Tag: slow fashion

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NNK Yarns – From Woolly Mail to Finished Object

I love NNK Yarns’ unique hand dyed yarns. Everyone loves getting woolly mail and I’m no exception! Although I’ve been bad at posting my deliveries from NNK Yarns on Instagram (follow me @mycraftsandkelly if you’re not already), I’m still steadily making my way through all my lovely, squishy delights!

Not Just a Hoarder

Yes I am guilty of having a large stash. However, I do knit! I don’t just collect, I swear! Unlike other yarns, NNK Yarns have been easier for me to ‘stash bust’ with and work with regularly. I think because they are so gorgeous!

In preparation for this blog post, I went through my Instagram feed. Hunting for my woolly deliveries. Surprisingly, I found that I hadn’t posted a lot of my deliveries to my feed. However, I’m guessing I was trying to keep them secret from the partner!

“Excuse me? Yarn delivery? You must be mistaken! I’ve always had these skeins you’ve never seen before!”

Finished Object vs Work in Progress: What’s the tally come to?

I think I might have 20, maybe 23, finished objects (not counting weaving in ends!) that have been knit with NNK Yarns. Including a few projects where they seduced their way into the project and weren’t the primary yarn!

And there might be around 11 NNK Yarns WIPs currently…. Is a cast-on-a-holic a thing…?

See below for lots of delicious yarn eye candy!

A Couple of Oldies but Goodies:

  • Impossible Princess
  • Can’t Steal my Sunshine

I think these two colourways look good no matter what the project is or what yarn they are paired with. So bright and vibrant and full of cheer. Did you manage to get one of these classic skeins? What did you knit with it? Leave me a comment below!

NNK Yarns Woolly Mail – AKA “The Hoard”

Scroll the gallery! I did my best to remember all the colourway names! Let me know if I got any wrong!

  • Can’t Steal My Sunshine
  • Top: Ink
    Middle: Blackcurrant & Finch
    Bottom: Moody Blues
  • Top: Can’t Steal My Sunshine & Ultraviolet on Mohair
    Bottom: Mermaid
  • Top: Euphoria & Lavender Bliss
    Middle: Driftwood Mohair & Lipstick
    Bottom: Controlled Crazy & Purple Rain
  • Cakes: Wicked & Lipstick Mohair
    Skeins Left to Right: Silver Fox, Radioactive, Christmas 2019
  • Top to Bottom: Dirty Mustard, Withered Rose, Blue Jeans, Rosella, Summer Sky Sock Set
  • Vintage, Hallmark, Abalone & Haze
  • Post Migraine Purple OOAK
  • Stash Heap Mail Delivery! Too many to name!
  • Perfect Trio on Gold Sparkle! Dirty Mustard, Camouflage, Pink Camouflage
  • 2 x Chasing Unicorns, Tangy Fruits Mohair, OOAK Sock Set
  • Violet Beauregard & Lavender Fields
  • Advent Calendar Mini Skeins!
  • Merino Yak Silk Truly Teal & Electric Blue
  • DK Sparkle Reef & DK Funfetti OOAK
  • DK Vintage
  • Eggplant, Speckled Eggs, Woodnymph & Charcoal
  • Bubblegum Denim & Winter Seas

Finished Objects

One Awesomely Amazing Skein, So Many Projects!

I think hands tied behind my back, gun to my head, if I had to choose a favourite colourway Impossible Princess might be it. I have only ever bought the one skein of this colour way. Yet its been knit into so many different projects. Sometimes as a star and sometimes as a supporting artist.

  • Impossible Princess
  • Gloves In Progress
  • Gloves Finished
  • Textured Stitch & Garter Stripes Scrap Wrap
  • Pond Ripple Lace Garter Garden Shawl

Almost through this second ever order:

I custom ordered the triplet cakes with the plan to design and knit a shawl for Ovarian Cancer (I’m a survivor). That’s right! Custom order. If you contact Lisa (the amazing woman behind NNK Yarns) she is so helpful and willing to get your yarn dreams into reality.

However, with the shawl design, I keep sketching and knitting and ripping and not being happy with the result. Hopefully I can get my vision and survival spirit out into shawl form with these three gorgeous skeins before 2022.

I knit the second of my Hopeful Shawl design in a slightly larger size in the Shimmer colourway.

The Silver Fox were a heavy handed dyeing (Lisa’s words not mine!) on a Merino Silk base which is just scrumptious. I used these as the main colour for my first Slipstravaganza during last years West Knits MKAL.

Lost track of the order of the orders from here out…

I kept buying skeins just because they were beautiful but didn’t always have a plan of what to knit them into so a lot of the time they were used for random bits here and there. Mermaid, a gorgeous blue with speckles of dark blue and purple, I ended up using in my scrap wrap design and in a scrappy set of arm warmers that are a custom design and order for one of my best and longest friends living in America.

The Ultraviolet Mohair went forever and made it’s way into a few West Knits as mohair dares, was added into the purple Euphoria glove’s cuffs, and were the lovely lace flounce cuffs on the custom arm warmers.

Lipstick is another seductress. Making it’s way into various projects. I still have a decent amount left of that bright and vibrant yarn so I’m sure it isn’t finished with it’s seductive ways.

Radioactive and Wicked were used to make a T-Rex Amigurumi for my young cousin. He loved it! I was so pleased and he drew me a picture. This bargain clearance sale Silver Fox I used to finish off the the Silver Fox Slipstravaganza when I ran out at the i-cord bind off and was the second stripe colour in my Garter Garden Shawl alongside Purple Rain.

I still haven’t knit anything with the Christmas skein yet. What do you think I should knit with it? Please let me know in the comments below!

A very large order… too many gorgeous skeins to resist….

I think this order has the most skeins that I’ve still yet to get to…

Most important was knitting up the second version of my Garter Garden Shawl using Glacier and Honeycomb. This is not a combination that is usual for me, but I really love how it came out and the beachy vibes that it emits.

I still have one skein of the Honeycomb left. Originally I was going to use the two Honeycomb skeins with a purple Yak Silk. However, I felt it best to use what I had rather than keeping it aside with the idea to get around to knitting with it later.

  • Garter Garden Shawl

More Plans for these NNK Yarns!

In this order I had a large amount of gorgeous yak silks. Almost all of them made their way into both versions of the Slipstravaganza’s that I knit. And the left over yak silk I’m trying to use to knit a lacy raglan sleeve top. The pattern is called “Sun and Moon”.

Two of the skeins, I believe the top two pinky looking ones, are set aside for this year’s West Knits MKAL, Shawlography! I can’t wait to cast on Friday!

I’m designing a lace shawl using the Yak Silk in the Opal colourway. There are two skeins of Footpath Art, a gorgeous dark grey with bright pinks and moody purples. I plan to knit a small cardigan for myself with those. I planned to knit a brioche cowl with the Goldenorb Weaver and the Plush (red) balls. The gorgeous three cakes of Merlot are ready to be cast on and turned into a Spritz Stripe top, pattern by Carol Feller. (I was just trying to finish the Frenchy Blouse first).

I want to make a cropped top with the Rogue with an accent of the moody plush on Yak Silk. And the gorgeous trio of Tabacco, Truly Teal and different kind of Merlot I want to use to knit a fair isle top.

And I believe the rest, including the Christmas Sock Set will be knit into socks!

This year I set a goal of knitting a shawl a month. I’ve far exceeded my lofty goals I’m so pleased to say. Next year I’d like to set a goal of knitting a pair of socks each month! Fingers crossed I can be just as successful!

Pinks and Purples are really my jam right now…

I’ve used all the yarns in this order excluding the Driftwood Mohair. The Driftwood Mohair I’ve recently paired with two skeins of Driftwood on a sock base (acquired during The Big Wool Show) which I plan to use to reknit the arm warmer pattern before releasing it for test knitting. I can’t wait to cast on that project!

Euphoria, like Impossible Princess, has made its way into many projects. First being used as a gorgeous gauge swatch. Next being used in the arm warmers, then in a pair of gorgeous gloves, it was also added into the scrappy version of the Garter Garden Shawl. I’ve still got a nice amount left. It’s another versatile colourway!

Lipstick, like it’s mohair counterpart, has been used as a pop in many projects, including the Fantastitch and the fingerless glove portion of the arm warmer.

Controlled Crazy I picked out for my younger brother immediately. My little bro has been hugely supportive of my knitting and is a creative, crazy, free spirit (and my handsome male model) but can also be very serious and stern in stark duality. Because of that, I felt this colourway was absolutely perfect for him. Of course, socks were the gift of choice. However, I’m terrible when it comes to knitting socks.

I can knit a 900+ stitch i-cord bind off with ease, but when it comes to completing two socks to make a pair within a month it’s an impossible task. What’s wrong with me?!

I’d really like to have this pair of socks finished before Christmas! Can I do it?!

NNK Yarns Advent Calender 2020

It’s cast on… but hasn’t gone very far. I drafted a pattern tentatively named “Scrap Wrap” with the purpose of using up lots of little bits of yarn that you might have left over but would also be perfect for Advent Calendar Mini Skeins Sets.

I was getting my best friend, a novice knitter, to attempt to knit this wrap. She had a lot of difficulty with the cable border, so it was decided that the cable border would be removed and an easier alternative would be used in the design instead. Neither of us have gotten much further.

I do hope to tackle this again in the near future as these gorgeous GORGEOUS advent skeins are screaming to be knit up in a superb row all together looking fabulous and stunning. Soon my pretties… soon….

Works in Progress

Currently on the needles!

The Bulevardi 5 socks have been an absolute delight to knit and I think the Frosty Diva and Currant are a perfect pair! But like all my socks, the tradition dictates I must knit one sock, most of the second and never finish them both in a reasonable time.

Maybe I will use it as my ‘waiting for the next clue’ project during the West Knits Shawlography MKAL. The Jacki Scarf in Serenity I started to wrap my head around brioche knitting increases and decreases. Although I haven’t finished it, I’m in no rush to as I use it as my brioche refresher project. When I haven’t knit brioche in a while, which happens quite a lot! As a result, I use this project to get back into the swing of things before tackling the project I want to tackle. I think it will be on the needles for a while yet, and that’s ok.

I started to design a pair of socks using the Summer Sky sock set, so far I only have a squishy cuff completed. I’m designing a brioche cowl using Bubblegum Denim and Blue Jeans. Although taking much longer than I initially planned, I can see the finish line on the larger version of the Hopeful Shawl. This is knit in the No Shrinking Violet Diva and In Your Face Diva colourways. I hope to have this shawl pattern ready for test knitting really soon!

Another older colourway, Moody Blues, I have used to treat myself. I cast on and have been making steady progress on a crochet mandala. Eventually, this will grow into a duster.

Other Finished Knits

I forgot to mention my first Garter Garden knit with Garden Pond and Currant. I used the left over Current from the shawl as the contrast yarn in the Bulevardi 5 socks. Next, is a shrug using the super chunky, and also super squishy, base in the colourway Magnolia. This project you could knit in an evening and uses just under 2 skeins. The pattern is the Shieldmaiden Shrug.

Lastly, and also most recently off the needles, is the Frenchy Blouse (pattern by Poisongrrls) with sleeve and hem length modifications. Using 4 skeins of DK Sparkle. This project came out better than expected!

Garter Garden KAL November!

I’d like to do a knit-along in November (my birthday month) to celebrate my first published pattern the Garter Garden Shawl. The shawl uses 2 skeins (or approximately 800m) and I’m eyeing off the Woodnymph and the Charcoal pairing cuddled together in my stash…

My handsome younger brother modelling the scrappy version of the Garter Garden Shawl.
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West Knits Shawls That I’ve Knit So Far…

I’ve knit a few West Knits Shawls now. I’ve found the patterns easy to follow even though the finished product might seem complex when first looking at it.

The Completed West Knits Shawls

Vulpix

The first West Knits Shawl I knit, which was also the first West Knits pattern I tried, was Vulpix. Although seeming complex the patterns are surprisingly easy to follow. I hope that I can also master the art of writing patterns for the ‘Adventurous Beginner’.

Vulpix was a custom order for my boss’s brother. He was happy with the result and I enjoyed the process. It knit up quickly.

Fantastitch

When I first joined Instagram I was seeing the Fantastitch pop up a lot. Because I was really inspired by what I was seeing, I wanted to do my own.

I’d had a positive experience knitting Vulpix and Fantastitch was no different. I’d say it was one of the most fun things to knit and the gorgeous yarn just really perks me up!

Slipstravaganza MKAL 2020 – Silver Fox

Because I had so much fun with the Fantastich, I wanted to join in on the Slipstravaganza MKAL.

Slipstravaganza MKAL 2020 – Dirty Mustard

At this point in my life I was newly disabled having found out that I have cyst in my spinal cord and I was unable to work at a job I loved. I am a work-a-holic and being so limited by my body, I decided to push myself with this MKAL by knitting two versions of the same pattern.

It was a real boost to my confidence! As a result of finishing the two shawls, I didn’t feel useless and incapable. I didn’t feel weak or helpless. I’m glad I challenged myself!

Winterlights Hiberknitalong 2020

MKAL Season Fever breezed on and suddenly it was Hiberknitalong Season! I of course joined in again. I had a lot of trouble with the bubble sections. I’d say due to potato brain. So I didn’t enjoy knitting this one as much as the others.

The lessened enjoyment could also be due to the yarn I was using which was stash yarn that continuously split.

Future West Knits Shawls That I’m Planning to Knit

Waiting for the West Knits Shawl MKAL 2021

I’ve signed up for the West Knits MKAL 2021 Shawlography. However, I’m still deciding on my yarn palette. I’m sure September will pass by quickly and then October Cast On will be upon us!

Are you joining the MKAL??

Speckle & Pop Jacket

I want to knit a Speckle & Pop Jacket for my younger brother. I think the energy will really suit my younger brother’s vibe. I’ll be using lots of scrap and stash yarn but don’t really have a cast on date set for this one.

Starflanket

Of course I have to try to knit a West Knits Blanket! I’ve got a bunch of acrylic blend sport yarn I got on sale a while back that I could probably use. Although I want to knit this one, I’m still undecided on the yarn and as a result don’t have a date for cast on for this one either.

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Finished Objects & WIPs August 2021

My finished objects list for August 2021 isn’t very large because I had a monster project that was taking up all my knitting time. The Fancy Clancy Poncho! Which included a picot bind-off of over 900 stitches.

Finished Objects

I managed to finish the poncho by its due date! Thankfully! I’ve written a separate post on the poncho knitting journey. You can check it out here.

As well as that, I finished knitting the third, and very well received, version of the Garter Garden Shawl! Did you know you can knit your very own Garter Garden Shawl? The knitting pattern is available to purchase in my shop! You can easily find it by clicking here. Or if you want to read more about the shawl check out this post.

Lastly, I designed and knit a hat to pair with The Fancy Clancy Poncho so I called it the Fancy Clancy Hat.

WIPs

Although my finished object list is short, I have an exorbitantly large WIP (Work-in-Progress) list. The main WIPs in August were The Frenchy Blouse and the Bulevardi 5 Socks. However, there were lots of other projects on needles.

I’m nearing completion of The Frenchy Blouse, pattern by Poisongrrls. I’m loving how it is coming together and looking. I am up to the hem ribbing. I have cast on, ribbed the cuff and started the pattern on the leg on the second sock of the Bulevardi 5 Socks, pattern by Tiina Kuu. These two projects will, most likely and hopefully, be on the finished objects list for September.

In addition to these two gorgeous projects nearing completion, I was also making steady progress on my Brioche Cowl. This cowl is knit with NNK Yarns Sock Yarn in colorways Bubblegum Denim and Blue Jeans.

Unfortunately I have a lot of WIPs on needles that I didn’t get to at all during August. For instance these poor WIPs: Tom’s Crazy Socks, Summer Rose circular shawl, and the Sun & Moon Top.

Finished Objects September?

Firstly, I plan to finish The Frenchy Blouse. After that, I’d like finish the large version of the Hopeful Shawl and get the pattern ready for test knitting. In addition, I have two other shawls I am designing and knitting. However, they might be completed in October.

Lastly, I will be completing a couple request projects. My younger brother wants a Fancy Clancy Hat and I am crocheting another T-Rex amigurumi, this one for my Physiotherapist.

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Garter Garden Shawl – Get the Pattern Today!

Scrap Version Garter Garden Shawl Worn As Hip Scarf

I’m ecstatic to finally publish the pattern for the Garter Garden Shawl design. It’s so pleasing how this came together and how quickly, easily and enjoyably this one knits up. The shawl can also be worn as a hip scarf (perfect for the belly dancers out there) or to jazz up a swim suit. Buy it now here!

Garter Garden Shawl Design

The Idea

I wanted something that I could knit easily while watching TV, but wasn’t plain garter stitch and too boring. I’ve wanted to do an asymmetrical shawl with a pointed edge for a while. So thought this was the perfect opportunity to try.

The Yarn

I purchased the Garden Pond colourway from NNK Yarns after falling in love with it. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to use it. Paired with Currant, another NNK Yarns colourway that I had no plans for but seduced its way into my stash.

NNK Yarns Sock Colourways Currant and Garden Pond

The yarns look absolutely stunning and gorgeous together!

The Result?

Full Length Garter Garden Shawl Version 1

Garter Garden Shawl Beach Vibes

I wanted to reknit the shawl. The first time through I forgot to note properly the lace sections and didn’t trust my stitch count. Again I looked at the NNK Yarns in my stash and found colourways Glacier and Honeycomb. The yarns are both gorgeous separately but together complemented and there was enough contrast to have the stripes stand out.

Full Length Garter Garden Shawl Version 2

I love how this shawl came out with the colours. This is not a colour combination I usually use so it was surprising how well it worked. And really gives off a beachy and relaxing vibe. The beautiful model pictured has secured this shawl for her next beach adventure.

Garter Garden Shawl Beach Vibes Wrapped Around Shoulders

Time to Test Knit!

With instructions typed up and some messy hand drawn charts the pattern was ready to be test knit. The wonderful Theresa volunteered to test knit and lucky for me she is an experienced test knitter and very kind. After lots of new ideas, LOTS of corrections (to my embarrassment but also relief), the Garter Garden Shawl Pattern was improved dramatically!

Theresa’s finished Garter Garden Shawl blew me away! I was so emotionally happy I had tears in my eyes. Someone had knit my pattern! And it was beautiful! I can’t wait to see what more people knit and do with the pattern! So please tag me on instagram so I can see your progress and your finished projects!

Garter Garden Shawl 80s Synthwave Vibe

I like patterns that have the weights used for sections so you can do lots of customization and use up all those left over yarns from finished projects that are still beautiful. Of course the colourway Impossible Princess made its way into this one as it has made its way into several of my projects. I love the combination of pink, purple and aqua.

This scrappy version used two colours still for the garter stripes but there was not a high contrast between the colours, but I love the effect! Colourways for stripes were Silver Fox and Purple Rain.

Scrap Version Wrapped Around Shoulders & Neck

I also made extra sure to count my stitches for the rows to assist knitters through the growth of their own Garter Garden. And finished a little bit fancy using the OOAK colourway Post Migraine Purple, a lovely deep purple, with a picot bind off. It ties in so nicely with the lace sections.

Finalising the Instructions for the Garter Garden Shawl

All the fun stuff was done. Surprisingly the shawl was getting lots of love and instagramers were looking forward to the pattern release. Fire lit, the pattern instructions updated, charts generated, and models requested. And today is the day. It both came quickly and slowly. I’m so excited to publish this shawl pattern!

  • Wearing Shawl As a Skirt
  • Garter Garden Shawl Wrapped Over Shoulders
  • Garter Garden Shawl Wrapped Around Neck

Get the pattern now and knit your own! Buy it here!

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My Knitwear And Pattern Design Journey

My experience and slow journey from knitting novice to making knitwear and pattern design.

My First Published Pattern

(Hopefully) on Monday, I’ll be releasing my very first published knitting pattern! Although the Garter Garden Shawl will be my first published knitting pattern it isn’t my first design.

When the pattern is released, find it in my store.

What Was My First Design?

My first design was actually a cabled jacket which really pushed the boundaries of my novice knitting abilities. Inspired and requested by my younger brother, this intricate and custom design took three years to complete and knit up.

My Knitwear and Pattern Design History:

A Poncho!

I knit an easy top down poncho for my younger brother, mostly as an attempt to use up lots of stash yarn, but also to add to his magical knitwear collection. (I did a lot of knitting at work).

Some Hats!

I knit a fluffy beret for myself, a tight knit hat for my younger brother. And lots of hats for friends.

And a Yuppie Scarf

A workmate requested a custom knit scarf and the design parameters? It had to be “yuppie as”. I used a luxurious merino silk blend and it turned out beautifully.

I was starting to get more competent at knitwear and pattern design…

From there I designed more hats, ponchos, dappled with cowls and socks and of course shawls. But now I was starting to take more notes and write things down and put things into the computer.

Hopeful Shawl

This shawl I stated wanting something easy to knit while watching TV but would also be pretty with some simple lace. I really needed something to cheer me up through my health journey (Autonomic Dysfunction, Syringomyelia, Scheuermann’s Disease etc). I discovered NNK Yarns around this time. This pattern uses only 1 skein of sock yarn.

I need to update and correct the charts for this one and I’d like to knit a large version using two skeins with a couple more elements to it and then this one will be ready to publish. I’d like to release this one as a free pattern to all those that are feeling hopeful about the challenges they face in their life.

Scrap Wrap – Stashbusting Wrap/Lap Blanket

Another TV knitter. I also wanted something to use up lots of 20g mini skeins or left over scraps of yarn. But I also didn’t want to be bored knitting just stocking stitch or garter stitch. I wanted this one to be a great beginner project that would allow beginners to dapple with different techniques. However, it is in the test knitting stage and is currently too difficult for a beginner knitter so it will be updated before it can be released.

I’d also like to do a yarn advent calendar mini skein version at some stage.

Olivia Slouch Beanie

Commissioned by my younger brother for the singer/songwriter/musician Olivia Ruth (she’s gorgeous and talented). This Beanie is currently in the testing stages and will have instructions for different weights of yarn from fingering to chunky.

Fancy Clancy Bush Doof Poncho – An exclusive knitwear and pattern design!

Currently being knit and commissioned by Fancy Clancy himself. I may end up creating a poncho pattern similar to this custom poncho in the future.

Summy Socks

I’ve knit a few socks and although when actually being knit they knit up quick and are a nice small project. I find I tend to drag completion out when knitting socks. I would like to have variety to my knitwear designs and these are the start of my first sock design.

Aisu’s Armwarmers

Another commission custom design. A pair of arm warmers for my fairy goddess in America. Including girly lace flounce sleeves which I’m very proud of and happy with the result.