Meet the Girls

There have been a number of reasons why my blogging is somewhat erratic at the moment and hopefully these will gradually sort themselves out, however, a very positive reason why I didn't blog over the Easter holidays was the arrival of these four lovely ladies.

Gertie



Dolly



Peggy Sue



& Betty



They are 19 weeks old and in three days we have already had three eggs. They have settled in wonderfully and are completely captivating and have absorbed me totally over the long weekend taking my mind off more worrying matters. Dolly and Peggy Sue are like peas in a pod and follow each other round. Dolly actually has more black feathers in her tail than Peggy Sue so you can tell the difference. Gertie is the oldest and has already got her comb, but the other three aren't far behind. She's definately the boss but the others are getting more confident each day.

I will be back in a couple of days with a 1940s evening dress - finished, Two garments out of Stitch in Time - finished, Galliano sweater - sewing up in progress, Mary Quant original 1960s sweater dress - sewing up in progress.

Take care everyone,
speak very soon,
for now
Ruby xxx

New Designs and a Big Thank You

Thank you everyone for all your kind and uplifting comments both here on the blog, to my email and on ravelry. You all really helped to lift my spirits this week and give me the boost to get through. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the best.

I will be working away for the rest of the week at the Stitch & Craft show at Olympia in London but before I go I wanted to share three new designs which I have just released on the new issue of knitonthenet.

The first of the three is my somewhat delayed Celia's Gloves pattern. This pattern went missing three months ago and I finally managed to get it rewritten in time for this issue.



These gloves use a single repeat of the lace pattern from my Celia Scarf pattern.
The gloves are made from the same Garn Studio Drops Alpaca but the pattern is extremely versatile. When I was reworking the pattern I used some left over 4 ply tweed and it looked fabulous.

The next design is Miss Moneypenny, so named after the character in James Bond, who I thought really summed up ladylike glamour.



I had come across a pattern in an early 1930s magazine featuring a ribbed garment made on very big needles. What they had done though was use a thick aran weight yarn, knitted it on bigger needles than normal and pressed it out. The result was a bit mixed. But it got me thinking that if the designers of that period had had access to the super chunky yarns that we do now, they would probably have given them a go from time to time. So I decided to create my own 'period' big wool garment using Twinkle Super Chunky. To avoid unsightly seaming I have knitted this in one piece to the underarms, including the button bands, separated for the upper body, then work a three needle bind off at the shoulders. The collar is 'grown on' with decreased worked to shape it into the neck and short rows worked to create the collar points. The collar stands up at the back without creating bulk. The sleeves are knitted separately and sewn on as I didn't want a yoke to the upper body and I wanted some bulk in the sleeve head to create body.

This is the view from the back, which I feel also gives it a sort of 1980s, Anthony Price look to it. Might be my imagination!



The final design is Quadrato. This means square in italian, so it is a square scarf, but this doesn't sound half as interesting as Quadrato. I have given this pattern as a chart as it didn't make sense to try and write it out line by line. Initially I found this quite daunting, not because I find charts a problem, but because I write them out on squared paper and I find the jump to working chart on the computer quite a challenge. However, once we had the rows and columns drawn up and a key devised it was really quite simple. I'm glad it was a single sized square though. Made things a lot easier.

Quadrato can be worn around the neck (at the front or back)



or as a headscarf



I love this photo of the lovely Vicky, and I love the way the texture of the Rowan Yorkshire Tweed really stands out on the image. I love Yorkshire Tweed, I wish Rowan hadn't discontinued it.

However, after three hours sleep last night to get all this done, I am off to bed ready for an early start for the 4/5 hour drive to London in the morning.

for now
Ruby xx

A little post

I'm not very good at blogging when life is troublesome or getting me down as these things aren't what my blog is about, and when I am wrapped up in lots and lots of work and decisions and problems and stress, all of which depress me, I just find it impossible. Also, its not what I want to write about. My blog, for me, is about creativity and fashion and inspiration and I don't want to fill it with my depressed ramblings. So I'm not going to burden and bore you all with what life is throwing at us at the moment, but just apologise if service is occasionally interrupted for a while.

There are good things to talk about which I will work through over the next few weeks:

I'm are featured in April's Prima magazine talking about vintage clothes. There is a gorgeous full page photo of me and Charlie which I've asked for permission to use but haven't heard back yet. This is the photoshoot that was being done several weeks ago.
I can't get over how lovely the photo is. I normally hate any photo of me and far prefer to be taking them.

knitonthenet should be online this week and its looking fantastic. I'm getting more and more into 'fashion' (clothing, basically) photography and am learning how to use studio lighting a bit more with each session. I'm quite surprised how much I like studio work (I say studio, I mean the house extension) as I always thought I preferred natural shots, but I have found I like the control over the conditions that studio and lights give you.

The Celia gloves pattern will finally be ready and in this issue, along with two other of my designs.

The Galliano pattern is nearly finished. All the pieces are knitted (photos to follow soon). However, I am going to knit it again as we have had to basically rewrite the pattern. Another lady has also been knitting the sweater and I will compare our patterns and then write a final version. If anyone wants to have a go at this once I'm at that stage I'll prepare it as a proper pattern. It will still be a WIP I am sure and open to change and suggestions.

I will get the spats pattern written up and put on the blog once I come back from London. I will be working at the Stitch and Craft show in Olympia from Wednesday to Sunday next week so probably no blogging! There will be lots of friendly faces there. The lovely Theo is working on Sunday, my friends Larissa, Lazykate and Biggan will be popping in and the lovely Jane Waller will be there from Thursday through to Sunday too. It will be a hard working show but I'm looking forward to spending time with so many friends. Theo and I have lots of out of hours plans too, and hope to get to I Knit on the Thursday night. (If you are interested in coming to the Stitch and Craft show, there will be a draw on knitonthenet to win free tickets).

Speak very soon,

love Ruby xxx

If

you were to ask me details about what I have been doing the last two weeks since I last blogged I would be hard pressed to tell you. Except to say I have been busy, very busy. Knitting for knitonthenet, sewing for me, catching up on all sorts of things in the house and accounts (yuck), pattern writing, tech editing, answering emails etc., and the two weeks have just disappeared. For the last two days I have been writing almost constantly, preparing for a talk I'm giving. I have, however, been continuing to go through my patterns, making bigger and bigger piles for each decade right up to 1959, which is where I came across these little beauties. The answer to that perennial question at this time of year "Do I really need boots on, but its too cold for shoes?"

The answer is "No you don't need boots, you need Spats!"



This pattern is in a Stitchcraft from 1959 and is in a fashion supplement direct from Paris. The spats go over the shoe and are held with elastic under the sole. I will share the full pattern if you really want me to when I return in a few days after my talk, a visit to the Knitting Resource Library at Winchester School of Art and a trip to see my lovely uncle Tom who is unfortunately very poorly.

See you all in a few days,

for now
Ruby xxx

Edit: I have just found out I will be making a pair of these for my daughter when I get back, so if anyone would like to join me in a SPATKAL do let me know.

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.

Before and After

The ongoing internet router dilemma forced a huge move round, sort out, re-organise of rooms in the house and has left me with my computer still in the kitchen now on its own little table for now, BUT with a lovely work room/studio. I thought it would be best to show you the transition visually, beginning naturally with before...










And after...



somewhere comfortable and relaxing to sit



a work table with space on it to work








shelves of inspiration



Ruby nana's sewing machine, still in working order



An early 1960s LBD,



The original 1930s fireplace newly opened up.

So now you know what exciting stuff I've been up to for the last couple of weeks! However a new sense of calm and purpose is beginning to surface from my post new year blues, all that sorting has done me good. I will leave you with this photo that I found on my camera, taken on January 2nd when the piglets where only 2 days old.



You can just see this little chappie waking up his mum by butting her in the snout! whilst the others sleep under their heat lamp.

for now
Ruby xx

The Internet and I

have a real love hate relationship. But at the moment its mainly the latter. Shortly before christmas my lovely Mac was moved from its temporary home on the table into the front room, which is to be my study/library/workroom. Now we've had problems with internet access in there previously when I had my old laptop and thought the problem was the computer, but since my Mac got moved I have barely been able to get on the internet. Its temporarily reconnected now and again for a few minutes at a time and then gone off again. I became convinced it wasn't the computer at fault. We read that wireless telephones can cause problems so we unplugged the phone in that room but still no good. Unplugged the computer, carried it into the kitchen and put it back on the table and the internet immediately came back on.

I have no idea what it is about that room. But it has to be resolved as I have nowhere else to go. I, once again, am not connected to my printer or my scanner as they are in 'my' room and I really don't want us eating our dinner around the Mac on a regular basis.

Has anyone else experienced problems like this? And if so, how was it resolved?

Unfortunately, Paris has had to be postponed until February but to make up for it we're going to go for a week which will be lovely.

I also had lovely posts and treats planned for christmas and new year, which didn't happen, so they'll just have to be January pick me ups once I get everything connected again.

I have however, been busy knitting, sewing, reading and cooking and will have lots to show in the next few weeks. Like many other people I managed to get to John Lewis and got some bargains. Two lots of Rowan 4 ply soft - both for A Stitch in Time projects, a pack of Rowan Wool Cotton - undecided what this is for, and not in the sale, 8 balls of Rowan Pure Organic Cotton to make this one from A Stitch in Time



Its called Made So Quickly, and does knit up really quickly. I've gone for the same soft peachy/salmon colour as the original as I really really like it.



I particularly like the way the front is knitted in one piece but divided to give that cardigan feel.

On New Year's Day I treated myself to a good long read of one of my favourite books "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith.



Seen through the eyes of 17 year old Cassandra, life at the remote castle and the changes that take place in a few months are exquisitely described. Each character is developed fully and the story engrosses you completely. But most of all, I love the 'everydayness' that is described. Doing the washing and ironing, accidentally burning the porridge whilst arguing. Its so natural and real and helps evoke perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s rural britain. You feel yourself transported back in time and long to be a part of their life. I can't recommend it enough.

Whilst at John Lewis I bought two Vintage Vogue patterns.I have been looking and looking for about two years for the perfect camel coat and finally found this pattern from the 1950s which is exactly what I have been looking for



and also this gorgeous suit from 1944 which I just couldn't resist



and which will go so well with my vintage knits. I certainly won't be wearing the fur wrap but maybe the little hat?

for now

Ruby xxx

a little blogging goes a long way

I have decided that rather than leaving lots of stuff to pile up and then having to do big long blogs that take ages I'm going to TRY and blog more frequently. Certainly between now and christmas I have a few posts to get through.

The good news is that in the last ten minutes I have finally got a working scanner. Its also better quality than any scanner I've had before which hopefully means it won't break with as alarming regularity as all the others.

I've started planning 2009 and have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to be seriously organised if I am going to achieve the targets I have set myself - I'll share some of these plans with you in the new year - but in the short term, once the christmas festivities are over, we're going to go over to Paris for a few days on a vintage button and ribbon hunt (hubbie and daughter don't know that's why we're going yet, that's on a need to know basis) and also to find more of these



This is the back cover illustration from the french magazine Le Petit Echo de la Mode and shows dressmaking patterns available. Can you imagine being able to get patterns as beautiful as these? This particular issue is from 30 September 1934 and instructs the parisian women on how to make their own high fashion clothes and also how to customize their existing wardrobe as well as featuring some fabulous adverts such as this one



which roughly says that "Ondulux" in a few moments, simply by placing it on your head like a bonnet, will give your hair the exact waves that you want. Do you think it would work?

for now
Ruby xxx

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

Sometimes, life disappoints

I was really disappointed to find out yesterday that someone is selling one of my designs, knitted up, on ebay. An email has been sent to the person asking them to remove the items from sale, but its just a real shame that people do this. I've had similar experiences before and it always knocks the wind out of my sails. I have offered those designs for free and at my own expense - yarn, time, blog/web page costs - and would like to think that people have the decency not to try and make money from other people's efforts. But I have been proven wrong yet again. I'm sure these people would be the first to complain if there were no more free patterns available, but it does make you want to stop.

I could say a lot more, but I will leave it at that.

for now,
a sad Ruby xx

Where do I start?

I find writing the first post when I haven't blogged for a while very difficult as there is so much to talk about and you feel that you are going to be bombarding people with a three page long blog. So I thought the best thing to do today would be to say hello again, and then do a few posts over the next week or two bringing everything up to date.

The main reason its taken me this long to get back in the saddle is that once A Stitch in Time came out I got the worst cold/flu I have had in many a year and although I kept going, inbetween doing what I had to do I was exhausted and felt awful. I must apologise aswell if I've missed any emails or comments during this time, but I'll try and get everything up to date now. Also my scanner broke which severely restricts my blogging.

But really I should just use this first post to celebrate. A Stitch In Time is published, looks beautiful and is selling really well. It can be bought directly from the knitonthenet shop or other retail oulets including yarn stores. It has taken up two years of my life and in the last few months has become all consuming, with little time for anything else, but looking at it now it was worth it. It is the culmination of a 20 year obsession with knitting, all things vintage and fashion and I am really proud of it and of what has been accomplished.

I'll leave you with some of my favourite images from the book:

Have you made a jumper yet? from 1921 using Habu Kuzaki Zome silk



The model is the beautiful Miss Miranda

With the new cowl neckline from 1932 again using Habu



You might recognise this model from the book cover or from the cover of knitonthenet. This is my lovely friend Theo.

Concentrate on the Sleeves from 1934 using Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool



And this is the fabulous Fleur De Guerre.

for now
Ruby xxx

knitonthenet issue 7 now online

Well actually its partly online, as there are still articles and additional patterns to be added but I have two patterns to share with you for now.

The first is Truffle, which is made from Cashmere Canapa from Lanaknits. It is truly beautiful yarn to knit with and has fabulous drape once knitted.

This is Truffle worn as a sweater which is how I would wear it, with the separate cowl neck. I get really hot and bothered when I have a polo neck on when I come indoors and this is the perfect solution for me.



Here's a close up of the cowl. Very simple but very handy. It could be knitted longer to work as a hood - a SNOOD! I didn't think they would be making a come back but they are so useful.



Another option is to wear Truffle as a trendy sweater dress



It would also look good with a belt round and worn as a tunic with another layer underneath.

I'm really pleased with how flexible this garment has proved to be and the variety of body sizes it fits is amazing. Helen, the model here a size 34 inch chest and me a size 42 but fit into the same garment. Its fab.

My second design is called Celia. I designed this scarf after experimenting with stitch patterns in the Encyclopedia of Needlework printed around 100 years ago. There was a plate of a beautiful stitch pattern but I couldn't make a lot of sense of the way it was written. Also when I sampled it the written pattern didn't give you the same border as shown in the plate. However, once I had got my head round the language it made sense and I felt it was perfect for a delicate but warm lacy scarf for wearing with a more formal coat, which is how it is shown here.



This is a close up of the stitch detail



Now you may notice there are matching gloves and there is a matching glove pattern which will be following in the next few days. Unfortunately the pattern has gone astray and I will have to rewrite it and check it before it goes into the magazine.

I hadn't given the design a name until I saw the lovely Theo modelling it and I immediately thought of Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter, with those beautiful eyes, so sad. So I named the design after her. She and Trevor Howard have got me through many an afternoon's marathon knitting session.

There is also another design to come but the pattern isn't ready yet.

The other exciting news today is that there is a three page article in the Independent on Sunday devoted to A Stitch In Time. You can read the article here

Unfortunately they only show one of the beautiful photographs used in the printed article. Its been done as part of a larger piece about a return to austerity - more thoughtful living. Its very exciting. Who would have thought a book about knitting would be given three pages in a national newspaper. "The times they are a changing".

for now
Ruby xx

so sorry its been so long

again! Life is really moving so mind boggling fast at the moment it is terrifying.
I would love it if time could just stand still for a little while, let me catch my breath and get up to date, before it starts moving again. I haven't even had time to read blogs never mind write mine. And I miss it.

The next issue of knitonthenet should be live at the end of next week but in the meantime the knit a poppy campaign has been relaunched using my poppy pattern.



You can get your poppy pattern by going here and making a £2 donation to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Also one of the two patterns I mentioned that were free in the I Knit day programme is now available on the knitonthenet site.

Its called Tiny Tippet. Its great for using up stash as it only uses about half a ball of yarn. In this case it was Noro Silk Garden



Here's Charlie looking gorgeous as always.



and a little close up of the rib pattern. Slightly different to a normal rib, the pattern gives extra 'depth' to the fabric, making it warmer round the neck.

I am actually getting a day out on Sunday and am going to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace. One day is never enough, I would love to be able to go for a full weekend at some point so I can really get to see everything properly. Quite a few good friends will be there and I've got to make sure I get round and see them all, so I don't always get to see all that's going on. However, the first stand I always look for is Habu I really could buy the whole stand so I have to really control myself. I've got to drop some photos off at the Habu stand aswell which brings me neatly to the end of my post by mentioning that A Stitch in Time can now be pre ordered online here. I just can't wait to see the finished book. I've been trying to pick favourites but its impossible. There are so many gorgeous garments in the book. I wish I didn't need to sleep and I could knit all the time!

Will be back very soon I promise,

but
for now
Ruby xxxx