Saturday 7 January 2012

Warm for Winter

 Today's theme is a woolly one....a few years ago when i fell in love with knitting  all over again, i stitched a little cross stitch sampler to celebrate my re discovered  knitting joy, inspired by the pleasure of both making something with lovely wool and having a warm and cosy garment to wear at the end of the process.....
 ....the little sampler found its way to Cross Stitch Collection, where it was made into a knitting needle roll by the clever creative design team there, and it was then featured as a project in the magazine.......
.....the Knit and Stitch design has recently become available again to download at the making spot here.....
 .....and i am still happily knitting, this time a fair isle scarf inspired by a pattern  by Martin Storey, using some of my most favourite wool in soft warm colours.....as i'm only doing the fair isle pattern at the ends of the scarf there is a big relaxing stretch of simple stripy knitting in the middle.....
 ....i began this project a few weeks ago and i am taking my time over this scarf as i have so many other things going on too, but there is a little bit of calm each time i pick it up and knit a few rows......
             ........i really think there is nothing so cosy as something hand knitted for winter.......
....these are my weekend flowers , they looked so fresh and pretty i just had to put this picture in too....
I hope you are having a lovely weekend...thanks for popping in here it's lovely to see you....wishing you cosy, cheerful and crafty times  this week.... i'll be back soon xxxxx

30 comments:

morikomidori said...

such an enchanting post with absolutely gorgeous colours. i adore tweedy yarns and they are looking their very best here in your beautiful fair-isle project.
i really enjoy looking at your photographs and very much admire the lovely sampler with the story behind it.

warmest wishes xxx

sumea

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Helen!! Love the red and white♥ The scarf is so pretty...how can I find the pattern? And the knitting roll is completely adorable!!
Enjoy your weekend!

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear Helen.. love the scarf you're working on. I did some fair isle knitting in bright colors once.. I wish I knew where it was! :-)

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh Helen what a gorgeous post.
I'm a huge fan of fairisle and Martin Storey and Rowan Felted Tweed!
Your scarf is so beautiful as it is your sampler.
Thanks again for a lovely post. :)
Vivienne x

Annie said...

I just love the colours in this post. And the Felted Tweed is perfect for that scarf. Happy knitting Helen, and don't forget the scarfy Ta-dah when you're finished please :D

DearHelenHartman said...

So charming from the very first word to the very last stitch. I love your saying you find calm with every ro you knit. It makes me want to pick up some yarn.

trish said...

Your knitting is just lovely Helen. :o)
And how wonderful to have your lovely pattern available to the public. :o) It is a darling roll. :o)
Happy cozy creating today. :o)

Susan said...

Lovely scarf! I love the idea of fair isle at the ends only! And such soft colours!

Simone said...

A lovely colour co-ordinated post Helen. You are so creative and productive. The scarf and sampler are both delightful. x

My Little Home and Garden said...

Your sampler is just up my alley, being a fan of wooly sheep and knitting! Pity I don't know how to "stitch". (Not yet, anyway.) The scarf pattern and colours are perfect for a snowy day! Enjoy your weekend, Helen!

Lori ann said...

oh dear helen, i really love everything about this post. cross stitch was my love for many years, and knitting too. although i haven't picked up a needle and thread too much lately.
this is so inspiring and i think i need to make your beautiful sampler to go in my knitting room.
LOVE your scarf, and love rowan tweed. so lovely.
thank you for sharing.

Frances said...

Helen, don't you think that January is a month just made for knitting?

Even so, let me send you a bravo for that cross stitch sampler design. It's lovely!

I'm also a fan of the Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, it's a pleasure on the needles and the results are great; it's good for graphic designs.

Happy New Year!

Used-to-Bees said...

Oooh - red and white, a combination I love! The needle roll is super - I'm not surprised they've made the pattern available again. And the knitting looks so cosy, and such a pretty design. I used to have a jumper that a friend had knitted using cross stitch patterns - rows of hearts, paper-cut style people and so on. She'd shrunk it, so she gave it to me (I was a bit smaller) but eventually it shrunk a bit more (or I got bigger? Surely not!) so I turned it into hot water bottle covers!
x

La Vie Quotidienne said...

So pretty. I agree, there is nothing so calming and soothing as needlework in the cooler months.

Pipany said...

Hello Helen and a happy new year to you, albeit belatedly. Lovely colours in this post x

Jane said...

Hi Helen, those wool colours for your scarf are gorgeous. It will be lovely to wear when you finish it. I love the details in your cross stitch you must have the patience and eyesight of a saint!! Have a great week ahead,
Jane x

Lori ann said...

dear helen, you've inspired me to take out and hopefully complete a sampler i've had for ever! i think i need a magnifying lamp though, i've found my eyes are not quite up to the task.
thank you though.

Kentish Keg-Meg said...

Just the weather and time of year for knitting. Fabulous sampler.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Helen, This is my 3rd attempt at commenting, having problems, I think at my end. Hope this goes through. Love the felted tweed yarns and pattern. How nice and cosy the scarf will be and in the house too. I sometimes find myself wrapped in cosiness until my next hot flash! haha
Hope your weekend was sweet. Loved your flowers a must for this time of year.
xoRobin❤

annie's abode said...

hi helen
i love this sampler and very tempted to send for it - the trouble is i have so many projects on the go and ones i want to do. i saw your book in hobbycraft. i didn't buy it as i needed to buy christmassy things but i am very, very tempted to go back and buy it!
you seem to achieve more than i do.
your knitting is gorgeous too.
anniex

Deb said...

Gorgeous!
Love the red and white ♥

Mia said...

These are so pretty, Helen! It never stops to amaze me, how talented people are around here at internet: your work is just perfect. I cannot cross-stitch at all so I admire that sampler greatly, and it makes the most beautiful needle roll!

Have a wonderful new week!

Yours,
Mia

Jenny said...

That is just beautiful Helen, I want to learn to knit even more now! Fairisle has to be my favourite of patterns, there is just something so cosy and charming about it. I think your scarf will be absolutely beautiful, hope you have fun knitting the rest of it! Wishing you a lovely week xxx

Unknown said...

Hi, Love the colours and pattern of the scarf that rust colour is so lovely and warm. What a lovely little sampler to you are very clever. Have a lovely week and happy knitting and making. dee x

Country Rabbit said...

such a wonderful pattern- your so talented helen- i so enjoy the inspiration...love the flowers in that sweet vase x

Poppy said...

Yet again I'm in LOVE with all of it! I wish I could knit like that. I do love coming here!!!

Lou x x x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Helen, I love the colors you've chosen for your fair isle. I tried knitting many years ago but was all thumbs. Crocheting to me is so much easier. Your scarf is very beautiful.

When I posted the other day about my new craft books, I didn't realize at the time that the cross-stitch book was one of yours. It was so nice to see your bio in the back of the book along with a picture. I used to cross-stitch all the time, but lately crochet has taken over. I would like to make time for both. Thanks for inspiring!

Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

my4lilgirls said...

Oh Helen what a beautiful post, the stitching is so lovely & the knitting is just gorgeous, i love the warm colors, very cosy. pretty flowers too such a perfect finish to the post :D
Karen xxxxx

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello Helen,
Your scarf is looking beautiful in the felted tweed yarn....the colours are so lovely together!.... I am a huge fan of Fair Isle knitting (almost addicted!)and currently have a project on my needles....I do find it so relaxing...Ooh, I would love to have a cross stitch needle roll too for my precious needles..I would treasure it!....It's so pretty and lovely too to read the story behind the design...
Happy knitting,
Susan x

Natalia Glazacheva said...

Hi, Helen!Super Cute! I love red & white :o) Thanks for sharing!
Have a nice day
Hugs from Russia
Natasha