It’s been a while

I’ve just realised that it’s been a while since I posted that’s because I joined the twittering classes and am now on Twitter and have been up to my neck in knitting for the new book. PLUS there are two new patterns that will soon be available for download from the website. The first pattern isn’t exactly new it’s the Gladstone Bag so if you missed getting your hands on a copy of The Knitter you’ll soon be able to buy the pdf. The second IS a brand new pattern, a very pretty scarf named after my Gran Clementine.  ‘Clem’s Lace‘ is knitted in my 100% worsted spun cashmere which means it’s so so soft, incredibly warm and doesn’t pill. This is what she looks like;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Clem and Gladstone will be available from 1st November

Happy knitting until then

J

On the pins this week . .

Well first of all I have to admit to tweeting  more than blogging recently which is a little lazy of me but I seem to have been up to my elbows in fruit and it was easier that way. Don’t ask about the fruit, not only do we have a neighbour who never picks his own fruit and says we’re welcome to it but I’ve definitely been watching too many food programmes and there’s now a shelf in the larder devoted to ‘Mrs Sloan’s Homemade’ produce which currently includes; apple sauce ( 2 jars ),apple & mint jelly ( 5 jars ), preserved lemons ( 1 very large jar ) and Mr Sloan’s pickled chillies ( 1 jar is MORE than enough of those ). I’ve got a kilo of onions ‘brining’ at the moment and there are pears to pickle tonight courtesy of Delia’s recipe here. Oh yes, I also made a steak  kidney pie yesterday.

Anyway, on the pins this week is a rather pretty and yes I’ll admit, blingy pair of beaded lace socks for the new collection having finished the cabled ones AT LAST on Thursday. I’ve also got a lace wrap to block and press which I’ll hopefully photograph and post some taster pictures before the end of the week.

I’m off to pickle me pears

J

British Wool Week

October’s a busy old month,  not only is it Breast Cancer Awareness month – take a few moments to check yours please, to see how click here – this week is British Wool Week and there have been lots of events to celebrate including flocks of sheep in Savile Row – ooer who’d have thought – and even Selfridges getting in on the act with it’s first graffiti knitting event alongside its very own knitted house. It’s not too late to do your bit, Innocent (the smoothie makers)  are still looking for wee hats for their Big Knit campaign and if you’re quick you can get a couple done before the deadline hits this Friday 15th October.For more info and patterns including Shaun the Sheep, pea pods and pineapples click here then click on!

J

On the pins

…. this week on the pins is a rather nice and new sock yarn for which I’m doing a small book of designs  to be published next month. I have to admit that I’m having a small case of ‘second sock syndrome’ but that’ll teach me to put not one, but two cables into a fine gauge sock pattern – the final result is definitely worth it though. Pics will follow when I’ve grafted the toes

J

Unbelievable but . .

having said I wouldn’t I’m now on Twitter, thanks to Gil at The little Bead Shop.

Expressions 2010 – the pics

Following yesterday’s post about the Knitiffi collective trying to cover an Airstream caravan with knitting I’m pleased to report they’ve done it – though how the hell you get a pompom THAT big I have no idea.

Well done all and enjoy the pics

J

Knitiffi's knitted Airstream - is this the world's biggest pompom?

Nice use of stripes and texture

A little foliage for just a touch more detail

Expressions 2010

2 weeks ago my older sister San spent a walking weekend in the Brecon Beacons with a group of friends, nothing unusual there I’ll admit. The thing that left me gobsmacked was that they spent the evenings knitting, chatting and drinking – ok so I’ve been doing that for years – but my sister hasn’t, in fact she’d be the first to say that she was at the back of the queue when Mum was passing on the crafting gene, but the amazing thing is that she really enjoyed it. I’ve been telling her for ever that she needed to get knitting as it would help her to de-stress etc etc but I suppose she just needed to come to the light in her own time. So I’d like to say a huge thank you to Jacqui Harrison who was responsible for dragging her up the hillside and then shoving needles and yarn into her hands and getting her going.

Jacqui is part of a Knitiffi a collective of knitters which started at Aspects and Milestones Trust, a charity whose work covers a wide spectrum as they provide services for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and dementia. Based in the down in the South West of England they launched the collective by yarnbombing their head offices in Bristol earlier this year and this week they’re staging Expressions 2010 at Paintworks in Bristol.

The exhibition starts today with a Private View and charity auction and runs throughout the week until Saturday with a number of events, activites and workshops including a fashion show, graffiti art workshop ( Brizzle is the home of Banksy ) and an interactive project where visitors can contribute to a giant piece of French Knitting which will snake it’s way up a light structure throughout the exhibition until it’s finally illuminated and transformed into a chandelier at the end of the week exhibition party. They also plan to cover an Airstream caravan with knitting and top it off with a huge pom pom.

The exhibition opens to the public tomorrow Tuesday 5th october and runs until Saturday, there’s more info on Aspects and Milestones here and info on Paintworks here.

Good luck Jacqui!