My Advent Jumper is Finished

 Last year I treated myself to a wonderful Yarn Advent Calender from the amazing Mia of Brambles and Me fame, she naturally dyes all her yarns and they are marvellous.

The 24 little packages duly arrived, wrapped up in little bags, each with a number on the outside. I had been pondering what to do with them this year, I have enough hats, scarves, shawls to see me through the coldest of winters, so I thought I would knit a jumper.

I chose the Flax Light which is a free pattern from the lovely ladies at Tin Can Knits, all I changed was I the garter stitch bands on the sleeves and I worked a 2x2 colour work design on it.

I used each of the colours in the order they came out and knitted each day as I went along. By the time it got to the 25th I mostly had a jumper, just the sleeves and body to finish, it was all done by the middle of January.

The only yarn I added to the advent was some light grey 4ply yarn from Lammermuir that I had purchased at the Perth Festival of yarn in 2018.

I am so happy with my jumper its big (I knitted the largest size) and snuggly and soo warm.

I hope you are all safe, and well, during these strange times. I'll be back soon with more news from the studio, i'm working on some new things and finishing off things that have already been started,

Stay safe, keep crafting, talk to you soon.

Hugs

Tracy x

Getting back to normal

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Hello,

Its been a while, but normal service is about to resume...
I had a hard time dealing with all that has happened over the last couple of years and it finally hit me over the Christmas period. But I am glad to say I am crawling out of the other side and getting back to a routine and 'normal' life (whatever that is... 😉)

My life post shop is now a whirl of housework, cooking and knitting groups, I think if I wanted to I could spend every day out at one group or another. Here is a list of the ones I currently go to:
Modays - Every other week, 2 groups which means I am at the wonderful Freshwater Coffee House all day.
Wednesdays - Every week firstly at Worsley's in Godshill 10 am-12 midday, followed by Gods Providence House in Newport, 1pm - 4pm
Fridays - There is a new group which meets at the Pet Centre Cafe, Watergate lane, Newport, 1 pm - 4 pm.

Just think of all the projects I can now finish.

Talking of projects - I have recently had a flurry of hat making, the cold weather may have had an encouraging hand in this, but I really enjoyed them. They were by the wonderful Yarning For Whimsey Her Lord of the Rings Themed hat collection was rather addictive, and I ended up making 2 of each design. I almost threatened to do a Dobby the House elf and wear them all at once..

Currently I am trying to finish some of my Wip's, including a shawl, a jumper and cardigan for Jo, a jumper for me and 3 pairs of socks - oh and a blanket using my scraps of 4ply. More of these next time.
What are you working on at the moment, its lovely to see what others are creating.

You can now follow me on Bloglovin', there is a link at the top of this post. Bloglovin is a great place to find new blogs to explore and follow.

That is it for now, I will be back to regular missives going forward, and I look forward to sharing my projects and upcoming designs with you all.

Happy crafting

Hugs

Tracy
=^.^=

Remembering Times Past

Hello again,

I hope that the weather is not being too nasty wherever you are at the moment, it is blowing a gale outside today and rain is forecast for later. Definitely a day to stay inside wrapped up warm with a project or two, a large cuppa and a puss cat or two...

Mum and Dad at my Great Aunt Vera's in better times

I have been quiet lately, mostly because I have been busy, but also because I have been hiding from the world. The first year anniversaries are the worst they say, and they are right. Tomorrow would have been my Dad's birthday, and it is the first one since he died last year.
I miss them both so much but at least I know that they are together with Neil, my younger brother who died when I was 7.


Time to celebrate the family and friends who are here and now. Without your support it would be a very bleak place indeed and I would like to say thank you to all of you.

Right, sorry to be a gloomy puss, enough now - what have I on my needles I hear you ask??

I am currently working on 2 pairs of socks for Jo and a pair for myself. I think I have 3 cardigans on the way for Jo - I really had better finish at least one off before Christmas....

I have a new design in the pipeline which I am going to try to finish for the New Year, so watch this space.

The Goldfish have been keeping me very busy lately - if you are not sure what I am talking about, take a peek here. It seems as fast as I make them they are swimming off to their new homes - get in quick as my order books will close for new orders in a couple of weeks time. Just message me to arrange your special fish.

Another gift item I have been working on lately are gnome bottle cosies, these are the cutest bottle covers you have ever seen, picture below.

Finished Objects - not sure I have actually finished much since my last post - I have mostly started things.... Whoopsie.

My last cast on item is a pair of sock for myself, the yarn and pattern I bought at the Knit Tea Retreat in Cardiff. It is a pair of Rainbow Bridges by Carolien Müller-Genger worked in the yarn she dyed especially for the pattern, No Rainbows Without Rain. Here Etsy shop can be found here, there are also some gorgeous stitch markers in the shop - I may have treated myself to a Tardis and a Pumpkin one when I saw her in October...

 Until next time - share your projects with me, I love to see what you are all working on.
Warm wishes from our home to yours
Tracy
                               =^.^=

Mum and Dad Christmas 1977 waiting for my brother Nicholas to arrive

Rainbow Bridges Socks with my pumpkin stitch marker

Things are a little fishy right now...

Hello everyone,

Well it has been a busy few weeks here in the Studio, I have been working on my second design in the Mother's Love Collection. This time a square baby blanket, just right to wrap the little one up in. It is currently out for test knitting and I am aiming for a release date in November.
If you would like to be kept up to date, don't forget to subscribe...

I have been working on my first ever design submissions for a yarn company and may be brave and send off a couple of designs to magazines as well - wish me luck. I am very excited about this and have been having a ball coming up with designs, who knows where this will lead me.

At the end of this week I am off to the first ever Knit Tea Retreat in Cardiff - this should be a fabulous weekend of yarn and learning. I have booked into classes with Anniken Allis and Renee Callahan and can't wait. There are about 50 of us going to this event at Insole Court, which is a Victorian Gothic Mansion - I am sure I will come back with lots of odd photos of tiles and woodwork. Those kind of features just draw my eye - how about you? What catches your attention when you walk around historic buildings? I would love to know, just leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
If you are in the area they are having a Marketplace from 2pm Sunday afternoon with some wonderful indie dyers and Crafters - well worth a look. If I am lucky I may be coming home with a special skein or two...

Goldfish, goldfish everywhere and not a drop of water

I have just tweaked and released my crochet Goldfish pattern, it is now available in UK and US terms. I just love these little fishes, you can make them large or small - why not get a big jar or vase and pop lots of them in there. The pattern can be found in my Etsy shop.

I have a few commissions that I am working on - more on those next time and I must start working on some Christmas gifts.

Works in Progress  

This week I have mostly been working on my Linus Cardigan by Renee Callahan, using Stylecraft Life and WYSpinners Signature 4ply. 

The Craigh na dun shawl, which I am knitting with Lang Jawool Magic Degrade. 

Oh and the Flying Buttress Socks in a really jazzy orange from Dye Ninja. Although I have lots of other projects which are languishing in bags and cupboards, I am trying to get to them all - honestly  😏😊

Semi-Secret Wip -  I am test knitting the lovely Iraila cardigan for Loare Knits - sneaky peeks next time

Finished Objects:  

I have had a veritable sock frenzy lately - I must blame the Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry. They have a monthly challenge - well how could I resist?

I have finished the Rogue or Storm sock which were knitting in Buffalo Gold 4ply - sooo soft

Also finished Norweigan Ridgeback Socks, I really enjoyed knitting these socks who knew beads on socks would look so pretty.

And, yes you guessed it another pair of socks - I finished the lovely Rita Socks by Dani Jorge, if you haven't found her collection of sock patterns yet, go and have a look. She can be found here

Until next time - Happy Crafting

Hugs

Tracy 

=^.^=

Autumn is coming fast

Hello,

Well I am not sure what the weather is doing around your way, but here it is blowing a hooley.

The winds are borderline gale force out there today, but at least is only rained a little bit this morning. All these chilly and wet conditions - along with our drafty double glazing has turned my thoughts to warm woolly things.

I am currently snuggling in an old cardigan of my dad's, which was 'the family Aran' pattern. I can remember my mum and I knitting these when I was a teenager, ah fond memories. Unfortunately the pattern has been lost over the years, that maybe a design to try to recreate and use in a future pattern...

Details from Dad's Aran Cardigan

Do you have a pattern that has a special place in your or your families memory? Textiles and hand crafted items have such a history, going back generations - I would love to hear your stories.





I am proud to announce that my Mother's Love Shawl pattern is now available to purchase on Ravelry and Etsy. The next design is just being prepared to go out for test knitting. It is a very exciting time here in the studio.

On the needles at the moment -
Several pairs of socks for Jo's Christmas Sock box, one of my favourites so far is the Mystery KAL from Heidi Nick, Rogue or Storm. I cannot show you any pictures at the moment as it is a secret until the pattern has been fully released. These are gong to be her luxury socks as they are being knitted in Buffalo Gold #5, which is a yarn made from 100% pure American Bison down.  It is a magical journey with cables and beads and I can't wait to show you -  the pattern is free if you would like to join in 😊

Another lovely one is from Danielle Jorge - the Cyril Socks from her #vintagelovestorycollection, which I am knitting in WYSpinners Bo Peep 4ply - it is so soft.

I have as always lots of projects on the go, too many for one email...
Are you a one project at a time person? or are you like me a bit of a butterfly and start at least 4 new projects for each one that is finished? At least that is how it feels sometimes, I am so easily distracted sometimes.

The Stash Sale continues, but on Etsy this time as I can give you a discount code for free postage to Isle of Wight residents. Yarn can be collected from me at Quay Arts on Wednesday afternoons or another time/place can be arranged.

The Code for Etsy is: IWIGHTCOLLECT18 and my Etsy Shop can be found here

Well I think that is me for the time being - I will be back soon with news of upcoming Christmas Fairs and new things for the shop.

Until then - happy crafting whatever you do, and stay warm.

Big hugs
Tracy
=^.^=

Busy world

Hello and welcome to the studio,

As Autumn starts creeping around the corner it is time to start reflecting on the year - its been a year of huge changes for us here.

The main change is of course the closure of the shop - this was a hard decision to make, but ultimately it was not working. The positive from this means that I can now concentrate on designing and creating items. The down side is the household income has decreased....

To this end I am going to have a Stash Sale to help fund my designing costs - tech editor and coffee mostly.... 😊 I will also be putting a buy me a Ko-fi button on the website, every little helps, and I am grateful for everyone who supports me.
The Stash Sale can be found here

There will be some gorgeous and unusual yarns that I will be liberating from the useful boxes at some bargain prices - go over to my folksy shop to see them in all their glory.

My first shawl pattern is almost ready to go live, it is currently out with the test knitters being finished and a tech editor is casting her eye over the details.

The universe conspired earlier this year to give me the final bum kick into finally creating my first pattern. I have notebooks and sketch books stuffed with ideas and samples for patterns, but that is as far as it has gone up to now. The first thing that happened was that a lovely, kind lady who I had the privilege to know when she was discovering knitting and all things yarny had discovered that she was pregnant. The second came in the form of the Swatch Studio Design course by Aroha Knits, this was the free introduction course for budding designers. 

The result is the design which will be launched later this month - Mother's Love, a small shawl designed with Dani of Little Bobbins in mind. (The original shawl has been gifted so I can talk about it freely now) I used  Silk Sock in colourway Mount Fiji from Yarn For the Soul for the border and Comfy Sock in Blushing Bride from Down Sheepy Lane, the two yarns worked beautifully together as you can see. I plan to make one in a single colour, just to see what it would look like - what colour would you knit it in?

I am currently screwing up the courage to create my first podcast - when I finally get over my mind monkeys, is there anything you would like me to cover in a mini tutorial or such like?

Please let me know if there is, I am happy to help.

Oh and before I forget - There will be an open day at Jubilee Stores in Newport on Saturday 8th September to showcase the new seasons workshops and classes. I will be there as I am teaching Learn to Crochet on Wednesday 17th October and Free-form Knitting and Crochet on Wednesday 7th November. If you would like to book or find out more details, just go to the Quay Arts website or drop me a line.

I think that is me for now, I will be back soon, until then 

Happy Crafting

big hugs

Tracy 

=^.^=

New Starts and Inspirations

 Hello everyone,

It may seems silly but the image on the left was just what I needed to hear. I don't know about you but I seem to be full of ideas and light-bulb moments - but that is all they are - moments. I never seem to make anything of them.

That is going to change from now on I will seize opportunities and make good on my light-bulb moments as much as I can.

Starting this week.
I have signed up to Sketchbook Revival - it is an 11 day challenge with various tutors bringing their own ideas and techniques. It is free to join just follow this link to sign up and join in. I will share my doodles with you in future missives, no matter how bad they look to me....

 Easter Weekend I met some friends for coffee at a newly opened cafe called Worsley's  in Godshill. It has a friendly, cosy atmosphere and lots of lovely cakes, including vegan and gluten free. After we finished we strolled back to the car park and stopped at a few shops - one of them had this gorgeous blue tile. Inspiration! I am not sure at the moment if it will be a knitted or crochet piece - watch this space...  if you were using it what would you make? Blanket, jumper, shawl? The possibilities are endless, but I am sure once I have played around with it a little something will leap out and say ME!

I have always had a soft spot for tiles, and this beautiful tiled entrance to another building in Godshill caught my eye. This would make a wonderful shawl or blanket design, although I will probably change the colour scheme. It reminds me of some quilting patterns, but I really think it would be a great crochet blanket. What colours would you use? Brights? Purples, Oranges and Greens?
Or something a little more subtle like pastels?



At the moment I am trying to finish off some projects, I know not like me at all.. Normally I finish one project and then start another 6  😊😊
Just off the needles - My Scrappy Flax Light Jumper, the pattern is a free one from Tin Can Knits and can be found here
Now I am finishing off the cardigan I started for Jo - Vodka Straight Up by Thea Colman, I choose a mid grey and used a hand dyed yarn from Little Boo for the contrast - I will put some pictures up when it is finished.

WIP's at the top of the pile anyway - Juneberry Cardigan, a pair of Solace Socks (for me this time), and lots of lovely things in preparation for Open Studios in July

Well I think I have rambled enough now, so I will sign off.
Until next time
Happy crafting
Hugs
Tracy x