The Print Copies Are Landing!

Planning on some indulgent knitting in 2015? Ready to cast on something new? How about that New Year's Resolution you've been thinking about 'Make the perfect sweater I will wear and wear'?

Vivacious Volume 1 goes live in 3 days just in time to help you with those goals. We're so excited about this collection of 10 timeless knits aimed at indulgent weekend knitting and those of you taking your first steps in knitting. These patterns are simple enough for beginners while still providing plenty of interest for those more experienced knitters who like a little comfort knitting from time to time.

Our retailers agree and have started ordering in the copies of Vivacious Volume 1 and if you can't wait for the online launch, you can contact the following stores as printed copies are winging their way now:

Handmade Studios- Hampshire, UK
iknit- London, UK
Purlescence- Oxfordshire, UK
Twist Yarns- Suffolk, UK
Wild and Woolly- London, UK
Yarn Cafe- Coventry, UK

TitiTyy Oy- Jyväskylä, Finland
The Stash Cupboard- Hobart, Australia

Need the yarn? Check out our retailers list to find your nearest Vivacious stockist.

The Perfect Knitting Project for the Cold Weather

It's cold and dark here in the Northern hemisphere and we're aware that so many of you will finally be settling down, after all the Holiday rush, to a little selfish knitting. We thought it was time we made a simple, soothing knit available for download to celebrate!

Cogges Armwarmers and Hat

Worked up quickly in chunky weight luxury yarn, these armwarmers and hat are perfect for beginners knitters and those looking for a soothing knit after all that gift knitting. 

Cogges Armwarmers

Available as two single downloads, the Cogges set were popular accessories to knit from our Scrumptious Volume 1 Collection. First, there is the Cogges Armwarmers which call for two skeins of Scrumptious Chunky. These fun and quick cabled fingerless armwarmers fit all sizes by changing the circumference during finishing with the ribbon to cinch them in as necessary. The cable pattern is simple enough for those who’ve never cabled before and provides a soothing rhythm to this simple knit.

Cogges Hat

The Cogges Hat is another speedy project that will just fly off your needles – it is knitted flat with just one quick seam to sew up at the end. The cable pattern is simple enough for those who’ve never cabled before and provides a soothing rhythm to this simple knit.

Knit flat before seaming, these are the perfect patterns for beginners looking to try new stitches or an instant gratification knit for those knitters in a hurry. Time for a little indulgent knitting after all your hard work!

(We've also got 15% off the whole Fyberspates store, including patterns until New Year- Enjoy!)

Festive Wishes!

It's been an incredible year and it's amazing to think of all the people we've met, yarn we've fondled and patterns we've shared with you all. Please do come tell us about your favourite Fyberspates moments in 2014 in the Ravelry group- we love to see what you've working on!

To add a little festive cheer and to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for all your support this year, please enjoy 15% off all purchases on patterns from the Fyberspates Ravelry store. No coupon code necessary, just enjoy your knitting! Offer ends 30th January 2014.

Happy Holidays!

Vivacious Volume 1

~Whatever comfort the weekend brings you, do it in Vivacious knitwear.

Did you see our announcement on Facebook earlier? Come tell us YOUR 2015 plans. We think we see plenty of snuggly knitwear in ours....

Cumulus Arrives at This Is Knit

This is Knit, located in Dublin, Ireland, have been Scrumptious and Vivacious stockists for some time and recently added Cumulus to their line up of Fyberspates yarns. We thought it was time for a little celebration of this wonderful shop as well as a giveaway (more on that in a moment).

Fyberspates in stock at This Is Knit

This is Knit started life back in 2006 as a small market stall and website, run by mother and daughter team Jacqui and Lisa Sisk. Their aim was to supply natural fibre yarns in a broad range of colours to knitters and crocheters and to offer friendly advice and a range of classes and workshops. The business grew each year through a lot of hard work and re-investment, and in 2009 Jacqui and Lisa moved from the south Dublin suburb of Blackrock to the City Centre. In 2011 they took over an even larger shop unit in the beautiful surroundings of the Powerscourt Centre and Lisa's sister Jenny also joined the team shortly afterwards.

The classes on offer in store vary from Beginner Knitting and Crochet to Professional Finishing classes, and we also regularly host guest designer workshops from names like Ysolda Teague, Carol Feller and Woolly Wormhead. All classes can be booked online here.

The Ashton Shawlette by Dee O'Keefe

Jacqui and Lisa are true Fyberspates fans too as they regular blog and share the projects they've worked up in Fyberspates yarns. There was a little gasp at Fyberspates HQ when we spotted the Ashton Shawlette worked up in Scrumptious 4ply and Jacqui's gorgeous Laar in Scrumptious Lace. Absolutely stunning! You can find details of the shawl in this blog post from their lovely blog and more project notes on Laar here. 

'Laar' worked up in Scrumptious Lace

If you want to keep up with all the latest news from This Is Knit, as well as following their blog you can find them on Twitter here, and on Facebook here. They also have a Ravelry Group is at this link.

Want to win a project's worth of Cumulus yarn? This is Knit are hosting a giveaway to win your choice of pattern and your choice of colourway to knit it in! The post has some gorgeous ideas to start you off with so why not pop over to leave a comment and win? Good luck!

Bollo

Today seemed like a day for celebration. Why? Well, we just packed a very special something off to the printers! It's not long now until we can reveal ALL the Vivacious Volume 1 details. To celebrate, we wanted to release a digital version of a pattern we love from Rachel Coopey, one of the designers featured in the coming collection.

Rachel is a designer who loves details: whether it's intricate cables, inspirational colourwork or the biggest pom pom any hat could possibly take! We've worked with Rachel a number of times and love her giggle on photoshoots and inspirational knitting designs. If you're a Coopknits fan (her design name) you will already know that Rachel designed pieces for Scrumptious Volume 3 as well as producing several patterns we love in Fyberspates yarns.

Bollo is a textured cowl with two sizing options that works up fast in a chunky weight yarn. This stylish accessory has plenty of details to make knitting and wearing fun while still being simple enough to memorise the lace pattern. If you're still feverishly cranking out gifts, this might be just the cowl you need to save your sanity!

Worked up in Scrumptious Chunky, the addition of silk in this luxury yarn means a lustrous sheen and a cowl that feels deliciously soft around the neck. Instructions are given both in a chart form as well as written and details include two different size options. The small size has a 56.5cm (169 inches) circumference and takes one full skein of Fyberspates Scrumptious Chunky. The large size has a 22.25cm (66.5 inches) circumference and takes 3 skeins of Fyberspates Scrumptious Chunky. Both sizes are 24.5cm (9.5in) tall. 

Want to win the yarn to make this cowl and the pattern? We're offering two lucky winners, chosen at random, the chance to win either a single skein of Scrumptious Chunky or 3 skeins to make the larger version. Both winners will also receive the pattern. To win, all you need to do is visit the pattern page and leave a comment telling us which of the Scrumptious colourways you would choose to knit Bollo in should you win. 

We will announce the winners on Facebook on Tuesday so keep an eye there to see if you won. 

Have a great weekend!

Mulled Wine and Festive Fyberspates

It's no secret that most of us at Fyberspates are pretty foodie and many work sessions have ground to a halt as we discuss cakes we'll be baking across the weekend. This time of year gets us particularly excited as food traditions and knitting traditions seem to be easily combined. One tradition we love each year if the Jimmy Beans Fit for Feast Collections. Have you spotted the Jimmy Beans Fit for a Feast 2014 yet? 13 yarn companies come together to bring yarn treats themed for the Holidays and a recipe booklet is included with each 'dish'.

Sweet Potato Cowl kits

Fyberspates and Malabrigo were brought together for the Sweet Potato Cowl kit: Vivacious DK and Malabrigo Rueca in suitably festive colours. You'll find a Sweet Potato side dish recipe from Jeni in the recipe book too.

Last year, Jeni contributed this fabulous Mulled Wine Recipe and so we're sharing it here to get you in the festive mood. Enjoy!

Mulled Wine

Serves: 4 people. Double quantity for 6-8 people.

Total Time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

·         6 Tablespoons sugar

·         4 cloves

·         2 2-inch sticks of cinnamon

·         1 Star Anise

·         2 lemons, thinly sliced

·         1 orange thinly sliced

·         1 bottle red wine

·         1/3 cup Cognac (optional)

Directions:

Pour the wine into a saucepan and then add all the other ingredients together. Heat gently (do not boil) until all the sugar has dissolved. Strain into a punch bowl or bowl. Serve hot, decorate with orange and lemon slices.