Just Unwind

Things to make me Smile in January

Happy New Year everyone. 

Friends of mine will already know that January is not my favourite month! Couple that with the current lousy weather and I really have to work hard to put my positive head on.

Finding and recognising the little things that make me feel happy is a challenge I set myself every January. No unatainable new year resolutions for me. Just making myself realise when something lifts my mood, or makes me smile.

So here are a few little things that are doing just that:

My brand new diary

already filling up nicely!

Finding a small note book to match my new diary:

Sad I know, but those people who share my love of note books will understand! 

A new design on my needles:

coming together nicely, and I already have some super alternative colour options planned.

And leaving the best till last, catching up with friends over a cup of tea. 

Take time to appreciate the little things, and January will soon be over. I personally am just waiting for the Snowdrops to appear, the plants in my garden are so confused they could be here any day!

What makes you smile at this time of year?

Jo

Ripples

Many, many moons ago I was inspired by Lucy of Attic 24 to learn to ripple. I started with cushions,

then progressed to baby blankets.

From there I felt the need to progress to something a little bigger!

It started life as a bag of colours.

It spent many months on the sofa arm, progressing slowly, being pushed aside for more urgent projects.

Then finally after what I think is about 3 years it has been finished!

Part of the reason for the slow progress was that I had decided to make it from random widths of crochet, something that is much harder to do than it sounds. You see, our human brain likes order and repetition, so equal numbers of rows is what we find ourselves doing. Random, on the other hand takes much more thought!

There is still some repetition in the colours and row count, but I am really pleased with the result. It is now sat happily in a pile of other things just waiting to be needed.

If you would like to spend a day in the company of other crafty people, learning rippling, check out the 'Courses' section on the web-site.

Happy rippling.

Jo ;)

 

A Christmas Event

Hi 

Since closing the shop I find I miss the random face to face discussions I had with people about all things crafty. Getting their opinions on yarn, patterns, colour and texture, why they are creating something! Their enthusiasm was both infectious and inspiring.  I love exhibiting at Yarndale, but definitely need this fix more than once a year, so I am starting to do small shows and events to fill this gap.

Last thursday evening I ventured out in this horrible rain we are all experiencing and set up my stall at the 'Embsay with Eastby Playgroup Annual Christmas Shopping Event' (try saying that after a glass or two of mulled wine!). Held at the warm and bright Embsay Village Hall, it was a lovely atmosphere to welcome people into.

I think I had way too much stuff with me, but my stall looked full and colourful, and someone had very thoughtfully positioned my in front of additional hanging space!

I was surrounded by equally lovely stalls,

Truly Essential Beauty Therapy

Ribbons & Wrapping

Choice Baskets

Lalabud

Celebration Invitations

There were several exhibitors I knew, so we had a fun evening chatting with people and each other.

The mince pies were delicious and the ladies in the kitchen were lovely, so thank you to everyone who had a part in this, and to everyone who attended.

There is still time to order a kit for Christmas, or direct your loved one to my web-site to order it for you!

I will keep you posted on anything I plan to attend next year!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Jo X

 

Treasures from the Brocantes

Morning All

During my trip to France we had some interesting trips to the Brocantes. Fascinating places which are a cross between antique and charity shops. Everything they sell is 'pre-loved', some bits more than others.

My favourite so far is one in central Limoges called 'Emmaus 87, 78 Rue Armand-Barbes, Limoges, 87000. Not somewhere you could easily find as a tourist, but our fabulous hostess Jaki knew the way. It is a rambling warehouse inside and on the top floor is an amazing section full of old fabrics and linens. Only the fact that I am limited to hand-luggage, keeps me in check (yes I do this on purpose).

I had Christmas in mind when searching for things, so here are the beautiful little finds from this trip!!!!

My Christmas star! The detail is just amazing. 

This type of crochet is definitely on my 'to do' list.

Then I found this:

The quality is not as good and it is a little damaged in places, also someone has changed yarn part way through and when you look closely you can see! But this is going to be part of my Christmas table decoration so you can't be too precious as things do get spilt.

Then I found the most special one of all. Not because of the workmanship or detail or pattern, but simply because it is knitted!!!!!

This is the first one I have found that is knitted, and it is now mine.

For me, items hold memories, and quite a few of my Christmas decorations are kept purely because of the memories they hold. 

All these need a little TLC and cleaning, but christmas this year will be extra special when I add these items to all the other happy memories.

I also bought a new plate for my Christmas cake, I will have to show you nearer the time as is has already gone to my Mums to have the cake and icing added! There is a space on it for the cheese too, you cannot have Christmas cake without cheese.

Inspired by my January trip here, I was also on the hunt for some tiny new glasses for the Advocate and Baileys, definitely Christmas traditions in my house. I found these:

They are not complete sets, just a random few, but they are tiny and perfect, and I fell in love with them. 

So in December I will be raising my 'pre-loved' glasses in a toast to Christmas memories, may they always be good ones.

Jo :)

Fabulous Fair-Isle in France

Well I cannot believe it is a whole week since I was at the beautiful home of Jaki Bogg, in the countryside near Limoges in France, with a great group of ladies who had come to learn more about Fair Isle Knitting.

The long weekend consisted of comfy beds, good company, good food, amazing weather & of course 'Knitting'.

After a delicious breakfast of hot porridge and fresh croissants, we spent the mornings doing the Fair Isle workshop I had planned

Great levels of concentration, and many tongues (of concentration) sticking out:

We would then break for lunch, either at the house, or out in a local town. At least 2 days we were eating outside with the sun burning through our t-shirts. The wonderful breads, cheeses, pate, & tarte au pomme, amongst other yummy things, washed down with your choice of wine, beer, or soft drink.

The afternoons were spent taking in the local towns and brocantes.

This is a beautiful little square we wandered through in Limoges after a wonderful lunch sat in a sunny cafe, where we had done that fascinating holiday thing 'people watching'!

 

One afternoon we made a small diversion to the town of Mortemart, which was so beautiful we stayed and never got to where we had intended!

We drank coffee in this square, and almost didn't move from here! On the left we have Jaki & Carole, and the chap on the right was an English ex-pat running the cafe with his wife. Really chatty and helpful.

The local town had come together not only to make the place stunningly beautiful, but had errected signs and plaques to explain why it was historically important. They had also created a number trail for you to follow.

We sat by the moat and soaked up the sun and autumn colours:

Talking of autumn colours, they were amazing:

and they matched wonderfully with the Fair Isle knitting we were doing

A happy coincidence, I think!

Evenings were spent, eating, drinking, chatting and knitting. Quite perfect.

I was really impressed with the dedication of the group, nearly everyone had knit a pair of wrist warmers by the time we went home. Just some sewing up left to do.

A perfect break with 'like minded' people. If you would like to more about these weekends, visit http://jakibogg.artweb.com, I have been both for a break, and to teach, and can't wait to go back. I am already planning to go back next year to teach another workshop!

I will be teaching Fair Isle plus other things at Jaki's studio in Skipton, visit http;//jakibogg.artwe.com/joannes-workshops for more details.

Now back in the very wet and very wind Blighty, I hope this has inspired you to snuggle down and get knitting, and think to the possibilities for next year!

Happy Knitting.

Jo :)

Holly Berries & Cherry Drops

Have you seen the new colours in sock yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners? Specially dyed for christmas!

Yes, Christmas is starting to come up in conversation, and cannot be ignored for much longer.

Do you like to make your presents? I do, but time is always a factor in this, you have to start early. I have friends who have been making this years presents since January. (Don't think I will ever be that organised).

Anyway, back to the point. Check these out:

Fabulous isn't it!!!!!!

This is Cherry Drop Signature 4ply:

and this is Holly Berry Signature 4ply

Just think, 

one varigared pair,

one plain pair, maybe with some nice stitch detail in them,

one with plain tops, heels and toes, with the varigated in the middle, or maybe with a couple of plain stripes every four rows, 

or you could give the yarn as a present to you creative friend!

The possibilities!!!!!

I have them now available on the web-site (www.justunwind.co.uk). Remember, if you are local and want to collect, then please e-mail or text me to arrange this.

Have a great day.

Jo

Just Thrilled

I recently took a stall to 'Yarndale'. It was a great weekend spent with lots of lovely creative people who were just looking to be inspired.

This was my stall on the Friday night, before the crowds descended:

When I first exhibited at 'Yarndale' 3 years ago I used it as a springboard to launch some designs I had been working on. It was a wonderful experience and I have learnt a lot both from it, and since.

These are some of my designs:

The ' Cabled Aran Wrap'

 

The 'Chunky Aran Scarf'

 

The 'Mobius DK Wrap'

The 'Chunky Aran Styled Cushion'

I love designing, even when I am struggling to get something to work as I want it to!

But, my biggest thrill  is when I see someone has made something I have designed. It still feels a little unreal. So I was truly, truly thrilled when I received an e-mail this week from a lady call Donna, from New Jersey, with a picture attached.

She had bought a knit from me at 'Yarndale' at the end of September, and has completed it already:

Complete and looking amazing!

So to all you ladies who have bought my kits, and who I hope are enjoying wearing them, a really big thank you. 

And a special thank you to you Donna, for taking the time to send me a photo, you really did make my day.

Jo :)

Knit One, Slip One! Knitting in the Round on Single Points!

I had an e-mail forwarded to me a few days ago posing a knitting question. I love a knitting dilemma because it really makes me think about what amazing things can be achieved within certain boundaries.

This lady had been shown as a child how to knit slippers in the round, but on single point needles! I had never even considered this, so I set aside some time to try and solve it.

and I have!!!!

Try this

Cast on 20 sts, *Knit 1, bring your yarn to the front between the needles, slip the next st purl ways, take the yarn to the back of the work between the needles*, repeat from * to * until all 20 sts have been worked. Do not worry that you have not knit the last stitch, only slipped it, as it will be the first stitch you knit on the next row.

If this sounds a little confusing think of how you work a K1, P1 rib, you are doing almost the same thing except you are not actually working the purl stitch, just slipping it across.

To cast off you need a third needle as you have to divide the stitches on to two needles, then cast off one side first before continuing onto the other side.

To cast off I Knit 1, slipped the next stitch on to a spare needle, Knit the next stitch fairly loosely, passed the first Knit stitch over the 2nd Knit stitch, slipped the next stitch on to the spare needle, and continued in this way until the first side was cast off. I then slipped the stitches from the spare needle back on to my working needles and continued to cast off in the normal way, just making sure it wasn't too tight.

You do end up with a tube. It is basic, but makes a simple sock.

Think I need to start a U-Tube channel for techniques such as these!

Have a great day.

Jo

Yarndale 2015

There goes another 'full-on' weekend that is 'Yarndale'.

This year was bigger and better than ever!

However well organized I think I am, the week before always seems to be full of lists and late nights. Then Friday there is the lovely buzz of setting up. A big, Big thank you to all the family members who put up with the mess, chaos, and do so much running around to help, you know who you are.

We tweaked the stall this year and I have to say I was quite pleased.

Still need some minor adjustments, but were getting there.

My head is now buzzing with ideas for designs for the future. My sketch book is filling up nicely.

Next door to me was the stand for a monthly craft group I attend in Skipton, 'Ewe Makes'.

A great bunch of creative people who do everything from Spinning, Weaving, Knitting, Crochet, Card Making plus loads more. The display was of just some of the things our very creative members get up to.

We recently did a 'Sheep to Shawl' challenge which began on Skipton Sheep Day. This was in conjunction with Yarndale and Martin House Children's Charity. We had people carding the fleece, spinning, knitting, and of course the most important of all 'The coffee monitors'. This was part way through.

This was the finished product.

A big thank you to everyone involved, and everyone who bought tickets. I am just waiting to find out who won.

We also made cards to sell, with all proceeds from this raffle and card sale going to the Martin House children's charity.

Finally, a Big. BIG  thank you to the organizers for such a wonderful event. Am waiting to see the Attic 24 posting, Lucy always manages to see so much more of everything than I do! 

Roll on next year!

Jo :)

Woolly Colour Co-ordinated Garden Chairs! Is this a step too far?

As you know I love flowers and colour, so I was thrilled when I realised that my old seat pads from the shop chairs matched my garden colour scheme perfectly.

Just look!

 

 

  How amazing is that (or maybe not so amazing when I think about how certain colours just get into my brain & stick!).

I have done this so far:

 

I am working on more.

Woolly, colourful, and practical too!

All my favourite things together. I have already had friends over to sit on my chairs and drink coffee and eat chocolate in the sunshine.

Simple pleasures, shared!

What simple pleasures do you enjoy? Whatever they are I hope they include friends (and chocolate).

Jo :)