Monday 24 January 2011

Fun and Fashion



My design for A Hand Knitted Bag with Raised Stripe is in the February edition of MakingGifts

http://www.makinggiftsmagazine.com/
This bag is fun and simple to knit.
It is a structured Box bag in a simple two colour combination, made in flat pieces which are then placed together to construct the box shape.
Makes a functional piece of knitting;
Great for keepsakes, diary, journal, sketch pad or just use to -
Keep your favourite book and a healthy snack with you when you’re out and about!





Also in Making Gifts Magazine this coming month are the instructions on "how to make" my Hand Knitted Narrow Fashion Scarf.

The finished scarf is a fun and simple fashion accessory and as it only takes one ball of yarn it is an economical way to get that designer look.
Why not make several in a variety of colours and wear them together for that warm and woolly wow factor!
http://www.makinggiftsmagazine.com/

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Colour and Warmth


I love colour! My latest stock of hats and hand warmers are a real joy to make. My designs for these are fairly straight forward but the secret to creating a garment so special is in the choosing of the yarn.
I have been working with variegated coloured yarn from Patons and Sirdar as well as my own hand spun wool.
When an item of clothing is to be worn close to the skin as in the case of hats and hand warmers it is vital that it feels soft and wonderful. Yarns of pure wool or with a high wool content not only give you that bit of luxury but are also very durable and are easy to care for.
Still in January with February and March to come woolly accessories are "must have" items.
Colour and Warmth to lift your Spirit, keep you snug and stay on trend!

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Casting On and Casting Off for 2011!

Cast on



Back on the Island after visiting family and friends over the Christmas and New Year festivities. It's now time for me to "Cast on"
A New Year and plenty of projects to look forward to!
The next 3 months will be busy as I have commissions to work, stock to make and designs to write. I shall bring you more details about all these as I work on my knitting, spinning and weaving, I'll share with you the process, the fun and the enjoyment of my craft of working with wool.
Cast Off
With our little boats all tucked up for their winter sleep, we won't be sailing until the Spring,
but if the weather is favourable and Skipper does a little work on our Mirror dinghy over the next month or so, such as mend the rather big leak we seem to have! then we may well get her down to the river for a very early season's sail.
It's good fun as long as there is a hot flask of coffee and a square or two of chocolate stored in the forward locker for energy and to warm you up.
Pure and simple- it's "woolly hats and socks" sailing!