The Stash

This is my current stash, give or take a large bag of assorted arran hidden away somewhere. I've been into knitting for almost 2 years now and the urge to buy wool is just as strong as ever, in fact I would call it an addiction. My main weakness is brightly coloured double knit. I am certainly not a yarn snob when it comes to buying wool, if it's a lovely colour then I don't care how much plastic is in it! And to be honest my Blythes have never complained about it being itchy.
I suppose the only problem with Blythe knitting is that it makes very little headway through this stash as most of it is very small. Perhaps I should knit something for a human for once.

Here's the shrug!

At last, a pic of the shrug so I can think about getting the pattern online. Although the shop is having a minor overhaul it will be taking a back seat for a few days as I will be at the hospital tomorrow. I am really hoping for some kind of resolution to all the problems I've been having, even if it's just a diagnosis.
I will be taking my knitting needles with me as I am still squirelling my way through my old projects so I can do some new ones.

Shop overhaul!

Expect a new look to the shop very shortly! I thought it was looking a bit tired, hardly suprising since it has stayed the same for 3 years!
I am also about to get the shawl pattern online but first I need to sort some wool that I span & plied myself at the weekend. It was very exciting!

Up and knitting

It's Sunday and I have managed to get out of bed and knit! My knitting progress has been interrupted by various requests (More breakfast please mummy, can you draw me a tiger and other lovely things) so I am going rather slowly.

I promised a Shrug pattern and here's a pic of my progress so far.
The green one is one that I made ages ago and forgot to write down what I did. The purple is from a pattern my Mum gave me and is far too small. The brown is one I'm working on at the moment and if this turns out fine I will post the pattern, they are really simple.

Knitting at last!

After an eventful few months I am starting to get back on track with my knitting and I'm even aiming to get a new How to Knit for Blythe PDF done for downloading on here. It should be updated in time for Blythecon 2011. Well, I can dream anyway! I'm also working on a basic shrug pattern to pop on here as well, it will involve ribbing though so be prepared.
I am also going on a culling session of my girls as I have TOO many. I haven't sold a girl in ages so it will be a bit weird seeing them go. Oh well, fewer girls to knit for I suppose.

Shop Goodies!

Here's a sneak peek of the new shop stock! I'll be adding these helmets over the next few days specially for christmas so keep an eye out! I'm popping the cable knit cardigans and new hoodies in the shop today so if you're after one you're in luck.

Getting ready!

We are getting ready to reopen the shop, promise! Once again my mystery illness has reared it's ugly head, fingers crossed we're closer to a diagnosis.

Shop stuff

I have been hoping to reopen the shop with new stuff but unfortunately my wireless modem has other ideas. I will hopefully be getting it sorted over the weekend now I've recovered from my horrible cold! There will be cable knit cardies, hoodies and a special new item coming up over the next few weeks - you might guess it if you look back a few pics. In the meantime here's a sneak hoodie peak and I promise I am working on the Cast Off tutorial just as soon as the modem lets me.
Happy Knitting!

Step away from the needles

Honestly, since cutting my hand open a few days ago and getting a needle stuck in my back I've decided to take a short knitting break. The needles are safely sealed up in a bag away from the bed.
I'm still knitting the helmet, I learnt how to do a buttonhole the other day (much excitement for me) and it was actually quite simple. Now I might need some buttons. I'm also getting ready to reopen the shop in a few days time with cable knit cardies and some hoodies, most of which is left over from Blythecon UK.  Thanks to a cold I may have to delay the casting off tutorial whilst I hide under a duvet with some tissues waiting for the nest episode of 'Single Father'

Important safety announcement!

For all you people with knitting needles please please please don't be stupid like me and leave them pointing up out of your knitting bag by the bed. I managed to get one stuck IN my back yesterday whilst dressing my 2 kids by the bed and it wasn't much fun - I had to pull the thing out.
So keep them safely in a bag somewhere unlike me. That's one lesson learnt anyway!

What's on my needles

Since returning from Blythecon UK I have been obsessed with knitting, I cannot stop thinking about it as I have very little actual knitting time! Despite the 3 day exhaustion that followed it was one of the most inspiring days of my life, seeing all those talented people & sharing the Blythe love. It also made me think lots about the direction I want my knitting to go in & where the shop is heading.
I'm determined to learn more knitting techniques so I'm working on projects that teach me something new everytime, even if it's simple. There is nothing as disheartening as finishing a complicated project only for it to look terrible at the end (I have a small box of knitting nightmares that I keep as a reminder!) At the moment I'm learning to knit these tiny shrugs to match my various dresses & at some point I will be adding the pattern on here. Before that I'll be doing the Cast Off tutorial (next week) and how to Purl. I'm also knitting a white version of this hat that my Mum showed me yesterday. I've already managed to gain 2 stitches where I wasn't supposed to, no idea how I managed that! Once it's finished I'll post a pic with the matching Woollyrockers knitted dress I'm working on. You can find the pattern on Woollyrockers website here
I hope everyone else is enjoying their knitting! If you want to ask me anything go ahead!

Blythecon UK!

Thankyou to everyone who made it over to see us at Blythecon & managed to knit with us. The afternoon was slightly chaotic so I apologise profusely to anyone who didn't get to do the workshop!
I will be posting more in a few days when I've had a rest!

New tutorial up!

At last, the last tutorial is up! I now have tutorials for slip knots, casting on and knit stitch - all the things I'll be showing at Blythecon UK.
My next tutorial will be casting off and basic finishing techniques, these should be up in a few weeks as I'm concentrating on my Blythecon leaflet for now.
Happy Knitting!

Slight delays!

My modem has decided to die a slow death so whilst I wait for the new one the new tutorials will have to wait. I'm hoping to have them all up by the end of this week ahead of the ever closer Blythecon UK. My Mum is busy knitting away and I'm even hoping to have some of my basic hat & scarf sets for sale too. That does mean i have to get knitting though!
Don't forget to stop by the stall and say hello if you get chance!

Really Useful Knitting Books!

Here's some of the books I have found very useful since starting knitting.
We'll start with Knitty Gritty. This book is for the absolute beginner so it is perfect if you're just starting out. However I would say that if you just want to knit for Blythe I wouldn't bother with the projects in this book as they are rather time consuming.
Next is the Ultimate Knitting Bible. If you become a crazy obsessed knitter like me then there is nothing better than browsing through this delicious book. The pictures are lovely, the instructions are clear & easy to follow. In short this is Knitting Nirvana. It takes you through LOTS of knitting techniques rather than going through knitting projects so it's very helpful.
Onto Knitspeak, a handy little tome that lives in my knitting bag. This book is an A-Z of knitting language and abbreviations. It has helped me solve many a knitting puzzle.
And now Knit Aid another handy little book that lives in my knitting book. Despite being aimed at an American audience it is very helpful, with diagrams of techniques, helpful hints and problem solving.
And last but not least one of my favourites How to Knit. This is actually a kids book but I have found it really useful as the diagrams are easy and unlike Knitty Gritty the projects are smaller so much easier to finish.

How I got knitting....Again

My Mum, being the keen knitter that she is, taught me to knit when I was little. I have no memory of this to be honest. I picked up the sticks again as an adult when I was confined to my bed with a threatened miscarriage so I whiled away the hours attempting to knit and watching Pie Griller play space games (he tried knitting aswell and all but welded the knitting to the needle) I didn't pick up the sticks again until after my second child came along and I found myself posessed with the desire to knit again after looking at peoples Blythe Knits online. I was desperate to knit but as my handy knitting teacher mother was busy I decided I'd have to refresh my memory another way. Embarrassingly it was one of my kids books that got me going. As you can see from the picture it's basic but it gave me an actual goal - a finger puppet! This comes from The Rainy Day Book (which is quite handy for kids during holidays in the UK) The finger puppets were chewed up and thrown away somewhere by my small people but the sense of achievement I got from actually finishing something was really inspiring. I ordered myself some expensive custom needles and a fantastic book called Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the absolute beginner. I also joined Ravelry and a new obsession was born. I've been knitting for just over a year now and it has been tremendous fun, I've made some bloody awful things for my girls, frogged some eyewateringly difficult knitting that I'd slaved over and even made up a few very basic patterns. If you're just starting out there are plenty of resources online, I've listed a few in my links section, and I've made up some very basic beginner blythe knits for you to try. The scarf is the best place to start as it is quick & simple to make. Happy Knitting!

Busy weekend!

Phew, with the school holidays I seem to be flat out doing family stuff at the moment. I hardly even got to look at my knitting needles, they're sat looking all sad with a half finished blythe bag on them for my patterns project. My littlest girl also managed to get her hands on some of it & brought it upstairs to me whilst I was in the shower. Needless to say I Was Not Amused. So the plan this week is to finish the bag, draft the hat pattern out and finally post the bajillions of Blythe Shopping Directory posts I've been planning. When the kids go back to school I will be posting more (when I'm not weeping over my first born starting school - kidding.Kind of)
I've actually completed my first hoodie and it looks really cute but I want to add some stuff to it before I show it off, I've even started my second with some design alterations. My Mum made some whilst on the beach and they are really cute! Hopefully I can post pics soon.
We're meeting up for thr Rowan Knitalong at Grassmere this weekend which looks a lot of fun, they will have sheep and actual wool so I may be forced into buying some. Hurray! I haven't bought any wool in, oh lets see, days!

I'm getting there!

After getting the blog set up changed all over again I've started work on my Blythecon UK notes. I'm going to put my scarf pattern & hat pattern up next week as well as other information for beginner knitters. I'll be starting work on video tutorials to demonstrate all the techniques I intend to show at the Blythecon Workshop. Don't worry - they will be basic!
I'm also going to be putting together a print out of the picture tutorials and the patterns. I'll throw in some other helpful info for getting started!
Phew!

Knitting of course!

Work is underway for Blythecon UK! I'm attempting to devise some patterns for the workshop handout before I get on with doing the instruction printout.
My Mum is sat on a beach somewhere in the south of England knitting some hoodies ready for the stand (she's been texting me pictures of her sunday best Annalise sat on the beach in knitwear - the woman is obsessed!)
Here's a pic of one of the scarfs as modelled by my HW Lucky.
I'm working on a simple hat design next but as it is now the school holidays I have less knitting time, I have also become obsessed with Lego Harry Potter on the Wii.
I'll be popping some tutorials and patterns on here as soon as they're done!

Update!

There will be a sale in the shop very shortly to clear out the old stock and I will be adding the new stock tonight!
Sorry for the lack of updates, I am snowed under at the moment trying to catch up. I can also reveal the exciting news that we will have a stall at blythecon uk if you're visiting. There will be hoodies, cardigans and mushroom hats!