Monday 6 August 2012

Janet Smith Can't Knit...

...but her sister certainly can and she has a wonderful knitting pattern book out NOW! 

It's by Suzie, you know, my buddy, I've waffled on about her before. She owns The Wool Sanctuary and runs Knit Club which is the highlight of my month.


Suzie's book is called Janet Smith Can't Knit (and you can buy it here, just scroll down a bit and you'll see where to click) because although Suzie is an ah-may-zin knitter and designer who was taught by her Mum, her sister is rubbish at knitting. Her sister is called Janet Smith. See? Well it all makes perfect sense to our Soooooooozie who is utterly bonkers in THE bestest way ever. I think I may have said that before. Yes I have.



When I first went to Knit Club, Suzie was talking about her book, talking about her designs and her excitement and all her dedicated Knit Clubbers were all a spin about the very thought of there being a book. 

This is my favourite image in the book.
Suzie being bonkers.

Then it all fell through. The deal, the negotiations all went wrong. But Suzie, being the strong wilful spirit that she is said "Huh, well, they can stuff it, I'll self publish"

I sewed the gap up on this eye. I never thought I'd ever do ophthalmic surgery,
but there we are.

So she did. She just got on with it. Rowan saw her designs knitted in their yarn and started jumping up and down saying they wanted to distribute her book.


And here we have it! Rowan are now busy flinging the book out to various stockists near you. She did it. The girl did it and although it isn't really my place to feel pride, I do feel ever so proud of the gal. I feel so very thrilled for her. It's a dream fulfilled. I get so emotional when I see people fulfilling dreams. I think that is why I am all tearful when I watch the Olympics.


The book has 12 hand knit designs from scarves and wrist warmers to cushions and soft, erm, aliens. There is nothing too advanced for the beginner to tackle. You really need very little experience or knowledge to knit these patterns. That is the beauty of this book. It isn't an instruction book on knitting. It's a book filled with patterns that a novice knitter could tackle successfully. That's not to say the patterns don't produce an interesting item. No not at all. The patterns have plenty of appeal for die hard knitters too.

Want to see more? Here you go:







What do you think? Great huh! That is until you see who is peeping out of a couple of the pages....


....ME!

Ha ha!!!


Yes that is me leaning against that great big house. It's a bean bag which is a groovy ornament when not in use. Genius. I don't really like the look of bean bags but I really do love the look of a big old knitted house.

The shoot was so much fun. It was in Suzie's friend's, Clare and Stewart's glorious house, seriously glorious. Every inch was perfect. Each detail was considered. I just kept swooning over it. I bet I was rather boring actually. "Oh my! I L:O:V:E this *insert item*" x 6 million. It was a weirdly relaxed day for me, probably because all I had to do was put on different clothes, stand in different places doing different expressions with my face in order to show off Suzie's designs. It was tiring but it was such a change of real life for me. A change is as good as a rest as they say.

Below are pics I took with my iPhone and then fiddled with on instagram (still so addicted except Mini dropped my phone down the loo today so it is drying out and I can't use it much, at least I really shouldn't). They capture a little bit of behind the scenes. The photographer was Rebecca Roundhill (Becr on IG) and her work is quite simply astonishing. Go and have a peep at her website. It was so great to spend the day with her, she made me feel really comfortable in front of the camera. I am a bit insecure about the pointy-ness of my chin, I was teased about it when I was younger. They called me Chinny Hill at school. Anyway, Becca managed to get so many wonderful photo's where magic happened and my chin looked almost dainty!  Shame they had to be cut from the final book for various reasons. Either the knitted designs weren't used in the book or the yarns of the particular item were discontinued so Suzie had to frantically re knit and re shoot, or the chosen clothes looked all wrong. But do you know what? The book is so much better for having more of Suzie and all her quirkiness in it. It's her dream, it should be full of her, so it has all worked out for the very best. I just loved having a small part in the making of it. It was a privilege  to have been asked to be involved at all. Thank you Sooooooooozie, truly.

The master at work

A wrist warmer design that got cut


Becca working her magic



So there we go! My mate is a famous author!

Now, wanna see something funny?
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WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENENED HERE?!





Woops!

24 comments:

  1. Congratulations to your friend who's sister cant knit! ;) Thats a really great accomplishment and the photo's of you are stunning!

    Woooohooo for clever friends!!

    P.s I feel like I need that house bean bag! :)

    Jerra xx

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  2. Wow, your friend is one super clever lady....the book looks fab and I'll bet all your boys are very proud of their small-chinned model mum!

    Ooops, looks like you've been bisto-ed!

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  3. Congratulations too your friend! And maybe her sister might start knitting now. lol.

    Ooo I was just admiring the rather cool Paddington Bear canvas in the background so cute.

    The book looks really lovely, I can knit a basic square but trying to understand the patterns are so hard for a knitting numpty like me.

    Ooo get away with you, you look lovely kids are cruel though. Sounds like you had a fab time being model for the day.

    P x

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  4. swoon! that squarey pattern cushion! <3

    congrats on being in the book (you're gorgeous btw) and congrats to Suzie on her achievement :-) xxx

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  5. YOU ARE FAMOUS!!! YOU ARE IN A BOOK!!! WOO HOO!!

    Teehee seriously, well done to your friend and how flattering that she wanted you in the book. You do look great! And I think your chin is dead on, better than having a big round double chin.

    I can't knit but if I ever learn (please find me a few extra hours in the day or week) I'll keep this book in mind. I love the scarf with the eyes, I work in an eye clinic, they would love me coming to work in this in the winter!!

    Eh, what happened your foot? Did mini cuckoo get at it while you were sleeping?

    Oh dear, it's 10 past 10... so much for going to bed early. Anyway thanks for giving me a good read, I love your writing style, it's so funny and entertaining to read.

    And finally best of luck to your friend, a super talented lady!

    Helen xx

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  6. I think YOU are crazy in the best way (ie same way as meeeeee!)
    Haven't got time to read in full but will be back as soon as I can get an intenet connection in Toulooooose.
    Not long til we play in your garden - be prepared for me to roll out the car as I plan to eat my body weight in croissants!!!
    love fee x

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  7. Congrats to your friend, the book looks amazing! :)
    Lucky you too, getting a bit of the action!!
    Her sister now needs to read the book. ;)
    Vivienne x

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  8. Oh my, that book looks delish!
    I think I may have to try to learn to knit- I love those bunnies with their long necked jumpers too much!!
    And you, Missus, look proper gorgeous- what a great thing to be involved in!
    Have a super week!
    PS have had similar fake tan episode. Xx

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  9. Oh my, that book looks delish!
    I think I may have to try to learn to knit- I love those bunnies with their long necked jumpers too much!!
    And you, Missus, look proper gorgeous- what a great thing to be involved in!
    Have a super week!
    PS have had similar fake tan episode. Xx

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  10. Look look look
    The cuckoo's in a book
    She looks so cool
    But her leg's too brown (you fool!)
    I laughed so much, I shook

    X x x

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  11. Wow, the book looks brilliant and so do the photos of you!!! I really want that house beanbag! Oh, and the bear canvasses on the wall in that amazing house! Do you think they'd mind if I moved in?!

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  12. Book looks fab (and so do you!)

    If you have trouble drying out the phone, put it in a tupperware box of UNCOOKED rice and stick it in the airing cupboard or similar slightly warm place for 12 hours or so. The rice draws the moisture out. It worked with my husband's expensive running monitor gadget that he forgot he had put on before he went for his pre-run toilet visit....

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  13. aahhh what a lovely achievement for your friend no wonder your so proud it looks like a wonderful book i loved the idea of the knitted square patch cushion. You look gorgeous in the book to such a lovely natural looking pose. dee xx

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  14. Been popping by to read your blog here and there, I think I will no longer, you really are full of yourself.

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  15. Sorry I just had to reply to that anonymous cowardly comment above. There really was no need for that, if you don't like someone's writing style then don't bother reading their blog. There is just no need to be mean.

    That comment annoyed me and I just can't see the point in upsetting someone.

    Love your work cuckoo!

    Helen xx

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  16. I loved the book and your photos. I don't knit but all the ideas look really really fun.

    As to the comment above from anonymous, cowards always hide. If you, anonymous, don't want to read this blog, then don't. But you don't have to be making hurtful remarks. Just go away.

    Love your blog, cuckoo.

    Sharon

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  17. Oo-er, you're in a book!!!!!!! Huge congratulations to Suzie, it looks like it's going to be a huge success and her designs are just amazing.

    Grr at the second anonymous commenter her. We love you Cuckoo. Even your chin. You should see mine, we don't really have chins in our family, just kinda' tortoise necks. Even my husband will tell you the first thing he noticed about me was my non-chin, in fact he says he decided not to ask me out because of it. How's that for a confidence boost. So glad he got over it though ;D

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  18. Sorry about the typos, I'm still on the mega painkillers, think they're frying my brain :(

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  19. Your friend Suzie looks to be a very talented lady indeed. Great pictures from the book. The projects are really fun and you look fab on the pages. Didn't even notice the chin thing. Nice to see another post from you! Take care
    Lynne

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  20. It looks a fab book, I've just ordered it, can't wait to get it and start some of the projects. Great photo's of you, it must have been great fun to do. Deb xxx

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  21. Congrats! You can publish your own book as well some day

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  22. Hello love, what a great book your friend has 'made' good on her for not excepting No. And you look gorgeous, it is amazing what we focus on, I hated my nose (not now tho) because it has a tiny, tiny bump on it and my daughter has the same and she hates it. You look great in the book, go girl, what will be the next modeling job I wonder?? Fake tan....oops! Are you off to your beach house for a holiday soon?
    xox Sandi

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  23. Fab post, fab book, LOVE Suzie and you look as beautiful as ever, so it's all GOOD! Well done you lovely ladies, all power to you x

    Poor old Anonymous is just jealous, pah!

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  24. Wow what a beautiful book! Just the thing I need to improve my knitting skills I think. The photos of you are stunning hon!!! You're one gorgeous gal aren't ya. Love the fake tan mishap - glad to know I'm not alone there. We just got back from a sunshine-y holiday and I realised half way through that I had a stripe up the back of my leg - duh (as Mr 7 would say). Oh well, at least I looked ok from the front!!!

    Have a fab weekend hon.
    Leah
    xx

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I L♡VE your comments. Thank you ever so for taking the time. I do try to get back to everyone but I am rather scatty and I have these 3 big distractions....(and I'm just generally a bit rubbish lately, so please don't feel obliged to leave a note) Sorry about the word verification too, too much spam.