FO Friday: Candy Bobble

Last week I started my own Coffee Cozie pattern, once I got into it, it was great fun to knit :) It took a few days to knit due to me being incredibly busy, but I did manage to finish it, and may I say I don't think it looks half bad!

The pattern is called Candy Bobble, and you can now download the pattern on Ravelry for free! I now have three patterns available for download on my Ravelry account, so don't forget to pop over and have a peek! 

I don't have any other FO's to share with you I'm afraid! I did manage to pop into my LYS today, going in for more pink yarn for the baby blanket I'm making, but I ended up coming out with King Cole Galaxy DK, Stylecraft Baby DK, V&A Craft Cotton, sewing box kit and emboridery thread for my sister!

So much for self-control!

I have no idea what I'm going to do with the Galaxy, (which is gorgeous, and soooo soft!) but I'm thinking of making a dishcloth with the Craft Cotton.

Now I will love you and leave you, for more FO Friday fun, head on over to Tami's, Natural Suburbia, and Wisdom Begins in Wonder!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Chat: Meet Contessa!

This week I had the pleasure of interview Contessa from Writing, Yarn, Pucks and Diapers! Here is how we got on!

What made you want to learn to knit and crochet?

"To be honest, I wanted to knit for such a long time that I don’t recall that first moment where I realized I was interested in learning. However, it was during my pregnancy -- for which I’d been put on bed rest -- that I finally got around to learning from a Klutz book. I can’t say learning to knit was great for relieving my stress but it was great for taking my mind of the constant fear of losing my baby.  

My knitting provided inspiration for my mother to pull out her crochet hooks for the first time in a couple decades. It was watching her race through a scarf the same thickness as the one I was knitting that spurred me to learn how to crochet."

Are there any new skills or techniques you would like to learn?

"Every time I think I’ve learned all I want to learn with both crocheting and knitting, I discover another fifty things I need to or want to learn.

A technique I’d love to conquer someday is Fair Isle knitting. I’m still quite inexperienced when it comes to color work so I definitely need to get some more of that under my belt before I pursue more difficult undertakings."

What has been your biggest success?

 "I don’t feel like I have a great many real success stories but the day I finally decided to try knitting a sock is definitely “up there” among my successes. 

I’d heard nightmare stories about gussets and turning heels and strangely enough, the thing I messed up with my first sock was shaping the toe.  

 But I completed the sock and rushed to complete its mate.That first pair is something I wear every time I visit my parents’ place and the knitting and yarn have held up beautifully despite my first sock’s “dorky toe.” 

I consider that pair a great success because I learned so much from them and they get the (second) most use out of any of my other projects. (My current purse is a knit mesh bag and gets used most but I don’t consider it a big success because it wasn’t as big a deal to make as was my first pair of socks.)"

Have you ever dared to create your own patterns?



"Ha, “dared” is exactly the right word when it comes to creating my own patterns. I’ve attempted a shawl and a Mobius wrap without patterns and both resulted in some pretty unsatisfactory garments. I’m not giving up, though.

I feel it’s my lack of understanding for shaping that is holding me back the most. When I start a new project, I’m following a pattern but not really giving any thought to what each portion of the pattern is contributing to the final product -- nor do I really understand how it all comes together in the end (I just trust that it does).  

Recently I’ve changed my approach to reading patterns and I’m hoping that will result in an eventual ability to create my own designs.  

Do I think anyone would pay for my designs? Doubtful. But I’d have no problem offering them for free if it meant people actually used them and enjoyed them! When it comes to designing, I’m much more a jeweler than I am a seamstress (or toy-maker, when it comes to amigurumi)."

 We all love hand-spun, and hand-dyed, have you ever tried spinning or dyeing yarn?

"Several years ago while at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire, I purchased some roving and a drop spindle after watching some women spinning their own yarn.

That roving, I am sad to say, is still in its roving-state and still in its original packaging. At least I can say the drop spindle has since been looked at though it still hasn’t been used.
One of these days I’m planning on sitting down with the roving and the drop spindle with a YouTube video cued up on my computer. (It’ll be a grand celebration with the trumpeting of horns, lots of confetti, some almond champagne and a giant buttercream-topped, multi-tiered cake. You’re all welcome to join me for the party!)

Happily I can say I have dyed my own yarn. I started at the end of 2010 with a skein of Patons Classic Wool and a couple packets of each color (I mean “flavor”) Kool Aid. I threw everything into a slow cooker and the rest is history.
I took a several month break from dyeing but with the opening of a friend’s online store (Candy Skein by Tami), I was inspired to get the slow-cooker and punch drink packets back out."

 Big thanks to Contessa for her wonderful answers and allowing us to pick her brain! 

L is for... Lilo!

Ever since I learnt to talk I've been asking for a dog. By the age of 10 I was so obsessed, that if I passed a dog while out with a friend, I could tell them not only the breed, but country of origin, temperaments, specific requirements of the breed and too many other things.

Finally, a few weeks before my 14th birthday I got what I'd always wanted. And it came in the form of Lilo, a Toy Poodle, Bichon Frise cross. Her full name is Lilo Madeline Doodle, but we like to keep things informal down here in the West Country.

When I went to the breeders to pick my puppy, I was originally going to choose Lilo's sister, (who is now owned  by friend!) but immediately after seeing me, Lilo decided I was hers. Despite being the smallest of the litter, she somehow managed to climb up onto the top of the sofa and leap onto my shoulder, where she sat for most of the time I was there. When she did finally decided to come down from her perch, she happily sat for a photo shoot!


I brought my little bundle of fluff home with me in June, when she was just 12 weeks old.





Every morning I woke up at 6AM to let her out to the toilet (she was house trained within 1 week, after that there was only the occasional accident - perfect puppy wouldn't you say?), we then crept up to my room and pulled my duvet downstairs (she had a habit of jumping on the duvet and sitting on it as I pulled it down the stairs).
 After that, we snuggled up on the sofa and watched BBC Breakfast until everyone else woke up.

Over the months that passed, her personality grew bigger and bigger, even if she didn't grow much herself.

All.. MINE!

Milk? Where?! 

No Mummy. NO!

Now aged 3 she is as silly as ever. When I picked up knitting in February she made her point of view on the matter very clear. She did this by climbing over me while I knit, sit on my yarn, put her toys in my knitting bag, whimper when I picked up my needles, and even ignoring me after spending a couple of hours knitting!

When I put the needles aside, our favourite things to do together are watch Crufts (curlier the dog hair, the better in her opinion!), take a walk in the forest and have a good 'ol cuddle!

If you are taking part in this weeks ABC, add your link to your post in the Mr.Linky below! Please make sure your link leads to your L is for... post, and not your blog page. Many thanks, and happy blogging! 

Thursday Chat: Meet Sharon!

The lovely Sharon from Witchy Knits 4 Ewe is next up in the firing line, here is how we got on!

What got you into knitting?

"My Aunt was at my house one day making a blanket and after watching her for hours, I thought, “I can do that!” I asked her to show me and I was hooked from there! Then of course, all these Hollywood stars were getting into it and that made me even more interested in mastering it. So, I did!!"

Is there any item you've sworn never to knit again?

"Yes!! It was a beautiful entrelac shawl pattern that was written so horribly my friend and I frogged it at least 8 times. Finally, between the two of us, we figured out the pattern and rewrote it. It was a nightmare though and I swore I’d never make another!! I’m sure my knitting group is laughing reading this because they know what the pattern was and how much it frustrated me!!"

Where is the weirdest place you've ever knitted?

"I think I’d have to say at my friend’s college graduation. I’ve knit in Dr.’s offices and during my kids’ music lessons, but never in a giant stadium! That was definitely strange!"

If there was anyone you could knit for, who would it be, and what would you knit?

"I think it’s a tie between making something for Gwen’s new baby in Torchwood Miracle Day, or something for the stars of Dr. Who. Maybe a knitted bow tie for the Doctor and a new scarf and fingerless mitts for Amy…"

 Which pattern are you proudest of, and why?

"That would be my Cabled Fingerless Mitts. They are my most popular pattern and have been featured in The Daily Knitter & Crochter free pattern blog."

 We all have a weakness when it comes to buying materials, whether it be yarn, buttons or stitch markers, what is yours?

"Definitely yarn!! I used to teach knitting at Michael’s Arts & Crafts and got a store discount and had a friend who worked for a major yarn company and gave me her discount. Needless to say, I have a ridiculous amount of stash!! I also like gadgets of any kind so I have a lot of things lying around that never get used but are “cool” to have!"

What inspires you to write?

 "I’m in the middle of writing a book with my business partner for witchyknits4ewe, LLC and so trying to get my name out there and patterns for people to try has been a huge inspiration for me. I also love to write about my kids and all the cute animals I take care of all summer at the Day Camp I work for. So, my blog ends up being a little bit of this and that. Also since I found out I have Celiac and need to be Gluten Free, I’ve been blogging on that a bit too. I have my younger son on a GF diet and his Psoriasis has cleared up and his behavior has been better. He like to star in pics for my blog too!!"

We all have a blog post we are particularly proud of, which is yours and why?

 "Wow, that’s a hard one!! I posted about a great day I had out with one of my good friends here and I was very proud of my husband and son when they made their igloo hereand I finished my vest for the Ravolympics… My Maryland Sheep and Wool post was fun too and then I used that for my first ABC Week post to your blog!! Like I said, WOW - I can’t decide on just one!!"

 How would you sum yourself up in 5 words?

"I would say I’m a “witchy, wacky, gluten free knitter!” Does that work?! Haha!!!"

Big thanks to Sharon for answering all my nosey questions, especially since she is a very busy girl. You can take a peek at all Sharon's patterns over at her Ravelry page, definitely worth a glimpse! Next week I'll be interviewing the lovely Contessa, so stay tuned! 

WIP Wednesday: Coffee Cozies, Shawls & Knitting Celebrities!

On Sunday, I decided to make the Tiny Tags Mug Hug, from the book Mug Hugs. I loved making the hug, and the end result was fab (all revealed on Sunday!). My Mum loved it as well, and wondereded if I could make her one for the cafetiere (or French Press as I believe it is known in the US). I quickly accepted the challenenge and headed to the book Coffee Cozies, which is a book by the same company who made Mug Hugs. I thought they might have made a Coffee version, but alas they did not.There was only one thing I could do, and that is to make my own! 

I decided to use Sugar N' Cream Stripes: Pinky, which is an Aran/Worsted weight yarn. It took me a while to work out the pattern, but I think I have it down now. I've changed it quite a bit, such as on each tag row, there are meant to be just 6 tags, but I have made it so that Tag Row 1 there is 6 tags and Tag Row 2, there are 7 tags. I've also made it so behind each tag is stocking stitch. 

Once I finish the Cozy, which will probably be next week, I'll make a PDF of the pattern so you can all give it a go, as it is a lot of fun to knit! 

I haven't had chance to work on my Shawl since last week, so nothing new to show you on that. But I really should get cracking on it, as I need to wear it this Saturday! 

I do have another Mug Hug on the needles for my Year of Projects but you don't get to see that until Sunday! 

In Showbiz news, singer Pink has taken up knitting! That is a sentence I thought I would never hear!

For more Works in Progress, head on over to Tami's, where the popular linky party hits the big 50! And also head over to Ambassador Crochet for more WIP Wednesday fun! 

K is for... Keith!

Meet Keith. Keith is a normal guy who likes to travel. He didn't go to school and no one knows how old he is. His goal in life is to get out of the yarn box and become something. Preferably a sweater, but we all know that's not going to happen.

Keith may be waiting for his dreams to become a reality, but in the meantime he's having a jolly good time hanging round the house!

Here he is getting stuck in a vase. Silly Keith!

Meeting Lilo for the first time, she looks less than impressed.

Keith just loves looking out of the window...

Keith has decided to hang around An Accidental Knitter for a while, and he may very well pop up from time to time, so keep your eyes peeled!

Definitely An Accidental Knitter

You know how my blog is called 'An Accidental Knitter'? Well I am about to live up to that name.

About two weeks ago, before I went to stay with friends, I made my Aunt and Cousin a Mug Hug each from the book, Mug Hugs (Cozy). I made On the Edge and Waffle Weave. 

The Waffle Weave Mug Hug was a lot of fun to make. To set the pattern, you simply slip stitches. So on the first two rows, you knit with yellow, knit one slip one etc, a little different for row two, then on row three you swap the colour blue (carrying the yarn to the back, as if you were doing fair isle) and do the same. 

Simples!

Once you get the hang of it of course. It took quite a while to knit, an entire day in fact. But by the end, it looked fabulous, and I was really proud of myself.

Here is where the 'Accidental Knitter' part appears.

After making both the Waffle Weave and On the Edge Hugs, I packed them away in Mum's Suitcase, forgetting to take a photograph of them for my blog. Now there somewhere in the North of England, and I'm unable to get a picture of them.

*Ahem*

As I didn't photograph it, I felt as if I was cheating if I counted it towards my year of projects. So, I quickly knitted up another On the Edge Mug Hug! 

It's a really easy knit, and was a great way to ease myself into a Year of Projects. Instead of a button hole, you simply cast off, and join the two ends together at the top and the bottom! It makes it a lot easier to keep the Hug on the Mug, even if it is a little awkward to get on in the first place.

The post doesn't end here my friends, oh no, I have another Mug Hug to show you!

After I finished my Cable Bag on Friday, I found myself with two lovely, squishy skeins of Sugar N Cream Stripes: Modern. A quick flick through my book, and it was finally decided that I should try my needles at the Tiny Tags hug.

Making the button hole was a new learning curve for me, to make it you cast off three stitches in the middle of your row, then the row after cast the stitches back on. It was certainly a different technique, but not one I like to be perfectly honest. After you make the hole, your left with a big line of yarn in the middle, which will make it rather difficult to squeeze the button through.

Despite all the negativity though, it does look rather funky! 

I love how the yarn has pooled, and I think the 'tags' are really neat idea! Here is a closer look:

I'm looking forward to seeing the green come into the mix, and even though I'm not an avid tea/coffee/hot liquid drinker, I might keep it for myself!

So that wraps up my Year of Projects post for this week, if you'd like to see some more posts you can search for them on Google by typing in YOP11-12, or heading over to the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry!

Have a good one! :) 

100 Days 100 Words: Clock

This weeks 100 Days 100 Words word is Clock. Yes you heard me, Clock.Those stupid things that wake you up in the morning, and make you appear to be running late. There are so many things I could talk to you about clocks, but I thought I would go completely left field and talk about my knitting time (which I did blog about back in April!).

Most of my knitting time is spent snuggled up on my bed with the radio on and Lilo right by my side. This is where I do most of my more complicated knitting, as it is out of the way, where no one can disturb my counting. I am known though to get to involved with a sing-along to the extent that I either chuck the needles in the air at the big finish, or completely ruin my knitting by ignoring the pattern. 

When I'm feeling social, or Rafael Nadal is playing, I'll head downstairs and watch something on the big screen. I tend to switch on Pointless, the One Show, and at the moment I'm really into the Great British Weather. Some days though, I go wild and watch a film, normally something light-hearted and concentration lacking (I did attempt to knit while watching Inception once, big mistake!). 

When I can, I like to knit in public. I'm not sure whether this is a built in desire to embarrass my sister or just the fact that I like knitting, but whenever possible I give it a bash. Or a stitch, should I say?

Knitting in the car is a big favourite of mine, as I have Knitters Travelling Syndrome I can't knit while on the move, but once parked up in Tesco's car park I'm more than happy to pull out the needles. Katy, my younger sister, slinks down her chair, red as a beetroot, as people stare through the glass trying to catch of a glimpse of Cornwall's very own Knitting Teen. 

I try not to knit while I'm at other people's houses, as my Mum says its rude. But this doesn't stop me from slipping in a simple WIP into my handbag, and if it accidentally appears into my hand while my friend's disappear from the room, then I can't help that. 

I don't normally knit while I eat, its hard enough trying not to get food down my shirt, never mind attempting to knit at the same time. But I do like to have a munch on some sweeties at the weekend, normally in the form of Jelly Beans or my all-time favourite, American Hard Gums. Chocolate covered candies are totally out of the question, especially when white yarn is involved. 

The big question then, is this: How much time do I actually spend knitting? Well I've done a little calculation, and I believe I spend between 3-5 hours knitting a day. I've had to cut down considerably as I used to spend so much time knitting, if I didn't knit at least once a day, my hands would start to ache! 

So there you have it. You've delved into the small, knitted world of An Accidental Knitter. You have learnt that I'm an Anti-Social, Jelly Bean loving, Cornish Knitting Addict. 

And yes, I am proud.

FO Friday: Weaving with Waffles

When I started my attempt at Year of Projects, I made the Waffle Weave hug (that is the photo from the book, hear the story on Sunday!), I enjoyed knitting it so much I decided to make myself another. When half way through, I came up with the idea that instead of making it a Mug Hug, why don't I just sew up the sides and call it a phone cover? 

The pattern is made by slipping stitches, and once you get the hang of it, it is oodles of fun! Does get a little messy because you are knitting with two balls of yarn, but as long as you don't get the yarn caught around your feet and fall flat on your face like I did, everything is fine! 

My second FO for this week, is a bit of surprise actually. To both me and you. I started this project waaaaay back, like two days ago. That's right, I finished my Bright and Bold Cable Bag!! 

I loved, loved, loved making this bag. I used Sugar 'N Cream Stripes: Modern, and it was an absolute dream to work with. It was lovely to have soft cotton running through my fingers, rather than the rough acrylic I'm used to. It pooled beautifully, not completely perfect but almost. Even the handles looked great, despite being in different colours (although in my opinion it adds some handmade charm). It knitted up really quickly, was easy to sew up (and that is by my standards, so for you it would be a breeze) and looks great! (Again, in my opinion!)

I am definitely going to make a mini one for my niece in Sugar N Cream Stripes: Pinky, another item to add to her ever growing goodie bag! (Which I really must get a start on, I only have a month now to get that all done!)

In other, not so big yet incredibly boring, news I had my 50th post yesterday! I'm also 3 followers away from hitting the big 60! Chuffed? I think so.

So now, while I go and take the Pizza out of the oven and completely stuff my face, head on over to Tami's place for some Linky Party fun! 

Thursday Chat: Meet Faye

This week, it's the turn of Faye, a pattern designer from the blog, Cravings. Here's how we got on!

What made you want to learn to knit?

"I was taking classes at a local pre-professional dance company and apprenticing with the company, and need a way to cope with the pressure. It was a great way to relax backstage and during downtime in rehearsals, and really cleared my head. I’d always been kind of crafty, I just hadn’t really found knitting until then."

 What has been your biggest success?

"I think I was proudest when the UK mag Let’s Knit approached me about featuring my blog (specifically the Jaymie cowl pattern) in their February 2011 issue. I really liked how the pattern had turned out, and it was incredibly cool to see something I’d come up with talked about in print! It definitely inspired me to try to do more with my knitting."

What got you into blogging?

 "I was actually in China at the time, and was having amazing experiences. I felt really inspired and alive, and it was showing a lot in my knitting. I wanted a way to chronicle that a little bit, but also to put down my passion for creating into words. I think knitting is something we fall in love with, and it’s nice to share that with other people like us!"

What inspires you to create patterns?

"I think I draw a lot from current styles. I get inspired by something I saw on the street, or in stores. I’m one of those people who always has my camera phone ready to snap up-close pics of cool stitchery whenever I'm at the mall. If I see something I like, I’d much rather rework it and make it unique than buy it off the shelf. Sometimes yarn can be a huge inspiration as well. Certain skeins are just begging to be something in particular."

Which is your favourite patten that you have created, and how did you get the idea for it?

"My Fantastic Mr Fox Hat is definitely my favorite. It’s so whimsical and fun. I sell my knits at a local arts show, and that’s the piece everyone picks up and talks about. Plus, I love patterns that give you a great result with simple techniques. 
I think the idea was just wanting to express that childlike, bold bit of ourselves we still carry around with us no matter what age we are! Sometimes it’s just good to let yourself be silly and wear a hat with ears on it."

Who is your favourite designer, and why?

 "Naturally, I have to say Ysolda. Stephanie Dosen and Cecily Glowik MacDonald are up there, too. I really admire designers who can consistently create beautiful, unique patterns that are always recognizable as theirs."

 Myself and many others are aspiring knitting and crochet designers, and advice?

"Knit or crochet everyday, even when you’re in a funk. Whether you’re working on a pattern of your own or someone else’s, just keep going. It’s like any other kind of art--the more you do it, the more you can do it. And never, ever apologize for your stash."

Big thank you to Faye for the wonderful interview and advice! If you'd like to see more of her designs, visit her Ravelry page! 

WIP Wednesday: Bright and Bold

Waaaaaay back in April, which in actual fact doesn't seem that far away, I started a Cable Bag from the book Knitty Gritty: Knitting For The Absolute Beginner. With a mixture of wrong yarn weight and colour, I ended up frogging it. Then a couple of weeks ago, I was told about the on-line yarn superstore Deramores, or as I call it, heaven, and found myself Patons Morocco Aran. A beautiful multi-textured, self-striping yarn. Perfect I thought, so I went ahead and ordered myself 3 skeins in the Jade/Smaragd mix, with the intent of using it for my second attempt at the Cable Bag.

As I sat down to watch the lovely Rafael Nadal take on another victim opponent, I got out my needles and knitted the afternoon away.

The first thing that struck me while knitting it, was that the yarn wasn't thick enough to be Aran. Sure the dark blue aspect of the yarn was Aran, but the rest of the yarn, to me anyway, felt even thinner than DK. I carried on regardless and as I did I realised that yarn weight wasn't my only problem.

The colours pooled just the way I'd like, but despite this it just doesn't look right. At first I thought it might have been because of my knitting skills, so I frogged it and started again. It looked exactly the same. So sadly I had to frog it, and come to the realisation that I'm never to have this rather lovely cable bag.

When all hope was lost, the American's arrived. I scored myself some Sugar n' Cream yarn in several colour-ways (all about that here) and the Modern stripe skeins were perfect for this bag. Aran? Check! Beautiful colours? Check! Dream to work with? Check!

So this afternoon I set to work, two hours later here is the results:

I am very happy. It was definitely worth the wait!

So I bet you're on the edge of your seat wondering what I used the Morocco yarn for?!

Well, it took a while but very, very early on Sunday morning, about 2am, I decided to make the Lacy Shawl from the book Knitty Gritty: Knitting For The Absolute Beginner. I thought it would be perfect as the yarn is silky soft, and has the same thickness as Double Knit yarn. And in actual fact, it has turned out quite well!

I'm planning on using the Shawl and Bag next weekend, so I only have a week to finish them both! Fortunately they are both really quick knits, I've only been knitting the Shawl for about 4 hours and I'm already on the 17th pattern repeat!

So that is my WIPs for this week, head on over to Tami's blog for more Work-In-Progress posts!

J is for... Joy!

I find joy in a lot of things, but this week it comes in the form of good 'ol American/Canadian yarn that they call Sugar n' Cream.

I spotted this yarn on Ravelry when I first joined, and let me tell you, it was love at first sight. I searched and searched the web for a UK stockist, but couldn't find anyone. Then last week I got Let's Knit August Issue, and included was a Create & Craft brochure, and you never guess what they had on offer!

I went straight to the website, and spent the £20 I had just been given on 12 skeins of this Cotton Treat. I purchased Pinky Stripes, Lime Stripes and Modern Stripes, which are all Aran (Worsted) self-striping yarn.

Modern

I have only given them a cuddle thus far, but I already know that I love this brand. Its bright and colourful, soft to touch, and it even has a nice smell to it.

I bought the Modern colour way hoping to make myself a bag to match the shawl I'm making for next weekend, I was a bit dubious as first but after seeing it I know that it will work perfectly. I reckon the bag will only need 2, or at the most, 3 skeins, so I'll have an extra to play with.

Pinky 

I bought Pinky just because I loved the colour. I have no idea what I will make with it, all I know is that I love it. This is certainly the start of me buying yarn just because I love it, its just going to go downhill from here. Candy Skein here I come! If you have any suggestions what I could use it for, drop a comment!

Unfortunately the Lime hasn't arrived yet, and like the Pinky I bought it just because I fell in love with it. I think though it might work as a Blanket, although it would have to be a Baby Blanket or a small blanket as I only have 4 skeins. Again, any suggestions highly appreciated!!

So now I turn over to my wonderful ABC Writers, click on the links below to see what J represents to them!

Oh my gosh...

I got the latest issue of Let's Knit today (August 2011 issue), and when I flicked through the magazine I had a quick look at the Blogs of the Month section (page 53). I happily scanned the page when suddenly I found my name on there!

An Accidental Knitter
Charlotte began knitting during an illness and uses her blog to keep a record of her knitting journey, alongside her cute dog Lilo.


I seriously can't wipe the smile off my face! I want to say a big thank you to the Let's Knit team for even looking at my blog, never mind mentioning it!

Now I'm off to stick this in my scrap book.

Thursday Chat: Meet Jasmine!

In the knitted seat this week is the lovely Jasmine from Jasmine's Crafts. Like myself, Jasmine suffers from M.E, as it is mentioned in the interview, I would suggest having a quick read of what it is before you continue reading! 

Back? Okay, on with the interview!

What got you into knitting?

"Boredom. And the fact my grandma didn't like me moaning about being bored. So she taught me to knit one afternoon. I'd like to say I searched out the best teachers in all the land after seeing something that inspired me to create with my two hands, but nope. Boredom!"

What was the hardest technique for you to learn?

"Colour changing, I still haven't mastered it but I did learn to do stripes,  eventually. I can do lace (advanced beginner, albeit!), cables, I can knit in the round but the idea of doing fair isle/intarsia scares the heebie jeebies out of me!"

 What is your favourite item to knit?

"Hairbands, I am bias though as I wear them all the time, but I do enjoy knitting them as well."

We all have a weakness when it comes to buying materials, whether it be yarn, buttons or stitch counters, what is yours?

"Yarn found in charity shops, has lately become my down fall. Especially if it's discontinued, then there is just no choice other than to buy it!"

Which is your favourite pattern that you have designed?

 "Probably the Moldova headband pattern and the idea for it came from the show Life Unexpected, the buttoned on piece is an abstract version of the décor on the main characters hat. Not particularly original!"

 If there was anyone you could knit for, who would it be and what would you knit?

"I really like an artist called Tanya Davis, she's not that well know but she has knitting in a few of her videos. If I knitted for her, it would be a privilege, and I would knit a little toy."

Knitting is very much in style now, why do you think that is?

"I think this is because a lot of high street shops sold a lot of machine made knitwear styled kit over the winter, which proved very popular. It became 'trendy'!"

How would you sum yourself up in 3 words?

"Crazy, fairy, different." 

 If you could live in any other time, when would it be and why? (E.g Ancient Egypt, Tudor Times) 

"I would probably have been born 10 years earlier, if I'd had a say in it! I can't explain this, no rhyme or reason to my thinking (like usual)!"

Who or what inspires you in your life?

"The first thing that came to me when reading this question was, the idea of recovering from M.E inspires me to keep going. But I would probably not have that hope and inspiration if not for the kindness of the people around me, ravellers, friends and family who go on when things are tough. Life goes on, that inspires me."

Favourite film?

"Hands down, Everybody's Fine. Different, moving and oh so lovely!"

A big, big thanks to Jasmine for the interview, you're an inspiration to us all!

I is for... Images

My week in pictures, 27th June - 3rd July.

Started... then frogged. The bag that was never meant to be.

Time for some blogging...

Lilo...

                                            Better luck next year Murray!

Making some Cupcakes!

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon Mens Final 2011. Sadly things didn't turn out the way we planned....