New shawl release

 So over the past few months I have been working in collaboration with Kate Selene on a new shawl.

Kate has the most incredible range of yarns to pick from so it was hard to narrow it down to exactly what I wanted.  

But once I had picked her variegated yarn called "Elmer in the Sun" (what a brilliant name!) it was just a perfect match to add the red and orange.

The beauty of working with Kate is that she will be providing kits in this colour range to accompany the pattern. 

The deisgn of the shawl itself started during lockdown. I wanted to create a shawl that would combine the simple rhythm of both  stocking stitch and garter stitch to let the variegated yarn speak for itself. But I also wanted some texture to keep the knitter wanting more.

For me my favourite part has to be the edging. Based over 12 stitches but it is split into thirds to give a real "pop" to finish with.

The finished shawl is perfect accessory for any time of year and is also universal, my model James could quite happily have taken it home to wear.

The pattern itself has both written and charted instructions and is laid out in such a way that it can be printed as an A5 booklet.

I have made the pattern available on two different platforms Ravelry and Etsy

For me designing is about so much for than the finished product. It's about creating something that is not only enjoyable to make but beautiful to wear.  

Autumnal garden

 I love my garden.  It is set in a very built up area surrounded by houses, but over the years I have added shrubs, bulbs and bought eclectic items to add extra interest.

Part of my reason for writing my blog is so I can share images, but also to keep as a visual diary for myself. 

I hope you enjoy, until next time. 

Walk in the Cotswolds

 Your welcome to come with me and enjoy a walk in the Cotswolds.

A visual diary of a walk around Broadway Tower.

Sherborne National Trust

 The forecast for the weekend was a slight chill, but perfect walking weather so today we headed off to Sherborne Park Estate

This was the location of Springwatch and Autumnwatch in 2018 where the crew spent a whole year studying the environment.

We had a leisurely 3.5 mile walk and took some autumnal pictures.

My shawl designs.

Recently I had the privilege of working with a dear friend  James and his patner an incredible stylist, where James's modelled four of my published pattern. 

One of the patterns is currently been tested and will be released at the end of the month. 

Let me introduce my other designs.... 

The first is Brambly Hedge Shawl. 

The shawl uses DK 750mtr/830 yrds

It has a simple textured pattern that runs through the entire shawl. 

The second is the Twilight Cowl. This is perfect accessory to keep the chill off your neck. 

The pattern combines lace and ribbing for interest whilst knitting. 

The pattern uses 500 mtr/550 yrds of fingering weight yarn. 

The final design Fyberspates Shawl.  

This is a long wrap around shawl that can be worn in many different ways. 

The pattern requires 1000 mtr/950 yrs of DK yarn and worked in a lace pattern throughout. 

With the additions of toggles sewen at the end of the shawl they can be hocked through the lace anywhere you like. 

If you would like to make any of these then please do head over to my page. 

Woodchester Mansion

So today with an impromptu day off and our National Trust membership having not been used much, we decided to head off to Woodchester 

Woodchester Mansion is a fascinating building It is an unfinished masterpiece. Building started about 1857, but stopped in the mid-1860s so floors and ceilings are missing, walls not plastered and windows unglazed. All the secrets of the construction of the Mansion are visible - something visitors will never see in another country house.

I love how there are so many windows around one door! 

This statue was engraved with name Windy Miller, just sweet, would love this in my garden. 

We had a lovely 5 mile walk through the woods as the Mansion is set in woodland owned by National Trust. 

The light and the colour of the trees were just stunning. 

I do love black and white images they just focus you on the silhouettes. 

Another beauty of the woods are the close ups you can get with the ferns. 

The colours of the berry's just jumped out. 

All my pictures are taken on my Huawei p30 Pro phone and I have a macro setting which I love for being able to see such close up detail. 

This flower head is just so delicate and pretty. 

About 2.5 miles from the car park is a beautiful lake that you can walk all the way around.   It has many areas that you can get right down to the waters edge which is so lovely.