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Bright yarn to get you noticed!

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Go Bright with your yarn choices!

Bright yarn can add zing to a jumper! A simple striped top becomes a garment that means you’ll really make an entrance in if you choose to mix up some eyecatching shades…

Bright yarn used in knitted and crocheted jumpers

I’ve loved knitting and crocheting with bright, neon-coloured yarns recently. And there are so many about to choose from. I particularly like the new Sirdar Soft Down DK which has lots of bright colours in its spectrum. As it name suggests, it’s as soft as soft can be. Made with 20% wool and 80% acrylic, this brushed wool blend definitely goes a long way. In fact, the stripey jumper I made only took four 100g balls.

Bright yarn from Sirdar

I chose Scarlet Blur and Fuzzy Fuchsia for my stripey jumper – the original pattern was shown in pale pink and orange, but I just loved the vibrant shades together. Here are a few of the shades available.

Bright yarn in a range of colours

After finishing my knitted jumper, I still had plenty of bright pink yarn left. I decided to knit an Argyle syle jumper too with two new shades, and using the pink for the ribs and diagonal-line highlights. This one goes full-on 80s, using Matcha Haze and Lilac Whisper for the large triangles.

Bright yarn used to create Argyle pattern

I’m using the intarsia technique for this one (not my favourite, because of all the darning in!). I’ve discovered a way to keep all the separate balls tangle free though. As it’s a geometric pattern, I just use the first colour and slip it onto a spare needle. The next colour is used, then slipped on next to the first. At the end of the row, all the little balls are in order on the spare needle. On the way back, I just take each one off in turn to knit with, then put it on another spare needle. You just need to take care not to split the yarn on the balls as you slide them onto the spare needle…

Not sure how long this one will take to knit, but it’s growing quite quickly!

Now for bright crochet

I already had a number of balls of Stylecraft Studio DK in Fiesta and Bright Green – really bright, neon shades which clash perfectly!!! I crocheted up a zingy jumper in this bright yarn. Green and pink stripes with a pink rib – really packs a punch.

Bright yarn from Stylecraft

Don’t forget, if you’re a knitting or crochet newbie, I’ve courses and lessons to help you if you live in Thanet – check them out here – you’ll soon be ready to start your own bright project.

Which colours have you used recently? Love to hear about your projects.

Spring crochet in pastel shades

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I can’t believe that spring is nearly here again! The spring flowers are beginning to bloom. Hellebores, daffs, and crocuses, snowdrops and primroses all bring a welcome dash of colour to the garden.

Pale cream hallebores with purple spots

Welcome spring sunshine is gradually replacing the cold, grey mornings! So what better than a few projects in pastel shades to brighten up the wardrobe too!

Diving into the yarn stash

Luckily I found a few balls of Stylecraft Special Baby DK in my craft room. They were just waiting to be turned into something springlike! I decided to design a special square block to take advantage of all the shades. The block starts with a circle in the middle, followed by ‘petals’, and then builds up outwards until it almost turns into a granny square at the edge!

close up of centre of spring pastel block

Spring accessories

Once I’d made a few of these, I had to decide what to turn them into. I added a pretty picot edging, and turned five of the squares into a Spring neckwarmer. (Well, the chilly temperatures haven’t disappeared completely yet, have they?) And doesn’t it look perfect on this pinky-purple heather?

Spring neckwarmer on pink heather

It’s even more beautiful worn around the neck, as this stylish model demonstrates!

Spring neckwarmer on model head

I still had lots of yarn left though, so I decided to crochet a series of circles, simply using the centre of my pattern. I turned them into this spring belt – very 70s style! (It reminded me of my dog Lily’s collar, which is just like the one on this lovely wooden model of her from Studio Todd in Margate!)

70s style spring belt with a model of our dog Lily

And here it is on the heather in the garden!

Of course, to finish off the look, I had to make a matching circular bag! The strap has picot edging, just like the neckwarmer…

Crocheted circular spring bag

Hope you like my spring look!

Want to learn how to crochet them?

And, don’t forget, if you’d like to learn how to make any of these items and you live in Thanet, why not arrange a lesson and I can teach you. See here for details. Or see the Kent Adult Education website for details of a half-day Easter crochet class I’m teaching – perfect for a spring treat!

Learning to crochet or knit on Zoom!

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Learning a new skill is a brilliant thing to do at any time. But especially during lockdown, it’s wonderful to take up a new craft to keep you busy while you’re stuck at home.

For me, teaching people to knit or crochet has been so difficult since the beginning of lockdown. I always like to be able to see clearly what people are doing when I’m teaching them. That way, I can help them with whatever they’re finding most challenging. Here’s one of the lessons I held in North London last year, before the pandemic hit our shores.

Of course now, with the two-metre rule, teaching like that is almost impossible. I’d been wondering about how I could carry on teaching people who were interested in learning to crochet or to knit during lockdown, and I’ve now decided to offer one-to-one lessons using Zoom!

That way you can still get individual attention and learn how to make exactly what you want! Also, I’ll be able to teach you, wherever you live! Even if you live outside of London or Thanet, where I usually teach

So although I won’t be teaching you like this…

Learning to crochet at a cafe before lockdown

… you’ll still have my undivided attention, just via a screen.

If you haven’t yet used Zoom, all you need is a computer or tablet and an internet connection – it’s so easy! Don’t worry, I’ll explain exactly what you need to do…

Just think what you’ll be able to make!

And what a brilliant pastime knitting and crocheting is while you’re stuck at home! I’ve been busy finishing all sorts of projects – I finally had time to crochet a blanket by Attic24 I’d been meaning to make for ages…

Just think – if you learn now, you’ll still be in time to crochet or knit some Christmas presents! So take a look at the crochet projects on my page here or decide what you’d like to learn to knit and drop me a line if you’re interested in arranging a lesson… More info here
UPDATE: Because the lockdowns are thankfully a thing of the past, I’m no longer offering Zoom lessons, but instead just offering face-to-face sessions in London and the Thanet region of Kent.