Brights and Blues

Well, my very summery bag sample is now complete! I think I mentioned that I don't usually go for such bright shades, but they are a great antidote to dull February days. 

As is to be expected, the first one of any new creation off the production line, so to speak, always has little things which will be ironed out the next time I make it, and indeed when I teach it. In the case of this bag, I will block the squares differently next time, and I am still unsure about the tassels. I might also use a press stud to fasten it if the bag begins to gape with use. I am even also in two minds about the yarn (despite much to-ing and fro-ing in settling on this cotton). Generally, though, it is a happy bag. It is a good useful size, and not too heavy. I adore the lining, and the strap works well. 

Now, to schedule a workshop...

Of course in these busy days the last thing I need is another project on the go. Or so you might think. But sometimes the lure of new yarn or new fabric is just too great! 

I have been collecting blue fabrics for such a long time now- either scraps from other projects, fabrics salvaged from worn out clothes, fat quarters from trade shows and the like, with a view to making a blue quilt. Indigo blue is absolutely my favourite colour, and I am continually drawn to it and fascinated by it. A quilt, though, is absolutely the last thing I need to start making just at the moment. However, I'm sure you can guess what has happened:

Oh dear: t looks like I really am an obsessive maker. I have come to the conclusions that there is nothing for it but go with the urge!

Building Blocks

Buoyed by the successes and enthusiasm of my students in my skirt-making group, I am planning future workshops.

I have been planning a crochet bag workshop for a while, but I had struggled with the colour scheme and the appropriate yarn... and the costings... and the venue... etc- all the usual headaches when planning a workshop. However, this week I have landed on the right yarn, and so I am whipping up a sample. It is very summery, and thus way out of my usual comfort zone, but somehow all the more enthralling for just that reason. Oh, and I designed a new block. As you do, on a rainy Saturday afternoon. No sneak previews though, but I will post an image once the sample is complete.

For your viewing pleasure though, here are two heirlooms I have been lucky enough to inherit:

The embroidered cushion cover has been languishing, pad-less for a while in my house. Today I have ordered a nice plump filling, and I look forward to it gracing my front room. It really is too beautiful to be hidden any longer. The cake frill I was given recently, although I do remember it from childhood Christmasses. I have only sketchy memories of its maker, but I do know that she crocheted all the time. I guess that means crochet is in my DNA somewhere!

I am cherishing the inspirational presence of both of these lovely things in my life. They are from the days when these skills were just part of women's work. I often now hear about how sad it is that these skills are lost and how great it was when everybody made their own things... and in some ways I agree. But whenever I hear nostalgic arguments like this I want to shout out, about all the young women I meet in knitting groups, and all the young people I teach to crochet, and all the women interested in sewing, and ravelry, and blogs, and all of the crafters I know...

As much as I love to craft and create, and to share my skills, I see it as no big loss to womenkind in general if they no longer feel obliged to so. I feel very strongly that we should keep our precious skills alive, and I do think we should avoid exploitative mass production, but making things by hand should be enjoyable, surely, rather than a chore?

A Stitch in the Right Direction

Sometimes I'm sure we all wonder whether we are heading off in the right direction. Much of the time we are left to wonder, but sometimes there are signs for us to interpret. Does something send us these signposts, the universe aligned to send us in a certain direction...? Or is it just down to hard work and luck...? I don't know, all I know is that I received a big ol' positive sign today, and I can't stop smiling.

And that's all I can tell you, until a few months and a lot of hard work have passed.

Meanwhile, here is a little snap of the completed textile-y gift I had begun yesterday (hoping the recipient doesn't read my blog too avidly!).

And I leave you with the happy news that 41 people have downloaded my crochet 'Cayeux Bath Mat' pattern on ravelry here. It's wonderful to think I am the cause of 41 other stripey mats in the world.

Making Home

Don't let my the title 'Making Home' fool you, I've been living in this house for quite a while now, but just lately I have been feeling the urge to spread some hand made love around. 

This one is actually for someone else, I hope they like it

There are new cushions with exciting covers in the front room, crocheted dish cloths in the kitchen, a   holiday-inspired bath mat, and almost criminally pretty tea towels. Also, a felt oven glove... which I am yet to bite the bullet and properly test for insulating properties. It does look good though, hanging up in the kitchen. 

Striped bath mat, bringing holiday cheer to my bathroom.

I'll post some more images soon- please tell me that one day soon we will have bright sunny weather again...

The bath mat pattern is available as a free ravelry download. It is named in honour of sunny beach side camping trips.

When even the Gents is a Work of Art

I have spent a little time in London recently. Lucky me- I love the Thames and the buzz and the industry of everyone off to work. Crowded tubes...? Bring them on! 

Of course I'm sure I would feel that way if I lived there, but to dip in and out is a privilege. 

I made time to visit my favourite fabric shop, and looking at my purchases, anyone would be forgiven that I have a bit of a fetish for blue. 

I also visited this gents toilet. The gents which is now a café, that is. I visited for the novelty factor, but I had not realised how stunningly beautiful it was going to be, both inside and out. It was also very peaceful, and the soup was divine. 

Although it wasn't strictly a holiday, since returning home I have felt energised and refreshed. I have had a lot of work to catch up on, but I've enjoyed doing so and I feel more excited to create than I have done in a while. 

As lovely as London is, some things are better close to home: on Monday evening we went to watch Giselle live streamed from Covent Garden to our local cinema. You would be hard pushed to find a greater advocate of this invention than I am- it's amazing to just pop round the corner and find yourself in the best seat in the house. The editing is such that you feel like you are actually on stage watching the performers, and little extraneous details like the sound of ballet shoes on the sprung floor bring so much immediacy to the show. We cried, lots, at this beautiful love story. 

An added bonus was that Carlos Acosta was playing the lead male rôle. He truly is a stunning dancer. 

Having spent a little time in the Costume Department at the Royal Opera House, I always pay particular attention to what is worn on stage. And with my new creative impetus I am of a mind to make a Giselle blouse with some of my new fabric. In blue, of course. 

Looking for spring... but still wanting to hibernate!

The year has turned, and by rights we should all be rested, relaxed, and ready to start 2014. Well, in theory at least. I, however, have the urge to hibernate with my stashes of yarn and fabric (yes, lucky me, I have more than one stash!), and wait for spring.

It's not that I'm not excited to start the year, not that at all. I am very excited, it's just that my mind is pulling me in different directions to the ones which would be most useful. I'm quite sure it has nothing to do with being in denial about tax returns and the like. Not at all...

So in the mean time I have devised a couple of crochet projects, pictured here. I'm really loving un-dyed yarn at the moment.

This cosy cowl is made from the softest alpaca

I made snowdrops in an attempt to embrace the spring.

This is the 'Little Landscapes' scarf made by one of my students. She has done a really lovely job, and has a great eye for colour- well done Katy!

Finishing writing this pattern is another thing not ticked-off my 'to do' list. I know the pattern inside and out, I just can't seem to finish typing it. Ok, I haven't started typing it- it's only written in crazy shorthand. Ho hum, I'll get there.

I love that this is so 'Katy'!

Well, somebody hand made it (even if it wasn't me!)

Yesterday I wore a beautiful hand-knitted cardigan to the Tuesday group. I wore it because it is very warm and very comfortable.

But here is the confession: I did not make it.

However, I did rescue it from the charity shop, where it was languishing, crushed up in the rails, filthy and smelly, and very much unloved.

I don't want to think about why it ended up in the charity shop, as I am quite sure that the person who made it with so much skill and love would not have parted with it lightly, and if it had been made as a gift then I am equally sure the recipient would have wanted to keep it forever. So that leaves the likely explanation that the owner no longer walks this earth.

I am surprisingly alright with the idea of wearing a dead woman's jumper (ha, things you never think you will hear yourself say!). Should there be a big stigma about the possessions of the dead? What a waste it would be if everything you owned was destroyed when you passed away?

As I mentioned, the jumper was filthy, and I asked advice on ravelry about how to wash it. I had heard of no-rinse hand washing formulas, but it was reassuring to have them recommended to me by those in the know.

The jumper took two washes, during which the not unpleasant smell of wet sheep pervaded the house, and indeed continued to do so until the jumper dried, the best part of a week later.

Coincidentally, my friend was wearing a jumper in a similar style, and she mentioned that the knit stitches used have a meaning and a symbolism... if you know how to read them. Alas I do not, but that is just another mystery which the wonderful art of knitting will have to reveal to me in the fulness of time.