Gauge it!

If you're like me then you HATE knitting a gauge and despite all the books and patterns telling you, you MUST knit a gauge; you don't and then wonder why your knitting piece doesn't look how it should. 

So I'm actually making a gauge probably for the first time. I'm designing my own Filofax cases and I'm starting off simple. Another habit of mine is to make something complicated that I can't do then get depressed because it hasn't worked out... The Creative Lull. 

So I've read my knitting for dummies book (the gauge section) and it tells me you have to block it like your finished piece!! What? Not only do I have to make the gauge when I could just be making my final product but I have to wait to wash it AND dry it! Creativity takes time!

I've knitted a few swatches

I cast on 31 sts so the swatch is big enough and continue to knit till the swatch is 12 or so cm. The Moss stitch probably took the longest, it's the toughest too. This is the first time I've knitted honeycomb too, it's a little tricky although once you get into the flow it's easy. I darned the ends in and put them all in my washing machine; with a little fabric conditioner (I'm too cheap to use a washing tab). Now it's just  a waiting game...

In meantime I'm making embellishments for the cases, I'm thinking bunting to wrap around or quirky letters? I've made some flowers before too. I always lean towards the colour pink and flowers, I've tried to change but I'm set in my ways. 

Ta Dah! 

Next divide the numbers of rows and stitches by 4, this will give you the number for 1 inch.

19 / 4 = 4.75 stitches per inch

27 / 4 = 6.75 rows per inch

My Filofax measures:

height 8.3 inches

width 11.4 inches

8.3 x 6.75 = 56 rows

11.4 x 4.75 = 54 stitches

I cast on 54 stitches and start knitting!

Ta Dah!  

And it's the right gauge!! Don't forget to block it like your swatch! (The stitches look tidy and neat once washed).

Keep Crafting 

Laura Bee x x x 

Market Research

Hi guys, I was hoping you would spend a few minutes of your time to help me with my market research. I'm looking into starting my own business in baby hampers/nappy cakes. I would like to see if there is gap in the market for what I can offer.

gender:
age:
occupation:
location:
do you have children?
how many?
ages?

where do you shop? e.g high street, online, markets
what brands do you buy the most?
what shop do you regularly shop in?
do you impulse buy? if yes, what do you usually buy?
do you buy handmade products?
 if yes what have you bought? where do you buy them?

how much do you spend on presents for family members?
husband, wife, parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephews

how much do you spend on presents for friends/work colleagues?
how much would you spend on a new born baby for friends, work colleagues, family?

have you attended baby showers?
have you ever had a baby shower of your own?
what is your most favourite moment of a baby shower?

have you ever bought a baby hamper or nappy cake?

if yes, where did you buy it and how much was it?

if no, why not?


 have you ever been bought a baby hamper or nappy cake?

if yes, what was your response?

if no, would you have liked one?

have you ever bought a hamper for birthdays or Christmas?

if yes, what kind of hamper was it?

when buying a hamper for a newborn baby what products would you expect to see in it?

what would attract you to buying a hamper?

what was the best toy/object your baby was bought?

Copy and paste and answer the questions as best as you can. Thank you so much for your time.

Laura Bee