New Forest

I finally got around to writing this post, I tell ya I'm still in holiday mode, oddly exhausted after it, but very slowly I’m getting back to normality.

It has been a magical week in New Forest; I'm absolutely and utterly in love with the place. I haven't visited New Forest for about 6 years and I really forgot how amazing it is. There's just so much to explore and see from the harbour to the most stunning forests. Dave and I are both great lovers of nature and very keen walkers so for us all the forests were a dream comes true, we just couldn't get enough, but by far our favourite one was Bolderwood. Where else in the country can you go for a walk and see deer, ponies, donkeys, sheep and cows during one walk.

 We also found the most magical little spot in Bolderwood with stream running through. We spent a good few hours there; it was the perfect place to catch up on my knitting.

   

Dave has a very keen interest in nature photography, I think he's brilliant at it, he took some superb photos. It’s nice to look back at photos and see New Forest through his eyes. 

We stayed in Lymington which is a very charming harbour town that boasts the best fish and chips I have ever tasted and I even managed to find a very sweet haberdashery shop whose owner, Amy, couldn't do enough for you. 

We took a day trip to Bournemouth, it's nice to see that the town has changed since I last been there, but for the better, with its golden sandy beach and green park it's just so very inviting.

I couldn't resist popping over to Beadles haberdashery department, as I heard they done it up and boy, I wasn't disappointed, with its gorgeous duckegg fixtures it's a very inspiring department, but by far the best thing was seeing my book on display there!

The house we stayed in had a beautiful façade and most interesting lay out, inside felt as we have entered a time warp, not the downstairs part, but upstairs felt like it has been stuck in the 70’s with green carpet and wicker bedroom set, not to mention the very creepy old style cot in our bedroom I did not sleep well the first night. However the garden was beautiful and Red and I did take advantage of it.

 

The best thing of all was having Red there as a constant walking companion and ready for cuddles at any time.

 Selfies time! I did try to take a photo with Red, but I think he just saw a squirrel

One more thing; if you are ever around those parts, please visit The Crown Stirrup, its a very old stunning pub with the most delicious carvery, they allow dogs inside and even have biscuits for them and if that wasn't enough the guys who run it are so incredibly friendly, you feel you have been going to this pub for years.

Anna x

  

People power rules!!

I was suppose to write this post a lot earlier, but we were having such amazing weather on our holiday we were making most of it, but today a bit of a storm is hitting New Forest so morning spent in our rented house is advisable, perfect opportunity for blog writing. 

Anyway, about a week ago I wrote about a very sad, end of era type of news and changes that will be happening as a direct result of this news. However, on Friday just as we were about to get into the car and drive to New Forest I've received a phone call that changed it all!! 

As most of you know; apart from my own freelance business I also work part time as Rowan Design Consultant based in a very well known department store, I have been with Rowan now for 4 years and it is a job I absolutely adore and treasure with all my heart. It has been my dream job and it taught me so much, not only did I expand my knowledge of knitting and crochet beyond my wildest expectations, but also learned lots of technical and administrative things, how new yarn lines were launched, visual merchandising, how to submit a design and put together a collection, organising, hosting events and incredible knitting club and so much more. This job gave me the confidence to start Moochka (which has been a dream for as long as I can remember). 

Most importantly I have met the most incredible, like minded bunch of people, most of whom I'm very proud to call my friends. 

So when few weeks ago I was informed that the well known department store decided they will not require instore design consultants any more, apart from the flagship store, as you can imagine I was totally devastated. It didn't only mean the end of Rowan Design Consultants but also the end of the community, Rowan girls play a vital role in their local community by constantly hosting events and clubs, advising, teaching, helping the advanced knitters and the ones that just starting on their exciting craft journey. To lose this would have been devastating. I was offered a position to continue with Rowan in the flagship store, which of course I took, but my heart was still broken that such horrible changes were happening and all those talented, incredible people were losing their most loved jobs, but then something incredible happened.....

All those lovely people who realised what an important and vital job Rowan Consultants are doing, picked up their phones, wrote emails and letters, the response was so huge that the very well known department store had no choice, but listen!! They have taken the decision to reinstate all Rowan Design Consultants to their positions!! I'm beyond happy and amazed, words really cannot describe how grateful I'm to everyone who voiced their opinion and took a stand for the consultants.  One thing I know for sure, people power rules!!!!!   

     

 This photo was taken 4 years ago, just when I started working for Rowan and it's the first yarn wall I helped to merchandise. It was a fantastic day playing with loads of yummy yarn. 

Anna x 

Ups and downs

Last week has been rather horrid, on Tuesday I had some terrible news, kind of end of era news. Lots of changes are coming my way, which to tell you the truth is very frightening as I really do not do well with change, but oddly enough I'm rather excited about this, surely change must be good. There changes that are about to happen I was thinking of making myself in about a year as I felt I'm not ready yet, but obviously fate decided that I'm and the choice was made for me. I'm trying to stay optimistic and look at the wonderful and positive things that are happening in my life, like my book, teaching workshops, planning a wedding there's just so much to be thankful for. And this week I had a wonderful phone call that put my mind at ease and it has soften the blow of last week a bit, changes are still coming but they won't be so immediate and I can take my time and choose wisely, all is good in the world once again. 

The workshop season had kicked off with a glorious bang! 

It seems like it's been nonstop go, with all the preps, teaching and now I'm even putting together autum/winter workshop program (I know! We didn't even have summer yet!), but the more I teach the more I love this job! 

I adore teaching all levels of crocheting and knitting. Love beginners as there's nothing more satisfying than showing someone new skill and watching them fall in love with the craft and get addicted as much as I am. Very often I receive emails from my past students with projects that they completed and the way they have progressed it's amazing! Really brings lots of joy to my heart. 

This season so far I had lots of advanced workshops especially finishing techniques, which are great workshops for learning how to get that professional look to your knitted garments. Next season, due to very high request, I’ll be introducing finishing techniques for crochet as well. 

I also taught some workshops on fair isle and intarsia, entrelac, introduced some lace knitting to beginners (with the most amazing view onto the Olympic Stadium) and of course the glorious bunting, which is a project we make during ‘Moving on from Learn to Crochet’ workshops. Very busy last couple of months, but so rewarding on so many levels.

 Entrelac

Look at the view!

 

I put together some lovely 2-hour classes based on techniques used in my book. One of the classes is on crocheting a purse and the other on jazzing up your crochet with embroidery. I have quite few of those workshops booked around from different stores of John Lewis to Black Sheep Wools, so please check my website for more details, click here for the workshop page of my website.

 Crochet a purse

                                                                      Jazz up your crochet


Anna x

www.moochka.co.uk

Celebrations

On Sunday we had little celebrations for Ollie’s and Brick's Birthday, and before you ask....yes we do celebrate our cats birthday and yes we are those kind of people :)  

Ollie bear is now the grand old age of 9, and he does show it, very grumpy old cat, likes things his way only or he will throw a diva fit.  

 When it comes to Bricky pickles we are not sure when his birthday is. When he was rescued the vet

estimated his age for about 8 months, so April seemed like a good time to celebrate his very first birthday and it ties in nicely with Ollie's birthday.

To celebrate I've crocheted them little mouse called Hampton (well, I made few of them, not only one, that would be cruel) .

It's a cute little fellow full of catnip in his belly. Ollie absolutely loves Hampton and can't leave him alone for a second. Brick on the other hand couldn't care less, but then Brick is only interested in tearing up paper, if we leave any paper laying around he will be on it in a shot and not stop until it’s all in pieces, but saying that he is warming to Hampton and starting to play with it a bit. 

 

It’s so amazing to see how much Brick has changed from the kitten we got. Knowing his very hard beginning in life it is so special to see him growing up and turning into this totally adorable monster, who is the cuddliest cat on the planet, but also the naughtiest.

I fear Ollie does not share my opinion, Brick is still fascinated with Ollie and follows him everywhere, Ollie however wants to be left alone to snooze constantly, preferably on a patch of sun, but for most parts they do get on wonderfully and give each other grooming sessions. 

                                                                   Ollie's diva face

I made Hampton using 4mm crochet hook and Rowan All Seasons Cotton as I wanted natural and durable fibre, perfect for very sharp kitty’s teeth. You can use any aran weight yarn, you will need about 18 meters and a bit of contrasting colour for eyes. You will also need some toy stuffing and catnip which you can buy in most stores. 

Have fun making Hampton and I know your cat will love playing with it or why not make one for kitty in need.

The pattern for

Hampton is available here: 

Moochka 

Love Knitting

Craftsy

Anna xx

My book

 

It's here, it's here it is finally heeeerrrreeee!!!! My lovely bookie wookie is here!!

It's been a year in the making, full year of anticipation, excitement, fear and every emotion possible. 

The lovely people at Search press publication approached me last year, after they saw the crochet purse kit we created at The Creative Sanctuary. They liked the crochet purse concept and after seeing some more designs the project was approved and the work on my ’20 To Make Crochet Purses’ began.

 I have hugely enjoyed the process of creating every project and writing the book. As a designer to me choosing yarns and playing with colours is always the most exciting part of starting a new project, with the purses I had added bonus of also choosing fabrics, clasps and different types of fastenings. I would sketch each design for every purse, but only when the yarns and fastenings were chosen each purse idea was finalised.

The book is full of gorgeous projects for all levels of crocheter, from the ones who are just starting, to the more advanced. The designs are created by simple shaping rather than difficult stitches. The emphasis is on stunning design to suite many tastes and I’m sure in this book you will find plenty of lovely projects to get your hook stuck in to. 

I made sure that all yarns, fabrics and fastenings are widely available. I wanted everyone to be able to get them. The clasps are all made by Prym and are stocked by most retailers.  I wanted to give a huge thank you to Angela at The Creative Sanctuary for providing every lovely fastening and fabric in the book and to Rowan Yarns for providing all the yummy yarns.

You will find the list of exact yarns used in every project on my website, please click here.

I have planned lots of fantastic 2-hour bite size classes based on techniques used in the book.  They will be held in lots of craft retailers such as John Lewis, The Creative Sanctuary and, just confirmed, Black Sheep Wools, More dates of classes and workshops to come, so please keep visiting the workshops page on my website as I will be updating it regularly.

The book is now available from my website, Moochka, where you can request signed copy (I know! Get me!)

And from Amazon, The Creative Sanctuary and soon from most craft retailers and book stores. 

This clutch bag is named after my amazing late Mum Lucy

Brick and I decided to get a celebratory selfie, as you can see Brick couldn’t care less. Wanted to get a selfie with Ollie as well, but he just walked away, obviously selfies are beneath him. 

Anna x