Mosaic Hot Water Bottle Cover and Cat Model

Another bit of getting my family to model. This time it was my elderly cat. As you can probably tell she was not delighted. That is definitely the look of a cat saying "why on earth have you put me here?". I forgive her though, as she is an old lady of 18. Eventually though with another strategically placed hot water bottle under her basket she settled down for a bit more of the photo I was aiming for.

Looking at other photos on Ravelry of hot water bottle covers, I decided my favourites were of people heading of to bed, so I also feature myself in the one below.

This crochet pattern was designed by Rebecca Anaspure, and is available as a project kit on Blacker Yarns website - Mosaic Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cover. It is a really clever design, with a handy split at the back to insert the hot water bottle through.  Made from Samite silk-blend in DK, it is not only really soft and snuggly, it will keep your bottle’s warmth until you are fast asleep.

Now can I work out a way to get my dog into a photograph for Blacker Yarns.

Ridgeway Gansey Cardigan and Hoveton Sweater

 

Last time my daughter was home I managed to persuade her to do some modelling for two new patterns and project kits, which are now available from my work at Blacker Yarns. She really liked both garments, and I had to explain to her that they had to go back to work. Both are designed by Rita Taylor, and you can find other designs by her on Ravelry and Lovecrafts. You can follow links to The Ridgeway Gansey Cardigan, and the Hoveton Sweater to find the project kits at Blacker Yarns. What I think appeals about both patterns is that there is some fancy work, but also a bit of straight stocking stitch. Best of both worlds!

 

Seedpod Cowl

I have been knitting the second part of the BFF Cowl. What you are meant to do is link your two cowls, a bit like a friendship bracelet. But I have decided to keep mine separate, so you can see the beautiful stitches.

I love this one - The Seedpod Cowl - designed by Ysolda Teague. I just love this stitch, it is fairly simple after the first few pods, but I think is so beautiful. I knitted the cowl twice the width in the pattern for extra cosiness.

Once again I have used some Ewe-nique Merino DK from Blacker Yarns, and these projescts were to illustrate how lovely this yarn knits up. Still a bit left on the cone, and I have an idea for one more project. But I have been a bit distracted by a jumper for my husband, so this one may have to wait a while.

Cottage Garden Hot Water Bottle Pattern (and Kit)

I have been busy designing a hot water bottle pattern, using the lovely soft Samite Silk Blend wool from Blacker Yarns, where I work. You can buy the pattern later today in my shops on Etsy, Ravelry and LoveKnitting when I have uploaded them. 

The pattern is designed for DK wool, and there are instructions for two sizes, and information on how to fairly easily adapt it for other sizes of hot water bottle. It also has charts for two flower designs - tulips or poppies.

If you want to buy the pattern and wool as a project kit this is available on the Blacker Yarns website. I think it would make a lovely gift for any knitter who wants to dip their toe into fair isle knitting. It is a fairly easy introduction, as you are only ever working with two yarns at once.

My husband has just told me it is not the time for hot water bottles, but I have pointed out to him that we are only one little bit of the world. I am sure there are places where it is cold. In an effort to save on the heating bill I have frequently sat hugging a hot water bottle this winter.

You can see in the background of the photos below The Lost Flock by Jane Cooper. This is a really interesting read about the history of Boreray sheep, as well as her own personal story of a move from the northeast of England to the Orkney Islands, where she became a sheep farmer with her own flock of this rare breed.

BFF Cowl

I have been busy knitting the first part of the BFF Cowl. This is a two part pattern, and I have started with the first half of the pattern, designed by Tiny Owl Knits. I have to admit that I have been a little bit obsessed by Stephanie Dosen's designs for quite a few years: a wonderful mixture of wizardary and nature. 

I also really enjoyed knitting this cocoon stitch, which after the first few repeats was fairly easy. The only tricky part was the P5tog, but this end result was so satisfying to do that it was worth perservering with this.

This cowl was knitted some Merino DK from Blacker Yarns, where I work. This wool is super soft and lovely to work with. It came on a cone, although it can also be bought by skein, and in 4ply, Aran or lace weights. I have enough left to have a go at the second part of the pattern the Seedpod Cowl designed by Ysolda Teague, which also looks like it will be fun.

North Ronaldsay Wool

Did you know that North Ronaldsay sheep have a diet that is primarily seaweed? I learned that a few weeks ago, and so thought that a background of seaweed would be a nice way to photograph Blacker Yarns new North Ronaldsay wool. This is a lovely 100% pure wool. I am planning to buy some myself, for a new jumper for my husband, who is keen to have a Norweigan fisherman's jersey. I had better get a move on, as I can see orders flying in.

No trip to the Orkney Islands, but we set off to our nearest beach in Bude. I was down in the rockpools looking for a good seaweedy spot, when my husband pointed out that the frothy brown liquid that was all around us would not be a good look for the photos. Quite appalled that a beach in a town that relies on tourism and was teaming with people, it was half-term, could be in this state. Later that week I watched a tv programme Joe Lycett vs Sewage, and it seems this is problem everywhere.

So we hastily left, and decided to go to Duckpool Beach a little further north. We got to the turning, and there was a Flood Sign, "but that could have been there for ages", I said. A bit further down the lane we realised the road really was flooded, so we reversed back up the country lane.

Third attempt we went to Sandymouth Bay, and finally success. Beautiful clean beach, not many people, with lots of lovely seaweed on the rocks. Although a bit overexposed, I love this photo of the beach, as it gives the feel of the wind and the sun, and the space between the people.

 

Ryeland

Could you photograph Rylan, I thought they said! And I started dreaming. My first celebrity photoshoot. Imagining him with those purly white teeth, perhaps wearing a purly white jumper, or maybe black, he often wears black. Alas, I was mistaken! 

Here is the Ryeland that I photographed. Equally lovely, this Ryeland from one of Britain’s oldest sheep breeds, originally known for Merino-like softness. It has just been launched by Blacker Yarns in their Limited Edition and Rare Breeds. If you visit their page you can read more information, and see some lovely photos of the flock that this wool came from.

 

Samite Silk Blend - Morte d'Arthur

I almost forgot that I have one more series of photos to show you that I took to illustrate Blacker Yarns new Samite silk blend. This book was my father-in-law's school prize, Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Malory. Volume 2 - so I wonder if he also won Volume 1?

 

I decided to use some of the new range of Samite yarn to make some patches with an Arthurian theme, and sewed them together to make a bookmark.

The beautiful plates in the book were part of the inspiration for the patterns used on the wool bands and colourcard.

 

Little Pumpkins

I have been busy working on a pattern for some little pumpkins for Halloween. The pattern contains instructions for two sizes of pumpkins, which are really quite simple and quick to make.

 

The pictures above are knitted in DK, but searching through my stash of oddments I found a lot of pumpkiny (is that a word) wool in other thickness. It is very simple to adapt the pattern to whatever wool you have simply by changing the needle size. For DK I used 4mm, for 4ply 3.5mm and for the scrummy thicker wool 5mm.

 

So here are some photos of some individual pumpkins that could be used as decorations. 

 

 

The pattern is available here on ravelry, and Etsy and will be on Loveknitting in due course.

 

One other idea that I think would work well would be to make a bunting mixing the pumpkins with my knitted bats. Still working on this, but here is a link to the Bat Pattern on ravelry. 

 

Just to show that you could make your pumpkins in any colour here is a photo of my own homegrown pumpkin and squash.

 

 

Samite Silk Blend - St. Nectan's Glen

I had said I would post a few of the other photos that I took for Blacker Yarns new birthday range, Samite Silk Blend. After a lovely time swimming at Bossiney Bay, my daughter and I walked up to St. Nectan's Glen. This is a really magical place, with associations with Arthurian legend.

The site gets its name from a sixth century saint who is said to have lived in a hermitage cell here. It is also said that this holy site was where the Knights of the Round Table were blessed before setting out on the Quest for the Holy Grail.

The waterfall is very tall, and shoots through this hole in the rocks. I have also changed the photo in my banner heading, which is prayer ribbons tied in the trees around the valley.

Although at first I thought that the valley was going to be a bit dark for photos, but just as I needed it there was a golden evening glow.

Samite Silk Blend

I have been absolutely itching to post this video, which I made to advertise Blacker Yarn's new limited edition birthday yarn, which is launched today. The advert has been put near the top of the Blacker Yarns website. This yarn called Samite Silk Blend is made from 15% recycled silk 85% wool, and feels lovely and soft, and comes in a range of rich colours, named after characters from the Legend of King Arthur.

The filming took place on Dartmoor at sunset, and also at dawn in our field. It has taken a lot of planning and thought. On the Dartmoor shoot me and my husband spent quite a while avoiding groups of walkers. When we got home we realised that we had completely forgotten it was our wedding anniversary, which was fine because we had both forgotten. But making the film was such fun this is probably going to be more memorable than other years.

I have quite a few still photos that I have taken at other locations, and will post a few in a separate post.

Shepherd Baby Set

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed that so far I have not been very productive with pattern writing this year. I have been busy working away, and am finally ready with this new three patterns in one Shepherd Baby Set. For me this has been a bit of an epic, as I have not written a coordinated set before.

The set is knitted in 4ply wool, and the pattern contains instructions for all three items Hat, Shoes and Mittens and for three sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months. All the examples in these photos are knitted from the lovely Blacker Swan 4-ply which is sold at my place of work Blacker Yarns. I would recommend this wool, which is very soft and lovely to knit with. If you wanted to gift the pattern and wool to someone, it is available as a kit, or you could gift it to yourself. 

The pattern is also available in my Etsy and ravelry shops, and could be made with other 4-ply wools. The shepherd’s baby hat is knitted in the round, and designed to be deep, and with earflaps to keep the baby really cosy. The pattern also contains instructions on a very easy method to make a little pompom.

The shoes and mittens are knitted on two needles, and by the ingenious method of shaping made by turning midrow, you will be amazed that the shoes are knitted in one piece, with just one short seam to sew up.

The mittens can be stitched to a length of icord, and then threaded through your baby’s jacket or cardigan, so they are always handy!

I am very grateful to my lovely little model, my great nephew, who was happy to be dressed in wool despite the nice weather. This pattern could also be for girl babies, or little shepherdesses.

I have made another of my little videos, from a montage of photos, and I will share here after it has been published on the Blacker Yarns social media.

Shetland Coffee DK

 

Been busy taking some photographs for the new Blacker Shetland Coffee DK wool, which was out on Friday last week. Apart from the photographs, I had a little experiment with some video. I had a bit of help editing in from my daughter, but I picked the music and filmed the shots, and perhaps my husband might have a new career as a hand model. 

I had intended using Blur Coffee and TV, you can't use music without permission, until it is over 50 years old. So the Java Jive by The Ink Spots, released in 1940 seemed a good safe alternative. And we do love coffee ... as well as wool!