Well it's been a while since I've updated you all, the patterns have kind of taken over my brain a little bit!

Been working on several things and released some patterns while I've been quiet on the blogging front. 

The first is the knitted version of my crochet vinyl record coasters, my very nice knitting friend Sarah (who I have to thank!) asked me if I could do them knitted and I wasn't even sure if I would manage it! I wanted to make them quite like the crochet ones with a similar hole in the middle and I didn't want to have to faff about using double-pointed needles and get a circle that was a bit hexagony so I had a big think and managed to find a way to construct them working flat and with a seam and the hole in the middle and it seemed to work (knitting magic!). I'm really pleased with them and also have had the pleasure of already seeing them made by my friend. There's actually nothing nicer than seeing a design I've come up with  created by someone else, everyone's knitting is so unique and their personality really comes through, I love that! The pattern is free and on my free patterns page.

The second free pattern came about in a funny way - I had the idea before going to bed one night, just a vague idea and then in the morning I woke up and knew exactly how to make it (as if I'd dream-designed it!) and even though I have a ton of other things to knit well I really couldn't start my day until I'd knitted it! And I knitted it and it worked - funniest thing is that it is a little knitted cup of coffee, because that is exactly how I am with coffee, I can't start my day properly until I've had some! So obviously I can't start my knitting day until I've knitted some coffee either! I just love this little cute cup, it has been sitting in various places all over the house since I made it. I think I might make some more in other colours for a set! 

My final free pattern came about as a result of messing about with all these circular shapes in the other designs and me being stuck inside on a very very rainy day organising my dk wools a little bit seeing what colours I have. The wools looked so much like a rainbow and it made the day seem brighter so I suddenly wanted to knit a rainbow! And what I'd done with the other two patterns was the perfect base for being able to create the right kind of arc shape. So a knitted rainbow was created! But it needed eyes. I wanted a rainbow with personality! I have recently devised a way of making interesting eyes that I like the look of using crocheted rings and black toy safety eyes so I applied this to the rainbow and Mr. Rainbow started looking back at me. Wouldn't you know, just as I'd finished him, the sun came out a bit and the day got nicer so he sure did his job well and also I was able to take a great picture of him in exactly the right kind of daylight for a rainbow! Here he is...

So those are the new releases, but I am also in the home stretch of two paid patterns that I will be releasing soon once they are fully ready, here's a sneak preview and a little bit of chatting to let you in on my design thoughts for them

The first is "Handbell" which is a little wrist purse inspired by the shape of a handbell used in handbell ringing, which is a big tradition in the UK and I've always loved the sound of these bells. The shaping technique is drawn from traditional granny slipper knitting, but since I'm an amateur bagologist I thought it would work really well applied to a bag! I picked pure wool in quite rustic tones for this, I wanted something that would suit the whole idea well. I've got two of my three photo samples completed and very near completion on the third now and the written part of the pattern is almost finalised and I think I will have it ready at the weekend. Here's a little look at progress so far...

The best part about this bag design is that I've made it so it is structured enough to have a firm shape on its own, so that it doesn't need a lining! And the seaming is hidden so it doesn't matter how well it is sewn up.

Following not far behind the bag will be my new design for a knitted belt, the written pattern is done but a bit of work still to do for the photo models and some photo instructions for finishing options. The belt is called "Crux" because of the little pattern of subtly alternating crosses all along the length. 

Also I'm so happy to have had some wonderful help from my 15 year old daughter on this who drew me the most beautiful styling sketches to work from, I think they are awesome and look really like fashion designer artwork - here's what she came up with

You can see more of my daughter's artwork on her DeviantArt page if you're interested! Wish I could draw like that!

And here is my first Crux completed, two other finishing options in other colours will be shown in the pattern...

I really love this design, it is couture-inspired! Well that's what I am telling myself! I so enjoy flicking through the fashion magazines (with my coffee in hand, naturally!) and wanted to create something that felt like it could be in one.

Besides all these I have tons of other ideas in various stages so whenever I have new patterns I'll be sure to update you!

Of course I don't just knit my own patterns, so in my next post I will be showing you some work I've done from other designer's patterns that I've really enjoyed and introducing you to my personal projects queue (along with some of the wool I have ordered/earmarked for them!), do pop back for that, I'll update at the weekend :-)

Thanks for reading!