Coming LIVE from Toft Studio...

To top off what's been a really BIG week at Toft we've packed our waxy jackets and wellies ready for Wonderwool this weekend.  Despite the weather we will be taking two of our boys with us to meet the crowds and of course lots of fleece and yarn. So here's a quick update (excuse the phone photos!) before we hit the road...

What a week it has been here.  We have successfully now uprooted the whole company from Toft Manor, and we have moved across the yard into the gorgeous Toft Studio.

Following some very late nights we got the yarn store and workshop area unloaded yesterday.  Complete with antique jewellery making benches and tractor seat stools we think it's looking pretty awesome. 

In the entrance to The Studio we are currently in the process of knitting up two sofas and eight tub chairs to create a realizing chatting area to sit and read the latest knitting magazines, and Albert is busy making us some giant button tables to rest our coffee cups on.

Through to the main workshop room and we are still awaiting a few pieces of furniture, but it is really taking shape.  These old sewing benches we perfect- providing a good height to work at and lots of built in storage too.  Next week they will be finished off with steel tops to give them a new lease of life as the 70s surfaces have seen better days.

We've acquired a few singer sewing machine bases along the way and knocked up some side tables- and a draughtsmans board to hold all our latest design collection ideas on.  The space is very light and airy and perfect for enjoying all craft and textile workshops.  The added luxury of underfloor heating means that we can see it being very cosy this winter and we'll be putting workshop dates in the diary very soon.

So next time you come up to Toft for a workshop, or just for your latest yarn fix, you'll be able to hang your coat on the old iron pegs and take a seat for a while to enjoy this fantastic new space.

The big coffee pot is on in the staff kitchen as all our knitters and regular customers drop in to say hi and look at the new building.  Come over to meet the new team soon.

Knitting for your Home

Although this week it does feel a bit chilly again, and here in the new office we've got our heating on pretty high, before too long we should be enjoying the gentle heat and long days of British summer time proper. Due to the expectation of shorts and sandals weather (unless you're a very organised knitter and have got your Christmas gift list on the needles already) it can be a time when you're a bit stuck for things to knit.

Although some of you will be the dedicated four-season knitter, others seem to regard knitting and crafting in general as a winter sport. In the summer the nights are longer and there just seems to be far more to 'do' so a knitting habit can fall by the wayside.

We find that summer is a good time of year to knock out some fast projects for instant gratification. Don't start a 50hr garment project, but instead embrace a few short 5-10hr projects to get done when there's a rainy evening or two.



A great idea is knitting for your home. Sofas and cushions need woolly jumpers too- and right now chunky knitted interiors are everywhere.  This White Company blanket and cushion is gorgeous and oh so simpleOr this even chunkier cushion and throw is also lovely and a serious knitted statement.



Knitted blankets can be as laborious or quick to knit as your diary allows. Something like this beginner blanket takes advantage of big needles (20mm) and you knit using multiple strands of yarn together.


For those who are a toft subscriber this will be this week's free pattern so sign up now.


In contrast a blanket like this herringbone one is in our chunky yarn. A stitch that takes you two steps forward and one step backwards so it is a much slower grower.

When knitting blankets in one piece rather than in panels or squares we would recommend using circular needles with a long cord circumference. If you knit straight on these it allows you to cast on lots of stitches, and also helps you manage the weight of your project. Holding up 2kg on broomsticks is hard work on the shoulders!



We now stock 25mm needles for just such projects- stash bust by running strands together. Cushion covers make great beginner projects too.

If you're looking for something a bit smaller these striped cushions are very simple and high impact. Choose two natural colours, get your big needles out and knit knit knit. No shaping required.

See our HOME section for more ideas. 


Or if you wait a couple of weeks we'll be doing to big reveal on some interiors of our own for Toft Studio. As we speak three of our knitters have been entrusted with massive quantities of yarn and some very funny sketches and measurements.


They're very big- and will be the perfect place to relax, enjoy a cup of tea, and flick through the latest knitting magazines on your trip to Toft Studio

School’s Out Craft workshops with Toft Alpaca

We know it's only the Easter Holidays, but that means just one more term until school's out for the summer. Book now to get on one of our special summer holiday workshops- and don't forget to add our CRAFT OPEN DAY to your diary. Saturday 4th August. Don't miss out!

School’s Out Craft workshops with Toft Alpaca


Wet Felting Craft Morning
Children age 5-10 (accompanied by one adult)

This summer we will host two 3hr craft workshops aimed at mums, dads and their children. We are opening up our doors on Friday 10th and 24th August 9.30am-12.30pm.

The session will include a short farm walk to meet the alpacas including all the babies here at Toft at this time of year. We will then spend time doing wet felting in alpaca fleece. We will be making alpaca pictures in the fleece with traditional techniques using soap and water. At the end of the session there will be a chance to get your photo taken holding an alpaca on a halter lead.

The cost for the session will be £25 for one adult and a child.

This will include all materials, equipment and refreshments of tea, juice and cakes.

Places will be very limited so book soon to avoid disappointment.

Knit a Phone Sock
Young people age 11-18

This summer we will host a 3hr craft workshops aimed at getting young people knitting. We are opening up our doors on Friday 17th August 9.30am-12.30pm for this new workshop. We will teach knitting in a non-traditional way by not prescribing a knitting pattern to simply follow, but instead helping demonstrate how to create a pattern by measuring what you want to knit and make up your own design.

The session will include a short farm walk to meet the alpacas including all the babies here at Toft at this time of year. We will then spend time learning to knit from scratch. Attendees are invited to bring a phone or ipod that they would like to knit a sock for.

The cost for the session will be £25 per person.

This will include all materials, equipment and refreshments of tea, juice and cakes.

Places will be very limited so book soon to avoid disappointment.




To book online today visit here.