If You Like Alice Hoffman.....

 If you like Alice Hoffman, Sarah Van Allen, Lisa Van Allen or a beautifully written story with a pinch of magical realism, then you will love 'The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender' by Leslye Walton. I don't want to give too much away but it does begin with a baby girl born with wings...... Now I want to crochet a pair of wings for myself! 

You can find my wing pattern here.

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx

Hooked! - a Blog Hop Book Review.

Hurrah for today because I get to review 'Hooked! 40 whimsical crochet motifs from weird to wonderful' by Michelle Cecile and Sylvie Delprat. I am over the moon at being given this opportunity because I have been wanting to appliqué with crochet forever. 

 As you may know, I have a rating system where I count how many patterns I would make from the book. The number required for me to buy the book is variable. If the patterns are amazing then 3 projects would make it worthwhile. I also look at whether it would compliment my collection - this one would as I don't have anything on crochet motifs -the books available on this subject haven't been to my taste...... this one however breaks the drought. The styling alone with baby's breath, washi tape  and roses dotted with crochet, makes it a visual feast. And the projects are truly adorable as you can see from the photos.

I'm mad on the little hedghog. I can't wait to make bunting for Hugo with little hedgehogs along it. 

 And the rabbit patch is perfect for Easter.

 Wahoo - a project that Archie will want to make!

 I couldn't resist crocheting a cupcake. The pattern was simply written and very easy to do - always a good thing.

So here is what I made - perfect for the kitchen!

And now for the score, 30/44 which is fantastic. I am sure that when Archie comes home from school camp the score will go up when he chooses his favourites! 
And here are two more wonderful things.
 1. 'Hooked!' is on a book hop which means you can see other reviews and projects made from the book here.
2. There is a competition going on over at Stitch Craft Create where you can win a copy of the book and a lovely bundle of yarn!
Lots and lots of love,
Kate. xxooxx.

'A Good Yarn' - A Book Review.

'A Good Yarn' by Katherine Poulton  is my favourite knitting pattern collection ever. EVER!!!

Maybe I should tell you why. Katherine Poulton and Lily Cole (both models -  read more about them here) set up the knitware company The North Circular in 2009 for London Fashion week, wanting "to return value to the hand made product, personalise the process of production, rekindle the relationship between the producer and the purchaser - knitter and scarf wearer, practically and digitally.We were both blessed with talented knitting grandmothers,so we grew up knowing the value of things made with love". 

They make the most amazing beanies, mittens, scarves, snoods, socks, etc - and have been my go to guide for inspiration for a long time now.

Late at night I often surf the internet looking for new release books. When I stumbled across this book my joy knew no bounds.... except, there were no reviews on it and these days I don't like to buy a book unless I know what some of the projects are in it and have seen a few photos. There are so many wonderful books out there but often they may only contain one 'must do' make. I'm happy to  borrow these books from the library but not necessarily purchase. My criteria to buy means that there must be at least three projects worth making - or two if they are spectacular.

So I wrote to the publishers explaining my predicament (it must have been a brave day) and asked if they could please send me a copy to review. And they did! Thank you Kyle Books.

The next question arose in my mind. When a book is given to you for the purpose of review, how do you fairly evaluate it without gratitude (that wonderful thing) getting in the way. I went back to my criteria for buying a book, how many of these projects would I make. I counted up the number of projects in 'A Good Yarn' that I would knit either for presents or for myself and ended up with the astonishing number of 22 (out of a possible score of 30). And I would choose to knit these over similar patterns in other books because they are amazing.

SO NOW I CAN RAVE! GAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

This is the most generous book. So many of the beautiful pieces from their collection are included! For instance, the beanie pictured above is sold on their site in a dip dyed version. I feel so rude even mentioning this next point but.... well,  we crafters can be thrifty - it sells in their shop for £89.00 whereas the book sells for £13.59. Hurrah for being able to knit!!!!!!!!

With so many beautiful projects, it would have taken all day to upload the photos. Instead I've only included a few which was a very difficult job.

Another reason for loving 'A Good Yarn' is that all of the yarn choices are eminently sensible. I borrowed a book from the library once where the projects were made up with all sorts of crazy, expensively branded cashmere. I later read a review on that particular book where totted up the expense for making one cushion - $200US. In this, no brands are pushed. Instead they tell you the ply, needle size and tension required. For a bulkier knit, they recommend using 2 strands of aran together - very simple.,

I am thinking about my nephews for the beanie above - they don't need to know that a girl was photoprahed wearing it.

This is one of my favourite patterns. I have a long neck and adore anything that I can wrap around it multiple times. A collar and a scarf - wahoo. I also want to make this one for my slightly younger brother but in a different colour because he may feel awkward if we wear matching clothes in our late 30's.

Of course the photography is beautiful and the best thing is, I'm sure I'll look exactly the same in as them in this beanie because that is how it works. Yes indeedydoo.

We have a young family friend at art school who this hat would be perfect for - but in black because that's what art students wear.

 And the Bobble Hat again. I love how it pops up here and there in different colours.

The Catch Shrug - this is in my top three list.

One of my favourite things to make when travelling are socks. However, I'm completely fed up with 4ply patterns. This one however, uses dk and is now at the top of the list. Once again, this book is definitely proving itself to be my new knitting bible.

 Houndstooth gloves!!!!

 This is another of my other absolute faves. A little while ago my friend bought something similar and I was secretly green with envy..... Actually I think she probably realised when I tried to wrestle it from her when she left.

The other reason I am thrilled to have this book is because my boys and various nephews have grown out of the other books I used to work from in both size and taste. And they aren't quite as keen on crochet toys anymore..... Having something contemporary to dip into for presents is great. 

I really, really, really love 'A Good Yarn'. The patterns are straight forward, beautifully styled and photographed and just so inspirational. It even has loads of tip boxes from experienced knitters. 

You can buy it here, here and here.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxx.

p.s. By the way, if you read my post yesterday, you would have picked up that I have not been well and all of these photos were taken from bed. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts - I'm now feeling much better.

Faux Taxidermy Knits - A Review!!!!

First of all, let me begin by saying that life is wonderful and life is short and I now have a policy of only reviewing books that I really, really, really love - why waste time talking about something that isn't inspirational. So when I was contacted to review 'Faux Taxidermy Knits' by Louise Walker and join in on her bloghop, I jumped at the chance.

It really is the most inspired, creative and beautiful knitting book that I have seen in ages and has me itching to pick up my knitting needles again.

I wish I could have tried out a pattern before now but with the ball, school play, caravan and sick kids, it's just not been possible. Probably a good thing too because I am still in negotiations with who gets to choose the first project. 

Louise is the most amazing artist - her blog teems with crazy amazingness. Actually, I am more than a bit in awe of her, she not only created all of these patterns but also did the photography for the book too. And it's just gorgeous.

This is my absolute and utter favourite project - this photo isn't as vibrant as the others and this is my fault as I copied and pasted it from my pdf of the book. Think even more beautiful colours than what I'm showing. I just wish that I could have knitted this for Jonno to take around at the ball on Saturday night. It would  have gone so well with his frenchman outfit and his crocheted snail. 

 Archie and Hugo are very keen for me to knit this one up.......

 And Archie is desperate to have a mole doorstop - we were so fascinated by all of the mole holes we saw in England. It took us a little while to work out what they were at first.... crop polka dots?

Awwwwwwwww.

And this is my other favourite project - the badger's head. I think it would go very nicely on the family photograph wall. He is so handsome.

I am so thrilled to be a part of this bloghop - it really is such a special book and it is always such a treat when your kids (especially boys) love it just as much as you do.

You can buy it here, here, here and here. It's also available as an ebook.

One last thing, I feel so fortunate to be creatively able in a time where knitting, crocheting and sewing has been elevated from the concept of being 'a domestic pursuit' to an art form. These books would never have been available a few years ago and it is such a joy to see these amazing projects being printed and celebrated.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxxooxx.

p.s. I am about to fly out and visit my family in Australia so the next couple of posts will be coming to you from my mobile phone. I hope the quality will be ok. Please forgive me if the photos are a bit smaller!