A Day at Sewing for Pleasure.......a couple of makes and new stash.

Hello, how is everyone? I hope you all had a good weekend!!!!!! I'm back today to share my day out at the NEC, with you. My friend, Lyn and I caught the train, early on Thursday morning (well, early for me) to the Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC in Birmingham. The train was full, so standing room only, full of people commuting to work and fellow crafters on the way to the NEC. Perhaps you are wondering how I know they were on their way to the craft show, well, they'd all got trollies or large bags, in anticipation of filling them by the end of the day, with all the wonderful treats on sale over the four days!!!!!

We grabbed ourselves a cup of coffee to take on the train, to keep our energy levels up through the day and arrived at Birmingham International at about 8.50am. We then trekked from the station to Halls 11-12, it seems to get further away each year and takes about 15 minutes to get there or maybe I'm just getting older!!!

When we reached the halls, people had already started queuing so we joined in line with them, we all got talking to each other, finding out what people were interested in. One lady had travelled all the way down from Carlise for the show. There were workshops to attend over the day but it was on a first come, first serve basis.

There were two free workshops, that we wanted to attend, so when the doors opened at 9.30am, our plan of action was set in motion!!!!! Lyn went one way to book a workshop and I went the other way to book the other one!!!!!

The first workshop we attended was at the Sizzix stand, where we got to sew this beautiful needlecase as Sizzix now sell dies for quilting. The needlecase was a very simple construction, great for a beginner like myself. The large butterfly that we appliquéd onto the front is one of the Sizzix dies, especially for appliquéing.

One of my first purchases were some Sizzix Hexagon dies, I've been wanting to do some English Paper Piecing (EPP) for some time now, but have put it off as I haven't had the time to start all the cutting out. These Sizzix dies have different sized hexagons, just for this purpose, so you buy one to cut the fabric, which gives you a seam allowance and one to cut out the papers. It is so much quicker, you can cut out up to 32 hexagons in one go, depending on the fabric plus they have different sizes that you can mix and match, I went for the 1 1/4" and 1", giving me a 1/4" seam.

After the first workshop, we started looking around the stands, there was so much prettiness in one place and was spoilt for choice. I picked up these gorgeous fabrics at only £2 per fat quarter, I thought these were great value for money and great for Patchwork or EPP.

One of my larger purchses was a large self healing mat, a grid ruler and a rotary cutter as I want to get more into sewing. I've been collecting bits of fabric over the years and I'm going to be taking a Patchwork Quilt workshop, next month, so hopefully will get to use my fabric, over the next few months.

By this time, it was time for my second class, Lyn chose to do a different class to me but I chose to make a baby's bib. The reason, I decided to do this class, is I've recently found out, I'm going to be a Nanny, for the first time!!!!!

This class was sponsored by Vilene but the tutor was Laura from Made Peachy, she was a great teacher and I believe she's going to put all the patterns and instructions for her workshops, on her blog soon. So here's baby's first bib, keeping in mind this was a free class, we were each given a goody bag with a fabric marker, a vintage style mini sewing kit and some iron cleaner!!!!

Speaking of irons, I also bought this table top ironing board and travel iron, the bit of sewing I have done, when I come to iron seams, I have to get the full size board out from downstairs, so spend half my time running up and down. I thought this was a great idea, it tucks down the side of my desk, when it's not in use.

The only yarn I bought was from New Forest Mohair, it is so soft to the touch. They are a lovely couple who keep Angora goats on their small homestead. Last year I bought a skein of 4ply, so this time, I went for a DK weight, I love the colour and can't wait to cast on a project. They also had some mini skeins, all about 20g and at 50p for each one, I couldn't resist, you can see what I picked up in my lace bowl. They will be perfect for co-ordinating borders.

It was a long tiring day, we didn't even sit down for lunch, there was just too much to look at and I ached when I got home but it was a fun day out, I learnt lots and can't wait for the next one!!!!

Have a good week, my friends and thanks for stopping by.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

FO Friday............Rosebud Socks.

Hello, just a quick post, today, I want to show you my first knitted Finished Object of 2014. I've finally finished my Rosebud Socks, I started these socks at the beginning of December, they seem to have taken me quite a while to finish but I have been working on lots of other projects through December. I used Rowan Fine Art in colour 302 Tawny, I love sock yarn from Indie dyers but for a branded sock yarn, I love this, it knits up beautifully and is very soft.

This pattern is from the book Toe-Up Socks for Every Body by Wendy D. Johnson, it's a great book and I will eventually knit most of the socks in there. I can also recommend Socks from the Toe-Up, also by Wendy D. Johnson which I've knit a few of the patterns from. If you've never knit toe-up before or even if it's your first time knitting any type of socks, I highly recommend these books.

There are different options for casting on the toes and creating the heels, with excellent tutorials. I urge you to try all the different options and eventually you will find your preferred method. I use Judy's Magic Cast-On for the toes and make a gusset heel. There is also a section on different Bind-Offs, which is the next thing I'm going to try. I do regular cast off, the patterns always say bind off loosely but no matter how loose I do it, I always struggle to get them on my feet. I've started using a bigger needle to bind off which is slightly better but I'm going to give Tubular Bind Off a go, on my next pair of socks, which give a stretchy edge.

 Check out Tami's blog, for more FO's, this week. Have a great weekend, whatever you are up to, I'm meeting friends tomorrow for Afternoon Tea, which I'm looking forward to.

Thanks for popping by.
xxxxDebxxxx

Halele'a Knit Along................and the first Yarn Along post of the year.

"Brown paper packages tied up with string,

these are a few of my favourite things"

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all had a great Christmas and here's to a Happy, Healthy 2014. I received this package just before Christmas, all the way from the U.S.A., it was a little Christmas gift to myself. 

What's inside you are wondering, well two of my favourite Podcasters, joined forces. Mel from Single Handed Knits and Stacie, one half of the Must Stash Podcast. Mel wrote a beautiful pattern called Halele'a, a sweet little cardigan, partly knitted in pieces then picking up stitches and knitting the bottom half in one piece using Stacie's gorgeous, hand-dyed yarn. How could I resisit!!!!!!

Before I even opened my package I was excited, seeing it wrapped in brown paper, tied with twine with a tag and palm tree stitch marker, there was also a hand written "Aloha" postcard. 

When I opened it up, there were two huge skeins of squishy, soft yarn, 1500 yards of Superwash Merino in the colour Kau Pua. Can you see a theme running through here? Yes, it's all about the beautiful Hawaii, where Mel has recently moved from, so this pattern was inspired by her beloved Islands. Stacie custom dyed her Helluva Skeins in six gorgeous colours, all with inspiration from Hawaii.

The Halele'a KAL, officially started on the 26th December on the Must Stash Podcast Group over on Ravelry. This was the day we started swatching for our cardigan, Mel is big on swatching but more about that on another post coming soon. The first part of the pattern is all about the swatch!!!!!

This is my swatch, as you can see it's not your typical 4"x 4" swatch, I've never really swatched before but I've got to say, I really enjoyed this part of the pattern. It teaches you a lot about the pattern and the yarn you are using. The yarn was gorgeous before soaking and blocking but once it dried it came into it's own, the drape and the softness is amazing.

Week 1 was a short week and we are now on Week 2 where we will all start knitting the back. The joy of a KAL is all the help and encouragement you get along the way, if you are stuck on one part or just need advice, there will be somebody who will be able to sort you out. I've been writing down lots of notes for the upcoming year, hopefully I will be more organised.

 Hopefully, I should finish the back by the end of the week, ready for Week 3, but even if I don't, it doesn't matter. This KAL is very laid back and you go at your own pace, it's just nice to knit along with a group of friendly people, all knitting the same thing. It's not to late to join in, you don't have to use Stacie's yarn to be part of the group, you can find the pattern here. 

 I've started a new book called The Parisian Christmas Bake Off by Jenny Oliver, on my Kindle. I'm only a couple of chapters in but so far, so good, it's turning into an enjoyable read. I'm joining in with the first Yarn Along of the year, check out Ginny's beautiful blog.

Thanks for reading my first post of 2014, I'll be back in a couple of days about the joys of swatching, yes, Mel has converted me.

xxxxDebxxxx

Yarn Along...........another pair of socks on the needles.

Good morning, I hope you all had a good weekend, it's a busy time of year and not so much free time on our hands but I have found time to cast on another pair of socks.

I've always got socks on my needles for a few reasons.........

1- I have lots of sock yarn that I want to use up in my stash, my goal for 2014 is to knit from my  stash.

2- They are portable and can just throw them in my bag if I go anywhere.

3- They are quick to make, I love seeing my knitting take shape and very satisfying when you've finished a project.

4- I like to have a smaller project to work on when I'm knitting larger projects so if I start getting bored I can pick up my socks.

 The pattern is Rosebud by Wendy D. Johnson and they are from the book, Toe-Up Socks for Everyday. I'm using Rowan Fine Art sock yarn in shade 302, Tawny. It is a variegated yarn and I know some knitters would perhaps do a Vanilla sock or less patterned as you don't really see the full effect of this pretty lace pattern. I prefer to knit a patterned sock and though it's hard to see the pattern you can see the texture which I love.

As you can see, I've started Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs, it's a fun read with the same characters from A Friday Night Knitting Club. I'm linking this to Ginny's Yarn Along, check out what everybody else has been reading and knitting this week

On the subject of sock knitting, I've decided I need to knit myself some festive socks and have just ordered some Malabrigo sock yarn in Ravelry Red, it should be here by tomorrow. I haven't decided on a pattern yet but I'm thinking something with cables.

I've also been working on my Henslowe shawl and have now started the lace edge, it's coming along quite quickly to say it's a 3ply yarn. The yarn has a very soft halo and is so warm without been bulky, I can't wait to finish it so I can wear it.

Check out other WIP's over on Tami's blog, enjoy the rest of your week and I'll be back on Friday with some Finished Objects. One last thing do you remember the Livingston cardigan I was knitting my nephew, well I've decided to frog it. He is 6 months old and he is growing rapidly, he is in 9-12 months clothes already It would just about fit him now but wouldn't last him a few weeks so made the decision to undo it and maybe knit him a cardigan instead.

xxxxDebxxxx

WIP Wednesday....Henslowe Shawl

 I haven't had much knitting time this week, most of my knitting is done over the weekend and as you saw on my previous post I was busy scrapbooking.

I promised myself that I wouldn't start any new projects until I had finished one of my WIP's. Ok, we'll that didn't happen, the thing is I've had a skein of Tickled Mink from the Skein Queen in my stash for sometime, it's so soft and warm and the weather has dropped really cold here in the UK so I fancied making myself a new shawl with it.I wanted more of a scarf than something to wrap around my shoulders. I started looking through Ravelry for patterns using a 3 ply yarn and came across a pattern by Beth King called Henslowe.

I first saw this designer in Pom Pom Quarterly and loved the shawl she had designed on the front cover of Issue 5. I love all her designs and have a few more of hers in my queue.

It's a simple construction starting with just a garter stitch body. This was perfect to take with me on the weekend for any spare time I had as I didn't need to read a pattern.

Also I haven't had much reading time, I'm still reading Take a Look At Me Now by Miranda Dickinson.What I have been flicking through is another book by Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard called Lullaby Knits. I loved Labour of Love and Lullaby Knits is just as good, full of gorgeous baby knits. It's on offer at The Book People for £4.99, another bargain as I will knit a few patterns from it.

Check out what everybody is up to over on Ginny's Yarn Along.

and Tami's WIP Wednesday.

Thank you for stopping by, have a good week.
xxxxDebxxxx

A New WIP and not a Shawl in Sight.........

Hello there, I hope you all had a great weekend, I went to a wedding and is was absolutely beautiful. The bride was stunning and the whole day was just perfect. I would love to share the day with you in a separate post. 

I'm back today to share this week's WIP's, I haven't done so much this week as I have a sore shoulder. I'm on the second Mock Cable Sock by Wendy Johnson, which I have called Coffee and Cream. I was hoping to finish them before the end of the month but that's not going to happen, now.

As I'm linking this to the Yarn Along over at the Small Things blog, I've included what I'm reading on my Kindle. I am still reading Inferno by Dan Brown, which I tend to read before I go to sleep but if I'm out and about, my Kindle is in my bag and I've just started to read The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

I'm not too far into yet but an old fisherman named Santiago, who still goes fishing each day and keeps coming back empty handed, has a friend, a young boy named Manolin.  He helps the old man, each time he comes back from his boat, carrying his gear, giving him food and chatting about baseball. It is one of Hemingway's major works which won him the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1953, it was also made into a film, which I will watch after I've read the book. Do you prefer to read the book first or watch the film first?

I've also started the Sideways Knitted Cardigan by Debbie Bliss, it is the pattern on the front of this book. It has some beautiful patterns inside too, the Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace yarn has some really pretty colours to choose from, I went with colour 17, Sky. This will be a long term project, it is not TV knitting or a project to take to my craft group, it is a pattern that I need to concentrate on but I am loving the pattern.

I'll be starting a new project soon using some Rowan Cashsoft DK, that I have in my stash, I'm just deciding which two colour combo's to go with. I will tell you more about it, next week, when I have cast on.

Something else that I would like to make, is a drawstring project bag using this gorgeous Riley Blake "Little Red Riding Hood" fabric, designed by Tasha Noel. I'm not accomplished at sewing but I've found this free online class from Craftsy called Bag Making Basics, so I'm going to give it a  a go.

I've finished my French Cancan, which as I'm writing this, is soaking in the sink ready to block. I use a product called "Soak" in Aquae, it is a gentle no-rinse soak that softens and relaxes the fibre's of your delicate yarn, leaving a beautiful, fresh scent. I will show you the FO on Friday.

That's all from me, if you want to see other WIP's, pop over to Tami's blog and Ginny's blog and check out what everyone else has been up to this week.

Enjoy the rest of the week.
xxxxDebxxx

Summery Crochet Bunting..........

Gosh, where has the last six months gone !!!!!!!!!! It's the first day of July which is always means the start of summer for me so hopefully we'll enjoy some nice, balmy days. Also it is a very busy month, with four birthdays and two anniversary's, all in one week. This year is a special month as my youngest daughter will be 18 and my husband and I will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary.!!!! I was a child bride, lol.

A few weeks ago, a friend's sister, via Instagram asked if I could crochet her some bunting in some pretty, summery colours. I said yes and this was my first paid commission, which I was very excited about. Who'd have thought when I learnt to crochet, 12 months later, people would ask if they could buy my projects.

I used Drops Paris yarn that is an Aran weight 100% cotton, it is great for bunting as it's a nice sturdy yarn. It is a bit splitty when you use it but I don't find it a problem as most cotton yarns split including the more expensive ones.

The pattern is a modification from the book Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench and the flower was from an old copy of Mollie Makes.

Before I added the flowers, I starched the bunting, just to give it a bit more structure. The recipient loved it and sent me a photo of it up, in her baby girl's bedroom.

One last thing, Google Reader has ceased to exist from today so I've switched to Bloglovin, if all my lovely friends want to follow my posts that way, the icon is on my sidebar,

 Thanks for stopping by, have a great week.

xxxxDebxxxx

Just Because........I love yarn.

Good Morning !!! I hope as you are reading this that I'm sat on the beach at Brean, maybe with some crochet and enjoying some of this yarn I'm about to show you.

I've no particular reason for writing this post apart from, I love yarn!!!!! I love the different textures, the softness, the rainbow of colours and the list goes on. I was looking at the recent photo's I'd put on IG so I thought I'd share them on my blog too.

I fell in love with this Rowan Fine Art which is a hand painted sock yarn made with merino, kid mohair and mulberry silk, it is as soft as it looks on this photo. They had some gorgeous muted tones but I was just drawn to this brighter palette called Serin.

My other recent purchase was some Drops Merino Extra Fine DK, which was on offer at £2 for a 50g ball of pure merino. This was a bargain but even at it's regular price of £3.10 it is great value compared to other brands of merino wool, I buy my Drops yarn from Wool Warehouse as they stock the full range.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it but just the love these colours together after seeing and been inspired by this post from Lavender and Wild Rose. If you love crochet and pretty things, check out Jen's blog, you won't be disappointed.

Some more Drops merino, my friend, Kerry and I are planning to have a mini Crochet Along (CAL), we both wanted to do a daisy style granny square blanket. We've got the yarn ready to go and will start it when Kerry has finished her latest WIP.

This my colour choice, I've been playing about with patterns and variations, I think we are both happy with this pattern which is a mash-up of two. I'm just not sure yet whether to add some plain granny squares in too or which square to use, yet. I might even use both of them, decisions, decisions.

This is the last photo of my yarn obsession, a friend has asked if I would crochet her some bunting in pastel/ice cream colours. These were the two choices I gave her with the yarn I had, she decided on the bottom colours, a mixture of lemon, mint, raspberry, cotton candy blue and strawberry, mmmm, sounds delicious.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx