for <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/Yarns-from-the-Plain" target="_blank">Mobberley 4ply</a> from Yarns From The Plain. </div>
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Ok, so I know this is sort of cheating as I’m giving you a <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Coop-Knits-Toasty-Volume-2-Rachel-Coopey" target="_blank">whole book of patterns</a> here, but you really can’t go wrong with a range of hats when it comes to winter. They keep off the chill and keep your head dry if you’re unexpectedly caught in a quick rain shower. Making a hat statement is easy with this collection of nine designs, including a scarf and mitts pattern.<span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5u3umXynwY-J4Fmu95pQIoV0AEBSplDsuR8WtUhXXPnsUz0BZTJzXMwZGObnQIGM2h-2rdLLLBDZAc7fmDKv0aCjL1EkR2ZSxW6LlhuXNCaJ5sdAKNRoqMnbtm-Dy0X-Vj0pYRCILA/s1600/0063014465_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5u3umXynwY-J4Fmu95pQIoV0AEBSplDsuR8WtUhXXPnsUz0BZTJzXMwZGObnQIGM2h-2rdLLLBDZAc7fmDKv0aCjL1EkR2ZSxW6LlhuXNCaJ5sdAKNRoqMnbtm-Dy0X-Vj0pYRCILA/s320/0063014465_small2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brighten up a gloomy season by opting for the <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Sweet-Spice-Sock" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply Sugar and Spice</a> range. With a wide range of colours to choose from, you’re sure to be able to create a combination to dazzle.</div>
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If colourwork hats are not your thing, consider adding some chunky texture to your wardrobe with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kyla-3" target="_blank">Kyla hat by Katya Frankel</a>. This slouchy beret with honeycomb cabled detail would be perfect to ward off the chill, particularly in a snuggly alpaca yarn. For this, I’d go for the <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/UK-Alpaca-Baby-Alpaca-Silk-DK" target="_blank">UK Alpaca Baby Alpaca and Silk blend</a>, which would add a touch of shine to proceedings from the silk content, not to mention beautiful drape. For a natural coloured alternative, the<a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/100-Lincoln-Longwool-DK-Double-Knitting" target="_blank"> Lincoln Longwool</a> DK would be a good choice and a great way to try a breed yarn in a smaller project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kyla <br />Image used with kind permission from Katya Frankel</span></td></tr>
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Sound the cute kid in knitwear alert! And what could be better than a nifty little waistcoat with minimal seaming? Although it’s modelled by a lovely wee chappie, this could easily be a unisex piece and there are lots of options for customising the design to your choice. Yarn-wise, you simply can’ go wrong with <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Aire-Valley-Aran" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran</a>. It comes in a variety of colours, is machine washable and is at a really competitive price point.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPOzYvWZTM5jNE-9utPsAMoUIGfWoN6I2xKdSDC-zT9oPjZBnI_9uC94sGanNKvZEnmpjGt7rEDN1H5HO1bILtRkrt_Dfj_qPKiAI3p_afS8c1ToggCAvAsE4b4MbuIftJY4PSA05uA/s1600/Pepo+Pie+by+Joeli%2527s+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPOzYvWZTM5jNE-9utPsAMoUIGfWoN6I2xKdSDC-zT9oPjZBnI_9uC94sGanNKvZEnmpjGt7rEDN1H5HO1bILtRkrt_Dfj_qPKiAI3p_afS8c1ToggCAvAsE4b4MbuIftJY4PSA05uA/s320/Pepo+Pie+by+Joeli%2527s+Kitchen.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pepo-pie" target="_blank">Peop Pie by Joeli's Kitchen</a>.<br />
Image used with kind permission from Desire2Phorography</td></tr>
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If you’re fretting about fitting in some last-minute gift knitting or want something truly warm to snuggle down into, why not get a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/big-thick-warm-and-quick" target="_blank">‘Big, Thick, Warm and Quick’ </a>on the needles? Kat Goldin’s free pattern for a garter stitch cowl would even warm the White Witch of Narnia in super chunky yarn. <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Erika-Knight-Maxi-Wool-Super-Chunky" target="_blank">Erika Knight Maxi Wool</a> would be the perfect match for this (there’s even an icy blue for Jadis!) and it’s sure to be a staple accessory during the winter months<span style="font-size: 12px;">. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYPNUDKjSFvaH-CgQxsov8U5T-npV-sxhKINraw_DZ69BlYHM9KetbXOKlxQkI-1o3esjhaTnbjWnn1Qej9YeKFzAqM1xtWZJylqOaNFe3uOc47cH5xx98PbK7bPH8p5-CCUawvvaMA/s1600/Big.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYPNUDKjSFvaH-CgQxsov8U5T-npV-sxhKINraw_DZ69BlYHM9KetbXOKlxQkI-1o3esjhaTnbjWnn1Qej9YeKFzAqM1xtWZJylqOaNFe3uOc47cH5xx98PbK7bPH8p5-CCUawvvaMA/s320/Big.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Big, Thick, Warm and Quick by Kat Goldin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image used with kind permission from Kat Goldin</span></td></tr>
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Now we couldn’t possibly finish off a pattern pick this close to Christmas without adding in a little fun. The fabulously cute <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wesley-bobs" target="_blank">‘Wesley Bob’</a> by Ann Kingstone adds a tad of knitty chic to any Christmas tree. You can rattle up a load of these cost effectively and in a shade to complement any colour scheme, thanks to <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Jamieson-and-Smith-JandS-2-Ply-Jumper-Weight-Shetland-wool" target="_blank">Jamieson and Smith’s 2ply Jumper Weight</a> Shetland Wool. They are also a good way to try out a bit of colourwork if you’ve never done it before or make a satisfying quick knit for the more seasoned.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispCkvzbdqJT1gxpiabFZYTROFR5r8ian67LoFN_LlXOM74XmA4hI84hdH0DJxltPVgheRe-cImqC4qTQwdMQ7f1Ox5xCfs2_TLVdEWVZf0Psmk99TBg0cLSdOWzRo785xw8BQ9okUIQ/s1600/wesley+bobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispCkvzbdqJT1gxpiabFZYTROFR5r8ian67LoFN_LlXOM74XmA4hI84hdH0DJxltPVgheRe-cImqC4qTQwdMQ7f1Ox5xCfs2_TLVdEWVZf0Psmk99TBg0cLSdOWzRo785xw8BQ9okUIQ/s320/wesley+bobs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley Bob by Ann Kingstone.<br />
Image used with kind permission from Ann Kingston.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So there’s our festive pattern pick for winter. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to pick up the needles and cast on. I’ll be back in spring with some floaty and light patterns to welcome brighter days!</span><br />
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Jo Milmine is an award-winning podcaster, business owner and consultant in North West England. Through her consultancy, Jo works closely with independent dyers, designers and small producers, sharing her business and yarn expertise and supporting them to achieve their goals.</div>
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She owns The Golden Skein, the company that brings meticulously curated luxury yarn clubs showcasing the finest hand dyed yarn the world has to offer. </div>
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Passionate about crafting (and comedy knitting patterns), you’ll find her podcasting as Shinybees, as well as on Ravelry, Twitter and Instagram as Shinybees. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">Website: <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255);"><a href="http://www.shinybees.com/">www.shinybees.com</a></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-27857636733466259942015-11-17T08:55:00.002+00:002015-11-17T08:55:52.568+00:00The Jacob Sheep<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As November's Yarn of the Month is West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob, I thought it would be really interesting to find out a bit more about the sheep itself. I am no expert so I have consulted two excellent books that I own, 'The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook' by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius and Sue Blacker's 'Pure Wool'. I have also looked at several websites and I will pop links to these at the bottom of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Jacob originated in the Middle East and is said to be the oldest breed of sheep in the world. They were introduced to Great Britain during the 17th Century where they were kept to decorate the parklands of country estates due to their 'decorative' appearance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I presume this 'decorative' use was one of the reasons why numbers of Jacob sheep declined, as country houses and land were later sold off. When the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) was created in 1974 the Jacob was placed on their watch list as a minority breed. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxVS6KGR6lnm-lpry1DCLQOR6hBzt-Ncu4j7K15d03oVrkwYArMDhwRZrPVjvR0tSUg35tw5yPeJgU7gfnny3E7R8GMl9UHxvagEKOQ7ZV7o0ola-djzBJvi3O-ebDInJzg2iaoEYdw/s1600/3715897513_944ba99a91_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxVS6KGR6lnm-lpry1DCLQOR6hBzt-Ncu4j7K15d03oVrkwYArMDhwRZrPVjvR0tSUg35tw5yPeJgU7gfnny3E7R8GMl9UHxvagEKOQ7ZV7o0ola-djzBJvi3O-ebDInJzg2iaoEYdw/s320/3715897513_944ba99a91_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/davehamster/3715897513/in/photolist-6EmWSv-9w3Ccp-8XMo9G-vwUsRT-dD8nPV-dDdLew-dDdKsW-dDdKEh-dD8nHB-dDdL37-dDdLSL-dDdLqS-dD8nZH-dD8oMB-7enP7r-4XYvyX-bnQM8s-bAKC7X-ecNE33-ecH2fF-ecNE2S-ecH2gx-4UB89J-7ijgJs-6FqwpB-6sqtmC-6sqrrq-6Fqwgg-6smgV4-6FuCJ1-6smiZ8-5GGGLj-6FqEcr-5GCo3n-5GCnSk-6FqDUn-6FuLXA-aGmQpa-9w6DRj-8XJjPn-5haisx-9w6DSU-aGpAfH-aGs2vP-cWdn5f-d85oio-d85n8A-d85nVQ-asCpgU-7MwiYC" target="_blank">Image Details: Jacob's Ram by Dave Merrett via Flickr</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to the work of The Jacob Sheep Society and the RBST the Jacob sheep is no longer on the watch list. There are 8000 breeding sheep registered and around 3000 lambs registered annually. Jacob can be found living all over Great Britain. It is worth noting that in the U.S the Jacob is still classed as a rare breed. It is also worth mentioning that due to different breeding programs in the two countries the British Jacob is much larger than its American relation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jacob are one of the most instantly recognisable sheep breeds. They have a white fleece with, what the breed standard describes as, 'well defined' coloured patches. For this reason alone the Wool Marketing Board classes them as 'coloured' sheep. Both male and female sheep have between two and four horns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So some Jacob fleece facts....... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Handle: Medium with a good degree of springiness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Staple Length: 7.5cm - 18cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Micron Count: 25 - 27.5 (Bluefaced Leicester is 26 - 26.5)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The breed standard advises that there should no little or no kemp in the fleece. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHC75GItOYCtbXydI6FXvkv8u0dUl2Jwwg2zK5c5MQkc0-2RMGPBYZIMOVdvh8Q2wikirhOh3KSRc1Ah-D8LeBzW71NXYdsy0MerwRAXs4QdjCbhCot7rtug7ig0PBav-VJz5pG5aLw/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHC75GItOYCtbXydI6FXvkv8u0dUl2Jwwg2zK5c5MQkc0-2RMGPBYZIMOVdvh8Q2wikirhOh3KSRc1Ah-D8LeBzW71NXYdsy0MerwRAXs4QdjCbhCot7rtug7ig0PBav-VJz5pG5aLw/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Aran</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The different colours on the fleece can vary in texture and staple length and this is worth keeping in mind if you are purchasing fleece or wool from smaller flocks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rise in Jacob sheep has allowed fleeces to be spun on a greater commercial basis such as the <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/West-Yorkshire-Spinners" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners</a> Jacob that we stock. As a result of the blending larger numbers of fleeces the shades produced have more uniformity to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your can read more about the yarn in November's <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.com/2015/10/west-yorkshire-spinners-jacob-yarn-of.html" target="_blank">Yarn of the Month</a> post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jacobsheepsociety.co.uk/home.htm" target="_blank">Jacob Sheep Society</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.rbst.org.uk/Our-Work/Watchlist" target="_blank">Rare breeds Survival Trus</a>t </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wrote about the Corriedale sheep <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.com/2015/06/corriedale-sheep.html" target="_blank">here</a> several month ago </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-13776647442840723122015-11-13T17:22:00.001+00:002015-11-13T17:22:56.090+00:00BritYarn 12 The Birds Have Landed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can find BritYarn at <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/"><span style="color: black;">www.brityarn.co.uk</span></a> We are on Instagram, Twitter, Ravelry as BritYarn and our blog is <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: black;">http://brityarn.blogspot.co.uk</span></a>, you can subscribe to our You Tube channel and on we are on Periscope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>News</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nine new shades from West Yorkshire Spinners (3 <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Sock-wool-Birds" target="_blank">Birds</a> and 6<a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/West-Yorkshire-Spinners-Signature-4-ply-Sweet-Spice-Sock" target="_blank"> solid</a> shades)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">100% <a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/Lincoln-Longwool-Risby-Flock" target="_blank">Lincoln Longwool from the Risby Flock</a> is now on the shelves at BritYarn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the blog post about the <a href="http://brityarn.blogspot.com/2015/07/lincolnshire-show-2015.html" target="_blank">Lincolnshire Show 2015</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/talavera" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Talavera</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Amanda B Collins using</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/product/Eden-Cottage-Yarns-BFL-Sock-4-ply" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Eden Cottage Yarn BFL sock</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What's in the Jam Pan</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://ravel.me/Isla111/rtpt5">Mahy</a> by Karie Westermann Lincoln Longwool Laceweight</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://ravel.me/Isla111/7ggrc" target="_blank">Lemon Difficult Shawl</a> by Kate Atherley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://ravel.me/Isla111/nlsc0" target="_blank">Oolong</a> by Clare Devine </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chatted about York and by birthday bag my mum bought from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Shoplouleigh" target="_blank">Shop Louleigh</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522864946281718246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46618782839794689.post-20496597107316637372015-11-03T08:32:00.002+00:002015-11-03T08:32:40.804+00:00West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Yarn of the Month November 2015<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As November is the month of Wovember, a celebration of all things 100% wool our Yarn of the Month is West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite Jacob sheep moving off the <a href="https://www.rbst.org.uk/Our-Work/Watchlist" target="_blank">Rare Breeds Survival Trust</a> watch list, it is still a yarn that you don't hear many people talking about. Which is why I am delighted to invite three friends of BritYarn to share their thoughts and experience of knitting with this yarn along with my own.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Aran</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://www.brityarn.co.uk/category/British-wool-yarn/West-Yorkshire-Spinners" target="_blank">West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob</a> is a pure breed yarn. It is worsted spun and available in DK and Aran weights. This yarn is quite lofty so looks thicker than other yarns of the same weight. Both the DK and Aran are available in four undyed shades ranging from Ecru, to a deep rich brown. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the natural shades get darker you can see more of a heathered effect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the skein the yarn feels soft to the touch and to knit with it feels really pleasing and substantial. I could wear it next to my skin but I know some people might need a layer underneath. It is slightly loosely spun so I did have a few problems with cabling without a cable needle (it was also my first time which perhaps didn't help!) as I could not aways see my loose stitches clearly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently knitted Woolly Wormed's <a href="http://ravel.me/Isla111/y4y38" target="_blank">Lexie hat</a> in Jacob Aran weight. The Lexie hat was the perfect project for seeing how the yarn behaved due to the different sections of the design. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the skein you can see some longer fibres which gave my finished Lexie hat a slight halo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The textured moss stitch and cable areas have amazing definition and if I turn the hat inside out the stocking stitch has me itching to cast on a winter jumper with this yarn! It is also a very warm yarn and I know this hat will be used a lot this winter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGtN_3tbuzLF1gz3EfIpCKEMVg5zeJDkKLs33Tbq2dOWXeWCrarzCL_xWR8tzb9ovLrIGy-SEaKV4QUC1TNiu3c9AdNbdz6e0g0jbp-u-pMBoll7D0MHkhwAQ3G3xpqEQ_-TPGHLIg/s1600/IMG_2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGtN_3tbuzLF1gz3EfIpCKEMVg5zeJDkKLs33Tbq2dOWXeWCrarzCL_xWR8tzb9ovLrIGy-SEaKV4QUC1TNiu3c9AdNbdz6e0g0jbp-u-pMBoll7D0MHkhwAQ3G3xpqEQ_-TPGHLIg/s320/IMG_2523.JPG" width="237" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will now hand you over to three friends of BritYarn who have very kindly shared their thoughts on the West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob DK. By coincidence they have all made cardigans! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neuroticbunnylady on Ravelry was the first person to buy Jacob yarn from BritYarn. I followed with great excitement the progress of her Owls cardigan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"I found Jacob DK a real pleasure to knit with, it is a little rustic feeling, but is also fairly soft. I found it knitted up into a lovely fabric, plus was extremely glad that if I dropped a stitch, it was extremely easy to pick that stitch up again, which has made me think I should try colourwork and maybe steeking with this yarn. The Jacob DK has amazing stitch definition, I am amazed at how well the lace pattern on the back of my cardigan shows up. </span><br style="line-height: 1em;" /><span style="background-color: white;">As far as the finished cardigan goes, I find this yarn makes a very warm and snuggly garment, it is lovely to wear. I would have to say its become one of my favourite knits, and I would put a lot of that down to how the Jacob DK has knitted up into a really nice looking and feeling fabric."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doksi used the yarn to knit her Scollay Along KAL cardigan.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob DK is not the softest yarn you could image. <span style="background-color: white;">So if you are very sensitive I wouldn't recommend this yarn.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if you like a little course and woolly feeling in a yarn this will give you fine texture and durable clothes. I have no problems to wear it next to skin. And after I got my cardigan ready, I have worn it almost every day - no pills at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found it much thicker than what I would call DK".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last but no means least is MmedeBeavoir, who is on the final stretch of knitting a Portage cardigan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The Portage pattern had been calling to me for ages; but, as with all such projects, which yarn to use? I dithered and pondered and swatched with what I had in my (admittedly considerable) stash, but didn’t find the perfect yarn. I wanted something warm and soft and squishy, but I also had it in my head that I wanted to knit a natural, undyed British wool that was traceable and sustainably produced. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s so much to love about Jacobs wool. It’s sturdy without being coarse, soft without being slippery, and it knits up beautifully: the stitch definition is gorgeous and the honeycomb stitch that makes up the back panel of the Portage cardigan is gloriously squishy. The result is both understated and striking. Looking closely at the knit, you notice the natural heathered look to the wool, the beautiful twist in the yarn… Plus it smells slightly sheepy, which is how wool should smell! For sweaters and cardigans, it’s the perfect choice."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you have found this post interesting. If you fancy learning more about breed specific yarns Louise at KnitBritish is currently holding a <a href="http://www.knitbritish.net/breedswatchalong-faqs/" target="_blank">Breed Swatch Along</a> in her Ravelry Group.</span><br />
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