Happy Tenth Birthday

It is a very special day today. One of my beautiful nephews (I have four, all equally as gorgeous!) has a momentous birthday. Today he turns ten. It is extra momentous to me as it made me realise that it is ten years since I was commissioned to write my first book, Easy Baby Knits. How do I know this? Because little Finley, who is not so little today, was a beautiful baby model for it. Only six months old at the time of the photoshoot and with the brightest smile you have ever seen. All the people at the shoot commented on what a happy baby he was and said that the old adage 'Never Work with Children...' definitely didn't apply to him! Hence, there is quite a lot of him in the book!
Anyway, in a lovely coincidence, nine years after it was finally released in 2007, Easy Baby Knits has just excitingly been reprinted with a fresh new cover. And guess who the new cover model is? My gorgeous Finley. Happy Birthday beautiful boy and thank you my lovely for being the smiliest model I ever did see.

double breasted knit coat

I have had one certain project from my first book, Easy Baby Knits, safely stored away in a drawer for ever such a long time, awaiting the longed for day when it would fit one of my own children. That day came this week, when I tried it on my littlun for size. Such an amazing feeling, it was a perfect fit! And just in time for the change in weather.

I love this project as the woven style stitch is a beautiful texture, the shape is very cute and boxy, it has just the right touch of vintage styling and the yarn - Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran - drapes wonderfully while providing a cosy warmth.
As for my daughter, I think she liked it, even though she was doing some faux sulking in these pictures (hence the 'pout') as she didn't want me to take her picture, so they aren't the best shots, but they do capture my own bright moment on an otherwise dull day.

a new arrival...

A recent break in the blog and my knitting life in general can be explained by this little person, who will be receiving the sole attention on my needles and hooks for quite some time! During my career break, I shall try to post occasionally about my projects, such as the green booties she is sporting, or trying to, in the above piccie, for her and any interesting things which my happen in my now very different life. The green booties are a very simple pattern from my book Easy Baby Knits which I had great fun re-knitting for my own little bundle of joy.

Knitting as normal will resume sometime next year.

easy kids knits projects

Before I pop these pictures into my pattern book photo gallery, I wanted to share the beautiful interpretations of the patterns from my books by the wonderful Gabrielle. She is becoming prolific at knitting from both Easy Kids Knits and Easy Baby Knits for her adorable red headed grandchildren and I love how she gives each new project its own individual twist. She loves to choose the prettiest shades of gorgeous yarn from Loop yarn shop and then lets the colours dictate the end results.

Here are two very sixties style interpretations of the smock top from Kids, which is so very pretty.

I am sure Gabrielle won't mind me mentioning that the flowers were an addition to try to hide what she considered as untidy finishing round the neck, but I love the detail and the reason for it! My one big tip for knitters is to enjoy the pattern and knitting and not be too perfectionist with it - after all you could always go and buy a machine made sweater if you want perfection, and knitting is supposed to be relaxing.

Here, the mistake has become a beautiful feature of the top and I love how she has used the differing placements in each smock.

She has also made the ballet style wrap top and bonnet from Baby into a cute little set for the newest addition to the family, and there are those sweet little flowers again - not to hide anything this time, just to add a bit of colour. Gorgeous.

Keep up the good work Gabrielle!

I love to see your finished projects, so please do feel free to send me them, or to point me in the direction of them on Ravelry.

let's get crafting!

I am very excited as I have just received my copy of the special baby knitting issue of Let's Get Crafting in which I am interviewed. If you do not own Easy Baby Knits, the adorable little wrap cardi from the hardback version's cover is featured, so you can try before you buy!
My top five knitting tips are very useful even if I do say so myself, so I shall feature them here tomorrow. Watch this space...

l'aiguille en fete, paris

Loop yarn shop had a stand at the 'needle fair', l'Aiguille en Fete in Paris last week and I went along at the weekend to help out, or rather to hinder sales with my pigeon French. I understand quite a bit of the language but tend to dry up in fear when I have to speak it, so I stuck to such reliable terms as point mousse (garter stitch) point tricot (stocking stitch - except apparently it is not, it is 'jersey' oops! See comments below), tres doux (very soft), the numbers for prices, grams, meterage and needle sizes and the trusty old Parlez-vous anglais? when all else failed!

It was really interesting to compare and contrast the fair with British alternatives such as the Stitch and Knit show. There were very few yarn stalls and the French crafters were intrigued by many of the yarns on Loop's and Habu's stands which we knit with frequently in Britain, such as the hand dyed sock yarns and unusual fibers we are used to. Most of the fair consisted of needle point and cross stitch, although there were a few things that caught my eye. There was an incredibly cute toy kit stand, la Sardine and you know that I cannot resist a plushie textiles creature.

I also spent most of the spare time I had poring over the Japanese book stall Junkudo. I have long admired Japanese craft books, but had yet to make a decision on which of the many beautiful books to buy. However, it almost proved more difficult having the hard copies there to thumb through as I found I wanted them all! I succumbed eventually to this retro styled amigurumi book which reminded me of some pictures I have of myself as a child with my own toys. I also really wanted a sewing book, however I spent most of Sunday agonising over which one to buy - I know from my previous forays into sewing that I would not end up using them all, so I was very restrained and decided on the simple tunics and one piece book, as it seemed the simplest.

The draping book, while fabulous, may be beyond me and the one with the fantastic grey dress with pockets on the front (regular readers note; my dress/pocket obsession is getting ridiculous) had no other patterns I liked.

Aside from the Japanese book stall, my favourite part of the fair was an amazing cross stitch exhibition. This was so fabulous, it needs another post, so stay tuned for a lengthy post on vintage needlepoint and artefacts and in the meantime feast your eyes on the la Tour Eiffel at the top of the post in glorious textured cross stitch to tide yourself over 'til then.

I cannot leave you without sharing a great and very apt picture, which I promised the lovely Juju I would post. Outside of the fair, it seemed the needle fever had spread throughout the city, as across from our hotel was the amazing 'Knitting Pig' restaurant. It was actually called Au Cochon de Lait, but the sight of the milk laden pig knitting ecstatically in the sign was all we needed to change its name. So there you go dearest internet, even the livestock knit in Paris; now I feel my affinity with the country of my ancestors even more...

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

Following on from this week's theme of children's knitting, I was pleased to finally see Hadley Fierlinger of She's Crafty's new book Vintage Knits for Modern Babies in the flesh. Loop are now stocking it and I was excited to see my own recommendation on the back cover.

I still stand by my thoughts that it is a charming and somehow familiar book with pretty patterns and lovely photography. Here are some pictures from it to prove my point.

I love vintage knitting patterns, and I did use them as an inspiration for my own Easy Baby Knits. Hadley's book is not only full of vintage inspired patterns but also vintage inspired pictures, including pretty pastel knitting needle shots; collecting vintage needles being yet another of my obsessions.

book revisions

Unfortunately the following errors have occurred. I apologise sincerely for any inconvenience caused. Amendments in bold.

Easy Baby Knits

This book has mistakes in both US and UK Versions, First Edition. The Book has now been reprinted in papaerback with all the following mistakes corrected.


Booties pp 66-67

Largest size basket weave comes out as rib, please correct pattern as folls:

1st row: K3, p2, k2, p2, k1(3), turn. Leave the rem 11(13) sts on a second stitch holder.
2nd row: P1(3), k2, p2, k2, p3, turn.
3rd row: K1, p2, k2, p2, k3(2), p0(2), k0(1), turn.
4th row: P3(1), k2, p2, k2, p1(2), k0(2), p0(1), turn.
Repeat last four rows 2(3) times more, but do not turn on last row.

Cardigan pp 78-9

Materials
3(3,4,4,5) balls are needed of Yarn A, shade 502

Sleeves

You must increase at either end of every increase row. ie:
Beg with knit row, work 4 rows st-st, inc 1 st at either end of next row…..


Baby Bonnet pp 74-75 (this pattern works, but creates a pixie like point. For a more rounded bonnet, please make these adjustments.)

Next row: cast off 72(68:64) sts in moss st, k81(89:97) sts, cast off rem 72(68:64) sts in moss st.
Rejoin yarn to main body of hat
Work 8(9:10)cm in st st……

SHAPE BACK
1st row(RS): *K8(9:10), k2tog, rep from * to last st, k1. 73(81:89) sts
next row and every other row, purl
3rd row: *K7(8:9), k2tog, rep from * to last st, k1. 65(73:81) sts
cont in this way….until 17 sts rem.

Break off yarn, leaving approx 50cm for sewing up. Thread yarn through rem 17 sts and pull tight to make ring.

Finish bonnet as pattern pp 75


Matinee Jacket pp 90-91
Sleeves
cont in moss st inc 1 st at each end of next row and every foll 4th row to 37(43:47)sts
2nd and 3rd sizes only
Cont in moss st, inc 1 st at each end of every 6th row to (47, 51)sts
Length measurements need to be changed throughout, as below:

Smallest size only
UK editions
Back
Change all measurements of 11(15:20)
to 14(26:32)
And all measurements of 20(26:32) to 24(26:32)

Left front
Change all measurements of 11(15:20)
to 14(26:32)
All measurements of 17(23:29)
change to 21(23:29)

And 20(26:32) change to 24(26:32)

Right front
Change all measurements of 11(15:20)
to 14(26:32)

Change measurement for second buttonhole:
From 14(19:24) to 17.5(19:24)
And last buttonhole:
Change 16.5(22.5:28.5) to 20.5(22.5:28.5)

Measurements of 17(23:29)
Need to change to 21(23:29)

And 20(26:32) change to 24(26:32)

US editions

Back
Change measurements of 4.5(6:8)in to 5.5(6:8)in
Final length change from 8(10.25:12.75)in to 9.5(10.25:12.75)in

left front
change 4.5(6:8)in to 5.5(6:8)in
up to shape neck 8.25(9:11.5)
final length after completing neck change from 8(10.25:10.75)in to 9.5(10.25:12.75)in

right front
up to shape yoke change from 4.5(6:8)in to 5.5(6:8)in
under change to seed st for 2nd buttonhole 6.75(7.5:9.5)
under seed st for 3rd buttonhole 8(8.75:11.25)
length to shape neck 8.25(9:11.5)
After completing front 9.5(10.25.12.75)



Yarn Palette Errata

Henna Sun Hat pp 84-87

Materials
The hat only uses House of Hemp Expressions, not Alchemy Silken Straw (although this would be a nice alternative, it was used in an original version of the hat)
Therefore the pattern should read:
Yarn A: 2 x shade Yippi
Yarn B: 1 x shade Dah

corrections

The cute little baby bonnet from Easy Baby Knits works up a little pixie-ish and so for all of you who want your baby to look a little more human, please see my website where I have now changed the pattern slightly to give a more rounded hat instead of a pointed one. Here is a little preview to show how it has changed!

loop-de-loop!

Imagine my delight this weekend when working in loop, two gorgeous children walked in with their lovely mother, Jane, sporting matching coats from Easy Baby Knits! Ellie and Emily looked so sweet; Jane had styled them beautifully in knit, with Ellie's wellies completing the look. I now have a gallery section for the makes from my patterns on my website, so check it out here and feel free to send me any pictures of your wonderful knits from any of my patterns.
The website is still undergoing some changes so keep checking back, I shall have lots of new single Monty patterns to sell on there soon...hopefully!