Well it sort of worked......

I've not quite managed to post overy Friday so far, but at least it's not been months! Last week was half term and routine went out of the window. We had a good, busy week, the kids were happy and very little work got done! The previous Friday I had a visit from a rep distributing Filatura di Crosa yarns. There are some fantastic yarns in that range - I want to build on my range of Centolavaggi lace weight and there is a gorgeous 4-ply range of pure wool which would replace the Patons Dreamtime.

Over the last few days I've been getting more products on the site - I've got some Jawoll Magic Dégradé Sock Yarn in for the first time which comes in a range of gorgeous colourways and I've also put the Jawoll Magic Stripes range on the site. I've had this in the shop for a little while but hadn't got it up.

We've also been looking at ways to improve the speed at which the site pages load - most of the problem I think it the size of the photos, so we will be gradually changing these.

The other area I am working on is patterns - I have a large stock of patterns but very few on the site - I am aiming to get a few up a week.

Current projects

I'll give an update each week on what I am working on. I tend to have projects that I keep at home and others at the shop as I was finding I was carrying some backwards and forwards without getting time to work on them!

Home: I've finished the knitting of a long jacket in Patons Jet - this is a gorgeous pattern with a big shawl collar. I need to sew the sleeves up and attach them and it's done - just in time for the warm weather! :oS Well at least I'll have it ready for the winter! I'm aiming to finish the sewing on Monday - I never feel like sewing in the evenings - that my mindless time!

Bamboo jumper - I started this before I started the Jet jacket but I stole the Knitpro tips to do the Jet one. Now I've finished that I want to get this jumper done - it's a pattern from Knit Today - one of the first magazines I bought when I really started knitting again. I'm using Sirdar bamboo and Wendy Pure in 2 row stripes - mainly because I didn't have enough of either yarn - but it's working out well.

Shop: I've had a ball of Jawoll Magic 64 Garnet in my stash for a little while and wanted to do a triangular scarf/shawl with it. I've started the Multnomah shawl and it looks fantastic - I've just started the feather and fan pattern for the bottom edge.

Sock: I usually have a sock on the go as my portable project - it's perfect for taking to school when I'm waiting for my kids! I'm making a sample pair of socks for a supplier in Flying Saucers yarn - it's an interesting one to start! I'll do a special blog post with the process when I've got a little further.

Spinning: I've a wheel both at home and the shop. At home I am working on a blend that I received in a Secret Santa swap at Christmas - it is merino, alpaca, baby camel, silk and angelica and is a mix of orange, pink, purple, white and natural brown and is spinning up really lovely. I've got my wheel set up so I can sit if I have a few minutes and do a bit - provided the kids haven't put too many toys in the way!

At the shop I have some pure merino that I bought from somebody on ravelry in a mix of blue, teal, murky green and brown - it gives the impression of the sea and I'm spinning it into long colour repeats. I'll get some photos done of both of these too :o)

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......