Emotive Yarns' Knitting Blog
Mother’s Day
This Sunday we celebrate our Mums and Grandmothers for being the wonderful people they are. They should be thanked and spoilt everyday! But each year on Mother’s Day we shower them with gifts and show our appreciation for them in our lives, usually over delicious lunch.
This week we bring you our pick of perfect pressies from our Cold Comfort collection for Mum this Mother’s Day. Maybe she’s a crafter and loves unusual yarns, or perhaps she’d like something knitted for her. Either way, you’re bound to find a great gift for the special woman in your life!
Whip up a simple and elegant Flamenco Scarf for Mum, with cute Palmyra yarn. It’s quick to knit and looks gorgeous for autumn. Or, if Mum’s a crafty lady, she might like to make one herself! Pick up some Palmyra yarn here and some 6mm needles here and wrap them up as a gorgeous crafty gift.
The Broomstick Cowl is simply stunning, and can be worn by just about anyone. It only takes 2 x 50g balls and makes a beautiful gift that looks smart with any outfit. It’s made from Rhyanna yarn, which is a fauxhair yarn strewn with cute sequins. We think it’s magical, and it comes in 5 delectable colours.
The Gentle Leaf Set scarf and hat is another gorgeous accessory duo that will carry Mum through many a season. Our new fave yarn, Branxton, comes in a palette of delicate and complimenting colours, and is 30% alpaca, making it super soft.
There are some other great gift ideas in our Novelty section; craft tools, hooks and needles, project bags and more. You could make your crafty Mum a hamper of craft accessories and mixed yarns – she’ll be over the moon!
Have a beautiful Mothers Day,
Emotive Team x
Cold Comfort Inspiration
Autumn has truly kicked in with a cold snap, so today we launch our softest, snuggliest collection of all – Cold Comfort. Inspired by overcast and drizzly days, mugs of steamy tea, getting cosy by the fire and cocooning in luxury. The colour palette is soft with subtle naturals and dusty, warm hues of woodfire and bluestone. We’ve focused on our favourite wool yarns like Sidonia and Taradale, as well as some luxury synthetics like Swansea, Penola and Rhyanna.
Here’s some of our inspirational imagery behind the collection:
We’ve released a couple of new yarns too, from the Emotive vault – the chunky Delungra wool blend, and the soft and gentle Branxton which features 30% Alpaca. We also have a heap of new patterns, perfect for extravagant lounging this winter, wherever your location, be it the forests of Tasmania to the milder reaches of Queensland.
Enjoy!
Emotive Team x
Knitting Behind Bars
My friend shared this article with me, which is about how Lynn Zwerling started (with my difficulty initially) a knitting group for imprisoned men in the States.
She talks about how the wardens were reluctant to introduce such a ‘feminine’ practice into prisons full of men, but once she got the ball rolling, they loved it. Guys were skipping dinner to come to the evening classes that she ran.
Lynn said that it created a sense of zen among the groups, and the guys were able to focus on something and just be themselves.
They went on to knit toys for charity, and the practice gave some of them better opportunities for parole.
Check out the full article here - http://www.good.is/post/prisoners-transform-through-knitting-behind-bars/
A bit of inspiration for the day 
Emotive Knitter x
Birthday Sale Yarn Party
Emotive Yarns has just turned 1!
We’re going to eat cake till we’re sick and then cry and throw a tantrum on the floor.
But really, to celebrate, all this week we’re having a Yarn Party! We’re taking 20% off selected yarns, which is awesome because it means you can pick up some of our hottest yarns at sweet prices, all week!
Check out the Yarns on sale this week and help yourself to a slice of bargain craftiness or two!
Love,
The Emotive Team
Men who knit and crochet
I was fascinated to see one of my Facebook friend’s latest photos. After a little investigation, I found out that Dale has recently learnt to crochet. He is enjoying this new medium and working on a square for a family blanket. He said that every person in his family is creating a square and they will be sewn together as a gift for a new addition to the family. He said ‘At first it was a little awkward but after just a few rounds it became easy’.
We do speak a lot about women’s accessories and jumpers, but the men haven’t really had much of a mention to date – sorry about that. I like to think that men have a natural predisposition to working with graphs and designing (among many other things). And some of the great knit designers have been men; Otavio Missoni, Mark Fast and Kaffe Fassett, to mention a few.
I am wondering how many other boyfriends, husbands and brothers are having a go at crochet? We would love to hear from you – email us at info@emotiveyarns.com
Liz is currently working on a pattern written by John Macarthur, who hails from lovely Bondi. She is using two strands of Taradale, which is knitting up a treat. The jumper pattern is one of my favourite concepts – a baggy unisex jumper. Normally called a boyfriend jumper, as in you’re walking hand in hand along a beach and your darling boyfriend lends you his cosy jumper. Check out our version of the Boyfriend Jumper in Winton. We think that this is a timeless design for any age. You could easily use two strands of Taradale together like Liz. Make it for you, or your boyfriend/ husband, or both to share.
The Grand Royal Indulgence Yarn Collection
Premium Yarn Collection – behind the scenes
You would’ve noticed that we are stocking some brand new premium fibres. We have sourced the yarns locally and internationally, and each boasts the main element of being made with care and attention. We have worked with two amazing ladies and are really excited at the results. Check out these ladies’ exciting stories about fibre, animals and living on gorgeous boutique farms. Check out the premium collection and designer pattern range here.
Charly McCafferty – a lifelong passion of colour and fibre
Charly has over 20 years experience working with fibres and runs Ixchel fibre farm with her husband in the Yarra Valley. I have known Charly for a number of years – and still don’t know which magical place her colour palette creations spring from. She is one of those fiercely creative individuals who never stops moving. Charly has experience with many natural fibres including; alpaca, angora rabbit, mohair, cashmere, merino, yak, silk, buffalo, rarer sheep breeds like Navajo Churro and has a deep love of all animals and the environment. When we approached her it was mighty hard to choose where to start. We are over the moon to be stocking some super special Miena yarn made by Charly and her farm and know that you will love it too!
Charly looking after a baby bunny at her farm
Angora Rabbits
Look at that face…
Local horses grazing on the farm
View from the top – are you envious yet?
Sweet little lambs, ready to have their haircut to make some precious hand spun yarns.
Background story of artisan Jenni Trudgeon
Jenni lives with her husband Tony in rural Victoria on a picturesque sheep farm called Shiloh. She has developed and refined Eden yarn over a number of years, and is now at a stage where it can be considered perfect. In its purest form, the plain colour Sugar is clean and heavenly. But of course there was the temptation to experiment. Jenni started using cold dyes on the yarn and researched the way that the fibres react and absorb the different shades. A high level of expertise and skill is involved in Jenni’s process and the results are extremely rich and controlled colours that purposely blend into one another harmoniously. We are honoured to stock this yarn, and hope that you enjoy the scope of colours available!
Waking up to this each morning would be so peaceful.
Sheep wearing jackets, this keeps the fibres pure and clean for the premium fleeces.
The sheep are given a lot of care and room to relax on this boutique farm.
Oh – and my heart melts… cute little lambs with their mummy.
Check out The Grand Royal Indulgence Yarn Collection today and get your mitts on some gorgeous, high quality and unique yarns for a treat this winter.
Emotive Knitter x
Country Weekend Colour Palette
This week we’ve put together some inspiring colour palettes from our current feature collection, Country Weekend. Let us whisk you away with delectable shades of pastels, rich, saturated reds and purples, washed blues and rustic naturals. Think old farm sheds, rusted machinery, glossy vintage cars, old books, worn leather boots and your grandma’s crochet throw blanket.
Fire Engine, Elderberry, Grenadine, Rouge, Scarlet, Burgundy, Cherry. Go faster with rich reds, in bright popping shades, or dark and rustic tones. Clockwise from top left: Winton in Cherries; Twilight Tweed in Prayer Beads; Sidonia in Deep Red; Paruna in Elderberry.
Mellow out with shades of yellow and amber, but be careful – you might blend in with the autumn leaves! We love these golden hues, from left: Sidonia in Pumpkin; Denman in Sunshower, and Twilight Tweed in Camel.
Dust off your rock ‘n’ roll frock and ride out of town for a strawberry sundae with these vintage pastel pinks. From left: Prairie in Lunar Rock; Winton Print in Musk Rose; Haysdale in Vintage Rose and Armytage in Very Grape.
Shine like a jewel in hues of lapis lazuli and sapphire this season. We love Denman in Blue Wander (top); Sidonia in Inky Navy (middle) and Ombre Vienna in Smokey Blues (bottom).
The greens of the season are rich mallard green and washed spearmint. At the bottom is Sidonia in Teal, and up top, Haysdale in Willow.
Engage nostalgia with soft naturals; we’re inspired by worn leather, vintage photographs, old books, 70’s collectables, weather-worn wood.
Clockwise from top left: Armytage in Side Saddle; Penola in Grains; Franklin Print in Natural; Twilight Tweed in Amulet and Sidonia Print in Castle Frost.
Get around like royalty in velvety shades of grape and Bordeaux. From left: Paruna Print in Chateau; Denman in Hyacinth; Haysdale in Light Purple and Sidonia Print in Sycamore.
Snuggle up on overcast days in shades of naturals and grey.
Clockwise from top left, we love: Haysdale in Nature; Paruna Print in Domino; Penola in Etching and Prairie in Gargoyle.
I hope this got you as inspired as it got me!
Emotive Knitter
Warehouse Sale
Emotive Yarns Warehouse Sale
Where: Emotive HQ, 43 Vannam Drive, Ashwood VIC 3147
When: Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 3pm
Cash only.
We’ll be open until the end of winter. Stock differs from online stock. Limited stuff only. Awesome prices.
Emotive Knitter x
Get the Country Weekend look!
Today we celebrate the launch of our latest collection of yarns, patterns and inspiration: Country Weekend. Rug up and hit the road for a quiet weekend in the country. Dusty autumnal hues speak of warm romances in the hills. Time slows down and style is cosy and relaxed. We have some seriously gorgeous new yarns, such as Twilight Tweed and Winton, and loads of new patterns to boot.
The latest autumn fashions have hit stores and are ripe for the picking, and parallel our latest collection Country Weekend, which was also designed around 70’s romantic styling, freedom of expression and weekend road trips across the state.
Some inspiration behind the collection:
After in-depth research that started 12 months, ago we have pieced together a story of knitwear to suit this very season – and you can make it all yourself! We have the dusty colours; saxe blue, burnt orange and worn browns and the soft textures covered. Our patterns are inspired by 70’s styling, with modern shapes to suit today’s market. To top off the look, we recommend you grab some of these key items.
They are available in many shops at the moment, we have made some recommendations of where to start, but shop around for your perfect fit.
The floppy 70’s hat – a must have item for weekend swishing around;
Currently @ General pants co
Coloured Denim – there are a spectrum of colours in stores – express yourself!
Currently @ Dotti
Fur style scarf – We support faux fur – the vegan way.
Available @ Glassons
Soft leather hand bags – Easy way to update your everyday look;
@ Emotive Yarns – Petite Traveller + Roadtrip Tote
And here’s a few of our key pieces to create that will carry you through the season in style.
Whip up our Convergence Shrug in Denman yarn:
@ Emotive Yarns – pattern + yarn
Twilight Tweed infinity moss stitch scarf (my favourite item in the collection):
@ Emotive Yarns – pattern + yarn
All you need now is your best pal, a picnic basket and a day off to head out in your relaxed autumn style!
Enjoy,
Emotive Knitter x
Warehouse Sale @ Emotive HQ
Morning folks, hope you all had a seriously splendid Easter break. I enjoyed lots of relaxed time snuggling up with my cat and knitting my moss stitch scarf, it’s so so addictive, and I can’t wait to wear it! We hosted Easter at our place and had a lovely time with the family. My dad made cheesecake with Easter eggs in it – it was as deadly as it sounds.
Anyway, today we kick off our annual warehouse clearance sale. We all dressed up special for it. But fret not, for it’s on for the duration of winter, and we have loads of goodies to clear out. It’s on in the showroom at Emotive HQ – Melbournians come on down, and if you’re in rural Vic, make a roadtrip of it and come and say hi.
We’re open:
Thursdays 10am – 5pm
Fridays 10am – 5pm
Saturdays 10am – 3pm
We’re at:
43 Vannam Drive
Ashwood VIC 3147
We’ll be trading until the end of winter
If you visit on a weekday, come and say hi to us in the office!
Ciao,
Emotive Knitter x
