Cardigan - Audrey in Unst

Since the beginning of April I've been knitting the cardigan Audrey in Unst, designed by Gudrun Johnston. You'll need a Ravelry account to see the link, but it's worth a look as it's a great pattern and really well written. I've got a few peeks of my progress so far...

I've just finished the first sleeve and now have the other one to do, and the button band. Am hoping to spend quite a lot of time on it over the weekend to get it nearly finished.

My other weekend project is finished my Sencha blouse. I'm a novice sewer and this was the third project I'd tackled, after two garments I probably won't ever wear! I made Version 1, the easiest version, but my toile didn't quite fit properly. I got a friend from work, who used to work as a pattern cutter, to help me make some adjustments. Its still not quite right so I am hoping that this weekend I can get it sorted once and for all - or abandon it to the pile in the cupboard...

Pretty China

Following my antique fair visit, this is the jam pot I purchased;


Cute, eh? All for £3.50, complete with (admittedly slightly manky) spoon. The design is so fantastically 50s, I couldn't resist. Last time I was at the Fair, I bought this adorable 1930s soup bowl;

It's so elegant and Art Deco-influenced, I absolutely love it. Compared to the size of the soup bowls that come with crockery sets today, it's exceptionally dainty too. The last picture for today is of the tea set I bought last week. It's a four place setting with cup, saucer and tea plate. I don't know the date and am unfamiliar with the maker (Claire) but it looks maybe 1960s or 1970s to me. I think it's quite elegant and for £2.40 for the set, it would have been a crime not to buy it!

As this blog is intended to be about what I'm MAKING and not just buying (ahem!) I will update with what I have been making with my next post. Unless some more fantastic china falls into my lap....!

K x

p.s I did manage to get the watch working, and yes, and it was a simple matter of pulling out the winding dial thingy.

Antiques Fair!

Today was the monthly Antiques Fair, and I was really looking forward to going as I hadn't been for a few months. I met up with a few friends too, so it was a social and antique event combined.

After having made a couple of purchases this week, I didn't want to buy too much, but fancied getting a new brooch. Mission accomplished - a lovely Deco style brooch, possibly 1930s or 1950s, for only £3. I also picked up a lovely pendant watch for £5. In working order, but the only problem is I haven't worked out how to change the time on it! Usually by pushing in or pulling out the dial, I would have thought. But that doesn't seem to work with this watch. I'm a bit perplexed by it, but hope I can work it out somehow!

My other buy was a 1950s jam pot with spoon for £3.50. I'm a sucker for ceramics, particularly 1950s or hand painted 1930s. I'm going to give it a clean before I post it here, so it's looking its best.

K x

You can't quite tell from this photograph, but this is actually a moneybox - the slot is just behind the handle. I think the labels really make this item, as it would be pretty dull without them.

There are no marks on the piece, just 'Portugal' stamped on the base, so I don't know a maker or date. I'm guessing it might date to the 1950s or 1960s, judging by the style of the labels. BOAC was the British State Airline, and was around until 1974, when it merged to form British Airways. I found a lovely image of a cheerful BOAC stewardess here - her uniform has quite a military look to it, and is far removed to the kind of outfit seen on the likes of budget airline employees.

Like the suitcase, it harks back to a time when air travel was exciting and glamorous, which is rarely the case these days.

First Post!

So, this is the first post then. I haven't got the hang of the design of the blog yet, but hopefully I can fiddle about with that, to make it look a bit less clunky.

The reason for this blog is to show some of the things I've been making and also some of my charity shop buys. I began to knit again about 3 years ago, after learning in Primary School, and have been knitting ever since picking up the needles again. More recently, I have begun to make my own clothes. So far, mixed (mostly poor) results but I'm hoping to improve. What's been really inspiring is seeing all the amazing sewing and vintage blogs online. I could only hope to be half as successful as some of my favourites!

As for the charity shops, well, I love a bargain. I tend to visit charity (and vintage clothing) shops a few times a week and have picked up some great stuff. Mostly there is a lot of rubbish to be waded through, but it makes finding that great thing even better.

I hope you will enjoy reading about my crafty efforts and my adventures in vintage. I will post some photos of my recent vintage finds tomorrow.

K x