Yarn of the Month Two

Araucania Ranco Multi
This yarn is a dark house. It sits on the shelf in our sock section looking rather unassuming but when it is knitted up 'Bam!' the colours start to pop. Audrey is knitting some Jaywalkers with her skein and with this project, along with with all our other Ranco Multi projects, there has been no pooling just a harmony of colour!

Get 10% off Araucania Ranco Multi until the end of the month with this code DY4-9NF-YH6 or once again pop into the shop and we will discount it at the till!

Yarn of the Month One

Mirasol Sulka
We love this yarn. Not only is as smooth and silky as a very smooth and silky thing but it comes in a wide array of rich colours.

Cara used Sulka to knit a Shalom Cardigan in no time at all and proclaimed it a joy to work with as well as a joy to wear! Just the thing for this time of the year when the weather cannot make up its mind.

Get 10% off Sulka during March online with this code DY4-9NF-YH6 (or pop into the shop and we will know 10% off on the till!)

March Madness!

MARCH MADNESS!

There are some exciting things happening at Purl City Yarns. We will be stocking a lot of new yarns in the shop soon and to make space for them we are having a big sale! All the listed items are available at these sales prices until the end of March, while stocks last.

Grab yourself a bargain!

Scoppel Wolle Flying Saucer                         £10.95          
NOW £9.00
Austermann Algarve                                      £3.20          
NOW £2.50
Austermann Algarve Grande                       £3.20           
 NOW £2.50
Artesano Alpaca DK                                         £4.30           
NOW £3.50
Opal Surprise                                                    £8.70           
NOW £7.20
Austermann Step                                             £8.60            
NOW £7.00
Austermann Alpaca Silk                                  £5.10           
 NOW £4.00
King Cole Merino Blend 4ply/Chunky           £3.20          
 NOW £2.50
King Cole Merino Blend DK/Aran                  £3.05            
NOW £2.35
Artesano Alpaca Hummingbird 4ply           £5.35           
 NOW £4.20
Artesano Alpaca  Hummingbird DK             £16.15          
 NOW £14.50
Artesano Alpaca DK                                        £4.30           
NOW £3.50

Eddie Izzard Comes to Town!

Purl City Yarns was buzzing with even more excitement than usual this week at the news that actor, comedian and all round top bloke, Eddie Izzard would be filming round the corner in Tariff Street.

We felt we couldn't allow an opportunity to meet and knit for such a star pass us by, so with only a few days notice, we were pressed into action.

Vikki, who you will also know as Wild Fire Fibres quickly dyed up some white Kraemer Sterling Silver & Silk yarn into a deep berry semi solid shade and we all quickly got down to knitting Eddie a scarf (We would have liked to have made him some knee-high socks and matching long sleeved fingerless gloves, but alas, not enough time).  We used a pattern by a fellow Raveller, Turvid, called 'One Row Lace Scarf' and worked on it in shifts until the scarf was finished.

On Wednesday, we got our chance to give the scarf to Eddie. He was filming in a building yards from our shop. We waited for a break in filming and seized our opportunity. We thought we would have to hand it over to a member of the production team to pass on to Eddie but, no! Eddie came over to meet us!

He was slightly bemused by the whole thing but accepted the scarf with grace and was completely lovely. He shook our hands and chatted to us for a short while then sadly was called away for another take. We didn't get chance to have our picture taken with Eddie, to be honest all three of us were too starstruck to think to ask!

He wandered off back to the set and we staggered off round the corner to collapse against each other and scream. We are afraid we let our 'classy' slip momentary there!

Eddie Izzard was filming scenes for a new BBC drama called 'The Lost Christmas' due to screen on Christmas Eve. Look out for it on your telly box!

(Eddie Izzard is in this photo, we swear it! Alongside a back view of Cara modelling her newly finished Shalom)

Exciting! A Weaving Workshop and More Crochet Courses for You!

Exciting! A Weaving Workshop and More Crochet Courses for You!

Many of you have mentioned that you would be interested in learning more about weaving, so we are pleased to announce this fantastic workshop for beginners:

Woven Tapestry as an Art Medium with Chrissie Morgan
Saturday, 19th March, 10:30am - 4:30pm, £54.99 per person
Explore this ancient, calming, versatile craft with an experienced weaver and contemporary artist.
Working on a simple frame loom with a rainbow of wool/yarns/wire/videotape, learn Gobelin and Eccentric techniques to create images in cloth from figurative through to abstract. The possibilities are endless! From art statements to wall hangings, bags and vessels, the only limits are your imagination.

The history and tradition of Tapestry is explored within a context of contemporary art making, with books and samples on hand. All materials will be provided and are included in the cost.

Due to the popularity of our last beginner's crochet course we are pleased to announce we will be running the course again, twice!  You can choose between a one day course on Saturday, 12^th March from 11:00am – 5:00pm (with breaks and practice time) or two lessons over 2 weeks on Saturday, 26^th March and Saturday, 2^nd April from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

Learn to Crochet
12^th March, 11:00am – 5:00pm or 26^th March & 2^nd April 11:00am – 1:00pm
£54.99 per person

First Things First: an introduction to the basic stitches, terminology and how to tell when it's going horribly wrong. At the end of the class you will have started a sampler with several stitch types. You will have learned how to make a foundation chain, double and treble crochet (and maybe more) and spot common problems.

How to read a pattern, when you're tired of making rectangles, this is your next step. You will learn how patterns are structured, how to test your gauge, how to read charts and how to join pieces together.

Each student will receive a kit at the start of the course containing two balls of King Cole Merino Blend Double Knit, a crochet hook and a 10% voucher which can be used against purchases in the shop or towards the next course. Students will also receive a Purl City Yarns tote to keep everything together. The price for the entire course and materials is £54.99.

We also have a few places left on the following courses:

5th March, 11:00am -  4:00pm
Steeking with Debbie Tomkies, £64.99
Does the thought of cutting through your knitting prevent you from steeking?  Debbie Tomkies is teaching a steeking workshop where students will learn all about steeking, including the benefits and limitation, matching the right yarn and project, where to place a steek, making the cut, finishing, and more!  Students are also welcome to bring their own projects to practice on or for advice.

20th March, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Wheel spinning - ‘Art’ yarns, £49.99
This class is designed for confident spinners, who want to have a go at creating unusual ‘art’ yarns. This will include techniques such as plying a coil yarn, creating boucle yarn, and adding beads.

30th April, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Dyeing for beginners – An introduction to hand-dyeing with Debbie Tomkies, £64.99
Have you ever wondered how those lovely, hand-dyed yarns are made? Would you like to be able to create your own, unique yarns, bursting with vibrant colour? Come along to our friendly, fun, one-day introductory course and see for yourself how easy it is!

Debbie Tomkies will be our tutor for the day. First she will be showing you how to produce solid shades and you will begin by making shade cards, having a go at colour-blending and making your first hand-dyed skeins. In the afternoon Debbie will be teaching you a range of exciting techniques including yarn painting, semi-solid dyeing, rainbow dyeing and you will be able to choose from a range of lovely yarns to dye and take away with you. Debbie will also be including some of her own patterns so you can make something special to show off your lovely yarns!

All materials are provided and you will go home with a lovely range of colour samples, rainbow-dyed yarns, comprehensive handouts and lots of ideas for adding colour to your textile adventures!

This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those who simply want to brush up on their skills or just have a fun day out playing with colour! So, whether you're a knitter, spinner, crocheter, felter or textile artist, you're sure to have a great time.

We do have limits to the amount of students per class. This varies due to the type of course. Bookings can be made either by visiting the shop, via our webstore (click on the classes and workshops option in the department tab) or by telephoning 0161 425 3864. We regret we cannot reserve places without payment.

Cancellation policy - We operate a 21 day cancellation policy. If you cancel a course or workshop 21 days before the start of the course, we will refund the course payment. Any cancellations made after the 21 days or less from the course start date is non-refundable.

Spinning, Dyeing & Steeking Workshops

We’re very pleased and excited to tell you about some of the new courses and workshops now available at Purl City Yarns. Along with dyeing and steeking workshops, we are offering a number of spinning courses that are available as single courses, or as packages. Therefore, if you would like to register for all of the spinning courses, please don’t wait as we don’t want you to be disappointed if a particular course is sold out. Availability is limited and on a first come, first serve basis.

Drop Spindling
13th Feb, 11:30 - 2:30, £42.99 per person
Learn the spinning basics by learning how to spin on a drop spindle. This workshop is ideal for people that have never spun before and beginners. By the end, students should feel confident about continuing to spin on a spindle, and creating their first skeins of handspun yarn.

Students will be learning key spinning terms, how to handle fibre, drafting techniques, spinning silk from a hankie, spinning wool from tops, and plying techniques.

Price includes cost of fibre but students will need to bring their own drop spindle.

Wheel spinning for beginners
27th Feb, 11:30 - 3.00, £49.99 per person
Learn how to spin your own yarn on a wheel! This class is for people who can draft, and perhaps have mastered spindling, and are ready to try transferring their skills onto a wheel. By the end, students should feel confident and inspired at drafting and treadling at the same time.

We will look at the wheel and how it works, how to adjust it according to what sort of yarn you wish to spin, and we will look at how to ply on a wheel.

Cost includes materials and use of spinning wheels though students are welcome to bring in their own wheels.

Wheel spinning practise and Q&A class
6th March, 11:30 - 3.00, £49.99 per person
This class is designed for those who can spin on a wheel, or who have recently learnt to, and want to have a practise with a tutor present for tips and advice. It will be student-driven, rather than tutor-driven, and students should come away feeling more confident about wheel spinning, and inspired to continue.

Cost includes materials and use of spinning wheels though students are welcome to bring in their own wheels.

Wheel spinning - beyond the basics
13th March, 11:30 - 2:30, £49.99 per person
In this class we will be taking wheel spinning beyond the basics, learning how to Navajo/chain ply, and how to corespin using batts with a variety of fibres in. Students should come away feeling inspired to try different techniques, fibres and fibre preparations.

Cost includes materials and use of spinning wheels though students are welcome to bring in their own wheels.

Wheel spinning - ‘Art’ yarns
20th March, 11:30 - 2:30, £49.99 per person
This class is designed for confident spinners, who want to have a go at creating unusual ‘art’ yarns. This will include techniques such as plying a coil yarn, creating boucle yarn, and adding beads.

Cost includes materials and use of spinning wheels though students are welcome to bring in their own wheels.

• Drop Spindle Course £42.99 per person
  
• Each spinning class is £49.99
• Sign up for all spinning classes for reduced rate of £174.99
• Drop Spindle Course + All Spinning Courses £219.99
  

Steeking with Debbie Tomkies
5th March, 11:00 - 5:00, £64.99 per person
Does the thought of cutting through your knitting prevent you from steeking? Debbie Tomkies is teaching a steeking workshop where students will learn all about steeking, including the benefits and limitation, matching the right yarn and project, where to place a steek, making the cut, finishing, and more! Students are also welcome to bring their own projects to practice on or for advice.

Dyeing for beginners – An introduction to hand-dyeing with Debbie Tomkies
30th April, 11:00 - 5:00, £64.99 per person
Have you ever wondered how those lovely, hand-dyed yarns are made? Would you like to be able to create your own, unique yarns, bursting with vibrant colour? Come along to our friendly, fun, one-day introductory course and see for yourself how easy it is!

Debbie Tomkies will be our tutor for the day. First she will be showing you how to produce solid shades and you will begin by making shade cards, having a go at colour-blending and making your first hand-dyed skeins. In the afternoon Debbie will be teaching you a range of exciting techniques including yarn painting, semi-solid dyeing, rainbow dyeing and you will be able to choose from a range of lovely yarns to dye and take away with you. Debbie will also be including some of her own patterns so you can make something special to show off your lovely yarns!

All materials are provided and you will go home with a lovely range of colour samples, rainbow-dyed yarns, comprehensive handouts and lots of ideas for adding colour to your textile adventures!

This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as for those who simply want to brush up on their skills or just have a fun day out playing with colour! So, whether you’re a knitter, spinner, crocheter, felter or textile artist, you’re sure to have a great time.

Cancellation policy - We operate a 21 day cancellation policy. If you cancel a course or workshop 21 days before the start of the course, we will refund the course payment. Any cancellations made after the 21 days or less from the course start date is non-refundable.

Crochet with Purl City Yarns this February!

Learn to Crochet
Duration: 4 hours over 2 weeks

Learn to crochet and read patterns in this two week course starting on 12th February and continues on 19 February from 11:00 - 1:00.

First Things First: an introduction to the basic stitches, terminology and how to tell when it's going horribly wrong. At the end of the class you will have started a sampler with several stitch types. You will have learned how to make a foundation chain, double and treble crochet (and maybe more) and spot common problems.

How to Read a Pattern, when you're tired of making rectangles, this is your next step. You will learn how patterns are structured, how to test your gauge, how to read charts and how to join pieces together.

Each student will receive a kit at the start of the course containing two balls of King Cole Merino Blend Double Knit, a crochet hook and a 10% voucher which can be used against purchases in the shop or towards the next course. Students will also receive a Purl City Yarns tote to keep everything together. The price for the entire course and materials is £54.99.

Classes are limited to a maximum of eight students. Bookings can be made either by visiting the shop, via our webstore (click on the classes and workshops option in the department tab) or by telephoning 0161 425 3864. We regret we cannot reserve places without payment.

Cancellation policy - We operate a 21 day cancellation policy. If you cancel a course or workshop 21 days before the start of the course, we will refund the course payment. Any cancellations made after the 21 days or less from the course start date is non-refundable.