New leaf turning - hopefully?

I know it has been a very long time since I last wrote a post, but I have a plan! Friday morning is the probably my least crazy morning, so I am going to try to write a blog post every week on the Friday.

There have been several times when I have wanted to write and have planned sections - particularly when something has happened. Every time though, the planning has been while I've been washing up or driving and can't do anything about it! Then life and kids take over and the post doesn't get written :o(

Simply Knitting magazine gave me a nudge about this blog when they featured my site in their magazine. It was fantastic to be mentioned and I am very grateful to them. I also appreciated the nudge about the blog and once again planned to write but didn't! My shop was also voted runner up in the East Midlands in the Origin awards so thank you to everyone who voted for me :o)

Life is busy, and the shop and website becoming more and more so which is fantastic! I am getting more organised now as I settle into the business and juggling work and the kids is getting a little easier. The count down to the summer holidays is on, so I am trying to get as much work done as possible before then! There are several products in the shop that are not yet on the site, but I am gradually working towards getting everything on there.
There have been some issues with the site loading very slowly. We will hopefully be getting this sorted out as soon as possible.

That is it for now and all being well, I'll write again next Friday!

Shop Opening

The shop is open on New Year's Eve, Sunday (2nd Jan) and on Bank Holiday Monday (3rd Jan). I will be closing on New Year's Day.

Shop opening hours will be as normal from 5th Jan.

'Tell a friend' abuse

Somebody has been abusing the 'Tell a Friend' feature on the website and using it to send spam emails.

We are trying to remove this feature to prevent this happening, but for now we have put the site to 'Down for maintenance'.

Please note that these emails were not sent by Create and Knit, but we advise people not to click on the links as they may take you to a site with malicious content.

We get the site back up and running as soon as possible.

I apologise for any inconvenience. The next day I can send parcels will be Wednesday.

It's been too long!

I don't quite know where the time has gone - it's been ages since I wrote a post on here!

In my defense, there has been a lot going on - with school holidays and opening a shop! I now have a bricks and mortar shop in Breedon on the Hill, NW Leicestershire on the same site as Priory Nurseries. The owner is gradually converting the old farm buildings into small retail units to give new businesses a start. There are several gift shops, antiques, book shop and card crafts, as well as the plant nursery and my wool shop - well worth a visit if you are in the area! There are more businesses moving in soon as well - including an old-fashioned sweet shop next door to me! :o)

I am gradually increasing my stock in the shop from the companies I already have yarn from, and there are several companies who I have contacted about ordering from.
I also went on a natural dyeing course a few weeks ago, and once I have some more equipment, I will be dyeing yarn to sell in the shop and on the website.
I also have a couple of bag designs to write up and loads of ideas for more :o) Now I just need a bit more time......

First pattern design!

I never thought I would have a go at designing my own knits, but it seems to be happening at the moment!



I saw a picture of Yoga Socks on Ravelry and wanted to do some for a friend since she always has cold feet! I was going to use one of the patterns in the database, but decided to have a go at making my own pattern so that I could sell them to other people in the yoga group if they wanted them :o)



Ok - here's a pic of the finished objects. That's a shock in itself - that I've actually finished a whole pair of socks!

I've written up the pattern properly as well and I'll get it on my site as a pdf for free download, but I'll put it on here too. If anyone wants to use is, feel free - but I would appreciate any comments about how the pattern is written and how they come out if a different yarn is used.


I used TOFUtsies 'Hot Foot It' and I think I could get at least 2 pairs out of one ball.
I used a set of 5 dpns - size 2.75mm


So - here's the pattern:


Cast on 60 sts, split between 4 needles (15 each) and join.
The stitches on N1 and N4 hold the stitches for the back of the leg.
N2 and N3 hold the stitches for the front of the leg.

Rounds 1-16. Work in K2, P2 rib
Rounds 17-32. Work in stocking stitch
Rounds 33-46. Work in K2, P2 rib as set in the cuff

Divide for heel
Round 47. Work in rib as set for stitches on N1, 2 and 3 and 2 stitches on N4 (47sts in total), then cast off 26sts, rib to end as set. (34 sts remaining)
Rows 48 and 49. Work straight rows in rib as set

Instep
Cast on 26 stitches and join (60sts)
Rounds 1-12. Work in K2, P2 rib as set
Rounds 13-24. Work in stocking stitch
Rounds 25-36. Work in K2, P2 rib as set
Cast off in rib


I hope all that is clear. :o)

I've got a couple of bag designs which I've not written up yet. I'll get those on here as well at some point.