The Friday Blogger

I received some useful advice recently regarding blogging: a wise lady suggested to me that it is useful to pick a regular interval between blog entries... and stick to it! And so, seeing as how my blogging has always been completely erratic I have decided to try to become a Friday blogger. Wish me luck!

What news...?
I have designated May as my month of finishing as many unfinished jobs as I can, which means:

I have finished writing up and listing some patterns (for which I have been on some jolly photo shoots),

My crochet classes continue, with a batch of beautiful cushions coming together nicely,

I have started to teach my canvas bag course again, to a full class of wonderful ladies who are not only very capable but also very appreciative,

Despite my resolve not to start any new projects I have an exciting new idea I am working on,

I have learnt how to join yarns with a braided join (necessity being the mother of eduction),

I have decided to become a fully crazy-old-lady type of member on ravelry by changing my avatar to a cat picture,

...and I still have some very exciting news under wraps to share in the next week or so!

Off to take some snaps on one of my favourite little excursions

I have also discovered a new little corner of my house in which I can sit and be productive. This is good, except that I look out onto an under used and unloved patch of outside space. It is crying out for a mini makeover. Now, anything outsidey like gardening is not my strong point (I am saving that pleasure for my retirement ;-) ), so I will have to draft in a little help, but perhaps I will be able to post a picture when my view is prettier. I have only succeeded so far in reinstating a washing line to hang my crocheted washcloths on. They take so long to dry that I wanted to air them out but still have them in easy reach.

Notes to Self

Notes to Self:

1. You don't have time to make a blouse this week: you have commitments, responsibilities, and undertakings.

2. Inky blue most definitely is you're favourite colour.

3. Bound arm holes are really very pleasing.

4. Leg o'mutton sleeves are also very pleasing (and accommodate your freaky shoulders prettily). 

5. It is probably advisable to decide on your sleeve length and cuff style before you start to make a garment.

6. Ditto drafting your Peter Pan collar.

7. Keep your blog concise (see note 1).

Crochet Classes

Yesterday my crochet students attended Part 2 of their bag-making course.

I was hugely impressed with their progress so far, working on granny squares. Quite a lot of granny squares in fact!

This week, though, we were making squares from my own design, and my own chart. Charts have been really useful in terms of teaching, despite my initial scepticism.

These ladies are going to end up with such individual, and well-executed, bags! 

I am already planning to re-run the course, but perhaps in one long session to enable more people to attend. Do contact me if you are interested. 

Godets for Breakfast

I'm sure every parent knows what it feels like to suddenly learn that you're expected to come up with something wonderful for school- that same day.

I feel lucky, then, that at least I had a little notice of this parental task. Or so I thought! I knew I had to make flares for Monday, but miraculously that turned into Friday. This required a little quick thinking this morning.

When we eventually agreed on a pair of jeans to be sacrificed, I realised that, unusually, they had no side seams. So, with a bit of help from Amy Butler (her fabrics are just perfect for this!), I whipped up some godets and enjoyed letting those hours and hours of expensive degree study come out to play.

Someone's got a Squeezebox

What a very full few weeks this is turning out to be! 

My 'Make a Skirt to Fit You' Course finished on Saturday, so I wanted to share some pictures from then. The students did incredibly well, and I was so excited by what they managed to achieve:

Dressing the part: do you think she likes pink...?

A beautifully inserted zip: it is so worth making samples!

There is plenty of flare at the hem to balance the shape, and for summer flirtiness !

Nearly finished: once this has 5 colourful buttons she will really look the part

...and even inside this is a really pretty skirt!

I am planning to re-run the course in the autumn, as you can't beat a well cut warm skirt for the transition to colder weather. 

This is also a project which has been on the go for a while. It has had to hang there, looking lonely for a bit as other things have taken priority, but I'm looking forward to working more on it now: working with happy fabric is such a delight!

And now for something completely random: I snapped this in a street near my house: a gorgeous accordion slung on the front seat of someone's car. It's very brave of them to leave it so exposed, but I'm glad I got to see that someone so musical was in the area. In the same way that inanimate things which have been lovingly stitched have a sort of energy given by their maker, I saw and felt a bit of magic here as I wondered about all the songs, all the jam sessions, all the trials and errors, and perfect moments associated with this instrument.

Hearts and Romance

What an exciting week! I was lucky enough to visit the Knitting & Stitching show at Olympia. I have visited the Alexandra Palace show before, but I had never been to the spring event, so this was a completely new adventure. And the most exciting part was that I went to teach a workshop.

In 90 minutes, my novice embroiderers learnt the basics of hand stitch, on a forgiving felt heart hanger. They each made something unique and to their own design, but what is even more satisfying is that they all expressed a desire to do a lot more hand stitch now that they had been given a friendly introduction. This is the perfect satisfaction when teaching. Thank you, lovely ladies!

Whilst at the show I naturally had to have a good look around. Although the venue is a lot smaller than Alexandra Palace there were still some gems. My favourite stall was undoubtedly this one - I wanted to buy everything! The silks were amazing, and shone with a quiet beauty amongst some other really gaudy stalls. I stood for so long ogling them. If you have a special project I can't recommend these fabrics highly enough- not cheap, but worth it I am sure.

The other stall which I really enjoyed visiting was Jennie Atkinson's. She had her book, 'A Handknit Romance', for sale, as well as made up samples on the rail so you could see exactly how the garments would look. I wanted to buy it, but it was a large hard back and I had plenty to carry, so I settled for this individual pattern: a small item therefore a quicker knit, and with not too much yarn involved. And as a bonus it is knitted in my favourite, yet now discontinued, Rowan Siena 4-ply cotton. Best not to get me started on that topic, but I did share a mini rant with Sara from Black Sheep on the very same issue. It turns out she feels just like I do!

What with replacement bus services and other additional dramas it was a long day, but a satisfying one. I look forward to the next Knitting & Stitching show. 

Skirting History

Although I haven't blogged for a while, I have been very busy making. Some things I can share with you, but others I am going to be cryptic about and just say that I am not at liberty to divulge.



Here is a skirt which I have made. It is a six gore skirt with side zip fastening, made from lovely soft cotton I bought at a charity shop, and with a longer Liberty print underskirt. It is quite autumnal in terms of colour, but I will probably wear it in any season. It is finished except the hand binding of the underskirt. That's going to be quite a long job as the hem is so flared. One for an evening in front of a dvd, perhaps?

A couple of weeks ago I also went on a little trip, and got the opportunity to revisit the wonderful muse, Minerva, and also 6 year-old me. Both Minerva and I look very happy, don't we? When I was about that age my nickname by my mum was 'Min'. I have no idea why, but I like the connection it lends me to this great lady.





And lastly, I am just going to leave you, mysteriously and without explanation, with this colour. Do you like it? I find it breathtaking, which is lucky really.