View of Shetland - One

Finally the dust seems to be settling around our lives and our chosen path (which I'll tell you more about another time) but to help us separate the old from the new and to start work on some great new projects (again, more later) we travelled to Shetland for what was a wonderful week. We were invited by our friend Connie, from Jamieson & Smith, a shetland yarn company and spent a LOT of time looking at wool and knitting which was terribly hard work! However between those times we travelled around the island enjoying the dramatic scenery and long, long days. So, without further delay,

Welcome to Shetland



Below is the view from the cliff tops at Eshaness. A beautifully wild and rugged part of the island on the west coast looking out onto the atlantic ocean.







This is also where we saw our first puffin!



We actually stayed on a small island in the north sea immediately next to Lerwick on the Mainland, called Bressay (pronounced Bressa) and spent a lot of time at the far side of the island at a little cove called the Voe of Cullinsbrough (pronounced Cullinsbrock). Most days we were the only three people there and were able to share the view only with the sheep, seals and birds.





The water was stunningly clear but icy cold.





These are some of the ruined crofts scattered all around Shetland. These ones are on Bressay.



Gavin and Charlie enjoying the peace.



Here are some of the lovely Shetland sheep we shared the cove with.





These three were competing in the prettiest sheep competition but we couldn't choose a winner.



This croft in much better condition is in Burra on the West coast and was the temporary home of a local textiles exhibition. We were taken there by Connie's lovely Aunty Grace, who also showed me how to use a knitting belt and shared some of her knitting secrets!

This was an item in the exhibition that I was particularly intrigued by.



Cradle straps.

I have never come across these before. The cradles even have holes in the sides to thread the straps through. Aunty Grace thought that children learning to knit where often given these straps to make as their first knitting project. The 'baby' is wrapped in a traditional baby shawl knitted in undyed grey wool. Grace mentioned that baby shawls were often knitted in grey wool as they wouldn't show the dirt and soot.

Burra happens to be home to one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere.



Again on the Atlantic ocean, the sand was white and the sea was turquoise. Connie attempted to snap a rare family pose as the tide came in.



First attempt we got a little wet!



But more success on the second attempt.

To wind up blog post one on a yarny note, the sweater Charlie is wearing on these photos was a final piece I made for college many many years ago, which she dug out of the attic and fell in love with.



I remember being very proud of it at the time and can even remember my inspiration, which was some medieval mosaic tiling which had originally been red, blue and yellow and which had all faded to these muted browns and taupes. The waist shaping is all concealed in the aran pattern on the front of the sweater and the sweater also has sleeve and welt hems. It was knitted in Jonelle pure wool, which for those you not as old as me! was John Lewis' own yarn, which was absolutely lovely and very reasonably priced. They also used to do 'put away' and let you take a ball at a time, which for a poor student was brilliant. Those were the days!

I'm going to close this post with a picture of myself and Connie at Jamieson & Smith, where I'll start my next blog post.



but for now,

Ruby xxx

Women at War

I have a great little book, called Women at War published by Liver Press in 1988 and written by a lady called Pat Ayres. This book tells the story of how the second world war impacted on Liverpool women using their own memories and words. With both of my nans, young women in Liverpool at the time, I can't help wondering how many of the stories are their stories. I found out recently that my granddad's sister died at 21 due to illness contracted working in one of the munitions factories in Liverpool. The idea of women working at that time was not a popular one. This poem, reprinted in the book, was first published in a local works magazine in 1944:

There's lipstick on the drinking cups,
There's talcum on the bench,
There's cold cream on the surface plate,
Hand lotion on the wrench,
and 'Soir de Paris' scents the air,
That once held lube oil's smell-
I've just picked up a curling pin,
Believe me - war is hell!

Anon.

Says it all really.

I had a heap of other things to share today but unfortunately my camera isn't working, but I recently bought this lovely original Bestway pattern



which surprisingly included a size 40 chest which you don't find that often.
I can't wait to make it, despite the fact that its got 11 pieces! I'm definately going to do a toile first so I can see how close I actually am to pattern.

I was 'made up' to find that the Cath Kidston shops sell off cuts of their dress fabrics so I bought this lovely floral polyester crepe which I think I'm going to use for this dress. I have to admit I'm not 100% sure if its right for it or not. What do you think?



Sorry its such a tiny image, its the only one I could get hold off. I'll show the fabric better when my camera's recharged.

Finally, I'm off to Coventry tomorrow to the UK Ravelry Day, where I'll be sharing a stand with the lovely Woolly Wormhead, signing and hopefully selling our books.
We are inside the main hall, so do come and see us if you're at the Ravelry Day event. Woolly is travelling all the way from Italy just to be there!

Another event very close to my heart opens today at the Cornershop in Winchester. There are knitting events going on until the end of June, with exhibits from the university's Knitting Reference Library (my favourite place).



I would highly recommend a visit, particularly during Knitting in Public Day when Linda Newington, Curator of the knitting reference library, will be there.

Off to start packing.

for now
Ruby xxx

Daintiness Counts

Whilst working through my vintage pattern collection for the perfect patterns for A Stitch In Time Vol II, I read this wonderful advert in the LUX knitting book 1939. Just why does the poor girl not click with the 'gallants'?



If you are looking out for this magazine on ebay take care. There are more reproductions of it than the original. Here's the cover.



Just make sure you read the information carefully before buying.

Next time you don't get asked to dance just remember the lucky nightmare.
for now
Ruby xxx

A Stitch In Time on Cast On Podcast

So exciting but scary. Here is the link to the latest episode of Cast On Podcast with me being interviewed by Brenda Dayne. I'm listening now but haven't heard it all yet.

I really hope you enjoy it.

for now
Ruby xx

Lets start again

What I find much harder than starting to blog in the first place is re-blogging after an unexplained absence. Do you just launch into FOs and WIPs? Or do you give some sort of explanation? Well going through my blog over the last few months I seem to keep giving explanations and then NOT really getting an awful lot further. I feel for the purposes of some sort of consistency to my blog I need to tidy things up and then start again. All clean and tidy.

Life has been and still is, very complicated for a whole number of reasons. Emotionally and physically exhausting to be honest, with little or no time left over whatsoever. The reasons are too complicated and varied, some involving business which can't be aired on a blog anyway, so I'm not going to go into them all. These myriad issues unfortunately impact on my ability to always blog regularly and this gets me really cross. These things are also interfering with my chosen path generally so over the last month, plans (many, many plans) have begun to change my life dramatically. So can I ask all you lovely readers to bear with me, not desert me completely for more exciting blogs, whilst these changes take place. There is still a long way to go and there will still be restrictions on my time, for some time, but I know its all going to be worth it in the end.

There are lots of exciting things afoot which I will get round to sharing. One is an interview I did yesterday with the lovely Brenda Dayne of Cast on. Its for the next episode which isn't live yet, but as soon as it is I will post the link. She was so, so nice on the phone yesterday. I'm rubbish at phone interviews and always think I sound really boring, but she was very positive and extremely gracious, and as a result I look forward to hearing it.

Another is work on A Stitch in Time, Volume II, is most definately underway and I will be sharing more news about that soon.

I'm also managing to do a little twittering and you can find me here

Believe it or not, there are WIPs, FOs and patterns to share too, and they will all follow soon.

lots of love
for now
Ruby xxx

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