Saturday 1 March 2014

Well I finally finished.

Well, I finally finished something for Hector. 




Unfortunately it wasn’t the original basket-weave jumper that I started. I found that trying to decrease the pattern for the arms was just too much for my sleep-deprived brain. So, I started another cable jumper for him that knitted up way too small. Frustrated and downhearted I thought I had lost all my knitting skills. But then I found a great pattern called Emmett by Kimberly Voisin. She has a really lovely website and some great patterns.This particular pattern is a waistcoat so it took just half the time. Hector looks great in it. I’ve done a 12-18 month; although he is only 8 months, he’s quite tall and I thought this would be great for the warmer months. I find doing colour work far easier. Time for self-improvement and setting challenges will come, but for now I think I’ll play to my strengths.









We had a great Open Day at the Sewing School for BergĂ©re de France. I have put in a little order for their new spring/summer range. They have some amazing new yarns. I’ve ordered some linen/cotton yarn called Bigarelle to knit some light pieces for summer. I’ve never really used a cotton yarn so I’m looking forward to giving it a try.






With the daffodils blooming in the garden and spring on its way, I feel newly inspired with loads of my own patterns in the making. So keep checking in – the next blog should have a new pattern for you.

Also, in a departure from knitting, I’ve been back at my day job making jewellery.
And I’ve written a piece for the Association of Midland Artists (AMA) newsletter about what I’ve been up to, so I thought I would share it with you.



 On My Work Bench Today:



For those not familiar with my work, I take old china fragments that have been dug up from gardens or from family tea sets that can’t be glued together any longer, and turn them into jewellery by setting the pieces in silver. It reflects my highly sentimental personality, and this week on my bench I’m helping to fulfil other people’s. 





I’ve been working on a necklace made from a Victorian, silver, four-pence coin that a lady found on her farm. It’s a little piece of her home that she can carry with her and pass on to future generations even after the farm has gone. 
I’m also starting a commission for a lady in rehabilitation from a stroke. She was sent my card form her Buddhist healer who sends her inspirational messages to help her though this hard time. So I’m making her a version of the necklace on the card, which I hope she can wear as a medal of her recovery. 
Did I mention that I was sentimental? 




Happy Knitting!