sock of the week no.3

Celebrating the world’s first sock knitting book, and its bluestocking author

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Uncia

Today’s hap is by talented Edinburgh-based Lucy Hague, and you can read Lucy’s fascinating account of the inspiration behind it over on Jen’s blog. When we asked Lucy to contribute to The Book of Haps, I knew she’d create something really special. Combining cables and lace in an intricate but highly structured way, Lucy’s Uncia…

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EYF snapshots

A fantastic time was most definitely had by all at Edinburgh Yarn Fest. Here are a few pictures. If I seem to be somewhat maniacal and frazzled in these photographs, well, that’s because I was. . . The stand in quieter moments. A customer tries on Mel’s Deco cardigan. Meeting lovely folk from my Ravelry…

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if you are in Edinburgh this weekend . . .

. . . do come and say hello. We’ll be in the Corn Exchange on stand E5, with a shed load of Buachaille, books, patterns and kits. Things you might like to know: * All print patterns or books come with a download code for your Ravelry library. * We will have kits for Funyin,…

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In the steps of Jane Gaugain

In the Steps of Jane Gaugain From the quiet restraint of the Regency buildings that line Edinburgh’s George Street, you would never guess that this, a century and a half ago, was the scene of a knitting revolution. Here the ladies of the city gathered to exchange “receipts,” compare their success with the latest stitch…

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Braid Hills – reworked

Another new garment! Braid Hills is one of my favourite designs, and one I really wanted to return to. Some folk found the original pattern a bit tricky for a couple of reasons: I love the design, and really wanted to iron out these issues so that everyone could enjoy knitting and wearing this cardigan!…

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The Braids

As with many other woolly folk in Scotland, my thoughts and horizons are at the moment fixed on Edinburgh – where I will be in a couple of weeks time to attend Edinburgh Yarn Fest. I lived in Edinburgh for a decade, and it remains my all-time favourite city — not least because of its…

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Pop-up fair

Are you in Edinburgh this weekend? If so, can I encourage you to pop along to the pop-up fair which is being held by my friends at the Royal Edinburgh Repository and Self Aid Society on Saturday? I’ve mentioned the Society here many times, and as you know, it exists to provide financial support to…

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Port o’ Leith

Here is the third garment in my Edinburgh series – the Port o’ Leith gansey. This garment has twisted stitches and cables, that are reminiscent of maritime nets and rigging. It also features a deep, cowl-like collar, which is great for warding off North sea winds. . . . but which is also detachable, for…

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Firth o’ Forth

Ahoy from the Firth o’ Forth! This cardigan is the second in my series of my Edinburgh-inspired designs, and it is named after the important estuary that marks the city’s northern boundary. The Firth was a major feature of the decade we spent in Edinburgh: we lived in sight of it – just up the…

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sunshine on . . .

Yesterday we had beautiful weather while we popped back to our old stomping grounds in North Edinburgh and Leith to take some photographs of two new sweater designs. I’ve been working on these patterns for a while now, and they form part of my Edinburgh series — garments inspired by my favourite places in the…

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three sweaters

I thought I’d show you my three new sweaters! First up is this lovely Fairisle yoke (bought for £16 on eBay). This is a garment of a kind that is still being made in Shetland, and that you can find in Lerwick today in shops like The Spider’s Web. I think its a lovely example.…

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Braid Hills

So here is my new design! The Braid Hills Cardigan! This is the first in a series of designs celebrating my favourite Edinburgh places. Regular readers will know that I’ve mentioned The Braids on this site many times: the view of the city from here is spectacular, and the landscape is gorgeous for a ramble…

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hot shots

We have just returned from a photoshoot. It is a very hot day and Tom couldn’t stop taking photographs of Bruce’s monumental panting tongue. (Don’t worry, he was supplied with plenty of water). In between the hot dog shots, he was photographing my new pattern – a cardigan, which is due for release toward the…

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Summer days

It is a while since I’ve known a spell of weather like it. The verges have bloomed into wildflower meadows. Everything seems sharper, brighter, a dappled world of light and shade. The evening air is soft and fragrant. Folk stroll about, bare-armed, leisurely. Inside, the new rooms are cool and clean and very pretty. Bruce…

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A Walk with Felix

Hiya! It is I, Bruce. I am here to tell you about a Fun Walk I had yesterday at Braid Hill with Kate and my buddy, Felix. This walk (which is one of my favourites) begins by Golf Course. Golf Courses are very mysterious human spaces: men walk purposefully about them with large bags and…

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