My yarn of the month for May is Artesano's Hummingbird 4 ply. It's 100% alpaca in great space-dyed colour combinations and it's the same weight as Artesano Alpaca 4 ply so you can mix and match colours. If you're a Simply Knitting reader you'll find a fun batwing sweater pattern using 2 colours of Hummingbird 4 ply held together in the June issue (on sale now). Of course, you can always browse the patterns from Artesano. I love this Petal Scarf with it's pretty flower motifs.

10% off usual price of £5.25

ONLY £4.70 until 31st May 2010

Noro yarn is rather unusual, with its changing colours and textures it can really hold your interest as you knit. I've recently become a fan after knitting a pair of simple legwarmers in Kureyon. I wanted to keep knitting just to find out what the yarn would do next. I loved the big squishy sections!

For all of the Noro fans out there, there is a new book: Catwalk Two and a new yarn: Taiyo. You'll also find some Noro special offers at Yarn Box including:

10% off Noro Silk Garden Chunky

10% off Noro Silk Garden (selected colours)

Pattern shown is #13 from Catwalk Two, knitted in Noro Kureyon.

Red and yellow and pink and green, orange and purple and blue...      New from those fabulous people at Artesano comes Superwash Merino DK, a lovely soft machine washable 100% merino yarn. Yarn Box has the complete range of 25 colours including baby pastels, rainbow brights and classic neutrals. Superwash Merino DK knits to the same gauge as Artesano Alpaca DK and Hummingbird DK so the patterns are interchangeable. It will subsitute well for any DK yarn (22sts x 30 rows to 10cm on 4mm needles) so all you have to do is choose a colour, or two, or three...

If you're looking for a lightweight project for summer, then take a look at Manos Lace a luxurious laceweight blend of Cashmere, Baby Alpaca and Silk from Manos Del Uruguay. This beautiful cowl is knitted in just 2 skeins of Titania.

Manos Lace yarn and patterns can be pre-ordered now for delivery in early May.
 

If you love making amigurumi, or have never tried but would like to learn how to make these cute crochet toys, take a look at Amigurumi (Cozy) by Lan-Anh Bui  and Josephine Wan (who you may remember as the founder of Yarn Box). The creatures are so adorable you'll want to make them all! If you need help finding suitable yarn or a crochet hook, just get in touch with me at www.yarnbox.co.uk

If you're looking for a knitting day out this summer, book a date in you diary for Knit Nation (29-31 July, Imperial College, South Kensington, London).

Yarn Box will be there and I'd love to meet you all.