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Cat and Sparrow UK
Cat and Sparrow UK

beautifully crafted fibres and yarns – made in the UK, shipped worldwide

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This weekend I bought my old #SchachtLadybug spinning wheel back from the friend I sold it to a few years ago. I didn't realise how much I would miss it. My Majacraft is wonderful, but it doesn't call to me to sit down and spin as my Ladybug does, and now she's back in my life the floodgates are open and I've been finishing all the unfinished spinning projects. My bobbins are empty, but for these three. I'm planning to weave with them. From top left, clockwise, they are Girl from Mars, Irridescence on BFL, silk and mohair, and Plum Tree on Wensleydale and silk. I totally love weaving with my handspun yarn. It's my favourite thing to do with it. How do you like to use your handspun?
Woohoo! I got my digital #woolfork #sewingpattern printed up to A0 for me by the lovely @fabricatemirfield and it arrived today. I hate doing home-printed patterns because it's so fiddly, so this was a godsend. This weekend I'm getting my sewing mojo back and making myself a the short-sleeved tunic version. Honestly, I adore how @jacquelinecieslak has made this pattern so versatile, from dress to crop top, with or without sleeves. I'm not a terribly experienced sewer, and it's been a while since I did any, so I'm excited about this! I can actually see myself making all of the patterns in this book. I also love how Jacqui has laid out the knitting patterns, and how easy she'd made it to make adjustments for your own body type. I'm excited! I got mine from @fromeyarncollective if you want to get a copy!
Hooray! The next 3-month instalment of the #floraandfaunafibreclub is open for pre-order! ⁠ ⁠ This club is such fun to put together. Each month, in mid-May, June and July you'll receive a package of delightful fluff inspired by the natural world. Past inspirations have been as diverse as the Blue-ringed Octopus, the Oriental dwarf kingfisher and the Emerald Vine. Fibres range from hand dyed top to hand carded batts, and I always try and put a little something extra in there to inspire you. ⁠ ⁠ If you like the sound of it, you can hop over via the linkin.bio in my profile and place your order. Single and double doses are available, but places are limited. Come and join in the fun!
Wheee! Look what came through my door! #embody by @jacquelinecieslak. I'm really excited about this book. The patterns in it are simple and versatile, as befits a capsule wardrobe. There's so much information about adapting them to your particular body size and shape. She also includes video tutorials to help with adjustments and techniques. I just love her approach to clothing and style. I'm not a very accomplished sewist, but I'm inspired to get the machine out again. ⁠ ⁠ I'm especially looking forward to the live session with her this evening, facilitated by @fromeyarncollective, from whom I purchased the book. If you've bought a copy of this book from Nicky, I highly recommend you attend! It's going to be awesome. ⁠ ⁠ #embody #capsulewardrobe #makersgonnamake #sewersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #makeyourownclothes #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #sizeinclusive #fatknitting #plussizeknitting #handmadewardrobe
SALE TIME! Bittersweet news, really, as I'm discontinuing my Sweater Weather range of yarn. This yarn is truly lovely - a blend of Bluefaced Leicester and Masham that works beautifully for colourwork, and which takes dye richly onto its marled grey base. However, it's time to say goodbye, as I'm streamlining my yarn bases. ⁠ ⁠ I've adjusted the prices for both Sweater Weather DK and 4ply to 25% off, so it's a proper bargain, and once they're gone, they're gone. There's a link in the linkin.bio for the DK and a product tag in the photo for the 4ply if you'd like to head on over and have a look. ⁠ ⁠ #yarnsale #handdyedyarn #yarnbargain #indiedyer #catandsparrowuk #knittersofinstagram #crochetersofinstagram #crochetaddict #knittersofig #ukknitters #yarnstagram #yarnaddict
Blog post alert! I've got some lovely suppliers and thought it would be fun to meet a few of them, so I've started by interviewing Jen Kemery of Tutrlemade, who make the lovely 3d-printed Turkish spindles, yarn bowls, niddy noddies and plying tools that I stock in Cat & Sparrow. If you're interested, pop over and have a read! (Follow the Linkin.bio in my profile). Don't forget, I'm offering 15 minutes of free tutorial time to get you started if you're a beginner spinner and purchase a Turtlemade spindle. ⁠
I had my Covid vaccination on Friday and the side effects have not been fun. I felt pretty sorry for myself all weekend, so I cast on a new project with my hand-dyed Superhero DK. This is #sarcactus by @marinaskua and I love how it's knitting up. I've chosen We are Royals and Heart of Gold, because I wanted something bright and warm. It's definitely making me happy. What's on your needles this #wipwednesday?
Lykke sets are like hen's teeth at the moment thanks to some shipping issues, but I've just received a small restock of Driftwood 5
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks and I haven’t had much of a chance to do anything, but I did finally finish my #starflake #westknitsmkal2019. I had to unpick all of section 6, which resulted in it being banished to the ‘sulk’ pile for several months but I’m so glad I’ve finished it. I love it! What shall I cast on next? (It’s knitted in #ohsofinesock in PistachiOMG and Sorceress) #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #knittersgonnaknit #knittersofig #handdyedyarn #yarnstagram #catandsparrowuk
I get asked about suitable fibre for beginners quite a lot, so I thought I'd write a blog post about what things beginner spinners might want to look for in a fibre. Check the Linkinbio for the link. ⁠ ⁠ I'm of the somewhat controversial opinion that Merino is not a good fibre to learn on - it's dense and sticky and can be difficult to draft. Being a very fine wool it also lends itself to fine spinning, which, if you're a beginner, means you're probably not going to get the best out of it. On the other hand, I think Shetland is a great wool to learn with, as is Bluefaced Leicester and other breeds like Whitefaced Woodland, Romney and Corriedale. What do you think makes a great fibre to learn with? Tell me your experiences.
Drum rollllll … here it is! My limited edition colourway for the Spring theme of the Virtual Yorkshire Yarn Fest. I just love snowdrops, and to me they signal spring, so I couldn’t really choose any other inspiration than this for this colour way. It’s dyed onto Eco-warrior Sock, which is a super strong mix of British BFL and sustainably-produced Tencel. I’m knitting a sock with it right now and it’s divine. Light, strong, silky and soft. Perfect for socks. ⁠ ⁠ After my YYF Instagram Live (over on the @yorkshireyarnfest account), which is at 2pm GMT tomorrow, I plan to chill and do some knitting in front of a movie. What are you all up to?
It's the Virtual Yorkshire Yarn Fest again tomorrow! I really enjoy this festival - I love the variety of vendors and seeing everyone's lovely crafty things. ⁠ ⁠ I'll be on at 2pm, GMT for 15 minutes, chatting about yarn and fibre. I'll have a special Spring themed yarn available specially for the show, which I will be on sale tomorrow and Sunday. It's a corker of a colourway, inspired by snowdrops, which I find irresistible. They're a portent of spring that just cheers the soul. ⁠ ⁠ Hopefully I'll see you there! #knittersofinstagram #yarnparty #yarnfest #yarnlove #yarnaddict #knitsagram #strikke #knittersofig #fiberfestival #crochetersofinstagram #knitting #crochet #virtualyorkshireyarnfest
I just uploaded a video of me spinning some of this divine Polwarth/silk blend (the colourway is Plum Tree) on one of my supported spindles from @thespindleshop. The lap bowl is from @spanish_peacock. I've only just really got into support spindling - I'm usually a drop spindler - and I'm absolutely hooked. It's so relaxing, and I love mixing up the styles. I usually spin worsted on a drop spindle and woollen/semi-woollen on a support spindle, which gives loads of opportunity for variation. Do you have a preference? What's your favourite spindle? ⁠ ⁠ #supportspindle #spindlespinning #spinningyarn #wemakeyarn #polwarthwool #spinsupported #russianspindle #catandsparrowuk #handspinning #spinnersofinstagram #spinstagram #spinspiration #spinningfromthefold
I just uploaded a video of me spinning some of this divine Polwarth/silk blend (the colourway is Plum Tree) on one of my supported spindles from @thespindleshop. The lap bowl is from @spanish_peacock. I've only just really got into support spindling - I'm usually a drop spindler - and I'm absolutely hooked. It's so relaxing, and I love mixing up the styles. I usually spin worsted on a drop spindle and woollen/semi-woollen on a support spindle, which gives loads of opportunity for variation. Do you have a preference? What's your favourite spindle? ⁠ ⁠ #supportspoindle #spindlespinning #spinningyarn #wemakeyarn #polwarthwool #spinsupported #russianspindle #catandsparrowuk #handspinning #spinnersofinstagram #spinstagram #spinspiration #spinningfromthefold
Yay! Another Fibre in Focus blog post is afoot! This one focuses on Polwarth wool - one of my favourites to dye and to spin. I don't often work with fleece either - I'm a fully prepped kinda girl - but I have had Polwarth fleeces in the past and they are divine. Head over to the blog (linkinbio) to find out why you should love Polwarth. (Hint - because it's amazing).
Look at this beautiful version of my #autumnleaveshat pattern that @_irislily_ made when she test knitted it for me. It's just gorgeous, and apparently great for chilly Canadian winter days. I love these two colours of Superhero DK together (Watery Tart and Heart of Gold) - the leaves stand out beautifully against the sky blue background. Thank you so much Nichole for making it look so amazing! ⁠
I'm so excited about this event on Sunday. The last time I took part in #theknittearetreat was so much fun, and this Nordic Edition promises to be fabulous. The event itself runs from Friday night, where it kicks off with a talk about aspects of Nordic knitting from @kariebookish. Saturday features talks about colour theory from @riverknitsuk and knitting traditions and yarns from @midwinteryarns. Then on Sunday there's this jam packed marketplace! I'm on at 12.30 (GMT) and will be chatting about fibres, yarns and patterns, because that's what I love to do. The line up is stunning, so I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else has going on. Join us! It'll be awesome! Check the linkinbio for more details.
They’re live! My new pattern, #gildedcagemitts, is available in the shop. Swipe to see the four limited edition yarns available with them. The pattern is a quick, fun knit with a simple slipped stitch pattern and Estonian braids, which are my new favourite thing. A twisted rib cuff and top finishes it off and the thumb features a slipped stitch accent. They’re super cosy. I can vouch as it’s -1 outside and my hands were toasty! #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #knittingpattern #knitwear #knitweardesigner #knittingaddict #indiedyersofig #yarnaddict #yarnies #fingerlessgloves #
I went out for a walk the other day, and took my camera, because I was on the hunt for snowdrops. For some reason, there are absolutely no snowdrops to be found in the area I wandered in, but I did find these beautiful fungi. They're Wood Ear or Jelly Ear fungus, and I love the delicate dusty pink and orange colouring, with a little tinge of lilac around the edge. A colourway beckons ...⁠ ⁠ They grow almost exclusively on elder trees, and are also known as 'Jew's Ear' or 'Judas' Ear' Fungus, after Judas Iscariot, who hanged himself from an elder tree after betraying Jesus to the Romans. The debate rages within the Mycological Society as to whether or not the name is anti-semitic, with plenty of non-Jewish, older white men in the 'I've always called it that, so it isn't, and anyway, Judas was a Jew so what's the problem' camp. I prefer Jelly Ear, although to me it looks like a mouse's ear. Anyway, interestingly, it has long been used as a treatment for sore throats and jaundice, and it has anti-tumour properties, as well as the potential to lower cholesterol. It senses rain so it knows when to fruit - more rain, means more rot, means more chance to thrive. I didn't know all this when I took its picture. I'm a bit in awe of it now. Isn't it pretty?
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