Found this in a surf shop in Claremont. They also had some great crocheted rugs and cushions. Hand made in Indonesia by women who are paid well and love what they do - I had quite a chat to the shop owner. He said he gets abused by some people who enquire as to whether he's aware that he's exploited workers in 3rd world countries - people that just launch into him without asking whether he knows where they're made etc...
I love seeing crochet in mainstream shops. Whoever believes that it's a nana craft...needs to get with the times... of course no-one who reads this would think that, but I still encounter people who have that mentality and have forsaken home made craft as a relic of times when women were bound/burdened by domestic life. And women should have turned their back on it in the name of liberation and equality. These skills are far too suburban for our more sophisticated lifestyles.... Give me a break!! I feel so sorry for people who wouldn't be seen dead with a pair of knitting needles, crochet hook or utter the words patchwork, sewing or quilt! They are unenlightened in my view. Each to their own.....it takes all sorts...blah blah blah.
so I finished Georgia's hat just in time for her to head south for some cold winter nights on a friend's farm. She is very happy with it.
The pattern is the Snow Hat pattern from Rowán's Winter Warmers book. It's knitted in Lima, which is so soft and has a really lovely drape. The hat is dual purpose - it converts easily to a neckwarmer by simply loosening the ribbon, threading around the top.
Georgia has picked a piece of Liberty that I'm to make an alternate ribbon with. I adapted the pattern and knitted in the round so there were no seams to sew. I already have orders for 2 more!
Here is the model photo from the book and a picture of the cover. More info can be found here:
http://www.knitrowan.com/designs-and-patterns/brochures/winter-warmers
Next to make and already on the needles is the Belle Cable Cap for daughter No. 2 from the same book.
It's the sort of book that has lots of patterns I'd like to make. Perfect entertainment for our cold wintery evenings.
Gypsy sets the quilt off rather nicely don't you think?
I don't know why ...... but my socks are knitting up inside out!!!!......I don't think it matters in the long run...who knows what I've done wrong.
I'm about to embark on the heel... wish me luck!
I think I will need a few cups of these to help me
Yum, my nectar of the Gods..
And because I'm so inspired at the moment and I had a little win at a quiz night.... I treated myself to these 2 glorious skeins.... oh the excitement! It reigneth supremeth at Lansdowne Road right now!!
Such beauties.. :))
I said in passing to my girls that I'd be happy to knit them a winter beret each if they would like. I wasn't sure how it would be received, so I was very happy and a little bit suprised when they both said yes please and in fact, they'd wear anything I knitted for them and they would love me to make them knitted garments. So we're starting with a hat each and then I think they both want leg warmers!!
So we chuffed over to the LYS to pick wool and pattern. I was as happy as can be. Me and my girls on a wool shopping expedition (and they were coming voluntarily). A wonderful mother moment.
Here's the progress so far:
This is a much better picture....
Doesn't it match her eyes?
