Twelve Things: October's Cardigan

On the announcement of a little person joining the family, it was the perfect opportunity to get my knitting needles out and make a tiny item of clothing. I bought Rowan's Just Baby book, which has some gorgeous, modern patterns, and I was particularly enamoured by the cardigan on the front cover. Perhaps a bit advanced for my current skills, I loved the yarn colour so picked a moss stitch cardi and got started. Over the next couple of months I worked through the different pieces of the garment and by October I was near completion with an age deadline to meet too - these babies do grow fast! Even though it's a small piece of clothing, I've learned a lot about putting the pieces together and the importance of taking time in making up the garment. After all the effort, I was so pleased with how the cardigan turned out with the four, cute buttons and rolled up sleeves…plus little Penny looks great in it too.

Looking back: in January I started to learn to swing.

In February we learned how to make pasta.

In March I sewed some curtains.

In April I planted herbs.

In May I started running.

In June I learnt to knit Fair Isle.

In July I planned a party.

In August I experimented with chocolate.

In September I started a new job.

Twelve Things: June's Knit

When we moved to Brixton and I found out there was a knit shop in nearby Herne Hill, I was more than a little bit excited. Sharp Works also run workshops and a few months ago I signed up to the Fair Isle class to learn how to do stranded colour work. I've tried knitting with colour before, but the class was great for learning new tips - how to catch the strands at the back which can get loose and easily caught, or the continental or British way of holding the yarn (yup, there are different ways!) Now I've got the basics, I'm keen to give a Fair Isle jumper a go sometime and these two above, under the snaps of my practice swatch, are some beautiful examples that I'd like to have a try and emulating. Stranding colour work is simpler knitting in the round so I've signed up to that class now...

Looking back: in January I started to learn to swing.

In February we learned how to make pasta.

In March I sewed some curtains.

In April I planted herbs.

In May I started running.

Images: 1 Polienne 2 Muita Ihania

Christmas Gifts

Christmas is always a great opportunity to catch up with family and I was treated to some gorgeous gifts. I'm excited to take on some more knitting projects to make things for myself, friends and for my cousin's baby which is due to arrive in a months time. Knitting by Design by Emma Robertson has exciting contemporary knit designs and already I'm adding new projects to my list. I got a sweet little handmade pie bird, a jam book from 1939 from The Attic and The Kinfolk Table - I've already been trying out receipes. Oh, and the Jo Malone Orange Blossom perfume is possibly the most delicious scent I've had.

Looking back on 2013, it has been full of achievements: surviving Part II and graduating in the first half, then starting a new job in the second half; incredible trips to Cyprus and Italy; and moving into London in our fab Brixton flat. So what about next year...

Moss Stitch

Yesterday afternoon I decided to have a break from uni work (you can't work solidly for a whole week straight, right?!) I got out a pair of chunky 12mm needles and the remaining wool that I used to knit D a scarf for Christmas, and knit myself a cowl. I have an old book from the 80s, the Vogue Dictionary of Knitting Stitches; I chose moss stitch.

To make your own: cast on 26 stitches (or any multiple of 2). Row 1 & 2: K1, P1, to the end of the row. Row 3 & 4: P1, K1, to the end of the row. Then repeat until the length you fancy. I sewed mine together to make it into a cowl but you could make it into a longer scarf!

Wrapped Trees

When you're out and about and you see something unusual and knitted, after posting it online, I am the person you tag in the photo! It happens a lot, but I don't mind! Lucy spotted these interesting wool wrapped trees in Hulme park over the summer and as I walked back from town on Saturday afternoon I was happy to see they were still there. They're something out of the ordinary that makes you stop, change route and go and discover. I wonder what other weird and wonderful things have popped up in Manchester since I've been away?!

Cold Hands

... no longer! After a really mild December, it's pretty chilly out there. (Braving the park to eat our sandwiches at lunch today was... brave!) A pair of these lovely mitts by Klara Bothen would do the job.

Image from Bergslagsgatan

Men's Clothes

Lucy and I reconvened in the Northern Quarter for lunch on Saturday and on the way to an art shop, our eyes were caught by a lovely wooly hat! In Oi Polloi they sell menswear though the man inside assured us girls could wear them too. The hat's by Howlin' by Morrison, knitted in Ireland. I'd like one for the winter approaching!

Images from Howlin' by Morrison

Confetti Split

I'd like to knit me one of these! They're designed and created by Annie Larson using a knitting machine. After buying this book a while back, surely I have no excuse!

Image by Annie Larson via Miss Moss

Colour Wheel

I've crocheted eight squares out of a possible 225 that I'd like to make a good sized blanket. I'd need to do... it's going to take me longer than planned, but hey I can bust out my hook on the train. The other day I misplaced said hook so proceeded to untangle my wool collection, and here we have the colour coded result!

Crochet Squares

It's the crochet hook that I've grabbed. Current project - granny blanket!

Vogue Dictionary

This dictionary of knitting stitches found its way into my possession this morning. I think it must have belonged to my nanna. Now I have no excuses!

Knit Chic

I haven't done any knitting in a long time, but this snap makes me want to change my ways. Hooks and needles at the ready...!

Image from The Sartorialist

Laptop Knits

My dear friend Maddy has been keeping a secret from me. She has an Etsy shop selling some wonderful knitted laptop cases. They look so cute and well made. Head over to studiomake for a gander...and a purchase! Which makes me think I should make some use out of my Orla Keily one - it was pricey enough (and is now cheaper)!!

Woolly Dog

I love dogs and I'm partial to a little bit of knitting so these are a perfect combination! They're by Muir & Osborne and you can buy the book as well of how to knit your own canine friend. I think I might have to try and immortalise Puck in wool!
Images from The Saturday Telegraph

Jazzy Jumper

One of my favourite blogs to frequent once in a while is Copenhagen Street Style, so it was interesting this morning to see this girl wearing a jumper similar to the one I am hoping to create!

We've had big news in the hen house- our first egg!! It was found lying in the run yesterday (they obviously haven't quite caught on to the idea of the "nesting box" - we'll give them time) but we didn't expect to get one after just a week! They've all got such characters: Polly (the featherless one, which I named) is the most confident and will come up and say hello, and peck Puck when he threatens to bark. The other two are still unsure and shy, but we can easily tell the difference as Henrietta's crown flops to the left and Mrs Thatcher's to the right! (geddit?!)

Today I'm going to a mini-festival in Surrey called MATTfest started by a uni friend - called Matt - and raising money for charity, should be fun!

Fair Isle

I inherited a hilarious 1983 knitting book from my great aunt. I can't even begin to explain the make up and hair-do's. Utter magic. Having a flick through I though I would have a go at knitting one of the less questionable designs, a timeless fair-isle. I haven't knitted for a while but had a go at a small section and it turned out alright, so now I'm going for it!

I came across the Color Collective blog and thought using one of the images to get colour imspiration was a great idea. I picked this bottom image, checked out the wools I can get, and then transferred them onto the pattern. I have enought needles to last me a life time so I just need to go get the wool and then the cardi will be on its way...

Images: 2. Rowan 3. Color Collective

Big Green Beret

Messy probably isn't the word to describe our spare room at home, you can't really get in the door! Clearing it out, Ma spotted these great knitting patterns (they would've belonged to my nanna). We had to have a chuckle at the poor girl who has been forced to wear an emerald beret which is far to big for her. Unfortunately there's no date on it, though the tea cosy one is priced in old pence - so pre-1971 for that one!

In other news, check out Qype where you can review all sorts from shopping to restaurants to nightlife! You can sign up and write reviews, not just in the UK but all over the world!

Easter Crafts

I've just come across this blog and store, Purlbee, via ~>0<~ and it makes me more than ever to just make things. These bunnies are adorable! One of my oldest friends Lauren is going to New York this Easter with her family and I would love to hide in her suitcase and go too! Purlbee is in New York you see, just means I'll have to go there myself sometime soon...

Knit Knat

My 100th post! Not very exciting, but hey! Today I missed the bus by seconds, so went for a wander to the next stop and ended up making this purchase on the way. Next aim, learn to machine knit!

Hook and wool

My Nanna used to knit and crochet alot and over the last few years I have really got into it. Project work is so hectic at the moment - we have out critique on Thursday so every hour of the day is going towards preparing for that - and I just need something to take my mind off of CAD, rendering and housing!

Nanna knitted us bedsocks and crocheted blankets so I thought I'd have a go at an Afghan blanket; once you know how it's pretty easy! I also came across this one by Sandra Juto (via kiddet) and I love the range of colours unified by the off-white.

So I say if you need to take your mind off thing, grab a hook and a ball of wool and get crocheting!

Also I'm going to see John Mayer in concert tomorrow evening (for the third time-big fan me!) and if that doesn't make me smile, nothing will! And thank you to everyone commenting, it makes me glad to know people from all over the globe are having a little gander at my humble blog!