A New Skill

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week - Day Four

I've been knitting for literally longer than I can remember now but of course once you learn, you tend to stick to the same methods most of the time.

One of the most important contributions to the final result of a knitted piece is the making up - seaming - finishing, and there are not many knitters I know who actually enjoy this! It's one of the hardest parts of the process to get to a level that you're happy with in my opinion.

That's why I went on the finishing techniques course run by the lovely Jane Crowfoot way back in April 2005 (was it really that long ago?!). I said at the time that it was the best £35 I had spent in ages, and I still think that now. 

I bought the book beforehand and have referred to it many times - I thoroughly recommend it:
Finishing Techniques for Handknitters

I had a quick look through recently to find out how to do a one-row buttonhole, and decided that I'd like to try to master the continental knitting technique as it's supposed to be faster and also different cast-on methods. A see sample squares in my future!

One Great Knitter

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week - Day Three

This is a tough one - to write about a knitter whose work I enjoy. There are so many thanks to the web!

OK I'll pick one - The Keyboard Biologist. I have followed her blog for several years now, and her work is beautiful. She shows incredible attention to detail and takes on all manner of projects - making for interesting reading. Her photography is lovely and it's always fascinating to read of a fellow crafter's experiences when they're based in a different country.

There are so many others I could mention, but they would be similar comments attached to different names. We're so lucky to have the web to keep us all in touch!

An Inspirational Pattern

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week - Day Two

I seem to be drawn to cables consistently. Two of my queued patterns in Ravelry are the Central Park Hoodie and Rogue. Both have been in that queue for a while!

I bought yarn to make Rogue quite a few years ago now - Adriafil Point in a lovely pistachio green. I still have it, marinating way in my stash. One day I might even knit it up!

Another is Alice by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan 35 - an old classic again! I just love the lace design and simply have to knit this as a summer cardi for myself. Just need the time.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week

I came across this post about a blog week and decided to take part. Here's today's entry - I can't promise I'll do them all but I can try!

Day One - Starting Out

I really can't remember when I first started to knit. I can't remember ever NOT knitting! All I know is somebody must have taught me how to knit when I was little.

My great-aunt knitted constantly - mainly skintight acrylic sweaters for us kids or the most beautiful lace christening shawls. My nan knitted sometimes - she could do so many arts and crafts - she was my heroine, and who my one daughter is named after. :)  My mum could knit but never did as she didn't actually enjoy it. Can you imagine that! My mum and me have always been quite different. :)

As for crochet - my nanny taught me that when I was in my early 20s I think. I had tried before but gave up as it felt so awkward. I decided that I had to learn it as it would be such a shame if she passed on without me sharing the craft with her. 

I can't imagine not crocheting now. My nanny crocheted armchair covers, doilies, coasters and mats. I crochet anything but my favourite is beaded jewellery.

Been hookin'

The crochet hooks have been calling to me for a while now and I've completed several projects.

We have a new hairband design for my Etsy shop. I've listed it in Chilli; the Olive version will be up soon too.

I also have some more colourways of the fingerless crochet summer gloves to list. This Peacock and Teal one is available now - funky summer colour combo!

Finally I can show you a sneak peak of a design which is still in progress. 

I felt rather inspired by all the Spring blooms appearing! More on that soon enough..

Twin treasuries

I am very happy to be currently included in not one but two treasuries - neither of which I have created myself. :)

The first is the Red treasury featuring members of the CreateCrochet Etsy team - with red items of course!

The other is a Craft Britannia Team treasury - lots of gorgeous UK handmade items in there. 

Click on the pictures to take a closer look!

Spring Moss unveiling

It's done! I have finished the Spring Moss Jacket at last.

It had sat in a bag whispering mournfully at me for a while, and last night I finally got around to putting on the fastenings to finish it off.

I have to say I'm not keen on seaming moss stitch. If I did another moss stitch project (which I might) then I would try to make it completely seam-free.

I ended up using popper fasteners with buttons on top for show - the main reason being that I forgot to do the buttonholes while knitting the front!

I'm really pleased with it - and also that it was made entirely from my (almost vintage) stash of 500g of Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

Perfect for the spring.

Monochrome crochet

I recently finished a very long crochet beaded wrap necklace, and have just listed it in my Etsy shop.

When I say long, I mean l o n g! If I stand up and hold with my arm outstretched it trails on the floor..

I've used Rowan Shimmer yarn in shade "Jet", with a selection of clear and black beads threaded on before I crocheted the long loop. In the middle is a gorgeous starfish pendant.

It seems that most things I do now are inspired by the sea - I wonder why?!

You can also see my star buy of this week - a lovely dressmakers dummy in great condition on a pine stand for just £25. There's always something interesting to be found by browsing through the classified ads in your local newspaper!

Easter treats

I hope everyone has enjoyed the Easter break! We're still making the most of our week off work with our daughters.

This year has shown us how much our girls are growing up; the focus hasn't been so much on chocolate eggs!

They were sent some money to choose their own Easter gift from their nan, and they invested in some (more) RubyRuth dolls which they spotted at the craft fair in Truro.

These are handmade individual dolls, very unique and strangely wonderful!

I bought a treat to share with my husband - Trenance chocolate - yum.

Apparently you can walk around the factory to see the chocolate products being made - I feel a visit coming on soon! 

There are some great chocolate dinosaurs, butterflies, and teddies, and the taste is fabulous.

Right, it's time to soak my aching limbs in the bath - we walked the bridleways to Perranporth and back today, stopping at the Filling Station to enjoy their super-tasty paninis for lunch. Of course we wandered down to the sea to watch the surfers - too cold for me to go in yet though! 

It was a fabulous walk with amazing countryside and sea views - over 5 miles altogether. We're so grateful to be living here.

Shortlisted

 

Recently I posted about entering the makers-online photo contest with a picture of my lovely hand-dyed Groover superwash wool/silk/bamboo blend 4ply/sock yarn.

Well I didn't win, but I was included in the shortlist of 27 of their favourite photos! I'm really pleased as my photography skills are only just improving thanks to taking produce pictures for my Etsy shop. Check out the winning and other shortlisted photos - they're great!

EtsyHookers Team Challenge

The polls are open for the EtsyHookers Team Challenge! Place your vote before 8th April for the best Irish themed crochet item: http://etsyhookers.blogspot.com/

Sew pleased!

We were fortunate enough to be given a car booster seat for my youngest DD several years back. 

It was very tatty but useable, so I just cut a piece of fabric and glued it to the top of the cushion to make do. That's what you see here.

When the glue finally gave up last week, we decided it was time to mend it properly!

DD chose some lovely bright cotton fabric from my stash and I bought matching purple bias binding from my local fabric shop for 25p. 

The lovely lady there very kindly gave me an offcut of thick interlining to cover up the worst of the torn cushion underneath, and give it a plusher feel.

I've worked on this every time I had a few minutes spare this week, and today dusted off (literally!) my trusty sewing machine for the final part.

Tada! Here it is - beautiful.

Youngest DD loves it and now eldest DD wishes she still needed to use one!

I like my postie!

He brought me a package sent all the way from Canada today.

These are supplies I bought from YukiDesigns which stock some fantastic buttons, beads, and other goodies.

These beads are all resin - they have a lovely chunky feel with beautiful colour depth.

I love the metal flower and molecule bubble connectors, and have vague ideas floating around in my head for incorporating them in some crochet necklace designs..

Stash Enhancement - but not yarn

I'm trying not to purchase any more yarn for "a while" - that's vague enough to keep me from having withdrawal symptoms. In the meantiume though, I have been buying other craft supplies.

I supported my local flea market recently when I discovered a lady there selling beads. Of course I couldn't resist.

This little haul of medium to large glass beads cost me £3. Well who can resist a bargain?

I love turquoise!

We're waiting for some bits and pieces to arive to start crafting with the gorgeous bright felts and buttons. In the meantime, I've been crocheting with some vibrant turquoise blue cotton.

I've made some short summer fingerless gloves in a clean and crisp design. These can be dressed up with beads, buttons and bows - or worn plain and simple. They're available in my Etsy shop now!

A pair of black ones will be flying off the hook next - and I'm hoping to put the pattern up for sale too.

It must be Spring!

The postie brought a lovely package today from Titchables - amazingly fast as I only bought these yesterday!

I would recommend you take a look at the listings in Titchables shop - there are some lovely supplies and cute badges, all at very reasonable prices.

I indulged in some impulse buying and gave in to these gorgeous bright felt squares and buttons. 

They are inspiring me to do some litte fun projects with my daughters for spring - hairband decorations, badges, charms, and such.

I can't wait to show these to my girls when they get back from school - I know they'll be as excited by those colours as I am!

Bahama Blue

I've been feeling the need to crochet some more jewellery recently. Finally I got some time with enough daylight to pick out the beads and yarn that I wanted to use.

This necklace is crocheted with some gorgeous hand-dyed crochet cotton that I bought from fellow Etsy seller Snappish - her shop is Brea-Aly Threads. 

The colour graduations from blues to purples are really lovely, and the cotton is fine enough to make a delicate but strong item.

I added several lots of beads in co-ordinating colours and I love the finished look. 

You'll have to take a look at the listing to see the two fabulous big beads by the fastener close-up!

Makers online photo contest

The makers-online.co.uk website is currently running a photo contest with a top prize of £200 up for grabs!

I sent my entry in and was thrilled to find that it's been included in their blog feature too. Go take a look and get your entry in - closing date is 26th March.

Mothers Day treats

I hope all mums celebrating Mother's Day yesterday were made to feel well and truly appreciated - I certainly was.

We had a lovely day, some of which was spent at the beach in wonderful warm sunshine. My daughters both worked hard on making me some wonderful cards, and I was treated to two fabulous gifts.

This arrangement is just one third of the gorgeous bouquet of flowers I was given, and I can now book myself to a pampering aroma back massage at my local top2toe beauty salon via my gift voucher!

Nearly there!

My spring moss cardi is nearly done! The back and fronts worked all in one piece are now finished, and I did a 3-needle cast-off to seam the shoulders.

I am going to have to seam the sleeves and sew them onto the body, but that'll be the only sewing in the whole piece.

Eldest DD wants one of these now; if I did do another I may change the shoulder to a modified dropped shoulder with grafted sleeves. After all this is an aran weight yarn worked in moss stitch so I think seams will be pretty bulky.

Anyway, on with the final sleeve!