Monday, June 24, 2013

Renewed, refreshed, recycled... and kind of new.

I may be a little quiet over here in blog-land lately, but I'm still alive... tinkering away at a few new ideas, following up a few conversations, sleeping a bit, knitting, revamping a few patterns to make them downloadable pdfs...
 
 The Belle was originally written in 2005.  Unlike most of my other patterns, it hadn't been tweaked since it was released.  

Although it was heartening to see how much my pattern-writing skills have improved since then, and how much I've improved my methods, it was a can of worms, once I opened it up and started fixing things. There were mutterings about whose idea it was to go poking around in old patterns, anyway.

I pretty-much rewrote the whole thing.  I took new photos.  I made it better, faster, stronger....
 
I had some fabulous pattern-testers test it for me.  You can see the results of Anna's pattern-testing here.

I'm thinking the Belle would make a really good carry-bag for crochet or circular-knitting projects. (This is possibly because I'm a bit obsessed with all things yarn right now, and I seem to look at everything with a view to its ability to carry crochet or circular-knitting projects....)
 

In other revamping news, Melbourne has turned cold, cold, cold.... and the girleen and I are rarely seen outdoors without a beret.   Both the adults and kids berets are available as a pdf or as a paper pattern now.  I love making berets - instant-gratification sewing for instant-glamour and snuggly warmth.  Satisfaction all 'round.

The girleen hasn't stood still long enough for me to photograph her in the current favourite (which is the blue wool one I made when I revamped the pattern instructions), so I dug out some of the original photos ....awwww......my little pre-school girl.... 
 
 And in between there are edits and rewrites, and plans for new patterns....
 
There are also a few new dates scheduled for classes in my Northcote studio, and a few dates in Addicted to Fabric in Canberra.  Do come!
 
And in between that, I'm knitting.
 
 
 
 
 

7 comments:

A Peppermint Penguin said...

slacking as usual then.

PS I tried glass paper (proper tracing paper not tissue) and a leather needle. still not quite there.

Lola Nova said...

Looking good! I am also in a bit of awe over your knittery. It is super gorgeous! As for me, nothing of note on the crafty front, really must get to work!

Annie said...

Love the crotchet bag! I've also become yarn obsessed lately...must be the weather. Looking forward to hols

Breakfast Jo said...

Hello knitty stranger! Knitting and winter in Melb jusy seem to go hand in hand. Love the beret. Unfortunately, hats and l dont look right. however, if you sewed a scarf......
My project has been a blue leather clutch made from, yes, recycled leather, a Chino bag flap that mysteriousley came up too small on another bag and a recycled chain. My first leather adventure!
Can't wait to see what else you come up with in the pattern dept.

Fer said...

I think you're right about that Belle bag! Any excuse to carry one's knitting/crochet around is a good excuse.

Kelly Fox said...

Love your work! Giving me some inspiration to get back in my sewing room and tackle some projects.

Katy Cameron said...

Hmm, I really don't think you have time for that sleeping lark ;o)