Christmas Wreathe Round-Up

Trust me to pick the year no-one's allowed to visit to learn how to make a wreathe for our front door!  

Thanks to the current Covid restrictions, we're not allowed to have any visitors in our homes right now so I hope the postie and courier drivers are pleased I made the effort!

The tradition of decorating our homes with wreathes dates back centuries.  Wreathe is derived from the Old English word 'writhan' meaning 'to twist'.  Seasonal evergreens entwined with flowers and decorations frequently hang on front doors at Christmas nowadays but in times gone by, the greenery signified the coming of new life life as Pagans celebrated Yule.  For Christians, the circular shape evokes God's everlasting love and advent crowns may hark back to the Crucifixion.  Our Victorian forebears tried to make use of everything and 'trimming the tree' meant loping off lower branches so the Christmas tree would actually fit in the house!  Using excess greenery for additional decorations may have its origins in this thrifty practice.

Whatever the derivation, we do love our Christmas decorations in this house and wreathes are no exception.

One year I even made a wreathe of woolly pompoms - it's currently adorning the handmade shelf!

Back to the real McCoy.   I booked a Christmas wreathe making workshop with Kelly at Blooming Good Flowers back in October, fully expecting to be sent a kit and joining instructions for an on-line class.  Thanks to Kelly having a log cabin studio in her back garden, I could attend in person as we were able to adhere to all the current safety guidelines.  It was fun to be out and about again, learning something new.  

Kelly's studio was overflowing with floristry supplies and Christmas decorations and it wasn't long before she had me covering my round wire base with moss, then affixing spruce branches with string.  The air was filled with the pungent scent of the greenery as it was cut to shape.

Next, I'd to choose a ribbon for my feature bow.  Talk about being spoiled for choice!

I'd taken some rose gold decorations from home and found the perfect ribbon in another big bin of contenders.

I was so busy wiring cones, baubles and slices of dried lime that I missed taking  photos of the array of gorgeous items Kelly had in her workshop for me to choose from to adorn my wreathe.  

The frosty lawn next morning was the perfect backdrop to showcase my effort.

Whilst I worked alongside Kelly, we chatted back and forth as if we'd been friends for ages, though we'd actually just met.  Floristry is not Kelly's main occupation and she's managed to turn her hobby into a successful small business, providing welcome relief from her potentially stressful day job.  She managed to make two wreathes in the time I made one as she had lots of orders to fulfil before Christmas.  Those who've previously attended her workshop can purchase kits which include all the items needed to make a wreathe at home.  

Needless to say, I came home with a kit! 

Even though I'd let a fortnight elapse since the class, covering another ring in greenery wasn't too much of a challenge and I remembered how to make the wired bow.

However, I'd assured Kelly I had plenty of decorations at home so didn't take any from her extensive  trove.

This didn't turn out to be entirely true.  After I'd had a good rummage through our Christmas decoration storage tubs, I had to spray paint some pine cones, gathered on my daily dog walk, and pilfer some pre-used silk poinsettias from the tin of Christmas cake adornments.  

I also asked Mum to look out any extra floral bits she might have.  She loves making Christmas decorations and is skilled at flower arranging so I knew she'd have some suitable bits for me to use.  I didn't tell her I was making the second wreathe for her!  

Here's the finished gift hanging on my front door to have its photo taken.

Mum's house is adjacent to a busy thoroughfare in our village where I hope her Christmas wreathe will be enjoyed by many passers-by this festive season.

You can read more about Christmas Wreathes at

https://www.santasquarters.com/origins-christmas-wreaths/

I Knit 3 from iKnit7

There is strength in unity, fabled Aesop in the 6th Century BC.  

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results" according to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and Louisa M. Alcott wrote in "Little Women" that it takes two flints to make a fire.  

People have been coming together to help each other for many moons and the impact of working for the common good, especially in the time of a global pandemic, cannot be underestimated.

When seven feisty local yarn shop owners from across these isles faced the potentially dire consequences of Covid to their businesses, they decided to band together and form iKnit7 - a unique collaborative yarn experience.  

I followed most of these shops on social media at the time, Edinburgh's Ginger Twist Studio and the three London stores - Hackney's Wild and Woolly, Knit With Attitude in Stoke Newington and Richmond's Tribe Yarns - fill my Instagram feed with inspirational knitting and colour.  A Yarn Story in Bath was on the itinerary for my planned, then cancelled, mini-break to the city at Easter with my daughter.  We really hope to visit in future.  I also knew of Emily Foulds in Lancashire, and This is Knit in Dublin, through the knitting podcasts I enjoy whilst stitching.  These shop owners have come together to collaborate and support one another as iKnit7.

By taking part in the iKnit7 week of online events in May, I got to know these local yarn shops and the lovely ladies who own and run them, a whole lot better!

It wasn't long before my purchases from three of the stores started to arrive.  

First was this jewellery kit I bought from Emily Foulds to make a knitted necklace featuring crystal beads.

The designer and creator of  Mahliqa hand knitted jewellery is Suraya Hossain.  I first saw Suraya's exquisite work when she designed this stunning two-piece outfit for Vogue Knitting Live in January.  How amazing to be able to create something wearable for myself from Suraya's design!

The Maliqa wire kit contained beautiful Schwarovski crystals in colours inspired by the painting L'alcove by Eva Gonzales.  Everything I needed was included in the box except needles but my Knitpro Zing double pointed pins were ideal for knitting with the fine, malleable wire.  

I thought attaching the clasp might be fiddly but I was able to make a pretty neat job thanks to some jewellery pliers we had in the house.  Please look at the finished necklace and not my multiple chins!

As I always have several projects on the go, I also cast on the wool I received from Milli at Tribe Yarns as soon as it arrived.  When Milli showcased the Anica Shawl Kit, I knew the lacey triangle shape was one I'd love to wear.  The kit comprised this pattern by Alina Appasova and a skein from Urth Yarns, brought to the UK by Tribe Yarns from Turkey.  As well as providing valuable employment for women in their own country, Urth Yarns plant a tree in Africa for every skein created according to the label.  Their Uneek Fingering Yarn is a beautiful soft self-striping 100% merino in gorgeous harmonising colours.  I chose the earth tones, pictured on the pattern, and also purchased a pretty dandelion sock blocker and some beads from Tribe at the same time.

As for my actual knitting - this pretty shawl knit up quickly as the pattern was quite easy to memorise.  The beautiful yarn stripes itself and enhances my garter stitch, eyelets and picots no end. 

So much so, I've knit a second, this time in merino/silk/yak from The Yarn Badger in her beautiful Winter Rainbow.  Neither of these is adorning my neck though - I gave the first one to a good pal who'd just had a big birthday and the second shawl has also become a gift, this time from my Mum to send to her far-away friend.  You know what that means?  I shall just have to cast on a third!

Meanwhile, I also had plans for the yarn I ordered from Jess at Ginger Twist Studio.  Several birthdays ago my sister gave me the book Botanical Knits 2 by Alana Dakos and I really fancied making the Sunlit Autumn cardigan, especially after I got this White Stuff skirt in their sale!  The yarn is Diggle DK by Woolyknit, a gorgeous tweedy British wool and I chose the colour Autumn Nepp (not neep as one of my Insta pals thought, making me laugh as a neep is a turnip hereabouts!)

Anyway, with the current trend for knitting seamless top-down garments, it was a change to go back to knitting all the pieces separately again.  It appeared to take me nearly as long to sew up as it had to knit the last sleeve!  I blocked my cardigan prior to assembly which helped flatten the curling stocking stitch edges and then added these beautiful flower shaped ceramic buttons by The Irish Handmade Button Company, a gift from Connemara from my sister-in-law following her trip there in 2018.

The cardigan has autumnal leaf details on the pockets and at the back of the neck.  I had to take  all these selfies of my finished garment as I'm home alone again with my husband, Geoff, offshore.

So I've knit three very different pieces with the materials I got at iKnit7 in May and I've enjoyed lots of making, both for myself and others in the process.  The event was a high spot during enforced time at home.  Being able to knit and share what I've made has helped me feel less alone.  iKnit7 has brought together more than seven businesses - it's created a welcoming community of shared knitting fellowship.

And the great news is that the ladies are back! 

The iKnit7 Holiday Extravaganza is coming in November - sign up for the newsletter to hear about the interviews, features, a treasure hunt and an international knit night happening from the 9th to the 15th November 2020.

Personally, I can't wait!

The Spice of Life Crochet Blanket (or what would Shaun Bythell think?)

I can virtually hear Shaun Bythell guffawing up his sleeve as I chose to base my recent crafty colour choices on the cover of his bestselling book.  

Last year on holiday I read The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell.  Apart from being a top book in my estimation, as its waspish humour made me laugh out loud, I knew I wanted to make something inspired by the cover illustration.  If you haven't had the pleasure of holding this particular volume in your hands, be warned - the author rejoices in taking pot shots at Kindles and I mean literally shooting electronic reading devices to pieces then displaying them in his shop as a warning to others!  It's described in the publisher's blurb as 'a wry and hilarious account of life in Scotland's biggest second-hand bookshop and the band of eccentrics and book-obsessives who work there'.  I'm aware that few things would give Shaun Bythell more cause for acerbic comment than a craft project based on his book's dust-jacket!

Shelving Mr Bythell for a moment, as authors may have limited input into their book's cover, the eye-catching illustration here is designed by Royal College of Art graduate Bill Bragg, with print design by freelance creative Peter Dyer.  Be sure to have your magnifying glass to hand as their credits at the bottom of the back cover are tiny.  I've now developed more appreciation for what is often an overlooked work of art in my hands and not just an invitation to explore the writing within.

So... Craft project... As soon as the Scottish government lifted the 5 mile travel restriction on 3rd July, I hot footed it to Baa!, the wool shop in Stonehaven.  I already had some crochet in mind and knew the yarn I wanted to use.  

In 2015, as a relative newcomer to crochet, I followed the make-along by craft blogger and podcaster, Sandra Paul known online as Cherry Heart, for the Spice of Life Crochet Blanket.

Admired by my sister-in-law, Fiona, I decided to make this blanket again for her birthday in early August.  I'd need to get my skates on and commit to some monogamous crochet!  The Spice of Life Blanket pattern calls for 13 colours.  I'd been tempted on a previous visit to Baa! by the practical, but beautiful, Scheepjes Stone Washed cotton/acrylic DK yarn.  There's a mouthwatering palette of 31 different shades in stock at Baa!.  Plenty of choice for me with the book cover in mind.

The sheet details the original colours called for in the pattern

So I started crocheting on July 10th

and enjoyed adding many rows during the retreat I staged for myself at home in the cosy craft corner I'd created.  

Podcaster Ellie of Craft House Magic kept me company

I crocheted outside in the sunshine, inside whilst watching my favourite podcasts, and even in bed!  The blanket grew and grew.

Three weeks later, on August 1st, I was adding the final rows to the turquoise border with the 3.5mm Prym crochet hook I used throughout

and the weather stayed fine as the blanket enjoyed a freshen up on the line - just like its 2015 twin!

Whilst in the making, I kept all photos of the blanket off social media so it would remain a surprise for Fiona.  

I was so excited to present it to her at our family birthday barbecue last weekend.

Safe to say, she loves it!

As for Shaun Bythell, I'm pleased to report his book is being made into a TV series - and he's written a sequel!  

Not more crochet?

Who knows what I might be inspired to make next with these colours?

A Holiday at Home

Just as well it wasn't going to be our year for an overseas trip.  

We'd already been talking about a holiday in Scotland before the current pandemic, possibly a break in the Borders, with golf aplenty for Geoff, and a craft workshop or two for me whilst he strode the fairways.  But Covid19 ensured that wasn't going to happen either.

Seeing empty workshops prompt craft tutors to stage their classes online, and dispatch boxes of materials by post for participants to complete in the comfort of their own homes, a kernel of an idea was forming that I could stage my own craft retreat.  For me.  At home.

Print by @by.eilidh

Enjoying some 'Me Time'.

Perhaps I need to back up and explain what the summer holidays are usually like for me.  My job in school library means I only work in term time, giving me 6 weeks off in July and August. Despite Coronavirus, I continued to work my part time hours, in a re-deployed role at home, from Easter onwards so was delighted when the last day of term arrived.  Geoff's job at sea means he may, or may not, be at home during this time but he's been ashore for the last six weeks and won't be back again before I return to school.  So that left me with three weeks home alone to fill.  But, like everyone else who isn't a key worker, I've been at home since the end of March, sometimes with Geoff for company and sometimes just me and the dog.  

I needed to do something special to feel like I'd had a holiday.  A holiday involving relaxation and crafts, but not my usual routine.

So for three days last week I did just that.  It took a bit of planning - but that was half the fun.  First, I thought about how I could create a sanctuary and set about making a spare bedroom into the ideal guest venue, installing fresh flowers, scented candles and mood lighting.  

Here's a wee video :

To truly be able to relax in my own house, I spent the two days prior to my retreat making sure my regular household chores and laundry were all up to date.  As someone who enjoys cooking, and makes most meals from scratch, I entrusted my dinners to Marks and Spencers ready meals which also ensured minimal washing up.

I let M&S take care of my lunches too, and chose foods I love but wouldn't normally buy.  Scotch egg and pork pie- you are my guilty pleasures!  Sunny days meant I could enjoy eating them outside.

Naturally, I managed to keep myself adequately hydrated too.  You'll note that I took the 'treat' part of 'retreat' very seriously! 

I kitted out the shower room with toiletries from Scottish Fine Soaps after drenching myself in the Sea Kelp range during a luxury mini-break at Foyers Lodge on the banks of Loch Ness last autumn.  The Au Lait Noir hand and body fragrance I chose is decadently delicious.

I factored in some home pampering too with a beauty mask for each evening.  It was a happy coincidence that my hairdresser rang during my retreat to say she'd had a cancellation and was able to offer me an appointment for my first professional haircut in 5 months.  I've saved you from the sight of me in my Simple Face Mask but did feel my radiance was boosted, exactly as promised!  The Superdrug Foot Mask left my feet feeling lovely and soft once I'd got over the initial disconcerting cold squidgy feeling.  In the end, I didn't use the Elvive self-heating hair mask I'd bought as I felt my hair was pampered enough by my own lovely hairdresser.

Each afternoon I enjoyed a different craft activity, thanks to the kits I'd purchased.

First up was the Pot Heads Postal Pottery Package from Peaceful Pots.

The brainchild of Bristol based community artist, Tasha Bee, the kit contained everything I needed to create my own handmade ceramic being, and even included a tiny live plant.  In fact, I was able to create two planters through judicious use of my clay.  Tasha's kits were created during lock-down with the specific purpose of allowing people to be creative whilst stuck at home and I really enjoyed the YouTube instructional video which made me feel like I was at a pottery class with Tasha herself.  I'm very proud of the wee pot heads I made.

On day two I made my own chocolates using the dark chocolate truffle making kit I bought from the award winning ethical chocolate business Cocoa Loco.  

As a self confessed chocoholic, these are a delicious little bites of chocolate heaven. 

Some for me - and some to share.

On the final day of my retreat I made a fabulous scented Rainbow Candle using the Rainbow in a box candle kit I purchased from Falkirk business, Candle Shack.  Again, everything was included in the kit.

The fun instructional accompanying video on YouTube guided me through the necessary steps to make this huge, stripey, fragrant candle.  

There's some waiting time whilst the layers set but it was another sunny day and I was able to sit in the garden and crochet, read my book or just relax and listen to the birdsong.  

And that's what a retreat is all about - giving yourself the gift of time for yourself.  If there happen to be holiday keepsakes, then that's a bonus!

I have a lot more to say about each of the craft kits and intend to make each one a blog post of its own.