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

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

Sweater and Hat

 Baby Sweater and Hat, blue and grey

Deramores Baby DK

Yellow Baby Sweater

 Yellow Sweater

Deramores Baby DK

Oh Deer Cowl

A pack I bought some time ago.

The pattern is free.

The yarn and pattern is really affordable from Deramores

The yarn is King Cole Merino Blend 4ply. 

But really any 4ply sock yarn works, especially if you're after something more colourful.

It's not blocked yet.

Xmas CAL Cushion

The basic patterns was from the Deramores Christmas CAL.

I just found the original appliques too boring.

I found these @ Lovable Loops

You have to scroll down for a bit to find the links to all 3 patterns.

The tassles weren't added to the original either.

Xmas CAL Deramores

I had a 25% off voucher to get this CAL set so I bought it.

They also made a KAL but I didn't see anything interesting.

If you just want the patterns they are free.

So far, I have made the 2 baubles and the coasters.

I have started the stocking. But instead of just plain white top I will give it a furry one.

Next I will probably make the placemats and then the cushion.

When I know what I have left over I will probably add some other things

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Slipper Boots

I bought this yarn not really knowing what it might become one day. Then last month Deramore's Advents Calendar had this Pattern as Freebie. That's when i knew.

Deramores Vintage Chunky

Deramores Pattern 2008