knitting – A Cottage Crafter

Update on what I’m making

Hi all, I have been working hard behind the scene to complete something that I have started!

I have quite a few on the go and I really do need to stop my head from turning into a crazy mad woman haha.

I have a hexagon cardigan that both sides have been started and I could finish it in one to two days!
I have a crochet t-shirt that I tried to get finished before the sun went down on Sunday.
I started a sock pattern that turned into a bed sock as it was far too bulky.
I started another sock pattern but it wouldn’t go round my feet and I’m really thinking it should be pulled back a bit and made into mittens (hmmm, I wonder?)
I’m on with a lovely pair of fingerless mittens that I think look absolutely fabulous but I just can’t seem to get the pattern on the thumb part to look right!
I have a sewing project of making as many heat pads as I can create and sell for a way to save water and to stop rubber hitting our landfill sites.
Another sewing project of handkerchiefs, also to help the environment from too much waste.
I have started (last night) to make a 0-3 month cardigan for my friends that have informed me that they are expecting their first baby.
For the last 4 years I have had a shawl on the go and I must finish it sometime.
And I have lots of cotton yarn that I make into dishcloths. Another great idea I have to be more eco friendly.

I seem to have many great ideas and need to focus on just the one thing really.

It’s such hard work trying to work out what I should make first, but I will eventually I will get to the finish line with some of the projects. I think I will have at least 4 completed before the end of September! What do you think?

So there you have a preview of some of the things I’m currently working on.

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think is going to be the first finished.

See you again soon blogger friends

ZJ xoxo

Sock Happy

Well I’ve just finished another sock. As always, I am very pleased and happy with the outcome.

It’s a sense of achievement, a pure happiness that I’ve created this masterpiece!

It’s a delight to see. Very soon, I will be writing this pattern up and advertising it on my website.

I mean, just look at them. Just pure beauty in a sock!

There’s nothing better than a great pair of socks to keep your feet toasty and warm throughout these cold days ☺️

If you would like a copy of this pattern, then please share your interest.

Stay happy xoxo

Teaching Knitting at groups

I’ve always loved knitting from a young age and it was back then drilled into me that women needed to learn the skill along with sewing to create clothing for the family. So I learnt.

Knitting as a child was hard work. Trying to find the right time to learn from my mother or grandmother when they were busy with housework or my siblings and also preparing food. So I made it my aim to learn every Saturday if my mother wasn’t too tired from work or on Sunday after church if my grandmother wasn’t busy. But when they tried to teach me I got in a mess and couldn’t quite get the hang of it. So I picked up some patterns and dreamt of knitting and then I saw the folder with the answer, step by step pictures of how to knit. I was in my element when I saw them and borrowed some needles and a scrap ball of wool and set to work.

One I had got through all the pictures, I stood back in amazement. There, at 4 years of age, I was knitting! How proud I felt.

Since then I’ve been slowly developing my skills and knit many items for my children and other people.

Lockdown was hard for many people, but I was able to improve my knowledge of knitting and started making tricky items that I would not have wanted to do before.

I made many items, and some I sold. I’ve enjoyed knitting and have become the local sock knitter! Now, I want to teach my skills to people who want to learn.

So, very soon, I will be hosting a crafters group where I can teach people of different ages. I’m currently designing my very own beginner knitting packs that can be done together as a group or alone at home.

For anyone who is interested in joining my group, please let me know. It will be taking place in Grimsby and I will be finding the ideal place soon.

Pattern testing

I’ve always wanted people to pattern test my products but never seemed successful in gaining candidates for the challenge!

So I’ve started the other way round instead. I’ve become a pattern tester to get to learn how the person gains their fan base and get those all important pattern testers!

It will become more obvious to me one day I’m sure but for now I’m getting all the research done to get me to the right place. It’s not an easy task really and I don’t want to put myself out there and then have all the nasties bombarding me with evil stuff! That’s not me, I’m looking for the same thing every pattern creator wants and that’s to have their pattern tested and that the public gets excited for the newest patterns and that all important release date!

I will get there I’m sure. But this is such a hard task and even harder when you don’t really know how to get to that finishing point.

If anyone knows how to get this help better, please let me know. I’ve just recently joined “yarnpond” but I think there has to be some funds involved somewhere. This (funds) I have not got as of yet!

I feel like I’ve just ranted all the way through this, I apologise for that. But in the meantime I’m casting on for a lovely lovely project called the hidden doorway tank by Janice Allen from ellevate designs. You can check out her creations on Instagram @ellevate_designs