joli house

Just thought I’d slip this one in before Christmas:) Starritt uses subtle yarn changes to create an ombre effect background to the stranded colourwork in a zingy contrast. Short row shaping adds a little extra slouch to the beanie, making it perfectly causal for winter. This one is named after Saskia, who is one of my best friends and a big hat fan. Starritt is available to download now, so find some pretty yarn and go!

Details on ravelry here

As promised, I’ve just released McKee, my latest shawl pattern.

Short row shaping gives this shawl it’s wing-like appearance, and a delicate lace edging adds interest to the smoothness of the stocking stitch.  McKee is wide and shallow, so it can be worn as either a shawl or a scarf.

Go make!

I can’t believe how long it is since I last posted here!  We were away quite a bit at the end of summer and since going back to school I’ve just been so busy.   Anywayyy, my Hinksey mittens from the Scrumptious Collection Volume 1 are now available to download via ravelry, just in time for autumn.  They’re such a quick knit you’ll have them done in no time:D

I hope to be posting my new shawl pattern in a few days too so stay tuned!

Browsing in Topshop a while ago, a cute top caught my eye.  It was bright white, loosely knit and with a stepped hem at the back.  Part of me said “Just buy it!”, but there’s always something that holds me back with knitwear.  Do you ever think  ’But I could knit that myself’?  I even had a suitable yarn.

A fortnight’s knitting time and a little extra waist shaping later, I had myself that little cute top.

Broughton is now available to download here. Happy striping!

Available to download on Ravelry now. Hope you like it!

A big thank you to my test-knitters, Kelly, Akshata and Marion. You’ve been fab!

A wet week in the Lakes means limited outdoor fun but lots of knitting time. You were all so encouraging about my first attempt at designing that I couldn’t wait to have another go.  Broughton is a generously-sized asymmetrical wrap born from an afternoon playing around with short rows!

More garter stitch. Oh how I love garter stitch.

Much as I love knitting small 1 skein shawlettes, I rarely, if ever wear them. For me, the perfect shawl is generous in width but shallow in depth – lots of wrapping potential.

I know I’m not the only knitter with an abundance of sock yarn. Luxury single skeins get me every time. I also have a thing for combining 2 colours and can sit for ages poring over possible combinations. Loved knitting Ulmus for this reason.

This is actually the second version of Broughton - the first one being in a much bolder colour scheme.  Will get that photographed and blogged as soon as possible.  If all goes to plan the pattern for Broughton should be available to downoad on Rav very soon. 

Bowland is almost ready for release too so keep an eye on Ravelry if you expressed an interest in it earlier.  

Now what next? 

***eta – for those who have taken a shine to those shorts.  They’re River Island and available here.  ***

…..but I have finally managed a design of my own.  This is Bowland and I’m ridiculously proud of it. It is knit in Tall Yarns Soliloquy Sock Lace in the “To be” shade and I used about 3/4 of a 600yd skein.

Tempting as it would have been to accept help from the knitting fairy, I was absolutely determined  not to wimp out that way.  Instead I turned to the most unlikely of assistants – my husband Dave.  Turns out his head for maths makes light work of short row calculations. 

Bowland combines the ease of garter stitch with the spice of lace. Short rows adding extra width make this very comfortable to wear too.

I am really hoping to have this ready for release within the next few weeks and would absolutely love to see more Bowlands out there. Don’t hesitate to give me a nudge if I am slow to deliver.

Oh, and I must to say a huge thank you to my gorgeous model, Saskia. She was a real pro at very short notice!

Finally got round to blogging this one!  It’s always extra hard to find a project worthy of especially treasured yarns like this Colorful Yarns Merino – received in a swap from Christianna.  The generous yardage meant it was the perfect choice for the Haslam that we knit for the April lilykate KAL on ravelry.

Thanks Christi for a great yarn choice!

lily x

I know my mum mentioned the KAL in the previous post but I don’t think she mentioned the prize! Anyone who completes any of my designs during the month of April (and posts a photograph on the KAL thread) will be entered in a draw to win a full set of Lilykate patterns, as well as some pretty yarn.

And talking of my business, if you too have a small craft business, you may be interested in Planet Handmade. This is a friends project and I know she’d really appreciate it if you’d fill in the questionnaire. Thank you!