Review: Cath Kidston SEW.

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Cath Kidston's new mini craft book SEW to review.

As with the other books in this range, it's well set out for those who are just being introduction to the craft, or as in my case, those who are just looking for new inspiration.  Its removable book cover contains templates, patterns and beautiful needle book, and the book is brimming with classic Kidston photography.

The layout of the patterns within each section make even the hardest looking project easy to manage, and as long as you follow the guide step by step all the projects in here are very doable, and you don't need a huge outlay to produce them.

My favourite in the book is this Areoplane blanket, but maybe it's the mega cute needlefelt bird or boy Granny blanket in the background that's swaying me.

Thank you for reading

Amanda.x.

On the First day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Beautiful craft book and a cup of tea.


Now every year my family seems to forget what my biggest hobbies are and never buy me anything craft based for my stocking, I ask for wool and they just chuckle, a jelly roll got me strange looks, I even have a huge Amazon wishlist of crafty books they could easily pick from.
But no every year I get told I'm hard to buy for, and I kind of understand it, if you're not craft orientated then how do you know where to start. Well start with a nice craft book, even if the projects aren't something they'd make straight away craft are beautiful to look through for inspiration. 
I was lucky enough to be sent Stitch! by Cath Kidston to review, and if you have any friends into making things then this is the book to buy them for Christmas. 


STITCH!
This book is a new look at needlepoint and cross stitch which often get thought of as old fashioned,but is probably one of the simplest ways to embroider on cloth, and one I learnt early as a child.
The projects use a lot of Kidstons iconic patterns as well as sticking to to basic designs for beginners. Most of the projects are quick to make and low cost.
Not all the projects are roses and dots though, look at this stunning Cowboy, this will look great in my sons bedroom.

The layout of the book is clear and simple with stage by stage instructions being very easy to follow. It would make a great book for a crafty teenager to have a go at and there's some makes in the book which would be especially suited to a young crafter, such as the badges below.

I especially liked the Union Jack pencil case, I think this may be my first new year project to sort my crochet hooks into, the colour ways can easily be adapted to suit your tastes.

If you do choose to buy your loved one this book it should be accompanied by a cup of tea and a good couple of hours to plan their next project.

Which is happily included in the book, as there is nothing worse than getting a beautiful new book only to have to wait till the shops open before you can make anything.
This book contains a giveaway project to make a lovely new purse for yourself too.
The book retails at £14.99.

Enjoy your first day of Christmas, was it a snowy one for you?
Amanda.x.

And the Needles are out

I'm ashamed to say I haven't done any knitting all year, crochet having taken over my crafting time, making crocheted brooches is such fun but sometimes the end design just needs two needle love instead of one. 

Hence the needles are out, but not just any needles these are the beautiful Cath Kidston needles in a roll my Boss bought me for my birthday, I can not believe that from all my family & friends the only crafty gift I received for my birthday was from my Boss, the fabric as usual with Kidston items is lovely but what's surprising is the quality of the wooden needles provided they are a dream to knit on.

This is the start of my Autumn/Winter range of wrist warmers, a simple pattern that I hope works out as I've designed it myself.

The yarn I'm using is Wendy Allegra, bought from my LYS(Local yarn store) in Carlisle called The Superior Sewing Centre, the staff their are very helpful and don't mind at all that I often go just to visit their stash and stroke it a little.  The Allegra Yarn is 32% Alpaca, 31% Acrylic and 37% Polyester, making a wonderfully soft but hard wearing yarn, and comes is lots of beautiful colourways, and look how beautifully retro the label is.

Knitting with this is is very easy giving a lovely result, just look at how fluffed up it is, but unlike some other yarns of this mixture it holds it's fibres well with no splitting or pulling of threads.

I can't wait to see the end result.

So what's on your needles this week?

Amanda.x.