A catch up on the pattern book: revealing pattern #10, #11 and #12

We’re nuts on legwarmers up here at Toft- here’s another pair designed to match our snood (as previewed last week).  In the double knit using stocking st and reverse st st coloured stripes to make lovely structure. 

Our simple aran headband is a gorgeous chunky cable- just one ball of our aran for this one.

And… the chunky moss snood- our easiest pattern in the book, and great for total beginners doing their first ever cast on. 

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Harvest time. Malvern Autumn show big veg selection.

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Not sure much needs to be said about the following photos. Prize winning vegetables.

It's all go now as we gear up to Ally Pally.

This prize pumpkin weighs in at over 2180 balls of our Double Knit yarn!! That's one big pie...

Pattern #8 Toft: Book 1

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A simple round neck fine sweater in stocking stitch. A classic everyday sweater shown here in steel. If you can't wait for the pattern book, this one is available as a knitting kit right now. Our new lace chestnut is gorgeous (dark brown and chocolatey rather than too red).

We're off to Malvern Autumn Show this weekend where you'll find us out of our trailer and in a tent (let's hope for better weather than Newbury last weekend!). Knitting with your yarn in plastic bags on the increasingly muddy tradestand floor is not ideal.

And finally we caught this snap of a Guanaco at Newbury show. It was hiding in with the llamas and a few alpacas. Guanacos are the largest direct relation of the llama and alpaca- South American Camelids. So much more like a camel in foot and leg shape than our alpacas and still very pretty- well we thought so anyway.

Pattern #7 Toft: Book 1

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Ever the fans of snoods, this bouncy striped number is super toasty and knitted in our Aran yarn. A simple knit, but a great way of combining two of our gorgeous natural colours. This is cream and black, but it looks great in silver and steel, mushroom and stone, fudge and chestnut...

Just another one of the patterns in our first book. Pre-order now on our website, or come and buy a copy at Alexandra Palace in just over two weeks!!

GUEST BLOGGER: Cometh the hour

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5 years of servitude as Toft caterer and head of minor logistics and I am finally rewarded with my very own blog post. Today, dear reader, you find us at the Newbury and Berkshire show. Resplendent with cow parades, tractors, giant onions and astoundingly good ale and pork pies, it is one of the country's better agricultural shows. High points for me have been the final of the young farmers women's tug of war and Old Joe's Suicider. Low points have been finding out the Jaguar XK150 for sale opposite our stand is £65k and having to repeatedly pull the mannequins out of the sporadic downpours. I am sorry to report that one of our large bears got his paws slightly soggy, but will be brought to our hotel room tonight to dry out. If you have a soggy toft ted, or have just sponged them clean, let them dry in a warm place, but avoid radiators or hair driers as it makes them grizzly. Our first proof of the Toft pattern book is getting lots of love despite me spilling coffee on the cover this morning. Only three weeks to go until my wife is a published artist, I could not be more proud. I had better sign off before the boss finds my post abandoned, not that she gives me wages to dock. Doug Lord - guest blogger.

Pattern #6 Toft: Book 1

The Cable and Lace Beanie (with or without Pom Pom).   A must have to combine with your Chunky Cable and Lace scarf this winter. 

Less than 150g of Chunky, you can get this beanie out of the end of another project (Bulb Bag perhaps).   Quick to knit so we think perfect for gifts for friends and family this Christmas.

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Front Cover Preview Toft: Book 1

Nothing like drip feeding you with information about our pattern book.  Today we are pleased to reveal the front cover.  This 80 page book is the perfect size to fit in your handbag (or knitting bag). 

 

More previews of the patterns behind this cover to follow tomorrow

 

Oh and did we mention the book will also contain yarn samples?  Touchy feely too!

 

Order today…  http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?AltProdID=BOOK1

Front cover preview for Toft: Book 1

TOFT_BOOK_COVER.pdf Download this file

Nothing like drip feeding you with information about our pattern book.  Today we are pleased to reveal the front cover.  This 80 page book is the perfect size to fit in your handbag (or knitting bag). 

More previews of the patterns behind this cover to follow tomorrow

Oh and did we mention the book will also contain yarn samples?  Touchy feely too!

Order today…  http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?AltProdID=BOOK1

Pattern #5 Toft: Book 1

We have already had a bit of a frenzy over this one.  Here are our hearty lace socks and stockings! Knitted in our fine yarn they are labeled as ‘advanced’ and certainly aren’t for the fainthearted knitter.  Model shot coming soon.

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Yarn store moved, walls going up, and we're on the road again.

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In between all this Pattern Book hype, we don't want you to forget that the builders are still very busy here at Toft. The yarn store has been safely relocated and is getting fully stocked for the Christmas rush. Now that's out the way we can push on with the development with the floors going in this week. The first real bricks went down today- it is all getting a bit exciting. We are still full steam ahead for January.

Meanwhile we are off to the Newbury and Berkshire Show this weekend. Come and join us at what is a great show with plenty of real agriculture- not just shopping! Our final agricultural show of the year, and penultimate outdoor show. Malvern Autumn Garden show next weekend completes the season. For all our show dates see

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/shows.aspx

Pattern #4 Toft: Book 1

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The Plait Hat

A heavyweight hat knitted in our Toft Chunky Yarn. Rated as 'intermediate' difficulty, it is on two needles rather circular like many of our designs. With a 'helmet' like structure this is a very warm winter hat that is very popular with snowboarders.

Pattern #3 Toft: Book 1

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And here we have the fine race back vest. Simple and wearable as a layer over t-shirts and shirts in the Autumn and Winter. Quick to knit and with a bit of grafting to get you a seamless professional finish.

Loads of you have pre-ordered already to guarantee your copy.

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?AltProdID=BOOK1