New knit: The Tin Can Knits Rye Socks

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My third and latest knitting project is this pair of Rye Socks from the Simple Collection by Tin Can Knits. In case you don’t know the series, it’s a collection of 10 free patterns aiming to build up your knitting skills from zero to… something higher than zero. You start off with a scarf or cowl, move onto a hat (I made the Barley Hat already) and then progress through socks and mittens to sweaters and intricate shawls. Of course, you can pick and choose whatever you like. The instructions are fabulous and the patterns appealing.

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Discoveries of a novice: Woven fabrics

One of the things that is taking me a while is getting to grips with fabric choice. Both which fabric to use and where to buy it. It can be something of a conundrum. You don’t want to spend a ton of money when you’re starting off as you’re fairly sure you’re going to make a mess of at least a couple of pieces. On the other hand, there’s just no point in making something if you don’t really like the fabric. And then there’s the whole “Is it the right fabric?” “How thick is lightweight cotton??” “How stretchy is this knit really?” “Would I need to line this one?” etc. etc. ad infinitum.

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Cotton lawns and poplins

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From humble beginnings…

I’m a crafter. Some of my formative memories involve standing in stationery shops gazing at the rows of coloured paper, wishing I had enough pocket money to buy some. One of my best ever (maybe the best ever) Christmas presents I got was a stack of construction paper and some poster paints one year when I was around 9 years old. Continue reading “From humble beginnings…”