Knitting patterns

Knitwear faves – 08/09

| beth

A lot of exciting things happened this week! WOOL AND THE GANG revealed their awesome team-up with Aurélie Bidermann for their new collection, Woolfolk launched their AW15 collection and Bonnie Sennott announced her latest Neckwear KAL!

The previous knitwear faves was dominated by retailers and their new AW15 collections, but I’m pleased to balance the scales with designer/makers leaping forward this week with their handmade patterns and goodies!

Wool and The Gang and Aurélie Bidermann collection

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Five new patterns – baby knits

| beth

Knitwear for mini humans has a special place in my heart. Baby knits often take no time at all, and always look super cute no matter the pattern!

I’ve been trawling the internet looking for the latest inspiration for my next baby knits – ready for when the next one of my lucky friends has a(nother) baby! A mixture of goodies for both boys and girls, with a bonus toy thrown into the mix – enjoy!

The Purl Bee – Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat (free knitting pattern)

Purl Bee baby hat - Shortrounds Continue reading →

Knitwear faves – 31/08

| beth

Right now, our blog and social media feeds are being filled with up-to-date AW15 knitwear trends. So it’s no wonder that this week’s knitwear faves features some of the most cosy, warming pieces of knitwear. It’s a good mixture of retail and make-your-own this week, so I hope this inspires you to buy or handmake some lovely knits – because these are just heaven! I have a feeling this autumn is going to be a good one.

Free People Split Turtleneck pullover - Shortrounds Knitwear
Image source: Free People

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Top 10 knitting Instagram accounts

| beth

Following on from my previous post on my Top 10 Instagram Accounts to follow, I felt it was only right to dedicate an entire post to my Top 10 knitting Instagram accounts.

My Instagram feed is probably 70% knitting and crafting based, with the other 30% made up of friends, family and any other lovely Instagrammers that catch my eye!

I’ve spoken about the uplifting nature of Instagram previously, and that doesn’t stop here. All of these fantastic knitting Instagrammers make up just a tiny part of the HUGE knitting community that exists on social media. Sharing finished items, works in progress, and even frustrating ‘frogged projects’!!

Here are the knitters that keep me stitching till past 1am on a school night!

WOOL AND THE GANG

WOOL AND THE GANG - Shortrounds Knitwear

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Knitwear AW15 trends

| beth

Making something by hand takes time, patience and on occasion a bit of investment. If you’re going to spend 60+ hours knitting a sweater, you better make sure you’re gonna want to wear it at the end, and what’s more – it better stand the test of time.

I’m not the firmest follower of fashion. I tend to pick out my favourite ‘trends’ as the seasons and years go by, keeping them with me normally until they’ve passed out of fashion and back in again! When it comes to making my own knitwear, I tend to pick modern classic patterns. Not too off the wall, but with enough interest to not look like something I could’ve picked up from the highstreet. This way, I can pair my knits with loads of things in my wardrobe, to ensure I get the most flexibility and wear out of a garment. No one wants to spend £££’s on a handmade garment only to then have to spend even more £££’s buying stuff to go with it!

AW trends are my favourite, because it’s socially acceptable to wear chunky knits with arm-swamping sleeves! I’ve been taking a look at what’s in, and what I’m going to be taking forward to pair with my handmade knitwear. Bring on the winter! Continue reading →

A Q&A with Baa Baa Brighouse

| beth

This week’s Q&A comes from a company that embodies everything that we should be striving for in knitting – supporting local.

Baa Baa Brighouse was set up by Elaine Jinks-Turner in early 2014, and supplies a beautiful range of British dyed and spun yarns via an online shop. From the moment you click onto the homepage Baa Baa Brighouse’s main focus is abundantly clear – supporting and upholding the traditions of Yorkshire farmers, crafters, spinners and dyers alike.

The majority of the yarns on sale are from Yorkshire based spinners and dyers including Laura’s Loom and West Yorkshire Spinners. What’s more, with local Knit and Natter events and a monthly yarn club, Baa Baa Brighouse is greatly involved in sustaining Yorkshire’s rich textile heritage. Here, among other things, Elaine talks about how and why she set up her own creative business, the importance of supporting local indie traders and explains about the monthly yarn subscription Yan Tan Tethera Yarn Club!A Q&A with Baa Baa Brighouse - Jan 2015 Yarn Club - Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading →

London – a photo diary

| beth

This weekend, me and Mr Shortrounds took a little day trip to the big smoke. Firstly to visit the Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an icon exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (a must see – available until 18th October). Secondly for afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason!

With half a day planned out, and half a day left to our whim, we were left with six hours of sunny, Londonian time to fill. So we headed to Notting Hill and Portobello road, where we saw antiques a plenty – if you need to revamp your kitchen drawer knobs I’d recommend heading down this bustling high street. We then skipped over to Camden Passage to visit none other than Loop knitting shop, where I think I died and went to heaven!

All in all, I learned two things from our little trip-ette. Number one, the best days are left unplanned. Number two, ‘Knitting on a train’ is a much less exciting movie title compared to ‘Snakes on a plane’.

Happy knitting! x
Fortnum & Mason Afternoon Tea Continue reading →