Inspiration Update!

Ummm… so I went onto Pinterest earlier….

Found this circular pattern! How awesome is this? Knitted as well – which wasn’t something I would have thought you could do!

Idea is that you can do it in different yarns and different needle sizes depending on what you want to make (rugs, table mats, blankets etc)!

I may also have pinned about a million different Pokemon Crochet ideas…

Ummm…. Really need some new yarn? Honestly I’m going to have some space for it once I finish this scrap yarn blanket….

Off to actually knit something…

Love to you all and Happy knitting

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Projects from Pinterest Inspiration

So I did something dangerous this morning. For the first time in a while I headed over to Pinterest. In this case it was to my boards. I've now got a list of projects I want to have a go at. Opps... lol

I took some screenshots to share my new funky to-do list.

1. I love this idea for a rug. It's such a funky idea and pretty easy to to - just time consuming.

To make this even better there is apparently a way of making them multi coloured... I find this concept insanely exciting. All i need to do is add some metallic/glittery wool to this concept and I will truly be in love.

2. Apron - Superhero themed

Based on this pattern I need to find this material and make myself a full length apron. It is just so amazing and my apron is getting a bit old / it would be good have a spare.

I don't think I'd do the frills... but I like the contrasting fabric on the pocket.

3. Flip flop bag.

Not for me this one. But my mother-in-law loves flip flops. So I'm definitely thinking of this for Christmas.  Will probably add in a zip and try and add in some internal pockets.

It will be this first time I've made a bag since I was 14 though...

4. Teacup candles.

This is such a beautiful idea. Candle making is always something I've fancied dabbling in.

Definitely thinking these would be perfect in the craft room...

5. Cross stitch idea.

I need to make this (or a variation on the theme) and hang it in my kitchen.

I hate washing up. Cross stitch isn't my favourite craft though (it's so slow) but I do enjoy it in the right mood.

6. Lego figure wall display.

I love this idea with the box frame. We're doing a marvel themed lounge - so a superhero themed one for in there would be amazing.

In addition, I would love a HP one of these for the spare bedroom. Need to start collecting...

7. Floor poufe/cushion.

I originally found this pin about a year ago. I've since sketched out a floor cushion interpretation of this. So with denim on one side and patchwork from scrap curtain fabric on the other.

Ideal for sitting on or using against a hard wall.

I've been saving old jeans/denim for the last year. So will get started on this once the sewing patchwork is done.

So what do you think of these ideas? Any thoughts on what I should get started on first? Any suggestions welcome! :)

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend :)

Yarn Addict Signing off

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Pinterest for Business - Blogs worth a read

*Please Note - Save this page! I will be adding to it as I find more blogs that you need to read!*

Currently I am working with a lighting company. Visual design and imagery is a really important marketing strategy within the interiors industry. As an avid user of Pinterest for personal use, I felt very comfortable with the prospect of setting up a business page. With the shear amount of content on there, it seemed a natural part of the marketing strategy.

I inherited the page in June last year and started adding pins, liking and repinning with enthusiasm. Over the last year I have completed a professional certificate in social media marketing and discovered a huge host of blogs and helpful guides.

It was an important realisation when I realised there was a lot more strategy to operating this effectively then I had realised.  Figuring that I can't be the only person to find this out, I thought I would start collecting all the useful Pinterest blogs here.

Enjoy at your leisure.

1) How to start a Pinterest Board that Succeeds by Kesley Libert - 31st March 2015. Social Media Examiner.

This blog contains something that is often overlooked - especially by independent traders - Keywords. Having the correct keywords will have a direct impact on your target market's ability to find you.

Kesley takes you through some really simple and easy to follow strategies for developing your database of keywords. These can be used for all of your social media channels. In addition, if you are a retail store, you can also use them to optimise your products and your site's meta data.

Crafting and Homeware ideas from Social Media that work

*BOOK MARK THIS PAGE - I WILL UPDATE AS I FIND NEW IDEAS* 

I love Pinterest, It's an app on phone that streams hundreds of ideas to me every single day. Makes me feel like I'm being productive.... even if I don't do anything with them but pin them to one of my hundreds of boards.

In addition to this, there are a huge amount of Craft pages on Facebook I follow which offer me up hundreds of ideas. Some of which I love to have a go at and try out.

This is a blog that I will publish but keep updating with any ideas that I do actually implement and their actual effectiveness/awesomeness.





Craft

Quilting Projects

I am always on the lookout for amazing ideas to recreate. Eventually I had enough quilt ideas that I couldn't help but start a new project.

Follow Kirsty's board Quilt inspiration on Pinterest.



This was the pattern that caught my interest.

This pattern only works if you draw yourself out a line pattern to organise your fabrics. Trying to work this out freehand and sewing together isn't worth the time spend unpicking. Trust me. Here is the one I drew out:

I scribbled a name of each fabric cross I could make with the fabric I had onto here. It gave me the chance to ensure that the colours wouldn't clash. 

Ideally, I want this to have a decent thickness. So I'm going to double up some wadding between 2 white sheets. This will allow me to secure the wadding and have something secure to sew the patchwork too. I have another piece of fabric for the back that I brought on holiday in Portugal in June 2014. Any excess white fabric can be used as a border. 

Photo update 1

Currently it's looking like this - I'm slowly adding some length. It's going to be a double size quilt I think when it's finished. Which is exactly what I wanted :)

Apart from the shape there is absolutely no theme to this quilt! 

Easter Bunny (Knitted)

I saw this adorable pattern on my Facebook feed this week :) Now my husband has challenged me to knit 10 to hide around his safe-zone at Drone Airsoft. So that is my evenings sorted for the next week :)

Also has the perk that he is buying the wool and I get to knit something. So that is definitely a win.

Will update when I have completed them!

So this is my first attempt at a bunny. Colours were my husbands choice. 

This has given me a chance to work out the pattern.

I'm using double knit wool with 3mm needles. 35 stitches across. 62 rows. Knit stitch. Finished with a 2.5cm pom-pom. Then sewed on eyes an nose with white stitches. 

Black seems a little dark.... possibly also put a little too much stuffing inside.

UPDATE: All bunnies are now finished :)

Any thoughts on the colour scheme? 

Knitted Blanket

Having finished the bunnies, I found myself with lots of spare wool - and some cool ideas for colour combinations.

Recently I've found this idea for knitting a blanket on a set of circular needles.




This idea was from: purlbee.com
If you want to try this blanket pattern and have no wool - check out their website. She recommends so wool she describes as washable :)

The original pattern is for a child size blanket. But this comment discussion got me thinking.

Having now had some experience with knitting on larger needles I invested in some 7mm circular needles with 120cm length. I'm about 8 rows in and they are working really well for me.

You can buy them from amazon here. 

The chunky knit blanket lengthens a lot faster. Ideal if you are looking for a relatively short term project.

I'm creating an adult size blanket for the lounge. I cast on between 170-185 stitches (I didn't count and just kept casting on until it looked long enough.....). I'm hoping when I finish it will be a couple of meters wide.

Picture Update 1

Picture Update 2

Currently it's looking like this:

Home-wares + Improvement

Bathroom

I use mouthwash every single time I brush. So a plastic bottle of which ever mouthwash was on offer is always sat on the shelf above my sink. The only trouble is that it is not very pretty.

Then I saw this:

It's so simple and much more attractive than the current arrangement. I also remembers that I have a couple of beautiful and unused whisky decanters that I picked up for £1,99 in a charity shop. The pourers and shot glasses were brought off amazon. So I spent less than £5 extra and ended up with this: 

Much more attractive than a plastic mouthwash bottle.

Jan blog update 2015 - Craft update

Last year did not see much progression of any of my craft projects. I spent so much time planning on Pinterest and not much actual doing. This I did feel quiet disappointed about as I had wanted to get back in to crafting after uni.

That is why I am vowing to actually do and finish projects (or at least significantly progress in them).

Project 1: That Scarf

I'm not going to lie. The scarf is currently in the state it was pre-Christmas. The feature wall took up a lot of my time this month (not an excuse). Now that the big decorating job is finished I am hoping to have more time in the evenings to get this finished.

The work in progress scarf

Project 2: Fabric Patchwork Quilt 

On some positive note, I did manage to find a few spare hours to get on with my patchwork quilt (yay!). So I am feeling rather pleased with myself.

The design is inspired by something I found on Pinterest. However, rather than being seperated by white crosses, all of the crosses will be patterned. My thought was that this would be the best way of mixing the pattern fabric as individual squares might look a bit overwhelming.

Cross quilt patterns

Here is a quick sample of some of the fabrics that are going into my quilt. I've got a mix of fabrics I have brought and some that have been donated by friends and family for the project. The plan is to mix the block coloured fabric with the ones that have more white in the design.

Work so far...

I have started sewing them into crosses and used a large white sheet to formulate my design. The plan is to use the sheet as an extra layer below the patched side between the stuffing. I'm hoping this will secure the patched design.

Fabric Samples

Samples of completed crosses

For the back of the quilt I have a red piece of fabric with a printed image of the Hindu God. I brought it in Portugal as I wanted something in the blanket to remind me of the holiday. It will also give me the perk of a reversible quilt! I'll give you a sneak preview of it further into creation - so watch this space!

January progress...

So post Christmas work on the blanket has progressed from pieces to some of the crosses of the fabric actually sewn together! Originally I had began the design sewing together using invisible plastic thread. During this stage I discovered that that was not my best plan as some of that stitching is coming apart. So I am now using white cotton thread and make small repair stitches where necessary.

So here is a photo of my progress so far! I've given up on pinning them onto the sheet. This was manly because I was being an bit impatient. I really needed to see some progress to get my motivation going on this project.

Some of the more eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that my attempt at free wheeling this without a pattern needs more focus. The bottom cross with with flowers needs to be unstiched and moved across and up one square. Apparently spending a bit of time doing a line drawing pattern could be a good move.

Project 3: Learning to Knit - New magazine subscription to "Art of Knitting"

The art of knitting

In another attempt to get my creative juices flowing I have also subscribed to a knitting magazine. "Art of Knitting" - if you want to know more about it this is a really good review of the first issue. I've been knitting for years (hence the resolution to finish the scarf) but have never progressed past the basic cast on, knit stitch, cast off. So when I saw this I figured this would be a great opportunity to learn some new knitting skills! :)

The first issue (as you can see) is only 99p, the second issue is £1.99 and then every issue after that is £2.99. So, in comparison to other similar magazines it is really cheap. Part of the method to teach you every stitch is to use a different stitch for coloured squares. Eventually over the course of the series I'll hopefully knit myself a throw.  I will keep you updated on my progress. By subscribing you also get some free gifts as well - I love free gifts.


As you can see I have finished the first square! It is white and garter stitch. As this was a stitch I was familiar with it was pretty quick to do. However, I was able to make use of the video tutorials to learn how to cast on properly! So I felt rather pleased with myself.

Garter Stitch Square

This magazine also includes patterns to help you learn other skills. So I will get started on those once the wool arrives. My plan of not starting new projects might flounder here.... But I'll hopefully learn some new skills and create some funky knits! So watch this space.