6 knittingmag.com
RECREATE WITH RECYCLED YARN
HOBBYCRAFT ENTERS
THE DRAGON’S DENLION BRAND ROARS
INTO SUMMERStylecraft has released a yarn made entirely
from recycled, upcycled and reused fibres.
ReCreate is a blend of 40% wool from
recycled garments, 30% acrylic from
recycled garments and 30% polyester from
plastic bottles, which are shredded before
being spun into yarn.
This DK-weight yarn comes in a classic
palette of eight shades including brights
and neutrals, and is launched along with a
collection of easy-to-wear garments with
oversized shapes and on-trend fuller sleeves.
ReCreate is spun in Turkey and comes in
100g donuts with a generous 350m of yarn,
retailing for £4.25 a ball.
Stylecraft has also added new shades
and designs for its perennial favourite,
sparkly Cabaret, and last year’s popular
launch Highland Heathers. Three bright
colour combinations have been added to
the Cabaret range, bringing the palette to
16 colours, and these feature in a selection
of free patterns for womenswear and
accessories on the brand’s website.
Highland Heathers welcomes seven
new shades, which are highlighted in six
new pattern leaflets for men and women,
featuring both garments and accessories.Craft retailer Hobbycraft is encouraging its
workers to pitch their own ideas for ranges
to be sold in the chain’s stores.
Inspired by TV’s Dragon’s Den, the retailer
has set up a panel of senior managers and is
calling on crafty colleagues to set up their
own businesses by giving them a chance to
sell their products through the chain.
The Artisan programme was launched in
a bid to maximise workers’ talents and give
them tools and skills to fulfil their passions.
Three successful ranges have already been
launched: Bethany Salt’s in Chesterfield, a
tropical fabric collection which sold out in
just two weeks; Sam Lane’s, a range of crochet
patterns in Swindon; and Adele Busby’s, a
range of colour-in canvases in Peterborough.
Hobbycraft is now looking for 19 more
ranges to fill its shelves this year, and a recent
event has seen colleagues pitching creative
product ideas from cross-stitch kits and
sketchbook designs to cake decorating books.
Chief executive Dominic Jordan says:
‘Our colleagues make Hobbycraft the leader
in the market and this fantastic initiative
helps us to further nurture our colleagues
and develop their amazing talents and
skills, all while delivering the best possible
experience for our customers. We have
pledged to grow the Artisan programme and
are looking forward to developing a robust
programme that supports our creative
colleagues’ growth and development.’
Lion Brand has released a selection of yarns
perfect for summer crafting.
Just Hemp is a bulky, 100% hemp yarn
that creates a durable fabric with great
drape, which will soften as you work
it and get softer with each wear and
wash. It comes in 100g balls of 85m in a
sophisticated palette of 14 muted shades.
Pima Cotton is a soft, worsted-weight
100% pima cotton yarn that is versatile
enough to work in any season. It comes in
a range of 12 sophisticated solid shades
including neutrals and brights, along with
six pastel-toned print colours.
Lion Brand has also released Sunset
Nights, an ombré yarn cake with a touch of
sparkle. This gently plied worsted-weight
blend of 90% acrylic and 10% polyester
comes in 100g cakes of 250m, in a range
of eight elegant colours.ReCreateHighland HeathersCabaretSunset
Nights Pima
CottonJust
Hemp