Knittering

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…blah, blah, you know how it continues.  We all probably know at least one fan, and have bought or made a Star Wars-themed card present at some point.  Would I be able to find something to knit along those lines, I wondered?  Ha! Oh, ye of little faith.  Surely, by now I had realised that the knitting community has a pattern, a design or just an idea of absolutely ANYTHING I might want to represent in coloured yarn? Of course, I was not disappointed. …Read more …

I wanted something simple, seasonal and novel for my Christmas gifts this year, something quirky that would knit up quickly.  I found it with this very simple pattern for a Knitted Napkin Ring by Shellie Wilson.  All those paper napkins, used and abused at Christmas lunch and tea, could last well into Boxing Day if looked after properly.  A good linen serviette could last for days.  I had some appropriately coloured craft string, so got cracking.   Did I say simple?  I made the same mistake over and over until I got it right. …Read more …

What to give as a 50th birthday present to a party girl who talked of visiting the south of England from her home town in the south of France in October (apart from an umbrella)?  A lover of the wacky, the wild and the daft, and a mean foot on the accelerator… Why, a map, of course.  Not too detailed, just an outline, to show where we are in relation to where she is.  Maybe with a symbol or an arrow to indicate our actual towns, and a colour scheme to give a…Read more …

Now, you and I know that knitting is great, it’s fantastic, it’s relaxing, productive and over all GREAT.  What I love about it most of all is the fact that knitted gifts are unique.  People can buy and receive new baby cards or 25th wedding anniversary cards, and they might even keep one or two of them, the rest hitting the recycling box at some time in the future when it’s time to declutter.  However, a knitted memento is different – could be useful, certainly unique and, without doubt, special.      …Read more …

No matter what your sport, it’s probably true to say that if you don’t work up a sweat you’re not putting in enough effort, and not getting much out of that little effort either.  But no matter how hard I work, if my feet and legs are cold I can’t concentrate on isolating my muscles or getting in the zone.  Anyone else have that problem? Thick socks and long woolly socks made my feet slide and overheat;  then my friend’s husband’s 1980’s-themed birthday party prompted a vision of Jane Fonda complete with legwarmers. …Read more …

Cue haunting music...no, scratch that, this isn't about the Godfather but the Grainfather, a nano brewery and the ideal birthday present for the man who has everything (read that as the man who has very specific tastes).  Duly ordered and delivered, and with no expectation of being wrapped as DH had researched and selected the system himself, the Grainfather took up residence behind the settee in the lounge, ready for action.  But I wanted to come up with a surprise for the day itself. My DH now knows that yarn is likely to…Read more …

The brooch has always conjured up in my mind a piece of jewellery suitable for women of a certain age, a dated kind of embellishment to be worn on a coat collar or jacket lapel.  But wanting a novel gift for my work colleagues, I decided on brooches after discovering the fantastic 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet: A collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws by Lesley Stanfield. This book is full of ideas for creating flowers, fruits, vegetables, ladybirds...there was something here for everyone I wanted to knit…Read more …

It's that froggy time of year again; time to find or make something along amphibian lines for my friend's birthday, something that can be sent through the post to arrive on the day.  Now, I've nothing against presents arriving after the event - how can I, after a three-present haul when we met up last month - catching up after a birthday or two...       This felted frog card  was her way of suggesting I expand my creative horizons, so...         Well, painting some pottery at my local…Read more …

I’m not a hat person.  Never have been.  Whether it’s a wide-brimmed sun hat, a fascinator, a beanie or a bobble hat, I always look like somebody’s maiden aunt.  Worse, particularly when I remove the hat, I get a glimpse of my future eighty-year-old self.  A baseball cap is slightly better but jars with a smart coat and has few insulating properties.  However, the head band has solved most of those problems. Apart from on the ski slopes, I spotted one, sported by a sharp dresser on the high street.  I looked online,…Read more …