tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67040415359616848182024-03-13T06:39:33.454+00:00Musings of a knit-a-holic from WalesDebs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-49902305980502496482012-06-07T20:04:00.000+01:002012-06-07T20:04:53.977+01:00Knitting Pattern - Cabled Legwarmers<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't think in June that I would be writing about leg warmers. Yes - leg warmers...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather in Wales is changeable at the best of times, but so far in 2012 we have had terrible cold, raging storms, baking hot sunshine and drought all mixed up so in 1 day you can have heavy rain followed by hot sunshine (It happened yesterday!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually got so cold the other day I put on my trusty leg warmers. In the winter I have these on either underneath my trousers if they are wide leg, or if I'm wearing skinny jeans they go on top Flash Dance style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I designed this pattern to enter a pattern making competition last year. It's the first time I'd written a full pattern with a chart to go with it. The cables go in different directions on each leg which looks cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqKtH9tmXKRy-SruIVlDhJOtoD__vTJDist2sK98UOUzrUZ8U1QyYS2wWx8okmgCt3q_i3QI6EToO4nk621VuUbYwMYUJDqr7w1hgzCPScejv_zm1NqJzCzJGaeoF22Iqk3_T8wFThW8/s1600/etsy+august+2010+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqKtH9tmXKRy-SruIVlDhJOtoD__vTJDist2sK98UOUzrUZ8U1QyYS2wWx8okmgCt3q_i3QI6EToO4nk621VuUbYwMYUJDqr7w1hgzCPScejv_zm1NqJzCzJGaeoF22Iqk3_T8wFThW8/s1600/etsy+august+2010+086.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIT_G8XIYcz6jKcdc8Uc-CYaoiFFZe3CSJn2e9qLMZq0QLwIu5ahDje3yOXH2qXSYEs8D0pKy2CiIWz7Orl9G3EFdU-UDGssn4ZAbV3IspmXDXqFjhrggmvkpXx9xymdSFOTvwh3tCi0/s1600/etsy+august+2010+091.jpg" /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved how these turned out - the photos I have is awful, and I gave them away as a present afterwards, so I'll have to try and track down a better picture - or you can share one of your pics with me after you have made a pair!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find the pattern details on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/helter-skelter-cabled-leg-warmers" target="_blank">Ravelry "Helter Skelter Cabled Leg Warmers"</a> - and my other patterns are listed on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/musings-of-a-knit-a-holic-from-wales" target="_blank">Ravelry page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Debs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-83626412689014323062012-05-19T17:37:00.000+01:002012-05-19T17:37:25.133+01:00The dark art of Crochet...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been vowing to learn how to crochet for the last few years now. I found myself avoiding any of the cool knitting patterns on<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank"> Ravelry</a> which had the slightest hint of crochet in them. I tried <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> videos, books, friends giving me pointers - nothing seemed to work.</span><br />
<br/>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In desperation I turned to a crochet class run by <a href="http://www.calonyarns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Calon Yarns</a> in Cardiff. If anyone was going to teach me how to crack this crochet lark it was going to be <a href="https://twitter.com/calonyarns" target="_blank">Lynne</a>. Her shop is a treasure trove of gorgeous yarn, friendly service and sofas to sit and chat with your yarn project of choice. My classes are for 2 hours on a Tuesday night for 5 weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWTLgc19GyMmdBFhUhbvWClY3yhaKz37GP2goLUuCgvcFPgp_V4Tf8R5HeJEVjiOydiN84635276_ZcT-TBXK5PKtHCEWAau-sDUeJ6pJEPcTV9LlT4rmLj3MfT9MBRxdH8u6WwpZDb4/s1600/calonyarns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWTLgc19GyMmdBFhUhbvWClY3yhaKz37GP2goLUuCgvcFPgp_V4Tf8R5HeJEVjiOydiN84635276_ZcT-TBXK5PKtHCEWAau-sDUeJ6pJEPcTV9LlT4rmLj3MfT9MBRxdH8u6WwpZDb4/s320/calonyarns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how it has gone so far:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First session: was a bit nervous - I didn't want to look foolish from not understanding anything. Luckily the other guys there were in the same position, so that put me at ease. With the course came a crochet needle, practice yarn for use in class and plenty of cups of tea. I couldn't hold the hook, tension the yarn or get the foundation row going as my chain was so tight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second session: worked on getting past the dreaded foundation chain and how to do some rows of double crochet (UK terminology) and then triple crochet stitches. It was at this point that it started to click - I could see where the hook needed to go to create the stitch which I couldn't see before, and once past the foundation chain my tension was much better.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third session: worked on how to work in the round and my first attempt at a granny square. Working this way suits me better than straight lines I think - I really got into a rhythm making the granny squares. That weekend at home I made 9 of them whilst husband was out playing football. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth session: worked on stitching pieces together, increasing and decreasing, making a wave pattern and started on following a basic pattern for a crochet flower. I've decided I like crochet charts rather than written patterns - I hate knitting patterns so it goes that I'm not a fan of crochet ones either. I've decided I'm going to be a free-form crocheter and make it up as I go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Session five will be taking place next week. I can't believe after 3 years of failed attempts after 4 two hour sessions on a Tuesday night I've got the hang of the basics. I'm no expert by far but I have managed to make this blanket over the last week:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJiMSVOph2KSJl69GJ48Pem1ZJidXajcWQtqN1sRzBiQ6V7XPMm13OWTRkqidppmeTXgJmkboUApplfbScODpBkId_qVfshB619m3BjpeYpMkfVZzTy4xnvo7yesRl1nYq9HZbExIq00/s1600/2012-05-19+16.59.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJiMSVOph2KSJl69GJ48Pem1ZJidXajcWQtqN1sRzBiQ6V7XPMm13OWTRkqidppmeTXgJmkboUApplfbScODpBkId_qVfshB619m3BjpeYpMkfVZzTy4xnvo7yesRl1nYq9HZbExIq00/s320/2012-05-19+16.59.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2jR_RnnUbpq2fFCOTYs2ABIGStUooqNR8rrcA3VzbBgA8uasTNdcnG8uvqkWKsHibaq38LB1uGUCPZMa0q8036ut_RdWoktU96yEZ5NVE1PdMBOp4IijaZM3_prUTm1Bh2qaMM5QmlQ/s1600/2012-05-19+16.59.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2jR_RnnUbpq2fFCOTYs2ABIGStUooqNR8rrcA3VzbBgA8uasTNdcnG8uvqkWKsHibaq38LB1uGUCPZMa0q8036ut_RdWoktU96yEZ5NVE1PdMBOp4IijaZM3_prUTm1Bh2qaMM5QmlQ/s320/2012-05-19+16.59.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0XaG6NuIWSi5SkumUTMSWd1-z-_Zh8vcmVbkfwRP0ZFSC5kLSrPXEsl-xF7blUu0HY2VSDjYDUV_AzD-IRbF7YZbTutEx2JFmxmCgatk0zlWmFgTaQo3rxluA1SnCiqcInmjwubu0bM/s1600/2012-05-19+16.59.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0XaG6NuIWSi5SkumUTMSWd1-z-_Zh8vcmVbkfwRP0ZFSC5kLSrPXEsl-xF7blUu0HY2VSDjYDUV_AzD-IRbF7YZbTutEx2JFmxmCgatk0zlWmFgTaQo3rxluA1SnCiqcInmjwubu0bM/s320/2012-05-19+16.59.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPadGyWX8U5S5tHv-hEKW2f0Yo8XO31j80FF4kklRag7kvoDem3Mqdsjwv-EIH0Rs6VOaSxeTPMsY9B8lUAw8vnRmVXe1M5vLjg-fyiUf3RWFWsDWV65pG2niQsiGxbucRtEq6rWdWNmg/s1600/2012-05-19+16.59.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPadGyWX8U5S5tHv-hEKW2f0Yo8XO31j80FF4kklRag7kvoDem3Mqdsjwv-EIH0Rs6VOaSxeTPMsY9B8lUAw8vnRmVXe1M5vLjg-fyiUf3RWFWsDWV65pG2niQsiGxbucRtEq6rWdWNmg/s320/2012-05-19+16.59.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is basically a giant granny square, with a double crochet border in a lovely multicoloured green, blue and purple yarn. It's not perfect, but it's turned out way better than I thought.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd say that I'm still a knit-a-holic at heart, but now with a bit of crochet on the side world domination can't be too far away!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Debs </b></span><br />Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-88096436722953080692012-05-07T18:51:00.000+01:002012-05-07T18:51:45.536+01:00Solving little problems every day...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So - it's been a while!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot has been happening in 2012 so far. I've been pretty exhausted and burnt out at times - and that doesn't make for great blog reading. So now I'm back on my feet (literally) I can fill you in on what's been happening.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most notable being that I have been into hospital to have keyhole surgery on my hip. It wasn't as bad as it sounds - and it's feeling a lot better already, but I've got to be on crutches for 4 more weeks (10 in all) and it is still pretty sore. I've got two little scars on my right hip. Lucky to have such a great team locally who operated on me so professionally.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFwOAKf6nkucvbnKkPSv2yZcOXtDPfVaSudUUcVwYo3sy40y6PA9eOxXnpak-kK608DBxWZIPfM1ZLRbYK4w0NtMz1uItsmzrf2Nfjc7F11p35gQEwb6jUYyqQoEmz-Udzngarul-EKY/s1600/debspostop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFwOAKf6nkucvbnKkPSv2yZcOXtDPfVaSudUUcVwYo3sy40y6PA9eOxXnpak-kK608DBxWZIPfM1ZLRbYK4w0NtMz1uItsmzrf2Nfjc7F11p35gQEwb6jUYyqQoEmz-Udzngarul-EKY/s320/debspostop.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
As you may realise I'm not the kind of person who would want to spend 10 weeks on a pair of uncomfortable dull grey crutches, so I managed to buy some comfy ergonomic ones on-line that are shaped to your hand - much much more comfy. And they come in this great teal colour so much less boring!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFuN8Zk6Og12tz84IqgsD7DVFeV6sGjsTlgeOGF3a9jd-23wAbpoIhZBB4Qrdt6KDQnIU8KbOp-BwIgd20QQq1BjOlHbQdm4Ob4fpXn7LENTVsM3D5cLbSC7xiqmUw7zT61Ltd7cZxm8/s1600/rebotec_crutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFuN8Zk6Og12tz84IqgsD7DVFeV6sGjsTlgeOGF3a9jd-23wAbpoIhZBB4Qrdt6KDQnIU8KbOp-BwIgd20QQq1BjOlHbQdm4Ob4fpXn7LENTVsM3D5cLbSC7xiqmUw7zT61Ltd7cZxm8/s1600/rebotec_crutches.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I figured out quite quickly was that carrying a shoulder bag doesn't work with crutches - it kept falling off my shoulder every time I took a few steps. A messenger style satchel was OK but got in the way as I was walking. I've got a little backpack for going out and about - but when you just want to take your purse, some lip balm and your phone it was too big.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I came up with this little bag that hangs from the handle of the crutch. It's made from oilcloth so it is pretty water resistant (which is great in the wet spring weather we have been having) and fastens to the crutch with Velcro and to the handles via some cotton loops. The flap closes with a pop fastener. There is a little pocket inside for my phone so it doesn't get lost at the bottom of the bag.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA3IZl6Amy7bT70xM5ZkIZ7UnX_DQRVvuvp4lsYNiNGCSpPugwN5g03kn50wt02GtFrDhWprehsOyjb6UB4FgNHEBZJR77SQw-67Nn97XfYAG4yZatpqqeQ3CUIXvMw4cYydEncvBM8s/s1600/elbow_crutch_bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA3IZl6Amy7bT70xM5ZkIZ7UnX_DQRVvuvp4lsYNiNGCSpPugwN5g03kn50wt02GtFrDhWprehsOyjb6UB4FgNHEBZJR77SQw-67Nn97XfYAG4yZatpqqeQ3CUIXvMw4cYydEncvBM8s/s320/elbow_crutch_bag.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its first big test was when we went to Plymouth on the south west coast on holiday this Bank holiday weekend. It's our second wedding anniversary (seems like yesterday I was having my <a href="http://debs102.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/crafty-and-thrifty-welsh-wedding.html" target="_blank">handmade wedding</a>!) and we like to take a little holiday to celebrate. As you can see it was pretty chilly for May but the little crutch-bag held up really well. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m7m9ougavivEWYN3mTTPX5mPcCCwQ3xuD5vDtlzVQvK_Mc_TPTFIRYA6X8Ec0eBL9OPOTx7yOAo4f9MwedlDee6JELlElflCdalKHIhPCtYd7RrupH1_eq7EsLX-cETDKozuZir0Ndg/s1600/debs_plymouth_crutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m7m9ougavivEWYN3mTTPX5mPcCCwQ3xuD5vDtlzVQvK_Mc_TPTFIRYA6X8Ec0eBL9OPOTx7yOAo4f9MwedlDee6JELlElflCdalKHIhPCtYd7RrupH1_eq7EsLX-cETDKozuZir0Ndg/s320/debs_plymouth_crutches.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love being by the seaside - the South West coast is stunning. Plymouth is right on the border between Devon and Cornwall. We went to see the <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/whats-it-all-about" target="_blank">Eden Project</a> - it has an indoor Rainforest biome with lots of tropical plants (very hot though!), a land train, stunning plants and lots of info on climate and environment. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5m9WQ7b-6JbT0XNeeYtOTMIh9LM-r-o6EpoH7ln2x5f4wJABvRSU4FJcwB6oklYtbbEsTmI5drF9ZjfJTiATRItnR9j8ISs9PSAIQjaL4qg9mdHsqrYXnmrt9mXgoSSG-y9hmadX8TE/s1600/eden_project_biomes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5m9WQ7b-6JbT0XNeeYtOTMIh9LM-r-o6EpoH7ln2x5f4wJABvRSU4FJcwB6oklYtbbEsTmI5drF9ZjfJTiATRItnR9j8ISs9PSAIQjaL4qg9mdHsqrYXnmrt9mXgoSSG-y9hmadX8TE/s320/eden_project_biomes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also enjoyed a trip to the River Cottage Restaurant, Plymouth Hoe and a boat trip around the docks. Very glad I brought my knitted hat - beautiful but pretty cold!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Lsz6FOqhNqkWinhOuBXul-96HURJyeowcypUhUQyJWvh5GZowDEllwbjNhNXWbYu3VVO2tTdxf8fYGZKGFt53eAkXQsSp_2DImcuPCeKbjrVVUZjWtUZCDvjNqqNxrO16LNbB6Rrrs/s1600/plymouth_harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Lsz6FOqhNqkWinhOuBXul-96HURJyeowcypUhUQyJWvh5GZowDEllwbjNhNXWbYu3VVO2tTdxf8fYGZKGFt53eAkXQsSp_2DImcuPCeKbjrVVUZjWtUZCDvjNqqNxrO16LNbB6Rrrs/s320/plymouth_harbour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm counting down until I'm able to get off these crutches - 4(ish) more weeks to go then I am free! </span><br />
<br />
<b>Debs</b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com0Plymouth, UK50.3719165 -4.136019850.2908975 -4.2939482999999994 50.452935499999995 -3.9780912999999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-3386913045102849482012-01-24T19:49:00.002+00:002012-01-27T22:31:25.840+00:00Free Knitting Pattern: Seed Stitch Hat<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is one of my favourite hats to put in my pocket - warm enough to keep your head cosy on cold days, but light enough to wear past winter months. You can also take a look at an easy pattern for using up leftover yarn for <a href="http://debs102.blogspot.com/2011/05/knitting-pattern-seed-stitch-fingerless.html" target="_blank">matching fingerless gloves</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kKP4ejH12rWGRB_EAGkmrg4IN7IPlMnFB-5dxDJ3YSU5noJ97PC0LXAhLF6pH_0oCBDNSn4BDvXKFUYfYKq-eOK4TxfwD_cNEGxo70C8ws98hZHTvn3FlppM50DIbY1ZXCjmrV0PPks/s1600/Etsy+Pics+June+10+036.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kKP4ejH12rWGRB_EAGkmrg4IN7IPlMnFB-5dxDJ3YSU5noJ97PC0LXAhLF6pH_0oCBDNSn4BDvXKFUYfYKq-eOK4TxfwD_cNEGxo70C8ws98hZHTvn3FlppM50DIbY1ZXCjmrV0PPks/s400/Etsy+Pics+June+10+036.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Again like most of my patterns there is no set size or yarn type - I have used double knit weight yarn which means the hat has a slouchy fit. The hat above was knitted using Patons Smoothie yarn - an acrylic yarn with a smooth silky touch.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>You will need:</u></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>1 x 100g ball of DK Double knit yarn - I have used <a href="http://www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk/patons-smoothie-dk-yarn-333-c.asp" target="_blank">Patons Smoothie</a></li>
<li>1 x 5mm 16" circular needle (slightly larger than the yarn states so that the knit is looser)</li>
<li>A stitch marker </li>
<li>Scissors and a needle to weave in ends</li>
</ul><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pattern</b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Cast on 88 stitches (this will fit loosely on a 22" circumference head - to make it bigger or smaller add or take away in multiples of <b>4</b> e.g. 80, 84, 92)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Make sure your work is not twisted, thread on your stitch marker and join work together, working your first round in double rib stitch (k2, p2 to the end of the round)</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Continue knitting double rib rounds (k2, p2) until your work measures 1.5 inches long. On your last stitch of the last round pick up a stitch (m1) so you will have an odd number of stitches on your needle (e.g 89 stitches) This is the headband section finished.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. For your next row, work in moss / seed stitch (k1, p1* k1) ending on a knit stitch. From this point onward knit as if you are making one long continuous row - after every knit stitch will follow a purl stitch - as there is an odd number of stitches on the needle the moss / seed stitch pattern will work up automatically. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>n.b. The stitch marker is there to remind you where you started but it doesn't mean you need to restart the pattern every time - if you end on a knit stitch at the end of the round your next stitch will be a purl stitch. You will get into a rhythm of k, p, k, p, k, p, k...until you get a bit dizzy!</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Continue knitting in moss / seed stitch until your work measures 8" (21cm) in total (including the ribbed part). If you have increased the size of your hat by a lot you will want to make the hat longer, and smaller if you are making a small hat e.g. for a child.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. On your next round decrease by knitting two stitches together (k2tog*, k1) ending on a knit stitch.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Cut a long tail from your ball and using your needle thread the needle through the stitches left on your needle and take them off the needle as you go. Pull together tightly and secure by stitching the tail into the back of the hat and weaving the end in.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Weave the other tail end from casting into the piece.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...and there you go - a finished hat!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv75f78BAhka_FaCCZzQXcalExCEgJvwkK8JxEbhlrzLW5btDYdsipXEekXUOS-ScEUi1sd_qtKSmsWEJJa0Alq-RRhhYbhhCUZRCWRB6lzQ-eC-8KlXxhTcDgXqkMYc6pOSgpNqFZJA/s1600/IMAG0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv75f78BAhka_FaCCZzQXcalExCEgJvwkK8JxEbhlrzLW5btDYdsipXEekXUOS-ScEUi1sd_qtKSmsWEJJa0Alq-RRhhYbhhCUZRCWRB6lzQ-eC-8KlXxhTcDgXqkMYc6pOSgpNqFZJA/s400/IMAG0926.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please let me know if you spot any issues or have any feedback.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Debs</span></b></div>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-23389921873982648772012-01-14T11:50:00.003+00:002012-01-22T18:21:22.562+00:00Free Knitting Pattern: Beau Bow Headband<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These headbands are so cute, and dead easy to make - be that for little girls or little girls at heart. As the band itself is ribbed it will sit comfortably on the head without moving. It's a good way to use up those smaller balls of yarn that you really like, but are just too small to make a hat from. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ehQxkcyxakR9mwG2XodRoeI3OuRKQ-gWLDEqwZ3U8vFC9WntKHOsIECWyH96HX2bypG3gch4MeedqwSODW7Jxiugk2iV9xPau_m0T5uEXMrs-6QJiOvOTFolq-GXYTEYIQ6ZLFRE7A/s1600/red+beau+bow+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ehQxkcyxakR9mwG2XodRoeI3OuRKQ-gWLDEqwZ3U8vFC9WntKHOsIECWyH96HX2bypG3gch4MeedqwSODW7Jxiugk2iV9xPau_m0T5uEXMrs-6QJiOvOTFolq-GXYTEYIQ6ZLFRE7A/s400/red+beau+bow+4.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is the pattern:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>You will need:</b></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li>up to 50g yarn depending on the size of the headband you'd like to make - the one above was knitted out of DK yarn and used just under 50g in all.</li>
<li>circular needle or DPN of the correct size for the yarn used to make the headband - I used 4mm circular needles </li>
<li>Straight needles of the correct size for the bow - I used 4mm needles </li>
<li>Sewing needle - large eye and blunt ended for sewing up</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Pattern</b></u></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Headband </b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This will make a headband for a small - medium adult / teen out of DK yarn as above. To make it bigger or smaller add or take away stitches in multiples of 4. If using chunkier yarn and larger needles you will need to cast on less. Remember it is rib stitch and it will stretch to put it on. My head is 22 inches in circumference and this fits me fine as a very rough guide.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
1. CO 84 stitches using your preferred cast on method loosely - you will loose the stretch in the headband if you cast on too tightly.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Make sure your work is not twisted and join together.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Row 1: K2, P2* repeat until the end of the round, finishing on a P stitch.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Repeat until the work measures 3 inches or desired width, and cast off in rib stitch loosely- again to make sure the work remains stretchy.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Weave in the ends using your sewing needle to help.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Bow:</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you want a smaller or bigger bow just cast on more or less stitches. This is the size of the bow on the headband pictured above. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Cast on 20 stitches to your straight needles - try not to do this too tightly</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Work in garter stitch (K all stitches) for all rows until the piece measures 5 inches long or desired length. Cast off and weave in ends. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Bow Ribbon (middle piece):</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Cast on 10 stitches to your straight needles. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Row 1: K1 P1</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
3. Repeat row 1 until piece measures 4 inches long and cast off, leaving a tail at the end for joining the piece together. If you have made a chunkier headband or larger bow you may need to make this piece a bit longer. Test it as you go along to make sure it will fit around your work.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Making up:</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Take the headband and where you cast on and off place the bow over the joins to cover them up. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Take the ribbon piece and place it around the headband and bow so that the bow is held in place. It will gather the bow and headband a bit as shown in the picture. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Take your blunt needle and thread the tail thread on your bow ribbon. Sew together the cast on and cast off edges of the row ribbon so that the bow is held in place on the headband. Sew in any threads left over.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Play with the bow until it sits where you'd like it to be then try it on! </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81mqn6uYRkIrUMyZylYNG5HSPm2RTtJ9COMOcFRUyUGLGyKUkZVkKVNnVXdSOGB_dBFKEm28Ho1ubZoZjQmkvk8PMDdcgybXVInypVImAczljB_x0WeDpTtl5j-5tFRPbdfGVsup5lT0/s1600/IMAG0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81mqn6uYRkIrUMyZylYNG5HSPm2RTtJ9COMOcFRUyUGLGyKUkZVkKVNnVXdSOGB_dBFKEm28Ho1ubZoZjQmkvk8PMDdcgybXVInypVImAczljB_x0WeDpTtl5j-5tFRPbdfGVsup5lT0/s400/IMAG0948.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGCDXdKl4JPqBapSeayB7srhwNCNFWA5TYiwHO6ZX2_XopBiYw2rUJ1iLnhhrksIt_TgJcmp78zf6Ktaz_VmqPxA_IH9mafFzNmQhxz_P0aUv5I1wi-BaTBhvacCrm5CpX3igJ4p2wDI/s1600/cream+beige+beau+bow+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGCDXdKl4JPqBapSeayB7srhwNCNFWA5TYiwHO6ZX2_XopBiYw2rUJ1iLnhhrksIt_TgJcmp78zf6Ktaz_VmqPxA_IH9mafFzNmQhxz_P0aUv5I1wi-BaTBhvacCrm5CpX3igJ4p2wDI/s400/cream+beige+beau+bow+3.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can wear it with the bow on top or to one side. You can experiment with different yarns, colours etc. - why not have the bow a contrasting colour to the headband? Lots of different options. Please give me your feedback on the pattern or if you have any suggestions or improvements </span><br />
<br />
<b style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs </span></b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-57321201815143792102012-01-03T19:51:00.002+00:002012-05-09T20:42:02.617+01:00Happy New Year!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The end of 2011 has been non stop - I started a new busy full time job in September which has kept me away from crafting for far too long. My fingers have been itching to get back to making things and Christmas 2011 gave me a great excuse to get knitting and sewing to create gifts for all my family and friends.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I've made some great little pieces for people including my famous fabric and hessian shopping bags which went down really well this year. This one is made of duck egg blue fabric with leaves on the outside and a heavy creamy cotton on the inside. Tempted to keep this one for me!!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RXf5DGgWZ6EcQLTI8yFnHyeATwHpYa1h2Hthi2UdVp-Pq0PJt67fsAkH1AfZfdNidTCGm2VuicgEz5KZj2oQ46Vz5d4Dti8bvZ4GeIc_YeRFlpcYabbWZ3SFO4IvkK7NR1SFbE18sRs/s1600/IMAG1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RXf5DGgWZ6EcQLTI8yFnHyeATwHpYa1h2Hthi2UdVp-Pq0PJt67fsAkH1AfZfdNidTCGm2VuicgEz5KZj2oQ46Vz5d4Dti8bvZ4GeIc_YeRFlpcYabbWZ3SFO4IvkK7NR1SFbE18sRs/s320/IMAG1407.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I've also been making myself a scarf in a gorgeous rust colour yarn - I've been knitting this scarf since the start of September and I'm only about a quarter of the way done. I really want to finish it before the winter is over as I know it's going to go really well with my navy coat. I think I have enough yarn left on the ball to make some gloves or a little beanie hat to go with it, but we'll see:</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ECSUPXB5883bU6qHWBJGy2xc9q0Q51ns1onQaqTbphEg7RdSTy5tSS-KjLC3rUPaeYgXZlu0b4alNY7a6r_W76o3S_DrPcim0Udafxh1OGl7toaX0boQiSe2LJMF03tlAu2vuN4BcFI/s1600/IMAG1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ECSUPXB5883bU6qHWBJGy2xc9q0Q51ns1onQaqTbphEg7RdSTy5tSS-KjLC3rUPaeYgXZlu0b4alNY7a6r_W76o3S_DrPcim0Udafxh1OGl7toaX0boQiSe2LJMF03tlAu2vuN4BcFI/s320/IMAG1394.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The best handmade present I've had this year (actually if I think about it it's one of 2 lovely handmade presents I had off friends this year) is this gorgeous hand crocheted giant circle scarf / cowl with matching hand knitted hat. It's a gorgeous raspberry pink (not girly girly) and the yarn is variegated so it goes fat then thin so gives a great texture to the piece. Zoe has promised to try and get me crocheting for 2012 - I completely failed in 2011 in my attempts and just didn't have the time to stick it out. 2012 WILL be the year I get crochet!!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m9HNTyRUGLw/TwNZx_2aDOI/AAAAAAAAAZc/BTiK4LAculg/s1600/IMAG1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m9HNTyRUGLw/TwNZx_2aDOI/AAAAAAAAAZc/BTiK4LAculg/s400/IMAG1403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a0-3mzO8lE/TwNZwDyoW5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/74j8zere95U/s1600/IMAG1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a0-3mzO8lE/TwNZwDyoW5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/74j8zere95U/s400/IMAG1399.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
*** Note: Every single picture I've taken shows these as purple. As lovely as this colour looks these are actually a fab heather / raspberry pink. Either way they are lovely and she is silly talented! Check out her new <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadameDesigns" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> to get your hands on a piece for yourself***</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
My other mission for 2012 is to properly get to grips with the double pointed needle. It's an odd one - I've mastered most other techniques fine but there is something about the dreaded double pointed needle that has foxed me. I think I may have to enrol in a <a href="http://calonyarns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Calon Yarns</a> short course to teach me. I'm lucky enough to live around the corner from an amazing yarn shop here in Cardiff where they sell great yarn and run classes in lots of different crafty mediums. Throw in some mulled wine, minced pies and a sofa to sit and knit on and Zoe and I were entertained for a great few hours of crafty fun. Look how cool the shop is?!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCi-hd75gy0/TwNanl7LqUI/AAAAAAAAAZo/14DRFbrOgwQ/s320/calonyarns.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We also need to start back up our craft night. There is a group of 3 or 4 of us who mostly live locally, and like to take our minds off the stresses and strains of work and the daily grind and sit, chat, craft and munch on some tasty treats. It must have been the summer when we met up properly last - again life and ill health keeps getting in the way. It's great to meet up with friends and spend a night in. Everyone usually brings their dogs too which is always funny in a small space!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Well, this scarf will eventually get finished - not sure if it will have tassels; at the moment I'm leaning towards no. The bobbly pattern is the interesting bit and I think tassels could distract from that... Please let me know what you think on this!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMnZDVbBsaRgAxvlhQRdeGpDv2HNwjRMGEGCjn3lY0E9lw53In-tfu-M8Ka_Xuk1l-NlxEsX-ivECCbuwwuZjbbHaPG1ztKr5t3ppqnJOUzHk8bVnZRKBYHfkiIn9yoDFT7c3br-jwJs/s1600/IMAG1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMnZDVbBsaRgAxvlhQRdeGpDv2HNwjRMGEGCjn3lY0E9lw53In-tfu-M8Ka_Xuk1l-NlxEsX-ivECCbuwwuZjbbHaPG1ztKr5t3ppqnJOUzHk8bVnZRKBYHfkiIn9yoDFT7c3br-jwJs/s320/IMAG1396.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I've also missed having the time, energy, mindset and inclination to write a blog post. I think it's quite daunting to start typing if you haven't done it in a while but I think with a new year and after de-stressing a bit after the holidays I'm ready to dip back in to writing again - plus I wanted to wish you all a <b>Happy New Year!</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<b style="color: #783f04;">Debs</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-55490883431568355042011-07-20T18:47:00.003+01:002011-07-20T18:56:41.861+01:00Rainbow Hot Water Bottle Sock Pattern<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have moved!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's taken me the last 3 weeks to unpack everything - I'm still missing some key items, but I'm sure they will turn up at some point (most likely when I least expect it...)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNo93Kt9oXFa_B3ciuOvLdb4qbXqhi-ucvmk45EpRM8uHCSqGbwmYGSVbtCj_YMFNTwB07U0peYleMaBngznPsEd8PqAfRDgMPaWZr09QnN6pNZGnWcrYy-sEvdMqWQcLEe4mc15Un1k/s1600/IMAG1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNo93Kt9oXFa_B3ciuOvLdb4qbXqhi-ucvmk45EpRM8uHCSqGbwmYGSVbtCj_YMFNTwB07U0peYleMaBngznPsEd8PqAfRDgMPaWZr09QnN6pNZGnWcrYy-sEvdMqWQcLEe4mc15Un1k/s400/IMAG1265.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">workroom is looking good - I'm all set up and ready to satisfy my itchy fingers. My first project has been to knit a new hot water bottle cover for my mini hot water bottle. I was after something quick and easy, and something that would use up some of my remnant yarn...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGsuvgD_M1sNxADoTkupL8AG-PqUOf7wsIISdgHczVPlIeHM0Lw2cZFL9NI-0cnu3ZcofsEQTUKjHqoLUgtVxl8TOZrP7PmlVLhD2dy1wtkDR90DoOD9C2ZLejvdQBYpb05-fzi4PNiA/s1600/IMAG1270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGsuvgD_M1sNxADoTkupL8AG-PqUOf7wsIISdgHczVPlIeHM0Lw2cZFL9NI-0cnu3ZcofsEQTUKjHqoLUgtVxl8TOZrP7PmlVLhD2dy1wtkDR90DoOD9C2ZLejvdQBYpb05-fzi4PNiA/s320/IMAG1270.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a very easy pattern, and knits up very quickly - making it a great pattern for those who like instant knitting gratification!</span></div><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notes:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pattern is for my mini hot water bottle cover. You can tailor this pattern to the size of your hot water bottle by adding or subtracting stitches in multiples of 4 (so 36,40,44 etc.) The double knit rib is very stretchy, so if you are unsure go for the smaller measurement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will need:</span></b><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small amount of each colour of yarn you wish to use. My small hot water bottle cover used less than a 25g ball of yarn for each stripe. I used standard DK acrylic yarn.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 set of 4.5mm needles or the size recommended for the yarn you are using</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bodkin / large eyed needle</span></li>
</ul><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pattern:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cast on 24 stitches on to 4.5mm needles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Knit 8 rows in Double Rib (k2,p2 to the end of the row, repeat for each row)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Row 9, change to next colour yarn and knit this row in knit (k all stitches - so you can't see the joint), then continue in Double Knit (k2,p2) for the next 7 rows. Leave a tail of yarn for sewing up the sides later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat the pattern above, knitting in each colour for 8 rows until you get to the last colour (in my case purple), where I continued for 23 rows instead of 8. These extra rows allow you to fold the top over like a roll neck jumper. Leave a longer tail for sewing this up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cast off in same double rib pattern (k2,p2)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you have finished, it should look something like this:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq21SPHsUKBBuO5cZF7jw2PfULMqiF7bm_FgwJrYr8mTb4XUv6pYbihlmmeK0z8aJPwYFMSmi94rmphXoCPrPOvIYOLzscr5u4gbHO_uWGEcdSh3bneM5cqgApOOvWFutFO7BiCWo6AcA/s1600/IMAG1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq21SPHsUKBBuO5cZF7jw2PfULMqiF7bm_FgwJrYr8mTb4XUv6pYbihlmmeK0z8aJPwYFMSmi94rmphXoCPrPOvIYOLzscr5u4gbHO_uWGEcdSh3bneM5cqgApOOvWFutFO7BiCWo6AcA/s320/IMAG1255.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow the same pattern above to make another matching piece for the other side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you have made both pieces, use the tails of yarn to sew up the sides - to make sure the seams don't show through, use the red tail to sew up the red section, the yellow tail for the yellow section etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will look quite small when you have finished, but it will stretch over your hot water bottle keeping it snug in it's new little jumper.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN4yxJiMzwxoW7-elnFM2PLk2W8xYccMmdK5w2jDcrVV0Y4l_CTWG_5WXzsA7raYlitLc9HrKm5xLk4Jh1ziYhsARmNIVJP1L5BhkT53gCpFNDhirrYDEHodUBtRqdS6W1yjwpqXN3V0/s1600/IMAG1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN4yxJiMzwxoW7-elnFM2PLk2W8xYccMmdK5w2jDcrVV0Y4l_CTWG_5WXzsA7raYlitLc9HrKm5xLk4Jh1ziYhsARmNIVJP1L5BhkT53gCpFNDhirrYDEHodUBtRqdS6W1yjwpqXN3V0/s400/IMAG1271.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Humphrey the bear was very impressed...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-3846964979929291002011-06-18T16:50:00.003+01:002011-06-18T17:05:55.862+01:00The Big Move<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I vowed we'd never do this again; I've said this every time we have moved house though (this is my 8th move in 9 years) - yet here we are getting packed up ready to go. This is the main reason I've been low on posts this month; everything crafty is either packed or lost under all the boxes and other bits lying all over the flat as we speak...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q3N4GBeIJqt3lzILzkRVyoxhxVYxnyf88A3cxncg5wZ8VCjj_xRABadeHdALJ9GIzZVdRhHMALhaZ6770h3Wl40_kBOF4OTDrDTTzOayCq3v4mJqWGIJUHlWHICxF5N_cnoqXIXhJL4/s1600/craft+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q3N4GBeIJqt3lzILzkRVyoxhxVYxnyf88A3cxncg5wZ8VCjj_xRABadeHdALJ9GIzZVdRhHMALhaZ6770h3Wl40_kBOF4OTDrDTTzOayCq3v4mJqWGIJUHlWHICxF5N_cnoqXIXhJL4/s1600/craft+room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everyone know I have a big stash of delights in my workroom - for such a teeny room I always manage to pack a lot into it. There is my Horn sewing cabinet, my Brother sewing machine, my Janome overlocker / serger, boxes and boxes of yarn and fabric and all my accessories. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdYgi7VPqgRrUFCUHt6iG5T_ntvEXDz4ISZYl1RGyjfhqG-UM2Uzaq6RmisT6Xvh5oOyhqBg6baIk3erkkeX7cQcknOgyBUAMEWXQgWPtKlN0MMwNZN-AkqT9LewydnwCzPpFVrp5XFU/s1600/craft+room+3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdYgi7VPqgRrUFCUHt6iG5T_ntvEXDz4ISZYl1RGyjfhqG-UM2Uzaq6RmisT6Xvh5oOyhqBg6baIk3erkkeX7cQcknOgyBUAMEWXQgWPtKlN0MMwNZN-AkqT9LewydnwCzPpFVrp5XFU/s1600/craft+room+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm a bit neat about my yarn - as you can see I like to keep them in boxes arranged by colour; this is the box for red and purples. The blues and greens box is overflowing a bit - need to stop buying green!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpbdNfSWKCwa8zGDl7BiMevm3RhKMSPWfZHFDTN2bC7P_onkTctgoooNcaJEtLjmXcNYsIcncUuIOGQ78RvrAalkgwUhaOjTrCr5PFOLQOKKvXJtKyhp3lWGGCbKZYqa4oLDxkDTrdOw/s1600/wool+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpbdNfSWKCwa8zGDl7BiMevm3RhKMSPWfZHFDTN2bC7P_onkTctgoooNcaJEtLjmXcNYsIcncUuIOGQ78RvrAalkgwUhaOjTrCr5PFOLQOKKvXJtKyhp3lWGGCbKZYqa4oLDxkDTrdOw/s1600/wool+boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN4DGStP78N24ckUwKbZtmAq8-FEhAR_aectQ5SofxdSiANkOBUcJp_b2HydqhhrBIEyr9nx6j8B4OVbxXCWymNJTYhhCGT1-E4DjgrWiEc5w7GRmC8q3v4bm_7ivFd4E79t7J3chpD4/s1600/red+purple+wool.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN4DGStP78N24ckUwKbZtmAq8-FEhAR_aectQ5SofxdSiANkOBUcJp_b2HydqhhrBIEyr9nx6j8B4OVbxXCWymNJTYhhCGT1-E4DjgrWiEc5w7GRmC8q3v4bm_7ivFd4E79t7J3chpD4/s1600/red+purple+wool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another stash I have is a big box of machine cones. I find these really good for my <a href="http://debs102.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-knittng-project-multi-strand.html">giant knitting projects</a>, as they were pretty cheap, they come in lots of different colours, and they look great when knitted together as blankets, cushions or mats.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30mJ1i19pdNI7IzTNoz-eiY8M9PZjCvrSTtjaLnARNuUYd7Fk3dNm6FAGOHMYmPS_L8UAv-U0jXXFOgvQ4rUJLJQ0qyS8P9eMBwZ9K3sOKK3-khhxj8zUQ9fZb1ifv87Tarlc7RR0pI/s1600/knitting+machine+yarn+cones.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30mJ1i19pdNI7IzTNoz-eiY8M9PZjCvrSTtjaLnARNuUYd7Fk3dNm6FAGOHMYmPS_L8UAv-U0jXXFOgvQ4rUJLJQ0qyS8P9eMBwZ9K3sOKK3-khhxj8zUQ9fZb1ifv87Tarlc7RR0pI/s1600/knitting+machine+yarn+cones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see, it's a lot of stuff to move. If it looks like a lot of stuff when it's all in the shelves, imagine trying to get it all in boxes and bags! I filled 2 sacks and a big box with just yarn, 4 sacks with fabric (not including the 2 big rolls I have in the cupboard, a box of patterns, a box of knitting books, 2 boxes of accessories and emptying my cabinet.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6hEJRYBrqQm4_Ybjaji0Y7hPUlnFaoARhZ45ohThYNhE-HHih_oBOVvJYN5DZuvxE1Nb83WQZyuFfUST9qiOdepmEFBL-D4QrQJ2mxetvyG8guyaBYIK2diEjFtjVXQDaQdGv_XBeNo/s1600/craft+room.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6hEJRYBrqQm4_Ybjaji0Y7hPUlnFaoARhZ45ohThYNhE-HHih_oBOVvJYN5DZuvxE1Nb83WQZyuFfUST9qiOdepmEFBL-D4QrQJ2mxetvyG8guyaBYIK2diEjFtjVXQDaQdGv_XBeNo/s1600/craft+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For all those of you who know the Horn sewing cabinet, I can tell you it is a fab piece of kit - it folds out from a standard 2 door cabinet into a fully functional station for all your sewing needs. It wasn't cheap - new they are between £250 and £500, but I got mine second hand on ebay after months and months of searching for £80. But for moving house? NOT good - it has a hydraulic lift in it so you can lower your sewing machine when it is not in use - ingenious... but it weighs a ton, and especially when you have to get it down 2 flights of stairs, and it has to be kept level...</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My poor Dad who is helping us move groaned when I reminded him we had to shift it again...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSfDMceRDXUk2ZPi-NtBKZLLFbM7dLmHLlv86DeU_zYxNj2XXSLvF-GIjUIUX8RZWyeD9W_IRWFaOoJ_NbBzy_4aNLXYvvDDtZR525nmu5QvdwJo8gNUN284R-zW0NT5NL6ELiDG-v0g/s1600/horn-cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSfDMceRDXUk2ZPi-NtBKZLLFbM7dLmHLlv86DeU_zYxNj2XXSLvF-GIjUIUX8RZWyeD9W_IRWFaOoJ_NbBzy_4aNLXYvvDDtZR525nmu5QvdwJo8gNUN284R-zW0NT5NL6ELiDG-v0g/s1600/horn-cabinet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Went to our new house again today (which is luckily about a minute's walk from our current flat) - my workroom is about the same size as it is here. As we are renting, it was the first time we had seen the house without the other tenant's stuff in it. Alas a single bed has appeared right in the middle of my workroom space. I think the landlord thought it would be helpful, but it's left nowhere for all my yarn stash as well as my sewing machines, so fingers crossed I can get them to remove it before we move in...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #7f6000;">Debs </b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-34694997590989743722011-05-20T17:37:00.002+01:002011-05-20T17:52:41.817+01:00New Knitting Project: Multi-Strand Blanket<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been so busy in the office recently, I've had really little time to focus on crafting and my blog - so apologies for the lack of posts recently!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've decided to start a cool new project - a chunky moss / seed stitch blanket. It's made up of some of the machine knitting cones I've had in a big box for ages. I chose creams and blues, but one of the strands is a gorgeous pastel multi-coloured yarn which gives a subtle hint of pinks and yellows throughout - it's really subtle but very pretty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 of the cones are glittery (1 white cone and 1 baby blue) which I wasn't sure about when I put the strands together before starting, but now I've knitted it up for a few inches it's looking great.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWGKYMyBOHXG6t3Aj4nuoGHnz6fVUxetDct_EigDjJ-9UHwFx8T-_bp5f-pvl8E17B077UM5lQS2pFZ9nDspolJ3rMhKa7Y50CDFoWLrfNFPGM_Eguh3JYGR-Fgif8qArVPOYDegiJCM/s1600/IMAG1178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWGKYMyBOHXG6t3Aj4nuoGHnz6fVUxetDct_EigDjJ-9UHwFx8T-_bp5f-pvl8E17B077UM5lQS2pFZ9nDspolJ3rMhKa7Y50CDFoWLrfNFPGM_Eguh3JYGR-Fgif8qArVPOYDegiJCM/s320/IMAG1178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm knitting the blanket on 15mm needles - not the biggest ones I have, but I wanted the blanket to be quite tight weave. As you may remember from my <a href="http://debs102.blogspot.com/2010/07/giant-knitting.html">Giant Knitting</a> post, I made up a blanket at the end of last year for my sister-in-law in greens and blues (she calls it her Mermaid blanket) but it ended up being quite loose, and has a habit of stretching and losing its shape.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm using 10 cones of yarn all wound together to make up the blanket. I have discovered that the best way of knitting with lots of yarn at the same time is to put the cones in a box, that way they aren't flying across the room and getting tangled. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-4S10sz-s4ctYai-FtqFcNgC7TQY9PmWDVhstl2QHyh4wSrjJZLfThpDzj-sk0_bXErISzvCuIHUlmpe_l0IyXaTzOKGD19FXvoRoQ6gF1mO_XvQUnHEAj70sBEI7Z3e6Wj4mN62UNw/s1600/IMAG1183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-4S10sz-s4ctYai-FtqFcNgC7TQY9PmWDVhstl2QHyh4wSrjJZLfThpDzj-sk0_bXErISzvCuIHUlmpe_l0IyXaTzOKGD19FXvoRoQ6gF1mO_XvQUnHEAj70sBEI7Z3e6Wj4mN62UNw/s320/IMAG1183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The stitch is really easy - k1 p1 all the way across the row until the end. As there is an odd number of stitches you will end on a knit stitch. When you knit the next row, start on a knit stitch again and carry on in k1 p1. The bobbly moss / seed stitch pattern that comes out makes the blanket textured but light.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPB2kayVNteSG_BRn01q-1bSkXW40lDSga7nnh5DGOBYgK1hIk0LEc48cluhXiBZ_-NOvrOvDJh8MXrHmcey-Uj675U8HPbGFoSfxZEM9eWt40Hq3XKMiqKXb6CrERZFgKHQDXemzXfE/s1600/IMAG1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPB2kayVNteSG_BRn01q-1bSkXW40lDSga7nnh5DGOBYgK1hIk0LEc48cluhXiBZ_-NOvrOvDJh8MXrHmcey-Uj675U8HPbGFoSfxZEM9eWt40Hq3XKMiqKXb6CrERZFgKHQDXemzXfE/s320/IMAG1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The blanket is as wide as I could fit on my needles - 59 stitches in all. Ideally I'd like to have had longer needles like the ones you can buy from <a href="http://racheljohn.co.uk/">Rachel John</a>, but these ones by Inox are the only ones I had. I think when it is knitted up it will make a good throw size blanket for either the end of a bed or a sofa. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm thinking of making matching cushion covers if I have any yarn left by the end of this. We are moving house soon and I'm hoping this lovely blanket will look great in my new bedroom across the bottom of our bed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll post up pics once I've finished!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial;"><b>Debs</b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-21988525502449921062011-05-02T20:48:00.002+01:002012-01-27T22:29:37.333+00:00Knitting Pattern: Seed Stitch Fingerless Gloves<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been lovely and sunny here in Wales - so warm that I've been struggling to find the motivation to knit! With the changeable British weather,</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> these great little gloves are so light </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and easy to put in your pocket. Also see the <a href="http://debs102.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-knitting-pattern-seed-stitch-hat.html" target="_blank">matching hat pattern</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knitted from moss or seed stitch, they are an easy knit. Made flat on straight needles, they are then stitched together to fit your hands:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn6WnSfHKICOO0LmgIy7gtZQDqu75XzPMqppthgedChtInat5OPpsylEqZatVwgJ9s4yYCa7LddoF9wCMy2TWDIyz8fPL7ReTGNJbb0APUJDR6n0yhWa3zAg68xeZXYDBuUaJlyq5KRU/s1600/etsy+august+2010+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn6WnSfHKICOO0LmgIy7gtZQDqu75XzPMqppthgedChtInat5OPpsylEqZatVwgJ9s4yYCa7LddoF9wCMy2TWDIyz8fPL7ReTGNJbb0APUJDR6n0yhWa3zAg68xeZXYDBuUaJlyq5KRU/s400/etsy+august+2010+047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>You will need:</b></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your choice of yarn and needles - I've used Patons Smoothie yarn on 4.5mm needles to fit my small adult hands</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Large needle / Bodkin to sew up seams</span></li>
</ul><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Double Rib pattern:</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">k2, p2 until end of row, repeat for all rows</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seed / Moss stitch:</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Odd Rows: k1, p1 to end of row</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even Rows: p1, k1 to end of row</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Pattern:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you need larger gloves increase in multiples of <b>4</b>, likewise, if you want smaller gloves or are using larger needles, decrease in multiples of <b>4</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Cast on 28 stitches leaving a long tail</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Start double knit pattern and continue for 1" (3cm), finishing on Wrong Side (WS)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Switch to Seed / Moss stitch pattern until piece is desired length - on my short gloves I worked the pattern for 3" (8cm) but you can make them longer if you like.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Switch back to double rib as above for 1"</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Cast off in rib stitch (not too tightly!) leaving a long tail</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finishing:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6.Sew seam into a tube with Right Side (RS) together using the long tails from your cast on and cast off, leaving a 1" hole below the top piece of ribbing for your thumb to poke through. Turn the right way out and you are finished!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope this is simple and straightforward for you to knit and make up - let me know your feedback!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqpW52ROASrxE7rrtyCrhUInq54OzWQEeHcIv9YP47cv50M_MsBK-JnKm78MRgNjFDzzMqHqB_l52URTQ0rK91rAh9uWVgx-VPdsJL8wSQstSCQ-MGMM4ogUH3BJW66n76EvCoXiDUZA/s1600/Etsy+Pics+June+10+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqpW52ROASrxE7rrtyCrhUInq54OzWQEeHcIv9YP47cv50M_MsBK-JnKm78MRgNjFDzzMqHqB_l52URTQ0rK91rAh9uWVgx-VPdsJL8wSQstSCQ-MGMM4ogUH3BJW66n76EvCoXiDUZA/s400/Etsy+Pics+June+10+074.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Debs</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONG4Q3tNx60frGe4xihKh2y0RjAQA3h_9_s1RksDaccY9REtYO6DpCGEujkaB8tzRafkzkMefJ8qaVqvklgzx2Sk0-AtkZkCpWt4wZHO8hgG4KPa-xSQPxqbKoKlMEc9UTPGx52Tj13k/s1600/Cardiff+South+West.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-25488029495919005012011-04-19T17:43:00.000+01:002011-04-19T17:43:54.889+01:00Blogging Woes...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My blog is pretty reliant on photos as you can see from my past posts. It doesn't quite work otherwise.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Imagine my horror when blogger decided not to post my pictures! Bah! Despite lots of trying I just can't post any gorgeous pictures. It seems it's a common and known problem the techy's are trying to fix... but it is frustrating...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can view some of my gorgeous photos in the mean time on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/debs102">Flickr page</a>, and of course on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/debs-harding">Ravelry page</a> with all my fab patterns.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hopefully full blog service will be resumed soon - I want to show you the glorious sunshine we are having here, and I've got a fab pattern I want to share with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><b style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</b><br />
<b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</span></b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-7493926998502839382011-03-30T19:29:00.002+01:002012-01-14T12:25:07.619+00:00Knitting Pattern: Ribbed Slouch Hat<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is a cool pattern I love to knit - it's really simple slouchy hat, but looks good on guys or gals, can be adapted for any yarn type, gauge or size. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgq5XhvDArKRCI_44AoMJvCoCMLZ-KdfvCq0F1nzkL4gSw3KeG4IbkPKF5atxa10Ucfr5vQsdGFrI7y2vCGQ5CQsUdurQHAH8XfsKEgoZ1HgNJPz2AaeS0AcFsuPsq3FmmMdfPxa8Q0M/s1600/Etsy+Pics+June+10+121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgq5XhvDArKRCI_44AoMJvCoCMLZ-KdfvCq0F1nzkL4gSw3KeG4IbkPKF5atxa10Ucfr5vQsdGFrI7y2vCGQ5CQsUdurQHAH8XfsKEgoZ1HgNJPz2AaeS0AcFsuPsq3FmmMdfPxa8Q0M/s400/Etsy+Pics+June+10+121.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You need to be able to:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knit in the round (I'm using circular / magic loop needles, but you can do this on double pointed needles)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knit (k)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purl (p) </span></li>
</ul><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will need: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Circular knitting needle - 60cm / 14" approx - I'm using 4mm needles OR double pointed needles if you prefer </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Large eye needle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scissors</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4-P5LLDHd7ffk_AwxkvOCW25U8vMJ_IyKR0ugshTv_pWHQpGX0Fv3Ro844KzP6NuiKu9ZFN9h6sFeVi-KqYxNaj4usd2yDTNQ3c0tEVVjtCqgoTdm_t3fbSRagqCfYZueXxJz8ObJxE/s1600/Etsy+Pics+June+10+117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4-P5LLDHd7ffk_AwxkvOCW25U8vMJ_IyKR0ugshTv_pWHQpGX0Fv3Ro844KzP6NuiKu9ZFN9h6sFeVi-KqYxNaj4usd2yDTNQ3c0tEVVjtCqgoTdm_t3fbSRagqCfYZueXxJz8ObJxE/s400/Etsy+Pics+June+10+117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yarn:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've used Double Knit (DK) yarn in a light grey, using 4mm needles. You can adapt this pattern for any needle size - for chunky yarn you cast on less stitches, for finer yarn you cast on more.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have a 23" circumference head and this pattern fits me well.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pattern:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cast on 88 stitches (increase or decrease in multiples of 4)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Place a stitch marker, and knit your first stitch into the other end of the row of stitches so you form a circle - be careful not to twist the cast on stitches!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Repeat the following pattern for 1 round: k2, p2; you will end on a purl stitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Round 2 onwards: repeat the same k2, p2 pattern for each round to the desired length. I like my hat slouchy, so I made it 10 inches long.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Decrease: </i>When the hat is long enough, decrease by knit 2 stitches together (k2tog), purl 2 stitches together (p2tog); continue to the end of the round, ending on p2tog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next row: k1, p1 to end of round, end on p1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Finish:</i> cut a long tail, then thread the end onto a large needle. Thread the needle though the loops of the stitches on the needle. Remove needle and pull the loose thread to close the whole until the stitches are gathered into a tight circle, then sew in loose end securely.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Want to make the hat bigger or smaller? You add or subtract the number of stitches you cast on in multiples of <b>4</b> (so I could cast on 92 or 96 if I wanted it a bit bigger)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHoHrxxqhYqbKNsPAc7qoH6XoRWzqskg9bJHl1hUA11-YZjaHoHVgLrp56ZiHmTO75UBAQzKalVwAoRtTWyIpKxdZlqjiNlgK79HEjrCxnEuJP588myf25n8maybcFsK_9hIc1123Hmw/s1600/etsy+august+2010+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHoHrxxqhYqbKNsPAc7qoH6XoRWzqskg9bJHl1hUA11-YZjaHoHVgLrp56ZiHmTO75UBAQzKalVwAoRtTWyIpKxdZlqjiNlgK79HEjrCxnEuJP588myf25n8maybcFsK_9hIc1123Hmw/s400/etsy+august+2010+020.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtx7WNSYwmnsKrzUzy-GnK733iTCyqNF0B23sMDrJi8XyyXLKP5tzuJ1WqyRzs-e7ugud1eFpugK7hm_ksnDiC_ZheiVu2qCxEEeqP9deQcI5oaYzqvxZQVNs16ANsgl8-pXBO_cWhSW0/s1600/Cream+slouch+hat+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtx7WNSYwmnsKrzUzy-GnK733iTCyqNF0B23sMDrJi8XyyXLKP5tzuJ1WqyRzs-e7ugud1eFpugK7hm_ksnDiC_ZheiVu2qCxEEeqP9deQcI5oaYzqvxZQVNs16ANsgl8-pXBO_cWhSW0/s320/Cream+slouch+hat+006.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy! Let me know how it goes if you try it. You can see my other free patterns on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/debs-harding">Ravelry</a> too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b><br />
</span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-13405737085131297042011-03-20T16:28:00.001+00:002011-03-21T08:20:51.866+00:00We have a winner - and a sad goodbye...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time has come to announce the winner of my giveaway - 59 entries in all; so pleased!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winner was picked using a random number generator at 2pm GMT this afternoon. So, the new owner of this gorgeous headband IS...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pegs from PeggyLikesStuff - entry number 5!</span></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitMSOZ1QLJVXUWp3gllGfX9bx1bcoyXleIFi9LWmC8zJrHKrhj77JIfEwHNXsaTlCLCY3aancD5sjtyVikDUt3fSILeOdJALMXn8z9lYZQlA16AuRFaM1MuHZFp1sbuzoqGHZgAtCiiw/s1600/blog+comp+result+march+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitMSOZ1QLJVXUWp3gllGfX9bx1bcoyXleIFi9LWmC8zJrHKrhj77JIfEwHNXsaTlCLCY3aancD5sjtyVikDUt3fSILeOdJALMXn8z9lYZQlA16AuRFaM1MuHZFp1sbuzoqGHZgAtCiiw/s200/blog+comp+result+march+2011.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, this giveaway result is tinged with sadness for me too. After looking at the figures, my full time job, poor health and generally dismal sales, I've come to the painful decision to close my <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really sad, as I enjoy doing it, but I can't afford the amount I'm loosing each month. It seems a common tale with craft sellers; a flooded market place, high cost of materials, the massive amount of time and effort it takes to promote yourself - it's a full time job in itself. I alas don't have the luxury of giving up my 9 - 5 job, and short of working every hour under the sun, making myself pretty ill and probably a bit crazy in the process, I'm calling it a day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's not to say I'm not carrying on crafting - I will be still beavering away. It's going to be a challenge to find homes for my constant making habit! In a way I'm quite looking forward to making things for myself again, but I'm still really sad...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WDFXG6sTjsl1pmBRmpE3P2JZzyzuPpQEzIbB_C-n_-QlZhEQa-ZniB4MrskemjAhmv7aEC07pC9foTDpj3p9tM-0RFgYY6k3jtw2-LEmWlxYNY9IxGctdF-s26lVAq9gZ19AIqF__jk/s1600/IMAG0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WDFXG6sTjsl1pmBRmpE3P2JZzyzuPpQEzIbB_C-n_-QlZhEQa-ZniB4MrskemjAhmv7aEC07pC9foTDpj3p9tM-0RFgYY6k3jtw2-LEmWlxYNY9IxGctdF-s26lVAq9gZ19AIqF__jk/s320/IMAG0963.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">store</a> I'm having a huge <b>closing down sale</b>, with items at rock bottom prices. I've got to shut shop before the end of the tax year (April 5th) so anything not sold will be taken down from the store in the first few days of April.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if you have liked what I've been producing -<u> this is your last chance to buy it!</u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to keep blogging - showing you my knitted works, posting knitting patterns and generally chatting about life here in Wales - and if you would like a custom order you can get in touch through my blog to arrange this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone for your support - it's been great to know my knitted creations have new homes across the world!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbgF3UrHBoAUfrEDMHXzpKLIB60983m-XIPmc36OZdAAyUSfAkndZG4WQmY-B5o7vlD33OQaP57WvJTRvbvrAWbk8TTZMiPkt_DNR7qOK7Bv9cAu8bDRg46FQRpaCl1cfgrwXm6pEVDs/s1600/Blog+Map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbgF3UrHBoAUfrEDMHXzpKLIB60983m-XIPmc36OZdAAyUSfAkndZG4WQmY-B5o7vlD33OQaP57WvJTRvbvrAWbk8TTZMiPkt_DNR7qOK7Bv9cAu8bDRg46FQRpaCl1cfgrwXm6pEVDs/s400/Blog+Map.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Debs </span></b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-30132188230887499212011-03-10T19:33:00.001+00:002011-03-11T17:21:40.674+00:00Blog Giveaway Time!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a new year in 2011 and I'm overdue to give away a cool, funky and totally unique knitted creation! I'm celebrating the weather warming up here in Wales, the start of the longer days, more day trips and more time to knit - my creative juices are flowing!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been really hard at it trying to create lots of new stock for the shop, launching lots of new styles, designs and colour palettes - so I thought I'd give you all a chance to win a <u>one of a kind</u> item not yet in store:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyZifDoCp98ziHCeGBCKdnZS0QJBnttz7EVZEvPEcdN9_wfgixJAhgo7JZyCYhvj-XHtAT9BSfqwyCPWfyDnnXFoNTXoBo2ZT97QNhmENga8hwMLP174OK76OmHfeaMnhFiZt9Osjgno/s1600/IMAG0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyZifDoCp98ziHCeGBCKdnZS0QJBnttz7EVZEvPEcdN9_wfgixJAhgo7JZyCYhvj-XHtAT9BSfqwyCPWfyDnnXFoNTXoBo2ZT97QNhmENga8hwMLP174OK76OmHfeaMnhFiZt9Osjgno/s400/IMAG0680.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXYY_JQXcYhruxasL3KiSFsc-6SPgT3Ce0hGlYZkGYAC-ZiYLVcLKJMY89EnC5ruPAT7PSGJWFyIpZI-IqSuvWk2dfVXfi73rIfrUAGtOuIoduRHNZceBdWG9Y6gfZPRyTEtIzZXcRXo/s1600/IMAG0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig892ifPVlsj0xzIz2FCFdImPtwZUEXhoW0CdS-WPdGdeiY-2cvy_HfCDcBXAl2EQfGlBNByaHe-4MzIHrAayPvvOIAyTJyCaHH2LRMSzE8iZNgJLJGY_EGk4HXGcGLCSHYQPlr_HJ548/s1600/IMAG0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig892ifPVlsj0xzIz2FCFdImPtwZUEXhoW0CdS-WPdGdeiY-2cvy_HfCDcBXAl2EQfGlBNByaHe-4MzIHrAayPvvOIAyTJyCaHH2LRMSzE8iZNgJLJGY_EGk4HXGcGLCSHYQPlr_HJ548/s400/IMAG0675.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can get your hands on a gorgeous teal 100% wool spiral knit headband - this headband is knitted in the round so no seams, and the ribbing holds it in place. This one of a kind piece is so versatile you can wear it all tie time - you won't want to take it off!</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This giveaway is open <b>worldwide</b> so everyone can enter - it is really simple, no games or catches - a very straightforward giveaway!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">You get automatic entry into the competition if you:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">a. Leave me a comment under this blog entry saying what you would buy from my <a href="http://debs102.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a> if you had a blank cheque…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">b. You get another entry if you have left a message <span style="color: #dfbf18; font-weight: bold;">and</span> follow my blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">c. You get another entry for following me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/handmade.found"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Facebook</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">d. You will get another entry if you follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/debs_102">Twitter</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">e. Lastly if you tweet or post on your own blog a link back to this blog competition you get another entry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">So maximum of <span style="color: #dfbf18; font-weight: bold;">5</span> chances to win… - how cool is that!? Leave <b>1</b> comment per entry please!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Please make sure when you leave your comment on this blog post that you say where I can contact you (Email address, Etsy username, Twitter handle, Facebook page etc)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Winner will be picked at random on <b style="color: #f1c232;">Sunday 20th March 2011</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and the winner announced on this blog!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Pob Lwc!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">(Good Luck!)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</span></b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-48915063419565495282011-03-01T19:46:00.000+00:002011-03-01T19:46:53.425+00:00Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...Happy St. Davids Day! Last year when I tried to educate the masses on Wales National Day last year I encountered bewilderment and bemusement. So this time around I'm going to provide a crash course in some essentials you will need to get to grips with this magnificent of national days.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6BoAjNwtEDLvpFGrS9xvhsK1SDlFct_rkPI-BtNRERbw5D8sE_8FpCzGgDlqTl3ZhsyTbSAq0WSIOKYgsf8hg1PWuKwrpEVzdwva3sRuxt_qpgZbczjwH0PaQgT-NHgkaIS9noDJDg4/s1600/st+davids+welsh+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6BoAjNwtEDLvpFGrS9xvhsK1SDlFct_rkPI-BtNRERbw5D8sE_8FpCzGgDlqTl3ZhsyTbSAq0WSIOKYgsf8hg1PWuKwrpEVzdwva3sRuxt_qpgZbczjwH0PaQgT-NHgkaIS9noDJDg4/s1600/st+davids+welsh+flag.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most people will know St Patrick's Day in Ireland (and have probably enjoyed a few pints to celebrate) - St David is the patron saint for Wales where St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and St Andrew for Scotland. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">St Davids day is always on 1st March every year. It's not a public holiday (yet...) but celebrations take place across the country in schools, city centres and communities - and venues across the world - i</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">n 2003 the Empire State Building was lit up in the national colours of Wales (Red, White and Green) in celebration of the day!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo29Z0WW1nZ7w-So6zIO6Or0Ybtksg7yyzC8rF5m10JChACZ_MJTNhGkRPrO6E90lovp1vsGOyyogt4udkDSlrtisX1ULtfWfp6m21gaqdyMoFF7xaT5A7vuPm507SbGBE6LGyu2qYULk/s1600/Welsh+Empire+State+Building+2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo29Z0WW1nZ7w-So6zIO6Or0Ybtksg7yyzC8rF5m10JChACZ_MJTNhGkRPrO6E90lovp1vsGOyyogt4udkDSlrtisX1ULtfWfp6m21gaqdyMoFF7xaT5A7vuPm507SbGBE6LGyu2qYULk/s1600/Welsh+Empire+State+Building+2003.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Children in Wales take part in school concerts or "eisteddfodau", with recitation and singing being the main activities. There is usually a bake-off for mums and grannies to see who can make the best Welsh Cakes (also known as griddle scones, they are flat cakes with dried fruit inside) or Bara Brith (a traditional fruit cake)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2m4A7nkUUftWaEwC_Tp7TIYI82FOAQPBaDLsnTqujlJa2UuPafYFCpX2L_e8i7aLCSS6WpUlnOGXOn__x2QafckJpG3WU-YRaHYXTXD27cW1auns2zk-aktZgfZzyW1lMzieUYH1iX4s/s1600/Bara_Brith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2m4A7nkUUftWaEwC_Tp7TIYI82FOAQPBaDLsnTqujlJa2UuPafYFCpX2L_e8i7aLCSS6WpUlnOGXOn__x2QafckJpG3WU-YRaHYXTXD27cW1auns2zk-aktZgfZzyW1lMzieUYH1iX4s/s1600/Bara_Brith.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Traditional dress is often worn by girls - this consists of a woollen skirt, white blouse, woollen shawl and a Welsh hat (a stove pipe style tall hat / bonnet) - I remember dressing up in this when I was in primary school!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5gD9MUQ5ZS54Onik60K9Evnw43K0zhXssgA8_8KetjVp3xp5w3zuzYPq-mP4qR6mg2fbad52cfpGzWWMrjum5MLI-2Qd7lYceMRiO1nsxMoUkr6s-OwoqUF7dwFpZ6pCvbrEQV_cRgg/s1600/Welsh+National+Costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5gD9MUQ5ZS54Onik60K9Evnw43K0zhXssgA8_8KetjVp3xp5w3zuzYPq-mP4qR6mg2fbad52cfpGzWWMrjum5MLI-2Qd7lYceMRiO1nsxMoUkr6s-OwoqUF7dwFpZ6pCvbrEQV_cRgg/s1600/Welsh+National+Costume.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To get you in the mood, I will share with you a recipe to bake your own Welsh Cakes:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopRikVUiZ2hZGWXRB6qNDXD2cVVFf8CrlQIjattKDVQWbGjCaspAlkhhAJTFIO7oi8awld_ID6YXEzKo8lM2b1rGogxMy6gMPdMrMaYtDEwTyYQrfuJugNQIiP3QoAPB9phTIIOSd9ow/s1600/welsh+cakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopRikVUiZ2hZGWXRB6qNDXD2cVVFf8CrlQIjattKDVQWbGjCaspAlkhhAJTFIO7oi8awld_ID6YXEzKo8lM2b1rGogxMy6gMPdMrMaYtDEwTyYQrfuJugNQIiP3QoAPB9phTIIOSd9ow/s320/welsh+cakes.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will need:</div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li> 225g plain flour </li>
<li> 85g caster sugar </li>
<li> ½ tsp mixed spice </li>
<li> ½ tsp baking powder </li>
<li> 100g butter cut into small pieces plus extra for frying</li>
<li> 50g currants </li>
<li> 1 beaten egg </li>
<li> Splash milk<span> </span></li>
<li><span>Rolling Pin</span></li>
<li><span>Small size cutter (6cm / 3")</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <br />
Recipe:</span><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><span>Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. </span></li>
<li><span>With your fingers, rub in the butter until crumbly. </span></li>
<li><span>Mix in the currants. </span></li>
<li><span>Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry - it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry. </span> </li>
<li> <span> Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. </span></li>
<li><span>Cut out rounds using a small cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. </span></li>
<li><span>Grease a flat griddle pan or heavy frying pan with butter, and place over a medium heat. </span></li>
<li><span>Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. </span></li>
</ul><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These will keep in an airtight tin for up to 1 week - if you think they will last that long!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So have a very happy St Davids Day one and all - and give the Welsh Cakes a go - they are very tasty!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-18204886983013823472011-02-23T20:41:00.000+00:002011-02-23T20:41:22.007+00:00Fancy a brew...?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love a good cup of tea. It's more than that really - we have about </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">30 different kinds of tea in a special tea cupboard in the house; from black tea blends right through to fruit teas. I'm hooked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are 3 of my fave tea brands: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ajA6s-oyY27AuNvKzPibEqsN4QqRuTghbij81j48Kv1HCpEy5XN6H4kYUu6_OqsiMiG4yINQrzMj15QUZ9Q4RSw86hiYou2rfRGexDd27M9G4X00kuEHzbUDnqyl5UNd3eyljQYbNc/s1600/teapigs+chamomile+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ajA6s-oyY27AuNvKzPibEqsN4QqRuTghbij81j48Kv1HCpEy5XN6H4kYUu6_OqsiMiG4yINQrzMj15QUZ9Q4RSw86hiYou2rfRGexDd27M9G4X00kuEHzbUDnqyl5UNd3eyljQYbNc/s200/teapigs+chamomile+flower.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teapigs:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Their Tea comes in some great bagged </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Temples (a great name for their pyramid shaped tea bags) </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and loose varieties such as jasmine, chocolate flake and oolong </span>- <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">yummy! The chamomile is probably the best ever thing for relaxing before going to bed</span>!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOutFuR1GhpvUxXG4dapp-YEz959HggWLsBTBcmtuG6SWIVtRyreHmwi17PkrOzymkL0EgNe5vx1W8qzfKiRDi6EE0HCOpcP6n9oKRMlzKcm9bOA-yuivFxaLLB6iPiw8ZRZ9fhlR7yo/s1600/paned+gymreig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOutFuR1GhpvUxXG4dapp-YEz959HggWLsBTBcmtuG6SWIVtRyreHmwi17PkrOzymkL0EgNe5vx1W8qzfKiRDi6EE0HCOpcP6n9oKRMlzKcm9bOA-yuivFxaLLB6iPiw8ZRZ9fhlR7yo/s1600/paned+gymreig.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Paned Gymreig </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of all the standard black tea bags out on the market at the moment to have at home or in the office, Welsh Brew is by far my favourite. Tea is a lot about the kind of water you have; soft or hard. The water here in Cardiff is soft (not so many minerals dissolved in it) so the tea is really good - if you have hard water buy a brand of tea specifically for hard water areas for the best cup of tea. For most people this tea will put a smile on your face from winter through to the height of summer</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTFPr0yDa1ZlUx-jYZpuHd0reQ7lFgbIqCl39lMzQ4RKNYGt1vMX7rbetO_1L_3RFGWzaJUu2OVmob6rIOaG3br1beTGLybGEaIXn46ZCKrEw0FLdNULf4ZsT6p3FfJfbiKzA9gZ5CSU/s1600/norfolk+lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTFPr0yDa1ZlUx-jYZpuHd0reQ7lFgbIqCl39lMzQ4RKNYGt1vMX7rbetO_1L_3RFGWzaJUu2OVmob6rIOaG3br1beTGLybGEaIXn46ZCKrEw0FLdNULf4ZsT6p3FfJfbiKzA9gZ5CSU/s200/norfolk+lavender.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Norfolk Lavender Blend Tea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was skeptical at first - lavender blend tea...? But I was pleasantly surprised - this Norfolk blend tea is based on Earl Grey, but has added oils and lavender blossoms. IT is a creamy and relaxing tea, which is said to help alleviate headaches. It's very tasty with a drop of milk too!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And how does one go about drinking such teas I hear you ask? In a teapot. Resist the urge to put the teabag in the mug - you really do need a tea pot to get the best cup of tea. This is my new teapot I had for Christmas - it's very cool!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTG0QZyiJ19nmDiOaT0kpUh7qhhUlr-xgFmere52kvAXbnB4wTVFtLokHvJXN4k-vjCkqDRk_zGxzMHUU99h-J_dVJZ8gVDY6oHInbjGmgyV3I4TdUjeQgPp3hia8Ma_5hpGuN9RKpWQ/s1600/tea+pot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTG0QZyiJ19nmDiOaT0kpUh7qhhUlr-xgFmere52kvAXbnB4wTVFtLokHvJXN4k-vjCkqDRk_zGxzMHUU99h-J_dVJZ8gVDY6oHInbjGmgyV3I4TdUjeQgPp3hia8Ma_5hpGuN9RKpWQ/s320/tea+pot.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Follow these instructions to get a great pot of tea:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Boil water in the kettle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Pour a little of the boiling water in the pot, swirl and pour out. This warms the pot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Pour the water into the pot, then add your teabag. Generally it's 1 per person (plus one for the pot if you like it a bit stronger) or 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Leave to infuse and brew for 3 - 4 minutes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Whilst this is happening, add your milk and sugar if desired into the cups</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. Check the tea has brewed to your liking (leave for longer for strong tea)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Pour into cups (if using loose leaf tea then you will need a tea strainer to catch the leaves)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As to the debate of whether the milk goes in before or after the tea goes in the cup I leave that one up to others to debate - and for you to choose!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One thing is for sure - you will need a tea cosy. No one wants cold tea by the second cup, so you need to keep it warm. You can go for a "tent" cosy which covers the entire pot, or a fitted cosy which acts like a woolly jumper for your cosy. These are my fave as you can pour the tea whilst the cosy keeps on warming your tea. These are some of my favourite cosies from in <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">store</a>:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGF-EPL_WhHyp0si3C0od_wHcA600St_qWX8jn_2hddv5CjwHQSX4D5PbSpJ6JGSfVcTRAgu1FKagRv9CvRB1hOHjQxNPDmd_mFHy9k4iu_q38BOUX3SVX-K_adXJSstMoewQKsSRCFE/s1600/Tea+cosies+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmViuFh4HfwLTkoI1nwIIfDkVF6UewLRjG0JsViCHjH9LVbbamlsNYp72NGAk38j2Lw-LtpvZdxO0L0_g1kRdVUM4lhOdNK8hD1Q2k9J6C7HdbUSHkSJUihZKi46fvvdhZKuYTyxL2OK8/s1600/Tea+cosies+2010+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmViuFh4HfwLTkoI1nwIIfDkVF6UewLRjG0JsViCHjH9LVbbamlsNYp72NGAk38j2Lw-LtpvZdxO0L0_g1kRdVUM4lhOdNK8hD1Q2k9J6C7HdbUSHkSJUihZKi46fvvdhZKuYTyxL2OK8/s320/Tea+cosies+2010+029.jpg" width="297" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9IrPMgoliu9CVSdBJlqA0DedGcHVheWVCkd5HpXX8KTz9knyrjHd9OxWhzEmTeXO2Ztepa9PII4i-ohkgBsgCt8jr38meLiQhJuu0NJ-W0PGCIiXx1Vo_Ys15mfZ5dSQ8ZGZnmhlxLg/s1600/Tea+cosies+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9IrPMgoliu9CVSdBJlqA0DedGcHVheWVCkd5HpXX8KTz9knyrjHd9OxWhzEmTeXO2Ztepa9PII4i-ohkgBsgCt8jr38meLiQhJuu0NJ-W0PGCIiXx1Vo_Ys15mfZ5dSQ8ZGZnmhlxLg/s320/Tea+cosies+2010+011.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGF-EPL_WhHyp0si3C0od_wHcA600St_qWX8jn_2hddv5CjwHQSX4D5PbSpJ6JGSfVcTRAgu1FKagRv9CvRB1hOHjQxNPDmd_mFHy9k4iu_q38BOUX3SVX-K_adXJSstMoewQKsSRCFE/s1600/Tea+cosies+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGF-EPL_WhHyp0si3C0od_wHcA600St_qWX8jn_2hddv5CjwHQSX4D5PbSpJ6JGSfVcTRAgu1FKagRv9CvRB1hOHjQxNPDmd_mFHy9k4iu_q38BOUX3SVX-K_adXJSstMoewQKsSRCFE/s320/Tea+cosies+2010+006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These cosies are easily hand washed in case of accidents, and stretch to fit most sized pots. So the message is: Go loud and proud, or sophisticated and sleek - but do make lots of good tea and enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<b style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-32392234567232516202011-02-16T19:57:00.000+00:002011-02-16T19:57:44.220+00:00Knitting Pattern - The Quest for Cake Treats!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love cake - alas I have a gluten and wheat intolerance, but I do LOVE cake</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">when I can have it. One thing I haven't mastered making gluten free is doughnuts - I haven't eaten a doughnut for about 5 years now, and I won't be able to eat a proper scrumptious doughnut ever again...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This made me feel quite depressed - and want it even more! So to combat these cravings I decided to knit myself some forever doughnuts to cheer me up when I get the craving to eat one:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKRmnuO750zlDfubGIY9qQB3jt62X78pKGT8ZjDI43OI-PqvXlWm8-kqbnIQHYIiVu3pmpVx0jdhQDDJY2Gtgrbv2SOyq5iXzh8UFLMUs-LWefnZdV0lDii3HvwAtEkwyt7ApyTdVAkA/s1600/IMAG0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKRmnuO750zlDfubGIY9qQB3jt62X78pKGT8ZjDI43OI-PqvXlWm8-kqbnIQHYIiVu3pmpVx0jdhQDDJY2Gtgrbv2SOyq5iXzh8UFLMUs-LWefnZdV0lDii3HvwAtEkwyt7ApyTdVAkA/s400/IMAG0749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This time I went for delicious pink and purple icing, and added my own bead sprinkles. I'm feeling generous so I will share my recipe to knit these lovelies with you - and they are REALLY easy!</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will need:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 x pair of 4mm needles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 x large eye needle </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Small amount of beige / light brown DK yarn (under 25g)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Small amount of yarn for frosting (I've gone for pinks / purples but it's your doughnut!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Small amount of stuffing (or scrap fabric / yarn to stuff the doughnut with) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pattern:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Doughnut </u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CO 20 stitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Row 1: knit all stitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Row 2: purl all stitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Continue in stocking stitch for 8 inches ending on a purl row</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cast off knit wise leaving a long tail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stitch up the short edges to form a ring shape </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using the long tail, stitch up the long side into a doughnut shape leaving a 2" gap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stuff the doughnut with the stuffing, then sew up the gap</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Icing</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CO 8 stitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knit all rows until it measures 8 inches and cast off</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stitch short edges together to form a ring </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stitch icing to top of doughnut covering seam where the stuffing gap was stitched up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Add embellishments as desired!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A perfect way to use up left over yarn from other projects too. They make great little gifts, pin cushions or display items.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-33217333226830860472011-02-08T20:14:00.000+00:002011-02-08T20:14:18.211+00:00Bow peep: A Celebration of Bows!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love Bows - they </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cheer me up even on the most rubbish day. They come in all kinds of fabrics, colours and sizes. I thought I'd share a Rain Bow of different styles in a rainbow of colours in this special Etsy treasury:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=1&l=4d519d7b01a28eef0acaae3e&r=6395&t=s&m=0&u=7676017&">
</script><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been playing with the idea of making something with bows, but I couldn't think of how to go about it. For Christmas I knitted my office some different accessories as presents. One girl in the office is very trendy and forward thinking - she is always wearing something unique and cool. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was whilst thinking of what I could make her I stumbled across the idea of making a headband with a knitted bow. I had some gorgeous cream wool yarn left over from another project - so used this to make the headband. It looked great and went down well with all the office. So since then I've pulled it together into the <b>Beau Bow</b>!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi3Zv1Sj5FoUND8IVBnPsxRTjjLchVgk6LNySemvBtPPmdHhp-8RnvE0vy8LR1Oh9kib7ccLRWYdbHTdO1Ukqr0Ec-QKdUSxaodKuxn_Y3eUcH3BX9sl7YbQmY59Ajkw3sVuo-BZOG2w/s1600/IMAG0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi3Zv1Sj5FoUND8IVBnPsxRTjjLchVgk6LNySemvBtPPmdHhp-8RnvE0vy8LR1Oh9kib7ccLRWYdbHTdO1Ukqr0Ec-QKdUSxaodKuxn_Y3eUcH3BX9sl7YbQmY59Ajkw3sVuo-BZOG2w/s320/IMAG0576.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCds7EJkpaNMO_cdPc8wPhYvLz-3DlEfl3ugP9KN8MeYv2R5JDCa2vjfIBCY65Ju2JNMUn2p7LHXnr2Of8udgtAlf2N5yRH-X02ngfEPnAQrErqDptQrYVnnhfH9u4z_OzQSQABlh35Jg/s1600/IMAG0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCds7EJkpaNMO_cdPc8wPhYvLz-3DlEfl3ugP9KN8MeYv2R5JDCa2vjfIBCY65Ju2JNMUn2p7LHXnr2Of8udgtAlf2N5yRH-X02ngfEPnAQrErqDptQrYVnnhfH9u4z_OzQSQABlh35Jg/s320/IMAG0579.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love the way the bow is textured and contrasts against the straight lines of the band. I launched this range in store this week, and have already sold out!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Couldn't believe it when one lovely customer in Illinois bought all 4 of my ready to ship bows in one go - fabulous!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So check out the Beau Bows in <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">store</a> - I'm adding more ready to ship stock as fast as I can knit it!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs </span></b></div>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-32432272182094033912011-02-01T20:54:00.000+00:002011-02-01T20:54:00.811+00:00Love is in the air - getting in the mood for love!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's February and the high street is turning pink and red full of fluffy hearts, tacky cards and not-so-sexy undies with the return of St Valentines Day</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> flourished. </span>Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Leigh_Eric_Schmidt_1993_pp._209.E2.80.93245_3-0" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day#cite_note-Leigh_Eric_Schmidt_1993_pp._209.E2.80.93245-3"></a></sup><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But why should this lovely day of love and affection for the one you love be just an overpriced card bought the day before, unwanted jewellery or some half dead flowers from the petrol station up the road - <b>No!!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I really believe handmade is the way forward - even if you can't make it yourself, putting some serious time, effort and thought into some small token of your love shows you care. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take a look at some of these great ideas to show your love in the classiest, cutest and unique ways - and earn major brownie points for the year ahead!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AfSKOJQ3aKO7i_eQqZFPmrl-Pg_97XQWkmVjyZccJjRQvXJKZLbxCXptmZf7rBpOHgyx6G2RpF6RDkK3wuor5s4GzRJRGRCA_UcFDnoiqYMxC9D3NRfCpu7XTRZGg7phhw_lGVxpgno/s1600/heart+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AfSKOJQ3aKO7i_eQqZFPmrl-Pg_97XQWkmVjyZccJjRQvXJKZLbxCXptmZf7rBpOHgyx6G2RpF6RDkK3wuor5s4GzRJRGRCA_UcFDnoiqYMxC9D3NRfCpu7XTRZGg7phhw_lGVxpgno/s200/heart+necklace.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vintage can be a great way of getting a unique find for those without the creative spark to make something themselves. Searching may take time, but it is very much worth it to find a piece with character and a story behind it. This gorgeous pendant from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67206710/vintage-silvertoned-open-heart-pendant?ref=sr_list_5&ga_search_query=valentines&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3">CharleysRoses</a> is fab - vintage but timeless!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHUVTCaH00HqtWgh-iKz6L-mGDlmWRX_GJoxJA2zL1f0qGCyZu3_E6vzHczAoXE_pGunlc0MbcNjcpQAC6YWjgnK2P9XDjSXVGq5peSPylEOZRGFRy3GoZ8rjAFxwXTRfHVfL7F8na9o/s1600/love+more+than+cheese+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHUVTCaH00HqtWgh-iKz6L-mGDlmWRX_GJoxJA2zL1f0qGCyZu3_E6vzHczAoXE_pGunlc0MbcNjcpQAC6YWjgnK2P9XDjSXVGq5peSPylEOZRGFRy3GoZ8rjAFxwXTRfHVfL7F8na9o/s200/love+more+than+cheese+card.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A unique card you can keep is something I love - and this super cool card is definitely that - this cleve</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">r card by </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62018816/i-love-you-more-than-cheese-valentine?ref=sr_list_2&ga_search_query=more%2Bthan%2Bcheese&ga_search_type=handmade">bjoytomac</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">would adorn my office notice board for years to come! (I love cheese a LOT, so I'm not sure I could give my hubby THIS card...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfGClN7mATfxS6EPCiPupUa8vEKKCqP03bqaQM9cawWxiYb6_2XBqsvY5a8ufmARepkil2OMpmNGXmp7680Df1cToyTvPixPXIfHvfMtv1JmfRbpbWwR5g9CXr7ftZp6bpcEW1C0WI-c/s1600/cutstom+bunny+teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfGClN7mATfxS6EPCiPupUa8vEKKCqP03bqaQM9cawWxiYb6_2XBqsvY5a8ufmARepkil2OMpmNGXmp7680Df1cToyTvPixPXIfHvfMtv1JmfRbpbWwR5g9CXr7ftZp6bpcEW1C0WI-c/s200/cutstom+bunny+teddy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And for those who, like me, have 100s of teddies bought by well intentioned friends and loved ones - why not get your other half to invest in a heirloom teddy? This gorgeous bunny by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63164020/custom-knitted-woolies-choose-your?ref=sr_list_13&ga_search_query=teddy%2Bbear&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_shopname=bjoytomac&ga_page=3">woolies</a> is hand made and will last from the first date though to old age! (and she does giraffes!!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My contribution to this array of handmade schmaltz is my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39196847/the-smitten-lovers-mitten">Smitten</a> - the lover's mitten. Picture the scene - you are walking out in the park, holding hands, enjoying a frosty morning - but it's getting cold - dilemma; do you stop holding hands, try and hold hands with regular mittens or stick your hand in his pocket...??</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRmqmWpN4FDQqsukvnmfNwT3b1DIfMsteMvMkmVfhqGzn1hgihTLwGjckitOkXvvrwszMkrZpexLn5CmxdVh24Dps8CpyP30hMBMD_CCG9xZj_SX3rtqKsvmVw2KfprwTz8ImUqWLGDE/s1600/IMAG0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRmqmWpN4FDQqsukvnmfNwT3b1DIfMsteMvMkmVfhqGzn1hgihTLwGjckitOkXvvrwszMkrZpexLn5CmxdVh24Dps8CpyP30hMBMD_CCG9xZj_SX3rtqKsvmVw2KfprwTz8ImUqWLGDE/s320/IMAG0359.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stop. Put your hands in the Smitten and problem solved! And as a bonus - it looks like a heart when flat!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So guys - I implore you - put some effort in this Valentines Day - if you can't make it yourself go to someone who can!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(and I hope NOT to see you picking flowers from the side of the road on the way to their house - you have been warned!!)</span></i><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-74833438646115455552011-01-21T14:54:00.003+00:002011-01-21T16:16:00.649+00:00A Guide to Super Funky, Bulky, Chunky Yarns - Tried & Tested<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm an impatient knitter - I like to see results quickly (It's all about the instant gratification...) - and for me the best way to achieve this is with using thick, heavyweight yarns from the Super Bulky / Chunky category.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been using a lot of different yarns from this category; here is a run down of some of the yarns in this weight:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rowan Big Wool</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltOAoQpLu03dp0lbRMLksLT8zZthLb8b0buAk5j21WIpOMg5sUjnp_1Kk3c2RZ0D4EGibxcL0ZDwLQjnPnf285UureMFe0t-tv30ZO7uPjIKrKWu90d89YfimP9PhKyKujNW1bYJWThE/s1600/Rowan+Big+wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltOAoQpLu03dp0lbRMLksLT8zZthLb8b0buAk5j21WIpOMg5sUjnp_1Kk3c2RZ0D4EGibxcL0ZDwLQjnPnf285UureMFe0t-tv30ZO7uPjIKrKWu90d89YfimP9PhKyKujNW1bYJWThE/s1600/Rowan+Big+wool.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is not a cheap yarn - 100g is usually priced at around £8 (approx $13), it is 100% Merino wool spun 3 ply. It suggests knitting on 15mm needles, but this leaves a very open knit - for closer knit work I'd recommend 10 or 12mm needles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points:</b> It comes in a great range of colours, and 100g is about enough to make a good sized cowl or hat so you don't need lots of balls for a small project </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> It's expensive, a little itchy to start with (it does soften out with use) and is not as super chunky as "Big Wool" suggests...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sirdar Bigga</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5oQPaOOgHqfl8TuRCcL7k-b8JM0JL4VW8x2_QjpW4f46k8wF1J4TWs-c8gFiFyPpCclE_h0RonmKXQRc0lttrLzXV6P2gURxHhRBIXHzeznJ9xlWHFhv_Qax739L-OcgFagGNYOj8J0/s1600/Sirdar+Bigga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5oQPaOOgHqfl8TuRCcL7k-b8JM0JL4VW8x2_QjpW4f46k8wF1J4TWs-c8gFiFyPpCclE_h0RonmKXQRc0lttrLzXV6P2gURxHhRBIXHzeznJ9xlWHFhv_Qax739L-OcgFagGNYOj8J0/s200/Sirdar+Bigga.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This yarn really is super chunky - knits up on 12 -15mm needles brilliantly, is much cheaper than Big Wool at around £3 (approx $5) for a 100g wool (though with less yardage) - made up of 50% wool and 50% acrylic.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points</b>: On the bulkier end of the spectrum, comes in a selection of earthy tones, wears well with the acrylic content</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> Getting harder to get hold of as Sirdar have discontinued a lot of colours (still available to buy on ebay in good quantities), </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sirdar Big Softie</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1ld_PxQmltCfI5pIk5seBdqQKFE7C6cXoGXRkPMhAbJYT-ffawdPI5q0HUc8w5EUVWMPuuar1dv7SL3sIU0FvpquTWkmF1izp2LRbchyphenhyphen5SQasvBcQKEne62SWE6IuW7OLWXs2AgVW8/s1600/Big+softie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1ld_PxQmltCfI5pIk5seBdqQKFE7C6cXoGXRkPMhAbJYT-ffawdPI5q0HUc8w5EUVWMPuuar1dv7SL3sIU0FvpquTWkmF1izp2LRbchyphenhyphen5SQasvBcQKEne62SWE6IuW7OLWXs2AgVW8/s200/Big+softie.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Available more widely, this acrylic blend is 51% wool and 49% acrylic, and softer than Bigga. It is spun single ply, so does stretch when knitting if knitted too tight. Knits up well on 10mm needles, and is a great low cost option for those on a budget at £2.50 (approx $4 ) a ball on average.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points:</b> Cheaper than most super bulky yarns, versatile, softer feel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> Limited colour options, sheds when knitting, acrylic content noticeable in finished product - fine for accessories, may make a very hot and sticky jumper...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debbie Bliss Como</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-SVgnjBe7nosu6sf7soxF6du7F5P00IzrhobeQQdxV8aM-QNeU0qJoNb5szFpL__89jFaULShA6CxWfHRFv0dVguqBAQthawZ-0L-9nXXI6uPjHJjV-DfWfkO8W-rHizD2OOVpQBDXo/s1600/Debbie+Bliss+Como.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-SVgnjBe7nosu6sf7soxF6du7F5P00IzrhobeQQdxV8aM-QNeU0qJoNb5szFpL__89jFaULShA6CxWfHRFv0dVguqBAQthawZ-0L-9nXXI6uPjHJjV-DfWfkO8W-rHizD2OOVpQBDXo/s200/Debbie+Bliss+Como.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been raving about this yarn for a while - it has the consistency of cotton wool, and is 90% wool, 10% cashmere. It is not cheap at around £6 (approx $10) for 50g, but knits up on 10mm needles beautifully. I have made a beret style hat out of 50g, 100g would do a thin scarf or a bigger hat and headband. Felts great too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points: </b>Feels gorgeous against the skin, comes in a wide range of colours, is widely available</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> in store and online</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, and easy to work with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downside:</b> It is really expensive! Look out for people clearing out their stash on ebay if you are on a budget, and is not hard wearing. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Wool</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiYH8SMF4nbOtLpKUuHCCOLXJT2uWDIOzHw_2tu4VFgtYvnijH01GyNl8MJNpvhrqN8UlkV8uh8N34M60wQJzePHgCc5Ttx15X61xzAMi78O-roe_T7tr9xe6cB8mJiSOBxHIQzYOBJM/s1600/Twilleys+freedom+wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiYH8SMF4nbOtLpKUuHCCOLXJT2uWDIOzHw_2tu4VFgtYvnijH01GyNl8MJNpvhrqN8UlkV8uh8N34M60wQJzePHgCc5Ttx15X61xzAMi78O-roe_T7tr9xe6cB8mJiSOBxHIQzYOBJM/s200/Twilleys+freedom+wool.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I found this one a little harder to get hold of in store, but is available on line. At £2.50 (approx $4) for 50g and 100% wool content, it felts well, knits up on 12mm - 15mm needles, and would be a cheaper alternative to Como.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points:</b> Felts well, good value, comes in a good range of colours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> Not that hard wearing (but nor is Como really!) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jiffy Thick & Quick Lion Brand Yarn</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfY8uUyHZuSLmr6U9k3fTrwK2cBOBUt9iMzpJtAD9Tg9abvdXSCUT4_4shelb9B0e4pwy6C9IVj1A0W9V_9DnkYycUtCpY7JM2nZqfrXdDLyoRoCh1B4KLv7Az-iq4Q9yLpiOFomGACo/s1600/Jiffy+Thick+and+Quick+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfY8uUyHZuSLmr6U9k3fTrwK2cBOBUt9iMzpJtAD9Tg9abvdXSCUT4_4shelb9B0e4pwy6C9IVj1A0W9V_9DnkYycUtCpY7JM2nZqfrXdDLyoRoCh1B4KLv7Az-iq4Q9yLpiOFomGACo/s200/Jiffy+Thick+and+Quick+yarn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This popular US brand is available widely in the US, but I have found a <a href="http://www.banyantreeyarns.com/index.asp">European supplier</a> too! Jiffy is a mohair type 100% acrylic yarn - a good vegan alternative to wool, and knits up on 12mm needles</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points:</b> Great choice for those who can't wear wool, harder wearing than some yarns tested</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> Only comes in 8 shades, all multi coloured - not much choice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wool Ease Thick & Quick Lion Brand Yarn</span></b></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8_4qUPjIr2JjJlCFEMZlN2KW9y5SfAz6GVgLnVKBiS6SlVGIymK_FLoR6EIJlmZ8sHR2ZVxDYvu7eAsXdKT7EoUbTj_O1FEpcbnmTmA0QWy18fBORbR6RG_FXKtKN4iuw2fLLoqTb0M/s1600/wool+ease+thick+and+quick+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8_4qUPjIr2JjJlCFEMZlN2KW9y5SfAz6GVgLnVKBiS6SlVGIymK_FLoR6EIJlmZ8sHR2ZVxDYvu7eAsXdKT7EoUbTj_O1FEpcbnmTmA0QWy18fBORbR6RG_FXKtKN4iuw2fLLoqTb0M/s200/wool+ease+thick+and+quick+yarn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This acrylic / wool blend of 80% wool and 20% acrylic is available in over 30 colours, and knits up on 9mm needles, so not as bulky as other yarns, but at £6.50 for 170g of yarn it is a good choice for larger projects. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Note: It seems more expensive in Europe than in America, where I can purchase from Lion at $7.80 (approx £4.80) a ball...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus Points:</b> Versatile, comes in a wide range of colours, larger balls so better value</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> I don't like paying more for the same yarn just because I live in the UK! </span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio30JmfeKRmDQkyygYM2GjJji4JAVGdQ0Ir2_tg-fRYThOXi-5vPFIVRrNsbA9ST81NxaVZ2vnQS2F5e6yU1uqads9Oa5Ve6OC7HTh70PrnWubAbImmxYFgQJV3J4Xsn-PGcfY8PCmZu8/s1600/Deborah+norville+serenity+chunky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio30JmfeKRmDQkyygYM2GjJji4JAVGdQ0Ir2_tg-fRYThOXi-5vPFIVRrNsbA9ST81NxaVZ2vnQS2F5e6yU1uqads9Oa5Ve6OC7HTh70PrnWubAbImmxYFgQJV3J4Xsn-PGcfY8PCmZu8/s200/Deborah+norville+serenity+chunky.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This 100% acrylic yarn is great for those who can't wear wool - it is soft and won't split when working with it - it is a 2 ply spun yarn. Retailing at around $4.50 in a good range of colours, but is difficult to get outside the US. Knits up on 8mm needles.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Plus points:</b> Great alternative to wool, knits up well, durable</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Downsides:</b> Hard to get here in UK - more expensive again to buy here at £6 a ball, not as bulky as some of the yarns reviewed</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are also lots of homespun bespoke yarns out there locally and online from artisans spinning and dyeing yarns which I've not covered here as they vary so much between suppliers - but I urge you to seek out your local spinners for special yarns!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are patterns available for all of these yarns - I am useless with patterns and tend to make up what I'm doing as I go along! A lot of the time you can substitute yarns from the list above (for example you can substitute Como for Big Wool to good effect on some projects)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLUdvj9o-TqNn_iZmObFBOmWF_zirTu63p_GjUH5vKhwpi1fZ-p0wylztjtNySfCRxl4W8fMpigf8e99SbniffFt0bjpg2vBJDA0uBPDBlXMyxl-14dOWTE1hn4GMyOJqncUez4YazTA/s1600/Rowan+Big+Wool+cowl+and+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLUdvj9o-TqNn_iZmObFBOmWF_zirTu63p_GjUH5vKhwpi1fZ-p0wylztjtNySfCRxl4W8fMpigf8e99SbniffFt0bjpg2vBJDA0uBPDBlXMyxl-14dOWTE1hn4GMyOJqncUez4YazTA/s200/Rowan+Big+Wool+cowl+and+hat.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Big Wool cowl & hat set using 200g wool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And as a final tip - for those of you on a tight budget, or have found your dream yarn but it's too thin - you can double or even triple the yarn up and work with it this way. It may take a tension square or two and a bit of trial and error to get it just right, but it's something I do a lot!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsGiDG9_a-VeE1hkAAtFDxHHtzK4ZbnyOkOkwtpsYPTuy9P7IzEqqrTBBPB3D_bHxIPCHrW5j0wmD3p3-RwhEKfqi8iloW5LvneKRx5zCUufMHPjnGS47sfaDbB9R4a9HPkxGlqJchAM/s1600/giant+knitted+scarf+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsGiDG9_a-VeE1hkAAtFDxHHtzK4ZbnyOkOkwtpsYPTuy9P7IzEqqrTBBPB3D_bHxIPCHrW5j0wmD3p3-RwhEKfqi8iloW5LvneKRx5zCUufMHPjnGS47sfaDbB9R4a9HPkxGlqJchAM/s320/giant+knitted+scarf+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Scarf - Sirdar Bigga doubled up for extreme knitting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*** 15% off in store finishes 12 midnight GMT on 31st January so <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/debs102">get shopping</a>! (NEWYEAR15) ***</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</span></b>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-62781293398349866142011-01-13T20:36:00.002+00:002011-01-14T19:03:40.650+00:00How to do tassles, and other recent projects.... (& UK Silly Sale)<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back after a</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">month of festivities and visiting family, I'm trying to catch up on all my work and creative exploits - it's been a great Christmas and new year. I've not been resting on my laurels though! (well....maybe a bit!)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnendMxsy2rbFTrmpjQihzQb6oo57p0v8-YJmMX26eUlknJ1Z22buk6C4Sf4tg-8iR0TO92YBWH3YX6qHQGqIiPkAy3ZGXz8RFTEc3sWtPMh6wMX3SMCqWguf5znCqvreykXu1dFYhiQw/s1600/IMAG0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnendMxsy2rbFTrmpjQihzQb6oo57p0v8-YJmMX26eUlknJ1Z22buk6C4Sf4tg-8iR0TO92YBWH3YX6qHQGqIiPkAy3ZGXz8RFTEc3sWtPMh6wMX3SMCqWguf5znCqvreykXu1dFYhiQw/s320/IMAG0099.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching Christmas PJ's for the girls this year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've mastered the cabled hat pattern that took 15 attempts last month, and got it right first time on my last go. I loved the way my cream one looked, so knitted one up in duck egg blue and navy, using Debbie Bliss Como. Highly recommended Merino wool yarn - it's like candy floss, knits up on 10mm needles and felts up amazingly! You can make a hat similar to mine with around 75g of yarn, with some left over for say a headband or some fingerless gloves.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NpedQfsUG9m1RhsMZDlr9VP84ACJAzMk7jiC2RO_zBFJ8FsdpxiETgbpmVVW8EZnCgqASUBfA37V7-MuwaawCyUidCW_1T9FhEN4PbFfPVjM-tGVHmt8Q8LfhIOPnsAznflxFLygvz8/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NpedQfsUG9m1RhsMZDlr9VP84ACJAzMk7jiC2RO_zBFJ8FsdpxiETgbpmVVW8EZnCgqASUBfA37V7-MuwaawCyUidCW_1T9FhEN4PbFfPVjM-tGVHmt8Q8LfhIOPnsAznflxFLygvz8/s320/IMAG0077.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most versatile hat ever - and keeps you warm in the Welsh snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I decided I wanted to make a matching scarf to go with my cream set. I had some left over yarn from the hat so I made a lace pattern scarf - I like that it has spaces in it so it's not too hot to wear. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ97DIa2ZRfxQkeFL4JB0ObAGTKUEQ-jTSAScb3W54Cq1g5xYKWPOv0p1llw2x_EfG9y9rQPknuxQkRjyVpKrlt2ZKdP33zOVE0f47ZoClDHx61LfwxP5SWJSJipgvgBa9sHYLnF5Sw7I/s1600/IMAG0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ97DIa2ZRfxQkeFL4JB0ObAGTKUEQ-jTSAScb3W54Cq1g5xYKWPOv0p1llw2x_EfG9y9rQPknuxQkRjyVpKrlt2ZKdP33zOVE0f47ZoClDHx61LfwxP5SWJSJipgvgBa9sHYLnF5Sw7I/s320/IMAG0494.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy knit lace scarf to match lace stitch hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've fallen in love with the autumnal shades of brown, mustard and rust that are all over the shops at the moment. I've had some rusty coloured yarn in my stash for ages now - I loved the colour but it was a bit thin, so I doubled it up and knitted a great seed stitch hat, and a single rib scarf. The scarf is lovely and warm, and could be worn by guys or gals!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90vRR0ckf704rwAFnq_t9hFlI6vvidc_v8-JQ9QlXRn8ArbbU0cL6EXFRFmsaqM7AfwYt7H7eBQyVZ-0zlhrnoZ0-AzGdd1Gtzg-n-iQnjyfkO69CnykP5-hMU6RDArP7QXnMV6aaLUs/s1600/IMAG0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90vRR0ckf704rwAFnq_t9hFlI6vvidc_v8-JQ9QlXRn8ArbbU0cL6EXFRFmsaqM7AfwYt7H7eBQyVZ-0zlhrnoZ0-AzGdd1Gtzg-n-iQnjyfkO69CnykP5-hMU6RDArP7QXnMV6aaLUs/s320/IMAG0133.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make tassels:</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gqy9Br2Snr73YEYcs77e64ieNDy3PzVik-uzDfE883hVvQ5lMaHbJEY8m9IMxKnMMrSi-8pR5bk5I9k5gGmAAz3Fp18XsJ3DOsKnhIG-KatzJYoXxUHQr53ZwfOL2ixHC5lRHNM_PsM/s1600/IMAG0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gqy9Br2Snr73YEYcs77e64ieNDy3PzVik-uzDfE883hVvQ5lMaHbJEY8m9IMxKnMMrSi-8pR5bk5I9k5gGmAAz3Fp18XsJ3DOsKnhIG-KatzJYoXxUHQr53ZwfOL2ixHC5lRHNM_PsM/s200/IMAG0496.jpg" width="119" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Decide how long you would like your tassels. I chose 5 inches for the white scarf and 7 inches for rust coloured one. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszXFls02qrU_UPfhNka8Wo2NE1sd1Zpw1pZKdQDp_fgzDogjDn8h-2w_XSQGs7QOT8n6NPZaOx3jLPplkRyp9nsNeocvEVd-kYhWjVS0qAFFYi49tvK6j1G_DN5g6cgEU2wE8z7aJTOc/s1600/IMAG0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszXFls02qrU_UPfhNka8Wo2NE1sd1Zpw1pZKdQDp_fgzDogjDn8h-2w_XSQGs7QOT8n6NPZaOx3jLPplkRyp9nsNeocvEVd-kYhWjVS0qAFFYi49tvK6j1G_DN5g6cgEU2wE8z7aJTOc/s200/IMAG0498.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Double the measurement above (so 6 becomes 12) and cut strands to that length. I used 4 strands in each tassel for the rust coloured scarf, but as the white scarf used chunky yarn I only used 2 strands. You can make them as thick and chunky as you like. Group your cut strands together once cut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxz7ZViT9nW8pnW1S9H_8wM_G__CnZhcG7aKTJmXI4zyHVLKQTFG2Q-NCAM8EiKXKZoPuMldZ8blR69KPeTfSdyoF8f_3Agost1xMUTcVhqVO-1oyLMzJlGXuWEpv5soBNtgCqiKlQtRk/s1600/IMAG0502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxz7ZViT9nW8pnW1S9H_8wM_G__CnZhcG7aKTJmXI4zyHVLKQTFG2Q-NCAM8EiKXKZoPuMldZ8blR69KPeTfSdyoF8f_3Agost1xMUTcVhqVO-1oyLMzJlGXuWEpv5soBNtgCqiKlQtRk/s200/IMAG0502.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Get your scarf and look along the edge above the cast on / off row, there should be a natural space to insert the tassel. Fold your strands in half and insert the folded loop end through the gap, then take the ends of the bundle and feed them through the loop, and pull tight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And that's it!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1M5UqMqDYvwmoFWFpeWv8ji6ebnv0Nmhz_CM8XsekNqkQxE-M7jLOswETkRkEa3qMOg6HE5MZiIwYKx1OiSGNrLsmsvn6TfE1_5Ez0Ytb72W5zen7rPNVV4GwANFCoDXUm_G4CqtUp4/s1600/IMAG0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1M5UqMqDYvwmoFWFpeWv8ji6ebnv0Nmhz_CM8XsekNqkQxE-M7jLOswETkRkEa3qMOg6HE5MZiIwYKx1OiSGNrLsmsvn6TfE1_5Ez0Ytb72W5zen7rPNVV4GwANFCoDXUm_G4CqtUp4/s320/IMAG0503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In fact, it took me longer to write the instructions than it does to make the tassels and put them on the scarf!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm waiting on some mustard coloured Rowan Big Wool to come - it is usually £8 for a 100g ball, but I managed to find some on eBay for less (Sunday night is the best night for people listing their leftover yarn!) I think I'll make another hat and if I have enough left maybe some mittens.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimKrSzosjpSSaWSaHtS4lbQfb0NmBpOdl0H_QuBRuCLwZS2_ZU-tNKF4BVg1RrFWE8dNDZDqU0JKUlLExhYoRBpC_9nnNPHYgZ4ek4-HzghxbY06zO_5gdmH7cBnkb4jJ07gIho0Yy-0/s1600/rowan+big+wool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimKrSzosjpSSaWSaHtS4lbQfb0NmBpOdl0H_QuBRuCLwZS2_ZU-tNKF4BVg1RrFWE8dNDZDqU0JKUlLExhYoRBpC_9nnNPHYgZ4ek4-HzghxbY06zO_5gdmH7cBnkb4jJ07gIho0Yy-0/s320/rowan+big+wool.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've had a concession request from <a href="http://www.auntynanas.com/">Aunty Nanna's</a> in Norwich, UK. Amber the owner sells quirky handmade goods, vintage china, super cool homewear and refurbished painted furniture - definitely worth a look. Kitty hats will be available to buy in store later this month!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd2Ig3DZ5peV8i4De8rE9ukrGyBUo-3kBgD-DHjCp54qt9gZSGDbkpj0-FcvOqhNDllyK04a__Q5ItQ94iO3rm70GBLXIN2NxFoRb_cE0cxGy0s3qOGe7qhb4bAnokIR28orbet80j88/s1600/grey+kitty+cat+hat+gloves+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd2Ig3DZ5peV8i4De8rE9ukrGyBUo-3kBgD-DHjCp54qt9gZSGDbkpj0-FcvOqhNDllyK04a__Q5ItQ94iO3rm70GBLXIN2NxFoRb_cE0cxGy0s3qOGe7qhb4bAnokIR28orbet80j88/s320/grey+kitty+cat+hat+gloves+set.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can still shop online too - there is still <b>15%</b> off in store until Jan 31st with code <b><span style="color: #bf9000;">NEWYEAR15</span></b> - this includes custom orders! This is part of the Etsy UK Silly Sale - UK sellers join together to promote their stores - search for <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?page=1&thread_id=6734241">Silly Sale</a></b> and you can find some bargains! The Silly Sale runs from 14th January - 21st January (but I'm extra generous so I'm going until 31st!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-3818656255376965352010-12-22T14:49:00.000+00:002010-12-22T14:49:45.917+00:002010 - a sum up and celebration!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So it's the end of 2010, and some pretty significant milestones have been met:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. I got married to my fiance of 5 years Stewart in May</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. I managed to hold down a good job at the same place for nearly a year - the longest so far! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. I've managed to get to 100 sales in my Etsy shop - thank you Andy from Ontario, Canada!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. My health is starting to improve in small but steady steps...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UQKlZdGAvh0xGGwHoUx1yP8TgXrIprttG3-BP8tQvuN0zqUt1Ae3AhJ1fsyiyPetIyOD3prGnCsFEuvX90W9eDjg6Dz0CXv1bVzgdw35sbjUUtzLDv4bzKyc5zLIkjYFacECFM3brjI/s1600/SDC10109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UQKlZdGAvh0xGGwHoUx1yP8TgXrIprttG3-BP8tQvuN0zqUt1Ae3AhJ1fsyiyPetIyOD3prGnCsFEuvX90W9eDjg6Dz0CXv1bVzgdw35sbjUUtzLDv4bzKyc5zLIkjYFacECFM3brjI/s320/SDC10109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debs and Stew enjoying Cornwall in 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been a funny kind of year - I'm really pleased that I kept my head and didn't turn into bridezilla at any point before or during my wedding - it was a fantastic day enjoyed by all - and showcase some amazing handmade items - see my<a href="http://debs102.blogspot.com/2010/06/crafty-and-thrifty-welsh-wedding.html"> blog post</a> for full details!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDvechQyFOE3GPYzmZi9WtloAdemvoiu8-0fyC-25Eu8TfmXvUdZitjWxL3LqMuAH0CdgxrrhymiAKy53QynRHoAIU8qh2XDoulol8qD6fy1gwAHexI8CcAXpLB7KlypNmakBk3JY3-c/s1600/sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDvechQyFOE3GPYzmZi9WtloAdemvoiu8-0fyC-25Eu8TfmXvUdZitjWxL3LqMuAH0CdgxrrhymiAKy53QynRHoAIU8qh2XDoulol8qD6fy1gwAHexI8CcAXpLB7KlypNmakBk3JY3-c/s320/sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Wedding Day in Cardiff May 2010, St Davids Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My knitting skills have really improved - I've gone from a hesitant knitter who couldn't knit in the round, and wasn't much past knitting, purling and different kinds of rib. Now I'm able to cable, do lace stitches and have mastered knitting on magic loop needles. For 2011 my next skill to master is knitting on double pointed needles. I'm sure if I sat down with my super talented knitting friend Linda I'd pick it up after a few attempts, but it is beyond me at present. One of my big musts is to learn how to crochet by this time next year. I've been trying for years without success! My friend Zoe taught Sarah, a complete novice, how to do it in one evening. There again, Sarah seems to be able to pick things up SUPER quickly. She mastered knitting in a weekend... I'm not green with envy... well maybe a little!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r0AtesNYjUp5udMi7f4GfsI-Y1MoGtlrixVUIxPmwSZur9N8xCb6m3IZFajV-Y2_nzm5r13YATuflYVONoQHisocH-n39xj_LVzy-z0EH18Ih4iGUuhd7-K6ccn3jgYH4xArG2_HiIk/s1600/Etsy+Pics+June+10+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r0AtesNYjUp5udMi7f4GfsI-Y1MoGtlrixVUIxPmwSZur9N8xCb6m3IZFajV-Y2_nzm5r13YATuflYVONoQHisocH-n39xj_LVzy-z0EH18Ih4iGUuhd7-K6ccn3jgYH4xArG2_HiIk/s320/Etsy+Pics+June+10+024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my new range of hats launched Spring 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our Craft Night set up between local friends (and with visits by their dogs) has been a major success - meeting once a fortnight on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays (I know...) we have been able to relax, eat good food, drink plenty of tea and make projects just for us - as well as having a good gossip and a moan! <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Etsy shop is looking much more cohesive - I'm really happy with the branding on my shop banner and blog - i think they match in well. I've had business cards made up with the same branding (thank you free premium business cards on Vistaprint!) - and I've tried to keep up with <a href="http://www.twitter.com/debs_102">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/handmade.found">Facebook</a> to keep interest (although with the office being really busy this month it has slipped a bit - but I'm not beating myself up about it.)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsnAMl9gwyxO_Oj9jNPKNa1p1P-j_35Hgg_SgJ311YgmuOAB9RXI6P3zAZQEfpPZNJQh6enCU1ZM8G_70G1A2BWU08wOxd0Jgnu080_mNxQVO99BetOHhhgfjTsqtdUQurtmWzveEJKo/s1600/Etsy-Banner-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsnAMl9gwyxO_Oj9jNPKNa1p1P-j_35Hgg_SgJ311YgmuOAB9RXI6P3zAZQEfpPZNJQh6enCU1ZM8G_70G1A2BWU08wOxd0Jgnu080_mNxQVO99BetOHhhgfjTsqtdUQurtmWzveEJKo/s400/Etsy-Banner-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Handmade & Found branding designed in 2010 by me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My goals for 2011 are pretty straight forward:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Keeping myself in work for another year </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Build on the success of my Etsy shop, working on new products and designs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Treat my long suffering husband in little ways throughout the year (maybe with cake...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So have a very Merry Christmas / Festive Season, and a happy New Year! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Want to celebrate in style...? Use discount code <b>NEWYEAR15</b> for <b>15%</b> off across my Etsy store until 31st January 2011(including custom orders) - as a big thank you to everyone who has got me this far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Debs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-77494659409148495522010-12-11T17:48:00.001+00:002010-12-11T17:54:51.921+00:00Return of the Knitter...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I vowed to myself that I would be blogging at least once a week</span>...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I failed this last week sorry - I've been really busy at my office job organising conferences and working all hours under the sun, so today I'm making my triumphant return to you all this week - Yay!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm celebrating a few things this week:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. I managed to pull off a big local event with work </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. I'm at 98 sales in my <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">etsy shop</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. My knitwear is being sold in a local shop in Pontypool (!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. It is exactly 2 weeks until Christmas!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We went out for our office Christmas party last night - I've promised not to share the pictures on my blog, but rest assured everyone had a great time and ate and drank plenty of tasty things...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm feeling pretty festive; and now that the Christmas rush in store is calming down, I'm knitting Christmas presents for family and friends - I never stop knitting!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some of the projects I've been working on:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1539301580"></span><span id="goog_1539301581"></span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSxRR9EsYgPBXCg6U3hiufxMmA-SroDlmQTZFDhP1GziRycZmkY8Y1Roj2bg2ppDs-Y-3DN8OlPR2jEU2gH6KEI6onyOAIDGFh9rU0afS8Xu-Ld11tdGUMffYr2WGA_or51c-K3V2XOo/s1600/IMAG0260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSxRR9EsYgPBXCg6U3hiufxMmA-SroDlmQTZFDhP1GziRycZmkY8Y1Roj2bg2ppDs-Y-3DN8OlPR2jEU2gH6KEI6onyOAIDGFh9rU0afS8Xu-Ld11tdGUMffYr2WGA_or51c-K3V2XOo/s320/IMAG0260.jpg" width="191" /></a> </div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a lovely custom tea cosy order for a customer to match her retro melamine kitchen - dark blue, cream and aqua - looked great!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg605uldLA_W1RDFqOjdrCRUJHD5Nc7G1K_JoV3pOVq5df2YiwJ_BxfgIqlSHYhOXYHp0F7oMTwJ7qkcPD1Weo0UDCMOIKw1QJHB0kt_aL2KbTPktFtuyJdx7pceTzTxryofihwFiMT1g/s1600/IMAG0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg605uldLA_W1RDFqOjdrCRUJHD5Nc7G1K_JoV3pOVq5df2YiwJ_BxfgIqlSHYhOXYHp0F7oMTwJ7qkcPD1Weo0UDCMOIKw1QJHB0kt_aL2KbTPktFtuyJdx7pceTzTxryofihwFiMT1g/s320/IMAG0321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another custom order on a brown kitty set - I changed the way I embroidered the paws and I think it really looks great!</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEep32YGHgfm_zPuslpiYDmpONN6Xga0pF7kFWC7FSCzgaJFwONIZWQKLmYHowQfncR5eV9of8bi1IqI7cU_l4TRIHFKk97vBpfFfNRug-XXNBIrEEz00uOKT6LnWKx5yt_G6WCCuzEc/s1600/IMAG0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEep32YGHgfm_zPuslpiYDmpONN6Xga0pF7kFWC7FSCzgaJFwONIZWQKLmYHowQfncR5eV9of8bi1IqI7cU_l4TRIHFKk97vBpfFfNRug-XXNBIrEEz00uOKT6LnWKx5yt_G6WCCuzEc/s320/IMAG0350.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These fab mittens have extra long cuffs - in a gorgeous deep red colour - they look fantastic on and will keep your arms nice and warm!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAF-Not0O25-MGSRQeVZOieD3kqAeylu-psrJtN823iQcMgCtG0UpU3j1gVdmaeoNHyXadeqson7_eqV4WYbX9Oh1u7bh1EUizriWzBvwQVF7ag9hYQ0kGlfSmG2oeAlphR1HHaGHkvs/s1600/IMAG0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAF-Not0O25-MGSRQeVZOieD3kqAeylu-psrJtN823iQcMgCtG0UpU3j1gVdmaeoNHyXadeqson7_eqV4WYbX9Oh1u7bh1EUizriWzBvwQVF7ag9hYQ0kGlfSmG2oeAlphR1HHaGHkvs/s320/IMAG0372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a gorgeous navy wool ribbed beanie hat for a local customer - wide rib to the edge with a larger rib pattern to the rest of the hat & a lovely soft wool yarn too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So as you can see I've been keeping busy! Some of these new custom designs and ideas will be making their way in store over the next weeks; I really like it when a customer gives you a great idea for a new stock product - it really comes from demand!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Debs</span></b></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-22292125802719607612010-11-28T19:05:00.001+00:002010-11-28T19:08:24.549+00:00Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week the coldest November temperatures ever in Wales were recorded in Powys (Mid Wales up in the Mountains...) minus 18 degrees Celsius (-18C!!!) - that's about 0 degrees in Fahrenheit I think... Either way it was VERY VERY Cold!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being in the City meant that it only dropped to -6C, but it was still cold enough to experience a decent amount of snow and ice. Saturday I went for a walk with Stew my husband to get some supplies</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, and walked through one of our local parks<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, Victoria Park. It looks pretty all covered in ice and snow</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEZRf7bwM2XfMYyeZ6xe16Hflc-KMg9p8CStQLJWm0vm3578YNehFTFwEx7Gl-K3Ai_hgh1RCwuOzdZ2EhhCyAx0e3EzlDSkEhVNHzi-Vyx_ExZWAwXFRCVQEgV6JyFb4IMIlyL2YKtA/s1600/IMAG0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEZRf7bwM2XfMYyeZ6xe16Hflc-KMg9p8CStQLJWm0vm3578YNehFTFwEx7Gl-K3Ai_hgh1RCwuOzdZ2EhhCyAx0e3EzlDSkEhVNHzi-Vyx_ExZWAwXFRCVQEgV6JyFb4IMIlyL2YKtA/s320/IMAG0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQbmqOLZZKp8diZ2WsYCfQOGRg3vzs2uyqTqmwK5Zo09OVrhCBstmfzvzvECccy6L_Tj3SXFXL6lS6_EYmkOkiI_W3C4RpWiCPrfpwNx6DjifmEj1jhcK5t6GoCKxdbkEY2CTKOOq3vg/s1600/IMAG0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQbmqOLZZKp8diZ2WsYCfQOGRg3vzs2uyqTqmwK5Zo09OVrhCBstmfzvzvECccy6L_Tj3SXFXL6lS6_EYmkOkiI_W3C4RpWiCPrfpwNx6DjifmEj1jhcK5t6GoCKxdbkEY2CTKOOq3vg/s320/IMAG0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To warm up, we called into our local cafe called <a href="http://www.teaandbiscuits.co.uk/waffle-coffee-shop-review">Waffles</a> - it is a great little place (you can tell it's good as it was packed when we got there!) - they serve all sorts of baked delights, which included waffles! Even better, they do a gluten free option (I've got coeliacs disease which is a wheat and gluten intolerance) so I munched through 2 big hot chocolates with mini marshmallows, and waffles with cheese, mushrooms and bacon - SO yummy! Stew had apple, raisins, cinnamon and cream on his - it looked lovely apart from the icky raisins...</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Es_X6kLim6LnDgmdTPn4MYhxOQWOTsfVj8-ZRyVz-T4M88AxqfvOa-4BMIT1YaTY_ZOonzbyD_IY3axr25dNvgGD7CzDDwPriOgy313SqVzo-pkLhJBYHOKc_GIYoqZWnPTFkQJU98/s1600/IMAG0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Es_X6kLim6LnDgmdTPn4MYhxOQWOTsfVj8-ZRyVz-T4M88AxqfvOa-4BMIT1YaTY_ZOonzbyD_IY3axr25dNvgGD7CzDDwPriOgy313SqVzo-pkLhJBYHOKc_GIYoqZWnPTFkQJU98/s320/IMAG0016.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQNTtkNr-sGmdr2r06fLWxWbcJSwilgyaNoSpT_dsdJsyImh5SlbfbpaLjeT_Agv6Pycj2cEDRDxvGaGIwiHnNlACczVqWRfNnHgcRoZpzlX_58cocsUg5vR_srhYx0hyu-U9l2iuHoU/s1600/IMAG0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQNTtkNr-sGmdr2r06fLWxWbcJSwilgyaNoSpT_dsdJsyImh5SlbfbpaLjeT_Agv6Pycj2cEDRDxvGaGIwiHnNlACczVqWRfNnHgcRoZpzlX_58cocsUg5vR_srhYx0hyu-U9l2iuHoU/s320/IMAG0015.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a lovely little walk - this weather is here to stay me thinks, so I've ordered in some more yarn so that I can make some knitted goodies to keep me warm! The first thing I worked on is this gorgeous slouch hat made of cream roving 100% wool yarn (it feels like wearing candy floss!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZR2JarK45rZTe6wYZlh5D3qJP54pg9zUYtN069oHF-n4loSrK6Up061hZzGEiPkQnny4uxsruwnxv0U3OAn7LIZCi3Mr02jQpQKXUCgj9BxM0xkMmbvIBol3CcQ5KiZAvmcR8CeHIE4/s1600/IMAG0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZR2JarK45rZTe6wYZlh5D3qJP54pg9zUYtN069oHF-n4loSrK6Up061hZzGEiPkQnny4uxsruwnxv0U3OAn7LIZCi3Mr02jQpQKXUCgj9BxM0xkMmbvIBol3CcQ5KiZAvmcR8CeHIE4/s400/IMAG0019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyone following me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/debs_102">Twitter</a> has witness the anguish this hat has put me through - this was attempt 15 (yes - 15) to get it right - the ribbing is simple, but the spiral lacy pattern involves a sequence of knits, yarn overs and slip slip knit wise - sounds fine, but if you mess it up even a little bit there is no way back - you've got to start it over. PAIN! It look 2 hours of talking through the stitches out loud one by one, sitting in my lounge on my own and missing my fave TV show just to get it right. I'm glad I persevered - it looks gorgeous! (the pic isn't great, but on it is FAB)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm thinking I need to get better at getting this pattern right before this one gets put in my shop, and it works best with chunkier weight yarn in simple unpatterned colours, but it's getting lots and lots of compliments already!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #f1c232;">Debs</b></span></span>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6704041535961684818.post-89038484010811048572010-11-23T21:59:00.000+00:002010-11-23T21:59:19.487+00:00Black Friday is upon us...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So it's getting darker, snow has been forecast here in Wales and the Christmas lights are up in the city centre - this can only mean one thing - the holiday season is fast approaching!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdETDXGO2FrmtgC8TjPU80cmykyNIwEsgDrmv807AewYOaddr2N3LYotfk5OUykfjJ188lX2e92SR6XBVzZF2O9TZj1xlCwDaO0QykpaikqQ4mD-cFj0fju_vmKyrUVPnzCU-BR3FyiwQ/s1600/IMAG0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdETDXGO2FrmtgC8TjPU80cmykyNIwEsgDrmv807AewYOaddr2N3LYotfk5OUykfjJ188lX2e92SR6XBVzZF2O9TZj1xlCwDaO0QykpaikqQ4mD-cFj0fju_vmKyrUVPnzCU-BR3FyiwQ/s320/IMAG0292.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62104763/unisex-knitted-adult-red-or-green-santa" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out Stew in a custom knitted Santa Hat!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Black Friday - Wikipedia describes it as:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><i><b>Black Friday</b> (sometimes <b>Green Friday</b>) is the day following <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_%28United_States%29" title="Thanksgiving (United States)">Thanksgiving Day</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a>, traditionally the beginning of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" title="Christmas">Christmas</a> shopping season.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we don't have Thanksgiving here in the UK, this kind of went unnoticed by me here - blissfully knitting through my orders ticking down the time down to Christmas - then I hit the online shops to stock up on presents - and there it is - Black Friday!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In store, I'm utilising the new Coupon facility that <a href="http://www.debs102.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> have launched - I'm offering a Black Friday promotion offering <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">10% off</span></b> to all customers in store for Blog readers and Facebook fans - a little Christmas gift from me to you all!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wpomw64Xin-KPxoZ4MAzHOlbAiwD6mZvyesG07_SkBq6INodRHLu5bOYw8qOd-WThQcIC7Vq0rWnKjxWwn8TbqiNHzvYLT2FW90qIImGRzSZeUFIZipISW2vYj2n6RZxl3cp3pyo3hg/s1600/Etsy-Banner-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wpomw64Xin-KPxoZ4MAzHOlbAiwD6mZvyesG07_SkBq6INodRHLu5bOYw8qOd-WThQcIC7Vq0rWnKjxWwn8TbqiNHzvYLT2FW90qIImGRzSZeUFIZipISW2vYj2n6RZxl3cp3pyo3hg/s400/Etsy-Banner-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enter the discount code <b style="color: #f1c232;">BLACKFRIDAY10</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span>between now and 23.00 GMT on Monday 29th December 2010 - and let me know your feedback on how you found the process!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another cool new feature just launched on Etsy is being able to list and being paid in your own currency. I'm intrigued to find out opinions on this one - I'd find it SO much easier to list and sell in £ pounds, but I'm not sure if it would put off my large international fan base... mmm... </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me know your thoughts on this too!</div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #f1c232;">Debs</b></div>Debs102http://www.blogger.com/profile/03660854268367620917noreply@blogger.com0