The Knitted Bouquet

Lots of ideas!

2009-11-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been busy busy with so many ideas but not enough time to get them done! I have designed a lovely knitted lily which I will post details of shortly but I have also got a new idea up my sleeve which I am very excited about and currently experimenting with. As soon as I have got it all together I will divulge what I have been up too!!

Poinsettia a go go!!!

2009-11-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

I completed the Poinsettia Wreath this weekend and am really pleased with the end result. It really does look stunning and I have even managed to get the pattern and kit sorted out so it is all ready for purchase in my shop. These are a great decoration for Christmas and can be used year after year.

I am hoping to exhibit at Malvern in March next year so am now going to start frantically knitting some flowers for a mixed bouquet to display on my stand. I will let you know how it is going and in between I hope to get a kit sorted for stems and leaves as well as a hyacinth pattern completed. Watch this space!!!

Busy Busy

2009-10-30T00:23:00.000-07:00

Well, its half term and the kids are off again! Doesn't seem 5 minutes since they just started back. Needless to say not much knitting happening. I thought I would have finished the Poinsettia wreath by now but I have only been able to snatch an hour or 2 in the evening so it is coming along slowly. I should definately have it finished on the weekend so will let you know when it is available. I have managed to incorporate a new technique I have discovered to help shape the leaves whilst still keeping the knitted look (no felting!) and I am really impressed with it and the end result looks lovely. I will post pictures as soon as I am done and then get the pattern in the shop asap in time for you to knit for Christmas!

New Design Decided

2009-10-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I decided with Christmas approaching I had better get on and do the Poinsettia I have been thinking about for some time. I have managed to create the knitted version which looks lovely and striking so will go on to complete some designs with this before making it available as a pattern. I hope to get this done fairly soon so if you are interested let me know and I will move things a bit quicker!!! Red never photographs very well so the photo doesn't do the flower justice. The finished size is approx 7inches. I am going to make up a wreath and some Christmas tree decorations with this and all the instructions will be in the pattern. There will also be a kit complete with wreath ring so I better get knitting so you can purchase and complete before christmas! I will do a felt version at some point as well depending on how long it takes me to get all this done. I love it when I have an idea really taking shape and these are especially lovely and festive to brighten up the home and get admiring glances from your visitors. Watch this space for updates!

Make your mind up!!!

2009-10-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well, as usual things have been rather hectic here not least organising my sons 5th birthday party this weekend so not much knitting going on. I have however changed my mind (again!) on the kit side of things and I am going to keep them going for a bit longer. I love the way they look and people love them for Christmas presents so due to popular demand I shall carry on with them for now!!! Hello Dawne, thanks for following the blog.

I have so many ideas in my mind at the moment so thought I would share some photos I took at the Malvern Autumn show recently. I love Dahlias so am thinking I might do another design with these. They are so varied and have amazing colours and size it is a great way to play around with ideas. I am also thinking of doing a Gladioli as they are so striking and would look stunning so not sure yet which to start with! I will keep you posted of any new developments.

A few changes

2009-09-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have been considering my options for a while now with regards offering patterns and kits or just patterns. I have finally made a decision which has mainly been down to finances and time commitments. I have decided to only offer patterns from now on either in paper format or pdf. This has come about due to the fact the kits involve me buying in the wool I use from the US. I love the Cascade 220 as it felts and knits perfectly and the colours are just right for what I want. In order to buy this from the wholesaler I not only have to buy large quantities of a single colour - which isn't great when I like to have so many different colours in my designs! But it also involves a lot of shipping and tax charges so its viability for a small business such as mine has been dwindling for some time. Now my stocks are very low and I had to make a decision so I decided it just wasn't possible to outlay such large amounts in any one go so patterns are the way to go from now on!!!

This does have some advantages as it will free up my time to design more flowers. I will also put a few UK stockists of the Cascade 220 on my website shortly so you can get it easily in the UK. Don't forget you are free to use any other yarns you feel like as you don't have to just stick to my favourite choices! I will also sell the florist wire separately so you can get it direct from me if you so wish.

Hello and welcome to my new blog!

2009-09-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody and welcome to my blog. I have been designing and knitting flowers for nearly 2 years now so I thought I had better start a blog to let all my valued customers know what is going on and if there are any new designs in the pipeline.

I thought I would start by telling you a bit about me. First and foremost I am a busy mum of 2 young boys aged 2 and 5. I adore knitting and try to fit this in around the demands of my family! Hence the reason why no new designs have been forthcoming over the last couple of months due to the holidays and full time childcare being required!

I love bright colours and experimenting with felting and try to combine these two elements in my designs. So far my designs have been well received and I just started pdf patterns to make my designs more accessible to everybody as well as more cost effective.

As well as knitting and my 2 lovely boys another big interest of mine is animals and in particular rabbits! I am mad about rabbits and even run a small boarding business looking after these lovely furries. I have 5 of my own including Billy our Giant house rabbit and I am sure you will hear more of him as time goes on. I am in the process of developing a rabbit toy knitting pattern so keep an eye out for this! Totally unrelated to flowers but I love knitting toys as well so this sort of just happened!

Well, I hope you will enjoy keeping up to date with my Knitted Bouquet adventures and love to hear feedback and see pictures of all those you have completed so feel free to get in touch.

Bye for now, Nicola