Category Archives: Inspiration

New Knitting Books

I’ve really been enjoying my knitting – there is something analytical but also creative about it. I decided it was time to get some resources. I wanted a Stitch Dictionary, but I couldn’t find such in my local book stores. Instead I bought How to Knit and The Best of Vogue Knitting.

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The first is in two halves; techniques  and then patterns. It also has a small stitch gallery at the end. I think it will be perfect for looking up things like all of the different types of increases and decreases.

The second is articles lifted straight from the Vogue Knitting magazine. It is split into thirteen sections and covers things from basics to expert finishing tips and tricks. The articles are written by a range of people from Elizabeth Zimmerman to Melanie Falick. I don’t think it is the type of book you read from start to finish, but just pick an interesting article and read it.

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The Knitter Magazine

I bought Issue 7 of The Knitter magazine.

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Here are some of the designs I like …

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Damask Flower by Kaffe Fassett

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Rosa Alba – Martin Storey. I don’t really like the rose neckline, but the cardigan itself is lovely.

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Scarf Update

scarf_a_progress

I’ve been working away on Miss A’s scarf. The pattern in the yarn is quite extraordinary and unexpected.

The yarn is Panda Magnum (8ply) and the pattern is from here.

I bought a copy of The Knitter magazine – it is beautiful, high production values and lovely (although I imagine tricky) patterns.

I’ve decided to try this one …

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It is ‘Rhapsody’ by Jean Moss (it’s in Issue 6)  I bought the yarn – Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK in fuschia from here (they have an amazing range of wool but their customer service is poor).

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Wow

I received my Inspirations magazine – the above is Nettie Morris’s Washing Day. It’s a thread painting …

Imagine the time and effort involved. I’m amazed …

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Weekend Sewing

My copy of Weekend Sewing (by Heather Ross) arrived. I bought it from here.

I have plans to make the summer blouse (here’s a picture of someone else’s) and the ‘Go Everywhere Shirt Dress’ – I can’t seem to find an image of that one.

The instructions look good and the design and style of this book are beautiful. Now I just need to make something.

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Kaffe Fassett’s Quilts in the Sun

Quilts_Sun

This book was my latest treat and a treat it is – the pictures are stunning. I don’t need another quilt book, but I couldn’t resist this one.

In the first section Fassett writes about the two themes of the quilts (triangles and framing colour or print). The first image below is one of the triangle quilts, the next is framing colour and the third framing print.

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Goes Around Comes Around

EarthyFrame
Earthy Frames

SunnyFrames
Sunny Frames

And in the second section he discusses the source of his inspiration. For example, one design was derived from a porcelain box.

I’d really like to do something like the Earthy Frames or Sunny Frames (see images above). Possibly using my Japanese Fabric or maybe all of my nursery prints.

The Jane’s Diamonds quilt is lovely (and I am a keen Jane Austen fan – check out my crosswords), but I don’t think I’m up to cutting all of the diamonds.

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The Brick Bracket Medallion looks fabulous too – I like the way one border seems to overlap another.

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Then there is an essay from Amy Butler – a bit of a biography and then some information about her sources.

And then there are detailed patterns for 20 quilts (with a star rating – for example the Brick Bracket Medallion is one star), a technical patchwork section, a glossary and brief biographies of all of the contributers.

I think this book is great and I definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in quilting. More for the inspiration than the quilting know-how. The way the colours and shapes are combined is divine.

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Roses

Roses

Some roses from my garden …

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