Delivery Day!

An early morning phone call surprised us with the news yesterday that Volume 2 of A Stitch in Time was on its way to us and would be with us that day. It was all very exciting and Gavin raced off to the Studio to await the new arrival. We were also expecting a delivery of 100s of packaging boxes so I had to stay at home and wait for them.

I paced up and down, I jumped around and did a little dance as my nervous energy built and built. Eventually the call came from Gavin telling me the delivery had arrived.

Copyright Susan Crawford 2011

When I got there the unloading had almost finished with only 3 pallets remaining on the lorry. This is the friendly delivery man, who had the enormous task of manouvering all the pallets out of the van, down the drive and into the studio.

Copyright Susan Crawford 2011

This is what the room looked like as it began to fill up. And then the moment the delivery was complete the first box was opened. And here it is:

Copyright Susan Crawford 2011

400 pages of loveliness.

Copyright Susan Crawford 2011

Copyright Gavin Crawford 2011

And here I am exhausted and very shabby holding the first copy of A Stitch in Time Vol 2. Please excuse my tattiness. I didn't sleep the night before and as I've mentioned before we have no heating at the studio yet and we were moving 1000's of books around so I wasn't really dressed for an official photograph!

So then the first chance to actually look through the pages of our beautiful book -

Copyright Gavin Crawford 2011

Copyright Gavin Crawford 2011

Copyright Gavin Crawford 2011

It is everything I hoped and more. There were many times in this two year process when I doubted if we would actually get to this point as so much seemed to go against us but at the very end everything worked like clockwork and we have the most stunningly beautiful treasury of vintage patterns that I could ever have imagined. I love our book and I truly hope you all will too.

For now
Ruby xxx

Buttons and Bows

To celebrate the weekend I thought I would reveal another of my favourite patterns from A Stitch in Time 2. 

This adorable sweater was originally published by Golden Eagle knitting wools in the 1940s, and was knitted in 3 ply 'Polynit'. You can see that the pattern is in quite a state of disrepair, which has helped me make decisions quite a few times when picking the patterns to be included in Volume Two. If a pattern or magazine is 'on its last legs' I feel its important to try and pass on its legacy before anything too terminal happens to it. The pattern states that the colours used should be deep blue, hyacinth, silver grey and cerise. I haven't managed to get exactly those colours but I think we've got quite close with a similar colour scheme of teal, fuschia, silver grey and pink.

Copyright Arbour House Publishing 2010

I have used Biggan Design 4 ply which has got a terrific range of colours available making a garment of this type possible. Its 100% merino and all produced and spun in Australia. The company is based in Brisbane but I believe they are on high ground, are all ok and managing to do business! The main colour needs about 5 x 50gm balls depending on size chosen with just one ball of each of the three complementary colours. The little bows are knitted seperately and sewn into place, so the sweater could be made if preferred, without the bows and even in one colour. I love it just as it is though! The pretty gathered sleeve heads are accentuated with neat little knitted sleeve pads which give the sleeves that bit of oomph. The slightly squared off neckline is very flattering and quite unusual for the period. Finally, its all finished off with a cute little back neck opening with four dainty buttons sewn on.

Copyright Arbour House Publishing 2010

We decided on a bit of an Andrew Sisters vibe for these photos- doesn't Theo look fabulous? Don't forget you can pre-order your copy of A Stitch in Time Volume 2 here.

Have a lovely weekend
for now
Ruby xxx


All images courtesy Arbour House Publishing 2010
Colour photography Susan Crawford

A Stitch in Time Vol 2 Available to Pre-Order Now

The last few days have managed to slow me down a bit, but ultimately we've only ended up about four days late with the exciting news that A Stitch in Time Vol 2 1930-1959 is now available to pre-order. YAY!

Copyright Arbour House Publishing

I've put together a lovely package of goodies to go with the book to thank everyone who pre-orders. There are mini skeins of yarns that are used in the book, including samples of the forthcoming Excelana. There is a fabulous project bag, discount vouchers for yarn shops and for Excelana. There will be a discount code to use if you wish to purchase the Crochet book when it is available and there is a printable gift certificate emailed to you in case you are buying the book for someone else.

The most exciting thing of all for me, is that the book will be hard back (or case bound) and will contain 75 patterns. So its grown a little since Volume 1. More of the designs from the book will be revealed over the next few weeks both here on the blog and on the susancrawfordvintage website. For the eagle eyed amongst you (of which I know there are many) the cover will be exactly the same as shown but without the words 'and crochet'. I'll have a new version of the cover up shortly.

I am always so grateful to everyone who pre-orders as it really helps get a gauge of the interest in a publication and therefore how many books to get printed. As self publishers you obviously choose to take the risk along with the benefits, but it helps tremendously to know there is a market for your product, so again I really appreciate your support.

I hope you love all the goodies offered with the pre-order and that Stitch in Time 2 makes you as happy as its making me!


for now
Ruby xx

A Stitch in Time Vol 2

I feel like I have been waiting a long time to get the chance to show you all this, but here is the first sneeky peek of the cover of Volume Two of A Stitch in Time.

Copyright Susan Crawford 2010

 

 

The  beautiful garment photographed is from the 1930s. The original was also black and silver and I really wanted to try and capture an almost black and white feel to the cover image. I also used some Hollywood style back lighting and of course, it wouldn't have looked half as good without my wonderful model, Theo. I have knitted the garment in Knitshop Mulberry Silk, which drapes beautifully and has a fabulous sheen, exactly what this particular garment needed.

Volume 2 will also contain 60 patterns divided up between the 30s, 40s and 50s in the same format as Volume 1. The book is not yet published but pre-ordering will be available soon with some special limited editions also to be announced.

I will start sharing more teasers with you all very soon.

for now 

Ruby xx

Make, Do and Knit, knitting and making fair

Here in the north west of England, we struggle to find any knitting and crafting events to go to, so a few months ago, my good friend Helen and I, decided to put on a little event of our own, called Make, Do and Knit. Its taking place at the Bluecoat School in Wavertree, Liverpool, which is a grade II listed building. I will be there signing books and also coordinating the fashion shows which along with garments from A Stitch in Time and Vintage Gifts to Knit will be the first glimpse of some of the garments from A Stitch in Time II. This is really exciting for me as I haven't had the chance as yet to see these garments styled or 'alive'.

There are lots of other exciting things happening, including my lovely friend Woolly Wormhead travelling over from Italy for the launch of her new book Twisted Woolly Toppers and also, and most importantly, lovely things to buy from some of my favourite vendors. There's a full list of stalls and further information on the Make, Do and Knit website. We've also got a twitter account @makedoandknit if you want to be kept informed with goings on.

I hope to see some of you there. Do come and say hello won't you?

for now
Ruby xxx

Finally some FO's

I've been so seriously behind in photographing and cataloguing finished objects, but today I managed to take a few photos this morning whilst there was still some natural light available. Since lunchtime there has been a heavy snow laden sky and it has been snowing steadily for a number of hours now.

Before I reveal my FO's a little update on my last post. Unfortunately, no the pigs aren't mine. I intend to have one or two at some point soon but I'm starting with chickens in April and working my way up. Also all the yarn that went from the middle of the room went in a number of directions. Some on top of the bookcases, some into the outhouse/utility/laundry room which fortunately is heated and some at present into the loft whilst it gets sorted.

And now, finally, for some FO's. The first two are from A Stitch in Time. The first is The Rose Jumper, knitted in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (one of the most gorgeous yarns on the planet).



I love the crocheted flowers. The front neckline has small tucks sewn into it under the flowers to improve the drape over the bust.



I have a beautiful wool tweed fabric which has the wheat colour of the jumper running through it, which I am making into a skirt - but its not finished yet.

The second FO from A Stitch in Time is Variation on the Cross Over Line, for which I've used Rowan wool 4 Ply in this lovely old blue. This is a very forgiving sweater and I could possibly have done a size smaller - I did the large - but there is no gape at the front which means I don't have to wear a brooch with it unless I want to.





It is knitted in a really simple rib stitch which creates this great textured fabric with the most phenomenal stretch. And for those of us with an ample bosom it is extremely flattering. The front is knitted in three pieces (four sections) two of which cross over each other as can be seen. The two centre pieces extend over the shoulders to form this triangle detail at the back.



I really think this is a timeless garment. So flattering and wearable.

A while ago I mentioned that one of my designs was in Knits to Share and Care and I was given the garment back the other day so I could belatedly take photos of it.

The design is called Babys Coming Home and is for premature babies to come home from hospital in. Its made using Rowan fine milk cotton so its super soft on the skin and in a natural cream shade. Unfortunately in the book it looks beige - still lovely, but beige.



This is the full set of matinee coat, pants and hat.



This is the detail of the 'triangle' pattern around the yoke, neck and on the hat. The coat is knitted in the round, sleeves are knitted on DPNs.

I have two more FO's from A Stitch in Time waiting to be sewn up and a third on the needles. But taking a break from all this vintage knitting, I found two balls of Rowan Scottish DK lurking around and also this lovely beret pattern on Gudrun's site. I've been wanting a great hat for ages and this really has knitted up beautifully.





I think the yarn almost looks like a rock formation.

Much more to share but now sitting in total darkness so

for now
Ruby xxx

P.S. Update on that Galliano pattern coming soon.

A huge thank you

to everyone who has messaged me both on this blog and privately about my last post. Those comments have meant the world to me and have really helped me regain my motivation and you have no idea how much I appreciate you all taking the time to lend me your support.

The offending items have been removed from ebay and I have managed to stop myself spending the rest of my life trawling through every page of ebay and etsy for more of my designs, and I will carry on doing what I've been doing and more things besides.

No pictures again today as I have also managed to loose the battery charger for my camera. I will get myself sorted shortly I promise.

Spending the weekend with the lovely Jane Waller in her lodge in the woods looking through vintage patterns, ooh, and was interviewed today by Prima magazine for a piece they are doing on shopping in vintage and charity shops. There is to be a 'glamorous' photoshoot in January at one of my favourite shops. Couldn't ask for more.

Have a lovely weekend, whatever the weather.

for now
a back on track
Ruby xxx

Just popped up to say hello

Have been working frantically since I got back from the I Knit day and haven't had a chance to blog at all. I've seen some of the fab photos that were taken on the day - most of them are on the I Knit flickr pool page here.

So what have I been doing? Just like the two weeks before I Knit day, I have spent these last two weeks finishing - sewing up seams, sewing on buttons, knitting button bands and collars, crocheting matching berets, blocking, pressing, darning in ends, measuring and much more.

Another issue of knitonthenet is looming and I have SO much to do I don't want to think about it.

I managed to get a design off to Twist Collective for early next year and I've got a design in Gerard's new book -



which is out later in November. Even more exciting (sorry Gerard) is a date for publication of A Stitch in Time which is November 13th 2008. Knitonthenet's online shop should be ready in the next few days to start taking advance orders.



This is the new cover featuring my beautiful friend Theo on the front cover.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I also did two little designs for the I Knit day programme and I'll be putting one of them on my blog as a free ravelry download in the next few days.

I have also decided to embark on two new research projects -

1. After a number of email conversations after posting the Galliano pattern from Elle magazine on my previous post I am finding out some more about the patterns from the magazine - Will they ever be republished etc? If anyone has any of these Elle patterns I would be very grateful for a scanned image of the photo page with the design number on.

2. I am also going to do some research on how patterns/designs came about in the Woman's Weekly magazines of the 1930's and 1940's. What I would really like to find out is who where the designers and the knitters. How long did they have from concept to completion and how did they work.I think it was an in house team, but I don't really know. If anyone knows or has heard of anyone whose mum or grandmother worked for Woman's Weekly I would love to hear from you.

Finally, I've got a new computer - my lovely IMAC - and its taking time to get myself all transferred over and to get my scanner attached and I haven't got photoshop yet so I'm a bit low on the picture front. I will have some vintage patterns that I bought off ebay to show once I get all my equipment organised and hopefully a September/October competition.

but for now
Ruby xxx

Feeling positive and A Stitch in Time

Spoke to dad and he is feeling very positive. He has already started dealing with things to make sure he gets prompt, correct treatment. So I am determined to be positive too.

I got up really early this morning and enjoyed a gloriously sunny warm start to the day. Had several cups of tea and finished off the first of my gloves



It looked really really small as I was knitting and sewing it up but it fits beautifully when I put it on. Now I've figured out how the fingers work I'll try and photograph the process on the second one as its really interesting, especially as I've only ever made gloves on dpn's before.

The lace pattern looks lovely on the back of the glove. I don't know whether I should embellish it at all or should I leave it as is?



I've made the little finger very slightly too long so may have to adjust it, or grow my fingernail longer!

I can now officially say that I am helping knitonthenet with the republication of 'A Stitch in Time' by Jane Waller. Its a real favorite of mine with lots of original patterns going from the 1920's to the 1940's. I will be helping with knitting, technical editing, pattern corrections etc.

This glove pattern is in the book and the gloves will be being rephotographed and used in the book.

Its extremely exciting and will certainly help to keep me focused.

Finally thank you for everyone's supportive comments. They have really helped me. My stomach is still quietly churning but I'm keeping my mind busy.

for now

Ruby xxx