Black Sheep Helen has knitted a cable tank top in the stripey hues of Sirdar Jewelspun Aran. She has strayed from her favourite shade of green for this knit. We think the blues / purples / green of shade - Midnight Sapphire looks fab on her! A tank top is so versatile to wear, it looks especially stylish worn with a crisp white shirt. How do you wear a tank top? Pattern name: Sirdar 10717  Yarn: Sirdar Jewelspun Aran Shade number / name: 853 Midnight Sapphire What size did you make? Small How did you find the pattern? Did you make any adjustments?  The pattern is good. I made ..read more

Every year as the holiday season approaches this is the number one question in our Facebook Make Along Group. What better way to while away hours of boring flight time, and for nervous flyers it’s a great way to regulate and relax. Aeroplane flights seem like the perfect time to crack out the holiday knitting, crochet or stitching, but is it actually allowed? The quick answer is yes. But before you start packing yarn and needles into your hand luggage, there are a few things to consider, particularly when it comes to airport security who have the final say. The UK Government guidance states th ..read more

Black Sheep Carmen is one speedy knitter. No sooner has a new project been cast on, she's sewing in her ends and wearing it! For winter Carmen knitted the 'Gully' cardigan from Rowan Magazine 74. The cardigan contrasts a plain shade of Rowan Felted Tweed with an ombre of colour from Rowan Felted Tweed Colour. Creating the illusion of multiple shades of yarn used. Carmen has chosen to finish off her cardigan with brass buttons, giving it a very chic almost French fashion house tweed jacket vibe. Have a read to see what Carmen had to say about her latest project. Pattern name: Gully - Rowa ..read more

Noro yarns are legendary within the knitting world. Mr Noro, the creativity behind the brand, was a true artist taking his inspiration from Japanese nature. The colours are distinctive and the loose spin on the natural fibres creates a luxury yarn that’s unique. For some reason I haven’t knitted or crocheted in Noro for a while and it was delightful using it again. Now I wasn’t in the market for a new WIP, I have just finished the Sunday Sweater and need to work on Madeleine’s Scheepjes Borderline sweater. She will not forgive me if I don’t finish it soon. But I showed the yarn to a customer ..read more

Black Sheep Amy has knitted a block stripe jumper from the winter Mode at Rowan book Nine. This brushed chunky yarn is perfect for a lightweight, yet chunky knit. The original pattern is knitted in black, charcoal and cream. With 17 shades to choose from in the range there is plenty of temptation to create your own colourway. Pattern name: Bond Sweater from Mode Nine bookYarn: Rowan Brushed Fleece Shade: 251 Cove, 284 Coraline, 263 Cairn Size: 28-30" How did you find the pattern? Did you make any adjustments? I found the pattern really easy to follow. Apart from almost making the full sleeve ..read more

Are you joining in with our latest make along? Over on our Facebook make along group lots of you have cast on the Love Note sweater by Tin Can Knits. To celebrate our latest make along we interviewed the designers behind this fabulous lace top-down sweater - Tin Can Knits. When did you learn to knit? What was the first thing you made? I learned to knit when I was in high school, and the first thing I made was a garter stitch scarf. It had blocks of colour, different blues, and it started out VERY wobbly, but by the end of my 6 foot scarf it started to straighten out. When did you start desig ..read more

Rowan 2024 Spring Summer season has launched. It is packed to the rafters of fabulous patterns and inspiration. There are some truly aspirational pieces but there are also lots of really affordable knits meaning you can add to your stash guilt free! I’ve taken a walk around the collection and pulled together some of the best projects where the yarn costs will be under £30 or under £40*. Knits under £30 Magazine 75   Pollinate - a gorgeous top-down sweater combining Summerlite 4ply and Fine Lace starting at just £27.75. Hibiscus – a two colour cropped waistcoat designed by Rowan Head of D ..read more

Cotton Revive is the new yarn launch from Rowan this season. It’s no secret that I love Rowan yarns and I couldn’t wait to get some of this on the needles.  It’s made from a blend of 80% recycled cotton and 20% other recycled fibres which are sourced from colourful textile scraps, fabrics and used clothes. Now what I found really interesting is that these recycled fabrics are sorted into colours appropriate to the shades of yarn. This is so they don’t need to be overdyed which makes the finished fabric softer.  There are ten shades in 100g balls with a 250 metres on each one. Thi ..read more

Black Sheep Sara has knitted a jumper that could quite well be up there as one of her favourite knits, ever! When a yarn inspires a project and then both the yarn and pattern come together just how you wished, oh it really is something to shout about. As we write this Sara has already cast on a second Sunday sweater!  Pattern number / name: Sunday Sweater by PetiteKnit (Ravelry pattern)Yarn: Lang Yarns Orion Chunky Shade number / name: 005What size did you make? XL How did you find the pattern? Did you make any adjustments? I found the pattern on Ravelry after falling in ..read more

If like us, you have been watching every episode of BBC The Traitors series 2 on tenterhooks, not just for the gripping TV show (obviously), but with added anticipation of what knitwear Claudia Winkleman will be wearing next, then you will enjoy what we have to share in this post. Claudia’s style has really caught our eye. We have her stylist Sinead Mckeefry to thank for the mix of heritage knitwear, classic designs with a twist (smiley faces on elbows), British countryside chic with a dash of punk to boot. If, like Claudia, you style your hand knits with a kilt and cannot find your kilt pin ..read more