Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone 

Merry Christmas to you all. This is my last blog of 2018, I’m taking a break for Christmas. I will be back on 2/1/2019. 

This week has been a tricky balance of getting things sorted for Christmas at home and completing last minute Makes. Mostly, the house has suffered and I must spend a few hours today clearing up and getting all my Christmas stuff in place. None of this matters but it’s down on my list, therefore it must get done !!

I had a lovely time wrapping family/friends gifts yesterday with the Robin tags (shared yesterday on the blog). Each year, I make a new tag design and it’s part of my personal Christmas thing but this year my Robin tags have been the most successful tags for some years, I love them. They were very easy to produce and look very cute on the presents under our tree.

                        

                      

This morning, I have a Knit Group meet which will be lovely. I’ll spend some time clearing up later and start, officially, to enjoy the beginning of Christmas. Hope you all have a lovely break and enjoy the holiday, whichever way you choose to celebrate.

Bye for now.

More Robins

Hi Everyone 

I’ve got more Robins to share today. Sadly, the planned Robins from yesterday are still under construction ! Progress has been made but various work commitments intervened. I did, however, start my Christmas gift tags and somehow they are Robins ? I didn’t especially plan to make Robin gift tags but it just seemed to happen. I’ve completed the majority of the tags and will add a gem eye and a coloured thread to most of the Robins, some Robins may get extra embellishments. Here’s a quick look at the Robins :

                  

I’ve used various Christmas papers with a thin white card layer for the birds. I’ll write my message on the white card/ back of the Robin. The shapes have been die cut using a Sizzix machine/ die Plate. I also have extra little wooden trees and Christmas themed shapes which may come together with the Robins. However, I think, I like the simple approach. Hopefully, I will have a little time to give to the Pom Pom and felted birds from yesterday’s chat.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more Christmas Making stories.

Christmas Robin Decorations

Hi Everyone 

I’ve managed to get our Christmas decorations underway over the weekend. I’m a little behind on Christmas decorating this year. The basics are there ie the tree and various little traditional (for us) garlands and festive embellishments but I’ve a few additional things to do. As I was organising things, the theme of The Robin seemed to be something which keeps turning up ! There have been a number of Robin making workshop sessions this year, so this is a little round up of the new Robins/Robin plans as well as a Button Robin from a few years ago.

             

I have a fifth Robin to be, it’s a felted Robin from last year which didn’t quite get all his features !  He has been waiting and almost forgotten but I’ve planned to finish him later today. I’ll share the finished Robin number five tomorrow and get him on the tree. The pompom Robin above is an inspiration example (Pinterest) for a new Robin and will be Robin number four. I’ve started already and have two pom-poms attached and ready for trimming. I will add dry felted wings and bent wire feet, already prepared. The felted Robin (above left) as you can see, is already living in the Christmas Tree.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back with more chat tomorrow as well as an update on the Robins.

Jewels : under development

Hi Everyone 

Today, I have a number of little jewellery projects under development. The little gems in my photo story are Swarovski crystals. They are very pretty and will form three pairs of earrings. I’m using a simple sterling silver wire to create a balloon hoop style hook. The plan is to attach the crystals directly from the hooks, although this could change depending on how they look and feel. I may need to add extra jump rings ? The gems are small, the blue and mustard/yellow gems measure just under 1cm., the larger tangerine/pink gem is approximately 3cms long.

              

I’m hoping the mustard/yellow gems (bottom right) will be for me. They will compliment a lovely velvet dress I’m planning to wear on Christmas Day.

This little project is a small job in terms of time so I should have my earrings before the end of the day. However, I’ve a long list of things to do today.

Thanks for calling in.

Knitting Update

Hi Everyone 

It’s a few days since I gave an update on the Advent knitting project. I can’t quite believe it’s Day 17 ! I’ve been knitting the Tiny Tassels shawlette, a free pattern from Loop London see the pattern here. It’s a great, simple knit which is particularly suitable for the Advent knit idea. I’m up to 334stitches already. The aim (in the pattern) is 337, so I’m almost there. I’m not quite sure when to finish ? Today’s yarn is a grey colour. 

At the moment, I think, I’ll go for a slightly bigger shawl. The little Tassels feature (of the design) will need to be taken into account, so my decision is to start making the Tassels after today’s knitting. This will give me a chance to use all my yarn but also make sure I have lots of Tassels for my shawl. There are seven more little bags of yarn and I’m hoping I can have tassels in all the colours. I’ll share my thoughts in a few days, after making some Tassels. I’m really enjoying this little project and will definitely choose a similar idea next year.

                   

                        

My second current knitting project is the Red Robin Socks. This is a lovely pattern fromHelen Stewart and the last of the Curious Handmade Sock Society Knits. I’ve chosen to knit my version of the socks in grey and red colours. I’m using grey for the ribbed cuff and the rest of the sock will be red. The pattern is easy to remember and the resulting texture is very pretty. I’ll be taking my time knitting these socks, knitting a few rows each evening. I don’t have a finish date as such but I’m sure it will be a few weeks, so I’ll  be knitting over the Christmas break.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more Making chat.

Hand Knitted Socks

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing a quick summary of my Curious Handmade Sock Society knitting for 2018. The final sock has just started but I love it, already ! The Red Robin pattern is simple but very pretty and so easy to learn. I know this sock will be a pleasure to knit. I’ve used a light grey colour for the rib and I’m using a lovely red for the main part of the sock. Very Christmas-like.

I do love all my finished socks. All the socks have turned out well and there’s only one, the Hazelnut, which gave me a bit of a problem. For some reason, I found the pattern of the Hazelnut difficult to learn and I made lots of mistakes - several times. I found I could not read my knitting and as a result would find myself confused if I wasn’t concentrating 100%. Often the case !!! However, I love the blue colour and the socks are very comfortable and are well worn.

Here’s a quick look at the socks to date :

                         

I’m not sure which one is my favourite ? I’ve been trying to list them in order of best loved and most worn. I think they are genuinely equal.  I can’t decide ? This is a great result and very rewarding when I look back at the project, as a whole. I’m hoping I can finish the Red Robin over the next week and wear them over the Christmas week. My initial plan was to have a wide range of colours to compliment my general wardrobe colours and I’ve enjoyed wearing all of them.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories.

Bye for now.

Mini Christmas Projects

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing a few little projects which have been hiding in my stash for some time. Yesterday, I found myself re organising and reviewing my rather large stash collection, again. This is an ongoing problem for me. I have a very small space to fit lots of stuff and it doesn’t work very well. My latest attempt has been going on for some time ! Yesterday, I got around to spending a whole day working on the job. I have more work to do but at least there is a plan. 

In the end, the job was OK, I had been putting it off because I knew it would be difficult. There is a need to get rid of lots of stuff but I needed to go through all the bags of tools/material to check which would be going. I don’t like throwing things out ! I’m forever thinking everything will be useful for a future project. However, keeping all the stuff is not possible, so I had a slightly different attitude, at the beginning of the day.

I came across lots of things which I’d forgotten about and for periods of the day, I quite enjoyed myself. Amongst the rubbish there were lots of gems ! My plan was to identify a use (specific) for each item and I’ve created a list. I’ll review my list, regularly and hopefully my storage options will improve when I have less stuff. The aim is to be able to access things, easily, when I need them.

While shifting through the bags of stash, I also came across lots of little unfinished projects. Some of the unfinished work has gone, it’s served a purpose and it’s time to move on ! However, there are also some lovely project ideas which I feel need finishing. I’ve chosen a couple of small projects for today, which are Christmas themed and I’d like to complete them for this year.

                    

I partially made a dry felted Christmas Tree brooch last year. The tree is complete but needs a pin. I had made a pin but think it’s too big. I need something small with a much sharper pin. I’d like to wear my brooch with a big jumper later this week and will be able to finish it, in 10 mins. The other little tree is another dry felted project which I have started to add tiny beads. Most of the beads are in place and it’s very pretty. I’d like to turn the tree into a Christmas Tree decoration and hang it on my Christmas tree this year. I think, this job will be possible in less than an hour. I’ll look forward to that job.

There are a lots of other unfinished projects amongst the stash. My plan is to review the bags again and make myself a list of unfinished projects with an order date to finish. I’ll share my list with the results here on the blog. Perhaps, each week I can share updates.

Thanks for calling in today. Bye for now.

Organiser Bags

Hi Everyone 

I’ve a new little project to share today. It’s a new potential Making Workshop - organiser bag kit. This sample has been made by my talented husband (very new to sewing). It’s a beautifully made organiser bag with three little bucket style pockets. The pockets are enclosed in a second skin with two chunky handles. It’s absolutely amazing. The fabric is particularly luxurious and has been recycled from an old upholstery fabric pattern book.

                     

Each of the pockets is made up from several of the slightly different fabric patterns from the book. Each end of the bag also has two little side pockets. It’s a lovely thing to look at, in addition, Im hoping it will be just the thing I need for knitting two socks at a time and keeping my yarns separate. I’m planning to add a central pull yarn cake to the middle pocket and place each strand of the cake through the little handles. I’ll set up the bag and share a few images over the next few days.

As I mentioned above, I’m hoping to develop this project into a Making Workshop for the New Year. I’ll make a few more samples with one, two and three pockets. It’s important to check out the feasibility of hand stitching the project (we don’t have enough machines to run a class) so I’ve a little work to do.

However, I’m reasonably confident about this one. 

I love this little bag, I seem to pick it up several times a day (it’s taken up residence as an ornament) and smile. 

Thanks for calling in today.

Pom Pom Christmas Trees

Hi Everyone 

We have the last Making Workshop of 2018 today. This time we are making Pom Pom Christmas trees for Christmas Tree decorations. I’ve developed a few samples but there are endless options to dress our little trees. We will use Pom Pom making tools to develop the basic tree and use scissors to shape them. Shaping can be a tricky process, it’s quite easy to get carried away and end up with no tree at all ! However, I’m certain all will be well.

                     

I’ve developed a few different styles of tree and will possibly introduce a Christmas pudding and a mini Pom Pom wreath to our workshop, depending on the time available.

The key to making the tree is getting a good shape and being creative about decorating ideas. It’s possible to make very different style trees so I’m looking forward to seeing what our lovely Makers come up with.

We will also eat lots of mince pies today and encourage Christmas chat, so a very relaxed session is in order !  I’ll try and get some images of the little  trees and share on the blog over the next week or so.

Thanks for calling in today.

Knitted Birds etc

Hi Everyone 

I took part in a great knit workshop on Saturday - making knitted birds. Lots of food treats, chat and having a generally, lovely time. The workshop took place at my regular knit group, Fine Fettle Fibres. There were lots of my knit friends and it was so nice. I’d been looking forward to the event for a while and it didn’t disappoint, a lovely start to my weekend. This was a half day event so after lunch ( all prepared and ready to eat on my return home), I made the finishing touches to my bird. 

                  

Included in the workshop was the Field Guide to Knitted Birds by Arne & Carlos. There’s are so many lovely bird ideas in this book. This is a great idea - to include a whole book as part of a workshop. 

All the birds follow a simple and well written basic knitting pattern. I especially liked how the pattern was divided into the small sections, following the anatomy of the bird, starting with the tail and ending with the head. Somehow, the bird comes to life as the recognisable shape is developed. When it’s time to stuff (with toy stuffing) the bird and add the beak, eyes and extra embellishments the bird has its own character. 

I have made a copper wire stand for my bird, instructions also included in the book as well as a very entertaining YouTube video on the technique. I’m already planning my next bird. I will aim to make my second bird as a Christmas tree decoration.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with an update on my Advent Knit, I’m up to date - just saying !

Knitting and a new ring.

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing my Advent Knit progress today - it’s day 7

                           

It’s another little ball of red today. I’m quite surprised ! I like my shawl so far and am enjoying this little project. I look forward to knitting up the little balls of wool each day.

My other little bit of Making news is a new ring design. I’ve had the design idea for a while and finally spent a short time, alongside Christmas gift work, working on my idea. Here’s a quick look :

                         

I’m happy with the general design, although, I can see ways of improving the stack of silver sticks. The soldering process for this design is a little tricky and I’m working on ways of allowing a more precise way of working. My next stack design will include round 2mm silver wire and hopefully five silver sticks. I wanted the finished ring to stay in place while wearing and have tried to balance the position of the silver sticks to accommodate this. There’s a potential for the ring to twist because of the extra weight involved in the silver stack. My design does aim to balance the weight. The only issue with this prototype is that it’s a little too big for me. I may have to let it go !

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back next week with more Making news and a progress report on the Advent Knit.

Have a great weekend.

Advent Update

Hi Everyone 

It’s Day 6 of the Advent Knit Project and very excitingly we have a new colour - red. I’ve been looking forward to a new colour for a few days. I’m up to date and the shawlette is growing. You can see the progress from Day 1 if you look back to the beginning of the week. I’m enjoying this project and look forward to my new little ball of yarn every day.

                 

Most of my week has been taken up with Christmas gift development so difficult for me to share at the moment. I’m involved in more gift making today but I’m going to share another very exciting gift ‘to be’ for me ! (I hope). The Makers Atelier people have a new series of new magazines underway.

                

I love everything The Makers Atelier  do. I have a number of their patterns and both the previous magazines. I think, this would be a very nice gift, to myself. 
I’ll be back tomorrow with an update of my shawlette and the results of my new earrings (featured earlier this week).

Thanks for calling in today.

Making News

Hi Everyone 

I’ve a couple of projects to share today. The Knitting Advent Calendar is up to date, read back yesterday for more on this project. I spent time last night re doing my shawlette and I’m there !  Today’s bag has two little yarn balls, so hopefully I can get both knitted this evening. The shawlette is looking lovely with one of the contrast colours included. I spent some time (before I started the project) thinking about how I would attach each new ball of wool. Clearly, there will be 24 ends to deal with ! I decided to use this technique, sometimes called the Magic Knot. There will be some ends to weave in but it’s a good option for me and allows me to use every bit of yarn. Here’s a quick look at the shawlette to date :

                        

My second story for today is the development of a new pair of earrings. These earrings have been inspired by gift from a lovely friend. I’ve seen lots of earrings using this particular design but have not managed to develop one myself. However, I needed to make something specifically for a blue outfit, so the first design is blue.

                  

I’ve made earrings using the same shape before (right image) but have not used the specific hoop design. I like the look and will develop more colours and sizes, if they are successful.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more stories.

Advent Project Update

Hi Everyone 

The Advent Knit Project has hit the first issue !  (Read back yesterday for more on this Project).  I’d worked on each little yarn ball until last night and decided there was a problem with the knitted spine of the shawlette. Anyone who knows me, will not be surprised to hear it had to be ripped out !  I can’t cope with a ‘mistake’ in a knitting project ! So, it all came out. I’m almost back to where I should be, however, theres a new ball to add from yesterday ( I ran out of time). The ball is a new colour ! Today, there’s another new ball coming. I’m hoping I can catch up by the end of the day.

I also need to introduce my new Christmas Project bag. It’s just a simple, lined zip bag with some Christmas Tree fabric which has been in my stash for years. The lining is a bright red and white polka dot. I’m hoping, I can use this bag for each of my Christmas projects to come and each year I will bring out the bag - I will embed the bag into my Christmas traditions.

                    

Getting back to my knitting problem. For some reason, I’d completely messed up on the spine part of the shawlette. I’d double twisted the spine stitches. In the centre of the shawlette, there’s an increase either side of a knit stitch and I’d twisted the yarn either side of the knit stitch, twice. I had not realised I’d done this until way down the shawlette. The error looked dreadful and seemed to jump out at me, there was no solution other than rip out !

The whole point of this project was to spend an hour each day knitting on my shawlette, relaxing with a cup of coffee. Hopefully, I’m back on track !

I’ll be back tomorrow with more Making chat. Thanks for calling in today.

Advent

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m sharing my Me Made Advent Calendar. I wanted to join into the Advent Calendar thing and decided I needed to devise a project for myself rather than buying into a ready made thing, this year.

Last year, I bought a Toft Crochet Advent Calendar and it didn’t work out very well for me. The little windows box looked lovely and I was very excited about the mystery pattern, arriving every morning in my email box, throughout December. The idea was to open a window in the box and crochet a little section of a pattern. By the 24th of December, I would (in theory) have a completed crochet toy. I completely messed up and failed to complete. Much of the problem was to do with not seeing images of the completed toy, I had no idea what I was aiming for. I can crochet but my skills are not quite as good as they could be. I abandoned the project around Day 14 and undid all the parts. I have it in a project bag, waiting.  One day ....... !!

So, this year, I decided to go for a knitting project and didn’t want to spend lots of money on a shop bought Advent Calendar. I found a pattern (free on Loop) and used some yarn from my stash (I have lots of stash). I’ve divided a full 100gm skein and a couple of mini skeins into 24 little balls. There are 3 colours involved - mustard, grey and red (with sparkle). Most of the the little balls are around 7/8 gms. I’ve put each mini ball into a pretty paper bag with a red numbered spot for each day. Very exciting !

                      

I’m thrilled with my plan and so far I’m up to date with my knitting. I’ve chosen to knit something called Tiny Tassels and described as a shawlette. The pattern is a very simple two line pattern which grows every other row. The finished shawlette is decorated with lots of tiny little tassels. Lovely. 

I’ll be sharing my progress, regularly. Call in to check how things are progressing. I’ve already decided that I may not finish a whole mini ball each day and some days I’ll have more time so will aim to catch up when I can.

Thanks for calling in today.