A crochet designer? A crochet designer!

So it would appear I'm not exactly getting back into the swing of this blogging lark. And here's why. I'm just so busy! And it's all thanks to YOU. All of you. for your endless support and encouragement, for connecting with me here, on Instagram, Facebook and 'IRL'. Thanks to you, I'm able to find crochet solutions, find creative spirit and come up with ideas that people think are worth paying for.

Over the past year or so I've become a pretty much full-time crochet designer. Of course I'm still working hard on my features writing, too, and really excited to be subediting at 91 Magazine, but the bulk of my time (as you can well understand) is dedicated to crochet. Designing, making and writing up the patterns is really time-consuming but in my mind, time well spent indeed.

Since my book came out THREE YEARS AGO (?!) I've been writing patterns for Inside Crochet, Mollie Makes, Simply Crochet and my blog even featured in Homemaker magazine. More recently I've added some more magazines to my repertoire- The Art of Crochet, Love Crochet and Let's Get Crafting! Knitting and Crochet, and I'm loving the different briefs and design challenges I come up against. I've finally nailed hats! Wahoo! Next up, garments. 

Late last year I was lucky enough to be invited to Simply Crochet's offices for a pattern writing workshop, and the help and support given was amazing. Editor Sara really made me and my fellow designers Hannah Cross, Anne Egan, Louise Smith and the wonderful Fran feel part of the team, and I felt so proud of all the work I've done for them. I hope you don't think this post is a total boast-fest. But it's nice to celebrate one's achievements, yes? and also good for the soul to say 'yes, look what I've done, look at all the things I've made.' 

I'm also really excited that soon you'll be able to download some of my Simply Crochet patterns from Ravelry! For less than the price of a cup of coffee. Amazing. Including this beauty! And my neon doily rug, basket weave trio and super chunky striped and spotty hats. 

Also I met up with the wonderful Steel and Stitch in November (with gorgeous Claire Montgomerie- I was a bit star struck!) and I'm really thrilled to say that I'll be teaching alongside Emma Friedlander-Collins at the British Library (!!!) this Saturday, 20th Feb as part of the Alice and Wonderland Exhibition. It's all free and we'll be making some Alice-themed crochet goodies- come join us!

So anyway, with another four or five project to finish by the end of next week, I'd better get back to it! Visit my Ravelry page for updates on patterns, maybe one day I'll even get around to producing some of my other favourites for you to download. Thanks again guys, you're awesome. 

xxx

The Obsessions Series: Cath Kidston

It's been a while since I have done an Obsessions post, but this is something I have been meaning to share with you for a while. It's an obsession that I'm sure many of you already know about and indeed share. Yes, sir. My name's Kath and I'm a Cath Kidston-aholic. It's an expensive habit, so it's only indulged every so often, and it's a habit I have been secretly feeding for years. 

It began with some bedding. Then a make-up bag. Now I am a fully-fledged addict! Clothes, crockery, kitchen linen...I love it all. 

I received the new magazine in the post today. It's just lovely. I love the royal wedding party shoot, so British and old-fashioned.

 So it got me thinking about all the CK around the house...

In my wardrobe... 

 A tea dress and a new top! I wanted to buy a tea dress AGES ago in the sale, do you remember? Well they sold out so last week I ordered this top, so it replaces the dress on my list of exceptions from The Challenge of the Utmost Kind.

In the dresser...

 Four mugs and a butter dish!

Bags of style...

The little one on the handle was from my friend Jo. Also there is a green spot book bag, cowboy nappy changing bag and a spray flowers carry-all.

On the vanity unit...

Antique rose make-up bag. I was just reading about the antique rose print in the magazine. I bought this make-up bag about six or seven years ago and it's showing zero signs of wear! Also is my little overnight toiletries bag and The Washing Line handsoap and lotion from the mother-in-law for Christmas.

In the kitchen...

An oven mitt I bought myself about a year ago and some tea towels from my Pa for my birthday. 

So my addiction is no secret! I've also got more lurking about the house including some CK bunting in the bathroom, new pillowcases for the new house, underbed storage bags, some fabric squares for my sewing basket and the Sew! and Make! books. I think I will have to curb this habit. Let's face it, it's VERY expensive and does slightly undermine the Challenge. However, I am ordering some fabric to make curtains for the new house- star print in stone for Albie's room and a rose and blue stripe pattern for our bedroom, which will look lovely with the duck-egg blue walls. The other reason for kicking the habit is for poor D! He has so far tolerated the slow Cath Kidstonization of his life, but I wonder how far I can go?! Perhaps I should put the catalogue DOWN and instead look for the real vintage thing instead. After all, tea dresses and roses were around before CK.