Girl's Guide to Make and Boo

CollarMe

2005-10-07T13:32:00.000+01:00

CollarMe
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I'm so excited about making it to the cover of www.magknits.com this month with my pattern Collar Me. I really enjoyed making it, using lovely soft and chunky HipKnits handspun.

I haven't been blogging for a while, mainly because of setting up a knitting business of my own along with my biz partner Sarah. It's called GiftedKnits. We've created a range of knitting kits for beginner knitters, including the fab Learn to Knit kit. I'm particularly proud of this because it contains a CD-ROM with video clips to show you how it's done! We shot the video and then I stayed up for many late nights editing the footage. Well, everything is now up and running so you can check out our wares on the website www.giftedknits.co.uk

This weekend sees the start of National Knitting Week and my diary seems to be booked solid with various knit-goings-on. Here's what I'll be doing this week:

Sunday: Attending the Knitted Wedding at the Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea

Tuesday: Buying lovely yarn at the Jarndyce bookshop, Gt Russell St

Wednesday: Teaching my Learn to Knit & Crochet class in Uxbridge

Thursday: Helping grumpy teenagers to learn how to knit (and not be so grumpy hopefully) at my local high school

Friday: Helping out on the MagKnits stand at Ally Pally

Saturday: Selling GiftedKnits kits at the Playground Market off Sloane Square

Sunday: Teaching rugby players from Ealing Rugby Club (and some shoppers) how to knit at Ealing Shopping Centre

Maybe I'll see you around...

Worldwide Knit in Public Day - June 11th

2005-05-23T10:11:00.000+01:00

wwkip
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

It's great that something like this is raising the profile of knitting even more.

We'll be at the VV Rouleaux Playground Market, Sloane Square, London doing a Big Knit Out at 3pm.

For more details, contact giftedknits*at*gmail.com

Well travelled sock

2005-04-30T21:08:00.000+01:00

secondsock
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Time to post my progress. I'm working on about 5 different projects at the moment so it's good to be able to show something (half) completed.

www.yarnharlot.com talks about Second Sock Syndrome and didn't want to catch it so I cast on asap after finishing the first. This sock yarn has been to Prague and back - I even dropped the first sock in a puddle so there may be some Czech rainwater residue remaining!

I love this Opal sock yarn. It's self patterning so all you have to do is knit knit knit and the stripes appear before your eyes. It reminds me of a story my Granny told me about a girl learning to knit. Her grandmother gave her a ball of wool to which she had attached little treats along the way - saftely pins, beads etc to encourage the girl to keep going.

I expect today's teenagers will need more than a couple of safty pins for encouragement, but I certainly find the Opal yarn addictive: What will come next? Will it go light blue or cream? Thick or thin stripe? Oh! now it's an almost-fair isle pattern!

Do I need to get out more?

Czech me out!

2005-04-11T17:05:00.000+01:00

cesky_knitting
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Sitting, knitting in Cesky Krumlov after visiting the massive castle.

The mulled wine was very good too...

Cesky Krumlov

2005-04-11T17:04:00.000+01:00

cesky krumlov
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

About a 3 hour journey south of Prague, Cesky Krumlov is a World Heritage site and full of picture postcard images. I especially liked the painted decoration on a lot of the exterior walls. This is a shot from the bridge up to the tower within the huge castle.

I found a wool shop, but only half an hour AFTER it had closed! It seemed to have dressmaking material and patterns in there too.

...and I got this

2005-04-11T17:01:00.000+01:00

prague stash
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Well, I had to get some kind of souvenir in Prague. I didn't manage to track down a small wool shop so had to make do with the (mainly man-made fibre) selection in a department store. The two pinky-coloured balls are destined to be a hat. The multicoloured one is made from polypropelene and feels like recycled plastic bags. I think I'm making a bag with that as I can't imagine wearing anything so hard and scratchy.

Finally, the central one is lovely and soft and about 50% wool. It will make the first squares of my Travellers Blanket. I'm going to buy wool wherever I go and knit up squares from it. I couldn't face casting on a whole afgan but squares seem more managable...

Highly Commended

2005-03-29T08:47:00.000+01:00

biastripe
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Finally up and blogging again so thought I should blow my own trumpet (once more) for my Biastripe Top. It was shortlisted for the National Knitting Award in the UK this year. All the finalists' work was displayed at the Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC which was a pleasure to attend.

As well as drooling over the other entries on display, my stash runneth over with new purchases - photos to follow.

Love Hurts

2005-03-14T14:25:00.000Z

Love-Hurts
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I've realise that my knitting frenzy has taken over; Since this is supposed to be a 'creative' blog, I thought I'd post another bit of Make and Boo I've recently created.

As part of the UK's Red Nose Day on Friday, we were challenged to make something using a load of Monopoly hotels, Connect 4 counters, red Play Doh and an Action man figure. This is what I came up with. You can just about make out Action Man's boots sticking out underneath the giant heart which has crushed him. Working with Play Doh's inherent drying quality/weakness, I was quite pleased as the cracks appeared across the heart, showing its fragility... :-~

Fluffy Belle

2005-03-11T19:26:00.000Z

fluffybelle1
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Finally finished my dark red number. Sorry for the lack of full length shots... these are self portraits and despite my mate's best efforts, her pics came out a little too dark to use.

It's knitted in some random Israeli yarn which roughly translates to Twilley's Featherspun 75% acrylic 25% mohair. 7mm needles and 6mm for the lacy collar (with which I am most pleased). Designed by myself, the pattern is available on request but only in a large size at the moment!

more fluffy

2005-03-11T19:22:00.000Z

fluffybelle2
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

another shot showing the ruffle collar in all its glory (and the blingin' charity-shop brooch that holds the thing together)

Thanks, Secret Pal

2005-03-03T12:46:00.000Z

sp4gift
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

A wonderful package of handspun chunky wool in a beautiful pale turquoise and pretty stitch markers decorated with rose quartz arrived for me on Monday. Thank you, my Pal for the lovely gifts.

Now trying to think how best to make use of the yarn, perhaps combine it with the creamy coloured Rowan Polar and Big Print I've got to make a wrap or...

Fame at Last!

2005-02-28T11:14:00.000Z

biasKnit0
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I'm very excited to be able to direct you to the latest issue of Magknits (link on the left) where you'll find this pattern on the "Knit us" page.

Finishing is a Mare

2005-02-25T13:19:00.000Z

No pics with this post. Nothing to show (yet).

No wonder I take ages to finish things, and I'm not surprised that people don't *heart* finishing on their blogs. I've completed the knitting for Fluffy Red, grafted the shoulders together and joined the sleeves to the body. Actually, that sounds like I'm nearly there doesn't it? I just need to sew up the sides and along the sleeves and then.... start knitting the collar! I'm quite looking forward to getting back on the needles and I'm going to try out a lacy ruffle...

Speaking of needles, I'm bartering piano lessons for sewing skills with a fellow knitter. I'm going to teach her the basics on her newly aquired instrument and hopefully she'll make me a needle roll!

You know how *some* women with too many shoes get all organised and put photos on the shoeboxes in their wardrobes? Well, I'm thinking of doing something similar with my stash. I don't think it's that bad but I'm sure there's stuff in there I've forgotten about so I'm gonna take photos and log what I intend to do with it all.

Look out for some exciting news on Monday...

The End is Nigh

2005-02-18T14:28:00.000Z

fuzzyred
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

...or should that be "The end is in sight"? This is the second sleeve - and final part - of my Fuzzy Swing Jacket. It will be the first finished clothing (as opposed to socks, scarves, glittens etc.) completed since starting this blog.

When I bought the yarn (an ebay find) I knew it was 'foreign'. I've since found out that the strange alphabet on the ball band is, in fact, Hebrew! Now that someone has helpfully translated it, I know that it is 75%Acrylic and 25%Wool - not that other way around as I'd hoped. Oh well, it still feels very soft and fuzzy.

Is this the saddest photo you've seen today?

2005-02-14T17:16:00.000Z

Valentine1
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

They were left in the ladies room of our offices...

Take a closer look at the note...

2005-02-14T17:15:00.000Z

Valentine2
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

So what's the story? I'm desperate to know... Is it an illicit affair? An unwanted admirer?

Lady, if you're reading this, I'm just posting the picture as a piece of art on my "subject:creative" blog. Oh, and 'cos I'm a little jealous of course!

what to do with it?

2005-02-11T21:10:00.000Z

souvenir
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I bought two balls of Strong Print as a souvenir of my trip to Venice but I'm not sure what to make with it. It will knit up lovely stripes of ruby, cream and cream/blue-grey. I thought I could use it to practise a wavy chevron stitch.

Now I'm wondering whether to make some fingerless mittens instead.... Any suggestions?

Also in this pic is a Quick Strick needle from Inox. One end is 4mm, the other is 10mm in order to make those interesting thick/think rows used in lots of scarves at the moment. I've got some creamy Rowan Polar which might be destined for this circ...

I've finished the back (and back sleeves) of the Floating Mesh jacket. I've decided it's not going to be a jumper but will be split down the middle. Just started the left side. It's on 4mm and taking ages so I might have to start another quick project to keep up my interest. Polar scarf or fingerless mittens, hmmmmmmm

first (ever) socks

2005-02-10T23:13:00.000Z

firstsock
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I'm pleased to post my first socks. Not a easy trying to photograph them in a flattering way... I'll try again another day.

I'm very happy with them. I used just over 100g of Adrifil Global yarn which is mostly wool on 4mm dpns. I used this pattern: http://knitting.about.com/library/nthreesock.htm which is very easy to follow and (of course) felt the need to make my own details such as the spiral rib cuff and eyelet pattern. If I knit them again, I will make them longer - now I know how much yarn it takes - and I'd put the eyelets closer together so the pattern is more spirally...

My souvenir from Venice was some lovely stipey sock yarn. I'm going to try toe-up socks next so I don't need to worry about running out of wool. I'm also intrigued by the figure-of-8 cast on method so that's next!

But is it art?

2005-02-09T23:43:00.000Z

killtourist
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Saw this scrawl on a wall during a recent surprise trip to Venice and it got me thinking: Who calls apon whom to "Kill the Tourist"? Certainly not the bar and cafe owners whose livelihood relies on visitors but as someone who grew up in the tourist belt of the Westcountry, I can understand why a teenager might get p*ssed off with the constant stream of trouists passing through.

Another bit of graffitti suggested "Fake a Dream"

Almost completed my second sock on this trip. Photos to follow...

Sock Triumph

2005-01-30T15:25:00.000Z

I just finished my first ever sock this morning! I'm very proud of myself but I've decided not to post pics until I've complete the second one - that should give me the motivation to keep going.

I love it that I've managed to finish something so quickly and I could get hooked on knitting socks quite easily I think.

Looking forward to getting details of my SP soon too...

SP4 - 26 Questions

2005-01-26T15:25:00.000Z

This post is for my SP. Please click on the Permalink (3.25pm) below to read my answers.

When I started this blog, I decided that it was going to be about my creative projects rather than me, personally. These questions seem to span the two, but I thought I'd hide them away from those who aren't interested. Anyway, here goes!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I prefer the feel of natural fibres but I also like playing around with fun yarns. I can't stand complete garments in Fizz or Whisper but they're great for accessories and trim.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin and I'm not great at crochet but I did manage to make myself a little crochet flower corsage which came out pretty well.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I'm allegic to cheap ham (!) or so I tell anyone asking me to dinner :-)

4. How long have you been knitting?
Since I was about 8 so that's well over 20 years (jeez!)but I went through a barren time between teen years and mid twenties.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't, but maybe I should. Sounds a bit too much like a wedding list and most of my friends know what I like but it would be worth it to avoid the howlers.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I'm not a big fan of synthetic scent although I like to wear J-P Gautier if I'm going out. I like natural ginger, cinnamon, coffee, and citrus smells in general.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
YES! It's my only (but deadly) vice. I go for bulky comfort food like cakes and cookies rather than sweets like chocolate or candy.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I like all creative arts for all the senses: I sing, draw, design, make gifts (mostly from scratch but I think the gift-giving process can be very creative too) knit, sew (sometimes), play piano and write - songs, short films etc.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I have iTunes on my mac but no iPod as yet. I LOVE music and my tastes are pretty diverse (see my blog profile). I'm always keen to hear other people's musical preferences.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
I'm very much into dark red at the moment - maroon, claret - but also dusky pink. I'm also coming back around to muted greens and browns and away from blue (tho I still like turquoise). I like a bright colour palette if they are the same tone - ie the same level of brightness but different colours. I suppose it's the colour combination which is more important to me than the actual colour.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with two female housemates and no pets except an evil robotic cat (I don't like cats much)

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I'm aiming towards a point soon when I can devote most of my time to various creative projects by working part time and freelancing in design, illustration and writing. I enjoy life but working in a big corporation doesn't really suit me.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Fancy yarns for short projects, tactile natural fibres for sweaters and cardi's.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Synthetics trying to be natural, such as DK wool-look yarn which is 90% acrylic. Sythentics have their place and their place is in the fru-fru section of the wool shop.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I'm really into structure - how a sweater is put together to fit - but recently I've started experimenting with different stitch patterns too. I would normally buy or knit using a pattern if I liked the structure, I used not to be bothered about the stitch they use, but that is slowly changing.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I always have a garment on the go (sweater or cardi)and then I like to do smaller projects at the same time to stop me getting bored. I've knit scarves, bags, baby blanket squares and Glittens in the past.

17. What are you knitting right now?
I've just started my first ever pair of socks - commuter knitting. I'm also knitting a (modern)multicoloured(vintage)style cardi and I've got a lovely fluffy maroon cardi to finish: It's about half way through but I haven't picked it up in months. It was my own pattern and I've lost my notes so I'm kinda reluctant to continue as I'll have to remember what I was doing!

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Ponchos are permission for large women (like me) to wear tents. Great on skinny girls but not a good look for everyone. Having said that, I have a white lacy-shawl style one that seems to suit me but I'd run screaming from some of the chunky cable numbers I've seen.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I used not to like circlulars but I've got used to them for knitting large items. Just started to use dpns (for the Glittens)and rather like them now too.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo when I can get them, plastic are ok, aluminium is just too cold at the winter bus stop!

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Just started (though I started that one about 3 times!), hope to get better though and love the idea of using that funky stripey yarn.

22. How did you learn to knit?
It's so long ago that I can't remember but I think I must've been taught by my grandmother. My mother also used to knit and crochet so it could've been either of them!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
At the moment it's that patternless maroon cardi which I cast on about 9mths. Before that, I had some wool that I'd bought as oddballs when I was 15. I tried starting it several times with various elaborate intarsia patterns but didn't get past the first few inches. Eventually I re-cast-on when I was about 27 and finished it two years later!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love the cartoon Ren and Stimpy. I also like kittens (shame they turn into cats)and tropical fish.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
I have extravagant dreams - like going to Bhutan or road-tripping in Mexico. But since the things I like to do can be done anywhere, I'd be happy with a warm climate, good food, some cultural treats and pictureque scenery. My best ever 'holiday' was a songwriting course in North Yorkshire.

**STOP PRESS** I've just realised the question is about religious Holidays! I'm in the UK so that's why I was talking about vacations... oh well, it's all good info I suppose. I like Christmas and like the potential of New Year. We used to have a family knees-up for Easter but not so much now. In the UK we get Bank Holidays which is usually a Monday off for some reason or other. I like these too - more time for knitting!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
I like handmade things from around the world. I've got quite a few embroidered and beaded bags. I don't really set out to collect anything though I do have a small collection of pebbles - each has a hole in it. Apart from sugar, my other vice is book-buying: usually non-fiction, some way of learning. My brain is like a sponge.

code

2005-01-26T14:23:00.000Z

just so I remember...

this is the code for expandable posts

Varigation + Texture = ?

2005-01-25T16:01:00.000Z

globalknit
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Flushed with Glitten success, I decided to make my first attempt at knitting a sock... I'm knitting with this varigated Global wool from Adrifil and 4mm dpns.

It's a lovely colour but is it really worth it? I mean, since I can't ever follow a pattern to the letter, I decided to take a standard sock pattern and add my own cuff detail and eyelet stitch pattern. This is a top down design and I'm quite pleased with the spirally purls on the cuff but the eyelets? Man, that was a mistake. They hardly show up and when they do, they LOOK like a mistake!

I've started this sock 3 times already so I'm wondering whether to do a sort of distressed ladder stitch.

Well if you can't beat 'em...

Sneak a Peek

2005-01-23T19:28:00.000Z

knitdetail
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I'm knitting a sweater at the moment - or maybe it's a cardi, I haven't decided and won't need to until I've finished the back... Anyway, I'm doing it in this floating mesh pattern as an experiment to see if I can combat the dreaded effects of HORIZONTALLY STRIPED KNITWEAR.

It's looking good so far but since I'm knitting the back of the sleeves at the same time as the back in a big t-shape it's taking me ages just to knit one row. I hate to think how many stitches I've got on my circulars.

More progress pictures to follow...

An odd pair

2005-01-22T17:15:00.000Z

glittenpair
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Here are my two finished Glittens. Spot the difference? There are about 3 differences actually. The top one is the mutant - all fat thumbs, high crotches and irregular double moss stitch.

The bottom one is the perfectly fitting second one. Like I say, I'm probably not going to get a chance to re-knit the top one (Yarn Harlot would be disappointed in me, I'm sure!) but they'll keep me warm til spring.

I used Rowan R2 Fuzzi Felt and 4mm dpns. The pattern is available free from Redlipstick (www.redlipstick.net/knit/glitten.html) although there are similar patterns around - sometimes called Trigger Finger mittens. I had a ball each of the yellow and salmon (? freebies!) yarn, and I have loads of yarn left...

Mutant glitten

2005-01-21T08:52:00.000Z

glitten
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Hmmm... this didn't quite go as expected. I've realised that I just can't follow a pattern (or maybe I just can't read properly). I try to kid myself that it's because I'm creative and want to do it my way but there's something to be said for "First learn the rules, then break 'em" The thumb is way too fat and I have index finger crotch issues.

Annnnyway, I stayed up late to finish the other one cos the weather got so cold recently and I lost my other gloves. I had intended rip this mutant and reknit to match the vision of perfection (picture pending), but I can't see myself doing that before Spring comes!

Back on the Block

2005-01-09T14:19:00.000Z

Phew! Well I did manage to make all my Christmas gifts and have started on some new projects - for me!

Had a bit of drama with my digicam but it's all sorted now so I'll be posting up photos again soon.

I visited an elderly friend over the Christmas period and she very kindly let me have two vintage Vogue knitting magazines from the 1950s... all cynched waists, tailoring and curves. They're devine, dahlink!

I've got good feelings about creativity this year - despite or perhaps because of what's been going on in the world. In times of strife, it helps to think creatively, beyond the obvious to get the solution.

Peace and Love.

Bobblescarf

2004-12-22T18:27:00.000Z

multiscarf
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Another Christmas gift completed. Somehow adding a couple of pom-poms have transformed this scarf into something a bit more fun!

Knit with 100g Patons Symphony yarn on 7mm needles.

Frilly

2004-12-21T00:00:00.000Z

frilly
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I knit this scarf in a strange stranded yarn called - I think - Capri. I cast on about 300 sts on my trusty circulars but soon realised it would be far too long. When a friendly knitter suggested that the ruffles looked good, I did a series of decreases so that I got a frilly edge and then a slightly straighter 'neckband'.

The photo doesn't really do justice to the delicate shades of peach, lilac and pale green, but hopefully mum will like it.

Knitting as fast as I can

2004-12-19T19:08:00.000Z

woolpile
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Dear Fairy Godmother

Any suggestions on how to turn all this into Christmas gifts in the next 4 days would be welcome!

back to the grindstone...

First Felting Experience

2004-12-15T19:24:00.000Z

I had a great set of Before and After pics planned for this spot. I'm working on a knitted bag as a Christmas gift which I wanted to shrink slightly through felting/fulling. I bravely chucked it into the washing machine hoping it wouldn't shrink to the size of a postage stamp. The yarn isn't 100% wool so that shouldn't have been a problem...

Well, I pulled it out of the washer and nothing happened. Nothing had changed. Maybe the wash wasn't hot enough, maybe the yarn wasn't woolly enough, but the Before and After pics would be identical so you'll just have to wait until I finish it and I can post it in all its pink and loopy glory!

Smile

2004-12-14T21:25:00.000Z

crapbook
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

I was browsing through the magazine shelves of WHSmith today when I spotted this NEW magazine for Scrapbook fans. Shame the designer of the front cover and the designer of the plastic wrap didn't correspond with each other. Especially since it's a NEW launch and all...

I love BBC Radio 4 (Knitting cliche?), especially the comedy and "I'm sorry I haven't a clue" is my fave. I was trying to work last night and simultaneously cracking up when I heard the following list of definitions. I hope they work as well written down.

PSYCHOPATH - crazy paving

MISTAKE - winner of a butcher's beauty contest

iPOD - optical aid using peas

SENTIMENT - the perfume he intended to buy

POSTULATE - new name for Royal Mail

log onto www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 to Listen Again to these and other great gags.

little tiny hats

2004-12-13T23:10:00.000Z

tinyhats
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

As promised, here's a pic of the little hats we knitted for the Innocent Drinks people. We worked out that they were just about the right size for Action Man. If you're interested, the pattern is still available on the www.innocentdrinks.co.uk site. I think each one tool about 6m of DK yarn and 20mins to make (bobble not included).

I've yet to find a hat that suits my irregularly shaped/sized head and rediculous amount of hair. Actually, there is one, but the brim is wide enough to sunbathe on so it's not exactly practical.

I suppose I'll have to rely on thick scarves, socks and gloves to keep me warm this winter. I bought a pair of fleecy gloves (which I will wear until I've finished knitting my Glittens www.redlipstick.net/knit/glitten.html) but had to take them back (to the, ahem, shonky market stall) two days later because the seam was coming apart. The law was on my side but the stall owner was having none of it: "You must've done something to them to make them do that" he huffed "What am I going to do with them?" All I wanted was another pair. He tried to fob me off by getting me to BUY a new pair for half price.

In the end he gave me the new pair AND let me keep the old ones!

Ahh, that's more like it.

Jam is good

2004-12-12T14:08:00.000Z

piano detail
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Girl's Guide to Make and Boo A mate came over yesterday and we had our first ever jamming session: He on newly aquired shiny guitar and me on beloved digital piano. As we sat there, before we played a note, I suddenly got really nervous. What was I thinking? I'd never 'jammed' with someone else before, preferring to lock myself away to write songs - just me and my piano. Now I would have to show my un-rehearsed self to someone else. eugh.

It was actually fine and we both enjoyed ourselves. Just noodling with a few chord sequences turned out to be pretty cool and we were beaming at each other by the end.

If you want a chord sequence filled with longing, try Dmaj / / / Gmin/D then Bmin Gmin/Bflat.......mmm aching

I'm loving my new piano - a delicious Roland FP-2. Although it's got all the good things like weighted keys and touch sensitivity that makes it as close to a proper piano as you can get (while being portable), it's the silly extra sounds that get me.

I swear, next time I have a bout of PMS I'm going to sit down and play it with the Jazz Scat sound activated: It's hilarious! Press the keys lightly and a smooth-toned male voice sings "Doooo" press a little harder and he changes to "Waaah", and if you hit the key he scream "Bap!".... Hours of fun

Beautiful Baby Blanket

2004-12-12T14:05:00.000Z

blanket
Originally uploaded by makeandboo.

Approx Size: 50x40cm.
200g of Sirdar Country Style DK in dark pink, light pink, cream and beige.
Finishing: Join cast off edges to cast on edges to form columns of knitted squares. Then join the columns together. Finally, add crochet edging in dark pink and use blanket stitch to sew on a fleece backing.

Let's get this party started

2004-12-09T17:17:00.000Z

After the false start, I'm counting down to Christmas and plan to blog regularly.

A few weeks ago, I got my workmates to help knit tiny hats to go onto Innocent smoothie bottles. Men and women who haven't knitted for years rediscovered their talent and thoroughly enjoyed there lunchtime knit session. People all around the UK knit hats for Innocent who will donate money to keep-grannies-warm type charities for every hat-wearing smoothie sold.

Hot to trot and flushed with excitement from our acheivement, we decided to continue by making a baby blanket for our team director. He was off on paternity leave while we furiously clicked away each making 10cm x 10cm squares. If I can get the thing working, I'll post a few pictures of the result later...

TIP: One thing which really helped for the success of the design was to stick to a specific colour palette. I bought 200g of DK wool-mix yarn in four colours. As long as everyone knit a square to roughly the same size it didn't matter what the pattern was. The colourway helped to tie the disparate squares together into a beautiful result.

Although we thoroughly embarressed our director when giving him the blanket this week, I'm hoping it will become some kind of heirloom - or at least, baby W's favourite blankie!

This is a test

2004-09-17T02:59:00.000+01:00

I baptise this blog Girl's Guide to Make and Boo.

It'll be a place to find thoughts and notes - and hopefully pictures on all things creative.

Writing
Illustration
Knitting
Makin' stuff
Music
Photography

I hope you'll join me.

I'm going to try and post every few days so check back and see how I get on!

Boo