Author: beth

Top 10 Instagram accounts to follow

| beth

 

Shortrounds Instagram

I love Instagram. It’s so useful to me. It’s where I share my blog posts. I keep my days documented in a little photo diary thanks to this app. Instagram is such a positive, enlightening social media platform, much like Pinterest – with subscribers seeming to perpetually circulate positive messages and images. It’s where I go for a pick-me-up.

I follow A LOT of Instagrammers, but here are my Top 10 Instagram accounts, that help to keep my feed filled with inspiring and uplifting photos all day long! Continue reading →

Knitwear from the movies

| beth

The silver screen is a great source of inspiration for many things…quotes to throw at your friends, travel destinations, fashion, beauty, hair and makeup….all of the things.

And we can definitely add knitwear to that list, with plenty of knitters and designer/makers providing patterns for our favourite on-screen garments. These little beauties have caught my eye over the years, so I had to share! Some are iconic, others more obscure, but these gorgeous examples of knitwear have had me scouring the internet for replica patterns/garments that I could get my hands on.

Katniss’s hunters cowl vest

Katniss hunting cowl - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

Happiest when somewhere else…

| beth

I think it was C.S Lewis that said, ‘you can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me’…and I could not agree more.

Give me a good book, a quiet corner and a cosy-covered teapot and I’m in heaven. I studied English Literature at university, and happily read myself into oblivion on a daily basis. A practice I sadly cannot sustain working a 9-5 job. I do my best to read as much as I can, be that in printed form, or (more recently now) on a screen.

Like most people I wager, I do most of my reading when on holiday. So now, with the convenient and ‘light-packing’ wonder that is the e-reader, my Kindle gets loaded with more books that I buy paperbacks. A sad truth, but one I’m not guilty about, because let’s face it – both mediums have their pros and cons.

Here are just a few of the things I like to lose myself in nowadays. I warn you, it’s a mixed bag! Continue reading →

A few more favourite knitting patterns

| beth

I’ve had a little Spring/Summer break from the blog recently. But I’m back! And after a few (countless) hours perusing the internet for my next knitting pattern purchase I finally came up with a shortlist of hot contenders. It’s a very serious business, choosing my next project. Some knitting projects (some still ongoing) have lasted longer than some of my relationships!

My longest standing project is the Feather Sweater by Pickles, which I started over a year ago, put down, picked up, put down, picked up. It’s the perfect companion really. There when I really need it, yet patiently waiting when I (rather unfaithfully) drop it for another enticing project!

Feather Sweater by Pickles - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

What’s in your yarn stash?

| beth

My yarn stash is ever growing…I certainly buy more than I use up.

I also have a terrible habit of not throwing away the little yarn that remains after I’ve finished a project . Even if the remains wouldn’t even knit up a sock toe.

So I rolled up my sleeves last week and rummaged through my stash box, brutally culling my mountainous yarn pile. Out of this, I discovered a few gems in my collection, yet to be used. (Don’t you love a good clean out?!)

Here are the precious skeins yet to be transformed into finished projects…watch this space!

Metalico in Opal – Blue Sky Alpacas

Metalico in Opal - Blue Sky Alpacas - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

Knitting patterns round up – Spring 2015

| beth

I love Spring time! All the cliches – longer evenings, brighter days, better weather, the smell of fresh cut grass. All that jazz. But as a knitter, I appreciate it so much more because it’s always interesting to see the patterns that come out at this time of year. Battling against the misconception that knitting should be restricted to ‘winter woolies’ only.

So store away your hats, mittens, chunky scarves and oversized jumpers. Here’s my pick of the latest Spring time knits this season!

Azalea – Quince & Co.Quince & Co. Azalea vest top - Shortrounds Knitwear

Continue reading →

Quince & Co. Olga sweater

| beth

After finishing the Honeymaker, I enjoyed using Quince & Co. yarn so much, I immediately bought two more patterns to attempt. One of these was the Olga sweater knitting pattern, designed by the very talented Olga Buraya Kefelian. All of Olga’s knitwear designs have a classic and timeless feel, and yet are modern and bring something different and new. Her website Olga Jazzy showcases a number of her inspiring patterns – please go take a look!

Quince & Co. Olga by Olga Buraya Kefelian - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →