Thursday 19 January 2012

My lovely space.....

Now that my little workspace is reasonably tidy once again, I have been surrounding myself with inspiring things...It's wonderfully cosy and colourful in here now. My desk is decorated with lovely crafty bits and pieces....yarn cards full of inspiring colours, bobbins, embroidery threads, a few recent buys from my favourite shops, On the walls and shelves are cards, letters, snippets from magazines and special keepsakes that connect me with the past....I love being here!

My lovely knitting needles are always close at hand and the current favourites by far are my wonderful Knitpro Symfonie needles which are a pure joy to work with and look beautiful too....definitely worth the investment....I love to use bamboo needles when I'm working with cotton yarns but am afraid that my old metal needles are now a thing of the past. 
Oh my, and I do have so many needles...it has taken me quite some time to get them all into some kind of order....straight, circular, DPNs all with their own purpose, of course...although I have to admit that the latter are probably the least used....I just find them a bit too fiddly! To my knitter friends out there, I have a question...do you have your favourites....those needles that you would never be without?.. and do you prefer your straight needles and knitting flat requiring the need for seaming or do you love your DPNs and like to knit 'in the round?'...I'm curious...

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It's interesting chatting with knitters from all over the world these days...and there seem to be two camps...those who love their straight needles and ask 'this isn't in the round is it?' and then those who definitely hate seaming and ask 'can I knit this in the round?'...Where you live in the world seems to be a major factor as to how you have been taught and I'm trying to find out more for future projects!
The little wooden train here is from the girls old dolls' house...It has its usual place in the nursery on the top floor of the house which is now in the corner of my work room. The house is in need of some renovation externally....new windows and a fresh coat of paint but it is really quite well preserved inside and so I am thinking I must return it to its former glory soon. It also has tiny lamps in each of the rooms but the electricity needs a little bit of maintenance. It looks so pretty when it is lit up at night...
I have been busy this week puttting together my eBooks and they are now available on Ravelry for instant download......I have been wanting to do this for some time but have only just managed to get my head around the whole thing.....I do find this technical stuff so time consuming.....much prefer to be busy with my needles or sat with my sewing machine for company any day!

The good news is that they are already proving to be really popular, beyond anything I expected and hopefully I will manage to add a little TEAROOM eBook Shop here sometime over the next week as I know some customers like to download their patterns here.

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I am making progress with my 'Cats and Mice' blanket and now have 4 rows of mischievous cats watching over 4 rows of scurrying little mice...which means I have three rows of each left to knit...so not too far to go...then I can cut open the steek...Yipee!....I can't wait to see it opened up as it looks like a rather strange, long tube at the moment and I am having to be patient here friends...not always my strong point when it comes to craft projects...although I have definitely improved over the years!
More News...
♥ Mary Jane's TEAROOM now has a shop on lovely Luulla...the beautiful handcraft site which has only recently opened...There are so many pretty shops to explore which are definitely worth taking a peek at when you have a quiet moment....There is a little taster for you if you click on the link below....a gorgeously pretty treasury with a blue theme and including little BLUEBELL Rabbit...who it would seem has already made herself at home...
 Thank you so much to Roni for including 
BLUEBELL
(Oh...and check out the little vintage blue Citroen car...just lovely!)


 I think we will have our tea towel Giveaway next week
to celebrate 2 years of the MJT blog!
Something really easy...just add your name and state your choice
♥ ♥ ♥
See you back here soon...
(if I don't see you before then on my travels through wonderful blogland!)

32 comments:

  1. Hi Susan, your work space is wonderful. It's so good to surround ourselves with sweet things, I do the same in my studio. You have been very busy, it's lovely to hear all your recent news. Take care,
    Jane x

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  2. What a lovely workspace.
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  3. Your room sounds so wonderful, more picutres are needed, I just love looking around craft rooms :) congrats on your ebooks too.

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  4. A fab workspace! Good luck with your new shop on Lualla x Sue x

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  5. I have to say I've knitting needles coming out of ears here that I've amassed over the years (some are even my grandma's).
    I do use metal needles if the knitting is becoming heavy/big but they are my least favourite and even though I have a few bamboo ones they're not my favourite either.
    At the moment the runaway winner for me are Pony Pearl plastic needles (cheap as chips but I love them) however I've just ordered a couple of sets made from 'casein' as I'm reading such good things about them, so I'll let you know what I think when I've used them.
    Love Nel xxxx

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  6. I only discovered you on F/B yesterday and love your creations. They look so pretty and colourful. I will definitely be buying a pattern from you soon as I enjoy knitting toys but find some of the patterns a little bit 'cheap' looking if you know what I mean (that includes some of those I have made to sell for charity!). See Le Petit Cabanon on F/B.

    I love knitting on lantern moon rose wood straight needles though I do have some rosewood DPNs too. I hate metal needles now.

    Enjoy your lovely space. I am still trying to arrange mine but end up with the ironing board up all the time which spoils the ambiance somewhat!

    Angela

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  7. That looks like such a happy place to work.

    Knitting, flat, on straights, and seamless, for preference!

    I am perfectly able to knit on straights, circulars and dpn's but that is also the love, tolerate, loath order in which I'd place them. Seams are okay, but if I can work a provisional cast on and then a three needle bind off I do. I think it gives a much nicer finish and interferes less with the drape of a piece. The one thing I truly loath is Kitchener joins. Am I right in thinking that's all fairly typical of a UK knitter?

    And I just have to share my word verification ... noliked! Yup, that would be and dpn's!

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  8. Hello Annie,
    Yes, I think you have got it spot on when it comes to a typical U.K knitter from my experience...it's all really interesting!
    Susan x

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  9. Yup, I'm a straight needle fan, don't mind circulars and hate dpn's! Think it's very much a UK thing as a lot of the American patterns seem to be geared towards dpn's. I actually quite like sewing things up too :-)

    I like the look of Luella, I didn't know about that site. Might join you there at some point!

    love Lori xx

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  10. Oh forgot to add I only use wooden/bamboo needles too as metal aggravates my arthritis :-)

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  11. I think there is most definitely a divide between the UK and USA when it comes to choice of knitting needles. We definitely prefer straight needles but I try my best to work with dpns when the pattern calls for it.
    The needles I work with for back and forth knitting are Addi Turbo circulars. Your knitting glides over them and they are much kinder to your wrists etc than straight needles. Knit pro come a close second with Clover or Prym bamboo coming next.

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  12. Love the way you put things together...so lovely...and your colors are amazing!

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  13. i keep trying to tidy my work space but every time i come back to it it's got more stuff on it, sometimes i think i need a bigger house, but then i think it would just mean i accumulate more stuff!

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  14. Hello Susan,

    You love being in your studio? Well I love being here in your space here!

    Knitting needles! What an excellent question. Now Susan I've only been knitting for two years now so dear Annie's terminology goes right over my head in a delicious sort of way, of course!

    In answer to your question. I love the look of straight needles; so pretty with spots and smooth polished wood, etc. BUT I must confess I prefer circular needles and DPNs. Knitting in the round appeals to me enormously but then I am fascinated by structure and construction and the 3D effect makes it more interesting for me. I grit my teeth through seams and I have yet to get my head and fingers 'round a 3 needle cast off...

    Have a beautiful week and thank you so much for visiting me so kindly as ever.*

    Stephanie

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  15. I actually like seaming, strange I know, but I try to use circulars whenever possible even for straight stitching, because I have tendonitis and they seem to spread the weight evenly so I can knit longer with less pain.
    Sue

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  16. Hi Mary Jane.. I'm glad I found your blog.. it's so bright and pretty and colorful! I added your link to my blog list on my blog.. hope you don't mind. :-) I invite you to visit my blog too. I love your Candy Bear. I've been asked by my 3 and 7 year old granddaughters to crochet them a teddy bear. So, that is next. And the little one wants a YELLOW teddy. :-D Wish me luck!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  17. Such a gorgoeus workspace you have Susan, thanks for that lovely peek into your world. Must check out the link now! xx

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  18. Your workspace looks wonderful...and I always so admire the beautiful photographs you take.
    I'm afraid I'm a very basic knitter....and have only ever used straights...I don't even know what dpns are!!!!

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  19. That's the second time I've heard Luulla mentioned today! Congrats on the eBooks!
    Brenda

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  20. Lovely space, good job on getting this e-books out and to answer your question about needles. My mother (a canadian) taught me how to knit and she only ever uses straight needles (or dpn's to knit a sock) so I started out with straight needles and then I took up knitting again as an adult and I discovered circulars -- I love them and I love using them as straight needles because you can get lots and lots of stitches on them and they are lighter and easier on the wrists somehow. BUT, I still use metal straights fairly often because they take me back to my early knitting days and sometimes I just love them for that!

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  21. Hi Susan,

    I'm afraid I can't offer any input into the knitting needle debate, I really have no idea at all! Love the pictures of your workspace though, so happy and colourful! Good luck with your Luulla shop too, looks great, sure it will be a big success for you. Have a lovely weekend, Jenny xxx

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  22. Fab workspace beautiful colours as always! Britany Birch are fast becoming my favourite needles I also use Knitpro and metal ones but have just ordered some Lantern Moon can't wait to try them out! :) Never really use circular needle but perhaps something to try in 2012! Waiting in anticipation for your new patterns, which I'm sure will be as gorgeous as ever :)x

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  23. You have such a pretty work place, Susan! I love those coloured knitting needles. I have always knitted on straight needles and just accepted seaming...but that might change! Good luck with your Luulla shop, and well done on your eBooks!
    Have a happy weekend.
    Helen x

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  24. Oh how lovely, your workroom sounds wonderful. I'm on my dining table, will have to wait for a bedroom to free up for a workroom :(, trouble is I prefer having the bedrooms filled with the girls, maybe a nice shed eh!!!!
    Best of luck with your new shop
    Karen xxxx

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  25. Hello, Mary Jane's TEAROOM.

      Even more severe in winter, but.
      Your work is embraced in your gentleness.

      Thank you for the warmth of your heart.

      The prayer for all peace.
      
    Have a good weekend. From Japan ruma ❃

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  26. Darling Susan!!!

    Your world is exquisitely tidy, indeed! Don't you just love to surround yourself with colorful or magical things that make you DREAM? Your wares have always intrigued me for their HAPPY look to them! My little workshop in my basement is just like that. Now I have to just get my writing space organized and I will be set! Thank you for coming to visit me. I am so thankful for kind comments, I really am. Now off to enjoy a great weekend of pampering and then off to the classroom on Monday to finish up some assessments for report cards!

    HAVE FUN!!!!!! Anita

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  27. Hi Susan,
    It's straight needles for me, I find using circulars and DPN's not as relaxing.
    I have Daisy needles which I bought a few years back, they are from the US and are plastic but extremely lightweight which I love. Although I know some knitters prefer to feel the weight of the needle I'm afraid I don't.
    I also love short needles about 10 inches in length, I really don't like long needles at all.
    So my knitting needle taste is straight, short and lightweight.
    I love your workspace, lots of inspiration. I'm also off to check out Luulla.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Vivienne x

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  28. Goodness me Susan, you put me to shame. You seem to have achieved so much recently, it all looks so wonderfully neat. The tidying bit is something I really must tackle....soon! Re the circular needles, I'm finding I get the same requests from knitters. I similarly find folk who definitely don't want to use anything but straight needles. Quite a dilemma. Eli x

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  29. Hello, Mary Jane's TEAROOM.

      Your splendid works enhance charm spectator still more.
      The warmth such as the fireplace will be offered to the audience in harsh this winter.

      Thank you for kindly visiting my blog.

      The prayer for all peace.
      
    Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃

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  30. Congrats for getting your E-books done and published Susan! I always we wish i had a magic wand to spare me the technical stuff. But than, it's worth it sometimes. Your sweet books are so special! Have a warm and cozy week!

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  31. Congratulations to you on all your hard work and achievement and I love your space .. you have inspired me to do something about mine, which is looking extremely messy at the moment. Trouble is, there is just so much 'stuff' I'm not sure where it will all fit!
    Keep warm!
    Kate x

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  32. I can see why they would be popular... so adorable and soft and huggable.
    xxx Lorraine xxx

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