I don’t know about you, but I like to wear something hand‐made every day, whether it is a super-cozy sweater, a pair of hand‐knit socks or a deliciously warm wrap such as the Scottswood Stole pictured above.
Of course, this isn't an absolute rule but more in the nature of a guideline (and can you tell we've been re-watching “The Pirates of the Caribbean" recently?) However, I find that the day feels better when I have hand‐made things around me.
Shopping seems more colourful with some hand‐knit bags to supplement the plain linen ones. Sweaters are so much warmer when they are made from 100% wool.
Of course, this isn't an absolute rule but more in the nature of a guideline (and can you tell we've been re-watching “The Pirates of the Caribbean" recently?) However, I find that the day feels better when I have hand‐made things around me.
Shopping seems more colourful with some hand‐knit bags to supplement the plain linen ones. Sweaters are so much warmer when they are made from 100% wool.
The same goes for items in the home. I love coming home to a house with knitted cushions, a cozy rug, or warm and fluffy hand-knit blankets. It just feels special to know that an item you are using started life as a simple ball of yarn.
So although there are wonderful blankets, throws and afghans in the shops, I would always prefer to have a hand-made version instead. They are often warmer too, as hand-knit yarns tend to be loftier and warmer than a commercial company might use.
I can, for example, vouch for the warmth of the Laurie Blanket in the photo above as I have used it often when visiting our daughter, Anna. It features Wide Chevron which is a dynamic stitch taken from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. You can find more details about Anna’s pattern here.
So although there are wonderful blankets, throws and afghans in the shops, I would always prefer to have a hand-made version instead. They are often warmer too, as hand-knit yarns tend to be loftier and warmer than a commercial company might use.
I can, for example, vouch for the warmth of the Laurie Blanket in the photo above as I have used it often when visiting our daughter, Anna. It features Wide Chevron which is a dynamic stitch taken from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. You can find more details about Anna’s pattern here.
I found a sewing site the other day called Kollabora and saw a quote that resonated with me:
| "If you have ever made anything, you know how good it feels: looking at it, wearing it, hearing others' praises for it. It becomes part of you. We are what we make.” |
I couldn’t have said it better. It feels good for the soul and it's good for the environment too! Making something from scratch or repurposing an item that would otherwise be cast‐off and thrown away just feels like the right thing to do.
Definitely encouragement, if any were needed, to get out the knitting needles and plan some wonderful projects for the year ahead! Oh and that’s me in a cable sweater I finished not long back. It is also a lovely reminder of what trees look like with leaves on, isn’t it!
If you’d like to see more of Anna’s wonderful patterns, you can find them in her Ravelry shop here, and she also has a delightful range of children’s patterns and finished items on her website. So please make sure to check those out too.
Until next time – Happy Hand Knitting!
Moira
Definitely encouragement, if any were needed, to get out the knitting needles and plan some wonderful projects for the year ahead! Oh and that’s me in a cable sweater I finished not long back. It is also a lovely reminder of what trees look like with leaves on, isn’t it!
If you’d like to see more of Anna’s wonderful patterns, you can find them in her Ravelry shop here, and she also has a delightful range of children’s patterns and finished items on her website. So please make sure to check those out too.
Until next time – Happy Hand Knitting!
Moira
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Keywords: Notes & Travels,
handmade, knitting, knitting for the home, wool,
handmade, knitting, knitting for the home, wool,
