Transformation

I have knitted this sweater last year, it was from Kim Hargreaves book ‘Spirit’. I have truly no idea why! It is a style of a garment that does not suite me, I would never buy a sweater like this and in fact I never had! So why spend time knitting it?? I do not know!! I’m not sure what exactly went through my head when I decided that making it would be a fab idea. Don’t get me wrong it’s a beautiful jumper, very flattering, I’m sure, just not on my body time. I wore it once and then it went to live at the back of a wardrobe, destined to never see the light of day……but then I had an idea! (Well after a year has passed, my ideas take a long time)  What if I made it into a dress?? 

I bought 2 meters of lovely Rowan fabric on sale. The pattern on the fabric is of sweet pansies that reminds me of my Granma’s garden.

I wanted the sweater part to end at my waist, and as it was knitted bottom up, unravelling was not an option so I cut it! I measured at what point I wanted the sweater part to end. I turned the sweater up side down and picked up the right leg of the stitch (the right leg of the V) and cut the row directly underneath.

I needed the edge of the jumper to be a bit narrower so I decreased by: K2, K2tog, all around, then cast off. 

 The fabric part was very easy, I just hemmed it, join the two sides and gathered the top, pinned to the edge of the jumper and sewn on the sewing machine.

 

Hey presto!! I’ve got a new dress!! I will eventually re-knit the sleeves to be quarter length, but for now this will do.

Anna x

Silver screen

I'm feeling slightly melancholy lately.  The past two months have been full of difficult decisions and changes, not sure if the changes and decisions I made are good yet, only time will tell. 

Changes are always difficult no matter how small they are. Everyone says that when one door closes other ones opens, which is true but it's still very hard to close the door behind you without feeling sad for the things that you are leaving. So before I go all soppy and start crying for the days gone by let me share with you some of my favourite pictures of silver screen stars that are long gone but doing the thing I love most......Knitting!! Let this be a kind of metaphor; things may change, eras pass, but some things will stay around forever.

Betty Davis

Katherine Hepburn

Elizabeth Taylor

Audrey Hepburn

Doris Day

 Greer Garson

Lucile Watson

Ingrid Bergman getting little help form Alfred Hitchcock

Vivien Leigh

Merlin Monroe 

Vivian Leigh putting her husband, Laurence Olivier, to good use.

Ava Gardner

Judy Garland

And one more of Betty Davies as she is my favourite!

Anna xx

Strawberry Tea....

June to August are very exciting months, not only summer is in full swing, lots of concerts and outdoor exhibition, but also it's time for Strawberry Tea Party!!

Breast Cancer Care has teamed up with Royal Albert to create this fantastic event to raise much needed funds for Cancer Care. I wanted to do something to help, and the idea hit me like a tonne of bricks!! Strawberry….tea…party….summer…..strawberry plant! What else!

I wanted to design something to be the perfect decoration to your Strawberry Tea party. That can also be used all year around or raffled at one of the games played during the party.

I’ve chosen to crochet the plant, with some basic knitting on stems. I find crocheting a lot more forgiving and more free-style. Of course when it comes to yarn, only Rowan Cotton Glacé would do as its fantastic mercerised cotton which is a dream to crochet with, not to mantion the incredible range of colours.

I wanted everyone to be able to make this plant so only used the basic of stitches: dc, tr, and so on. Simple shaping rather than fancy stitches. I have tried to make the instructions as simple as possible and from comments I received it appears that I have, which means a lot as I really want everyone to be able to make it.

The photos were taken at my partner Dave, aunt’s stunning garden and the lovely doggie you can see in the background is Red, Dave's Mum dog, who was a fantastic model :)

The pattern is available for free, but in turn please donate whatever you can to this very important cause. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Both women and men can be affected by it, Breast Cancer Care is committed to improving the treatment, support and care of people affected by breast cancer. Please donate whatever you can at: www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/donate

The pattern is available to download from my website: www.moochka.co.uk and Breast Cancer Care websit: http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/fundraising-events/strawberry-tea under 'Be crafty'.

The Breast cancer Care website provides huge range of information: checking your breasts, support to those affected, volunteering and of course you can also signed up to host Strawberry Tea party!!Check them out: www.breastcancercare.org.uk

I’m planning Strawberry Tea already….can’t wait!!

Anna x