There might be lots and lots of scrumptious lace weight in this week’s update, but the sock knitters among us need not despair, there’s sock yarn too (including the last of our stock of Helena for the time being). And we also have a rare sighting of Sophia 6ply - I don’t normally stock that during the summer months, but I ordered a pack on the spur of the moment a few weeks ago, and we’ve put it all on this week’s update. Here are some more favourites:

The full shop preview is now up. We’re back to our regular sale time of 6pm on Sunday. I hope to see you then!

It might only be July, but already we’re looking ahead to our autumn/winter yarns. That means using up existing yarn stock to make way for new season yarns. This week, Tony dyed the last of our stock of Cecilia, and rather than eke it out over two sales, I’ve decided to list it all in one glorious cobwebby spree. Here are some of my favourite shades of Cecilia, and a particularly lovely Sophia 2ply I’ve popped in at the end:

More yarn previews on Friday!

Our planned trip to Rhinebeck just got a whole load more exciting. Not only will I get to meet some of my favourite customers, from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, but I get to spend some time with my adorable plucky friend, Sarah, and her family. We are planning a few days in New York with them, before driving down to Rhinebeck. While in New York we’re planning a spree here, here, here, and if we have any money/time left, maybe even here. If you listen hard enough, you may be able to hear our squealing from wherever you are in the world. It’s going to be legendary!

All that and then the joys of Rhinebeck….. does life get any better? So, Posh & Plucky customers, will you be there too?

I know, I know, today is supposed to be Etsy temptation day. But I have something else to tempt you with: a gorgeous new knitting book. You need one, yes you know you do.

The book is Inspired to Knit, by Michele Rose Orne. And it is quite spectacular. Everything in it is so wearable, so beautifully designed. It’s as innovative as Loop-d-Loop (by Teva Durham) was, but without the scary skinheads and odd shapes. The designers share the same knack of taking one classic knit style (cables, intarsia, stranded) and expanding it to create something completely unique. This is probably the only knitting pattern book I’ve ever seen which makes me want to knit every single item in there. Top of the list are the Winter Wonderland Coat, the Snowdrift Cardigan (in break-the-bank Sophia 6ply!), the Victorian Lace Blouse (swoon), and the Walk in the Woods Cardigan. I want to divorce Tony and marry him all over again, just to have an excuse to knit (and wear) that wedding ensemble. I want to make it all!

Seriously, if you are feeling a bit of knitting boredom, and you want something to make you fall in love with knitting all over again, this book is the ticket. Go buy it. NOW.

While in Cardiff last weekend, I went to see Mamma Mia at the cinema. Now I have to say at the outset, I’ve never considered myself an Abba fan, and I really wasn’t expecting to enjoy the movie that much. Especially since I have an unreasonable grudge against musicals. There you are, watching a movie, enjoying the plot, and then WHAM! someone throws a stupid song right at you!! The only exception are the old movies/musicals with Frank Sinatra in them, like Guys & Dolls, and High Society, and they only get away with it because they have FRANK in them, and anything with Ol’ Blue Eyes is just fine by me.

But I digress.

Mamma Mia. To begin with, I was rolling my eyes. Meryl Streep singing? Pierce Brosnan singing??! Please!! Not to mention the plot, stuffed with as much cheese as a large Cheddar.

But you know what, it charmed me round. By halfway through I was smiling, by the end I was singing along (as was everyone else in the cinema). This movie is like a Labrador puppy, bouncy, over excited, not very clever, but irresistable. You can’t help but enjoy it. It’s the only movie I’ve ever been to where the audience were quie literally dancing their way out of the theatre. How can you resist that?! 

But Pierce? Stick to the day job, darlin’.