leggy legwarmers

My lovely knitting mad aunty Susie has given me loads of her old patterns and I just had to share this one with you, have you ever seen such looooong legwarmers?! It's such a classy shot - you have to admire the pose against the old banger, and the girl is giving a masterclass in modelling. She is wearing every single accessory in the leaflet, while managing to balance the last bag on her knee!
Sigh, I just can't emphasise how much I love retro patterns, I think I shall be posting more of these beauties soon!

a trip to the design museum

Today I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and have a stroll along the South Bank to the Design Museum to see the Hussein Chalayan Exhibition. I must say that although I love the design museum, seeing Chalayan's work in the flesh still did not make it sing to me. Even though I am constantly amazed by his innovation and craftsmanship, and I enjoyed the exhibition, I have to say that it is just not to my personal taste.

My favourite thing was the fab wallpaper, which was also a print in one of the garments, and this mesmerising dress made from flickering LEDs and Swarovski crystals.

I also loved the Brit Insurance Design Award 2009 exhibition on the top floor, a fantastic space with panoramic views. the Basso and Brooke dress here was just stunning and extremely well thought out.

The only downside to the beautiful day is that I walked so far in my summer sandals, which I was wearing for the first time this year....time for a foot bath I think!

the sun has got his hat on!

This weekend I visited a good friend on her birthday, it was great; I managed to soak up some rays in Brighton while taking some snaps for the exciting new project I keep mentioning. Talk about multitasking! I had fish and chips on the beach, a lovely stroll along the sea front and a browse in the shops. 'Twas pretty much a perfect day, and the sun shined gloriously throughout. Here is another sneaky peak at what I have been working on recently to whet your appetite. The whole collection will be up on my website next week....I hope!

new yarn!

Exciting times are afoot in monty world; I am counting down to the launch later this month of an exciting project and in the meantime I have had a delivery of the most gorgeous Frog Tree merino wool which is not only dreamily soft and lightweight, but also in my of the moment favourite colour, a hard to descibe reddish-orange (or is that orangey-red?!) melange. No hints yet as to what it is for, but I can say that I am very excited by the project and it is a garment I have been wanting to make for ages.

Added to this, to enhance everything monty, I have purchased a shiny new camera, and this is my first picture - what do you think?! Still trying to figure out how to use it, so I need to practice more to work out how to focus - I am more of a point and press, no fuss kinda gal - but keep getting sidetracked by it instead of working on the million or so knitting projects I have on the go for all these new ventures! So, I had better put the darn thing down and get cracking...

inside crochet

The postman finally delivered my copy of Inside Crochet this morning and I was delighted to see a double page spread featuring my studio space; my front room as it is otherwise known! It looks really bright and inspiring and has made me realise just how important all my little bits and pieces are in my design process (or is that just an excuse never to tidy up again?!)

I also contributed a small pattern, a cute little children's cardigan called Ellie. I couldn't resist the colour combination of neutrals with bright pink, violet and turquoise, and wanted to create something very simple yet pretty, using the traditonal granny square pattern as inspiration.

The magazine is looking really lovely, it is edited by Julie Holetz and Amy O'Neill Houck and is from the fantastic KAL media team who already publish Yarn Forward and Sew Hip. They have done a great job and I think the first issue bodes well for its future, I look forward to reading the magazine for a long time to come.

Felicitous news

The Felicity Shrug I designed for my friend's bridesmaids is up to buy on Ravelry! Just in time to make it for a summer wedding cover up - even if you aren't the bride, just knit it in a bright and beautiful colour!

teddy's debut

I have finally pulled my finger out and registered to sell my single patterns on the brilliant Ravelry. My first project to go live is teddy, a wonky but charming toy for a worsted/aran weight yarn. More to follow very soon; watch out for the recipe for the shrug I designed for my friend Felicity's wedding, the boxing day jumper and a very exciting group of patterns which I shall launch here in mid April. Keep your eyes peeled, and if you are into knit or crochet and haven't yet joined Ravelry, its great, get yourself on it, and search me out there, my username is montyknits.