Yarn Shop Day 2016

I wish it could be Yarn Shop Day every day!

the sun was shining and it seemed like everyone was in a good mood!

Carla from The Mousehole Woolery came along to talk to people about her needle-felting workshops and to show off some of her amazing sculptures, hardly a person passed through without being amazed with her work and stopping to ask questions.

It was great to see Maisey and Daisy Mole in the flesh as we are looking forward to running this as a workshop in June. You will get the chance to make Hares and Foxes again in August but book early as orders are already coming in after the interest raised at the weekend!

I particularly liked the toadstool detail in the plant pot!

Lots of customers entered our raffle and the winners will be drawn on Tuesday 3rd May, you have until midnight on Monday 2nd May to purchase tickets online - the prizes are pretty awesome!

I didn't manage to take many more photos of the day because I was so incredibly busy and also juggling my 6, 4 and 2 year old due to a last minute lack of childcare however I did catch this gem of a photo when my youngest climbed up to see Carla's work and gently kissed the mole on his nose!

See you soon

Ali

x

Amitola Shawl by Happy Thimble

I have been saving this post especially for Yarn Shop Day!

Caroline, who we miss greatly at Butterfly Bright, is now knitting up a storm over on her new blog Happy Thimble.

I sent her some yummy new wool to play with and not only did she knit a beautiful shawl with it, she actually wrote the pattern herself! What a clever lady I say...

I am not a very advanced knitter but I hope to try this pattern when I get a chance

the detail is just beautiful and the edging divine!

it looks like it would be pretty to wear and cosy all at the same time.

the shawl is on display at the shop if you want to pop in and have a look, we do have some of the Amitola Lace left but it is going fast with such an inspirational make on hand!

Thanks to Caroline for letting us share her pattern - you can read her version here

4.5mm needles

Abbreviations

pm = place marker

sm = slip marker

yo = yarn over

k2tog = knit 2 together

RS = right side

WS = wrong side

RN - right needle

LN - left needle

Start here

Cast on 3, knit 6 rows, at the end of the last row, do not turn your work, but pick up and knit 3 stitches along the side of your garter stitch tab, and 3 stitches along the cast on edge giving you 9 stitches in total.

Now follow this simple repeat alternating between the two balls of yarn every two rows:

1. k3, pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k1, yo, pm, k3

2. k3, sm, purl to last 3 sts, sm, k3

3. k3, sm, yo, k to first marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo knit to next marker, yo, sm, k3

4. k3, sm, purl to last 3 sts, sm, k3

Repeat rows 3 and 4 for as long as you like, this forms the basis of the triangle shawl.

The eyelet rows are made by keeping the k3, yo at the start followed by k2tog, yo repeated across the row to the centre, yo, sm, yo (for the middle) the continue K2tog, yo to the last 3 stitches, sm knit 3.

You can choose to do this once or repeated on RS rows whilst keeping WS rows as row 4.

Finally, I used a picot cast off (make sure you leave yourself enough yarn as it uses approximately 3 times as much yarn as a standard cast off. 

Picot cast off - *cast on 2 stitches, cast off 3 stitches, put the stitch on the RN back onto the LN and repeat from *. There is a great you tube tutorial to help with this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUQ-K6upor0

Enjoy!
Ali

Workshops in 2016

I think we all have a long "making" wish list and adding ideas to it wont get the projects done, my Pinterest board has over 1000 pins and those are just the ones you can see - not the ones hidden away on secret boards. If I just dedicated the time to making rather than browsing for more ideas I would feel so much more rewarded.

So many customers of mine say they don't have time to start let alone finish a project - but if you come to a workshop you will get results faster than staying home and constantly putting your crafting time to the bottom of the pile of things to do.

We have taught hundreds of people over the years and nearly every one admits they would never have done the project in their own time and they are always so thrilled with what they have produced.

Whether it is sewing, crochet, patchwork, embroidery, knitting, drawing, dressmaking or needle felting we are sure to have something to interest you more than netflix.

So, stop what you are doing, book a day off, arrange a babysitter, do whatever it takes just book a workshop and find some "me time" to do what you have always said you would do!

Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday - just do it!

Back to Basics - your essential guide to Make Do and Mend!

Make Do and Mend-able:Back to Basics is the new e-book and is your essential guide to Make Do and Mend!The book will launch on 21st April, but you can be one of the first to get your hands on a copy by pre-ordering now!

Inside you will find 19 chapters, and 150 pages of Make Do and Mend information!
The book is bought to you by Jen Gale of Make Do and Mend-able, and is a collaboration of sections from brilliant Make Do and Mend-ers, such as Kat Goldin from Slugs on the Refrigerator, Tom of Holland, and Jane ni Dhulchaointigh-inventor of sugru, as well as TWO Great British Sewing Bee finalists, other great authors, bloggers, talented artists - and Butterfly Bright!

This book will help you get started, or teach you some new skills, in all of the ‘basic’ Make Do and Mend skills. From sewing to sugru, and punctures to plugs, there really is something for everyone, no matter where you are in your Make Do and Mend journey.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a pattern from a charity shop find, or re-use the yarn from old woollies, then wonder no more! As well as covering the basic skills, the book also has chapters covering things like how to make your clothes last longer (from a West End Wardrobe Mistress!) and natural methods of cleaning your home.

Each chapter lists the equipment you need to get started, and then talks you through each stage, with masses of colour photos to illustrate the text.

There are also 8 fabulous projects to enable you to put your newfound skills into practice straightaway.

Pre-order now and you’ll be sent a pdf file, with a thank you, and then on the 21st April, you’ll be sent an e-mail with a link to download the e-book!

The techy stuff
This is an e-book in pdf form, so when you buy it, you will be sent a link that allows you to download a pdf containing the e-book. You can then save it to your computer or device, and either read it on screen, or you can print off any of the chapters you wish to.

The e-book is available wherever you are in the world, and the clever jiggery pokery at Paypal will take care of any currency conversions for you!

Please note that due to new EU VAT rules, the price for non-UK EU customers, will have the applicable VAT rate of the customers home country added to the checkout.

More details on the contents of "Back to Basics - your essential guide to Make do and mend"

1. 
Find it! How to…find second-hand equipment and supplies – Jen Gale, Make Do and Mend-able
2. 
Learn to love your sewing machine! How to…use your sewing machine – Lauren Guthrie, Guthrie & Ghani
3. 
Sew it!
 How to…hand sew – Tamara Melvin, The Green Thimble
4. Button it! 
How to… sew on a button – Zoe Robinson, The Good Wardrobe
5. 
Hem it!
 How to…hem – Ginny Farquhar, Alice and Ginny
6. 
Patch it!
How to…patch – Jo Poole, The Dress Doctor
7. Remake it!
 How to…make a pattern from a charity shop find – Franki Campbell, creative pattern cutter
8. Unpick and Knit Again! How to…salvage yarn from old woollies – Joanne Scrace, Not So Granny
9. Knit it! How to…knit Alison Nurton and Caroline Bradshaw – Butterfly Bright
10. Crochet it! How to…crochet – Kat Goldin, Slugs on the Refrigerator
11. Tom says Darn it!
 How to…darn – Tom van Deijnen, Tom of Holland
12. Love Your Clothes for Longer! How to…care for your clothes – Caroline Hannam, West End Wardrobe Mistress
13. Clean it! How to…clean your home using natural techniques – Emma Northcott, Mommy Emu
14. Upcycle it! How to…upcycle – Lynn Haughton, The Upcyle Movement
15. Paint it! How to…re-paint furniture – Trixie Bradley, Lovingly Made Ltd
16. Re-cover it! How to…re-upholster furniture – Becky Striepe, Crafting a Green World
17. Plug it! How to…replace a plug – Bright Sparks
18. Seal it! How to… repair a puncture – Angela Walker, CycleBoost
19. sugru it! How to…sugru – Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh, sugru

PROJECTS!

• Upcycle a sweatshirt
• 3 ways to re-vamp your clothes using buttons
• Make cloth serviettes
• Knit a dishcloth
• Crochet the simplest flower
• Furniture painting
• Upholster a footstool
• 3 sugru hacks

Yarn Shop Day 3rd May 2014

We had a fantastic day on Yarn Shop Day!

we had lots planned with free demonstrations,

 special offers on fabric and yarn

a Rowan knitting class, 

prize draws and most importantly, cakes!

We look forward to doing it all again next year!

Yarn Shop Day at Butterfly Bright - Saturday 3rd May 2014

On Saturday 3rd May yarn shops across the UK will be celebrating Yarn Shop Day and here at Butterfly Bright we have lots planned!

The event, the first of its kind, is supported by the industry and with extensive media coverage from Lets Knit, Lets get Crafting, CraftBusiness, Homemaker and Crafts Beautiful magazine, its set to be a great day.

Here at Butterfly Bright we are delighted to be hosting a Rowan Professional Finishing workshop with the wonderful Avril Best (please click on the link for more information and booking).

We will also be holding drop in knitting and crochet demonstrations:

10.30-11am Free 'crochet Granny Squares' demonstration with Caroline
11.15-11.45am Free 'knitting in the round' demonstration with Caroline

We also have a huge number of special offers for one day only:
Enjoy a 15% discount on ROWAN yarn all day

Grab a bargain with end of bolt fabrics reduced by 40%
Treat yourself with a 20% reduction on all fabrics including new ranges.

FREE Prize draws
You will be entered into the YARN PRIZE DRAW with any purchase of yarn on 3rd May - the prize is a goody bag of 6 balls of Stylecraft yarn, a pair of knitting needles, a crochet hook as well as a stylish canvas shopper.

We will also be having a FABRIC PRIZE DRAW. You will be entered into this prize draw with any purchase of fabric on the 3rd may. This prize consists of 4 fat quarters from this new range from Michael Miller.

So why not pop in for a browse or stop for a cuppa and a cupcake and enjoy the free demonstrations!

Knitted new born baby hat

We have a monthly column in the Sherborne Times magazine and Caroline has yet again come up with a beautiful knitting pattern this time for a new born baby hat

As my new born is both a boy and not really new born any more we had to use dolly for a spot of modelling!

Here is the pattern:

Cotton Mix Baby Hat

Duo Plus by Adriafil, is a sumptuous blend of cotton and wool (50/50) it knits up to a double knitting weight. It is perfect for spring and summer babies that still need a little protection from the cold. This hat is knitted for a newborn size.

 You will need

1 ball of Duo Plus
1 pair of 3.25mm needles (UK 10)
1 pair of 4mm needles (UK 8)
a tapestry needle for sewing up
1 small button for embellishment

 
Cast on 63 stitches using the 3.25mm needles

Rows 1 – 15

(K1, P1) repeat to end of row
This will create the moss stitch band

Change to 4mm needles and commence stocking stitch (knit one row, purl one row) until piece measures approximately 13cm (5 inches) ending with a purl row.

Begin decreasing for the crown.
Row 1, (k6, k2tog) repeat to end (55 stitches)
Row 2, Purl all stitches (all wrong side rows)
Row 3, (k4, k2tog) repeat to last stitch, k1 (46)
Row 5, (k3, k2tog) repeat to last stitch, k1 (37)
Row 7, (k2, k2tog) repeat to last stitch, k1 (28)
Row 9, (k1, k2tog) repeat to last stitch, k1 (19)
Row 11, (k2tog) to last stitch, k1 (10)
Row 12 (p2tog) to end (5)

Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew up, using the tapestry needle thread through the
remaining 5 stitches and pull up tight. Turn the hat inside out and sew up the side seam, remember to reverse your seam when you get to the moss stitch section.

Embellish to your taste, here we added a crochet flower and button to finish the hat off.

Do send us a picture if you make one!

Feather and Fan Alpaca Scarf

Feather and Fan Alpaca Scarf – by Caroline Bradshaw at Butterfly Bright

It is a real treat to be knitting with this luxurious super soft Alpaca yarn from Italy, Sierra Andina is 100% pure Alpaca yarn, from the company made famous for its glorious colour combinations and impeccable taste in pure wool yarns, Adriafil.
Sierra Andina knits up to between a Double knitting and a 4 ply weight, it is therefore perfectly suited to beautiful accessories like scarves, gloves and shawls.
Here I have used one ball each of navy blue and cream to give a nautical theme to the scarf, but any colour combination would work well with this classic feather and fan stitch pattern.

Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
yo – yarn over
k2tog – knit two together

Cast on 26 using 3mm needles

Knit 3 rows

Commence pattern as follows:
Row 1. K all stitches
Row 2. K4, P18, K4
Row 3. K4, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k4
Row 4. K all stitches
Remember to twist the spare yarn at the end of the wrong side rows to carry it up the side of the work neatly, changing colour every four rows.
Continue in pattern to desired length, ending on a row 4, then knit 3 rows before casting off.

If you wish to make this scarf wider the pattern requires multiples of 18 + 4 stitches each side for border.