Fosterlots knits

CONTRAST MEND - a fine day to be cautiously optimistic/mending a lovely gansey in a contrasting colour. I’ll show you some more details when it’s all finished.

CUSTOM KNITTING BAG CARDY ~ I was recently offered a knitting bag which had belonged to the relative of a customer.

She asked me if I could use the contents to make something for her son, which I was delighted about. And this glorious patchwork cardigan is the result!

There were lots of bits and pieces in the bag to choose from and I added a few colours from my stash just to balance things out. The fluffy mohair panels are a particular favourite of mine!

I love the idea of creating a new piece in order to commemorate the life of a fellow knitter. It feels like a great way to honour the craft and the people who pass it down to us.

Thanks for this opportunity! I hope I’ve done it justice.

CUFF REPLACEMENT ~ sometimes jumpers get so worn around the cuff, neck and hem that it just makes sense to remove and replace them.

I had the pleasure of replacing cuffs on this beautiful hand knit, colourwork jumper. I removed the old cuff, knitted replacements by hand and grafted them on the the sleeve.

Slightly fiddle, but look at that result! Hope it lasts through years more wear.

Content! My mending pile is substantial at the moment - thanks for trusting me with all your precious things!

Just finished work on this beautiful jumper, which had been in storage for several years. I used duplicate stitch to patch the holes, and unraveled the cuffs to put on a fresh sewn bind off.

I used a Cumbrian yarn from my stash, a Herdwick/BFL blend which I love next to the smooth, lofty yarn of the jumper.

Wishing you all similarly industrious December! It’s nearing crunch time for Ch***mas deliveries, so bear that in mind!

MENDING WORKSHOP: the lovely people, and fellow residents have lent me a corner to do a workshop. Slow fashion enthusiasts of Sheffield Unite!

If you’ve ever wanted to learn or improve visible mending of your clothing and textiles, come and join me!

Tickets are available through the link in bio. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. To say I’m excited would be an understatement.

MENDING WORKSHOP: the lovely people are lending me a corner to do a workshop. Slow fashion enthusiasts of Sheffield, unite!

If you’ve ever wanted to learn or improve visible mends in your clothing and textiles, come and join!

Link to tickets and more event info in bio. Please get in touch if you have any questions. To say I’m excited would be an understatement.

SHOP SOCKS ~ Excellent news, friends. I’ve just dropped a second batch of socks off at on Abbeydale Road.

These are unique colourways and currently the only place you’ll find my socks without ordering a pair for yourself!

So if you’re on the fence, I urge you to pop in and have a look/squish. Why not order a pair of beautiful hand made shoes while you’re at it?

So pleased with this collaboration! Thanks Kenny 💫

FURTHER HATS - this one’s shorter, in 1x1 rib pattern with a rounded crown. Still in the same high quality Donegal yarn, light grey with lovely natural flecks.

What do we think? There’s a massive wasp keeping me company in the studio this morning. If I don’t make it out alive, tell my wife ‘hello’.

This Donegal cap didn’t make it as far as my online shop - it got snapped up by within about 24 hours of being finished!

I’ve got yarn stocks for a few more like this. You can always contact me for colour and size options.

HOLIDAY READING

I’ve been meaning to read this for ages, and it’s really useful to me. I often neglect to talk about the emotional side of what I do - it’s about attachment, memory and sometimes loss or trauma.

Mending can be therapeutic, a supportive act of solidarity. Equally, I make things that I hope will accompany people through years and diverse experience.

It’s reassuring to read about ‘s mending stories, which clearly reflect the feeling and philosophy on mending. And the photos are lovely. 5 out of 5 darning mushrooms 🍄 🍄🍄🍄🍄

I know it’s summer and everything, but I’m still delighted to wear my everyday wool socks and boots in the drizzle.

They’re warm, but light, and they don’t fall down inside your boot.

There’s more info on my website if you need a pair of your very own.

Here’s a selection of images I took while knitting the commission from my last post, from the initial swatch for the broomstick lace vest, to some of the finished items.

I’ve also added a dead-eyed ‘final balaclava selfie’ because I forgot to take any other pictures of it! There were seven pieces in total; three pairs of opera length gloves, three mohair balaclavas, and the vest itself.

I worked to sketches given by the designer, with colours we chose during consultation for the project. Pretty cool eh?

CATWALK KNITTING! Earlier in the year, I was commissioned by the v.talented Izzy Burton to knit some designs for her final fashion collection

This was such a fun project! I made the gloves, balaclavas and the lace vest. Working to a client brief (and deadline) was an interesting challenge, and I’d definitely do it again.

Don’t they look great! Congratulations Izzy

It’s worldwide knit in public day. I promise!

As a socially anxious person, knitting in public is an excellent way for me to be in people places, offering a distraction from the intense self-consciousness.

I also find it goes great with beer (up to a point).

Hope you are enjoying your projects ‘in the wild’ today too.

Thanks for providing a knitting friendly atmosphere.

Men’s knee length socks, ready for delivery. Will definitely be making more of these, they look so cool!

More elbow reinforcement.

This Aran cardigan was very thin at the elbows, but mostly between the cable stitches. I reinforced it on the back with a couple of darns, using a strand of cream hand spun and a strand of Cumbrian Herdwick/Blueface Leicester.

My alterations are barely visible on the outside, but will give the threadbare areas some support.

First elbow finished on this jumper. Loving the colours.

She is risen! First sock machine cast on since before Christmas. I’ve been working on a big hand knitting project, which took all my time over the last couple of months.

But socks are back on the menu boys. As are mends. And I’m delighted!

This ribbed hat reached it’s ‘destination head’ this week. Things seem to be happening even though I feel half asleep!

Well chaps, the last of the December orders has left my hands, so me and the cat are going in to festive hibernation.

Thanks for all your support this year! The online shop is still open, but there won’t be any more deliveries until the new year. Enquiries always welcome, however!

I’m taking a break from slaving over the Griswold, in favour of some hand knitting. Cables, hurray!

Don’t worry if you’re waiting for socks- I sent some off yesterday and the rest will be following next week.

If you were hoping to get something before Chr***mas, I would order this week - otherwise we may be up Slack Alley.

Thanks pals!

PACKING ORDERS! Thanks so much to everyone who has placed an order in the last couple of weeks. I’m working through and will let you know when they are ready to collect.

On the subject of packaging, everything I use is recycled and recyclable - it’s a minimalist affair. I also include a cedar block with each order, which you can store with your woolens to help deter moths. I maybe robbing myself of future mending work, but I like the smell.

Another day, another reason to photograph my own feet. These are my merino silk socks. I’m not saying you should think about Christmas. I’m not saying that. But if I were…

Sock listings are now on the website! Just in time for an actually chilly morning.

Link in bio. I’m currently shipping uk only - but get in touch if you want to arrange overseas.

May your feet be ever cosy.

www.fosterlotsknits.co.uk/shop

Everyday Wool blend socks, extra long, uk size 10-11.

PROCESS. When the machine is in use, weights are hung from the work to maintain even tension. The socks are knitted in a long tube and the individual pieces are separated off the machine. I then sew up the toe seam by hand.

Plenty of time for rigorous (read excessive) quality control!

This shade of ‘inside of an ancient sleeping bag’ orange is really boiling my potato.

Message if you need a pair, or hang tight for my webshop update. Love you bye

I think this is what knitters sometime refer to as ‘heritage’ - a 30 year old wool blanket, about to pass into the hands of it’s third generation of a family.

It’s ready for big hugs now that I’ve fixed a seam and darned this hole. Apart from this, it’s in beautiful condition. Really lovely work!

A while ago I finished this custom saddle shoulder jumper for - doesn’t he look dashing in it!

Swipe through for many, many cups of coffee and various progress images. And the obligatory victory try on before blocking!

This garment is hand knit by me and custom fit. The customer chose the colours and the yarn, which is ‘spagnum’ with ‘mustard’ on the collar and cuffs.

Snuck out in the golden hour yesterday to photograph my

I’m so close to finishing! It’s going to be huge. What shall I do with it? I’ve never finished a shawl before…

Thanks for being nice about this mend! I’m chuffed to bits.

I’ve made that story in to a highlight - you can refer to it any time, hooray.

It’s so uplifting to read your comments and know that the thing that brings me joy can also bring a bit to others.

You’re great! Let’s keep mending the things we love xx