Beginnings...

I love starting out on a new project or skill. It doesn't matter how wonky or rough it is, the fact that you have started something is such a rush.
Lots of love,
Kate.

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.

'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! 

Knitting a Scarf.

 It is a very odd thing to find yourself in an extremely humid late summer and have an unquenchable desire to knit a thick woollen scarf. And yet that is exactly the situation I found myself in two nights ago. Maybe it's a primal way of guaranteeing a change of season.... Come Autumn, rain your golden leaves and cool nights down upon us. Or maybe just the contrary nature of being human....'why not knit heavy projects when the air is dense with hot, fuggy moisture'.

 Either way, this is what I have ended up with and now I am even more keen for a cool change so that I can actually wear it.

 Over the past few years I've become obsessed with learning as much about knitting and crochet as is possible in mortal time.... forgetting how sometimes the most perfect stitch is often the most simple. I love the knit stitch in this scarf, how satisfying it is to see that tiny wavy pattern repeated endlessly.

And I was very lucky this morning that I had a little model keen to bandy it about. In the last photo he obliged my request to put Ted Ted down and stop sucking his fingers. Oh yes... and to smile. Hmmmm.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A New Jumper and Skirt... The Big Reveal.

 Okay... so two posts in one day - I must be really excited about my new jumper and skirt. REALLY EXCITED. So excited that I made my eldest son take photos of me.

I really hope this one doesn't scar him for life....

 In this one I am Gangnam styling a little. Archie likes this one.

 Laughing.

Oh the laughing.

And here, a little more natural and thoughtful. Watch out NZ's Next Top Model - I have so many different poses.

And this one. It's of my yellow shoes which are an essential part of the whole pink corduroy look...
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.
p.s. This jumper pattern comes from Mel Clark's wonderful book "Knitting Everyday Finery" and is the second time I have knitted it because I love it so much.

My Jumper.

 This weekend while all the boys were away at cub camp, I managed to finish my jumper. It is so soft and warm and fits like a dream. I will ask Archie to take a photo of me in it when he comes home from school later.

 Even though the boys were away I had my new rabbit keeping me company. I will crochet a garland for him, he is needing a bit of Easter fanciness.

And now I am about to head upstairs and finish off a pink corduroy skirt I began yesterday for my own bit of Easter fanciness.... there is nothing like eating chocolate eggs dressed in pink corduroy, living the dream I am, living the dream.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

New Projects.

 Can you remember what I was doing on Monday morning? Well, here is the result... a new set of Stanley cards that I will be selling online soon. They came back from the printers very quickly and I am  thrilled with the result. I particularly like the card's back with the toadstool and tree showing.

 See....

 My goodness Stanley has some adventures. 

I have also started my new jumper, it is knitting up so beautifully and is so soft that I have to keep rubbing it against my cheek. The grey wool is the cashmerino by Sublime which I bought on sale a year ago. The yellow and pink are bamboo merino by Sirdar "Baby Bamboo", a range that I am mad on for their wonderful colours.

 This is the pattern I am using above. I have already knitted it up once in a dusty navy blue and wore it so much last year that I had to knit another one. It is the best and most clever knitting pattern I have ever had the pleasure of working with.... it became my friend.

And it comes from this book which is one of the best knitting books I have ever read.
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

The Cable and Seed Stitch Cowl Pattern...

Well, here it is.... I am heading off to Australia for a week on Tuesday so I am hoping when I come back that there will be plenty of links for me too see your versions.... but that is only if you want to make it... you don't have to - no pressure. I do have to say however, that I am really pleased with this pattern - the seed stitch (also known as moss stitch) gives the cowl strength so that it doesn't curl in on itself - however you can scrunch it down so that you have plenty of breathing space... Have fun with it!!!

Abbreviations:

k = knit

p = purl

c4tf = Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front. Knit the next 2 stitches from the knitting needle and then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

c8tf = Slip 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front. Knit the next 3 stitches from the knitting needle and then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle.

I used 8mm needles and worked two balls of 12 ply wool at once (which was very easy).

Cast on 30 stitches.

Row 1. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 2. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 3. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 4. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 5. k1, p1, k1,  (c4tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c4tf), p1, k1, p1.

Row 6. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Row 7. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 8. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Row 9. k1, p1, k1, (k4), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, (k4), p1, k1, p1.

Row 10. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4),  k1, p1, k1.

Row 11. k1, p1, k1, (c4tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c8tf), k1, p1, k1, p1, (c4tf),  p1, k1, p1.

Row 12. p1, k1, p1, (p4), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p8), p1, k1, p1, k1, (p4), k1, p1, k1.

Repeat rows 1 - 12 until cowl has reached enough length to be wrapped either once or twice around the neck then bind off. Sew ends together.

p.s. This is how you can wear it if you skin is looking a little less than smooth. I thoroughly recommend it.

Fresh off the Needles and Hooks.

 I can't believe that I haven't posted a photo of the little jumper I made. I need to make a few tweaks to the pattern and am soooo looking forward to trying it onto the real live baby that I will be cuddling in a couple of weeks (not my own).

 I have also just finished this cowl and have already typed up the pattern so watch out - It just needs to be tested out one more time though...

 Most exciting of all however (and really only to me), I have picked up the crochet hook again and have lots of plans....

 Oh yes, I also finished this cowl last night. It was originally going to be a shrug but it wasn't very comfortable so I unstitched it and did a bit of reconfiguring. I absolutely adore it now, it's like being wrapped in a blanket.

Have a lovely day/night,
Love Kate xxooxx.