Horst Schulz – African Adventure

Good Evening!

As I was browsing through Ravelry recently, I came across a very interestingly designed throw in someone’s project page. It was called An African Adventure and designed by a gentleman called Horst Schulz. I was very interested in this pattern, and came across a whole group on Ravelry, dedicated to his work. It is called the Horst Schulz Fans.

On their group page discussion board, I began to learn a little more about Horst Schulz. When he was a boy, he lived during World War 2 at a refugee camp in Denmark. An old lady there taught him to to knit with yarn from old sacks. He later worked as a decorator in Berlin and began to knit in patchwork style, putting little pieces of knitting together in any direction – modular knitting. He calls it Patchwork Knitting. He holds workshops in many different countries, and An African Adventure was created during a workshop in South Africa in 2000.

Many people are making this wonderful throw on Ravelry and it is amazing to see all the gorgeous colourways used. It is really more a work of art than a throw!

I am not planning to start making this at the moment (I already have a throw that needs finishing), but it looks really interesting and hopefully I’ll be able to create it in the future. Hopefully, this blogpost will inspire those of you that don’t already know about this pattern to give it a go. If you join the group on Ravelry, have a look at the notes page for useful tips and advice. There is no ‘pattern’ as such.

Here are some wonderful pictures that dolliewollie very kindly let me post on here:

theknittedcupcake x

Row Counter Bracelet

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A while ago I saw a thread in a forum on Ravelry about making a beaded row counter bracelet. It seemed a nice idea so I thought I’d make one for my friend Claire (and co-author of this blog). Claire, if you’re reading this – act surprised when you receive the bracelet! I’m never made an item of jewellery before, so it seemed a little daunting. However, the instructions given seemed relatively straightforward so I thought I’d give it a go.

I wasn’t sure where to go to buy the necessary things to make the bracelet, but on recommendation from a friend I made a trip to The Spellbound Bead Company in Lichfield. Upon entering the shop, I was quite overwhelmed. I’d never seen so many beads before in my life and the shop was packed full of people (including a fair few grumpy male counterparts). I had no idea where to start. I grabbed my shopping list and spent ages wandering around the shop, trying to find the right bits and bobs. Anyway, I think I have everything I need now.

I’m going to try and start making the bracelet tomorrow, so I will keep you posted on how it goes. I think I’m going to make one for myself too. I hope it turns out ok. I’m looking forward to showing you all the pictures!

Has anyone else tried to make one of these? I would love to see your pictures!

Love from
theknittedcupcake x

NEWSFLASH

15/02/2009

I have finished a row counter bracelet! I thought I’d make one for myself first, to try it out. It was very fiddly and I don’t think I have natural jewellery making ability! Still, I finished it. Haven’t ried it out yet though. Just got to make Claire’s now!

The bracelet reads 68… I think!

I hope you like it. I will post pictures of Claire’s one when I have given it to her (and when I have made it!)

theknittedcupcake x

Yarn Store Listings

Hi Guys,

We noticed that a lot of the threads in the Ravelry forums were about Local Yarn Stores. So we thought we’d make a page as a resource for people looking for wool shops. We’ve only got a few basic details on two small areas at the moment, but with your help we hope to make it bigger and more useful for fellow knitters/crocheters. It only intends to cover the UK, but if people from elsewhere want to list their LYS we don’t mind.

It covers a few shops in Staffordshire and North Wales/Chester, UK at present but there are lots missing at the moment. If you know details of any yarn stores in the areas we are covering, please comment and let us know and we’ll update the page. In addition, if you have compiled a list for your area and want to add it just let us know. wi

Hope you find this useful.

theknittedcupcake x

Accessory of the week: 3

I just love this little felt heart brooch, which is more of a handmade gift than an accessory but I liked it so thought I’d post about it! It’s £4 and available from Fragile Heart by Gill Pinkney on Folksy.

 

Felt Heart

theknittedcupcake x

Yarn of the Week: 4

Wow, I just love the colours of this Lottieru yarn. It’s available on Babylongleg’s folsky.com shop here. It’s 4-ply Merino/Bamboo sock yarn and is machine washable although not advised. It’s available for £10. Check it out!

80% Merino Wool, 20% Bamboo 
436 yds/400m per 100g (enough for a pair of adult socks) 
Suggested needle size: 2-3mm 

 

Lottieru Yarn

 

Look at those colours!

 Hope you like this yarn and browsing folksy.com!

theknittedcupcake x

p.s. I’ve just seen the Gothika yarn, which is a similar colourway and just as cool!

Howard the Giraffe

Hi Everyone!

I decided to knit a giraffe for my friend’s birthday on Monday. I remembered that I had a pattern in the Irresistible Gifts to Knit book by Alan Dart (published by Simply Knitting) and got to work straight away. The pattern is part of a Noah’s Ark collection of little animals and an Ark. I didn’t exactly have the right colours so Howard has turned out a little orange! I also didn’t have any straws for the legs (must learn to read pattern before starting it) so had to use remnants from previous projects. This meant that the legs were a little short. Also I only had the bits of straws with the bendy part so his legs are a little unstable. The giraffe was quite easy and quick to knit but the chain stitch embroidery took ages. It might have just been me, but I couldn’t get the pattern right to get the chain stitch lines crossing each other nicely and that’s why it seemed to take forever. I wouldn’t make this as a toy for a child to play with as it probably wouldn’t withstand much but it would probably look nice sitting on a shelf. A high shelf.

I had initially planned to make the entire Noah’s Ark but considering the amount of time that this giraffe took to make I am seriously reconsidering.

Howard the Giraffe (before he got his tail)

I am also knitting something for my aunt’s birthday but can’t post about it yet in case anyone spoils the surprise. It is slightly odd though. I have also started making a stripey elephant but have got bored midway. May pick it up again when I’ve finished watching my O.C. dvds!

Keep Knitting,

theknittedcupcake x