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It’s not just because everyone is baking…
The coronavirus outbreak has led to well-documented incidences of stockpiling and panic buying from the public.
And as social-distancing guidelines dictate that we must stay at home, there has been an resurgence of people baking.
With widespread reports of flour shortages, the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers (NABIM) has explained why there has been shortages – and it’s not only because we’re going all Mary Berry with our newfound free time at home.
Director at NABIM Alex Waugh said: “There isn't a problem with production. It's just that most goes to big food brands and bakeries. Bags are usually 25kg or 16kg. To pack for consumer retail requires a different line, and people don't usually buy so much.”
Factories can’t supply wholesale and retail demands at the same time, and there has been increased demand from consumers in recent weeks.
He continued to the i: “We have plenty of flour, there's lot of it about. It's just a question of scale. Normally people buy 2m bags of flour per week. That's doubled to 4m, and we're at the absolute max. Everyone's working overtime.”
He urged the public not to buy more flour than needed if you do find it in the supermarket.
“If you're not using flour, don't buy more – we're not going to run out. It's better to avoid stockpiling so that others have the opportunity to bake.”
NABIM states that the UK is self-sufficient in flour, producing about 90,000 tonnes every week.
However, in response to the supermarket shortages, the organisation has stated that UK millers have been "working round the clock – genuinely milling flour 24-hours-day-seven-days-a-week to double the production of retail flour in an effort to meet demand".
One solution may be for retailers and wholesalers to stock larger bags of flour, which might be suited to more regular home-bakers but this would require a change in shopping patterns.
If you do have flour in and want to get baking, check out our gorgeous baking recipes and Easter ideas.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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BUY NOW £25, John Lewis This appealing knitting kit is ideal for children who want to learn how to knit. This easy-peasy scarf is knitted entirely in garter stitch and decorated with fun fluffy pompoms. Full instructions, including how to cast on and off, makes it suitable for beginners, rusty-knitters and intermediates of all ages.
What's in the kit? Six balls of high-quality DK wool, bamboo needles, needle kit with plastic and metal sewing needles and pins, scissors, felt squares, buttons and step-by-step instructions.
This sweet kit is ideal for testing the waters before committing to a big project or if you're looking for a fun mini craft gift. Think stocking fillers, secret Santa gifts, wedding favours and gift bundles. Knit in simple Garter Stitch, learn how to cast on, knit and cast off with this super-cute cup cosy.
What's in the kit? 1 x 25g of wool and two knitting needles.
This beginners knit kit is aimed at giving both beginners and experienced knitters a stress-free experience thanks to the calming colours and the knitting needles being attached so you'll never lose them.
What's in the kit? four balls of cotton yarn in relaxing zen colours, circular knitting needles and a yarn needle. The yarn is made of 100% cotton and is super soft.
Best for: Those who want to seek mindfulness.
Create an amazing deer head using a beautiful blend of acrylic and alpaca wool, which gives an amazing look and texture.
What's in the kit? 1 x 100g balls of super chunky yarn in cream, 100% acrylic2 x 100g ball of super chunky yarn in chocolate brown, 100% acrylic, small amount of black super chunky yarn for embroidery, 200g polyester toy stuffing, instructions, 9mm knitting needles.
BUY NOW £44.99, Lilipop Mill on Etsy
This cosy super chunky scarf kit by Lilipop Mill comes with a super handy tote that you can use for all your knitting projects going forward.
What's in the kit? a 200g ball of Lilipop Mill chunky core spun yarn, made using beautiful baby grade alpaca fibre, along with a pair of Knit Pro knitting needles and a Lilipop Mill scarf knitting pattern for you to follow.
Best for: those with a tiny amount of prior knitting knowledge.
How utterly adorable is this Hello Kitty snuggling blanket - complete with a hood and her iconic bow? This knit uses Stitch and Story's Lil' Merino wool, which is soft on delicate skin and guaranteed to keep little ones cosy.
What's in the kit? 4 x 50g The Lil' Merino 100% merino wool in main colour, 2 x 50g merino wool , 1 x 50g merino wool in sherbet yellow, pair of 8mm bamboo knitting needles, long (35cm) pair of 5mm bamboo knitting needles, short (25cm) Hello Kitty Hooded Blankie knitting pattern, sewing needle and How to Knit Basic Guide.
Whether you want to relax and unwind with a new hobby or you simply want to impress a friend or loved one with a thoughtful birthday present, this easy to use beginners kit is the perfect solution and comes with everything you need.
What's in the kit? 3 x premium quality balls of wool made from 100% cotton, 2 x bamboo knitting needles and 1 x yarn needle.
This easy-to-use wrist warmers knitting kit contains everything you need to make these warm gloves. There's no tricky pattern to follow making them a great way to kickstart your new hobby.
What's in the kit? 2 x 50g S&S The Lil' Merino, a pair of 5mm bamboo knitting needles, wristwarmers pattern, sewing needle and knitting instructions.
This is a bumper present for yourself or a pal and makes the most amazing Rainbow blanket using the colours from the Utterly Aran range. You can also make the design unique by choosing your very own colour combination.
What's in the kit? 10 balls of Utterly Aran Yarn to make the colourful stripes, 4 balls of Utterly Aran Yarn to make the contrasting stripes, darning needle, rainbow blanket knitting pattern and a how to knit manual. Optional 5mm knitting needles.
Two adorable teddies to gift to the little people in your life, or keep for yourself. To make them you'll need to know how to cast on and off, knit plain and purl stitches, and make increases and decreases.
What's in the kit? All you need to make your own sweet teddies: acrylic yarn, bamboo needles, a yarn needle, sewing needle and toy stuffing. The full colour instructions are easy to follow, too.
This is the best selling kit from the Knit Kit company. It contains all you need to make a super soft hat, including knitting needles, stitching needles and yarn in a variety of colours. Buy yours now and you've got enough time to sort your skills to make a pom pom hat for winter.
What's in the kit? Fala hat knitting pattern, 1 x 100g ball of super chunky merino yarn, 1 x pair of 10mm circular knitting needles, a tapestry needle and a 100% cotton Knit Kit Company project bag.
Take your pick from four contemporary colour-block choices with this Masley Cushion Cover Knitting Kit. You'll need to supply the cushion pad to stuff inside your completed cover, which measures 16cm/6.3in x 16cm/6.3in.
What's in the kit: The pattern, three balls of chunky wool, size 12 bamboo needles (optional), sewing needle and a re-usable storage bag.
Make yourself a stylish boatneck jumper with this beginner's knitting kit. The jumper has textured rib stitches for the cuffs and hem and is finished with a really simple Boatneck so no shaping is required for the neckline. Suitable for sizes 8-18 and available in a range of colours.
What's in the kit: 100% Merino wool super chunky yarn, how to knit instructions, knitting pattern.
The Robyn the Octopus knitting kit is so tactile, his tentacles wrap around and give a real good cuddle. Though appealing to children and adults alike, his tiny tentacles are perfect for little hands to hold.
What's in the kit? 2x 50g of Beau Baby DK Yarn in blue, 2x 50g of Beau Baby DK Yarn in cream, black yarn for facial features, Octopus knitting kit pattern, needle for sewing, 40g toy stuffing, 3.25mm knitting needles.
BUY NOW £19.50, Not on the High Street
When you wear a hat, everyone comments on it, offering the perfect opportunity to say smugly, 'Yes, I made it myself.' This slouchy woolly hat kit by Alfie has the added 'aah' factor as it's named after the alpaca (South American llama-like animal) the wool comes from.
What's in the kit: Pattern, natural undyed alpaca yarn, and a postcard with Alfie the alpaca's biography and picture, care instructions and a recycled brown paper gift bag with rope handles. It's all packed in a resealable clear plastic bag that you can use for storage.
Best for: New knitters who want to try knitting in the round, as the pattern uses circular or double-pointed needles. And as it's one-style-suits-all, the finished version makes a great gift for hard-to-buy-for men.
Treat yourself to a cosy scarf with a subtle ribbed trim detailing. Knitting a scarf couldn't be easier thanks to this knitting kit. Choose from cream and light grey (pictured) or look pretty in pink with a nougat and light grey combo.
What's in the kit: 100% supersoft lambs wool, pattern and needles. The yarn, from a spinner in the Yorkshire Pennines, is still oiled so needs to be washed at the end to fluff up the fibres and will magically change as it washed!
Stitch and Story has teamed up with global baby brand Sophie la girafe, universally loved by parents and children, to create exclusive knitting kits using superfine merino baby yarns. The kits contain everything you need to get started and learn the basic techniques – including how to cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and sewing.
What's in the kit: Pattern for babies aged 0 - 3 months, 3 - 12 months and 12 - 24 months. 1 x 50g S&S The Lil' Merino Wool (100% superfine merino wool)1 x 10g S&S The Lil' Merino Wool (For ears and horn), pair of 5mm bamboo knitting needles short (25cm), Sophie's Hat pattern, Sophie la girafe woven label, sewing needle and basic knitting instructions.
This adorable cuddly pup is the cutest knitting kit by far. It includes everything you need to complete your Puppy and his neck tie, and his Puppy Pack (1 dog bed, 3 dog coats and 1 lead). Note: you will need your own needles
What's in the kit: Harry the Puppy knitting pattern, Harry's Puppy Pack knitting pattern, 2 Balls Sirdar Alpine yarn, 1 Ball Ricorumi Teal, 1 Ball Ricorumi Blue Fleck, 60g Super Chunky yarn, Red cotton DK, Black Cotton DK, 4 Round buttons, 1 Bone button, Washable polyester stuffing
Design and knit your very own oversized, slouchy striped top, in your choice of colour combo. If you get into difficulties you can watch Wool and the Gang video tutorials, or email them for help.
Wool and the Gang's Stripy Coco Marinière Kit is rated as easy (one step up from WATG's 'beginner' level) so some knitting experience (and knitting needles) are necessary.
What's in the kit: Three balls of Happy Shiny Cotton yarn for the background, one for the stripes, in a choice of no less than 29 colours! The finished top measures 60cm/23.6in wide, 50cm/19.7in long.
We Are Knitters has an extensive range of beginners knitting kits, including this super-cute, soft baby blanket kit – which is available in a whole host of colours.
What's in the kit: This is the most comprehensive list of contents, two skeins of Pima cotton (100g), 5mm knitting needles, the pattern, a smaller knitter's sewing needle, and the embroidered label.
Why should little ones get the best gifts? This blanket is just as soft, and the perfect make for someone who loves a stylish, cosy home.
What's in the kit? 7 skeins of wool, 8mm knitting needles, the pattern, a smaller knitter's sewing needle, and the embroidered label.