Hello! Last week I had one of those days where the sun was shining, new fabric arrived and I had a wave of positivity and creativity. Combined it made for the perfect sew-day, so I decided to film it and take you along with me as I made the Safiya dungarees/jumpsuit from Tilly and the Buttons newest book Make It Simple.

The vlog starts with my plans for the day, then moves into the cutting out and my sewing set up, and I've filmed my first try on and my final review. I really enjoyed this one and it's super casual. I hope it'll provide some light relief and inspire you to crack on with your own perfect sew-day.

Check out the video below:

Hello! Fear not, the only 'C' word you'll be hearing about in this blog post is crafts! A lot of people all over the world are spending more time indoors due to the pandemic. As somebody who works from home anyway but who has also tried her hand at lots of different kinds of crafts, I thought I'd use my crafty experience to put together a blog post featuring my favourite at home crafts you can do without investing a great deal.

Not only will learning a new craft hopefully ease any boredom you might have, crafting is also great for your mental health (check out THIS blog post I wrote about sewing and mental health). During this anxious time, spending some time learning something new refocuses your mind and calms you. Whilst you also set yourself a goal to finish a project and are still being productive.

So if you're able to, why not check out some of my favourite crafts to get stuck into, without investing a lot of money or buying tonnes of supplies...

Firstly, I just want to shout out Skillshare:

I'm a Skillshare ambassador and have got a lot out of the platform myself, so I'd like to start by mentioning it, not as part of my list, but as a general introduction to online creative learning. There are THOUSANDS of classes on there, some really short and some with longer projects. From calligraphy and knitting to photography and editing, you'll find something for you.

GET 2 MONTHS OF SKILLSHARE FREE HERE

You don't have to put in any payment details to sign up, so there's zero commitment. Why not just sign up and make the most of your two free months?

Lets get into my list...

1. Knitting


I could ramble on about how knitting has changed my life, but I want to keep this post relatively less wordy and I don't want to repeat myself here. But I wrote a blog post all about learning to knit HERE - it includes all the basic supplies you need, patterns to start with and what I've made.

Get £10 off your first order at We Are Knitters with my referral code: MGM9VDFLT 

2. Weaving/Woven Wall Hangings


Creating a woven wall hanging was one of the first classes I took on Skillshare and I've got plans to make a second soon (knitters end up with a lot of random yarns!). You don't have to spend a lot of money on supplies and I found this craft really therapeutic.

You'll need:
- A weaving loom
- A selection of yarn - it doesn't matter what kind, you can mix & match what you like!
- A wooden dowel and string to hang your project with

Pinterest is FULL of woven wall hanging inspiration if you want some colour palette and pattern ideas. I've got a board full of my faves HERE.

3. Watercolour Painting

This is something I've only started doing this year, again taking online classes and I've really enjoyed learning water colour techniques to paint florals.

You'll need:
- A watercolour paint set
- Paint brushes
- A sketch book

4. Cross Stitch


Cross stitch is one of the first crafty things I tried growing up as it was something that I saw my mum doing. I couldn't count the number of cross stitch projects I've started (and stopped!) over the years, but I do have a few finished projects I love.

You'll need:
- A pattern - you can find lots for free too!
- A hoop
- Needle
- Aida count fabric
- Threads

Please excuse the plug, but if you like sewing and want to try cross stitch I've designed a sewing machine pattern which you can buy as a PDF pattern download OR I've put everything you need together for a handy kit - delivered straight to your door!

5. Sewing


I wasn't sure whether to include sewing in this post, or write a separate one (which I think I'll still do), but I know lots of people have basic sewing machines they bought a while back but then packed away again.

There's plenty of very simple but satisfying sewing projects out there, that don't require loads of supplies or skill.

- Scrunchies - the internet is overflowing with DIY scrunchies tutorials at the mo. Check out THIS one from one of my faves.
- Cushions - why not make your home extra cosy if you're going to be spending more time there.
- Tea Towels - another way to add a touch of colour or pattern to your kitchen.
- Cosmetic Bags - learn how to sew a basic zip with a simple project like zip pouches.

Or perhaps now is the time to mend those clothes you've been avoiding? I've got a small pile of alterations, including a skirt that's too big and a cardigan that needs a shoulder repair.

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FOR MORE COLOURFUL CRAFT IDEAS, CHECK THIS OUT!

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I hope this post has inspired you to get crafty and try your hand at something new. And if you're reeeeally bored, I've got a bunch of vlogs on YouTube you can catch up on haha.

Are you getting crafty during isolation?

Thanks for reading!
Abi

It's been a little while since my last Makers Style File, but I'm back and feeling all inspired for some Spring sewing. I always say Autumn is my fave time of year, but by the time March comes around, I'm definitely ready for a bit of sun.

This week I had a big wardrobe sort out. I'm definitely accepting that midi length, flowy dresses are my preference over 1950s style fit and flare styles I used to like. I feel much more relaxed in my style and I feel like I'm in a good place with what I have and what makes me feel confident. Shedding my old blog name was a big part of finding my style.

They came out a little late in the year for me, but soon I hope to try some of the McCalls patterns that caught my eye a few months back. Theres lots of lovely midi length styles, but this button up dress is a must have. Luckily there's no shortage of beautiful floral viscose fabrics going - groundbreaking, I know...

Please excuse the self promo, but I'm so happy with my new woven label designs for Crafty Pinup, I had to sneak one in here. My 'Thanks, I Made It!' design is the best seller so far!

I recently finished my latest knitting project and it was my first time knitting with mohair. I'd been putting it off for a while as I'm so used to knitting with chunky, but I got the hang of it eventually. Now I'm lusting after this dreamy pink shade to make another fluffy cardigan.

As soon I spotted a couple of my Instagram faves wearing this powder blue Glossier eyeshadow, I was well and truly #influenced! I've only got a small collection of Glossier products but I like everything I've purchased so far and would love to treat myself to some of their skincare next. Get 10% off your Glossier purchase with my referral link HERE.

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

I'm kicking off the new month with a new Sew & Tell vlog, showing you what I've been making over the past couple of months. It includes possibly my favourite dress ever and a project I never thought I'd sew. Check it out below:


Thanks for watching!
Abi xo

Well here's a post I never thought I'd be writing! I'll start with a little of my history with sewing bras, as I think it's in context to this make. I studied Contour Fashion at uni, which is lingerie, swimwear and corsetry design. So I'm no stranger to sewing bras (of many kinds) and I am very familiar with all the supplies that go into the bra, the kind of pattern pieces to expect and what a good fit means.

My main piece of advice for anyone wanting to sew a bra is that you need to know your size. You can't expect to sew a bra that will fit you if you've been wearing the same two bras for five years. Go and get refitted (Marks and Spencer, Bravissimo, Boux Avenue and Debenhams among others offer the service) or try fitting yourself (check THIS, THIS & THIS guide on how), you might be surprised. Even if you think you're fine, its a free service, just check and try on! A woman's breast size changes throughout her lifetime. I refit myself last year after I noticed I was wearing the few same bras on rotation because they were my 'comfy' ones. I refit myself and went to go try on that bra size in a shop and voila! It fit like a dream and I felt like a right plonker for avoiding it.

It is SO important to wear good fitting bras, especially when you're not the standard size like me. Essentially, I went into this bra project knowing what my size is and knowing what a good fit means, so hoped that this pattern's specifications would match up (much like clothing, there is no size standardisation in the bra industry).

Anyway, bra size lecture over, lets get into this pattern review... Towards the end of my degree, the life was sucked out of me a bit and I would have sworn I'd never sew an underwired bra again, let alone one to fit myself. But I've been seeing the Black Beauty Bra pattern by Emerald Erin pop up a lot on Instagram and I love the look of it SO much. It's a style if I'd see in a shop, I'd buy and I just thought 'to hell with it' and bought the pattern.

Here's a peek at the pattern:


For reference, I'm sewing version A (the top one) in a 34F. I've used THIS beautiful red lace as the main component of my bra. I find it quite hard to take a decent flat-lay photo of a bra when you're making a larger size, but hopefully you can see all the details...



Well after a few years away from bra sewing, it all came back to me! It all felt so familiar cutting out these bra pieces and lining up all the elastics and findings and honestly I kind of loved it. I kept my expectations low and had in my head this would be a toile. But damn, that first try on floored me!

I didn't expect to enjoy the sewing process as much as I did and coming out of it with a wearable bra I feel good in is amazing. There are certainly a couple of bumpy sewing spots, but now I'm familiar with the pattern and how it goes together (and that it fits me), I know my next one will be a higher standard in terms of sewing.


I thought to review this pattern I would share my usually Sewing Summary I include in all my pattern reviews, but I'll answer in more detail to break down each aspect...

Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Black Beauty Bra pattern by Emerald Erin (PDF download)

Fabrics:
Lace (gifted)
Satin from my stash
Powernet

Notions:
Fold Over Elastic  (gifted)
Everything else I found at Sewing Chest

Sewing time: A couple of hours. But I'm very used to sewing bras and I'm a speedy sewist anyway.

Modifications: As the lace I used was a little hole-y and I needed some stabilisation, I used a firm satin fabric I had in my stash to back the bottom cups and the cradle. To do this I just cut out the pattern pieces in the satin and tacked them in place with a long stitch on my machine.

Fit:
Cups: Really good. I like a full coverage cup and this fits really well. My underwires sit round my breast root and feel comfortable and supportive. Under the arm has regular coverage and when I compare this bra overall to my favourite shop bought ones, they are very similar.

Straps: I like a firm strap and I was worried I wouldn't like these are they are mostly made from fold over elastic which isn't the firmest elastic. You do use a stay tape in the FOE, but I'm on the fence as to whether it's enough for me. I think the elastic and hoops and sliders I used at the back of the bra perhaps don't work well with each other. Next time I would get a firmer elastic for this strap section and shorten them in general as I have a short body.

Under band: This fit here is really good. But I'm not happy with my under band elastic as a style. It's firmer than I expected it to be and would be better suited to straps. I couldn't find a red picot edge under band elastic in the wider width so used what I thought was closet. Next time I would work around whatever colour I can find in the specific elastic type. But its still super comfy and fits.

Difficulty: I think anyone could have a go at this bra if you know your way around a sewing machine. You never know unless you try after all! What I like about bra sewing is that the pattern pieces are nice and small and manageable, and the stages for sewing are very broken down. Like with anything, take it step by step and you'll get there!

Making yourself familiar with all the components that go into a bra will be helpful and make sure to pay attention to stretch lines and the types of supplies you need as there are no short cuts in bra sewing.

Watch out for: There's a lot to look out for when bra sewing as there is so little room for error. But don't be intimidated. I know I have experience with bras but I'd much rather sew a bra that do an invisible zip or cuff plackets!

Make Again?: Yes. I thought that this project would be a 'oh well I tried' experience, but I already got some fabric to make another! I think me and this pattern will be seeing a lot of each other...


Overall, I surprised myself with this one! I didn't expect to come out of this project excited to sew myself more bras. I am over the moon with the fit and will absolutely wear this bra. There are some things I would tweak for next time, for example I would have overlocked or used seam tape on the bust seams and I would buy a stronger elastic/smaller sliders for the straps to make that bit firmer. But there's nothing that won't stop me from enjoying this awesome bra!

Would you ever sew a bra? If you're thinking about sewing this one, I would definitely check out the Instagram hashtag #blackbeautybra to see some amazing versions, in a whole host of sizes. I saved so many photos for inspiration.

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

Check out the description on the video for a list of all the patterns mentioned.

I'd like to use the other half of this blog post to tell you all about this dress. I made it the day before we went to the Mary Quant exhibition, because obviously I needed to make a new dress last minute? And what better than to sew the pattern designed especially for the exhibition!


Firstly, just what a flipping cool pattern. If you like 60s style you NEED to download this. It's a very basic sewing pattern with heaps of options for customisation. Including various collar and pocket options. I chose the key hole neck with the pointed collar, cuffed long sleeves and no pockets. I wasn't going to do a contrast collar, but then I wondered 'what would Sabrina do?' (my current TV obsession) so I figured, go big or go home.


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: We Want Quant - Mary Quant Mini Dress Pattern

Fabric: Medium weight viscose (bought in store) & cotton for the collar.

Notions: A self covered button for the neck.

Sewing time: Half a day.

Modifications: None.

Fit: Good. Surprisingly good. I didn't make any alterations and it fits me well around the bust and the length is just the right 'mini' length on my 5"4 frame.

Difficulty: Simple. There are no fastenings so that makes the sewing very simple. The trickiest bit is making sure the collar is stitched properly.

Watch out for: The collar requires lots of pinning and pressing to get it to look neat and sharp.

Make Again?: Yes! Absolutely. I can definitely see myself grabbing this pattern for lots of spontaneous sewing in the future. With so many options for the pattern, I don't think I'll be getting bored of it.


Overall, my love for 1960s fashion is stronger than ever and the #WeWantQuant pattern is my favourite thing I've made in a long time. It's super simple, comfy and gives an instant 60s look. I've worn this a bunch already and I love how on the verge of fancy dress it is, right up my style street!

I hope you enjoy the vlog, I'm really enjoying YouTube at the moment and I hope you guys can see that and will find the vlog inspiring.

Thanks for reading and watching!
Abi xo

A new sewing pattern review during the week of the launch of the pattern? Who am I? A sewing blogger? Well not entirely. But I was on the pattern testing team for the newest pattern launch from my faves at Tilly and the Buttons and I wanted to share my thoughts ASAP.

The Bobbi pattern is going to be a massive hit. It's a versatile, simple pattern, which if you so wish, shows off your stitching skills through top stitching, pockets and buttons. For my tester version I made the skirt in a medium weight, classic blue denim which has a slight amount of stretch.

Here's a peek at the pattern:


You can see how much potential this pattern has. I know I'm going to use this pattern multiple times. Way back when, I hacked the Tilly Cleo dungarees to add buttons up the front. But this version does that all for you and it's great to see a dungaree dress pattern which has a waist band. On my shape I don't like wearing dungaree dresses that are just straight up and down, so having this pattern in my stash is going to be a lot of fun.


Continuing on from my previous post about my most worn makes of 2019, I'm conscious about sewing garments that I know will get lots of every day wear and can be worn in multiple seasons. So when I went about testing Bobbi, I went to my wardrobe to see what would be most useful to me right now. I don't have a denim skirt and after looking at some high street inspiration online, I figured this would be my first version. Plus I have a similar RTW dungaree dress so felt it a bit unnecessary to make another one right now.


My thoughts on the sewing process on a whole are really positive (but please be aware I was sewing this pattern before it's release so was looking at a bit more detail at everything in the instructions). As always, Tilly's instructions were clear with broken down steps and great pictures.

Even though a pattern like this can look quite intimidating, I think the sewing process is reasonably straight forward when broken down into steps. It's lots of straight stitching and pressing as you go to keep it neat, plus I really enjoy top stitching so I liked watching this skirt come together. I was also able to use up some pretty fabric scraps for the insides of my pockets which I love.


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Tilly and the Buttons 'Bobbi' Pattern

Fabric: Medium weight blue denim. I found something similar HERE.

Notions: Silver jeans buttons.

Sewing time: A couple of hours to half a day.

Modifications: None.

Fit: Good. I think next time I would make the size down as it can swivel around my waist, but it tucks a jumper in nicely so that works for me too! But with a t shirt/thin top it feels a bit big.

Difficulty: Intermediate, but simple when broken down.

Watch out for: Tidy topstitching!

Make Again?: Yes. This pattern is a wardrobe staple and I can see myself using this pattern a lot.

Overall, I'm a big fan of the Bobbi pattern and it's going to be super popular. I love that the pattern has so many options to make it your own and will work for a variety of fabrics. Personally I can see a few needlecord versions in my future and you can't go wrong with black denim.

I can't wait to see other people's versions of the Bobbi pattern popping up (I'm seeing some already and they look amazing!), I'll be stalking the hashtag for sure! What do you think of Tilly and the Buttons latest pattern release?

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

For me 2019 was a big turning point in my sewing and knitting. It was the year I switched my blog name and embraced a more relaxed style. I think last year was truly the first time since I started dressmaking that I actually made useful, wearable garments which I love. I'm no longer sewing vintage floral dresses willy nilly, I just don't dress like that enough to justify it, and I dipped my toe into the 70s for the first time and it lead my sewing in a new direction.

So at the risk of trying and failing at YouTube for the 100th time, I've filmed a vlog showing you my most worn makes of last year. It's pretty chatty and relaxed and I hope you enjoy it. Find the video below:



1. Tilly and the Buttons - Coco and Francoise 60s mash up - Fabric bought in store.
Check out this amazing dogtooth fabric I think would work well HERE.

2. Simplicity 8608 - Jersey Jumpsuit - Fabric bought in store.
I've found an alternative HERE

3. Deer and Doe - Myosotis Dress - Fabric now sold out.

4. Simplicity 6301 - Jersey Wrap Dress - Fabric bought in store.

5. All About Ami - Downtown Cardigan - Lilac Yarn
We Are Knitters Simone Cardigan - Blue Yarn

Thanks for watching!
Abi xo

Happy New Year everyone! I'm a little late with the reflection post and planning my Make Nine but I've enjoyed taking some time out over the festive season so I'm only just getting back into the swing of things over here.

I don't know whether it's the time of year, but I've really lacked any kind of sew-jo the past couple of months. I've probably made less than 5 things since Summer (including a very boring ironing board cover), but honestly I'm not too bothered. It means I've been wearing a lot of my favourite older makes and showing them some love. This year I also ditched the crafty pinup blog name (it's just my shop now), so 2019 involved a lot of embracing my true style which is much more casual and I've been trying to work on that.

I wish I was someone who had a super tonal wardrobe and everything worked together but I'm accepting I'll never be that person, just because I like too many things, but I'm trying to find a middle ground. So even though overall 2019 was a weird year for my sewing I hope to roll into 2020 with some inspiration and more direction.

Lets talk Make Nine goals:

I've been putting together a Make Nine for the past couple of years and normally I keep on track and I enjoying the process. But 2019's was an absolute FAIL. You can check it out HERE. My 2019 make nine wasn't crazy or anything, and I still like the makes I included, but I think I gave myself too much. I was never going to complete 5 big knitting projects (what was I thinking?!) and I went off the pink denim jacket idea pretty quick and realised the last thing I needed was another pinafore... I made a couple of things from the list but the lack of sewing projects made it feel like more of a fail overall.

I'm using my 2020 make nine plans to finish/start some knitting and crochet kits I have already bought, some fabrics I have but haven't used yet and some patterns I keep lusting after or want to try again. I think I've set myself some very realistic goals and nothing requires learning a new skill or feels too daunting so hopefully there won't be anything stopping me from diving into these projects!

So here's my 2020 Make Nine plans:



1. Wool and the Gang 'Malibu' Sweater

Oh jeez, this kit. I bought this kit in the summer thinking I'd make it in a month. Turns out crochet isn't a skill that comes naturally to me and I learned the hard way. I'm determined to get back into it this year and tick crochet off my skill list.

2. Star print viscose fabric

My fave fabric I have in my stash right now! I know the garment I sew with it will be just around the corner, I'm just struggling to find the time at the moment. But I'm torn between a wrap dress (my go to), a button up tea dress or something short and 60s. But luckily I have enough fabric for a couple of garments as I snapped up all that was left when I saw it in store.

3. Wool and the Gang 'Needed Me' Cardigan

I've been lusting after this one for a while and finally bought the kit in the sales. I haven't made a cardigan in mohair yet and I really want one. I think it will be a great piece of knitwear for summer so hopefully this one will be a success (and quick-ish).

4. Powder blue sweatshirt fabric

I've had this fabric stashed for a while, thinking I would make the Tilly and the Button Stella hoodie and joggers set. I still haven't used it. I think maybe the colour is too light and that's putting me off because I know if I had this fabric in black I would have used it by now. But recently Tilly released a Nora cardigan hack and I think that could work very well for me instead of a hoodie in this colour. We'll see! But it takes up too much room in my stash to sit around much longer!

5. Named Clothing 'Lempi' Dress

This pattern has been in my dreams all last year. I've loved every version I've seen. I don't own it yet but I'd definitely love to try it and I think it would be a great transitional piece.

6. Tilly and the Buttons 'Make It Simple' book

This book comes out in February and after watching Tilly's preview of the patterns I don't think there's a pattern in there I don't like! So I'm including the whole damn book on my Make Nine list because I'll probably be making a bunch from it this year (overambitious maybe?).

7. Friday Pattern Company 'Ilford' Jacket

Another pattern I've been lusting after and don't yet own. I love the styling of this floral one pictured but would love to make it in a plain drill because I think that would be super useful in my wardrobe.

8. Tilly and the Buttons 'Martha' Dress

I made this dress once when I first started sewing. It was a bit of a mess technically but I loved it. I've been thinking about this pattern a lot recently and every smart/casual occasion that has come up recently I've thought 'oooh Martha would be nice to wear', but my first one hasn't lasted well. Time to make Martha round 2!

9. Nina Lee London 'Kew' Dress

Oh this pattern. I absolutely disrespected this pattern the first time I tried it and I can't quite bring myself to look at it again. That dress has never seen the light of day, but gosh I love this pattern and long to make a successful one! Mine was all down to a horrible, very lazy fit (all my fault), so I need to have a proper look at this one and make my dream dress.


I hope 2020 will be productive and will lead to me creating a more coordinated wardrobe which suits my style (since shedding the pinup stuff). I feel much more comfortable in my skin and hope to reflect that in my makes.

Have you put together a list of makes for 2020?

Thanks for reading.
Abi xo

P.S. I'm starting the decade with a fiancé, so that's pretty nice too!

• Add waist ties to the bodice to pull the loose fit in at the waist.
• Add a tiered skirt (like me!)
• Add patch pockets instead of in seam ones.
• Add a Peter Pan collar, like I did on THIS dress.

Overall, Indigo is probably my new favourite sewing pattern. I know it's going to be my new go-to when I have a spare afternoon to sew. It's easy to sew and lazy to fit, my kind of sewing for sure!

I hope you enjoyed the post and found it helpful. I really would recommend it to beginners and beyond and think it's a really nice thing to make with lots of possibilities to make it your own. Again thanks for your patience and understanding with my struggle for blog photos!

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

'Tis the season for gift guides and what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't throw my hat in the ring!  I also enjoy creating mood boards and scouring the internet for cute stuff as its a great way to procrastinate... So here's my Christmas gift guide (but also highly recommended to reference for birthdays, valentines day, weekends, just about any time) for the knitter in your life!

1. Addi Gold Glitter Needles
I have a pair of these, and I'm not going to lie, I chose my current knitting project because it meant I got to use them again. Lovely to hold and to look at!

2. Lauren Aston Designs - LAD Bags
Everything Lauren designs is a winner, but how useful are these LAD bags?

3. We Are Knitters - I Am A Knitter T Shirt
Say it loud and proud!

4. Wool and the Gang - Knitting Kits
You know I love a knitting kit and in my opinion Wool and the Gang have the best ones. Choose from simple scarfs through to cable knit cardigans.

5. Crafty Pinup - The Knitter Pin Bundle
Couldn't do a knitting gift guide without a shout out to my own pin designs! Get my two woolly designs in a 20% off bundle.

6. Paintbox Yarns - Value Pack
I think Paintbox Yarns are a great affordable yarn option and their super chunky is a great dupe for the designer wools. Why not gift a value pack in their favourite shade? The colour choice is amazing!

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Seriously my all time favourite present to get? A Gift Card. Yep! Honestly I love nothing more than a gift card for one of my favourite shops. Here's a round up of my favourite Gift Cards for knitting shops:

• Wool and the Gang
• We Are Knitters
• Love Crafts
• Minerva
• Deramores
• Abakhan

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Perhaps send this post over to your gift getters as a not to subtle hint.

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

'Tis the season for gift guides and what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't throw my hat in the ring!  I also enjoy creating mood boards and scouring the internet for cute stuff as its a great way to procrastinate... So here's my Christmas gift guide (but also highly recommended to reference for birthdays, valentines day, weekends, just about any time) for the seamstress in your life!

1. Crafty Pinup - Sewing Machine Pin
Here I go again plugging my own stuff, but you've got to admit, a sewing machine makes a pretty cool pin right?

2. Sew Dainty - Mirror Acrylic Scissors Necklace 
Finished with a super sparkly Swarovski crystal, this scissor necklace is a stunner!

3. Tilly & the Buttons - Make It Simple
Very important sewing news! Tilly's next book is available for pre-order and you know it's going to be a best seller.

4. ETO Buttons - Matte Green Flowers
I've been stalking ETO Buttons on Instagram and I've tracked down a UK seller. You'll probably start seeing them everywhere soon though.

5. Ernest Wright & Son - Pink Shears
Dream scissors. End of.

6. Pink Coat Club - Contains Dog Hair Woven Labels
As a family who has a doberman, I need these labels in my life. Check out Joy's other hella cute designs too (yes there's ones for cat people).

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Seriously my all time favourite present to get? A Gift Card. Yep! Honestly I love nothing more than a gift card for one of my favourite shops. Here's a round up of my favourite Gift Cards for sewing shops:

• Sew Me Sunshine
• Like Sew Amazing
• Material Girl Laura
• Minerva
• Abakhan
• Sewisfaction
• Tilly and the Buttons

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Perhaps send this post over to your gift getters as a not to subtle hint.

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo

• Sew Hayley Jane - 20% off items in the Outlet Shop - code: BLACKFRIDAY

• Samantha Claridge Studio - 20% off EXCLUSIVE - code: ABI20 

• Material Girl Laura - #BARGS - ends Sunday

• Oh Sew Shop - 20% off everything - code: BLACKFRIDAY20 - ends midnight Sunday

• Sister Mintaka - 20% off almost everything (excludes preorders & sale)

• Crafty Sew & So - Free delivery all week

• Sewing Daze - Sale on Christmas fabrics & end of bolts

• Like Sew Amazing - 15% off fabrics - code: WOWZER15 or 20% off over £40 code: WOWZER40

• Pink Coat Club - Free notepad with orders over £25 - 20% off low stock - half price seconds

• The Fabric Fox - 20% off - code: BLACKFRIDAY - ends Monday

• Sewisfaction - up to 60% off

• My Handmade Wardrobe Patterns - 25% off

• WeaverDee - multiple offers

If you'd had said to me a couple of years ago that I would one day be knitting every evening I would have said 'hell no'. I've tried to learn in the past with varying success but nothing ever stuck. Until the end of last summer. Fast forward a year, I have a collection of me made knits, a bunch of patterns and wool stashed around the flat (shhh) and 3 projects on the go at once. I'm obsessed.

I hate to use the phrase but, I get a lot of DMs about knitting, about how I learnt, recommendations for patterns and yarns and a lot of messages saying they're nervous to try or can't find their flow and what advice do I have for them. SO, you guys have inspired me to start a new Knitting 101 series on my blog, sharing everything I know and my favourite resources for troubleshooting your knitting problems. Hopefully this series will inspire you to pick up your needles, learn or fall back in love with knitting.

My preferred style of knitting chunky, squishy and simple, so if you're after tight knit or fitted garments, this probably won't be for you. My attention span doesn't last long enough to tackle that style, I've tried but honestly it just doesn't interest me. I like to be able to complete my knitting projects within a couple of months, I'm too impatient and want to wear everything NOW. With that being said, lets get into it...

Online classes:

I initially kickstarted my knitting with a beginners scarf class on Skillshare. The class advised what size needles and yarn to go and buy, then you follow along with the class video. This appealed to me as I wanted to be able to watch someone knit each step and really hold my hand throughout the process. You can also see other people's projects and reviews who also took the class, a part of Skillshare I really like and find very helpful.

As I'm a Skillshare ambassador, you can get 2 FREE months of Skillshare through me. CLICK HERE to sign up and start exploring today! I've also checked out tutorials on weaving (great for yarn leftovers!), embroidery, crochet and tech stuff. I've found it to be a really useful platform for creatives and I am proud to be an ambassador and to be able to offer you a freebie!

YouTube:

For literally any issue you have with your knitting project there's a video to help you out. I'm a big fan of Wool and the Gang's YouTube channel and recommend it to everyone who needs some help. The videos are short, close up and simple. Slow down the speed, pause and replay to your heart's content. That's what I do!



Other channels I'd recommend checking out for knitting explained are Sheep and Stitch and We Are Knitters. 

Knitting Kits:

Knitting kits are my jam. Without these guys I think I would have lost interest in knitting pretty quick. If you grab them in the sales (of which there are lots), buying kits is a great way to knit in my opinion. You get everything you need, nothing more, nothing less, to make your project. And as someone who has trouble figuring out how much yarn you need for a pattern and what size needles, this takes all the fuss out of it. I'll always praise kits and recommend them, because without them I think I would have given up trying to learn.

Of course some of these kits can be pricey, and if you're happy to figure out your yarns and patterns for yourself then that's great. But as a newbie, kits were a breath of fresh air when I felt overwhelmed by knitting supplies and trying to piece everything together became stressful instead of fun.

Knitting kits brands that I love:

• Wool and the Gang
• Hip Knit Shop
• Laura Aston Designs
• We Are Knitters

Here's a couple of beginner kits I started with:

• Wool and the Gang 'Whistler Scarf'
• Wool and the Gang 'Lula Hoop'
• In these photos, I'm knitting THIS scarf kit.

My affordable faves:

I've experimented with expensive yarns and affordable yarns, but as a beginner (or just in general) more affordable and budget friendly options are more appealing. They also don't feel too precious. Here are some of my favourite affordable brands:

Paintbox yarns - I've used this brand a lot and have been really pleased with the quality and the awesome colour range. They also have a selection of free patterns, I've got a bunch downloaded!

Stylecraft - Remember my pink cardigan I shared recently? I made that out of Stylecraft Aran weight yarn and I love it.

Rico - Rico have an amazing selection of yarn weights and styles, I've got lots on my wish list to try next. Definitely check out their patterns too, there's lots of styles that will appeal to all ages.

In general, I'd recommend visiting Love Crafts, my go-to knitting supply shop. You can browse patterns, yarn and more and filter the searches to suit your needs. It's an easy to navigate website and is full of inspiration.


Picking projects:

A scarf is a great place to start and that's what I recommend to people looking to start. You can get a feel for how you hold the needles and yarn, and you can see if you're a tight knitter or loose. You'll learn about good tension and it will help you move onto your next project. Plus if you end up hating it, you haven't invested a lot in supplies.

After I cracked the scarf and found my flow, I knew I wanted to stick with simple and chunky. But I couldn't knit scarves forever. Luckily there's lots of simple jumper and cardigans out there.

I thought any knitted jumper would involve increasing, decreasing and lots of complicated sizing and measurements and.... maths (eek!). WRONG. I'll be sharing my jumpers and cardigans in my next Knitting 101 blog post. Stay tuned!



I hope this post has been helpful to you and has demystified knitting a little and at least persuaded you to check out some projects. I feel silly for avoiding it for as long as I have, its brought so much to my life and has inspired me when I've felt out of whack with my sewing. Now it's my favourite lazy craft to do in front of the TV in the evenings. I still feel productive and there's a squishy piece of knitwear waiting for me at the end.

Next up, I'll be sharing my journey into knitting garments!

Thanks for reading!
Abi xo