I'm in 'Let's Knit' Magazine!

On the teabreak page, November Issue, 2012 - in the corner, but I'm really pleased about it.  I sent in a photo of 'Herman'.  I made him from a pattern in a previous issue - you can see him in a bit more detail in an earlier post ...

Vintage Cottage Teacosy

I made all the bits for this ages ago, but held off sewing them up as there was a lot of work involved.  The motivation to finish was provided by the gift of a pile of vintage knitting patterns and a new book!  So I gave this away as a present ... but it was very difficult ...

Orange Aid

OK, it's a bit startling, I'll admit, but the instructions for this bobble hat said to use the brightest orange that could be found.  This is fluorescent!  It's for the charity St Mungo's, which represents homeless people in the UK.  You can find instructions for making a hat at the charity website.  Their bobble hat day is 23 October and they hope to collect as many hats as there are homeless people, which is over 5,000.  It's really easy to make - I'd done mine in a couple of evenings.  The collection point for the finished article is Loop Knitting in London and I was lucky enough to be able to drop mine off there last Friday.  The lady in the shop said it had, 'a mighty fine bobble'!  It did come out a bit big ... but then I think it adds to it's charm ...

 

The Hidden Colour of Manchester

When I was a student, years ago at the Polytechnic (as it was known then), our first project on the printed textiles course was, 'The Hidden Colour of Manchester'.  That was quite a challenge in those days, (the mid 80's).  Now, since the rejuvenation of the city, I can spot stuff all over the place ...

Lovely old city brickwork

Jewelled umbrellas outside Oklahoma - cafe and quirky gift shop

Memories of The Hacienda days ...

Some legendary Coronation Street stars

Fred Aldous arts and crafts shop window - this store has been here since the 1800's but is now enjoying huge popularity since the crafting revolution, hence 'make something'

The Pop Cafe

Me in Manchester

Here's a few photographs of me that I've just been sent.  I'm in the new part of the city, outside Louis Vuitton (I can but dream ...) and The Shambles.  The Shambles was taken from its old situation in the city, lifted up and re-located here in the paved area.  I had lunch in Nicholson's here - I do recommend it - excellent food in a lovely historic building.

In historic Nicholson's 



Outside Louis Vuitton = maybe one day I'll have a handbag like that ...



Must be my favourite way of posing!  Here I am complete with shopping - I bought a Matthew Williamson butterfly collection cushion from Debenhams.  Matthew Williamson is a Manchester lad, all the best creative people come from here :-)))! 

Photo from the Debenhams website - I bought this one, like a modern version of an old style Toile de Jouy.  Like the city of Manchester, it mixes old and new ...

Junk - Manchester

I've been away for a little break and although I really needed a rest, I did manage to get out to the Northern Quarter.  I don't think I've noticed this shop before - you can go for dressmaking classes and learn how to re-fashion.  There will be more photos to come in the next few days ...

More cake ?

I've been having fun concocting all kinds of culinary delights, non of them edible unfortunately, but they are for a charity raffle, where they will be displayed on a vintage style cake stand as a prize.  I used the 20 To Make, Knitted Cakes and Fast Food books from Search Press.  I so enjoyed finding the right yarns ... particularly for the carrot cake topping!