My Advent Jumper is Finished

 Last year I treated myself to a wonderful Yarn Advent Calender from the amazing Mia of Brambles and Me fame, she naturally dyes all her yarns and they are marvellous.

The 24 little packages duly arrived, wrapped up in little bags, each with a number on the outside. I had been pondering what to do with them this year, I have enough hats, scarves, shawls to see me through the coldest of winters, so I thought I would knit a jumper.

I chose the Flax Light which is a free pattern from the lovely ladies at Tin Can Knits, all I changed was I the garter stitch bands on the sleeves and I worked a 2x2 colour work design on it.

I used each of the colours in the order they came out and knitted each day as I went along. By the time it got to the 25th I mostly had a jumper, just the sleeves and body to finish, it was all done by the middle of January.

The only yarn I added to the advent was some light grey 4ply yarn from Lammermuir that I had purchased at the Perth Festival of yarn in 2018.

I am so happy with my jumper its big (I knitted the largest size) and snuggly and soo warm.

I hope you are all safe, and well, during these strange times. I'll be back soon with more news from the studio, i'm working on some new things and finishing off things that have already been started,

Stay safe, keep crafting, talk to you soon.

Hugs

Tracy x

Getting back to normal

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Hello,

Its been a while, but normal service is about to resume...
I had a hard time dealing with all that has happened over the last couple of years and it finally hit me over the Christmas period. But I am glad to say I am crawling out of the other side and getting back to a routine and 'normal' life (whatever that is... 😉)

My life post shop is now a whirl of housework, cooking and knitting groups, I think if I wanted to I could spend every day out at one group or another. Here is a list of the ones I currently go to:
Modays - Every other week, 2 groups which means I am at the wonderful Freshwater Coffee House all day.
Wednesdays - Every week firstly at Worsley's in Godshill 10 am-12 midday, followed by Gods Providence House in Newport, 1pm - 4pm
Fridays - There is a new group which meets at the Pet Centre Cafe, Watergate lane, Newport, 1 pm - 4 pm.

Just think of all the projects I can now finish.

Talking of projects - I have recently had a flurry of hat making, the cold weather may have had an encouraging hand in this, but I really enjoyed them. They were by the wonderful Yarning For Whimsey Her Lord of the Rings Themed hat collection was rather addictive, and I ended up making 2 of each design. I almost threatened to do a Dobby the House elf and wear them all at once..

Currently I am trying to finish some of my Wip's, including a shawl, a jumper and cardigan for Jo, a jumper for me and 3 pairs of socks - oh and a blanket using my scraps of 4ply. More of these next time.
What are you working on at the moment, its lovely to see what others are creating.

You can now follow me on Bloglovin', there is a link at the top of this post. Bloglovin is a great place to find new blogs to explore and follow.

That is it for now, I will be back to regular missives going forward, and I look forward to sharing my projects and upcoming designs with you all.

Happy crafting

Hugs

Tracy
=^.^=

Remembering Times Past

Hello again,

I hope that the weather is not being too nasty wherever you are at the moment, it is blowing a gale outside today and rain is forecast for later. Definitely a day to stay inside wrapped up warm with a project or two, a large cuppa and a puss cat or two...

Mum and Dad at my Great Aunt Vera's in better times

I have been quiet lately, mostly because I have been busy, but also because I have been hiding from the world. The first year anniversaries are the worst they say, and they are right. Tomorrow would have been my Dad's birthday, and it is the first one since he died last year.
I miss them both so much but at least I know that they are together with Neil, my younger brother who died when I was 7.


Time to celebrate the family and friends who are here and now. Without your support it would be a very bleak place indeed and I would like to say thank you to all of you.

Right, sorry to be a gloomy puss, enough now - what have I on my needles I hear you ask??

I am currently working on 2 pairs of socks for Jo and a pair for myself. I think I have 3 cardigans on the way for Jo - I really had better finish at least one off before Christmas....

I have a new design in the pipeline which I am going to try to finish for the New Year, so watch this space.

The Goldfish have been keeping me very busy lately - if you are not sure what I am talking about, take a peek here. It seems as fast as I make them they are swimming off to their new homes - get in quick as my order books will close for new orders in a couple of weeks time. Just message me to arrange your special fish.

Another gift item I have been working on lately are gnome bottle cosies, these are the cutest bottle covers you have ever seen, picture below.

Finished Objects - not sure I have actually finished much since my last post - I have mostly started things.... Whoopsie.

My last cast on item is a pair of sock for myself, the yarn and pattern I bought at the Knit Tea Retreat in Cardiff. It is a pair of Rainbow Bridges by Carolien Müller-Genger worked in the yarn she dyed especially for the pattern, No Rainbows Without Rain. Here Etsy shop can be found here, there are also some gorgeous stitch markers in the shop - I may have treated myself to a Tardis and a Pumpkin one when I saw her in October...

 Until next time - share your projects with me, I love to see what you are all working on.
Warm wishes from our home to yours
Tracy
                               =^.^=

Mum and Dad Christmas 1977 waiting for my brother Nicholas to arrive

Rainbow Bridges Socks with my pumpkin stitch marker

Things are a little fishy right now...

Hello everyone,

Well it has been a busy few weeks here in the Studio, I have been working on my second design in the Mother's Love Collection. This time a square baby blanket, just right to wrap the little one up in. It is currently out for test knitting and I am aiming for a release date in November.
If you would like to be kept up to date, don't forget to subscribe...

I have been working on my first ever design submissions for a yarn company and may be brave and send off a couple of designs to magazines as well - wish me luck. I am very excited about this and have been having a ball coming up with designs, who knows where this will lead me.

At the end of this week I am off to the first ever Knit Tea Retreat in Cardiff - this should be a fabulous weekend of yarn and learning. I have booked into classes with Anniken Allis and Renee Callahan and can't wait. There are about 50 of us going to this event at Insole Court, which is a Victorian Gothic Mansion - I am sure I will come back with lots of odd photos of tiles and woodwork. Those kind of features just draw my eye - how about you? What catches your attention when you walk around historic buildings? I would love to know, just leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
If you are in the area they are having a Marketplace from 2pm Sunday afternoon with some wonderful indie dyers and Crafters - well worth a look. If I am lucky I may be coming home with a special skein or two...

Goldfish, goldfish everywhere and not a drop of water

I have just tweaked and released my crochet Goldfish pattern, it is now available in UK and US terms. I just love these little fishes, you can make them large or small - why not get a big jar or vase and pop lots of them in there. The pattern can be found in my Etsy shop.

I have a few commissions that I am working on - more on those next time and I must start working on some Christmas gifts.

Works in Progress  

This week I have mostly been working on my Linus Cardigan by Renee Callahan, using Stylecraft Life and WYSpinners Signature 4ply. 

The Craigh na dun shawl, which I am knitting with Lang Jawool Magic Degrade. 

Oh and the Flying Buttress Socks in a really jazzy orange from Dye Ninja. Although I have lots of other projects which are languishing in bags and cupboards, I am trying to get to them all - honestly  😏😊

Semi-Secret Wip -  I am test knitting the lovely Iraila cardigan for Loare Knits - sneaky peeks next time

Finished Objects:  

I have had a veritable sock frenzy lately - I must blame the Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry. They have a monthly challenge - well how could I resist?

I have finished the Rogue or Storm sock which were knitting in Buffalo Gold 4ply - sooo soft

Also finished Norweigan Ridgeback Socks, I really enjoyed knitting these socks who knew beads on socks would look so pretty.

And, yes you guessed it another pair of socks - I finished the lovely Rita Socks by Dani Jorge, if you haven't found her collection of sock patterns yet, go and have a look. She can be found here

Until next time - Happy Crafting

Hugs

Tracy 

=^.^=

Autumn is coming fast

Hello,

Well I am not sure what the weather is doing around your way, but here it is blowing a hooley.

The winds are borderline gale force out there today, but at least is only rained a little bit this morning. All these chilly and wet conditions - along with our drafty double glazing has turned my thoughts to warm woolly things.

I am currently snuggling in an old cardigan of my dad's, which was 'the family Aran' pattern. I can remember my mum and I knitting these when I was a teenager, ah fond memories. Unfortunately the pattern has been lost over the years, that maybe a design to try to recreate and use in a future pattern...

Details from Dad's Aran Cardigan

Do you have a pattern that has a special place in your or your families memory? Textiles and hand crafted items have such a history, going back generations - I would love to hear your stories.





I am proud to announce that my Mother's Love Shawl pattern is now available to purchase on Ravelry and Etsy. The next design is just being prepared to go out for test knitting. It is a very exciting time here in the studio.

On the needles at the moment -
Several pairs of socks for Jo's Christmas Sock box, one of my favourites so far is the Mystery KAL from Heidi Nick, Rogue or Storm. I cannot show you any pictures at the moment as it is a secret until the pattern has been fully released. These are gong to be her luxury socks as they are being knitted in Buffalo Gold #5, which is a yarn made from 100% pure American Bison down.  It is a magical journey with cables and beads and I can't wait to show you -  the pattern is free if you would like to join in 😊

Another lovely one is from Danielle Jorge - the Cyril Socks from her #vintagelovestorycollection, which I am knitting in WYSpinners Bo Peep 4ply - it is so soft.

I have as always lots of projects on the go, too many for one email...
Are you a one project at a time person? or are you like me a bit of a butterfly and start at least 4 new projects for each one that is finished? At least that is how it feels sometimes, I am so easily distracted sometimes.

The Stash Sale continues, but on Etsy this time as I can give you a discount code for free postage to Isle of Wight residents. Yarn can be collected from me at Quay Arts on Wednesday afternoons or another time/place can be arranged.

The Code for Etsy is: IWIGHTCOLLECT18 and my Etsy Shop can be found here

Well I think that is me for the time being - I will be back soon with news of upcoming Christmas Fairs and new things for the shop.

Until then - happy crafting whatever you do, and stay warm.

Big hugs
Tracy
=^.^=

Busy world

Hello and welcome to the studio,

As Autumn starts creeping around the corner it is time to start reflecting on the year - its been a year of huge changes for us here.

The main change is of course the closure of the shop - this was a hard decision to make, but ultimately it was not working. The positive from this means that I can now concentrate on designing and creating items. The down side is the household income has decreased....

To this end I am going to have a Stash Sale to help fund my designing costs - tech editor and coffee mostly.... 😊 I will also be putting a buy me a Ko-fi button on the website, every little helps, and I am grateful for everyone who supports me.
The Stash Sale can be found here

There will be some gorgeous and unusual yarns that I will be liberating from the useful boxes at some bargain prices - go over to my folksy shop to see them in all their glory.

My first shawl pattern is almost ready to go live, it is currently out with the test knitters being finished and a tech editor is casting her eye over the details.

The universe conspired earlier this year to give me the final bum kick into finally creating my first pattern. I have notebooks and sketch books stuffed with ideas and samples for patterns, but that is as far as it has gone up to now. The first thing that happened was that a lovely, kind lady who I had the privilege to know when she was discovering knitting and all things yarny had discovered that she was pregnant. The second came in the form of the Swatch Studio Design course by Aroha Knits, this was the free introduction course for budding designers. 

The result is the design which will be launched later this month - Mother's Love, a small shawl designed with Dani of Little Bobbins in mind. (The original shawl has been gifted so I can talk about it freely now) I used  Silk Sock in colourway Mount Fiji from Yarn For the Soul for the border and Comfy Sock in Blushing Bride from Down Sheepy Lane, the two yarns worked beautifully together as you can see. I plan to make one in a single colour, just to see what it would look like - what colour would you knit it in?

I am currently screwing up the courage to create my first podcast - when I finally get over my mind monkeys, is there anything you would like me to cover in a mini tutorial or such like?

Please let me know if there is, I am happy to help.

Oh and before I forget - There will be an open day at Jubilee Stores in Newport on Saturday 8th September to showcase the new seasons workshops and classes. I will be there as I am teaching Learn to Crochet on Wednesday 17th October and Free-form Knitting and Crochet on Wednesday 7th November. If you would like to book or find out more details, just go to the Quay Arts website or drop me a line.

I think that is me for now, I will be back soon, until then 

Happy Crafting

big hugs

Tracy 

=^.^=

New Starts and Inspirations

 Hello everyone,

It may seems silly but the image on the left was just what I needed to hear. I don't know about you but I seem to be full of ideas and light-bulb moments - but that is all they are - moments. I never seem to make anything of them.

That is going to change from now on I will seize opportunities and make good on my light-bulb moments as much as I can.

Starting this week.
I have signed up to Sketchbook Revival - it is an 11 day challenge with various tutors bringing their own ideas and techniques. It is free to join just follow this link to sign up and join in. I will share my doodles with you in future missives, no matter how bad they look to me....

 Easter Weekend I met some friends for coffee at a newly opened cafe called Worsley's  in Godshill. It has a friendly, cosy atmosphere and lots of lovely cakes, including vegan and gluten free. After we finished we strolled back to the car park and stopped at a few shops - one of them had this gorgeous blue tile. Inspiration! I am not sure at the moment if it will be a knitted or crochet piece - watch this space...  if you were using it what would you make? Blanket, jumper, shawl? The possibilities are endless, but I am sure once I have played around with it a little something will leap out and say ME!

I have always had a soft spot for tiles, and this beautiful tiled entrance to another building in Godshill caught my eye. This would make a wonderful shawl or blanket design, although I will probably change the colour scheme. It reminds me of some quilting patterns, but I really think it would be a great crochet blanket. What colours would you use? Brights? Purples, Oranges and Greens?
Or something a little more subtle like pastels?



At the moment I am trying to finish off some projects, I know not like me at all.. Normally I finish one project and then start another 6  😊😊
Just off the needles - My Scrappy Flax Light Jumper, the pattern is a free one from Tin Can Knits and can be found here
Now I am finishing off the cardigan I started for Jo - Vodka Straight Up by Thea Colman, I choose a mid grey and used a hand dyed yarn from Little Boo for the contrast - I will put some pictures up when it is finished.

WIP's at the top of the pile anyway - Juneberry Cardigan, a pair of Solace Socks (for me this time), and lots of lovely things in preparation for Open Studios in July

Well I think I have rambled enough now, so I will sign off.
Until next time
Happy crafting
Hugs
Tracy x

When Life gives you lemons....

Hello again,
Well another week has passed by and it is still raining, any more of this and we will have to develop webbed feet, but at least it has warmed up a bit.

When life gives you lemons - what do you make?

No, not lemonade - Lemon Curd! 
OK, I know life didn't give me the lemons, I got them from Mr. Morrison's - an end of day bargain 7p for 4 un-waxed lemons. Got to love those reduced stickers.

Using a recipe from my trusty preserving book - seriously there are some lovely recipes in there, I made a large batch of lemon curd, yummy. The recipe is below:


Lemon Curd
275ml (11floz) Lemon juice from 5-6 juicy lemons
500g (1lb 4oz) Sugar
8oz unsalted butter
5-6 Large Eggs

Put the Lemon juice, rind, sugar and butter into a large bowl on top of a pan of gently simmering water.
Stir occasionally until the butter and sugar have dissolved.
Lightly beat the eggs in a jug, then using a sieve strain the beaten eggs into the lemon mixture. Stir the mixture well.
Cook gently, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens, do not boil or overcook.
Put into warm jars, seal and label.
Once cool, store in the fridge, the curd should last for about 3 months, but check frequently.

Although it may keep fine for up to 3 months, I tend to find it is gone in a couple weeks when I make it at home.

On Sunday I had a much needed catch up with a couple of friends the awesome Su Douglas and the equally wonderful Clare-Louise Sandell. We have all had a bit of a traumatic time over the Christmas and New Year period, but things are beginning to settle down for us all. We went to a local garden centre which has recently had a make over to include a lovely cafe, great coffee and a log burner, just what the doctor ordered for a rainy day. Open Studios planning starts soon, I will keep you up to date with the news and dates for this summers event.

This week in my infinite wisdom, I decided to get up early to enable me to work on some bits for my Folksy shop.
How early I hear you ask? 5am.... It seemed like a good idea at the time, but 2 mornings in combined with a midnight/all night visit from Frodo and I am beginning to wonder if it was such a good idea. I have some new dishes for the mini cactus that I make
Aren't they properly gorgeous?
I am looking forward to showing them off in all their completed glory next week.


Current Wip's -
Speckle and Pop shawl, I am still working on this although I must confess I am not feeling the love for this project, I will finish it though - hopefully next week I will be able to share some pictures of the FO.

The #fubc Shawl by Susan Crawford in the blue/cream colourway, I have added some more pattern repeats to this so it is slowly growing.

Jo's Cardigan - hmmm, have not worked on this at all this week in my attempt to finish the Speckle and Pop shawl - bad girl

I also have about another 6 projects scattered about the place, but I am trying to focus on about 3 at a time (no really), as they may have more of a chance of being finished. Well that is the theory anyway.

New yarn on the needles - Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme 1ply Lace, currently being swatch for a stole design using traditional Shetland lace patterns, more on this another time.

What have been up to this week, please share your Wip's I love to see what people are working on - although it normally means my Ravelry library expands quite a bit.

Until next time, may all your yarn run smoothly and the cat/dog not eat your needles/hook.

Hugs
Tracy x

Well hello there,
I hope that you are not too wet or snowy wherever you are. As I write this the weather is mizzly and grey, with the promise of cold weather, strong winds with sleet and snow to come, brrr...

What have I been up to lately I hear you ask, well lots is the answer.
Christmas saw me making three pairs of socks, and I had forgotten how much fun they are to make. The patterns I used were my normal pattern which came from Regia many moons ago, a basic top down sock with a conventional heel. The other 2 pairs were an adventure, firstly a pair of Solace socks by Anneh Fletcher, the pattern is available here. These were for Jo and I used Devon Sun Yarns Sprightly Sock in Rainbow, a little of pooling around the ankles but it was lovely to knit with.

Jo's Solace Socks

The other pair were for me, I don't know about you but I rarely make things for myself. It tends to be either things for the shop, commissions or items to send to Quay Arts.

The pair I made for me were a Christmas Eve Cast on using a pattern from Little Bobbins - Twas the Night Before Christmas

This pattern has been designed by a lady I have known for quite a few years, Dani has a tradition of starting a pair of socks every Christmas Eve. This is a lovely tradition which I will try to continue going forwards.
I really enjoyed knitting these socks, although my choice of yarn has meant that the little tree design is a little lost on the image, looks and feels great on though.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Socks

Another project I am battling with at the moment is the Stephen West Speckle and Pop KAL which started about the time we went to Yarndale..... So I know, I didn't keep up with the instalments, but am now trying to get it finished by the end of the month. it is 822sts at the moment, half brioche and half garter stitch and takes quite a while to finish a row.
I will post a picture next time.

The other mammoth task I set myself was an Aran jacket for Jo, the pattern is the Saddle Shoulder Aran by Meg Swansen worked in Shetland Aran Wool. I am challenging myself with this one as it is the first time I will have worked with steeks - I may do a little video of the cutting later, we'll see how brave I am feeling.

I think that is enough rambling from me for the time being - what are you working on at the moment?
Whatever it is may your yarn run smoothly and your patterns all be easy to follow.
Bye for now
Tracy x

Sunday morning rambles

Gurnard Seafront Beach huts

Hello,

The weather has been a little unpredictable of late, but the last Sunday was a bright sunny day, just perfect to explore a local yarnbombing project. I had not been able to get over to look at it with all the preparations for Open Studios which just take over my world for a while.

A knitting group that meets regularly in the Gurnard Press cafe and newsagent, together with the children from Gurnard Primary School had a plan to liven up the local area. They also raised funds for a couple of local charities - Mind and Ability Dogs for young people

The creativity was amazing - it totally transformed an ordinary street into a place where people smiled, talked to one another and stopped to admire the hard work. I loved the wrapped trees and the little pom poms in the verge, such a neat fun idea.

  

It also gave me the chance to spend some time with Jo before she went off to France with the Medina Community Choir. They go on tour in Europe every 2 years, this year they are returning to Saint-Didier-en-Velay, although the temperatures should be a little cooler than the 40+ degrees of the last visit.

 

It also gave me a little time to work on one of my current Wips which is the Pimlico Scarf, which is a KAL by the lovely Little Bobbins on her Ravelry Group - Little Bobbins Knits. Of course I had to have a lovely coffee while we were there... and a lovely coffee it was too, I heartily recommend the Gurnard Press if you are ever over that way.

I will keep you updated on the progress of what is on my needles, and going on here on my little island, until then, may your yarn run smoothly and knot free..

=^.^=

   

Making it up as I go along

Well, what a change in the weather, as I sit here writing this it is lashing down with rain and blowing a gale outside. Would the person who has taken the June weather kindly return it.

But onto lovelier things, this last couple of weeks I have been continuing to get organised for Open Studios, but my brain went into overdrive and refused to work that way.

So what do I do? Free-Form, that way I can play, be productive and just enjoy myself.


What is Free-Form I hear you ask? It is a form of knitting and crochet which is fairly organic, there are no rules, no patterns and any yarn goes - in fact the more outrageous the yarn the better. You make it up as you go along.

Below are some images of my progress on the waistcoat so far, I particularly love the fluffy middle of the flower shape

my work table with a palette of yarns, colours and textures

It starts small, then grows...

fluffy flower

The back as of Saturday morning 3rd June

The best person to show all the delights of Free form is a lady called Prudence Mapstone, her website can be found here. I had the pleasure of being taught by her on one her rare visits to the UK quite a few years ago.

Also on the needles at the moment:
The Genista V neck Tee for me in Debonnaire Allure Lace weight merino - it is so soft.
and Lavinia by Anniken Allis, which is a beautiful lacy poncho type garment. I am working this in some Touch Yarns 2ply which I have had in my stash for about 13 years... 
I was just waiting for it to tell me what it wanted to be

I will keep you up to date with my progress on the above projects and if you have time next month  come along to Open Studios here on the Isle of Wight and see the finished waistcoat for yourself.
I will be at Northwood WI Hall, Friday 21st - Monday 24th July, along with the other members of The Creative Collective, more on that nearer the time.

For now, whatever your craft have fun and enjoy yourselves.

Open Studios - its that time again...

Wowsers, doesn't the year go round quickly?
It seems only a little while ago that we were getting ready for the Isle of Wight's Open Studio event, and here it comes again. Only 9 weeks to go and yet again, I do not feel prepared for it.
There have been a few changes over the last year, I usually exhibit with a group of other artists all of whom work in different mediums. We have decided that the name for the group should be 'The Creative Collective', so that it could be as inclusive as possible.
The group consists of:
Su Douglas aka Periwinkle Studio
Clare-Louise Sandell aka LouLouBallou Glass
Jeni Saunders aka Pink Jen Jewellery
and last but by no means least Jan Organ aka JO Maker
We will be exhibiting and I will be teaching at Northwood WI Hall from Friday 21st July - Monday 24th July 2017.
This last week has been a fluffy of things to do with the shop, we have a #PawsomeTeaParty coming up on the 27th 1-4 pm. It is to raise funds for the Isle of Wight Branch of The Cats Protection, there will be lots of lovely cake available, so stop by if you can.

Also Bertie has been tiring himself out chasing flies at home, he was so tired he fell asleep with his head on the crystal bowl....
Below are a couple of images of things that I am making for Open Studios, just to give you a glimpse of my woodland theme for this year.
Until next time, happy crafting.
Big hugs

Tracy
=^.^=



 

Looking forward by looking back

Well, its been a while since I last posted - where has the time gone to?
I have been busy at the shop but also I have just submitted my first exhibition piece, it was a nerve racking but exciting process.

A local arts group have been working with veterans from different conflicts to create an exhibition to highlight the impact of warfare.

I am happy to report that my piece was accepted!

It took me a few weeks to make and a few changes of direction, but I am happy with the piece which is a mixture of watercolour, knitting, crochet, and embroidery. A close up is below, strangely I really enjoyed making my little figures, although knitting with crewel wool on 1mm knitting needles was an experience. 

I think I will be making a few more figure based pictures for Open Studios in July.

Hopefully you will be able to pop along to the exhibition and see all the wonderful artwork submitted by local artists.

Until next time - happy crafting =^.^=

Christmas Gifting

Well its that time of the year again....
Have you worked out all that you would like to make for your loved ones in preparation for Christmas? Over the next few weeks I will be sharing a few ideas just in case you haven't quite made the decision yet.

First up is a beautiful Drops Shawl worked in their new yarn Melody, it takes just 2 balls of yarn to create this and as it is knitted on 10mm needles it works up really fast.
But it gets better -  as the Melody is part of the Drops Alpaca Party Sale there is 25% off at the moment, which means that you can make this for under £5! Bargain!
Although Melody looks like a Mohair yarn, it is a fluffy blend of Alpaca, Wool and Polyamide, so soft and lightweight Check out the website to see which colour you could like to use or pop into the shop and pick up a couple of balls today.
Below is a picture of my finished version, if you do go into the shop you will see a ball of yarn on top of the mannequin, that is the remains of the second ball, so it could easily be made larger.

I would love to see what you are working for Christmas presents, leave me a message or post a picture.
Until next time, happy crafting
=^.^=

Hello and welcome to Yarnsmith Studio, 

If this is your first visit let me introduce myself -  my name is Tracy and I am based near to Brighstone on the beautiful Isle of Wight, where I have lived since 2007. It truly is a magical place with inspiration and colour everywhere, provided you keep  your eyes open to all that nature provides. We all get caught up in the mundane, everyday things and sometimes forget to look around us, I am lucky in that my drive home from my day job provides some beautiful scenery and views.

Why Yarnsmith - it seems to capture all that I do perfectly. I take yarns and threads in the Old English definition of the word Smith I 'forge, fabricate and design' with yarns. 

Seagull study

I love nature and find great inspiration from all its shapes and forms, I am currently working on a series of nature pieces which have evolved from the Seagull Study, more on these to follow later in the year.

I also love to take the everyday objects and give them a little quirk - such as my cactus pincushions.

My day job is as owner of TAJ Crafts, which is a yarn and embroidery shop based at Holliers Farm, Branstone, near Sandown, it is on the same site as the House of Chilli. I am surrounded by beautiful colour all day, and get to meet some amazing and talented people every day. 

I teach crochet and knitting, covering a range of topics, more details to be found on the classes and workshops page above. 

Whatever you do, happy crafting I look forward to welcoming you into the studio again soon.

Tracy

=^.^=

Crafting in Public

A good friend of mine, Su Douglas just blogged about crafting whilst commuting and it got me thinking about my crafting habits. I cannot craft on my daily commute from Brighstone to Shalfleet, mostly because it is me driving.
Those of you who know me personally know that I always carry at least one project with me - everywhere...
I have mindless knitting for hospital waiting rooms, complicated stuff to work on at the shop and projects for Jo and I at home, as not everyone appreciates the extra love that out 5 cats weave into whatever I make.
As Su mentions, it can give you an extra space next to you as no-one wants to sit next to the mad woman who is crafting in public. Although I have found it is almost as good as having an animal with you for starting conversations, mostly starting with a wistful 'I used to do that all the time, but no one wants it any more'. Or the perennial - 'you don't see people doing that anymore', I'm not sure we ever did see much of it public, but as a youngster growing up our house was always full of crafting. My mum taught me to knit when I was 9 and I taught myself to crochet around the same time, I cannot remember a time when I did not craft, what age did you start?
Where does the idea that all we create has to be for anyone else come from? Modern throw away fashions mass produced for pennies in some far flung places mean that it is never going to be economically viable to produce your own knitted/crocheted garments. But those items that you create with your own hands with time and love have so much more value than the cheap clothes available on the High Street.
I must confess to not making very much for myself or Jo recently, but that is due to making samples for the shop and also items for Open Studios.
Open Studios went very well, thank you to all who came along and supported us in the Church and hall at Shalfleet. It taught me a valuable lesson - don't make things that you think people will like to buy, make what is in your heart. I failed to do that at Shalfleet, so it is back to the ideas pad and sketch book for me, I have lots of ideas running around in my head, I just need to work out the practicalities of converting my visions into reality. More about this process to follow in future posts.
What are you working on at the moment?
Do you craft in public? If you do how do you find the reactions of the people around you?
Until next time, happy crafting
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What a year its been

Hello everyone,
Well what a year it has been, I have gone from being a crafts person creating lovely things for Open Studios and Quay Arts in Newport, also teaching in various locations to a shop owner.
Along the way I have battled against breast cancer, and this post is not going to dwell - this is the time to look forward.
My shop is TAJ Crafts, based at Holliers Barns, Branstone, nr Sandown, PO36 0LT. It opened last August, just after my diagnosis, more information can be found on our website and now 10 months later I am back full time in the shop. It has been quite a ride so far.
I am teaching again and trying to get my mojo back for open studios, which is fast approaching...
Below are images of a few things I have been creating over the last little while, along with a couple of works in progress

                      This shawl was crocheted using Drops Delight a lovely variegated 4ply yarn

Ripple blanket which will be single bed size when completed, along with my sample swatches to try and keep the ripple colours as random as possible. The ripple pattern is the Neat Ripple from Lucy at Attic24. The pattern can be found on her blog

lots and lots of granny squares which are now being crocheted together to make another single bed size blanket










This is the start of the Lily Pond blanket along with my version of Attic24 Jolly Chunky Bag






The above selection are all using various combinations of the colours used in the Stylecraft yarns CAL Lily Pond blanket, information on the Crochet ALong can be found here.

Its good to be back, happy crafting whatever you are doing.

Best wishes

Tracy
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