This Christmas, I dug out my old Peter Rabbit knitting pattern from the 'archives under the bed', for a very special mum-to-be, my brother's girlfriend Monika.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas for me if I didn't have some handmade gifts to make. Granted with my charity handmade jewellery sale, I was a little short of time this year but luckily I started the knits a little earlier so that was alright. And this year there were more than just knits - I decided to do some Christmas cross stitch too.
But Peter Rabbit was the special one.
Peter Rabbit
It just so happens that my brother and his girlfriend are expecting a little baby boy this coming February.
I always struggle to know preciseley when to gift knitted things to people and invariably nearly always do it too early or too late. But Christmas seemed a good opportunity to give gifts to the 'bump'.
I picked Peter Rabbit because mum-to-be is a big fan of Beatrix Potter, particularly our cotton-tailed friend here. And my personal speciality has always been knitting toys. It's where I cut my knitted teeth, if you like.
Thankfully I've been hoarding knitting patterns for toys since I was about eight, so in amongst my stash is my Peter Rabbit knitting pattern as well as knitting patterns for the rest of the Beatrix Potter clan.
It's no coincidence that I'm now working at Woman's Weekly Magazine, as I've been an obsessive fan since I could read. My late grandmother used to help me make the toys and it's nothing that I've shaken off.
Sadly, for copyright reasons, the Peter Rabbit knitting pattern is no longer available unless you're able to snag a copy from eBay (worth watching, they do pop up from time to time).
I used Stylecraft Special DK which is pretty handy because they've got every colour known to man, and I added a few embellishments, a couple of brown Trimits safety eyes and a big pom pom for his tail.
I initially bought a pom pom from TOFT, having asked them at Ally Pally whether or not it would be baby safe - they said it was but I soon realised that it probably wouldn't wash, so opted for a synthetic one from Rico instead.
The sewing up and stuffing took some time - I shredded the stuffing and really went to town with puffing out his cheeks and shaping the face. As with all Alan Dart patterns, the shaping and sewing up was extremely complex but worth getting right and undoing if needed. I was thrilled with the outcome and I'm pleased to say that mummy-to-be was, as well.
Apparently she sat with it in her arms for most of the day on Christmas - not believing that a knitter could produce such a thing. Which is cool, because this is the first thing I've ever knitted for her and it's hard to tell whether or not non-knitters are gonna love the handmade thang....
It's almost a running joke in the office about the craft phases I go through. I have so many crafts that I do, but I only tend to stick to one for a few weeks and then move on to something else. They're like clockwork, and last about six weeks each. Knitting is not the current phase, it's something slightly sparklier.
Cross stitch is another frequent recurring phase...
Last Autumn, I went on a bit of a tour around the country teaching various workshops with ICHF and Woman's Weekly. I visited Birmigham, Exeter, London, Manchester and Glasgow for a few days each, all over three months and although was totally shattered by the time I returned, I had an AMAZING time.
...but I brought a new phase back with me. One I hadn't done before.
The first stop was Exeter where I purchased my very first beaded bauble kit in between teaching classes (ahem, in between actual work, that is). I'd seen the kits from afar at various other shows in years previous, but never actually got around to buying one. They just looked too complicated. Turns out, they weren't!
And then by the time I reached Glasgow (penultimate on the tour if I remember correctly), I was zipping around the SECC in between teaching classes to buy random beady bits from all the sellers. I didn't really know what I was going to do with them, I just knew I'd caught the bug!
Into one of my full-day crochet classes, wandered Lesley - one of my 'students', wearing the most stunning pendant you have ever seen. So much so, that while I was trying to teach the group, I just kept getting distracted. It was so sparkly, the more I think about it, the more I blame the 'magpie' effect.
She told me how to make one [I'm all like 'you actually made that?!'] and at Glasgow airport on my journey home, I ordered all the kit on my phone and had a go at it a few days later.
I had to try and remember the colours she used from memory (in my honest opinion, colours aren't something that memory records very well - I should have just taken a picture of the thing). I gave it my best - and despite a couple going wrong, I did alright!
You start off with a single Swarovski rivoli stone in the middle (for this one I picked a cool dual coloured one - but most of them are just one solid colour) and then weave beads around the edge in different sizes to enclose or 'bezel' the stone...
I made up a little woven strap loop to hang them on some pretty ribbon cords I get from eBay. The strap uses super tiny beads (size 15s if that means anything to you), so they come out really fine.
Excuse the blue fuzzy background, these are special bead mats which stop the beads from rolling around, they're like a velvery kinda surface.
Next comes stitching on columns of accent beads around the edge - one row of bicone-shaped beads in a large size (4mm)..
...and then another row of smaller ones (3mm) on top. The results are mesmerising. Not a day goes by where I wear mine and nobody comments or asks about it. I got caught out in Sainsbury's today with someone very kindly passing compliments. Thank you!
So recently, in this phase, I've been experimenting with different colour mixes for some really fun designs. I've done a few custom orders where I can pick and blend shades according to the personality and preferences of an individual. Those are always fun. But these are just me playing with colour, which is also great fun.
One of my freinds who I made one for recently suggested I try selling them at an annual charity benefit we have in our offices each year. They invite members of staff with 'making' skills to bring their handmakes to sell, and donate a bit to charity. So I've been experimenting with all sorts of colours and styles.
The itsy bitsy beads around the edges are called Czech Charlottes and although are described as a size 15, are considerably smaller. I've invested in a few different ones, although the bronze are my favourite, I've also got some gold and silver plated ones for a more luxurious finish.
Another lady told me recently that they looked like something Imelda Poldark would wear, which didn't mean anything to me at the time as I don't watch it, but I looked it up and lo and behold, not far off at all!
I must watch it one day. Period dramas aren't really my sort of thing but I could always give it a go. I might get some inspiration, who knows!
Anyway, any left from this charity sale at work [if it happens - we're currently moving offices], I'll be selling them off for charity anyway. So if you see anything you like, or you fancy a custom order, proceeds will go to Myeloma UK in memory of my grandmother who sadly passed after a short battle with the illness earlier this year. Just let me know.
I do think that 2016 has been a SHOCKING year for all of us, especially today. So I just thought I would talk about pretty things and enjoy a bit of healthy escapism before The Missing starts (love that show, and David Morrissey is goooorgeous).
Have a lovely evening, all - and look at it this way, 2016 is [thankfully] very nearly over.
I've been working on a few new designs for The Knitting Network, which is really cool because they appeard in Love To Knit And Crochet Magazine, and now they're going up online. So I just thought I'd share a few of them with you where I perhaps haven't shouted wenough about what I've been designing this year.
Essentially, building design time into your work time in an office environment is tricky, so they're simple and quick easy crochet patterns but there's some great stuff here if you're a beginner.
Kicking right off with my pride and joy;
Slash Neck Womens Top Knitting Pattern
This one is very special to me because it appeared as the cover shot on issue 2 of Love To Knit And Crochet magazine.
It's essentially two big squares with some felt-style mesh side panels which gradually turn opaque towards the neckline. I had all sorts of mad ideas for this one including all-mesh with an opaque strip around the bust, but in the end went for this more subtle effect.
The shoulders are tied at the top with crocheted chains so really for this one, all you need to know is how to crochet a double-treble and a chain, all pretty simple stuff. I used Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, a cotton which has gone on to become a favourite in the crochet cottons of my mental design pallette.
Download your easy crochet top pattern from The Knitting Network website. I have got some Sirdar Cotton DK put aside for me to make one for myself in navy blue - with some AB Purple knitting beads for the front panel - I thought this might give it an evening-y look.
Striped Scarf With PomPom Trim
This was another fun one, mainly for the fact that it was a fun brief, actually.
I don't get many opportunities to design in 4ply (it just takes too long when I'm on a deadline), but with this which was set to be a slightly smaller project, I had the chance to fill my boots with some delectable Rowan Super Fine Merino 4ply.
Really lovely stuff to work with for a soft scarf against your skin.
The brief was fun because myself and several other designers including Anna Nikipirowicz and Kath Webber, were each given a pack of embellishments including beads, pompom trims and embroidery threads, and asked to design a knit which showcases these little flourishes.
I kept it simple with this easy crochet pattern for a filet striped scarf - it's all trebles and chains (speaking the UK abbreviations speak here), so you can't go wrong if you fancy making my lovely, easy pattern. Download the easy scarf crochet pattern here.
Womens Chevron Poncho
I had lots of fun and slightly mad ideas for this one
Briefed to create a beach cover-up, I'm always a bit of a lover of design sketches. I love to draw, having studied the sculpture of anatomy and faces at high school.
Sadly my tinge of green in the above sketches didn't quite make it to the chopping block, and as such I ended up doing a design in just the duck egg and yellow [which is a little sharp on the eyes to be honest - but you can do it in whatever colour you want, of course!].
I managed to crochet the finished poncho in two and a half days, so this really is designed to be a quickie. I remember the conversation in the office about how good this particular design would be if you were heading off to a festival and needed something quick.
I added armholes just for the sake of being practical - I can't bear snoody and poncho things where you can't get your arms in.
Made in Lily Sugar n' Cream, this is a worsted/aran crochet, which you might think would be really heavy - but with the granny-square style finish, technically the fabric is 'half-empty', so it's surprisingly light. And as the finished item is a big square, it makes a pretty decent beach blanket too. Download this easy crochet poncho pattern from The Knitting Network.
This is probably the most special day trip I've ever been on. I
investigated activities in the area nearby where we were staying at The Blue House B and B. And I mean really nearby - and stumbled across one of the greatest animal experiences I have ever encountered. It looked incredible but boy was I in for a surprise - this is an up close and personal hour of getting to know about two very exciting creatures.
Sadly we were out of focus but the trip was amazing!
Just around the corner from where we were staying, is The Predator Experience. With my famously terrible sense of direction, I still managed to take us off in the wrong direction but you'd have to be blind not to see it.
As you can see though, we got there in the end, allbeit slightly late.
To preserve the beauty of the area, there are no signposts but you soon spot the sign on a peaceful, residential looking plot, We had no idea there were big predators in there!
We met hosts Dee and Daniel at their door who popped us into a jeep and drove us off to where we'd be walking with the wolves. Or so I presumed. Dee pointed to something behind us and we turned our heads to reveal two gargantuan (and gorgeous) wolves, Maska and Kajika, sat in the boot behind us!
It was then that it dawned on me that we were going to be walking at a nearby lake with these two beauties on leashes.
The walk was set against magical scenery
As soon as we hopped out of the jeep we were briefed by the impressive and knowledgable guides. I was very excited, and a bit scared at this point and went very quiet. I suppose it had never crossed my mind that we ourselves would be handling the wolves (with help, of course) and I came over very, very nervous. They're a lot bigger than your regular domestic pooch, and a little bit intimidating.
After a few minutes of walking Kajika with one of the guides (Ben has Maska for the first half of the trip), I was fine and totally enamoured.
Maska and Kajika are incredible creatures
It was raining (that horrible misty rain), and I'd brought my trusty old fossil of a camera but when you've got your hands full with these extremely strong, amazing wolves - there's not a lot of time for photo taking.
Luckily the guides had already thought of this, they stopped for a photo op and continued their presentation before we turned around and came back. They also very kindly took our picture although my camera couldn't focus in the rain (boo!).
And as a bit of an enthusiast, I can tell you that this is one of the best wildlife photography opportunities I've ever had. I love photographing animals. I've not seen anything better anywhere else and camera lovers would be silly to pass this up if they're staying nearby.
Don't be fooled - these amazing wolves aren't like dogs at all
The round walk lasted about 45 mins to an hour and Dee and Daniel taught us all about these hybrid wolves on the journey. They usually take groups of four but as I was covering this for Woman's Weekly magazine, it was just Ben and I on this one (and my, did we feel priveleged!).
Dee told us that the wolves' sense of smell was exponentially more sensitive than a household dog's. And we saw it in action - Ben took a tumble on one of the grassy banks on the way up, and on the way down, Kajika went to sniff the area and came over to have a whiff of Ben to make sure he was alright. It was very sweet.
The guides have a fascinating relationship with the wolves
The social behaviours were fascinating, and you can tell that guides Dee and Daniel are very much 'part of the pack'.
These hybrid wolves are exceptionally smart and although we were allowed to pet them (on extremely thick, waterproof fur, I might add - I was jealous of them on this walk!), we were told that they wouldn't 'get it' or respond (shock horror, they didn't!). But hey, we still got to touch these amazing creatures - how many people can say they'd done that?
We learned all about the fascinating mythology behind wolves raising children, big bad wolves in horror stories and werewolves.
I won't spoil it all because you ought to go, really - but did you know that when The Plague was rife, wolves would be seen emerging from the pits where the bodies were stacked?
You can imagine on a misty night to paranoid dwellers that this might look like the dead arising and coming back to life... as wolves. Hence werewolves. So many fascinating stories like that had me engrossed.
I don't spend much of my time quiet (ask anyone in the office) but I was gobsmacked for the duration of this trip. I just couldn't believe that we'd spent our morning in such close proximity to such wild animals.
They don't do tricks or anything, they are very much their own entity and I have the utmost respect for them. I do feel stupid for thinking that they were just big dogs.
All budding photographers should make sure they get to this if they're in the area. Not to be missed.
My other half has got a dicky shoulder and the guides were able to support him with this - they do help you hold the reigns and the terrain wasn't too bad, we quite like a decent walk. But if the weather is anything like it was on our day, make sure you put walking boots and waterproofs on!
Obviously make sure you have a camera - and something on which to record video. Because the tour ends with something you won't be able to see anywhere else.
When we strolled back to the jeep, the wolves hopped in, and Dee continued to educate us about the social nature of these creatures. She introduced us to the idea of the 'social bonding howl', which she starts to do and the other wolves joined in. I was so moved I was in tears! Check it out...
Honestly, it's probably the best thing I've ever done in the Lake District ever. Don't be put off by the price, it is worth every penny (and more!).
To Dee and Daniel; thank you for having us, you have completely changed my outlook on wolves and gave us a spectacular morning which surpassed all expectations. I'll be recommending it to everyone I know who goes up there! All the best in the future.
This was a thrilling trip and I was very honoured to recieve an invitation to pop along and meet Kaffe Fassett at The Gardens Of The Rose in Saint Albans, which is not too far from me.
I popped along to cover the event for Love To Knit And Crochet Magazine, with my personal knitting advisor - my mum.
The gardens were sprinkled with Kaffe Quits amidst stunning floral displays
It's always good to have a second opinion on knitting events which is why I always make sure she is with me. That way I make sure to get a balanced view of whatever the event might be. And it's fun for us to do these things together. I owe her the fact that I'm knitting at all.
I had no idea this pretty little gem had been hidden in such a local area - and on one of the hottest days of the year, it was possibly the most beautiful garden I'd ever had the pleasure of visiting.
The press area gathered at the Pavillion near the entrance
Having worked for Rowan for a good many years before moving on to publishing, it was a lovely opportunity to catch up with some old friends. I was not expecting a glass of fizz and a goody bag with some yummy Rowan Cashmere popped in (this is earmarked for a hat for the fella - it's his colour).
All the excitement was in the tent, where the fashion show was held
The highlight of the trip was the fashion show - telling the story of 30 years of Rowan. The first magazine came out the year I was born, so it has a very special meaning for me. I remember reading the mags and looking at the glossy pictures before I could understant the words.
The fashion show most certainly did not dissapoint. We had great seats and a fabulous view of the stunning garments.
It was really sweet as well because the huge crowd (it had to be fully booked, it was rammed in there) all came together when the older garments started coming round - especially the iconic Kaffe designs. All of a sudden we were all reminiscing about where we were the first time we'd seen certain garments, right down to where we were when we bought the magazines.
It was an amazing day which ended with Kaffe planting a Rowan Tree to commemorate the 60th Rowan Magazine (they do a Spring/Summer and an Autumn/Winter each year). Although sadly we couldn't stay for that bit.
If it ever happens again, I wholeheartedly would recommend you attend. I've also since found out that The Society Of The Rose also host as a wedding venue and let me tell you, I can't think of a better backdrop on a nice day for your treasured wedding photographs.
It's no coincidence that I'm now working at Woman's Weekly Magazine, as I've been an obsessive fan since I could read. My late grandmother used to help me make the toys and it's nothing that I've shaken off.
