I’ve been looking at things for the magazine and as per usual it’s sparked a variety of ideas and plans. It also made me think about personal experiences, so I wanted to share my non knitting thoughts today. Forgive me if you’re expecting something else, my next post will be woolly and much more fibre filled.
As most of you already know we were closed for most of August whilst we refurbished the shop. I know from talking to a lot of people the general consensus was that the shop was fine and dandy the way it was. However, for me when we moved into the new premises 2 years ago I didn’t have time to get it just how I wanted it and it had been really bugging me, hence the August break.
Whilst many of you will have seen the transformation in the flesh, there are a good few of you that are unable to get into us regularly or purchase from us via mail-order.
So let me take you on a little tour…….
On entering the shop you’ll happen first upon our new knitwear display area. My super talented hubby has gone bonkers with copper pipe (he’s a plumber) and made me this beautiful display rack, which compliments the mannequins perfectly.
Behind the mannequins there’s my upcycled vintage suitcase and my now gold painted hat stand.
Looking down the shop there are shelves running down most of the left hand side to meet the counter, which we have moved in order to open up the shop floor completely. The shelves are packed with weights from 1ply to dk and we’ve managed to do away with the pattern stand by slotting the folders and books in between the yarn.
For those of you that were colour spotting on Facebook you’ll probably have noticed the ribbon stand has received a lick of aqua paint or two.
To the right or the ribbon stand there’s the basic acrylic corner (part 1)
Part 2
We’ve moved the buttons to the other side of the acrylic stand and the haberdashery supplies seem to fit in just nicely next to them.
Next comes the aran weight unit. Complete with gaps for some of the new yarns due in.
Where the counter was previously and some might even say the piece de resistance, are the vintage cinema seats and upcycled tyre coffee table.
Last but not least is the chunky/super chunky stand – I haven’t completely worked out where all of the new yarn that’s on order is going to squeeze in there yet though.
So far the response from everyone has been extremely positive ‘the shop seems bigger’, ‘there’s lots more light’, ‘it’s easier to see everything’ and everyone loves the upcycling with my hubbys copper pipe work receiving the most praise.
Have I tempted you to come and visit? It’s a bit of a work in progress as there’s still things I’d like to get done so I’ll keep you posted.
Hope to see you soon.
Happy Knitting!
I spied this little number smiling at me from the shelves of Eason in Dungarvan yesterday and was won over instantly. Containing a hefty 162 pages of things to make, knit, sew, crochet and bake what’s not to like?
Like many of the other ‘lifestyle’ magazines that are available at the moment it is a very photography heavy publication, leading you to aspire to all things quirky, vintage and floral. In addition to the numerous projects there are ‘Ideas & Inspirations’ and ‘Spring into Shopping’ sections. There’s also a great feature on craft courses and workshops and if that wasn’t enough the good people at Prima Makes have also thrown in a couple of sheets of fancy printed paper.
So I imagine you’d like to have a little look at some of my favourite little projects?
These 3 beauties are called High Flyers, Heaven Scent and Time for Tea. Soooooo pretty.
The very appropriately hat a Picture is so fantastic I’d actually like one please. The funky, patchwork laptop case ould make a great gift and Kitchen Stichin’ is for those of us that like a bit of crochet.
The pretty Tunic Top knitted in cotton has sizes from 6-12 months to 5 years and it would be hard to resist the little pairs of Baby’s First Shoes. Bobtail Bunny is a pocket sized pal worked in 4ply crochet.
Still more …..
For the bakers amongst us my 3 favourites are the Coconut Doughnuts, Shortbread Flowers and the Peppermint Marshmallows, yummy.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise to those of you that know me but Daisy Chain is my absolute favourite, isn’t it beautiful? I hope my crochet is up to it.
If you’re still in need of a little convincing, then the icing on the cake has to be that the magazine comes complete a free kit to make this little mousey pincushion.
Happy Knitting! (maybe that should be crafting?)
In an effort to try and publish posts a little more regularly I have written myself a list of the knitting things that interest me. I subscribe to quite a number of different knitting newsletters but find a few in particular are my favourites.
In this post I’d like to talk about knitty.com
Knitty is an online knitting magazine that publishes four times a year in March, June, September and December. If you sign up to their email list they’ll notify you when the latest edition is out. Occasionally an odd pattern or two are released as a ‘bonus’ and you’ll be emailed again.
Knitty is very much a magazine: there are features pages, product tests, letters from the editors, competitions and of course there’s patterns. FREE PATTERNS
Yep, you read it correctly, the patterns are all free for individual use only. That doesn’t mean the patterns aren’t great, on the contrary. Some of the most well-known patterns have originally been published in knitty.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html
One of my favourite patterns, as I think I’ve mentioned before, is In Leaf by Avril Lang.
Currently, the 41st issue is out and the magazine is celebrating their 10th year. This issue contains 4 lovely sock patterns, 2 for gloves, 3 hats, 4 shawls, 9 jumpers/cardigans, 3 of which are for men.
I think one of the sock patterns is absolutely fab. I have to admit that I just don’t have the time to knit socks, particularly ones like these, however I can appreciate their uniqueness.
Pair-a-normal by Barry Scates
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf12/PATTpairanormal.php
One jumper that has already been added to my ever increasing ‘to do’ list is the Party Mix Pullover by Julia Farewell-Clay. It’s an aran weight, raglan, A-line jumper that will be great for using up some of my stash. Even better, being an A-line design it will help to hide a multitude of sins (mostly of the cake kind).
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf12/KSPATTpartymix.php
I find the Cool Stuff section where books, classes, etc are reviewed particularly interesting being a keen collector of all things knitting. For me this issue the most interesting items have been the reviews of several books I am keen to own including November Knits and the Knitters Handy Book of Top Down Sweater Designs.
I also like the Knitty Yarn Roundtable feature as it helps me to keep an eye on possible new yarns for the shop or what new trends are coming.
In addition to all of the above, not to mention the competition, crossword, adverts and shopping, there is also Knitty Spin, which is a section of the magazine aimed at spinners. I do intend on learning to spin, I even have a lovely Ashford Spinning Wheel, which at present adorns the window sill at the top of my stairs (sadly). This doesn’t stop me coveting fibre and lusting over the endless possibilities……
Knitty Spin has reviews of fibre that the testers spin and then knit, reviews of cool spinning stuff, a spinners glossary and yet more patterns. My favourite this issue without a doubt are the beautiful mitts Calertne by Sandy Sitzman & Lynne Vogel – they are truly beautiful.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf12/KSPATTcalertne.php
Knitty is in my opinion, without a doubt one of the best knitting related features available online
If you’re still having doubts about signing up to the knitty.com newsletter reminder – why? Maybe this will encourage you –
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff12/PATTnorma.php
Norma is definitely an heirloom piece, but just look at the detail. Meghan Jones is a truly gifted designer.
Happy knitting!
Confessions of a Fibre Strumpet 