Eyes on the prize

As many of you might know, i’ve been having ongoing eye issues, thanks to the unwanted side effects of long term type 1 diabetes. When I became diabetic in 1996 I’d had a pretty traumatic couple of years before that, and the diabetes diagnosis was a hammer blow on an already broken system (but not a biological surprise, given the stress I’d been under).

So the years since then have a been a battle to cope with something that had been thrust upon me out of the blue; no family history, no previous known tendencies. And as I was warned in 1996 (when I was young and was going to live forever) the condition may lead to sight issues. Which it has.

Thankfully, medicine has advanced so much even in those few years, that there is so much medical help and mitigation available on the NHS. I have been undergoing laser treatment to stop new weak blood vessels filling the jelly of my eyes, and have had removal surgery to prevent it happening again. And had a new lens inserted, which means a) I won’t get a cataract now and b) my vision has improved!

I am so so grateful for the NHS and modern medicine. I am trying to be a better diabetic and take advantage of the technology out there, but I know myself I am slow to change. Nevertheless, we persevere.

The huge downside to all of this, sight issues aside, is that I have had to postpone classes because I feel I can’t give enough help to my learners as I would like, as the sight issues take up so much brain space and don’t allow me to see stitches so clearly. But, the vision in my bad eye (the operation eye) is improving with every day, and progressing as expected, so I am planning to have classes running again this autumn. I will keep you all up to date!

And that’s where my eyesight is at present. While I cannot see all the beautiful colours in the shop with absolute clarity, I can see plenty of loveliness all around me and am more than able to help customers and browsers with colour choices and advice.

So if you see me squinting at something in rhe shop, don’t be alarmed, it is temporary and doesn’t stop me being able to help!

Hope to see you again soon (groan, puns, gaaah)

Cheers x

Computer work - mind numbing or merely awful? Discuss...

I’ve not made any New Year Resolutions this year, because I don’t see the point as they are meaningless to my brain, but one of the things I’ve decided to do this year is more work on the shop website.

Yes, folks, you saw it here first - I’m going to master this awkward (to me) format and get some online oomph up and moving.

And I hate it. I think its because I don’t understand computing or websites, or the logic behind them.

Over the years I’ve attended website courses, basic computer skills, how to etc. etc. and not one bit of it has stuck. My memory is teflon-coated for many subjects, and computing is one of them. Nothing sticks. Software, hardware, ISDN, http, are as meaningless to me as k2tog tbl and Tr3R would be to a non-knitter.

I’m sure that by doing I would figure it out eventually, but I am just not interested.

Unfortunately when one works for oneself there are some things that just have to be got on with, and website maintenance is one of them - how I long for the day when I can afford to outsource!

In the meantime, please be patient with my cack-handed fumbling with modern technology, and rest assured I am much more at home with any knitting query you could bring me.

At least I know where my strengths lie! :D

Autumn advances

HI all,

Been a while since I was writing last. In that time we have had a holiday to visit family and friends on Lewis, had scorching and unnaturally warm summer weather (not ideal for knitting, that’s for sure, although we stoically struggled on) and now that the evenings are drawing in again, thoughts turn from the garden to the pleasure of the inside fires and of knitting beside them.

I love having the fire on again. Now that the evenings are a bit cooler we light the stove in the living room to drive the damp coolness away, without needing to turn on the central heating yet. The days are still warm, after all.

My own thoughts are turning to Christmas knitting - a dread word to some and too soon! I hear others cry, but as a crafter it remains sadly true that we have to plan our time accordingly as made articles take such an age! Especially when we want to showcase our skill and make something we are proud to call hand made. We make items out of love and for our own pleasure, and hope that the sentiment of affection for our recipients shines through.

With that in mind, we have a new timetable of classes imminent where you can learn to Crochet, knit a sock from the toe up (advised for knitters who are beyond the basics) and a Knit to Fit session, where we take a pattern or design and adapt it to suit your body shape. Keep an eye out for these, and if you want to see a particular subject brought up or taught, please let me know!

Off now to add to the website. Lovely new winter ranges and colours coming in regularly so keep an eye on the shop pages for more yarny loveliness.

Works in Progress

Afternoon all,

Its been a while, not because I have nothing to say, but because I am finding it difficult to focus on anything in particular - for which I am blaming the perimenopause (although I’m using that as an excuse for EVERYTHING just now, with good reason).

Because of this butterfly-hopping behaviour, I have multiple projects on the go (mind you, when do I not?) Currently, off the top of my head, I am knitting the ADVENTuresome Wrap by Ambah O. Brien, which I’m about 2/3 of the way through. I’m also knitting the Rowan design Ronnie, by Lisa Richardson and a cardigan/jacket from WYS called Galphay, from their Fleece collection, which is almost finished too. Oh, and a sample of Rowan’s KidSilk Haze Colour on pins too.

This is not including the gazillion things I have started at home. I am a serial and persistent caster-on, but (mostly) an eventual finisher.

I think its because I hate being bored. I hate working on one thing only, one consistent, unimaginative, samey thing. I do love what I knit or crochet, but I find it difficult to stick to one project at a time because depending on what mood I’m in, that might be absolutely the wrong thing for me to work on then. I craft constantly, both knitting and crochet, so there has to be something to suit how I’m feeling at the time (and since the perimenopause, my symptom-deck-of-cards shuffles and deals a new set of moods every day!)

So I have sock projects (multiple), a crochet blanket (only one right now), a couple of cardigans in varying stages of completeness, some knitted blocks I’m not sure what to do with, a couple of shawls on the go, some yarn that has been knitted, ripped out, crocheted up, frogged again (it doesnt know what it wants to be yet) …and so on.

And you know what? That’s fine.

They will get finished eventually, one way or another. And in the meantime they won’t go off. They will wait patiently until I’m in the right frame of mind to pick them up again.

Thank goodness for that.

Spring is on its way!

I don’t know about you, but I am always heartened to see the days slowly lengthening at the start of a year.

Its been January for approximately 5 months, so to be finally into February, and to see dusk and not darkness when I leave the shop, is just lovely. Snowdrops are peeking out from the leaf litter, blackbirds are starting to strut about the garden again, and the winter knits are in full use still. Nothing says cosy like a woolly hat or shawl wrapping you up on a cold day!

There are some new and lovely yarns in store - new Scottish dyers are to be found at Fankle. We are now stocking the Eorsa DK yarn base from Iolair Yarns, a scrumptious mix of Superwash Merino, Yak and Silk (ooh!) and any day now we will be getting some mini bundles in from Henny Penny yarns - can’t wait.

Rainbow bundles are making me think of Spring, my favourite season. The air is full of sunshine, light, new buds and new possibilities - what’s not to love?

And I’ve added Rowan Felted Tweed and Felted Tweed Colour to the website, so you can plan your colourwork for the coming few weeks :)

See you soon x

Christmas is coming

Last shopping day - Sun 19th December

Christmas closing - Mon 20th Dec - Tue 4th Jan.

Reopening - Wed 5th Jan at 10 am.

Hi all,

Its a time (normally) of celebration and anticipation, this time of year. Lights twinkling, Santas popping up all over the place, adverts jingling with sleigh bells - and I’m trying my hardest to get in the festive spirit, but it is difficult.

Difficult because of the pandemic all around us, the constant need to be on our guard and be wary whenever we leave the house. Difficult because we cannot greet our friends and family impulsively, we have to prepare with lateral flow tests and make sure we have had our jags. Difficult because times are hard; money is tight and we have to be careful what we spend. It’s fraught with underlying tension and worry, where it should be happy and joyous.

But in the midst of this carefulness is also love. We wear masks and keep our distance for love of our fellows. We try to make allowances because we know everyone is suffering. We take our tests and think twice about mixing in large gatherings, to keep everyone safe.

And we give gifts, because its that time of year.

It’s quite good, in a way, to have to think carefully about what to get folk in this weird time. I’m making a few things for family and imbuing them with love and warmth as much as I can to show how much they mean to me. I’m looking forward to taking the time to see family and friends this festive season (all tested and with as much fresh air as possible!) and being in good company.

We can still gather (carefully) and feast (greatly) and laugh (lots) and relax (phew!). We can share each other’s company and put our feet up and watch cheesy films on telly. We can go for walks in the fresh air and wrap up warm in scarves and hats. We can play board games, play fight on Fortnite, argue over the washing up :)

So here’s to small gifts, chosen or made with love, and Christmas drinks with loved ones, and enjoying the holiday.

Best wishes for the season XXX

Winter warmers

Winter is fast approaching, and the darkness and cold damp nights and days are, frankly, depressing. I wouldn't mind so much if we had crisp, clear, cold days with weak sunshine and blue skies, but living on the west coast of Scotland means those days are few and far between. We are more likely to have grey skies and rain, with wet leaves being blown against our ankles, and jackets soaked through.

Despite this sorry state of affairs, we can embrace winter as knitters and crocheters, because this is where our skills come into their own. Who doesn’t love being wrapped up in cosy handmade accessories and jumpers, hats rammed down onto cold ears, and chins snuggled into woolly shawls and scarves?

We can brighten our dull days with rainbow shades, scorching colours and fluffy textures, raising our spirits and easing our souls.

This was kind of what I was feeling when I chose colours for the Evenfall jumper by Andrea Mowry. This slip-stitch, fingering (sock)-weight design was itching for some colour therapy, and seemed the ideal way to showcase some of the glorious Scottish yarns in the shop.

Warmth was key, in every sense, so I chose merino yarns in colours that reminded me of the depths of a campfire - a rich raspberry red, Reidhaven by Bow Fiddle Yarns as the main colour, with contrasts of fiery orange, aptly named Fankle Orange from Stewart Yarns, and the neutral balance of Tammie Norrie by Cookston Crafts, a stunning blend of shades of grey with hints of amber and red, like ash at the bottom of the fire.

I absolutely love how it turned out ♥️

Pattern is available on Ravelry and from the designer's own website at www.dreareneeknits.com.

Evenfall by Andrea Mowry with yarn from Fankle Yarns

Planning Ahead

MY hubby will tell you the absolute irony of this blog post title, as I am generally incapable of planning for tomorrow, never mind further into the year, but I was minded to focus on this because the summer time is a good time to plan your winter knitting.

Knitting, crochet and handcrafts tend to take a back seat in the warmer months, because people are on holiday, planning days out, or catching up with family, with the garden, and generally making most of the vitamin D and the longer evenings. That doesn’t mean we have to stop crafting though.

These longer days are great for looking out your stash, sorting out bundles of yarn, checking out patterns you’ve had your eye on, and creating project bags ready for the autumn, when you can just pick up a complete project kit and get started right away.

It also worth remembering that knitting (and to a lesser extent crochet) takes longer than you think, so making a start now means you are going to have finished garments to wear in the depths of winter, or even a start to your (dare I say it!) Christmas presents.

Anyway. We won’t wish the summer away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spend some time in the sun, playing with yarn and thinking ahead.

New Stock for a new Season

Afternoon all,

I’m adding bits and pieces slowly to the website; today I’m in the process of listing Janie Crow crochet patterns to the Pattern section. These are such a treat for the eyes, and there are charts and photographs to help you every step of the way, to complement the written instructions. I mean look at this; lush!

Janie Crow Jewelled Star crochet blanket

Also new is Rowan magazine 69 - chock full of wearable beautiful designs:

Rowan Magazine 69

And we are proud to announce the Ayrshire Hat and Cowl Knitting Pattern! Based on our own local landmarks, you will find striking images of Ailsa Craig, the Burns Monument, Turnberry Lighthouse, and the Barony A frame, bordered by waves and seagulls. There’s even a “wee cowran tim’rous beastie”! Knitted in the fabulous Kinross 4 ply, this is an ideal gift for locals and distant wanders alike.

Close up of the Ayrshire Hat and Cowl knitting pattern

Open again - Phew!

Hallo!

Last time I wrote, the shop was still preparing to open for the end of the month, and I’m delighted to say that We Made it! Lockdown easing means the shop is open again, and I was thrilled to welcome customers back in yesterday.

I admit I was nervous about reopening - not for any particular reason, but I think fear of the unknown is a constant in these strange times. As it turned out, the shop looked amazing and there was something for everyone who came in , so that was a relief!

Shop still looks amazing, but now I have to stop admiring it and get on with some work. Paperwork, my very favourite. Not.

It is lovely to be back .

Pic is of West Yorkshire Spinners Colour Lab DK in colourway Summer Pinks - perfect for a sunny Spring morning . We have all the multicoloured shades in stock, and can order in any solid colour for you too :)

April soon - Opening at the end of the month!!

Hi Peeps,

I’m delighted to say that, all being well, we should be reopening Fankle Yarns on Wednesday 28th April 2021 at 10 am.

Phew!

Its been a tough few months, and it may not be over yet - finger and toes and all appendages crossed - but we should be in a fit state to be back in circulation at the end of the month. I’m trying to get my fatigue-addled brain up to speed, and should have had a good run at it by then.

I have found it very hard to concentrate over the last year, as I’m sure many of you have. Unable to read long books, even, which is not like me. I think the longer days and warmer weather are helping though, the sunshine has a heartening effect on the spirits, and hearing birds chirping and bees buzzing makes everything that little bit better.

My projects have suffered a little too. There are plenty of things started (no surprise there) but I find I have had less inclination to stick to anything over the winter. This is also improving with the advancement of Spring, and there may even be a new sample or two in the shop once we reopen.

Famous last words!

Better go and do some dreaded computery stuff and stop procrastinating on here :D

See you soon!

Kathleen x

Spring is in the air

Isn’t it lovely that the days are finally getting longer? There’s some heat in the sun, although the nights are still chilly, and the flowers are tentatively peeking out from the leaf litter to cheer us all up and give us a burst of optimism for the coming months.

We have crocuses in our garden that are starting to purple up, and there are primroses showing between the planks in our industrial waste garden (sooo much work needed, oh my word).

What does that mean for the shop? Well, its looking cheerier with bright daylight shining in through the skylights for a start!

We’ve got new yarns in stock - I’ve listed Stewart Yarns in the online shop - and new shades of Cookston Crafts fingering weight. Plus loads of the natural shades of WYS Jacobs and BFL with the Home book to go with; the Bow Fiddle super long skeins are on the website, an excellent buy where one skein makes a decent sized shawl.

For babies we have Bo Peep Pure DK online, plus the Bo Peep DK in store (working on getting that online). Summer is great for cotton yarn, and we have shades of Rowan Summerlite DK for everyone. Such a lot of colour and prettiness around me!

Also recently listed are my favourite knitting needles Knit Pro Symfonie, and some quallity circulars Knit Pro Nova metal in a range of sizes and lengths.

On the whole, it’s all coming together. I hope all those who are eligible are getting their jabs, and that it wont be too long a wait for the rest.

Looking forward to seeing you asap.

Take care xxx

....2021 so far....

Afternoon folks,

Here we are in another lockdown. I hope this will be the last big push so that we can start getting vaccinated and making our way out towards the spring sunshine, when it comes. I am glad that most of us are staying safe and following the medical recommendations but I long for the days when we can be social again! I miss my pals and going home to see my family, but even travelling outside the county lines will be a massive bonus.

Ah well, just a little while longer.

We are still functioning, albeit like a one armed carpenter, but Fankle Yarns is still plodding along. I’ve got some new WYS Aran weight in, and the new home book is very tempting, especially at this time of year - all those blankets and woolly cushions make me feel v toasty! I’m hoping to have it on the website asap, so keep an eye out.

(Still trying to get my head around the technology - show me a knitting or crochet pattern and I can usually figure it out before long; throw some technology into the mix, and I’m like a toddler learning to tie shoelaces, but with less success…)

Ach well, onwards and upwards.

Apologies for those folk who have ordered yarn and it hasn’t arrived yet - the Postal Services are running way behind right now, so its out of my hands. Rest assured I put everything to the Post Office asap.

THERE IS FREE POSTAGE OVER £50, SO DONT WORRY IF IT CHARGES YOU, YOU’LL GET IT REFUNDED.

Anyway. Off to do battle with the forces of darkness! Or the website, for those of a less fantastic bent. Wish me luck x

Christmas is Coming

Afternoon Knitting and Crochet Peeps!

It’s coming to the end of our Level 4 lockdown in South Ayrshire, and I have to admit I have enjoyed a bit of time off, but now I’m raring to get back into the shop to see you all again!

Hopefully, all going well, the Scottish Government will allow us to reopen on Saturday 13th December, so expect to see us open and eager to help with your pre-Christmas yarn shopping.

Remember we also offer Gift Certificates, if you’re not sure what your recipient would prefer, or you could also invest in one for yourself - when the January bills bite, you’ll have a wee bit of yarn comfort to see you through :)

In any case, we look forward to seeing you again next weekend, and hope you are managing to keep well in between.

Happy Knitting!

Kathleen x

Yarn Shop Day 2020

Afternoon all,

Its been a funny time at Fankle Headquarters recently, the ups and downs and ins and outs of the pandemic have played havoc with everyone’s schedules. It’s been sometimes quiet here, some days its bubbling with folk, there is no rhyme or reason to it, it seems.

In either case, as long as everyone is staying safe and following the guidelines then we should come out of this more or less intact.

So its an ideal time to contemplate some quiet crafting, away from the insecurity and uncertainty of the outside world. With this in mind, the postponed Yarn Shop Day has been rescheduled for this Saturday (14th November) in the UK.

Our own wee part of the world will be offering free patterns, a cheeky wee bit of chocolate and the chance to enter into a draw to win a skein of luxury Rowan Sultano Fine - a glorious rich dark wine shade of silk, mohair and cashmere, which knits as a DK. There’s a very useful 225m in the skein, making it suitable for many accessories - and really you want to keep this close, its so soft, so a hat or cowl would be perfect.

All you have to do to enter the draw is make any sort of purchase and you will be able to add your name to the raffle. Draw will take place next Saturday (21st Nov) and you can be entered up until Friday 20th Nov.

You can visit the shop with your mask in place, following the guidelines, and you will be welcome all day. Then take your yarny goodness home to coorie in and shut the door on the outside world for a wee while.

Its tough to encourage folk to shop right now, but if you don’t it is doubtful whether the local businesses will survive much more of this. Many of our local businesses will deliver, or organise drop offs to suit you, many will have online ordering and electronic payments available, and every sale helps.

As a shop with an online presence, we are working on getting stock online (who knew it would be soooo fiddly and time-consuming?!) but you can always phone or message to ask if we have what you are looking for.

So after all that, I hope you are keeping well wherever you are, and I hope to see you in the shop soon :)

All the best,

Kathleen

August and summer heat

Hi all,

It’s August 2020 already. I think 2020 is going to go down in modern history as the year that time forgot. How can it be August? its strange having a summer where you can’t do the usual summery things without a great deal of forethought - barbeques with friends, pub lunches in the sun, going on holiday, heading off to the beach.

At least as crafters we can counterbalance the weirdness with activity. And with the weather being so unpredictable (sun one day, showers the next) with our multiple talents and projects we will never be stuck for something to take our mind off things.

And speaking about multiple things, have any of you started your winter / Christmas knitting yet? I feel like I should be mouthing the word ‘Christmas’ in a Miranda fashion - in case the thought of it upsets people.

It is inevitable though. I confess I am one of those folk who start sporadic present buying about this time, so that come December I have the bulk of it bought. It spreads the cost out over a few months as well. And for those of us who like to make our gifts, it pays to start fairly early so that you have TIME to get through your list - who hasn’t stayed up late on Christmas Eve to frantically sew in ends or rush the last few rows?

Anyway. Now that I’ve sown that seed into your heads, please keep en eye on the website over the next few weeks, as I turn my flippity-flop butterfly-like minuscule attention span to the task of updating the shop.

Keep an eye out and get on my case if its not happening quickly enough!

Cheers and happy knitting x

Reopening news!

Hallo on the longest day of the year, which is a bit of a misnomer given the last few months. But this one is official, the longest day, the shortest night - have those blackout blinds at the ready.

I have already read online someone saying the nights will be drawing in soon and I was flabbergasted, not only because summer is half way through already but because it feels like half the year has gone missing. Such has been 2020 so far.

Anyway. I have fantastic news: Fankle Yarns will be reopening on Wednesday 1st July at 10 am. YAY!

It’s been a while, not all of it productive, but the shop has new yarns, new fittings and a smiling host all ready to welcome you back. There will be a couple of Covid rules to follow:

• use handsanitizer provided,

• only one customer/couple at a time,

• card payments preferred,

but I hope this will not deter you from perusing our gorgeous yarns. I am sooo looking forward to being back in my happy place!

Classes will be unavailable for now pending further government information, and the Knit and Natter will remain virtual for the time being (keep an eye out for good weather, we will be having al fresco sessions at Prestwick Cross on Sundays with favourable conditions).

For those who don’t know, our Knit and Natter is held on Zoom (www.zoom.us) and you click on Join a Meeting, and use the ID 984 6978 1148 and then password 016818 from 3pm on Sunday afternoons (GMT)

Phew. Think that’s all for now. I hope your are coming out of this lockdown with optimism and not too many extra pounds (I wish I could say the same!).

Can’t wait to see you all again,

Cheers,

Kathleen

June already!

I don’t know where the time goes. How can it be June already? As well as that, we now have a teenager in the house! My wee speck of a daughter is now a practically grown up 13 year old, and had to celebrate during the lockdown. Bit of a bummer, but we did manage to see her local grandparents, which was lovely. Luckily the weather has been extremely benign so sitting in the garden with fresh strawberries and homemade chocolate birthday cake was no hardship!

Still no word on when we will be able to reopen Fankle Yarns to the public, but we wait (mostly) patiently for the OK from the Scottish Government. I would hate for there to be a second wave of Covid19 so we have to be sensible, but it is frustrating. Theoretically it is giving me time to work on the business, but sometimes it is hard to concentrate. We are fortunate that the spread and severity seems to be easing, which gives us all something to look forward to.

Anyway. I have finished a couple of items for shop display (check me out on Instagram @fankleyarns) and there have been a few more things added to the online shop.

Work in progress in every sense.

PS Before I forget, keep an eye out for news of our latest yarns - Quilla yarn from The Quirky Paintbrush and Kinross Lambswool from Wee County Yarns - I will keep you updated!

Good knitting and keep well until we meet again,

And so it goes on...

Hallo folks,

Here we still are in this Covid 19 world, still under lockdown, and still at the mercy of a stupid, clever virus.

Luckily we can help ourselves by keeping our hands busy, which is why so many of us have been baking, painting, crafting, gardening, etc. Its amazing what simple yet involved creation can do to improve our mental health. That being said, it has been hard to concentrate on even the simplest knitting for a while; I am only now emerging from my cocoon to restart projects or contemplate new ones.

Because lockdown has continued for a few weeks now, it is becoming normal to take more care, to stay at home, and make new everyday routines, With this in mind, I would like to encourage you all to rediscover those calming comforting crafts. Don’t feel you have to try something new; not all our brains are ready for such a challenge right now. Maybe if you used to crochet as a child, try it again. Look up a video of basic stitches and give it a go - all you have to lose is a bit of time, and lets face it, time is what we have much of just now.

Perhaps you used to paint or draw - pick up a pencil, find a blank sheet and get doodling.

As a knitter and crocheter I am delighted that so many yarns are available to order online, so that we can self-isolate while keeping busy. There are some great yarns out there, and some great companies. And not forgetting a shout out to posties and delivery drivers everywhere - THANK YOU!

I would like to ask that you also remember the small shops in this crisis - we want to continue to thrive in our communities, and want to stay open for you, our lovely customers and friends. The more help you can give us by ordering online or giving us a phone or message to place an order, the more we are able to survive so that we can get back to where we want to be - as centres for yarny goodness. And that makes everyone feel better :)

Wishing you all health and peace in these troubled times, and I hope to catch up with you all soon,

Kathleen x

Working during the Covid 19 lockdown

Hi Fanklers,

I’m writing this from the dining table which is covered in papers and knitting, with my daughter across from me, behind the laptop screen, trying to do her S1 History class from home. My hubby is in the office working remotely. Never has there been a time when we are more reliant on electricity and internet accessibility!

This is a trying time for anyone with a business, and I’m finding this a whole new experience, as I only opened my shop in Prestwick last August (2019). My goal for my first year was to break even - this has been abandoned for now; how on earth could we know that this international emergency would put the kibosh on everyone’s future plans? My main focus is to try to remain viable, and try to persist as a community asset. I have already built up a number of regular customers and we have a wee community here which has been meeting up for a Sunday afternoon, until recently.

So with that in mind, I am dipping my toe in the online wool world. It is very much a learning process, as the older I get, the harder I find it to try and cram new knowledge into my wool-filled skull (especially when the knowledge is tedious admin website stuff and not lovely new knittery stuff).

Bear with me, and I’ll try to keep my mistakes to a minimum.

Feel free to comment on, improve, constructively criticize and share my efforts to get lovely yarn out to the lovely knitters and crocheters of Scotland.

Cheers.