Choosing your first knitting project

Yarn weight, needle size and pattern. A calm guide to the three choices that matter most.

Start with a swatch

Most of what people blame on a yarn is really gauge. Knit a 15 cm square, wash it and let it dry flat. It shows you how the colour moves, how the fabric drapes and whether your needles are the right size.

What we do at the dye pots

We knit a plain square and a small cable with every lot we dye. If the colour pools in a way we do not like, or the fabric feels harsh, it does not go on the shelf. It is slow work. We think that is the point.

If you have a question about anything here, write to us. Someone in the studio will answer, usually the same day.