Blogger of the month - August
We are pleased to announce that Black Sheep Wools 'Blogger of the month' for August is............According to Matt! As you may remember from last month this is a great chance to get to know a little bit more about your favourite bloggers. Matt has answered our questions below.
How long have you been blogging? What made you decide to write a blog?
I’ve been blogging for just over two years and celebrated my second ‘blogiversary’ in June.
I very randomly had the idea to start blogging just over two years ago. I wanted to try my hand at writing some kind of online journal. I started off talking about my life and random subjects that I felt inspired by. It’s now become a lot less general and I now like to focus mainly on my crafting.
My crafting and my blog now come hand in hand and as long as I continue to craft and crochet I will continue to write my blog. My blogs motivation comes from my natural love of making things and a want to share with like minded people.
What is your latest WIP (Work in progress)?
At the moment I’m working on a lovely light Japanese flower afghan. I’m making it in bright and bold colours and am using some very luxurious and soft baby alpaca yarn. The yarn is almost lacy when worked up and is creating a very delicate feel to my afghan. I can’t wait to have it finished!
Who taught you to knit / crochet?
I started crocheting about three years ago and learnt from my boyfriend, Dennis. He is not only an amazing crocheter but a phenomenal knitter also.
He taught me the basics and together we would learn new crochet techniques from blogs, books and youtube.
Do you watch TV or listen to music while you knit / crochet? If so what?
ALWAYS!!!! I have to have some kind of background sound whilst I’m crocheting. Normally I’ll put on some of my favourite music and sing along whilst working on my project. I like to do that! It makes me happy!
I’ll also watch movies or television series, but nothing too complicated. I have a tendency to focus too much on my project and lose the plot or storyline of whatever it is I’m watching.
What was your first ever knitting / crochet project?
My first crochet project was a large granny square afghan, I’m very proud of it!
It was a perfect first project as Granny squares are nice and simple to make. If I messed up a stitch or even a square it was easy to try again without it having a big affect on the total outcome of the project.
Is there a knitted / crocheted project that you treasure? Made by yourself or a handmade gift from a loved one?
I have a rather lovely knitted jumper that Dennis made for me. It’s so warm and one of my favourite colours. It’s special to me because I know how much work went into making it, I know that it’s a one of a kind and because of that I feel very proud whilst wearing it.
Do you have a knitting or crochet tip you would like to share?
My advice is to never make something that doesn’t excite you creatively. I hate to be working on a project that I find boring or can’t wait to finish. When this happens it feels like hard work rather than an enjoyable hobby.
Do you have a favourite knitting snack?
I love to have a big mug of tea and some chocolate biscuits at the ready.
What is your favourite yarn to work with? Is there a particular brand?
I use all sorts of yarn and always try to make sure I’m happy with the yarn choice before I start the project. If I’m not happy with the yarn I definitely wont be happy with the finished project.
I’m rather in love with Drops Baby Alpaca yarn that I’m using on my current project. It’s insanely soft and comes in such a great selection of colours.
Do you have a favourite project?
My favourite project is definitely my big white and multicoloured granny square afghan. It was the biggest project I have made to date and I had such a sense of pride when it was all finished with the ends all sewn in. Sewing in the ends was a huge feat in itself! (plus I hate sewing in ends).
Do you follow other blogs? If so which blogs?
There are so many amazing blogs out there! I’m hugely inspired by people who have a like minded style but with a slightly different spin to the work I like to create. I love to check out:
crejjtion.blogspot.com
sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.com
onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com
When I’m lacking in the inspiration department, I always turn to French artist Isabelle Kessedjian for a dose of colour, crochet and inspiring creativity. She is really a fabulous artist!
How many projects do you have on the go at one time?
I really try my best to finish a project before I start another. If I’m working on a large project (like a blanket) I’ll start smaller projects so that I don’t get bored of always working on the same thing.
What other past times do you enjoy?
I just love to keep busy, so I always have some hobby on the go.
I’m a dancer by profession so I like to keep active and in shape by going to the gym, taking dance classes or doing a yoga class.
At home I paint, draw and recently bought myself a ukulele. I’m trying to teach myself how to play, although I’m pretty terrible at the moment! It’s good fun though.
Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
Blog for yourself. In the past I’ve fallen into the trap of blogging to please my readers and before I new it I wasn’t enjoying writing my blog. I was feeling under pressure and stressed trying to produce blog posts that would please my audience. I now blog when I feel like it and not because I feel like I have a deadline to meet.
Do you have a preference when it comes to choosing your needles?
I always like to use ‘knitpro symfonie’ hooks. They are wooden with a really great shape to the hook. I’ve tried plastic or metal hooks in the past but always end up coming back to the wooden hooks.
Do you read any craft magazines? If so do you have a favourite?
I’m currently living in Germany and so obviously crafts magazines are not so easily available for me in English. Whenever I come back home to England, I’ll by myself a ‘Mollie Makes’ Magazine from the airport. It’s a really cute magazine and I always find something inspiring in its pages.
Who do you knit/ crochet for?
Most of the time I crochet for myself, little things for the home and projects to share on my blog. I’ve also made blankets for family and friends as gifts at Christmas and for Birthdays; they’ve always been very well received.
Take a look at Matt's blog here.
If you would like to nominate your blog or one of favourites. Head over to our blogger of the month nominations page.