This month, Nottingham’s Bonington Gallery (part of the Nottingham Trent University School of Art and Design campus in the centre of our beautiful city) played host to a celebration of textile technology and history. Nottingham was built on textile design and production (predominantly lace) and although our once thriving textile sector fell into decline following World War II, you don’t have to go very far to see the influence this foundation of industry and design has had on our little city.
Knitting
All things knitting and knitwear, at the heart of what Shortrounds is all about!
Brooklyn Tweed Anais sweater
This was a labour of love, but boy was it worth it! The Anais sweater by Brooklyn Tweed was actually the first full garment I ever knitted and I have to say I didn’t make it easy for myself! Although it’s knitted mainly in stockinette, there are beautiful little details in the waist shaping, and the fashioned decreases grafting the sleeves to the neck. Then there’s the stunning lacework for the cowl neck. A very intricate knitting pattern for a novice!
A baby blanket for Toby…
I’ve made quite a few baby knits over the past couple of years, with several of my friends having newborns! In between the 80-hour-plus jumpers and cardigans these mini versions of hats, mittens, blankets and jumpers can be a welcome break – knitting up quickly with almost instant reward! One of my favourite knits I did recently was the Candy baby blanket by Pickles for my dear friend and fellow blogger Hannah (check out her lovely blog on motherhood at Budding Smiles). Destined for her adorable son Toby, little did I know it would become his favourite blanket! Here’s the cuddle monster all snuggled up in his first few weeks…
Knitwear faves – AW14 part 2
One blog post just wasn’t enough to cover all of my favourite autumn/winter jumper knitting patterns that I’m desperately in need of! (If you missed my last post click here!) And as I’m ‘knitting for me’ this autumn, my list keeps getting ever longer. So stick the kettle on, grab a blanket and put your feet up while you check out the rest of my must-haves for this year.
Chloe – Jo Storie
Knitwear faves – AW14 part 1
It’s my favourite time of year, when the leaves start to turn and the cool air begins to bite, and my choice of jumper becomes progressively thicker day-by-day. This two part blog explores my favourite jumper knitwear and knitting patterns I’ve discovered this autumn. Comfy, cosy, snuggly, warm and soft – don’t these all just make you want to curl up in a ball with nice hot cup of Ovaltine?
Danforth – Quince & Co.
Kelly Connor Designs
I have to share these lovely purchases that I treated myself to a few weeks ago. I got this tote bag and stunning mug from Kelly Connor Designs on her Etsy shop, where she sells a lovely range of quirky and amusing gifts to satisfy the geeky knitter in me.
Knitting for me!
So here it goes – my first post. Anyone else struggle with writer’s block?!
I’ve been busy knitting things for friends and family for the past few months, so I’ve finally decided to knit a few things for myself. The main problem with that is, I have too many things that I want need and now I have about five different projects on the go, all half-started, all stashed in a corner waiting for me to prioritise! It’s been almost eight months since I knitted the beautiful Anais sweater by Brooklyn Tweed for myself and I enjoyed it so much, I resolved to keep one project of my own on the go all the time. It’s never that easy!
