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Hello everyone, how are you? I’m hoping this week will be a better one for me. I was really poorly last week and so I spent most of it in bed. I tried to keep myself occupied (when I wasn’t asleep) but it was difficult to concentrate on anything. Happily there was a small stitching kit with the latest issue of Cross Stitcher, which kept me busy for a few hours.
I enjoyed stitching it, although I made a teeny mistake on the left side of the nose (one square should be white not orange) but I’m letting it go. There’s a wonky charm about him. The kit was good – there was more than enough thread to complete Mr Fox – although there wasn’t a needle in mine. I’m not sure if that was a mistake, or whether none of the kits contained a needle?
As you can see from the photo of the kit, the fox has been backstitched in black thread. I started backstitching mine, but I decided I preferred him without. What do you think? I’m not a big fan of backstitch, I prefer to see the crosses even if they make the design look bit boxy. It’s the part of the charm of cross stitch, no?
The kit came with a bead for his nose, but I did a cross for the nose instead – just preferred it that way. I’m not going to use the felt frame from the kit either, so I need to decide what to do with Mr Fox. Card? Framed picture? Not sure yet.
I don’t buy many magazines usually, but this month I seem to have bought loads.
The summer issue of Interweave Knits arrived and I found it as disappointing as the last few issues – when is my never ending subscription going to finish?!
I bought Handmade Living, which is a new crafting magazine. I got it mainly because there’s an interview with Mooncalf on the last page, but I quite like it. There are interviews with crafters, various articles and some projects to make. These are mainly sewing and papercraft, although there’s a recipe for homemade play-doh which I’m tempted to try. I’ve never got over the trauma of my mum giving away my play-doh ‘Mop Top Barber’s Shop’. It haunts me still.
I got the latest issue of Cross Stitcher (with a cute free fox cross stitch kit) and I’m looking forward to reading that with a cup of tea later. I like this magazine so much, I’ve taken out a subscription. It has come on in leaps and bounds since it was redesigned and there are some really lovely designs to stitch in each issue (as well as the inevitable twee monstrosities).
Finally, I bought the crafting magazine that everyone’s talking about – Mollie Makes. This is not going to be a popular opinion, but I don’t get the excitement over this magazine. On the positive side, it’s printed on thick, good quality paper and it has been photographed and styled beautifully. It includes lots of references to Etsy sellers, not just plugs for high street products, which led me off to explore some interesting links after I’d finished reading the magazine.
However, I thought the cover price of £4.99 was a bit steep. The cover puzzles me too – I’ve never understood why people crochet cosies for everything.
I think I would like ‘Mollie Makes’ more if I sewed. There’s a lot about fabrics/haberdashery and the projects are mainly for sewers. Crochet gets several mentions – I loved the photo of the crocheted bicycle wheel guard. There are few mentions of knitting, although there is a photo of knitted bunting from Jane Brocket’s new book. I expected the bunting pattern to be over the page, but no I have to buy the book. It’s not a problem, bunting isn’t difficult and I can make up my own pattern, but I was disappointed.
There’s lots about crafters’ homes too. I don’t like homes and gardens type magazines (you know the sort of thing, ‘Country Living’, ‘Ideal Home’, etc). I don’t have a “lifestyle”, I can barely manage a life at the moment. Looking at other peoples’ wonderful homes or gardens doesn’t inspire me, it just makes me feel worse about my own. In fact, I had to stop reading some craft blogs because the perfect home/children/life described in them was too depressing. The magazines and blogs set an impossible standard which I can never hope to achieve.
So, all in all, ‘Mollie Makes’ is a lovely (if expensive) magazine, but perhaps I’m just not the right kind of reader. I’d be interested to know what you think – did you love it? If so, why?
I’ve just about recovered from the whirlwind that was Knitting & Crochet Blog Week – how about you? Normal service will now be resumed, although I enjoyed daily posting so much I hope to blog more frequently. I’m missing the daily blog topic, actually, It’s harder to come up with ideas yourself (particularly when you haven’t been very productive!).
The card making is on hold for a while. I make cards sitting on the floor using my coffee table as a desk. Unfortunately, I can’t get down on the floor at the moment, so I’ve been focussing on knitting instead. This week I have mostly been slogging away at the Lightweight Pullover.
Still, that hasn’t stopped me dreaming about future projects, aided by the new issues of some knitting magazines. The Spring & Summer Twist Collective is out and the Spring & Summer Knitty came out yesterday. I have to be honest, there’s nothing for me in either of them. However, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of the new Knitscene.
My favourite design from the preview is the Lodis Cardigan by Tanis Grey. I’m loving yellow at the moment. I think I’m craving sunshine and brightness.
I like the Vergennes Pullover by Amy Christoffers, too, which is made in a sportweight merino and bamboo blend.
The good news is that Knitscene is going quarterly and there will be an option to subscribe! You can find out more in the Ravelry Knitscene group. Whoop!
All images from Knitscene.
I feel bad posting this, because it’s easy to be critical of other peoples’ creativity – it’s harder to be creative yourself. However, I have to say it – I’m really disappointed in the Spring 2011 issue of Interweave Knits. The last few issues have been underwhelming, but the latest has convinced me not to renew my subscription when it expires.
I haven’t received my printed copy yet, so my opinions are based on the online preview. Looking at the preview, my overwhelming impression is frumpy designs and unimaginative styling. Two of the garments are shown with 7″ of positive ease, which seems excessive? I am no fashionista (believe me, I’m really not) but designs which look baggy and unflattering on the models are certainly not going to do me any favours. I’m hoping the garments will look better in the Interweave Galleries where they are modelled by women of different sizes.
Now, by contrast, I’m delighted with the Winter/Spring 2011 issue of Knitscene. I wish this magazine was available to subscribers – I’d sign up now. It’s hard to believe that this is also published by Interweave Press, because the two magazines couldn’t look more different. Knitscene looks (to me) younger and fresher. There are several designs I want to make from this issue alone (and several more from previous issues).
My favourite design is the Chiton Pullover by Melissa Wehrle. I love the drapey neckline.
I was thinking of making this using Rowan Luxury Cotton DK, which is a blend of cotton, rayon and silk. I knitted a swatch and the gauge was spot on. However, the sizing troubles me. I have a 38″ chest, so the 37″ would be too small and the 41″ would leave me with 3″ of positive ease. I’m not convinced that would be flattering…
The Paperboy Cardigan by Debbie O’Neill has the potential to be a wardrobe staple.
The designer has used Cascade 220, which I like (and which is affordable), plus there’s some interesting cabling. I have to resist the temptation to make this in grey – there is a limit to how many grey cardigans and jumpers a person actually needs.
Finally, the Rayonnant Pullover by Rosemary Hill looks so simple and flattering.
When I had to switch to wearing skirts all the time, it was a sea change for me and I’m still a little unsure about which jumpers or cardis to wear with them. However, I like the styling of this jumper with a grey skirt (which I am coveting). I don’t think I’d be brave enough to go for yellow, though. I know mooncalf is making the Rayonnant Pullover, so I will be stalking her to see how it turns out!
All images from the Knitscene website.
A few weeks ago, mooncalf mentioned that Cath Kidston would be publishing a needlecraft book, which was very exciting news. I got my copy of ‘Stitch’ last week and I wasn’t disappointed. The book is beautifully presented and I found it really inspiring. I’ve photographed some of the pages to give you an idea of the content.
The book covers needlepoint (also known as tapestry) and cross stitch. It comes with a free gift – a kit of printed fabric, a zip, thread and soluble canvas to make a purse embellished with cross stitch. It contains simple instructions on the basics of needlepoint and cross stitch and has 30 projects which are graded 1-3 according to difficulty.
The charted designs will be familiar to any Cath Kidston fan – electric flowers, cherries, polka dots, Stanley the Dog, the cowboy and floral spray. The projects are mainly homewares (including cushions, a rug, a shelf border and a tea cosy) but there are also bags, cases and some very cute badges. However, the designs could be used for any project and are adaptable for needlepoint or cross stitch.
But that’s not all, my stitchy friends. Cross Stitcher magazine has had a makeover. The magazines I’ve seen so far have been full of twee projects, but the November 2010 issue (out in October) contains some nice projects. It came with a free kit to make two hanging gingham hearts.
The issue includes some Christmas designs. I’m not too keen on the ‘Merry Christmas’ banner, but I like some of the smaller ideas, like the ‘Noel’ hearts (this is where you conclude I have appalling taste).
However, there are some howlers – fancy doing a cross stitch portrait of Sean Bean? The charted portrait in the next issue is Cheryl Cole. I know, I can hardly wait either. Next month’s issue is out on 3 November. I’ll definitely be looking for a copy, as I’d like to make the free dove banner kit (but not the owl cushion, that scares me).
One final thing. I’ve been watching ‘A History of Horror’ with Mark Gatiss on BBC4. In fact, October has been Mark Gatiss month on BBC4. They repeated the excellent ‘Crooked House‘ and showed ‘The First Men on the Moon’ which Gatiss adapted from H.G. Wells’ novel.
The horror programmes were fascinating, although I wimped out of the last episode which was about modern horror films. I don’t actually like horror, but I’ve loved vampire films since I chanced upon a Hammer Dracula at a young age. Anyway, Mark Gatiss told an anecdote about Ernest Thesiger who played Doctor Pretorius in the 1935 ‘Bride of Frankenstein’. Apparently he was accomplished at needlepoint and he used to work on it between filming.
Last week, mooncalf alerted me to a forthcoming book by Cath Kidston, called ‘Stitch!’. The prospect of this made me squeal with excitement (I don’t get out much). The book will contain 20+ charted designs for tapestry and cross stitch projects, based on Cath Kidston prints. Whoop!
Then a Cath Kidston catalogue arrived at the weekend, which contains lots of ready made products featuring needlework. I’ve scanned some of the catalogue pages, so I can share them with you.
Tapestry vintage style handbags:
Tapestry purses:
Tapestry cushions:
Cross stitch Union Jack pincushion:
Can it be that needlework is becoming fashionable? I’m on trend and I didn’t even realise.
I’ve enjoyed looking at the designs in the Fall 2010 Twist Collective which I think has been out for about a week now.
My absolute favourite design is Cityscape by Laura Chau. I love the idea of a city skyline in colourwork around the yoke. I was all set to click on ‘Add To Basket’ until I read this in the pattern notes: ““the cardigan is knit seamlessly in the round and steeked open at the front”. I’ll confess, I am scared of steeking so I’ll be admiring this pattern from afar for now.
I’m still in midst of shawl knitting (and I have a FO to show you, once it’s been blocked) so perhaps that’s why I was drawn to Hawthorne by Susanna IC. It’s knitted in worsted yarn and apparently was inspired by leaves and berries in autumn.
Finally, I like the Tern socks by Pam Allen. Even better, the pattern is available as a free download!
I’ve added lots of new patterns to my Ravelry queue recently, from Knitscene, Twist Collective and a new knitting book I bought, which I’ll be blogging about next week. I do wonder when (if) I’ll get time to make any of them though.
All images taken from Twist Collective.
Have you seen the preview of the latest issue of Knitscene? I like this magazine – it has a younger feel than Interweave Knits (although they are produced by the same publisher). It attracts young designers like Connie Chang Chinchio, Melissa Werhle and Hannah Fettig, plus it gave us the phenomenon that is the Central Park Hoodie. Anyway, enough waffling, let’s see some knitted eye candy!
These are the designs that have caught my eye from the preview. First of all, the Lapis Yoke by Hannah Fettig. Unfortunately, the sample is knitted in a dark colour which makes it difficult to see the detailing.
'Lapis Yoke' by Hannah Fettig
Next, the Alexandra Hoodie by Rosemary Hill. I can myself snuggling up in something like this on cool autumn day. I like open cardigans, as I tend to overheat (I have crazy body temperature regulation).
'Alexandra Hoodie' by Rosemary Hill
The Gwynedd hat by Cecily Glowik MacDonald is cute, although I doubt it would look as good on me as it does on the model.
'Gwynedd hat' by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Finally, there are two shawls I like, the Oscilloscope Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn and the Typha Scarf by Christa Giles. I wish the samples hadn’t been knitted in such muddy colours, though.
'Oscilloscope Shawl' by Kate Gagnon Osborn
'Typha Scarf' by Christa Giles
The good news is that I managed a little knitting last night! I am taking it easy so I don’t strain my hands, but it felt good to pick up the needles again. I’ve decided to focus on smaller projects until my hands feel totally recovered. I need to knit for shorter periods of time and intersperse it with cross stitch to give my hands some variety. So to make sure I get some sense of achievement, I’m going to stick with shawls and hats. I’ve had to put the ‘Joy’ cardigan in hibernation – knitting with cotton won’t do my hands any good – which is sad, as I’d hoped to wear it this summer. Oh well, there are plenty of other projects in my Ravelry queue.
The preview of the fall issue of Interweave Knits is out. Have you seen it? I have a couple of favourites.
I like the Brattleboro Hat by Melissa La Barre. It’s taken from New England Knits, which was published recently. I was debating whether to buy the book, and this hat has given me a nudge to add it to my Amazon wishlist.
The other design I like is the Tamarix Quilt by Heather Zoppetti.
Apart from those, there’s nothing else I want to make. However, that might change when I see some designs knitted up and worn by ‘real’ people. Ah well, there’s plenty to look forward to with Ysolda Teague’s new book, Little Red in the City, due sometime in the autumn. It looks like the designs here will be included in the collection.
I’ve been thinking about new knitting patterns to take my mind off the current political wranglings.
My summer 2010 issue of Interweave Knits arrived this week. I enjoyed browsing through it as always, cup of tea in hand, but there isn’t much I feel inspired to make. I like the retro style of the Marigold Sweater, pictured below, but the yarn might be a problem. The original knit uses Classic Elite Yarns Soft Linen which is a DK weight blend of linen, wool and alpaca. I can’t get Classic Elite in the UK, so I’ve been trying to think of a sub. Any suggestions?
Marigold Sweater, image from Interweave Knits website
I’ve come across a couple of patterns on Ravelry this week that I like very much. The ever reliable Connie Chang Chinchio has designed a hoodie in sock weight yarn. I have some Rowan Cashcotton 4 ply in my stash which I think might do. Also, Rowan 4 ply Soft is a possibility, although it will be tight on yardage as I don’t think I have quite enough in my stash.
'Austin Hoodie', image from Ravelry
I love ‘Watershed’, a cardigan (or is it a waistcoat?) by Amy Swenson.
'Watershed', image from Ravelry
I don’t have anything suitable in my stash, so I would need to buy some yarn. I was thinking of Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran which has a lovely sheen. I know I’m supposed to be on a stashdown, but I’ve had a rotten week – illness and a hospital appointment – so I really, really need some cheering up.
ETA my friend alerted me to some Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran on sale (£2.25 a ball) at The Black Sheep – she is a yarn temptress! I bought enough balls in ‘Grape’ to make the the ‘Watershed’ cardigan.
