Beaker Button Blog

It's been a while I know. I've been updating (well, completely changing) the website so it's easier for my customers to use (once the kinks are ironed out) and easier for me (once I've learnt how to use it!) The whole process has been a very steep learning curve, what with learning HTML code, what the Google spiders pick up on, how to sort the data I'm putting on the site so it's easy and efficient to use. The bricks and mortar shop has had a makeover too. The shelves are now organised by yarn weight so you can see what you're looking for for your pattern much more easily. New shop layout This sorting fever has started to spill over into my personal life. For example I haven't touched my garden in over 2 years. I keep telling myself I'll get out and do something with the great load of weeds, brambles and fruit but each year slipped by without me noticing and the weeds and brambles get bigger and the fruit, well some of that got eaten. This ye...

This is a quick post to say that I'm putting the blog on hold for a couple of weeks while I work on the new website. It's going to be all singing and dancing, the new site, so it'll be worth the effort.  I've posted I below for those of you following the Alphabet blanket pattern and will continue with J very shortly.  Thanks for your patience. this weeks chart My unblocked I

Apologies for the delay in getting this post out.  I've been a little under the weather, having wrecked my shoulder.  Knitting has been a little difficult.  I'm on the mend now though so no more stalling.  This week I thought I'd share some my highlights of Wonderwool 2015.  We had a fantastic show and met (and infected) lots of new button makers.  I taught two button classes this year in the Wool school, which was great fun.  We sold lots of kits, wool, mini skeins and patterns.  I did managed to come home with a fabulous new pair of trousers from Elegant Chaos, so I didn't buy any wool. Below are some of the beautiful things at the show so I'll shut up and let the photos do the talking. This week's letter is below.  As always detailed instructions are here . Giant Cardigan by Lisa Hellier Giant Cardigan by Lisa Hellier Giant Cardigan by Lisa Hellier Giant Cardigan by Lisa Hellier Knitted Ginger Bread house by...

The last few weeks have been a mad whirl of dyeing skeins of yarn for Wonderwool, which we're going to this weekend.  I've been telling people for years that my favourite colour is purple, so I was a little surprised at how much green dye I was getting through.  It seems I have a penchant for green, as well as purples.  My favourite though, was the rainbow gradient I dyed for the new Bifrost Kit I've designed.  A few photos below for your viewing pleasure.  I'll be running some dyeing experience days in the summer.  Get in touch if you fancy having a go at dyeing your own yarn. This week's letter is below.  See here for more detailed instructions. I'll be shattered next week after the show so next weeks offering may be a day or to late. dyeing sock blanks for gradient yarn gradient in a little scrummy ball Bifrost Necklace Beaker Button Sparkle on the shop shelves autumn colours drying yarn for Eve bracelet about t...

Some of you will know that Beaker Button has hosted two fabulous Felted Fairies workshops with Erica from Arts, Rush and Cane .  As this week is an F week I thought I'd share a little about the felting fairies experience. First I want to make clear this is not a felting tutorial.  It's merely me showing off our fairies. Erica is a brilliant teacher.  She has a knack for making you feel like things are going well, even when she's telling you what you've done wrong.  The fairies we've made are needle felted, and what's great about the class is that you learn several techniques which can be used for all sorts of felting projects.  Erica makes fantastic kits for felting your own fairies as well.  They're £14 and have everything you need including needles and foam.  We have 3 in stock at the moment.  Have a look below at the models for them. Your chart for this week is at the bottom of the blog.  Full instructions are here. We start with th...

I had this weeks post all planned out.  I was going to tell you about rediscovering embroidery and how much pleasure and inspiration it's given me.  However, on Sunday the Hubby, Short Round and I had a very rare day off together, so we decided on a whim to go here. Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre If you haven't been I'd really recommend going.  The centre is a little shabby, but they're working on a shoe string budget after rescuing the whole site, including all the birds, from destruction.  They are very honest about their financial situation and you can see where they are building new aviaries and improving the place as they go.  We had planned to spend the morning looking at the birds then lunching and walking in the New Forest,but we had such a good time that we stayed all day.  We met several of the fellows below, as well as having a very illuminating talk about reptiles and arachnids (I have never been so close to a tarantula outside ...