Louisemakesstuff

All about sleeves

2011-11-06T23:07:00.001Z

Sleeves and more... knitty.com

WIP

2011-10-28T09:54:00.001+01:00

24cm isabella, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

This has been a work in progress for far too long! Must finish this project year. *note promise to-self.

baby hats - for Gwilym

2011-10-26T23:43:00.001+01:00

baby hats - for Gwilym, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Apparently these little knot tops have been helpful in keeping baby Gwilym's head warm after he has been swimming.

bobble baby hats

2011-10-26T23:30:00.001+01:00

bobble hats for twins, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

A couple of quick knits for Ms Grant's twins - one of each flavour. Decided not to go for pink. Planning a striped one for Ms Russells recent arrival.

yarn supplies

2010-02-03T12:35:00.003Z

Stash destined for up and coming projects

sola detail

2010-02-03T12:20:00.005Z

sola detail, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

24cm isabella

2010-02-03T12:20:00.004Z

24cm isabella, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

the cable

2010-02-03T12:19:00.002Z

the cable, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Mr Bear

2009-04-17T11:16:00.004+01:00

Mr Bear, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

A Wee Wonderful creation - made using light weight denim and liberty print fabric. pattern modified to create trousers and trainers.

creepy crawley phone pocket

2009-04-17T11:15:00.003+01:00

creepy crawley phone pocket, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Phone pocket using stash from Fabrics Galore. Plans are afoot to make a bag lined with creepy crawley fabric. Pocket is lined with quilted fabric that includes a layer of heavy weight blackout material to make it scratch proof.

Scalloped blankets

2009-01-22T21:14:00.006Z

Joseph Ledwith with airplane blanket - cute little fella isn't he!

blanket detail.

multi-coloured turtle fabric purchased in Japan.

Scalloped blanket for my nephew 'little man' Jamie.

Both patterns from Amy Karols' Fabulous book 'bend-the-rules-sewing'

BBC, Doctor Who and the great knitting scandal!

2008-06-22T13:58:00.005+01:00

A Doctor Who fan is embroiled in a row with the BBC after she published knitting patterns for the sci-fi drama's monsters on the internet.
The patterns of Ood and Adipose were removed from her website after the BBC's commercial arm complained that they breached its trademark.

Mazzmatazz created knitting patterns for the Ood (the ones with their brains in their hands) and Adipose (the ones made from human fat), recent characters from Doctor Who, then distributed them for non-commercial use from her website. Unfortunately someone decided to make and sell them on e-bay which drew attention to Mazzmatazz who was subsequently contacted by the BBC who asked Mazzmatazz to remove the patterns and photos from her site. The open rights group are working with Mazzmatazz.

Apparently Mazzmatazz is in discussion with the BBC and I have read rumours of a book deal. I really hope this results in a happy medium that will support the fan base (without them Dr WHO would not be what it is), recognise how creative this community is and how the BBC can learn from it, encourage fans to continue to be creative and understand that new different licensing agreements are required in this day and age.

Lets not forget the BBC initiated the Creative Archive License Group - I believe the trail phase has now ended and I guess it may even have been ditched a a working group - but here is a bit of info:

The Creative Archive is a BBC led initiative to provide access to public service audio and video archives in such a way as to allow the British public to find, share, watch, listen and re-use the archive as a fuel for their own creative endeavours.

You can read about the rules for sharing here... lets hope we can all share Mazzmatazz's patterns.

fingers crossed...

Cushion recipe for my niece and her pink bedroom

2008-06-16T22:26:00.008+01:00

cushions - reverse, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

cushions - front, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

I made these for Christmas 2007 for my niece whose bedroom was in the midst of being decorated by her creative mum!-) But I only took these photos of the front and back of the cushions when I visited this May. They look great with the quilt, don't you think? I think my sister bought that from Next or Laura Ashley.

ingredients:
The fabrics were purchased from John Lewis on Oxford Street, except Amy Butler, Lotus Flower, this is from Liberty (appliqued BIG HEART).

method:
I based the cover construction roughly on the cushion pattern from Amy Karol, bend-the-rules sewing, but I used a geometric pattern and quilted the face of the cushions and applique patterns on the reverse. It satisfied my urge to use my stash of rik rak.

curtains at last

2008-03-30T18:34:00.003+01:00

curtains at last, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

I don't have a proper curtain rail as there isn't a wall to attach a traditional rail too, so I fitted a shower rail directly onto the ceiling in front of my bedroom window. I have to devise my own method of fixing the curtain to the static rail as the curtain MUST have maximum curtain coverage over the rail itself - this is a south facing window so if I don't the summer sunshine (when we have it) will blind me and Mr C in the morning. I used presstuds for my previous bedroom curtains, this time I am using metal hook and eyes. Yes - I had to sew 48 of them to the tabs!

To make up a basic lined curtain I worked to guidelines I found at alternative-windows
This site was really useful and there are lots of basic guidelines and tips for making cushions and blinds too.

I love the retro style pattern and mix of orange and pink - I bought the fabric in a John Lewis summer sale about 3 years ago, I bought the lining (standard weight) from there too. I think the fabric as about 5 quid a metre - a bargain I couldn't resist! Each curtain measures 170cm height and 134cm wide.

I have enough fabric left to make a couple of quilted pillow cases.

recently finished items

2008-02-18T00:24:00.012Z

Dolly jacket- Jaeger (6-12 mnths), originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff

Handknits for Babies and Children by Martin Storey
4 ply Baby Merino Jaeger

Scalloped Baby Blanket for Isla, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Pattern from Amy Karol - bend-the-rules sewing
Fabric from Liberty,

me and my clara, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Clara from Hip Knit Hats - Cathy Carron
Brown Sheep Chunky
The sun was in my eyes - so please excuse the squinty look ;-)

PLEASE note you can find errata notes here for this book

Knitted Atari 2600 Console with CRT

2008-02-06T01:36:00.001Z

Knitted Atari 2600 Console with CRT, originally uploaded by jm3.

How cool is THIS - I found it here Not sure how I get my hands on the pattern for this!

the pieces - Dolly Jacket

2008-02-03T19:57:00.001Z

Dolly Jacket, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Nearly there now - just got to sew it together.. 3mnths in the making.

bunny hop to Istanbul

2008-01-06T23:48:00.001Z

wee wonderfuls bunny, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

I just love the wee wonderfuls - this little'un is now residing in Istanbul, safe in the care of a Lea. I made it in November 2007 but didn't get round to posting it until now. I am also behind schedule with my gardening projects - I only planted my daffodil bulbs today, hopefully they will be in flower by easter (fingers crossed). I choose a pastel variety for a change - I usually plump for the classic yellow. I have completed two other sewing projects this week that I will share with you soon.

Until then let me mention a children's book I added to my collection this week: A Child's Book of Poems by Gyo Fujkawa, first published 1969. My sister and I owned a board book by Fujkawa when we were children called Our Best Friends, published 1977. I loved this book because the illustrations were so vivid - I was amazed with the detail of the clothes and grass, yet the eyes were just black dots. The collection of poems in this book includes William Blake and Kate Greenaway - there are lots of colour illustrations but my favourite are the drawings.

Festive Production

2008-01-02T11:59:00.001Z

Cushions, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Cushions in Amy Butler Fabric with pink satin trim. Cushion pads from John Lewis 30 x 40 cm. feather filling - think they cost about 3.95 each. Liberty have now started selling Amy Butler fabric at 8 quid a metre - the patterns are gorgeous, really distinctive. The green fabric here looks fairly traditional but the lovely green and pink give it a contemporary twist - combined with the spotty fabric on the reverse of the cushion the look is complete. These cushions were gifted to my nan and my boyfriends mum - both were pleased to receive handmade gifts - both were a former knitter and seamstress (sadly not possible now due to ill health).

NOTE: I noticed this on the Amy Butler selvage...
Lotus © by Amy Butler for Rowan fabrics for non commercial use only.
Fair enough I guess - we all have to earn money. This is the first time though that I have seen such a bold statement printed on a selvage - I am not sure how strictly the non commercial usage is enforced - but there must be loads of crafty bods out there making beautiful stuff for sale on Etsy, (for instance) who may consider that a wee trim of Amy Butler fabric here and there would make all the difference to their handmade goodies. That got me thinking to ways around using the fabric for non commercial use, such as exchange by barter/swap shop type enterprise. There may also be implications in the future for crafters who remix fabrics and garments such as Anti factory (my fav blog of 2007), especially if in the future more designers made use of these and rules and they were strictly enforced. I hope not...

Blimey how time flys...

2007-10-13T11:29:00.001+01:00

I have returned from my 7 month residence in Istanbul and am now back in the UK for good. All around me babies are appearing. Currently I am busy knitting Baby Dolly from Jaeger, Baby handknits, J29, (size 6-12 mnths) for my cousins new born daughter Daisy Mae. I have at least 2 more babies to knit for before the end of 2007.

On my return, about 4 weeks ago! I joined the social movement that is called facebook. I am trying desperately not to get hooked... but it is difficult. The good thing, as well as keeping up with all my mates from Turkey, is that I have been invited to a couple of events by fellow knitters > I been invited to "knit a tit", an event that will raise money for breast cancer. It will be held on Saturday 27th August at "I knit" in south London > and I found out today that the knitting and stitching show is on this weekend at Ally Pally. How exciting I would never have found out about this otherwise! I intend to go tomorrow :-)

Last up, CONGRATULATIONS to Charlotte

Sending the Princess of Purple to Peru

2007-09-01T20:19:00.000+01:00

My friend Charlotte, aka cfknits is going treking in Machu Picchu, Peru for charity in 13 days time. Donations to support the charity can be given at just giving. There are also some fabulous auctions on ebay, here, here and here. Please support Charlotte in her expedition as it is for a fantastic charity.

By way of this post I am wishing you, canım Charlotte, all my love and best wishes for your forthcoming expedition - iyi yolculular Lxxxx - see you back in London in October.

blocking!

2007-08-28T22:31:00.001+01:00

blocking!, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

well not quite - this shawl is knit with acrylic yarn so it isn't going to block - but I went through the motions all the same - with a bit of help from a warm iron I seem to have simulated the desired results.

More hair...

2007-08-22T22:25:00.001+01:00

More hair..., originally uploaded by louise makes stuff.

Mohair is the thing to buy in Turkey apparently...
Linate Rabbit - super kid mohair - varigated colourway - 85% mohair, 15% polymide
YarnArt - Mohair Classic - 80% mohair, 20% acrylic

wikipedia says:
The angora goat is thought to originate from the mountains of Tibet making their way to Turkey in the 16th century. Until 1849 the Turkish province of Ankara was the sole producer of Angora goats. Charles V is believed to be the first to bring Angora goats to Europe. In 1849 Angora goats made their way to America as a gift from Turkey. Today South Africa and the United States are the largest mohair producers, with the majority of Amerian mohair being produced in Texas.

umhh - you may have spotted that one of the brands is called Rabbit - nice label though!

I bought these goodies from GALERİ 77 - it is about a 20 min walk from where I live... it is near to Osman Bey metro station. The lady in the shop was very helpful.
( TUHAFİYE LTD. ŞTİ. ERGENEKON CADDESİ NO:20 PANGALTI ŞİŞLİ )

A big thank you to Crafty? Who? for telling me about this store.

Lellabella

2007-08-04T17:11:00.003+01:00

Lellabella, originally uploaded by louise makes stuff.

I visited Venice during my summer hols. This is my fourth visit - we go every two years to visit the Arts Biennale. This year I spotted the one and only Yarn Shop in Venice Lellabella. It sells loads of beautiful Italian yarns - I should have bought something but the our trip to Venice had already burnt a hole in my purse. Venice is soooooooo expensive :-o

Directions to Lellbella:
Walk toward Campo Manin from the Rialto, it's just over a bridge on your right hand side, the block BEFORE you reach Campo Manin. It is technically on Calle della Mandola (aka Della Cortesia).

Fiery Maiden

2007-07-29T19:51:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I made a trip to Kürkçü Han (Furrier Han) in Mahmutpaşa, Eminönü where you can find really cheap yarns and fabrics. It is a stone building located on the right while climbing Mahmutpaşa Street from Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar). This building is as old as Kapalıçarşı (Covered or Grand Bazar) and was once built for the accommodation of furriers; however, now it is an a busy shopping area. I love Eminönü it is probably one of my favorite places in Istanbul, it assaults your senses with a blast of smells, sounds and colours - its fab.

Anyhow, I bought two lots of yarn, some lovely bright red cotton DK that is now back in London and some acrylic in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and rust. I am using this to knit Earth Maiden Shawl by Ilga Leja. Not exactly the desired colourway but I think it will look good. There are loads of good acrylic and cotton yarns in Turkey. This one is made in Turkey but packaged by Belday home, a Geman company, I can't find any information about them on the web.

I have a few more yarn shops to visit in Istanbul and have bit more time to do so - my time here has been extended, I will now leave on 16 September. But that is it NO more extensions, I am missing my loved ones in Blighty - it is time to return.