K&C Week Wildcard: Craft Your Perfect Day

I visited the Eden Project last year and fell in love with the place. My dream is to become a flower photographer so it was brilliant fun being able to photograph all the wonderful varieties of flowers and plants they have on show there.

That is why, if I were to craft my perfect day, I would host it at the Eden Project. Included in the fun would be a walk around the largest rainforest in captivity, inside this Biome is a Bamboo House, which is the perfect place to hold a picnic!

©ElfinKnits

After a good old fashioned picnic of exotic fruits and other delacies, my friends and I would have a knit and natter. The walk around the rainforest would have inspired me to knit Jungle Creepers by Sara Hayten! A beautiful sock pattern created to mimic the vines and vegetation growing in the rainforest.

Why this fascination with the rainforest?

Not only do I find it stunning, the heat and humidity of the rainforest actually kills the pain I'm constantly in. So much so I was able to get out of my wheelchair and walk around the exhibit without feeling a thing!

My friend says I should take up camp in the Bamboo House, walk around in my bikini and eat pineapples. Which I think sounds like a jolly good plan to me, although I scare myself in a bikini never mind passers-by, so perhaps for the sake of the mental health of others it would be wise for me to wear a tank top and shorts.

So once we're full of pineapple and have had a quick knit, it's time to move over to the Mediterranean biome! Taking in the wonderful scents of the perfumed herbs, strolling past olive trees and admiring the cork sculptures takes you on a real sensory journey through California, South Africa and the Mediterranean!

©Donna Griffin

What better thing to knit among the sunflowers, than Summer Flies by Donna Griffin. The butterfly and lace motif in the shawl are reminiscent of the beautiful butterflies rippling through the warm Mediterranean air.

After all this walking, it is time for a sit down. What better way to see the Eden Project than by riding the Tractor Train! (Also a great time to get a bit of knitting done!)

Final stop on our tour is a stroll through the gardens. See how plants are used for our medicines, fuel and food all over the world.

Take in the vibrant colours and scents of these beautiful flowers. From the common daffodil to exotic beauties, you can't help but be inspired!

It's time for another knitting break, and we let the beautiful gardens inspire our choice of pattern. I've chosen the Snapdragon Tam by Ysolda Teague. A gorgeous tam with petals growing organically in the open sections of the lattice cable pattern. Knitted in a vibrant colour to give it that summer feel. 

©Ysolda Teague

So, I do hope you've enjoyed my fantasy crafting day and I also hope you've enjoyed this weeks posts! It has been both inspiring and brilliant fun, writing these posts and reading those of others. Round of applause to Mimi for organising another year of crafting fun! I've learnt new ways of blogging and writing, discovered new blogs and seen how far I've come on my knitting journey. And in all honesty, if it wasn't for this meme last year I probably would have given up both blogging and knitting, so thank you Mimi!! 

K&C Week Day 6: Improving Your Skillset

Considering that this time last year I was just learning to purl, I think my knitting has come on in leaps and bounds. Last year, in the post 'Something to Aspire to' I told you about the different skills I would like to learn over the coming year, and I'm pleased to say that I've learnt all but one!

"Well, as I am new to knitting there is so much I would love to learn. The stitch that I am most looking forward to doing, is cable. I just think it looks so beautiful..."

I'm pleased to say that I learnt to cable not long after that post was written. I've used it in bags, mittens and more recently a beret!

Two projects which I had planned on knitting over the year were Fetching by Cheryl Niameth and 16 Cable Hat by Circé Belles. The reason I haven't knitted them, is simply because I've only just started knitting in the round. I'm going to add them to my list again though, so hopefully by this time next year they will be sat on my Ravelry Project Page under finished.

"One item I aspire to make is a shawl. My Nan has crocheted many, and after hearing her ramblings I'm pretty scared of taking on such a big challenge. But I admire those who have tried and succeeded."

Again, this is something I still aspire to do. I plan to make Dragonfly Wings by Boo Knits using Colinette Jitterbug that my Mum bought me last year.  I'm not sure if the 'Florentina' colourway will be too busy for the pattern, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Other things on my 'To Knit' list are to finish my first pair of socks. I want to thank everyone who commented a couple of weeks ago when I asked for beginner sock patterns. I finally chose to knit the 8 Stitches per Inch Socks by Ann Budd. I'm finding the pattern really easy to understand, and really recommend her book 'Getting Started Knitting Socks' to anyone starting on the sock path.

My Branching Out Scarf

Other things I hope to achieve my next year, is to have knitted my first toy using the book The Big Book of Knitted Monsters by Rebecaa Danger. My eldest niece Tilly saw the book in my bedroom a while go and ever since has asked me for 'a monster please Aunty Charly, made with your noodle mitters'. So Tilly, by this time next year I hope you'll be the proud owner of many monsters! And if you don't, then I think you have no choice but to banish me from the kingdom.

The final skill I would like to learn, is simple lace. I had a taster of it when I was knitting my Branching Out scarf (which unfortunately fell of the needles and frogged itself "/ ), so I hope to step it up by knitting the Winter Haven Scarf by Aimee Alexander. I hope to use the King Cole Galaxy DK in Red that my Mum bought me a few months ago. This would be the perfect scarf for my friend Carol, who is always looking for bright but elegant scarves. So hopefully this will be finished by November!

So that is my skill set list all completed, and I'm looking forward to reviewing it next year to see how I did. Most of the projects I've listed will be added to my 2012-2013 Year of Projects list, which means I have to knit them over the coming year. Bring it on!

K&C Week Day 5: Something A Bit Different

I've been sat in this yarn box for weeks now. The other yarns treat me differently, so much for a tight-knit community!

They think I haven't been watching them... but I have. I've been working out the social classes. From what I've seen so far, it's the hand-dyes that are running the place. They rule with an iron fist, but will happily show off their amazing colourways and soft textures. Then you have the acrylics they're pretty high up, which you wouldn't have expected, they're constantly coming and going, being used for all sorts of projects: Gloves, Cardigans, Blankets, you name it, they've been made into it. They show off their bright colours, like a peacock fans its feathers. Eyelash yarns are the hermits of the yarn box. We only have two here, and they've been here a year. They know they're not getting out. The Knitter hates eyelash yarn, she's just keeping them out of pity.

Sadly there is someone even lower than the hermits...The rejects, they're at the bottom of the crochet chain. People round here don't take kindly to people who have been knitted. Jealousy in its woolliest form. They've become rejects either because they're a used yarn from a friend or because The Knitter decided she can make you into something better.

Now, if you're a foreigner and a reject, you better prepare to be un-wound. Now who would dare do that gruesome job? I'll tell you who. The chunkies. Even the hand-dyes are scared of them. They'll unwind you until your're so knotted up The Knitter has no choice but to put you into a zip-lock bag named "Yarn Vomit". Ironically though, the chunkies in our box are now rejects. The Knitter handled the situation herself, by sticking them in a zip lock bag with the label 'Crap'. The whole box rejoiced when this deed was done and for now, the box is a much quieter and more enjoyable place.

I remember when I was first picked up by The Knitter. I'd been sat in a bargain bucket at the local crafts shop, just passing the time by counting sheep, when a shadow suddenly hung over us. When she started rumaging through, I thought it was one of the staff deciding who was to be trashed, but suddenly she picked me up and looked at me with incredible intensity.

"Aha. Perfect."

I'd never been called perfect before, so you can imagine my excitement as I winked a goodbye to my old pals while The Knitter waddled over to the counter. I remember the refreshing cool of the carrier bag and breathing in the fresh air as I was carried through the high-street.

I was always taught that you'd be knitted as soon as you were home, at least that was what it was like in the old days. The modern knitter is all about hoarding, and I learn that lesson the hard way as I was carefully placed in the dark box.

I've heard stories of new yarns being placed in their new home, only to be smothered by a fluffy mob. So the moment I was placed inside, I huddled into a corner and placed myself behind a zip lock bag prisoner. Niether of us can hear what the other is saying, so we just sit there in silence. Which is just how I like it.

Hiding does create a rather large problem, though. If other yarns can't find me, how is The Knitter meant to? Fortunately for me, the Knitter logged me into this online catalogue of yarn porn she has on this website called Ravelry. One day she'll scroll through and notice me, I'm sure of it. 

So if you're a knitter or crocheter like my owner, pleased do not keep us just for to show off to your fellow crafters, or to cuddle when feeling stressed. Think about the yarn in your closet, under your bed and in your fridge. Remember that you bought us for a reason. That at one point we were your heaven. Please make us into somebodies heaven. Whether it's a blanket, a toy or even a washcloth, we don't mind. Just use us, that's what we're for.

Thank you, and happy crafting.

Yours sincerely, 

R. B. Cotton.

P.S,

It seems The Knitter has put this on the internet and has asked me to tell you to consider nominating her if you enjoyed it. Can you believe it, she is taking credit for MY letter! What a cheek. 

K&C Week Day Four: A Knitter or Crocheter for all Seasons?

I would like to sit here and tell you how organised I am. How I find out all the events of the year, and see if presents need to be made, then organise what I'm going to knit and when so that it is given in time. How I sort out when I need to knit winter items so I don't have cold hands and feet, and when I knit summer things so I will always have the shawl to go with my new dress, or beret to compliment my outfit.

If I did tell you all that, then it would all be big fat lies. I used to be a very organised person, like scarily organised. But when my M.E got severe in '10 it all went out the window. Now, I am one of the most un-organised people you'll ever meet. DVDs are no longer alphabetised, bookcases are a mess, I forget to order my tablets and most importantly, I never know what I'm supposed to be knitting!

I have started getting organised for winter, but that is only because I went through a mad phase of knitting gloves. Most of the family now own a pair, but now they have one pair they all are asking for another!

As it is Spring now I am trying to prepare for summer by knitting berets, shawls and kerchiefs. I'm currently knitting Larch by Tinks & Frogs Rue, which is a simple scarflet knitted in fingering weight yarn. I orginally wanted to use Mistofellees by Black Cat Fibres but the colour change was too often for the GS to cope with. Instead I've opted for Rico Design Superba Chinee in a deep purple colour. It'll go with the white blouses I tend to wear during the summer months, and it will complement my dark denim jeans.

I hope to have the plain garter stitch blanket finished by October so we're all warm and cozy during the winter, I have another blanket on the go as well but I'm afraid you'll have to wait for M.E Awareness Week (6-12th May) to hear more about that!

I plan on getting obsessed with knitting socks during the summer, so that by November the whole family won't be complaining about their cold toes. I hope I won't be complaining, either.

I've realised while writing these posts that I hardly ever knit for myself, and my friend Fleur kindly pointed that out when she commented on my 'Perfect Storm' Beret.

So I hope that this year will not only just bring Organisation, Socks & World Domination, but also hand-knits for myself.

K&C Week Day 3: Your Knitting or Crochet Hero

My Knitting and Crochet Hero is my Great Nana Vera, she taught most of my immediate family to knit. She was taught by her Mother, and then went on to teach both her daughters (My Nan & my Great Aunt), two of her grandchildren (my Mum and my Aunt) and finally, she taught me.

When Nana taught me I would have been about 9 or 10. She was partially blind by then and how she managed to teach me, I don't know. We sat cuddled up on the edge of the sofa, as she slowly guided me with the needles. She knew that I learnt best when someone showed me, so she didn't bother trying to tell me how or what to do. About an hour later, I charged up the stairs (as she lived with my Nana & Granddad in a big house, she lived on the ground floor) telling the whole family what 'the best Nana in the world' has taught me to do. 'Look, I can knit like Nana now' I announced to the dumbfounded crowd before me. Before anyone could utter a word I charged back downstairs to attempt another lesson.

A few years before, she had knitted my youngest sister a cardigan. Katy adored it. I don't actually remember a time when she wasn't wearing it. Nan had knitted it a couple of sizes too big as Katy has an awful habit of getting too tall for her clothes, very quickly.

We still have it to this day, and it is still in perfect condition. I can't find the original pattern, so one day I would love to re-create it for my sister, with every detail right down the buttons. It will take a lot of designing know-how though, so it won't be happening for a while.

Nana didn't just knit though, she crocheted too. I think out of the two, she was best at crochet. Why? Well, take a look at this.

Beautiful, isn't it? I'm led to believe she crocheted this and a large tablecloth (which always came out for special occasions) for my Mum back in the 19080s. Unfortunately I couldn't find the tablecloth in time for the post, but I will try and photograph it soon as I'd love you all to see it. 

She knitted, crocheted, fed my chocolate obsession and always had a story to tell. That is why my Great Nana Vera is my Knitting & Crochet Hero, and I wish you'd all been able to meet her. She passed away several years ago, but I would like to think that if she was still here she would be proud of my knitting. And hopefully, congratulate me with a giant bar of Dairy Milk. 

Me & my Great Nana back in 1995, probably wearing
one of her hand-knits while attempting to feed me chocolate.
Which was always a messy job!

K&C Week Day 2: Photography Challenge Day!

Getting pretty good at this gardening malarkey! 

If you like todays photograph, please consider nominating it! Thank you.

K&C Week Day 1: Colour Lovers

You don't have to look in my stash for long to see that I love colour. That much is to be expected, since I come from a long line of artists. One thing I did learn while writing this post was that my Great, Great, Great Granddad had paintings in the Royal Academy of the Arts.

Now, you would think with all that artistic blood running through me I would know a thing or two about colour, but I don't. I really don't. If I do want to knit something for myself, I always manage to pick the wrong colours. I don't think I do too badly when it comes to knitting for other people, though. Whether that is because I'm any good at it or. it's the fact that I tend to ask people what colours they like before I knit for them (a.k.a plain cheating) I'm not sure. We'll probably never know.

After a look through my stash, you can really tell I like bright colours. From Double Knit in bright turquoise to rainbow 4ply, I love it all.

When I find a pattern I want to knit, I totally ignore the colours they've knitted it in. Instead, I look at the projects of others and try to get ideas from them or, sometimes I love the colours they've chosen so much I copy them. For example, I loved Shewalk's yarn and colour choices for her Branching Out scarf so much that I literally ran to the yarn shop to use the same for my Branching Out scarf.

Occasionally I love a colour so much that I buy it regardless of whether I can knit with the yarn or not. This is what happened when my lovely friend Myriah and I were partnered in a swap together. As she was really after some acrylic yarn that is widely available in the UK she let me choose any yarn I wanted from her local yarn shop. She took photos of all the yarn in the shop (so jealous of her LYS!), and the moment I saw this photograph I knew I needed to get Rauma Finullgarn in bright orange.

The end of this tale is a sad one. Myriah lovingly bought me the yarn and sent it along with other Norwegian goodies (including a sheep!). Since that wonderful day in October I haven't even blinked at the yarn. I just can't seem to find a pattern that will do it justice. Which is a real shame as I love the yarn to pieces.

I might save it for when I can knit socks, or when I feel I can attempt a pair of Norwegian mittens.

Other yarns that have got me in a tizzy are:

1. Morocco by Patons UK in Jade/Smaragd
2. Toison by Bergere de France in Blason and Hermine
3. Panache by Spectrum in Mandarin

So if you wonderful knitters have any ideas for what I could knit with them, then I would be so very grateful.

I do however know how to match my nails with my knitting!

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 - Day Seven: Your Knitting & Crochet Time

Write about your typical crafting time. When it is that you are likely to craft – alone or in more social environments, when watching TV or whilst taking bus journeys. What items do you like to surround yourself with whilst you twirl your hook like a majorette’s baton or work those needles like a skilled set of samurai swords. Do you always have snacks to hand, or are you a strictly ‘no crumbs near my yarn!’ kind of knitter... try and concentrate on all of the little aspects that make up your knitting time. Maybe you always head for for your Flaming Lips CD when taking on simple knitting but prefer a bit of Brahms when tackling more intricate work, or maybe you enjoy knitting with audiobooks or complete silence. Perhaps your crochet time is never complete without a cuddle from Tiddles the cat.

Finally, a simple topic! Thank you Eskimimi :)

Most of my knitting time is spent in solitude, as when I knit, it as if I am taken to another world. My pain, worries and problems are all taken away and I can really concentrate on just making something and enjoying myself.
I don't like to be in complete silence though as I knit. So I normally slip upstairs to my bedroom, make my bed uber comfy, slip on a DVD (Yesterday it was Fantastic Mr Fox ,gotta love that George Clooney!)

If I don't fancy watching TV or a movie, I like to listen to audiobooks, podcasts or even a bit of music.
Because of my M.E, I don't get out as much as I like, so when I do go out I much prefer to enjoy being out, rather than spending my time knitting, which is an activity that I can do very easily at home.
As to whether I like to snack while I knit, I do. My favourite snack is Blackcurrant Jelly (Or Jello to you American folk :D), as it impossible to get crumbs on your knitting while you're eating it.

My dog Lilo, is incredibly jealous of my knitting. Whenever I pull it out, she is always there trying to stop me. Normally she lies on top of my wool, or puts her toys in my knitting bag so that when I look down to get something, I have to play with her. Here is a snap of her in action, the little rascal.

So I hope you have all enjoyed this years blogging week, I know I certainly have :)

P.S

I know this is a knitting blog, but I just wanted to show you the Victoria Sponge Cake I made yesterday, I was very proud! And everyone said it tasted delicious :)

Oh and I would like to say thank you for all the lovely comments I have been getting! I am really sorry that I haven't been able to reply to them, Blogger won't seem to let me! But I'm working on it :)

Have a lovely and relaxing Sunday everyone!

~Charlotte

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011: Day Six - Something to Aspire To

Today, those who are taking part in Knitting and Crochet Blogging Week, must write about what we we aspire to learn or to do in either craft.

Well, as I am new to knitting, there is so much I would love to learn. The stitch that I am most looking forward to doing, is cable. I just think it looks so beautiful, and when I learn I will able to make myself a knitting bag from Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner.

Learning to cable opens many more doors than just bags. I can make beautiful fingerless gloves, such as Fetching by Cheryl Niameth, or a beautiful 16 cable hat by Circé Belles Boucles.

I'm also learning how to Rib, which is also a great stitch, as it makes hats stretchier (which is very handy, especially for growing children!) and is great for cardigan and jumper (sweater) sleeves.

One item I aspire to making, is a shawl. My Nan has crocheted many, and after hearing her ramblings I am pretty scared of taking on such a big challenge. But I admire those who have tried and succeeded.

Is there any particular knitted/crocheted item that you are too scared to try?

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 - Day Five: And Now For Something Completely Different

I've been dreading this blog post all week. Experimental? I'm British. We don't experiment. We like traditional, take for example the Queen, we've had her for 60 years and we're still not bored.

Finally though, I came up with an idea.

As knitters, we know how to actually knit, we know about all the different types of wool and needles and much much more. But do we know how knitting was first started? Do we know how knitting has played a part in world history?

If not, sit back and relax and get ready for your history lesson children!

Most histories of knitting place the origin of this wonderful art form somewhere in the Middle East, from there it spread to Europe via the Mediterranean trade routes it then found its way to the Americas.

The oldest artefact with a knitted appearance is a type of sock. This sock was worked in a technique called Nålebinding (also known as "knotless knitting", "single needle knitting")

The oldest knitted artefacts though were found in Egypt, including indigo blue and white cotton stockings, which have been dated between the 11th and 14th centuries CE (common era). As you can see the patterns are quite complex, which shows that it can't have been the knitters first time, which in turn means that knitting might well have been developed eleven hundred, twelve hundred years ago, or even more. Really then, knitting is a recent invention.

Over in Europe, the earliest known knitted items were made my Muslims, who were employed by Spanish Christian royal families. You can find some of their high skill work in the tombs in the Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas. One item was found in the tomb of Prince Fernando de la Cerda. The silk cushion over was knit at approximately 20 stitches per inch, it included knit patterns reflecting the family armor, as well as the word baraka ("blessings") in Arabic.

During this time, purl stitch was still unknown and only stockinette was produced in the round on multiple knitting needles.The first known purl stitches appear in the mid-16th century, in a pair of red silk stockings. During this time, the production of stockings was of vast importance to many a Briton. Knitting schools were founded as a way of providing an income to the poor. Many of the stockings made in England were sent to the Netherlands, Spain and even Germany!

During the 17th & 18th century, whole Scottish families were involved in making jumpers, socks and much more! The technique of Fair Isle (Which I am still yet to become familiar to)was created so as more elaborate and colourful patterns could be made possible.

After the war years, knitting was surged back into popularity as new yarn colours and styles were introduced. The twinset was an extremely popular combination for the home knitter. It consisted of a short-sleeved top with a long-sleeved cardigan in the same colour, which were meant to be worn together (snazzy huh?)

During the 1980s, the popularity of knitting sharply declined as sales of patterns and yarns fell as the craft was seen as 'old-fashioned', and children were rarely taught to knit at school. Also, machine knitted items were available at a much lower cost than purchasing the wool, pattern and making the garment yourself.

So, I do hope you enjoyed our little history lesson and I also hope I did something a little different.

Sweet dreams everyone :)

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 - Day Four: Where Are They Now?

About two weeks ago, I knitted a bookmark for my best friend. When I had it finished, I thought I was such a clever so-and-so, as I had created the bookmark without a pattern, and even had some yellow/white striping going on.

But when I look back, was I really that clever?

No.

First of all, I used 4mm needles, so the bookmark was thick, I also used double knit yarn which probably didn't help. Second, I didn't weave in the ends, I tied knots so they would hold and snipped of the ends.

WHAT was I thinking?!

All I can say is sorry to my friend, and I promise to buy smaller needles and thinner wool, and knit you up a replacement! (And I will weave in the ends this time... yeah, sorry about that)

According to the Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 schedule, April 1st is "an experimental blogging day to try and push your creativity in blogging to the same level that you perhaps push your creativity in the items you create."

Only one word can sum up my reaction. Help.

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 - Day Three: Tidy Mind, Tidy Stitches

Since I have only been knitting for two months, I haven't got much stuff to stash away. So currently, I can squeeze in all my yarn, needles and other tools in a medium-sized craft bag, which fits nicely into my bookcase.

I keep my current project on my bedside table, so it is in easy reach when I can't sleep at night.

My finished projects get slung into a cotton bag, which hangs on my wardrobe door.

As my room is still in the process of being organised/furnished/decorated, I will soon be getting a chest of drawers. Which will be turned into a little knitting haven. One of the smaller drawers will be used to store my finished projects while they wait for their new, unsuspecting owners, and one of the larger drawers will be used to keep my balls of yarn. On top, I will have a pot for my knitting needles, and another pot for scissors, darning needles etc.

Knitting & Crochet Blogging Week 2011 - Day Two: Skill + 1UP

The aim of today's blog post is to look back over the past knitting year, and see how many projects I have completed,what new skills I have learnt etc. Here is the snag. I've only been knitting for 2 months. So that'll just have to do.

When I first started knitting, I couldn't even put the needle through the wool to make a stitch, a lot of wool later though, I can happily cast on, cast off, knit, increase, decrease, stripe, darn and follow a simple pattern. I also learnt how to put my wool into balls, which means my yarn no longer gets tangled.

This is what my knitting looked like when I started:

And this is my knitting now.

Baby Bootie from Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner

iPod Touch T-Shirt Sock from Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner

In the first project (which is meant to be a knitted square...) I was learning how to garter stitch (knit every row) without messing up. As you can see, I didn't do the best job.

On projects two and three, I learnt how to increase and decrease and how to darn up (or sew up, which ever term you prefer) my knitting.

My next project is a Baby Hat, in which I will learn how to Pearl and 1x1 rib (Knit 1 stitch, Pearl 1 stitch), which I am very excited about. I will keep you posted on my progress.