magazine – Page 2 – Emma Varnam’s blog

Mid-week Sneaky Peek – Rowan Magazine 60

The arrival of new Rowan Yarns magazine is always a source of excitement for me. Especially the Autumn/Winter issue, it is like the September issue of Vogue arriving on the newstands.

With the resurgence of yarn craft and the increased availability of patterns through the internet it is easy to forget how important this yarn house is to World knitting and crochet. Many websites, designers and books have taken inspiration from Rowan’s style. I have always enjoyed the quality of the photography in the Rowan publications. You can see how much their style has influenced others.

The History of Rowan

The Rowan Magazine is never just a collection of patterns, there are always excellent, insightful articles to read. As I have been a fan for over 15 years, I loved the article on the history of Rowan. There is also a great behind the scenes glimpse of the front-cover photo-shoot in Anglesey.

Take it slow

This issue is particularly good, more of a coffee table delight for the eyes. If like me you can be a bit quick and distracted with your craft projects, the patterns in this issue will tempt you to invest in quality yarn and luxuriate in an heirloom project.

My top picks

Top of my list has to be this gorgeous jumper by Sarah Hatton. I have met Sarah a number of times and she really is the most inspirational and generous designer. She has the ability to get the zeitgeist of fashion and turn the ‘now’ trends into wearable knitting patterns.

Second on my list has got to be this brushed fleece poncho, Caliban by Lisa Richardson. A relatively quick knit, you know you would wear this all Autumn and Winter!

A really clever addition to this issue is that stitch patterns and colourwork have been incorporated into more than one pattern. So if you are daunted by making the cable pattern of Barley in a jumper, you can instead practice your technique in a more manageable hat.

Hooked up

Sometimes crocheters don’t realise that Rowan also publish patterns for their hooky craft. I already have far too many cowls than is healthy for a grown woman, but you know how much I really want to make Granola.

Get your own copy

It was the lovely people at Laughing Hens who sent me my copy of the Rowan Magazine and ever since I have had it on my bedside table. Shall I tell you a secret? I love many different yarn shops and online retailers, I spend quite a bit of money in them all. I always love the Laughing Hens website because they show the full range of patterns for a pattern book and have a useful option to buy the yarn for each projects. It is a thing of wonder and my top-tip of this week.

Giveaway

I have one copy of the Rowan Magazine issue 60 to giveaway and if you would like to have the chance to win it – please leave a comment below telling me your favourite thing to knit or crochet in the Autumn. I love to hear your views. I’ll pick the winner on Monday 19th September 16 at 6am. Don’t forget that if you don’t want to miss any giveaways – subscribe to the newsletter at the top of the blog. – Bon Chance!

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Mid-week Sneaky Peek – Crochet Now Mandala Swap

This week I wanted to give you a mid-week sneaky peek at a new crochet mandala design I have done for Crochet Now Magazine. Issue 5 has a fine little booklet of mandala designs from lots of different designers. My own contribution was intended to a pretty alternative, plain and simple but with a sweet zig-zag edging.

The magazine is wanting to encourage crocheters to talk about how craft and crochet has helped them with their own mental health. They are encouraging us to make a mandala and then swap it with another reader. In the package you can include a small note to talk about your crochet story. Details about how to get involved are on the Crochet Now website and it is well worth searching out the magazine to see the great patterns inside.

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Getting Started – Why Knit?

There is a very definite correlation between how busy I am and how much I knit or crochet. The more stress there is in day-to-day life the faster the needles and the hook flies. If there are worries or concerns which I know might keep my mind racing into the night, then I might even force myself to dream in knitwear. Does that sound so very strange? Well those of you who are committed to the yarn hobbies, you will know what a joy, comfort, soothing past-time you enjoy. Recently there have been quite a few research studies published about the benefits of knitting. I really don’t need convincing. But I was interested to read about the medical benefits of distraction, confidence building and increased concentration for patients who suffer from eating disorders or others which are being treated for drug or alcohol dependency.

I enjoy flipping between crochet and knitting. Both have their own joys and strengths. When people ask me how they can start to learn to knit or crochet, I always ask them how they like to learn. You see for me I prefer self directed learning, not sitting in a classroom, but rather with a book or instruction manual in front of me so that I can take things at my own pace. The good people at Simply Stylish Knitting sent me a copy of their weekly publication this week and I wonder if you were thinking about taking up Knitting as a complete novice this magazine would be a good place to start. Now I have always committed to bring you good things on the blog. If I like a product, pattern or yarn I will share it with you. If I am not so keen I tend not to feature it at all. I must say I think they have done a good job with this publication. The instructions are clear and logical. The yarn and the needles which are included are of a good quality, which is both surprising and a delight. I think that the styling and the pattern choice is excellent. I don’t know who has styled or edited this publication but I must say I have been mightily impressed. I might even admit that I have learnt something new….

My own magazine vice is quite ingrained, but it would be worth seeing if you can pick up a copy at the supermarket because the projects are well explained and contemporary. I would also suggest having a look at the Love Knitting website as they have a special page where you can see the upcoming patterns and order the yarn to match.

I made a cute mug cosy with the needles and yarn that came with issue 1 and it was a nice little relaxing distraction from the hurly burly of life. Tell me what you think about their pattern choice, because I think it looks ideal for the modern novice.

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Let’s Get Crafting Magazine – Issue 74

I know, can you bear it – really? A few Christmas projects still in August. Well can you imagine how weird it was making Christmas stockings in June? I can remember last year in July making Santa Mittens on our summer holiday. It is a topsy turvy, design world. Well if you find it is too early, then don’t worry you can always buy issue 74 of Lets Get Crafting and stash it under your bed for a couple more weeks and wait for the evenings to draw in.

I really did enjoy making these really simple flowers. What I need to do is to make a huge bunch and whittle away the ever increasing stash. Hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday what ever you are up to.

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A quick catch up and a busy busy summer

It has been far too long since I visited my little blog space. Lack of activity on the blog usually signifies busyness in life. Well we are in the throws of the summer holidays. Set before us, I wondered if we would fill the weeks with enough activity for Little B. Now the days seem to be romping by and the summer days seem to pass far too fast. In the other part of my working life I am the busiest I have ever been. I have never known a season like it. So days, evening and weeks run together and before I know it I have not carved out enough time to wash clothes, feed the family, let alone compose a few random thoughts here.

We have been enjoying the garden and I step out most early mornings to see what is growing, what is flourishing and dreaming dreams of little alterations at the weekend. I am fortunate that our little space of green is not too large. Just manageable. It is never big enough for both my boys, a frisbee would soon find its way into the neighbours plot, but it is a pretty haven.

So let’s skip to the good bit. What is on the hook and needle? Well I have several WIP (work in progress). I have been trying out this lovely yarn sent to me by Rooster yarns, it is Manos del urguay Alegria. Alegria means joy – and the colour combinations certainly fit the bill. These tones reminded me of certain Disney film, popular with all the young girls in my life, (Frozen), so I decided to try and make a few accessories using the gorgeously soft yarn. It is work in progress, but when I have more to show you I will blog about the finished items.

I have been working on two book projects, one very much in the development stage, and another where I have contributed a few items. Lots of fun, but certainly not for sharing yet.

The Garden Route Blanket which I made on our South African adventure has been popular with customers at Black Sheep Wools and it even got a lovely mention in Inside Crochet Magazine. I also had another blanket pattern published in the latest issue of Homemaker magazine, a lovely treat.

My spring and summer challenge to myself has been to create crochet accessories which enhance outdoor living. I think by the end of the summer I should bring each part together in one blog post. Languishing by the side of the sofa, is a very slow progress tablecloth. This is for our table outside in the courtyard. I contemplated making a perfect circle.

For almost a year I have even idly cruised circular tablecloths on the web and then one day I woke up and thought. ‘What is your problem? Just make a square!’ So I have and I am in the process of giving it a pretty cotton edging. Quite slow work, but I must finish it before the summer is out. What have you been up to? If you finish sharing then please do. Some lovely people have begun sharing their projects on the facebook page and it is a delight to see. Happy summer.

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The Take-Away Dolls House

My designs are always inspired by people. Like my father, I do like to people-watch. Sometimes designs are a developed concept from a toy I enjoyed in my childhood. My latest design for Inside Crochet Magazine (issue 67) is dedicated to all the little girls we know as a family. Lots of our friends have the most delightful little girls. Fun-loving, joyful and brimming with imaginary play. I love sitting and watching how they play out little scenarios. How they enjoy positioning and repositioning toys and furniture. It makes me smile.

For a while I have been looking at cloth dolls houses and had a crochet version on my to-do list. This year I was determined to design my own. The Take-Away Dolls House and my Bonnie Bunny and Bed-Set were on my 2015 ambition list.

This design is easy crochet – but fiddly construction. Patience is needed and you will need to do some sewing. But oh the delight of creating a little heirloom project. I like to use felt for my details, but crochet flowers and trees would work just as well. I have made some basic furniture. Other designers across the web have created crochet furniture for dolls houses, so you could mix and match.

The little mouse looks rather content in her house! Well, my little friends, Betsy, Macy, Libby, Amelie, Eve, Esther and Evie – this design is dedicated to you and your imagination – come round and play!

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Magazine Fun – Spring 2015

You know that in the last year I have tried to take a more measured approach to my design commitments. Life at Varnam Towers has been a bit hectic and if I am not clever I can find myself over-committing on the hooky front. I have also tried to ensure that I only design products or garments that I actually like and would use. That might sound strange, but believe it or not you can soon find yourself making things that don’t inspire you. I am not always very good at saying ‘No’. This month has been lovely. I am pleased to see Bonnie Bunny, her clothes and her bed published in Inside Crochet.

I also have seen my geometric cushion published in Make it Today magazine. There are some lovely designs in this issue.

There are also some nice articles that I have been asked to contribute to. I was really honoured to talk about summer crochet trends in Craft Business Magazine.

There is also a really lovely article about the blog in Craftseller Magazine. If you are standing in the supermarket near the magazine shelves – why not have quick look!

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Nursery Designs – Bonnie Bunny

You will have noticed that in the past few months most of my designs have been for children. I find myself returning to my first love creatively. Like so many crafty people my return to knitting was stimulated by a desire to make hand-knits for new little babies arriving on the scene. My first garment as an adult was a jumper for my godson, Harry. He is now a strapping teenager and thankfully is still happy for me to thrust knitted garments upon him. These day it tends to be cool skiing beanie hats. What a kind chap to indulge me still! Little B is not really keen at all to wear anything I make. But can appreciate the skill and had suggested on our recent holiday that I teach him to crochet. In fact life was far too exciting to sit down and concentrate on hook and yarn, but we might have another go in the summer.

My recent projects for Debbie Bliss have been a great delight. I think there are more crochet nursery designs to be developed and when it comes to toys you can’t beat amigurumi crochet for its seamless durability.

My recent creation for Inside Crochet was an imaginative leap of what I would have enjoyed playing with as a child. I had a little wooden dolls bed which I adored playing with. Oh, the many simple hours, tucking up dolls and teddies under the quilt. My Mother had made a pretty mattress, pillow and quilt for the bed, edged in a cotton lace. The whole set is something I still treasure.

The design comes in two sections. Firstly you can make the little Bunny. You don’t have to be gender specific and can avoid having coloured pants altogether.

I then created some clothes to dress the bunny in. A simple cotton dress, a cute raglan jumper and some jeans, (with a handy hole for the cottontail).

Finally there is a little bed, made with t-shirt yarn. Inspired by the set made by my Mother, I created a simple cotton sheet and pillow edged with a simple crochet pattern in fine embroidery thread. There is also a fancy stash busting blanket to complete the set. These are the type of designs I love to make. They are from the heart, they are intended to bring joy and I am fortunate that people like Debbie Bliss and Inside Crochet are happy to publish them.

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Easter Makes

I love the Easter season, for so many different reasons. This seems reflected in the number of designs I have made for Easter over the years. I really do like making a gift for Easter. Don’t get me wrong I could consume my whole body weight in chocolate, but distracting my brain cells with a little bit of crochet is a good thing. The photo above is by Smith Imaging – a brilliant creative photographer.

Firstly, this little bunny pattern is available free on my blog. I published it in my first year of blogging, but it is still a cute idea.

This egg cosy is also available and is still one of my favourite designs.

He evolved into this beginners crochet toy design which is in my book How to Crochet, there is still plenty of time to make him ready to hide in the garden for an Easter egg hunt.

These designs were made for Let’s Get Crafting last year. They are simple and a perfect amigurumi starter pattern.

Don’t forget that this bunny and duck combo are available from the Spring Summer Debbie Bliss Magazine 2015.

Finally if you want a project that will develop, Inside Crochet Magazine have just published the first instalment of my Bonnie Bunny design. She has a clothes set and bed to match. I hope you have a lovely peaceful Easter, whatever you are up to.

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