Karie Westermann "Design your own lace Shawl" workshop.

When I told my friend that I had done a  workshop to design a Lace shawl, she said "I suppose you just design one lace repeat and go from there" . This is a very valid perception of what would be involved, but Karie opens your eyes to the idea in a whole new way.

I started on my design journey in knitwear many years ago when I graduated with a degree in Knitwear Design back in 1997. Oh my goodness how things have progress in terms of acceptability to a whole new resource now with the internet and incredible tools such as Ravelry.

I have designed socks and a handful of garments but only one shawl.   I have a passion to continue to learn and develop within my knitting (oh how I would love to do my degree again!)

So when the opportunity arose to take such a great course run by such a prestigious designer as Karie who has been teaching for over ten years and has produced exception work which can be viewed here I couldn't say no.

When you think of a shawl all my non knitting friends would say "it is something your Gran would wear". But knitting now is not just for "your Gran" to do. With the help of incredibly talented Indie yarn dyers and a whole new era of knitters. Along with the realisation that knitting has the ability to help with mindfulness and relaxation their is a whole new group of people who just love to knit.

Shawls have a fascinating history from the traditional Shetland Shawl to the elaborate work of Stephen West who's eleborate use of colour and shape breaks many rules.

As part of the course Karie asked where do I get my inspiration for design. For me it is thinking of what I want, be it socks or a garment.

These are my latest two design's

One is a sleeveless top and the second a long sleeve Boxy shaped jumper and I am working on a long sleeve cardigan in my collection I have called "The Road to Happiness".

I love swatching as you can gadge how the fabric will drape, the important stitch and row count and if you like how the fabric looks.

But Karie opened my eyes to so much more in terms of thinking of a story and drawing inspiration, aswell as yarn choices, needle size, the shape and item you want to create.

If you are ever in Bath and want to visit a ln inspiring shop you can not fail with A Yarn Story.

I could not resist Townhouse Yarns based in Dublin, Ireland.

These will definitely be turning into my very own shawl design.

So if you get a chance to go to a
Karie workshop, I highly recommend it.  I found her to be the most patient and inspiring person and her knowledge and teaching is impeccable

A Yarn Story interviewed Karie prior to her workshop, here is the interview.

Walking and Woolacombe.

 

Ever since I was a child I have always walked. Growing up my Dad always loved taking us out. His job was an Ordenance Surveyor so he know how to read maps and had an incredible collection of maps that showed footpaths.  We visited many many places over the years as a family and me and Dad also used to go cycling and swimming.

I have very few pictures of me when I was young.  I am the one in the middle, sister to the right and my handsome Dad.

Then when I was at University in Leicester many years later I walked everywhere as it was so much easier than driving.

So for me walking is a great way to excercise.  In today's society we are alot more away of Mindfulness. For me both knitting which I do every single day, but walking is also a great way to help with mindfulness. 

My Dad passed away four years ago, but he is always in my heart and he is with me when I go walking and if I start to find the walk hard, he is there in spirit willing me on.

So I know Dad was definitely with me when me and my wife set off on our first walk on our amazing holiday to Woolacombe this year.

South West Coastal Path is a brilliant information guide to walks that can be downloaded onto a mobile and one I have ready for next year!

Our first walk was route 116 taking us along the coastal path from Woolacombe around the coastal edge and then back in a circular route through Mortehoe village.

These are some of the many beaches that you pass on the walk.

 

Not long into the walk you pass Watersmeet Hotel

which looks a lovely place to have a meal, stay or just admire.

One of my favourite animals are sheep, so it was so lovely to walk along and see so many just chilling.

The scenary was truely spectacular, this is the view looking back towards Woolacombe bay.

The obligatory "shadow" shot by me and my wife.

Near the end of the walk we came across this great painted stone, that you picked up and moved to another spot for some one else to enjoy.

By now my legs were getting very tired and these steps may not look steep, but they definately seemed it at the time!

You could no longer see Woolacombe by this point and I was so proud to have walked along this whole coast line.

The lighthouse was rather a disapointment as you could not go in as it was all enclosed and the buildings at the front were owned by a trust who rented them out as holiday cottages.

But we made it which was the main thing.

The cliff edges and general geological formations just took my breath away.

This was the view on the homeward stretch, isn't it spectacular!!

Not a bad mornings excercise.

That evening I took in the beautiful sunset and just sat and watched and captured this beautiful shot of a stunning part of the UK.

Woolacombe Tank Top

Over the bank holiday at the end of May, myself and my wife had an amazing four night stay in Woolacombe.

I never go anywhere without my knitting and this trip was no exception!

I took with me my summer top I designed, based on a simple t shirt style, with a little flair at the bottom.

I have combined two laceweight yarns. The first is Fyberspates Gleem Lace 

this comes 25 glourious colourways and is made from 55% Bluefaced Leicester and 45% Silk.

The second colourway is Chester Wool Tranquil Lace .  

I have a BIG stash of Chester Wool yarn as I just love it so much. The yarn is all natural colours which I love, but many indie dyers buy their yarn from here directly.

This yarn is made from 50% Camel and 50% Silk.

So with these two yarns combined the drape of the garment is just perfect.

While away the accommodation had the most perfect window seat.  I have never been anywhere with a window seat and what a view!!

When my wife was not sitting in the seat I sat and looked out down to Woolcombe sands and all the surfer's and people enjoying the beach.

If I was not sat in the window, I sat on the sofa and the view was equally amazing.  I spent many happy hours just looking at this hill, watching the cars coming a going and the sheep on the hill.

Whilst away we walked about 35 miles around this stunning part of north Devon and we loved it so much we have booked to go back next year!

I have named my top Woolacombe Tank top as the colours from the area match perfectly with the colours in the finished garment.

This is Woolacombe beach

This is Barrican Beach, which after the sandy beach is my favourite place.  

Here you can find so many shells and incredible rock formations.

Just look at the incredible colours found in these rock.

This is the finished top, I feel it will get alot of wear and I love it so much I am going to make another.

Slimbridge in May

I have been a member of World Wetlands Trust for more years than I can remeber and try and visit Slimbridge which is only 30 minutes drive from me as often as I can.

On 19th May which was a rather warm day and also the day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding.

I decided it would be a quiet day to head off to have a relax at the trust.

I found a new walk which I had not been on before that takes you right down to the Seven Esturary.  I sat here for about an hour and just watched the waders and the River Severn ebb and flow.  This river is the longest river in Great Britain and brings together four rivers into one. It also has a hugh tidal range and Tidal Bore which is a spectacle I have yet to see.

 

 

There are the amazing pink Flamingos in three different locations around the site.

 

The South Lake hide is my favourite spot to just sit and chill and watch.

I take knitting almost every where. This project will be my new Deckchair socks.

The iconic building that I regonise instantly to symbolise Slimbridge.

Over the next two year's they are making changes to the site in a project called Slimbridge 2020.

I am so looking forward to being able to view Sir Peter Scott's home and visit the new aviary.

Another aspect i love about Slimbridge are the arrear of flowers they have.

So if your ever in the area pop in. You won't be disappointed.