Christmas Mittens of Love x

As promised here are instructions on how to knit simple tube mittens.

I'm knitting these mitts with my own unique handspun wool which makes any simple knit look fabulous anyway without having to do anything fancy 😘

You can buy my wondrous here... Just saying xx 

Alternatively, you can use another other double knit or aran weight yarn in your stash and a long 5mm circular needle, at least 80cm. I've taken to getting 2 long circulars and knitting these simultaneously as I struggle with 2nd Sock Syndrome (a lack of motivation when knitting pairs of things). 

Right here we go..... 

Cast on 32 stitches arranging 16 stitches per side/needle,  leaving a loop either end the row. This is using the magic loop method and knitting in the round.

Here is a good tutorial on how to cast on and use the magic loop method. 

Work 10-12 rows knit 2 purl 2 rib to create the cuff. The pattern can be adapted to suit your taste for a longer or shorter cuff.

Next knit in the round in ss (knit every row) for 6-8cm for the wrist part. Again it's up to you how long you want your wrist section.

You can mark the beginning of the row by using a marker or seeing where the cast on string is. 

Thumb shaping...when wrist section is a desired length start thumb increases. 

Knit 14 - to last 2 stitches on needle 1. Place a marker. Inc 1 stitch (k f&b), then k2.

2nd needle & 2nd 16 sts knit 2,inc 1 (k f&b) Place marker. Knit to end of 2nd needle row.

Here's another tutorial on how to increase using kf&b.

The stitches between the markers will become the thumb.

If you're super lucky like me you'll have a clever daughter that can make you an abundance of beautiful stitch markers. Thanks Lil ;-) 

Knit 1 Row. 

Increase after the 1st marker & before the 2nd every other row until you have 8 stitches per needle or 16 all together for the thumb.

Work 1 row. 

Next row, knit until 1st marker. We will now work back and forth across the 16 thumb stitches. Knit every row for 6 rows (to create 3 garter st ridges). Cast off 16 thumb sts loosely. 

Rejoin the yarn to the sts on needle 2. Knit across remaining stitches to complete the round. 

Next row knit next 14 stitches. Cast on 4 stitches. Knit stitches from needle 2.

You should now have the original 32 stitches arrange 16 on each needle. Knit in the round until you reach the desired length for the hand section and then cast off sts. 

I hope you can understand and enjoys these steps and hands are kept warm around the world ❤️

Any feedback on these instructions would be most welcome and I may even be persuaded to add a few more. 

Busy hands make happy hearts xxx

Blanket Raffle...A bit more info.

Someone suggested recently that I should add a picture of myself at work and talk a bit about what I do  at the Margaret Coates Centre, as a way to promote my blanket raffle. The Margaret Coates Centre is part of St Martins Garden Primary school and is an accredited resource base for children with Autism. This is only picture I have, dressed up for World Book Day 2020.

One of the skills I rely on the most is my ability and willingness to PLAY ! It was Maria Montessori that said "Play is the work of children" and I am 100% committed to keep them gainfully employed.  If that means being an Avenger and running around like a loon, or creating playground 'real life' games from their favourite online activities then so be it.  This was also the reason and impetus to raise money for our play environment and  to support the play of our children. (Play isn't JUST for children - I think I need it just as much as they do!)

I will add a free entry to my raffle for the first person to guess my character from my World Book Day dress up. Comment below...But, if you're not quick enough tickets are available by pinging £5 over to my Paypal account at PayPal.Me/woollycraftwonders . Alternatively you can give me cash. We've already reached the amazing figure of £140 but I'd love to make it more. Thanks for reading xx

WIN THIS BLANKET!!

 

Blues & Greens.

 

I'm resurrecting the long abandoned blog to make an Announcement!!

I am raffling off my beautiful handcrafted Blues & Greens Sunburst Grannysquare blanket. All proceeds will go to my school (and place of work) the Margaret Coates Centre and St Martins Garden Primary.  

This project started during the first Lockdown we experienced in March 2020. It was a way to keep my mind and hands busy during a difficult and uncertain times. I have long used crafting (crochet, knitting and spinning) as a way to process my feelings and emotions and out of that came this blanket.

Made from a variety of yarns this beautiful textured blanket will brighten any room. The weighted feel will make you feel cosy and warm.  Measuring approximately 5ft Sq. it is suitable for a single or double bed, or use as throw over the sofa. Perfect for snuggles.

To win this special and unique blanket send £5 to www.paypal.me/woollycraftwonders and the winner will be randomly selected on SATURDAY 13TH FEBRUARY (to celebrate our much needed Half Term break) and it will be posted or delivered to the lucky recipient.

Like most schools our funding has been hit hard by Covid, so on potentially one the most miserable of weeks of the year please spread a little happiness and support a worthy cause.

Feel free to share far and wide.

Thanks friends x

p.s. my blogging life has had several incarnations but I stopped once I started working full time at my current school and mothballed my attempts to earn a living from Wool. Now I just use it to self sooth and express my creativity ❤️ 

Tips for Winter...

27 October 2019|BOATLIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS, WOOL & YARN

There is no denying it… Winter is upon us. The clocks have changed, Summertime is officially OVER and with it comes the prospect of long, dark evenings ahead. I feel this season even more deeply by living off grid, immersed in Mother nature but the thing that sustains me during this slow time is my craft and desire (a need even) to make and create. So reliant am I on this approach to Winter I worry for people who don't have a hobby or a means to create. This leads me to thinking, how can I help people to 'find their thing'.  If you need some suggestions and would like to find a winter sustaining hobby here are some things you could consider.

Using your hands to make and create keeps them off the unhealthy distractions… phone, food, fags or booze…. There is some truth in the old saying Devil makes work for idle hands. Find an activity to keep your hands busy.

What do you want to make? Think of all the possibilities….art, music, clothes, stories?

What do you like to See? What pleases you? Colour combinations,  monochrome, shape, patterns, how things fit together, how colours contrast.

What do you like to Feel? What is pleasing to the touch?..... Soft and yielding, rigid and strong, wet or dry? 

I know for myself I like the feel of spinning silky fibres feels. I like the challenge of finding the perfect colour combinations and how they tessellate into beautifully colourful blankets.

Whether it's whittling wood, painting pots, strumming strings or winding wool there's something for everyone and absolutely nothing that can't be learnt from YouTube videos.

So please, do some searching and try things out. Take a class or just teach yourself at home. But I can promise that having a creative activity that you can lose yourself in for an hour or so a day will help you through the dark times.

Do get in touch to share your ideas and tips or if you just need some suggestions.  

Happy hibernating folks x

Blankets are great for winter nights. Fun to make and keep you warm at the same time.

The Story So Far

5 October 2019|BOATLIFE, SCHOOL LIFE, WONDERINGS & PONDERINGS

Roughly two years ago I left a job that was making me feel miserable and unfulfilled. It was a rather spontaneous decision which left members of the family a bit thrown off course and we did have a bit of a wobbly time. But, I decided I was not going to stress about it and let the Universe show me the right path. 

A friend suggested a job at a dear little school working 1-1 with a young Autistic boy. It was less hours and less money but I thought What the Hell and checked it out. After visiting the school to chat with the Head I then had one of the worst migraines ever, which meant I was unable to prepare for other interviews I had lined up for the following a week. I decided this was A Sign so took the job thinking I could supplement my income with Woollycraft Workshops and selling my hand crafted wares.

What I discovered during my two years of working with my new friend was an aptitude, skill set and love of supporting non-neuro typical children. I also discovered the only part of my so-called business I actually enjoyed was the making....I was useless at self promotion, I found selling at markets stressful and I struggled to 'put myself out there' . I liked sharing my skills and tools doing workshops but found it hard to get the word out and attract enough participants.

As the two years progressed my hours increased and the time spent on my 'business' decreased. I had also joined the wonderful Wiltshire Mighty Girls, helping run afterschool clubs empowering our next generation of young women find their confidence and their voice in what still appears to be a male dominated world.

Then by the end of the last academic year my friend was due to move onto a specialist autism unit much better suited to his needs, I was looking at finding another job.

Cue another wobbly time. I was tentatively offered some hours to stay at the school which left me with the quandary of staying somewhere safe and familiar or moving on to pastures new.

Again the Universe came through with a possible role at the autism unit my friend was moving to. I went for it and got the job and I'm now a month into my new role.  I have to say I LOVE IT. The unit has 29 primary aged children all with the same diagnosis but all different and wonderfully unique. I love how everyone's characters and quirks are accepted and I really do agree with Greta Thunberg when she calls her Asperger's diagnosis her Super Power!

So, for now, Woollycraft has returned to an activity that soothes my Soul. An activity that helps me process an often challenging day, a chance to just make the things I love for the people I love. I no longer have to worry about monetising my creativity, I can just enjoy it but I shall continue to create and share my creations as when I feel like it. 

Boat life continues as usual...

Ta Ta for Now xx