A Q&A with Stitch & Story

| beth

Knitting’s been around for centuries. Literally AGES. It began with the Ancient Egyptians in the eleventh century, then burst onto the European scene in the twelfth and thirteenth century via France, Germany and Britain! So with such a long-standing, rich and varied tradition, how do you breathe new life into a craft that was at one time synonymous with ‘archaic’ and ‘old-fashioned’?!

That’s just what Jennifer Chan and Jen Hoang, Co-founders of Stitch & Story set out to do. Fed up with having to trawl the internet for a decent knitting pattern (we’ve all been there), both Jens set up shop – providing modern and fashionable knitting kits, top-quality 100% merino wool, as well as hosting their increasingly popular knitting workshops!DIY Knit Kits - Stitch & StoryAnd I’ve had the pleasure of asking Jennifer Chan a few questions this week! I’m a massive fan of this wonderful independent knitting company, whose sole mission is to bring stress-free knitting to both the ultimate beginner through to the most seasoned of experienced knitters. You can check out Stitch & Story’s amazing offering on their website, as well as follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Continue reading →

Knitwear faves from this week – 03/08

| beth

Just a quick update from me today! I just thought I’d share a few links featuring knitwear that’s inspired me this week. I’ll either be buying something very much like this, or I’ll be on the hunt for patterns to make my own!

We’ll soon be moving into that lovely season that is Autumn and I can’t wait to swamp myself up in oversized jumpers and subject myself on the daily to ‘hat hair’ with my favourite knitted bobble hat!

Seen any knitwear that’s peaked your interest this week? Let me know!

x

Knitwear from Tiphaine's Diary - Shortrounds Knitwear
Image source: Tiphaine’s Diary

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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 →