Stitch & Story Bounty Throw

With autumn having descended so quickly, these last couple of weeks have plunged us into cold spells. Knee high boots and wooly jumpers are the norm, and you absolutely have to carry an umbrella. At. All. Times.

So this seemed like the perfect time to indulge myself in a huge knitted throw for myself! Something that I can tuck my feet up under on these darker, colder evenings.

Stitch & Story’s Bounty Throw fit the bill perfectly. It’s a wonderfully easy pattern, but switches up the stitch patterns frequently enough to keep a seasoned knitter like myself from getting bored! I picked their lovely shade of Olive Pastel, as it’s my absolute favourite!

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Ravelry Faves – part 1

After starting my ‘Knitwear Faves’ series, I’ve been inspired to branch out into a new series exclusively on my ‘Ravelry Faves’. I thought I’d share my stash of ‘to knit’ projects, because let’s face it, after four years of full-on knitting I’ve developed quite the list – on an epic scale! Each month, I’ll run through a selection of both free and paid for projects I have on my Ravelry ‘Favourites’ page, starting with these five absolute beauties for this installment.

Gaptastic Cowl – Jen Geigley

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Ridgeway scarf wrap – free knitting pattern

I made something for myself!!! This is a momentous occasion. Not that I don’t love making things for anyone else, but it’s lovely to make something and know I’m going to be the one wrapping up in it. So I really treated myself this time. I invested in two massive skeins of amazingly soft, super chunky Cascade Magnum in my favourite colour Camel, which I picked up online from Loveknitting.com

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Knitwear faves – 08/09

A lot of exciting things happened this week! WOOL AND THE GANG revealed their awesome team-up with Aurélie Bidermann for their new collection, Woolfolk launched their AW15 collection and Bonnie Sennott announced her latest Neckwear KAL!

The previous knitwear faves was dominated by retailers and their new AW15 collections, but I’m pleased to balance the scales with designer/makers leaping forward this week with their handmade patterns and goodies!

Wool and The Gang and Aurélie Bidermann collection

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Five new patterns – baby knits

Knitwear for mini humans has a special place in my heart. Baby knits often take no time at all, and always look super cute no matter the pattern!

I’ve been trawling the internet looking for the latest inspiration for my next baby knits – ready for when the next one of my lucky friends has a(nother) baby! A mixture of goodies for both boys and girls, with a bonus toy thrown into the mix – enjoy!

The Purl Bee – Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat (free knitting pattern)

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A Q&A with Oates & Co.

I’ve spoken about Oates & Co. before, and it’s a company I keep returning to again and again. This independent homewares and home decor company champions local and British designer/makers as well as scouring the country for the best vintage finds. Each item is hand selected by founder Sylvia Oates, who happens to have impeccable taste when it comes to knowing how to decorate a home. I have bought several things from Oates & Co. already and as we inch towards (dare I say it)….Christmas (sorry)…it’s on my list to pay a visit. Personally, it’s great to know that I’m choosing pieces for my home that have a story and support innovate, independent crafters and retailers.

I was thrilled when Sylvia agreed to be part of my Q&A series – I couldn’t wait to find out the story behind this beautiful homewares business. Plus, I picked up some tips on home decor – never a bad thing!

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Knitwear faves – 31/08

Right now, our blog and social media feeds are being filled with up-to-date AW15 knitwear trends. So it’s no wonder that this week’s knitwear faves features some of the most cosy, warming pieces of knitwear. It’s a good mixture of retail and make-your-own this week, so I hope this inspires you to buy or handmake some lovely knits – because these are just heaven! I have a feeling this autumn is going to be a good one.

Free People Split Turtleneck pullover - Shortrounds Knitwear
Image source: Free People

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Top 10 knitting Instagram accounts

Following on from my previous post on my Top 10 Instagram Accounts to follow, I felt it was only right to dedicate an entire post to my Top 10 knitting Instagram accounts.

My Instagram feed is probably 70% knitting and crafting based, with the other 30% made up of friends, family and any other lovely Instagrammers that catch my eye!

I’ve spoken about the uplifting nature of Instagram previously, and that doesn’t stop here. All of these fantastic knitting Instagrammers make up just a tiny part of the HUGE knitting community that exists on social media. Sharing finished items, works in progress, and even frustrating ‘frogged projects’!!

Here are the knitters that keep me stitching till past 1am on a school night!

WOOL AND THE GANG

WOOL AND THE GANG - Shortrounds Knitwear

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Knitwear AW15 trends

Making something by hand takes time, patience and on occasion a bit of investment. If you’re going to spend 60+ hours knitting a sweater, you better make sure you’re gonna want to wear it at the end, and what’s more – it better stand the test of time.

I’m not the firmest follower of fashion. I tend to pick out my favourite ‘trends’ as the seasons and years go by, keeping them with me normally until they’ve passed out of fashion and back in again! When it comes to making my own knitwear, I tend to pick modern classic patterns. Not too off the wall, but with enough interest to not look like something I could’ve picked up from the highstreet. This way, I can pair my knits with loads of things in my wardrobe, to ensure I get the most flexibility and wear out of a garment. No one wants to spend £££’s on a handmade garment only to then have to spend even more £££’s buying stuff to go with it!

AW trends are my favourite, because it’s socially acceptable to wear chunky knits with arm-swamping sleeves! I’ve been taking a look at what’s in, and what I’m going to be taking forward to pair with my handmade knitwear. Bring on the winter! Continue reading