Knitspiration #5

 

The title of this post should be sung to the tune of Vonda Shepard's "Sweet Inspiration" (changing the word 'sweet' for 'Swedish'), I have provided a link for those unfamiliar with this song:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TVQB7oOsJ0

It has been a whole month since I last blogged, this Masters seems to have gotten in the way lately. Today I have assigned some time specifically for this blog, so sit back and enjoy the following Knitspiration post, which is a mixture of Christmassy, Swedish, colours and a pug.

 

 
I love these Swedish colours, they're a bit Christmassy, and they look very snug for this cold snap. I think it's the fact these colours are quite soft, and not bright like a lot of things in fashion lately. I love fashion, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to find that with highstreet shops copying the big designers, the neon trend is looking a bit... plasticy and cheap lately. These soft colours are refreshing and sweet.

 
The same can be said for this jumper, I love the Christmas feel to it from the reindeer, and I think that softer scoopy neckline would be flattering on most people.
 
 

 

 
Here is a cluster of some more of this inspirational colour scheme (complete with hot blonde babe). I think those Christmas label ideas are stunning, and if you used a stamp then you could rustle a few up in no time. I'm also a big fan of ribbon, I definitely do not have enough in my life.

 

 
These photos are not very big today, so I am clustering them for more interest. Here we have some real Swedish Swedeness:
Beautiful waterside houses in amazing colours, an excellent pair of clogs and a stylish Swedish girl. I love the wholesome feel to these images, I'm feeling inspired for the January sales....

 

And here's the pug, why not?

Knitspiration #4

Todays' knitspiration is all about my favourite look: baggy! I love wearing baggy tops with skinny bottoms, not only does it look pretty good, but it is also so comfy and cuddly.

 I love the colour of this jumper as well as the stitches used, if only I could afford that much wool..

 Gotta love a classic nineties style, complete with rolled sleeves. I didn't even know that this many cable stitches existed.

 This one, complete with ripped jeans and cuppa tea, is making me want to snuggle up with my dogs.

 I love this girl's boots as well, that jumper looks so comfy.

 An example of how you can do baggy and look smart at the same time; I would love a coat like this.

Lastly: classic nineties child! Sadly I still dress like this ...

Current Projects

I have been working on a few projects at the same time recently, one of them is a big secret as it is a Christmas present for someone special (my sister), so I can't post it on here til after I give it to her.

Here's what I'm working on...

 I'm making a cabled headband for someone...

 I'm making a ribbed beanie for someone...

And I tried out crochet! It doesn't look too bad for a first attempt, however I have to concentrate and look at my hands pretty much the whole time so I can't enjoy it while I'm watching TV like I can with knitting. Maybe I'll practice some more and see how it goes, but for now I'm going to finish off the top-secret-sister-present...

Knitspiration #3

Today's knitsipiration is all about colour...

I need to learn to crochet! Miffy has made a wave blanket like this, it's such a nice stitch.

I love the detail, the colour and the all round awesomeness of this little brooch.

 This is so simple - just a chain stitch on some fabric but doesn't it look wonderful?

I never like using white wool when I make projects but combining it with these fresh summer colours is quite a good idea.

Yeah if I made these shorts I would wear them with pride. Fact.

World's best socks.

Simple granny squares that look like something from Liberty of London! 

I just love colour!

Just Another Miffy Monday #3

It's been over a week since I last posted, I have been reallllly busy finishing at work, going to London with Miffy to assist on her buying trip, saying all of my goodbyes to my true Jersey friends and then packing, traveling, arriving and unpacking in DURHAM. So...! Without further ado I am back on the blog scene and what better way to return than with a Miffy Monday?

Sadly last week we attended the funeral of Miffy's uncle Roger, so for Roger's wife, Aunty Wendy, Miffy made her a blanket. It was the fastest I have ever seen her crochet! She just got straight onto it and spent every free minute for the 7 days she had crocheting. By the end of it she had repetitive strain injury.. well, not quite.

What a beautiful stitch.

I love the border too, she really is a perfectionist.

It's so big! Not bad for a week's work.

Here she is, crazy woman.

Combining Arts

I have recently been inspired by things I've found on Pinterest and other blogs to combine embroidery over other things. I have never done embroidery before, so despite wanting to go straight in at the deep end and achieve something like this:

Or this:

Or even this:

I decided to hold back and try something more simple, as inspired by my favourite blogger One Sheepish Girl. I had a couple of cards to write, one was a thank you card, the other a birthday card, so I thought I'd put my skills to the test and use them for these two occasions.

The birthday card was for my driving instructor. I took my test on her birthday and I passed!!!!! She was pleased with the card, despite my perfectionist self not being happy with the fact it isn't very neat:

To do this I write out the words in pencil, then stab holes through with my needle:

And then I stitch over it. Here's the second one, for the thank you card:

I went for a French style writing which I prefer as well.

I've really got the embroidery bug and if I find time this weekend I intend to try some 'proper' embroidery and practice all the different stitches. I have ordered an embroidery hoop, it will arrive on Tuesday.

The other great thing about this is that I'm using wool (rather than cotton) and it is using up my stash and getting me one step closer to completing my wool-athon!

Knit News

Look at that sheepish face. She takes any opportunity to lie on something comfy, even if that's my clothes.

I have begun the jumper that I have been commissioned to make. It's looking great! However when I go home tonight I'm going to unravel it all...

The reason I'm unravelling it is because the pattern and the wool don't work together. This pattern needs aron weight wool and although this wool is advertised as such it is definitely far too skinny, it looks and feels like a double knit to me, so I have found a new pattern that will work much better. The lady I'm making it for wants it to be a cozy, baggy jumper for the winter, so too small will not do.

Look how much work I've done already... it's going to be painful to unravel all of those rows... 

In other knit news: I've started Emily's headband. The one I made her wasn't good enough apparently, so now I'm using this wool that she's chosen from my stash and I've made the pattern even better.

It never looks that neat until it's stitched up and made into the proper headband, but I'm pleased with it so far.

That's it for today's update, I can't wait to get home and unravel all of my hard work and start again.....