A bit of a rant.....

The other day I have been demonstrating certain knitting technique to some lovely ladies, when all of a sudden a woman came up and unceremoniously grabbed my needles out of my hands and declared that 'I will show you how to knit properly!' Then proceeded to 'teach' me how to knit the continental (yarn on the left) way! Don't get me wrong I have a deep appreciation for continental knitting after all that's how my Mum and Grandma used to knit, but I'm a thrower (yarn on the right)!! But what does it matter, there's no right or wrong way of knitting, and as long as you are happy with the finished project who cares how you hold your needles and yarn, and anyway it’s very rude to grab someone’s needles out of their hands…that is just asking for a slap!

I never understood this war between continental and English method knitters. Surely the way we knit is completely irrelevant, shouldn’t we just be happy to have the opportunity to meet like-minded people who share our love for craft?

The same goes with the big no-nos about finishing your knitted garment. You must never machine sew your pieces together…..why not?! Did I ever have a garment with all pieces knitted and really wanted to wear it that day, but no time to hand sew it together? Did I use sewing machine? Yes and yes!! Will I do it again……Hell Yes!! In fact my ‘Cool’ sweater from Kim Hargreaves’s ‘Spirit’ book is sew together on a machine and it looks very nice, if I may say so myself.

So my lovelies hold your needles and yarn proudly and knit on…whichever way you choose!!

Well that’s the end of my rant….I do feel a lot better.

Thank you for reading.

Anna xx

Zoo late..........

Last week Dave and I went to the London ZOO lates, it's an event which ZSL runs every Friday during June and July, it starts at 6pm and finishes at 10pm, strictly adults only! You get a chance to see the animals being fed, sample lovely food from the food market, have a drink, watch the cabaret and party at the silent disco! It is an absolute HOOT!!


Not many animals were being fed when we went as it was far too hot, apart from penguins, who throw a little show, well not a show as such ....just swimming around chasing fish, but it was most entertaining, especially the penguins ring leader Ricky who even has his on Facebook page.

Ricky and his gang, he's the one with the yellow feathers on his head.

It was really special to observe all the animals as they were getting ready to sleep, apart from the little naughty Mangabey's monkeys who are in an open enclosure and are allowed to interact with people, and are very interested in bags and shoes, one even undid my shoelace.

Naughty little monkey called Norman :)

It's really lovely to see how the London Zoo has changed for the better....so much better! I remember I went few years ago and it was heartbreaking to see all those animals so sad and lifeless, could have been just my imagination, but their sadness really stayed with me, especially that of penguins, who were in this totally inappropriate, tiny enclosure, it was a real joy to see them happy in their new huge pool.  We were just sorry we didn't have enough time to see all the animals as unfortunately 4 hours just isn't enough!!

Penguin's old pool, designed by Berthold Lubetkin, architecturally interesting but not very useful for penguins.

The Auntie Myra's cabaret was great surprise! Well not every day you get to see three men stripping! Auntie Myra herself was just fabulous! As you would accept: catty, sharp and wonderfully bitchy .

Auntie Myra

Oh young man......

There was just so much to see, really fantastic evening! I thoughtfully recommend it! I just was very surprised and disappointed how some people can get ridiculously drunk! You are not allowed to take a drink into the zoo but alcohol is sold inside, and some just take it too far, why would you ruin such a great night not only for yourself but everyone else! But still; their loss :)

Why the long face?? Ha Ha ....

The cutest little lama!!

Two hungry camels 

Emerald tree boa - the most beautiful snake in the world.

And the silent party is just getting started!

Gorgeous old style carousel 

If you ever get a chance to visit the zoo after hours - go for it! You won't regret it!!

Anna xx

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 :)