Making Life more Beautiful
My knitting to date has been rather plain – stocking stitch in neutrals or plain deep colours. I yearn to knit cables or in glorious technicolour. But my first attempts at colourwork were not so hot. Some things went well … Continued
In our house we have an expression: “If at first you don’t succeed, read the blooming instructions”. And, under certain frustrating circumstances, that “blooming” might be a swear word. Often the brochure supplied with a heating unit, a coffee dispenser … Continued
Following a recommendation from Linde I have been reading Elizabeth Zimmerman (of which more in a later post), and unsurprisingly for the Queen of Knitting, she swears by wool. I really like what she writes about the origins of knitting: “Primitive … Continued
My internet friend Brenda asked me to create a special piece of silk. She intends to make herself a fit and flare type of dress. At the moment, while she is having treatment for breast cancer, she can only sew … Continued
I had been fascinated by this pattern for some time. The “deceptively simple” design means that you cannot see the one seam or the zip fastening in the skirt as the folded over wrap covers both. It is apparently based … Continued
Last week I discussed the Capsule Wardrobe with super blogger and maker Hila. In the course of describing how to create a SWAP plan I suggested some colour schemes that might work for Hila, and slightly to my surprise (as … Continued
One of the great privileges of working in social (lower rent and supported) housing in London is that you meet some amazing people. In my early career I realised we were housing Stalin’s daughter. Olympian sprinter Linford Christie used to … Continued
Do you do New Year’s Resolutions? I do! And this year I set myself the task of reading one book a month. I had been making good progress. January (6) Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Emperor of All Maladies; A Biography of … Continued
Regular readers of this blog will know that I like pink. I enjoy wearing pink, and it makes me feel good. Although it is the ultimate “feminine” colour it has some properties that can make it a very … Continued
On a whim I drifted out one lunchtime to the weird charity shop near work. Occasionally I find nice things in there. This week I struck really lucky. This 1965 pattern by Simonetta of Italy is a one-Piece Sleeveless dress … Continued