Cypress & Rosewood

Cypress, the colour of mystical fir forests shrouded in mist and deep silence, holds the quality of ethereal realms, of fables, tales & wondrous deeds despite its sombre colour. ‘Sad face’, comes to mind when trying to describe the colour of Cypress. Heavily symbolic of endings but also of hope, hence why I felt it was apt as the last mood board and also it symbolises year’s end.

Rosewood, often imbued with romantic connotations it speaks to the heart through its colour and scent. Prized for the colour of its wood, from black to Brick red, Rosewood was sought after to make lutes and other stringed instruments during the renaissance and baroque periods. Visually and symbolically I felt the romanticism of this colour was a good counter balance to the beautiful but sombre Cypress.

Packaging:

I’m hoping to source some bespoke packaging, custom print boxes etc but obviously will depend on pricing. Whatever I find, your yarn will be posted in a sturdy but nice keepsake box.

Ordering: Quantities are limited, the listings will be live until the end of April, but as this is our first Advent(ure) I have no idea how it will go. So I’ll review if necessary.

The main listing for the yarn box is listed on its own, the extras (other elements) are listed separately but there will be links from the Main Advent listing page to each of the optional extra pages. Just add them to your baskets as you normally would. Postage will be generated by the website, I’m not sure how it will calculate postage for International but I will keep an eye on it and if its getting too much or too little, I will either adjust, absorb or surcharge whichever is applicable.

Delivery : We aim to ship all the advent boxes by the end of September possibly into early October. I have other commitments from October onwards so really needs to be out by then.

Yarn Details

You will have a selection of yarns to choose from, supplied in 50g skeins;-

4 Ply

Merino Singles - 100% merino single ply

Silkie Singles - 70% merino / 30% Silk single ply

BFL Twister - 100% BFL High Twist - plied

BFL Bougee - 50% SW BFL / 50% Silk - plied

Cloud 9 - 70% Silk / 30% NSW Merino - brushed & blown - the Wild Card

DK

Wonderful Worsted 50’s - 100% Merino - Springy twist

Malachite & Powder

Dark verdant evergreen is absolutely synonymous with the mid winter season, Echos of pagan days at Winter Solstice and the Roman Saturnalia, evergreen foliage was used to represent life during the coldest winter months when all else was in hibernation and to herald the season of rebirth and renewal. The Christmas tree was introduced to the UK by Prince Albert during the early Victorian era, and is now a trend that has firmly stuck. A symbolic gesture that represents the resilience of life - holly and fir wreaths, garlands, mistletoe, ivy, pine tres and yule logs.

I’ve always loved the partnership of green and pink and for this palette have paired the darkest evergreen with delicate powdery blush pink.

We experience very little snow in London these days but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have pink snow!

Silver, Pewter & Gold

I love Silver Grey I wear it a lot, so just had to include a grey palette in this collection. Serene and forever beautiful, I’m not sure why but this palette reminds me of the museums and galleries in London, in particular the V & A (Victoria & Albert) and the British Museum

This palette was created to provide a neutral pivot point and the images just bring to mind the vintage opulence and faded grandeur of many of the costumes and artefacts that can be found a the V&A, but at the same time it’s oh so modern!

Polished silver, pewter, with hints of duck egg and pale gold convey a sophisticated, chic and very wearable scheme

London is also home to quirky streets in otherwise non-descript neighbourhoods much like my own street, that sport a cornucopia of colourfully painted terraced houses. Often within the myriad of colour there is a Dove Grey home, a bastion of calm and elegance punctuating the kaleidoscope of rampant colour surrounding it. My own house is not Dove Grey but a sort of French Green Grey, called L’air du Temps - I’m obviously not that chic!

Let’s move on to Option 3!

Yes you guessed it - a Tote Bag. I have to say I like a tote bag, you can never have enough, they come in handy for shopping trips, holding small craft projects, storing beloved stash etc.

Our commemorative ADVENT Tote is black with a large colour Urban Purl logo and the words ADVENT 2024 on one side (not shown on sample) and blank on the other. It’s made from sturdy cotton canvas at a heavier weight than most Tote’s.

Violet, Indigo & Gold

Violet and purple are often used to illuminate architecture and concrete monolithic structures, creating a surreal but sophisticated space for your eyes to dwell. Dark Indigo and Purple are also associated with the 6th and 7th chakras respectively, and if we’re talking chakras then Gold or orange represents the 2nd chakra too. I used to be into chakras and crystal healing (in a former life)

However, it was the image of the London Eye, centred in the image montage, bathed in violet against that murky amber sky that caught my creative eye, and will remain there until I bring it to life and dye it.

Optional Extra #2

To recap, we have;

• the standard box, with a choice of yarn bases

• optional extra #1 - Kid Mohair Lace in a choice of the 6 semi solid colours

• optional extra #2 - Stitch Markers!!

A lovely customer put me on to this artisan brand Purlsmith, and I’m so glad she did. I absolutely love these beauties, they are so gorgeous! I also love the synergy of our brand names! I’m pretty sure they are currently not available in the UK, so this will be an exclusive!

Let me introduce you to Purlsmith - the talented Becky is the artisan maker and owner behind the brand. She makes the most wonderful stitch marker charms using freshwater pearls, shells and hand blown glass ‘dollops’! The charms have a double use and may be worn as jewellery too. Becky is based in Bend, Oregon, US., I’m so excited that she has very graciously agreed to supply the stitch markers for our ADVENT.

There will be a choice (again) of either;

• a 5 charm set, size up to 6mm in dark plum/green

• a 6 charm set, size up to 4mm in greens/gold

Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger, Persimon & Mace

Aromatic fragrances of mulled wine, fruit cakes, mince pies and clove infused apples & oranges are obligatory during the seasonal holidays.

For my inspiration I was reminded of Christmas food markets, warm cinnamon buns and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. I delved into memories of favourite seasonal outings, walking in the crisp cold air along the Regents Canal from The Great Western Bridge to Camden Lock, via Little Venice. Warming up on our journey with sweetly fragrant mulled beverages in front of roaring pub hearths.

Main Yarn colours for this palette:

• Semi Solid - One of the darker intense colours but not the darkest (Clove)

• Variegated Speckle - Persimmon & Mace with speckles of Clove, Cinnamon and Ginger

As well as the 12 x 50g skeins for the standard box, there are optional extras to augment your box.

• 50g skeins of Kid Mohair Lace will be available to order, only offered in the 6 intense semi-solid colours.

NB: Please note; these can only be ordered along with your ADVENT Box. They will be listed separately in the shop, but clearly marked ADVENT and will be in the ADVENT tab at the top of the store page or linked at the bottom of the main ADVENT page

LONDON LIGHTS ADVENT 2024

Burgundy, Carmine, Fire Brick, Concrete Grey, Putty Pink

Red represents the St George’s Cross and the Sword on the City of London Flag - the Sword is said to represent the sword that beheaded St Paul - the patron saint of the City.

Burgundy, Carmine & Fire Brick Red, the first 2 shades have Blue undertones but are deep enough to sit happily with the warmth of Fire Brick Red supported by a neutral dark concrete grey and a cool toned putty pink

Jewel Tone - Carmine Red/ Burgundy- Top 2 colours

Variegated Speckle - A faded Putty Pink base with Fire Brick and deep burgundy, carmine and charcoal

The theme for our first Advent(ure) is London Lights (@Christmas)

In my opinion Carnaby Street in London often has the most fun, joyous and quite frankly bonkers light installations at Christmas. London during the Christmas season can be a magical place in spite of it’s over developed urbanism.

Inspired by the city as usual, I wanted to create a set of palettes that conveyed that magic, and it’s many different characters. To me, London at night with it’s characterful streets and twinkling lights always evoke excitement, wonder and the thrill of something new or different often against a pervading moodiness.

So our theme for the very first Urban Purl Advent aims to celebrate London and its diverse array of moods and guises. From the busy hustle and bustle, to the minimalist concrete brutalism of the Barbican to the regency grandeur of Belgravia and the epic open spaces of Hampstead and Richmond as well as the plethora of the cities parks.

The pictures to the right are not representative of the final colours but just for vibe and overall flavour that I will be endeavouring to capture - Mood Boards and colour palettes will be published soon and will consist of my usual dark jewel tones and variegated speckles. So we’re staying on brand.

I do hope you like what I come up with. More information will follow in the next week or so.

Be a part of our first ever

Advent Box in 2024

If you’re a newsletter subscriber or follow us on Instagram you will have received a Newsletter/Post asking for suggestions, ideas and comments on your vision of what makes a great Advent Yarn Box

The responses thus far have been illuminating, and as we all may have guessed, the yarn is the primary component, so no surprise there. But somewhat Interestingly, the extras are considered to be welcome treats, and non essential to most of you. However, I think you would miss them if they weren’t included. It just wouldn’t be an advent box without the option of them.

THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED CLOUD 9

We have had a lot of requests for pattern ideas for this lovely new to the market yarn base. It is unique and there isn’t really anything else like it out there.

Listed below are just some of the pattern ideas we think would be great to show off this beautiful yarn. with links to their pattern pages on Ravelry

Alternatively you can head over to Ravelry search my favourites for the Bundle: Cloud 9 ideas to get a more comprehensive list

Summer Light - Julie Knits in Paris

Stockholm Slipover - Petit Knits

The Wisp Tank - Caitlin Hunter - release date soon

Spring Chicken - Beata Jazek

Moon Bumps - Maxim Cyr

Velvet Mirror Cowl - Andrea Mowry

UNRAVEL FESTIVAL 2024 - Farnham

And here we are again! 2024 - and the New Year brings us Unravel Festival of yarn again!

We are so excited but super busy dyeing up goodies for the show, and getting things ready.

More information regarding the show will be published here and in our Newsletter, make sure you sign up as subscribers get news first regarding offers and ticket prizes for the show

Follow the link below to book your tickets or remember to check in to my instagram for the latest on Complementary or Discounted show tickets.

New Yarn - It’s a Chunky one!

Let me introduce you to our beautiful new chunky weight yarn - BUXOM! We’ve had this yarn on the back burner for quite a while because I wanted to release her at the right time, which seemed like now!

She’s 100% merino plied plushy gorgeousness, takes dye incredibly well and teams up beautifully with other yarns like our Silk Mohair Lace, as see in the pic above.

Buxom is perfect for those heavier autumnal and winter knits, hats, cardigans, scarves and sweaters, knitting up super fast, especially when using larger sized needles.

If you head over to my Ravelry page linked below - you will find some pattern ideas that will be perfect partners for this stunning new chunky weight yarn.

Yarn Specs : 100% Superwash Merino 100m/100g

Namaste Sock

We will be taking a curated palette of our beautiful Namaste Sock base to the Knitting & Stitching Show In October.

Namaste Sock is a divine blend of Merino, Silk and heavenly Yak creating a smooth, soft slightly silky yarn with a bit of bite and sheen. The yarn is mid taupe colour in its raw natural state, making any colours slightly darker, deeper and more intense.

I adore knitting with this yarn it’s has super stitch definition, works really well combined with other yarns such as Kid Mohair Lace, looks and feels luxurious.

We have curated a limited colour palette that we think works really well together if you want to pair up colours. You can see the full collection at the K & S Show, Ally Pally in London Oct 5-8