I’m a big fan of Debbie Bliss yarn, I’ve knitted with all kinds of weights, wools, cashmere blends, tweed, merino – all of them! The Debbie Bliss website is also a thing of great inspiration to me. A soft colour palette, clean and uncluttered, making for the perfect jumping off point when looking to start a project or just browse for new yarns. I cannot wait to start a project with their recently launched Roma yarn – squishy, soft and lovely colours to choose from!
Knitting patterns
Kate’s Cable Winter Kit – free knitting pattern
Here it is – my first ever homemade knitting pattern and this one is free!
Seed stitch cowl and mittens
I have far too much wool!….Hi my name’s Beth and I’m a ‘woolaholic’.
I buy skeins and skeins of the stuff, in all different thicknesses, textures and colours without much regard for what I’ll use it for! It’s these balls of wool that normally get left to the bottom of the pile, gathering dust until one day I’m struck with a little inspiration.
I’ve had this green speckled wool in my possession since I began knitting almost three years ago. It began its life as a massively oversized and badly ‘gauged’ infinity scarf in seed stitch, which I promptly unravelled. I then remade it into a slightly better gauged stockinette infinity scarf, but it still wasn’t the right size! It was like something out of ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’….
Then, two months ago I picked up my nemesis green wool and some 12mm needles and just started knitting! You know what they say – third time lucky.
Knitting Nottingham exhibition
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.
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.
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!
