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 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 Club Box
Photograph by Morten Solemsli
This month it’s all about the bees, as well as your choice of a 100g skein of Classic Sock, Merino & Mohair Sock or Merino & Silk Single there will be a bee inspired, sewing 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.
Merino & Mohair Sock – 100g./400 m., 55% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 25% nylon
Washing – Machine washable on a gentle wool cycle using a mild detergent or hand wash.
Postal date: 25th August
Items ordered at the same time as the Club Box will be posted with the box on the 25th August.
The gallery pictures show previous single box contents and the two of the 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 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.
September and we’re trying to hold on to summer for just that little bit longer with Golden Lily. The sample is our Lewes mitt and can be found here
August and it’s possibly William Morris’ most famous design, Strawberry Thief. Dating from 1883 and inspired by birds stealing strawberries from the garden.
July and the honeysuckle is out in the hedgerows and this month’s William Morris design is appropriately Honeysuckle first printed in 1876. A five skein fade from a burnt orange splashed peach through to a cool moss.
June’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.
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
Five 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.
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.
Metal solid shank buttons
5 x 15mm metal buttons with a shank in either old silver or bronze colour.
Machine washable.
We found that these buttons needed a one stitch buttonhole when made in a 4ply yarn.
Mirage
This is a Printed Pattern
Like a mirage the pattern shifts, meets in the middle and mirrors itself. Just two colours are used in the stranded colour work section in an easily memorised pattern with the option of long or short sleeves.
Size: Ten sizes
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9: 10)
Finished Measurements: 90 (98.5: 103: 107: 111.5) (115.5: 120: 124.5: 133: 137) cm / 35½ (38¾: 40½: 42¼: 44) (45½: 47¼: 49: 52¼: 54) in.
Suggested ease 5-10cm / 2-4 in.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin BFL Masham 4ply (4ply weight; 75% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 25% Masham wool; 400m / 437yds per 100g skein).
Short sleeved version:
A: Ointment
2 (2: 2: 2: 2) (2: 2: 2: 3: 3) x 100g skeins
B: Regal
1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (2: 2: 2: 2: 2) x 100g skeins
C: Barley Twist
1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (1: 2: 2: 2: 2) x 100g skeins
Long sleeved version:
A: Storm Brewing
2 (2: 2: 3: 3) (3: 3: 3: 3: 3) x 100g skeins
B: Figgy Pudding
1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (2: 2: 2: 2: 2) x 100g skeins
C: Newly Minted
1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (1: 2: 2: 2: 2) x 100g skeins
TENSION – measured after blocking
28 sts and 37 rounds to 10cm over stocking stitch using 3.25mm / US 3 needles.
28 sts and 37 rounds to 10cm over stranded colourwork using 3.5mm / US 4 needles.
Miss Havisham – Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
I can imagine Charles Dickens’ Miss Havisham wearing these mittens. In her faded and tattered finery, the heart motif is taken from a fire surround at the Watts Gallery, the home of G F Watts a contemporary of Dickens and just as famous in his time.
The pattern is one size – to fit hand circumference: 18-20cm / (7-8in)
Tension: One repeat of the heart pattern measures 9.5cm/3¾in in length 7cm/2¾in at its widest point.
Yarn – approx 50g of Ainsworth & Prin Classic Sock available here
Natural Horn Buttons
Polished, chunky, two holed buttons made from natural horn. As these are made from natural horn they do vary in colour. If you’d prefer dark or light please mention in the checkout comments and we’ll try to do our best.
Machine washable.
Large: 20 – 25mm, price is for one button
Small: 15mm, price is for two buttons
We found that these buttons needed at least a two stitch buttonhole for the small button and three stitch for the large when made in a 4ply yarn.
Novelty buttons
Novelty buttons for children’s knitwear or for when you just fancy something a little bit whimsical for yourself. Machine washable.
Pear shaped safety pins
These life-changing little pins will become your best friend whether for knitting or crochet. Cheap enough not to worry you if they rattle up the vacuum cleaner these little pins can be used as either locking or moveable stitch markers that can be personalised by you.
Twenty pins in a packet.
Pierced metal shank buttons
4 x 18mm metal buttons with a shank in a bronze colour.
Machine washable.
We found that these buttons needed a two stitch buttonhole when made with 4ply yarn.
Pressed Metal Brooches
Pressed from metal using antique plates these original brooches have a pin fastening. The pressing allows the fine detail in the plates to show through beautifully.
Seraph Mittens – Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
Ideal for using up small amounts of Shetland yarn Seraph Mitts would make a great, quickly knitted gift. They are worked in the round with an ‘afterthought thumb’ made by picking uptake stitches from waste yarn. The colour work pattern is charted.
Requires four colours of Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight.
Women’s Small (Medium and Large), to fit hands with a circumference of 15-17cm/6½in (18-20cm/7-7¾in and 20.5-22.5cm/8-8¾in)
Tension: 28 stitches and 31 rounds = 10 cm over chart pattern after washing and blocking
Yarn – Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight available here
We also sell kits complete with pattern here
Seraph Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
Seraph is influenced by the rich colours used in the decoration of the Arts and Crafts Watt’s Chapel in Surrey. It uses eight shades of Jamieson & Smith’s 2ply Jumper Weight Shetland Wool and has contrast colour cast-ons and garter stitch edgings. Charted colour work.
Sizes:
1 (2: 3: 4: 5)
Finished Measurements: 85.5 (96: 106.5: 117.5: 128) cm / 33¾ (37¾: 42: 46¼: 50½)in.
Suggested ease 5-10cm/2-6 in.
Tension:
30 sts and 32 rounds and rows to 10cm over Chart patt using 3.25mm needles.
YARN: Jamieson & Smith Shetland 2 ply Jumper Weight
Ball weight and length – 25g./115 m/125 yds
Fibre – 100% Real Shetland Wool
Machine washable – Hand wash using a mild detergent.
Jamieson & Smith Shetland 2 ply Jumper Weight can be found here
Kits for the Seraph Jumper including the pattern and all the yarn can be found here.
Shell Buttons
One of the oldest materials used for buttons, shell is durable and washable.
Shepherds Purse
This is a Printed Pattern
A light-as-air top to wear over a floaty dress on a cool summer evening, or with a long-sleeved t-shirt if the weather is not as warm as it should be!
Size: Nine sizes
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9)
Finished Measurements: 86 (94: 101.5: 109.5: 117) (125: 133: 141: 148.5) cm / 33¾ (37: 40: 43: 46) (49¼: 52¼: 55½: 58½) in.
Suggested ease 7.5-15cm / 3-6 in.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin Merino & Kid Mohair Single (4ply weight; 56% Superwash Merino Wool, 44% Kid Mohair; 400m / 437yds per 100g skein).
2 (3: 3: 3: 4) (4: 4: 4: 5) skeins
Samples knitted in Rose Chiffon (pale) and Tiger Eye (dark)
TENSION – measured after blocking
23 sts and 42 rounds to 10cm over Broken Moss Stitch using 3.5mm / US4 needles.
Shipping Forecast Printed Pattern
This is a Printed Pattern
A bright breezy t-shirt with a nod to sweatshirt styling. The stripes give a nautical air and take a 90-degree turn at the centre front by working an easy slip stitch pattern.
SIZES
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9: 10)
Finished Measurements 83.5 (89: 94.5: 103: 108: 114: 119: 122: 127.5: 133)cm / 33 (35: 37¼: 40½: 42½: 45: 47: 48: 50¼: 52½)in.
TENSION
29 sts and 40 rows to 10cm over st st using 3.25mm needles and after blocking.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin Merino and Silk Single (4ply weight; 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk; 400m/437yds per 100g skein) available here
Main Colour (MC) 2 (2: 3: 3: 3) (3: 3: 3: 4: 4) x 100g skeins.
Approx 714 (759: 817: 936: 993) (1039: 1116: 1209: 1292: 1363)m / 780 (830: 893: 1024: 1086) (1136: 1220: 1322: 1412: 1490) yds.
Contrast Colour (CC) 1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (1: 1: 1: 1: 1) x 100g skein
Approx 162 (174: 185: 200: 214) (225: 240: 256: 281: 291)m / 177 (190: 202: 219: 234) (246: 263: 280: 307: 318)yds.
The blue is Tide and Lime Mortar, the red is Redwing and Milk & Honey.
Shipping Forecast Yarn Pack
A bright breezy t-shirt with a nod to sweatshirt styling. The stripes give a nautical air and take a 90-degree turn at the centre front by working an easy slip stitch pattern.
Pack 1 has enough yarn for the first two sizes: 2 x 100g Tide, 1 x 100g Lime Mortar, plus pattern
Pack 2 has enough yarn for size three to size eight: 3 x 100g Tide, 1 x 100g Lime Mortar, plus pattern
Pack 3 has enough yarn for size nine to size ten: 4 x 100g Tide, 1 x 100g Lime Mortar, plus pattern
SIZES
1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9: 10)
Finished Measurements 83.5 (89: 94.5: 103: 108: 114: 119: 122: 127.5: 133)cm / 33 (35: 37¼: 40½: 42½: 45: 47: 48: 50¼: 52½)in.
TENSION
29 sts and 40 rows to 10cm over st st using 3.25mm needles and after blocking.
YARN
Ainsworth & Prin Merino and Silk Single (4ply weight; 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk; 400m/437yds per 100g skein) available here
Main Colour (MC) 2 (2: 3: 3: 3) (3: 3: 3: 4: 4) x 100g skeins.
Approx 714 (759: 817: 936: 993) (1039: 1116: 1209: 1292: 1363)m / 780 (830: 893: 1024: 1086) (1136: 1220: 1322: 1412: 1490) yds.
Contrast Colour (CC) 1 (1: 1: 1: 1) (1: 1: 1: 1: 1) x 100g skein
Approx 162 (174: 185: 200: 214) (225: 240: 256: 281: 291)m / 177 (190: 202: 219: 234) (246: 263: 280: 307: 318)yds.
Ball weight and length – approx 100g./400 m.
Fibre – 70% Merino, 30% Silk
Washing – Hand wash only using a mild detergent.
