Brand New Crochet Workshop.

A couple of months ago I saw an ad for a crochet teacher online and I noticed it was local so contacted them, that's how I met Joanne of Lavender Blue Workshops!  Lavender Blue is sister to a gorgeous shop called Lavender Green which offers stunning vintage and new French style furniture and homewares and also great little gifts, official stockists of Annie Sloan chalk paint, decorative paints, waxes, brushes and fabrics, they have so much to offer.

As from the 28th of May Crochet classes will be starting every Tuesday evening for 3 hours at Lavender Blue which is based in St Albans, for more info/class details you can check out the website.

Here's a taster of some of the projects on offer

 

Beginners Crochet Pin Cushion Project

Intermediate Beading and Colourwork

 

Beginners Refresher Cushion Cover

Until next time .....Nicky xx

The Knitters Mini Collection and my Eastern offering!

I am always delighted when a magazine takes one of my designs it never fails to excite me.  Issue 58 of The Knitter magazine included a supplement named Mini collection and I was lucky enough to be included in this.

The Knitter I consider, is one of the top UK knitting magazines. It features quality designs aimed at the intermediate to advanced knitter, including patterns from well known designers such as Kyoko Nakayoshi, Belinda Boaden and Judy Furlong to name but a few. You can imagine how thrilled I was when they accepted my simple little crochet clutch bag!

Shanghai

Shanghai - named thus because I was inspired by the East, with its opulence and deep rich oriental shades.   Imagine ornately decorated lanterns lighting up the night sky with ostentatious tassels hanging elegantly below them. 

When designing the bag, I kept the embroidery simple, using double crochet as a even base, almost like aida fabric to work the stitches through.  I wanted this bag to have a dark mysterious feel to it, I am tempted to recreate another one in a lighter shade with pieces of blossom draping off the dark fronds. Watch this space!

Traditional Chinese satin lining

I finished off the bag with a luxurious chinese satin decorated with dragons and traditional flowers, embracing the eastern luxury, oh, and a big 'fat' tassel too!

So if you do manage to buy a copy of The Knitter check out my little offering but also take a look at the other delightful projects too, Sakura is one of my particular favourites.

Arabella The Knitter Magazine Issue 51

Finally I spotted a lovely little review that those top notch knitters, Belinda and Wendy over at True Brits Knit wrote about my crochet collar design, Arabella.  It is very flattering, although I can't think what they mean about crocheting my wilder idea's! If you care to go and read it don't forget to check out the amazing designs they have to offer on their website.

Until next time.....Nickyxx

The Colourful World of Kaleidoscope!

This week another book dropped through my post box

Kaleidoscope - 24 Knit and Crochet projects for the Home by Debbie Abrahams and Jane Crowfoot.  

This book has a myriad of colourful projects for knitters and crocheters alike, it oozes style.  Each project is so well thought out and includes quirky names like Zing, Spangle and Crackle!

Debbie and Jane are well known for their fantastic designs for the home, both having very successful knitting and crochet clubs which run each year and fill up quickly.  I am lucky enough to know both ladies quite well and am aware of just how much hard work and passion go into their designs, each being well thought out and beautifully written.

This book is  a real treat for the eyes, the photography is slick and each piece is superbly styled, its a visual feast!  Their colour choices are bright, eye catching and sophisticated.

Each pattern is beautifully laid out, encouraging you to try out new techniques, including colour work and beading, they appeal to all levels of ability.  Using Rowan yarns Debbie and Jane tempt you with palette of gorgeous colours.

Having worked on one of the projects for the book I have first hand experience on just how delightful the designs are to work on.

This book has something for everyone with encouragement and tips for each project.  Now all I have to decide is which piece I want to do next!
Kaleidoscope is available from Janie Crow.co.uk but hurry they're being snapped up fast.

Until next time......Nicky xx