Designers of the month: August
Published on 9 August 2018 By Milly 3 min read
Join in our celebration of independent design and meet our designers of the month for August: Flo and Dot’s Sarah-Jane Hicks and Vita Apala of Mon Petit Violon
Vita Apala: Mon Petit Violon
Fabulous Vita Apala learned to knit and crochet when she was a little girl, and has lived and breathed it ever since!. Vita’s patterns are full of charm and character. You’ll find the sweetest collection of booties and little dresses, alongside the most gorgeous garments for ladies.
Beautifully shaped, the Gioia Cardigan is worked in one piece top down, so you can try it on as you go to make sure the fit is right. There is a gentle flare from the waist down - this is a fabulously flattering cardigan for any body shape. Use two yarns combined for a fabulous finish.
These Summer Sandals surely must be the sweetest little baby sandals you’ve ever seen! The pattern has two sizes, 0-6 and 6-12 months, and the sole of the sandal is worked in worsted weight yarn for deeper structure, with a sport weight top half that is solid at the front to protect little toes. Once you make one pair, you’ll have to make another.
Crochet cables are so pretty, and if you haven’t tried them yet, you’ll be surprised how easy they are to create once you get started. These heavenly Cable Socks are crocheted in sport weight yarn with a 4mm hook, and the pattern includes sizing for foot sizes EU35 - 42.
Sarah-Jane Hicks: Flo and Dot
Sarah-Jane’s mother and grandmother taught her to crochet, and she says it combines three of her favourite things: colour, pattern and counting. Her inventive patterns are full of fun, colour and character - we love the cacti and Halloween bunting!
Meet your new best friend. Bunny in Blue Jeans stands 27cm tall, so he’s just the right size for little hands. He’s got his own little stash of carrots, and a pocket to put them in - and you can either use safety eyes, or embroider your own face design. Of course this little bunny doesn’t have to be a boy - you can make a bunny in any colourway and add accessories if you want to. It’s made in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, and there are 56 shades to choose from!
The iconic red Double Decker Bus is a common sight in London - so this cushion might be a sweet gift for someone visiting London or as a reminder of a favourite trip. It’s a cool cushion for any bed or sofa, and the intarsia technique is great fun to crochet. There is also a chart included for the cross-stitch London section. The cushion illustrated has been made up in Willow & Lark Ramble, but most DK weight yarns will work well.
Get ready for Thanksgiving and Halloween in plenty of time with these fabulous amigurumi gourds - a pumpkin and squash. The pumpkin stands 10cm tall, and the squash 27cm, both are made up here in Paintbox Cotton DK. You’ll need some stuffing and black thread to embroider fun faces.
