Tag: writing

  • surfacing

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    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Whoa. I didn’t mean to just disappear on you there! Don’t worry — I’ve not, like the indomitable Betty Mouat, been cast adrift on the North Sea with half a bottle of milk and a biscuit — but I have just been really, really, really busy — working on my book, and a few other…

  • 60 North

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    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Just dropping in quickly to say that the new issue of 60 North is out! What? You’ve never heard of 60 North? The name refers, of course, to Shetland’s line of latitude, and is a really well-produced magazine put out by my friends at Promote Shetland. Features in the magazine explore many different aspects of…

  • Knit Real Shetland

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    by

    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Hurrah! Hard copies of Knit Real Shetland are now available to buy from Jamieson & Smith – with free UK shipping! A digital version, for those who prefer it, will also soon be available. It was a real honour to be asked to write the introduction to this book, celebrating 65 years of Jamieson &…

  • on the disposal of books

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    by

    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Not the best few days I’ve ever had. I began dealing with the boxes slowly. But two of my neighbours, seeing me struggling with books up and down the tenement stair, kindly decided to help me. In just a couple of hours, we had transferred the contents of the boxes into my living room. It…

  • smocks galore!

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    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    So, here is my surprise — the Warriston pattern is now published, and when you buy it you will also receive a copy of a new digital magazine, produced and edited by me. Since 2007, Textisle is the name I’d been using for a large academic project. It is too good a name to go…

  • today’s news

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    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    The new issue of The Knitter is out, and I have a short piece in it publicising the Shetland Fine Lace Project – an inspiring collaboration between the Shetland Amenity Trust, four fabulous knitters, and the lovely folk at Jamieson & Smith, (whose 1ply laceweight is the closest thing to Victorian handspun that there is).…

  • socks, owls, &c. . .

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    by

    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    (recognise that darned heel, Mandy?) Some of you may be interested to know that the above appears in this month’s issue of The Knitter magazine. It is the first piece for publication that I’ve produced since the stroke, and because of this, I feel unusually proud of it. Did you know that such a thing…

  • braid claith

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    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Since I wrote that piece about the Yorkshire woollen trade for The Knitter a while ago, I’ve had broadcloth on my mind. Broadcloth is a traditionally woollen, and and quintessentially British fabric. As the woven wool trade developed through the Sixteenth- and Seventeenth Centuries, broadcloth, in its several grades, kinds, and colours was popularly produced…

  • Heptonstall walk

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    by

    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    Anyone who reads The Knitter might be interested to know that I’ve a feature in the most recent issue. The piece looks at how wool shaped the landscape of the Upper Calder Valley — and it is followed by a textile history walk that I devised around Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall. The landscape I’m talking…

  • the grumbling hive

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    by

    Kate Davies Designs
    in

    The title comes from Bernard Mandeville’s 1705 poem of the same name. Its only relevance here is that I have bees on the brain, and because, since I am feeling peaky (again) there’s been a bit of grumbling going on in this particular hive. Bees on the brain, you say? What’s that about, then? (landing…