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We're Changing Our Packaging

By Amy 11 months ago



Starting this week, we’re switching some of our packaging to 100% recycled and recyclable plastic mailing bags. As well as producing less carbon emissions, waste, and harmful by-products than paper production, our new mailers offer better protection against the elements and the rigours of the postal system.

In the last few years, recycling of soft plastics has become much more widespread, with recycling points at most supermarkets along with kerbside collections in some areas. This means that our new bags – already made from 100% recycled plastic - can easily be recycled again, making them a sustainable choice.

You can find your nearest recycling centre here.

Of course, the best bag you can use is one you already have, so we’re encouraging reuse by adding double tear off strips so that they can resealed and used again. Perfect for returns or for sending on that knitted or crocheted gift!



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How to Use Elements Duo Yarn

By Amy 1 years ago



Are you ready to try the latest innovation of yarn with Elements Duo? Wound around itself in a ring shape, this latest addition from the team behind some of our bestselling launches, makes projects easy to start and prevents those pesky tangles and knots.

To use, simply find the connecting tag where the two ends meet (pictured below), give it a snip, gently pull it out and you’re ready to begin your next knit or crochet project!


From here, the yarn flows effortlessly as it unwinds from the outside in, without clumping together in a tangle. It really is that simple!


Not only does it look great with two contrasting colours, the generous helping of 140g of super soft, premium acrylic Aran is also fully machine washable.

Choose whether to work with the whole piece and let it change colour when it reaches the new shade, or to switch shades whenever you like by swapping which end you work from! No more time spent managing balls to get great colour results. Stock is limited so get yours today, before it's too late!




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Crochet a Christmas Cowl

By Helen 1 years ago

Christmas Cowl

A Free Christmas Cowl Pattern

Designed by Helen Smith

What you will need:

Yarn used – Christmas Festive Cake Icicle - 150g

4.5mm hook

Scissors

Needle

Skill Level:

Beginner

Gauge:

4x4”/10x10cm = 19 stitches x 17 rows

Measurements:

Size - approximately 15”x 15” inches (38 x 38cm)

Abbreviations:

CH - Chain

SS – Slip Stitch

DC – Double Crochet

HTR – Half Treble Crochet

TR – Treble Crochet

INC – In same stitch

STS – Stitches [ ] - Number of stitches at the end of the row

YO - Yarn Over

Notes:

Patterns written in UK Terms.

Ch1 at the beginning of each row DOES NOT count as a stitch unless otherwise stated.

The pattern is worked in the round.

Special Stitches

Bobble stitch (BO) – *Yo, insert hook into stitch, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 stitches on your hook; repeat from * 4 more times, yo pull through 6 loops on your hook.

Pattern

To Start – 4.5mm hook, chain 142 – join the chain to form a ring, be careful not to twist your chain.

Round 1 - Dc in each chain to the end, ss [142 sts]

Round 2 – Ch2 (counts as 1 dc and 1ch), skip 1, *dc, ch1, skip 1; repeat from * to the end, ss into ch2 space [142 sts]

Round 3 – Ch2 (counts as 1 dc and 1ch), skip 1, *dc into ch space from previous row, ch1, skip 1; repeat from * to the end, ss into ch2 space [142 sts]

Round 4 – Repeat row 3.

Round 5 – Repeat row 3.

Round 6 – Ch1, htr in each stitch and ch1 space from the previous row, ss [142 sts]

Round 7 – Ch1, dc, bo, *4dc, bo; repeat from * to the last 5 sts, 5dc, ss [142 sts]

Round 8 – Repeat round 6.

Round 9 – Ch1, tr, skip 1, *3tr inc, skip 2; repeat from * to the last 2 sts, 3tr inc, skip 1, ss [142 sts]

Round 10 – Ch1, tr, tr in space between next 2 sts from previous row, *3tr inc in each space between each 3tr inc from previous row; repeat from * to the last space, 2tr inc, ss [142 sts]

Rounds 11 – 55 - Repeat rounds 2 – 10 x5 times.

Rounds 56 – 59 – Repeat rounds 2 – 5.

Round 60 – Ch1, dc in each stitch and ch1 space from the previous row, ss [142 sts]

Finish Sew all ends in.

ALL FINISHED!!

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Charity of the Month - YMCA

By Amy 2 years ago

To mark International Youth Day on 12th August, we’re delighted to be supporting YMCA as our charity of the month throughout August!

During the month, you can round up your orders to the nearest £1 at the checkout and all money raised will be donated to YMCA.

We’ll again be matching all donations so whatever you donate, we’ll donate the same, doubling the total amount raised for the charity!

About the Charity

YMCA supports young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities, investing in disadvantaged and disenfranchised young people who may not have been given opportunities by others, or who were born into situations not of their making.

With five key areas of work – Family & Youth Work, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, Training & Education, and Support & Advice – YMCA help more than 570,000 people every year to access opportunities that support them to fulfil their potential, whatever that might be.

This International Youth Day on the 12th August, YMCA are highlighting their youth services campaign. YMCA youth projects offer a sanctuary to provide children with a safe place to socialise and to find a trusted adult outside of school, as well as the chance to explore their skills and talents to support them to thrive. It runs more than 70 youth clubs and they go into communities to provide outreach youth work to at-risk young people too.

YMCA England & Wales’ research found that funding cuts to youth services have now reached £1.1bn – a real-terms fall of 74% since 2010/11. More than 4,500 youth work jobs have been cut and 750 youth centres closed. YMCA is calling on the Government to prioritise young people and reinvest in youth services. To find out more, hear the stories of young people whose lives have been transformed by YMCA youth projects and sign YMCA’s petition to save youth services, visit their website here.



Throughout July we supported It’s Good 2 Give, raising money to support the physical and mental well-being of young cancer patients and their families in Scotland. Through your generosity, we have raised an incredible amount thanks to checkout donations. We also matched your donations, bringing the total raised for the charity to £1247.40. It’s Good 2 Give works in partnership with hospitals and patient organisations to deliver the assistance that young patients and their families need.

Thank you so much for continuing to support our monthly charities!

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