magazine – Page 6 – Emma Varnam’s blog

Warm, fluffy, cosy….summer knitting

Later this week I will share with a couple of fab photos of some my knitted accessory designs which have appeared in the new issue of Knitting Magazine. In the topsy-turvy world of knitwear design I worked on these designs with gorgeous, luxurious and warm yarn in the heat of June.

Mmmm that sounds a little uncomfortable. The answer to ‘glowing’ hands are regular trips to the sink for a cooling hand rinse.

You might wonder what project I packed for our summer Mediterranean holiday. It might be better to imagine frosty ski slopes when working with this fabulous snuggly Rowan Angora Haze. Instead in Spanish heat I found the shade and donned an unfeasibly large hat and shades.

The mismatch of the seasons in my yarn life can feel a bit odd. But never fear , when the appropriate season makes its way round the calendar I always have a new little accessory to road test.

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Re-found Wisdom

I wonder who you might be reading ‘blogwise’ to inspire you in the garden? If you have any suggestions do leave a comment. Since making a concerted effort this year I have returned to some of the books I acquired over 10 years ago. I was delighted to rediscover Gardening Mad by Monty Don. I used to really love his weekly column in the Observer.

If you have never read one of his columns, do so. His writing is well observed, funny, fresh and actually very beautiful. Gardening Mad is a collection of these columns from the Observer; his observations and sometimes rants, and at the end there are useful gardening tips.This book is like reading a wonderful fun blog, before they were invented. I plan to get hold of a copy of his new book; The Road to Le Tholonet: A French Garden Journey. Now don’t be misled – these are not books full of garden plans or border schemes, they are musings on being a gardener and different aspects of the gardening experience. Stimulating, inspirational and fun.

When I read the Observer – when Sundays were more leisurely pre-Little B, I would turn immediately to this column after ripping off the ‘Sunday Paper polythene’. I did it not only for the words, but also for the arresting illustrative photography of Fleur Olby. I think if you take a look at her work you will recognise what an influence her portrait style has had not only in the media but also interiors. Do pop over to her blog, there is a really fun exhibition in Settle Yorkshire – I will tell you no more – but I feel I must track it down.

I will never be a fabulous gardener – or even an inspirational photographer, but isn’t it a joy to read eloquent prose and gasp at the skill of an artist. Thank goodness of my ‘too-large’ book collection.

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Hot work if you can get it…

Hello Lovelies, I have been merrily working quite hard in the background on a number of autumn commissions. Which means that I haven’t popped by quite as much these last few weeks to say ‘hi’. Well the yarn I am using is beautiful Artesano – gorgeous colours which have a depth and clarity which gives the garments you make a sense of luxury.

However we have been enjoying fabulous sunny weather here in Blighty for the past few days and knitting with this cosy alpaca aran has been a tad on the hot side. At one point I had to get up and wash my hands in freezing water just to cool the down.

Today I was able to enjoy outdoor knitting – my favourite kind. But with the bright sunshine my autumnal shades seemed a bit disjointed. I mentally transported myself to a windswept November day here in the North of England and knew immediately that I would be grateful for my summer labours later in the year. Hope you are enjoying a little sunshine wherever you are.

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Inside Crochet ~ Issue 42 ~ Poplar baby sweater and bonnet

The new issue of Inside Crochet focuses on colour and is such a joy to look through. It features some lovely patterns from my friends Tracy Todhunter and Lynne Rowe, I also really love the cardigan on the front cover by Rohn Strong and the Dahlia Stole by Liz Mouter.

I was really thrilled to see the very cute pictures of my little jumper and bonnet in this issue.

Particularly this very CUTE picture which is so sweet. The jumper is a greater beginner garment for a new crocheter. I really enjoy making things for little people.

But do you know the most satisfying part of this issue is that there is a article ‘Getting Hooked’ where a newbie to crochet makes my Millicent Rabbit pattern from issue 34. That brought a smile to my face!.

I have to say that I read this real review with a small wince, thinking ‘Will it be good? will it be good?’ But luckily the end result worked and the new little Millicent Rabbit will be winging its way to a new baby soon.

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This weekend I have been mostly wearing – a cosy cardigan

A couple of weeks ago in Britain, we all got a bit excited. It was warm and sunny. I nearly got out my ‘summer’ clothes. Not a huge section of the wardrobe and rarely seen. But May had not finished and something inside me meant I didn’t quite dare. Good job too! This weekend I have definitely felt a bit nesh (feeling the cold). It is easy to get a bit fed up and uninspired by your old winter woolies. But luckily I just remembered that I hadn’t test driven my Leighton Cardigan yet. It has been hidden and squashed at the top of the wardrobe which would account for the creases!

In a denim coloured 4 ply, it is warm but not bulky which makes it ideal for Spring. My old and trusty Cath Kidston blouse cheers me up no end.

The Leighton Cardigan featured in Inside Crochet issue 35. I have to say that I very rarely re-make a pattern I design mostly because the writing of the instruction is actually very much ‘work’. But if the Spring weather continues to be parky I might just re-run this design in pink…..Do you wear your own creations?

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Lots of Inspiration

The magazines this month are full of inspiration. Many of them have focused on wedding themes and there are some beautiful images and brilliant ideas if you are keen to find a crafty slant.

The team at Mollie Makes are having a wonderful year. The style and imaging from their magazines is really inspirational and although I have no personal reason to get their Handmade Wedding issue it was full of fabulous images and ideas. Many of which don’t have to be specifically for a wedding. Look at this photo spread – I could have picked out so many – the real life wedding examples are gorgeous.

The May issue of Inside Crochet is very pretty and has plenty of patterns for wedding fever.

How cute are these birds by Irene Strange?

I also really love this corsage by Claire Montgomerie -what a wonderful idea to make for the wedding party and they would never fade.

Finally there is the most gorgeous cardigan by Joanne Scrace. I particularly like this photo as it features another little jumper in the background. Cheeky me!

There are two new magazines on the scene which are cutting a bit of a dash. Pom pom quarterly is a fabulous little publication with delicate and beautiful patterns which would engage the seasoned knitter.

The design is well thought out and and the overall feel of the paper makes reading it a very lovely tactile experience. I particularly liked the article on John Arbon Textiles in Devon.

Finally the new online kid on the block is Knitsy magazine – downloadable on the Ipad and soon on other tablets. I really enjoyed browsing this – it is a totally different experience. You can turn the photos round – watch videos etc. There is a great interview with Erika Knight, plus a rather nice little article at the end about a certain blog (How kind). If you have an Ipad – and you are a yarn fan – do have a browse, it is a lot of fun, and probably heralds the future for specialist magazines.

So there you are a little sum up – enough to get those creative juices going.

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A crafty weekend

It has been a lovely crafty weekend. Not only did Knitting Magazine come out – which was really nice to see.

But excitement…my little book appeared in the June issue of Mollie Makes…Mollie Makes!

Plus the fab people at Inside Crochet have a little book giveaway on their newsletter and a copy of the pattern for Betty Bunny – very exciting!

Then I went to the pretty town of Knutsford (the original ‘Cranford’) for the launch of a new craft studio ‘Make with Mabel’, which is set within a really beautiful interior design shop – Aunty Mabel’s Seat.

The owner, Rebecca made this beautiful lampshade. I really want her to teach me how, but I would be aiming for the bright pink cylinder shape.

Look at this pretty beaded shade which was in the window. I love it.

I made a specific trip to check out the beautiful shop and meet two of my knitting friends/designers, Tracy Todhunter and Lynne Rowe. Both these ladies are wonderfully talented and will be teaching courses on knitting and crochet in the new studio space. I was rather excited to be there and we nattered ten to the dozen. It is a remarkable thing that the people I meet in the craft world are always incredibly generous and supportive and that in itself is a great reason to enrol on a craft course or join a local group.

Plenty of customers came in to sign up to workshops and I think the space will be ideal to learn some new skills.

As I left I noticed this rather handsome model sitting in the window. Such a friendly addition to a beautiful nook of the North West.

A crafty weekend Read More »

Sherbert Cowl – Knitting Magazine

I have a deep fondness for Knitting Magazine, it is where I started my design journey and they have always been very supportive of my work at GMC. Emma Kennedy, the Editor always has her finger on the fashion pulse and this issue is all about the summer trends. Luminous brights are very big both in fashion and interiors.

Inspired by my friend ‘The Fashionista’ I have embraced a little accent of yellow this season. It is not an easy colour to wear but included in an accesory it makes a little hint of sunshine. When I designed this cowl I had the hot beaches of Ibiza in mind. I think if you were 18 and could sport a white bikini – this would look great draped over your neck and enhance your tan. Alternatively I have worn it with a denim jacket. I think it might make even more outings as the season develops.

Knitting Magazine Issue 116 is out today – see if you can spot it!

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Vintage Home ~ Sarah Moore ~ Book Review (my happy place)

I won’t lie to you – I have been so excited about this book. The little sneaky snippets I have glimpsed in magazines, on websites and Sarah’s own blog ensured that I had an inkling that I would really enjoy it.

I really enjoyed Sarah’s first book and it proved to be an inspiration throughout the year.

When looking through interiors magazines I find my own taste caught somewhere between styles, a pinch of white Scandi, but with a heavy dose of English whimsy, a little bit chintzy, with a splash of velvet, and quite frankly full of tat and clutter. The style captured in this book is what I really feel like on the inside – my interior happy place.

Her ideas of full of humour and love – I think if I had a little girl I would probably immediately make this dolls house. It melts my heart.

I also really like her practical ideas – how about this teapot bookend? Genius.

The wall paper staircase is so pretty, I would never have thought of it – but it really works.

Last Christmas, the interiors magazines were all over this lampshade Christmas tree idea. I think we might see it revisited in December 2013 by many stylists, (I just hope Sarah gets the credit).

My most favourite books are not just about the ideas, for an author to really hit the spot then it has to be about the complete aesthetic experience. Well here goes. I love the textured cover, the dusty pink bookmark, the background story, the use of the script headings. I love the inclusion of table settings and thrifty tips, the ideas of loving something chipped and not perfect and finally the little details of wallpaper at the top of the pages.

The images are beautiful and taken by the iconic Debi Treloar, the projects are fun and inspiring and whilst much of the book exhorts you to recycle the pre-loved and make something new and delightful from the old – I will not be recycling this book, but it will have pride of place in my living room.

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