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…
Knitting blog
Decorative homewares – Oates & Co.
Every once in a while you discover a website that you just know will frequent your browsing history for years to come. I probably look at hundreds of websites in any given month but I have just a handful that I keep coming back to. These little gems are discovered very infrequently but when they come along they can be a heady mixture of impactful, thought-provoking and inspiring!
So when I heard that my friend Sylvia was embarking on her own decorative homewares business venture earlier this year, I was a little more than excited! Today there are more start up businesses than ever before and more and more people are finding interesting and creative ways to turn their passion in a viable, thriving business. You hear of this happening almost everywhere, and I was so pleased and proud to see that someone I knew personally was taking the plunge.
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
Just words…
In the world of stencils and illustrative typography Dana Tanamachi reigns supreme for me! In my job I’m confronted with endless variations of typography, stencilling and illustrations, I must confess most of the time they all meld into one big blur. But this Brooklyn-based graphic designer/typographer is different. So I thought I’d share her lovely work with you this fine Friday, because sometimes it’s nice to look at beautiful things!
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.
Bluebird tea co.
To save us from knitting overload, how about a quick tea break? My knitting sessions are admittedly 30% knitting, 70% tea consumption (I’m an awesome procrastinator). And boy do I like my tea! You know you’ve got a problem, when you have a “Top three favourite tea companies” list…
My favourite by far is Bluebird Tea Co. of Brighton. Award-winning tea mixologists, they concoct the most incredible selection of teas, from the everyday to the extraordinary. And I really admire their ethos as a company – ethically sound and constantly thinking sustainably! I’ve yet to visit their shop in Brighton, but you can bet it’ll be my first stop when I’m next there. You can check out their full collection here but here are a few of my personal favourites!
Earl Grey Creme
Couture knitwear
I’m always amazed at what people can do with a bit of yarn and some imagination. I had a lazy Sunday this weekend and spent a good hour or so browsing endlessly from website to website gawping at beautiful couture knits.
Some of these are pre-2014, but worth a mention nonetheless. Just take a look at this knitting eye candy. Links to all of the designers shown are included below. I heartily recommend you check them all out – and let me know if you’ve got a favourite knitwear designer!
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!
