Friday 19 July 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: SUMMER

Once again I've found myself to busy to write a simple blog post, I know its a terrible excuse, but since my last I've moved to London and officially launched my little knitting business, selling my pieces with the fabulous Molly-Meg. But lets not get ahead of ourselves!

Firstly I made some variations on my scarves, a red fox, new monkey, panda and a rather fluffy faux mink stole. I love taking custom orders and working out the pattern, especially when using lovely merino yarns.


Next I've been making lots and lots of animal heads, here's a set I made for a special celebrity client, each piece always has their own personality. Generally I'm making quite a few each month, and I really enjoy spending my time making them.




I was really lucky to actually sell some of my heads to the editor of Tatler, and have been told they're hanging in her office at Condé Nast. With this she also featured Mr. Fox on the Notes to Self page of this months Tatler, which I'm absolutely chuffed about!


Finally I've started working on a new project, mini fox head knitting kits, which will be available once my pattern's been finalised and I've had them tested! I will be on the hunt for UK knitters, so watch this space! 


I'd better get back to working on my fox pattern,

Sincerely,

Louise

xox


Friday 10 May 2013

BODEN PRESS DAY

If you're wondering why I've been so quiet the last month its not because my wrists have finally given in and I'm awaiting surgery to become Edward knitting needle hands, its that they've been very busy on a commission for Boden

For the Mini Boden fall/winter 2013 press day I was asked to knit six taxidermy style animal heads - a fox, jack russell, rabbit, badger, deer and mole. I was also asked to knit moss stitch squares in the seasons colour palette. The press day was at Somerset House, and the effort made across each room was fabulous as you can see in the photos! The decor and props matched the beautiful clothes - I cant wait for next season. 

The pieces are humorous and quirky, following my style of knitting, I loved making them and using incredible luxury yarns. I wanted them to be quite chunky, using several strands of yarn to create different tones throughout the pieces. 

Here are some photos from the day:










The Mini Boden Room


With the squares I was given a list of the seasons colour palette, and I went out on many missions sourcing the colours. I enjoyed being able to use different types of yarn, especially the more expensive ones! I really enjoyed seeing them all together! 


Me infront of my squares!
I had such a lovely day, meeting new people and seeing my bestie Toni from www.fashionyourseatbelts.net and the fabulous Sarah Kendal! I also met Grace Woodward and Jenni Falconer whose beautiful daughter had the cutest reaction to the knitted deer head! It was so sweet. I also finally met Sprout, Johnnie's jack russell, who the knitted dog is based on. 

Toni, Sarah and I holding up Boden signs!
Jenni Falconer and Ella
Johnnie and Sprout and knitted Sprout!

The beautiful rooms at Somerset House

Foxy and I

It was pretty tough at the end of the day saying good bye to my knitted babies, but they're off to New York, which is really exciting. 

The heads will soon be available to buy at www.molly-meg.co.uk so keep watching this space :) 

Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Monday 18 March 2013

FEATURES AND CELEBRATIONS

Hello!

Once again I am racing around working working working! But I did have time to sit down and watch myself on tv for my debut on the Alan Titschmarsh Show which you can watch here :) I have screen grabbed a couple of images from the show, it was such a lovely day. 




To celebrate the amazing reaction I have received from the show I will be giving away one of my wigs which is now on sale on my etsy.

For a chance to win simply like my facebook page, like and share this post!


Sincerely,

Louise 

xox

Saturday 9 March 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: WIG UPDATE

Hello!
 
Yet again its been a while since I've had the chance to update my blog, I have been frantically knitting away, busier than ever! From being featured by the Daily Mail I've had so many opportunities to share my work across the world. I've also got some very exciting things in the pipeline which will be revealed in due time.
 
I wanted to write a little update on my knitted wigs, which I have been working on, they do take so much time so please bear with me as I perfect the patterns. The finger wave inspired piece will be available on my etsy shop soon, and I will be donating a percentage to charity with each purchase of it.
 
Anyway here are some awful photos taken on my iphone of a couple of the pieces, they are currently on loan and once they have returned I will take some better images. I may also be giving one away on my facebook page, so keep watching this space.
 


 

 
Sincerely,
 
Louise
 
xox

Friday 15 February 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: ORDERS ORDERS ORDERS

Alongside my Chinese dragon, working part time with my knitter and answering emails and interviews I've been knitting orders. Mainly foxes but I've also made a couple more Studio Ghibli knits which I wanted to share. With the Totoro I was asked to leave the mouth off of him, so he looks super cute, as well as a little rounder. The patterns almost perfect so soon I'll be sharing it! 

My mother also walked past a closing down shop which were selling mannequins, so I've finally got my own to model my scarves. All I need is some time to photograph the foxes, as usually I dash out to post them before I get a chance to. 

I also purchased a new domestic knitting machine, which is ever so exciting. I've never really used a punchcard so my Nan spent a day with me where I learnt the basics. I've finished making my first punchcard and am half way through knitting a scarf with it. So my next post should be all about it, along with the turbans I've been making.




Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Sunday 10 February 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: CHINESE NEW YEAR

Hello! Its been a little while since my last post, since being featured by the Daily Mail it's been a bit of a whirlwind, with emails, interviews and orders. However at the beginning of January I started planning a dragon for Chinese New Year. Last year I went to an amazing night at the SU which had a beautiful lion and fantastic decoration and when deciding what to make this year a dragon was at the top of my list. 

To make the dragon I used some lovely yarns, such as Sidar's baby bamboo for the red, snowflake chunky for the white, and my favourite Twilleys Goldfingering for the gold. I also used white felt for the teeth and white under the body. Here are a couple of photos of him, one against the black and the other where he is now - hanging over the door frame downstairs. Underneath are some images of my test dragons, the first being the initial head I made and the second testing for the pattern for his body. I do have the pattern for him which I will post soon if people are interested in making one for themselves!
  







Anyway, I have been knitting so much lately, which I will be posting about in the forth coming days. I've had a lot of interest in my wigs, and the patterns. So keep watching this space as there may be one appearing on my blog soon.

Happy New Year!

Louise 

xox

Monday 28 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: ONE FOX, TWO

I've been knitting so many commissions recently, mainly foxes. I though I'd do a quick update on them. Here are two little guys with the slim face. One in a foxy orange and the other in a beautiful wine red Wendy Mode yarn. 



I've also been working on some hats, a vintage inspired ladies turban and a moss stitch beanie,on my list of things to do is another Totoro and my first commissioned wig. They have been getting a lot of interest from my press and I'm excited to send one to France. 

I also just wanted to say a big thank you to anybody reading from the daily mail link. I never expected such a positive reaction to my wigs, I just love knitting. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Thursday 24 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MORE WILDLIFE AND GHIBLI

I recently had an order for one of my fox stoles, with the newly designed thinner face. Instead of using Rowan yarn I decided to venture out in the cold and snow to a new wool shop and found this beautiful foxy orange colour by DROPS. You can find it here! I would definitely recommend it as it feels great and is a superwash yarn. 

If you're local to Essex then you need to check out Yarn Therapy, a wonderful little shop in Great Baddow. What I loved about their shop was that you can't buy acrylic in there, and as I move away from using it, its as place I'll be visiting more and more. Also I prefer supporting these kind of shops rather than going to Hobbycraft, even though I practically live next to it.



I also sold my first soot sprite, which I made in a evening. I'm happier with the eyes on this one as I felt (craft pun) they were a little far apart on the first. All I can do is learn as I go along, and I do really like making these little things. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Sunday 13 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: SPIRITED AWAY NO-FACE PILLOW





As many of my blog reader know I've only recently discovered the magic of Studio Ghibli, down to my boyfriend asking for a Totoro for Christmas. Since then I've watched most of the films and even brought a Totoro onesie that I never seem to take off, meaning nobody wants to be near me as it's beginning to smell. 

Anyway, for his birthday the boyfriend asked for a no-face. I must say out of all of the Ghibli movies I watched over Christmas Spirited Away was my favorite. I love Totoro as a character ever so much, but I spent the whole time watching it absolutely amazed. I was so drawn into it that I didn't even think about knitting throughout it, so being asked to make the odd spirit character was rather pleasant after seeing him knitting away towards the end of the film. He'd asked for one about the same size as his Totoro, but I had different plans. I wanted to make it more of a pillow, so he could give it hugs at night (obviously). 

I had some chunky black and white yarn left over from my other projects, and had been given a lilac colour that I doubled up a few times to match the thickness of the chunky and started knitting away. I have the pattern written down, so I am hoping to share it once its perfected. I used felt for the eyes and a whole bag of stuffing went into him. I was determined to do a life-sized one, however was stopped due to lack of yarn, but maybe thats something to do in the future. 

The botton two photos were taken at his new home, and feature all the knits I've made as presents. I'm not sure whats next, I quite fancy making Calcifer, as he's kinda cute. I'll be posting a pattern really soon for Chinese New Year which I'm working on at the moment so keep your eyes pealed! 






Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Thursday 10 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MAN'S BEST FRIENDS

This is the final post on my Christmas knits, but as I've just started a new job where I can hand knit all day I'll try and make just as many little creatures. And once I've tested those patterns I'm planning to post more on here. A website is in the works also, so keep watching this space! 

Todays post is on a few pooches I made for clients, two small toys dogs and a scarf. I used some of my favourite yarns, including Sidar's softspun gold wool, with its lovely metallic element. My little square of black felt came in useful for the eyes and noses again as I felt it gave the golden dog quite a fun expression, and made the scarf childproof. I am more of a dog person, but sometimes I think cats are easier to knit! My no-face is just about finished so he'll be up on here soon, today I also brought My Neighbour Totoro on DVD (I rarely buy them) so maybe I'll be inspired to make some more Totoros as I'll be watching that tomorrow!



Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Saturday 5 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MOVIE KNITS

Today I'm blogging about some more Christmas gifts I made, all movie related. My poor wrists hurt so much during the week leading up to Christmas, and I managed to finish them just in time (Christmas Eve)! 

Looking back to the tiny 2d balloon pattern I posted this gift was the reason for its creation and documentation. My sister is a huge fan of Up, so I wanted to do something relating to it. I spent all my time on the tube knitting these balloons, brought a frame and some felt and spend a whole day sewing it together.



The second is a Batman sweater, which I was asked to knit for my sister's boyfriend. I used chunky yarn, and made the grid for the symbol. I think I could of downscaled the symbol slightly, but at least it makes it unique. I have posted a photo we received on Christmas day of Jake modelling his new Batman attire. 



Finally, this is the Captain America hat I made for my other sister, I did look at some of the designs of other hats on google to get a basic idea, as I was making it on Christmas Eve. Again I used chunky wool, and mother made the pompom, which I think brings the hat to life. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

The Etsy Awards - One Year On

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I won the Etsy Awards. Time has flown by and my small business has grown so much. Winning th...