Kitchener stitch, also known as grafting, is a technique used to join two sets of live stitches seamlessly, creating an invisible and seamless join. It is commonly used in knitting to close the toes of socks or join the ends of a scarf. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do Kitchener stitch: Note: Kitchener stitch requires two sets of live stitches with the same number of stitches on each needle. Step 1: Set up your work Hold the two knitting needles parallel to each other, with the wrong sides facing each other. The working yarn should be attached to the back needle (the one on the right ..read more

For large amounts (in my case 5-7 skeins in a pan!) LARGE Saucepans with lids feature at the top of the list!! Saucepans need to be dedicated dyeing pans as you MUST NOT cook food in them after using them for dyeing!! We also use large tray like pans for inside the oven and plastic bowls with clingfilm wrap for smaller batches of hand painted yarns, though these do not go in the oven or on the hob. Spoons! I have a variety!! Wooden for stirring the dye pans, teaspoons for measuring out dry dye stuffs and dessert sized spoons for hand painting smaller batches of yarns. A heat source! In our ca ..read more

So we have fly strike here again!! Poor Cherry and now her dad, Rambo!! She was a feisty baby yesterday and was more awkward to handle, he, once we managed to lie him down seemed to accept his fate and enjoy the relief provided!! But once again we have multicoloured predyed sheep in the fields! Though I am pleased to report Cheery’s fleece had started to grow back beautifully on the patches that had become utterly bald after her first round of strike!! What have we learned: Crovect, crovect and crovect!! Prevention is better than cure Spot on is great as a cure Battles summer fly cream is br ..read more

So wool has many uses other than as clothing!!! Clothing as previously discussed in the first blog post of this title Carpets Blankets Bedding, both blankets and duvets or Baavets (as one company call themselves!!) Mulch or weed suppressant mats to put round plants. There is also the added benefit of moisture conservation! Fertiliser. It takes a while to break down, but when you toss wool into the compost pile, it adds beneficial nutrients, including calcium and sodium. It’s about 9% nitrogen, 1% phosphate, and 2% potash, too Pet wares, horse blankets, saddle cloths, pet beds… Upholstery the ..read more

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the benefits of wearing and using wool! so I thought it might be a good idea to get some of these thoughts out into a blog post! Benefits of Wool: Natural, renewable fibre – Wool comes from sheep and is a renewable source of material! Using wool in clothing is great for the environment and far better than using the synthetic alternatives!! Wool is a natural protein fibre found on the backs of the millions of sheep you see over the world. It is considered one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection, and man-made fibres with the same propert ..read more

A free Pattern for double knit vanilla socks! A little present from me to you! These knit up amazingly in both our Rustic with Alpaca and the Hilltop DK yarns! The Hilltop particularly is a fab hard wearing DK sock yarn which even manages to survive my husband’s hard wearing! double-vanilla-socksDownload I hope you enjoy knitting these up. I LOVE how fast they trip off the needles!! Hop on over to Facebook and share the finished socks on our group ..read more

So we have decided the best way of expanding our flock is to start lambing. So the hunt for a ram began! We initially though borrowing one would be our best chance, but quickly realised a lot of people keep a closed flock for many many reasons. So we sat down and thought about lots of different sheep breeds that we know of locally… Then I saw them! Kerry Hill and Valais cross ram lambs!!! We went up to visit them and after a squish of the fleeces and a look at their little faces we chose one to collect the following day!! When we got him he was five months old, so he is now 8 months ..read more

So I have been very lucky and made it through the application process for the Farnham Maltings new autumn show – Sweater Weather I have been working extremely hard dyeing up lots of yarns ready for the show! These yarns aren’t available online yet as I just haven’t had time to sit and list them… but any left after Sweater Weather will be listed for sure!! Which ones are your favourite ..read more