Author: toryawintersdesigns

Designer, maker, lover of colourful sparkly things.
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Wedding gifts

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One of my managers at work is getting married soon, and I decided to make her a present for her wedding. I was a bit stuck for ideas, and after trawling loads of craft sites and books, I still couldn’t think of anything to make. I wanted the present to be practical, rather than something like a sampler or a keepsake, and I wanted to tone in with the pink/grey theme of her wedding.

Eventually, I settled on a photo album, and bought one to use as a base to decorate. I had a pink suede skirt which I used to cover the album, and I embroidered a cute little rabbit from Somebunny to Love to go on the front. I then added buttons to the corners, a ribbon edging, and soft purple cardboard endpapers inside. I was toying with adding the date of their wedding and labelling it as a wedding photo album, but I decided to leave it quite neutral so that they won’t be limited in how they choose to use it. I’m very pleased with the finished result – here it is!

It was nice to do something other than knitting for a change. I also made them a card, which was really fiddly to cut out and nearly took longer than making the album!
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Abstract Fiber

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I’m knitting again, this time for Abstract Fiber in Portland, Oregon. A parcel arrived through the post the other day, with two gorgeous skeins of yarn for me to use. The one on the left is Smith Rock, and on the right is Lady Macbeth, both 4ply weight hand-dyed superwash merino.

I’m sample knitting the Spring Forward socks from Knitty with the Smith Rock colourway, and also test knitting a pair of fingerless gloves with the other colour. The yarn knits up beautifully, although I had to go through a long and frustrating evening of hand winding it into balls before I could get on with the actual knitting. After two days’ work, here’s the progress on the socks so far.

I really like the pattern, although it doesn’t show up too clearly in this photo. It’s very simple to remember, perfect for someone like me who likes to watch telly while knitting. I tend to get lost in lace patterns quite easily if I’m not concentrating, but it would be very hard to go wrong with these socks. There are only two simple pattern rounds, and every other round is plain knitting.

I’m hoping to get these two projects finished off quite quickly, as another parcel arrived on Friday – Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran for the final test knitting project on my to-do list. Unfortunately I can’t reveal anything about this one at the moment, apart from the fact that it includes lots of colourwork and charts, so it will need my full concentration!

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What a busy day!

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I’m knackered after today! Not only was it Easter Sunday, but it was also my second wedding anniversary. I was woken up by my husband with a bunch of a dozen pink roses, which was lovely, but made me feel bad because I hadn’t thought we were getting each other anything! Here they are in my living room, brightening the place up.

I decided to be productive, so I got up early and baked banana bread with my son. It’s the first time I’ve tried it, and I had a few issues with the cooking time and the consistency. After a phone call to my sister, who’s more of an expert than I am, I managed to produce a fairly successful loaf. I would have taken a photo, but it didn’t last long enough for that! It’s been ages since I’ve baked anything, as my husband tends to do pretty much all of the cooking. I’m feeling all domestic goddessy now, and am even considering sewing myself a little apron for the kitchen!

We all went to visit the in-laws for an Easter buffet lunch, and had far too much chocolate – I have had to hide one of my Easter eggs in a cupboard so that I’m not tempted to eat it any time soon. I’m determined not to get too massive at the end of this pregnancy, as I was so uncomfortable last time.

After that, I went to work for a long and exhausting shift. We were absolutely mobbed, so I was glad to get home and put my feet up. Happy Easter everybody!

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More test knitting

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Here are some finished pictures of my latest test knitting ventures. I’m finally reaching the end of my to-do pile!

First up, the Laced Leaves cardigan by Carol Feller. Here’s a front view…

…and a back view, which shows up the lovely pattern.

I also finished test knitting the SOLI sock for the Cupcake Factory, which is in aid of the charity Streams of Life International. I love the wavy effect of the pattern, and here’s a snap of the finished item.

This picture shows the pattern much more clearly.

I’ve really enjoyed doing all these test knits, but I will be glad to have some time to finish off outstanding projects and work on some of my own designs for a change. My garden is also calling desperately for attention, so now that summer is definitely on the way I’ll be able to get stuck into the wilderness and make it all pretty!

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Sneaky peek of another test knit

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Here’s a glimpse of the test knit I’ve just completed for Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches. I can’t tell you much about it just now, but I do love the finished result. It’s a cardigan, and I made it in Paton’s Washed Haze Aran, in a shade called Spice.

Unfortunately I had to take this picture at night, so the colour doesn’t show up very well. It’s more of a rusty brown, not as orange as this. Incredibly, despite my huge button collection, I couldn’t find any buttons that were suitable to finish off the job! Another excuse to go button shopping though – I’m thinking something leathery and weathered.

The cardigan was a great pattern to knit, and I’ll post an update when it’s published and I’m free to reveal more details. Until then, you can check out Carol’s work in the latest issue of Yarn Forward magazine, where she has a feature and a lovely top pattern published. Here is a picture of her design – it’s the orange and brown one that you’ll see if you scroll down, called Fritillary.