The Cowl Shed

Some new teenies knits that will be coming with me to Lacock this weekend. Lacock Artisan and Gift Fair will be in the village hall on Sat/20th and Sun 21 from 11am till 4pm. Pop in, have a browse and say hello. Pauline

The production line! Getting ready for this weekend’s fair at Lacock Village Hall. Weather looks promising, so come and have a browse.

I’ve just finished knitting “the new knits on the block” all ready for the Artisan and Gift fair at Lacock this weekend. I will, of course, have my usual knits of hugboots, blankets, spring/summer weight cowls etc.
The weather forecast is fair, so pop along and have a browse.

Some of the words that you hear frequently these days are - sustainability, eco-friendly and Vegan - which got me thinking 🤔

I have, for quite some time, been knitting with yarns made of bamboo, organic cotton and recycled T-shirts as well as luxury yarns containing Alpaca, cashmere and silk, were there any other yarns I could be working with? Answer, Yes.

I have sourced some lovely yarn made from the pulp of the Eucalyptus ! I’ve also found some beautifully soft yarn, ideal for baby clothes, made from soy bean pulp. However, there is one drawback - cost. By keeping items that I make small, I am able to produce some affordable pieces - the cowls made from Eucalyptus have been a great hit as I sold out of them at my last market! Below are photos of items I’ve been busy making in readiness for my next Fair at Lacock Village hall this weekend, 23-24 March. If you’re in the area pop in and have a browse. P 😊

So……here they are! Beautiful cowls for spring/summer crocheted with a new yarn made from Eucalyptus pulp. They are soft, non-itchy and ideal for milder weather. They add that pop of colour to any outfit.

They will be coming with me to Craft fair at Lacock next weekend 2/3 March, 9-4pm.

After seeing out the very long month of January, I’m staring to panic about what I have to catch up on in readiness for my first Lacock market of the year, weekend of 2/3 March!

January was not just a long month it was also very busy with completing commission orders as well as family requests. I’ve also been busy sourcing new Eco friendly yarns that I can use. Watch this space for Eucalyptus (and no it doesn’t smell 😂) and Soya bean knits!

In the meantime I’ve finished knitting 3 beautiful Lapghan throws. Knitted in Alpaca and wool they are beautifully soft and cosy. They certainly kept me nice and warm whilst knitting them ☺️.

My daughter and I made this Gingerbread house as a raffle prize a few Christmases ago, before my knitting took over!
So……..this week I have put down the needles and baked for friends and family. Lebkuchen biscuits, a Dundee cake, Florentines and tomorrow, mince pies. I’ve enjoyed myself but the fingers are itching to start my next knitting project - a Lapghan Throw blanket.

I would like to thank you all for your support throughout the year, for the orders and commissions and for your visits to see me at Lacock.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of joy and happiness. Pauline 🤶🏻

Getting ready for my penultimate fair this year! This Sat/Sun 11-4 at Lacock Village hall. Come and have a browse at the variety of stalls with some lovely handmade items that will make thoughtful christmas gifts.

After many requests - warm jumpers for your best friend, in small and medium sizes. Jack is modelling small size.

Plus leg and wristwarmers for girls, in addition to a range of hats, wristwarmers and cowls for the adults.

I’m not going to lie - this really had me scratching my head (I even roped in my long suffering husband)! Anyway, after nearly chucking it across the room a couple of times, I’m glad that I persevered as I’m quite pleased with the result!

We’re off! Fully stocked (probably a bit too much 😊). Already had some lovely customers.

Getting ready for Lacock craft market for the next two weekends, after having a couple of months break to recharge the batteries! I’m now fired up and ready to go.

Some of the goodies I have knitted which you can buy for £10 or less (with Christmas presents in mind). Hope to see you this Sat/Sun 30th Sep & 1st Oct and the following weekend 7th/8th Oct.

So, even though you are on holiday with the most beautiful scenery of the Norwegian Fjords, the temptation is just too much!

My long suffering hubby left me to browse whilst he went off on a cultural exploration.

And did you make any purchases you may ask………………

Is the sky blue? 😂

Photo 1 - All lined up awaiting buttons!
Photo 2. A commission for a lucky little boy.

See you there!

Yesterday a charming gentleman and his wife visited my stall at the Lacock Artisan Craft Fair. We had a lovely conversation regarding craft fairs generally and he was very interested in aspects of my work. As the conversation continued I knew I recognised this man and ‘the voice’, but thought ‘no surely not’. However, I was right and then became all gooey eyed and star struck 🤩 - at my age!
Sir David Suchet no less or, as I mostly think of him, Poirot. He very kindly wrote the below message.

It made my day!

Pop in and have a browse.

A lovely weekend for a fair! I will be at Lacock Village hall this Sat/Sun with the Lacock Artisan Gift Fair from 11-4. Lots of different stalls for you to browse.

With the sunny weather finally making an appearance and summer holidays on the horizon - my new project - holiday bags! Made from recycled cotton, they are fully lined. Two sizes, one for those that travel light and the other for those of us that carry everything but the kitchen sink!

One happy lady!

Comfy slipper socks with slip proof bottoms - £12.00.

All ready to go……….to Lacock Village hall this weekend 22/23 April. Sat 11-4.30pm Sun 12-4pm. Lots of stalls with beautiful items for sale. 🤞The weather is kind.

What better way to bring a “pop” of colour into your home! You can store a multitude of items from the kiddies toys to hats, gloves & scarves to hairdryers, tongs & brushes and even spare toilet rolls. Fully washable and eco friendly they can be knitted in your own colour choices. Catch me at Lacock Village hall this weekend from 10-4.30 Saturday and Sunday.

Well it’s finally arrived - my first fair of the new year! Of course I’m never really ready but nonetheless, fingers crossed, with some new items, all will be good.
The fair is at Lacock Village Hall, Saturday 25th 11am-4.30pm and Sunday 26th 11am-4pm. Come and have a browse and chat with talented local crafters.

❤️Love this creation - knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners, Zandra Rhodes Collection for my lovely future daughter-in-law.

On Parade! Gorgeous little booties knitted in an alpaca/wool mix yarn to keep those precious little toes warm. Presented in a lovely box making them an ideal gift for the little newborns.

How time marches on…..after completing some post Christmas commissions I‘m now in full swing getting stock knitted for upcoming markets.

I had many requests last year for adult socks - watch this space. I have completed a commission knit of cotton and hand dyed merino wool socks, to give you a peek preview!

Baby blankets, jackets and socks, storage baskets together with some new ideas are all on the knitting agenda.

What a lot of baskets! This was a mega commission but really pleased with the finished baskets and, completed on time - phew.

All set up and ready to go - fingers cross the rain holds off. If you’re in the Lacock area pop in and say hello. There’s lots of lovely ideas for Christmas presents. Here today and tomorrow from 11-4pm.

It’s been a busy day getting ready for tomorrow’s Artisan and Gift Fair at Lacock Village Hall this weekend from 11-4.

Just a few items that I’ve been working on and available. Different styles of cowls, fun furry headwarmers, beautifully soft merino wool wristwarmers and, the ultimate luxury, alpaca/silk/cashmere lounge socks - all items in various colours. Of course all the usual favourites are available too.

If you are looking for inspiration for Christmas gifts come along and have a browse.