Friday 22 November 2013

Its Wonka time :)

Look what came in the post...

These lovely little wonka bar charms will be the making of my 21st birthday costume. 
To buy willy wonka themed jewellery is very expensive, so I've decided to buy the charms, for about £2.00 and go to the Bead Shop in Nottingham and buy the earring hooks for about 5p each. 

Love them!

Friday 15 November 2013

Kumihimo bracelet a definite success!!

See how perfect it is! And after only 1 hours work :) would recommend! 

Kumihimo Bracelet success!

Today I visited the lovely Bead Shop in Nottingham. 
  I've been having trouble finding jewellery for my willy wonka costume and came across this bracelet set. It reminds me of the things we used to make at school with plastic string, to make bracelets and keyrings.
  But this is a grown up more sophisicated version.
I've been doing it for about 20 minutes and it's already taking shape. It's simple and quick - exactly what I was after. And the set isn't expensive either at £4.50 you get the thread, the pad, a toggle clasp and 2 barrel ends. Everything you need for a bracelet. And what's more, it will be cheaper next time because they do the thread at 30p a metre. 

So you all know now what your getting for Christmas :) xXx
 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Realising how much yarn I have





Being at university 75% of the time, naturally I need enough yarn at my student house to keep my occupied during times of procrastination, when all hope of work seems lost.
BUT...
Recently I've noticed my yarn collection has got a little bit wild, and has started taking over not one but two houses. Both the university and the home home house.

In a bid to end the yarn wars a few years ago, my mum and sister decided to crochet me a patchwork quilt made with sewn up granny squares. I took it to uni and it is still here with me!

So the question is now whether there is a call for another patchwork quilt or not?

The main problem is I live about 5 minutes from a knitting shop, with yes, 10% student discount on all purchases!

I have lots of yarn but never enough time to make large projects due to uni work and actual work.
Plus I suppose I have too many projects on the go.

Any suggestions on what I should do, to get rid of the stuff?

Little Christmas Puds

Now I know Christmas is a way off yet, and I really am sorry for bringing it up (I can't help it!) but these cute little Christmas puds literally take 5 minutes to make and look great as a tree decoration.
All you need is some brown and some white wool and for decoration red and green wool.

The pattern is available in this months KnitToday or heres some more really great variations on the pattern for you to try!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=christmas pudding

Or some different designs here at the wonderful Moogly blog...

http://www.mooglyblog.com/10-free-knit-christmas-ornament-patterns/

Looking forward to decorating my uni house with all the different tree decorations... hope my housemates don't mind!

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Wee Beasties

On a recent trip to Scotland a bat flew out of the curtains at one of the hotels we stayed in. My sister flew into the ensuite screaming and then shouted to me "Laura get my phone!" - of all things.
The bat was flying round in circles and I went to the reception to get the owner of the hotel. When we got back to the room the bat was mysteriously gone, and the owner had thought we'd gone batty. Then, it flew out again and the owner caught it with his fishing net and took it outside, and told us later in the hotel bar...
 "I caught the wee beastie."

Our road trip around Scotland was brilliant, and every time I look at this book, I cant help but remember that story.




I cant help but love this book. So ok the actual items aren't useful - (like a knitted blue tit isn't going to keep you warm when waiting for a bus on a frosty morning) but still.

Its jam packed with little creative ideas to keep you busy all through the winter months. So when there's no flowers or leaves on the trees, you can knit some to make you feel better.
My particular favourite is the strawberry- it looks so good!

75 birds, butterflies & beautiful beasties to knit and crochet by Lesley Stanfield RRP £10.99 www.searchpress.com

Off to shorthand now :)
If there's anything you want me to cover, contact me at
lauramariebennett@hotmail.co.uk

Friday 1 November 2013

Poppies to remember

This year I've seen a growing amount of knitted or crochet poppies on peoples coats. Which is great as it shows more and more people are getting involved in the skill and are putting it to good use.
Although this is great for knitting, the money given to the cause is still desperately needed, and I urge all of you knitters and crafty people to donate to the cause even if you don't have a paper copy.
This is my improvised Remembrance day poppy.
Made by using DK red and black wool, starting with a magic circle.
 Would love to see yours! Send me your picture to:
and I'll feature it on the blog!
 

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Ladybug

This has to be one of my favourite free gifts from KnitToday magazine.
This nifty stitch counter can be used as a quirky necklace and a counter at the same time.
Press the ladybirds head and click - the row changes.
Ideal!
Going to keep a eye out for more of these.

Friday 26 July 2013

Knit Today!

The lovely people at KnitToday magazine featured my small info section on our club in their magazine :)
Well done to all the girls at the club for their dedication and letting me use their picture for the piece.
Really chuffed we made it in, and was able to showcase the society!

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Knottingham Trent Knit Society

Hi Everyone

So I thought I'd do a little post about the Knottingham Trent Knit society.

We are a small society at the moment, we get lots of members at the beginning of every year and then people fizzle out when the essays start piling up.

We have weekly knitting sessions around Nottingham city centre in Pubs and Cafes 4-6pm every Monday, and make projects that can be done in those 2 hours.

We provide wool and patterns and needles for those of you that don't have your own.

We can teach both right and left handed and we cater for all abilities.

We are a really friendly bunch of people that just like to go out for a drink, piece of cake, and knit.

For more info visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/27030721577/

Bye

xXx

Friday 25 January 2013

Strawberry fields forever, part 2

Hey everyone!

Was so sick of essay writing last night I knitted my mum a straw berry hat.
It is a great pattern with a few mistakes that a more experienced knitter would be able to point out, but I changed the pattern anyway to suit what I wanted.

It is available on ravelry for free and I made it with 4.5mm circular needles! Found the pattern with the lovely help of Eleanor at Knit Nottingham. My favorite wool shop.

Hope Mum likes it
xXx