Have A Crafty Christmas

December 3, 2013December 3, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

The latest edition of Reloved magazine was just winking at me from the shelf in Eason yesterday so I just couldn’t resist – and the robin on the cover promised lots of upcycling fun – 34 projects to be precise.

One of the things to note this time round is that the magazine will be out monthly from now on. Let’s hope this doesn’t mean Reloved’s standards will slip.

Back to our crafty Christmas – there are sooooo many lovely things to tempt your creativity. There’s also Kirstie Allsopp’s Diary and the Creative Hub with its news and ideas for upcyclers.

Of the 34 projects I have to say I love the little robin on the cover and there’s also instructions to create a little nest for him too. The Peacock Bag made from a pair of curtains is super cute too. Sadly, there isn’t a pattern for the crochet flower but there are loads on Ravelry you could use instead.

I also love the Pallet Coffee Table – I had one in England complete with fairy lights and a glass top (who knew I was already an upcycler? Thought I was just frugal).

Not just for Christmas in my opinion, the Paper Christmas Baubles are lovely and easy to make and could be used for loads of occasions. Change the paper and make them in different sizes to decorate rooms for weddings, communions or hang them in the garden for those summer barbecues (here’s hoping).

The same can be said for the Fabric Fairy Lights. I think they’d also make a great gift for Christmas. I know of at least one boy who’d probably overlook the ‘fairy light’ aspect if they were wrapped in comic pages or material with Minecraft Creepers on them.

My number 5 favourite project, because it wouldn’t be fair to count the coffee table, is the Bauble Wreath. Very cool, very shiny and very, very, very CHRISTMAS!

I have a dear friend who’d love one of these, if I have the time to make one. That will only happen if I get through my long list of gift knitting starting with said friend’s husband’s second size 11 sock. I’ve turned the heel so I’m nearing the finishing line……..

Happy Knitting!

(or Christmas crafting)

Tivoli Husk

November 30, 2013January 13, 2014 LeftFootDaisy4 Comments

I wanted to quickly show you the new yarn Husk from Tivoli although I’m not sure the photo above does it any justice.

I’m not a massive fan of novelty yarns myself preferring the look of a good stitch pattern however, I’m a little smitten especially with the little bolero that you can knit in it (see the bottom pic). I cast on the scarf last night and will have it knitted and hanging in the shop to squidge for next week.

Husk knits on 6mm needles and the hat and scarf pattern comes free with each purchase of the yarn. It takes 1 ball to knit the hat or the scarf and the yarn retails at €6.99 a ball so it’s great for a gift.

This bolero pattern is also available in the Woman’s Way Magazine.

Must go as we have a super busy day full of classes in the shop today.

Happy Knitting!

Drool

November 25, 2013November 25, 2013 LeftFootDaisy6 Comments

It’s no secret that I love Danish Designer Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard’s knitting designs. I would go so far as to say that she’s in my top 10 of knitting designers. Elizabeth Zimmerman is without a doubt, number one – her Baby Surprise Jacket is iconic and worthy of the highest praise, and don’t get me started on the rest, there’s the Totem Jacket, the February Sweater……

Anyway, back to Vibe. ‘Lullaby Knits’ is the latest book of designs to be released by Vibe, published by Collins & Brown. The book has the same vintage feel as Vibe’s previous book ‘Labour of Love’ that I cooed over for some time. This time, however, the designs are all for babies, with the largest size for 18 – 24 months. The exception is a beautiful lace wrap for mum.

If I’ve counted correctly there are 22 patterns in the book: seven sweaters, six cardigans/jackets, three vests and six patterns that fall under the accessories heading. It’s difficult to pick my preferred designs as all of the patterns are photographed beautifully, with the most gorgeous of little models dressed in the knitted items. However, if my arm were twisted I’d have to go with the following

The Stay on Ribbed Boots are so sweet. Sadly, the pattern is for one size only (0-3 months).

The Cable and Daisy Stitch Sweater is beautiful and very like my favourite pattern ‘Matilda’ from the previous book ‘Labour of Love’.

The Garter Stitch Jacket is knitted in aran weight yarn, making it a super quick baby knit and one on my list to make in a hurry.

I’m usually able to decide on an absolute favourite pattern with most of the knitting and crochet books I see, however, this time I’m torn between two. Both are jumpers, both are unisex, you decide.

This is the Small Cable Sweater

Whilst this is the Little Tree Sweater

I might have to find some time to knit both and see if one of the designs wins through. The only trouble with that is that I no longer have little people small enough to wear the finished garment, so they’ll be ones for the Grandparent Box (no pressure there!).

In the meantime back to the Christmas gift knitting I go.

Happy Knitting!

So Excited

November 23, 2013November 25, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

It’s silly, I know but I was so excited when three big boxes arrived from Katia just before closing on Thursday.

Inside there was more of the popular Merino Flash and a pack of a new aran we’re looking at possibly stocking, but there was also ……….

The very Christmasey scarf yarn Boulevard (Christmasey is a new word for any of you that haven’t heard of it yet) and……….

A lovely new warm red/rust shade in the Merino 100%, and wait for it……….

This riot of colour. I’m so daft – you’d think I’d have gotten over it by now having had a yarn shop for so many years. All I’ve been thinking about is what sample to make for the shop. Azteca is 100g of beautiful, multicoloured aran weight yarn. The picture just doesn’t do it justice, it really has to be seen in the flesh. Maybe squidged and stroked a little too.

Happy Knitting!

I’ve Gone Pro (apparently anyway)

November 19, 2013November 20, 2013 LeftFootDaisy6 Comments

2013-10-05 12.31.19 — Super Chunky Tea Cosy

OK, as most of you know I knit. In fact, I knit as often as I can (love me, love my knitting) and would love to be a guinea pig if they ever discover a way for you to do it in your sleep.

In addition to the knitting of other people’s patterns, I always have loads of my own ideas sloshing around in my head. Some of these make it onto scraps of paper or into notebooks and then, if I have the time, a few of them end up being tested

I’ve popped a few of these ideas up on here in the past and my Easy Lace Scarf has been quite popular. However, in an attempt to become better at this side of my business a friend suggested I take the designing to the next level.

Based on her suggestion I’ve just opened up a Pro account on Ravelry to begin selling some of my designs and the first one to go up is my Super Chunky Tea Cosy. I’m not interested in making any real money from the patterns but acknowledge that if I ever get to write the book I want to, I can’t have all of my patterns available online for free.

My Super Chunky Tea Cosy pattern costs €2.50 and I hope it will be the first of many designs. If you like the style perhaps you could be persuaded to go and add it to your favourites and if you’re interested in purchasing a copy, just click here.

It’s knitted with Super Chunky yarn on 10mm needles and takes no time and very little wool (approx 70 metres without the pompom). Who knows you might even have some stashed yarn just lingering for such a project.

Tea cosies are one of the most requested patterns in the shop so it seems a great place to start.

Happy Knitting!

Last Week’s News (some of it anyway)

November 5, 2013November 6, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

I spent a large portion of last week convinced I’d achieved very little, however, after reviewing the amount of things I’d managed to do I realised I actually got through quite a few items on my never ending list.

Firstly, there was the hat I ran up for myself in the new Sirdar Freya. Some of you might have seen the photo above on the shop Instagram account. It’s a dream to wear as it’s so lovely and soft.

Then there was the waistcoat I completed whilst at Wednesday night’s knitting group. It’s made in King Cole’s Ultimate Super Chunky. The pattern doesn’t actually have a full arm band but I felt it needed a little more than the cast on, then cast off that was instructed on the pattern. The yarn knits up beautifully, but to avoid any colour pooling I did knit with two balls, following a two row stripe sequence.

There are 8 shades of Ultimate Super Chunky, great for those quick knit projects. There’s a really good range of patterns to support the yarn including several accessory designs.

Talking of King Cole, the new Glitz Chunky arrived in too.

White, Black, Rouge, Plum, Atlantic and Burnt Orange

Six shades this time, great for a little Christmas sparkle, and if you prefer double knit yarn then King Cole also added three new shades to their range of Glitz DK.

I also managed to complete the little baby cardigan I’d been working on for the shop in Peter Pan Merino Baby.

There are six pretty pastel colours and some beautiful pattern support. For the month of November while stocks last we’re offering 10% off the usual selling price of €5 per 50g/116metres. I think the yarn would work as a great substitute for most double knit patterns, particularly if you favour lighter shades.

White, Baby Pink, Silver, Lilac, Cream and Baby Blue

This week I’m trying to power into another scarf and to get a little work done on my Christmas knitting, all being well.

Happy Knitting!

Sadness

November 4, 2013November 6, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

I sat down today all prepared to begin typing up some of the many posts that I have notes written for in my little book. First though, I thought I’d have a quick scan over Ravelry for a little link to post up on the Facebook page. Noticing the new issue of Petite Purls is out I went straight over to their site to have a look at all the yummy goodness in issue 16.

As per usual the cover alludes to much knitty joy, particularly as it’s the Upsize Issue. On opening the magazine I clicked straight on the ‘note from the editors’ link, which is where my sadness comes from. Allegra Wermuth & Brandy Fortune have announced that issue 16 is their final issue of Petite Purls 😦

Before they’re gone though let’s have a little look at a couple of the patterns available in this issue. The beautiful hats at the top of the page are called Ava and are designed by Sarah Grieve. Made in 4ply the pattern gives instructions for ages child to large adult.

The Pembroke Hat was designed by Kirsten Kapur based on her Pembroke Vest pattern that was published in the first issue of Petite Purls. The adult hat is knitted in aran weight yarn and has an unusual cable pattern that meets at the top to form an eight-pointed star. Here is the link if you want to have a look at the Pembroke Vest. http://www.petitepurls.com/Summer09/summer2009_pembroke.html

My absolute favourite from this issue is the Child – Teen Radiant Vest and the separate Adult Radiant Vest. It is split into two individual patterns to accommodate the vast range of sizes between the two patterns – six years to adult 54″ (wow!). The sleeveless cardigan is knitted sideways in chunky yarn, with short row shaping to create the yoke.

It’s sad to see the end of Petite Purls but here’s hoping Allegra and Brandy move on to bigger and better things. No doubt the resources from their time at Petite Purls will continue to delight knitters for years to come.

Happy Knitting!

The Mohair Bouclé Is Back

October 22, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

I know there are quite a lot of you that love the Mohair from Cushendale just as much as I do so I thought I’d show you a couple of pictures with all the lovely new shades that arrived in late, last Friday.

The shawl is a super quick knit, 1 ball, 34 stitches on 12mm needles and plain garter stitch all the way until the ball has gone. A good tip is to make sure your cast on and cast off are on the loose side so as not to pull the ends of your shawl in.

By happy coincidence several new designs in the shawl pins have arrived in too, just in time for all your Christmas gift knitting. Who knows I might even get some made.

Happy Knitting!

More Items of the Woolly Persuasion

October 7, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

Two more beautiful yarns for you to cast your eyes over. Some of you may have already seen them in the shop though as I’m a little late getting the photos uploaded, sorry.

First there’s Rico Essentials Super Chunky

100m per 100g of squishy 50% wool & 50% acrylic

Knits to a tension of 9stitches to 12 rows on 10mm needles.

Great to use as a substitute for all your super chunky patterns

Here’s my Super Chunky Ribbed Tea Cozy shop sample.

Lastly for this post is Rico Essential Big

Each 50g contains 48 meters of smooth yarn which will show of your stitches perfectly. Neither a standard chunky or super chunky the yarn is again made up of a 50% wool/50% acrylic blend.

Knitting up with a tension of 11 stitches by 16 rows on 7/8mm needles.

This is the cowl I made recently for the shop sample modeled by what most be the most tolerant daughter in the whole wide world. Her enthusiasm for the job at hand is obvious don’t you think?

Not sure the hand over her face is doing much to hide her gorgeousness though.

Happy Knitting!

Some Of The New Stuff (items of the woolly persuasion)

October 2, 2013 LeftFootDaisyLeave a comment

As I mentioned on Facebook last week we’ve had so many deliveries arriving that I’ve found it a little difficult to keep up with everything of late. Those of you that know me, know I struggle with organization at the best of times 🙂

Like everyone that knits or crochets I still get excited at the prospect of new yarn, it hasn’t stopped just because I own a shop, if anything it’s worse. When i open the boxes the sense of desperation to get playing with the new goodies is a bit overwhelming. I tend to select a display garment pattern when choosing the yarn and will often order an extra pack to knit it in. At this time of year I find myself a bit bogged down with things to knit and my number of WIP’s increases alarmingly.

So in order to get back to some bookwork and knitting here are some of last weeks arrivals and I’ll pop some more on a second post. Another bag has already arrived this morning to be unpacked too – woolly heaven? Most of the time, anyway.

Happy Knitting!