A nostalgic throwback to those glorious summer days by the seaside, when a 99 cost as much and jelly shoes weren’t a questionable footwear choice. This lightweight blanket captures the essence of British summer no matter where you holiday. Whether it be by the Beach huts in Abersoch or in Cornwall with the waves lapping at your feet, ‘A Typical British Summer’ evokes happy memories for all.
We have been busy as ever here at King Cole HQ preparing for shows and launching new products.
From flying across the pond to TNNA in Las Vegas, to heading down to the NEC in Birmingham for #CHSIStitches, we thought we’d share some photos and further details of what we have been up to:
The National Needlearts Association Winter 2018
At the end of January our Export Manager Peter and Marketing Manager Caroline headed off to The National NeedleArts Association‘s 2018 Winter NeedleArts Market in Las Vegas.
It was our most successful Winter show yet, and we’re already looking forward to heading out to Cleveland at the Summer market in June.
Here are a few snaps from our wonderful time:
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll met the King of Knitting ‘n’ Crochet! Elvis seems to have picked up a few goodies.
Spring Fair; #CHSIStitches2018
At the beginning of February we attended Spring Fair, the UK’s no.1 gift and home trade show, and later in the month we headed back down to the NEC for the ever-exciting CHSI Stitches 2018.
It’s the UK’s trade show for the creative craft industry, with over 200 exhibitors from around the world who joined us in the bustling weekend. There were free workshops and business seminars for attendees, but we were busy on our King-Cole-pink stand connecting with new and familiar faces.
A certain giant unicorn caused quite the stir, drawing crowds from across the arena, who was crocheted especially for the occasion in Yummy; Pattern 9087. We held a competition to guess the amount of balls it took to create it (36!), with the winner receiving a bundle of Yummy yarns and patterns.
What’s Next?
At the end of March we’re heading to Cologne, where we’ll be joining other producers and businesses at h+h: the International Trade Fair for Creative Handicraft and Hobbie Supplies.
Expect innovative creations, current collections, new trends and a variety of services to get your creative juices flowing! If you’re based in Germany and attending the fair, come and visit our stand, we’d love to chat with you in Hall 02.2 Stand F041.
Last year:
*****
At HQ we’re busy preparing new shade books and pattern catalogues, as well as getting ready for our next launch on March 26th – keep your eyes peeled!
A new year; a new us!
2017 was just the beginning of the exciting new changes for King Cole. We’re very happy to finally show off our new logo to you.
Combining the old with the new; we’ve kept the familiar crown that makes us so unique, but incorporated a much needed element of the industry through the ball of wool and knitting needles.
Refreshing the colour scheme gives it an overall cleaner, modern design, and is sure to make it stand out from the crowd!
The logo will be rolling out across all mediums: from pattern leaflets to letterheads, social media to stockist posters, you won’t be able miss it.
We hope you love the logo as much as we do and share it with everyone you meet.
Whether you’re vegan in every aspect of life, or simply getting into the spirit of #veganuary by fancy switching up your usuals, we thought we’d share just some of our favourite Cotton and synthetic yarns, completely free from any wool content. ?
Cottons
100% Cotton
Available in 4 ranges: Cottonsoft, Candy, Crush, Baby Crush. The Cottonsoft line has some truly beautiful yarns, completely spoiling you for choice with the variety on offer.
Suitable for newborns right up to adults, it’s also the go-to for #OctopusForPreemies, #KnittedKnockers and delicate hats for cancer patients, due to the incredible softness and high cotton content. The durability and eye-catching colourways help to position this as one of our faves.
100% Giza Mercerised Egyptian Cotton
Available in 3 ranges: DK, 4ply, Sorbet 4ply. It’s a firm favourite with crocheters, particularly with our friends at Simply Crochet mag, who have featured 4ply mandalas in every issue for the past year!
If you’re looking to crochet up intricate lace-detail or pretty little motifs, this is a beautiful yarn of choice.
Synthetics
100% Premium Acrylic
A fantastic value yarn, available in 4 ranges: Chunky (Solid, Soft), DK (Solid, With a Twist), 4ply (Solid, Print, Spot), 3ply.
Our Big Value Baby line is incredibly popular across all ages and abilities; the acrylic is soft to the touch and doesn’t cause itchiness, which can be found in some wool yarns.
The Big Value Baby line is ideal for those chunky jumpers, babies’ cardigans, eye-catching accessories and much more.
100% Anti-Pilling Acrylic
Available in 3 ranges: Cherish, Cherish Dash, Cherished (Solid).
No bobbly bits and no shedding, this incredibly soft yarn is available in a range of solid and variegated shades, from pastels to vivid brights.
The wonderful dashed and stripy effect of Cherish Dash and Cherish make every garment unique, especially when offset with a complementary colour from Cherished DK.
100% Premium Acrylic
Available in 9 swirling variegated shades, including a free lace wrap pattern with every purchase.
Vegan cake? We’re in! Curiosity is our latest cake-yarn and has got everybody talking! It creates a stunning stripy effect and truly produces some one-of-a-kind garments.
88% Acrylic, 7% PBT, 5% Metallic
Vegan sock yarns are few and far between, with most containing a small amount of wool. Fear not, however, we have got you covered! Add some razzmatazz to your tootsies with our unique Party Glitz, which is also brilliant for other accessories and jazzy garments.
Which are your favourite synthetic and cotton yarns to work with?
To view our vegan yarns, simply Search “acrylic,” or “cotton.”
Find your nearest stockist here.
As the nights draw in and a certain chill lingers in the air, it’s time to start prepping for when the frost truly sets in!
7 simple tips to get ahead of the game:
- Give your knitwear and blankets a refresh by popping them on a wool wash and lying them flat to dry
- Take the winter coats out of their stash and give them a good shake before hanging outside to air
- Pop a pair of thick woollen socks into your car’s glove compartment. You’ll never be caught out when it’s a particularly frosty drive home!
- If 2-wheeled transport is more your thing, how about whipping up some wrist warmers, handle-bar cosies, or even a seat cover?
- To store, gently fold your knitted garments for the drawer and hang any woven woollens
- Make sure to leave your wellies and thick socks by the radiator to keep them warm and dry
- ‘Tis the season of giving – sort through your wardrobe for unloved jumpers and disused blankets. Donate them to your nearest homeless shelters and hostels, and keep everyone toasty this winter
What would be your top tip?
Our King Cole Calendar has been jam-packed recently! From heading down to the NEC in Birmingham for Autumn Fair and Glee, to hopping on the red double-decker bus to Yarndale in our home-town on Skipton!
We thought we’d share the photos and further details of what we have been up to:
Autumn Fair 2017
In the first weekend of September, we returned to Autumn Fair 2017. Promoted as “the season’s number one wholesale gift and home trade event, showcasing amazing brands, new products, retail insight and bucket-loads of inspiration!” we joined fellow wholesalers to showcase our yarns, patterns and the debut of Mrs Spike! She was officially named ‘Suzie’ as chosen from the hat by our Director Mike.
WATCH the grand reveal:
We also encouraged visitors at the stand to take a selfie with Suzie and share it with us using #SpikeOnTour across social media. Using hashtags or tagging our usernames @KingColeLtd on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or @Hedgehog_Spike for Spike and Suzie’s own Twitter, helps us to keep track and promote King Cole.
Standing out from the crowd with our new pink branding!
Did you visit the show or take a selfie with our furry friends? 
Suzie the Hedgehog took centre stage and we think Mike became just a little smitten…
Glee Birmingham 2017
The following week we made our debut exhibit at Glee Birmingham. This was our first time exhibiting at a garden & outdoor living trade show and we went with open minds and a yarn-stormed stand!
Yarn-bombed wheelbarrow | Carousel Chunky stand | Summer Collection 9001
Superfine Alpaca | Big Value Tonal Chunky | Knitting away in quiet time!
Knitting the world’s longest scarf?
Our team were busy yarn-storming garden forks, a mini wheelbarrow, a teapot and more in the lead up to the show. Our premise for Glee was to showcase how garden centres can easily slot a stand including our yarn, patterns and needles into their space. We also helped garner a lot of attention through our rotating Carousel Chunky stand!
#SpikeOnTour
Yarndale 2017
Magazine Visit
What’s Next?
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Happy Yarn-Storming Day one and all!
It’s one of our favourite days in the handicraft calendar; a day in which an explosion of colour – from neon pink to fluorescent yellow – sets the world ablaze in a totally unique form of street art. From the most banal everyday objects in public spaces, to trees and transport, kniffiti or yarn-bombing is taking the world by storm.
Thought to have originated in Texas USA by clothes-shop owner Magda Sayeg, yarn-storming began as an effort in warming up bare, unloved environments. Sayeg started by simply knitting a cosy for her door handle, and soon progressed to wrapping the public stop-sign outside of her shop. The rest they say is history. In the few years since, the street-art craze has swept the globe, with countries such as Germany, Italy and the UK all joining in and reclaiming public spaces in their wake.
The yarn or fibre doesn’t necessarily have to wrap around an object, and it can be knitted, crocheted or simply cross-stitched. Tiny knitted creatures, from aliens to dolls, strategically perched or all strung up in a tangled web, can be used to decorate objects or even jazz up cracked pavements.
The artists tend to be a bit Banksy-esque in their identity, and often keep incognito. We do however love the duo Knit The City who comprise of “The Deadly Knitshade” and “The Fastener” and Juliana Santacruz Herrera‘s work.
Below are a few examples of some of our favourites:
Knitted Stairs. photo cred Magda Sayeg – Art and About Sydney 2011
Decorated Potholes in Paris – Juliana Santacruz Herrera
Be careful however, as installing without permission can be considered as graffiti and illegal. The art is usually considered temporary and if need be can be taken down. Knit at your own peril 😉
Will you be taking part today, or have you yarn-stormed in the past?
We’d love to see some of your creations! 🙂
We’re sure you’re all very familiar with our favourite spiny (but super soft) Spike the Giant Hedgehog.
When he’s not snuffling around looking for beetles and dried twigs, he’s busy popping into our yarn stockists all over the UK for a little stay-cay.
He’ll be documenting lots more of his journeys on our social media sites: Twitter @Hedgehog_Spike and Instagram @KingColeLtd. You can keep track of him on these sites and our Facebook page by simply searching #SpikeOnTour or our @handles.
You can also use this hashtag when sending in your own photos of him, along with tagging our @handles – we’d love to feature these on our sites too! He enjoys playing hide-and-seek (sneaky thing!) and may try to get you to guess his location by posting clues about nearby locations.
What are you waiting for? Head to the hashtag and get tracking! He’s spotted at Mrs T’s Wool Shop, Coventry..
