Maltese Holiday

Just returned from a fabulous week in Malta! The architecture was breathtaking as were the views out over the harbour and around Valletta. Bus journeys around the island were unquestionably the most thrilling experience, speed was no problem for these museum pieces :} Lots of inspiration for anyone looking for research for a textile project and a photographers paradise :)

Cupcake Gift

It's lovely to put handmade gifts together and I've packaged up one of the cupcakes for a friends 50th Birthday. There's a couple of Chocolates in there two.

Sketchbook Revival!

So much has happened over the past few months it's been difficult to focus completely on my sketcbook project. I'm determined it's going in the post this week!!! I decided to scavenge some of my drawing sheets from my first year at University and the following photos are the results of very enjoyable gathering of imagery :)

Reindeers & Cupcakes

Over the past couple of weeks I've been busy knitting Reindeer brooches and cupcakes which are just soooo lovely to make. I designed the Reindeer brooch pattern myself so I'm especially proud of them. They were originally for a craft fair at a local community arts centre but the weather saw the event cancelled. But I've really got the bug and am busily knitting more for the next craft fair that comes up.

Knitting tips

I'm looking for instructions for knitting socks and came across this site which has great photos of the circular knitting technique.

www.purlbee.com

I'm also looking for circular needles short enough to knit socks on but can only seem to find 40cm ones. Let me know if you know somewhere you can buy shorter ones.

Great shop for wool & needles

www.cafeknit.com take a look for some lovely wools, brittany birch and bamboo needles. The knitting kits are great with some lovely simple knits for those just starting out in the world of knit! :)

Stitch and Knitting with Wands

Stitch Londons latest newletter Stitch and Knitting with Wands

British Legion Poppies

With just one more button to go here are three poppies knitted following the British Legion Poppy pattern. This pattern can be downloaded for a £2 donation. I really enjoyed making these and was really proud of the leaves. These will be added to a knitted bag. www.knitonthenet.com/poppy/

Knitted Leaves

Tuesday the 16th saw another knitting circle at Newton Aycliffe Library with conversation and tips flowing. I'm currently working with a British Legion Poppy pattern and above are my green leaves which I have just loved knitting. More pics of the finished poppies soon. If you like simple knits then The Purls of Wisdom, Jenny Lord is a perfect book for you with lovely scarf, wristwarmer and bangles patterns. Theres also a pattern for a babies bib which I'm going to adapt to make a small handbag.

Knitty Knora's Knitting Circle

The venue is perfect! and it's a been great to have a chance to have a natter over a cuppa! Maggie has knitted some Festive Reindeers which are just adorable :) Looking forward to next Tuesdays circle and getting my poppies finished!

Ravelry

Just signed up to Ravelry. Sooooo much to to look at brilliant site :)

Charity Knitting Projects

www.bhkc.co.uk/data/knitting_for_charity.htm

some lovely ways to support some very worthwhile charities :)

Hiraeth

www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/whatson/?event_id=4409

Nora's Knitting Circle

I'm really excited to be holding a knitting circle at Newton Aycliffe Library. A chance to catch up have a cuppa and cake whilst sharing creative ideas and tips. Don't worry if you can't knit I can teach you the basics. Please come along if you can or let me know if you would be interested at a later date :)

P.S. if you prefer embroidery come along to :)

there's a little bit of knitting going on :)

Love the colours of Autumn, the leaves look stunning against the grey moody skies. Inspired a bit more knitting something practical to keep my little crafty fingers warm and lavender bags to bring a little summer scent in my draws. A little bit plain but maybe I'll add some buttons hoping to hit some flea markets in France next week looking for old bits of textiles and accessories :D

Knitting Poetry

My brother is getting married in September and my sister-in-law to be is having her hen do quite soon. One of the girls is putting a keepsake book of photo's and messages together for her and as I'm not very good at of the cuff messages I decided to browse the net for some inspiration.

I came across this site http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/knit/ and love the idea of being able to print off your own verses, poems or messages with their knitgame great fun and very quirky. As I love knitting and and text I thought it will be handy for my sketchbool project http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/knit/knitgame/

Ideas & Inspirations

.....been churning some thoughts around in my head about my sketchbook project theme, 'I'm an Scavenger'. The theme really appealed to me, mainly as there is a dark edgy element calling..I thought about going out and scavenging around for objects or taking photos of daily life, scavaging daily life... I really want to get started and let the pages take me on a journey. I don't want to have a preconcieved idea of what my sketchbook should look like but let my daily emotions, moods and fads dictate what goes down...most importantly I'm not going to be precious about how it looks. :)

Lime Pink

My second knitted cushion cover of the week. Turned out a bit baggier than I expected but was simple to make and I enjoyed adding the little lime ties. Might add a third colour maybe some lemon ties?

Humbug Cushion

Just finished my humbug cushion which I'm delighted with!!! Cost me £3.67 to make, love a bargain :D The pattern was so simple and I've really got the knitting bug again.

Knitting a Cushion Cover

With the degree over I needed an project to channel allllll my creative essence into. I love knitting, and fancied some knitted cushion covers. Got some lovely cerise wool and here's the beginnings :D I'm a bit of a novice knitter so nothing too technical, pattern came from a book called home by Debbie Bliss (978 0091 903 596) There are some lovely little projects in there and they are all quite contemporary in look.