Crochet Handbags

Oh it is so good to have resolved my camera issues.  The camera isn't mended though, I have just learnt how to transfer pictures by using my SD card rather than the cable.  Oh happy days.
I have been frantically crocheting children's shoulder bags this week. 

My friend Sharon has opened a new children's clothing stall next to my wool stall at Worksop and asked if I could make a few bags (twelve to be exact) to hang on the outfits she has.  She hopes they will attract more customers.

I only got to see the clothes last Saturday and until then had no idea what colours I was going to use.
Anyway I have now completed six but have suggested that she see how they go before I do anymore.  At least that gives me a bit of a break. 

They do look rather cute I must say.

Baking and Bags

As you know I love the domestic side of life, home making, cooking, knitting, sewing and everything in between and over the last few days I've managed to fit a few of my favourite things in to my busy life.

For some reason I don't have much luck when it comes to making scones, so when I come across a new recipe I can't resist having a go in the hope that this will prove to be the mother of all scone recipes.  This particular one wasn't all that exciting but they were very nice and all got eatten.

From the same blog I also found this Lemon and Almond Tart.  Now this was worth shouting about and when I don't have hubby pestering me to get out of bed I will publish this for you all to try.  I used an orange instead of lemon simply because I didn't want to go to the shops but it was still delicious. I don't know if it was supposed to but the orange turned in to a thin layer of orange curd between the pastry and the almond sponge which was delicious.

 I also made this little bag. A woman on one of the market stalls in Worksop asked if I would be willing to make her some bags to go with a new range of children's clothes she will be launching shortly.

 In anticipation I decided to start designing one so that I could at least get a head of the game and have an idea of how long these things would take me and therefore the costing involved.

It's surprising just how long one bag takes what with the initial crocheting then the sewing up and then the little extra details that bring it all together.
I'm not sure if this is exactly what she wants but I enjoyed making it and I'm sure some little girl would love to own it.

And now for something completely different.

Good evening folks,
I am knitting like crazy at the moment trying to get together a few samples to display on my stall.  I have two or three yarns which don't exactly show them selves off particularly well when they are just sat in a basket and unless I actually show my public what they look like when knitted up, I fear that they will remain in their basket for a very long time.

Here is an example - I think this looks amazing as it is but when I first saw it I didn't know what on earth I was supposed to do with it.  It was only when a lady came to my stall with what she had made that I suddenly fell in love with it.  It is similar to a length of ribbon but with one edge which looks like a little ladder.  The idea is that you use this edge to knit each stitch using each gap as a separate stitch.  Firstly though you cast on using a standard yarn such as double knit.  This is the ball band so that if you spot some in your wool shop you will recognise it.

It isn't difficult to knit with once you get the hang of it.  The knit row is simple but the purl row is a little bit more tricky.
I stock three different colour ways, this one which is cream/brown.  I also have lilac/purple and bronze/grey.  I sell it at £8.50 a ball and one ball will make a handbag or a scarf or a cushion cover front.  The effect is quite stunning and very different from anything I have used before.  Each loop makes a kind of pleat which then turns in to a ruffle.
Here is a bag I am making and which at the moment looks a bit strange.

I wasn't sure what size needles to use as my pattern seemed to have forgotten to tell me.  I opted for 4mm or UK size 8's but I think I could have gone larger.  I won't really know for sure until it is sewn up.  That will be the exciting part.
Well I suppose I had better get back to it.  It's getting late and bedtime isn't far away thank goodness.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Best Wishes Paula x