Crates of Wool

What a fab bag has made following a workshop with Kitey aka here in the shop. I love the colours she has used and may well be making my own soon copying, I mean, inspired by her colours! Next week is the last of our workshops so do join us on August 10th at 10:30 if you want any bag-making tips!

You know us as a yarn shop, but do you know we also do a knitting and crochet retreat? It's , set in a beautiful hotel in Hertfordshire. Our September retreat is running from the 27th-29th of the month, and includes 2 fully inclusive days of relaxed knitting and crochet.
We have the lovely (an experienced Knitting and Stitching show tutor) who will be teaching double knitting on Saturday morning, a fabulous two-sided technique, or Diana, our resident crochet teacher, will be teaching more about textured crochet, taking inspiration from gansey designs. Molly will stay with us for the crafternoon, where you can complete your sample from the morning or bring your own project to work on.
On Sunday will be teaching a wonderful new design in a plant based yarn, super special! and our Deb will be exploring gansey stitches in knitting, Kitey will also stay for the second Crafternoon,
You can also work on your own projects, or bring that problem project that you are stuck on and we will sort it out!
Fully inclusive prices including a banquet meal on Saturday with the infamous game with prizes 😉 or you can add Friday afternoon/ evening to start the weekend early!
To book go to Cratesofwool.co.uk/woollyaway

Look who’s here? Kitey () is teaching a workshop today - part of our . He has brought some of his amazing hand dyed yarn with him too. He’ll be here until lunchtime. So come on down!

Our Saturday workshop this week is something entirely new - a fabulous crochet plushie! Aren't they cute!!!
This is a brand new workshop in sumptuous, squishy chenille. You can make the pig or the cat or you can make up your own animal. We provide the tuition, yarn, eyes and the fun! Join us on Saturday (13th) at 10:30. Phone or book online to secure your place.

This week in our Summer of Bags we'll be making Japanese-style Knot Bags - with a guest tutor - Asela Ball. We have patterns for knit and crochet versions and a third - fusion ! I'm intrigued to have a go at that one. Knot bags make great handbags and are also perfect project bags - they hang from your wrist and close up naturally, but still allow yarn to flow out. Just fabulous bags. Why not join us? 10:30, Saturday 6th July.

Crates of Wool Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/1ad3b98fb9a5/crates-of-wool-newsletter - Summer Workshops

I’m just working up a little mosaic crochet sample to go with our Workshopalong this Saturday in our Summer of Bags. This week we’ll be making mosaic clutch purses in either knitting or crochet. Mosaic knitting and crochet are both colourwork techniques where you use one colour per row. Join us at 10:30 on Saturday 22nd June to make yours!

Week one of our Summer of Bags is tomorrow - Saturday 15th June! This week we'll be learning how to put knitted or crocheted squares together to make a myriad of bag shapes. We'll also try at least 2 different non-stretch handles so your bag will stay the length you want. Join us at 10:30!

Crates of Wool Summer Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/950a955129fe/crates-of-wool-summer-newsletter is out now. Find out about our summer Workshopalongs and much more

Did you know we have a crochet-along group on Thursday mornings? We are just embarking on Fruit Garden by Jane Crowfoot. This is how much I got done this morning. It's a wonderfully fun and supportive group. Full details on our website: cratesofwool.co.uk/blogs/news

I have decided to use my as a temporary curtain. I think it looks rather good. Have you ever repurposed your.knitting or crochet? By the way, I highly recommend the pattern which is by It is perfect for on-the-go crafting. Mine was made at home, in Yorkshire and all points in between.

It might be almost Christmas but there is still time to pop in for some yarn or for a gift for a crafty friend. We’re open as usual tomorrow (Friday 22nd) and on Saturday 23rd until 1pm. We’re then closed until Saturday January 6th. Thank you all for your custom and support this year. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2024.

Stuck for ideas for Christmas Gifts for the crafter in your life? How about these? We’re here until lunchtime on Saturday 23rd and are always ready to help with advice and suggestions.

We have some fabulous workshops coming up in the next few weeks. How do you fancy some Macrame? You could make a Macrame star this coming Saturday! Or how about some crochet fun? We have socks, hats and Gingerbread people in a week or two. Visit Cratesofwool.co.uk for full details.

Look at this beauty! New in from Rico - 200g of fun yarn per ball. You'd only need one for a substantial, cozy shawl - just saying 😉

We're having a short summer break! We're here as usual until the end of Saturday August 12th. We're then closed for just over a week - back on Wednesday 23rd August.

There's still time to stock up on your and notions!

Our range of knitting workshops for the autumn is now live! Are you disappointed with your stripes when working in the round? Join us to learn how to banish those pesky jogs forever with Helical knitting. Or how about dipping your toe into the world of cables? Or a colourwork technique that only uses one colour per row? These are just a taste of what's on offer. Visit cratesofwool.co.uk/workshops/knitting to see them all

See our latest newsletter for our exciting range of crochet classes coming soon!
https://mailchi.mp/f4553e28a517/crates-of-wool-newsletter

Today we have a roundup of some of our favourite crochet patterns for summer makes.

Sirdar's Stories range have a host of colourful and airy projects for your beach or festival wear.
Stylecraft Bambino is perfect for these cute kids' cardigans which would be useful all year round - but just imagine one of these over a pretty summer wedding outfit.
We love the cute granny and corner-to-corner top by WoollyChic Designs (and did you know we stock some of their luscious yarn?).
And finally, no crochet roundup would be complete without our good friend The Crochet Chain. Here we have Praze-n-Beeble, a wonderfully versatile pattern that we have made up in many different weights, ut the 4ply version makes for a perfect summer evening coverup.
Visit our website cratesofwool.co.uk for more crochet ideas.

Did you know that tomorrow (Saturday 10th June) is World Wide Knit in Public day? Why not join us at 8A East Street, Ware to show off your knitting or crochet talents? We'll be holding a knitting and crochet surgery too - so if you have any dilemmas come and get some help! We'll be here between 10am and 4pm.

Lots of workshops available at Crates of Wool just now - some old favourites, some new! Why not try a Macrame Wallhanging, Tunisian Entrelac Crochet (tunisian crochet colourwork with a standard hook), Helical knitting (stripes in the round with no ugly jogs), Amigurumi (crocheted toys), Knitted cables or socks? Plenty more info on cratesofwool.co.uk.

https://mailchi.mp/3f4a3ba42a4b/crates-of-wool-newsletter See what's happening at Crates of Wool !

Crates of Wool Newsletter is a great new fun yarn for the summer. A lightweight, cotton-blend DK yarn made from multi-coloured strands twisted together. Perfect for a pretty cover-up - it comes in 8 shades: some pastel, some neon bright!

Well, sadly, we are still unable to get more of the Hayfield packs for the Coronation Keepsake blanket but HAPPILY, we are working on alternatives so we expect to be able to start our Crochet Along next Thursday morning - 16th March, probably using a mix of Stylecraft and Hayfield yarns, which play together very nicely. Our blankets will be subtly unique!

Who's in?

Crates of Wool Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/4ac7e51fd4ce/crates-of-wool-newsletter - Spring Edition. See what's coming up at the shop.

Love crochet? Love crochet alongs? Why not join us for this great new Coronation Keepsake Blanket Crochet-Along from Hayfield? It's a free pattern, published in 6 parts with support from sirdar.com: tutorial videos full of hints and tips. The first part is out on March 1st. We'll be meeting in the shop on Thursday mornings starting March 2nd so we can encourage each other. We also have yarn packs in stock now. What could be easier? Check out cratesofwool.co.uk for more details.

There are lots of lovely workshops at Crates of Wool just now. Why not treat yourself to a knitting cables class, or maybe Amigurumi (crocheted toys) is more up your street? There's lots of choice for classes in March and April. Check out cratesofwool.co.uk

Having a great time at Waltham Abbey Wool Show today. Spent the morning with 12 lovely ladies teaching them Now to go and see some fabulous yarns!

New Year, New Skills? We have a lovely selection of classes coming up where you can learn something new and have fun at the same time. Why not try your hand at weaving, or macrame or how about improving your crochet skills? We have classes starting soon and more on their way. Check out our website: https://cratesofwool.co.uk/collections/workshops

It’s nearly Christmas! But there is still time for some last-minute yarn acquisition! We are open today (Friday) until 4:30 and tomorrow (Christmas Eve) until 1pm. After that we are taking a short break - back on Saturday 7th January at 10am. Thank you to all our customers and friends for in 2022. We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2023.

3 of our most popular crochet workshops have just been added to our website. You can learn to crochet from scratch in our Crochet For All workshops, or build on your skills in our Masterclass. Or, like me, you could become addicted to Mosaic crochet - a colourwork technique where you use basic stitches and one colour per row. All classes will be taught by our amazing crochet specialist - Diana Bensted of The Crochet Chain.