CallachyMitts sm

I have just realised that I didn’t share these two fabulous patterns by my friend Emily (flutterbyknits).  Emily designed the Callachy Hat and Mitts in my Shetland DK, to make the most of just one or two skeins of this lovely yarn (they use less than 100g each).  While they do work especially well in my Shetland DK these simple and cosy accesories they will be great in most of my DK weight yarns.  If I don’t have any Shetland yarn, or other substitutes, in stock in my shop when you look please do contact me as I may be able to make you up a custom order (the stock isn’t always stocked between yarn dyeing sessions etc). My email address is mail@blackisleyarns.co.uk .

As Emily says ”Some things are best kept simple. When you have one skein of perfect yarn, you need a pattern that shows it off without too much fuss. The Callachy hat uses a classic cable combination and careful details to make a comforting slouchy hat that’s as soothing and beautiful as the beach on a grey day. Paired with the matching mitts, it’ll be your new favourite. The fingerless mitts are so rewarding: simple and quick to make, but very practical. Callachy Mitts have no unnecessary complications, just beautiful details to warm your hands and your spirit.”

Callachyhat sm

I’m really delighted to introduce you to ‘Shivelight’ a beautiful cowl designed by the talented and very kind Claire (Claieinstitches) .   I was completely bowled over when Claire sent me the finished knit – I couldn’t imagine a more perfect cowl.
black isle yarns cowl in gotland yarn
Claire was inspired by the woods on the Black Isle and the design perfectly captures ‘lances of sunlight piercing the woodland canopy and the shadows cast on the woodland floor’. I have prepared kits and they’ll feature at shows and occasional shop updates, the kits include lovely pattern cards prepared by Claire, joined by a stitch marker, which include an extract from a beautiful poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

‘……Down roughcast, down dazzling whitewash,
wherever an elm arches, Shivelights& shadowtackle
in long lashes lace, lance & pair……’

gotland mini skeins sm
Shivelight is a snuggly colour-work cowl knit with four shades of my Gotland DK (Cream, Silver, Grey and Charcoal) and has been designed to be a good stepping-stone into the world of colour-work, as well as being an enjoyable knit for the more experienced.  If you are keen to knit yourself a Shivelight Cowl and there isn’t any Gotland in my shop at the time, do please contact me as I may be able to put together a kit just for you (mail@blackisleyarns.co.uk).

gotland black isle yarns cowl

meet the shepherdess

I am so excited to be part of Meet the Shepherd/essEdinburgh Yarn Festival’s new Sunday event.  I’m delighted to be part of a small line up of ‘farm to skein’ yarn producers.  You can read all about the other exhibitors here, there’s a lovely bunch – some who I know and some who I’m looking forward to meeting for the first time.

Tickets go on sale tonight (wednesday 31st January) at 7pm GMT.  It is a relaxed event to wind down EYF 2018, with lots of room to knit and relax.  I’ll be ready for lots of chatting about where Black Isle Yarns wool comes from and the fabulous local shepherd/esses who so carefully manage their special flocks.  I’ll bring my top-secret new wool, new designs, kits and naturally dyed yarns as well as beautiful nature’s shades.

The event will run from 10am to 2pm, Sunday 18th March at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh. I’m really looking forward to seeing lots of you there!