2015 | Bessie May

Happy Holidays

Posted on - 18/12/2015

Happy Holidays to all our lovely customers.

The Bessie May Studio is closed from tomorrow (20 Dec), until the New Year, so hope you have loads of yarn to keep you going.

Any orders placed during this period will be sent out top priority on Monday 4 January.

We hope you have a lovely holiday with your love ones, as we plan to do.

Happy Christmas x

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Christmas Projects ~ Crochet 4ply SNIKEL Swirls

Posted on - 08/12/2015

All needles are clicking late into the night at this time of year all over the world.That special present that was intended to be started months ago suddenly hits critical point, but determination and late nights will ensure it is all wrapped and ready for watching the face of the recipient as they open it.

The needles for sure at the Bessie May Studio are working overtime ~ here is a glimpse of one of the projects which is setting the crochet hooks on fire ~ pretty Crochet 4ply SNIKEL Swirls, being made into a throw for a double bed ~ mad but true.

So soft, as being made with Bessie May SNIKEL, what more can be said.

No panic here ……………….!!! Can you tell…….?

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Autumnal Leaves

Posted on - 26/10/2015

As October comes to an end autumnal colours are at their best.

Being surrounding by all these amazing autumnal shades and shapes has been the perfect influence for our designing, at the Bessie May Studio.

We have been exploring textured, chunky leaf designs, and this is our favourite, using chunky Bessie May SNUG in the perfect autumnal shade of Lichen, which is new in.

What a beautiful blend….

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Crochet Loveliness

Posted on - 14/07/2015

Sara from Crochet Per Se is busy making a beautiful ripple crochet baby blanket. She was looking for vibrant colours, and chose Bessie May SMILE, and doesn’t her creation look amazing so far.

Keep going Sarah, and send us a pic of your finished lovely x

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Weavers ~ Sacred Valley Peru

Posted on - 29/05/2015

Sorry we have been quiet for a while, we have been exploring Peru, and all things colourful ~ woven, knitted, embroidered, by so many amazing crafts men and women

We shall be sharing some of our experiences and pictures to boost our memories, and share some amazing traditional crafts still in use on a daily basis.

Here are some hand loom weavers, working on different scale looms, using Alpaca Wool, or Cotton. No patterns in use, the intricate designs are passed down from generation to generation, and all stored in the memory. When I get confused which is stockinette stitch, and which is garter stitch, this is amazing to watch.

All wearing traditional dress, which is worn as a norm in the Andes in the Sacred Valley where these ladies live in small farming communities.

The Sacred Valley is at 2,792 metres high, so for most europeans a challenge to breathe let alone farm and travel the Inka trail, but worth all the challenges to see such beautiful craft ladies in action.

Many of the men in tribes in the Andes also weave, always creating bright colours for themselves to wear, often with the yarns hand spun and dyed with natural dyes.

Here are four pictures of different styles of looms, but there are many more.

All in all a special experience to witness x

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BM Knit Tip | Provisional Cast-Off

Posted on - 10/02/2015

Provisional Cast-Off sounds very grand, but it is simply about securing your stitches so that you can remove your knit from the needles for reasons such as:

~ Measuring your knitting accurately, or trying it on

~ Attaching an edging such as a fringe

~ Grafting two pieces together, eg at the shoulders of a jumper

~ or you may even want to gather the stitches together

Don’t be afraid to remove your knit from your needles, just ensure you secure each and every stitch.

Put simply, using a blunt needle and a long length of yarn in a different colour, you thread it through all the stitches, and you can then tie the ends together to secure, and easily remove the needles. If you use a yarn no thicker than the one being used for the knit, then you can remove it and place the stitches back on your needles easily.

It is great practice to check your knitting regularly for fit and size etc, and removing it from the needles really helps making this far more accurate, so don’t be afraid, and have a go.

Sometimes you may find that you even create a different design by draping the knit on a mannequin whilst off its needles, as you can see other design options, and ideas.

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WindUp Steyning | Sat 7 Feb | 10am-2pm

Posted on - 29/01/2015

We can’t believe that January is nearly all done, but are pleased, as it means WindUp Steyning 6 is scheduled to arrive on Saturday 7 February, from 10am to 2pm.

We have some great knit and stitch vendors with beautiful stands scheduled to join in, with of course ourselves.

Please bring your latest creations to share, and what is currently on your needles to try and do while, chatting, eating cake, and generally relaxing.

Everyone is welcome, as usual, entrance is free.

Please note the venue has changed as of this month to: The Steyning Centre, Fletcher’s Croft, Steyning, BN44 3XZ.

This is found at the front of the large car park behind our last venue of Penfold Hall, where most people tend to park who come by car.

We look forward to seeing everyone there. x