Sunday 28 June 2015

Tunisian Cushion

Hello all,

I'm back from my break and now I'm knitting up a storm :)

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the latest issue of Inside crochet had been released and had arrived at my front door. Inside it contained my latest Tunisian Crochet Pattern  'Geo Cushion'. This project started months ago.

I was travelling to Reading to visit my sister and look one of my usual detours to Yarnfest. This is a lovely shop in an area called Hermitage and stocks a lot of gorgeous yarn. Another reason that a visit is necessary is for the opportunity to meet Ozzy the dog. Ozzy guided me to the yarn I just had to have. This was quite early in the year but summer was on my mind and I found that West Yorkshire Spinners had a gorgeous selection of colours. The way the shelf was stacked had the green and pink together and I loved the combination. It made me think of a watermelon and I knew I had to buy this yarn for something.................I was not heavily influenced by Ozzy's puppy eyes!!!!!!!!


Once back home I began to plot my pattern. I wanted something that would challenge me and develop a new skill. This is when I went to You Tube for Knitspiration. I came across an American crocheter (cannot think who it was) who had made a Super Mario blanket using colour work in Tunisian crochet. Using the different colours seemed to be similar to how a knitter does Intarsia Knitting. The video did guide me to twist the yarn at each colour change to ensure there are no holes. 


With this in mind I decided to look back at an old patchwork book I had for a design idea. The one I selected was a star design. To sew this up it would involve 12 square which was a triangle that was half one colour and half another. If you look carefully at the patter you may see how these square would be put together. I actually did a tension square (I know !!!) to work out the sizing of my work. I had a spare cushion that was in desperate need of dressing and from there the pattern was created.

I emailed my idea to Claire from Inside Crochet and the design and it was a Tunisian cushion which happened to match the theme for an issue of the magazine. I really enjoyed this project and hope to use this technique again for a later design. 

I went to Guthrie and Ghani's Knit Night on Thursday and really enjoyed it. I love the atmosphere of the shop and how relaxed knit night is there. It was a nice place to focus on my latest design involving Tunisian Crochet in the round. Lauren stocks Rico and now Milla Mia yarn in a vast range of colours. There are also a number of different weight yarn available too. I have found much knitpiration here previously as this is where I brought the yarn from Benjamin's Bunting and Nice and Cosy. The next Knit night is on 30th July and well worth a visit :)

Right.........back to work 

Until next time

Happy crafting

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@knitsnotperfect

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-reed

Sunday 21 June 2015

brioche knitting

Hello all,

I have officially finished my first brioche knitting project (yay).

My knitting buddy and I wanted to find a workshop to challenge our skills. Becky suggested brioche knitting and I thought this sounded great. However, when I arrived at the workshop I quickly realised that this was not a form of cake eating and knitting. 

Instead it is a form of knitting that creates a thick and stretch piece of material. It amused me too as it involves stitches called 'barks' and 'burp'. The bark or a 'brk' is a brioche knit stitch and a 'burp' or 'brp' is a brioche purl stitch. 

The work involves placing 'shawls' (or a yarn over) stitches which are then worked together to create the thickness. I think the best way to get a grasp of this is either have a very clever knitting friend or attend a workshop. I went to Hilda Haarhoff to learn this skill. It was an interesting session which included a free scarf pattern to take home. After some time, I found it fairly simple to pick up.

However, when I returned home I ended up in a right mess. I would recommend when you are starting to use a life line. This is a piece a yarn you thread through so if you make a mistake, you can pull your work back to a specific point. I had not done this and somehow lost my many stitches.........instead I resorted to my other life line 'Becky' to the repair the damage done. 

After knitting quietly with no distractions, I was able to finish my piece. I am quite happy with it and would like to wear it in the winter as it is an extremely warm accessory. 

The next piece of work on this would be to learn how to use 2 colours for brioche knitting. Becky has picked this up so maybe I can get some tips off her..........

I have just submitted another pattern for Inside Crochet so keep an eye out in September :)

I am currently working on another idea that I am dying to get back to 

Until next time

Happy crafting 

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@knitsnotperfect

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-reed

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Marie Curie Tea Party and the 'C' word

Hello all,

I had a lovely knitting Saturday last weekend.I attended the wonderful tea party held by City Knits in Birmingham. The gathering was in aid of Marie Curie. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and there was so much on offer. 

On the day there was a vast array of gorgeous cakes to indulge on and also there was a lucky dip for knitters. I had a go and bagged myself a lot of wonderful prizes. There was also an opportunity to try and knit with epic needles and there was a stall selling many hand knitted items. It was also wonderful to see all the lovely tea cosies that had been created for the event. 

I have taken part in the raffle hoping to win some of the lovely gifts. One of the offerings is 39 balls of Stylecraft yarn !!!!!! Imagine what I could make up with that !!!!!!! The draw is not until 30th June so there is still time to buy a ticket. They can be purchased from the shop or on-line, by donation, on City Knits just giving page www.justgiving.com/Christines2015. It's well worthwhile donating to this lovely cause.

I really enjoyed myself and hope they carry on hosting this event every year. 

I am unsure if it is inappropriate but I am going to use the 'C' word. That's right !!! I am contemplating beginning Christmas knitting. I need to decorate my new home and this year the family are celebrating with me. Is it too soon to begin???? I'm not so sure. I will contemplate on this more.

Until next time

Happy crafting

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@knitsnotperfect

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-reed