tiny happy

pilvi jacket

I wrote last year about the garment-sewing book Everyday Style by Lotta Jansdotter and I'm continuing to use it now and again to make various pieces of clothing.

One thing I made at the end of last year is the 'Pilvi' jacket/coat and I've worn it lots of times since. It's turned out to be a very useful summer layer. In the book, this design is made up in crisp cotton drill (the jacket version) and in thick wool (as a coat) and looks beautiful but I knew I wouldn't have much use for a coat that doesn't fasten.

So I made my Pilvi in some rayon crepe in a dark purple-charcoal colour and it's sort of like a loose and drapey cardigan to wear over dresses and tops. I cropped it a bit and the sleeves are 3/4 length.

Love it when I'm able to make something that is simple and useful! Might even make a second one, in a different colour.

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A few things I'm enjoying looking at, these days:

Fine Little Day blog

Naomi Ito instagram

tricobsession pinterest board by Nicole

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crystal lake

Over the summer holiday my mother and I visited Broomfields, which is a lovely craft store specialising in needlework kits and supplies.

I bought some mottled grey linen and hand dyed 'Simply Shaker' threads in the beautifully-named shades of 'crystal lake' and 'cucumber' to use during the year ahead. And I also got a special Danish needlepoint kit which I'm very excited about cracking open (thanks Mum).

I used some of the linen and thread to do a bit of free-form embroidery this weekend. It's quite a treat having new supplies to play with.

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Also this week I was lucky enough to see Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds play live here in Wellington and it was a wonderful night. His new album Skeleton Tree is a current favourite and the gig included fantastic live versions of some of those songs, (this, the title track, was my favourite) as well as some older stuff. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

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alpine conditions

In the new year, we set off on a tramping (hiking) trip with friends.

We try to do this together at least annually but sometimes weather and other circumstances prevent it. However this year, the sky was clear and everything fell into place.

We were walking in the Cobb Valley of Kahurangi National Park, which is one of my favourite tramping spots. The walk ascends into sub-alpine then true alpine conditions and I love seeing the trees, shrubs and flowers change with the conditions. At the highest point we reached there were no plants to speak of, just noisy kea circling the scree cliffs. It's a fantastic place to spend the new year and do some good thinking.

This year we saw different types of gentian, hebe, native daisies and orchids. A forest of native beech trees with a lush fern carpet (3rd photo above). Fields of tussock with bright yellow bulbinella flowers (4th photo)

I sadly regretted not bringing a botanical book to help me identify everything, but I did bring a pencil and notebook and got a chance to do some sketching with Keira. We were both wearing our warmest hand-knits and sheltering under a tiny windswept tree!

Back at home, I've been referring to my books to identify and improve the drawings I did and am hoping to translate some into embroidery this year if I can.

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berries and beaches

Hello! Happy new year to you, dear ones.

I've been away on a family holiday in the South Island, spending lots of time with family and friends. It's been pretty amazing actually: days of warmth and sunshine, sea swimming and beach walking. We we went tramping up to the top of a mountain and slept amongst clumps of tussock and thought it might snow. We had lots of beautiful summery food such as berry ice cream and barbequed fish and salads and corn on the cob. 

I did a little knitting on our travels - I made a pair of socks for my sister. (Ravelry notes can be found here). These were made from this pattern, and some gorgeous cashmere yarn from Old Maiden Aunt yarns. I used some leftover sock yarn in green for contrast heels and toes and together the colours remind me a bit of olive leaves.

I hope you've had a good new year so far. I'm looking forward to sharing my projects and adventures here throughout 2017.

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