Category Archives: Reviews

Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine – A Bit More..

Back in November I reviewed a new part work series, Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine which I was very impressed by.

Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine

Unfortunately it seems it was a victim of it’s own success, selling out quickly and having to go to reprint. I know there were a lot of disappointed people because I followed the story via the Simple Stylish Knitting Facebook Page. However, it’s now back and available via subscription and very happily I received a bulky parcel in the post containing the next 4 issues and a folder in which to keep them. I really like that sort of mail, don’t you?

Each issue comes with a new stitch to learn and a ball of yarn with which to knit a sample square so eventually these can be sewn together to make a blanket.

This couldn’t have come at a better time because I have just persuaded my mother to try knitting again. As I’ve mentioned, my poor mum has had health problems over quite a few years, but once upon a time she was never without some knitting on the go, complicated fair isle and aran, baby clothes, a cobweb shawl… nothing fazed her. But once she was ill this all seemed to fall by the wayside, and when she couldn’t sit and knit for hours at a time, she just stopped all together, and then said she couldn’t do it any more…

So sad…

But I’ve just taken round a pair of needles with cast on stitches, handed them to her and said, go on, give it a go, and it worked! I’m really, really hoping that she’ll get back into it, even if she has to do a few rows at a time and then rest…all my fingers and toes are crossed, knitted squares could be perfect for her.

I’m sort of overwhelmed with projects I want to make having four issues arriving at once (so many things, so little time!) but I’ll share some now and some in another post. I love the moss stitch cushion, but I’d have the Planet Penny Moth to contend with…

Simple Stylish Knitting Cover 2

I really wish I had pink wellies, but I don’t think they’d go well with Norfolk mud…

Simple Stylish Knitting Boot Toppers

and there are no baby girls on the horizon at the moment but when there are…

Simple Stylish Knitting Baby Slippers

Adorable!

Issue 3 with it’s ball of golden yarn has these jolly little egg hats…

Simple Stylish Knitting Cover 3

…and a fabulously cosy cowl…

Simple Stylish Knitting Cowl

So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to take the Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine folder round to my mum very soon and see if she having a go at something a bit more adventurous than the garter stitch I’ve started her off on. Wish me luck, I’ll let you know!

See you soon…x

The Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine Review

It’s always exciting to receive a parcel in the post, and when a copy of the brand new Simple Stylish Knitting magazine arrived in the post for me to review, along with some gorgeous yarn, I was very happy indeed!

I’ve been knitting on and off since I was a child, and it’s definitely like riding a bike, once you’ve learned the skill you never really lose it. People often say to me, ‘Ooh, I’d love to learn to knit’, but unfortunately, I can’t teach everyone!

So I’m always interested to see what there is about to set aspiring knitters off on the right track, and this new partwork, the Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine has really clear instructions covering all the basics. And because each issue has the yarn and pattern to make a sample square in a new stitch every week, not only do you have everything you need to start straight away, by the time you’ve collected all the issues you’ve got a gorgeous patchwork blanket.

And, of course by then you’ll be an expert knitter!

I was also sent some lovely Rowan yarn to make the Mr Fox iPad Mini case…

…and it’s here I have to confess to being completely useless at something which is supposed to be really easy. Is it just me? I’m rubbish at Swiss darning, or duplicate stitch. I wouldn’t have been fazed in the slightest by knitting the fox head using the Intarsia method, but I made really heavy weather of stitching it on. So despite my knitting credentials, I need to practice this one!

The magazine has three projects each week along the themes of Knits for Home, Knits to Wear and Knits to Give with some gorgeous patterns to look forward to…

…and from 20th October to the end of 2014 Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine have asked me to curate one of their boards on Pinterest, (which is basically permission to have fun,isn’t it?) Do call over and have a peek, and follow too if you like what you see.

If you want to make sure you get every issue and the binders to keep them in then it’s easy to get a subscription from the Simple Stylish Knitting Magazine website.

Finally, hello and welcome to all the new blog followers. It’s been a bit quiet round here lately but I’m looking forward to being back here more often and keeping you up to date with my little woolly world!

See you soon…x

Ed. to Add: If you want to find out about the next two issues it’s here.

Art Therapy Colouring Books – Review and Giveaway

When I was approached the other day to review a couple of Art Therapy books I wondered if someone had been peeking in my office, because I have this picture pinned on the wall beside the monitor…

…and I have had a wonderful excuse to do just that with the two books which arrived a week or so back from Jacqui Small Publishing, Art Therapy Stained Glass and Art Therapy Mandalas.

Stained glass colouring book, art therapy

There is something very relaxing about letting someone else worry about the lines and the shapes: when all you’ve got to do is think about what colour crayon to pick up next, or washing your paint brush ready to mix another shade. And now it’s official, we’re not wasting time, we are relaxing, it’s therapy!I’ve been scribbling away happily over the past few days and after all the worries about my mum it’s been lovely to switch off that part of my brain. This was my favourite from the Stained Glass book…

I’d rather like this next design as wallpaper, wouldn’t you?…

With this one I went to town with the paints. I may get round to finishing them but I actually rather like the colours set against the black and white.Having shared my adventures on Facebook and Instagram I was not surprised to have lots of positive comments about the whole idea of colouring in. Such positive comments in fact from both my daughter and daughter-in-law that I shall restrain myself from further scribbling so I can pass the books over to them. As my daughter is soon to embark on Teacher Training and my D-in-L is a new mum I think they need all the relaxation they can get!

And I’m pleased to say if you feel in a need of a little Art Therapy and relaxation there is a Giveaway! I have two more copies of these lovely books lined up to give away to the even lovelier Planet Penny readers!

All you have to do is to leave a comment telling us about your favourite place to relax and get away from it all, and which of the two books you would like to take with you.

The winners will be picked on Friday 8th August, I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

(Thank you to all who took part. The Giveaway now closed, winners to be announced very soon)

The Hand-Stitched Home – Book Review

I promised you a lovely book to coo over and The Hand-Stitched Home by Caroline Zoob ticks all the boxes.

I’ve had very little time to exercise my sewing muscles lately and had rather forgotten how much I enjoy it so leafing through Caroline Arber’s beautiful photographs discovering the projects within was a real pleasure.

Do you hand sew? Is it something you love or do out of necessity? Sometimes it’s so easy just to get the sewing machine out and wizz around a few seams, or as I did over half term to piece together a spectacular tear on some nearly new tracksuit bottoms which had come off worse in a tree climbing related incident!

I had a very mixed introduction to the craft of stitching. Being left handed my school experience was almost entirely negative. Whole lessons miserably stitching a ‘blind’ hem with a length of thread grubby and grey from countless pulling out. And, being made to wear a thimble on my right hand because that was where they were worn! (I was nearly an adult before I found out what they were actually for!) However, during the school holidays I stayed with my left-handed grandmother, Bam-mum (who never used a thimble) and she introduced me to a love of stitching which has never gone away despite school’s best efforts.

Caroline Zoob’s book is all for pleasure, little hand-stitched treasures giving a new lease of life to vintage fabrics which then become part of the fabric of the home. From tiny projects such as this Heart Key Fob…

…delicately stitched shelf edging…

..and pretty egg-cosy made from felted wool blanket fabric…

..to larger pieces such as cushions, curtains and table runners there are plenty of ideas which you can use to inspire you to use and recycle pretty fabrics, trimmings, buttons and precious scraps of fabric.

Be aware that the instructions for some of the more complicated pieces do presume a fairly sound knowledge of basic sewing skills. However, this is book about hand stitching and embroidery and there is a lot of help and inspiration for even a novice at decorative stitching. And of course the joy of a book like this is that it is positive encouragement to go off and brush up on or learn new skills!

And what was my inspiration? Well, it was daisies. I’m planning to feature daisies in the next blog post for reasons which will be explained, but this was the image in the book which inspired me…

It’s so pretty and simple. I had a frame which I bought months ago in a closing down sale, and a remnant of linen so I spent a happy evening with my box of embroidery threads and this was the result…

So, I’m sure you would love to get your hands on a copy of this book. And you can because the lovely people at the Aurum Publishing Group have a copy to send to one lucky person. It could be you! I’d love to hear your sewing story, what got you stitching? Was it love at first stitch, or a gradual blossoming? Simply share your story in the comments, and next weekend you could be the winner!

This week I’m linking up again with Handmade Monday over on Handmade Harbour so follow the links there to discover lots more creative people and ideas.

I’m off to the studio now to get ready for the last day of Open Studios. If you are in the area we’d love to see you, but if not I’ll be back here soon…x

The Knitted Home – Book Review

Every now and then I am asked if I would like to review a book, and I have to restrain myself from biting off the offering arm in my delight at the chance to see a new crafty publication! This one, the Knitted Home by the talented Ruth Cross arrived to fit in very nicely with the subtle, monochromatic vibe I embraced to produce my needlefelted sheep. This book is a visual delight, and feels gorgeous too! (Am I the only person to love the feel of the thick matt finish which seems to be used more and more for books and magazines?)

Throw and Cushion from The Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

Although some of the projects in this book are quite challenging, there are excellent clear instructions at the back of the book so even a completed beginner could get to grips with some of the easier patterns. Ruth’s explanations of creating textures with stitches will soon inspire the adventurous, and for many of the projects the main requirement is the patience to see a big project through to the end.

– 0 –

cable throw -The Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

– 0 –

textured knitting panels - The ~Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

The project I’m looking forward to trying is this beautiful table mat. I love this crushed raspberry colour, but I’m also dying to see whether it will work in Planet Penny rainbow colours. It starts off with 24 stitches and ends with 360 stitches, so even that is a challenge in itself!

circular place mat - The Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

But there is also a neat little pattern for beginners which is also a great way to make use of experimental squares when you are getting to grips with stitches and patterns. Turning them into lavender bags means you don’t have to accumulate a big bag of knitted bits to stitch into a blanket, just two little squares and you have the makings of a little pretty to hang in the wardrobe or drawer handle.

Stripey Lavender Bags - The Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

– 0 –

Stripey Lavender Bags close up - The Knitted Home - Ruth Cross

And now the even more exciting bit…would you like to win a copy? I have one right here, sitting on my desk and it could be yours!

All you have to do is to leave a comment on this post and tell me what or who got you started with knitting. If you haven’t started knitting yet, well you can tell me about that too! You can comment up until Saturday 28th April, then I will put all the names into a virtual hat (Random Number Generator actually, I’ve tried getting Higgins to do it and he either eats the slips of paper, or the hat!) and announce the lucky winner on Sunday 29th April.

And if you can’t wait, you can purchase a copy of The Knitted Home at the special price of £16.00 (RRP £20.00) details below.

___

To order The Knitted Home (9781906417727) for £16.00 including p&p*, telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS190. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code JS190 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY – Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

___

I’m linking up again with Handmade Harbour and Handmade Monday again this week and I’m looking forward to hearing your knitting stories. Also, I would like to thank everyone who left such encouraging comments about my sheep in the last post. I always read your comments although I’m afraid I don’t get time to answer as many as I would like and they are always much appreciated. Thanks so much.

I’ll be back soon to tell you about my next adventure. I’m off to London tomorrow to find out about a campaign just for bloggers. Intrigued? So am I, because that’s all I know about it for now. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet some of you there.

Back soon…

Knitting and Stitching

Helloo! Have you been wondering where I’ve been? I missed posting on Sunday for the first time for ever such a long time and it was all down to the fuse at the substation. We had no power all day, so no tea and coffee to fuel the knitting and stitching. I was very happy that I was able abscond to the other side of the village to my Mum’s house where the extended family were celebrating her birthday, and also welcoming a new baby to the family. Mum’s fourth great grandchild, and first great granddaughter. Such a little sweetie, after all the babies in the family for ages being enormous boys, great long things with huge feet weighing 8 or 9 pounds apiece (the boys, not the feet!),so we were all entranced by this tiny little girl and her perfect little fingers and toes. And this included the enormous boys!

There is a lot going on at the moment but I really wanted to slip in this review. As you know, I’m a bit of a butterfly with what I do and like to experiment with new ideas and designs. This usually means that when I post my latest make on the blog or Facebook I’m already brainstorming the next idea. It’s hard to keep up with the pattern writing as well because this is very labour intensive. But I frequently get emails and messages from people who say ‘I can’t crochet but I’d really like to buy the Mice, or the Garland, how much are they?’ And I don’t have a box of them ready made, and they would no doubt fall over if I gave them a price which covered labour, materials, overheads, etc, etc…

But what I want is for people to find out the fun of learning a new skill be it knitting or crochet, and to learn something which will be with them all their lives which they can pass on to the next generation. It’s lovely when I have comments and messages from people telling me that I played a part in them learning or rediscovering the joys of knitting and stitching.

This is why, when I received an email asking me if I would like to review the Bergere de France Knit and Stitch Magazine Series I was very happy to say yes.

The postman delivered this enormous package and I really wanted to photograph the contents in their entirety, but it was a bit tricky. I tried to do it on the floor…

But I had a lot of help…

There was quite a bit of packaging to get through but that was probably my only quibble. Once that was out of the way I had two pattern books, knitting needles, crochet hook and a DVD.

The first thing that I really liked was that you could walk out of the shop having bought Issue One with everything you need to get started, which is ideal for a novice who hasn’t got a stash of yarn and needles at home. Every issue gives instructions to make a sample square, which teaches you the stitch and then gives you labelling instructions so that ultimately you have all the components for a patchwork throw.

But it’s not just for the beginner, because there are also patterns even in these first issues for pieces which a confident knitter would like to make. I particularly liked the shawl, gorgeous colour…

…and the man’s sweater…

…which I wouldn’t mind for myself!

But the thing which really impressed me was the DVD. It only lasts about half an hour but it gives incredibly clear instructions for all the basic stitches for both knitting and crochet. I know there are a lot of You Tube videos which purport to teach the basics, but it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. This DVD is excellent, ( and I was also very impressed by the instructor’s beautiful manicure!)

I understand that it’s possible to get these first issues through the website and subscription. You’ll need to follow this link to find out more about back numbers but it’s current in the big newsagents. And once you’ve worked your way through the DVD you’ll be filled with confidence about tackling a Planet Penny Mouse or two!!!

The other big thing about to happen on Planet Penny is that Clovis, the Mad French Cat is about to be returned to his family.

Those of you who have followed Planet Penny for a while will recall that Clovis came to stay with my Mum while his humans relocated from France to the South Coast of England. It’s taken some time for a new and permanent home to be established, and he’s had a hair raising adventure or two in the meantime but on Monday Tim and I are loading him in the car and driving for 3 to 4 hours from Norfolk to East Sussex to reunite him with our son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. ( No doubt with Clovis complaining all the way!)

Higgins will be off to his Barking Mad host for a little holiday (Clovis doesn’t ‘do’ dogs) and Henry will be reigning supreme at home. ( I have arranged for ‘staff’ to visit to attend to his needs.) And I am SO looking forward to a couple of days by the sea and switching off.

Although there is the little matter of the Easter Bunny Pattern…

See you soon!…x

Facebook Pinterest