Seven days into a new year, and already I’ve broken my No Working after 7pm and No Working at Weekends rules. Must try harder!
I rearranged the practical corner of my workroom with a wire rack thing that has lots of hooks and clips. I’m looking forward to filling it as the year goes by.
The shop is now open again for threads and fabrics. Threads are disappearing quite quickly (thank you for the recent orders) but I hope to dye some more in the spring.
I am currently unable to post anything to Northern Ireland or Europe. I am truly sorry about this but it’s a consequence of the recent update to GPSR regulations, and as a one-woman cottage industry I just haven’t the means to comply with all the rules.
In happier news, there is a new stitch journal in progress.
It’s the same vintage French cotton/linen sheet I’ve been using for the last three years, but this is the last of it so next year I will have to think again. I had meant to tea-dye the fabric before starting but I never got round to it, so white it is.
Although winter is probably a good time for quilting, I like to knit at this time of year. I’m no expert knitter, but I do enjoy it. I find it’s a very relaxing evening activity.
I recently discovered the brilliant Åsa Tricosa and her ziggurat knits. I was lucky enough to find a reasonably-priced secondhand copy of her book, which I think might be out of print.
Her patterns are for top-down seamless knits with integrated fitted sleeves. Most top-down seamless knits have raglan sleeves or circular yokes, which I find aren’t as flattering and don’t fit as well. Having converted to circular knitting some time ago I no longer knit flat pieces that need sewing up. I love the way a garment comes off circular needles practically ready to wear.
The instructions are very clear but the process is quite complex until you figure out where you’re going: there are lots of short rows and picking up stitches to begin with, but the way it all works out is pure genius. You can also find Åsa’s patterns on Ravelry.
I guess knitting is a kind of stitching too, isn’t it?
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Oh, I love Åsa! I know her, she’s dear friends with my mother, and she’s absolutely lovely. Her patterns are brilliant!
Oh how lovely! She is a total genius, no doubt about it.
I got over to the shop but this time I bought myself a small present: one of the tiny landscapes you have available! so than you in advance for that!
On my list is to put together the rest of my studio. It’s in sixes and sevens and really needs some attention. The holidays can be fun and even in the very relaxed and tiny way my brother and I do them, in some ways it’s nice to get back to the regular routine. That’s a clever rack you’ve put up.
Doing something calming that made simpler is so lovely, isn’t it? A perfect winter pass-time.
Thanks so much Em, the little landscape will be on its way to you today. Yes, it is good to get back to the routine – I find Christmas unsettling for many reasons, and I’m always glad when it’s over for another year. Organising the work room is one of my favourite things to do, it’s so satisfying. I have a whole lot of painting/mixed media supplies to rearrange more sensibly, which will be fun – but then afterwards I can never remember where I put everything… Good luck with your studio assembly. It will be a wonderful place to show up and create in 🙂
hoping to wash linens today! everything else (other than throwing away food) is on hold. it’s making me think deep thoughts I’ll say that!
the fires look terrifying on our news reports. Hoping everything soon calms down for you over there 🤞🏻
Knitting is most definitely ‘a kind of stitching’! Since our split from EG and re-incarnation as North London Stitch & Textiles, we now have a spinner and several members who hand and/or machine knit, producing amazing sculptures, wall panels and of course, garments!
That sounds lovely!
Karen,
I just started a top down knitted sweater from a free pattern on Ravelry “Step by Step Sweater” handmade by florence. You might want to check it out. Love your posts, you are an inspiration.
Take care and keep stitching,
Virginia Lyons
Thanks so much Virginia, I will. Ravelry is a veritable treasure trove!
Well, I go for crochet myself, but in this context, same difference!!
Haven’t done crochet recently but yes, same difference, both magic with yarn. Amazes me every time how you can make an entire garment with a single strand.