Deramores no more

 I had an email from Deramores saying they have stopped trading and that LoveCrafts will take over their assets. I don't know the reasons behind the owner of Deramores throwing in the towel and I don't want to speculate either. It is just sad that one goes and another is getting bigger and bigger.

I always shop around and I always try to spread around where I spend my money. I usually buy all the Drops yarn from WoolWarehouse, tools and sock yarn from Woolstack. I get my Lang Yarns magazines and yarn from ArtYarn. I probably spent a bit too much at Hobbii. 😇 I will always find some unusual yarn at LindeHobby. And I will always find good deals at BlackSheepWools.  And so on.

What I am trying to say is instead of buttering up the big ones show your support to your local yarn/craft shop and if there isn't one then support the smaller online shops who are usually family businesses.

Happy knitting, crocheting and whatever else you do in your spare time.

PS: Here is a good article why knitting and in my view other creative hobbies are so important

Healing Anxiety Through Knitting

Gifts for my mum

 I knitted my mum a few things.

2 pairs of socks, a reflective hat and gloves and a reflective headband. To keep her toes warm and so people can see her walking across the street.

Looks like I didn't take pictures of everything LOL.

A Little Rant

 Does everyone else get annoyed when some "famous" designers lend their names for products that the prices shoot up like there is no tomorrow?

First I get an email from LoveCrafts regarding "Made With Love by Tom Daley" I thought OK great, he's very creative let's have a look. Hmm, every kit is with super chunky yarn, not for me. I actually hate super chunky yarn. The needles hurt my hands. Then the cheapest is a hat for £35 and the most expensive is a blanket and the XXL sized sweaters and cardigans for £145. Yes it's merino yarn. But when you look closely it's a very loosely spun merino which just screams for pilling. And I really don't want to know how much Tom actually gets from the sale. Peanuts probably.

And this morning I had an email from Deramores "McIntosh at Deramores."

CALM® by McIntosh is award-winning wool - with each cake of CALM lovingly hand-dyed in the UK. CALM is a mixture of 80% Extrafine Merino at only 16 microns and 20% pure cashmere, and has been spun with 'Z' and 'S' twists for a stronger stitch definition.

Extrafine Merino at only 16 microns? Merino wool is between 12 and 24 microns. So what?

Now here comes the issue, cashmere is a very delicate fibre and it breaks easily. Trust me I know I have knitted with cashmere and one wrong move with your needles and snap. Now if you add the delicate merino with a staple length of  90-115mm and cashmere with a staple length of 25-90mm it helps when it's spun in a Z and S twist to make it stronger. That it gets a stronger stitch definition is just a bonus.

To be honest this bit in the description is far more important to the welfare of the animals and I am glad to see it.

"non-mulesed Merino"

But why merino? Why not use British wool? All his other yarn is made of Bluefaced Leicester with or without silk.

McIntosh

Happy New Year

 First of all

Happy New Year everyone!

I know I have been very quiet lately but that has more to do with the fact that I was actually very busy knitting but the weather is so gloomy atm I just can't get good pictures without getting my big photo light out. And then there is the issue with my back. It get really painful after a short while and that's another reason why I struggle to get the pictures done. And I should press a few things to get better pictures as well. I hope I will have a few good days soon I can use to take pictures.

Anyway, I have opened all 4 advents boxes from Hobbii and I have knitted everything. I have to confess I changed the sock yarn. I just couldn't see ruffles on camouflage colours. 😂