Gorgeous Knits

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend, dear readers. I have to say that I take particular delight around this time of year when the weather starts to turn as it means one of my favourite seasons is almost underway! I adore the beautiful autumnal colours, crisp leaves underfoot and curling up with new knitting projects (of course!). Above you can see a cable design I have recently brought out of hibernation :)
Here are some other lovely things which I think are perfect for staying cosy during autumn.



Found on the Fall Fingerless Mitts blog.

This gorgeous leafy hat pattern looks fab knitted up using variegated yarns - it's available from Ruth Sørensen's website and also ravelry.

I love this adorable (and cosy!) *hexapuff* Beekeeper's quilt 

- it looks like such a fun pattern to work on.

[Edit - coincidentally, this is National Knitting Week this week here in the UK! Happy knitting!]

Abstract Inspiration

Inspired by my friend and talented artist, Beatie, of Fox Design, I curated this list of abstract loveliness.



I hope you like it. My blog may be a little quieter than usual in the next little while as the "knitwear season" has begun, meaning I'll likely be up to the eyeballs in wool! It could be worse I suppose ;)

Join the (Ox)jamboree!

Come join in the fun at the Edinburgh Oxjamboree - an Arts Market, Oxfam style! It's happening on Saturday 17th September from 10am - 4pm at the church on the corner of Pilrig Street & Leith Walk (map here).




 
The Oxjamboree will feature a range of stalls from lovely vintage finds to indie designs, crafts and jewellery. Don't miss the raffle, music and parlour games! You'll also be able to grab a cuppa and home-baked cake.
I'll be there too, along with handmade goodies from both my WildKittens and WildCat Designs ranges - do pop in and say hello! It's only 50p entry :)

The facebook event page is right here.

Happy Wool Week!

Did you know it's Wool Week this week?

Frankly, anything involving celebrating the wondrous qualities of wool is fine by me!

One of the highlights of Wool Week is an exhibition called "Wool Modern" featuring work by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Christian Lacroix, Sonia Rykiel and Julien Macdonald. It is part of the Campaign for Wool and will be held from 8th - 29th September at La Galleria in London. The aim of the show is to challenge people's perceptions of wool, a fibre which in my opinion really is somewhat underrated.

Some things you might not know about wool:


• it's antibacterial
• when used as clothing or bedding, wool helps to regulate body temperature
• it can absorb moisture and sound
• it makes a good insulator
• it's completely biodegradable and is a sustainable, natural product.
• it is easy to dye (yay!)
• it's also a relatively elastic fibre, meaning woolly things keep their shape better and for longer.

Love Wool UK is the crafty side of the Wool Week shenanigans - find out how you can get your craft on right here. (I intend to do a little bit of pub knitting myself this week!)

Wool Week 2011 runs from 5th-11th September in the UK.

Classic Cola Craftsmanship

Images via Creative Review
Cola and craftsmanship...those are not two words you'd perhaps ordinarily expect strung together, but then again, I have personally always viewed the curves of a traditional glass Coke bottle as a true design classic.


I recently read about the making of an old-school Coca-Cola sign back in 1954, intended for display in London. The details of the design and construction of their first neon sign for the city's Piccadily Circus are described and recorded in a book which was featured in a recent installation at the Design Museum, celebrating the company's design identity and 125th anniversary.


There can be no doubt about the craftsmanship which has gone into the making of it when you see the design drawings.


I also believe that there are some really nice elements of graphic design and typography at play here too.


See the Creative Review article here for the full story.

Why Handmade?

Why do people buy handmade? There are so many reasons, really.

Why I buy Handmade: because it has so much more meaning than buying something mass-produced and because as a designer/maker myself, I value the skills, time, work, thought and energy which has gone into making something by hand.


Image via DaWanda
I love the uniqueness of something which has been crafted with care by someone creative. The fact that every object (and for that matter, maker or designer) has a rich story behind it, something that gives pieces 'life,' as it were. I enjoy finding out what inspired the person who made a particular handmade piece.


Something else I delight in is going to local markets and independent shops to see beautiful things made by passionate people living in my own city (or further afield!) and forging a connection with them, their creative process and their creations.

This post was sparked off by the UK Handmade "Buy Handmade" Campaign in support of Designer Makers. I'd love to know: what are your reasons for buying handmade?

Magpie July

Coming very soon... another crafty extravaganza, brought to you by Magpie!


This will be the second Magpie Market held upstairs at The Hub on Castlehill, and if the last one was anything to go by, it'll be fab - featuring vintage clothing, handmade goodies and naturally there will be cake too!


I'll also be showing off my WildCat Designs & WildKittens wares, if you want to see 'em in person, this your opportunity! I plan to showcase a few new designs, so this is a rare chance for a little sneak peek :)

Birthday-ness!

Just for fun, because it's my birthday today, and I happen to adore Miffy...



Enjoy!