Sunday - Day Dreams of Summer

Sunday’s are, in my opinion, best reserved for pottering about. I seem to have picked up and put down half a dozen tasks today but have made at least a little progress with each. I spent a fair part of the day looking out of the window at a seriously grey day and hoping that thinking hard enough about summer might somehow bring it about. I worked a little more on my summer designs and, although the colours are purely for decoration and will not represent the fabrics that I will eventually use, I felt drawn to bright, summer colours. 

I’m currently working on several new knitting and crochet patterns which I am loving.  Yet again I am being drawn back to this super chunky cable jumper as it both serves to ward off the cold and brings a sunny flash of colour. I hope to have the first draft ready for some friendly pattern testers within a week or two. 

I have added a few things to my to do list and have a batch of post it note ideas to mull over. I have two new projects in the works which should be finalised in the next week so I feel all set for Monday morning! 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekends, SJ  

Wednesday Morning - Getting Out & About

Every Wednesday morning I set out by bus for the city centre for a driving lesson. Years of living in central London have left me completely reliant on public transport and the occasional taxi. Moving to the country and starting a business has been a major change and the need for my own means of transport is becoming more and more apparent. Whilst the driving lesson fills me with nerves I love the uninterrupted journey time on the bus as it gives me two sessions to design time, I usually devote this time to knitting which helps the journey to pass in no time at all.

Knitting out in public always seems to bring a few odd looks and, more often than not, a comment or two. I’m always pleased to have a chat and to explain what I am making, many people like to share their own experiences and to swap tips on techniques or favourite yarns. Some of the most heart warming comments are from people who remember fondly a loved one knitting; a grandmother, a mother, a spouse, always kind memories of treasured knitted items. I often find myself reassuring those interested in knitting that it is easier than it looks and that anyone is capable of creating something beautiful with a bit of practice. I hope that while I make progress with my projects I might also infect others with the knitting bug!

Another great benefit of visiting the city each week is a chance to visit the independent shops and market vendors. I picked up some beautiful cotton fabric which I plan to use for some PJs. The market is such a great place for shopping, there is a great mix of established vendors and pop-up stalls which change on a regular basis meaning that there’s an ever-changing source of inspiration.

All this means that my regular day starts a little later on a Wednesday but with an added boost of inspiration from the bustling city and a little extra progress made with my latest WIP (see my Super Chunky Jumper Pattern post to follow…). SJ

Super Chunky Crochet

Its been a hectic start to the new year but I have finally found some time to relax with a bit of super chunky crochet.

Wool is my favourite @cygnet_yarns Seriously Chunky in cream

Every pattern that I design starts with a tester session. Even the simplest design needs some careful thought and consideration to get the right tension and texture. This simple crochet throw uses a basic stitch making it a great beginners pattern. 

I’ll be posting this pattern with a guide for new crocheters soon, watch this space! If you have any comments or questions that I could add to my crochet guide please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you, SJ