This month, we will be discussing Lion Brand. A big favourite with myself, and I am sure with many of you. Lion Brand have a huge community, with the likes of people like Tom Daly collaborating with them on new yarns for his range. Their mission is to spread warmth, comfort and to inspire the world by providing yarns that promote the joy of knitting, crocheting and weaving. I think we can all agree they 100% do this!
They are a fifth generation owned company, which has been running since 1878, they’re currently based over in Lyndhurt in New Jersey, with their yarns being sold in US craft stores, online, indie shops, and of course, with little old family run companies overseas like us 👋 Their team work tirelessly to explore and generate new and exciting ideas, that keep their brand fresh and invigorated. They have created a more colourful, connected and comforting world for us crafters.
In recent years, they have worked with Alexandra Tavel, the designer behind Two of Wands. Alexandra has carved out a significant niche with her refreshingly modern patterns and designs. Based in New York, Tavel’s aesthetic is simple and sophisticated, making her patterns desirable for crafters across the world. The collab started with the range Hue + Me, a range of 30 shades in a Chunky weight, with a blend of 20% wool and 80% acrylic. The colours take the guesswork out of colour combining, as each shade complements each other. The earthy colour palette is one for those who want to keep their makes soft and muted. Shades like Rosewater, Bellini and Arrowwood are some of my favourites, however you can see them all here.
Another collab they’ve done, is with Olympic swimmer, Tom Daley. His poolside knitting at the Tokyo Olympics captivated global audiences, with many crafter brands (including us!) jumping on sharing the pictures on our social media. His passion for knitting and crocheting has taken the crafting world by storm, which would naturally lead to a collaboration with a company like Lion Brand. The range Made with Love – The Cottony One, is an Aran weight yarn that blends 60% cotton with 40% acrylic. The composition makes it a fantastic choice for a wide variety of projects, offering the breathability and softness of cotton combined with the durability and easy care of acrylic. The yarn comes in a range of rich, yet muted colours reflecting the modern and sophisticated style of Tom Daley. Some shades have been names like Silver Medal to give it a personal touch to his successes. Alongside the range, there are also some gorgeous free patterns made in this yarn, with features like the Granny Square Pillow, and the Ripple Afghan.
We don’t stock all the Lion Brand ranges, however the core ranges we stock are perfect for the everyday crafter. Mandala Ombre, Fisherman’s Wool & Landscapes are all favourites, and are top sellers at the Warehouse, with other ranges following fast behind! The Lion Brand website hosts lots of free patterns, for both knitters and crocheters, which range from beginner to advanced – we love to see a mix of patterns and they really do cover some fabulous designs!
We hope you enjoyed reading some info on our American pals! Which range will be unravelled next?