“1 Ball Knit Series” – Shoulder Cape and Cowl

This weeks 1 Ball knit Post lets CONWAY AND BLISS take the front line.

Renowned international knitting brand, Debbie Bliss, has established a new design team

Conway+Bliss to target the younger knitter.

The dynamic design collaboration between Teresa Conway and Nell Bliss, daughter of
Debbie Bliss

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Conway+Bliss, aimed at encouraging and
introducing new or younger knitters to the craft,” said Debbie Bliss. “The new brand will
combine exciting designs with the classic yarns integral to the Bliss line.”

Teresa Conway is a graduate of Knitwear Design from Nottingham Trent University and
joined the Bliss team in 2011. Friends for the past 14 years, since their
collaboration Teresa and Nell have had designs featured in Vogue Knitting and Debbie
Bliss Magazine.

“We see a growing market for the younger crafter ,” said Nell Bliss ,” and our aim is to
provide fashion led projects for the style conscious knitter “

They certainly haven’t disappointed as I introduce to you “ELEKTRA”. They definately grab your attention with shades that pop and clash.  The simple shapes and simple stitch patterns in Elektra’s 8 design collection are perfect for the new or time poor knitter.

I want to show you the Shoulder cape.  Conway and Bliss were certainly ahead of the game when they produced this pattern.  I was in town a couple of weeks ago and seen similar ideas to this although in a shirt idea.

So with one ball, and a night (or maybe 2) you can produce something designer and fashionable that you will be proud off.  A super gift idea to produce in little time.

It is something you can also wear as an alternative to a scarf under your coat.  Keeps your neck warm and whilst giving you a pop of colour.

Or wear it as a fashion feature to dress up a plain top.

Next is a work in progress.

This Comes form Ella Rae Seasons collection.

Leanne Prouse is one of Australia’s top knitwear designers. She has been designing for more than 20 years and has had her own line of yarns for over five years. Before launching the Ella Rae brand, Leanne was the head designer at Jo Sharp yarns. She is known for her simple, classic designs for women, children and the home and has published over 20 books of patterns.

I have a little lady who is itching to model this for me.  So hopefully you will see the finished result next time.

This basket stitch pattern is so effective.  The texture combined with the colour changes of the yarn make it addictive to work with.  Also with the yarn being chunky you can see it working up quick too, whilst allowing you to get familiar in identifying your stitches.

Plus if you are a beginner it is a great one for allowing you to get familiar in practicing your knit and purl as that is the majority of the pattern.

Happy Knitting Everyone  🙂

‘1 ball knit series’ – Easy Peasy Scarf and Collar

When ERNI was in the planning process, my main interest was fabrics although one area I was getting requests for was yarn.  Now knitting wasn’t something I had much knowledge off, infact the main bulk of knowledge was what I learn’t at primary school many years ago……. “In through the bunny hole, round the big tree, out pops the bunny hole and off pops she”  How could I start investing in something I knew nothing about.  Well that was all down to you.  You have been brilliant on keeping me in the right tracks 🙂

My vision on knitting was that it was old fashioned and fuddy duddy, but with much delight I was so glad to be proven wrong.  The the wool now are so much more adventurous, new wool’s with old patterns turn into something WOW.  Plus there are also some GREAT designers who are fantastic at keeping knitting modern and current.  Knitting is something I would have never considered until I now see some of the class materials available to us.  Hopefully I will give you an insight as to how far it has come and what is available to you over the coming weeks.

When it comes knitting, I still consider myself a bit of a novice so this first project I want to share with you is perfect, it is a super Easy Peasy FELT Scarf and that really is no exaggeration.

If you are:

a total beginner

looking to get back into knitting after many years and looking to test the water

looking something quick and easy

looking a fashion accessory for your wardrobe

looking to teach a child to knit

this might be the project for you.  It is only 4 stitches and is worked up in garter stitch (that is plain knitting 😉

All you have to do is keep knitting into the big loops until you run outta felt and there you have it.

The simple pattern comes in the ball band, the only other thing you will need is a pair of 8mm needles

We stock the yarn in 4 different prints for you to choose from to match that coat or jacket.

Apologies for the fuzzy photos, plus I absolutely hate photos which I am going to have to overcome over the coming weeks.  Thankfully in the meantime, this bedtime, hot chocolate faced lady absolutely loves to pose 🙂

Next is this Collar

Now this looks complicated, doesn’t it? Don’t be deceived, it honestly isn’t.  I read somewhere once that if you can knit and purl you can knit almost anything hummm…..I’m still putting that to the test :/

The pattern for this collar is a super stylish piece by Louisa Harding. It would be a great accessory to to glam up that plain top or dress.  I must admit I love all of Louisa’s patterns, she is such a talented designer who is very current on trends.

The collar is mainly all knit and purl, as long as you can do those two stitches you will have no issues at all.  It knits up mega quick using 7 and 8mm needles which is so satisfying.  I done this in an afternoon.  Also if you do “fluff” it up a bit 😉 the yarn  covers a multitude of sins. (Not that anyone would do that lol)

The pattern comes from one of Louisa’s book which has a super content of patterns, She also gives you the option of making a slightly bigger collar using 2 balls of Luzia. Check out this link to see the other patterns from her book

Both these projects are super for beginners or anyone looking a quick knit accessory as they are worked on big needles and give you a great sense of achievement when you see them coming together in such a short time.

GREAT FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVELS!!

If I can do it anyone can. Check back next week to see what “1 ball” project is in the making. The level of difficulty barrier is moving #eeek but not too much

Please note we are offering 20% off both the Hurra and Luzia Yarn on our online shop.  Have a wee look too to see the other colours we have available in them.

The countdown is on…..

If you are anything like me, in order to remember anything, your life will revolve around lists and making lists about lists.  It seems the only way I can keep myself reasonably on track.  Well this post was on my “to do” list on Saturday but with some unexpected surprises during the day it never materialised.

Last week we managed to get out signs up by the road side, just a wee reminder for everyone passing 😉

This next photo illustrates one part of my list at the minute, as time slips by and the countdown is on……

This rail hanging up in our sitting room is:

13 NEW patterns

to be completed in 2 weeks especially for sew Saturday

sew Saturday inspiration

including New kits

my autumn/winter wardrobe

samples of independent dress sewing patterns

If you are planning on giving us a visit on Sat 17th September and haven’t been with us before we are based at Woodview Garden Centre www.woodviewgardencentre.co.uk on the Main Armagh/Portadown road (A3).  You normally find us in the shop, but Brian has very kindly allowed up to take over his barn for the day so we have more room to get carried away in 😉

I have found this website of things to do from 4-59 miles from where we are based. I never realised there were so many places to visit right on my door stop.

This will hopefully give you a helping hand on planning a wee day out for yourself of things to do or visit in the surrounding area, I think I will be using it as a planner for my next day out on the road 🙂

http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/Richhill

It’s free to come along, you don’t need to book, just pop by any time from 10am to 5pm

You have still time to take part in our patchwork cushion competition, you make the rules. The only one I give you is HAVE FUN! and please have entries in by Wednesday 14th October.

The winning entry will receive this beautiful large sewing box perfect for all your bits and pieces.

To find out more information of what else we are up too on Sew Saturday please have a nosy at our previous post.

Charlene :)x

Corner to Corner Tutorial – Part 2 (How to decrease your blanket)

I hope you have all got on ok with the first part of the tutorial and have been able to make sense of it.  I was just thinking after publishing it, one thing I forgot to mention was that I used the US terms to do the pattern, Apologies if there was any confusions here.

I have to say I found the Maypole dk yarn so effective to use on this project with it changing colour itself, they all blend so nicely into each other plus it saves on weaving in lots of ends Hooray to that!.

Now if you have your triangle shape to the size you want, you want to start and get the mirror image of this to make it into a square, so what you need to do is:

– 1. do a row as normal

– 2. when you get to the last block of the row below

– 3.  insert your hook into space and slip stitch (at this point you would normally chain 3 and do a set of dc’s)

– 4.  turn your work and instead of chaining 6, look at the spaces between your dc’s, insert your yarn into the 1st space, and slip stitch

– 5. insert you hook into the next space, and slip stitch

– 6. insert hook into last space and slip stitch

– 7. then work this space as normal, chain 3 and do 3 dc as normal in space

– 8. work way across row as normal

– 9. when you get to the last block in row below, repeat from point #3

– 10. when you get to the end of your square and only have one left to do, chain 3, do 3 dc’s, and insert hook into last space and slip stitch. cut of length of yarn and cast off. Thread a darning needle and weave in the yarn a good couple of inches.

And there you have your pattern, its a really easy pattern to and and grows very fast obviously the wider you get the longer it takes but when you get to the decreasing stage again to gets fast again. Its one of those patterns that once you have got the hang of it you can carry on without thinking about it. I found that one of my sides was slightly mis-shaped by im putting it down to tension. A wee bit of blocking and its perfect. I have a bit of a ball left and would be a shame now to use it so I am planning on adding on a border to finish it off. All in all I will have used 3 balls and I used colour 04.  I have uploaded all the colours on our online shop for you to have a wee browse.

I would absolutely love to see how you get on. Show me your pictures on our facebook page Elizabeth Rose NI

Corner to Corner Tutorial – Part 1

I am often inspired by so many of your masterpieces and have a long wishlist of wanting to do them but appreciate the hours going into them I might not have.

There was a lovely lady who popped into the shop one day, (if your reading this you will know who you are ;)) who inspired me with some of her crochet work, and she said something that suits me down to the ground, “It’s sooo Fast”. Yipee. She gave me a quick run through how to do it and I practised it on making up these dishcloths using our Rico Aran.

I was looking for a good reason to carry it out on a larger project and didn’t have long to wait when I heard last week a friend had a wee baby boy.

So a blanket was the cards next. If some of you have been by the shop you will have seen we had a delivery of some new yarns last week. One of them being Maypole dk. This yarn is a 100g ball and is 100% Polyester. The sheen and colours of it is gorgeous, so off course I had to try it out 😉

The pattern is called Corner to corner. I know a few of you have seen the dishcloths etc and was looking a wee pattern hence I decided to put it in a post for you.

A few of the advantages of Corner to Corner is * it grows really fast * it works great with colour change * its great for using up scrap yarns.

Here is a tutorial for you:

To do this blanket I am working with a 4mm hook.

– Put slip knot on hook

– Chain 6

– Work into 4th chain from hook and dc

– Work a dc in remaining 2 chains

– This will be your first block

– Turn your work and then chain 6

– Work in 4th chain from hook and dc

– dc crochet in 5th and 6th chain.  Now you have 2 blocks

– Now jump over and insert your hook into the space of the first block and slip stitch. (I hope you can see where I mean here. After the 3 dc in the block, there will be a wee space. Your block will be a d shape – the space will be at the curve part of the d)

– Chain 3 then work three dc into same space (the space at the curve of the d)

– At this point you will a heart/Y shape. This is your base formation complete

– Turn work and ch 6 (Note in this pic, I didn’t turn my work…Oops)

– Work dc into 4th, 5th and 6th chain

– sl into space and end of block (d)

– ch3

– Do 3 dc into same space

– Continue this pattern to end of row

– Turn your work and chain six.  Work dc into 4th 5th and 6th chain from hook. connect to space in next block with sl st.  Chain 3, work 3 dc into same space.

This is very simple once you get the base bit completed.

Jump over to next space and sl st and just keep repeating the above to end of row.

You can change colour every row, every 5 rows, its totally up to you.  The Maypole yarn self changes colour. They blend beautifully into each other.

Keep building until you have the size you want it to get to, I haven’t got quite the size I want yet.

I hope you under stand all of the directions of the tutorial.

Pop back over to the blog to see how to decrease your work back into a square shape

Charlene

ENJOY! 🙂

Yarn Shop Day 2015 and Vintage Rally and Grand Auction

This time next month we will be in the middle of celebrating Yarn Shop Day.

Do you remember we celebrated this day last year.  It was launched by a very well know publications to us all…. Let’s Knit, with aim of boosting the profile of your brick and mortar yarn shop.   We are delighted to be hosting this day again So on Saturday 2nd May we would love you to come and give us a wee visit

I’m delighted that the amazing Heather Givan from Crochet at number 40 will be joining us.  She is a very talented and lovely lady and I am over the moon that she will be joining us for the day.

Drop in anytime between 10am-5pm for some crochet advice and also at 11am and 1.30pm for a 30min workshop on how to crochet a flower.  just bring yourself, we will have yarn and hooks for you to borrow..

Woodview’s own pear and apple juice (with fruit from their own orchard) will be poured and the apple creams (you are in the apple county after all) waiting to tempt you.

Please do come along and feel free to ask questions, check out our yarn and what we offer, make a wee flower and HAVE FUN!

Here is a low down of what all we are planning and offering On Saturday 2nd May

Why not make it a wee day out for the family because on the same day Orchard County Vintage Vehicle Club are having their annual Vintage Rally and Grand Auction with all proceeds to Marie Curie cancer care, Chest Hear and stroke NI and Diabetes NI Group. This is only 1 mile (at the most) from us.

Looks like the Portadown Road, Armagh is the place to be on Saturday 2nd May 2015