Woolly Chic

Specialising in British wool, ethical yarns and unique kits
  

    • Helen Ingram

    Feel Good about Your Yarn

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    Filed under: News

    I am passionate about wool and love the fact that mine is sourced in Wales from the fleece of sheep that roam free, farmed by members of my family who care for the welfare of the sheep. I have also visited the spinning mill in Yorkshire and watched my yarn being spun. I know therefore, that apart from the dye that is used in some of my yarns, my product is completely organic and is fairly produced.

    However, I realise that wool is not a yarn that suits every application. Some people can’t wear wool because it tickles them and only a few types of wool are good for baby clothes with hardly any that can be machine washed safely. So, I have been looking for another type of yarn with the aim to fulfil everyone’s knitting and crocheting needs.

    I don’t like man made yarn because it is manufactured using a combination of toxic substances. Acrylic fibres are not easily recycled and are not biodegradable.

    Looking for a yarn that is soft enough for babies and people with sensitive skin, that is machine washable, and is organic and fairtrade, hasn’t been easy!

    I considered cotton because I have always thought of it as a natural fibre, but then I found out that conventional cotton is literally destroying the environment and affecting the health and well-being of millions of workers throughout the world, with the use of pesticides. The economics of Central Asian cotton are simple and exploitative. Millions of the rural poor work growing and harvesting the cotton crop for little or no reward. The considerable profits go either to the state or small elites with powerful political ties. Forced and child labour and other abuses are common.

    At last and after much research, I have found a wonderful cotton DK yarn, that is soft, versatile and organic, it’s called FAIR COTTON, and is produced fairly in Tanzania and India and made in Europe by Katia. It has really good yardage (155 metres / 170 yards) and I am selling a 50 gram ball for £4 in some really lovely colours. Check out Katia’s Fair Cotton on my website or come and see my yarns and kits at Yarndale this weekend and at Festiwool in November.

    No Sew Baby Cardigan made with Fair Cotton Rose (15)

    Launching New Kit at Yarndale

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    Filed under: Crochet, News, Wool shows

    Mandala-Crochet-Workshop-Hitchin

    I am super excited to be launching a new Learn to Crochet Mandalas kit at Yarndale next weekend. The kit includes a specially designed Woolly Chic tote bag, a Learn to Crochet Guide, crochet hook and 4 balls of Woolly Chic Welsh wool.

    Mandala is the Sanskrit word for circle and with just one crochet hook and some colourful yarn you can create beautiful stitches in the round, making strong geometric patterns, and end up with a stunning crocheted mandala.
    Crocheting a mandala can also provide the opportunity to expand your crochet skills. In the Woolly Chic guide in the kit, you can learn how to work in the round, increase stitches, make standing stitches and by using just treble crochet stitches create many different effects.

    To celebrate the launch of this new kit, we will be having a little competition – visit my stand (no. 26) and help to make a festival mandala! There will also be an opportunity to win this mandala at the end of the show.
    If you cannot make it to Yarndale this year, the kit will be on sale on our website later this month and available at Festiwool.

    One Week To Go!
    With only one week to go, I have been furiously winding wool and making up kits and planning my display. This will be the first time I have exhibited at Yarndale and the first time setting up my display in a cattle stall! I received the show plan last week and found out that my stand is opposite the Knit and Natter Lounge, which is great, as it will be lovely to look out on everyone busily knitting, crocheting and chatting! So if you are coming along, please stop by and say hello, as well as contributing a few stitches to the Yarndale Festival Mandala!

    Yarndale – Two Weeks To Go!

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    Filed under: Wool shows

    I can hardly contain my excitement – two weeks to go until Yarndale, one of the biggest and most well-known wool shows in the UK. On 23rd and 24th September, Skipton’s Auction mart will be transformed into a woolly wonderland for yarn lovers. This will be the first time exhibiting here and I have to say that I am a bit nervous about setting up my display in a cattle stall!
    During the weekend, more than 7,000 visitors are expected to flock to the picturesque market town, Skipton, to enjoy this festival of yarn. If you are coming along, please stop by and say hello!

    Each year Yarndale creates stunning displays which have wowed visitors year after year. People all over the world are invited to join in via social media and over the past years the effect has been breath-taking. In 2015, they asked people to make crochet and knitted flowers and more than 5,000 were sent in, and over £1,000 was raised for the Alzheimers Society. In 2016, talented knitters and crocheters made over 700 Woolly Sheep, which were then auctioned off in aid of raising money for the local Children’s Hospice.

    This year, they are aiming to create a beautiful display of crochet and knitted hearts. In recognition of the benefits, both emotionally and mentally, that can be gained by knitting and crocheting, they are hoping that the display will raise much needed awareness and funds for Mind, the mental health charity. On the Yarndale website there is information on how to get involved in the project and there are links to patterns.
    I picked a crochet pattern by Nancy Drew Designs and made my heart in Woolly Chic Pembrokeshire DK yarn. I wonder if I will be able to spot it amongst all the others on display.

    Teaching Crochet at Hitchin Lavender

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    Filed under: News, Workshops

    I was so lucky to be invited to teach crochet at Hitchin Lavender this summer.   If you have never been to Hitchin Lavender, then you need to put it at the top of your list for next summer.  July and August are the best months to see the miles of lavender rows that you can walk through and pick your own.  As well as the fields of lavender they also grow sunflowers and have a wildflower area.

     

    This year they installed a purpose built cabin which served as an extra café and a wonderful workshop space.

    It was so lovely teaching in such a light and airy space with stunning views across the lavender fields, sometimes even watching an open air yoga class taking place at the same time.

    I taught four workshops – Learn to Crochet Squares, Bunting, Amigurumi and Mandalas and was so impressed with how well everyone who came to the classes progressed.  There were some that had never crocheted before and others that already had fantastic crochet skills, and I hope that I was able to pitch the teaching material at a good level for everyone.

    I provided all the materials for the workshop including my Woolly Chic British Wool (or Fairtrade cotton yarn for the amigurumi workshop) and everything needed to complete each project.  Hitchin Lavender provided the most yummy lavender biscuits, chocolate brownies and cake!

    I have one more beginner workshop on September 7th 1pm – 3pm and then the lavender farm is closed until next season.  I really hope they’ll have me back again next year!  For more information on Hitchin Lavender visit http://www.hitchinlavender.com/

    And find out more here about my future WORKSHOPS and crochet classes in Hitchin

     

     

    Crochet and Cake Group

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    Filed under: News, Workshops

    Treble-Crochet-Workshop

    Crochet and Cake is a group that meets at the St Ippolyts Parish Hall, near Hitchin every Tuesday afternoon. It is an informal opportunity to share crochet skills and get inspired with other people who love to crochet (and Knit!). If you would like to learn to crochet, I would be happy to show you the basics or work out a pattern together!
    We meet at St Ippolyts Parish Hall, Waterdell Lane, St Ippolyts, Hitchin, SG4 7RB – Tuesdays 1 – 3pm.

    Cost £2 (includes tea or coffee and cake)

    Woolly Chic goes mobile with Pop Up events coming to a venue near you!

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    Filed under: News, Wool shows

    Yarndale

    I will be displaying my Woolly Chic wool and knitting and crochet kits at the following events:

    End of term Crochet Party (aka an Evening of Crochet and Cake) Wednesday 19th July, 7pm – 9pm at Molly’s Tea Room in Hitchin

    Share our love of crochet and cake at this Summer Woolly Chic Party. Bring along your crochet (or knitting) or start a new project. There will be plenty of ideas and people to inspire you. Woolly Chic’s wool and kits will be on sale and Helen will be on hand for crochet advice, support and tuition.