tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78593976583824281372024-03-05T03:11:52.475-08:00Coop Knitscoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-9658686326449160802014-03-19T16:33:00.000-07:002014-03-19T16:33:13.479-07:00Toasty Volume OneI've published a new book!<br />
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It is a collection of accessories I have designed using <a href="http://baaramewe.co.uk/collections/yarn/products/titus-original-4-ply">Titus</a>, a yarn spun in Yorkshire and dreamed up by Baa Ram Ewe. The colour palette is beautiful and I had a lot of fun designing and putting together colour combinations. <br />
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There are hats, mittens, fingerless mitts, a scarf and a cowl. Stranded colourwork, cables, lace and texture. You can see all the patterns and buy <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/coop-knits-toasty-volume-one/patterns">the digital version on Ravelry here</a> and you can buy the printed book (which comes with a code to download the digital version free of charge) <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/product/toasty-volume-one">here</a>. <br />
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I'll be blogging about my design process, the yarn and each piece in the collection in the coming weeks. If you are knitting any of the patterns I'd love to see pictures in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/coop-knits">my Ravelry group</a>, we're having a Spring KAL - come and join in!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-5107125000005314912014-01-27T13:59:00.000-08:002014-01-28T00:46:21.741-08:00Scrumptious Collection Volume 3It's my turn to talk about <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-scrumptious-collection-volume-3-2/patterns">The Scrumptious Collection Volume 3</a>! <br>
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I was thrilled to be asked to contribute, the scrumptious range of yarns are beautiful, the colours are lovely and they are a pleasure to knit with. I swatched and sketched: <br>
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These are my designs in the collection:<br>
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On the left, the Divelish Hat and Mittens, these start with a twisted stitch and cable rib which leads in to stranded colourwork, we chose natural and charcoal for the pictured sample but you can see an alternative colour choice in the swatch above and Nic has finished a <a href="http://laliloo.squarespace.com/journal/2014/1/24/divelishly-fun.html">lovely version in blues</a>. 1 skein in each of 2 colours of Scrumptious 4ply is enough for both the hat and mittens. <br>
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Top right is the Lerryn mittens, they use one skein of the Scrumptious DK and they are WARM! I used a combination of cables and texture and the palm is patterned as well as the top of the hand. This teal colour is so lovely, I'm going to make a pair for me in slate or chestnut.<br>
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Last but not least, on the bottom right are the Kenwyn Hat and Cowl, lace and cables in Scrumptious Aran (my favourite of all these lovely yarns). The hat is the next thing going on my needles and I'm going to pick up 2 more skeins of yarn at Unravel next month for the cowl!<br>
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I'd love to see any of your WIPs or finished items in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/coop-knits">Coop Knits ravelry group</a>, the SPRING KAL is about to kick off so come and join in! The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fyberspates">Fyberspates group</a> is also having a KAL and I positively encourage double dipping!<br>
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You can get the book <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/Fyberspates/_Scrumptious%20Collection%20vol%203/512054/Scrumptious%20Collection%20vol%203">here</a> and the eBook on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-scrumptious-collection-volume-3-2/patterns">ravelry here</a>. <br>
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All the details of the Blog Tour <a href="http://fibrespates.blogs.com/shop_blog/2014/01/scv3-blog-podcast-tour-is-go.html">are here</a>, check out what everyone else has been saying.<br>
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The Scrumptious yarn and pattern range is widely available from shops and online retailers around the world. For an up-to-date list of where to find our products, please click through to: www.tinyurl.com/fyberspatesretailers<br>
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-25415789728630578952013-11-08T05:07:00.000-08:002013-11-08T05:07:20.286-08:00Apples, apples everywhere.....I've got apple trees in my garden. They are a blessing and a curse. At this time of year I have more apples (and pears, and plums) than I can cope with, as soon as you clear the fallen fruit, a new carpet has formed.<br />
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Photo belongs to Rachel Atkinson <br />
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I designed a pair of mittens for the <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/fall/magazinepage_01.php">Autumn Twist Collective</a>; <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/apple-catchers">Apple Catchers</a>. I love working with Twist, they always, always do such an amazing job of styling and photographing the pieces in the collection and these photographs are the most beautiful anyone has ever taken of my work. <br />
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Photo belongs to Jane Heller<br />
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I look at this photo and I feel happy.<br />
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Photo belongs to Jane Heller<br />
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There are 2 versions, a shorter version and a more dramatic elbow length pair, the cable appears on the front and the back of the mitten. The samples are knitted in Shalimar Breathless - a yarn I have been very enthusiastic about in the past and I still love it deeply, it's a dream to knit with and the colours and beautiful. (You can now get it in the UK at <a href="http://www.loopknittingshop.com/product/5370/Shalimar_Breathless">Loop</a>)<br />
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I called the pattern Apple Catchers. It's a reference to my favourite thing about Autumn; the abundance of fruit (I also like the colder weather which necessitates the wearing of copious amounts of knitwear). One of the great things about apples is the baking they prompt; the pies, cakes and puddings that come out of the oven after a Sunday roast. I asked <a href="http://mylifeinknitwear.com/">Rachel Atkinson</a> (you can find her lovely blog at www.mylifeinknitwear.com) if she would whip me up an apple recipe and she very kindly obliged:<br />
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Apple Catcher Pudding<br />
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Photo belongs to Rachel Atkinson<br />
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Celebrate apple season with this delicious pudding; tangy sharp cooking apples stew in their juices underneath the fluffy Apple Catcher sponge topping making it perfect for lazy autumnal weekends curled up on the sofa with your knitting. <br />
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600g cooking apples - British Bramleys are perfect at this time of year<br />
75g light soft brown sugar (demerara works fine too)<br />
¼ tsp ground cinnamon<br />
Grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
Juice of half a lemon<br />
100g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish<br />
100g caster sugar, plus a little extra for dusting<br />
2 large eggs<br />
½ tsp vanilla extract<br />
100g self-raising flour<br />
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Set your oven to 180°C and place a shelf in the lower third of the oven.<br />
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Peel, core and chop the apples into chunks then place in a lightly buttered 2 litre ovenproof dish.<br />
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To the apples add the brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice, mixing to coat, and set to one side.<br />
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In a separate bowl beat the butter and caster sugar together until pale and fluffy.
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Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to combine followed by the vanilla extract.<br />
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Sift in the self-raising flour and gently mix together to a soft consistency.<br />
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Spread the cake batter over the top of the apples covering them completely.<br />
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Pop in the oven for about 40 minutes, checking after 30 minutes to see how it’s getting on.<br />
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Insert a cake tester into the centre to check the apples are cooked; they should retain a little bit of bite but not be too crunchy, and the sponge topping will have bloomed upwards. Sadly it’s likely to collapse on cooling, so quickly sprinkle with caster sugar and eat it whilst still warm dowsed liberally with custard or cream. For a truly disgraceful indulgent treat add a dollop of clotted cream!<br />
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Yum yum!<br />
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(Apple Catchers are also giant pants, I really have to give credit to <a href="https://twitter.com/VeufTricot">Jim</a> for the name of this pattern, on whom I can always rely on to lower the tone - like the time I asked for name suggestions for my sock peacock...)coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-38496906313799510222013-10-16T05:51:00.000-07:002013-10-17T10:54:18.493-07:00Among Stones<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/among-stones/patterns">Among Stones</a> is a collection of 10 designs by Carol Feller, the garments and accessories are all incredibly wearable and beautifully photographed. I love the colour palette Carol has chosen, it ties in so well with the nature and weathered stone at the locations for the photos. One of things I really love about this book is that Carol is modelling many of the pieces, she makes them look so stylish and effortless. <br>
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If you'd like to enter the prize draw to win a digital copy of this book (generously donated by Carol), leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite pattern from the book is and I'll pick a winner on 24th October.<br>
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The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tourmalite">Tourmalite shawl</a> is one of my favourites, it has an interesting construction and the generous size is perfect for the colder weather. Combining a colour changing yarn like Noro with a solid yarn is really interesting, this shawl has larger blocks of solid breaking up the thinner Noro stripes and the little stocking stitch wedges (that remind me of pleats) among the garter stitch. <br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4Pq7wxTK-T_v91SEIaJcbo95TeknFTW7eyRQfHCQmhLSPO2LNkuLMJxdX1Bc0fpyrKDshgrIKhdb2uAS8sS8zMTWXZsY2sr5F8Way2vIOCVdDyUG6Lk3GWadiHjdmH4CGTU96OlleBw/s1600/carol1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4Pq7wxTK-T_v91SEIaJcbo95TeknFTW7eyRQfHCQmhLSPO2LNkuLMJxdX1Bc0fpyrKDshgrIKhdb2uAS8sS8zMTWXZsY2sr5F8Way2vIOCVdDyUG6Lk3GWadiHjdmH4CGTU96OlleBw/s400/carol1.jpg"></a></div>(Photo belongs to Joseph Feller)<br>
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The<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/liathite-jr"> Liathite Jr</a> is very appealing to me, I've got two boys who are woefully under knitted for and this hoodie would be perfect for both of them (I'll start with the one for the biggest child just in case he does that stupid growing thing while I am knitting and it can be used by the smaller one instead!).<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-N89b8xmOM19Dyy9GMXjZ7UxAcDAPKrJ8CraYcFoAnfAfDwAgFsz5PEzuWmZ7u0u4c2yboXcTvxcYRj5KlsMGLfe3SUwzZEibSQvugta9eE1mvq2fPPigMIXSMs2JFHK3xSkYrxVYfc/s1600/carol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-N89b8xmOM19Dyy9GMXjZ7UxAcDAPKrJ8CraYcFoAnfAfDwAgFsz5PEzuWmZ7u0u4c2yboXcTvxcYRj5KlsMGLfe3SUwzZEibSQvugta9eE1mvq2fPPigMIXSMs2JFHK3xSkYrxVYfc/s400/carol2.jpg"></a></div>(Photo belongs to Joseph Feller)<br>
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I've got to talk about the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pyrite">Pyrite</a> socks, these are sized for children and adults (I don't often make socks for children due to the aforementioned stupid growing thing) and they look great in both solid and variegated yarn. The colours in yarn used for the woman's version make me very happy:<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzE-HdfRI0TayDG3UEqKyQDzP_PAV9OtqevBU0iwJaTkWn59S8zMHwR_cS-ofK-u-kxDus8I54voq7XpBt9XEbXRJUpW-4MFqEOWpQdqoZ5HUuhkMK95jyAU3VvYZ2OcqYDYlJj61tus/s1600/carol3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzE-HdfRI0TayDG3UEqKyQDzP_PAV9OtqevBU0iwJaTkWn59S8zMHwR_cS-ofK-u-kxDus8I54voq7XpBt9XEbXRJUpW-4MFqEOWpQdqoZ5HUuhkMK95jyAU3VvYZ2OcqYDYlJj61tus/s400/carol3.jpg"></a></div>(Photo belongs to Joseph Feller)<br>
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You can get the print or digital version (or both!) of the book <a href="http://www.stolenstitches.com/">here</a>. <br>
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coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-51814192173535445062013-10-16T04:46:00.000-07:002013-10-16T04:46:48.801-07:00Ally PallyI had a fantastic (and exhausting) 4 days at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last week. I was there with Rowan, signing copies of <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/product/a-knitted-sock-society">my new book</a>. <br />
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I met so many people, caught up with some friends and marvelled at the fantastic clothes many of the attendees were wearing, knitted, crocheted and sewn - the creativity was extraordinary! I started and finished one sock and made a start on the second of the pair during the show:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindtLXugFkjYXnV1JkXaSOTiILN8lc8JRzD_0i-FTtuREPSlngJm-iKouu1uPpUPs9FeuQY4XoXE6narLhbn722LlbV_V98HjOYzZeP8VjBGLm5H2FAeQl3E9SwsBFSofUWahMDu1yPKE/s1600/Photo+13-10-2013+22+23+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindtLXugFkjYXnV1JkXaSOTiILN8lc8JRzD_0i-FTtuREPSlngJm-iKouu1uPpUPs9FeuQY4XoXE6narLhbn722LlbV_V98HjOYzZeP8VjBGLm5H2FAeQl3E9SwsBFSofUWahMDu1yPKE/s400/Photo+13-10-2013+22+23+10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
(Photo belongs to @rowanyarns)<br />
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I'm making myself a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mixalot-socks">Mixalot Socks</a> with the leftover sock yarn from the book, I love stripy socks and these are no exception to the rule, I'm looking forward to wearing them. <br />
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I spent a LOT of time on the Rowan stand planning what yarns and colours I am going to use to knit most of the garments in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/sarah-hatton-and-martin-storey-designer-knits/patterns">this book</a>. I did a little bit of shopping;<br />
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Some buttons from <a href="http://www.kateholliday.co.uk/">Kate Holliday</a>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpztPdliqfyZc1blLkswivvoSpq1mq3QD2VgEk8LKPkA5wGIn9vS5maODD6_2QnyWGZjpmiARXrpAgwdFEb1c9YUMRmfOiJlDWUw9xOeii8shqLlp1heoBl5hEGQsvHBn0Sgq77DgZmcU/s1600/Photo+16-10-2013+12+18+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpztPdliqfyZc1blLkswivvoSpq1mq3QD2VgEk8LKPkA5wGIn9vS5maODD6_2QnyWGZjpmiARXrpAgwdFEb1c9YUMRmfOiJlDWUw9xOeii8shqLlp1heoBl5hEGQsvHBn0Sgq77DgZmcU/s400/Photo+16-10-2013+12+18+33.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Some chunky alpaca from <a href="http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/">Toft</a> (who are crocheting in the window of John Lewis on Oxford Street for Wool Week):<br />
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And a skein of the very lovely Breathless by Shalimar Yarns from the<a href="http://www.loopknitting.com/"> Loop</a> stand, this is one of my very favourite yarns, I have used it in a few designs and it is ALWAYS a delight to knit with. I chose (after a long deliberation) the Silver Sage colour:<br />
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Thanks to everyone who came to see me, see you there next year!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-7562832857883675632013-10-09T05:03:00.000-07:002013-10-09T05:03:37.528-07:00Out and AboutI had a great time at both Fibre East and Yarndale this year, thank you to everyone who came to see me at either of those events!<br />
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It's always great to see everyone at events, both people who come to shows to shop and chat and the other stallholders, here's me and the lovely Debbie from Skein Queen in our matching dresses:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/10145533156/" title="Yarndale 2013 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/10145533156_da9c3e593f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Yarndale 2013"></a><br />
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Next week I'll be at Yorkshire Wool Week, I'm teaching a workshop at Armley Mills Industrial Museum on the 17th October - <a href="http://baaramewe.co.uk/collections/workshops-events/products/rachelcoopeysocks-thenextsteps">all the details are here</a>. Then I'll be at baa ram ewe Headingley for a trunk show and book signing from 6pm-8pm it is a free knit night event, all welcome- no need to book (Bob the Sock Peacock will also be in attendance).<br />
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On Saturday 19th October I'll be at The Knitting Goddess open studio, this will be great fun - keep an eye on <a href="http://theknittinggoddess.wordpress.com/">The Knitting Goddess blog</a> and newsletter for more details.<br />
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I've got my bags packed for The Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace starting tomorrow, I'll be on the Rowan stand - if you're coming to the show say Hello! (and read <a href="http://mylifeinknitwear.com/?p=3509">this blog post</a> for great tips on how to have a great day)<br />
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coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-88784982983608721102013-10-08T06:07:00.001-07:002013-10-08T06:07:04.249-07:00The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet Volume IIWhen I went to TNNA last Summer I met lots of people, one of them was Hunter Hammersen. She's a lovely person with a beautiful design aesthetic and her self-published books are extremely deserving of a space on your bookshelf. <br />
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She was nice enough to give me a copy of The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet Volume II to give away, if you'd like to enter the prize draw to win a copy leave a comment on this post telling me what your favourite pattern from the book is and I'll pick a winner on 16th October.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGuznC_79sm7TKWiXqpgoh3vRDI4Jf3CgJwwMgwyjcHOSIw3rUg-7MnxZfpJS7-js8nk6JPla72DzcgAWSjsJAcOm-aExxtqj1Q0cgjSeXDo7qpB6sZLCM__OPNguoEc4o7Ef0i1SqSM/s1600/hunter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGuznC_79sm7TKWiXqpgoh3vRDI4Jf3CgJwwMgwyjcHOSIw3rUg-7MnxZfpJS7-js8nk6JPla72DzcgAWSjsJAcOm-aExxtqj1Q0cgjSeXDo7qpB6sZLCM__OPNguoEc4o7Ef0i1SqSM/s1600/hunter1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The book has 18 patterns, a mix of socks and other accessories, all in beautiful yarns. The patterns are all inspired by vintage prints which are included in the book: <br />
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I grew up with some botanical illustrations on the walls, the skill and artistry that went in to these prints is overwhelming, they truly are treasures.<br />
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Maybe because it's Autumn and the weather is getting colder, my favorite patterns are these 2 hats:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4JCP88ef3i8roFUg2bDFRNzk19EZAHBu90LhKawVINmZvO0OMGAVd2hYafDUD-cnou9akK-WlA54Q7bB75MOXlWFp5ACsfAcm90PaTxz9X2O_BMGJjRByadgjhpL1Uy0pvRg2VNPCPw/s1600/hunter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4JCP88ef3i8roFUg2bDFRNzk19EZAHBu90LhKawVINmZvO0OMGAVd2hYafDUD-cnou9akK-WlA54Q7bB75MOXlWFp5ACsfAcm90PaTxz9X2O_BMGJjRByadgjhpL1Uy0pvRg2VNPCPw/s400/hunter3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/delias-eucharis-hat">Delias eucharis hat</a>, that little bit of slouch is perfect and even though this is knitted with a lace patten there is no way this hat isn't going to keep you warm.<br />
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I love the photography in this book as much as I love the pattern - the styling and the models are great, I'm a big fan of the happy photo. I think it's a nice juxtaposition to high fashion which quite often seems serious and miserable. As and example of this I show you exhibit A above; the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/erasmia-pulchella-hat">Erasmia pulchella hat</a>. It's an unusual brimless construction, the sample is a beautiful yellow (you know how I feel about yellow) and the model looks like shes having fun! <br />
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You can get the book <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-knitters-curiosity-cabinet-volume-ii/patterns">here</a> or the digital version <a href="http://pantsvillepress.com/knitters-curiosity-cabinet/knitters-curiosity-cabinet-vol-ii/">here</a>.<br />
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coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-10915375605803387512013-10-02T16:19:00.001-07:002013-10-02T16:19:47.790-07:00Van Gogh Socks - update 2/8 FINISHED!At the end of August I went to France, there was a lot of driving involved. We went on the Euro Tunnel and queueing in a line of cars to get on that train was quite surreal, the landscape is bleak and stark, the train is huge and very industrial looking, it really felt like we were leaving the planet (maybe I've been reading too much dystopian teen fiction).<br />
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Early in the journey I realised I hadn't brought enough knitting with me. That's not quite right, I had LOADS of knitting with me but not enough plain going-round-and-round on a sock knitting suitable for a person who gets travel sick doing anything else. I realised when I had turned the heel of the second in a pair of socks when we stopped for coffee before we left England (I had started them ages ago and grabbed them on the way out of the door), after those were finished I had the second Van Gogh sock to finish and the heels to put in and that was it. <br />
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What have I done to ensure this doesn't happen again? I've put a skein of yarn and a set of needles in the car next to the spare wheel and the first aid kit. I really feel as if this should be some sort of legal requirement to prevent boredom and fidgety hands.<br />
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Needless to say the Van Gogh Socks are finished, this is the second of eight pairs and although I'm woefully slow working my way through all 8 shades, I am getting there. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/10055983975/" title="Van Gogh finished socks 2/8 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/10055983975_ce7b6f6408.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Van Gogh finished socks 2/8"></a><br />
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I put afterthought heels in this pair, I used what is call a hat heel - with decreases like the crown of a hat rather than like a toe. I used the same heel in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carlottina">Carlottina</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paignton">Paignton</a>, I find it fits me better than the other type of afterthought heel.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/10056041686/" title="Van Gogh finished socks 2/8 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/10056041686_d93e89f855.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Van Gogh finished socks 2/8"></a><br />
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I have started the next pair, the yarn is doing it's thing, being beautiful:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/9947361493/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/9947361493_3ae8dea046.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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I'm going for a heel flap and gusset for this pair - that's three pairs and different heels, I'm not sure I can (or want to) carry on that trend. I just want socks that fit really well, I love these yarns and want these socks too much to experiment too much.coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-19930961520365193612013-08-15T03:35:00.000-07:002013-08-15T03:35:06.048-07:00A Knitted Sock SocietyMy brand new book 'A Knitted Sock Society' has been published!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/9513767697/" title="socksoccover by coopknit, on Flickr"><img alt="socksoccover" height="494" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/9513767697_78448f2c7b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'll be back to tell you all about it and introduce you to all the patterns soon. You can order the book <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/">here</a> and see all the patterns <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/a-knitted-sock-society/patterns">on Ravelry here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/9516557140/" title="basket by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/9516557140_941b014371.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="basket"></a><br />
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coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-2178650436984692042013-05-08T02:07:00.000-07:002013-05-08T02:07:19.719-07:00Wonderwool WalesWonderwool was amazing this year, it's one of my favourite shows - the people are lovely, the venue is clean and spacious which means even if it's busy (and it really was!) it's not uncomfortable, everyone has plenty of space to breathe and take in all the woolly goodness. <br />
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I was selling <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/product/coop-knits-socks">books</a> on the <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/">Fyberspates</a> stand. Jeni brought this rather magnificent Sock Peacock for me to display the samples from the book on:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8693557856/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8693557856_97648c2ed5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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He was made by a company in the US and is now discontinued but she was lovely enough to let him come home with me, if you see me out and about in the future you'll probably see him!<br />
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I spent the weekend in front of this wall of wonderful yarn:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8692437855/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8692437855_47c5fc515a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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And inevitably some came home with me....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8716219009/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/8716219009_25373e9c43.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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This is Twizzle 4ply, it's a single which is dyed in lovely intense colours, mine will become socks but it would also make really lovely shawls.<br />
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The stand opposite was <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeltStudioUK">Felt Studio UK</a> and on Saturday I saw Danielle braiding something beautiful:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8717336538/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/8717336538_dc24de5dea.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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It turned out to be baby camel and silk and feels like clouds so that come to live at my house too. <br />
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My final purchase was from <a href="http://www.edencottageyarns.co.uk/">Eden Cottage</a>, some lovely BFL sock yarn in Hazel and Steel:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8716219817/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/8716219817_4163a68af8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/coop-knits/2559432/1-25">Willowherb & Saltburn KAL</a> is going strong, lots of lovely yarns have been chosen - I've knitted a cuff so far, I'll be back to show you shortly...coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-36951237592868110092013-05-02T12:43:00.000-07:002013-05-02T12:43:38.741-07:00Lets talk about LaurenIf you watched the Great British Sewing Bee you'll know all about Lauren, she was a brilliant contestant and she's just opened a haberdashery in Birmingham - <a href="http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/">Guthrie Ghani</a>. The shop is beautiful, lovely products, huge windows and lots of space, I went on Friday night for drinks and nibbles before the big launch on Saturday (which was a massive success, there were queues to get in)<br />
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They have yarn:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8692429245/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8692429245_c0bac64f95.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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And lovely fabric:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8693548602/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8693548602_f32b7dd232.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Pretty shop fittings:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8692434257/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8692434257_000fa23d05.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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You can even buy a copy of the Sewing Bee book (and I'm sure Lauren would sign it for you)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8693549892/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8693549892_a710d30167.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Next Thursday 9th May I will be there for my book launch, I'd love for you to come along, see the socks in the book and chat to me! You can buy a book on the night, I'll sign it if you want me to, much fun will be had by all!<br />
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I'm also teaching two workshops in the lovely workshop space upstairs:<br />
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<a href="http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/workshops/socks-for-beginners/">Beginners Sock Workshop at Guthrie Ghani 14th May</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/workshops/advanced-sock-knitting/">Advanced Sock Workshop at Guthrie Ghani 2nd July</a><br />
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If you want to try knitting socks but you don't know where to start or you'd like to learn a few more sock knitting techniques, these workshops are for you. <br />
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-87182240642220322582013-04-23T05:49:00.000-07:002013-04-23T05:49:37.209-07:00Arrival!The books are here! Well, except all the ones that were pre-ordered - they've all gone out in the post. There have been arrivals as far away as Canada! (I was surprised by now quickly they got to other countries, I was expecting them to be a bit slower) If you didn't pre-order you can buy the print version <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/product/coop-knits-socks">here</a> and I'll send it right out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8675300638/" title="IMG_1006 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8675300638_825210e05f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1006"></a><br />
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The eBook has gone live too, you can <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/rachel-coopey-designs/151026"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a> or visit the Ravelry page <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/coop-knits-socks/patterns">here</a>. <br />
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We're kicking off the KAL in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/coop-knits">Coop Knits Group</a> with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/willowherb">Willowherb</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saltburn-2">Saltburn</a> in May and June - you can knit one or both pairs, there will be prizes and chatting, come and join in! I've chosen this Sheila Sock from Fyberspates in Pink Ginger for a pair of Willowherb, a non-sample pair that I can wear, just the thought of this is very exciting!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8675298454/" title="willow1 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8675298454_70ccfe1e30.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="willow1"></a><br />
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I'll be at <a href="http://www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk/">Wonderwool Wales</a> this weekend, selling and signing books on the <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/">Fyberspates</a> stand - come and see me (and all the beautiful yarn). One of the best things there are the fancy scotch eggs, I was looking forward to them so much yesterday I went to the farm shop and bought one for my lunch - think of it as pre-wonderwool training...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8674197009/" title="lunch by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8674197009_460fe1175c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="lunch"></a>coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-82889977589941669252013-04-18T03:16:00.000-07:002013-04-18T08:18:37.550-07:00Run, Jim, Run!My friend Jim is running the London Marathon on Sunday, I'll be cheering him on from the comfort of my sofa with my knitting and a large cup of tea - I know, he's going to be exerting *slightly* more energy than me but only just....<br />
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He's running to raise money for <a href="http://refuge.org.uk/">Refuge</a>, a charity that do such important work and despite his alter-ego <a href="http://jenacknitwear.typepad.com/veuf_tricot/">Veuf Tricot</a> (you might know him as the man behind the column in Simply Knitting magazine) 'running away from knitters' he has actually become not only a knitter, but a designer. He has designed a collection of 3 accessories that are being sold in aid of Refuge; the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ready-steady-go">Ready, Steady, Go collection</a>:<br />
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Ready Mitts<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fKpWcCHWvzW6p3mnn3ynmnYpHM_mJMZE0YYXbThAsViRznzMBheo0WL84WQWRO5oD4lQVHAKCf_FUijtwQGX5sg0AgmjU64qOvBhwducNz75BfCPsDwxegibYRIfH1iUASFk9kyiMwA/s1600/Ready_Mitts_for_Refuge8_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fKpWcCHWvzW6p3mnn3ynmnYpHM_mJMZE0YYXbThAsViRznzMBheo0WL84WQWRO5oD4lQVHAKCf_FUijtwQGX5sg0AgmjU64qOvBhwducNz75BfCPsDwxegibYRIfH1iUASFk9kyiMwA/s320/Ready_Mitts_for_Refuge8_medium.jpg" /></a><br />
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Steady Hat<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk47M3gGaMeDJucenLdKBz4AlIIH-PWtLnrGSYouj23yT_r5eDylD4Vdcd6u8_oXStLPpEVA1Rcjs9CpuYkLKb9GiPh0Hbh9kvGuq0UCuldK-9R6sja_xFe-_FR1EBTCnzkEfYfen0DOo/s1600/Steady_Hat7_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk47M3gGaMeDJucenLdKBz4AlIIH-PWtLnrGSYouj23yT_r5eDylD4Vdcd6u8_oXStLPpEVA1Rcjs9CpuYkLKb9GiPh0Hbh9kvGuq0UCuldK-9R6sja_xFe-_FR1EBTCnzkEfYfen0DOo/s320/Steady_Hat7_medium.jpg" /></a><br />
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Go Scarf<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPE8cc4v7yhc95Oo-V741qxy-qbvC0lbRujCzAaOnGFzpzMQwHcO2-WS6uQ5zH1maWpvuVC8JT_qc_YKlUicx-TJiZUhZpMpOs15tdxKtGSS_xHyx27O7WCIfn8Fe8VV22VgZCqVMLh4/s1600/GoScarf09_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPE8cc4v7yhc95Oo-V741qxy-qbvC0lbRujCzAaOnGFzpzMQwHcO2-WS6uQ5zH1maWpvuVC8JT_qc_YKlUicx-TJiZUhZpMpOs15tdxKtGSS_xHyx27O7WCIfn8Fe8VV22VgZCqVMLh4/s320/GoScarf09_medium.jpg" /></a><br />
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I know Jim wore the mitts (or a very similar pair) when he was training in the winter, the photographer who took the photos for my book also wore some on that very cold day in February, keeping his hands warm but his fingers free to work his camera. <br />
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The hat is a rather lovely shade of yellow with a textured double thickness brim to protect ears from cold winds. <br />
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The GREEN scarf has a pretty lace chevron pattern, it is knitted with Babylonglegs Semi-Precious which is very special yarn, soft and lustrous - perfect for a special scarf.<br />
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Please think about supporting Jim if you can, either by buying the pattern collection or by donating to his <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/JimCulliford">Just Giving page.</a><br />
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Like I said, I'll be an armchair supporter this Sunday, but that won't stop me cheering him on AT THE TOP OF MY VOICE!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-44161246715543992932013-04-12T07:34:00.000-07:002013-04-12T07:34:16.804-07:00Coop Knits Socks - The Book!My first book is currently at the printers so I've opened pre-orders - you can order a copy of the book <a href="http://coopknits.bigcartel.com/">here</a>, every book will come with a code so you can download the eBook free of charge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriozti4EkXo2xxvQ2siS3HRrM5n5MDXlwRcHwb2ANv2vxz-2Qd1nbJLQB5xKjDi5Leu-lFXxKOj74nAFckbIIYk2xrlLH_u8hG-CBmAzEmuNzbl5JsCAgqbUNYpmV0YZ_xUU6N2HxvYM/s1600/bright_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriozti4EkXo2xxvQ2siS3HRrM5n5MDXlwRcHwb2ANv2vxz-2Qd1nbJLQB5xKjDi5Leu-lFXxKOj74nAFckbIIYk2xrlLH_u8hG-CBmAzEmuNzbl5JsCAgqbUNYpmV0YZ_xUU6N2HxvYM/s320/bright_0844.jpg" /></a><br />
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I've entered all the patterns in to the Ravelry database, you can see them all <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/coop-knits-socks/patterns">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6zldBZordWC_HHXntakAlAefVEh2ubnIKvjIUoQPrNHaQ_dnAwPfGyaQFFisdHZU6aPIgItLt46I4rC7eJEZ3YWurxswsvROZOWzls3BcyIW0Ghousz-rH8BCCwuwfRv88QQjts9cww/s1600/cala_1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6zldBZordWC_HHXntakAlAefVEh2ubnIKvjIUoQPrNHaQ_dnAwPfGyaQFFisdHZU6aPIgItLt46I4rC7eJEZ3YWurxswsvROZOWzls3BcyIW0Ghousz-rH8BCCwuwfRv88QQjts9cww/s320/cala_1059.jpg" /></a><br />
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I will post about all the patterns individually, I'll talk about my inspiration and the yarn I used and all that good stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8mp9lHSkVxKRNizf2vNZSYSMWYa72u4tITB7T5ySJyV5OsRA7Y_RcZo2znruRjpL_M5MEZbo89dsYvJ5sfHXJvE9VQ0mVbybllHiuIpwBBTLradc631V563ovy7WJIZzeOiqBvvsmBk/s1600/willow_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8mp9lHSkVxKRNizf2vNZSYSMWYa72u4tITB7T5ySJyV5OsRA7Y_RcZo2znruRjpL_M5MEZbo89dsYvJ5sfHXJvE9VQ0mVbybllHiuIpwBBTLradc631V563ovy7WJIZzeOiqBvvsmBk/s320/willow_1095.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'll talk about the people who worked on the book with me, the people who made all this possible. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8jKL_0WEEi_6FCrXGiY6iY4_loD_iKZgD-HXzwCRTnpgGEKvKVOYa_ocyZojgBHee-IPYN6Xlzd9i4oDSlfcndabsLrjvlj650svvJWgZ6bRS3Jn1eU4lMweqIRfgYQjkY-1uhOFlOo/s1600/pain_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8jKL_0WEEi_6FCrXGiY6iY4_loD_iKZgD-HXzwCRTnpgGEKvKVOYa_ocyZojgBHee-IPYN6Xlzd9i4oDSlfcndabsLrjvlj650svvJWgZ6bRS3Jn1eU4lMweqIRfgYQjkY-1uhOFlOo/s320/pain_1013.jpg" /></a><br />
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A BOOK!!!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-2116690712213769952013-04-11T06:55:00.001-07:002013-04-11T06:55:44.239-07:00CoverI was going to title this post 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' or another play on words/cover related pun.<br />
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But sometimes you just need to say what it is.<br />
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This is it. The Cover. Of my book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCwkIpMUDkYYBEPrSmdvishVQhiwm3X1ICNA8vzArRHsgH8JxcfiFW6GmMww4wKqaLZj02ssA8WsGHqfKWbiVd-QPFHagcRuJsiV5hYkSlHhw0t-6qPIy6e26-L6a05IV-exSXMld_yE/s1600/COOPKNITS_cover_rgb.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCwkIpMUDkYYBEPrSmdvishVQhiwm3X1ICNA8vzArRHsgH8JxcfiFW6GmMww4wKqaLZj02ssA8WsGHqfKWbiVd-QPFHagcRuJsiV5hYkSlHhw0t-6qPIy6e26-L6a05IV-exSXMld_yE/s320/COOPKNITS_cover_rgb.jpg" /></a><br />
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Pre-orders are imminent.coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-32751255869820602862013-04-09T15:38:00.000-07:002013-04-09T15:38:20.253-07:00Calla SocksI've got a pattern in the latest issue of <a href="http://www.pompommag.com/">Pom Pom Quarterly</a> - one of my favourite publications.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8636206100/" title="IMG_0995 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8401/8636206100_36f70152fa.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0995"></a>
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I love the way this magazine is put together; the design and the styling, I love the yarn they gave me and I love the way the magazine is wrapped up like a little present when it arrives:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8636207310/" title="IMG_0994 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8636207310_1de14a4cfe.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0994"></a>
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These are my socks:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8442203237/" title="IMG_0913 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8442203237_65f997a025.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0913"></a>
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Lace and twisted stitches, petals and clean lines.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8443295866/" title="IMG_0912 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8443295866_5a3a791a2f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0912"></a>
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The yarn is <a href="http://www.shalimaryarns.com/">Shalimar Yarns</a> Breathless, it's merino with some cashmere and silk and it is delightful, really - it's full of delight. I used it in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coesite">Coesite</a> hat and cowl and last week some more arrived on my doorstep, I am very happy about this. It gives beautiful stitch definition and it's soft and bouncy, the colour used for these socks is oyster - delicate and subtle (wait until you see the colours of the aforementioned latest arrival, not delicate and subtle but equally beautiful)
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The back of the issue is also very pretty:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8636204578/" title="IMG_0996 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8636204578_ed70e1423f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0996"></a>
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And there are lots of lovely patterns - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/pom-pom-quarterly-issue-4-spring-2013/patterns">look here</a>, I've got a few summer dresses that would look pretty with a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lobelia-2">Lobelia</a> cardigan over them.coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-49274798575151633132013-04-08T04:02:00.000-07:002013-04-08T04:04:32.585-07:00One hat, many heads...I was going to blog every week day in April. Then I went to Wales for a little holiday and there was no access to internet and no phone signal. So I'm going to blog every week day left in April from now.<br />
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My book is about to be published, it is imminent, I'm so excited for everyone to see it. We took some of the photos on a cold day in February in Lyme Regis. I love Lyme Regis, I went there when I was a child and my first holiday with my then-boyfriend-now-husband was there.<br />
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I love it there but it was COLD. Really COLD. Several people in the planning stages said something along the lines of 'Wrap up warm', good advice but ever the idiot, when I arrived at Jen's the day before the shoot I had to admit I'd forgotten to bring my coat. Luckily I had brought a wool cardigan my sister gave me that weighs about 3 stone but has amazing insulating properties. <br />
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I also had my trusty yellow <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/puffin-apple">Puffin Apple</a> hat, my most loved and most worn hat. It started the day on my head, here's me and <a href="http://jenacknitwear.typepad.com/">Jen</a>, both in our Puffin Apples:
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD1kkMcO4RUnX8Fjfn71ZrTBo4hm0sLaj9xMjHl9VSVfYindqgrBcnc8_Ib_B9tnHiU5XZQvVlunPvRqGlhkGWpE0K-JVpO4dJ7c7RbsHhq1CExwQsw4nOtGKSCJlVyqDSquveE-n7Ew/s1600/yellowhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD1kkMcO4RUnX8Fjfn71ZrTBo4hm0sLaj9xMjHl9VSVfYindqgrBcnc8_Ib_B9tnHiU5XZQvVlunPvRqGlhkGWpE0K-JVpO4dJ7c7RbsHhq1CExwQsw4nOtGKSCJlVyqDSquveE-n7Ew/s320/yellowhat.jpg" />
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I was still wearing it (and my amazing wool cardi) when I had to forcibly remove a blanket from around Jeni who had kindly agreed to model for me:
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqRWLDmqDzhtqVOvuX8UWSxOxp_bXqw1NVE02LD0Q46TVbL-RYSNYoqOdV05kvIGh9YgF6P9ysL_gl5PM-EZ_6vNUNymiSCNqjj0OwdLV7taneQpg0kajzkASdK3fxhB2lSpsIX1vVF4/s1600/coopey_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqRWLDmqDzhtqVOvuX8UWSxOxp_bXqw1NVE02LD0Q46TVbL-RYSNYoqOdV05kvIGh9YgF6P9ysL_gl5PM-EZ_6vNUNymiSCNqjj0OwdLV7taneQpg0kajzkASdK3fxhB2lSpsIX1vVF4/s320/coopey_0156.jpg" />
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Part of my job was to try to stop my models from developing hypothermia in the summery dresses I had chosen for the shoot, so I donated my hat to the cause here:
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NOsMzz26OAe-77380piglWLK3yLERo-p8waeUZxZ732jec7DABrMrfwmPg6QDd2QGqi5no9nTdE10TPNm4nm2m8n4vV_SGJpuF_2AuDY5ImklyGa0HxfbMPFIjs-CY9nmLROcjZF4cI/s1600/coopey_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NOsMzz26OAe-77380piglWLK3yLERo-p8waeUZxZ732jec7DABrMrfwmPg6QDd2QGqi5no9nTdE10TPNm4nm2m8n4vV_SGJpuF_2AuDY5ImklyGa0HxfbMPFIjs-CY9nmLROcjZF4cI/s320/coopey_0290.jpg" />
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And here:
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVJ_8MExPMLrmm6LVFPgPW4asAOfTOw0jVK8UvHNqxbg6hbRBdknLZqLiT24wMEQguv7qIf4eTfGqmiL53ikCBYMHqFvKjgGJFO5vIpI5itJMv8BODHJmxMpMx0S6XRu52HUYNmyID-E/s1600/coopey_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVJ_8MExPMLrmm6LVFPgPW4asAOfTOw0jVK8UvHNqxbg6hbRBdknLZqLiT24wMEQguv7qIf4eTfGqmiL53ikCBYMHqFvKjgGJFO5vIpI5itJMv8BODHJmxMpMx0S6XRu52HUYNmyID-E/s320/coopey_0196.jpg" />
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We had a great day, got some fantastic shots, not long before I can show the world!!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-69164848587348015672013-03-11T06:16:00.002-07:002013-03-11T06:16:45.220-07:00Sockupied - Totem Socks(I'm just going to sneak back in and pretend I haven't neglected the blog lately)
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The new issue of <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Magazines/Simply-Sockupied-2012-eMag-for-iPad.html?SessionThemeID=7">Sockupied</a> came out recently, I had a pattern published in it which I'll tell you about later in the week, today I want to tell you about another pattern in this issue: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/totem-4">Totem</a> by Jennifer Crowley. These are lovely unisex socks with an interesting slipped stitch pattern.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tG_VHpHjuwbg83c8DxI5N7NmXKfljQurui1Wjt9VI8XoDqfZfeYA9A3W7193CuVCOvArd03Rl4FSnH6D8t2qGuCd-JhzATEPKzA9Rna9McHX5UodvswkNU0OpfopLb8FxPmI8ZzYCt0/s1600/8430585534_f42ceffc2e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tG_VHpHjuwbg83c8DxI5N7NmXKfljQurui1Wjt9VI8XoDqfZfeYA9A3W7193CuVCOvArd03Rl4FSnH6D8t2qGuCd-JhzATEPKzA9Rna9McHX5UodvswkNU0OpfopLb8FxPmI8ZzYCt0/s320/8430585534_f42ceffc2e_z.jpg" /></a></div>
The yarn used in the sample is Three Irish Girls Adorn, I love this yarn, it's soft and bouncy but strong - perfect for socks and the colours are lovely.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwktF-iHCHgIMtGaxTdgq1YG528L-VAjn6unc7Impzhum0pe1nogQdshROs47iYOc1DeqkKKD5A1GYVZU-seD1UHxfNcjADpUyGEweNaCpoyM73PhZa1p4TNc1SZzHwOfwydv52Twz9s/s1600/8430583004_fdd4cecc72_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwktF-iHCHgIMtGaxTdgq1YG528L-VAjn6unc7Impzhum0pe1nogQdshROs47iYOc1DeqkKKD5A1GYVZU-seD1UHxfNcjADpUyGEweNaCpoyM73PhZa1p4TNc1SZzHwOfwydv52Twz9s/s320/8430583004_fdd4cecc72_z.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jennifer answered some questions about her design and inspiration:
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<b>How did you come up with the stitch pattern?</b><br />
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I like playing around with a skill once I learn it. After I learned about slipped stitches and the lateral braid, I was playing around with swatches and worked until I had an idea that worked. Totem was the result - a pattern that looks good in both a highly variegated yarn and a semi-solid yarn.<br />
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I had a tight deadline for this pattern that left me making a sock a week. It's been some of the most speed knitting I'd done at this point, as I also was holding down a much busier work schedule than I am now. I was literally knitting every time my butt was in a chair, and it was very close to the wire. I wanted things to be perfect, which meant I had to rip out a few times to make sure things were right. As a result, this pair of socks really drove home the fact that I need to do my knitting with good posture and stretch before and after. I'd been knitting so much that my hands and back were a mess.<br />
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As for the actual pattern, it was a joy to work. Enough of a pattern to memorize without being boring.
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<b>How do you come up for names for your pattern?</b><br />
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Croudsourcing. By the time I'm done with a pattern I'm so close to it that I have no ability to come up with a good name. Luckily, I have a lot of creative people in my life that help me out. While I was working on the pattern I constantly thought of it as the butterfly socks - but I didn't think it was a good name because it's fairly gendered, and these socks were meant for men and women. My fiance mentioned my butterflies looked like eagles to him, like on a totem pole. Hence, Totem.<br />
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<b>What is inspiring you right now? Do you have pictures, patterns or motifs?</b><br />
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I've got cats and vegetables on the brain lately, as I'm working on a bunch of patterns that have to do with both. If you want to see what's on my mind at the very moment check out <a href="http://pinterest.com/tinkingturtle/">my pinterest board</a>, my knitting, crochet, brainstorming for submissions, or nature patterns. I use pinterest a lot, because I'm a very visual organizer. I'm always looking at nature patterns and naturally occurring sequences. Squids are also on my brain, for a possible mitten pattern.<br />
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<b>Quick, you're some yarn! What are you? Why?</b><br />
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3 ply DK wool, nylon and mohair blend. I'm in the mood for some warm and durable and thick socks - it was cold this morning on my bikeride!
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You can find Jennifer's blog <a href="http://www.tinkingturtle.com/">here</a>.
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-49489333114325465492013-01-15T02:22:00.000-08:002013-01-15T02:22:12.952-08:00DarkusThe mystery socks I designed for Tangled Yarn have been revealed!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8342216053/" title="IMG_0938 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8342216053_2806c8b323.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0938"></a>
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The yarn is from Juno Fibre Arts and it's very lovely, I was really inspired by the colour and I wanted to design something dark and mysterious (they were mysterious by definition).
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I came up with the name DARKUS. As I was putting the pattern page up I thought I'd better check that with a quick google search, just in case its rude or medication for an unfortunate condition, it turns out it is the name of a Bakugan. A Bakugan, for those lucky people who don't know, is a kind of small monster toy, it folds up in to a ball then explodes out when you put it on a metal surface:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8343251656/" title="IMG_0894 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8343251656_e332b1e97a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0894"></a>
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They seem to breed in my house, I find them on door knobs, attached to bathroom cabinets, on the fridge. No wonder their names are flying around my subconscious just waiting to come out as pattern names.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8343300222/" title="IMG_0923 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8343300222_f084bbb998.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0923"></a>
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The socks have twisted stitches, lace and cables. The pattern is still available as 4 clues but I've also added a full version, with all the instructions in one document, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/darkus">pattern page is here</a> or you can<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/rachel-coopey-designs/127928"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>. for £3.50
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8342222655/" title="IMG_0934 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8342222655_efd677fcfd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0934"></a>
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There are lots of lovely versions in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/tangled-yarn">Tangled Yarn group</a> and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/coop-knits">Coop Knits group</a> on Ravelry.
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-55913894553717835432013-01-08T03:33:00.001-08:002013-01-08T03:33:32.258-08:00ResolvedI'm really good at making resolutions. REALLY good. <br />
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I'm not as good at actually doing the things I resolve to do. I'm going to make some for 2013 anyway, they're quite realistic, I hope I achieve them.
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1. I want to knit 3 garments. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wanderer-cardigan">Wanderer Cardigan</a>,<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beatnik"> Beatnik</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goodale">Goodale</a>.
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I've got yarn for all 3 in my stash:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8342192507/" title="IMG_0896 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8342192507_64a2fbdeb7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0896"></a>
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So two cardigans and one jumper, two items knit in pieces and one knit in the round. A good mix I think.
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2. I want to knit one <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/for-the-tree">For the Tree</a> mini stocking a month, I'll be adding more variations to the pattern along the way and I'll have 12 by December.
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3. To spin a little bit (almost) every day. I started doing this at the end of December and it is going swimmingly. It turns out stuff gets done if you actually DO it, who knew?
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4. To continue with my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/coopknit/the-van-gogh-sock-project-2012">Van Gogh socks</a> - I would really like to finish all 8 pairs this year, so far I've finished 1 pair and 1 and bit of the second pair.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8342191229/" title="IMG_0897 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8342191229_b1b30e2320.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0897"></a>
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These are my personal goals, there are lots of exciting professional things happening in 2013 - more on that soon!coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-71918971170721179012013-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:002013-01-03T14:59:09.004-08:00EcheveriaHappy New Year!<br />
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I am working on plans and resolutions post but in the meantime I thought I'd tell you about the mystery sock I designed for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sock-knitters-anonymous">Sock Knitters Anonymous</a> group on Ravelry.
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The theme this month is Flora & Fauna, I was inspired by <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=echeveria&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XQzmUNy3JsSq0AXKjICgCA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1276&bih=668">puffy little leaves</a> to design <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echeveria">Echeveria</a>.
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The sock includes a small amount of stranded colourwork, I chose this lovely soft green for the main colour from <a href="http://theknittinggoddess.co.uk/">The Knitting Goddess</a> and undyed cream for the contrast.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8343253080/" title="IMG_0893 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8343253080_22a910c6b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0893"></a>
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There are lots of socks in progress, with lots of beautiful colour combinations. Come and join in!
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-10200313681609880862012-12-21T16:34:00.000-08:002012-12-21T16:34:02.168-08:00Join the CLUB!This is a bag of socks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8294979900/" title="Untitled by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8294979900_2ccd36fa55.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a>
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That is all the socks from this years When Granny Weatherwax Knits Socks Club. Lovely hand-dyed yarn knitted in to 12 pairs of squishy socks.
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It's been a great year, I think my favourite pair is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/conina-socks">Conina</a>:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/6986080366/" title="IMG_0112 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/6986080366_02938cf500.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0112"></a>
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The patterns are now available as an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/when-granny-weatherwax-knits-socks-ebook/patterns">eBook collection</a> - 9 patterns are available now and the remaining three will be added on the first of each month until March.
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In 2013 I'll be teaming up with The Knitting Goddess again, this will be our third year and it's going to be great!
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You’ve heard of the seven degrees of Kevin Bacon game – where anyone or anything in Hollywood can be linked to Kevin Bacon in seven steps or less.
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But what does that have to do with socks? Is Kevin Bacon a knitter?
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For 2013 we’re offering you the Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon sock club. But there’s a twist. Instead of linking things to Kevin, we’ll be using Helena Bonham Carter as our starting point. We've come up with 12 gorgeous semi-solid colours and you'll get 12 original patterns by me.
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All the details are <a href="http://theknittinggoddess.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1709685-7-Degrees-of-Kevin-Bacon-Sock-Club.html">here</a>, sign-ups for January will be available until the 24th December, there's still time to get a present for yourself!
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-75090507273324279252012-12-14T03:42:00.000-08:002012-12-14T03:42:59.022-08:00Talia SocksI designed a pattern for the Winter issue of <a href="http://www.pompommag.com/">Pom Pom magazine</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/talia-7">Talia socks</a>:<br />
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photo©Juju Vail<br />
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I love everything about Pom Pom, I love their ideas, the patterns, the articles, the design, the paper they use, EVERYTHING.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8261430168/" title="IMG_0887 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8261430168_e2a04b80a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0887"></a> <br />
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I'm very proud of these socks, they are knee high with a twisted stitch cable on the cuff and stranded colourwork on the leg.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8261318458/" title="IMG_0515 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8261318458_27665c2fe9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0515"></a><br />
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The yarn I used for these was <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NorthboundKnitting">Northbound Knitting</a> Superwash BFL fingering, it's a lovely yarn and the colours are amazing, Lisa has an amazing talent for grey and grey holds a special place in my heart, but the absinthe green in these socks is BEAUTIFUL.<br />
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photo©Juju Vail
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There are lots of lovely patterns in this (and every other) issue, I love the cover jumper which is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moira-5">Moira</a> by Anna Wilkinson and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edda-3">Edda hat</a> by Lisa Mutch is amazing, I need one for me and I know some little boys who need one each too.
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-59869783275285018412012-12-12T02:13:00.000-08:002012-12-12T02:13:06.469-08:00I need a treeI love Christmas and I love Christmas trees. I just haven't got one. <br />
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I had a Christmas tree once but I lent it someone a few years ago when we were going abroad for Christmas and I'm not sure it came back.<br />
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I'm a Christmas nomad, I travel from house to house, all the houses I visit have trees, they are my adoptive trees. <br />
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Last year I went to my sisters for Christmas, I took my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/for-the-tree">For the Tree</a> samples for her tree, she wanted to keep them and I love her so I said yes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/6347210090/" title="DSC03055 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6032/6347210090_5fa7a81313.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03055"></a><br />
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This year I made some more for a swap, I rather like the colour scheme I used for these and I picked up some felt decorations to go with them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8242474550/" title="IMG_0835 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8242474550_a08aae1979.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0835"></a><br />
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Then I made some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minikins">Minikins</a>. These are too cute and super quick to make.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8241701836/" title="IMG_0882 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8241701836_a874ac0b39.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0882"></a><br />
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I gave them to someone who I will be apart from at Christmas as a reminder of how much I will miss them. <br />
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Now this ornament is different. I can't give it away. <a href="http://www.jenacknitwear.co.uk/2012/12/fo-red-co.html">Jen made it</a> for me and I love it so much. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8260358535/" title="IMG_0889 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8260358535_9e64c5a7a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0889"></a><br />
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There are so many details, the mittens are different on the front and back, the collar and pockets are adorable. This is the ornament that will make me buy a tree.
coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7859397658382428137.post-68213645869027821232012-12-10T06:08:00.002-08:002012-12-10T06:08:35.681-08:00Rosaleen CowlThe <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rosaleen-cowl">Rosaleen Cowl</a> pattern has been added to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/winter-one/patterns">Winter One collection</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8240662911/" title="IMG_0854 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8240662911_df0507eddd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0854"></a><br />
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The pattern has instructions for 2 sizes, the small one (in the picture) can be knitted with 175 yards of DK weight yarn. It's a quick knit - perfect for last minute gifts. The large one can be wrapped around your neck several times.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8240627275/" title="IMG_0886 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8240627275_99cb9f43d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0886"></a><br />
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I'm knitting one of the large versions with this Rowan Felted Tweed in a lovely dark blue/grey.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41961573@N07/8260360185/" title="IMG_0888 by coopknit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8260360185_8a11c19ef1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0888"></a><br />
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It's going to be warm and versatile - the best thing about cowls is that they don't unwind themselves and fall off when you're walking down the street.<br />
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coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585374356795547352noreply@blogger.com1