Sandra's Designing Blog

This is an exclusive area of my web site where you can find out more about my knitted designs, what inspires me, how I work and what I like (and don't like) to design. 
 
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  1. New Knitting Kit, Discontinued Yarns And Reduced Prices

    Posted on

    My newest kit is finally ready and its gorgeous ! lovely twisty cables in a floral design. The twists stand out well in this yarn too. The yarn is Stylecraft's Recreate which is a recycled yarn, so good for the planet.  I have designed just 1 standard size for the gloves and 3 sizes for the hat.   Find the kit here 

     
       
    Hi my friends
    It seems a while since I last emailed you, so I thought I'd give you a little update. 
    Firstly, on the designing front, I know early on in the year I didn't feel like doing much designing, because of Johnny's health issues I really didn't have the headspace. However, I couldn't stop knitting & playing and I ended up creating many knitted mandala's, a very mindful exercise. These are available from my web site shop just in case anyone is interested. I have also had some of them printed on the front of some pretty greeting cards just to try and recoup some costs. 
    Now  I'm back designing. You will see my designs in both Knit Now (a shawl & mitts/cowl set) and The Knitter (a hat, a cowl and a scarf) in the coming months.

    The kit above is the 1st new design for my shop and I've been looking forward to showing it off ! Available in 4 different colours (Smoke, Djon, Cherry & Ink) using recycled yarn from the Stylecraft range (remember their mill is just 5 minutes away from where I live).

    I have a brioche scarf all knitted up with the pattern in draft so will be released to you all soon. Also I'm in the middle of constructing a bag out of 3 slip stitch squares. It's looking pretty cool so far.

     
     
    West Yorkshire Spinners Illustrious yarn 70% Falkland Wool & 30% British Alpaca has been discontinued for a while now. I have a number of kits where this yarn is included - The Popple Gloves, Splash Waves Wrap, Diamond Shawl and the Kilana Socks.
    All these kits have been reduced in price. 
     

  2. I didn't realise

    Posted on

    I didn't realise..............

    That it would be so difficult to get my new greeting cards seen by people. I know that they are really pretty and will be appreciated by the recipient. I also know that 'knitters' will really get the time and effort that's gone in to the original design and knit. What I didn't realise is that there are thousands and thousands of greeting cards on line. How do I get mine seen? Any ideas? Can you help by sharing or passing this email on to some of your knitting friends? 

    Each greeting card is printed on 300 gms regular matte finish card and is 14.25cm x 14.25cm square with the mandala covering the whole of the front of the card. The back of the card shows a small image of the mandala with my design details. The cards come with a simple white envelope and are cellophane wrapped to keep clean. I've left the inside of the card blank so it's suitable for Birthdays, Mothers Day, Get Well Soon or just to keep in touch.

    Each card is priced at £3.50 with free UK shipping.  I do have a limitation on the web site where I can't offer free UK shipping AND a shipping charge for outside the UK. So if this is you, just let me know and I'll find a way of charging you the price of shipping to your country separately.
    ** PLEASE DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU PURCHASING **

     
      
     
    Yes! It's finished and SOLD already! Honestly these mandala's are much prettier when you can see them in the flesh so to speak. The fine mohair that is used as the background colour really makes the work look so delicate and pretty. So this one is sold to one of my knitting friends, she has seen and admired some of the mandala's I've been showing her and was just waiting for the right one (right colours I presume) to pop up.  If you are admiring and wondering whether I can complete one in your preferred colour combination then just let me know.

    I still haven't written up or tested the pattern yet though. It's going to take a little time before my brain feels up to it.  

    If you live local (West Yorkshire) you can see some of the mandala's in the window of my local post office (Slaithwaite). Greeting cards are also available in the post office.
    I design and create the mandala's using Brioche knitting, a technique that I'm in love with. It's a process that I really don't have to think about once I've worked out an initial starting plan, the design just comes to life. I have to stick to one or two rules to create the circular shape but after that anything goes. To finish I block and stretch the mandala out and attach to an embroidery hoop.