Hello! It's been a while. I have a bunch of new blog posts up my sleeve, but I really wanted to share this with you first. 

A super talented pair of Aucklanders have taken a deep breath, a big leap and mega risk to start up their own textile design studio. I am in awe, awe I tell you! 

Evie Kemp has done some work for us before (namely our most recent Ravelry Ads):

and she's built a name for herself over the past few years with her cute and fun animal illustrations.

Amy Larke has been a maker and seamstress on the handmade scene for a while now, initially as Victoria N Bird, now as Mylarke. It's so great to see these two team up and do something that takes a whole lot of guts.

Rust & Stardust is their name, and ohmygoodness their aesthetic is....well, have a look.

Evie and Amy, image pinched from Rust & Stardust

Starting a new business is a tricky enterprise. So Evie & Amy are running a PledgeMe campaign to help them add more kit to their outfit. The rewards are ridiculously awesome (i'm smitten with the Moon Stuck cushion and Nothing Ventured tee). I couldn't think of a more worthy cause to support, and so well timed right before Christmas. 

I want to move into their studio. And hang out with their dogs. And basically be as awesome as them. I guess i'll have to make do with simply buying everything they make. 

xx Tash

Sometimes we need something to wrap ourselves up in. A bit of luxury, an accessory to put on when life is a bit tricky. Something that brings us back to ourselves. With this in mind I started hunting around Ravelry - here's what I found. Each of these has a certain je ne sais quoi resulting in a simple elegant beauty that would be easy to throw on with any outift. Add in a luxury yarn and you have a truly special hand knit. 

Intersection by Cindy Garland - would be fantastic in Knitsch Sock or Malabrigo Sock

Clapo-ktus is a gorgeous, drapey and incredibly satisfying knit - especially once you get to drop all those stitches...

Asunder by Lisa Mutch - perhaps in Fyberspates Scrumptious Sport?

Ellipses by Romi HIll - how great are those little tassels? 

In other news, we've had some pretty fantastic new arrivals this week:

The latest book by Ysolda Teague - the Rhinebeck Sweater is here!

And GIANT buttons from Toft in the UK. I can't wait to find a project for these! 

This coming week we have more Fyberspates and Spud & Chloe arriving. And maybe a brand new yarn from Zealana, fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful knitty day x

Happy November! While i'm in an eternal state of wondering where the year has gone, i'm also rather looking forward to Christmas this year. It's the best time to catch a break, relax and get crafty. 

December and Christmas is a time for being with good people, having time away from the busy-ness of work and reflecting on the best things in life. And usually time for treats. If you're hankering after new toys this Christmas, you're in luck!

From today until 21 November we've got 15% off ALL Ashford hardware. The discount has already been applied to all eligible products so you don't need to worry about discount codes. 

The best part? We'll order in anything at all for you if it isn't already in-stock or online. Have a nosey and daydream through the Ashford product range and give us a yell if you need prices or advice. I rather fancy the idea of treating myself to a 50cm Knitter's Loom. Perfect way to churn through the stash and make some super gift-able scarves.

The sale applies to Ashford hardware only - looms, spinning wheels, drum carders, swifts, wool winders and accessories. Yarn and sliver are excluded. And there's free shipping on all NZ orders over $50! Hooray!

P.S If this post seems to be lacking a little joie de vivre, it's because I had to write it twice. You missed out on the first round of over-excitement. Boo!

Earlier this year Mike Dickison taught a group of guys to knit at Holland Road Yarn Co. Last week, he was on the telly talking about it. Go Mike! Let's destroy those gender stereotypes!

Speaking of gender stereotypes, this Robot Hugs comic about how women and men communicate and interpret each other's words is fantastic. Be kind to each other, yo. 

I've been busting at the seams to share the news, and now I can! In late January there will be Holland Road Yarn Co No. 2, based upstairs in the Grand Arcade centre on Willis St. Right in the middle of town! I can't tell you how excited I am to have found the perfect place to set up another little yarn haven.

Yarn Club Hooray!

The details:

A traditional yarn club, which involves 3 parcels, 3 patterns designed especially for the yarn colours, and 8 skeins of yarn. 8 doesn't divide by 3, which means your first parcel contains 4 x 50g skeins of Knitsch Sock. The following two parcels will contain 2 x 50g Knitsch Sock each. Why? Well, all will become clear in time. 

On sale 10am Thursday 17 October

Shipping dates:

Prices:

Pattern Club 

If you don't fancy any yarn, you can sign up just to receive the patterns we'll be releasing with each parcel. 
The patterns will be a surprise, but I can tell you that two are designed by myself, Tash, and the third is being created by a lovely Australian friend. 

Shipping dates: