Knitting on the Welsh Borders !

Wonderwool !

2010-05-13T06:26:00.001-07:00

Just a quick post to say we had a fantastic time at WonderwoolWales and were please to meet many friends old and new. We are back and updating the stock levels and adding new things, although it has taken both Mum and I weeks to get back to normality, well as normal as we can be !

Have lots to tell you so will be back soon !

Stock levels and WWwales

2010-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hello,
As usual its been ages in between posts ! Apologies for the long wordy post but thought I would like to share some thoughts about 2010 so far !

We are gradually getting back to normal after a snowed in winter. The result of the snow for us meant no deliveries which unfortunately = very little stock after a busy Christmas. Most of January we struggled to open and customers struggled to get in to the shop and this has had a knock on effect. We are pleased to say deliveries are due in of Madelinetosh dk, peaches and creme, a new order for Malabrigo sock, lace and silky is going in. More Soak, mini mochi and a new lace weight are also on their way. So we are starting to look more like our old selves, and have nice full shelves !

Once the snow cleared we have realised a small issue, we recently moved location in town to the High street. Whilst this has been a brill move for us and we now have a great space the result is that we are increasingly busier in the retail shop. We are trying our best to keep up but sometimes we are getting behind with updating the stock levels on the website, it all has to be done manually be me and Mum. I just wanted to say we know it sometimes causes a problem and we are looking in to systems to make this easier for us. It doesn't happen often and we are always grateful for our lovely knitters patience whilst we wait for more stock.

Other news - We are getting ourselves ready in preparation for Wonderwool Wales which is happening the weekend of 24th and 25th April at Builth Wells, anyone coming ? see you there x x x

2009 - What a Year !

2009-12-30T03:36:00.000-08:00

2009 has been a brilliant year, I thought I would just put together a little picture show of all we have been up to. I must apologise for the lack of blogging in the past months but as you can see we have been up to something(s)!

Over the Spring and Summer We had stands at Wonderwool Wales at Builth Wells, Fibrefest in Uffculme, Devon and the Iknit Weekender in London. It was great fun and we enjoyed meeting a whole host of people, customers, celebrities and friends. Who knows where we will crop up next year!

Next in October Mum, Dad, Andrew (bro) and I were lucky enough to go to Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival in New York state, I really should write a whole post on this road trip as it was fantastic ! (will write one up in the New Year) We went in far too many yarn stores including the fab ones Purl Soho (need to add I walked 40 blocks of New York to get to Purl !) Loop and the Tangled Web in Philadelphia and Princeton's amazing yarn store Pins and Needles more pictures and write up to follow I promise. Massive thanks to Kirsty for holding the fort whilst we were away!

Then in November we had the mammoth task of moving shops, not recommended for the faint hearted ! We now have a gorgeous space in a very old building (built in 1200 and something!) with tonnes of space for more yarn and goodies. Not quite finished yet with a shop front still to do (need help in ganging up on the landlord) We had a great time at the opening and were very happy to have Ysolda Teague drop by to officially open.

All that's left for me to say for 2009 is thank you to all our lovely customers and friends who make our shop what it is, we have lots in store for 2010 and look forward to seeing you all soon. Happy Knitting and Happy New Year !
Lots of love Lisa and Diana x x

(John, Andrew, Rob, Kirsty, Clare, Janny T and Marietta!)

New things

2009-08-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say we are slowly getting lots of exctiting new Autumn/Winter Yarns, we are just photographing and get everything online. New Malabrigo and Peaches and Creme arrived this week.

We are off to Fibrefest next weekend so the Knighton Shop will be closed from Friday 21st August at lunchtime, and of course closed all day Saturday. Are you coming ? sounds like its going to be fun, heres hoping its fab weather as me and the children are in the tent ! See you there, I will leave you with my favourite picture out of the new books, Debbie Bliss Blankets and Booties,

Happy Birthday !

2009-07-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

So we are 2 this week, tomorrow to be exact, can't quite believe where the last 2 years have gone !

To celebrate we are offering a 20%discount on all orders, just wish us Happy Birthday at the checkout ! Hurry as the discount expires on Friday at midnight !

Here's to the next 2 years !

Summer Sale !

2009-07-12T15:33:00.001-07:00

Just to say we are into week 2 of our Summer Sale, I have a few more goodies to add to it this week, we are just making some space for some super new Autumn/Winter yarns as if you have been in the shop space isn't our best feature !

Also I was wondering if you fancied doing some voting! its time for the Lets knit awards and we would love it if you would vote for us !
http://www.letsknit.co.uk/index.php/lets_knit_awards thats if you think us worthy of course !

psssst we are 2 years old on Tuesday and we will be offering an exciting discount back in 24 hours with the info, don't tell anyone !

Lisa x

Babies, Rav day, and a bit behind x

2009-06-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

My brilliant sister has been busy ! Congratulations to Joanna and Joseph and welcome to Lily Violet Bright !

proud Nanny !

Mum and Lily

Bathtime !

Just a quick post to say we were at the first ever Uk Ravelry day on Saturday which dispite the weather was a great sucess, huge thanks to Jo and the team for organising a fab day and we hope to be at the next one in 2010 ! It was great being able to put faces to names and lovely to meet lots of our customers x

As some of you may know Mum has been away the last few weeks, and to be honest I have been struggling a bit to keep up, I have had the children in the shop with me over halfterm and although I have had some help in the shop things are a bit behind, I am desperatly trying to catch up with emails and back orders so please feel free to nudge me if you are waiting for something ! So please bear with me and apologies x x x

And as you can see above there is a new baby in the family, my wonderful sister Joanna gave birth to Lily Violet weighing in at a healthy 8lb 1oz, and is the reason Mum is in Australia lending a hand with the two big brothers aged 3 and 1 !

Lisa x

Postage :(

2009-05-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say unfortunetly with the Royal Mail price increases we have had to up our postage rates, as before we have kept it to a minimum and it is still one price no matter the size of your order.
We have also decided to continue with the free 2nd class postage for another 3 months so its not all bad news ....................and even better sign up for our newsletter and recieve 10% off your next order !

Boo to Royal Mail ........... Yay to us !

Wonderwool 2009 !

2009-05-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Well that took 2 weeks to recover from Wonderwool Wales ! After transporting the whole shop (yes units and all !) we set up shop for the weekend, A fab time was had by all and huge thanks to Janny T, Sue and all the boys for help with setting up.

Janny T !

It was brill to meet up with all our friends, online customers and other traders for a hectic Saturday, we gave out all our Ravelry badges pretty quick and it was really nice to see a large Rav presence there.

Here's some pics x

Love Patisserie moment!

Didn't get out to buy much, although a few things slipped through ! some gorgeous silk from Artisan Yarns, some alpaca socks for a pressie (never finish my own hand knits!) and some merino 4ply from John Arbon, a slipper felting kit and of course Love Patisserie tarts ! It was exhausting but we loved every minute of it so until next year.....................or maybe June !

Next stop - Uk Ravlery Day in Coventry on June the 6th.

Why is it......

2009-03-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

That I want to make so many things ! I spend hours looking and queueing projects on Ravelry yet I never seem to complete anything, yes I am a serial starter !

'Hello my name is Lisa and I have been a serial starter for 2 years now ! ' is really what I should say, shame myself into finishing some things, so I have decided to make this......

from start to finish and I absolutely will blog regular updates of my progress !

Yay !

2009-03-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

Its here ! Most of the preorders have gone out today so look out for your parcels !

The Debbie Bliss Magazine !

2009-03-02T06:39:00.001-08:00

Just a quickie for those of you who have preordered the Spring/Summer Debbie Bliss magazine, we are still patiently waiting for it to clear UK customs, Designer Yarns (DB HQ) have told me they were expecting it to arrive today at the warehouse, they will dispatch it to us within 48 hours and we will get ours out asap !

Thanks to everyone waiting, and we hope you will have your magazine to enjoy with your weekend coffee !

Lis x

Snow time !

2009-02-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

Yeah it snowed ! and it snowed and it snowed ! and now we are snowed in.......hmmh my love for the white stuff is evaporating, especially as I have just gone over on my ass doing a beautiful yoga position I didn't know I could do trying to walk to the shop (its ok I'm not injured)

Though more importantly Internet orders are going to have a delay in being dispatched, and tonights knitting is cancelled, apologies we hope to be up and running asap.

although the weather forecast tomorrow is worse................

Enjoy the snow, I'm off to knit with a cuppa !

Lisa x

Happy Late January !

2009-01-27T04:03:00.000-08:00

Well okay we missed New Year ! All sorts of things have been going on here, first of all we had the Knitclub Christmas Dinner at the Baron of Beef, in Bucknell about 10 minute drive from the shop (well recommended for 2 for 1 on all mains by the way if you are visiting us !) and we had a fab time !
Some more than others - pictures to follow !

We had an OK Christmas, Mum has been really poorly, first with the Noro virus then with a racking cough which turned in to pneumonia, she was in bed for 3 weeks and is still coughing and weak now, I managed just about in the shop, thanks to everyone offering their help, we have ended up spending most of January restocking, and for filling orders from the Christmas time, apologies for anyone still waiting we are having deliveries all the time and are slowly catching up.

I have an aim to update this blog every week so watch this space and feel free to remind me when I haven't done it !!

Take care for now x x

The Knighton Show 2008

2008-09-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

Ok so never one to turn down a challenge ! We all entered the Knighton Agriculture and Craft Show, which falls each year on the last Saturday of August, and didnt we do well ! We swept the board with 1st, 2nd and 3rd and Highly Commended ! bearing in mind though that if we hadnt of all entered there would have only been 3 entries !

So congratulations to all that entered and bring on next year ! Where we hope to take the whole knitting section by storm !

Where has the time gone !

2008-07-06T06:08:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe that I haven't blogged in over 2 months !! We have been oh so busy !
First things first Wonderwool ! was fab, we had a great time setting up, meeting everyone, and spotting everyone with their Ravelry badges, I bought some lovely things from Posh Yarn, Blueberry Angoras, Some lovely alpaca sock yarn from Jenny and some more (notice a theme happening here !) sock yarn from The Natural Dye Studio, it all went so quickly and we enjoyed it so much we have booked for next year, we also hope to be at Fibrefest and Woolfest and maybe Ally Pally !

On the Yarn front we have some very exciting editions for the Autumn/Winter ! We are pleased to be stocking Peaches & Creme out of America ! and our 1st order should be with us in a matter of weeks yay ! We are also increasing our Cascade 220 colour range, lots of other US lovelies are under negiotiation ! think smmmooshy ! Sublime have an Organic Merino Yum ! and some new baby and children books should be online soon. We have some new patterns from the Zephyr Girls ! which are very cool !

Chloe has recovered from her operation I am pleased to say and is back to her usual bubbly boxer self after her scare in April. And there is a new ginger kitty on the horizon ! Just got a bit more work to do on MR K !

What we are knitting !

Lisa - I am trying to finish a Juliet from Debbie B Rialto, and a Malabrigo February lady Sweater ! and about 6 socks all to match ones previously finished and tossed aside aka 2nd sock syndrome !
Diana - Finished the Clappy in Louisa Harding mariposa - photos to follow ! and am now knitting baby things as a lovely lady from the knitting group is about due !!

School, Dogs and Deliveries !

2008-04-12T04:25:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

Realised today that I hadnt kept my promise to blog more regularly !! Lots of things going on for me ! Daniel started school this week, so now I have to be organised !(impossible!!) PE Kit, Lunches, Wellies, Back packs ahh ! and trying to get there on time ! However he has settled in really well with only the occasional 'why do I have to go to school everyday ' He just looks too little in his uniform and I worry he is only 4 ! but it seems I am the only one bothered as he trots off in to class x x x

My darling dog has been ill, Chloe is my 1st child, she is a boxer x and a few Saturdays ago decided to have a gastric torsion, QUE the squeemish bit ! this is where the stomach basically fills with gas and twists causing unproductive vomiting, a huge huge abdomen and is the only true near death emergency in the dog world (apart from being hit by a car sorry x) so we were operating at 2 in the morning, where I could put my past life skills to the test !! (I was a Veterinary Nurse before I got addicited to yarn) however she is now doing ok and will be soon bouncing back to normal x

On a lighter note !! we took fab deliveries this week of Malabrigo and Kauni which is soooo gorgeous and just in time to come to Wonderwool Wales with us !! Not long now x x 26th/27th April at Builth Wells.

Anyhow best do some work !

Lisa x

oooh Ravelry !

2008-02-17T13:33:00.003-08:00

Hiya,

Been lacking in the old blogging recently all down to this little blighter !

Not only is Ravelry cutting into my blogging time, but Housework(sod housework anyway !), and my Knitting is suffering too, but it is so damn brilliant ! come and find me lisaf4yarns and we have a first4yarns group too so will be great to chat to everyone ! (sign up by leaving your email address then the email will arrive to invite you in, takes around 7-10 days then wooo hooo !)

Been to Fab Trade Show today at the NEC and it was great to finally put names to faces and meet our lovely suppliers, a few new goodies are on the way including Noro Sock Yarn and Lantern Moon needles ! Dont tell Mum ! she is in Bournemouth visiting friends and shame I had to go on my own with the credit card ahhh !

Will post some pictures we have been taking in the next few days however Lost is about to start (on pause will my lovely Husband makes a cuppa) and I need to watch it !

Take Care

Lisa ;)

ps did you spot us in this months Lets Knit hehehehe !

Archie !

2008-01-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hello ! we have a new shop mascot ! in the form of Archie, a beautiful cocker spaniel puppy, who owns Mum and Dad (ok maybe not Dad!) and is gorgeous. Thought you might like a pic x x he was none to impressed with his knitted coat !! Cute !

Lisa x

Happy New Year

2008-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Beautiful new mirasol now in !

Hello !

Had a great Christmas and New Year break but missed the shop ! (sad I know !) its good to be back to normal (ish) after all the festivities. I managed to finish a Hipknits scarf, Daniels chunky jumper, Nia's Sublime Nautical cardi, wrist warmers in freedom spirit, and 1 sock in Araucania so quite a productive xmas ! I have also started Peacock from Rowan for Nia in Cotton 4ply, will take some pictures over the weekend and post them x

Lots of exciting things happening this year, we have a stand at Wonderwool and it will be the first time we will be having a stand rather than visiting, I am trying to think up of wonderful ways to display our yarns and how much to take etc, cant wait !! Lots of new yarns are on the way to us as I cant stop my ordering obsession ! need more room ! (hint to nice man in large shop next door !!)

Best go to bed and hope for snow !! I LOVE SNOW as who needs an excuse not to knit when it snows !!

Lisa x

Highly Commended !!

2007-12-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hiya, Just a quick post to show you our Christmas window, We got a Highly Commended yipee ! Every Christmas Knighton Chamber of Trade holds a Christmas window competion, and this years theme was a Christmas Carol, so we eventually chose 'O' Christmas Tree, thanks to everyone who crocheted and knitted things for the tree and window, it was a real team effort !!

and look at me in my hat !! (have to admit I cheated on this one, sorry girls !!)

Happy December !

2007-12-01T04:58:00.000-08:00

Hello, Sorry its been ages but been oh so busy ! had a fantastic time in Australia, sad to leave my sister and her family, and miss the 30oC weather and the pool !but it is good to be back ! still don't feel like I should be working and think I have post holiday blues !!

Mum coped brilliantly in the shop without me, although she was a little stressed and pleased to have me back !I thank her immensely for everything she has done ! Thanks to Sue for all her hard work in my absence and thanks to Barbara !

The tree is up in the shop and I have a new friend, Names on a postcard please ! I want to name her Lola (but Mum says its a floozies name !) so any suggestions ! She came from the lovely http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/ and thanks to Julie x

Shop News !

We are now open on a Monday Evening, 6pm - 9pm, we are also having a Knit and Natter all evening at the shop, so everyone is very welcome, Andrew is making a cake !! (chef extraordinaire! chocolate mud cake a speciality x) We are still running Thursdays (10-12) as well, and hope to meet all our knitters who cant get in to the shop in the week.

New yarns coming !!

We have some exciting new stock arriving shortly, a beautiful hand dyed range of yarns from Australia and some Kauni ! which is gorgeous self striping yarn (to the left ! ) www.kauni.com We also have some beautiful buttons and shawl pins made by a local wood turner Jim.

Have a good Saturday x

Lisa x

Hello !

2007-09-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Thought it was about time I posted a message ! been busy organising things ! I am off to Australia next month with the family and have been trying to update the website, and organise the shop !

Finally we have sorted out workshops, 29th September for beginners Crochet and 6th October for Knitter's revival ! a refresher in knitting for anyone who can basically Knit and Purl but wants to read patterns, cabel, fairaisle etc. The cost of these are £40 for 10am - 4pm and includes lunch, tea coffee and cakes and a goodie bag, also we will be offering 10% off all purchases in the shop.

Happy Knitting !

Lisa

Hello !

2007-08-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well we have been open a month and everything is going ok ! We have started getting new stock in including Colinette Iona, New shades in Colinette Shimmer 5, New shades in Baby Cashmere Silk Sublime, We are now stocking Sublime Kid Mohair, Kits from Rooster, we are also considering Malabrigo !

I have managed at last to finish one Jumper for DS and nearly a dress for DD, as I have been banned from starting anything new until I finish something !! got my eye on Enid in Iona or a nice little sublime number !

Anyway back to knitting, will post Daniel in his new jumper very soon x

Lisa x

Knit N Knatter Pictures !

2007-07-26T12:49:00.001-07:00

Hello, Forgot to add these pictures last time and Mum has been complaining !!! (not really haha)

Lisa x

(Uncle Ted and Jean and Sue x)

We are open !

2007-07-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

Hello, at last we opened the doors to our lovely little shop last Saturday, with a big thank you to everyone for their excellent painting skills ! putting together Ikea furniture and generally being great !

Newly arrived yesterday our Sublime order, I am so excited as I want to start something new but have about 4 projects on the go ! however may sneak some as it is so gorgeous ! (dont tell Hubby !)

Starting next Thursday (26th July) we will be having our weekly Knit N Knatter at the shop (23 Station Road, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1DT) 10am - 12 all our welcome for a tea / coffee and cakes ! Bring you WIP and meet some new friends !

I hope everyone is ok with this awful weather we are having, the river I can hear thundering past and it is quite worrying ! we are currently stuck in Knighton as all the main roads out to the bigger towns seem to be flooded, fingers crossed the floods dont come in to town x x

Speak soon

Lisa

Opening now the 14th July !!

2007-07-08T02:48:00.001-07:00

Hello,

I thought I would give you an update with regards to the shop ! finally we will be opening on Saturday after building delays etc ! See the new shop front ! Not too much to do then !

Off to Ikea tomorrow for the units and sofas, also being photographed for the local paper The Mid Wales Journal tomorrow so best do my hair !

Will be placing orders with Designer Yarns tomorrow for all the new Debbie Bliss books and new Rialto Aran so hopefully should come in time for Saturday. Also new Louisa Harding Yarns.

Have just received our latest order from Serendipity needles, which are gorgeous new photos will be on soon. Also look out for us in 'Knitting' Magazine as the Breast Cancer research needles are number 1 on what to buy !

Please feel free to call in and see us on Saturday for some champagne and chocolates ! and of course all our gorgeous yarns !!

Lisa x

3 weeks !

2007-06-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello ! 3 weeks til opening, been busy this week organising the decoration of the shop front, still seems like so much to do ! Also seen reps already showing us the Autumn / Winter collections due out July / August v exciting !

Knitting like mad to try and finish garments for the grand opening, I have turned into an extreme knitter !

Lisa x

ps Blueflower Knits are here, see website, now just waiting for Cascade !

4 Weeks !

2007-06-03T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hello,

Just thought I would give everyone an update on our shop, now only 4 weeks to go till we plan on opening ! So we are busy ordering enough stock, seeing reps this week for the exciting new Autumn and Winter collections x Got to choose the paint for inside and out and ordering furniture etc how exciting !

Also just to let you know we now have a lovely button range in loads of colours and I am hoping that Blue Flower Knit patterns arrive this week as I am desperate to knit and felt this gorgeous bag !

2007-05-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Me on the right finishing a Rooster bag and Janny T on the right starting a Colinette Beauty !

Hello everyone !

2007-05-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

Just thought we would create a blog for all your lovely comments on email we have and that we can update you on the Shop renovation, new ideas, new products and everything knitting !

Only 6 weeks to go until open day and we would appreciate any ideas for someone to offically do the grand opening ! renovations are still going strong, unsure if we will be ready !!

I am pleased to say our blueflowerknit bag pattern are on the way from Usa and we have just ordered some more serendipity needles.

Will keep you updated and thanks for everyone's emails.

Lisa x