taking pictures

The last shoots for the book proved that I have some very beautiful and talented young people in my family! I recruited my nephews, cousins and family friends to wear my knits as they are so gorgeous. Here are Taylor and Eoin playing with Finley, instead of getting down to work. The final shots look amazing, I will post some as soon as I can.

mini treats...

Cecile and I were very pleasantly surprised when we were treated to some gorgeous tiny cup cakes this weekend by a very generous customer in loop. They are in an egg carton so you can see how tiny they were, but they were extremely yummy....thank you so much for the lovely treat, and let me stress that gifts are always welcome in loop.....!!!!

yarn forward

I have been incredibly busy recently trying to finish my new book by the deadlines, so haven't had much time to sleep, let alone write new posts, but I had to pop up a quick note to say that I was mightily cheered by a glimpse at the new Yarn Forward today. One of my designs has made the cover! It is a very cute little fairisle tank, even if I do say so myself. After a brief thumb through at a quiet moment in loop, I feel that I must say that the magazine is going from strength to strength. The articles and patterns this month are really great, I am going to have to pencil in an hour or two to read it properly.......!

dazzling dresses

Couldn't resist posting this photo my friend Katherine took at a wedding recently. I love the colours of the dresses, who knew we would coordinate so well...you would think we planned it! I am the one with my hand in my pocket, as per usual. I do love a pocket, it stops my hands fidgeting when there is no knitting nearby...well, it would be rude to at a wedding......wouldn't it.......?!

childs play...

A word of warning, if you are babysitting nieces and nephews do not expect to get any knitting done. This is what happened when Taylor and Finley got hold of my yarn and needles.....

....and then they begged me to knit for their pokemon, as they were cold without clothes on.....

So much for the new book knitting, but the boys are so adorable that it was worth the unwelcome break!

crafting by the river

On a misty, atmospheric autumn evening last week I visited the Origin fair by the Thames. The moon was large and bright, Sommerset House and the surrounding London buildings were as beautiful as ever and I had a lovely evening. There were some gorgeous offerings at the fair, lots of lovely jewelry and some great textiles. Highlights were, as ever, Ruth Tomlinson, who had some stunning new multi-stranded necklaces, also Naori Priestly, a lady who does some very eccentic things with textiles, who makes hilarious pin cushions, some of which you can see here.
Anybody who missed it should try their hardest to visit at least one of the two exhibition weeks next year to support all these talented designer makers.

oh - sew - hip!

I was delighted to see my old chum Rabbit hitting the big time and making it onto the front cover of glossy new magazine Sew Hip. He really knows how to put himself out there. I am jealous; it will be the runways of New York and Milan next! Joking aside, the magazine is lovely, it is nice to see a new sewing magazine with some contemporary patterns in it. For all you folk who have taken a liking to Mr Rabbit, I am hoping to squish the designing of a bunny pattern into my hectic schedule to feature in a future issue of Sew Hip, so I will let you know when it is in the shops.
Meanwhile, the first issue hits the newstands on the 31st October, I hope Mr Rabbit's ego can handle it...!