With a twist

New from Debbie Bliss, The Knitter's Year contains 52 hand-knit designs, one for each week of the year. All projects are designed to take less than a week and include; bags, flags, hats, scarves, socks, bootees, cushions, a pencil case, peg bag.

We chose a hot water bottle cover which Mary knitted over the weekend in the new Rowan Silk Twist aran.

Is it systematic, hydromatic, ultramatic? - no it's Hipstamatic!

It was Linda's birthday on Monday 13th.

September is the month for birthdays at Jolie - hope I havn't missed anyone out but at last count it was; Sally, Linda, Libby, Dany, Karen, Trish, Julie, Annmarie and Ann all celebrating in September.

Jo took these great pics of the shop with her new iphone Hipstamatic App.

Very atmospheric.

New in: gorgeous new handbags from Fibi Vintage. All handmade using pretty vintage fabrics and souvenir scarves.

Island life

Dany and family went to Ven (or Hven, in old Swedish), an island between Denmark and Sweden, for our summer holiday.

Scandinavian children go back to school in mid August, so the beaches were deserted. We managed to catch a few rays of late summer sun.

My lolly of choice - dark chocolate and pineapple. I wasn't so sure about raspberry and liquorice as an ice cream combination....

Unless you are a resident, and there are only 300 or so of those, you cannot bring a car onto the island. We hired bikes for the week and travelled around together like the Von Trapp family.

We stayed in an old Swedish farmhouse painted in typical colours.

There was even an antique Gustavian clock, although it had lost it's hands.

And I loved this hand blocked wallpaper in the hallway, which had been papered over the door!

We spent a day in Copenhagen and met up with some rellies (Phil's). It was lovely and quiet to come back to the island for some more reading, drawing and knitting - unfortunately I ran out of wool and there was a distinct lack of wool shops.

Still, more time to sit and reflect and watch the boats go by.

Happy holidays

Sorry we've been absent for a while. We've been on our summer hols and taking turns in the shop.

Linda and family had a relaxing week in deepest rural Tuscany (near Poppi) and stayed in a lovely farmhouse with beautiful views over the countryside.

Such a busy walk to the pool. Not!

Linda went on a Madonna quest and spotted a few around Poppi.

Aah, there's another one. Madonna by night in Castello de Fiorentino....

Linda found one to bring home too - no wonder her mum thinks she's changed religion!

Clever clog

Here is the sweet little Amsterdam souvenir haberdashery holder, with pincushion - put to good use straightaway. Thanks Jennifer, as I love all that kinda stuff.

Chez Jenny

Jennifer invited Linda, Dany, Karen and Betty over for dinner at Toad Hall in Walthamstow, her friend Jane was there too and of course Naomi. And what a time we had, we're all green with envy over the knitting room ... and the sewing room. Jennifer kindly gave Linda the little Dutch clog pincushion.

This lovely quilt is vintage Laura Ashley. The prints are so pretty and were all given a little bit of nostalgia to take home.

There was so much to look at - not only beautiful embroidery, knitting, crochet, quilts and tapestries but pictures galore and all so interesting. Linda and I spotted this gorgeous picture published in Woman's Realm in about 1952 of Jennifer and a Christmas cracker house.

The food was divine too. Jen made us lavender shortbread (is there an end to this woman's talents?), from Lazy Days and Beach Blankets. It was delicious and came served with raspberries, cream and brandy. Mmm!

She's a gem

We celebrated Beryl's birthday at Knit and Chat on Thursday with a delicious chocolate cake. Beryl was delighted with her handmade knitting bag featuring turquoise embroidery and a lovely vintage turquoise button.

Pat's blanket

Pat, on right (we all know who is on the left), came on a surprise visit to Knit and Chat with her daughter Natasha, all the way from Aylesbury. Natasha told her to bring her knitting and her blanket - she thought she was going to an old people's home - really. Pat knitted this beautiful throw whilst she was laid up with a broken ankle - it is knitted in cotton dk and has 64 squares made from 256 triangles. Truly gorgeuos.

'Tis the season..

..of mellow fruitfulness...or however the saying goes. We havn't even had our summer holiday yet and the blackberries are coming.

I picked enough for a crumble from the brambles in the garden with a little help from Billie

and Edward, who is always around when food is mentioned.

We made a delicious blackberry and apple crumble for tea, with ground almonds in the topping and served with hot custard of course. They were plenty of 'oohs' 'aahs' and 'mmms' at the table - nothing quite beats the taste of cooked blackberries - good old comfort food. I might make another one tonight - blackberry again, seeing as there are only two plums on the little plum tree.

Stiffkey stores

Yes, it's the fabulous Stiffkey Stores (nr Wells, Norfolk) - a bit over run with blooms but what a sight. Enjoyed a fabulous cappuccino and a 'blondie' (like a brownie, but made with white chocolate and salted peanuts), truly yummy. Does anyone have a recipe please? http://stiffkeystores.com

Vintage rock chick

Gill came to learn to crochet a couple of weeks back and hey, she hasn't stopped.

Check out Gill's inspiring blog for a fab combination of music and creative rock chick flair. http://vintagerockchick-gill.blogspot.com

Brian

This is Brian, the South African picture framer, in his Walkern workshop. If you need any framing, Brian's the man - he does a great job and is excellent at choosing the right moulding and colours to suit the image. Pictured here with Karen's Chester Williams' watercolour. Very 'juji' as Brian would say....

Brian Barnard 07871 105 417

A woman of many talents

Donna came over to give the old Joanna (purchased in Yoxford on Southwold trip) a facelift.

Just perfect - vintage transfers of a 'Jolie' lamb and some roses.

Junior choice

We had our youngest workshop students last week. Tilly and Alice (aged 5) came with their mums Katie and Lucy to learn to knit. The girls and mums were all eager to learn and did amazingly well. Sue (Ford) popped in at just the right moment to lend a helping hand.

Alice and Tilly left satisfied with their bags of loveliness - two very sophisticated young ladies.

Books galore

Out now - New Rowan magazine 48. £11.50

Includes these wonderful fingerless Tamara gloves by Erika Knight with intarsia rose pattern.

Also by Erika Knight, Simple Knitting. This stylish book includes 20 desirable projects each designed to teach a new skill. From simple beanie hats to this lovely intarsia teacosy (knitted for us by Mary), a classic cardi, socks, gloves and cushions, this book is well written and illustrated with clear drawings and beautiful photographs. £16.99.

Just arrived - two new books from Rowan, each with 15 patterns, Silk Twist Classics and Winter Drift compliment two new Rowan yarns. £7.95 each.

Silk Twist is a lightweight aran which comes in 10 jewel bright colours.

Winter Drift has patterns for new Rowan yarn Drift, which knits to the same tension as Big Wool - basically Big Wool with a fleck.

Autumn is definitely in the air.

And there are patterns for men too.... Erh mm, how much do I love you?....

Also, from Debbie Bliss, two new booklets, Folk Chic and Land Girl. £5.50 each.

This is my favourite - I'm thinking about making this after I've finished a few of the projects currently spilling out of my knitting bag. From Folk Chic and knitted in Cashmerino dk.

Beautifully styled Land Girl has 8 designs in 4ply, dk and aran.

Food for thought for your autumn projects.

Birthday bunnies

New from Venice Shone - lovely Bunny birthday cards for little people. To see more of Venice's work check out http://lollyofhastings.blogspot.com