Woolly Stuff
Thursday, 21 April 2016
Just finished making this knee length jacket (aran weight) 2 nights ago. Its been my ‘in between’ project since finishing the last double blanket a couple of weeks ago. Pure 70s! I love it. I made another one in turquoise / grey last year but forgot to share it. The children seem to snaffle it about the house when its chilly of an evening. Self drafted pattern, crocheted on the wing ;)
Very pleased with the collar.
I’ve runaway today. Up at 6:30 to get to the train station. I’m off to Bristol to visit Middlest.
Taunton station. I am officially a tourist as I’ve left Devon!
Right chaps… how do you cope with nerves? I’ve been on the train 15 minutes and feel sick as a pig. My ‘bubble’ is being somewhat crushed in here… I sound a right fruit cake! Oh hang on a minute, that’s right, I am a right fruit cake… ;) phew… will be better when I’m back under supervision with one of the children :)
This is how happy I feel :) I’m 46 years old and I’ve never been on a train by myself or bought a ticket ever! Children always look after me because I go to bits in crowds. I’m wearing my new crochet jacket and am very aware I look like Molly Weasley sat on this bench… not a bad look though ;) I have yarn and a tiny hook and 2 hours of travel today to make something.
My darling girl x She pedalled like a woman possessed to meet me off the train so that I wasnt left alone. Arriving dripping with sweat and beaming because her Mumma was there. In Bristol, right there and within hugging distance. I am so lucky to be a Mother.
Went to a fabulous cafe called the rainbow cafe in Bristol and had tea. It was covered in crochet, and quite honestly bearing in mind what I was wearing I was lucky I didn’t get mistaken for a squishy armchair and sat on ;)
Even the teapots were rainbows :) That concludes the great train adventure. After sharing it on instagram and facebook I was humbled and grateful for all the wonderful words of support for a nervous wreck. I am not alone. We are never alone... nighty night all x
Monday, 14 March 2016
I am not sure when I started this one... Possibly just before Christmas comes to mind. But, Ive also made two cardigans, a knotgrass waistcoat, a crochet shawl, plus a pile of hats since before Christmas too :)
But here we are on the second to last round...
Yet we began with two lots of these centres, all lined up neatly in their box...
A thousand ends were stitched in...
Much late evening hook work was needed...
Rows grew...
Materials dwindled...
Label was neatly stitched in place...
One king size blanket for my youngest Daughter is complete. I have made 3 of these in the last year, one for each of my children. Going by the wonderful comments you all left on the Fairysteps Instagram { @mrsfairysteps } and the Facebook page { FAIRYSTEPS } many of you also have blankets which have been gifted by Mothers, Grandmothers and Aunts, all of which are treasured. Isnt that rather special, that a simple act of making knots in yarn to make a whole can convey such love and gratitude to others. Both for the Maker and the Keeper. Truly lovely.
So my hook was rested... but, only for one night my dears, Ive already started the next project ;)
Ren x
Thursday, 25 February 2016
Really cracked on with some partly finished woolly projects this year. Including a pea green KNOTGRASS vest. It sold the same night I listed it so Im guessing it was love at first sight for someone.
I really enjoyed designing this pattern. Its a joy to knit. I still havent got round to making up all the new colours I bought for knitting this beauty. One day...
And another yokey cardi in biscuit and pink and black. Mismatched buttons of course. I was making this for me, but, after counting how many yokey cardis I already have, decided not to!
Last but not least a really pretty fitted turquoise cardi, usual 25% wool blend aran for a snuggly fit. Cropped to go perfectly with a pretty dress.
Not sure what to knit next? Thinking maybe another of my own pattern cardi, Brown Sparrow, possibly in a nice bright colour for Spring. I fancy some little heart shaped pockets on it...
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Despite greyness outside, my workshop is looking quite cheerful.
I am ploughing on ahead with the next batch of shoes.
Some parts of the house are still gloomy.
I am continuing on a huge blanket for my son, calling it blackberry blanket.
And, o look... its me, posing for the camera :)
Monday, 13 July 2015
I ended the week with a lovely bike ride nearby. Only about 6 miles but with fairly consistent hills it felt like double that! Saw this lovely ruin on the way. The quality of the stonework was amazing.
Passed a gateway with so little gate left in it that I wondered why they had even left the bits. Typical Devon gate lash up with baler cord and barbed wire!
We bought a tray of peaches and have eaten so many we all have tummy ache...
And... the yoked cardi / jumper has driven me so mad and taken so much precious time from other ongoing projects that I have decided to unpick and call it a day. Phew. The relief.
Loved the colours in this so I shall continue, but with another pattern that I know is working for me :)
Monday again, and before we know it Tuesday, so back to work good and proper.
Ren x
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Last night I crocheted like a mad woman to restart the CLARIS jumper. I took lots of pictures so that the tutorial can show how to actually work certain parts. I am not going to know if my ideas for this will actually work out as envisaged, so please excuse me if it all goes pear shaped on the way! I have hopes that its going to be a really pretty and quick make. In aran yarn with a 6mm hook its super fast :)
Piles of freshly cut shoes ready for stitching. It looks like a little face in there. Can you see it?
Yesterday was a giant toadstool teacup kind of day. Today is an umbrella and wellie boot type of day. Its so grey and wet out there, and jolly cold inside too. I want to light a fire, but we took both fires out of the house a week ago so thats not possible! Our replacement woodburner with boiler which will replace the Rayburn arrived this morning, woo hoo.
The fires changing heralds even more reshuffling in the Fairysteps house. Which in turn means more decorating for me :) We are swapping two rooms in the house which will mean major upheaval because one of the rooms is my studio. But, its okay. Im getting an even bigger studio and the sitting room will be moved to the sunniest, warmest room in the house (currently my studio). I forsee the chance to have a complete change colourwise. Lots of work and expense, but all very exciting. I start moving all my books this weekend... Sent about 6 bin bags full to bookcycle already, but there will be more :)
Ren x
Monday, 6 July 2015
Quick peep at the long awaited crochet yokey cardigan that I am designing and drafting to share with you all.
Started this weeks ago before I started the great ‘bin bag adventure’ but have only been working on it a row at a time :) thats two patterns I am designing at the mo, plus miss fairysteps blanket to finish by September and a knitted cardi on the go! Phew…
I am so pleased with the yoke so far. I wanted lots of colour in it to mimic a fair isle one. Body and sleeves, plus button bands will be plain.
Its been swimming around in my head so much that I was making the fronts in my dreams last night!
Friday, 3 July 2015
Must share a little bit of last nights crochet :) self drafting a pattern as I go along of this. It’s going to be so pretty! Making this as a cropped version but I will draft for medium and extra long length too. Its very drapy. Chuffed with the armholes. Using my previously made Dimity jumper as a guide. After hours only as orders come first for daytime work :)
In progress. Also working on a crochet yoked cardigan too :)
Ren x
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Have to share a peep at a new Knotgrass waistcoat. So chuffed with my tweedy green blend! I love mixing yarns…
This one is a size medium and soon to be in the shop x
A little titania leaf love going on this afternoon. I’ve cut 4 pairs of this style and colourway in different sizes :)
Pebble and Greenwood x
Ren x
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Hooks and needles have been so busy lately that the sitting room is rapidly disappearing beneath piles of woolly goods. 'Beechmast' cowl finally had its buttons sewn on. I must make more of these. They remind me of Cicely Mary Barkers woodland flower fairies...
Some very bright additions!
Something new, very, very, very long slouchy knitted hat. Not sure I will do another though as it took forever and ever...
Plus the 'Rhubarb Seas' blanket is complete and lovely! Did you spot my wonderful new knitwear label up there too? So chuffed with it :)
And so now I can concentrate on my new woodland creation. Cant wait to share it. All goodies in the shop x
ps. this is just the woolly stuff... wait till you see the shoes and clutches!
Thursday, 29 January 2015
After hours work in the sitting room by the fire...
Another THISTLEDOWN blanket finished.
Ive named this one 'tea and biscuits' because it made me think of milky tea and iced biscuits.
Ive already started the next one... It's being called 'rhubarb seas' and once its completed you will see why I chose the name.
Available to purchase in the Fairysteps shop here x
ps. Ive put the knitwear back in the main shop... I just can't run shops all over the place, its enough to make a brain fry... Most excited that a new stamp is coming for my woolly bits :)
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