Old vs New//WIP Wednesday

Guess What???? Ribbed baby jacket is almost finished *squeals*, it's so close it's actually slightly painful as the rows are really long and I decided, instead of rib, to do a garter stitch border instead.......

 I started a new knit, this is a cute little test knit - it's so lovely and I'm enjoying working with the yarn so much:

 And lastly I haven't started work on this yet but it's in a project bag and I've got everything I need - it's called This is Spinal Wrap (love it) and it's gorgeous. I got gifted some Mirasol Miski yarn this week and it's just perfect for this wrap - I'm going to do the centre spine in the blue and the rest all in purple (I think):



What are you working on this week? I am playing along with Tami and Ginny once again - go check out what everyone else is working on.
I did a review of Knit Now magazine just the other day, so go check that out (if you want LOL)!!!
V xo

Knit Now//Review

I have been reading Knit Now magazine since issue 6 and subscribing since issue 7 - and I have to say I was immediately hooked. There are new designers to meet each month and loads content including trends, interviews and tons of gorgeous patterns. Issue 10 has just come out so I've decided to do a wee review:

 When you open the magazine you are automatically introduced to the lovely Kate, who writes her own personal editors letter each month - I love to read this, she always shares a little bit of the magazine with her own personal experience. Kate also does a feature called kate's blog where she shares a little bit about her own life and her yarny experiences from the month - this month she has been learning to crochet (there is a free crochet set with this month's magazine) and talks passionately about tackling patterns - she has certainly put me a little more at ease.

 Each issue of Knit Now has a feature with a known knitter, this month is Arne and Carlos who knit all kinds of cute dolls - a few of their patterns are included in the magazine. Alongside this, in the inspiration section of the magazine, there is a look book section (which this month is festival chic), some mini book reviews and a feature called The Grapevine. After this section we launch straight into the patterns - this month many of the patterns are heavily inspired by festivals, I particularly love Titania's Dream especially for a dreamy summer's day.

The magazine ends with an ask the expert portion, where members of the public write in with a problem and have it solved by the lovely Debbie Tomkies. There is also a few pages of knitting stitches, and basic knitting knowledge. And finally the last page gives a sneak peek into the next issue - I have to say I am excited for issue 11 already.

What magazines do you like to read and why? Share your favourites on your blog!!!
V xo

*all photographs published in this post are copyright of TIM BRADLEY for Practical Publishing

Winner//Knit Nerds

So the winner of the lovely photography gloves by Faye is........... ERIN KATE. Congratulations Erin, I will contact you on Ravelry tonight - enjoy your pattern.

This week I have no knit nerd :( BUT I will have a magazine review, a knit life post and hopefully a WIP Wednesday - how does that sound?

V xo

Elefante//FO Friday

After staying up very late a couple of nights this week, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Florence/Elefante is FINISHED!!!! Yes that is right, I have a finished object *bows* I am feeling just a tiny bit pleased of myself.

The head and trunk were the hardest I think, it took me a while to get the hang of it but I think she's pretty perfect.

 I crocheted her tiny ears, and I did an i-cord for the first time!!! I've learned so much just from this tiny elefante!!!

What do you think? Isn't she just cute? I'm glad I went just for one solid colour instead of stripes, it make my first attempt at DPN's just that little bit easier. I think everyone should make one of these - I loved it so much I've been asked to do another one - for a baby boy this

Ravelympics//Knit Life

For those of you who are member on Ravelry, you will have already heard of the going-ons regarding the Ravelympics. I personally think it's ridiculous for anybody to get on their high horse and complain about people with yarn and sticks.........

I am not usually all that interested in the olympics, however this year because of Ravelympics (and of course London), I was taking a little bit more interest in it. I'm just not sure how much I want to do with it - when the Olympics are making money from hundreds of sponsors and the olympic logo is on EVERYTHING, what harm are we?
What are your thoughts??? Are we denigrating the athletes or supporting them?
V xo
PS - i have a little pink finished object for you tomorrow.........

Elefante//WIP Wednesday

I've been working on several projects this past week but Elefante (or Florence as she is known) has made the most obvious progress so I thought I'd do a post just to share her. Florence will go in a basket with the cute little booties and a hat as a baby gift for some friends of ours - I can hardly wait to get it all finished and sent off. So far the body is done, and all 4 feet are attached:

 I've given all of the feet a good tug just to make sure they can withstand a baby pulling at them, they seem really strong!!!! I have now started knitting on the trunk and head:

Working on DPN's is completely new to me, but I'm definitely a convert - it's so much fun and it's not as difficult as I thought it would be!!! It was on my list of things to learn this half of the year and I've done it so I'm really pleased.
Once again I'm playing along with Ginny and Tami; go check out what everyone else is working on.
V xo

PS - there is a giveaway on my blog right now, so go leave a comment and you could win!!!

Faye Perriam//Knit Nerds

This week's lovely knit nerd is Faye, or Buttons and Beeswax as she is known on Ravelry. Faye is a lovely designer, and she bakes - she has an awesome recipe for nutella cupcakes on her blog right now - go check it out. Here she is:

How long have you been knitting and who taught you?

My mum taught me to knit when I was about 5 – I used to make clothes for my Barbies from simple patterns she had. I suppose I got disinterested, until I went to a party about 10 years ago and thought it was so cool that one of my friends had a bag of knitting! I made her teach me there and then, and then scoured old books I’d been given by my Mum the next day while nursing a hangover. I was interested by the whole process and knitted swatch after swatch in different stitch patterns, practicing increasing, decreasing and picking up dropped stitches, and haven’t really stopped since.

 What is your favourite thing to knit?

At the moment I’m really enjoying lace stitch patterns, I love how they don’t take shape until a few rows in and how they can really affect the drape of the garment. I really love making cardigans, but I’ve got a few and haven’t made myself one for a while. I might combine the two sometime and make a nice summery lacy number.

Who is your biggest knitting inspiration?

This is a tough one! Recently I’ve been doing some work with Erika Knight, who has given me some great encouragement and advice, and I’m really inspired by how she keeps creating, coming up with new ideas and always seems to be on the go! However I’ve met so many other designers through Ravelry, I love this community of people who are all quite happy to share their experience and help in some way, no matter how big or small they are in the industry. I find that more of an inspiration more than any set one person.

 What is your favourite finished object of your own?

It would have to be the cardigan I made called ‘Lichen’which is an adapted version of a pattern by Lisa Richardson, or my ‘Owls’jumper designed by Kate Davies. I started designing a cardigan for myself which I know will become a firm favourite, but it’ll be a while before I get time to finish that one off as my process can be a bit slow.

What has been your favourite thing to design so far?

I’m quite a small fry, so I don’t have many designs out yet, but I’d say the one I wear the most would have to be my Nordic Lace Hat. It was the first design I published and I love it every time a new photo pops up on Ravelry. I had the yarn sat in my stash for 2 years before I knew what to do with it, and then a hat, cowl and mittens set appeared within a few weeks!

 What led you to start designing your own pieces?

It would probably be a mixture of the natural transgression from heavily adapting other patterns, and the encouragement from Erika to get on and give it a go! I haven’t followed a pattern for some time now and I often miss the simplicity of following something that has already been worked out, however I like the challenge too much to give up designing things!

If you could give 3 pieces of knitting advice, what would they be?

Learn how to pick up dropped stitches. The amount of people I know who can knit, but need help fixing their mistakes is silly – it helps you to understand how everything fits together.

It might be a bit obvious to some, but until someone pointed out to me that you can use the long tail cast on method (my favourite) with two balls, I was forever guessing how long to make the tail, which is especially frustrating when you’ve a lot to cast on and you guess wrong!

Don’t be too scared to go out of your comfort zone and try new things, you might surprise yourself!

This time around I have chosen the prize for the giveaway, you could win the pattern for Dad's Photographers Gloves, these gloves are excellent for those winter photoshoots, if you would like to win just leave a little comment and I'll draw next Sunday evening after 6pm BST.

You can also find Faye in these places:

www.buttonsandbeeswax.com

www.facebook.com/buttonsandbeeswax

www.twitter.com/buttonsnbeeswax

www.ravelry.com/people/ButtonsandBeeswax

Make sure you stop by Faye's blog and Rav page and give her some love, she really is wonderful. Thanks again Faye for the awesome interview and giveaway.

V xo