24 December 2016

Winter Light

Sundown at Spanish Point, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs 0317
There's something magical about the light at this time of the year. Perhaps it's the angle at which it falls, or the fact that you know that the evenings will be getting a little longer soon.
Backlit Tree Nokomis, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Today, there's been a wonderful mix of sun and cloud – bright blue skies one minute, scudding clouds the next.
Sundown at Spanish Point, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Then as the sun began to set, the yellows and reds bathed everything in a warm amber glow, picking out the edges of the leaves along the shoreline.
Sunset at Spanish Point, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The clouds returned in time for a wonderful sunset with reds, yellows and oranges reflected in the waters of Little Sarasota Bay.
Mary's Chapel Spanish Point, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
We walked back through Spanish Point and took the side path to Mary's Chapel which was beautifully decorated both inside and out.​
Marys Chapel Spanish Point, photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I sat and knitted on a bench in front of the chapel while Tim took photos, the lights twinkling brighter as the sunset faded behind me.

The end of a beautiful walk in this magical part of the world.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas!

Moira
# Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs - 1m
Last Blogpost: What's on the other side?
Next Up: Love these colours

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com

Many thanks to my husband Tim for his wonderful photos in and around Historic Spanish Point in Sarasota FL. See more of his work on his Flickr site
Keywords: Notes & Travels,
sunset, winter knitting, winter, Sarasota, Florida, USA.

19 December 2016

What's on the other side?

Hatfield Check with Malvern Spa Pillow & Mitt patterns by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Yesterday, I wrote about three patterns as part of my Winter Knits blogpost series. They share a number of features in common as they are all quick to knit and all use the same chunky yarn, DMC Natura XL.

However, there was something else that was the same about all of them: all the stitches were drawn from our new Reversible Knitting Stitches book! So I thought I would talk about these three stitch patterns and why we chose them for these projects.

The first pattern I showed yesterday was the Malvern Spa Pillow and Mitt. These are worked in a variation of Hatfield Check, which is an easy stitch with a strong vertical patterning. It has a good amount of stretch, which is important for something like a tightly‐fitting spa pillow cover and also has a most interesting surface texture. This produces a very good massaging effect for the spa mitt, so is a good combination for the set.
Quaker Ridging & Malvern Bath Mat by MOira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The second pattern I featured was the Malvern Bathmata soft and luxurious bathmat which just soaks up the water when you step onto it after a relaxing bath or shower.

The softness comes partly from the yarn, of course, but is also due to the qualities of the stitch, Quaker Ridging. This alternates thick and thin ridged stripes giving a lovely depth to the fabric, so it is soft and squidgy to step onto. It can look great when worked in a striped pattern, as in the bath mat here, but I also like it in a single colour as this seems to emphasise the dynamic nature of the pattern.
Diamond Brocade & Shelbourne Spa Towels by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs 151124
Then the last of the three featured patterns was Anna's Shelbourne Spa TowelsThese are worked in an intriguing reversible stitch called Diamond Brocade, which has an interesting interplay of different‐sized diamonds. This gives the design a very modern feel.

I like the fact that the two sides look so different. The right side has strongly accented diamond shapes and the wrong side has a lovely honey‐comb appearance. Apart from just appearances, though, this deep texture makes the towels super absorbent and soft to use.
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
If you would like to read more about the Reversible Knitting Stitches E‐Book, then please click here. You can also see a gallery of sample pages here. The book features more than 250 different reversible stitch patterns and also includes over 80 project photos to show some examples of how the stitches can be used for your next project.

I do hope that you have enjoyed this Winter Knits series and that your last-minute Christmas knitting is going well. If you would like to read the whole series of posts, then please click here and follow the links at the bottom of each page until you get back here.

I’ll be back with one more post before the big day.

Until then – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: Mission Impossible Knitting
Winter Knits Introduction: What time is it?
​Next Up: Winter Light

​​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Winter Knits,
Patterns/Home Extras, Patterns/Rugs, Book/Reversible Knitting Stitches,

winter knitting, spa set, spa pillow, spa towel, bath mitt, bathmat, bath mat, shower mat, cotton, Christmas knitting, knitted gifts, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, knitting stitch,

18 December 2016

Mission Impossible Knitting

Malvern Spa Pillow & Mitt by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
You wake and see the calendar on the wall – how can it be only 1 week before Christmas? You sit at your favourite table and gaze blankly into space. You have been knitting like crazy for ages and there's a lovely scarf for your Dad and even Uncle Bertie has a hat with a rather interesting pom‐pom on the top. But, there's still Aunt Winnie and your Mum... And now there's only 1 week to go.

You rest your head in your hands then idly pick up a knitting needle. But there's something odd about it – it's larger than you usually use. And now your fingerprint has activated it, sending a beam of light towards the wall. You watch as flashing images show first the calendar you spotted earlier, then a series of photos of knitted items being finished in a flash and wrapped just in time.

Then you hear the Secretary's voice:
"Agent Knitter – your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to complete all your knitting projects in only 1 week! This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds."
The knitting needle smoulders then vanishes and you realise the answer. You have the ultimate secret weapon – chunky yarn.
Malvern Bathmat by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
You dive into your stash and find some fabulous chunky cotton yarn you purchased a year ago and you're off. Shortly afterwards, you watch astonished as first one item then another is completed.

Your other half gingerly steps into the knitting room with a cup of tea and a reinforcing mince pie on a plate and stands in awe at the growing pile of items waiting to be blocked and finished.
Shelbourne Spa Towels by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
Then as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, you tie the ribbon around the wrapped presents and retire to bed. You were successful! You are, indeed, a member of the Impossible Knitting Force, the IKF.

And yes, we have just been watching some Mission Impossible filmshow can you tell ...

So here are three more suggestions in my blogpost series “Winter Knits”, with some wonderful gift ideas for Christmas. The patterns shown in the photographs are:
Malvern Spa Pillow & Mitt by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
A new pattern, the Malvern Spa Pillow and MittThese are quick to make and easy to finish. They would make a great present by themselves or packaged together with some herbal soaps or bath essences.
Malvern Bathmat by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Another new pattern, the Malvern BathmatThis comes in three sizes for a shower/wash basin, bath tub or a larger, dressing room size. The small size only uses 2 balls of each colour and works up very quickly.
Shelbourne Spa Towels by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
These are Anna's Shelbourne Spa Towels and they have a lovely texture on both sides. They only use 2 balls of yarn each so are quick to make and are wonderfully soft and absorbent. 
And a second secret weapon you can use here – these are all from the same yarn! This is DMC Natura XL "Just Cotton", an absolutely fabulous yarn that is soft, easy to knit with and available in a wonderful range of colours (30 at the time of writing!) Of course, any chunky cotton yarn would work for this mission, but if you can get the Natura XL you won't be disappointed.

So go for it, Agent Knitter! You can still do it!

Oh and if you’re wondering, all three of these patterns use stitches taken from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book! So once you have completed all your knitting, you can sit back and peruse through the E-book for ideas ready for some post-holiday knitting.

Good luck with your mission!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: Tick, tick, tick...
Winter Knits Introduction: What time is it?
​Next Up:
 
What's on the other side?

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Winter Knits,
Patterns/Home, Patterns/Rugs, Book/Reversible Knitting Stitches,
winter knitting, Christmas knitting, knitted gift, spa set, spa pillow, spa towel, bath mitt, bathmat, bath mat, shower mat, cotton, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, knitting stitch, reversible towel, reversible rug,

01 December 2016

Tick, tick, tick...

Knitting patterns by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
December is upon us! I can't believe how this year is speeding past. If that makes you fret because you haven't finished all the items you want to make for presents, then don't worry – there is still plenty of time for some great Holiday knitting.

​So I am continuing my “Winter Knits” blogpost series with some ideas for knitted gifts that you can start right away. Today, I'm going to feature three small items that are quick to make and light to post.
Apple Pocket by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
The first one is one of Anna's patterns, the Apple Pocket. I use these knitted phone covers all the time and find that they really hug your phone well.

There are two versions included in the pattern – a slim‐line case that easily fits into your pocket or a slightly thicker version which gives some extra padding. For more details about the Apple Pocket pattern, please click here.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The second idea is for some bracelets made in i‐Cord in a zingy cotton yarn. The Ryedale Bracelets are worked in the style of the ever‐popular paracord bracelets and are fastened with easy‐to‐use side release buckles. They would make wonderful presents for teenagers but are also useful for medical alert bracelets.

I also use mine as a holder for my spare double‐pointed needle when I am knitting socks. It's always useful to have an easy place to store your spare needle while you count stitches!

The i‐Cord can even be produced using a cord knitter, so this is a quick project to complete. For more details about the Ryedale Bracelet, please click here.
Hanging Lavender Fish Sachets by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
And the last idea today are these super‐cute lavender sachets. This is another of Anna's patterns, Lavender FishThey can be worked in a single colour or with bands or stripes, as in the photo above. Make a few to hang on clothes hangers or slip into a clothes drawer. These would make a lovely gift by themselves but could also be paired with a block of hand‐made lavender soap or lotion for a gift set.

To see more details of the Hanging Lavender Fish Sachets pattern, please click here.

Have fun making some of these lovely gift ideas! Next time, I'll have a look at some fun ideas for knitted bathroom accessories.

Until then – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Keywords: Series/Winter Knits, Patterns/Accessories,
knitted gifts, winter knitting, Christmas knitting, bracelet, bracelets, children’s activities, braided bracelet, I-cord bracelet, paracord bracelet, lavender sachets, phone covers, mobile phone covers,

27 November 2016

Brrrr - that's a cold draught!

Rothay Draught Excluder by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I've written about my flat in Beckenham, Kent before. I don't think I've ever felt so cold and been inside at the time! It wasn't just that the floor was icy, the chairs felt damp and the window rattled with the bitter wind that blew incessantly. It was the draught that came under the door.

It whistled across the floor taking out every last degree of temperature the coin meter had just put in. I would sit down in the evening with my knitting and feel first cold, then colder, then frozen.
Rothay Draught Excluder by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
It was at that point that I started knitting a draught excluder. My fingers worked stiffly to complete the item, but on the first evening after it was finished I felt warmer! It was remarkable that something so small could make such a big difference! My heating bills were much lower afterwards, too.

I have been wanting to make a new version of that one for some time, and when I felt the first cool draughts of winter creeping under the door in Massachusetts, I decided that the time had come. So here is the next suggestion for my "Winter Knits" blogpost series: make your very own draught excluder.

​The Rothay Draught Excluder shown here is quick and easy to knit, so you might be only a short time away away from making your world feel warmer!
Olive Stitch from Reversible Knitting Stitches, Wyndlestraw Designs
​The pattern features Olive Stitch, another stitch from our new Reversible Knitting Stitches bookThis is an easy stitch to work but the results look quite complex, with waving undulations running down the length of the fabric.
Inset & Flush Doors, diagram for Rothay Draught Excluder by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The Rothay Draught Excluder can be worked for both inset doors and flush doors so that every cold draught is kept at bay. Tailor one to fit your draughty door and you will be cozy in no time!

For see more details about the Rothay Draught Excluder pattern, please click here, and for more details about our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, please click here.

I'll be back next time with some more ideas in the Winter Knits series, and will be turning my attention towards Christmas knitting! Yes – Christmas is less than a month away and posting deadlines are coming up fast...

Until then – Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Time: A big thank you!
Winter Knits Introduction: What time is it?
​Next Up: 
Tick, tick, tick . . .

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Winter Knits, Patterns/Home Extras,
winter knitting, reversible stitches, reversible knitting, knitting stitches, reversible knitting stitches, draught excluder, draught stopper, wind stopper,

23 November 2016

A big thank you!

Momiji, Kobe Arboretum – photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Perhaps it's because I'm a Sagittarius, but I love transition times in the year – trying to catch the last of the previous season before it slips into the next.

In the woodlands right now, the autumn leaves are ablaze with colour and a riot of red, yellow and orange is carpeting the forest floor.
Momiji, Japan – photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Soon, the last of the leaves will drift down to join the others on the path, then perhaps the first few flakes of snow will arrive shortly afterwards.
Autumn leaves on a stone basin tsukubai, Koto-in, Kyoto Japan – photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I suppose it could feel a sad time, but to me there is always a lot of excitement surrounding this change to winter.

For a start, there are so many events lined up for the next few weeks. It was our anniversary two days ago, and then in only a few days it will be my birthday. And in‐between those two dates there are major holidays in both the USA and Japan.

​In Japan, today is Labor Thanksgiving Day which replaced the earlier Harvest festivals held at this time. Then in the USA tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Both celebrate the harvest, the work of the last year and peaceful times. These festivals give all of us a great opportunity to say thank you to the people who matter – those who have worked hard to make our last year happy and healthy.
Ohara-me Matsuri – photo by Tim Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
So may I take this opportunity to thank all of you! To everyone who has read this blog, connected with me on Twitter, Instagram or elsewhere, to all the lovely folk who have purchased or downloaded a pattern and to the many, many people who have sent both Anna and I such great messages about our new book, Reversible Knitting Stitches  a most heart‐felt "Thank you” to you all.

You have made 2016 such a memorable year.

And I need to add one last thank you – and that is to my husband Tim for his wonderful photos. I know many of you enjoy his photos too and I am always happy to be able to share them with everyone here.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Moira
Keywords: Notes & Travels,
Japan, Thanksgiving, autumn, fall, autumn colour, fall color,

18 November 2016

Keep them warm this winter

Hebden Gilet Jacket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
It's a funny thing but when you feel cold, you tend to grab a scarf or a thick pair of socks to protect your extremities. However, most country folk know that what you really need to do is think about your core temperature – keeping your body, heart and lungs warm.

As children, we would all be firmly layered up with a warm wool vest, shirt, sweater and gilet jacket as we set out to play in the snow. The hat and scarf added as an after‐thought might end up on the snowman but the other items did the job of keeping us the right temperature.
Hebden Gilet Jacket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
A gilet jacket is great for this as it protects the shoulders and mid‐section while leaving your arms free to move – essential for a decent snow‐ball fight!

So here's the latest idea in my "Winter Knits" series – a gilet jacket that you could make now to keep little boys and girls warm during their winter play‐time. This is the Hebden Gilet Jacket and is sized for kiddies aged 2‐8.
Imitation Lattice, from Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The essential of a good bodywarmer or gilet is that the fabric should trap pockets of air. These air pockets insulate the body, keeping the warm air inside and the cold where it belongs. In this gilet jacket, this is accomplished by using a lovely double-sided stitch called Imitation Lattice from our Reversible Knitting Stitches bookThe stitch produces an almost quilted effect, with rugged diamond motifs standing out against a purl background.

The Hebden Gilet Jacket is worked in a soft and cozy merino wool yarn, Lang Merino 120, and features large snap‐ fasteners for an authentic gilet look.

If you would like to see more information about this new pattern, then please click here. It is available for immediate download from the site.

Until next time ‐ Keep warm!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Time: Lazy summer days now just a memory
Winter Knits Introduction: What time is it?
Next Up: A big thank you!

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Winter Knits, Patterns/For Little Ones,
winter knitting, reversible stitches, reversible knitting, knitting stitches, reversible knitting stitches, gilet, jacket, bodywarmer, wool, winter jacket, child’s gilet jacket,

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