Crocheting a Window Display in Self-isolation

We are living in trying times right now, with a global pandemic currently in full swing. I have spent the past few weeks stuck inside the house, trying to find some form of entertainment to help me get through the long hours, days and weeks that lie ahead. Luckily for me, crochet and knitting have always been a reliable hobby in difficult times. I have a huge yarn stash, plenty of needles, and an online database with millions of patterns. But even with such a huge collection of crafting resources readily available for hours of social distancing, the question still persisted: what should I make?

Recently I have been making garments that I can eventually wear out, but the idea of knitting or crocheting something for the outside world didn't seem particularly pandemic appropriate. After seeing so many beautiful rainbow paintings and stuffed animals in the windows of houses on my state-approved daily walk, I decided that crocheting a window display would be a better use of my time. Rainbow paintings, or 'rainbows of hope', are becoming an international display of community spirit, resilience and positive thinking, so creating a colourful window display for the neighbourhood seemed like a fantastic thing to make in trying times.

What I Learned at Unravel Festival 2020

Last week, I attended Unravel Festival in Farnham, U.K for the first time ever. I'm not sure how long the festival has been running, but it was the first yarn festival I have ever attended. Well, physically attended - I tuned into some of the Instagram live streams of Vogue Knitting Live in previous years, but I was happy to be going somewhere where I could actually squish the yarn. Exciting stuff!

I had only learned about the festival a few days before, but after looking at the list of workshops I immediately booked on to attend Introduction to Knitwear Design, run by Kate Atherley. At my old job at a well-known craft company, I was known for tweaking patterns and adapting designs to my own tastes - I think one person called it franken-knitting. After changing, altering and winging so many patterns, it was only natural that I had taken an interest in knitwear design. Designing and pattern writing would be a perfect next step, and a beginner's class at Unravel seemed like a fantastic place to start.

Where to Find Vintage Knitting Patterns

Despite being an age-old craft, it's difficult to imagine the knitting world without technology. How on earth did knitters cope without Ravelry, Youtube or Pinterest? The traditional knitting industry has certainly changed a lot over the past century, but the use of technology doesn't necessarily mean modern-day knitting patterns and techniques are superior. With thrift shopping and vintage clothing becoming increasingly popular (thanks to slow-fashion and reusing & recycling movements), vintage knitting patterns are a fantastic source for classy, affordable and unique patterns that look just as good as their modern-day alternatives.

The great thing about vintage knitting patterns is that you can find them everywhere. Before the days of Ravelry and the internet, knitting patterns like the photographs above (source: Wee Bird) were distributed as paper copies. Those paper copies often end up on Ebay or in local second-hand stores. Here in the UK, second-hand stores (or charity shops) are a treasure trove of vintage knitting patterns. Below are a few useful tips and tricks for finding and adapting vintage knitting patterns.

Introductions, WIPs and FOS

It seemed quite appropriate to start this blog with a little bit about me. I imagine you'll be hearing quite a lot about me and from me in the next few months (and hopefully longer - I've never been good at maintaining a blog, but fortunately I've got a lot more to say about knitting than most subjects). I wanted to start with a little bit about myself as an individual, then some of the craftier aspects of my like - including my WIPs (secret knitting code for a 'Work in Progress'), FOs  ('Finished Objects') and crafting history. So before I start rambling too much.... let's get started. 

What do you need to know about me?

• • My name is Jasmine and I'm a British knitter (and sometimes crocheter) in my early twenties.
• • I love the French language & culture and spent a year living abroad in France as part of my degree - I will forever be in love with Annecy, a hidden gem of the Alps
• • I learned to knit for a recycled art project in high school when I was 12 years old. I tied together strips of plastic bags and knitted a scarf - I've been hooked ever since!
• • I spent 6 months working for a well-known craft company. I had an amazing time and learned so much more about knitting, yarn and craft blogging. I'm very thankful for my experience there.
• • I love cats and I am mildly obsessed with my neighbour's cat, Leo - I catsit for him and he's such a softie!

What are my favourite FOs to date?

I haven't been knitting garments for that long, but it's something that I've really taken to. I love learning the basics and then adapting patterns to create my own, unique version. Some of my favourite knitwear creations are below:

Amelie Jumper

This was my interpretation of the Emily Jumper by Willow & Lark. I made it using circular knitting needles and the seamless yoke sweater pattern from Ann Budd. I wanted the jumper to have a red striped body and plain grey sleeves so it looked like a T-shirt over a long-sleeved top. Due to the angle of one of the photographs, I originally thought the Emily Jumper was designed to look like this, and was rather disappointed by the colour change in the main body. So I decided to make my own in the yarn (Willow & Lark Heath) and design that I wanted.

Ripple Crop Top & Framework bralette

This was my first attempt at one of Jessie Maed Designs' patterns. I love all her patterns, especially the Ripple Bralette, so I bought and made the pattern. I then spent some time knitting some of her other patterns and experimented with a few improvised tops based on the ripple bralette design. Tweaking and adapting the pattern really helped me to understand how garments are put together and I had a lot of fun customising until my heart was content!

Starburst Socks

These are my 'Starburst Socks', made in Willow & Lark Heath. I adapted a really cute stitch pattern  I found online and used them on a basic sock pattern (adapted from a Paintbox Yarns sock pattern and a DK weight sock pattern from Cascade Yarns). 

What are my current WIPS?

I am currently working on:

• • Little Cotton Rabbits pattern for the girl bunny rabbit. I've just got the dress to finish and a little cotton tail to add!
• • The Zara jumper by Rowan, using The Wool in marshmallow colours (We Are Knitters)
• • A basic garter stitch crop top for beginners (my own design)
• • A matching sock for my lonely fair-isle Paintbox sock

What are my favourite yarns?

• • Paintbox Yarns - it's colourful and super affordable, perfect for someone like me who is still in the 'student' mindset
• • Anything hand-dyed and speckled - I can't afford it but I love to admire it from afar, or treat myself to 1 skein for a tiny weeny crop top (it's a good thing I'm tiny)
• • Debbie Bliss Iris - one of my favourites, it's incredibly soft and squishy. It really doesn't come across in photos, but it is the softest yarn I've ever felt
• • The Wool in marshmallow, by We are Knitters - it'll be like wearing a Flump marshmallow, I can't wait to finish working with it