Christmas at WildCat Designs

Where there's cold weather, there's knitwear. If you're looking for something cosy to give as a gift for a loved one, or even just a little handmade treat for yourself, look no further!

WildCat Designs has lots of colourful scarves and other woolly warm things for winter. You'll find more information on my website: www.wildcat-designs.co.uk or visit one of my online shops here: wildcatdesigns.etsy.com & wildcatdesigns.folksy.com.

Below are my order deadlines for Christmas:

Last order dates for December 2015

Africa & Middle East - Thurs 3rd
Asia, Eastern Europe & Cyprus - Sun 6th
Central & South America, Caribbean - Mon 7th
Australia, New Zealand & Greece - Tues 8th
Germany, Italy & Poland - Sun 13th
USA, Canada, Sweden & Finland - Mon 14th
Austria, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Spain - Tues 15th
France - Wed 16th
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Slovakia & Switzerland - Thurs 17th
UK - Sun 20th

Please note that custom and made to order items will usually take a minimum of a week to be completed and so may not be ready in time for Christmas.

New Year, New Project

I got a bit of a shock when I realised about a fortnight ago that I hadn't actually done *any* knitting yet this year! (gasp!)

Not like me at all...but I have been enjoying reading "Knit the Season" - the third book in the Friday Night Knitting Club series by Kate Jacobs. Always nice to revisit favourite characters and it's a lovely seasonal tale of their continually intertwining lives. So this has acted as a kind of substitute in a way. I'm so glad someone finally got me it for Christmas (my other half, he rocks), as it's been on my wishlist for a while.

Anyway, it got to the point where enough was enough, I had gotten pretty far into the book and my fingers were itching to do some real-life knitting, instead of just reading about it! I decided to start a brand new project, one I've been thinking about for some time. It's a beautiful lace shawl (or wrap) design which I previously designed and created for a commission using a silvery-white yarn, Rowan's Kidsilk Night in Starlight [Ravelry link].

I am making this year's version based on my notes and pattern from this - it's been adapted from two different lace motifs I liked, a chevron one from a pattern library which forms the border of my design and one which borrows a section of the lacework from the beautiful Anice Shawl in Rowan Magazine 41, which was out around the time I was working as a Design Consultant for Rowan yarns. (Yes, I'm still a Rowan addict!)

I've made some progress on it so far and have named this incarnation the
Goddess of the Night Shawl. A fitting name for its inky plum purple darkness with a shimmering glint of silvery thread.

I don't have a particular recipient in mind, I simply decided to work on this piece for the sheer joy of having a nice cerebral lace project on the go, not to mention something visually stunning developing before my eyes as I continue to work on it.

No instant gratification here, I'm in this for the long haul. I've realised over the years that there is indeed merit in quick, simple projects, which can be easily completed in a short space of time but somethimes you need something a little deeper to get your teeth into. Did I mention it's a bit like therapy? (albeit generally* a lot cheaper!)

* depending on your yarn habit...

Does your winter need warming up?

Well, I might be able to help with that...

Chase away the January blues
with a brand new WildCat Designs scarf
- snap one up in my Super Scarf Sale!

You'll find lots of my best selling designs marked down
in my Etsy online shop, available while stocks last...

Merry Christmas!

I hope all my readers, WildCat Designs fans and customers have a lovely Christmas, and that Santa is good to you! I'll be back soon with more ideas and inspriation, but for now I am enjoying the festivities, and hope you are too :)

Thank you for reading my blog, commenting on my posts and 

supporting my little independent business in 2013!

Christmas 2013

WildCat Designs last order dates for Christmas 2013

UK orders: Wednesday 18th December

Orders for Western Europe: Friday 13th December

Orders for USA: Wednesday 11th December

Orders for Canada & Eastern Europe: Sunday 8th December

Orders for Japan, Oz, NZ & everywhere else: Monday 2nd December

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I *will* be accepting orders after these dates but

please be aware that items may not arrive in time for Christmas,

after all, it is a very busy time of year!

The order dates also apply to my WildKittens online shop.

Shop online: Bigcartel, Etsy, DaWanda or Folksy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Custom orders: If you are interested in a custom order,

please get in touch by Friday 15th November.
Email enquiries {at} wildcat-designs {dot} co {dot} uk

Winter is Coming!

It has certainly been feeling a little autumnal round here lately. So I thought it was high time I did a little WildCat Designs update. Cosy knitwear ahoy!!

Etsy shop

I have been updating my WildCat Designs Etsy online shop in the last couple of weeks - this is definitely the best place to see the full range of knitwear accessories I have on offer for autumn/winter. There are some brand new designs for 2013, along with some of my best sellers!

Custom Orders

If you're interested in commissioning something special for a loved one this winter - or fancy getting a bespoke handmade piece made especially for you - please do get in touch, I am happy to discuss custom orders. Should you wish to do this, please feel free to email enquiries {at} wildcat-designs {dot} co {dot} uk or contact me directly through one of my online shops.

WildKittens

I also have a collection of felted Merino lambswool scarves for kids, along with cute hand knit baby gifts and PDF knitting patterns.

Find out more by visiting the WildKittens Etsy store.

If you want to find out more about my WildCat Designs label, my dedicated website should tell you everything you need to know. (P.S. there's a bit about me & my designs on my new blog bio too, for the curious!)

Where to Buy WildCat Designs

You can find my WildCat Designs creations online:

Etsy (WildCat Designs)

DaWanda (offered in three language flavours) - EN - DE - FR (€)

Bigcartel (£)

WildKittens Etsy shop

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas!

Hope you enjoy this song, "White Winter Hymnal" by the Fleet Foxes - it always makes me think of wintery days when I hear it :)

Wintery goodness from WildCat Designs

There is something wonderful about this time of year - I really do like all the seasons (each has its merits, naturally) but I find the act of wrapping oneself in warm, woolly things against the cold quite satisfying. Plus it does feel *right* to be knitting cosy comfort when it's chilly outside, and it's just not quite the same doing so on a hot summer's day somehow!

Not that I let that stop me from knitting all year round of course (yes, I wholeheartedly admit it, I'm utterly addicted, but at least it's a productive obsession!) - I always have at least a handful of different projects on the go.

So...on a somewhat related note, if you feel like getting your paws on some of my lovingly handmade goodies this winter, and wish to receive them before the 25th of December, here are my recommended order dates.

UK orders: Tuesday 18th December

Orders for Western Europe: Monday 10th December

Orders for Canada, USA & Eastern Europe: Saturday 8th December

Orders for Japan, Oz, NZ & everywhere else: Sunday 2nd December

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I *will* be accepting orders after these dates but
please be aware that items may not arrive in time for Christmas,
after all, it is a very busy time of year!

These order dates also apply to my WildKittens online shop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shop online: bigcartel, etsy, DaWanda or folksy.

...or alternatively, find my hand-crafted creations
at one of my UK stockists:

Edinburgh: Flux or Bliss
East Lothian: Peter Potter Gallery
England: Vertiline in Love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Custom orders: If you are interested in a custom order,
please get in touch by Monday 19th November.

3KCBWDAY4 - A Knitter for all Seasons?

Day Four: A Knitter for all Seasons?

I have to confess that although I adore knitting lightweight lace projects (I really do enjoy lace knitting, whether it's a simple motif with only a few rows repeat, or a more complex piece requiring full concentration), the type of projects I seem to spend most of my time making are generally wintery things, especially mittens and scarves.

This is probably due in part to the fact that I have had a business selling such things for several years now, but I think also because I really enjoy working with woolly, cosy yarns and personally love wrapping up with handmade knits in the wintery weather.

So although I occasionally work with cottons and more summery yarns, I can be found working on warm, woolly things pretty much all year round! I find that this is very much reflected in my stash too, with a definite bias towards fibres which are suitable for giving warmth and comfort such as wool, alpaca and cashmere.

New year, new ideas

Hello! I hope you've all had a great start to the new year. At the moment, I am having a phase of definite renewal and getting back into making things after a bit of a break.

I've been busily working on trying to finish my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project - really hoping I'll complete it in time! Enjoying it thus far though, it's so refreshing to get back to drawing and painting, something I love but don't make the time for very often any more.

Today involved playing around with this damask pattern motif and gold ink. Fun! I've also been sprucing things up a little online - hope you like the new blog banner and buttons on the sidebar.

I realise Valentine's day is just around the corner (already?!), so if you're looking for some inspiration, check out this post from last year: DIY Valentine!

Last Chance Saloon

If you're wondering why things have gone a little quiet on the blog lately, well, it's because I'm ever-so-slightly snowed under! Not the weather particularly, more a case of lots of orders, commissions and unfortunately a sore throat too into the mix.

Anyway, on a brighter note, I finally got my Christmas tree up last night, hurrah!



I just thought I would do a little update, to highlight the fact that if you're based in the UK and looking for some of my WildCat Designs or WildKittens goodies in time for Christmas, you're in luck - my last order date is this Saturday, 17th December.

If you live outside the UK, I'm afraid that I now cannot promise that your order will arrive in time for Christmas, but I am still accepting orders at the moment if you are willing to chance it, or just want to treat yourself! ;)

* Custom Orders * - I am somewhat inundated with Christmas commissions so I am currently not taking on any new custom work until after the festive period.

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Find my WildCat Designs handmade woolly wonders on Etsy, Folksy (£),
DaWanda (€) & Bigcartel (£).

See also my WildKittens knits for babies & kids!

Christmas Post

I think the time has come for me to announce my last order dates for Christmas 2011, now that we are well into November and there's a chill in the air!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UK orders: Saturday 17th December

Orders for Western Europe: Saturday 10th December

Orders for Canada, USA & Eastern Europe: Wednesday 7th December

Orders for Japan, Oz, NZ & everywhere else: Saturday 3rd December

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: if you are interested in a custom order, please get in touch as soon as possible, preferably before Monday 21st November, to allow enough time for the item to be made and sent in time for the last posting dates. (My current lead time on commissions is 1-2 weeks.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Find my WildCat Designs handmade knitted goodies on Etsy, Folksy(£), DaWanda(€) & Bigcartel(£). See also my WildKittens knits for babies & kids!

Comfort Food

Now, I don't normally blog about food - unless it's cake, because frankly, I think cake is good for the soul (mainly because it makes you happy!) - but I wanted to share this recipe I came across.

Two reasons: 1. It looks *deee-licious* and 2. much like cosy knits, it's perfect for autumn (or winter for that matter!), when you're craving a little comfort food. I also really love Moroccan food and dream of visiting there someday.

The recipe is for Moroccan Meatballs and the accompanying sauce - found on the Cupcake Junky blog.

Images via Cupcake Junky

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, with plenty of lovely presents, good food and great company! :)


Gorgeous Christmas (post)card by Belle and Boo.

A little shop update

Hello! It's been a little quiet around here lately, apologies for that...mainly because I have been somewhat inundated with orders (not to mention college coursework & assessments!) in the last few weeks. This is no bad thing, however, as it has meant I've achieved my 200th sale in my WildCat Designs shop this week! Hurrah! One great big goal for 2010 achieved! Even nicer that it was actually a friend, the lovely Ali of Ali Bali Jewellery (do check out her work, she makes some fab things!).

It's also been really rather wintery here in Scotland the past fortnight or so - the amount of snow we've had has turned Cramond into Narnia! Check out the icicles that appeared in front of my window:


...looks like the work of the White Witch to me! Even my local post box didn't escape the weather, and is now wearing its winter hat:


I'm just putting out a little shop update to let you all know that if you wish to receive items in time for Christmas, please place your order by this Saturday (18th December) at the latest, as this will give me time to pack it up and post it out to you!

Please note, this applies to UK orders only - for all other locations the last posting date has now passed, sorry. I am currently still accepting orders from customers outside the UK but cannot guarantee they will arrive before Christmas.

I'd also like to announce that all of my online shops will be closed for a short break (I feel I've earned it!) from Wednesday 22nd December 2010 until Wednesday 5th January 2011. My shops will re-open on Thursday 6th January.

Thanks to all of my customers and WildCat Designs/WildKittens fans (you know who you are!) for supporting my little business this year and also in the past, I couldn't have done it with out y'all. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2011. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster but you've got to have a few lows to appreciate the high points after all!

Cyber Monday Madness!

A little treat for you, my lovely readers...for one day only, receive 10% off your order from my WildCat Designs etsy shop when you enter the coupon code 'CYBERMON' during checkout!



I've got some lovely handmade knits to keep you and your loved ones cosy this winter, so do check out this one-day offer :)

It's also the perfect opportunity to stock up on pressies - my last order dates for Christmas are fast approaching! See this recent post for details.

P.S. For those who prefer to shop in €uros, there's a special discount running today over at my DaWanda shop too!

Have a Handmade Christmas!

I know some of you have probably already started thinking about your Christmas shopping...so I thought I'd take the opportunity to post up my last order dates for WildCat Designs and/or WildKittens goodies to arrive in time for Christmas - for my local, national and international customers.


UK

Saturday 18th December
~~~
Western Europe

Saturday 11th December
~~~
Eastern Europe,
USA, Canada & Japan

Wednesday 8th December
~~~
Australia, New Zealand,
Hong Kong/Asia
& the rest of the world

Saturday 4th December
~~~

Please note that these order dates do not apply to custom-made items. Last order date for custom items before Christmas is Sunday 21st November.

I *will* be accepting orders after these dates but please be aware that items may not arrive in time for Christmas, after all, it is a very busy time of year!


Find my hand-crafted creations in one of my UK stockists:

Edinburgh: Flux or The Spider & The Fly
East Lothian: Peter Potter Gallery
England: New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey

...or alternatively, shop online at etsy (here & here), DaWanda or folksy.

Of course, if you prefer, do feel free to come and 'meet the maker' at the Magpie Market! :)

Winter at WildCat Designs

Autumn seems to be briskly turning into winter around here... so it must be time for cosy knitted things - my speciality! ;)

This year marks a big milestone for my little business - WildCat Designs is 5 this November! With that in mind, there will be more lovely felted scarves, brooches and hand knitted lace wraps and this year I've added to my range with cute stripy fingerless mittens and there are even hats on the way. I'll also be writing more knitting patterns for the little sister label WildKittens.

Image above & below: courtesy of Clare Dakin Photography.
(Click to view larger)

I'm also pretty excited because another goal is within sight - namely 200 sales in my WildCat Designs etsy shop! Currently at 186 sales, not far to go at all...so I'd like to announce that whoever my lucky 200th customer is, they will receive a fantastic goodie bag, packed with lots of lovely freebies.



In other WildCat Designs-flavoured news, I have a new stockist! May I introduce to you: The Spider & The Fly! It's a fabulous boutique full of wonderful things made by independent artists & designers, handmade and vintage loveliness - find them on Edinburgh's Bread Street, at number 65.

I'll also be setting up shop at the next two Magpie Markets, the first of which is on Sunday 14th of November at the Lot, 4-6 The Grassmarket, Edinburgh. The following one is on Sunday 12th December at the same location. Do come along between 12 noon & 5pm, it's sure to be fun. There are even goodie bags for the early birds!

For more information about events I'm doing/taking part in, check out the new Events tab on my blog :)

Winter Contemporary Textiles Exhibition

Hi there, I thought I'd share some exciting news with all you lovely readers!

My work has been selected to be included in the Winter Contemporary Textiles Exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham, Surrey - a gallery specialising in Contemporary Fine Art & Craft.


The exhibition will run from Friday 19th November 2010 (Private View) until Saturday 22nd January 2011.

The Big Knit 2010

Innocent - the people behind those delicious smoothies - are once again running the Big Knit! This year they are raising money for Age UK.


How does it work? Well, you (and anyone else you can rope in!) knit little hats for their smoothies, send them to Innocent towers and for each behatted smoothie sold (in Boots or Sainsbury's) this winter, they will donate 50p to Age UK, a charity dedicated to helping improve the lives of older people in the UK.

The deadline for all hats this year is Friday 15th October, so there's still time to get involved - get knitting, use up some stash scraps, have fun *and* raise money for a good cause, all at the same time! Bonus!

If you don't know how to knit, or aren't yet very confident of your knitterly skills, don't fret - they have downloadable 'How to Knit' guides and even feature the 'Hat Pattern of the Week' on their blog if you're in need of a little inspiration.

P.S. They are also looking for student knitting ambassadors to encourage folks to get busy with string and sticks - find out more information right here.