Treacle Wool Shop

Treacle supporting Callum John Lowe, Fashion Design Menswear, Northumbria Uni, #3

2012-01-27T02:23:00.000-08:00

I've had a trip to bonny Scotland and through the Highlands, filled with tattie scones and Irn Bru - joyful times. Now I'm home don’t worry, the Bovril and ham n pea’s pud stottie’s are back!

Scotland is extremely beautiful, especially the Highlands if you're travelling around the lochs, and is likely to have the most extreme weather you will get in the UK.

After doing a lot of research I thought it be best to plan a trip to Fort William as I have not been for some years and I really needed some outdoor inspiration. So I thought it a good idea to go look at some of the museums and see if I could find out more about functionality of fabrics for extreme cold as the temperature is often -1 Celsius.

My collection's concept is travel/exploration and where best to try it out than at the top of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the British Isles standing a 1,344 metres above sea level and likely have the most extreme weather in the UK). Of course I need to produce my collection to test it!

One very interesting thing I discovered was that Ben Nevis had an observatory built at the summit that was constantly manned from 1883 to 1904. It was built mainly for meteorological data and high altitude weather. I've seen a few of photos but unfortunately it is but a ruin nowadays.

I visited the West Highland Museum and the Highland Folk Museum, which both helped get a feel for life in ‘back in the day’. I gained a great insight to how handmade tweeds were created on weaving looms. The trip made me think hard about the functionality of my designs - you need warmth, comfort, flexibility and versatility.

I would love to still be up there, you get a real feel for untouched wilderness, so pure and natural but at the same time exposed and realise that the environment can sometimes very hostile.

I plan to go back to visit the Outer Hebrides for Harris Tweed and different wool mills later this month so keep in touch for my next instalment!

Follow me on Twitter @CallumJohnLowe or @treaclewoolshop

Treacle following CallumJohnLowe, Fashion Design Menswear, Northumbria Uni, #2

2011-11-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Northumbria University - the time in 8:08pm and I'm still going ...

From the beginning of time we have used clothing to protect ourselves from the environment and to showcase our own individual style. From a young age I have watched programmes like Tintin and read about great explorers, people heading out into the great abyss of culture and adventure. I have always wanted to explore, whether it was in the local woods or on trips around the world. I am a curious fellow, always wondering what is around the next corner. I have a great interest for all things British - maybe it's something I was brought up to believe but British products to me stand for a mark of quality.

The story behind my Collection Concept and the problems I would like to solve

Britain is currently a trillion pound in debt and the UK unemployment rate is at its highest for the 17^thyear running. I am reminded by my family that “when I was young there were so many jobs you could leave a job on the Friday and get another job by the Monday”. There were a lot of apprenticeships, especially for the young and just out of school. The shipyards and mines in the North East were massive employers but now a lot of young people only have a choice between higher education or the dole because there are so few jobs available.

So why start production of British-sourced British-made products like clothing now?

Everyone will know someone who used to work in a textile factory, sewing, cutting or knitting some form of textile (my Mam used to work at the Dewhirst factory in Ashington). That kind of skill is now very hard to come by - it’s a dying art, nowadays everything is cheap and is thrown away after a month of wearing it. Personally I would choose a well made garment than an item a quarter of the price – buy cheap, buy twice.

My passion is to create a collection of garments, sourced and produced in Britain - made of the highest quality and catering for the wearer's needs. collection is travelling/exploring. My concept behind my collection is that whilst on this trip into the unknown I am an ambassador for Britain promoting everything British and hopefully bring some form of revenue to Britain. The selling point will be the story and the clothing which I will be wearing to show the quality and the functionality of the collection.

The Idea behind it is to produce more jobs and give Britain that push toward to self-sustainability, don’t misquote me Britain will never be self-sustainable as it is not possible because of the amount of people and the restricted land mass.

Britain has such a massive history of not only designing textiles but also PRODUCING textiles. So lets keep that history flowing for as long as possible. I know in my heart this is something which I care dearly for and something which I would like to change. So im going to pour my soul into it and hope you like the end result.

What do you think of this concept? Have I hit the nail on the head or missed and hit my thumb? If you have a related story to tell from your past, I'm all ears. Comment below and follow me on Twitter @CallumJohnLowe

Treacle follows Callum John Lowe, Fashion Designer Menswear #1 September 2011

2011-09-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Treacle first met Callum John Lowe (CJL) earlier this year when he approached us to have two of his designs knitted. This is just the kind of project we like working on and had just the knitter – our fabulous Ann (who has produced many many garments, both designed and knitted, for many top fashion houses over the years).

At our first meeting, we were intrigued and impressed by CJL – at just 23, he has a drive and passion for vintage design that is both exciting and quirky. CJL is in his final year of fashion design at Northumbria University in Newcastle and we will be blogging about his final collection, his ideas and influences and finding out who the man with a passion for design really is.

Our first blog gets some background from CJL:

“A lot of people who meet me say that I'm an old man trapped in a young body. I am a outdoor type, always on walks, who smokes a pipe and loves the history channel, beauty sleep and a cup of Bovril. Not forgetting my great love for fisherman jumpers.”

Past

I was born in Ashington, Northumberland in 1988
I attended Ashington High School and then Newcastle College to study a National Diploma in General Art and Design. This helped me grasp the essence of creativity by trying a range of different paths in the design industry among them 3D design, fine art, textiles, interior and so on. I decided that my strongest and most enjoyable subject was fashion design, along with a keen interest in texture and knitwear. Whilst travelling from Ashington to Newcastle and back everyday, I often knitted on the bus.
I had always intended to go to university, just like my older sister who also studied fashion at Northumbria and had inspired me from a young age. I got offered a place at Northumbria and accepted.
Northumbria is where I really got into design and honed my skilled by learning to use a industrial sewing machine, and pattern cutting garments from scratch which was a lot more to do with the process of fashion rather then drawing garments from my head which could never really be made.

I remember there was a project which included knitting with renewable materials. As my mam's garden is like a tropical rain forest I decided to use one of her plants that had long leaves which I cut up and knitted with which I thought fantastic until my mam came home from work and found me cutting up one of her prized expensive plants - she was not happy!

In Year 3 there is the opportunity to do a placement - I thought there would be no better place than London, one of the fashion capitals of the world. I secured a year placement at Dunhill which specialised in luxury menswear and has a wealth of history dating back to 1893 when it was established. And this is where a real love for all things old and historical really began to inspire me.
One of my favourite things to do was on a Friday morning, going down to Portobello Market to look round the vintage stalls and draw inspiration form the clothes. The last 6 months of my placement I personally worked for Kim Jones, the creative director of Dunhill, which help me grasp the commercial and eccentric sides of the market - as important to any catwalk show or selling of a collection.

Present

Back at home in the North East I am embarking on the adventure of designing my collection around things that inspire me. If I used one word to describe the collection it is Functional - it has to evolve around its user.
I am a firm believer that knitting and knitwear should be a part of everyone’s life. It is such a diverse skill that has been handed down generation to generation and should never be forgotten.
My collection involves a lot of bespoke and one-off knitwear pieces which need involvement from experts who have a wide knowledge of knitting without following a pattern.

The next blog will tell you about my Design Philosophy giving you a much more in-depth understanding of the collection I am currently producing.

Treacle Wool Shop

www.treaclewoolshop.co.uk

01670 504045

A great start to the new season

2011-09-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a great week! The first Knit2gether on Wednesday at the shop was full again with 3 newbies, one of whom was a visitor to the area and had been in the shop earlier in the day. She was keen to learn how to knit socks on 4 needles so we taught her at the Knit2gether - a happy lady.

It's exciting to see what our lovely customers are working on and to inspire them for their next project - Rico Galaxy went down particularly well, a divine gently-shaded chunky weight yarn sprinkled with sequins - what's not to love about that combination?!

At the moment, we particularly fancy knitting a vintage-pattern aran cardigan in Louisa Harding's Ianthe, to give that modern twist. Or perhaps a simple two buttoned tunic in 100% merino - being surrounded by fantastic yarns and many many patterns on a daily basis can make it hard to choose just one project to work on! Our wonderful team of knitters are working hard creating another 100% Angora vintage bolero, a Merino fan-backed jacket and a 1940s fairisle jumper for our customers - such a diverse range of garments, we are thrilled we can fulfil their wants!

To close our week, we ran two Let's Crochet workshops yesterday, beginner in the morning and next stepper in the afternoon. It felt lovely having the upstairs of the shop full of people keen to learn and concentrating hard. Next Saturday is Let's Knit 130-4 (if you'd like to come, let us know!) followed by felting, finishing techniques and much more - http://www.treaclewoolshop.co.uk/index.php/workshops-and-courses/

There are new projects in the pipeline, not least the brand new Treacle Online Shop, which we are launching at the end of the month. ALL our stock will be available, to buy online or reserve to collect in store. It's a mammoth task and we are very excited about launching Treacle globally!

And now, as its such a beautiful blue sky, it's time for a walk! Enjoy your Sunday, Treacle

New ideas from tricky times

2011-08-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a tricky few days for half of Treacle. Some of you may have noticed the shop was closed on Friday (something we rarely do!). My 5 year old daughter fell down a flight of stairs and fractured her skull. She's home now and well on the mend but it was a strange few days entering the world of children's hospitals and medicine.

We started our journey at the Children's A&E in the Wansbeck General in Ashington. I am so impressed at the level of care we were all shown, the calmness of the (rather cute!) doctors, the compassion and chirpiness of the nurses. One in particular struck a chord with Connie (the patient) – he gave her a drink of water with a black straw, now forever known as a nightclub straw (his words, reckon he must be a party boy in his other world).

Mother and daughter were transferred by ambulance to the North Tyneside Hospital near Whitley Bay by ambulance (another thrill) by two fantastic paramedics, one of whom came by two days later to see how she was doing. We stayed in Ward 10, the Children's Ward, for 3 days and are bowled over by how well we were both looked after (not least being made the most amazing cup of tea I have had since having Connie all those years ago).

So of course, whilst I was sitting, worrying, feeling anxious about what was happening inside her tiny head, I was knitting (beautiful Araucania Azapa if you need to know). This, as ever, proved an ice breaker with various people. And I got to thinking, we must be able to help the Ward via Treacle Cares.

So as well as needing mens socks for the homeless in Newcastle, we now would also like jerkins for babies – from newborn upwards – little buttonless, sleeveless waistcoats the nurses can put on the poor little mites whilst they have cannulas in and need to be warm.

We have a pattern – please help if you can. Usual set up applies – knit the items, get them to Treacle and we will ensure they get to where they need to be. Get in touch if you need more information.

So we are home, Connie is sparky again, Mother's anxiety levels are getting less by the day and calm is returning. Thank goodness. And Treacle is open 10-4, Mon to Fri, 9-5 Sat. See you soon, lots of gorgeous new things in store!

A way to help people in need?

2011-08-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year we launched Treacle Cares. The project came about after wondering what the heck to do with the ever-growing amount of stash we have (from shop samples, donations, commission knits). We are thrilled about how this has turned out. No money changing hands at any point. The idea is we provide the yarn and a simple pattern for our customers to knit an item. They return it to us and we pass it on to whoever needs it. We are supporting the homeless charities in Newcastle with hats and gloves - they have since asked for socks too - the local hospitals with preemie baby things and beautiful chemotherapy hats, a local Care Home with leg blankets and fingerless mitts and more. We'd love to be able to support Women's Shelters, perhaps with toys or sweaters for kids - basically anyone who can use our knitted items, take when they need, for free and without fuss.

As someone who lived in London for 8 years (very near to the Croydon troubles), I wish I could help in some way. I thought perhaps by sharing our success project, some of the other yarn shops who are feeling the troubles at first/second hand, might be able to get something similar to Treacle Cares running in their area.

If we at Treacle can help, or you want more information, please get in touch.

Treacle Cares ...

2011-08-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

We had been wondering how to put our growing yarn stash to good use. What could be done with half balls of this and quarter balls of that? Then the greatest idea was born – launch a new branch to the Treacle business called Treacle Cares and support local North East charities by asking our customers to knit the stash into items people will actually use.

I felt passionate about helping people undergoing chemotherapy after watching my wonderful mum go through 3 cycles of chemotherapy and all that entails - having her hair shaved off, losing what little was left and then struggling to find good headwear that made her feel feminine that didn't involve learning how to tie scarves or put up with just whatever she could get hold of. I wanted a selection of beautiful beanie hats made in gorgeous yarns – it seems such a simple thing that can make a real difference to how someone feels about themselves.

I visualised a wicker basket in chemotherapy units, for patients to take whatever hat took their fancy, to lift their hearts a little in what must be a frightening and difficult time. For them to choose something without cost or embarrassment – just a simple “Oh I love that” and its theirs.

Packs were made with the loveliest, natural fibre yarns we had in the stash and a simple pattern for our customers to take home to knit. The results have been amazing – our knitters have made some of the most divine beanies. We ran out of the huge amount of stash we had within 2 weeks but that wasn't the end – our customers were coming into Treacle to buy yarn to knit and using their own stash to produce items, really excited to be helping people in their local area.

From start to finish, with all the people who helped along the way, no money changing hands and everyone wanting to contribute something, it has been a humbling and heartwarming project. It goes to show that in our fast-paced world, there are many people living their lives in a kind, thoughtful, giving way.

We now have over 200 items (ranging from wristwarmers for the homeless, preemie baby hats as well as chemotherapy beanies). We have met interesting people along the way such as a lady who has a craft trolley in the Freeman Hospital selling to the patients raising money for the hospital, and the inspiring lady who works at the East Riding Care Home, supporting the elderly and entertaining them by hosting Italian and Chinese nights (getting the food from local restaurants!) amongst other things.

A big thank you to all involved – this is certainly not the end of Treacle Cares, just the start of a simple way to not waste yarn and help someone in need too. The People's Kitchen have asked for mens socks for the winter - if you can help, get in touch.

Gorgeous new things & we are in the news!

2011-04-20T02:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a great week already and it's only Wednesday morning! We took our first delivery from Adriafil, an Italian brand, on Monday. Gulio their rep came to visit us a month ago with so many divine yarns and we were very restrained in our purchases - we won't forget his promise to bring us some delicious Italian cioccolato next time he comes!

We have KnitCol, multicoloured merinos perfect for baby blankets and tank tops with a modern funky twist, and simple adult cardis to wear with summer dresses (ours have come out of the closet for the new season now together with the birkies). DuoPlus is another varigated cotton mix, a palette of more adult shades to make a special simple garment for a special summer party perhaps. 100% angora - sigh - need I say more about that?! And our favourite, Giada, a cotton mix adorned with tiny sequins - more sighing - my next WIP is going to be a little black cardi knitted in Giada, to wear whenever I need a cheer up - beautiful. And certainly not to be missed is Regina, a fantastic 100% wool DK - one of the most sumptuous yarns we have squished in amazing colours. Great for an everyday knit.

Tuesday brought more good things - Treacle features in an article in the Newcastle Journal about the resurgence of knitting. We are so proud of what we have achieved, we feel so happy to be here, love that we are making a difference to our local community, and hope we can be an inspiration to all women who have the urge to set up on their own after they have had a family - it's so very important to celebrate achievements and we feel the article reflects what we have achieved. Oscar speech over, dabbing of eyes!

After the amazing success of Treacle Cares, our charity branch to the business, we are onto the next thing. Incidentally we smiled yesterday at a call from a lady called Jean from the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle (a tip off from a customer) - she has for the past 25 years been taking a Craft Trolley around the wards selling all sorts of lovely things to patients raising funds for whatever the Hospital may need. Jean is now on our list of recipients for some of the wonderful knitted items we are getting back from our customers. We are doing our first handover in June to Jean, St Oswalds Hospice, The Cyrenians, The People's Kitchen and the RVI.

The Next Big Thing is in the pipeline - it's Top Secret and seriously Hush Hush but be rest assured, our New Idea is going to be FANTASTIC! Be a Friend on Facebook, join our mailing list and keep following the Blog for updates.

And finally, we want to thank Waterstones in Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth for putting our Wills, Kate and Corgi as part of their Royal Wedding window display and helping to spread the Treacle word!
Happy Knitting everyone.

Easter, sunshine and springy feelings

2011-04-16T03:08:00.000-07:00

Easter is fast approaching and the sun has returned to our skies. School is out for two weeks and my youngest asked me this morning at 630 "has the bunny been?"!

Treacle opening hours over Easter are:

915-415, Mon-Thu next week

Closed Good Friday

9-5 Easter Saturday

Closed Easter Monday

915-415 Tue 26-Thu 28

130-330 Royal Wedding Day Fri 29

9-5 Saturday 30

During the weekend of April 29-May 1 the Morpeth Gathering is taking place in the town, with lots of fun events happening from Songwriting Workshops to Maypole Dancing!

The shop is looking so pretty - we had a delivery of Lang Alpaca Superlight (£4.25/25g/199m) in hot pink, deep turquoise, sea green and slivery grey - a feather-light mix of superfine alpaca and merino DK, and Louisa Harding Ianthe (£4.95/50g/100m) in lime green, rose pink, french navy and soft grey - a squishy mix of merino and cotton DK. What's not to love!

Happy weekend and happy knitting!

New workshop and first sock!

2011-04-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Even though the sunshine has gone and it's actually jolly cold today, Treacle are happy and busy as little bees. I am so proud and excited that I have just finished my first ever sock on 4 needles - and that's it, I am hooked. As a knitter who ordinarily cannot even contemplate knitting on anything finer than a DK, I am now thinking perhaps socks in 4 ply may be a new passion ... What is it we tell our customers about starting early for Christmas gifts!!

And to go hand in hand with my new found skill, Treacle has a brand new workshop, Knitting in the Round. It will be on June 26th, 10-1230, £20. Come to this half-day workshop and learn how to knit on 4 double-pointed needles, and on a single circular needle using the Magic Loop method. Look at examples of in-the-round knitting, including socks, mittens, cowls, hats, colourwork, and sweaters.

Go home with a pretty coffee cosy and a new skill that will allow you to knit seamlessly, with no sewing up and no endless purl rows! If you'd like to book a place, call the shop on 01670 504045 or email us info@treaclewoolshop.co.uk.

And I could do with finishing the other sock pretty darn sharpish if the sun stays hidden ... Happy Knitting.

Treacle's Tuesday thoughts

2011-04-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

Morning all, after the rain yesterday, it was great to see perfect blue skies this morning,although it's a bit chilly (it IS April of course!). The shop is open, looking beautiful and Treacle's mind is buzzing with ideas. We're listening to the lovely Lauren Laverne on 6music, drinking Early Grey, plotting and planning more new projects!

We also put a discussion point for Monday out to our Facebook friends yesterday, inviting them to tell us what their WIP (Work In Progress) is at the moment. The posts were so diverse and interesting, we really do have a wealth of crafters in our world! If you haven't joined as one of our Friends, please do - www.facebook.com, search treaclewoolshop. If you invite on of your friends and they are our 200th Friend, we'll give you both a Knitting Kit FREE!

One of the WIP was using our lovely Katia Dolce Merino 4 ply - the colour palette is fantastic, the yarn make up is 50% merino/50% acrylic and it's so soft to work with. And at £2.99/200 metres/4 ply tension, it makes it great value for any 4 ply pattern! This is a new range we stock and feedback from our customers has been great.

Treacle has also been in the news. The Morpeth Herald featured Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton, who are visiting the shop at the moment, helping to promote their book, Knit Your Own Royal Wedding (£9.99). A great stash buster and patterns for the whole family, from the Queen to Camilla! Lots of fun!

Happy Knitting, Treacle

Sunshine, weekends & pretty things

2011-04-09T03:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we blogged so Hi! We have had a bumper Autumn/Winter season and now Treacle is chock full of spring shades, cottons, silks, linens and merinos. We have to admit it is a VERY pleasing place to spend our time! We are really pleased with what we have sourced for Spring/Summer - excellent high quality yarns at fabulous prices to suit every budget. We have a new selection from Katia and are just about to take delivery of a brand new line from Adriafil, Italy.

The gifts section is growing all the time with the most adorable crocheted baby shoes, a perfect gift for a new baby, in a rainbow of colours, divine cotton knitting bags from Hortensia, and a new line of knitting bags in all shapes, sizes and fabrics. We love to support local crafters and give them an opportunity to get their wares into the marketplace. We are very pleased that we have gifts for every occasion so let us know if there is something you need!

Treacle Cares has just been launched - this is the charity side to our business. We have been wondering for a while what to do with our stash and came up with the brilliant idea of getting our lovely customers to knit items for local charities. We asked The People's Kitchen, the Cyrenians, the RVI and St Oswalds Hospice what items they could actually use and pass on to their users - they said fingerless mitts, chemo caps, baby hats and beanies. So we make up packs, our customers come in and ask for one, knit the item, give it back to us and we will pass directly to the people who can use them! Perfect, all round feel good project we think! Knitters can get patterns directly from us or use their own patterns/stash - we really don't mind!

We also have our New Big Idea in the planning stages so what this space for news on that - here at Treacle, there's is always something on the boil!

Remember we are an old fashioned wool shop with a modern twist - without you we wouldn't be here so thanks for your continuing support and we will be blogging much more from now on!

Beginner's Knitting Workshop

2010-10-06T01:37:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of places left on the Beginner's Workshop this Saturday, October 9th. 10am-1230pm, £20, all materials included. Pre-booking essential, call the shop on 01670 504045 to book your place!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!

Treacle is 1 year old and to celebrate we are having a birthday party on Saturday October 30th. Come to the shop between 10 and 330 and celebrate with us - relax with a cup of tea and a slice of cake bring something you have knitted and are proud of! Without our lovely customers, we wouldn't be able to do what we do.

We love this time of year and the shop is chock full of gorgeous yarns and inspiration to get your knitting season underway. You know by now how relaxed and friendly a visit to Treacle is - we do our utmost to help you leave happy and confident in your chosen project! If you haven't been to the shop yet, make time to indulge yourself ...

So, what's new in the Treacle world?!

2010-09-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

The weather has such a wonderful autumnal feel at the moment, you can feel the seasons changing. The kids are back at school, it's nearly time to pack your Birkenstocks away until next year and we are getting ready for a fantastic time in the shop. So needles to the ready and embrace the coming months safe in the knowledge that Treacle will keep you knitting with a happy heart!

We have so much lovely new stock it's hard to know where to begin. Chunky Mochi (delicious, everyone needs a pair of wristwarmers); Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply (in a rainbow of shades); Pure Suffolk Wool (aran, unbleached, undyed), produced just outside of Morpeth - you can't get more local than that; the new fad Cancan (a frilly frou frou scarf can be yours!); handknitted mittens in organic merino from Jammy Knits; beautiful handsewn project bags from Hortensia ... we could fill a book!

Our Beginner's Crochet Workshop kicks off the season on September 25th, and it's full! - visit our website for the full programme. And watch this space for details of our 1st Birthday celebrations ... where has the time gone?

Happy Knitting, Kym and Claire

Phew - we made it ...

2010-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

So that's that. The end of the Summer Holidays. We managed to stay open every day, even with 6 children to juggle. Brilliant! Thanks to all our regulars and all the new customers who discovered us over the holidays. Remember we provide mail order, online shopping, over the phone help and much more. We feel so excited about the new season and have lots of gorgeous goodies in stock now! And don't forget to come and Knit2gether on Tuesday evening, 730-930 in the shop, £3.

Our new website is LAUNCHED!!

2010-08-20T03:04:00.000-07:00

We have been working really hard getting our fabulous new website up to scratch and it's DONE! You can join the mailing list at http://www.treaclewoolshop.co.uk/, book your workshop place, shop online, find out who we are and what we offer, and everything else you might need to know about the Treacle world!

I know it's raining ...

2010-08-13T04:47:00.001-07:00

but look at it this way - perfect weather to pop into Morpeth, come say hello to me, choose something lovely to do, go home back into the warm, make a cup of tea and knit the day away. Pure Bliss. See you soon then?

Woman's House Radio 4 Feature on Knitted Sculptures!

2010-08-13T02:21:00.001-07:00

Friday morning, listen NOW!!

Morning followers - is there anyone out there?

2010-08-02T03:07:00.000-07:00

I am happily blogging away to myself and wondering if anyone is actually reading this? Get in touch, have a chat, make a comment!! What would YOU like to know?

Fancy a bit of learning?

2010-08-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

Book your workshop online!

We have a great range of workshops coming up from Beginners to Improvers and more. You can now book your workshop place through our online shop - visit the Workshop and Courses section.

More treats ...

2010-07-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

We just received delivery of KnitSimple, a gorgeous knitting mag from the US packed FULL of patterns for kids, men and women from gloves to cardis. £4.50 a copy. Lovely!

The summer holidays (and our sale) have begun!!

2010-07-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

So it's the first day of the six week school holiday - the sun was shining optimistically earlier but now it's grey again. Oh for a sunnier clime!

The shop is closed on Mondays throughout August, and we have slightly revised opening times, Mon-Fri 930 til 4, Sat 9 til 5.

Our SALE has started - all summer stock is reduced to make way for the lovely new items coming in all the time. Pop in and have a look - take a little project on holiday with you (Mini Mochi Hat, Summer Bunting, Erika Knight Socks).

Happy Summer Everyone!

More treats in-store now ...!!

2010-07-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

Another parcel arrived yesterday full of gorgeous ceramic buttons from Injabulo, all handpainted, unique and washable. From lions to flowers, why not treat an old cardi to a new look? £4.50 a card.

Didn't we do well ...

2010-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

We raised £146.09 for Marie Curie at our Blooming Great Tea Party yesterday!!

Well done and B I G thanks to all those who mucked in and helped, baked amazing cakes and came along donated generously.

What's next on the treacle agenda? The summer S A L E ... Watch this space for the start date!

Anyone for tea?

2010-07-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

It's a bit of a squibby morning but the clouds look like they will be kind to us on our Blooming Great Tea Party Day TODAY! Pop along to the shop, Chantry Place, Morpeth, make a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care and we'll make you a cuppa. Choose a slice of delicious homebaked cake, donated by our lovely customers. See you there!

These are a few of my favourite things ...

2010-07-08T02:35:00.000-07:00

OOOO exciting boxes arrived yesterday! We have lots of gorgeous new shades in the fabulous Mini Mochi - knits as 4 ply.
And FREE pattern support! http://www.straw.com/cpy/free_pattern_yarnssort.html#Mmochi

And our magazine stocks are growing - we have hard-to-find publications from the USA including Crochet World and Designer Knitting. But only limited quanities so get in quick! Call 01670 504045 or post here if you need help!

Blooming Great Tea Party

2010-07-07T01:54:00.000-07:00

treacle are hosting a Blooming Great Tea Party this coming Saturday, July 10th, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. This is a national event and we thought "We like tea and cake so why not join in"! It's all very simple - come along between 10am and 3pm, make a donation, and let us make you a cuppa and have a slice of cake (mostly donated by our lovely customers!). treacle are donating 10% of all sales made on the day to Marie Curie.

Here we go ...

2010-07-07T01:49:00.001-07:00

It's been some time since I've blogged. The shop has been open for 9 months now and there are loads of exciting plans for the future. Claire and I are so encouraged by our fabulous customers, who are supporting us in lots of way (not least by becoming treacle regulars!). After all, our shop is your shop - without you we wouldn't exist!

We are currently in the throes of having the whole treacle website revamped, hopefully launching at the end of July. So the Blog is now an important part of us keeping in touch and letting the world know what we are up to. Sometimes you may find my posts invaluable, other times pretty pointless but as a new Blogger, I am just going to chat as if we were having a cup of tea and slice of cake in the shop!

Tell your friends to join, get talking to each other here, make this your space too. Treacle is going from strength to strength and we are very excited about all our new ventures! Kym

treaclehandknits shop now open!

2009-04-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

The new treaclehandknits online shop is now open for business! Selling Debbie Bliss and Noro yarns and pattern books, funky gifts, needles and more, visit the shop through www.treaclehandknits.co.uk.

If you live locally and want to buy your knitting products, collection is fine to save you postage costs (by prior arrangement). If there is something you want and it isn't listed, email info@treaclehandknits.co.uk and it can be sourced easily for you.

treaclehandknits - the new local knitting shop on the web for Morpeth!

SOS Knitting Clinic

2009-04-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

The first SOS Knitting Clinic went really well. Lots of interest and positive comments were made, and everyone was jolly and had fun!

The next Clinic is on May 5th, 730-930pm, Peppermint Tearoom, Newgate Street, Morpeth. Bring your knitting, relax amongst friends and have a coffee. Debbie Bliss and Noro pattern books and yarns for sale, as well as funky gift boxes and little knitting accessories.

Free SOS Knitting Clinic

2009-03-25T09:51:00.001-07:00

Come along to Peppermint Tearoom on April 2nd, 730-930pm with your knitting queries. And the chance to buy yarns, pattern books and needles, and gifts.

The Sheep has Landed!

2009-03-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

The first yarn, pattern books and needles have arrived. There is a range of Como, Baby Cashmerino, Rialto and Prima in the Debbie Bliss Range, and Noro yarns and books. Daisy needles (as seen in the FT feature on Liberty of London's knitting courses!) and bamboo needles are ready to go.

It's all so sumptuous and gorgeous, and very exciting that this side of treaclehandknits is now available. If anyone is interested in buying yarn, please email info@treaclehandknits.co.uk.

Local handcraft designers wanted!

2009-03-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

Are you a local handcraft designer? treaclehandknits new e-shop will be launching on April 1st and we have a section dedicated to unique gifts made locally. If you are interested in selling through this shop, please email info@treaclehandknits.co.uk.

Here We Are!

2009-03-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

treaclehandknits is now live! We are a small knitting company based in Morpeth, Northumberland. Visit the website here www.treaclehandknits.co.uk.

Do you want to learn to knit or need help getting your knitting confidence back?

Do you fancy coming along to a Free SOS knitting clinic, held at Peppermint Tearoom in Morpeth on April 2nd?

Are you struggling to buy gorgeous yarns and pattern books locally?

Well not any more!

Join the Blog, tell us who you are and what your knitting passions are. Let's get this knitting community started!