Loop - Tiny, lovely knitting shop by messydesk

messydesk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:35:32 +0000

Review by messydesk

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7288 1160

Website: www.loop.gb.com

There's a Loop knitting shop in New York and a London branch has been opened by an American ex-pat and very lovely it is. It's a tiny, white-washed room stuffed to the gills with yarn, knitting books and needles. Like most knitting shops the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, but in Loop they are particularly so. I was taught the magic loop and intarsia there, I've even had help with projects where no part was bought in their shop.
They seem to specialise mostly in small runs of artisan yarn all of very high quality (with accompanying high price) and have a few knitting books. Their magazine selection is pretty good and they always seem to have Rowan Studio which is not always easy to find. Where they really excel though is needles, they have every kind and every size in every material you could want, all of which are good quality, even the plastic ones.
It's a lovely shop but don't go expecting to be able to buy yarns you know, they most liekly won't sell them, but if you want to find some interesting yarns that you would usually have to buy online or at craft fairs or if you need some knitting advivce, Loop is great.There's a Loop knitting shop in New York and a London branch has been opened by an American ex-pat and very lovely it is. It's a tiny, white-washed room stuffed to the gills with yarn, knitting books and needles. Like most knitting shops the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, but in Loop they are particularly so. I was taught the magic loop and intarsia there, I've even had help with projects where no part was bought in their shop.
They seem to specialise mostly in small runs of artisan yarn all of very high quality (with accompanying high price) and have a few knitting books. Their magazine selection is pretty good and they always seem to have Rowan Studio which is not always easy to find. Where they really excel though is needles, they have every kind and every size in every material you could want, all of which are good quality, even the plastic ones.
It's a lovely shop but don't go expecting to be able to buy yarns you know, they most liekly won't sell them, but if you want to find some interesting yarns that you would usually have to buy online or at craft fairs or if you need some knitting advivce, Loop is great.

Whitecross Street Market - Monthly food market by andreams

andreams — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:16:35 +0000

Review by andreams

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7378 0422

Website: http://www.whitecrossstreetmarket.co.uk

Tags: mediterranean, cheese, delicatessen

The sun was (finally) shining when I visited this bustling market/food festival which takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, 11am-6pm, on the site of one of London's oldest street markets,dating back to mediaevel times. There are fantastic local and regional food producers (Neal's Yard Cheeses, Burnt Sugar fudges, Crumbs and Doilies cupcakes and more), and some from further afield. Lots of lovely things to sample or buy to eat as you browse - stuffed chillies, pies and tarts all looked great, but it was the gorgeous aroma of wild mushrooms cooking on Sporeboys mushroom stall that decided us - cooked with a little parsley and held between two slices of sourdough bread with some parmesan and a drizzle of oil, this was probably the best sandwich ever, and a recipe I'll definitely try at home. You can take home cheeses, meats and pickles, and chat to the makers - the Bendgate pickles and preserves people from Yorkshire were particularly friendly and had lots of helpful recipe suggestions. Definitely worth a visit - and in September there's an extra 3 day market (21,22,23)to celebrate Islington car-free day. Sporeboys are also at the Covent Garden night market, but this is currently Bendgate's only London market, so worth a trip to EC1.The sun was (finally) shining when I visited this bustling market/food festival which takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, 11am-6pm, on the site of one of London's oldest street markets,dating back to mediaevel times. There are fantastic local and regional food producers (Neal's Yard Cheeses, Burnt Sugar fudges, Crumbs and Doilies cupcakes and more), and some from further afield. Lots of lovely things to sample or buy to eat as you browse - stuffed chillies, pies and tarts all looked great, but it was the gorgeous aroma of wild mushrooms cooking on Sporeboys mushroom stall that decided us - cooked with a little parsley and held between two slices of sourdough bread with some parmesan and a drizzle of oil, this was probably the best sandwich ever, and a recipe I'll definitely try at home. You can take home cheeses, meats and pickles, and chat to the makers - the Bendgate pickles and preserves people from Yorkshire were particularly friendly and had lots of helpful recipe suggestions. Definitely worth a visit - and in September there's an extra 3 day market (21,22,23)to celebrate Islington car-free day. Sporeboys are also at the Covent Garden night market, but this is currently Bendgate's only London market, so worth a trip to EC1.

Latest reviews for Shops & Amenities in Islington, London, United Kingdom

Loop - Tiny, lovely knitting shop by messydesk

Whitecross Street Market - Monthly food market by andreams