Handbags for Gladrags

Ok......... just wanted to post a picture of one of our gorgeous bags. I hope the picture does it justice. It is knitted in black felting wool mixed with a nice purple eyelash yarn. Then, buttons have been stitched all over as embellishments to add that wee funky touch.

I have seen customers knit this in loads of colours, black and red, brown and cream, brown and pink, you name it. The combinations are endless. You need, initially, 3 sets of needles at £3.99 a pair and, usually 5-6 balls of wool costing £2.70 a ball (from 1st March going up from £2.50). Patterns are free from the shop when you buy the wool. Posting a kit costs £3 UK.

Watch this space for more designs.

Hexipuffs

Hi everybody. Just discovered a new fun way to use up all your leftover sock wool - hexipuffs! They are wee puffy knitted hexagons knitted with 3 needles. They are really fun and quick little stash-busters. You could knit them, I suppose, with any weight of wool though I would knit them all with the same type; dk or 4ply etc.

The best thing aabout them is their portability - I can't go anywhere without my knitting so these can travel in your bag in a pencil-case or something like it annd can be worked away at whilst waiting at the dentist, on the train, bus or when you can't be bothered with a big, intricate job.

Post me for a copy of the pattern. I intend to use them to make  a cushion cover when I have enough - this could take a while.

The Story of my Doll Patsy

Patsy was created out of the book "Babes in the Wool" by Fiona McDonald, a lovely book full of these exciting teenage dolls. Both my girls (18 & 21) love them all and want one knitted and dressed like they do! Romy has begun to knit her own. Each doll has her own outfit and they can all be mixed and matched. The book is available from the shop along with doll-sized balls of wool to avoid waste. They are 24" tall.

Patsy has ear-rings, a bracelet and necklace, all handmade. Her clothes are all knitted separately so she can have day-wear and an evening outfit. There are patterns for shoes, underwear and other accessories. She was really fun to make and the best part was deciding how to dress her up. She is now for sale at £30 to a loving owner and a good home.

Scarf of the Moment!

Today I introduced the new scarf wool by Sirdar. It can be knitted in two different styles - flat or twirly. This is the twirly version. The pattern is on the inside of the band. Finished in an hour and a half. Drapes beautifully and just the right length.

With Valentines next Tuesday, it's time for us to think about getting our balloon bouquets ready. They are really popular! We have 18"red foil hearts for £3 and prices ranging up to £7.50 for the full bouquet which has a cloud of white balloons with the foil heart rising out from it. Will post pics as soon as I have inflated them.

Diary of a wee wooly shop

Hi there, decided it was time to try this blogging malarkey for my wee shop in Strathaven to let the world see what we are about.

Today has been about getting ready for our upcoming "Introduction to Quilting" day to be held a week this Sunday, the 19th Feb, from 10am till we finish. Event costs £40 including all material with lunch provided (maybe even chip suppers too, if we are still in the shop by that time!) We are going to make a quilted tote bag which can be used for holding your knitting or sewing. Photos to follow.

Just published our felted ballerina slipper knitting pattern (for release tomorrow) Knit these beautiful slippers in any shade of our lovely felting wool, aren't they gorgeous!

The vision for the shop is great with lots of exciting, contemporary ideas to be be phased into action. Like............
sock-a-month club, sock knitting workshop, jewellery making, home soft furnishings class to name but a few. Follow me on facebook also