Modern romance

The Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer 2011 magazine is out now. With all new designs a bargain at £4.95. The patterns are very pretty and include soft and lacy designs in Debbie Bliss's new silk mohair yarn Angel.

There are some gorgeous 1950's inspired floral cardis, with intarsia rose motifs and rosy 'buttons' and a flower belt... Very feminine.

Cactus cup and saucer

To go with your 1950's cardi - a lovely cup and saucer. This one is an Alfred Meakin - painted by Venice http://www.lollyofhastings.blogspot.com

Knit and wine

Hope you can join us for Knit and Wine this month. Tuesday 22nd Feb. 7.30 - 10pm, £15 per person. (Illustration from a book by Betty Hosegood, anyone read it?)

Quick to knit

Still getting distracted by The Knitter's Year (Debbie Bliss). I knocked up a little pot holder in some spare dk cotton which makes the ugly plastic flower pot much more acceptable. 50 projects to go.......and I still havn't finished James's jumper...... he's got such long arms.....

The young ones

We had a mini 'learn to knit' workshop this morning for four young friends; Megan, Gaby, Izzy and Ella. Ranging from 8 to 12yrs they all did really well and are well on their way to knitting a very trendy cowl scarf each in Big Wool. They're so keen and are planning a knitting sleepover so they can have their own 'Knit and Chat'.

Fair isle fairy

Wow, Jeannette, Beryl's sister, is making great progress knitting this fair isle pattern Anastaysia, Rowan mag 48 (see earlier post from December'10). This is truly beautiful knitting - a work of art.

More fair isle

There is some great fair isle knitting going on. Anna came to knit and chat with the wonderful jumper she is knitting from Debbie Bliss mag autumn/winter 2010.

Anna has chosen softer colours and we think it looks great. PS It's her first fair isle project too!

Still trying to finish crocheting a jumper for son James. In the mean time, to keep me going I've been fiddling around with some little projects. I did this pot holder from Debbie Bliss's book The Knitter's Year. Full of inspiration for quick ideas (52 infact - I could get very distracted). I blocked it and felt very professional. Actually it is really worth doing as it makes the knitting really flat and easy to work with.

Hey, presto! A pretty pot holder made with a remnant of fabric from Hitchin market. Better get back to the jumper - he keeps asking me how it's going......

Let's twist again

There was a lot of twisting and some shouting at the' intarsia afternoon' workshop on Tuesday.

Carolyn concentrated very hard and did fantastically well on her first go ever at intarsia.

Jennifer and Naomi picked up some more tips from teach, Linda, particularly the 'double twist' which avoids holes. They all did brilliantly. We're expecting to see some wonderful creations now, girls!

Dancing hens

We had a great trip out on Saturday to Nicki Trench's new venture Dancing Hens in Radlett, Herts. Nicki is the very talented author of several books on knitting, crochet, sewing and gardening, including Homemade Gifts, Cute and Easy Crochet (just published, see below) and 201 Knitting Motifs. Dany spotted the extra large teacosy for her Aga teapot and Linda found a knitted Santa.

Nicki is based at Battlers Green Farm, Radlett and offers workshops in her beautiful studio.

She was clambering over a 5 bar gate when we arrived - just tending the hens and a baby calf born the night before!

Nicki was lovely and gave Linda an impromptu lesson making a little washbag from an adorable piece of blue fabric with yellow roses. Poppy the dog and various cats hang out here too.

We were in heaven. Julie found some trimmings and bought a great knitting needle wrap.

Linda purchased a Santa with a really cute face - saves knitting him, which she has always intended to do, and Dany had a pair of Alpaca socks which are really cosy.

We were so inspired and could have stayed all day.

Thanks, Nicki, for making us all so welcome. Check out Dancing Hens at http://www.nickitrench.com/

I can't remember whose great idea this was for a day trip, but Thursday Knit and Chat girls decided to go and we joined them over there; Sally, Beryl, Susan, Sue F, Rosalind, Paula and Diane. There is a great tea shop too (The Bull Pen), but unfortunately there were too many of us to sit together. We did all get in the shoe shop at the same time though!

http://www.battlersgreenfarm.co.uk/

Spring cheer

I can't resist spring flowers and love the scent of hyacinths.

January girls

Sandra was delighted with her leather Fibi bag.

Carrot cake with a chocolate cupcake option. The two option birthday cakes are becoming quite a feature here.

Now, Naomi can't have cake - so how about a lovely birthday cheese platter?

Goat's cheese worked just fine for the birthday candle. The pecans with honey drizzled over were good too.

How's that for service?

Karen's now got to the collar of the cardi. Linda gave her a quick 'breakfast in bed' tutorial at the weekend.

Dee Dee loves the cardi. Just her colour!

Just arrived

A great new book from Nicki Trench. There are 35 inspiring patterns for beginners and up. From hats, bags, cushions, throws and jam pot covers to a set of babushka Russian dolls.

At last, a good knitting book for children. This book has good clear photographs and some really nice projects for children to knit. There are legwarmers, hats and scarves, a teddybear and knitted cakes... oh yes, and a knitted beard!

Charlotte was Linda's star pupil on Saturday. Charlotte (aged 9) came to brush up on her knitting skills with grandma Jackie. She did brilliantly - learning knit and purl, then straight on to rib and moss stitch. By George she's got it!

Cupcake days

Karen, Linda, Dany and Libby and Keira had a lovely day in St Ives (Cambs) last Saturday.

We visited the Age UK shop where Karen's friend Cheryl is now assistant manager. They were holding a special 'Cupcake Day' - a free cupcake with every purchase.

They had a bumper day and the cupcakes were delicious. Cheryl and the team would like to thank to all the Jolie customers who donated items for the shop.

....Eddie and Ollie are twelve today. Scarlett made a batch of cupcakes for them.

and Rashel rearranged the leftovers in the tin!

Knit and wine

Calling all of our glamourous knitters. Join us for the first Knit and Wine of the year on Tuesday 25th January, 7.30 - 10pm. See you there.

Cosy toes

Why not try knitting some socks? These lovely chunky socks made by Linda, are knitted on two needles using two balls of Rowan's Cocoon in Frost. If you'd like to have a go the pattern comes free with the yarn. There are plenty of other colours to choose from - Tundra, Clay, Lavender ice and Alpine.

Let the colour in

We need cheering up during this gloomy rainy days of January. Dany has started crocheting with a box of goodies sent from an old friend of Annie's (Dany's mum), Janet. It is a fine 4ply cotton I think, in the most amazing colours which may be from the 70's. Don't know how long Janet has had this lot or what she was planning to make, but Cath Kidston eat your heart out! Thank you Janet.

And more beautiful colour to cheer the soul spotted on Venice's blog http://lollyofhastings.blogspot.com

Susan and Sue .....and Hellie

Two more December birthdays to catch up with. Sue (B)

and Susan, who is tickled pink at becoming a grandma to Poppy - she can't move for pink wool!

......and Hellie has now arrived in Paris (she gets around!) - to her new bijoux home in the Rue de Provence. She also has a new baby granddaughter; Scarlet Rose arrived on 4th January. How lovely, another 'Jolie' name!

Happy New Year

Teddy's on guard as we prepare to reopen the door for another year of creativity and inspiration. Hope you all had a good Christmas - we've missed you and are looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

Thanks for all the gorgeous Christmas gifts and treats we received, especially from Karen whose wrapping was so exquisite we didn't want to open it;

Lisa for her beautiful handmade marzipan fruits and chocolate and pistachio fudge;

Julie for the gorgeuos L'Occitane treats, Carolyn's handmade chocolates, Sue's lovely card, and Hellie's gifts too - loved the giant ball of wool candle. We were very spoilt and now can't get any buttons done up!

Here's to 2011. Happy New Year everyone.