Sandra's Designing Blog

This is an exclusive area of my web site where you can find out more about my knitted designs, what inspires me, how I work and what I like (and don't like) to design. 
 
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  1. KAL finish and Hollins House

    Posted on

    4 months ago, here in the UK we went into lockdown. For vulnerable people this meant an enforced stay at home routine, for the frontline key workers it meant putting their lives at risk and being super busy. For me, it was a time of being busy in so many ways and I'm only just being able to slow down and finally get to meet family and friends again (although at a distance). 

    So why have I been so busy you might ask. Well back in January I purchased a house here in Slaithwaite, a house that I had planned on decorating, furnishing and then advertising it on Airbnb as a place for visitors to stay in. I had also planned on hosting knitting retreat weekends and workshops straight away. I had to some how continue with this plan. 

    Secondly, I wanted to do something to keep some of my friends in my local knitting group motivated, so 1st April I launched my very own Knit Along. A weekly pattern would be designed, knitted, written up and sent to a small group of friends for them to knit along to. I would also be around with tips and advise which I posted on a fb group.  
     
    After months of hard work project managing workmen, buying furniture and accessories online and getting stuck in to the decorating its finally paid off. Hollins House is now listed on Airbnb and has had its first visitors. Whist knitting retreats and workshops are not happening yet, I'm happy to host 1:1 knitting lessons whilst you stay here. Check out the AirBnb listing here to see this years availability https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/43984846
     
    The mystery Knit Along was as much a challenge for me as it was for the knitters. Having to keep up to a weekly regime of pattern creation, checking and writing up was a chore at times but I did it!. I gave participants a choice of colours (1 variegated and 2 solid yarns) and a choice of whether they wanted to produce a wrap or a triangular shawl. My finished version is shown here. 
     

  2. Wild About Wool Cancelled market

    Posted on

    Hi there! 

    Tomorrow is the Wild ABout Wool pop up yarn market in my local village. I'm the co-event organiser as well as one of the traders and have been for the past few years ever since we started with it. It's grown over the years reaching a wider range of customers. It's grown in stall numbers too and now has the UK Knitting and Crochet guild involvement, organising appointments to see their collection which is held in the mill just round the corner.

    Well it should be !

    But as you know, no such events are happening at the moment. All postponed until 1st November (hopefully).

    Gill, however will be hosting little interview sessions with some of the stall holders which will be posted on our facebook page . They will also be offering 10% off their online goods with the discount code "WAWMay17". 

    I have designed and knit a new Brioche cowl in readiness for the market which I'm releasing today. Its quite an easy brioche knit, one for those of you that have mastered 2 colour brioche in the round. 

     
    The new Eddy Cowl Kit - knitting  pattern & choice of  3 West Yorkshire Spinners 100% wool colourways. 
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    I've also done quite a lot of designing work for knitting magazines, "Knit Now" and "The Knitter" these last few months, with 4 designs that will be released this summer. I'll let you know as soon as they are, they cover fair isle, lace, cables and slip stitch.
    Don't forget the Coupon Code "WAWMay17" for 10% off.
    New Colourways for my best sellers...…….
    Checkerboard Cowl and Cable Lap Blanket.

    Go check them out
    Free UK shipping in my Etsy store
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