Christmas 2015

It's December now so we can safely say...

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!

Also, it's cold. You're going to need some woolly hats and snoods and mittens... and that's why Tuck & Boak is here to save the day!

We have stalls at a few more Christmas markets in the next few weeks so come and say hello and grab some pretty woolly things to wear and to gift. 

Oh So Crafty Christmas Fair @ Chapter, Saturday 5 December

Indoor Christmas Fair @ Whitchurch Civic Centre, Cardiff, Saturday 12 December

Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre @ Shire Hall, Monmouth, Saturday 12 December
Shire Hall in Monmouth are celebrating Christmas with two Wonderful Craft Fairs, on Nov 21st & Dec 12th at 10am-4pm .There will be various stalls of lovely ceramics, stained glass, cards, knitting sensations , jewellery in precious stones, pearls and silver, decorations , candles in China, all wrapped up in the wonderful smells of Christmas!

We also have a NEW collection of jewellery which you must see - colourful, handcrafted jewellery perfect for your loved ones this Christmas.

And if there is anything you fancy from our pictures, you can email us at tuckandboak@gmail.com. We will be re-launching our Etsy shop very soon!

Hope to see you at a Christmas fair!

Neon knitted pouffe

This weekend has been packed with DIY projects all over the new house, but unfortunately most of them didn't involve knitting. One knitted home project I finished a while ago was my neon knitted pouffe.

 It was surprisingly easy to make - see below for the full instructions. I adapted several tutorials I saw online to create this one, hope you like the results!

Knitted pouffe pattern

Materials needed:

• 400g T-shirt yarn (I used this one, which is ethically sourced, but you can also make your own)
• 15mm knitting needles
• Darning needle
• 2 cheap single duvets (I found mine at IKEA and Asda for about £4 each). You could also use old cushions, the bigger the better.

Instructions:

1. Cast on 35 stitches with the long tail cast on method.
2. Knit in garter stitch (all stitches and rows in a plain knit stitch) until you have about 1m of yarn left.
3. Cast off leaving a long tail.
4. Thread one of the long edges of the rectangle and tighten up. Make a strong know. This will be the base of the stool.
5. You should now have something that looks like a basket. Put your 2 duvets (or cushion inners) inside so they take as much space as possible.
6. Thread the remaining long edge as before, tightening up the closing side of the pouffe. Make a knot and put it inside the pouffe. You can thread any loose ends for a neater finish.

And voilà, you have a knitted pouffe!

Hope you like our first pattern and let us know if you try making it!
A

Happy Friday!

What do you think makes a crafty girl's heart beat faster?

You got it - a night of free prosecco and nibbles in a cosy wool shop touching the most beautiful hand knitted garments whilst chatting to the designers of the latter, buying their new book and getting 10% off all Rowan wool. Phew.

What a night - thanks again to Swansea Bay Yarns. An absolute MUST for all serious needle nerds in South Wales - you'll quickly fall in love with its lush hanging baskets outside, the cosy atmosphere inside and the fantastic range of wool.
I ditched the cross-stitch project and started working on the Lichen Mitts from Smith & Jones knit's new book "Elements" - just have to brave going beyond my standard knit one purl one...let's hope I'll make it!

Wondering what Mrs Tuck got up to tonight...? Me too! Hope we will hear more tomorrow.

Until then- Gutsnaechtle!

We are back!

After the flurry of Christmas fairs last year, we took some time off to rest and have a think about what to do with Tuck and Boak. We had to look at the practicalities of setting up a proper business and decided to let things be as they were for a while. And after a busy summer, we have gone back to crafting!

Just this month, Silke has been making some of Toft's crochet amigurumi (from their book, Ed's Menagerie). How cute are these?

We will be blogging our crafty adventures in this blog, so please follow us if you wish to see more.
Happy knitting!

PS you can also follow our adventures through #tuckandboak

Christmas 2014

Long time no see! Here at Tuck & Boak we have been busy with Christmas fairs lately.

We had a wonderful day at the Rhiwbina Handmade Market on 29 November.

Then one at work, which was short and sweet (and we almost sold out).

And today we were at the National Museum in Cardiff.

But don't panic, if you still want to see our wares, we still have one more fair to go, next Saturday 13 December at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

Tuck & Boak spring/summer collection

We've got some goodies this spring, here's a sneak peek at a few...

These mini box pouches make great emergency kits. We love these from Pinch Provisions, why not make your own with one of Tuck & Boak's designs?

These scented drawer sachets contain lavender and other lovely smelling herbs from our gardens will make your clothes smell amazing. Plus how dainty are these fabrics?

 We also have a unique hand knitted capelet made with the softest mohair. We think it would even suit a strapless bridal dress and it is a completely one-off, Tuck & Boak design.

And if you're planning any get togethers this summer, these colourful pom pom napkin holders will cheer up every table.

Merry May Fair

Tuck & Boak is back and ready for spring!

We have been busy trying out new products for our spring/summer collection and getting ready for the next round of craft fairs. This Saturday we will be at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and watch this space because we are planning a few more events this spring.

We will be posting pictures from the crafty products we're going to be selling all week. And of course you can see them in person on Saturday!

Etsy shop

Our Etsy shop is now open, go have a look!

Our first market!

Yesterday we had a stall for the first time at the Vintage Christmas Market at the National Waterfront Museum. It was so much fun!

 This was our stall, it was bursting with pretty stuff (as it should be). Silke even managed to find letters to make a Tuck & Boak garland in time!

 The stall was - literally, not just in the Welsh sense of the word - lush.

 That cross-stitch little piece went really quickly!

 And lots of people stopped to touch the cushions and snoods because they looked - and felt - so soft.

 More lushness.

And in the afternoon we had a Welsh choir singing Christmas carols. They were really cool and made the atmosphere even more Christmassy, if that was possible.

And our friends surprised us with a cake emblazoned with the design of our business cards, amazing!

Such a nice touch to be able to offer cake. Thanks guys!

And there's us, wearing Tuck & Boak creations (Alice) or trying to match the greenery of our stall (Silke).

We can't wait for our next stall, we'll keep you posted!

Woolly Christmas baubles

Now it's officially December we can start talking about Christmas without anyone taking offence, right?

Because in between gobbling mince pies...

...we've been making woolly baubles, which look great if you hang them from driftwood.

Snoods

We love knitting at Tuck & Boak.

Especially if it's with soft chunky wool.

We have been making lots of snoods in warm autumn colours.

They're super cosy.

And some can even be used as hats too!

We will be selling them at the Vintage Christmas Market at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, on Saturday 7 December.

Hope to see you there!

Welcome

Welcome to Tuck & Boak!