My new crafty podcast!

After joining Tilly Trout on her knitting podcast, I decided to start recording my own as I enjoyed it so much! In the podcast I talk about my current crafty projects, this episode there is knitting, bobbin lace and some fluffy purchases. I intend to only podcast every two to three weeks to make sure I have time to have something interesting to show. The first episode is a little short and could use some improvement but I show some of my current projects, which you may find interesting. Click here to find my you tube channel.

I show lots of scrumptious yarn and projects I am working on...

I hope you can join me :) 

Bobbin lace cushion carry bag pattern

I have finally finished writing up my bobbin lace cushion carry bag pattern! It took me such a long time I have had to make it into a paid for pattern on my website. For pattern click here. The pattern comes as a PDF document so you don't have to pay any postage! The bag is for 18-20inch bobbin lace cushions. It includes two pockets (one inside and one zipped outer pocket). 

Different colour combinations of fabric really make it look quite different. Here is the link to the pattern on my shop.

Another simple lace cowl

A little while ago I designed a knitting pattern for a simple lace cowl. Recently I had someone contact me to say that they thought there was a mistake on row 3 of the pattern. I tested the knit again and it turns out she was right the pattern should have read (K2Tog, Yf) until the last 3 stitches and K2Tog, K1. I had missed out the K1 at the end of the row which must have been a bit confusing. To make sure the pattern was accurate I asked my lovely friend Liz to test knit it for me and it turns out that was the only mistake in the pattern. So if you are interested in knitting this free pattern you can find it by following this link. It is a very quick knit and uses less than 50g of DK yarn, so a great de-stash project.

Spinning for socks

I found a gorgeous hand dyed top at Fondant fibres and could not resist purchasing it. The hand dyed colourway is called deal and meaningful and it came in a stunning plait. I could not bring myself to actually spin it for a while so I had it hung up in my craft room so I could keep looking at its gorgeousness! I finally decided to spin some 4ply (weight not actual ply) yarn in order to knit some lovely colourful socks. The fibres were so smooth and soft to spin.

 

Here the fibre is spun into singles. I keep the twist high to give the yarn extra strength for sock knitting.

 

 

I plied the yarn 2-ply...

 

 

And here is what it looks like in a hank...

 

 

 

I love the colours, Fondant fiber have some really lovely dyed fibre and yarn. I might have have to purchase some more!

Pacific blue socks

I am loving the sock knitting at the moment! The yarn I used was heart and sole shade 0164 which is basically blue, white and grey stripes. It is 75% wool, 25% nylon, so it it not the softest, but I have used it before so I know heart and sole washes and wears very well. I cast on 64 stitches on 2.25mm needles and made the most of the sock in rib. The heel is the half hankerchief heal and the toe is the long toe from the sock archetecture book by Lara Neal. I am very impressed with this book, it is well worth a look. I first heard about it from Danni from the little bobbin knits podcast. Which is also worth a look if you have not already. Anyway, here are my socks....  

 

This is more like the true colours, but I loved the background on the previous photo.

 

 

 

My new Etsy shop

I have decided to take the plunge and open my own Etsy shop! I really love making things and the only way I will be able to keeping making things is if I sell them as I have already filled the house up! I am planning on mainly stocking my shop with hand sewn items. so far I have mostly been making knitting project bag kits, which contain a project bag, notions pouch and DPN case in matching fabric and a set of progress keepers. Here are some examples....  

I love using knitting project bags myself and I have had lots of practice making them. They are a little different from other knitting project bags out there because they are free motion stitched in all over quilt patterns, this gives them strength and durability. 

I have also got some progress keepers on sale. I like these because you can mark your knitting without using stitch markers on the needle. My favourites are the bicycle and star progress keepers.

I have a few other items for sale which include some placemats and another handspun, hand knitted notions pouch and I am hoping to have some other items up there soon. You can find a link to my Etsy shop either in the shop tab at the top of the page or the Etsy link to the right of this page. I am very happy to answer any questions. I can also make bespoke peices if you have a specific idea of what you want, just let me know and I will see what I can do. 

Addicted to knitting socks and shawls

I came across fondant fibre while listening to their little bobbins knits podcast. I just had to order some yarn from them. It came package so nicely with a cute little lip balm. The yarn I ordered was superwash Merino with nylon and stellina. The pattern I chose was from a book called sock archetecture, checked and squared socks by Lara Neel. The yarn knitted up wonderfully and the pattern was very easy to follow. Here are the finished socks...

 

 

 

The shawl I knit was also in fondant fibres spangle base in the harmony colour way. The pattern was called Frisson by Brittany Wilson. Again I had lots of fun knitting it and can't wait to order some more! I would definitely like to knit this pattern again, once I had done a few repeats I was really into it.