Another completed project from the October knitting and crochet workshop in France

Jane has finished her cushion. Using a mix of knitted textures this is the completed project she was working on during the knitting and crochet workshop with Carol Meldrum.

Jane's cushion

And I have finally finished the Katia waistcoat I seem to have been knitting for ever! On to the next half finished project.

Hand Maiden Sea Silk

Hand Maiden Sea Silk - Masala

I had a delivery of some more shades in the Sea Silk last week which I completely forgot about with the dramas with the website, they are now all on the website and available to order here
Back to button counting.....

The move

I finally seem to be surfacing from the mountain of packing boxes, my office still looks like a tornado has gone through it but things are improving. Kangaroo is temporarily set up in a bedroom at La Verderie, where it will have to stay until we get the work to the chai and the barn finished (which could be some time!) I have signed the contract for another book with a deadline of early April so the pressure is on again.

The move was even more stressful than moving house, with the added complication of keeping the computers running, finding stock in the mass of collapsible boxes and black bin liners, sending out orders and trying to keep all the customers happy. On top of all this I have to complete half year accounts for the UK, complete my registrations in France, decide on the best postage options, re-price and change loads of things on the website, design some new kits for KnitKits and then there is the garden.......

My poor little courtyard has been totally neglected for the last 6 months, so am trying to spend a little time every day out there. The weather is fantastic at the moment, still cold at night with a frost but up to 23 degrees in the daytime.

The crochet workshop here in October with Jane Crowfoot is now fully booked, which is really exciting. I am emailing tutors this week to arrange some more dates for 2012, so watch this space! We have had a few chambres d'hotes enquiries and  http://www.accommodationcharente-maritime.com/ is starting to get more hits which is good news.

Debbie Bliss Angel

Angel is a gorgeous new laceweight yarn from Debbie Bliss. It is 76% superkid mohair/24% silk and so luxuriously soft you just want to cuddle it. It knits up on a range of needle sizes from 3.25mm - 5mm with a tension of 18-24 sts and 23-34 rows to 10cm depending on the needle size. It will knit to any laceweight patterns for shawls and scarves and has it's own book (also called Angel) with 9 stunning designs, see here. Both the yarn and book are due in stock this week at http://www.kangaroo.uk.com/

Mission Falls yarns discontinued

Sad news, I have just heard from our supplier that these wonderful yarns and pattern books have been discontinued and will no longer be available once current stocks run out. We still have stock of the 1824 pure wool aran and cotton at a reduced price and these can be ordered here. Our remaining stock of pattern books are also reduced and can be ordered here.

A snowy day

Lesley and Bella walking on the Downs

Snowy Sussex

November ended on a chilly note! I managed to get the last flight into Gatwick on Tuesday and catch what was probably the last train out of Gatwick to Lewes, a very long day. Having been snowed in at Ringmer since then, yesterday was the first day I braved the icy roads to Chailey and managed to pack a few orders. The only two accidents I have had in a car have been in the snow, one left me almost hanging off a bridge in Switzerland and the other one pretty much finished off my old Ford escort at the NEC in Birmingham, so with a rear wheel drive Volvo I was driving like Miss Daisy yesterday. Snow is very pretty for a few hours but causes so much grief. However, it was a useful couple of days working on my book and means I might just meet the deadline now! Business is back to normal at Kangaroo and hopefully the post will sort itself out soon.

Noro Kureyon

Kureyon is the perfect yarn for felting projects, use it to make bags and accessories for Christmas Gifts. Wash in the machine at 40-60 degrees to create a strong firm felted fabric in beautiful colours. Buy here.

Stock checking - huge discount on knitting yarns

My least favourite job, but I have come to the end of another financial year so it has to be done. To make my life easier we are offering 25% discount on all items currently in stock at Kangaroo (offer ends at midnight on Sunday 1st August 2010). To claim the discount enter the code 25DISCOUNT when prompted at the checkout. PLEASE NOTE offer does not apply to workshops and knitting holidays.

Sale of knitting yarns

The summer sale finishes next week, we still have offers on plenty of yarns so snap up the bargains now at http://www.kangaroo.uk.com/

Knitting yarn bargains

We have further reductions on the special offers page, plus some newly discontinued shades in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Noro Blossom, Noro Silk Garden Lite and Noro Silk Garden Chunky - build up your stash here!

Happy Birthday Kangaroo!

Kangaroo was 29 years old yesterday. To celebrate we are offering 15% discount on all orders until midnight on Saturday 22nd May, see full details of the offer on the home page at kangaroo

I have a busy week as we are getting everything ready for our knitting week at Chateau St Julien, the sun is shining and it finally looks like it might be here to stay (for a few days at least!) The menus are all planned, bags of yarn and fabric packed and ready to go and Culli has cleaned the cars ready for the station pick-ups.

Care for a cuppa at Kangaroo?

We are holding an all day tea party tomorrow (Thursday 6th May from 10 am to 4 pm) at Kangaroo in support of Diabetes UK. All proceeds for tea, coffe and cakes will be donated to the charity. So come along and join the Kangaloonies knitting group, have a cuppa and make a donation to a worthy cause. For directions to find us click here.

Easter Bonus - 10% discount on knitting yarns

A little Easter egg for all our customers, go to the Kangaroo website and when you place an order enter the code TENOFF at the checkout and receive 10% discount on your order. (Offer ends at midnight on Monday 5th April and only applies to items currently in stock).