UKHKA Learn to knit virtual tutorial

Bored of the lockdown? Want to join in the 'learn something new during Lockdown' trend? Or, know how to knit but want to knit in Zig Zags?

Well, the UKHKA (UK Hand Knitting Association) has created this lovely Learn To Knit video for you to use which you can find here

It shows how to cast on, knit, increase and decrease to create a lovely Zig Zag style scarf.  They have also put the pattern on Ravelry as a free download  which gives all the yarn quantities for you. Of course, Stylecraft Special DK would be a perfect choice of yarn for this project, plenty of which can be found on in our shops both Bricks and Mortar and online at LoobyLou Yarns

What a lovely first time project! So, if you can't knit, were wanting to learn, were booked onto a workshop which was cancelled because of the Covid 19 virus, then we think this is the virtual workshop for you :-)

Stay in, stay safe and knit xxx

Workshops

Did you know we run workshops from both of our Yarn Shops? 

Coming to a workshop is a great way to learn a new skill, whether you are a complete beginner at something or looking to improve your knowledge of your chosen craft. LoobyLou can teach you how to crochet, how to knit, how to spin and many more, and then we can teach you how to finish your newly knitted item, how to crochet different stitches and follow a pattern or use a different plying technique for your spun yarn. The possibilities for learning are endless, thanks to our wonderful tutors.

                  

 

  

But also, as well as learning new things, coming to a workshop is a great way of meeting like minded people and escaping from the daily grind and having a couple of hours of 'you time'. We often have a group of friends come along so they can spend some time together, and we have had new friends made and new groups spring up from our sessions.

Our workshops are really informal. There will be lots of laughter, plenty of support and encouragement and there is always lots of tea and home made cake (and sometimes wine if things get tense.....!!). 

Our tutor Jacqui is one of those amazing people who know the answer to everything, and can get the whole group learning together whatever your ability using humour, knowledge, kindness and sometime a little bit of tough love!

So if you are wanting to learn, meet new people and generally have a nice few hours in good company, have a look at our Workshops page and see if there's anything we can tempt you with. If there is something you want to learn but its not there, we would love you to get in touch and let us know - we are always looking for new things to teach!

Lots of Love

Tina
LoobyLou Yarns

January Blues...

We all know January seems a long month - early pay days in December, all the Christmas holidays and many dark, grey, drizzly days means the month can seem to last forever. 
Here in my yarn shop world, January sometimes feels like it is never going to end...the shop is cold, you come to work and go home in the dark, and apart from a few busy days mostly the shop is quiet with few people spending on things that aren't necessities until payday comes. Some days its hard to make ends meet and I wonder what on earth I am doing this for. 

And then a regular customer comes in and buys yarn and pattern to knit a winter jumper and stops to chat for a bit, or another customer brings you some cookies she baked, or your shop neighbour pops her head in to see how you are doing, or hubby appears with a frothy coffee, or 9 people turn up to Knitting group when its pouring with rain outside and somehow being a yarn shop owner in dark old January isn't so bad at all!
                                                         

January is probably one of the toughest months for us, but I want to thank all of you who still come in even if you're not buying anything - it definitely makes the days go faster! 

If you want to help us through January a bit more, please recommend us to other people, leave us a review on Social Media, tag us in your stories, and let people know that we sell on line too - if you can't make it to the shops we would love it if everyone bought online from us rather than all the big guys out there!

But above all, keep us alive/sane/awake by keeping on popping in - it really is appreciated 

Lots of Love
Tina xxx