Mix Make Wear

Blue organic discs hand embroidered onto vivid orange net and smooth canvas backing, with striking yellows to reds.  Ribbon tie fastening in matching yellow and blue. 

 

Made from carrier bags, netting, canvas: all recycled.

Created using crochet, heat proccesses, hand embroidery and sewing.

A collection of materials, a mixture of textures and some fun techniques for this playful statement necklace...

Measuring 12cm x 10cm.  Ribbon ties approx 50cm each.

Bobbles & Crochet Crop Top

A little top I knitted up just for a bit of fun. 

I had never knitted a vest by hand before so just wanted to play around with it.  I used a DK cotton for the top half, which gives it a satisfying weighty feel; then continued by increasing my stitches and knitting in simple stocking stitch, using a fine wool yarn.  

I added a row of bobbles down the front to help break up the plain knitting and add that little 'clown' touch to things...

Then finished it off with a crochet scalloped edge.

It's simple, but it fits.  So I'm happy with it!

Knitting Fashion 69: Miser Mittens

A few years back, my Grandma handed me down all of her old knitting supplies; including what is now 'my stash' of needles in all lengths and sizes, some fantastic crochet and knitting patterns (torn out from 80's 'ladies fashion-esque' magazines and all a bit dog-eared for that authentic retro-knit-feel) and this book...

 It's a real jem; the first half of the book is dedicated to explaining every kind of technique and knitting querie you could think of. Seemingly, it was commissioned by the BBC. I think, years back, this was a short series of television shows, which later got published in paper form. (How great is that - knitting on the box and then into a book!?)

 

 I've always wanted to knit myself a pair of fingerless gloves.  'Knitting Fashion' had a nice, simple looking pattern in it, titled 'Miser Mittens' (all the patterns are numbered in the book - this one was 69 out of 150).  I decided it was time to put this classic beaut of knitting knowledge to use (not to mention find a use for that ball of Regia sock yarn I picked up in a sale eons ago...)

Resulting in these:

 I feel the photographs here really do not do them justice - I'm so pleased with the result.  They fit perfectly and this yarn is gorgeous, so soft to wear.  Will definitely use it again.

The pattern was great! So easy to follow, such a simple item to make once you see how it is done... (Think I know what the fam are getting for Christmas this year).

Knitting Fashion is definitely still very 'now' and goes to show that knitting is no longer just for Grannies -

it's for their grandchildren nowadays!

Cheers Grandma

Serpentine Socks

I have finally gotten round to knitting up a pattern from Wendy D. Johnson's book, Socks From The Toe Up, which I purchase months ago and have been eager to knit every pair in it since!

The first pattern I opted for were the Serpentine Socks.  Partly because I wanted a new pair of chunky, cable-effect winter warmers for my toes and partly because they were in the 'Sportweight' section of the book, which means due to the denser (sportweight) yarn used in these patterns, they are quicker to knit than most.

I am truely converted to knitting socks from the toe-up. I just love the smooth, professional finish this technique creates.  As a knitter and sock-wearer, it's just so satisfying...

I finished the socks off with a contrasting pink rib as I 'forgot' (read: was too lazy) to measure my yarn out into two even balls before I started knitting.  (Then you have a ball for each foot and can knit them an even length etc). 

Another joy of knitting from the toe-up! Gone are my days of completing the second sock with an odd coloured toe to the rest of the pair...  On approaching the end of my first sock, I was a little concerned I wouldn't have enough to finish both off with a green rib. 

As it turned out, I have plenty of yarn left over.  Still; I prefer them this way.

Buy the book here

A Little Knitting Treasure

A charming little box a dear friend of mine spied in a charity shop recently and was so kind as to purchase it for your's truely...

 It's 17" long and the lid is a tad on the snug side, but does slide out...

 You can forgive this slight quirk though, as it does display a lovely wool and needles print

 and then opens up to a handful of odds and sods of knitting sticks

 My favourite of which are these 'Poppy', 'Queen Bee' and anodized blue ones.

 Although not all of the needles are in pairs, I think they look perfect in this box.

What a brilliant find!