I’ve been bitten by the Hobbycraft bug. Big time. If you live in the UK and read this blog, chances are you have visited a branch of Hobbycraft – the super store for crafters and hobbyists. I sincerely hope my US and other non-UK readers have something similar where you live, because it’s great! These shops are the Promised Land for anyone with a hobby. Hobbies obviously include crochet and knitting, which means yarn! It was for a ball of white yarn that I popped into the Basingstoke branch of Hobbycraft on Saturday. Just one ball of yarn. That’s all I needed…
This is what I went away with:
If you see the size and range of goodies available in Hobbycraft, my teeny shopping spree is quite an achievement. No, really it is!
I bought three balls of white Hayfield Bonus to use for the Crochet For Kidneys Part II blankets – at 3 for 2 I would be stupid to only buy one; white foam roses to use to decorate the parcels of yarns for Etsy customers; three rolls of crosgrain ribbbon just because it’s pretty – and at 3 for 2 I would be stupid to only buy one; tapestry needles to weave away yarn ends because our sofa eats needles; and tiny gnomes just because. More about the gnomes later.
The 3 for 2 deal on yarn is really good value for money. That’s for all yarn. I only later realised that you also receive a free pair of crochet hooks when you buy Boodles yarn. How cool is that? Boodles is a T-shirt yarn which comes in balls, or should that be cones, of 450g. It’s is also part of the 3 for 2 so that’s an even greater saving. I think the reason I didn’t see it in the shop is because it was probably sold out. One day I’m going to crochet a rug with T-shirt yarn and when I do, I’ll buy (oodles of) Boodles yarn at Hobbycraft.
If you don’t have a branch of Hobbycraft near you, you can buy your crafty bits online. They offer free delivery on orders over £30, free returns, student get 10% discount and when you sign up for their craft club, you get a once-off 15% discount.
Now for those “just because” gnomes. I found them in the doll house aisle. They’re just so cute with their bright hats, pretty dresses and friendly little faces.
At the moment my four teeny tiny gnomes are still packaged up, lying on my bedside table because I can’t decide what to do with them. I think of them as tiny gnomes, but they’re actually wibbly wobbly dolls. That’s an even better description!
Do you have any ideas of what I can do with them? I did think of sticking them onto the top of my PC monitor at work… or I could put them in the potplant in my crochet corner. They’ll look cute stuck to the fridge door too. I think the problem is there are too many ways to use them, so in stead of doing something with them, I’m doing nothing with them. But. They’re. So. Cute!
If you also get the Hobbycraft bug, please leave me a comment. I dare you to walk out / check out with only what you needed. There’s no way that you won’t be tempted by something cute and crafty “just because”. It’s the Hobbycraft way.
crochetime 
Walk out of Hobbycraft with just one item? I don’t actually think that is possible. My husband always winces when I say I’m just popping into any craft store but he grimaces in pain at the idea of me popping into Hobbycraft. 🙂 I always go with my gal pals. It’s more painless for hubby but usually I end up buying a lot more than your restrained haul. 🙂
I hear you about hubby! John went with me and he was very patient. At the beginning. By the end when I had to go back “for just one more look” he was tested to the limit 🙂 I think gal pals could be a good idea!
Ooh, sounds fun! We have Hobby Lobby here in the United States; sounds very similar. I can’t get in and out without getting a bunch of things I suddenly “need”! Great purchases. The gnomes are really cute; I like the plant idea.
Take care 🙂
We have Spotlight in New Zealand and my husband and my 2 daughters cringe when I say “I just need to pop into Spotlight”. What is meant to be a 5 minute dash always ends in at least a 30 minute exercise.
I love the Basingstoke branch, there isn’t one near me so I always pop in to the Basingstoke branch when we’re there visiting the in-laws. I usually go with my Nan-in-law and leave my husband at hers! X
So true Kate! We also have Pat Catons. The two are on either side of the street like dueling banjos. I always want to do both and my hubby cringed when I say I must go. As for the gnomes, I would do it all. One in the plant, one on the computer, one on the fridge and one randomly traveling about the home.
Hugs, Sheri
Love your idea for doing them all!
My nearest Hobbycraft is in Staines, but it is so difficult to get parked. So one day I think I will take myself off to the Woking branch. 3 for 2 is sooooo irresistible!!!!!!
I am so with you on the Hobbycraft thing- it is far too easy to be parted with your money in there.
Is this a sponsored post? Or just a fan post?
I like my local one too for a wander though try to buy my yarn from the independent stores.
Just a fan post.