Author: beth

Christmas Knitting

| beth

We’re well and truly into the Christmas knitting season now. December has started, so it is now officially acceptable to talk about the festive season. If you haven’t already started your knitting your Christmas gifts just yet, don’t panic. There are plenty of inspirational, recent knitting pattern releases from some of the greats. You may not have enough time to get started and finished on some now (bookmark for later!) – but there are plenty of quick knits around. Giving you plenty of time to knit up a speedy Christmas gift.

Wool And The Gang

If quick knits are what you’re after, WATG are smack bang in the middle of their 12 days of making. Releasing ridiculously quick knitting and crochet patterns, as well as handy technique tutorials this week and next. Love the charging cable braid!

Wool And The Gang Christmas Knitting Cable Braid | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

Knitting book wishlist

| beth

You may have noticed that I love a good book (ahem)…so when you combine books AND knitting, I’m in there like swimwear.

I bought Pam Allen’s Home Collection from Quince & Co. as an ebook earlier this year (or was it even last year – how time flies!) – and devoured it. It comes with no less that 18 patterns including clothing, accessories and homewears. I’ve made so many things from it, and have plans to make a couple of the larger garments too. Personal faves include the Tai Baskets, the Bergson socks and the Lily Slipper Flats! Continue reading →

Falkland Aran by Debbie Bliss

| beth

Debbie Bliss is one of the greats. A knitwear designer and yarn purveyor with over 30 years’ experience and a long list of accolades and published books attributed to her name.

So imagine my excitement when I was sent her latest pattern book to get my teeth stuck into. Falkland Aran Pure Bliss Collection is a celebration of organic and naturally farmed yarns. The Falkland archipelago are a natural habitat for a large variety of wildlife, not least the Falkland sheep – from which Debbie Bliss’ Falkland Aran yarn derives.

Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran Pure Bliss Collection | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

What is it about Autumn?

| beth

It’s been a while since I’ve delved into the new knitting releases world. I had such a growing stash of projects and materials, that I had to reinstate the yarn embargo. That meant no pouring over beautiful skeins on Loveknitting or Loop. No Googling Brooklyn Tweed, Quince & Co. and Woolfolk. It also meant shutting my eyes as I scrolled through my Instagram feed, every time Melanie Berg, Melanie Hoffman or Andrea Mowry post oh-so-tempting knits…

But I’ve caved… Continue reading →

Sonic Knits Christmas Kits with Fyberspates

| beth

I’m not even going to apologise for mentioning the ‘C’ word. I’ve already been knitting my Mum’s present for the last two weeks, so I’m fully in the pre-Christmas planning mode already! Get on board 🙂

If you’re struggling to find the perfect handmade gift for someone this year, I’d look no further. You all know I’m partial to a Sonic Knits kit – I’ve signed up for six months! And now I’m treated at the first of every month to a brand new set of knitting notions, British yarn and a great pattern to get stuck into.

Sonic Knits Christmas Special Kit | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

Book worm

| beth

I love it when I actually stick to my goals! I never thought in a million years I’d manage to read 20 books this year given my previous track record. But here I am, in the follow up to this post, counting down the last 10 books on my list.

I say the ‘last’, but seeing as it’s barely three-quarters of the way through the year I’ve upped my reading challenge to a whopping 30 books – completely achievable if I keep up the momentum! I’m still keeping on with my Kindle, Audible (great to knit along to) and common-or-garden books (my favourites) to help me stay on track.

So here are the ‘next’ 10 books on my list, and here’s hoping I’ll close down this blog post series in December having read my 30th book of 2016! Continue reading →

Turning the back page

| beth

I set myself a challenge at the beginning of this year to read at least 20 books – whether that be books I’ve read before, entirely new books, short story compilations, poetry collections or graphic novels!

Since leaving university (from my English literature and French language degree) the number of books I get through a year has dramatically fallen. I used to have the time to plough through up to three books a week to meet the demands of my degree course, whereas more recently I’d be lucky to get through three books a year. A poor show for a self-confessed book-a-holic. Continue reading →