My latest pattern is out in Knit Now issue 66. My mitts feature stranded colour work reflecting the patterns found in old Turkish textiles. They’re incredibly quick to knit and a great stash buster – I’m already planning pairs in several other colours …
This time last week we were heading down the A1 to the City & Guilds Lion Awards 2016, scheduled to coincide with the first Festival of Skills. The Lion Awards are a celebration of the achievements of all C&G Medal for Excellence winners, and an opportunity to reward exceptional learners, tutors and centres from the UK and overseas. The event was held in Capel Manor College, a further education college at Bulls Cross, Enfield. The college grounds, including a wonderful…
A couple of weekends ago we made our annual pilgrimage to Woolfest, held at Cockermouth in Cumbria. It was a day of sunshine and showers but that didn’t seem to deter the army of wool lovers and craftspeople who flocked to Mitchell’s Lakeland Livestock Centre. One of the big attractions of Woolfest every year is the presence of so many animals – rare breed sheep, goats, alpacas and angora rabbits. We very much enjoy the parade of breeds in the…
I was really looking forward to the Missoni exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London and it did not disappoint. It was a privilege to see classic Missoni fashions spanning six decades displayed alongside large-scale wall hangings, highlighting many instantly recognisable Missoni textile designs, some of Ottavio Missoni’s graphic paintings, and several amazing original design sketches. The accompanying contemporary artwork from other major Italian and European figures, like Sonia Delaunay, served to illustrate the fertile artistic and political landscape…
I’m no stranger to London, but last week Paul and I decided to be tourists for a day and visit some of the capital’s most famous landmarks. The sheer magnificence of the architecture in London never ceases to amaze me. Despite the variable weather, I snapped lots of future potential design inspiration …
Wednesday was a rather special and memorable day. My husband and I attended the presentation of the City & Guilds Prince Philip Medal, the President’s Award, and the Livery Company Prizes, held in the South Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace. After a drinks reception at the Institute of Directors on Pall Mall, the prizes were presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of The City and Guilds of London Institute, aided by the C&G Chairman, Sir John Armitt, and the Director-General,…
Tomorrow I am off to London to receive my award from the Haberdashers’ Livery Company in exclusive and rarefied surroundings – more of that next week! Aside from the honour and privilege of receiving the Haberdashers’ award, I am also really looking forward to going to the Missoni Art Colour exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Inspiration overload, with any luck!
I am beavering away knitting swatches for a magazine commission at the moment whilst enjoying the French Open coverage. Is there any felicity in the world superior to this?!
Hello there, welcome! I am an avid reader of other people’s blogs, but I’ve never really considered my life to be very blog-worthy. However, I have decided that it is time to stop lurking on the sidelines and take the plunge, so these are my first tentative steps into the world of blogging. For my opening post, I’m sharing news of an achievement of which I’m very proud. Having already successfully completed the City & Guilds Level 3 certificate in…