Sunday 26 June 2011

Gentle Arts

How many of you out there, like moi, have a trillion cookbooks by all the best known peeps, the Nigella's, the Jamie's and those Hairy Biker lads. But do you ever cook from them? How many of you have a trillion books on crochet, sewing, quilting, patchwork etc?

I imagine that like moi, you snatch them off the postman before he realises what has happened, you tear into the packaging and then devour the book from cover to cover whilst drinking your coffee and scoffing a biscuit or three dozen. You ooh and you ahh and you dream, you probable even blog about it and then....you put it on the bookshelf.....and there it sits and sits and sits. Am I hitting on any nerves here, go on, be honest?
Well there is a new book on the block and I can honestly say that I want to make virtually everything from page one to whatever it says on the last page (actually 152), and I am determinded to have a go. I am of course talking about Jane Brocket's new Gentle Art of Knitting. There are a total of 40 projects inside, all of them completely irresistable, and more importantly for me, actually do-able. Simple straight forward and easy.


I want those socks to wear in front of my fire.......and Mr Fairy can have the other pair.

I want to wear these pretty gloves on a cold winters morning when out walking the dog....

I will of course need these cushions on my sofa and one of these blankets over my knees whilst knitting another project..........

and talking of blankets, this one is a must for my bed where I will tuck myself up and carry on knitting something else from the book.....


I will drink my morning tea from a suitably dresses teapot and choose something to wear from the wardrobe that will be hanging on one of these pretties...


I love, love, love these coathangers and was seen recently outside a well known supermarket rummaging around in their coathanger bin, where I acquired four perfect wooden hangers (I did ask in the store if I could take them before anyone asks).  So easy and so addictive, I made these three over the weekend.

I love reading about her inspiration for each project and the advice she offers on the type of yarns and suitable replacements etc. I can thoroughly recommend this lovely book. Gloves are next on my list methinks. Happy knitting!


Dev x

16 comments:

faith76 said...

I've seen this book about and I must say I really really want it - you've totally sold it too me - it's now on my birthday request list.

Have a lovely week.

Leah x

Pomona said...

I have made the coathanger covers too! I agree, it is a lovely book with really achievable patterns - one of my favourites.

Pomona x

Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G. said...

Dear Devina,

What a lovely book, and your coat hangers are perfectly sweet!

Knitting is definitely moving up on my list of "things to learn". :)

Love,

Marqueta

Alexandra said...

What a great book! I love those gloves and the blanket!

millefeuilles said...

Oh dear, oh dear! I had managed before reading your post to resist buying Jane's latest work of art; you will understand as your bookshelves of craftbooks are groaning too. Now, thanks to your persuasive skills I am about to place a book order.

Thank you ;-)

ps yours is a lovely blog...

Arianwen said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! Loving yours. I am actually not at all bothered by Jane's Books. I like books that are inspirational and all of the patterns from her books can be found in their original form, usually for free on ravelry if you want them.

Sarah said...

Hiya Dev,

Thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind words.

I got Jane's book last week and even though I have just learnt to knit I want to make everything in it!! I've ordered her other books from the library to see if they are as good.

Have become a follower because your blog looks just my cup of tea....

S x

Gem said...

Hi there! I adore your blog and only just come across it - it's gorgous and so true about what you say re the books we all buy with the best intentions.
I have just started learning to crochet. I am hoping to stick at it, knitting freaks me. Two needles??? I struggle with one hook!!!
Gem x

Gem said...

Sorry for my spellings above. Was rushing it as working freelance tonight and must get off Blogger!!!!
x x

Unknown said...

Hello, thanks for stopping by at my blog and commenting. I love that you went rummaging for coat hangers ( a girl after my own heart) I also love your blog, and all your pretty makes, you are so talented.

Tracy Glover said...

Hi Dev, hope you are well, chuck.
I think sometimes it is enough to stare and daydream. Or am I just plain lazy? There doesn't seem to be enough hours in he day at the mo'.
I cannot believe how rubbish blogger has been for so long. If you click on the keep me signed in box, so that it clears it of the tick, it should work for commenting.
The coathangers are absolutely gorgeous, I love 'em. Just dreamy. Nice to hear from you. xxx

Gigi said...

I've pre-ordered this on Amazon, and I can't wait until it's available here in the US! I've enjoyed all of her previous books, and this one looks so good as well. Thanks so much for the peek inside.
Blessings,
G

Jane said...

Hello! I saw your blog on Marqueta's and the name intrigued me. Glad I stopped by because I've been reading about this book on several of my English blogging friends sites and was hoping for more pictures so I could decide if I really needed another knitting book. Turns out, I do! It's on my Amazon waiting list now. Thanks again for the pictures!

Merruli said...

Oh, you caught me! I'm just like you pictured with all the cook books and craft books. I think that I use more my cook books, especially the ones by Jamie, than I do my craft books. But the craft books are an essential way of dreaming and perharps then finally after months or years of dreaming also doing something. And now it seems that I have a new book to add to my list.

Penny said...

I love this book and I'm currently making the starburst crochet blanket which is really pretty. Dying to make a stripy teacosy, and those coat hangers!
(I've got all those cookery books too, it's an addiction!)
Penny (Planet Penny)

YarnRoundHook said...

Ooo, that's some lovely inspiration there and you've reminded me that I want to have a go at knitting a circular cushion cover!
Thanks for your comment over on mine - the snowflakes I made were all out of a book called '60 crocheted snowflakes' by Barbara Christopher. It's available from Amazon. There is also a wonderful blog full of free snowflake patterns ...
http://www.snowcatcher.net/
or try Ravelry
Hope this helps, Victoria