Posts about yarn

Tried and tested: Super-chunky yarn part 2

12 November 2015

When I wrote the original article back in 2009 I was looking for a soft and more affordable substitute for Rowan Big Wool. I had no idea that this would become one of the most… Read more

Autumn colour

22 October 2015

To make up for the less than successful attempt, I dyed a few skeins with some other, more reliable natural dyes, and I’m so happy with these beautiful autumn colours. All yarns were pre-mordanted with… Read more

The Knitting & Stitching Show 2015: Knitting and spinning highlights

13 October 2015

Obviously, it’s the knitting and yarn stands I’m most eager to check out at Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, but this aspect has left me disappointed in past years. Each year I am hopeful… Read more

FO: Colourblock featherweight

29 July 2015

Hannah Fettig’s ‘Featherweight Cardigan’ perfectly combines elegance and simplicity. Its airy gauge makes it quick to knit, gives it a lovely drape and makes it a practical garment for the unpredictable British summer. Having just about recovered from the loss of my last featherweight, I decided to make a replacement. Read more

Making rainbows

24 February 2015

I’ve been doing a fair bit of spinning recently. One thing I’ve been disappointed with in the past is undesirable colour pooling with yarn spun from hand-dyed top. As seen on my , large patches… Read more

Swag from The Knitting & Stitching Show

31 March 2014

Despite my penchant for all things stitch-related, I have never before been to a craft-related exposition. The Knitting & Stitching Show runs a large event at Alexandra Palace, London every October and a smaller, sister… Read more

Dyeing deluge!

27 November 2013

When my regular partner in craft,  Jessica from The Toile and Trouble, expressed an interest having a go at hand-dyeing I of course obliged. Much fun was had, many methods tried and a rainbow of… Read more

Putting a positive spin on it

8 January 2013

I just completed probably my best ever spinning. It started life as Fyberspates Sparkle Fibre dyed top, a luxurious blend of merino, silk and glittery stelina, in ‘grey and mauve’. It’s pretty, evenly spun, evenly… Read more

Stripes and ribs

7 June 2012

You could be forgiven for thinking that not much knitting has been happening at Sparkle Towers, but this is not the case. I have a new pattern in development (more about that soon) and a… Read more

FO: Mitred Squares Baby Blanket in Noro Kureyon Sock

21 November 2011

A little project from earlier in the year I thought I’d share… Knitting blankets in 4 ply yarn is slow going, but when that yarn is Kureyon Sock it’s so worth it. This one took… Read more

A joint effort

12 August 2011

A while ago, Jessica, one of my partners in craft, mentioned that she wanted some drapey, lace-weight yarn in a bright, light green for a summer shawl. I happened to have a bargain cone of… Read more

Stash ups and downs

16 February 2011

If  2010’s stash down attempt was evaluated in a school report, it would read ‘must try harder’. I do try, honestly. I created another pretty heat-map of my stash yarn (if you’re using an RSS… Read more