New pattern Coming soon.

As I was working through WIP mountain Looking at each project deciding weather to finish or frog it, I got sidetracked by my pile of knitting books. As I looked through the books avoiding the ever growing pile of WIPs I noticed a stitch pattern I couldn't take my eyes off. As I thought about the stitch I started putting the stitch pattern into different items and finally settled on my favourite combination.

The swatch is done, the stitch count caculated all that is left to do is write up the pattern and put out a call for test knitters. 

After months of thinking about what to design and trying to force the process I went back to the inspiration journal my cousin brought me several years ago. Within minutes of rereading the introduction I realised what the problem was, I was to focused on searching for inspiration to let the inspiration find me.

When you stop and clear your mind you create space for ideas to form, sometimes from the most unexpected places. Now I have a new problem to many ideas. Which one should I focus on first, Which combination of stitch patterns to use, which item to place the stitch patterns on, and the biggest problem of all where do I find the time to knit them all.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Happy crafting

Rachael

Gearing up for gift crafting.

With Christmas fast approaching and last years scarves still being worn regularly (For free pattern click here), the pressure is on to find or design a gift for this Christmas. I have had many ideas over the last few months, to many ideas, I don't know where to start.


The 4 objects I keep coming back to are

1. A new scarf design.
2. A new shawl design.
3. A new cowl Design.
4. A hot water bottle cover with hot water bottle.

The hot water bottle cover is quick and easy. I have more then enough yarn, All I need to buy is hot water bottles to put inside the cover. I can buy the hot water bottles wholesale for less then £5, it's the design that is slowing me down. Should the cover be plain or textured? One colour or multi coloured? Strips or fair isle? So many ideas I don't know which one to start with.

I'm having the same problems with every item, to many ideas. With all the ideas flying round my brain I can't focus on any idea long enough to test knit a swatch.

As I look over my Christmas gift list there is enough names to design and make a different item for each person leaving the problem of is there enough time.

Then I realised the easiest place to start is with the men, teens and children. For them I have a much more limited selection to choose from. The men most likely prefer a scarf or cowl, the teens are female and will probably find fault in anything they get from me. A hot-water bottle and cover will be the most acceptable to them as it will stay at home where none of their friends will see it and pass judgment. The kids won't notice their gift unless its a toy, hats scarves and mittens will be appreciated by the parents.

The problem is the ladies. They would like any and all of my options. With them still wearing and commenting on last years scarves I accidentaly set the stranded to high to met this year.

The only way I will solve my crafty dilemma is to dive in and start crafting. Watch this space to see where my Christmas crafting journey takes me.

Who's the reason for the Christmas season? In my house the reason is JESUS! If I keep Jesus in mind as I begin crafting every gift will be as close to perfect as a mere mortal can manage.

May all your handie crafts be filled with love and warm wishes for the recipent.

Happy crafting

Rachael

Socks Away

I am an Addict. Over the last few weeks I have reached for sock knitting every time I sit down. I love the speed, simplicity, endless possibilities and speed of socks. They are a fantastic way to test stitch patterns to use in other items. 

As I follow the patterns I get in my mystery sock box I always find myself imagining new designs to try. 

I have a notepad full of scribbles waiting to be turned into socks, scarves, shawls and cardigans with yarn and needles all over the house waiting to be knitted into something amazing. so where do I store all the projects I am desperate to cast on. I need project bags so its time to dust off my sewing machine and start the search for a size, shape, and style that works for me.

It would be so much quicker and easier to buy project bags from one of the amazing makers who sell project bags they have spent years perfecting the design of, however I don't know what to look for. I have spent 30 years storing my craft projects in plastic bags  which makes writing a list of what to look for in a project bag impossible.

As spring adds colour to the garden the house is full of crafty chaos.

Let the crafting commence. Enjoy your craft time don't waste it on a project that dosn't make your heart sing.

Creativty overload.

As a late Christmas gift, I  treated myself to a dressmakers mannequin, some patterns and a stitch dictionary.  I can not stop going through the patterns and stitch dictionary. The inspiration that  I have found has astounded me, as a result, I have been hit with a server case of startitus. I spent January finishing long forgotten PHD's and have now started 10 design projects within 3 days. I love switching from project to project watching as the ideas become reality, unfortunately, I am not as good at finishing the project or keeping track of what I am doing.

I have been designing patterns that will become Christmas gifts for friends and family. As soon as I have washed and blocked them I am planning to wrap them with a written handmade Christmas card and store them organised into groups by delivery location. This year I will not spend Christmas morning wrapping presents. 

Between the knitting designs, I am also working my way through Gertie Sews Vintage Casual: A Modern Guide to Sportswear Styles of the 1940s and 1950s (Gertie's Sewing). I love every pattern in this book and have spent many happy hours looking for the perfect fabric and imagining the outfits I will crate. I can't wait to take part in me made may. 

Watch this space for a stream of new knitting and possibly a few sewing patterns, assuming I ever get them finished and written up. Right now I will settle for finishing more projects thenI start. 

Mark 9:23 King James Version (KJV)

²³ Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

FO (finished object) Parade

Happy New Year.

Now that Christmas has been and gone, all gifts given and happily received, its time to start planning my crafty year. Over the holidays I have had dozens of ideas for knitting designs, sewing patterns and crafty organization. All I need is time supplies and a clean and tidy workspace. So let the spring cleaning commence.

As I find cleaning boring and have a million different ways to distract myself I have begun the spring clean with my craft area and supplies. The most fun way to clean my craft area is by using the supplies. So far I have tidied (finished) 21 cozy memory squares, 10 wash clothes, 2 socks (from different pairs) and a cardigan. I have also found the supplies and kited up 15 projects, from dresses to quilts, socks to cardigans, the mountain of wish list crafting is growing at an alarming rate and is now threatening to out grow PHD (project half done) mountain, the race to finish existing projects is on.

I am balancing the startitis with the growing urgency to make a dent in PHD mountain by splitting my craft time in 4. I am trying to work on a sock, a large project, a quick finish and a design at the same time. The quick finishes are cozy memory squares or wash cloths feeding my startitis, the socks are second socks from an abandoned pair, the large projects are garments or blankets and the designs are focused around this years holiday gifts.

The best part is cleaning is finally fun. Looking through my craft supplies and dreaming up what projects I can use them in, imagining the finished item as I kit up the projects waiting to be started.

Whatever your plans for a crafty new year remember to live life to express not to impress.

Happy Crafting.

    

Creating space for creativity.

As my pile of finished objects grows the brain space it was taking up is being filled with creativity. So many ideas for new designs I don't know which one to start with. I have ideas for socks, scarves, blankets, cardigans, and jumpers.

The combination of cooler weather, increased craft time, and a stitch dictionary has made an enormous difference to my mood. As I craft like a machine I am reorganizing and sorting my supplies. With a cleaner tidier craft space when I want to craft I have more time working and less time tidying, searching and cleaning.

Maybe this year I will finally manage the me made Christmas I have been failing to achieve for 4 years, or maybe a huge pile of half finished patterns waiting to be written up.

However you craft, don't forget to have fun.

Happy Crafting