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