merry christmas!

...and a happy new year to all. Taking a break to knit something for myself for a change - back to normal in 2010, see you then. x

cosy slipper pattern

The new pattern I have in Let's Knit this week is a bit of a favourite of mine. I have had the design for these floating around for ages, so I am really glad they have finally made it into print - just in time for the cold snap. I am padding around the house in mine trying to keep warm! The initial version was cashmere, which are really warm, cosy and luxurious, but these are Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, giving the warmth and softness with a bit more durability.

drink. shop. do.

There is a lovely pop up shop on the Cally road in Kings Cross which you all must visit if you get a chance. It is only open for three weeks in December and next weekend is the last, so get down there quick smart!

I came across Drink, shop, do when Kirstie and Coralie asked me to do some workshops there. It is a collaboration of two school friends with different interests and backgrounds, producing an ecclectic yet harmonious mix of design and activities within the shop.

Sugary sweets in old fashioned jars are placed beside contemporary jewellery by local designers and the well stocked cocktail bar sits comfortably in the main room packed with members of a knitting class or crafty workshop. The concept is to sell unique, beautifully made products, both by artisan makers and crafts people alongside vintage and secondhand finds from flea markets and antique stalls, while entertaining, feeding and watering the customers. From the subtle, welcoming waft of mulled wine as you enter to the flickering candles and colourful wall art, the shop is a haven of calm informality and relaxed creativity. The glut of juxtapositions seem to work very well within this space, making it very inviting and I can see it working extremely well in the long term, which is exactly what the girls hope to do in the new year.

As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the lovely folk I met there, more of which you can see over at my workshop blog very soon and I also succumbed to the temptation to buy.

I bought this beautifully tactile rabbit necklace from me me me. Regular readers and lovers of my mr rabbit toy will know I cannot resist anything rabbit and this particular necklace really reminds me of one of my favourite stories; Watership Down, especially the 1978 animation. The weight and subtle shape is so beguiling, I just cannot wait to wear it!

My other favourite item from the shop is a beautifully kitsch nude tapestry (who'd have thought these existed!) embroidered in a fabulous seventies muted colourway. Coralie dragged this back from a flea market in France after falling for it as much as I did. I just wish I had the wall space for it...

spring/summer collection

It's up! you can find the new collection as an ebook on Ravelry. Sorry it took so long. Now onwards and upwards with the Autumn/Winter 09/10 collection...such is the non-stop life of a knitter and all that.

better late than never

At long last, I have managed to write up the cropped aran sweater pattern I showcased on here months ago. It is the last of the Spring/Summer collection of patterns to be published, so in the next few days I will make sure I get the whole lot onto Ravelry to buy as a set. In the meantime, if you just want the cropped sweater, get yourself onto the wonderful Ravelry to purchase it.

pennies per hour of pleasure

knitting class in france

I am very happy to say that I have just booked another class at the beautiful, sunny, idyllic Les Soeurs Anglaises in the South of France. The lovely Katie has been working hard on her new website, so hop on over and take a look.

My class this time is going to be about designing your own knitted items, looking at swatching, yarn choices and substitution, altering and designing patterns. We have booked the 14th-17th of May as the dates, but are thinking of lengthening the class to include finishing a small accessory then beginning to design a larger garment, with a break of a day in the middle for touring the area looking for yarn shops and markets. Let me know what you think of that idea.

If anyone is yet to book their summer hols and wants to combine knitting and the sun for a perfect craft break in France, this is the perfect choice for you. The food and company are sublime, the scenery fantastic and I cannot begin to describe the superb wine selection....I can't wait!