A&P Advent 2023
This winter we’re planning on curling up on our sofas and settling down to some serious knitting. The very lovely Jo Elizabeth May, a patient saint and puppeteer extraordinaire has, painted us the perfect scene from our rather vague description and some photos of Nicola under her quilt with granny’s rather grumpy teddy.
The Advent has the choice of two yarn bases, either our Classic Sock, marvellous for all sorts of knitting or crochet, or our luxurious Merino & Silk Single for some very indulgent winter projects.
The 24 colours will be inspired by the painting and be a mix of semi-solid, variegated and speckles in earthy shades of terracotta, moss and damson.
Open one each day in the run up to Christmas or save them up and splurge to cheer up the wintery days of the New Year.
You will receive
24 x 20g on your chosen base with the option to add a 100g skein in the same base.
Each skein will be individually wrapped and numbered.
Plus a few extra surprises.
Postage: This is a pre-order. International orders will be posted tracked and or signed for (depending on country) in October. UK orders will be posted tracked and signed for in early November. Please don’t order anything else with the advent as they will all be posted together.
Bases available:
Classic Sock: 100g/365m, 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon.
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Merino & Silk Single – 100g./400 m., 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent.
A&P Alpaca & Silk 4 Ply
Soft and silky alpaca made even more silky with the addition of, well, silk. Alpaca is lighter and softer than wool and has a beautiful drape but lacks its elasticity. The silk adds strength and a gentle sheen to the yarn which makes the most beautiful shawls and scarves and is brilliant for lace work.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 100g./400 m.
Fibre – 70% Alpaca, 30% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P BFL Masham 4 ply
White Blue Faced Leicester wool blended with brown Masham to give a soft, 4 ply weight, slightly heathered yarn that is then hand dyed. Sourced from the UK and spun in Yorkshire this rustic yarn knits up in to a light and lofty fabric that is soft enough to be worn next to the skin.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 400 m./approx 100g
Fibre – 75% British BFL, 25% British Masham
Washing – Hand wash only using a mild detergent. This yarn is not super wash treated and will felt.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P BFL Masham DK
White Blue Faced Leicester wool blended with brown Masham to give a soft, DK weight, slightly heathered yarn that is then hand dyed. Sourced from the UK and spun in Yorkshire this rustic yarn knits up in to a light and lofty fabric that is soft enough to be worn next to the skin. It is used for our Heart’s End Hat Pattern here.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – approx 100g./240 m.
Fibre – 75% British BFL, 25% British Masham
Washing – Hand wash only using a mild detergent. This yarn is not super wash treated and will felt.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Classic DK Sock
A double knit version of our popular Classic Sock. Merino and nylon are spun to give a beautifully soft, plump yarn that’s perfect for hardwearing clothes and accessories. It has great stitch definition and takes up colour brilliantly. From non mulesed merino.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 100g./243 m.
Fibre – 80% super wash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Classic Sock
A hand dyed 2 ply, fingering weight merino and nylon blend for beautifully soft and durable socks, hats and other accessories. This plump little yarn gives great stitch definition and takes up the colour brilliantly. From non mulesed merino.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 100g./365 m.
Fibre – 80% super wash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Classic Sock Mini Skeins
Hand dyed little skeins of our Classic Sock. The same soft, high twist yarn in dinky 20g skeins giving you five colours to play with. For small projects, contrasting heels and toes, borders or stripes, what ever takes your fancy or you could try our Lewes mitten pattern.
Ball weight and length – Total approx. 100g./365 m (5x20g./73m)
Recommended needle – 2.25mm
Fibre – 80% Superwash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Club Box
Summer has been very slow coming to our neck of the woods, but after a halting start it finally seems to have arrived and the sweet peas are beginning to climb their wigwam. It will be a while yet before they flower so we’ve used last years crop as inspiration for our new club box.
As well as your choice of a 100g skein of Classic Sock or Merino & Silk Single there will be a pea inspired embroidered project and something a little extra.
Remember to keep the card enclosed with the box for the links to the pdfs.
Bases available:
Classic Sock: 100g/365m, 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon.
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Merino & Silk Single – 100g./400 m., 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent.
Postal date: 21st June
Items ordered at the same time as the Club Box will be posted with the box on the 21st June.
The gallery pictures show previous single box contents and the two bases together so that you can see how the yarns take the dyes. There’s also a blog post about the first one here
A&P Hand Dyed Sock Sets
Hand-dyed sock sets: a full skein of sock yarn with a complementary mini skein for stripes, heels, toes or what ever else takes your fancy.
Classic Sock
Skein weight and length – 100g./365 m. + 20g/73m.
Fibre – 80% super wash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
A&P Merino & Kid Mohair Single 4 Ply
A blend of merino and kid mohair spun into a single strand that gives a warm, light fabric with a light sheen and a soft halo. Incredibly soft it can be knitted on larger needles than usual as the mohair fluff fills in the gaps. Ideal for garments and accessories.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 100g./400 m.
Fibre – 56% Superwash Merino, 44% Kid Mohair
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Merino & Mohair Sock
A hand dyed four ply, fingering weight merino, kid mohair and nylon blend for beautifully soft and durable socks, hats and other accessories. This kid mohair gives the yarn a slight halo but the four tightly twisted plies give a smooth even stitch and gives great stitch definition. From non mulesed merino.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 100g./400 m.
Fibre – 55% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 25% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Merino & Mohair Sock Sets
A hand dyed four ply, fingering weight merino, kid mohair and nylon blend for beautifully soft and durable socks, hats and other accessories. This kid mohair gives the yarn a slight halo but the four tightly twisted plies give a smooth even stitch and gives great stitch definition. From non mulesed merino.
Ball weight and length – 100g./400 m. + 19g/76m.
Fibre – 55% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 25% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Merino & Silk Single
A single ply yarn in luxurious merino and silk hand dyed by us in small batches. The yarn is incredibly soft with a light lustre and is a fantastic choice for shawls and cowls the silk content giving it a beautiful drape.
Pattern suggestions
Shipping Forecast here
Cornish Thrift Top here
Cornish Thrift Shawl here
Ball weight and length – 100g./400 m.
Fibre – 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent.
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
A&P Mohair & Silk Lace
Luxuriously fluffy, hand dyed kid mohair blended with silk. Use it on it’s own or double it up with another yarn to add halo and softness without weight.
If you like a colour but there’s not enough in stock please contact us here for dye to order.
Ball weight and length – 50g/420m
Fibre – 72% Kid Mohair, 28% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a gentle detergent
Ainsworth & Prin yarn is hand dyed in small batches. We try to achieve consistent colours but each skein is unique so when using more than one skein of a colour in a project we really recommend alternating skeins every couple of rows.
A&P Morris & Co. Classic Sock Mini Skeins
We’ve always admired the timelessness of the designs of Morris & Co so they were a natural starting point when thinking of themes for our first series of letterbox minis.
Five beautiful minis, wrapped in tissue with the inspirational William Morris postcard. Knit or crochet as you fancy into edgings and borders or as socks, mittens and hats.
Our first month’s colours are inspired by the design Mary Isobel, released by Morris & Co circa 1890 and designed for them by John Henry Dearle.
This yarn is ready to post.
Skein weight and length – Total approx. 100g./365 m (5x20g./73m)
Recommended needle – 2.25mm
Fibre – 80% Superwash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
A&P Seraph Mitt Kits
The colour work pattern is charted.
Contents: Printed pattern with charted fair isle, 4 balls of Jamieson & Smith 2 ply jumper weight
Ball weight and length – 25g./115 m/125 yds
Fibre – 100% Real Shetland Wool
Hand wash – Hand wash using a mild detergent.
A&P Winter Berries Sock Set
Hand-dyed sock sets: a full skein of sock yarn with two complementary mini skeins for stripes, heels, toes or what ever else takes your fancy.
Classic Sock – 100g./365 m. + 20g/73m
Fibre – 80% super wash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
A&P Winter Storm Sock Set
Hand-dyed sock sets: a full skein of sock yarn with two complementary mini skeins for stripes, heels, toes or what ever else takes your fancy.
Classic Sock – 100g./365 m. + 20g/73m
Fibre – 80% super wash merino, 20% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Ainsworth & Prin Bunny Sock Blockers
Up your game in sock blocking with these bunny blockers available as pairs or singles in three different sizes. Cut from FSC approved birch plywood, sanded and treated with a beeswax finish they have been described as “adorable”, “useful” and “simply splendid”
Large
Width of foot at widest point 9.5cm
Length of foot 25cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 37 cm from ear to heel
Medium
Width of foot at widest point 9 cm
Length of foot 23 cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 37 cm from ear to heel
Small
Width of foot at widest point 8.2 cm
Length of foot 21.5 cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 36 cm from ear to heel
Ainsworth & Prin Bunny Sock Blockers Seconds
Over the years we’ve amassed a small stack of our Bunny Sock Blockers that don’t quite meet the grade. This maybe because the drying holes haven’t been cut quite straight, because there’s a filled hole on the back or because the wood was snagged while cutting but they are all still perfectly useable and if they are unwaxed they can also be personalised.
Nicola has written a blog post about different techniques here, but really you can try anything, Tattooed bunnies anyone?
The price is for one blocker.
Large
Width of foot at widest point 9.5cm
Length of foot 25cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 37 cm from ear to heel
Medium
Width of foot at widest point 9 cm
Length of foot 23 cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 37 cm from ear to heel
Small
Width of foot at widest point 8.2 cm
Length of foot 21.5 cm from heel to toe
Length of leg 36 cm from ear to heel
Made from FSC approved birch ply
Treated with beeswax
Ainsworth & Prin Mouse Mitten Blocker
For perfect mittens everyone needs mouse mitten blockers. Made from FSC approved, 5mm birch ply each one is sanded and waxed to give a smooth, snag free surface. The holes are for speedy drying.
Length from taper to tip 18cm
Width at widest point 8cm
Overall length 28.5 cm
Made from birch ply
Treated with beeswax
Ainsworth & Prin Needle and Tension Gauge
Made for us, by the super talented Clear Cut Creations, these gauges are an updated version of an old favourite. With one of these in your work bag there is no excuse for playing guess the needle and not doing a tension square.
The wood has been sourced from sustainable resources and is covered by the Forestry Stewardship Council scheme.
Size 174 x 186 mm
Bone Buttons
4 x 20mm four holed, traditional bone buttons. As they are made from a natural product the colour is variable, just mention in the comments box at the checkout if you’d prefer dark or light and we’ll try to pick them for you.
Machine washable.
We found that these buttons needed at least a two stitch buttonhole when made with 4ply yarn.
Compton Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
The heart, the universal symbol of love and affection. The entwined cables on this jumper were inspired by the hearth at the centre of the home of G.F Watts and his wife Mary in Compton, Surrey. He was the most important painter of his day and she a leading proponent of the Arts & Crafts movement and creator of the astonishing Watts Chapel.
SIZES
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9: 10)
Finished Measurements: 84 (91: 98: 105: 112) (124: 131: 137: 144: 151) cm / 33 (36: 381⁄2: 41: 44) (481⁄2: 511⁄2: 54: 561⁄2: 591⁄2) in.
Suggested ease 5-10cm / 2-6 in.
Sample shown with 10 cm / 4in ease.
TENSION
23 sts and 33 rounds to 10cm over reverse st st using 3.75mm needles and after blocking.
28 sts and 33 rounds to 10cm over 2×2 Rib using 3.75mm needles, measured slightly stretched and after blocking.
One repeat of Heart pattern measures 9cm at the widest point x 12cm high using 3.75mm needles and after blocking.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin BFL Masham (DK weight; 75% Blue Faced Leicester wool, 25% Masham wool; 240m/262yds per 100g skein).
4 (5: 5: 5: 5) (6: 6: 6: 7: 7) skeins
approx 828 (905: 961: 1083: 1165) (1277: 1348: 1410: 1551: 1654) m / 906 (990: 1051: 1185: 1275) (1397: 1475: 1542: 1697: 1809) yds.
vailable here
Concorde Hat – Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
The graphic patterning of this hat reminds us of the iconic silhouette of the passenger jet Concorde. Our Father worked on the electronics so we would all dive outside to see it fly over in the 70s and 80s. Knit in the round the pattern is charted.
Size: Two sizes, Medium – to fit adult head 56cm/22in, Large – to fit adult head 61cm/24in
Hat circumference at widest point: 48cm/19in (56cm/22in)
Length from brim to crown: 24cm/91⁄2in (25cm/10in)
Tension:30 stitches and 32 rounds over stranded colour work pattern after blocking
Yarn – Ainsworth & Prin BFL Masham 4 ply
Concorde Mittens – Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
These mittens came into being as a quick gift for a friend who wanted some traditional looking mittens similar to the ones she wore as a child and if they gave me the opportunity to try out some new techniques then all the better.
Knit in the round you start off with a provisional cast on and then work a panel of stranded colour work. The hem is folded up to enclose the floats and the cuff is topped with a Latvian braid. The main body of the mitten is worked with the yarn held double to keep your hands snug and warm and to make for a surprisingly quick knit.
They used approx. 60g of the main colour and 10g of contrast.
The pattern is one size – to fit hand circumference: 18-20cm / (7-8in)
Tension: 23 stitches and 34 rows = 10 cm in Stocking Stitch with yarn held double
Cornish Thrift Shawl Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
The Cornish Thrift Shawl looks fabulous in two shades of hand dyed yarn, highlighting all the subtle changes in colour. There is the option for a two or three skein version.
The shawl starts with just three stitches and increases are made on the wrong side along one edge. Place a locking stitch marker on the wrong side of the work early on to identify on which side increases are made.
A larger needle and contrasting yarn are used to work the Thrift pattern. To help you keep track of when to increase, note one stitch is increased for every garter ridge or stripe of Thrift cluster stitches.
To make the most of your yarn if you have any remaining you can continue in pattern for the final sections of Thrift Stitch and Garter Stitch.
If using the recommended yarn, the shawl can be wet blocked to open up the texture stitches and give you the largest size possible.
SIZES
3 skein Shawl
Wingspan: 194cm (761⁄2 in) Depth: 96cm (373⁄4 in)
2 skein Shawl
Wingspan: 144cm (561⁄2 in) Depth: 89cm (35 in)
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin Merino and Silk Single (4ply weight; 70% superwash Merino wool, 30% Silk; 400m/437yds per 100g skein) yarn available here
3 skien shawl
MC: Cinnabar; 2 x 100g skeins CC: Mrs Dalloway 1 x 100g skein
2 skein shawl
MC: Winter in Narnia; 1 x 100g skein CC: Feather 1 x 100g skein
TENSION
22sts and 40 rows to 10cm worked over garter stitch using 3.5mm needles.
22sts and 32 rows to 10cm worked over Thrift Pattern using 4.5mm needles.
Measure stretched and after blocking. You may need smaller or larger needles to match tension.
Cornish Thrift Top Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
The Top is a simple vest style which highlights a special hand dyed yarn with a deep border of Thrift Stitch.
SIZES
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9: 10)
8 (10:12: 14: 16) (18: 20: 22: 24: 26)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
83½ (89: 94½: 100:105½) (110: 115: 121: 126: 132)cm / 33 (35: 37¼: 39½:41½) (43¼: 45¼: 47½: 49½: 52) in.
TENSION
29 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over st st using 3.25mm needles.
29 sts and 34 rows to 10cm over Thrift Pattern using 3.5mm needles.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin Merino and Silk Single (4ply weight; 70% superwash Merino wool, 30% silk; 400m/437yds per 100g skein) available here.
2 (2:3:3:3) (3:3:3:4:4) x 100g skeins
736 (788: 844: 904: 972) (1020: 1080: 1144: 1204: 1256) m
805 (862: 923: 989: 1063)(1115: 1181: 1251: 1317: 1374) yds
Sample knitted in Mrs Dalloway
Corozo Button
5 x 15mm buttons with four holes and a flat rim. Made from corozo also known as tagua nut the surface of the button is durable, scratch resistant and has a subtle pattern.
Machine washable.
We found that these buttons needed a one stitch buttonhole when made in a 4ply yarn.
Corozo Button, metal shank
5 x 15mm buttons with a bronze coloured metal shank. Made from corozo also known as tagua nut the surface of the button is durable, scratch resistant and has a subtle pattern.
Machine washable.
We found that these buttons needed a one stitch buttonhole when made in a 4ply yarn.
Flinty Socks
This is a Printed Pattern
Flinty are ideal socks to knit on the go. There’s an easy to remember four row lace panel that runs down the outside of the leg and a nubby, texture pattern. Knit them in a special skein of hand dyed sock yarn or swap the texture pattern for stocking stitch and knit them with contrasting heels, toes.
Size: Three sizes:
To fit foot circumference 19.5 (22: 24.5)cm / 73⁄4 (8¾: 9¾)in
Actual circumference of sock after blocking 17 (19.5: 22) cm / 6¾ (7¾: 8¾)in
Tension: 33 sts and 48 rounds to 10cm / 4″ worked over Stocking Stitch using 2.25mm / US 1 needles, measured after blocking.
Yarn: Ainsworth & Prin Classic Sock (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon; 365m per 100g skein) which can be found here
Gift Card
Can’t decide what to buy? Need a gift for a fibre friend?
The fabulous Jo Elizabeth May has immortalised the dye shed for us and we can send out a gift card with personalised discount codes to save you from all the indecision.
All you have to do is choose how much you’d like to spend and pop any message and the recipient’s address in the ‘order notes’ box at the bottom of the checkout page. We’ll send out an A6 card to the address given.
