Summer and Rowan magazine.......

It has finally started!! The long awaited summer is here.........and it looks like is going to stay, well at least for few weeks.

It just feel amazing to eat outside, enjoy coffee in the warm glow of the sun and let my feet be free in flipflops....saying that,  I'm discovering my love for retro footwear, the shoes that I use to wear as a little girl are back in fashion and they make them in adult sizes, especially Ju Ju jellies. I remember I had them in few colours and would wear them throughout the summer, so how can I not treat myself to a pair of them! and I love them!!

Happy feet :)

Just to make matters all the better Rowan new magazine 54 is out!! and WOW!! as alwsy they never disapoint, the magazine is just packed full with stunning garments. As always the magazine is divided into three sections: Romancing, Folk and Essentilas and each part is jut amazing! Romancing is my favourite, full of  beutiful lace and pattern knits. The photographs are shot in Haddon Hall in Debrishire and just inhance the decedance and luxury of each garment.

 Stunning Berenice

Folk section is very colourfull taking it's roots from nomadic eastern culture. Lots of fairisle which I just adore.

Antolia


Few month ago I had the pleasure to preview Rowan new collection and it has been long and  painful wait for the yarns and books to finally arrive as my fingers were itching to get started on new garments! The lovely Brigitte in Angora Haze from Angora Haze brochure is first on my list.

Brigitte

Also, fantastic collection from Winchester school of art. 'Beetween the Wars' garments capture perfectly the style of 30's and 40's, very feminine, elegant and well fitting garments. The whole collection is available as online download. 

The magazine as always is full of fantastic articles, interviews and helpful tips; this time is steeking, vital if you want to adapt sweater into cardigan. Perfect Summer read :) 

Hope you all are enjoying the lovely sun!

Anna xx

Knitting in public......

I am a bit late with this blog as the event happened  few weeks ago, but I just have been crazy busy, don't really have time for anything.....well that's an exaggeration.....I always have time for knitting lol   

The lovely Angela at The Creative Sancuary organised this event in celebration of Knitting in Public Week, it was such a good and original idea! I absolutely loved it!

The Dog and Whistle were our hosts, it just the most charming place. Fabolous vintage deco and you can also purchase most of the furniture and brick and brak.

The film playing was Julie&Julia.....which gave me a fab idea, but more on that later

The most fantastic suprise of the night was one of the ladies Ange knitting one of my designs! Shoulder shrug which is a free pattern in my Ravelry store. It trully feels amazing to have one of your designs being knitted and the person knitting it absoulately loving your work!! Mind......Blown

Ange knitting her shoulder shrug :)

Angela the fab organiser sporting rather lovely yarn necklase 

It was a really great night and a fantastic way of celebrating KIP, We even had a man knitter!! 

I have to share more photos of Dog and Whistle because I'm just in love with it..

Fab night!!

I also celebrated KIP with my lovely Ladies from Woolly Bunch knitting club! We had an amazing opportunity to knit in the viewing gallery overlooking the stunning Olympic stadium at John Lewis Stratford! It was fab and we all truly enjoyed ourselves :) 

                 LOVE this photo!

A xx

Miss Marple............

Few month ago I was asked (through a recommendation of a lovely friend) to knit few props for new episode of Miss Marple, and as you can imagine I jumped at the chance!

the lists of things have slightly changed from the original, due to plot being altered, The final props requested were three sleeves at different stages of knitting, so Miss Marple could be shown knitting them as the episode went on. the yarn chosen was Rowan Pure Wool DK in lovely ox blood colour, I even used old steel number 9 knitting needles.

The sleeves as I was knitting them

I had to do some research, a part I have thoroughly enjoyed, a bit too much as I spend far too long on  it, even after I new exactly what size the sleeves will have to be I continued with my research.  The best part of it was a visit the the British Library to look at old knitting pattern books, which were just stunning!! So feminine and delicate.
Anyway; what my research has uncovered is that we have grown! which is not a big surprise as our food isn't rationed, we eat better. well in my case too much, exercise more (knitting is exercise, right?), have better understanding of nutrients, vitamins and get vaccinated all of these factors make us live longer or it could be just statical deception.
Our sizes have changed quite a bit as well, the smallest sizing for an average woman in 1950 standard sweater knitting pattern was 28 inches and now it's 32 inches, so we have expanded a lot but we also have a lot better and mostly happier lives.

So anyway, my sleeves have finally had the moment in the spotlight in ''Greenshawl's Folly'' episode and I can't really explain how amazing it felt to see my work on TV! I loved the fact that there was a story attached to them as Miss Marple was going to her knitting club 'which I never miss' - her words, then through the episode the longer pieces of knitting would make an appearance. I loved every minute of it! And really enjoyed the actual story in the episode.

The shortest sleeve being knitted by Miss Marple at her knitting Club

My favourite screen shot!

 

 

I'm still on cloud 9! But I do promise I will not mention Miss Marple for a while now.......well a short while:)

Pet bed.....

I have become a bit cat mad, not surprising as Ollie is my first pet in 20 odd years. I never owned a cat and love his independence and his unashamed affection only when feeding is required.

The cat bed was an idea to give him his own little space, to do what cats do best...... sleep.

I crocheted it in Rowan Creative Focus Worsted in very vibrant red colour, a lovely yarn to crochet with. The inside cushion is made from furnishing fabric as it's lot stronger, very useful for sharp claws. The bed is quite easy and all levels of crocheters can do it. If you fancy making one yourself the patter is available in my Ravely store

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pet-bed-3

The photos took ages to take as cats do not do what they are told! It took huge amount of treats and lots of persuasion to make Ollie perform, but perform he did.....eventually, and the photos look great! 

 Treats??

Meow.....

Knitted pictures.....

I seem to horde picture frames the same way I do yarn, I have large collection of both. As much as I like filling my picture frames with pictures of family and friends sometimes it's nice to just do something different, so I decided to combine my two collections.

I'm extremely happy how those pictures come out, lovely lace and cable stitched just set off the frames and look stunning.....if I may say so myself.

The patterns are very quick to do and you can make them as wide and long as you like. If you never tried lace and cable knitting  those little projects are perfect to have a go. Below are the patterns, they will fit your standard picture frames.

I have used 3.75mm (US 5) needles, cable needle and Erika Knight's British Blue Wool in four colours: pretty, milk, fawn and milk chocolate. When yo finish the squares please block, as it will show the pattern a lot better.

Lattice lace in fawn (37)wool shade.
Finished size measures approximately 4 x 4 inches.
Cast on 25 stitches
Row 1 (RS): K1, *yfrn, p1, p3tog, p1, yon, k1; rep from * to end
Row 2 and every alt row: Purl to end.
Row 3: K2, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo *k3, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5: P2tog, p1, yon, k1, yfrn, p1 *p3tog, p1, yon, k1, yfrn, p1; rep from * to lat 2 sts, p2tog.
Row 7: K2tog, yo, k3, yo * sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, k1, psso.
Row 8: Purl to end.
Rep these 8 rows patter repeat until work measures 4 inches.

Horseshoe Lace in pretty (42) wool shade.
Finished size measures approximately 3.5 x 5.5 inches.
Cast on 22 stitches.
Row 1 (WS): Purl to end.
Row 2: K1, *yo, k3, l 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 3: Purl to end.
Row 4: P1, * k1, yo, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 5: K1, *p9, k1; rep from * to end .
Row 6: P1, * k2, yo, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 7: As row 5.
Row 8: P1, *k3, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3, p1; rep from * to end
Rep last 8 rows until work measures 5.5 inches.
Cast off.

Firefly Cables in milk chocolate (44) shade.
Special abbreviations: C4B - sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold at the back of work, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
Finished size measures approximately 4 x 7 inches.
Cast on 25 stitches.
Row 1(RS): *P1, k4; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2: K1, *p4, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 3: P1, C4B, p1, k4; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 4: K1, *p4, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 5: *P1, k4; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: K1, *p4, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 7: *P1, k4; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 8: K1, *p4, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 9: *P1, k4; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 10: K1, *p4, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 11: *P1, k4, p1, C4B; rep from* to last st, p1.
Rows 12, 14 and 16: As row 10.
Row 13 and 15: As row 9.
Those 16 rows for the pattern, rep the pattern 3 times more.
Cast off

Swirl Cable in Milk (36) shade.
Special abbreviations: T8F - slip next 3 sts on cable needles and hold in front, k3, p2 the k3 from cable needle 
Finished size measures approximately 5 x 7 inches.
Cast on 36 sts.
Row 1 (RS):  P9, [k3, p2] 3 times, k3, p9.
Row 2: K9, p3, [k2, p3], 3 times, k9.
Row 3: P9, [k3,p2] 3 times, p9.
Row 4: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 5: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 6: K9,p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 7: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 8: K9. p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 9: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 10: K9, p3, [k2, p3], 3 times, k9.
Row 11: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 12: K9,p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 13: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 14: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 15: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 16: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times k9.
Row 17: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 18: K9, p3 [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 19: P9,[k3, p2] 3 times, k3, p9.
Rep rows 18 and 19, 19 more times., ending with RS facing for next row.
Row 36: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 37: K9. p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 38: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 39: K9 p3, [k2, p3], 3 times, k9.
Row 40: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 41: K9,p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 42: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 43: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Row 44: P9, T8F, p2, T8F, p9.
Row 45: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times k9.
Row 46: P9, k3, p2, T8F, p2, k3, p9.
Row 47: K9, p3, [k2, p3], 3 times, k9.
Row 48: P9, [k3,p2] 3 times, p9.
Row 49: K9, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k9.
Cast off.

 

Enjoy :)

Erika Knight........

There are not many people that can do eccentricity like Erika Knight does.........and boy does it suite her! She was a guest speaker today at The Creative Sanctuary and I had the huge pleasure of being there and listen to her amazing story.

I was always a huge fan of Erika's work - the organic, simple lines of her designs always very enticing. Her new yarn collection is just yummy!, especially the lovely little blue wool in gorgeous chalky colours that just begs to be knitted, or the Maxi Wool in fab colours, Artisan stands out the most as its just such an interesting colour that will go with anything!! I love the story behind Marni colour in Maxi Wool collection - named after the film Marnie in which Tippi was petrified of red colour. Beautiful natural yarn with stunning pattern collection, that anyone can make.

It was marvelous to listen to her talk about her amazing carrier spanning so many years. The work she did for the most famous fashion houses from Vivian Westwood to Paul Smith., and the moment she new she made it when Boy George (still in his hey day) arrested in drug bust being escorted in hand cuffs but wearing a jumper designed by her!! Very empowering to hear how she fought for her individuality when trying to publish books, all publishers rejecting her as they wanted colours not natural, organic look  but she stuck to her guns and succeeded immensely! 

Erika Knight is fabulously eccentric, you get completely immersed in her, you hang on every word....just can't tear yourself away! Who can produce a scrunch up piece of tissue paper containing twig, bark, stone and some linen string and tell you they are the most amazing things.....and you know what?, they are the most amazing things! the smoothness of the stone, the way it feels against your skin, the stunning colour you just want to recreate it in knitting. Inspiration is everywhere!

I loved how she described  knitting and crocheting as creating stuff.....and that exactly what it is .....stuff, beautiful, personal and ours, we take a ball of yarn and create stuff! sometimes we don't finish our stuff and it becomes UFO-unfinished object and sometimes we make lots of  little stuff  and 'smooch' it together and create one big stuff.

But what she spoke the most about is British yarn and the importance of buying British and supporting sheep breeders and yarn spinners. She quoted Churchill's famous words 'we are a nation of little shopkeepers' for a while we have forgotten our quaint  little shops, our ability to hand make the most amazing creations, we have forgotten our roots! But we are back! We are returning to knitting, sewing and crocheting, we seek quality which disposable fashion shops do not offer, we want heirlooms, we want to be proud to say 'I made that' about what we wear! in Erika's words we are 'upgrading, upscaling, uplifting craft'.

The little shops are returning and my beautiful friend Angela is doing just that. She had risked everything for a lovely, old dream which has turned into the most amazing reality. The Creative Sanctuary is everything and more!

Gorgeous display at The Creative Sanctuary of Erika Knight's yarns and patterns

The lush Marni colour in Maxi Wool

 The importance of buying British

The absolutely yummy Blue Wool

A basket of inspiration

Stunning Artisan colour Maxi Wool made by 'smooching' together little bits of stuff

Some more lovely yarn

The Lady herself

My beautiful friend Angela who makes it all happen

When I grow up I want to be Erika Knight :)

Rowan Fine Art......

It has been long anticipated and finally I had a chance to knit with brand new Rowan yarn. Although I do not knit sock nor am I a fan of stripy yarns, I much rather knit with one colour yarns and add effect with interesting patterns, however I'm slowly falling in love with Fine Art! Its beautifully hand dyed and the effect of the stripes as you knit are lovely and gentle. The content -marino wool, kid mohair, polyamide and silk- ensures that the yarn is luxuriously soft, durable with a subtle sheen, it basically glides of the needles.

Best of all it comes in hanks, which I love winding into a ball, it evokes fond memories of childhood when I used to help my grandma wind yarn.

Overall it's a beautiful and fun yarn and although I'm still not going to knit socks a lovely shawl would be just perfect........already started sketching.

Ive started knitting a little lacy swatch of a scarf designed by Lisa Richardson, the picture quality is not great so unfortunately you can't see clearly the effect of the stripes but trust me its quite yummy.