Be Collarful

 The Spring/Summer Issue

Spring has sprung and color is "popping up" everywhere. 

Also "popping up" this spring is my favorite knit wear designer, 

Louisa Harding

 in the new Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Vogue Knitting.

 Collarful Additions

Vogue Knitting says it best...

"A designer known for alluring adornments believes that flirty collars are just the thing for a spring transformation."

Since I love knitting Louisa's accessories,

I just had to buy this issue strictly for Louisa's collars!

 Be Collarful

On pages 46 and 47, 

you'll find Louisa's six beautiful collar patterns in the magazine.  With names like, Ruby, Tango, Victoria, Bubblegum, Ginger and Candy I couldn't help but think of other fabulous fashion eras when collars were all the rage.

The collars are detachable and perfect to add a "pop" of color to transform a cardigan or top into an instant fashion statement.  Louisa has designed them to use just one hank of her luxurious yarns.  

I'm a bit partial to the Ruby and Ginger collars since I love knitting with Louisa's Grace Hand Beaded and Mulberry Hand Beaded yarns.  

A Vintage Collar

Louisa's background was fashion and dressmaking before she became a knitwear designer.  I think her fashion background is always evident in her designs.  As for myself and fashion,  I love how fashion repeats itself.  

Fashionable collars were all the rage in the 1950's.   Recently my mom gave me her vintage beaded collar from the City of Paris department store in San Francisco, Ca.  As a teenager, my mom wore detachable collars on her cardigans all the time.  

Well, now I can't wait to add some vintage "fashion flair" to my wardrobe with Louisa's pretty collars.  I'll be knitting them for Christmas gifts as well...

how about you?

What would Jane knit?

Jane Austen Knits

It's no secret that I adore Jane Austen.

Today is Jane's birthday.  

She was born on December 16th, 1775 in Hampshire, England. 

In honor of Jane's birthday today, 

I'm curling up with a good cup of English Afternoon Tea,
my knitting and 

 the movie Pride and Prejudice featuring Colin Firth, 

as my favorite Mr. Darcy!

I also love the magazine Jane Austen Knits that debuted last year.  

Since it's Jane's birthday today, 

I thought I would share with you where you can find a
Jane Austen treat for yourself.  

Just click here 

and you can get a free download of the scarf pattern 

from the cover of the premier issue of 

Jane Austen Knits Magazine from 2011.  

I'm Knitting a Mini Jubilee Bunting!

Tea & Jubilee 

The May issues of the British knitting magazines

 have finally landed in the States.

I've been watching for them since I knew they would be filled with Jubilee goodies

and sure enough they are!

Mini Jubilee Bunting

I was so inspired by the magazines 

that I'm now (last minute) knitting a mini-bunting 

to adorn my Diamond Jubilee tea party table. 

I hated to miss out on all the Jubilee knitting 

so this little project is one I can tackle 

as my hand and fingers continue to heal.

I'm knitting my bunting with a Jubilee Celebration Yarn kit

that came as a "free gift" with the  Let's Knit magazine, issue 54.

There are patriotic projects for the yarn in the magazine but after seeing the adorable 

 mini-buntings by Nicole at Nicole and the bee, 

I opted to use my yarn kit for a mini-bunting like hers. 

You can find the pattern on Ravelry called Knitted Bunting

and modify it to a mini size, like Nicole did.

I also love Jane Brocket's knit Bunting 

and borrowed her style idea

 by putting my knit bunts on red rick-rack 

for a vintage1950's look.  

Quite fitting I think, since after all, 

Queen Elizabeth was crowned Queen in 1952 

and had her Coronation in 1953. 

 Jubilee Knits

All three British magazines are filled with brilliant

Jubilee projects including:

 Union Jack flag and cushion, several crown hats, corgi hat, a crochet picnic throw, several buntings, pom pom tea cosy, Jubilee coin purse, egg cosy and a placemat just to name a few.

 And all the magazines came with free gifts.

I love that about British magazines! 

Cool Knitannia

The Simply Knitting magazine came with a free pattern book called

"Cool Knitannia".

I can't wait to knit that adorable tea cosy on its cover 

with crowns and hearts 

to use with my Emma Bridgewater pottery.

Gotta run for now though...

I'm off to knit more bunts. 

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Pottery and Betty and Barclay Union Jack Bunting.)

Hail Britannia!

 Hail Britannia!

You don't have to be a Brit

to be excited about the 

Queen's Diamond Jubilee!  

I'm quite excited and plan on celebrating

 with tea parties and luncheons

all Jubilee Weekend long!

I had planned on knitting Debbie Bliss' Union Jack flag

and her retro Tea Cozy  for my Jubilee tea parties.  

Unfortunately due to my ganglion cysts and hand surgery, my knitting projects of the last six months have been put on hold. 

In the meantime, 

since I'm not knitting much,

I have enjoyed seeing the Diamond Jubilee 

patterns that have debuted in the past few months.  

I thought I would share a few of my favorites. 

Here they are:

 Diamond Stole

I adore lace 

and love Susan Crawford's Diamond Stole. 

It's one of 14 designs in Susan's Coronation Knits 

collection featuring designs inspired from 

Queen Elizabeth's 1950's Coronation era.

Jubilee Bunting

No Jubilee celebration is complete unless you have bunting!

I love this Jubilee Bunting pattern

 by Gemma Atkinson 

for Rowan.
And, it's a free pattern!

Jubilee Placemat

Naturally, the British knitting magazines have special 

Jubilee projects in them. 

I love this Jubilee Placemat 

from the UK's The Knitter, Issue 45.  

I love the placemat's photo styling, too.  

I would love to sit down at that table for an English breakfast!

Knittania!

And, in case you're wondering about my adorable 

"Knittania" Union Jack tea mug...

my Ravely pen pal Jo sent it to me 

all the way from England

 to "cheer me up" after hand surgery.  

If you love knitting and Britain like me,

you can find the Knitannia tea mugs by Mason Cash

 at Lakeland. 

Hail Britannia!

(Photo Credits:  Diamond Stole/Susan Crawford, Jubilee Bunting/Rowan 

and Jubilee Placemat, The Knitter.)

(In the photos:  Brick Stitch Tea Cozy hand-knit by me and Union Jack bunting by Betty and Barclay. 

Elderflower

 The Knitter

I haven't picked up the UK's The Knitter magazine 

for quite some time now.  

While at Barnes & Noble the other day, 

I certainly could not resist Issue 41

because it came with a free 

Louisa Harding pattern supplement!

 Elderflower 

by Louisa Harding

Included with The Knitter magazine 

is a glossy-color supplement for 

Louisa Harding's Elderflower pattern.  

It's a treat for sure, for Louisa Harding fans, like me,

 and includes the same beautiful photographs from her

  Absinthe pattern book, 

which the pattern is from.  

I haven't been able to find the Absinthe book

 at my local yarn stores 

so I am thrilled to have this supplement now 

for my Louisa Harding library.

The Elderflower pattern can be knit three ways:

as a collar, a cowl or capelet, 

depending on which Louisa Harding yarn and needle size you use.

I plan on knitting the cowl version in Louisa's Thistle yarn.

 I love Thistle and, just so happen,

 to have two colors in my stash, 

Holly and Aqua.

Thistle 

So now I need your help...

which color do you think I should knit my

 Elderflower cowl in?

Holly or Aqua?

Elinor's Tea Gloves

 Miss Elinor's Tea Gloves

...because a Lady can never have too many gloves 

for afternoon tea!

 Sense & Fashion Handwarmers

I just finished my first project from 
the 2011 Jane Austen Knits magazine.
I've named my tea gloves after my favorite character 

Miss Elinor Dashwood 

in Jane Austen’s 
Sense & Sensibility.

The pattern is actually called 

Sense & Fashion Handwarmers 

I'm just sure the designer, Hannah Poon

had Miss Elinor in mind when she designed them!
Can't you just imagine,
Elinor wearing these handwarmers
when Edward Ferrars stops by the Barton Cottage
for a visit and tea. 

 Time for Tea!

I was immediately drawn to this pattern in the magazine. 

I love their lacy design 

and that they are perfect to wear to afternoon tea.

I also love that they are knit in Louisa Harding's 

Grace Silk & Wool yarn...

which just happens to be one of my favorite yarns
and is always in my stash! 

The pattern is very well written 

and consists of a four-row lace pattern repeat.

They are a wonderful one-skein project and only require 

one ball (110 yards) of Grace Silk & Wool yarn.

The Designer says:

"Both handwarmers can be knitted in an afternoon."

I think it's a bit more realistic to take two afternoons to knit them

(which I did)

allowing for proper hand/finger rests 

and tea breaks, of course.

Jane Austen Knits 

Applause to Interweave on such a lovely publication,

Jane Austen Knits. 

The magazine not only has 35 Austen-inspired projects but 

also lovely articles on 

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

and the 

Regency Period. 

If by chance,

you don't have the magazine,

Interweave just announced that you can purchase 

the patterns from the magazine online now.  

I just know, 

Miss Jane Austen 

would delight in all this fuss over her!

Cosy Up!

Mollie Makes Mug Cosy

Put the tea kettle on...

I love this adorable mug cosy
featured on the cover of last year's
Mollie Makes, Issue Seven. 

This clever cosy is designed by Kate Reiser .

Kate's cute Crochet Chai Cosy 

features an adorable felt tea tag that you embroider.  

I love her tea tag idea!

Kate's an American and
has a darling Etsy store called Knit Storm.

She specializes in original knitted and crocheted 

mug and cup cosies.  

For those of us that love to create...
Kate's Chai Cosy pattern was published online today

 in the UK's Guardian Newspaper.

You can find the pattern here.  

Thank you Kate and Mollie Makes
 for sharing your adorable cosy pattern 

for all to enjoy!

Happy Hearts Day!

Valentine Heart Sachet

I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with some 

"sweet treats"!

I love this heart sachet pattern by Vicki Sever 

that was published a few years back

in several Interweave Magazines. 

I filled my sachet with dried lavender from my garden.

You can find the pattern information

here.

Sheer Bliss!

Debbie Bliss Magazine

Spring/Summer 2012

My Emma Bridgewater mug says it all...

Happiness is a cup of tea 

&

a new magazine!

I just picked up the new Debbie Bliss Magazine

and I've been enjoying it with a cup of tea.  

Here are a few of my favorites from this issue:

Nell's Oat Cakes

One of my favorite features of Debbie's magazine 

is called 

The Blissful Life.

I always dash there to see what recipe 

Debbie's daughter, Nell will have for us. 

This issue she features a recipe for Canadian Oat Cakes 

inspired by her and her "mum's" trip to Canada last year.

I'm thinking those biscuits
would be perfect with a cup of tea!

Rosa's Dress

Oh my gosh,
I love this adorable dress with its knit bodice 

and Liberty of London print skirt!

Debbie says it is, 

"Inspired by the beautiful dresses worn by Spanish children."

I'm so excited that the pattern is in the magazine.

I even have the same Liberty of London print 

(as the model's)

that I purchased at Liberty of London 

in London last year.

Fair Isle Cardigan

In her Editor's Letter,

Debbie tells us 

"I love the seaside 

so I didn't need much of an excuse 

to introduce features with a nautical theme in this issue."

You can see her love for the seaside with her patterns in the sections named 

Simply Stripes and Kids Ahoy.

I like her Fair Isle Cardigan (above)  featured in Simply Stripes. 

I think it has a bit of a "retro"
or "Cath Kidston look"
and is worked in six shades of Baby Cashmerino.  

I also adore the cute seaside cottage 

and all the vintage props they used for the photo shoot!

Chevron Stole

Who wouldn't want to snuggle up at the beach in this?

I have to say,

this Chevron Stole and its color combination

reminds me a bit of 

Missoni's 

collaboration with Target last year. 

It's knit in a combination of Debbie's Bella and Angel yarns
which is a much nicer yarn range
than the Missoni for Target,
acrylic items. 

Lace Shrug

This lacy shrug is probably my favorite pattern in the magazine.

It's knit in Debbie's new Party Angel yarn 

that has a gold or silver lurex thread combined with the mohair. 

It's knit in one piece and without any seams.  

Love that!

Oh, Baby!

There are a few new additions in this issue.

In Nell's Diary, 

Nell writes about her and her mum's experiences on their trip 

to Canada last year.

There is also a new column called Focus on Fiber by 

industry expert, David Watt.

And of course,

it wouldn't be Debbie Bliss 

unless there were some adorable baby designs like the 

little beret above! 

It's another great issue

 and it really does get you in the mood

 for spring and summer knitting!

Crafty Biscuit Anyone?

 Mollie Makes Issue Four

There are plenty of tea time treats

in Mollie Makes Issue Four.

I just snagged Issue Four off the cart at Barnes & Noble

a few days ago before it even hit the shelves. 

There is not much knitting or crochet in this issue

but I'm still enjoying this British magazine all the same.

Here's a little look inside:

 A is for Apron

A is for apron and I adore this one!

Yes, it is made in Liberty of London fabric!

This is a sneak peak from Liberty's very first book on sewing called

The Liberty Book of Home Sewing Projects. 
(This adorable apron is featured on it's cover.)

 

Do I dare tell my husband, I already want to go back to London
for more Liberty prints?

 B is for Biscuit

B is for biscuit and this issue of Mollie Makes

is all about biscuits and tea time treats!

The cover's sweet biscuits are cute and crafty.  They are designed by Ouissi Gresty.

They are crafted out of felt scraps.  Just a few basic embroidery stitches and voila...

you've got adorable sweet biscuits (with no calories).

Ouissi has an adorable website (appropriately called)
British Cream Tea 

and is also the author of the book Felt Biscuits. 

 T is for Tea

T is for tea and since Mollie Makes is British...

there are always tea time treats and inspiration

on Mollie's pages.

I really like staying in the know

with the British craft and shopping scene

by reading through the pages of Mollie Makes.

Being a loyal fan of Mollie Makes,
really makes you want to take a trip across the Pond!

Teeny Tiny Purse

I love these Teeny Tiny Purses.  I think they would be fantastic made up in my favorite

Liberty of London prints to hold all my purse change. 

I'm not much of a sewer but there are very clear instructions and detailed diagrams
on how to make these fabric purses. 
I just may have to find the right purse clasp so I can give this sewing project a go! 

The Great British Biscuit

In the spirit of Mollie Makes...

I love supporting artists, crafters and small business.

While having tea in an adorable tea room in London this year,

I fell in love with a tea towel by British illustrator,

Jill Tytherleigh. 

I now have an adorable red The Great British Biscuit tea towel

in my American kitchen and used it for the photo styling in this post.

I hope one day Mollie Makes includes Jill in the magazine.  I love her work.

In the meantime...

visit her website or her cute Etsy store Jilltydrawings
and treat yourself to a tea towel.

Mollie would approve!

Bliss!

 Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine

Fall/Winter 2011

I'm ready for fall...

and Debbie Bliss' new fall magazine is enticing me
 to pick up my knitting needles
and start some fall and winter projects!

Here are a few of my favorites from Debbie's new issue:

 Fair Isle Cardigan

I'm a Fair Isle fan so I love Debbie's feature on Fair Isle knits called
The New Palette...The Bold Standard.

Debbie says it's time to "rev up your needles for a new approach to sweater weather." 

I love how she changed up traditional Fair Isle color work to a new palette of black and white.  Her Fair Isle designs are striking in this color palette and have a much more modern twist!

This snowflake crew-neck cardigan in varying shades of blacks, greys and silver is knit in Debbie's Baby Cashmerino.  I love how it is styled in the magazine with a black skirt. 

 Wristwarmers

I love small Fair Isle projects so I love these diamond pattern wristwarmers.

I'm not really a sweater knitter so this Fair Isle pattern is perfect for me and fellow knitters who want to tackle small Fair Isle projects.

They are also knit in Debbie's Baby Cashmerino. 

 Fair Isle Sweater

I love classic fashion

and this Fair Isle Cardigan is bound to become a classic!

With its snowflake motif....

I think it's perfect for hitting the slopes

or some apres ski parties!

It's knit in Debbie's Rialto 4-ply extra-fine merino.

 Basketweave Wrap

It's no secret that I love scarves.

I love to wear them and I love to knit them!

The cover Basketweave Wrap scarf is my favorite pattern in the magazine. 

It's knit in Debbie's new bulky (color changing) yarn Riva.

Admirers are asking "what's that color way on the cover."

# 02 Heather.  Now you know.

Debbie also has a new pattern book for fall called Riva
which was photographed in the British countryside. 

I can't wait to get my copy!

Party Girls!

Of course, the magazine wouldn't be Debbie Bliss
without some knit designs for "little cuties"!

There is an adorable feature called Party Girls
filled with "girlie" lacey party knits. 

This is another wonderful issue by Debbie and her team. 

I hope you find your copy soon...
and it inspires you,  like me,
to start up some fall knitting projects
and
make Debbie's daughter Nell's
Flapjacks recipe in the issue,too. 

A Blissful Day!

Debbie Bliss Magazine

Fall/Winter 2011

It's a blissful day whenever I pick up the new
 Debbie Bliss magazine.

The magazine's official delivery date isn't until September 6th.  For those of us "in the know",

the magazine usually arrives at Local Yarn Stores before the "big-box" chain stores.  I make it a habit to always dash out to my LYS the moment it arrives.

As for knitting, I don't knit much during the hot summer months here in California.  Debbie's new issue though is already inspiring me to pick up the needles again. 

Before I pick up the needles though...

I couldn't wait to bake Debbie's daughter Nell's Sweet Oat Bars (Flapjacks)

 recipe in the magazine. 

 My favorite feature in every issue is The Blissful Life.  I love that Debbie shares with us her favorite things and features a recipe by Nell in every issue.

Nell's Sweet Oat Bars

Nell's Flapjack recipe is a keeper!  

They taste just like the yummy flapjacks my husband and I love having in England. 

I'll be back soon with a sneak peek of my favorite designs from the issue. 

I'm off now to enjoy a cup of tea,

 a flapjack and my new Debbie Bliss magazine! 

It's a Blissful Day!


(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater pottery.)

Hooked on Mollie Makes!

 Mollie Makes Issue 3

I'm hooked on Mollie Makes! 

Mollie Makes Issue 3
has just arrived in the US this week. 

 Sunshine Flowers

I love Issue 3 and all its projects.

I'm picking the cute crochet flowers by Carmen Heffernan as my favorite project in this issue.   Her Sunshine Flowers are featured on the cover and she gives a tutorial in the magazine on how to make them.  Oooh, I can't wait to give them a try and start crocheting flowers! 

Carmen works from her home in the lovely Irish countryside.

She has the most colorful and adorable flower shop on Etsy.

Go have a look...you'll be inspired!

 Sunshine Bag

How cute is this Sunshine Bag?

 I would love to make one in a Liberty of London floral print fabric..wouldn't you? 

 Mollie Makes says "its roomy enough to fit your whole life into (including your craft stash). 

I haven't really sewn anything since junior high so I think I better sign up for sewing lessons.  Although Mollie says...this is a cinch to make.  So I guess, I just have to borrow my sister's sewing machine.

 Flower Power

I've always loved making flowers. 

As a young girl in the 1970's, I used to make dip film flowers all the time.  Remember those?

Today, I'm obsessed with making flowers to adorn clothes and accessories.  So naturally, I adore the article We Heart Flower Corsages.  There are four flower corsage patterns all made out of cotton fabrics.

These flowers look pretty easy to make so I can't wait to get crafty and make a few.

Tea Time!

And, of course, since Mollie Makes is British...

you know there is bound to be a thing or two about tea in the magazine.

I love reading about all the craft cafes and shops in the UK where you can sit and knit

or craft and have tea and cake. 

This issue features a beautiful English wedding with a vintage tea theme.  There are lots of pretty photographs that are bound to inspire you to pull out your Grandma's tea cups

and have an afternoon tea party! 

Yay, for Mollie Makes!

I absolutely love Mollie Makes. 

I can't wait for Issue 4 and its adorable felt biscuits on the cover.
All the UK Mollie Makes fans are already saying...
 "it's the best issue yet"!


(In the photos:  vintage crochet motifs and my great-grandmother's crochet hook were used when I styled the photos.)