You wouldn't necessarily associate the cheeky mockney turkey-Twizzler-hating culinary wonder that is Jamie Oliver with knitting. He's more likely to be rustling up a risotto than a rib-stitch scarf. Then suddenly on the craft horizon a new knitting kit appears and when you realise it's from Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant the lamb to wool connection starts to make sense. They're offering limited edition Fifteen Knitting Kits, and they're pukka.
As you've probably seen on TV, the Fifteen Foundation takes 15 disadvantaged young folks every year and turns them into chefs. It also helps inspire young people around the world to change their lives and take control of their future. Fifteen now has schemes in Cornwall, Amsterdam and Melbourne, as well as the flagship London store. The proceeds of their merchandise goes to helping young people make those life changes.
The limited edition Fifteen knitting kits are really rather fabulous. The needles are made from sustainable wood and are a pleasure to knit with - smooth on the yarn with enough grip to keep your stitches on (there's a funky little Fifteen logo on them too).
And the yarn?
The three balls of yarn are lambswool sourced from Fifteen's lamb supplier, Elwy Valley lamb, blended with Manx and Hebridean wool. It's soft and surprisingly non-scratchy and knits up very nicely. It is offered in the four lovely colours (pink and grey, and purple and brown). Chuck in four knitting patterns and an ultra-cool box that looks like it's from the future, and you have a knitting kit you'll buy for a present and then want to keep yourself.
And it's for a good cause too and an utter bargain at £22. What's not to love?
Stitch and Bitch London recently held a learn to knit event at Fifteen to launch the knitting kits. I can testify that the food was amazing and the knitting kits were lovely. I went home with two. (You can listen to the Electric Sheep podcast recorded at the event here)
Get them while you still can. They're going like Jamie's Mega Chocolate Fudge Cakes.
