Up to my Yarnpits

Hello!

I am glad you have been enjoying Mr Knitting Image’s posts,  he has done a great job of keeping my blog up to date whilst I have been buried upto my yarnpits in commissions.  This is most definitely my busiest time of year,  I am currently working on Halloween and Christmas,  yes I said it, Christmas!

The house is filled with yarn, the post man is looking more and more amused every time I see him.  In fact this week he asked what I do for a living.  His response was to giggle and ask, ‘really?’

I am bursting to share my recently completed projects with you.  I always want to post pictures of my creations as soon as they are finished and say, ‘look what I made’.  Let’s just say patience is a virtue with which I was not blessed.  Odd really considering the hours I devote to watching my creations grow from yarn and needles.

But here is something I can share today,  Bunny Hop

 

Featured in Simply Knitting Magazine, issue 212. These cute little slippers are really quick and easy to make and will delight any small child (and large ones too).  They are worked in Peter Pan, Merino Baby DK, in garter stitch and could easily be adapted to fit larger feet by lengthening the sole.  The pattern is written for age 6-18 months.

 

You can download issue 121 of Simply Knitting magazine here and cast on straight away.  I would just love to see your finished creations on my Facebook page.

My Wedding Mice knitting pattern freebie!

Looking for an unusual wedding gift?  Let’s Knit Magazine have posted my Wedding Mice knitting pattern for free on their website.  Why not personalise your wedding mice?  I would just love to see your finished mice on my Facebook page.

Just click the here and sign up to the Let’s Knit website and you will be able to download your copy of the pattern for free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Sweet Yarn

Look what arrived today,  Bonbons!

I am not talking about the delicious sweet shop classics but the new mini collections of yarn from Lion Brand.  I discovered these delightful little packets of yarn when I visited the Lion Brand stand at the NEC trade show in February.

The bold colour choices and small amounts of yarn instantly had me thinking, ‘what could I make with these?’,  as you know I love making smaller quirky projects, so these little packs of fibre goodness had to be mine!

Each collection contains eight miniature balls of yarn, perfect for any project requiring small amounts of multiple colours, such as colourwork, amigurumi or even for embellishing larger projects.

 

Possibly my favourite collection is Fiesta shown above, this metallic collection just screams Christmas at me!

Cotton Collection, beautiful colour palette that is Nature

Crayons is an acrylic collection which bold shades that are bordering on neon

There are eight colourways in total to choose from, why not check out Beach, Brights, Celebrate, Jingle Bells and Pastels online at Deramores.

The knitty gritty;

Cotton:  Sport Weight
8 x 10g
8 x 26m

Acrylic: DK Weight
8 x 10g
8 x 26m

Metallic: Sport Weight
8 x 10g
8 x 35m

You can buy your Bonbons online from Deramores for just £6.99 a pack.  I would love to hear what you would make with Bonbons?

 

 

Father’s Day

Jane is busy rattling away at her needles again, so I’m stepping up to remind you all that Father’s Day is on Sunday 15th June, and if you’re looking to knit something for that extra personal touch, it’s time to cast on!

It’s handy, then, that Jane’s tyre-tread inspired socks feature in the latest issue of Let’s Knit magazine (issue 80 June 2014).

Silverstone – tyre-tread inspired cable socks

I had the pleasure of trying these on in various degree’s of completeness, and they feel lovely.

Also featured is ‘Splendour’, a napkin ring and coaster mat created from the cover mount yarn kit, and the place mat features a cool picot cast off.

Splendour napkin ring and place mat

And lastly – what better way to keep the small ones quite on the most important day of the year (did I mention it’s Father’s Day, June 15th?) than with a lovely soft bunny comforter, Flopsy

Flopsy baby comforter

This is a simple pattern using the lovely and soft James C Brett Cotton On DK which is a cotton/acrylic blend. We like bunnies in this house – although chocolate is more comforting to us. Jane used a much smaller needle size than DK gauge in order to create a tight stitch – all the better for protecting against sharp baby teeth, as she’s quoted in the magazine as

“babies can be more destructive than we think!”

And they should feel grateful they have Father’s Day to make amends!

(it’s on Sunday 15th June – too subtle?)

Thanks for the kind comments on the last post, it’s fun, and I hope you enjoy making up Jane’s patterns. And please, do share your photos, it’s great to see.

Mr KnittingImage makes his debut post

I know my wife so well I thought I may get away with writing this while pretending to be her, but it occurred to both of us that there was no point – so I’m guest writing this while Jane is busy keeping up with her deadlines – as well as making her presence known on Yarn Shop Day, but more on that in the coming days.

I’m always extremely proud to see her work in national magazines, and more so when her work is on the front cover, as in this months Simply Knitting issue 120 (the owl, top right!).

Simply Knitting Issue 120 May 2014

The magazine features 3 creations:

Monster is a funky cover for your chosen brand of tissue. It’s made from simple parts sewn together, so is a great project for beginners. Googly eyes help with the oddball look, and the eyebrows can be arranged to create something as either crazy or intimidating as you wish :).

Pyjama Party owl is a pyjama case. I suppose it would be aimed at kids, but I prefer to think it’s for those of us young at heart. It features a cool stitch technique for creating the honeycomb pattern, and I’ve already seen knitters apply their own creative flair and use alternate colours to wonderful effect.

Finally Flying High, a relaxing mobile that’s sure to calm those still learning to find their voice when they should be sleeping – not that I’m scarred from fatherhood! It was great watching these simple balloon shapes come together, and piecing them together will be a joy for showing off your crafting skills.

First post complete – I think it’s time I make another cup of tea (knitters fuel) before getting back to writing code… well… it’s a Bank Holiday, perhaps I’ll get back to my gaming!

Until next time, stitch on and don’t forget to post your creations online and give Jane a shout on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, we love to see them!