Mountain view inspired Ripple blanket.

Last year I made my first ever Ripple Blanket. I love it so much not just the colours but how warm and cuddly it is.

So when I finished mine my son asked me to make him one.

He found an inspirational picture based a mountain and lake in Canada.

So based on this he picked the colours he would like.

I even got a gorgeous wicker basket to store it in while working on it.

So it took me half the time and was completed just before Christmas I completed it.

I am so pleased how it turned out, he said he will treasure it.

Lovely morning walk.

We are very lucky to have Cleeve Hill on our doorstep.  We were up at the crack of dawn so got to appreciate the sun coming up.

The other part of photography I enjoy is close up and observing my surroundings.  

Remberance Day

My son is in the army cadets, so each Remberance Day Service we head to town to watch with pride as he takes part in the service.

His platoon is part of the Gloucester Rifles whom many of my partners family have served with in the army.

Today's blog is a snap shot of the service today held in Cheltenham.

Release of my shawl or poncho design. "Coming Together"

When I was growing up I was very lucky as my mum took the time to teach and nurture my creative desire and taught me to knit.

I am so glad she did.  There is not a day goes by that I am not either knitting or doing some crotchet.

Last weekend my son took this lovely picture of us both crafting together. 

This year I set myself a challenge. I wanted to get back into designing.  I had the privilege of going to De Montfort University from 1994-1997 where I graduated with a BSc in Knitwear Design and Production.   It was an amazing experience, but I didn't really make the most of it upon graduation.

However my son is now growing up rapidly and I wanted to get back into my passion.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to meet two inspiring ladies who have helped build my confidence.  Jeni owner of Fyberspates has been such an amazing mentor and Maggie of Textile Garden has such faith in me and is always so encouraging.

Earlier this year I headed to Wonderwool

I do love this show as their is a great cross section of indie dyers.  One of these dyers that I do love is Triskelion Yarn.

I fell in love with the yarn. It's laceweight yarn with in a range of gorgeous colours, made from 100% Falkland Merino. It comes in 100grams with 800 metres.   I used the colourways Anvil and Maes.

My inspiration initially started from this image.

I wanted my design to mirror itself,  but I also wanted it to be delicate with the lace edging and bold with the contrast of colours. 

During the time I was starting and working on my design myself, my Mother and my son where heading off on a trip to Angelsea as my mum is from Holyhead. 

During our time here my knitting went everywhere.

On the top of Snowdonia. 

At the harbour in Holyhead.

In the cafe during a day trip out.

It was a very special trip.

On our return I finished the design and with much patients, guidance and help from Woollen Words Amelia who has tech edited the pattern for me it is now available to buy On Ravelry.

If you are an instagram user why not use our #comingtogethershawl link to share your lovely finished projects.

Emily Quinton Make Light Photography Course

For two weeks in October I have registered to take part in Makelight Photography course for Knitting and Crotchet.  

The course I have taken part in is an online one over two weeks as opposed to a day course that Emily also offers.

The first task was to take an image of your knitting.

I have teamed this up with another course I'm doing run by Joeli Kitchen Designer Bootcamp.

For me it's an incredible opportunity to learn more about designing which is my love and incredibly the course is free. Joeli is an amazing and supportive teacher.

So my first image encompasses my sketchbook and knitting that I will be using.

Our photography workshop is teaching us to try and portray a story with our images and find a style that suits us.

The image of the flower I like as I love the vivid purple against the green and the seedheads showing the end of the flowering season.

The brickwall depicts the fact that this wall was painted with anti climb paint and yet people have tried to climb it and I love the shades of browns and blacks.

Today Day Three of the course I took an image of my current wip crotchet blanket I am making for my son.  It is a basket I use everyday and I love it.

This image is a close-up showing the lace and stitch detail along with the 10mm buttons used.  The pattern is my design called Coming Together Shawl.

Next on the lesson from Emily we are learning about composition.  I personally like images that are not too "fussy".

This image is my swatch I am working on for the next project.

Then we move onto the Rule of thirds.

Their are many helpful sites on the net but this is a quick overview.

The first of my two images were taken on a dog walk in the local park where I spot the solitary Dog Rose in amongst the berries on the bush.

The second image was me wanting to capture a close-up of my knitting against the still flowering Rose in my garden.

To finish the week I took the some images firstly on the morning dog walk of sheep's fleece blowing in the wind.

Then spurred on from seeing lovely images from fellow Instagram friends I decided to head out to my favourite local Cotswold town of Winchcombe.

Initially on my walk down to Sudley Castle I noticed a wide variety of mushrooms growing in the grass verge.  I do love mushrooms, they so make me think of Pixie's and Fairies.

I then decided to walk part of the Cotswold Way around the outskirts of the castle and came into a field to my pleasure they had four Alpaca's of varying colours.

Oh my goodness softness does not even cover it!!

I then found a perfect log and decided to sit down, get out the knitting and enjoy the amazing setting.

After half an hour I was starting to get a little chilly, but I guess it is mid October so not really surprising.

So I headed off around the town to have a look at the scenery.

Winchcombe is so so pretty, from lovely allotments to gorgeous quaint buildings.

I hope you have enjoyed my week.  Please feel free to leave any comment.

Until next time...