I made something for myself!!! This is a momentous occasion. Not that I don’t love making things for anyone else, but it’s lovely to make something and know I’m going to be the one wrapping up in it. So I really treated myself this time. I invested in two massive skeins of amazingly soft, super chunky Cascade Magnum in my favourite colour Camel, which I picked up online from Loveknitting.com
Wool
Knitwear faves – 08/09
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
Five new patterns – baby knits
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)
Knitwear AW15 trends
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
Bria Armwarmers free knitting pattern
Often the simplest designs are the most effective. And that’s never more true that with my latest free knitting pattern, my Bria Armwarmers. Knitting on DP needles in stockinette stitch, featuring a very small ribbed cuff at both ends.
A Q&A with Baa Baa Brighouse
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!
Continue reading
Knitwear faves from this week – 17/08
Whether you make your own, commission it handmade, or nip down the shops to get your knitwear fix…this collection of knitwear faves from this week will whet your appetite!
A Q&A with Stitch & Story
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!
And 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 – 10/08
It’s been another awesome week for knitwear. I can definitely tell people are steadily ramping up towards those colder months. Not to wish the Summer away too quickly, but I have serious #goals for my autumn/winter knitwear this year!
Snug – a seed stitch blanket knitting pattern
There is nothing better than a good seed stitch blanket. FACT.
