Knittering

Ah, Christmas.  What to make and give to friends this year?  In September I started searching for ideas among those free patterns generously shared by other knitters, and struck lucky.  Five different Christmas tree decorations which suited each individual on the receiving end of a knitted gift, and I don't mind telling you I enjoyed every knitting minute of making them (even when those twiddly bits of mistletoe went missing under the sofa).                                        …Read more …

Bunting is IN.  Everywhere I look there’s red, white and blue bunting, floral print fabric bunting, multi-coloured PVC bunting; paper bunting; Liberty print bunting; Vintage doily, print, postcard, sheet music and map bunting; spotty bunting, striped bunting; wooden, ceramic and hessian bunting; themed bunting, even Star Wars and Pride and Prejudice bunting – but no knitted bunting.  Well, there is now...   Psst Did you know - Bunting (or bunt) was originally a specific wool fabric, known as tammy, and manufactured in the early 17th century. It was used to make flags, such…Read more …

Winter.  Wind, rain, hail beating against the window.  Maybe even some snow?  Bring it on, as long as I'm on the inside looking out, preferably with a cup or mug in my hand. But not a scalding china cup or a knuckle-burning mug.   Oh no, a cosy, woolly handful keeping my hands and my tea warm.                                 All these patterns are found in Mug Hugs by Alison Howard A great little book, full of fun designs and…Read more …

The annual dilemma - what to knit and give for Christmas presents.  A coaster?  Done that.  A personalised dishcloth?  So last year.  A bookmark?  Whaahh?  Yes,  a bookmark can be just as fun and festive, and personalised, as it is useful.  So as my colleagues love books almost as much as they drink tea...             Thanks to Cveti at http://cvetulka.blogspot.com for the pattern and the inspiration to make and enhance further this great design.    Read more …

My oh my, I didn't think I was that interested in rugby, but clearly it will out.  Read more …

Mmm, exotic, sweet and firm to the touch; what more could you want? Crisp and succulent when young, soft and custard-like when mature, Sharon Fruit is to die for. Maybe not as luscious as her cousin, Persimmon, who is often at her best when plump and ready to burst at the seams, but Sharon is glowing, good-natured and consistently delectable. She's seen in all the best places, although she sometimes plays hard to get, and last week it looked like Sharon had gone to ground. I was heartbroken. Was it something I’d said?…Read more …

New phone, new worry - how to avoid scratching the screen.  Solution?  A knitted phone cozy, of course!  Thanks to Charlotte Nash  this simple but effective pattern is great in itself but can be adapted, as you can see...                Read more …

Bunting is IN.  Everywhere I look there’s red, white and blue bunting; floral print fabric bunting; multi-coloured PVC bunting; paper bunting; Liberty print bunting; Vintage doily, print, postcard, sheet music and map bunting; spotty bunting, striped bunting; wooden, ceramic and hessian bunting; themed bunting, even Star Wars and Pride and Prejudice bunting – but no knitted bunting.  Well, not any more... There are a number of patterns and styles available and I chose this one for its simplicity and the fact that the flags are hung on a knitted string – that’s the…Read more …

Boiled egg gone cold? Then you need one of these. Fashionable and functional, easy to customize, they're a very satisfying make.  This design, Pearly Girly, by Gina Alton, had an Audrey Hepburn air about it and inspired me to make three beaded cozies for three girlies using DK yarn and 4mm needles. Following the original pattern, I amended the embellishment to suit the materials to hand and they were 'egg-cellent' Easter gifts. I found the pattern in a brilliant little book - Egg Cozies, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd. If you don’t…Read more …