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

A Sneak Peek at Let's Go Camping! Crochet Your Own Adventure

 Now that the release date is rapidly drawing near (24th September - Jonno's birthday), I thought I should show you a little bit of what I have been up to over the past few months. 

Many of you have seen the crochet caravan which will of course feature in the book, but did you know that there are all sorts of other patterns for things like narrow boats, ice cream trucks, lake cabins, tents, teepees, etc, etc (my fingers will drop off if I write down everything and you have to have a few surprises left when you open the book).

 One of the projects I adored making was this narrow boat. Here it is undergoing construction on the kitchen table. It was such a joy to make.

 At first it was a little cold so I made a wood burner for it. What a difference, the bed only needed one blanket after that otherwise it would just be too hot to sleep. I do spend a lot of time on my own it may be worth pointing out here.

 Cruising along the kitchen table on a paper river.

The wood burner is of course crochet and doesn't make a difference to room temperature.

If you are wanting to pre-order a copy, check out your favourite online bookstore or try here
Lots and lots of love,
Kate. xxooxx

A New Beanie

 The first thing I felt like doing after my huge batch of crochet was to knit. So here is the beanie I made with wool bought during my travels last year from Loop and Wool. It was a joy!

The pattern was taken from my favourite knitting accessories book, 'A Good Yarn' by Katherine Poulton.

Happiness.

I hope you have all had a lovely Easter and eaten way to much chocolate!

Love Kate. xxooxx.

Yarny Days.

 Time is moving swiftly at the moment. Summer is quickly changing to Autumn and my big little Archie grew 1cm in 1 week. How does this happen? The roses are onto their last flush and the apples are plumping up in the orchard. 

This is actually my favourite time of the year, both boys were born in Autumn and the sudden cold mornings and clear skies fill me with such a nostalgia... of course it also means that two birthdays are looming and no presents have been purchased!

My days have been filled with endless crocheting and stitching (more on that another day) so I have been getting up early each morning for a walk. Some mornings the boys come with me - these mornings are the ones where I have to remind myself to walk slowly and enjoy the conversation. Other mornings it's just Bertie (our Border Collie) and myself enjoying/avoiding the fresh dairy farm smells that crop up here and there, barking at pheasants (just Bertie I swear) and trying to get a little bit of a pace up.

My ergonomically adjusted chair.

I've also been having a bit of a book festival. Lovely, easy reads have been making their way to my bedside table. I adored 'Garden Spells' by Sarah Addison Allen which was her first book written in 2007. 'First Frost' is a sequel and has only just been released - I loved it, truly a case of catching up with old friends. 

Susan Wiggs has also kept me very happy with her Bella Vista Chronicles. The first in the series is called 'The Apple Orchard' and the second, 'The Beekeeper's Ball'. Add a little bit of Tess Gerristsen to the mix and you have a nice balance!

And finally, some roses.

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.

Books.... and Running Late.

 First of all, let me just say how sorry I am that I didn't get the tutorial up today. I have worked so hard today to finish it but just didn't get there. My afternoon has been cut short a little bit as Jonno and I are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate his birthday (we spent last night watching the boys in their school play). So PLEASE FORGIVE ME and I will have it up tomorrow instead..... pinky promise!

 This is going to be a quick post as I want to put a bit of make up on before we head out (I've reached that certain age) so I will just show you what we have been reading in the house and will talk about them another day. 

This is the pile of books I picked up from the library the other day. I am so excited.... Lucy - can you see that I found some of yours!!!

So here are some bluebells picked to say "Thanks for your patience".....
Love Kate. xx
p.s. What have you guys been reading lately - any good tips?

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! 

Library Love.

 One of the best things about being back is my library. It is so good to have a great stack of books for the family to work through again. We read constantly while we were away, picking up books here and there and I also had a jam packed kindle. But to have this pile without spending a fortune is gold.

 I'm so excited to have the last Deborah Harkness book in her All Souls trilogy. I've enjoyed it so much. Mary Lawson is such a favourite too. She writes such a beautiful stories set in Canada. I have also been loving 'Design Bloggers at Home' by Ellie Tennant. Their houses are sooooo pretty. No huge towering piles of washing and loom band detritus anywhere.

 I'm feeling pretty happy too after sending out a stack of Stanley books. Don't forget Little Woollie's giveaway over here. The winner will be drawn on Tuesday.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Lots of love,
Kate.

p.s. I am reading 'When the Cypress Whispers' by Yvette Manessis Corporon which is wonderful. Mum read it a little while ago and justifiably raved about it. I can't believe I have nearly finished it, it'll be like saying goodbye to a friend!

Craft Bomb Your Bike.... The Book!!!!

 Every day I keep running down to the mailbox (we're on a farm, it's not a quick dash) to see if my new book has arrived. I'm still waiting - it should be here any day now but I can't wait any longer to show you - "CRAFT BOMB YOUR BIKE: 20 Makes for you and your bike" - dahdah!!!

Late last year I was contacted by David & Charles Publishing to contribute some projects to their new book on bicycle craft. Of course I said yes immediately as you probably know by now that I have my own highly dressed bike which I love and adore.

 I was very lucky and had three projects accepted - handlebar birds, rabbit ears for basket and bunting with bells (which is most handy for preventing heart attacks in the unaware as they can hear you coming).

 The first three photos are from the book.

 This is the bunting before it was sent away - I can't wait to see what it looks like in the book - you can just make it out in the top left hand cover of the book.

 I adored making the birds, they were such a pleasure. I have a pair for my bike and I have to admit that the male wears a top hat. More photos for another day.

So hopefully in the next couple of days I will have a copy in my hot little hand and will be able to show you more photos. But in the meantime if you would like to order it yourself, it's available here and here.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.