showing off

Our Manos Lace shawl has a new accessory - Knit Pro Shawl Pins now in the shop.

(and over 12 shades of Manos Lace!)

Summer accessories...

Are you looking for something lighter on your needles?  Or perhaps a scarf or wrap for a special occasion?  

Check out some of the accessories our customers have been making with our lace weight and mohair yarns...

Jennifer has used the Manos Lace pattern, Sprite, and Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace to make a long cowl.

hanging loose

wrapped twice

Be simply sewing the short ends together (rather than adding fringes) she's made a big loop that can worn loose, wrapped twice around the neck or indeed halved with the end going through the loop (like a traditional scarf!)

through the loop

Mary has also used a Manos Lace pattern (this time Karen) and Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace to make a short scarf with a lace pattern on the end...

We also have a wrap designed by local designer Dorothy Wood in the shop and we can offer the pattern too!  This takes 2 balls of Angel and is very light and soft it measures approx 200 x 50cm

optional beads add some interest and weight to the scarf

We also have our own Manos Lace shawl in the shop.

Nymph in Manos Lace

And we have these great patterns too...

Raindrop by Cotton & Cloud

Frill Edged Stole by Debbie Bliss

Captiva by Carol Feller

If you're looking for some inspiration on how to wear your new scarf/wrap, then check out this video on You Tube - 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf by WendysLookBook.

...Just noticed most of those shawls are shades of blue!  Quick we need more colours...

click here for some Zauberball shawl inspiration!

new sample in the shop...

This time its a lace one!

This is Nymph from Lace 1, a Manos Lace booklet containing 5 basic and intermediate patterns.

Nymph takes 2 hanks and would be a great first project for new laceweight/shawl knitters.  The main section is simple stocking stitch with an 8 stitch increase on every knit row.  The lace panel at the bottom is very straightforward too.  This would be a great shawl to master your yarn overs and yarn arounds!

We currently have over 10  shades available in Manos Lace and 10 in Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace.

If you're thinking of attending one of our new workshops please call soon to book your place! Finishing Techniques is on Sunday 29th April, Learn to Knit on Sunday 27th May and Learn to Crochet on Sunday 24th June. You can find out more about them on our workshop page or indeed call the shop or pop in. These workshops are an ideal opportunity to learn some new skills, work with an experienced tutor AND get some distraction free quality 'me' time!

oh Manos oh Manos

Buy Manos Lace at The Woolly Brew - please feel free to call the shop (01333 312 042) and we'll be happy to post it to you.  Each hank is £14.50 and it is £2.50 P&P for one or two hanks BUT if you buy 3 or more hanks the P&P is free!  This free P&P offer is limited to Manos Lace (original and new colours) and will last until the 30th April (or until we run out!) 

"Manos Del Uruguay is a non for profit organisation, owned by rural women.  It  was created in 1968 as a way to help women in Uruguay's countryside generate an income.

They spin, dye, knit and weave the products that are later sold in the worlds most sophisticated markets.  Today, Manos is a co-operative of 400 women.

For over 40 years, Manos has assisted in enhancing the women’s role in their society, providing them with economic independence, but also opportunities for personal growth.  You can tell the provenance of each hank of yarn that they make, because the person who dyed it has also signed the label.

Manos colours are their trademark.  The secret lies in the patient kettle dyeing in small pots using precise colour recipes.  This crafted process creates the subtle nuances in their solid colours as well as the fantastic shading of the space dyed"* 

The Woolly Brew is proud to stock Manos Lace in over 12 colourways.  This laceweight yarn is a beautiful blend of 5% Cashmere, 20% Silk and 75% Baby Alpaca.  And we have a large pattern support too! 

This week is the launch of 6 new colours in the Manos Lace range and we have them ALL!  As well as 5 new patterns for beautiful shawls and scarves... which only use 1 or 2 hanks.

Jinni shawl by Anniken Allis (2 x 50g hanks)

Nymph shawl by Rita Taylor (1 x 50g hank)

Sylph scarf by Rita Taylor (1 x 50g hank)

*info from Artesano.