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 

Laura Bee's Craft space

Hi guys,
This is my craft space, Joey was the first to use it for her pouches! The Ikea IVAR range is so versatile you can move the shelving around to suit your needs, I love it and now I can sew! 

I store all my books in one place too along with my boxes of stamps, post it notes, tapes and paper for my Filofax.

The Zac Efron drawing you can see was drawn by Joey for my birthday present so many years ago! I love it!

All my books, I love love love the cluttered look!

These are all the books are swear by

The knitting book
knitting for dummies 
knitting patterns for dummies 
45 quilt blocks FLOWERS
Blankets and throws
Cath Kidston PATCH
sewing 
Cath Kidston SEW
knitwear design workshop
the complete dressmaker
100 flowers to knit and crochet
75 birds, butterflies and beautiful beasties to knit and crochet

K and Company SMASH book

The good thing about all these books they aren't going to break the bank and they teach you soooo much they are all worth the investment!

click on the links below and they'll take you to amazon!

the knitting book

knitting for dummies 

Knitting pattern for dummies

knitwear design workshop

100 flowers to knit and crochet

75 birds, butterflies and beautiful beasties to knit and crochet

k and company SMASH

Keep Crafting

Laura B x x

Laura Bee's Knitting Travel Bag

I was inspired by Pinterest to sew a knitting bag for my ongoing projects... so here it is. I wanted a bag I could take any where with me and hold all my essential such as needles, pattern, notebook, gauge measure, tape measure, scissors, and of course wool!

I bought this fabric at Bromley market just before Christmas, the polka dots was  £6, the pink fabric was £2 per meter and the interfacing was £2.50 per meter

My pattern cutting, I had to piece A4 paper together with  green Ikea washi tape...

 Going through the processes... but at least I'm smiling

I love pressing seams...

There's me... sewing the shoulder strap

Sewing the lining in... almost done

 1, 2, 3, 4... 

 Ta Dah!

It's so puuuuurty :)

It's in use too! a long lost scarf project I'm finishing (my bad habit)

Keep Crafting

Laura B x x

Sewing: Pencil Cases

I had a sewing day at Laura's house because my machine decided it would lose the zipper foot! It was nice to hang out with her and I actually got quite a lot done. This pencil case is my greatest achievement from the day. I also made a coin purse and another pencil case. The other pencil case was very pretty but I made a silly mistake of sewing the fabric too close to the zipper teeth and it kept getting stuck in the zip. We learn from our mistakes! I had to unpick it today but when it's all sewed up again, I'll show you guys. 

I decided I like Laura's sewing machine more than mine because a) It has pink on it and b) It's so simple use...except for that time the bobbin got stuck a few times, and that time when I didn't know how to thread it, and that time when I had a zig zag and wanted a straight stitch. Once Laura fixed those things for me, it was so simple!

The longest part of everything was cutting out the fabric.

But look how pretty it is with everything all done. I've been using this one for myself and I love it. It makes me feel so happy to know that it's something I've made. I have a sewing bug now so I'm going to order a new zipper foot and lots of zips!

Due to the fabric cutting out and pressing taking the longest, I decided to do a lot of it in one go. Much better this way because now I'm just ready to sew. I have enough fabric for 3 more pencil cases and one coin purse. They'll be for sale soon so keep an eye out.

P.S. Here's a picture of Laura doing what she's best at!