Month: March 2021

A Winter of Natural Plant Dyeing Experiments: Striking Neons, a few cowpats and a surprise

March 26, 2021

It’s been a while since I posted regarding my natural dyeing experiments so I thought I’d do a round up of the various colours and shades that I’ve been cooking up over the winter months, in anticipation of, and to clear the decks for, the opportunities that spring will bring. Today I will stick to plant dyeing but will also be sharing some mushroom experiments, (spoiler: variable outcomes but some spectacular pictures!), and some lichen … More A Winter of Natural Plant Dyeing Experiments: Striking Neons, a few cowpats and a surprise

An image of the Hand knit Dorotea Cowl photographed on a dress form in front of a old brick wall

New Pattern Release: The Dorotea Cowl

March 19, 2021

Today I’m really excited to share with you my latest pattern release; the Dorotea Cowl. This pattern has been in my head for quite a while so it was really great to get it out of my head, onto, and off my needles and for it to have turned out exactly as I had imagined it first time. For me it combines the need to look good with the need to function well just perfectly. … More New Pattern Release: The Dorotea Cowl

Knitting for the Bodies we have: International Women’s Day 2021

March 8, 2021

When so many of us returned to knitting as part of the sustainable DIY activist movement that empowered makers, how has it been co-opted to perpetuate normative beauty myths and conspicuous consumption? In this post to mark the 26th anniversary of International Women’s Day I want to focus on one of the 12 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration, ‘Women and the Media’ to reflect on how the social media activity of our knitting community ‘plays … More Knitting for the Bodies we have: International Women’s Day 2021

Afterthought Booties Revisited: Origami fun for Knitters

March 1, 2021

It’s been a while since this free pattern was available to knitters so I’m really pleased to be able to rectify that. Pleased in no short measure because it’s reminded me what fun these booties were to knit and make up, and to recall the serendipitous route they took from failed swatch to successful project. Since the pattern was originally released 2013, I’ll take a few moments to explain. Following the publication of my Lovely … More Afterthought Booties Revisited: Origami fun for Knitters