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.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Lottie. I've not done this before :o)

Rules

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. Ten years ago May 1998 - I was finishing my last year at Uni doing an Occupational Therapy degree and looking into getting a job.

2. Five things on today's "to do" list (in no particular order) - Washing up, cooking tea, entertaining the kids, knitting, tidying up.

3. Snacks I enjoy - Chocolate! Dry cereal straight from the packet.

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire - Open a yarn shop :o) Own my own house again, talk to the local farmer about extending the garden.

5. Places I have lived - Worcestershire, Nottingham, West Cumbria, Derbyshire, NW Leicestershire

I'm gonna tag:
Iwouldratherbeknitting
Wolfmaiden
Carl
Christine
Knitwithwine

(Knittermum)

May Market - how it went!

I had a good day at the market - this is the first time I've actually been able to sit down and think enough to write this!

I learned alot on the day - knowledge that I will use for future fairs etc.

Firstly, there were several people who visited my stall who asked for cheap acrylic yarn in a variety of colours. I had been thinking about moving towards stocking mostly natural fibres, but I'm now going to have a range of value acrylic yarn as well as the more expensive yarns which yarn addicts like to fondle! The Fyberspates yarn I had on my stall was very much admired, but no sales unfortunately :o(

Also, I decided to have a range of knitted items for sale on a future stall which would appeal to non-knitters and maybe tempt some of them into starting to knit :o)

I've started making some little bags and a dolls blanket. I've also got plans to make some hairbands and bracelets as well. These are my first designs! They are fairly simple and easy to make and I am planning to make up some kits for later fairs. Once the patterns are written up and the items finished and photographed, I will have them available as free downloads on my site.

I'll get some photos on here as soon as I have some.

I will be at a couple of school fairs in June, so most of my designs at the moment are aimed at primary school age children, but I will look into adapting the designs or making new ones to appeal more to adults.

Castle Donington Medieval May Market

I'm going to be having a stall at the May Market at Castle Donington on 5th May. I'm really looking forward to it - hopefully I'll make enough sales to cover my costs, but the main aim of the day is to market my business in the local area.

I've got some business cards and leaflets printed now - it's all feeling very professional now! The market should be fun - I'm making a medieval dress and a rustic shawl for the sale and I'm going to be making the stall look medievally.
I'll post pictures next week :o)

The TOFUtsies have been selling well on my site - although I made a bit of a mis-calculation of the costs, so I've lost money in the first few sales! Oh well - teething problems - and I'm glad I've got it sorted now! And I'll probably be ordering some more very soon. The fact that they take 2 weeks to arrive is annoying - but just means that I have to plan ahead a bit.