Following on from my last post, I wanted to share some of my favourite brands for those who are wanting to invest in their fibre arts or simply looking for a good place to start.
As a small business owner, I’m always looking for good quality products that work well whilst still keeping my costs down. So, here are a few that I keep coming back to time and time again.
Equipment
My favourite brand for knitting needles is definitely the Symfonie collection by KnitPro:
https://www.knitpro.eu/a/symfonie/en
I use the double-pointed needles to make my scrunchies and they are so smooth to knit with. They’re slightly on the pricier side compared to other needles but if you’re really into your knitting, these are definitely worth investing in! Also, the rainbow design is a nice added bonus!
For crochet, I love Prym’s ergonomic crochet hooks:
https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/needles-and-hooks/prym-ergonomic-crochet-hook
The handle takes strain off of the wrists and sits nicely in the hand (though whenever I use one, people tend to comment that it looks like a toothbrush!). The pointed tip also helps the process of working stitches much smoother so you’re less prone to getting your hook caught, which helps speed up your flow.
Yarn
When I’m wanting some double knit wool that’s reasonably priced, reliable and with a wide range of colour options; I usually go for Stylecraft Special DK:
https://www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk/yarns/special-dk
Stylecraft have a huge variety of colours and they’re so affordable. Also, you can easily find them in most wool stockists, both online and in store. This is my go-to brand for my custom pet portraits and bespoke dolls – especially if I need a very specific colour last minute.
For making clothing pieces, I prefer thicker wool and I love using James C Brett Marble Chunky:
https://www.jamescbrett.co.uk/yarn/marble-chunky
Their colour selection is gorgeous and I’ve found them perfect for cardigans and jumpers. With a 6mm gauge, they make up quickly but don’t turn out too bulky. And, because they come in generous 200g balls, they’re ideal for larger projects.
One of my most popular products at the moment is my tinsel scrunchies, so I had to mention the King Cole Tinsel Chunky:
https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/king-cole-tinsel-chunky-all-colours
I can’t get enough of the iridescent sparkle on these and the colours are amazing. This yarn is great for scrunchies because it knits up quickly and is nice and stretchy. I’ve attached some of my personal favourites below.
Of course, I have to give a special mention to the brand West Yorkshire Spinners:
https://www.wyspinners.com/index.php?route=common/home
Though they’re a bit expensive, they are totally worth it. The quality is out of this world, using high percentages of wool for most of their products. I’ve used their sock yarn before, among other weights, and it feels like such a treat – a perfect gift for any yarn addict like me! Not only that but they are part of the Campaign for Wool which advocates for ‘an environmentally responsible, sustainable, and commercially viable wool industry.’
Books
I first started crocheting because of a book my friend bought me by Kerry Lord at Toft:
https://www.toftuk.com/PL.aspx?CatName=books/Books_by_Kerry_Lord
From then on, I fell in love with crochet and the rest is history! And I’ve bought more of their books since. The format is easy to read, with helpful diagrams – great for beginners! I also love the adorable little biographies they write for each of their characters – so much fun!
Make sure to check out their Instagram page too: @toft_uk
Another dearly loved book of mine is the Iconic Women book by Carla Mitrani:
https://www.bookdepository.com/Crochet-Iconic-Women-Carla-Mitrani/9781446308257
Another well formatted book with great explanations and pictures that make everything super clear and easy to follow. It would be a great choice for beginners, especially for children as they also get to learn about some awesome women who changed the world! But they have other great choices with really cool concepts.
Find them on Instagram as well: @amourfou_crochet
I’d love to know your thoughts too! Feel free to share some of your favourites with me in the comments or through my Instagram: @yorkshireknitter