Re-vamped "Yarnshed"

Unlike most businesses, I do an "Autumn" rather than a "Spring" clean. Well lets be honest, even the most ardent "Yarnie" tends to do less in the summer months. So, I have spent a brilliant couple of weeks re-ordering, sorting and general tidying my yarns, needles, crochet hooks, patterns and patterns (oh yes, and more patterns).
Finally finished off with my beautiful handcrafted sign from www.greenmanceramics.co.uk.
If anyone fancies a visit, please let me know (just so I can get a cake in the oven and the kettle on). Bring on the knitting season!

I knit because ..................................

Have you ever considered why you knit (or play with yarn in any way)?

For a lot of people it probably stems from the women around us - all my female relatives knitted when I was growing up. My great aunt took it upon herself to teach me when I was about 6, and persevered until I got it, quite a feat really, as she was right handed and I'm not.

With the resurgence of crafts in general, there's a whole group of (mainly?) women who are taking up their needles or wielding their crochet hooks for the first time. Dare one say it’s almost becoming trendy? It certainly fits in with the ethos of up-cycling, making-do-and creating something new in these times of austerity. But I wonder if there’s something deeper – in such a stressful world are we subconsciously looking for an activities to help us switch off, de-stress, relax?

Now I know there are some out there who would argue that “knitting” (in this instance I use the term to cover all yarn based activities!) is anything but a stress buster. And I would probably agree when thinking back to the time I realised I’d dropped a 9 stitch “nupp” 15 rows previously on a very complex Estonian Lace shawl, (I’m told they heard the language in the next village). But there is definitely a restorative element to yarn. The regularity of the pattern; the task can’t be rushed; the opportunity (proficiency allowing) to watch tele, listen to the radio, daydream – and not feel guilty for “time wasting” because you’re being productive. Knitting is a great opportunity to hone those multi-tasking skills.

I have been known to have two or three different lots of knitting on the go at the same time – I used them as a “reward” for doing all the tedious (I really don’t like house work) jobs that have to be done; stacking the dish wash, putting away the shopping, tidying the kids’ rooms, sorting the socks (ugh!) After one job was complete, I’d treat myself to a row or two – the need for a treat got so bad that I had “upstairs knitting”, “front room knitting “and “car knitting”, so that I always had a project to hand. This was about the same time that I bought my much loved mug which proudly states “I knit so I don’t kill people”.

Jesting apart – there is a really serious point to be made here. I really DO knit to de-stress. Over the years of our somewhat chaotic family life, Adoption support workers have arrived at our house to find serious levels of stress. Attachment disorder, living with a child who finds relationships so overwhelming that they’d rather shut down than trust anyone ever again, can be a soul destroying and very lonely place. Knitting, and more recently, crocheting give me the time and space to calm down, muse over how that incident could have been handled differently and ponder how to avoid the confrontation the next time – and whilst all that’s going on – I’m creating something wonderful as well........

So I ask again, you knit because ?????

This social media lark!

I currently have a facebook page; a twitter account; a blog (you're here!); a website (www.yarnsmith.co.uk); a Digg account; pinterest boards; a Ravelry account;  misi/folksy and etsy pages.................
 I also have a business to run, knitting groups to inspire, yarn to be dyed, designs to be completed, projects to be finished.................

.................. a dog to walk, ironing and washing to be done, kids to be taken and collected, food to be bought and cooked, and............................... in my spare time.................. well, you get the picture.

I'm not unusual in this, 1000's of women (I won't speak for the men, they can do that on their own) do the same and I'm certainly not looking for sympathy. I love the challenges, the juggling and the sense of achievement (which I keep to myself) at the end of the day.  But I do use this as a reason why I don't blog as often as the business advisors recommend.

I've been trying to give myself a heads up on New Year's Resolutions recently - usually, I don't think about them until 11.55pm on the 31st December! 2014 is going to be different (perhaps that's because it's a significant year - the big 50!) so I resolve to ................................... no, perhaps I'm not going to share quite yet - but, certainly Social Media will feature somewhere!

In the meantime, in an effort to rationalise my passions, I have recently thought about combining some of them - so here's the first effort.

In praise of Ravelry.com

 

When "Yarnsmith" came my way in 2007 I was an experienced knitter (so I thought), I'd crocheted one project (at college - and not been over enamoured), could embroider and quilt proficiently so I considered myself an all round crafter. Since then I have discovered felting, spinning, dyeing and weaving - all to greater or lesser success and now, as mentioned previously, am hooked on crochet. However, it's the knitting which has undergone the biggest overhall and this is, in no small part, thanks to Ravelry.com

I don't remember how I first came across the site, whether it was a recommendation or I 'stumble upon', but I do remember the effect - all these talented people sharing their skills and expertise, all the groups to join, patterns to search through, yarns to try - it's an internet "7th heaven". 

Looking back my self-image of "experienced" knitter was woefully short of the mark! I'd never used a charted pattern, tried different cast-on techniques (always using the two needle method my Great Aunt had taught me) added beads as embellishments, attempted the magic loop or designed my own project. I know have 93 projects listed, 226 favourites from other users, 162 projects "queued" (waiting to be cast/hooked on) and 397 items in my library - yes, I've even uploaded all my pattern mags and books! 

You can take a look at my Ravelry profile here, so, if you haven't yet discovered the delights of this "facebook for yarnies" get over there right away - a whole new world awaits!

The simple granny square

I only took up crochet at Christmas (Christmas day to be precise) so don't profess to be an expert, however, if your forgive the pun, I'm totally "hooked"! The biggest revelation has been the simple Granny Square and the more I've made, the more I've noticed they're bang on trend this year. Rugs, bags, pockets, blankets and cushion covers - all begin with the humble Granny. 

They are a great starting point to practice simple stitch and colour combinations, an ideal way to perfect tension and stitch groupings, portable (I always have one in my bag), and depending on your yarn and shade choice can give a vintage look or contemporary feel. I might even go as far to say, perfect your Granny square (or hexagon, circle, pentagon or triangle) and you'll never be stuck for project ideas.

There are a plethora of books available, (as well as countless YouTube videos) so here are three of my favourites; "300 Classic blocks for crochet projects" (Linda P Schapper) offers a mind boggling selection of stars, swirls and floral blocks as well as the standard squares, hexagons and circles. It's clearly set out given written and diagram instructions. Susan Cottrell's "Granny Squares Now" takes the technique a step further looking at the effect of different yarn choices and some wacky suggestions for your square's finished use. My current favourite is Susan Pinner's "Granny Squares ; 20 crochet projects with a vintage vibe". The cushion pictured above is based on the pattern for the flower light shade and is really simple. I love the transition from circle to square - I also crocheted the squares together rather than sewing up so a much more pleasant experience all round. 

A couple of words of wisdom though (learnt through bitter experience) sew your end in as you go, (so much nicer than being left with 18 squares worth to do in one go) and remember that US and UK terminology is different - life made much more sense when I realised that "their" double crochet was "our" treble!

A new look to yarnsmith..........................

 Click here for the "new look" yarnsmith

I am really excited to launch our new look website - fresher, easier to navigate and more fun to use! You should still find all your favourites as well as some new and exciting ranges and I am still committed to providing the same, friendly and efficient service we strive towards! 

Please let me have any thoughts or comments on the new design - it's much easier to change from this end so hopefully we will be able to respond to any suggestions you feel will improve the look and feel of the shop!