Day 2: Rachel's Online Dating Profile

Before Rachel met the mouse of her life, Gustavo, she tried her paws at online dating. Here is a look at her online dating profile. Please note that this is not how she hooked Gustavo. 

The first thing people notice about me: My stunning stripes. My ears are usually curled over my eyes, as I can be a shy lady when amongst strangers. It takes a second glance to notice my glossy whiskers and curious eyes.  

Five things I could not live without: Wool, cheese, chocolate, peanut butter, and gin. Och, gin should go at the top of the list. 

The one thing I am most passionate about: Wool...and gin.

The three things I am most thankful for: Knit club (although I don't make it to the meetings as much as I would like), my pal Jess, and the fact that Jess does not actually own a cat (this would most certainly complicate our relationship).

I am looking for: A manly mouse that is also available to do my bidding, bring me tea and biscuits in bed, as well as support my fibre habit. 

 

 

Day 1: A Day in the Life of Rachel the Town Mouse

This is my post for day one of Knit and Crochet Blog Week 2015. Day 1 = a day in the life of Rachel the Town Mouse. 

Life is good for a city mouse in Edinburgh. A typical day in the life of Rachel starts off with a moderate lie in, along with the occasional cuppa tea in bed. This lovely rodent then makes her way, along with her pal Jess to Ginger Twist Studio, thus starting her work day. 

She then spends a majority of the day reclining in piles of wool and receiving visits from her current boyfriend, Gustavo.  She doesn't really have to interact with customers all that much (she is shy), as she primarily observes and manages Jess.

Monday is knit club night at the pub. Rachel tends to get the party started in the shop with gin in teacups. The drinking sometimes starts too early and Rachel passes out or has some sort of accident before closing up shop. Her presence at knit night is therefore limited. Here she is earlier this year, after having fallen down the steps into the basement. She is quite a lush really. 

Will she make it tonight? I'm sure Jess shall do her best.

Wool of the Month: Excelana 4ply

Wool of the Month for May is a yarn that really strikes up the band for me. Excelana 4ply is a collaboration between Susan Crawford (the Queen of vintage) and John Arbon Textiles. The result is a squishy and delightful yarn with a bit of a halo in a very very vintage palette. Oooo that pink! And check out that refreshingly minty green! This is not only going to be a Wool of the Month, as I plan on stocking this yarn on a regular basis.Hurrah!

















I wanted hold off on this post until I got a sample done up, so here it is. This is the Plaid Cap from Susan Crawford's A Stitch in Time Vol. 2 

I used a 50gram ball of Excelana 4ply  in Persian Grey, and had bits of King Cole Anti Tickle Merino Blend 4ply lying' in the shop stash. This worked out fine for the contrast.

With the mass movement towards sourcing locally, Excelana fits bill as it is most thoroughly British in every way.

Indie Yarn Crawl Update

So all is looking well in the world of yarn. You might spot a mention of the Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl in new issues of both The Knitter AND Simply Crochet. Woohoo!

 And now a wee yarn crawl update for ye. In case you have not noticed, here is a completed copy of the yarn passport, both sides. These are now available for pick up in all participating yarny locations. If you are not able to pick up a shiny new passport before the event, it might be helpful to print one out yourself in the scenario there are none left on the day. Be prepared, as the saying goes.

 


















And remember, you can still sign up for a lucky dip group if you fancy making it a social event and meeting some new crafters while being guided around the crawl after meeting up for tea (naturally). If this floats your boat, simply email your name, preferred start time (late morn or early afternoon) and mobile number to: indieburghyarncrawl@gmail.com

Otherwise, feel free to create your own teams and groups! Make it your own, and most importantly...enjoy yourself!

In the meantime, feel free to like the Facebook page and join the Ravlery group to keep up to date on your yarny chat.

Knit Club Charity Knits: Project Pet Blankets

The members of the Town Mouse Knitting Club have taken it upon themselves to complete one charity KAL (knit-a-long) each quarter. I'm happy to report the first quarter was a success and the items have now been delivered. We decided to knit blankets for the boarders of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home (EDCH). Here  is a photographic journey.

Thanks to all the Town Mice who participated. Now we have moved on to preemie baby hats. If you are interested in joining (everyone is welcome) here is the pattern I have been using. It is top down, in the round, written by a lovely woman (C.C. Almon) at knit club, and is perfect for using up all those scraps! I've completed 2 thus far, and the deadline is at the end of June. Fancy joining in? :)

Designer of the Month Interview: Anna Wilkinson

For those of you in the loop, you already know of the Designer of the Month for April is Anna Wilkinson. And here is a bit of a more in depth look at the glamorous gal herself.

Ginger Twist Studio: Thanks again Anna for taking part in the Designer of the Month programme at Ginger Twist Studio. Now for a few questions. How did you start knitting? Who taught you and what was your first project?

Anna Wilkinson: I don’t remember the exact age that I first picked up a pair of knitting needles and started to try, but I think the age I felt comfortable knitting was around 6 or 7. My mother taught me and always encouraged me with balls of fun yarn and patterns. I remember making a lot of scarves and mittens for friends and I have a distant memory of a foul brown/beige shapeless jumper in a thicky furry yarn....


GTS: And going from that, how did you turn into a designer? Would you consider this something you do for fun, or is it part of your career? Does it link up to your ‘day job?’

AW: I always really liked making things and I’m very fortunate that my brothers and I were always encouraged to be creative by our parents so it was never a huge decision to study knitwear or to try and make it my career, it just happened really. I went to college to study fashion, leaving quite an academic school, and then went on to Winchester School of Art to study textiles and I then specialised in knitwear after my first year. I do consider knitwear a huge part of my career now. I work freelance in a few different areas but am lucky that knitting has become central to my working life but it is also something that I do for fun. I feel very fortunate to be able to work every day doing something that I really love. 


GTS: It seems to me, particularly with you book Learn to Knit, Love to Knit, you take inspiration from vintage styles. Do you have a favourite time period with respect to fashion? And how would you classify your personal style?

AW: I love looking to vintage garments for inspiration as they often feature really lovely unique details that are so hard to find in modern fashion. Vintage hand made knitwear in particular often seems much more considered and carefully made. It’s hard to be too specific about a particular time frame....I think anything from the 30’s to the 60’s/70’s is likely to have me as a fan...I’m quite enjoying 70’s collars at the moment and big Pucci style paisleys...but I will always love 40’s/50’s silhouettes and neat shapes. 


GTS: I know it is probably like choosing between children, but do you have a piece or 2 that you are super proud of designing and/or knitting?

AW: It is quite difficult to say...From my book I would say that the college-style cardi and the slip stitch cape were possibly my favourites...though ask me next month and my answer could be different! I think these two stand out as two garments in my book that took a while to write the patterns for and then actually construct so they were labours of love. 


GTS: Any skills/techniques left to learn on your knitting or crafting bucket list?

AW: Yes! Hundreds! I would love to be a much more technical knitter. I often start making up my designs one way and a fellow knitter will point out a much simpler way with a technique I’ve never tried before! But for this year I think I’d really like to get better at knitting socks! 


GTS: I notice you have a penchant for bright and fun colours. Do you have any other desiger trademarks?

AW: I’m not sure...I think I’m definitely attracted to neat and simple garment shapes but like to make the actual fabric interesting with colours or textures...And I do like to have fun when designing and making. A pattern has to be exciting enough to compel someone to really want to buy yarn and make it. I love to feel excited by something that I’m designing. 


GTS: Would you like to publish more pattern books? What is your next step in the crafting world?

AW: Well I’m extremely excited to say that I have just begun work on my second book... It’s in very early stages at the moment so I shan’t divulge too much now! I’ve also been working on some other knitting patterns that will be available online shortly. 


GTS: Any random tips for all the knitters and budding designers out there?

AW: Always write down/sketch ideas and have fun. You can knit anything you have in your head (within reason...). The possibilities are endless!

The Choosing of the Yarn

Knowing what yarn to choose for a particular project can be a bit tricky, but it can be done. You don't always have to purchase the exact same yarn used in a project, Why not put your own spin on a  pattern? Just bear in mind, there are several things to consider when substituting a different yarn: weight, yardage, fibre content, and colour. Hint hint: Ravelry is great for finding out what weight a yarn is classed as, if it does not specify on the label.

I love the Shawl Collar Cardigan by Anna Wilkinson (as modelled by Joan). Alpaca was used for the original design that I presently have displayed in the shop, but anything in a dk weight will do.  Now alpaca has a significant amount of drape, but I thought this cardi would really suit a yarn with a bit more structure. Enter Brigantia Luxury Double Knit. And don't forget the buttons!

What yarn and colours would you choose?