fabulous friends

My ubertalented friend Hayley makes stuff too. She's good at sewing, knitting, crocheting, and seems to make lots of different stuff all while I'm working on the same knitted item! 

And now she's ventured into crafting handy little stitch markers! 

If you need some pop on over to her Etsy shop and have a peek! 

Such cute things! 

Spring Cleaning

Did I tell you I bought a chest of drawers?

To hold all my knitting supplies and stash?

This is true. I have decided to sell off the rest of my finished items in my Etsy shop and make room for new ideas! I lowered the prices... it is spring after all! Time to celebrate!

And finished that purple and green hot water bottle. I love it, really really. If I hadn't made myself one that's a bit bigger I'd be keeping this one! 

2012, the year of the selfish knits

Since I have started knitting - only a year a half ago - I have actively knit for others. I have done some things for myself, like the Owl Sweater and some random projects but I still wear store bought mittens, a hat, scarves, I tend to use my own projects as learning curves and keep them more out of necessity that no one else would want them than them really being for me. 


My hot water bottle cover was the first thing for me. Since then I have knit a few things for my Etsy shop and considered making things for specific other people. I like making things for people and seeing them enjoy the gift... but maybe this year I should make things for me? I could learn some socks, do some sweaters, finally use that white and grey cashmere merino wool I bought last year for a shawl or something useless and lovely. 


Enter the teal alpaca mittens. I made a pink pair of these for my co-worker and loved them while I knit, so when I started the teal I could already picture them on my own hands. Currently they lie in my Finished Box, without thumbs. 

Why the finished box? So that I don't finish them and have to sell them. I want to keep them. But I don't need another pair, I already have a fingerless mitten that I actually made (first time knitting in the round, first time doing colour work, first time ribbing, I learned a lot on those mittens and to be honest they still aren't cast off properly!). 


Tomorrow I will finish my item for my Etsy shop (HWB cover, what else) and then finish these teal mittens... but tell me, do I have to sell them??? 


Alpaca is amazing. Knit with pure alpaca as soon as you can. Go buy some now. Make these mittens. Really.... Really... YOU MUST!

Accessorise your knitting...

I bought myself a present after Christmas as it was on my wish list and no one else bought it for me! Stitch markers for my knitting!


I cannot wait to start a project that uses these babies! They're delicate and adorable but quite sturdy. This is where I bought them! And they only took two weeks to arrive from the US, which isn't bad at all!

Now the question, what should I make?! 

Heart Hot Water Bottle

It's done! I have to get some better pictures before I put it on Etsy, but thought I would share with you first!  This is made out of Debbie Stoller's Worsted Pure Wool.  I have it listed on Etsy without a hotwater bottle, but it fits a 1.5L water bottle. Here is where it is listed in my shop. 

(This is the finished product, the pattern is a little while away, but I am working on that too!)

I'm already planning my next one!!!  I plan on having some more things posted in time for Valentines...

December Finally!

For someone who hates the snow I have an obscene joy for December. I love the Christmas build up, the manic shops (I try to do most of mine online in advance so the few things I go out and get aren't too ridiculous) and just the rush!

Right now the rush is a bit more than I anticipated. I have taken on an extra job at work, managing my etsy shop, organising knit groups and I'm flying back home in a few days, right after a friend's wedding and then Christmas Dinner for the in-laws. (We're not actually married but how else is a nice way to say your boyfriends parents?). You can possibly imagine the state of my flat?

My signature mittens arrived to their buyer in the USA, which is SUCH a relief and the buyer Kitty says she has been wearing them everyday! I'm so glad they are being used and enjoyed. I love those mittens but I love sharing the craft and what I make. It brings me such satisfaction!

I can't wait to show you some of the things I make in the new year. One of the items will be inspired by the Signature Mittens and I have had the yarn since September and I can't wait to use it! I keep pulling it out, looking at it and practical me keeps putting it away and going to my shop items instead!

 Maybe you will be inspired and share your things with me!