I Made it!

Today’s Special Offer …

Tracey Todhunter — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:44:21 +0000

Took this photo today in Tesco, Helsby, sorry the quality is so bad, but couldn’t resist sharing.

“Excuse me, I think this is a mistake” I said to a staff member “No, that’s right buy 2 for £3.00 – Bargain” She smiled back at me.

Hmmm, needless to say I didn’t pop that “bargain” in my basket!

Gone … But Not Forgotten …

Tracey Todhunter — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:38:38 +0000

It’s almost two years now since I gave up my role at the Low Carbon Communities Network and took, what was meant to be a six month sabbatical. Time out from working with communities and voluntary groups. Time out from the weekly grind of commuting to London. Time out from the constant pressure of seeking funding and support for community groups who were doing such amazing work in the places where they lived. “Time in” for the family, home, friends and life in the slow lane. I’d met some great people, had some amazing times, but I know it was the right decision step back for a while (or maybe even forever?)

It was hard, I never quite managed to “let go”. In between “tweet”s from my allotment or knit group I would find myself wanting to shout from the roof tops about the great stuff I could see going on around me (Stuff like this). Every time I looked at Project Dirt’s website I wanted to roll up my sleeves and get digging. I read Thriving Too with a sense of increasing awe and admiration. I worked hard to build up a life of creativity, my knitting and crochet becoming a bigger and bigger part of how I lived, and now earn a living (well, as much of a living as you can earn from craft!)

Today, I found myself mentioned here. It quite took my breath away. I honestly thought I had moved on, my work with Low Carbon Communities forgotten. Please take a look at Tessy’s post and you’ll see why I spilt my coffee as I read her list!

How could a dumpy middle aged housewife such as me possibly deserve a place in such a list of “Radicals”? No, really I’m not fishing for compliments. I’m serious.

Isn’t that the point though? Every one can play a role in making our society a “better”, happier, more fulfilling place to be. Regardless of our skills, background, age or abilities we can make a difference by collaborating and connecting with each other? And, wasn’t that the reason the Low Carbon Communities Network came about in the first place? To create, connect and help each other?

I noticed that John Popham (someone else I admire A LOT) has invited readers to nominate individuals for a similar list on The Northerner Blog (Read some of the comments and you’ll see plenty happens up North). Please add to his list.

All this has made me realise that somehow, some time, I have to find a balance. I can continue to craft, create and make a simple life here in Cheshire and at the same time find a way to support individuals and not for profits doing amazing stuff in their communities. It’s an idea that has been “bubbling away” for a while. Now I just need to work out how…

… All suggestions welcome

A Cute Crochet Egg Cosy

Tracey Todhunter — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:12:58 +0000

This month, my most popular free download over on Craftsy has been the little Crochet Corsage I designed in honour of Fibre and Clay’s visit to RHS Tatton last year. As it’s getting closer to Easter and you might be looking for a simple crochet project I’ve put up my Crochet Egg Cosy pattern there too. You can download it from Craftsy for free.

If you’ve not discovered Craftsy yet, It’s well worth exploring. The online workshops are excellent and there are some gorgeous patterns too.

If you prefer, the pattern can also be found on Ravelry

Happy crochet

Another Pair of Duffers

Tracey Todhunter — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:47:18 +0000

It’s been a busy week, selling patterns (yes, that’s right selling) and knitting up a couple of commissions, I finally managed to finish Mr T’s Duffers. These ones in Rowan’s Felted Tweed Chunky. No photos after they went in the machine as they’re keeping the Mister warm and toasty in this freezing weather and he refuses to model! This is still one of my favourite patterns – you can buy an updated copy on Ravelry and the revisions are fab – including a version to knit in the round.

I also found time to drop by Lynne’s Blog and discovered the cute little baby booties on the new issue of Let’s Get Crafting are one of her designs. I’m casting on this weekend as I have the perfect recipient in mind.

Off the Hook

Tracey Todhunter — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:33:36 +0000

This week I found time to make a little something just for me. I bought a gorgeous skein of Vicki’s Blue Faced Leicester sock yarn at Woolfest last year. I fully intended to knit socks, but it’s been so cold I treated myself to a pair of fingerless mittens instead. I used my original Any Yarn, Any Gauge Mittens (links to original photo tutorial with thumb) with the yarn held double. Vicki is currently selling a very similar colour (“India”) over on Etsy. Her yarns are fab quality and worth seeking out. She also has a very cute knitted heart pattern in the new issues of Knit Now Magazine (As if you needed a reason to buy it. With so many great ideas in there for small accessories it’s an essential read).

Happy Knitting x

Happy Valentine’s Day

Tracey Todhunter — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:04:25 +0000

In this house, Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the first sign that Spring may really be on the way. To mark the occasion I have made a new door hanging. One ball of Drops Eskimo, a 9mm crochet hook and a raid of the button jar produced this felted heart.

You can easily make your own using your favourite knitting or crochet heart pattern. My favourite knitted heart is currently this one over on Poppy and Milk’s Blog. It’s very quick and clever. For a crochet heart try Bella Dia, which got a mention in Issue 10 of Mollie Makes. Just make sure you use a wool suitable for felting. If you are new to crochet you’ll like the photo tutorials that accompany this pattern.

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day x

STOP PRESS! I’ve just noticed, the very lovely people over at Let’s Knit have added my friend Sarah’s Knitted Heart cushion to their website. I’ve knitted several of these and it’s brilliant (you can see some of them on display at Fibre & Clay in Knutsford this week).

Finally Felted

Tracey Todhunter — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:47:10 +0000

After years of wanting to try wet felting and being encouraged by my old school friend Ali who has such a talent, I finally got my chance last Friday.

A lovely lady from my knit and natter group showed us how make fabric …

and these adorable little felt balls.

I think I may be seriously addicted to this new craft activity!

How British is British Wool?

Tracey Todhunter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:18:55 +0000

When I stopped working full time I wrote on my blog that from now on I was “most likely to be found growing veg on my allotment or knitting with British Wool”. I’m proud that I support British and Independent yarn producers, spinners and dyers, but just lately it seems to have got harder, not easier to find wool that is truly British (by which I mean, reared, spun and dyed here in the UK). Most knitters think the Woolmark is a good indication that they’re buying British, but take a closer look at the label.

In the past week, three knitters have asked me to suggest British Wool suitable for knitting cushions for the Woolsack Project, which aims to send every Paralympian and Olympian competitor home with a hand knitted cushion afer the Olympics in September. I wondered, is a wool carrying the British Wool Trademark good enough to qualify and what about wools that don’t carry the label?

In order to use the British Wool trademarks a wool product only has to be “at least 50% British”. Yes, that’s right. Up to 50% of the wool in your “British Wool” may have come from abroad or contain non wool fibres. I did discover a new label was launched in 2010 – the Wool Platinum mark for 100% British Wool, but I’ve yet to see it on a ball of wool, at the moment it seems to apply only to wool products. Conversely, just because a wool doesn’t carry the label doesn’t mean it comes from outside the UK. Confused? I was. I’m sure I’m not the only knitter who doesn’t really understand who or what the Wool Mark is for.

I started looking through my stash, seeking out wool I know or think is British.I found some real gems in there (the beauty of stash diving – it reminds you exactly what you have – and what you need to stock up on). I found half a ball of a beautiful British Mohair from Yorkshire. White Rose Mohair is reared in Yorkshire, processed in Bradford and sold as a standard DK weight. I can vouch for the softness and lovely stitch definition, it’s also great value at less than £4.00 per 50g ball (100m).

I also found a few left overs of Troon Tweed, a gorgeous oiled Aran from Scotland, which I used to make my felted crochet bag and several pairs of Duffers. It’s a great yarn, definitely up there with the best “value” ranges and a proper “workhorse” yarn ideal for jumpers, felting or for tea cosies. There was also a ball of Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran (not strictly British as it’s spun in Ireland, but that’s close enough for me!)

I also found some gorgeous Natural Dye Studio yarn (Dazzle, Blue Faced Leicester) carrying the British Wool Trademark, a hank of Erika Knight’s gorgeous Maxi Wool, a new range which is 100% British Wool, spun in Yorkshire by Laxtons. There is a great DK weight in the range too and the colours are lovely. Of course there’s plenty of Rowan’s Fine Tweed in this house too, bought for the Dales Blanket. Again, 100% British Wool, processed and packaged here in the UK.

Now, it’s not just the “big names” who are selling 100% British Wool, you can also shop local and independent buying direct from yarn producers. A few of my favourites are listed below, do click on the links and take a look at some of the yarns on offer.

I’m also looking forward to getting my hands on some British linen soon. You didn’t know flax grew in the UK? Neither did I, but it turns out to right on my door step, growing in North Manchester as part of a community project called Sow Sew. That really will bring down my “yarn miles”!

In future I won’t just be looking for the British Wool Trademarks, I’ll be thinking about the environmental impact of my wool. Where was my wool grown, combed, scoured and spun, dyed and packaged.(You’d be amazed how much British Wool finds its way to Europe to be processed and transported back to be sold here). And, just because an independent supplier isn’t using the Woolmark label I won’t assume their wool isn’t British.

Finally, if you’re interest in the journey from sheep to skein, you might like to read this blog post by Kate Davies.

Independent Spinners and Dyers and Retailers Using British Yarns:

Wensleydale Long Wool Sheep Shop

Texere yarns

Laxtons

Oh – and don’t forget the British Sheep Breed Societies -the Jacob Sheep Society is just one of many that has been very helpful to me in sourcing British Wool.

If you have time take a look at Wovember’s Hall of Shame for wool products that aren’t wool at all :(

Friendship, Beauty and Just Being Ordinary

Tracey Todhunter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:03:44 +0000

Do you ever have of those weeks when everything goes wrong? I thought I was having one. Until today - when I realised that despite spending yesterday huddled on the hearth with a blazing fire and a hot water bottle, unable to get warm and feeling desperately sorry for myself – it’s been a good week. A text from a friend suggesting we meet for coffee next week, then a trip out today to meet the amazing Andrea (who despite her busy life always finds time for me) and discovering I’ve sold some crochet patterns online. How great is my life?

So, I’ve dusted myself down, counted my blessings (quickly ran out of fingers and toes) and I’m heading into the kitchen to cook something nice for “Mr T” who is home tonight after a week away.

I got to thinking about something Andrea said today, thinking about why brides choose her as their wedding photographer and on the way home I realised what it is that makes her so special.

Andrea has a unique ability to find beauty in the ordinary. A single look between two people at a wedding reception, a cheeky grin from the flower girl, a proud mother brushing away a tear as her son makes his speech. That’s before we even get to the photos of the bride and groom. Read her blog and you’ll see what I mean.

Andrea’s talent isn’t just about what she sees through the lens, its an attitude to life, and one I hope I share.

So, thanks Andrea. Helping you brush up your crochet skills was a small price to pay for helping me finding the beauty in just being ordinary.

Now, will it be fish pie or lamb curry for tea ….

Off the Hook…

Tracey Todhunter — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:18:05 +0000

Cowl, crocheted in the round using Undyed Limari

January has mostly been about knitting. Swatches and samples for magazine submissions, surprise gifts for friends and family and a couple of new designs I’m working on for my crochet book (more of that soon).

With so much “secret stuff” going on that I can’t share, it’s lucky that I’ve been busy with my hook. Crochet is great relaxation – and believe me I need to relax – we’ve had a rocky start to the year here in the Todhunter household. Good times must be headed our way soon (cross fingers).

Cowl, crocheted in the round using Noro Kogorashi (1 hank)

So here is my latest creation. A soft, sumptuous cowl which just seems to go on for ever and is incredibly warm. The second photo shows the same cowl made with half the number of stitches in Noro’s Kogorashi. Not my favourite yarn, but the colours were lovely and it found a grateful home just a couple fo days after it came off the hook! If you want to make one for yourself the pattern is available to purchase here

Tomorrow I’m off to give my lovely friend Andrea a brush up on her crochet skills. She has been complaining of cold hands, so I’m thinking these might go down well as a little “Happy New Year” gift.

Yarns used: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino with a trim of Louisa Harding Beaded Grace