Knitting

OMG! I taught myself how to kit!

(I know of certain people who will be very pleased to hear that)

Now, this is a Big Achievement. Knitting has been one of those things that I've never managed. My father tried to teach me when I was little. My late mother-in-law, someone who could knit in her sleep and taught so many people, tried to teach me on at least three occasions. Every time I either struggled to hold the pins, got my tension so wrong that nothing could be knitted (let alone unraveled to start again!) and always just didn't "get it".

I kept all of my mother-in-law's pins and bits when she passed away - telling myself I would learn eventually, and then I'd regret it if I had gotten rid of them.

So I guess eventually is now! I have no idea what happened, I decided to give it another go. I wanted to do something, and have still got a bit too much of the cold in my head to do anything complicated or delicate. So I thought - knit.

Got out some pins, some wool, and of all of the books with instructions that I have I chose "The Bantam Step-by-Step Book of Needlecraft" - a book which belonged to my mom and I have asked for on numerous occasions over the last 25 or so years - she sent it to me (from the US) a month ago (which goes to show the power of persuasion!). Thank you again Mom - it really was worth me having it!!

And I knitted. First time. No frustration or confusion - didn't even drop the pins. Very Weird. And I sat there grinning like a Cheshire Cat. I made one of those short scarf / cowl things that needs to be buttoned. (I'll try to remember to photograph it after I put the buttons onto it - but no - I haven't done proper buttonholes yet!!) And I felt very proud of myself!

And my husband now wants a cable knit Aran sweater this time next year! hahaha

Craft Britannia Treasury

I'm really pleased to say that I've been included in an Etsy treasury - do stop by, comment (to get us higher!) and of course have a shop!

There are some terrific UK based craftspeople included here.

open-craftbritannia

My Union Jack cufflinks have been included - please remember that most of my cufflinks can be made-to-order in other colours.

Ha! Got the pictures working

I've no idea if anyone else has had the same problem, but I haven't been able to add pictures to my blog since the editor changed - they've been uploading merrily to Picassa, but not linking to the blog, the editor just kept crashing. So, I finally figured out that I can go back (in settings) to the old editor, and now, pictures again! Phew!




So, above is just one of the pairs of cufflinks I've been creating for my Etsy shop. I was always pleased with this button design when I first figured it out, and they do work well as cufflinks!

I am a bit obsessed with cufflinks. I suppose it is because a cufflink really is 'just' button, and gives a good reason for all of the special hand-worked buttons to be used in modern dress.

Thanks to those of you checking in about my flu - It's still got a bit of a hold on me, let's face it, my immune system is low after two ops in quick succession, but it can't go on forever, can it?! Well, let's hope not!

November, grumble, grumble

Well, I've been knocked for six with a bad bout of flu, finally starting to get a little bit back to normal but still nowhere near 100%. Oh well. I guess the immune system is a bit out of wack still!

But, I have finished an order for laces, which is now off to have aiglets made and fitted and am about to start on a set of buttons. I am also doing the planning on starting on quite an extensive project of Anglo- Saxon gold brocaded tablet weaving. The customer wants quite a variety of different braids, so I'm currently looking for supplies and so on. It will be interesting, as I haven't done any weaving since the op, so I'm still not sure how much I will be able to do at one sitting. Mind you, as brocading takes soo long, I don't suppose that will matter anyway!

Thanks to those of you who are stopping by my Etsy shop. Remember I am very happy to make to order - Christmas is coming! I have to say that I am enjoying using the authentic methods to make more modern items. I think it will be a relaxation device once the larger, "authentic" commissions kick-in. More will be added later this week. As a part of this I have been included in an Etsy Team- "Craftbritannia" - working to help promote each other's shops. We're doing a promo on Friday/Saturday, so watch this space!