Knitting needle rolls

I've been planning on making these rolls for ages, all my knitting needles have been spilling around in a leather trunk that I use for my wool. Every time I go for a ball of wool or a needle, I have to empty out the trunk and disentangle wool and needles from each other, it's very annoying. For the moment the wool will have to stay in the trunk, I don't have anywhere else to put it, but I figured it would be a good stash-bust to finally get around to making holders for the needles!

I made this little holder for my cable needles and crochet hooks out of vintage floral and birds cotton from Andrew's granny. It was originally a pillow case, isn't the pattern adorable? I bought the Singer sewing machine button at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, years ago, when I went to see an exhibit on Vogue through the ages. The set came with the sewing machine button, some scissors, a needle and some bobbins, all in tiny miniature button form - so cute!





This needle roll I made from a thrifted duvet cover I bought from a charity shop when I was in Aberdeen. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't cut it up for the fabric, it would have made a super-sweet duvet cover, but I do love the material so I'm glad I get to craft with it now!





There are loads of lovely knitting needle rolls on Etsy, far more professional than mine! I would have bought myself one but I'm saving up my pennies at the moment to get a vintage bike serviced and road-worthy, I found it in my tenement garden, it must have been left there by a previous resident. It's mine now anyway and I'm going to get it on the road, just need to save up the cash!

I'm going to start featuring Etsy items that have some link to something I've made, it's a nice way to help out a fellow craftster with some free advertising and will hopefully bring more people to my blog and shop! I'm not going to do it all the time, I think my readers (all 11 of you!) would get a bit bored with constant Etsy items, but it's a good way to gain inspiration for a craft project or a present idea for someone. I'm going to try and feature both larger shops and people just starting out, like me, to try and help drive some custom to the smaller shops. Hopefully it'll help promote my shop at the same time!

So without further ado, here are some of what Etsy has to offer by way of knitting rolls:

This awesome '70s style knitting roll from Sarahkincheloe is so bright and zany, it would definitely make me want to pick up my needles and knit something!



This floral paisley knitting roll from Knit One, Bead Two is MASSIVE! You'd never need to buy another case again I don't think!



I love the wacky bright colours of this roll by Sol Studios, it would definitely cheer you up on a rainy day.

Embroidered wedding presents

I've only tried embroidery once before (and it sucked a little) but I've been inspired by some lovely things I've seen on Etsy recently so I thought I'd have another go.

A work colleague of Andrew's is getting married in August and we've been invited to the evening reception. I don't really know what the protocol is with evening guests and presents but since Andrew will be contributing to the work pool for her present, I thought I'd whip up something simple and quick as a more personal gift. I was going to get a nice card and bag to present it in, make it look a bit more professional!



I was inspired in part by this adorable 'engraved on a tree' embroidered cushion cover from Cosy Blue. Definitely hearted for the next anniversary present!



Speaking of embroidery (and this girl most definitely DOES NOT suck), how amazing are these silk clutches for bridesmaids from Clutch That? I almost feel like the wee birdie might fly away.



I love the idea of embroidering the wedding invitation artwork onto a pillow case as a wedding present, it's so personal. Brought to you by Elle Thornton.

Calvin and Hobbes tote

I've had this t-shirt for years now, I traded for it with a girl on thriftstore thinking I would alter it to wear (it was a men's XL). Unfortunately though, my skills with stretch jersey are slim to none and so it's languished in my 'clothes to alter' trunk for the past few years. I was planning on digging it out once I learn how to alter t-shirts so I don't end up "looking like a whore" (thanks Mum!) but I really want to use it sometime before 2017 and so I thought I'd make it into a tote instead.

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, the fabric is a little bulky so it's not terribly practical to fold into a bag in case I need a shopping bag but it's perfect for slinging over my shoulder for a quick trip to Scotmid. I've used it pretty much every other day since I made it, so that makes it a success in my mind!





Lined with Ikea red stripy ticking:

Shop update

Here are some of the latest additions to my Etsy shop. I especially love the wallet, I'm almost tempted to keep it for myself!

Date-free leather bound diary



Leather wallet stamped with 'K.E'



Vintage Emsa West German butter dish

Wardrobe Refashion

Oh my goodness. I just found Wardrobe Refashion and it. is. amazing. It's basically everything that I've been talking about here about clothes and sewing my own wardrobe plus everything that's been randomly bouncing around my head about things I'd like to make and how clothes define you and...and...and...gah, if only I had the words.

But, without further ado, I am most definitely signing up the The Pledge.

I Amy Taylor pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of for the foreseeable future. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed Amy.

Now I'm off to read the past 3 years worth of Wardrobe Refashion blog posts...

Shop update

I've been plodding along on the wedding quilt for a few weeks now, it's slowly growing. It occurred to me one day, whilst idly arranging the finished squares on the lounge floor, that they're all mainly blues and green except this one random bright pink square! It looked a bit strange, so I thought I'd have a bash at turning it into a cushion cover. I've just learned how to do zips and square-edged corners and I was pretty pleased with how this one turned out! So pleased in fact that it's ended up in my Etsy shop ♥

Sandals, how I love thee

So, from the Great Wardrobe Sort of 2010, I can now officially cross 'sandals' and white blouse off the list. Y'know, I'm a terrible person and I forgot to mention in my post about the blouse that I bought it off Etsy from Cherry Bloom Vintage, who I would thoroughly recommend. Another shop I would definitely recommend is Lousy Beatnik, who I bought these adorable sandals from. They're vintage leather and fit perfectly, though they're going to take a bit of breaking in I think, my foot keeps sliding to the back of the shoe. I love them though, they go with trousers and will soon go with skirts and shorts too, just as soon as I get my act together and make myself some.



The updated list of 'to make or buy':
♥ Alter the camisole so it fits
♥ Knit pair of winter gloves
♥ Buy or make a swimming costume
♥ 2 pretty bras and a sports bra
♥ Pair of jeans/trousers for flat shoes
♥ Pair of winter trousers for flat shoes
♥ Pair of cords
♥ A cardigan
♥ A summer skirt
♥ A summer dress to wear with belts
♥ White/cream blouse
♥ Sandals
♥ Tank tops in various colours but starting with white, green or purple
♥ T-shirts in the above colours
♥ Another going out top or dress

The Great Wardrobe Sort of 2010

So I've been talking a lot lately about sorting my wardrobe. I've been reading a lot on other blogs and in books (books! GASP!) about having a 'capsule' wardobe, a wardrobe where everything goes with everything else to create a look that perfectly defines you, or at least how you want to be seen that day. I want smart but quirky outfits for work, pretty and romantic clothes for the summer, warm but stylish looks for the winter, practical but chic outfits for dog walking and gardening and other 'down and dirty' activities (raises eyebrows...).

More than anything else, I want to feel like a Grown Up. You know the type, the one who looks good all the time, regardless of the activity. The one with the cute hair, matte smooth skin and perfect make up. The one with the clothes that are quirky and unique and yet classic and timeless. The one who doesn't sit on a Wednesday night watching the Simpsons slumped on the sofa with a large bowl of pasta and garlic bread in front of her, whilst simultaneously poking her belly and complaining to her boyfriend that she's not toned and svelte like Natalie Portman.

Basically I want to be Coco Chanel.

Sigh.

I been feeling over the last year that my style has been changing, I'm moving away from the 'I buy everything in charity shops to avoid sweatshops' look (which I still subscribe to in my head) and want to start looking a bit more...put together. I want clothes that suit me in style, size and colour. I want to be able to go to my wardrobe in the morning and find everything goes with everything else, rather than the age-old dilemma of "I want to wear this jumper, but it only goes with that t-shirt, which is in the wash. But if I wear this jumper instead, then I have to change my trousers and I don't have any shoes that go with the second pair of trousers but then I don't have a jacket that goes with the first pair..." and so on.

I have come to the conclusion that the way round this problem is to make my own wardrobe. Although it means more time and effort than just going out and buying something, it means I can still stick to my original avoidance of sweatshops as much as possible (obviously if you're buying material then it will probably have been made by a penniless 5 year old in China but you have to draw the line somewhere), hopefully save money and end up with a wardrobe where I can choose exactly the styles and colours of each item. No more wandering hopelessly round the shops looking for the perfect white blouse or summer skirt, I can choose the pattern and material and knock it up myself.

I've been reading the wardrobe, reimagined and the author there suggests a number of criteria when choosing or making clothes (paraphrased by myself):

♥ The Rule of Three - each item must either match 3 other things in the wardrobe or be worn at least three times.
♥ The Remake Rule - each pattern must be versatile enough to be made again
♥ Stash Bust - brownie points if you use fabric from your stash

I like these rules, they're quick and easy to remember and will definitely help me choose my patterns and materials wisely. To help this even further, I went through my wardrobe and did an inventory. This is written here mainly for myself, but feel free to read away if it interests you!

♥ Lingerie. Everyone needs nice pants right? I thought I had 8 pairs of nice pants, the sexy seductive kind...except 4 pairs were dreadful. So in the bin they went. Also 3 matching camisoles-and-pants, one of which needs altering. Inventory: 4 pairs of nice knickers and 2 and a half matching sets.
♥ Normal every day pants. Wow, I have a lot of these pants! And wow, so many of them were horrible. 7 were kept, 14 are in stages of removal (by which I mean, I'll be operating a one-in-one-out policy). Inventory: 7 pairs of nice normal pants.
♥ Socks = plenty. Thank you Mum!
♥ Tights. Oh the shame here. 8 pairs, 1 bright neon pink (in the bin, hanging head in shame for owning these at all), 1 purple (hole in crotch, into bin), 1 weird salmon coloured (thank you Topshop and your strange definition of 'skin coloured'. Off to car boot sale). 2 brown, one with small ladders, 1 navy, 1 black (both 100 denier, what is wrong with me?!), 1 actual skin coloured. Inventory: 5 pairs of tights, the 100 denier to be replaced with a more Grown Up thickness.
♥ Gloves - 4 pairs. 1 handmade, 1 riding, 2 leather (one of which was from Andrew's gran and so I can't get rid of, even though I don't like them or wear them). Inventory: 2 pairs of wearable gloves, no wooly gloves.
♥ 1 ugly swimming costume. Buy or make another then ditch this one.
♥ 5 bras: 3 boring practical, 1 pretty, 1 strapless. Inventory: needs at least 2 more pretty bras and a sports bra.
♥ 7 summer scarves, only ever wear one. Need more outfits that go with these scarves.
♥ Trousers. 3 pairs of jeans, 1 with hole in crotch (straight into bin). 1 every day pair long enough for boots, 1 rough pair for the garden. Need another pair for wearing with flat shoes. 1 pair of cords that don't really fit - into the 'salvage the fabric' pile. 1 pair of work trousers and 1 wool pair for winter (to wear with boots). Need another winter pair for flat shoes and another pair of cords. Inventory: 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of work trousers, 1 pair of winter trousers. 1 pair of rough trousers.
♥ Sorted for pyjamas, sports kit and thermals (again, thanks Mum!)
♥ Jumpers. 2 wool for work (falling to bits but doesn't matter too much with animals). 1 cashmere jumper that doesn't suit me but is warm and I sleep in it sometimes. 1 sweater vest that I don't wear enough. 1 short sleeved fairisle that I never get to wear because it's a bit short. 11 jumpers - 3 are fit to wear (but need more things to go with them - white/cream blouse to start), 8 are too small or too large but I like so need to alter. I need to sort these jumpers, there's nothing here that works, everything is either too small, too large, too short, the wrong colour, the wrong type of neckline...Inventory: not sure, we'll see how things pan out.
♥ Skirts - 2 wool, one short for going out, one long for uni. Neither are suitable for summer.

To make or buy:
♥ Alter the camisole so it fits
♥ Knit pair of winter gloves
♥ Buy or make a swimming costume
♥ 2 pretty bras and a sports bra
♥ Pair of jeans/trousers for flat shoes
♥ Pair of winter trousers for flat shoes
♥ Pair of cords
♥ At cardigans
♥ A summer skirt
♥ A summer dress to wear with belts
♥ White/cream blouse
♥ Sandals
♥ Tank tops in various colours but starting with white, green or purple
♥ T-shirts in the above colours
♥ Another going out top or dress

I have several nice belts that I never get to wear, so outfits that go with belts would be a bonus. For the moment I think I'm sorted for bags but I need to go through shoes yet, I'm just putting it off because I can't make shoes and they're expensive to buy. So I'll make do with what I've got for the moment.

It's a bit incoherent and messy, but I think having made a list, over the coming months when I start buying or making clothes, it'll start coming together. It's just to give me a vague idea of where to start and to give me something to look back on as I go.

New wardrobe

As I've mentioned before, I'm in the process of sorting my wardrobe. This basically involves getting rid of anything that I don't wear/doesn't suit me/I bought because it was cheap in a charity shop and starting to make and buy a wardrobe that I like and wear. I've got an inventory post to come, from when I first went through and sorted my clothes but it'll be a long post to write and I should be studying right now.

So instead, we'll start the story a few chapters in, at the acquiring-new-clothes part (which, lets be honest, is everyone's favourite part anyway). I decided while I was sorting that what I need to bring a few jumpers out more is a white or cream blouse. You know the jumpers, everyone's got them, the colours are difficult to match with a t-shirt or the collar is too low or too high so any t-shirt worn underneath either doesn't get seen (if the collar is too high and thus you look like you've not got anything on underneath) or you see too much of it, including the print on the front that doesn't go with the jumper. So I scoured Etsy and used the money in my paypal from my latest sale to buy this little gem:



It's super cute, from the 1960s according to the seller. It's cream, with petal sleeves (that don't make me feel like I've got super butch arms so score there) and cute embroidery around the sleeves and pocket. The collar is plain though, which is what I wanted, so it'll go with a variety of different jumpers. So far I've worn it out to lunch with my friend Fiona and she instantly noticed it was new and complimented me on it, so overall a success!

Right, the full story of the wardrobe sort will be coming in the new few days, promise!

Mohair baby blanket

I've had this wool for ages and didn't know what to do with it. I've started projects twice now and always ended up running out of wool mid-way and having to undo it. So, the other day I thought, "why not make a baby blanket?". There's enough wool for a little blanket, just perfect size for a comforter or warm outer layer in a pram. You can see it in my shop over here.

Vintage knitting patterns

I've been gradually trying to tidy up my sewing area (with emphasis on the word 'gradually') and came across these knitting patterns. I'm not sure why I've been saving them for so long, since most of them aren't my style or size, but I do love the poses of the people on the front. So they've ended up in my shop, I hope they'll catch someone elses' eye.

Cabled scarf mark II

Once upon a time, a girl knitted herself a warm, snuggly, cabled scarf. Then, after many years of faithful service, the poor scarf was carelessly abandoned by the girl in a pub on Christmas Eve. The girl cried and cried over her loss, then dried her eyes and set about making another identical scarf but in a different colour. For hours and hours she slaved over the scarf, until one day it was finished:



"Hmm, what this scarf needs is some matching gloves and a matching hat" thought the girl and so she set about knitting herself them as well.

And they all lived happily ever after. ♥

Charity shop wool

I bought this wool whilst in Exeter for Frances' wedding, it was £1 a ball so I bought 7 for £6 (the guy gave me the last ball free since I didn't have enough money in my wallet!). Vicky bought 4 balls as well so I'm excited to see what she makes of it!

I decided I wanted a warm cardigan that I could throw on over whatever I was wearing at the time, I used to have an amazing bright red Gap wool cardigan that I bought from Vicky but my Mum shrunk it in the wash and I've missed it ever since. I still want to make something thinner and less chunky but for my second attempt at knitting clothing, I wanted something simple I could take away on placement with me. I chose the Cozy Bolero pattern from Ravelry and it was perfect. It took me 2 attempts (the first version came out a bit small so is off to the car boot sale unless anyone reading this who is a size 8 with slim arms (Vicky?) would like to have it) but it was definitely worth persevering, I wear the finished product all the time now. I tend to just throw it on over a t-shirt when I'm cold in the house but I'm excited to wear it out when uni starts again in September, it's a bit warm for it at the moment.

Another thing I like about it is that it's got no fastening, so it gives me an opportunity to use some of the belts and brooches that I never get round to wearing. You could obviously modify the pattern to include button holes but I chose not to. Instead I made the sleeves full length instead of 3/4 and made the back long enough to come to my waist, rather than stopping mid-back as the pattern specifies. I reckon it would make a lovely wedding or evening bolero though if you followed the pattern and used a fancy wool.

With my electric blue thrifted vintage belt:


With my vintage RAF belt:


With one of my Gran's brooches:


Apologies for the mildly pretentious 'staring off into the middle distance' photos, Andrew took 25 photos of me in various poses and I looked a complete moron in every position but this one.

Vintage gloves

How amazing is this pattern?! I love her make up and her clothes, she's so perfectly '40s. I hope someone buys her soon!

MJ's cushions

Back in January, I went to stay for a weekend on MJ's farm in the Borders with Heather. We spent the weekend walking by the Tweed, skimming stones, eating cake, drinking wine and sitting by the log-burning stove. It was lovely.

While I was there, MJ was saying that her Mum was planning a big clear out of the house, seeing as they now have at least 3 generations worth of stuff and barely any of it is used any more. Fast-forward to April and Mary Jane arrives at my flat with not one but two MASSIVE sacks of fabric, it was like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one!

There were duvets, sheets, linens and fabric in there, as well as some amazing vintage annuals that I'm planning on turning into notebooks. I bought some lovely tweed off her as well so now my fabric stash has grown and Andrew is rolling his eyes. Besides the tweed, Mrs Fleming gave it all to me for free and to thank her, I made her some cushions for their summer house. The fabric was off her grandfather's bedspread so it was really nice to make something for someone that has a real sentimental value. I hope these went down well!

Hedgehogs and tea

Hedgehogs and tea might be the best combination of things in the whole world. How adorable is this tea cosy?! My friend Danica gave it to me for my birthday, which was fitting because it was a ladies' afternoon tea party. I baked scones to have with cream and jam, mississippi mud pie and made salmon and cream cheese oatcakes, ham sandwiches and egg mayo sandwiches (with the crusts cut off obviously). My uni friends brought homebaked cheese cake, victoria sponge with fresh cream and raspberries and fruit salad whilst Franca of Oranges and Apples brought yummy pistachio cupcakes and Claira of Vertiline in Love brought flapjacks and chocolate crunch, all wrapped up in a super pretty box. We had SO MUCH food, it was amazing.

The wonderful new tea cosy:


Andrew with said cosy on his head:


The food! There was more than this, I couldn't fit it all into one shot!


P.S. Made another Etsy sale today! The Aviator jacket has gone to a new home!

Wedding quilt in progress

Just a short little post today because I am hungover. But! before you judge me and my lack of self control, it was MJ's engagement drinks last night so it would have been rude not to have a drink. Or three.

Anyway, speaking of weddings, here's one wedding present in progress (I have 3 weddings so far for next year so in case any of you are reading this, you don't know who is getting it yet!). It's a quilt, loosely based on the log cabin design and I need 36 of the squares to finish. I've done 9 so far and I've got a year to go so I'm not too worried. Just got to think of presents for the other 2 couples now...

Start of the wardrobe sorting...

So, I Sorted My Wardrobe the other day. This deserves capitals because it was emotionally draining on everyone involved (namely Andrew and I) and sparked a tiny row when Andrew didn't, in my mind, express enough interest in the process.

Anyway, I'm not going to talk about it just yet (it's just...too...painful...) but a few exciting things came to light that I thought I should photograph and blog about before I send them on to the Big Wardrobe In The Sky.

My first attempt at gloves. I knitted them from a pattern but miscounted the rows in some of the fingers, meaning some fingers are far too long and others are far too short. I don't know if the photo makes it clear enough but the index finger on the left hand is at least 2 inches too long, making me look like I'm wearing one of those polystyrene giant hands you get at baseball games. Anyway, I wore them all last winter and am now binning them since I'm knitting myself some chunky cabled gloves to match my chunky cabled scarf (which is finished by the way, just waiting on the weekend so Andrew can take some photos of me wearing it).



My first (and possibly last) attempt at making pants. I know what you're thinking right now, "seriously?! Isn't life too short to make your own pants?!". Well, I'm not going to correct you, these were a giant pain in the bum (ho. ho. ho.). But still, there's something very satisfying about making your own pants, especially when you're recycling old t-shirts at the same time. I'm pretty certain the idea came from this book, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, I've worn these pants a lot, including once to a wedding where I got drunk and showed them off to a group of people who didn't believe I was wearing homemade pants. These are also the pants that inspired my Dad to introduce me to my cousin's fiancé for the first time as, "This is my daughter Amy, she makes her own pants". The poor girl wasn't the type to appreciate that either, being of a Radley-bag-and-Debenhams-account persuasion.
Now I've discovered the wonder that is American Apparel jersey boy briefs (awesomely bright colours, super comfy AND sweatshop free), I have no need to make my own pants any more. Which isn't to say I won't do it again for the fun of it of course.

2 most recent sales

I haven't made a sale on Etsy in about a month now, which is fine since I only really starting listing things again in the past few days. It would be nice to make a sale though, only because I have my eye on a pair of vintage sandals!

Here were my 2 most recent sales though. I was really surprised by the mustard cardigan, I bought it almost as a joke because it was so ridiculous, but it was snapped up within a week of being listed! The grey scarf as the same, not in being ridiculous but in being bought within days of being listed. I guess sometimes you're just lucky!