Blog prompt – Craft/crafting

Today I felt inspired by the wordpress word prompt...

I’ve always been into craft and crafting. My Crafting genius started early on… 

My crafting talents lay dormant for a long time though. I learnt some basic knitting stitches from my nan when I was 7 and spent my time knitting scarves for dolls.

From there I took art for GCSE. Which was a great chance to learn how to plan a project. I also had a chance to play with a number of materials.

I managed to get an A… so I was actully pretty good at drawing at that time. Although my skill has sadely decreased due to the lack of drawing practice in the following years.

Through the A level and uni years I unfortunately lost any priority for crafting. I did rediscover writing for a time (I had spent most of my teenage years writing fanfiction) and wrote a draft of a novel that is yet to be edited, but the yarn lay gathering dust in a cupboard.

The only crafting I did for a long time was this me to you cross stitch kit.

When I really get in the zone my cross stitching isn’t to bad. However, I do find this zone very hard to find and normally struggle to count the squares etc. My more recent attempts at cross stitch have ended in a rather botched attempt and corresponding reduction in enthusiasm for the project.

The craft of knitting didn’t find its way back into my heart until a couple of years ago. I’d recently finished a job that had really stressed me out and found a new one where I was much happier. As a result I wanted to really ensure that I kept myself on more of an even plane.

I picked up issue 1 one the art of knitting and I was completely hooked again. Within days I had subscribed and was knitting squares almost constantly. One of my early successes was a scarf (we’ll ignore the couple of dropped stitches) which I’m still wearing today.

While I admit the squares are still continuing, my confidence in my knitting has really progressed. I’m now knitting from proper patterns and feel more confident with trying new technical elements and more complex designs. With this constant learning process this is a craft that I plan on keeping at the forefront for a very long time. 

I’m also loving being able to knit for my daughter now. It’s so rewarding.

My current major WIP is a blanket for her. I’m hoping that will be done by the end of the month.

So knitting is the craft that constantly saves my sanity on a daily basis and is the subject of many of my articles on here. So also my muse as well 

Going to go and smell my yarn stash now…

Mummy brain signing off 

MrsKirstyHoll

X 

Service Station Crafting Magazine - Homemaker - Issue 35

On  Monday I was heading home from a weekend up in Derby with my grandparents. Having married and left home, it's not often I head out on a family weekend away. But it was lovely weekend :)

Getting bored on the drive home (Dad was driving) - I swung into W H Smiths and picked up a crafting magazine. I don't treat myself to them very often, so it was pretty exciting.

The one I eventually picked out from the limited selection is called Homemaker and I'd never seen it before. Has anyone else heard of it?

Homemaker Magazine - Issue 35

It also came with a couple of freebies - a colouring book and a kit to make some crochet projects.

Only problem.... I can't currently crochet. But this could be a really fun opportunity to learn.

I have found this video is a great start for the basics through :)

Beginner Guide to Crochet

If you are looking for a new magazine, this is a really good one. It's packed full of a mix of different craft projects and instructions. As I love swapping between different types of crafting to liven things up, this suits me down to a T.

There are a few of the suggested projects (all with instructions) that I would love to try.

1. Peg bag

My current peg bag was a cheap bag brought from Wilko a few years ago. With my new love of crafting, the concept of making my own from scratch is so much more appealing. Fabric shopping time! Perhaps to match the apron I would like to get started on from my Pinterest Inspired Project To Do List..

Peg Bag Project Idea

2. Cushion.

This one looks a little more fidly. But I have a friend who is keen to teach me to sew and so this could be a fun one to get started on :) I'm thinking bold primary colours as that would match the marvel themed living room we are planning!

Inspiration for a Sofa Cushion

3. Floor cushions

Now I don't plan on doing this exactly. But it could be structurally better design idea for my denim patchwork floor cushion. Slightly more complicated I think. But a jobs got to be done properly.

Inspiration for floor cushions

4. Pocket door hanger.

I was thinking about doing something like this for storing my knitting needles. My collection is starting to get too big for the needle wrap.

So I'm thinking the same length as the door with slimier pockets a use of ribbon to keep the matching pairs together.

Inspiration for my needle organiser for the back of my door

5. Terrocota painted pots.

These look seriously cute. In addition to the bright colours, they also suggest using chalkboard paint so that you can write on what the pot contains. I'm not entirely sure what I'd use them for yet. But they would be a pretty solution to potting out herbs etc when my new kitchen is set up.

Terracotta painting pots. Ideal for keeping pretty much anything in - including plants!

6. Knitting wall project.

I loved this idea for a project. Having now got some confidence for changing colours mid row (check out my chevron square if you haven't already) this seems like a great project technically.

It's all DK wool, so I can easily pick up most of the colours I need at the local charity shop. So I will hopefully get started with it in the next couple of weeks - once I've caught up with this months squares.... A girl can dream...

Knitting Wall Project

So my project list is starting to get longer again... opps... But it's so much fun finding them all.

Have you been inspired by any of these projects?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Harry Potter Craft Ideas

If you love Harry Potter and you love craft then bookmark this page.

I will be updating as I find more amazing ideas.

Blogs that you need to check out

I found this really amazing blog this week.

You can find it here.

It's full of fantastic free designs which cover most genres.

Another pattern blog & website that is worth a look:

You can find her funky designs to buy here.

Blanket ideas

Harry Potter - Dark Mark Afgan wool scraps through

You can find it here.

This blanket concept is a great way of using up all your scraps of wool. This has been designed to use any scraps - except for black that you use for the dark mark pattern. There is a block pattern on the blog. So go and get yourself a copy. Completely free as long as you credit the blog if you are selling the finished piece. 

Harry Potter Book Set Blanket

You can find the pattern here

This is a really funky and such an effective idea. Personally, I would alter the colours to match the child covers of the books. What would you do?

Clothing - Socks

Griffindor Pride Socks

This is a really impressive Harry Potter inspired pattern. Ideal if you are planning a Harry Potter inspired costume. Personally, I would make a set for use in the evening. 

If you're not of the Griffindor house - she also does a set for Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.