The Knitted Nest UK

C O M I N G S O O N .....

👀

Not me posting for the first time in over a month 🙃...

Sorry for the delay. Here's my upcoming December market dates.

01 December - Twilight Market

02 December - Artisan Fair

09 & 10 December -
Rowallane Gardens Yuletide Market

16 December - Christmas craft Fair

I can't wait to see you there!

🩷🎄

Swipe for future mood ➡️

May your weekend bring this much joy 🩷

T R E A S U R E H U N T
26 - 28TH A U G U S T

Some info for this weekend -

☆ There will be 1 treasure hunt envelope to find in each location
☆The treasure hunt is taking place between Saturday & Monday
☆Details of the location(s) will be shared to stories the day before
☆More detailed clues will be shared on the day for each area
☆Information for the winners is inside the envelope
☆If you are taking part, please tag us or use the

And good luck! I really hope some of you lovely followers win 🥇🎉

Too cute to not be on the grid 🤍🩷

We are searching for the next top model

Does your little one love to have their photo taken? Would you like to have them join our team of brand models and be the face of TKN?

We are searching for boys and girls from newborn to 8 years to take part in our next photoshoot on Saturday 12th August.

You must be happy for the images to be used for promotional content and be able attend the studio on the morning of 12th August.

To apply please send details including child's name, age and a photograph to [email protected]
OR tag in any of your IG posts, also use the

See post for more details. I'd love for you to get involved 🩷

Carolyn x

I haven't shared these beanies in so long. Mainly because I feel a bit silly promoting hats in Spring/Summer, but all the Autumn/Winter babies are currently growing in Mum's tummy, and they'll need a beanie once they're earthside 💫

Despite me not talking about them, they remain a bestseller, and I'm so thankful for all you Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and friends for being so organised and buying early. It really does mean the world.

Must get knitting more of this style soon to top up stock. It's a lovely knit to make. Made with super soft cotton and soy yarn, the most comfortable and cosy hat for little ones.

*also available in cream. Follow the link in stories or bio

Here's where you can find me over the summer ☀️

As always, I might be a bit on/off with socials but the website will remain open and my inbox and DMs are checked regularly, so feel free to get in touch.

Have a great summer, whatever your plans are 🫶

🤫

Five weeks since I last posted to the grid....ooops!! It really doesn't feel like it.

I want to share something a bit different with you, another idea that has taken it's time to become reality.

When I first thought of making these poms bag clips I thought they'd be great for the baby bag, a lunch bag or perfect for a beach bag but this pic is giving me festival vibes ☀️😎

They are made from the same quality merino I use for all my poms and can be personalised with any initial in your choice of colourway. These are the same letter poms I will be using for this year's A/W kids beanies but get yours first with a summery twist.

Available on the website from Thursday 8pm at a special introductory price ✌️✨️

S L E E P Y  L I T T L E  B E A R

These have been on the to-do list for some time...about a year infact, since I made the Some bunny loves you baskets last Spring and I planned then to make them a friend.

I'm so glad to finally make them a reality! The baskets will be a market only item, at least initially while I gauge interest and factor in potential p&p charges.

So the Sleepy little bears will be available first at next week's event in Belfast Castle.

In the meantime, pop over to stories and have your say 🩷

Excited for this. Will you be there?

Stallholders attending our Magnificent May Weekend 🌷

The Carriage Rooms at Montalto will be filled with an array of amazing artisan businesses, which are listed below.

While you're here, you can take an exclusive look around our Walled Garden which will have Live Music and Outdoor Stalls. The Stable Yard, and the rest of the Estate, will have Food and Drink options, as well as lots of Kids Activities.

Book tickets here: https://montaltoestate.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873645963

Artkdni
Buttonhome
Becca Calmont
Dusk by Dawn
Bark and Amble Pet Apparel
Tropicskincare mel walker
ASTRL Fibres
Trish Rogers Originals
bodhi_belfast
Daschy
Wick & Fern
The Knitted Nest UK

love
Rebecca May Jewellery
Lily and the loom

Seaforde Interiors Jacqueline Hamilton
Ulster Wildlife
hummingbirdmeadowanddesign


Bear Necessities
Canvas & Clay
Celtic Moon
The Hot Tub Centre

The Doggie Pawtisserie
Lisa Swann Independent Consultant Neals Yard Remedies Organic
Peg & Podge Bits & Bobs

Sssshh....

The cutest little sleepy lamb 🐑

I love it when you tag me in your pics. Thanks for sharing .and.ella 🩷

I hope you have had a restful Easter break? We've had 3 sick babies taking it in turns, both boys with the pox and Ava has a very persistent cough. Poor girl hasn't had much of an Easter break! We'll try and make up for it over the May Bank holidays 👑

Photo shared with permission

C O M I N G   S O O N

I've got a few things coming up/dates in the diary, including some upcoming markets dates and a note in my diary to start the new A/W23 beanies!

It might seem too early to think about but with only two hands and a limited amount of knitting time per day it's about time I got a wiggle on! And I'm excited to get started 🤗

N I C E W O R D S

Day 30 of and the first time I've shared a review to the grid. It can't be anything but amazing to receive words like this 🩷 It really means the world. Thank you.

If you've bought from me before and would like to leave a review, there's space for you to do so on the website. Just scroll down the homepage and you'll see the "Please leave a review" link.

T H E   B E S T   P A R T....

Is meeting new & existing customers.

It's actually not something that comes naturally to me, I have to push myself out of my comfort zone to attend in person events such as markets, but I absolutely love it. I have never been to a market I didn't enjoy, and the best bit is definitely getting chatting with people.

I love it when someone comes over and chats about a knitting project they are working on or that knitting reminds them of a certain family member, perhaps no longer with us. I love the little insight you get from even the most brief of conversations.

I also love getting to work alongside some of the nicest people, fellow crafters and makers. I have always been made to feel welcome and everyone has been so complimentary of my work....that means a lot to this introvert 🩷

I'm so looking forward to getting back at it this Saturday

Will I see you there? Make sure to come & say hello 👋

T O O L S

Day 27 on is Tools.

These are some of my favourites. I have become quite sentimental about my knitting needles and tend to use the same needles for a particular pattern or project 🙈

The straight needles pictured are for the little lamb ears and this particular circular needle is the one I use for all the Bear Collection beanies...if you look closely you might actually be able to see the wear on it. I tried to buy myself a new one but ended up using it for a new pattern instead. I've got issues 🙃

Anyone else get unexpectedly sentimental over unusual items?! Please share ⬇️

M A R K E T D A T E S

Finally getting a post up with my upcoming market dates. The first one for me this year kicks off next Saturday and I can't wait...so many good small biz friends going too so it's a great one to start on and settle the nerves.

Will I see you at any of these events? It would be lovely to meet you 🩷

C O L O U R S

🤎💜🩶💚🩷🤍

R E A L I T Y

I took this shot yesterday in the middle of dinner prep. The toys had been thrown everywhere, most of the kitchen cupboards had been ransacked, there was dry spaghetti all over the kitchen floor and Callum had taken to chewing a raw potato like you and I would an apple! 🙈

I normally prepare for product shots, clearing space, setting a backdrop, and arranging props. But that just wasn't going to happen yesterday, so I took this very quickly in the middle of the chaos. Embracing the beauty in the everyday and squeezing in every little minute for this biz, within family life, when I can. Some day I'll miss the mess, I remind myself while I tidy the same toys away for the fifth time that day! 🩷

D E C I S I O N

The decision is all yours....do you prefer pink or violet?

These are the colour options currently available on the website, alongside the neutrals - Teddy brown, cream and silver.

There will be much more to come in the Autumn but in the meantime I'd love to know your thoughts. Which do you prefer? And if you have a favourite colour you'd like to see in our beanies, let me know in the comments 🩷💜

G L O W U P

The same cloth, same quality, same donation to Marie Curie, but the Spring/Summer dishcloth glow up has a gorgeous pop of pink, blue and yellow throughout 🩷🩵💛

I will have these with me at my next market on Saturday 1st April

Will I see you there? Do you like the pop of colour, or do you prefer the whiter than white original?

For Mums with babies, may your coffee be hot.
For those with littles, may your day be tantrum free.
For Mums of big kids, may you treasure the handmade gifts and cards.
And those with grown ups, may your day be spent together.
For the Mums to be, may you put your feet up and rest.
For those with a difficult relationship, may you find peace.
For Mums with empty arms, may you feel the love around you.
And for those missing their Mum, may you know how proud they are of you 🤍

Happy Mother's Day

C R E A T I V E   S P A C E

I'm sharing a completely unrelated photo because you really don't want to see the spare room right now or the pile of dishes by the sink!.....

I don't really have a designated creative space at home. The spare room is where i stash all my supplies (along with everything else that gets dumped in there!), but it's usually where I pack orders. I've got my favourite comfy chair in the living room where I knit every night, and the dining table is for clay cutting and prep.

Ideas and designs usually come when I'm pottering about the house, folding clothes or doing the dishes, or sometimes late at night when the house is quiet and I should be sleeping, my head is busy with thoughts 🙈

Also, think it's fair to say that no room is safe. At any given moment, I could push a load of stuff aside and start taking pics of hats, clay, or yarn! 🧶

Happy Friday! And Happy St.Patrick's Day 🍀

H I G H S A N D L O W S

Today's prompt is "Highs and Lows"

It was so much easier listing the highs than the lows, and that tells me everything I need to know when those doubts creep in.

What's the craic with SEO though?! 🤯🤪

F R O M I D E A T O P R O D U C T

At first, when I began knitting the current beanie design, I played about with the type of yarn, yarn colour, pattern and finish. Swipe to see where it started and how it finished.

The first prototype Callum got to wear, the blue hat pictured, was just plain cotton. I loved this hat on him and he got loads of wear out of it but it stretched with his head, which meant for a snug fit but unfortunately it lost it's shape. Today's beanies are knit in a cotton and soy mix yarn, giving them ultimate softness and better stretch.

As always, you can finish off your beanie with either a cute bear button, giving them the name the Bear Collection, or a "Fearfully and Wonderfully made" button, which will be available across all collections.

www.theknittednestuk.com

B I G   O R   S M A L L

I won't lie....this prompt is giving me all the Father Ted vibes. "These [cows] are small but those [cows] are far away!" When I really should try to be a better business owner and let you know more about our beanie sizes instead!

I am currently knitting up to 12 months with the intention of bringing back my toddler size knits and hopefully kids sizes by the autumn.

I will create a size guide post some time soon, but for now, sizes available on the website are as follows:

Newborn - head circumference up to approx. 15" (38cm)
0-6 months - head circumference up to approx. 17" (43cm)
6-12 months - head circumference up to approx.19" ( 48cm)

If you haven't watched that Father Ted episode, you are missing out. Go watch it now! 🐄🤣

We are delighted to welcome Carolyn from The Knitted Nest UK to join us at Belfast Castle on Sunday 30th April where she will be selling the cutest baby beanies and cardigans, nursery decor and homewares. All hand knit and crafted in Co. Down. ❤️