crochet colourwork hat

 The latest issue of Inside Crochet came out on Friday, which has a very autumnal theme and so the weather has been quite appropriate for some of the projects inside it. I am rather proud of the lovely little hat I designed for it. I wanted to recreate some of the beautiful scalloped colourwork patterns I have been noticing in knitwear recently, but without the faffing of doing any Fair Isle or Tapestry crochet, so I utilised the scallop stitch, comprising of shells, with some block stripes of colour to create the pattern. Here's the result!

All images by the talented Britt Spring Photography

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

In my last post about the exciting project for Gawthorpe Hall Textiles Collection, I realised that I didn't show a picture of the beautiful scrap books I was inspired by. Here are just a few examples, mainly of the ones labelled 'poor quality' by Miss Rachel, along with the actual fragment which was the initial inspiration. I have so many of pictures of these - a wealth of inspiration for years to come! Thinking about the people who made them and used the the books to create new pieces so many years ago and the fact that these few tiny scraps of material have survived, thought worthy of recording by the foresight of Rachel Kay Shuttleworth, is just amazing, inspiring, humbling.

RCA Textiles show

Last week I popped along to the RCA textiles private view on a very hot and muggy day (how do they choose the hottest day EVERY year?!?)

The knitted textiles students were all very diverse which meant an interesting show. Fiona Brooker's pretty watercolours translated beautifully into her textural knits, made up of stripes of many different gauges, stitches and fibres, the mohair working especially well at blending the colours as in her painting. The palette is pretty and quite calming, creating throws perfect for snuggling under in the colder months.

Lucy Faulke exhibited some crochet, which is fabulous to see, and not only that but she used it in an interesting and orginal way, combining with plastics and using oversized hairpin lace from looms she made herself to create interesting pieces which could become furniture or jewellery.

Victoria Campbell's stunning monochrome pieces were bejewelled with metal beads, chain and metallic yarn to create beautifully elegant evening wear.

Helen Paine used heavy printing techniques on brightly coloured, fine knits to create very modern, wearable pieces.

Victoria Bulmer used recycled denim very effectively to create energetic, textural garments for men - which is unusual in itself for knitwear, most students aim for womenswear. She had also produced a very professional looking fold out pamphlet of a range of her pieces instead of business cards.

There was an interesting and original layout to the show this year, with each textiles student interspersed with a product design one. I think the two disciplines go well together and it was interesting to see the textiles students who used interesting products and form in their work and the product students who utilised textiles in an interesting way. For me, the most fascinating of these was Marina Dragomirova who used Bulgarian carpet making traditions to create chairs that take the form of looms, with the warp and weft making the seat - fabulous! She also has a diverse range of other products, which are just as interesting.

The show has unfortunately now closed, but I am sure there will be many more gems in next years batch of graduates!

DMC creative crochet patterns

Some new patterns I have designed for DMC using their Petra and Metallic yarns have been published, what do you think?!

My favourite piece is the little 50s inspired neck scarf above, although I do love a granny square, and one that sparkles is an extra special treat!!

You can buy the entire kit to make these patterns, so go treat yourself, they are the perfect cotton accessories for summer.

graduate fashion

Had a fab time the other week at the RCA fashion show, regular mens and womenswear was ok, but the knitwear was amazing! So bright, cheerful and original.

My favourite collection was Helen Turner's, above, with her fabulous pile fabric garments, looking like beautiful feathers or a massive pom pom. These moved so beautifully as they went down the catwalk.

Ruth Green
Hannah Buswell

Check out my full report on this year's graduates from all the big shows in Issue 20 of Inside Crochet, out in a couple of weeks.

knitting vintage

I have yet another new book out, this time one which is inspired heavily by fashions from the 20th Century, called Knitting Vintage. Here are a few pictures to give you a flavour!

pretty slippers...

More pretty pictures from the kid's knitting book today. I love the idea that you can make a simple slipper pattern then customise them to suit your own character or that of your child's. I am sure any little girl who loves to dance will enjoy sewing ribbons to her pretty in pink pair, or if you are a Wizard of Oz fan like me, the ruby slippers are a must! A boy might even like to make some football boot slippers...would love to see any variations you come up with!