Monty at home 2021

Today I should have been setting up my stand at The Wool Monty yarn festival for a weekend of yarny fun. As we are still managing the pandemic and big festivals are not yet happening (hopefully soon!), the Monty at Home online festival is happening instead.

The Wool Monty team have organised lots of online events, Instagram live chats and exclusive discounts and show specials with the exhibitors. They have listed all the show specials and discounts, along with the exhibitors on the Monty At Home section of their website.

I will be on Instagram on Saturday 12th June at 2pm, then joining the Wool Monty team for a chat on Sunday 13th June at 12pm. There is also a special discount for the weekend. My website store, Payhip and Ravelry pattern stores have 10% off all weekend using the code WoolMonty2021.

It looks like it will be a lovely weekend with lots happening. I am really looking forward to next year thought when the festival will be taking place in person and we can all gather and be surrounded by gorgeous yarns and lovely friends.

Since I am not setting up my stand, I have been fortunate to have a few relaxing days away on the Herefordshire/Monmouthshire border in beautiful countryside and sunny weather. The cottage where I am staying has a lovely little sun trap garden where I have been sitting and knitting on my Pride version of my Isolabella pattern and drinking fresh mint tea. I picked up this skein on a work trip to Toronto (I always pick up a skein of yarn on my travels as a souvenir). The gradient pattern will work very well with the Isolabella short row shaping and create an amazing rainbow.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and I hope to see you at Monty At Home.

Sarah x

Spring Equinox - a time for balance

Like most people, the start of 2021 for me has been a challenging time. Hope is resurfacing though after a difficult winter. There are finally signs that spring is on its way, vaccines are helping to get Covid-19 under control and I am starting to dream of seeing family and friends again. The Spring Equinox tomorrow, the 20th March, where night and day are of equal length, is a great time to consider the balance of work and play moving forward into the summer.

I am very lucky to live on the edge of the Peak District national park in the Southern Pennines. Nature is on my doorstep, and being able to run, walk and swim outside has helped me get through the past year. I have enjoyed sharing some of the gorgeous views and local plant and wildlife with people on my Instagram page. Not commuting to work (an average of 3 hours a day travelling) means that I can spend that time outside getting some fresh air and exercise. I don’t want to lose that as things return to normal. I am hoping a hybrid model of working with a mix of both in office and at home working will allow some balance to continue.

My crafting has been slow this past year, and designing even more so. I have some plans (including another MKAL with Ann Kingstone later this year), however maintaining the balance between work and play means I am not rushing to get these out and I am taking time to enjoy the process, not just the finished product.

I have started a new blanket for myself, the Nature’s Walk Blanket by Sandra Paul. I chose my own colourway eighteen months ago on a trip to the Netherlands. I had not realised just what an impact my surroundings have on me until I was scrolling through photos and my photos of the Pennines in winter are so similar to my chosen yarn colours.

Sometimes after work, an easy crochet square is all that I can manage and this pattern is great for just picking up and completing something quickly. I have now crocheted one of each of the six pattern squares and loving how they look together. A perfect project to maintain some balance and ‘me’ time when life feels busy and my brain needs to reset. I find getting outside, and then a little bit of cooking and crafting gives me that balance after work.

Finding new ways to share this with everyone has led to some exciting plans which I hope to tell you about in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I am enjoying a new creative process and the anticipation of new projects, new social adventures and being able to connect in new ways.

Stay safe and happy Spring,

Sarah x

Reflections on 2020

Happy New Year to you all, I hope 2021 is a healthy and happy one for you. At the start of a new year I enjoy reviewing what I achieved in the past year and make plans for the next one. As for most of you, 2020 was a very strange year. Much of what I was looking forward to doing was cancelled and plans readjusted. For me, this meant working from home instead of commuting to the University where I work, but also working more time in the NHS than planned to help with the Covid response. Not surprisingly, this had a big impact on designing and my knitting time.

My Gantt chart for designs in 2020

I started 2020 with a lovely colour-coded spreadsheet Gantt chart of the designs I wanted to make over the course of the year. I had 15 things I planned to design and release over the course of the year. I managed four! This feels quite an achievement given everything that was going on. I republished my Striate cowl, a previous Knit Now design, collaborated on the Shoulder to Shoulder MKAL, published Rosie the Angora Goat and my Stellara jumper.

I also took part in the virtual Wool Monty, Yarndale and Indie Gift-a-long. They were great events put together by the organisers, but I do miss seeing people and chatting in person to customers.

I also managed to knit a few other things, although much slower than normal for me. I have a new hat, knit a bedjacket for my great Aunt Daphne from a vintage pattern and finished off some WIPs that have been lounging around for several years. Whilst I do not miss commuting for 3 hours a day, it did give me at least 90 minutes (more with the frequent train delays or on work trips to London) of uninterrupted knitting time three times a week. Not commuting, along with working longer hours and feeling tired, severely reduces my knitting time and I do find the longer time needed to complete things frustrates me a bit. I am used to churning out things quickly and readjusting my expectations is not easy.

The slower pace of life in the past nine months has had some benefits though. I had more time at home, explored more of my local area than I normally get time for, supported local businesses and had a much more homemade Christmas than I normally do since I was not rushing around and travelling. I made bunting, tree decorations, mince pies and Christmas pudding, a Christmas wreath and some sloe gin. I had a very peaceful Christmas this year, but I do so look forward to seeing my family and friends again.

One change that has affected my business is the UK leaving the EU at the end of last year. This has greatly increased the ‘red tape’ involved in sending parcels to the EU (despite the promises of a reduction) and it is currently not feasible for my small, solo operation to undertake this. Hopefully this will one day change, but for now I have turned off international shipping for physical items in my online shop and Etsy store. Digital pattern downloads (including ebooks) are still available worldwide and are not affected.

I am not sure what 2021 has in store for everyone, but the vaccines gives me hope that the end to the pandemic is in sight. It is very difficult to plan events at the moment and I am not sure I will make a spreadsheet of designs for 2021. I might just see where my energies and creativeness lead me over the next year. Do you have lots of plans for knitting and crochet, or are you like me this year and casting on new things as and when you get inspiration?

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year,

Sarah x

Gift-a-long 2020

I am joining in the 2020 Gift-a-long!

Every year the Gift-a-long runs on Ravelry with lots of indie designers taking part. There are discounts, games, puzzles, KALs and CALs and lots of fun chat to be had in the Gift-a-long group.

I have 20 patterns in this years sale which runs from the 24th November to the 30th November. There is 25% off the following patterns both on Ravelry and on my new Payhip site with the code Giftalong2020. The Gift-a-long lasts until 31st December with prizes to be won in the threads from patterns purchased from the indie designers who are taking part.

This years patterns are:

Stellara

Xylia

Winter Thyme

Linden Tree

Nariko

Elysium

Isolabella

Gillyflower

Maiden Pink

Weirwood

Striate

Frostfires

Tico

Kai

Blakeley

Eferhild

Rosie the Angora Goat

The Chain

Norui

Happy knitting and crochet,

Sarah x

Knitting backwards tutorial

As part of the Yarndale@Home ‘How to…’ events I have created a video tutorial on knitting backwards (for entrelac knitting). This technique is easy to learn, and once learnt, means no turning the work between knit and purl rows. This makes it super quick to do entrelac squares, but is also useful for short rows and heel turns.

You can find more help on my YouTube channel and the Tutorial section of my website.

Happy knitting,

Sarah x

Yarndale 2020 at Home

This weekend I should have been in Skipton Auction Mart with my stand for Yarndale, getting to meet everyone and chatting about all things wooly. Sadly this year it was not meant to be, however the fantastic organisers have been working hard behind the scenes to host Yarndale@Home this weekend.

All exhibitors have produce a short video introducing themselves and their work. This is mine:

I also have a tutorial on Knitting backwards for entrelac work video out tomorrow at 11.30am BST.

This weekend there is 10% off all my products in my online store with the code YARNDALE. All books, kits, notions and yarn are included, and I will even include the digital versions of the patterns with any book purchases for free!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sarah x

Stellara

I am very excited about this new pattern release, Stellara, it has been a long time in the making and I have been so very patient while I waited to share it with you all!

The entrelac yoke on Stellara sweater

Stellara is a sweater that features a dramatic entrelac yoke and coordinating stripes. The yoke is inspired by the colourful spiral galaxies in our Universe. I had an idea for an entrelac yoke that would look like rings on planets and galaxies after watching a few fantastic programmes about space. As a child I wanted to be an astronaut and loved the film Space Camp. I longed to go to a NASA space camp and accidentally end up launching into space!

The entrelac yoke combined with positive ease gives a slightly slouchy, comfortable fit. I included a slightly wider neckline with this pattern to go with the looser fit, which is flattering for large busted people. The pattern includes detailed instructions for working the entrelac stripes so no previous knowledge of entrelac is needed before knitting this sweater. It creates a lovely woven effect when finished. The sweater has coordinating stripes at the wrists and lower cuff to finish.

Entrelac looks surprisingly complicated but is very easy in reality. It involves picking up some stitches, knitting these back and forth in stocking stitch, and then moving onto the next stitches to pick up. I have also filmed this tutorial on knitting backwards so the work does not need to be turned every time between knit and purl rows on small numbers of stitches. It makes it much faster with much less switching back and forth. Knitting backwards is also useful for turning sock heels and short rows.

I knit this sweater in Ann Kingstone’s luxury Yorkshire Warmth DK/sport which is very soft with its cashmere/Bluefaced Leicester mix. The colours are perfect on the natural yarn background to create this striking yoke. I love her Yorkshire dialect names for the colours: ‘Attercop’ (spider - blue); ‘Cockleet’ (dawn - orange); ‘Druffen’ (drunk/inebriated - lime); ‘Liggin’’ (lying down - green); ‘Nowt’ (nothing - natural) and ‘Thrang’ (busy - cerise).

Stellara from the back

Both me and my sister had entrelac jumpers knitted by our Nan. It was my favourite and wish I still had the jumper (although it would not fit me now!). I think she used up all her odds and ends of yarns to make them. My sister found these photos of us wearing them yesterday. This jumper must have contributed to my inspiration for Stellara… although I decided to not make it quite so bright!

Me (aged 10) wearing the entrelac jumper my Nan knitted, and my Dad looking rather sad

Me (aged 10) and my sister (aged 7) wearing her entrelac jumper knitted by our Nan playing with our Lego

I love my new sweater so much and have had so many compliments when I am wearing it. One of the best things about knitting a sweater top-down is that you can try it on as you are making it, allowing it to be customised to your shape by adding or subtracting rows to create longer or shorter arms and body. This is going to be my go-to sweater for autumn!

Stellara sweater

Stellara has an introductory offer of 25% off this weekend (no code needed) to mark the Yarndale@Home festival. Sadly I will not be in Skipton this year with my stand at Yarndale, however the lovely organisers have put a whole host of events on for Yarndale@Home that are worth checking out. Hopefully we will be back in the auction mart next year! Stellara can be purchased both on Payhip and Ravelry.

Happy knitting,

Sarah x

Tour de Fleece 2020

I have a beautiful spinning wheel (Majacraft Suzie professional) that does not get enough use, despite being lovely to spin on. This year, as I am spending more time at home with the lockdown, I decided to get it out and join in the Tour de Fleece.

My Majacraft Suzie spinning wheel

For those who do not know what the Tour de Fleece is, it is a yearly event held on Ravelry that coincides with the Tour de France cycling race. The idea is to spin on everyday the tour races, challenging yourself on the challenge (normally mountainous) stages with a couple of rest days thrown in. I thought it had perhaps been a couple of years since I took part but looking back at my handspun stash, it turns out the last time I took part was 2014! Where did those six years go??? I am not sure I have spun anything since then so definitely time to get out the wheel and try to clear some WIPs.

Lace weight WIP single on spindle

Lace weight WIP single on wheel

My main aim was to finish the planned 2-ply lace weight WIP that has been on my spindle and wheel since 2013. This started as a beautiful hand carded batt from FeltStudioUK of superwash Merino wool, tussah silk and sparkle. I have not spun a lace weight yarn and this was going to be a challenge.

It took much longer than I thought to spin and took me most of the tour, however I now have 470m of a 2-ply lace weight yarn, with 35 WPI (wraps per inch) that fades from blue, to grey, to pink. I don’t know what I will make with it yet, but the pattern will need to be chosen carefully to show off the fade.

Finished skein of 2-ply lace weight yarn

After finishing my lace weight WIP, I had just three days left of the Tour to start a new spinning project. I chose this roving from KraftyKoala (who no longer appear to be trading). It is a Merion/nylon blend in colourway Waterlily.

KraftyKoala Waterlily roving

When I unravelled it, one third was a lovely maroon colour, one third green and the last third blue. I liked how it looked plaited up together so I decided to spin a chunky 3-ply yarn with each strand being a different colour.

Three spindles of singles ready to be plyed

I did not quite finish in time to coincide with the end of the Tour, but a couple of days later I finished it off and now it is 45m of chunky yarn with 7 WPI. I have no plans for this skein either yet, however I think it will need to be something in stocking stitch to show off the three strands of colour. Perhaps a hat or fingerless mittens.

Finished 3-ply chunky yarn

I am very pleased with my handspun skeins, however also pleased to have a break (hopefully not another six years!) from spinning as my hands were very sore with doing something they are not used to. I did enjoy spinning sitting out in the garden in the sunshine listening to an audiobook (The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien) so if the Yorkshire weather decides to return to summer, I may well start something new.

My two finished Tour de Fleece skeins

Rosie the Angora Goat

New pattern alert! Rosie the Angora Goat is a cute and fun crochet amigurumi and is available as a pattern now.

Rosie the Angora Goat - with goat friend!

Rosie was a commission from my friend and colleague in my university department. She has two goats on her smallholding called Rosie and Rhubarb. Their fleece has been spun into lovely grey and white yarn and she wanted to create some kits to sell. I designed Rosie a couple of years ago and she has been selling the kits in her local farm shop. Quite a few of my office workmates have now made their own Rosie’s, it was great to see them learn and build their crochet skills.

Rosie the Angora Goat

I have been looking forward to rereleasing the pattern. Rosie is simple to make, using only double crochet stitches (single crochet in US terms) and increases and decreases are used. She is worked in amigurumi style, (except for Rosie’s ears) which means in a spiral without slip stitching or turning chains. I recommend a crochet stitch marker to mark the end of each round as it is easy to forget where it starts and finishes.

Rosie the Angora Goat looking like she is about to be eaten by a goat!

I took these photos on a walk when I managed to find some local goats who were very interested in Rosie. I was a little worried that this one thought she might be edible.

Rosie the Angora Goat has 15% off until the end of Sunday 5th July with the code RosieGoat from either my website or on Ravelry. As usual, newsletter subscribers will their unique discount!

Happy crocheting,

Sarah x

The (Virtual) Wool Monty starts tomorrow!

Remember those heady days of yarn festivals, browsing beautiful hand dyed yarn, admiring new and exciting patterns and purchasing new notions and accessories? This weekend would have been my first time exhibiting at The Wool Monty show in Sheffield and I was very much looking forward to it. It would have been a great way to spend a rainy Yorkshire weekend.

Debbie, Mand and Rosie have been working very hard to put together a virtual event so we can still browse, admire and purchase and support all the exhibitors. The event is taking place in a Facebook Group or follow the Instagram tag #MontyAtHome

There are lots of exclusive products and special offers from the vendors (including me!) as well as prizes and lots of fun. I am planning in both my online shop and my Ravelry shop. To get the code make sure you join the group!

Hope to see you there. Stay safe and happy browsing,

Sarah x