I made this quilt last week out of a jelly roll. I’ve never done that before but it just took one evening to sew all the pieces into a brick pattern and then a couple of hours to put the borders on and another couple to finish it off and do some rudimentary machine quilting. I love it and now I’m desperate to have a go with another one! It took 1 jelly roll and 2 metres of fabric but all our jelly rolls are different sizes and this was the smallest so I guess with say, Amy Butler, you might need more than 2 metres for the back and edges.

I’ve been knitting the Adult Surprise Jacket (Elizabeth Zimmerman) when it hasn’t been too hot. It is all knitted in one piece from the top and I’m knitting it in pure wool so it is pretty warm sat on my lap. A winter project really, but I just was desperate to do it now. I am down to the waist I think, almost at the end of the increasing. I am desperate to knit Kate Davies’ Owls out of a Cocoon sweater I have gone off. I think that is my next project although by the time I have finished the ASJ all the new winter yarns will be arriving and that is bound to ruin my  planned project queue…

We have just received a shipment of the new AK Traditions Dolls Clothes and Accessories book! It includes patterns for knitted and sewn items which make a complete wardrobe for the dolls in the other AK Traditions doll book. We know lots of you have been waiting for this and we are the first to stock it in the UK. It goes without saying that the outfits are fabulous and as ever, are in dk weight yarn so it’s easy to substitute.

If you are new to the AK Traditions range, try one of the Huggable Friends books. The dolls are knitted all in one with their clothes on and can also be made into wheatbags for children. We’ve got Imogen and Tom in the window at the moment and they are really cute.

Happy knitting until next time…

Today we have put the full range of fabrics in Amy’s Love Collection on the website. Have a browse! I can personally vouch for how great the fabric is for dressmaking as well as quilting. I have made 2 Barcelona skirts, the midi dress and a couple of sun surf halters. I am just about to embark on the new Liverpool dress in the Mememto fabric as we have just had a second bolt delivered. It’s the most popular design so far, closely followed by the sunspots.

Late last week we took delivery of Amy Butler’s new yarn range for Rowan! It is an organic wool/cotton yarn that comes in dk and aran weight in the fabulous colours you would expect from Amy. In fact, the colours are taken from her Love fabric collection so, for example, you could knit a cushion cover and then back it with a matching fabric! Pat has taken some of the yarn home to do just that. The accompanying pattern book is a mixture of home, garments and accessories. It is fantastic yarn and will be up on the website as soon as Bob has taken the pics.

I just finished an Amy Butler Weekender bag which I’ve made in some of the fabric we had in the shop 4 years ago. I cut it out…4 years ago. I can hardly believe it’s finished! I will post a pic soon although you won’t get the same fabric any more! So I am onto my next sewing project which is a photo book from Amy Butler’s Little Stitches book. I’ll let you know how it goes…

Happy knitting and sewing!

The Webmaster is taking part in Swimathon 2010, the world’s biggest fundraising swim. He is swimming 5K at Ledbury Swimming Pool and has been in training for a few weeks now. It was touch and go at one point when he couldn’t get further than 3k without getting cramp but he seems to have overcome that hurdle now which he attribues to ‘Gatorade’ half an hour before training.

I am toying with the idea of spectating the Swimathon as it would seem like I was being supportive (which I am) while being an excellent knitting opportunity! It would be like in America when they knit at baseball games. Kind of.

The money he raises will help Marie Curie Cancer Care provide care and support to people with cancer and other terminal illnesses. Sadly we have come across their wonderful work in our own family and know what a great cause this is.

Just click on http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=284258 and make a secure online donation using your credit or debit card. We would both be grateful for any amount you can give.

Thank you!

Sorry! When I last updated the website I forgot to do the workshops and now the Webmaster is doing some sort of upgrade on his PC and can’t update them for a few days.

Anyway, just so that you know, we have a Rowan Learn to Sew workshop on Saturday 10th April. It is a brilliant introduction to sewing with a machine. You make a tote bag which means you can learn all the basic techniques and you end up with something cool at the end! You don’t need to own a machine, we have machines for you to use. You can choose your own fabric from our range which now includes the new Amy Butler Love Collection! The cost is £39.95 which includes materials, buffet lunch and 10% discount on any purchases on the day.

Just give us a ring on 01684 892079 if you would like to book.

I have bought a tunic pattern from Sew Liberated. It is SO great. I have already made a dress which I love so much and I have also snuck home some fabric from here with flowers and birds on which I’ve covetted for ages. That will be a shirt by Saturday night I hope. I also have some fantastic pea green towelling which I will use to make the dress in a Boden-esque manner for wearing by the pool on holiday.

So, get sewing!

Well, at last the sun is shining. Hopefully that’s the last time we see the snow at this end of the year.

Penny has won the prize (metaphorically) for being the first of the Knitting Parlour girls to have knitted something out of the new summer yarns. She has just finished a really nice cardigan in the Rowan Purelife Revive in the purple shade. It has really inspired me as it looks so interesting when it’s knitted. You see all these colours in it and wonder what clothes they might have come from!

sirdar escape dk cardi

I have just finished a cardigan for my daughter in Sirdar Escape dk which has knitted just beautifully and I have really enjoyed knitting it. Now just the sewing up…
Speaking of which, I have updated our classes list on the website to include our latest sewing class date.

I am also in the middle of knitting the Baby Surprise Jacket in Snuggly Kisses. It looks great although my pic is a little on the dark side.