Making Spot - Tivoli Pure Aran Hat, Scarf and Mittens Set

And here it is my first making spot blog. . . My review on a pattern and yarn!

 

And  it is a review on a gorgeous hat, scarf and mittens set knitted in a Tivoli pure Aran yarn. I think the picture on this set really shows of the scarf but the hat and mittens seem a little forgotten so I hope through the images you can see how fantastic all the items are, the hat actually I think is my favourite so that’s where I started!

 

The pattern needs to sizes of needles, 4mm and 5mm the 4mm needles are used for the rib edging on the hat and mittens and then everything else is done in 5mm.

 

Once the Rib is done the hat it jumps straight in to the cable pattern, which if you have never done before can look a bit daunting but it is actually really simple and you can get some fantastic effects with it.

It is basically just a process of moving stitches out of the way knitting others on the needle and then knitting the stitches you moved out of the way . . . the picture below may explain it a little better . . .

Stitches are held at the front or back and then knitted.

a couple of cable rows completed.

 



The decreasing in that hat is done in the purl stitches in between the cable sections to keep the cable the same throughout and because the cable pattern is kept the same it was basically a repeat of 5 rows so once I had done a few and I got the hang of the order of the stitches it was actually a quick knit.

 

 

And the scarf pattern was the same concept; 16 rows that were repeated throughout so after a few repeats I was away only checking the pattern occasionally J

 

 

The pattern advises 2 balls are needed for the scarf and one each for the hat and mittens, but from the hat and mittens I had some yarn left so I decided to use it to extend the length of the scarf. The scarf was perfectly fine without the extra but I love long scarfs and why let the left over yarn go to waste J

The edge of the scarf was completed with 5 K stitches every time, this edging stops the scarf from curling round.

 

 

The mittens didn’t have any cable pattern in them which I thought was a shame as that would have tied it in with the scarf and hat nicely but then when I made one I realised that actually that wasn’t needed and as a set had it had cabling in it it would have actually become quite fussy so the simplistic look I think really works!

 

The mittens were knitted in one and the thumb and side seam then sewn up . . . . .

 

 

Out of all the items the hat has to be my favourite, maybe because I don’t think the image on the pattern really shows it off so I was really pleased when I saw the cable pattern coming together and I think more that the softness of the wool and perfect fit my favourite thing about it has to be the way the cable sections come together to make a snowflake! It adds a lovely festive touch J

 

 

My initial plan was to give this set as a knitted Christmas gift but I just love it too much J but there is always next year and with the fantastic colours available I think I could make quite a collection!! If you want to have a go at this the pattern both the yarn and pattern are available from City Knits!

 

Knitting Natter

I have been pretty quiet recently on the blogging front so here is a quick natter on what I have been up to :) I have been kept busy with my latest commission 3 tea cosies and 8, yes 8 hats! my knitting machine and completing my cross stitch ready to be hung on 1st December!

And here it is finished, a day early!!

And in place, framed above the fire place

The progress on my knitting machine has been slow, it is a Toyota KS901 if that means anything to anyone :) for days I couldn't figure out why I was getting loops at each edge and then finally it clicked, it was my tension, I had not threaded my wool through enough of the wool holders so it was too loose! since figuring that I have been fine! I don't yet have a rib cartridge so I have learnt mock rib too! now to try an actual pattern . . . .

I have also been doing lots of Christmas shopping online, keeping the Royal Mail busy :) but I also received my latest project in the post from City Knits!! I can’t wait to get stuck in . . .  it’s a hat scarf and mittens set and I plan on taking photos of my progress and creating a blog entry all about it, my review of the yarn, the pattern etc. so watch this space.
And I must say if you haven’t checked them out yet City Knits is a fab site they have some great patterns, yarn and knitting ideas, I just love the colour option at the top of their site; select the colour you want and it will filter on everything they have!

My latest blog project

 

A Winning Week

Unfortunately I had to have the past week or so off knitting as I have had stitches in my arm (the only type of stitching I don’t like) I didn’t think anything would turn my frown upside down but then I got the news I had won a knitting competition!

 

As a child I entered loads of craft and drawing competitions and won loads of great prizes! Otis the Aardvark even commented on one of my entries live on CBBC . . .  oh what a proud moment that was! J but this is the first time I have entered anything like this in years and to win was just fantastic!!

 

It was basically a knitted hat competition and I submitted my spider bobble hat!

 

My arms have now healed and I am able to pick up my knitting needles again what better inspiration than to have a bundle of knitting goodies arrive on your door step!

 

And whilst on the topic of winning I had the winning bid on a knitting machine on eBay the other day and collected it last night, its a Toyota KS901, I have never used a knitting machine before but have wanted to give it a go for a while now, I have only been able to spend an hour or so on it so far but was able to create a swatch cant wait to see what else I can do!

 

 

Doing it for the Donkeys

 

This week I have put down my pattern designs and Christmas knits and been doing my bit for the donkeys by knitting blanket squares for Clough Hall Animal Sanctuary at Stockport.

 

I have been doing this with the rest of my stitch and knit group and we have a fair few already!

 

Here are some of mine what do you think!

 

Doing this was also a great way to use up my odds and ends which has made room for me to buy more so its win win all round ;)

 

As well as doing the squares one of my friends has spent the past few weeks making poppies to sell for the poppy appeal, here is the one I brought! Our company is also matching all the money she make selling them pound for pound which is fantastic!

 

 

 

It really is brilliant to be able to give something back by doing something you enjoy and there are so many charities and local hospitals out there wanting your knitted items, check out the UKHKA site which has loads of details and ideas!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making My Winter Warmers Was A Hoot ;)

My owl set is complete! What do you think?

 

I am so please with it, it is just what I wanted, I think the buttons I picked for the eyes suit the wool really well and they are so soft and lovely to wear! And completed just in time as apparently the weather is now going to get a lot colder. I have listed patterns for both on Craftsy.

 

I also did a quick and easy chunky knit hat but I was a little optimistic and the chunky wool has not gone as far as I had planned! I will need to get another ball to finish it off with a big bobble on top! Because it was Chunky wool it was super quick to knit up and only took me a couple of hours, it is a perfect quick knit for Christmas gifts and once the bobble is done I will get the pattern listed so keep an eye out on Craftsy.

 

As well as my winter warmers I have been working on a cross stitch!! I can’t say I am the biggest cross ‘stitcher’, to be honest this is the first one I have done in about 14 years!! But I could not resist the pattern, a friend of mine had completed it and it looked so festive! Here it is in progress you can pretty much tell what it is, my plan is to have it framed in a vintage style gold frame to hang above my fire place during Christmas! (73 days to go!)

 

After having September off we have got back in to the wedding planning too! Next on the list is flowers, centre pieces and church decorations we met a lovely lady last week to discuss what we want it was great because we didn’t actually know, she has given us lots of ideas and her work was fantastic!!

 

Oh and I must just tell you about a Pub I went to last Saturday for lunch; The Black Swan – it was a lovely county style pub and the décor was fab, very Kitsch!! Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures when I was there . . . I was too busy talking but if you are ever near Swettenham I suggest a visit! The food was gorgeous too!!

What a fantastically fun weekend!

I went to a wedding fair on Saturday with a friend, so much fun and I got lots of ideas!! luckily I didn't see a dress I like as much as the one I have ordered :)
The fun continued on Saturday night when the girls came round for  night of pizza and cocktails!


And on top of that we had some fantastic news, our new nephew arrived at 09:37 that morning, weighing 7lb 8oz . . . Henry Anthony Dickinson, I am very excited to meet him!! and of course I have some knits for him :)


After all of that Sunday has been the crafty relaxed day I needed, I continued with my owl hat, using the owl motif I designed, once done I am going to adapt my finger less gloves pattern I created the other week to include the owl motif so I will have a lovely set ready for winter :)

My owl motif for my hat and fingerless gloves set.

My First Commission

I completed my first commission this week which was very exciting! It was some hats knitted in some gorgeous Alpaca wool. They were so lovely and soft, my mum has now actually put in an order for one so it looks like I will be spending my earnings on their wool! I should have just asked for my payment in wool J

 

Doing this commission has meant a mini break from my pattern designing but I was able to complete a rib stitch fingerless glove pattern which I have listed on Craftsy. I knitted it in Sirdar soft yarn which was so lovely to knit with although not great if you go wrong and need to undo your work; it was so soft it ended up knotting together! So if you knit with it make sure you get it right first time!! The colour I used also made a lovely metallic almost tweed effect! I am going to use this pattern now and work on an owl motif to incorporate in to it and also a matching hat . . . if you haven’t guessed I have a fondness for all things 'owly' J

 

 

Ho Ho Ho . . . 107 days to go!

I think I have caught the bunting fever!
Since making the baby bunting the other weekend I have had loads of ideas for cute bunting, and with the chill in the air this weekend I have been feeling rather festive so its been weekend of Christmas bunting (as well as food festivals and spa days :) )

My first bunting is very simple, I love the clean lines and bright colours!

For my second bunting I wanted to get away from the typical triangle shape and try something different, also since starting my blog and listing my patterns online to buy I have not done anything based around crochet rather than knitting so with that in mind I created some really cute robins! the length of this bunting is perfect for my fire place and I can't wait to have them hanging on there . . . bit early to put them up now ;)

 

Both of these pattern are available in my Craftys store!

I have some more bunting patterns sketched out ready to be created but for now after all this knitting with toy wool and I ready to pick up some more quality wool, and I have got some Sidar Soft Spun Luxury soft DK that will be perfect for some fingerless gloves!!

Baby Bunting and Bobble Bugs

Being on call over the weekend meant I could not venture to far from home so not only was I able to create some new knits I also had the time to write up the patterns and load them on to Etsy and Craftsy to see my patterns click on the links to the left!
 


My first design is this really cute baby bunting, inspired by the number of friends and family currently pregnant and expecting girls, its perfect for decorating a nursery; hanging on the cot or in the window.

My next design is one I have had on my to do list for a long time now and I am really pleased to finally see it in wool :) it took a while to get my head around the decreasing whilst still keeping the spider web pattern but I am pretty pleased with the results! It is knitted to fit a toddler (age 1-3 years) and I think it would be perfect to keep heads warm whilst trick or treating!

10 dress shops later. . .

One week and three things ticked off our wedding to do list, we have designed our cake which we love, we were totally stuck on it until we went to see our cake designer from bespoke celebration cakes and after one mega brain storm we have our perfect cake designed I cant wait to see it on the day!
The past few weeks I have also been on the hunt for my dress, I knew exactly what I wanted and despite everyone telling me I would never find it I have!! it only took 10 different dress shops :)
We also found my sisters bridesmaid dresses with out even trying!

Next on the list, wedding shoes, flowers and decorations and after that we will be pretty much done until December time when we need to create the invites to send out in the new year!

We love all the planning so much! its fab when we find what we want but a little gutting too . . . I don't want it to end!!

Fabulous Las Vegas

What an awesome holiday in Fabulous Las Vegas!

It was our second trip to Vegas and the best, we packed in so much! Doing our research before we went definitely made all the difference.

We stayed in Ti and it was great, I would happily stay there again. Before we went I contacted them and told them we were going for Ads birthday so we were upgraded to a room with a view of the strip and Sirens of Ti show and got a complimentary bottle of champagne.

I don’t even know where to start with what we did there is so much! We saw 4 shows; Rod Stewart, Cirque Du Soleil – Mystere,   Evil Dead the Musical, and Peep Show.

We actually got the tickets to Peep Show free because we signed up to the Planet Hollywood Rewards Card. All the hotels have them and usually it just means if you gamble you earn points – and what do points make . . . prizes! But the Planet Hollywood card is even better and well worth signing up for even if you don’t gamble because as well as the free show tickets it gives you money off in the shops, restaurants and bars in Planet Hollywood, Miracle Mile Shops, Caesar’s Palace, Rio, Flamingo and more!

Evil dead the musical was fab and well worth a watch, we had splash zone tickets which meant throughout the performance we were splattered with fake blood, that made it a real fun . . . and messy night.

We had a day downtown too, I can’t say that would make my list of top things we did – it was OK but when you’re used to the strip hotels it really is not that impressive. The Neon Bone Yard that is also located Downtown was though. It was fantastic to see all the old neon lights from the hotels and tour guide was great at telling the history behind all the hotel names and signs. As we were Downtown we obviously had to make a stop at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop – the one from one of Ads favourite TV shows – Pawn Stars. It’s amazing what they can do with some cleaver lighting and trick shots, I could not believe how different it looked in real life.

Although Vegas is very expensive the great thing is there are lots of things to do for free, as well as the obvious, like the Bellagio Fountains and Sirens of TI show there are some great hidden gems; in the MGM Grand Hotel NCB have a TV research centre set up and you can go along and rate new TV shows and when you are done they give you a load of vouchers for the shops and restaurants so it’s well worth doing! Inside the Centre of the Wynn Hotel they also have a selection of bars and restaurants that look out over water and a huge waterfall and from 20:30 every evening there are light shows on the water and they are awesome, oh yeh and a singing frog . . . how could I forget about that!

On our last day we ate at lunch at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant which was fantastic, amazing food and spectacular views of the strip. We were sat right in front of the Bellagio fountains and watched then going off throughout lunch. And because it was Ad’s Birthday they also brought him a mini desert decorated with Happy Birthday – so lovely.

I can’t believe it is now all done and we are back home . . . back to reality . . . back to my knitting needles. It’s been a holiday we will never forget!

 

 

Save the Date!

Our save the date cards are out . . . what do you think!?

So that's our wedding colour revealed - Purple!

We booked our wedding car the other day too - a stretched Daimler, gorgeous car and with 7 seats it means me, my dad, mum and sisters can all travel to the church together!

We have also started to look at photographers which is so much fun, I love photos and can wait to see mine for the first time!!

Dress appointments booked too, all very exciting!!

Beans Birthday Bash

What a fantastic weekend for my Fiancés 40^th Birthday Bash, fantastic weather, great company and lots of food and drink! I don’t think we could have asked for more!!!

 

It was just a small do at home for family and friends and it was so much fun, and it was the hottest day of the year so far which meant we were able to sit out until the early hours.

Ad’s (AKA Beans) birthday is actually next week and to celebrate we will be in LAS VEGAS . . . so to mark the pending holiday I made a ‘Welcome to the fabulous forties’ Las Vegas sign cake!

And after finding old photos of Beans as a baby with a bottle of champers and in a police car I could not resist making these beer mats! And they must have been popular as by the end of the night we only had a couple left!!

      

What a whirl wind 4 weeks!

What a whirl wind 4 weeks . . . our wedding is now booked!!

 

After lots of searching we settled on our venue and luckily it was free on the date we wanted and so was the Church so its set 25^th May . .  .NEXT YEAR!!! Just under 11 months away! Now its straight in to hunting for cars, entertainment and of course the Dress!! I don’t know where to start so have decided I won’t . . . not until after my holiday anyway J

 

All this wedding planning has meant the knitting needles were swapped with scissors and a pritt-stick to make our save the date cards but I was able to design a flower pot baby hat and a cute owl egg cosy and I

have put the pattern for this on the blog for free – check out the free patterns section which I will keep adding to! Would love to hear from you if you have a go at knitting any of my patterns!

 

I still have on my to do list to write up the patterns for the various hats I have made and will hopefully get round to these soon!

 

Since putting the ring on my finger J it’s been a real hectic time and it’s not going to stop, in a couple of weeks we will be having a party for my Fiancés 40^th at our home where we plan to give out our save the dates (I am sure Ad wants to do this to take the focus of his age J ) and then the week after we are off to celebrate his birthday in style in LAS VEGAS, so excited! This will be our second trip there we just love it!  

 

I may go for a couple of Vegas inspired knits next . . . . watch this space

I said yes!!

Well it has been a bank holiday weekend I definitely won’t forget.  . . I GOT ENGAGED!!

It was totally out of the blue, and I think I am still in shock! J We had just got back from a lovely walk in the sunshine on Saturday and Ad got down on one knee and popped the question! We then spent the rest of the day visiting family showing off my rock and drinking champagne . . . Perfect!

There are obviously side effects to being engaged . . . . I can’t knit more than 2 rows before getting distracted by my ring and stopping to admire it! J

I was able to complete two knitted hats before the big event though so I can admire my ring as I type up the patters which will be available on Etsy very soon!

I have also added a new section to my blog . . . . Prints and Cards! As with the rest of my site and items for sale you will see this grow over the next few months. It has a selection of knitted items that have been photographed and converted in to greeting cards, prints, stickers etc. they are available to buy through the Redbubble shop, they print to a great quality and also accept PayPal for buyer protection!  

Now to plan a wedding . . . . . .

What a fabulous bank holiday weekend!

The sun was shining and it was a whole 3 days off work!!

It’s been a real busy fun packed weekend which meant not much time for knitting but I was able to find time to put my tape cassette iPod cosy and love heart sweets decoration knitting patterns on ETSY.

 

Saturday was a lovely relaxing day spent at the in-laws catching up with the family. On Sunday I went to Knutsfords Artisan market, it was a lovely day and the first time I had been to the market but not the last, there was some fabulous produce and arts and crafts on display!

Today has been fantastic, the morning was spent at Dagfields Craft & Antiques Centre and the afternoon in the garden . . .  we had the first BBQ of the year. . . but I did also find some time for a bit of knitting al fresco. . .  before switching the knitting needles for a glass of wine J

 

Hello!!

Hey, welcome to my blog!!

 

My name is Kim, I am a trained illustrator with a passion for all things crafty, in January this year i decided this was the year i would start sharing my creations with the world :)

 

So where better than to start with my number one passion knitting!!

I have been knitting for about 6-7 years and I love it, and when my sister in-law announced there was going to my a new arrival to the family I couldn’t think of a better place to start than designing my own cosy knits for baby’s.

So the challenge was set baby booties!

What do you think . . . . . .

 

 

Some of these items in the picture are listed in my Etsy shop and I am considering listing the patterns too so people can make their own!

 

Would love to hear what you think of the designs . . . .