Northern Yarn

01/06/2026

Well apologies folks; the turn in the weather is my fault - I decided (uncharacteristically) to knit a summer top!!! I was lucky enough to get away last week and wanted a light project in a yarn that wouldn’t mind slightly sweaty hands! Meet by - the pattern is really well written and I love the way the yarn (Erika Knight Studio Linen) matched the sand, shells and buildings we visited last week! 🐚 I’m just finishing the back then I’ll join in the round to finish the body. I didn’t quite get gauge but am knitting a bigger size to compensate. (Quick project decision day before we left!) The yarn has amazing drape and if we get any more sun this year, it’ll be perfect; breathable and cool.

Meanwhile the earth probably needed a drink so I’ll embrace the rain and don a cardi again 🧶

19/05/2026

Wasn’t sure how to write this in a way that made the most sense!! But we’re closed for the Bank Holiday as usual, then open Tuesday 26th May, then closed Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, open Saturday 30th May! Clear as mud?!

19/05/2026

Almost 10 years ago I made my first pair of socks using Winwick Mum’s basic sock pattern - I was sitting on my market stall and couldn’t believe I’d managed to turn a heel! When I opened the shop Christine came along cheering me on and I was absolutely thrilled when a design came along using my first single breed Poll Dorset lambswool yarn! (Link in comments to pattern) It was so good to be able to share our 10th shop anniversary together on Saturday - you’ve been with me along the journey Christine, women supporting women 🧡 Click through to read the latest blog with notes from the garden and our journey 🧶

There's a new post out on the blog ... gardening, yarn - and the Northern Yarn 10th birthday party! 🎉

Northern Yarn isn't my local yarn shop but I feel a strong connection to Kate and the shop thanks to her very first British breeds yarn and one of my sock patterns! You can read more about it - and about a very special new sock yarn - in today's post.

The link is in the comments :)

16/05/2026

Introducing Lune - our first sock yarn!!!! It’s a lovely way to celebrate our 10 years in business anniversary and I can’t wait to show it off. Named for our river that winds its way through Lancaster, Lune comes from the Brittonic word for ‘healthy and pure’ and it’s a quiet wish for our polluted rivers to run clean and healthy again. 🍃

Lune is a blend of shearling Aberfield (Texel/BFL) Lonk (a native Lancastrian breed) Black Shetland and eco nylon. I’ve worn mine almost every day for months, including an 18 mile walk, and they’ve worn very well and kept my feet cosy and warm.

The Aberfield live out by Julbiliee Tower with Dusty, his wife Fiona and son Michael and family. Dusty works along side a river trust that flows through his land; installing leaky woody dams on some streams and planting a kested hedge amongst other regenerative methods, including flock reduction. The fleeces are magnificent! I pay Dusty more for his fleeces to support this work in a small way. 🐑

A major thing for me this time is that all the shades have been dyed using plant dyes, it’s something I’ve been trying to do on a bigger scale for years.. we’ve had some teething problems so there are a couple more shades to come! It does cost more to dye this way but I think it’s worth it for our planet 🍃

I hope you enjoy Lune 🧦

A huge thank you to Dave who designed the beautiful bands for Lune - they’re perfect! 🌊

And a big thank you to the team of friends and family who came to help me sort through the fleeces last year - it’s always a grounding and lovely way to spend a few hours 🧡

https://www.northernyarn.co.uk/collections/latest-arrivals/products/northern-yarn-lune-4-ply-sock-yarn

15/05/2026

Another treat for you!!!! Gorgeous project bags from Jackie who specialises in using traditional African prints with her handmade cotton bags, which come in different styles. I met Jackie at a couple of years ago and fell in love with the bright designs and had to have one! They’re all beautifully made, lined and of course have pockets inside - come and have a look and hop over to Jackie’s IG! We have a selection available online and in the shop 🧶

14/05/2026

Mowool!!!! This gorgeous brushed yarn arrived from Baa Ram Ewe yesterday ready for our birthday celebrations this weekend!!! 100% British wool spun to a 4 ply and brushed to make this fluffy, light yarn without the goat!

We have a fab range of colours and swatches (thank you ) for you to fall in love with - come and admire their halo! 😇

https://www.northernyarn.co.uk/products/baa-ram-ewe-mowool-4-ply?_pos=1&_sid=e887176af&_ss=r

13/05/2026

So this one has been a long time in the making! I can’t wait to tell you more about it but for now here a is a little peek! 👀 We’re having a shop celebration this Saturday 16th May and there are a few new yarns and accessories arriving this week. If you’re in town do pop in for cake and a chat - 10 years feels like a real milestone and you’re all to thank for being part of the journey! We’re open 10am - 4pm - see you then!

30/04/2026

Bittersweet news - the lovely Kate Schofield of Lancashire Farm Wools and Farm Yarn is retiring. Kate was one of the first people I found that was producing yarn made with fleeces from farms around Lancashire - in particular Silverdale & Trough of Bowland, supporting farmers that keep native breeds like Whitefaced Woodland. So this is last year’s clip, spun beautifully at - there are 4 blends, click through and read more about them. Natural, proper woolly with small bit of kemp that remind you where this fibre came from. Love it! But this is the very last of it - I had to buy it all!

Thank you Kate for all your woolly work - enjoy a well deserved retirement 🧡🐑

30/04/2026

If you bought a finger row counter from us recently please stop using it - these products have been recalled for elevated lead content. I’ve checked and the risk has been classed as ‘environmental’ - small risk but you shouldn’t use it, I’m really sorry! You can return these to the shop and I will dispose of it please follow these guide lines:

We would recommend:
• Taking the items to a local council household recycling centre that accepts small electrical items
• Using a WEEE or small electricals recycling point (often available at supermarkets or council waste sites)
• Not breaking the items open or attempting to remove the battery
• Washing hands after handling multiple units as a precaution

(And of course I will refund)

27/04/2026

Next Monday I’ll be joining Ruth walking from Lancaster to Arnside (18 miles!) to mark the day Ruth set off a year ago walking solo from Lancaster to Istanbul. Ruth raised over 60k for - the page is still open if you can, please donate. Since the ‘cease 🔥’ was announced 700+ people have been killed, over 2000 injured. Families are crowed into tents, no sewage infrastructure, limited safe water and food, no schools, medical facilities can barely offer pain killers - there is no peace or accountability. Follow with musician who together with his wife creates spaces for displaced children to come together and sing - they are the best of humans and recently spoke on about life in G a z a. 🧡 Come along next Monday and walk some (or all!) of the journey with us 🍉

https://www.justgiving.com/page/bigtrek4palestine?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL