Focus Fashion Notes

Knit one pearl one - Get knitting. Looks like the good old days are coming back. Art, crafting and crafts, knitting and crochet are amongst the popular things to do these days. Craft Markets, Arts and Craft Fairs & Exhibitions show casing all manner of clever ideas and home-made designs have been drawing the crowds at local markets & events. We recently saw champion diver Tom Daley knitting for Great Britain at the Olympics. Tis now the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" so maybe time to hunker down and learn a new hobby. I have spent many hours in the past just hanging around waiting so knitting was a favourite thing to pass away the time and create something special.  I watched my mother knitting for us when we were kids, we used to hold the skein of wool out on our hands which she then wound into a ball/ (traditionally t he yarn used to come off the loom in strands in days gone by) S he then got a knitting machine, not quite as relaxing as the thread always ...

Great to see the old crafts are returning and better still being used in designer and high street fashion. Ecru tops and skirts, shoulder bags and totes seem to be trending. Years ago I used to crochet too at home or while travelling. I think I initially took it up when I stopped smoking, many many years ago. My first attempt was a green crochet bikini, and yes I did wear it but it did droop a bit when wet. Back then I was also an avid knitter and got pretty good with the Arran intricate style, crocheting was more relaxing as you did'nt have to look down at what you were doing all the time once you were in the zone. Crochet is the French word for hook and all types and thickness of yarn can be used. I found the patterns below in my old sewing basket, the cot blanket I made in white for my baby son, the pillow cases are still going strong. I used basic natural string and no doubt the ecru colour would still look ok in a modern setting. I did'nt attempt the beautiful bed cover bu...