Knitting Adventures: Handspun Hat

Firstly - I finished two of my biggest deadlines last week - I'm pretty surprised I survived to be honest, between you and me, there might have been a day where I was in the library until half past midnight. But it's done and I have a week left of term and two slightly lesser deadlines until a couple of weeks off (and an essay, but we're not talking about that right now).

Secondly - I remembered I haven't shared my first project knitted with my handspun yarn - even though I finished it about 6 weeks ago. I started spinning my own yarn back in September and goodness me, it's a learning curve. I'm improving, although I haven't had a chance to spin in weeks - thanks art school - so that's another reason why I'm looking forward to the holidays! 

This hat is a pattern of my own construction - I got sick of starting to knit hats that required 95+ stitches for the cast on edge - my head isn't that big! So I made it up as I went along and I'm pretty happy with the result. The rib should probably have been knitted with smaller needles / even less stitches as it's pretty loose, but I stitched in some shirring elastic and my hat and I are good friends now.

Thanks to Kim Smith for these photographs.

I've had a lovely weekend with my best friend, we hit up two amazing craft markets today - Crafty Fox Christmas Market in Brixton and Bust Craftacular in Bethnal Green - I've put a dent into my Christmas shopping - I've vowed to give handmade, second hand or support small businesses this Christmas and it's much more rewarding than bulk buying things from faceless corporations! If you're in London next weekend - you should stop by Crafty Fox at The Bussey Building in Peckham on Saturday.

A ♥  

Vessel

The second and third years on my course (for those of you that don't know, I'm studying Illustration & Animation at Kingston University) have been working on a student led exhibition project on the theme of vessel. We had a show and a flash print sale at university last week, and our London show opens this Wednesday at Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick.

Poster design by Michael Parkin

If you're in the London area, come along and admire our hardwork, purchase some prints and browse our zine collection. Crate Brewery, Hackney Wick. 5pm-10.30pm week nights, 12pm-10.30pm Saturday and Sunday.

A ♥

Recently In Pictures

Rob Ryan's 'There Is Only Time' exhibition at the Sims Reed Gallery and some pretty yarn I bought at the Knitting and Stitching show.

My mum at my birthday lunch and below, her spectacular jumper.

My Dad took me out for lunch for my birthday, he never lets me take photos of him and I love this one.

My lovely flatmate Harriet at my birthday party - she was in charge of the magic straws and the cocktails.

Knitting and cake. The vital ingredients for a birthday party.

Gorgeous flowers from my friend Bekah.

This girl, skeleton make up and all, is amazing. 

Harriet and I went to the fireworks for my birthday :)

My friends and family are pretty wonderful really.
A ♥

So far, so second year.

Second year is proving to be tough. Long days and little time.

So far this term has been group project, after group project, which is something I find difficult. I've been feeling all the same insecurities as last year - but I'm trying. It hasn't been all bad - I spent two days in the print rooms last week, working on my first screen prints - which was really fun. I haven't really had much time to myself however, which is why content has been thin on the ground here. Too many late night library nights.

I am okay. I turned twenty-three last weekend which is pretty scary.

I'm going to try to update here more often, but I can't make any promises. At the moment just finding time to cook proper dinners and wash my hair is hard enough.

A ♥

The Knitting & Stitching Show 2013

Last weekend was the annual Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. I went for the first time last year and I was so excited about going back this year - a whole day where I can buy yarn guilt free! ;) I took a whole heap of photos while I was there and I wanted to share a few here. It's such a colourful event with some beautiful exhibits and just as beautiful supplies for sale.

I was looking to buy fleece / fibre - to fuel my spinning addiction - and there was so much to choose from. 

This Wensleydale was beautiful. I bought a whole bag of locks to dye (and spin). 

The Rowan stand was really beautiful, unsurprisingly! 

The Coolree stand was probably the most colourful - filled with exquisite hand dyed yarns. 

Such an inspiring day. I've got into a bad habit of spending my evenings knitting or spinning and completely ignoring my schoolwork. Oops. But my current opinions on art school are best saved for another day. 

A ♥