Newsletter July – Virtual Yarns

Virtual Yarns - Home of Alice Starmore Yarns and Designs

Dear Knitter,

We are now back from our summer holiday and our checkout is open again for orders as we move towards autumn. We have been busy throughout the holiday working on new designs for the St Kilda Collection and we look forward to sharing those with you later in the year.

Conachair Collar, Briodag Hat Set and Persian Tiles Wrap patterncard kit designs by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Alice Starmore Hebridean 2 Ply pure new British wool hand knitting Yarn

There is a postal change for our customers from Austria, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. We are now sending to those countries by means of the Royal Mail PDDP service, so you can see and prepay your customs charges on our checkout. After checkout there are no further charges applied by customs in your own country. We have been using this method for the USA for the past 10 months and it has worked very well, so we are pleased to be able to offer it for these four additional countries.

Lapwing Collar and Pullover and Briodag Hat Set designs by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

On our last shoots with Natalia and Eloise we showcased our Video Class and Creative Course designs which are growing into a large set covering a wide range of techniques. You can see many of the pieces from our classes and courses here. For anyone not sure of where to start, these projects are a great way to learn as you make.

Lapwing Collar, Sulaire Shawl, Briodag Gloves designs and Cuffs and Bag from Creative Course 2 & 3, Beads from the Button & Bead Class and Weaving from the Weaving Class by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

These designs all come with video instructions and they are designed to allow you to develop your skills. For costume development, the beginner Lapwing Collar, the intermediate Conachair Collar and the Dun Cuffs from Creative Course 2 focus on intricate textures, colours and construction.

Lapwing Pullover, Conachair Collar and Briodag Hat Set Patterncard Kit designs by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Conachair Collar & Cuffs Patterncard Kit design and Mo Chridhe Blanket from the Infinite Cable Class by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 & 3 Ply

The Infinite Cable Class covers a wide range of textured and cabled techniques for beginners onward, and it is an ideal grounding for the intermediate level Staran Pullover.

Staran Pullover and Briodag Hat Set designs and Woven Wrap from the Beginners Weaving Class by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 & 3 Ply

For those interested in stranded knitting, the Briodag Hat Set is beginner level and leads on to the intermediate level Henry VIII Gloves Class. Our free, beginner level, stranded knitting tutorials lead on to the more challenging Greeta Cardigan Yoke Class.

Greeta Cardigan and Henry VIII Hat Set designs and Cuffs and Bag from Creative Course 2 & 3, Beads by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

For openwork the Sulaire Shawl is the perfect starting point to develop skills before proceeding to the more complex Cluaran Shawl. Creative Course 1 and Creative Course 3 involve making knitted shapes which are then felted and embroidered. For those who want to try basic weaving on a rigid heddle loom, the Beginner's Weaving Class covers everything that you need to know.

Polaris Cardigan and Cassiopeia Gloves Patterncard Kit designs and Gold Hat from Creative Course 1 and Cuffs from Creative Course 2 by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Persian Tiles, Conachair Collar and Briodag Hat Set Patterncard Kit designs and Glen Hat from Creative Course 1 by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Damselfly Cardigan Patterncard Kit design and Mara Hat from Creative Course 1 by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Gleann Beag Cardigan, Hirta Gloves and Cassiopeia Hat designs by Alice Starmore in Hebridean 2 Ply

Jade has been knitting the Gleann Beag Cardigan, which is a version of the Gleann Mòr featuring textured, coloured borders instead of the deep rib, for those who prefer a straighter shape. This design will be coming out in August, but the colourway also works perfectly for the Gleann Mòr. This one is knitted in a main colour of Selkie with Red Rattle, Clover, Erica, Limpet and Kelpie as the contrasts. She has a second colourway on the needles at the moment so we look forward to seeing how that develops next month.