WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: ORDERS ORDERS ORDERS

Alongside my Chinese dragon, working part time with my knitter and answering emails and interviews I've been knitting orders. Mainly foxes but I've also made a couple more Studio Ghibli knits which I wanted to share. With the Totoro I was asked to leave the mouth off of him, so he looks super cute, as well as a little rounder. The patterns almost perfect so soon I'll be sharing it! 

My mother also walked past a closing down shop which were selling mannequins, so I've finally got my own to model my scarves. All I need is some time to photograph the foxes, as usually I dash out to post them before I get a chance to. 

I also purchased a new domestic knitting machine, which is ever so exciting. I've never really used a punchcard so my Nan spent a day with me where I learnt the basics. I've finished making my first punchcard and am half way through knitting a scarf with it. So my next post should be all about it, along with the turbans I've been making.

Sincerely,

Louise

xox

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: ONE FOX, TWO

I've been knitting so many commissions recently, mainly foxes. I though I'd do a quick update on them. Here are two little guys with the slim face. One in a foxy orange and the other in a beautiful wine red Wendy Mode yarn. 

I've also been working on some hats, a vintage inspired ladies turban and a moss stitch beanie,on my list of things to do is another Totoro and my first commissioned wig. They have been getting a lot of interest from my press and I'm excited to send one to France. 

I also just wanted to say a big thank you to anybody reading from the daily mail link. I never expected such a positive reaction to my wigs, I just love knitting. 

Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Past Knitting

I started knitting last January (almost a year now!), we were at my Nan and Granddad's and my sister was knitting. I was jealous and asked her to teach me. With the help of my sister, mother, nan and friend Faith I learnt to knit. I think it really took off when I saw the fox stoles made, they inspired a lot of my creations. I rarely use patterns because I think designing or just knitting and seeing how it works out is half the fun! Here are some of my past knits that have brought me up to this point. 

I really like fox imagery and that is why I am drawn to doing a hunting project. I think if I can produce something broader than just foxes I will be able to create a series with variety in however sticking to the one theme. 

Skinny Love

Its officially the end of my summer and what a way to spend it. After months of sitting and knitting my cruel and ironic finale, by the fate of a knitting needle, leaves me sitting and knitting for one more week. Honestly I needed this summer, almost to repent and rediscover myself as an individual. For two years I've been very caught up with these ideas of love and 'soul' searching, the fear of being single and the depression that came with losing friends. It may have taken some time but I do feel at peace and all those moments that felt like the end of the world wash over and I can just smile.

The combination of some very good friends, knitting and learning about a different way of life has done wonders on my personality. I may have seemed hidden away but I'm about ready to get back into the world. Going back to university excites me as I'll be working on a different game plan.

I have so much to blog about and patterns I'd really like to post but I drove myself crazy knitting my dad a hat for his birthday. As I was ill for it I wanted it to be lovely for him and staying up till 4am may have warped the design slightly. So watch this space for all my new uploads, but for now I've gotta go back up to Bournemouth and make the most of my student time.

Dads Hat 

Pattern I made and worked from

Where The Wild Things Are hat designed, made and modelled by me! haha

The reason behind my 'accident' was this hat here. My dear friend Kris asked me to make it for him and whilst knitting it the trauma occurred. I don't blame him for what happened.... much! 

Spongebob Design

So when I was last at uni, April some time, I was knitting a jumper for some guy I was seeing (rookie mistake, stick with quick knit hats or scarfs for men with potential). I stopped knitting it but picked it up last week when I was ill. I had the back made and the start of the front, however had lost the pattern. The result in shape is a little mis-match, however designing the face was fun and a prototype really. I'll upload the picture design as soon as I get a chance to digitalise it!

Finished front, the back looks a little crazy! 

Finished the embroidery on JC and made the back on my machine! Just need to stitch that together! 

Also this week I've been making a red fox to send off to America, I've got its ears to sew on then its ready to go! Just want a lovely box to put it in!

Grumpy and hard at work!

Three foxes!

My work room I'm sadly leaving. 

 Soooooo I'm sorry if my postings a little all over the place. I've gone into over drive as I've so much to do and no time! Click click see you in Bournemouth!

Patterns and Patterns and Patterns

Although I knit everyday the items I am knitting are only really seen by my facebook friends. As I receive requests mainly from friends I don't worry too much about promoting myself.  However, a couple of days ago a friend from Bournemouth asked if I could knit her a cat for her mothers birthday on Sunday, so with a day and a half to do it I recorded the pattern rather than free handing it. She sent me a couple of photos of knitted cats she liked and the real life cat I was basing it on. Luckily I had a ball of smoking black wool so I could start on it right away. Here are some photos of the cats transformation and you can see the final project on my free pattern page. I sold it via Etsy, so it is my first 'official' sale! I have now submitted the pattern to Ravelry and another website so I hope people enjoy it! 

Yesterday I started on a snowy fox I could use on a shoot on Saturday! I need to get the body finished, but will do that on my machine! I also wanted to do another red one for the shoot however I may just have to take my first one! I've got a busy weekend ahead, a wedding tomorrow, fashion shoot saturday and day out with I Knit on sunday! I really hope the weather is nice!

Sly Days

Yesterday I met with make up artist Laura Jane Brown to talk about the shoot we are doing on the 10th. Over a Starbucks she showed me her ideas and the models which she had sourced, who were all beautiful! We then headed down to Truly Madly Vintage to get some styling ideas and purchase ourselves some lovely pieces.

We picked out some items and had a good look through the shop! I brought a skirt and a pair of amazing trousers. After some charity shopping we visited Hammonds photography studio to talk about doing some headshots. Overall it was a fantastic start to the day.

Once I had returned home I had a fox to finish and whilst browsing facebook saw that I Knit London were giving away 10 tickets to ride a vintage tube train with their knitting circle. I phoned up and got two tickets! So next weekend I have a wedding to shoot, a fashion shoot and a trip to London! I hope the weather holds up!

Plans for my day out. 

With my uncle ordering a fox I decided to make it on my machine. It was a lot quicker and had a neater feel to him, although i did hand knit the head. There were a couple of nicks but the more I am using the machine the better I am getting. I am really just playing around with the design, making each one different and seeing what works. This one has a much lighter feel to him than my first, and the wool is darker like the monocle fox. I would like to do one in a lighter, ginger colour. And speaking of that I'm dying my hair today :O

And lastly I have been working on a small fox for a stop motion I am planning to do next term. I will be knitting the whole set, so it is a big project! Watch this space :)))

Make Do and Mend

A small while ago my mother showed me an article in the paper about a new shop opening up called Make Do and Mend, I was ever so excited and a few days ago got to visit it. It was a beautiful shop with a range of local peoples work as well as craft supplies. After chatting with the owner Hannah and the general loveliness of the shop I have decided it is my favourite crafty shop of all time ever and I really wish them success.

What I really loved was the enthusiasm shown about hand making items and building up the creative community. They run several workshops and clubs which I will certainly be attending. Another thing that really inspired me was the giant knitting needles (28mm) in the shop window which I shall invest in once I have the money!

Visit their website

In other news I have had my first fox commission, I changed the pattern slightly and made him slightly quirky, so hopefully he'll be a hit! I decided to knit him in super chunky, so the make time was a lot quicker, however slightly more expensive! I have a third fox project underway and several other ideas for a collection which hopefully I will knit on the giant needles!!

Faux Fox

A couple of days ago I came across a photo of a girl with a knitted Fox Stole which got me really inspired to make my own. I rushed out to get some wool and started knitting. I have now finished him, mid summer and my wrist hurting so much I'm having a day off from making and have been researching some ideas instead. As I am particularly poor at the moment I couldn't purchase the pattern for the fox and instead just made it up as I went along. I have a couple of other projects which are all free handed and with a market for patterns I am considering designing a collection and having a little Etsy shop (maybe even a facebook page)! If I can do enough in time maybe I could tie it into my photography work.