This year we decided to have a Suffolk seaside summer holiday. We've flown over, and travelled on and under the sea, but not actually been to the coast for a long while, so we were excited about this holiday. We're a bit too old for buckets and spades, but we…
Two new teaching venues In September and October, you can learn (or improve) crochet or hand-knit with me at two new venues. Knittiquip The first is Knittiquip which is at Breedon Priory, Breedon on the Hill. Breedon is one of those curious places in England which is in one county…
It's been a long time since I did any sewing. At school, I took O-level Dressmaking (I am that old) and wanted to continue to A-level, but I was told to do courses which would get me a "proper job"! I continued to make most of my clothes for many…
We are certainly having unusual weather this year in the UK. In January it was relatively mild, and many plants were flowering early (Spring in January?). Then winter set in and kept on going and the garden seemed to be hibernating (Snowtwig). Long overdue, leaves and flowers started to appear,…
Inspired to quilt Many years ago, I visited the American Museum in Britain. Inspired by their collection of patchwork quilts, I decided to make one myself. The fact that I had no experience of patchwork or quilting did not put me off! I chose a design, bought some fabrics, cut…
My first visit to the Fashion and Textile Museum in London was to see the exhibition 'Kaffe Fassett - A Life in Colour'. Do I need to tell you Kaffe's life story? Just in case you are not familiar here is a summary. Kaffe Fassett was born in California and became…
I can't remember when I first heard of Kaffe Fassett or saw his designs, but it was many years ago, certainly before I could knit. I think I read about Kaffe and saw one of his designs in my mother's magazine. Then I was given 'Glorious Needlepoint' as a present;…
Twist Collection - a new pattern Sometimes I knit swatches just because I like the look of a stitch pattern and I'm curious as to how something as simple as knit and purl stitches can create the pattern. Twist Collection started from that sort of curiosity. I'd seen a stitch…
On Saturday I returned to the National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford for the 'Keep Calm and Carry Yarn' event. The Sun was shining and the countryside looked beautiful. During Keep Calm and Carry Yarn, there were exhibitions, demonstrations of spinning and weaving, and opportunities to try felting,…
I've been going to a couple of knitting groups for many years - actually both are into their second decades! The Charnwood knitting group has met in various venues over the years (homes, then Blackberry Yarns in Mountsorrel, then homes again, then the Toby Carvery in Loughborough). Recently, we have…