Purlescence Cafe

Small warning

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:51:22 +0000

Just an alert, folks, I seem to be Coming Down With Something, which may delay order dispatch this week by a couple of days. Nothing serious (for me or you!) but if you've placed an order on Saturday or since, please be a leetle bit patient. You should still have it by the end of the week. If I have reason to expect different, you'll hear from me.

Sale!

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:16:21 +0000

Aaaaand... it's up.

Christmas closing, and Open House reminder

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:48:49 +0000

It's almost upon us! Monday is Royal Mail's recommended last posting day for Christmas. We'll still be dispatching those panicked last-minute packages on Tuesday, but then are heading off to Switzerland. (I had thought we'd be treating Claudia to her first sight of snow, but it seems we could actually be leaving the white Christmas behind us!)

We'll be back on 28 December. Until then, the shop stays open but orders placed now will only be posted on our return. Don't count on emails being answered before then, either. Rather, look ahead in anticipation to the fabulous January sale... and of course, for those in the area, to the first Open House event of 2010: taking place on 2 January, giving you a first shot at the sale bargains. (The online sale starts on Sunday 3rd.) As usual it's from 3-6pm on Saturday afternoon, at my home in Isleworth, west London, easily accessible by public transport; please leave a comment or email me if you'd like to be added to the Open House mailing list for full details.

Since this is the sale preview, there won't be any other OH special offers, but there is free swag. You can take your purchases home in one of these.

See you then!

Last-minute Christmas announcements

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:32:19 +0000

I suppose with two weeks to go, it's a bit soon to be talking about "last minute", but somehow it feels to me as if the holidays are practically upon us... which makes a change, really, from my usual pattern of thinking it's MONTHS away until, suddenly, it's Christmas Eve. Anyway. Three things.

Open House swag!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:47:25 +0000

The first of the new-style Open House parties is this weekend. Wanna know what we have in store?

Ed Jenkins circulars... now a collector's item

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:56:32 +0000

If you happen to visit Ed Jenkins' website these days, you may notice the distressing announcement that he is no longer making the exotic wood, fine-gauge, super-pointy circulars that are so delicious to use in lace knitting.

I'm proud to tell you, however, that Purlescence will continue to stock them; we're one of just three shops in the world that are honoured with this exemption. Ed and Wanda, thank you so much! I am really thrilled that we don't have to say goodbye to this gorgeous range of circs.

Namaste last chances (again)

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:48:18 +0000

A warning from Namaste: some colours are being discontinued. So consider this your last call for saddle, charcoal and turquoise. We still have some of those in stock, and can get a few more in future as long as stocks hold out at Namaste HQ, but they won't be around forever...

Remember, also, that Newport and Malibu are on their way out. If you want one of those, get them while you can.

On the plus side though, the needle binder is back by popular demand - we have a couple of red and eggplant flying over the Atlantic even now. Yum!

Open House is changing

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:07:58 +0000

I’m making a few changes to the Purlescence Open House events. If you like it just the way it is now, don’t worry, because it’s really still the same - same yarn fondling, same tea & cake (mmmm cake !), same relaxed, social vibe. Only it will be BETTER! …with special discounts and freebies thrown into the mix.

Year of natural fibres: Camelids

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:21 +0000

Five years ago, if you had offered me yarn spun from camelhair, I would have said very firmly but politely: "No thanks." I would have thought, less politely: "Are you KIDDING?" I mean, I like soft yarn! Floofy yarn! Delectably strokable yarn! And camels... well. Not so strokable, right?

More fool me, then, because it turns out, camel yarn is about as delicious as anything I've ever touched.

...but on a happier note...

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:50:23 +0000

I just have to tell you all I am *so* excited about some of the new products we're getting in. They're coming thick and fast; we've unpacked gorgeous stuff from Artyarns and Offhand Designs, plus some nifty little treats to surprise you - cute stocking fillers and such. (Watch the new products page to see them as they come in.)

But best of all, we will soon FINALLY have our own Purlescence tote bags. And they are so, so, so cute. Trust me. These were worth waiting for.

Strike that

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:23:50 +0000

So as we all know there's been a lot of postal disruption lately, and I know you are wondering about whether your orders will reach you promptly. Well, as it happens, it seems everything we are sending out is indeed arriving safely; sometimes it takes a day longer than usual, but I haven't had any more reports of delays than normal. So that's encouraging.

I have of course looked into alternative courier arrangements. Those I've found have generally been either expensive or (according to reports) unreliable, so I remain unconvinced that they're a better choice than good old Royal Mail. RM's Special Delivery service is still guaranteed, so if you need something in a hurry, please let me know and I'll send it that way for an extra charge of £4.

This might be a good time to explain why I don't include SD as a regular option at checkout. It is the most secure method of delivery, and for that reason I would like to offer it. But... naturally, if you're paying £4 more, you will also expect next-day delivery; and unfortunately I am not able to promise that on a regular basis. Life with a baby is simply too unpredictable. However! As many of you already know - I am always keen to help out in a knitting emergency. If you need something urgently, for whatever reason, drop me a line and I will do my level best to make it happen. That's a promise.

Fickle, fickle

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:02:46 +0000

I tidied my knitting cupboard t'other day. (Very satisfying. I even sorted through my buttons.) As pleased as I am to be able to find things again, I am just a little bit aghast at the evidence of my ~~sloth~~ lack of time and ~~forgetfulness~~ changing priorities. Heaps of WIPs and planned projects turned up that I had more or less forgotten about, while never quite meaning to actually ditch them. Three pairs of socks, two of them gifts. One pair handwarmers. One hat and scarf set intended as a gift last Christmas (oops). One maternity cardigan (ha!). One sweater begun pre-pregnancy. One planned shawl (another gift). Whatever happened to that monogamy I used to be so fond of?

Ludicrously awesome

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:27:40 +0000

I love, love, love these patterns from Dangercrafts.

New Knitty!

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:42:55 +0000

Fall Knitty! Always an exciting time. (Though I have to admit, this one doesn't quite excite me as much as last year's, I wonder why... oh yes, the vanity factor might have had something to do with it!)

Year of natural fibres: Exotic plants!

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:42:49 +0000

Technically this article should be called "cellulosic fibres". But that doesn't sound very interesting. And bamboo and seaweed, made into yarn, are certainly exotic.