Betty's Fuchsia Challenge!

I met Knitting & Crochet Guild member Betty Wood when we volunteered at the K&C Guild Stand at Alexandra Palace in October 2014. We were so busy talking to visitors that it was only just before Betty was leaving that she mentioned her long held interest in fuchsias. She told me that she had been searching for a knitted fuchsia motif to include in a sweater or cardigan, but she couldn't find a suitable motif anywhere. I love a knitting challenge and after we looked at some images of fuchsias together, I agreed to give it a go and "Betty's Fuchsia Motif" is the result!

Betty's Fuchsia Motif by Emma Vining

The motif is knitted in DK yarns and requires small amounts of 4 shades for the flower on an additional background shade. The fuchsia flower is made up of light pink, fuchsia pink, dark purple and green. Worked in DK yarn on 4mm needles, it measures 7.5cm by 14.5cm.

A black and white photo of Betty's Fuchsia motif is on the front cover of this month's Slipknot (March 2015) and Guild members can find the chart and instructions on page 22. For more information about the Knitting & Crochet Guild, please take a look at the Guild's website.

Bubbled

My first pattern for the Knitting & Crochet Guild has just been added to Ravelry! My hat design is called "Bubbled" and the pattern is being sold to raise funds for the the Guild.

Bubbled by Emma Vining
for the Knitting & Crochet Guild

The bubbles are made by increasing and decreasing with a rib pattern, which ensures that the hat will fit a range of head sizes.

Bubbled by Emma Vining
for the Knitting & Crochet Guild

I first used Cascade Superwash 220 yarn for my "Into the Woods" Cowl and Wristwarmers design, recently published in Knit Today Magazine. This lovely yarn comes in a huge range of colours and I ordered my "Smoke Heather", shade 860 for Bubbled from Deramores. You need one 100g ball to make the hat and pom pom.

Bubbled by Emma Vining
for the Knitting & Crochet Guild

Bubbled is available exclusively through the Knitting & Crochet Guild. Sale proceeds will support the Guild in it's continuing work of education, innovation and preservation. Look out for other exclusive patterns on Ravelry and on sale at Shows and events. The first KCG exclusive pattern was the gorgeous Yan Tan Tether cushion cover by Ann Kingston, followed by Horwood, a lovely hat design by Sarah Alderson. For more information about the Guild, please visit the website, www.kcguild.org.uk.

Into the Woods Cowl and Wristwarmers Set

I am delighted to have a design in the lovely spring issue of Knit Today Magazine! My "Into the Woods" cowl and wrist warmers, created in woodland green shades, are the perfect accessories to cosy up a casual weekend outfit.

Into the Woods Cowl and Wristwarmer Set
by Emma Vining
Image from Knit Today Magazine

The set is knitted in three shades of Cascade 220 Superwash yarn (2 x 100g balls of the main shade, Spring Night and 1 x 100g each of the second and third shades, Lichen and Celery). This yarn is machine washable, meaning these accessories will last for many seasons to come.

Into the Woods Wristwarmers
by Emma Vining
Image from Knit Today Magazine

The cowl measures 33 x 22cm (13 x 8 3/4inches). It is knitted in one piece and seamed at the side. The wrist warmers are folded in half, seamed at the side with a gap left for the thumb. Each wrist warmer measures 10 x 22cm (4 x 8 3/4inches).

Into the Woods Cowl and Wristwarmer Set
by Emma Vining
Image from Knit Today Magazine

Knit Today Magazine, Issue 109

Blue and White: British Printed Ceramics at the V&A Museum

A fascinating ceramics display has recently opened in a lovely little gallery on the 6th floor of the V&A Museum. Blue and White: British Printed Ceramics looks at one of the most familiar aspects of ceramics.

Detail from "Border" designed by Robert Dawson
Made by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, 2005

Originating in Iran and perfected in China, blue and white ceramics have been made for over 800 years. In Britain, the technique of printing into ceramics was pioneered in the 1750s and brought to the wider market by 1800. Improved quality and technical accuracy allowed contemporary culture and ideas to be incorporated into the distinctive cobalt blue and white designs.

"Blue and White" at the V&A Museum

The display looks at a range of themes including Human Landscapes, Flora and Fauna and Life and Times. Objects on show include examples from 1750 right through to recent designs demonstrating  the continued relevance of "Blue and White". 

Ceramics showing Flora and Fauna in "Blue and White" at the V&A Museum

 I love this ceramic representation the river Thames. 

"River" by Richard Rogers, RA and Stuart Blower

Optical effects are explored by Martin Smith in "2 Corners Doubled".

"2 Corners Doubled" by Martin Smith

Detail of "2 Corners Doubled" by Martin Smith

Blue and White can be viewed from now until the 3rd of January 2016 in Room 146 of the Ceramics Gallery.

Lanscape Cabinet at the "Blue and White" Display

Gladioli Sweater in the Knitter Magazine Issue 81

My Gladioli sweater design is on the front cover of the Knitter Magazine! The design was inspired by the beautiful Gladioli that I watched slowly emerge from tiny buds to gorgeous flowers. I love having these flowers in my kitchen and watching them slowly change over several days.

Gladioli Sweater by Emma Vining
Photo by the Knitter Magazine

The sweater has a centre panel of three gladioli ‘stalks’ with different coloured buds. The buds are made using cables and the colour is added after knitting and blocking using a decorative weave darning technique. The base of each bud is then closed by loosely wrapping the cable stitches to pull them together. 

Gladioli Sweater by Emma Vining
Photo by the Knitter Magazine

You need three shades of Rennie Handknits Chunky Lambswool Aran to make this sweater: The main shade is Stonehenge (207) and the two shades used for the decorative darning are Marzipan (992) and Cream (412). There is also a Masterclass on the decorative darning technique in Issue 81, with step by step photos showing how I added the colour to one of the buds.

Gladioli Sweater by Emma Vining
Photo by the Knitter Magazine