Having been knitting for a number of months, it was only a matter of time before a wanted to dye my own wool.  I had been worried about the use of chemicals, so when I heard of Kool-Aid I was thrilled and wanted to get started right away.

I went out and bought some  Mirasol Yarn Cotanani, which is beautifully soft and will be wonderful to knit with.

I set about with various plastic cups of dye, plastic take away containers and spirals of wool. (Not forgetting the rubber gloves!) It went really well, though I mixed the dye with way to much water and my wool had a high cotton content, all adding to the less viberant colours.  However, I was please.

Originally the wool was going to be used to make myself a little jacket, but the colours turned out a bit to pale so I am going to shelve it and use it for baby clothes.

The pictures above show it looking a bit brighter, but it dried much lighter as you can see below.

The sun is shining and its lovely out, so I thought I’d get creative and make a few bits to my etsy site.  I’ve starting making key rings, at the moment its cats, but I’m planning on ‘Home Sweet Home’ ones and rabbits as well.

The ideas are still in the making but going well so far.  When I can figure out why my sewing machine has given up I can making some soft toys.

I experienced my first Wave Vintage Fair in Worcester last weekend.  It was held in the lovely St Helen’s Church, on Fish Street. The fair aims to promote vintage and recycling and ’Make Do and Mend’, having everything from vintage 50′s clothes to handmade jewellery and toys.

It was great, and I have all the information to sign up for July’s event myself.

The July event seems to have a 40′s theme, something close to my heart, so I will be truly looking forward to it.  I am hoping to have a stall with my mother in law who will be selling her vintage inspired knitted cake’s.  I have thinking about a theme for my stall and it has to be 40′s garden party, similar to my wedding.

I have started creating a few new projects, knitted brooches with recycled wool,

I’m thinking, sunglasses cases, keyring’s and all my usual goodies.  I’m trying to think of some interested 40′s twists still though.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

My 70′s vintage fabric, now has a nice new home.  I has been made into cute cushion’s by my very own creative mother in law.  I’m loving the green against the red sofa!

I need to go on a sewing & dress making course myself, I am in need of cute hand made items for my home.  If you know of a course in SW London feel free to let me know.

Another of my knits, really pleased with this one its an adult version of the lovely children’s pattern neighborly by Jennifer Casa. I took my pattern from stitchesinplay, who has a lovely blog. The wool I used was great and luckily it grows with wear, Noro silk garden and noro plain wool.  I knitted it a little small, I need to improve my knitting style.

Any advise on knitting slacker would be welcome.

The shalom cardigan seems to be on every knitters list at some time, there are 2482 completed projects of this on ravelry and I’m sure it will increase by the time I publish my post.

After an afternoon in blacksheepwools new barn, I purchased way to much wool with no idea of projects.  The Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran in lovely bright pink, a massive pack of bargain pale pink cotton, lovely Rowan Country in green tones, for possible felting and some baby wool.

The pink aran was used to create my very own Shalom cardigan.  I changed the pattern a little, added a bit of extra length, and changed the design to close at the front and added a row of pattern to form cap sleeves.  I am pleased with the results, though still need to find wooden buttons.

I added a little crocheted flower for detail whilst waiting to find the perfect buttons.

I now have a queue of 5 projects to be completed, the first being a poncho that purchased Sirdar demin ultra for and then a few things for summer.

This is impressive, Tif the star of dottie angel blog has decided to create a challenge. She will use and buy secondhand and handcrafted goods for a year.  Check the few below who have made a good start.

Abigail’s Pocatello

Mum design

May the cloth be with you

I love the idea of it and am thinking about it, but worried I won’t keep it up.  Please send me ideas and advice if you’ve started with dottie’s challenge.

Two weeks to go and only a few last things to do.  I’ve collected tea cups, tablecloths, ribbons, made baggage tags, and created mini bunting.  I’m not sure what’s left to do apart from get married and have a good time.

I am very pleased with my flower jars, they are by Leifheit and are just great.  After the wedding I am going to have to start making jams and preserves to fill all my lovely glasswares.

Its not quite as perfect as the large bunting, but it will look cute where ever I use it.

My partner in crime at work had a little baby a few weeks ago, so I got busy creating the prefect little shoes.  I regret not taking any nice pictures before giving them.  Here they are being modeled so beautifully though.

To think I thought they were to small.  As these where so greatly received I thought I’d make a pair for my next door neighbours who’s just had a baby as well.

Another day another project!

I love having time to myself and making gifts.  I’m going to make a series of egg cosies and then some coffee pot cosies and knitted tea cosies all with cute creatures on.  This is the first one some am still trying to iron out any issues, though I think it worked quite well.

On the front I have a big easter chick, the same design as on some of my cards and on the back a baby round chick.

I’m going to create a few with hearts and flowers and a few aimed at boys to.  If you’d like one, feel free to ask.  I also am willing to create custom made designs.