Knitted Bow Ring

After a mad week, we were so glad to finally sit down and have time to knit. Today's project? A knitted bow ring! This project is perfect for even the most novice knitter as only a small amount of knitting is required. First, cast on as many stitches as you would like to make the width of the bow, then double it so the knitting can go around the back. Knit as many rows as you wish until you get the perfect height for your bow. Cast off. Join the ends together then place this join at the back. Using a length of wool, wind tightly around the middle of the knitting to create a bow shape. Fasten the wool but do not cut off. Use it to attatch to a ring base and there you go!

Union Jack Pencil Case

We, like many other artists, seem to collect sewing and craft books with good intentions, but never seem to get around to making anything. These books have such glorious projects but are often resigned to dusty book shelves until their time comes. Today's book is 'Stitch!' by Cath Kidston, which, although it provides a range of projects for even the most amateur stitcher, seems a little beyond many people's skills base. The intricate floral patterns are actually surprisingly simple, however they can easy fool you into believing they are difficult. To challenge this assumption I decided, as someone completely inexperienced with tapestry, to give one of the most difficult projects in the book a go, the Union Jack purse.

 

The purse took me a little over a week to stitch then assemble, following the instructions in the book. The design chart was,at first, difficult to comprehend but after that was surprisingly easy to follow as the design has a limited colour palatte so a lot of the work was blocking in colours. 

 

As the Queen's Diamond Jubillee is coming up, fabric stores are full of fabrics displaying typically British motifs. I was particularly drawn to this cream 'busses, taxis and flags' print which I decided to use for the back of the purse. I felt is was more than appropriate! The lining was a simple print from IKEA as it was cheap and it didnt matter if it got dirty. The blue was also almost exactly the same blue as the stitching so the fabrics really worked together. I am so happy with the result of this purse, proving that tapestry is not just for seasoned stitchers!

 

Buy Cath Kidston's 'Stitch!' here!

Christmas Cracker Charm Bracelet

Over Christmas, we had some crackers which held small neon plastic toys such as spinning tops and trophies. We were charmed by their plastic awesomeness and just could not resist making them into something. Since Christmas they have been living in an old Quality Street tin alongside some beer caps and a champagne cork however, last week, with the help of a drill, some jump rings, tiny pliers and an old chain they we assembled them into a truly adorable pink and yellow neon charm bracelet. There is something so nostalgic about cracker presents! This is definitely a new favourite of ours!!