Wednesday 24 November 2010

Handy!


I recently bought a couple of hand mannequins from ebay to display my fingerless mitts better.

They're great for photographing items for my Etsy shop and of course very useful for the craft fairs I do.

The next one is this Friday 26th November at Sainburys in Truro - please drop by and say hello if you're in the area!

Pictured here is a new fingerless mitt design in a gorgeous aubergine shade, which sold straightaway at the craft fair last weekend. Pity I hadn't had chance to make more - or photograph it once it was finished!

It is knitted in the same shape as my Fabulous Fingerless Mitts but with a moss stitch edging instead of reverse stocking stitch. I used Drops Nepal yarn which is a great wool/alpaca blend - soft and cosy.

I then played around with some Rowan Kidsilk Haze from my stash and knitted up a couple of simple short-row garter stitch rosees which I sewed on the back of each hand.

The roses were finished off with 7 tiny plum glass seed beads sewn in the centre.

You'll have to take my word that made up they are beautiful. There will be more of these in future!

Sunday 21 November 2010

KnitExpo Stash Enhancement

OK you've read about the KnitExpo, so here's what I bought..

 I couldn't resist the fabulous selection of yarns from Juno Fibre Arts, based in Devon.

It was a really difficult decision to choose just one colourway and yarn - but in the end I plumped for this delicious BFL sock yarn in the "Power Up" colourway.

Just gorgeous!
I also couldn't resist a skein of the alpaca/silk aran hand-dyed yarn from Wow!

This is destined to be fingerless mitts for my etsy shop - I'm working on a new cable design at the moment.

I also treated eldest DD to 200g of gorgeous natural cream chunky baby alpaca to do this wonderful flared ribby scarf. DD has learnt to purl and is loving the pattern!

Monday 15 November 2010

KnitExpo Winter 2010

Finally, after living here in glorious Cornwall for almost 4 years, I got to a knitting show!

On Saturday eldest DD and I went to the KnitExpo at Exeter and had a great day. It was small, but perfectly formed. Here are some of the views of the day:

 Hand-dyed yarns of course! Lots of them.

Heaven. :)
 Felted balls, felt, felted items, felt everything from Felt Folk.

I just love the way the felt balls are displayed in the sweetie jars - they look brilliant!
 I absolutely fell in love with the egg cosies from the Wool Sanctuary.

I really can't tell you why. I'm not an egg cosy type of person, and wouldn't actually use one. They just really appealed to me!

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dearest Dad is 75 years young today - Happy Birthday Dad!

In celebration I've put together some of my favourite men's gifts from Etsy sellers in the UK to make this fab treasury:

Check it out
if you're in need of some inspiration for a gift for the man in your life!