Leanne from Knit me a cake

It’s Q&A time! Leanne admits she’s growing obsessed with knitting. Knit me a cake is evidence. I really enjoyed this peek into Leanne’s crafty life, from her feline companion to her proudest make. Don’t miss her top tip for newbie crafters, either. It’s something we all need to hear when we try a new technique.

If there’s one thing I can understand, it’s a crafter passionate about their yarn stash. (And all the fun things that can be done with it!)

For readers new to your blog, can you tell us a bit about Knit me a cake?

My name’s Leanne and I’m 28 and living in Surrey. I craft alongside my cat Freds (he’s got a big following on my blog!) and I love to be creative – from knitting, to baking and sewing to crochet, I’ll give anything a go. Over the last couple of years I’ve built up a stash of ideas and inspirations and my blog is where I like to share my findings and crafty makes. I’d like to think my blog is for anyone who likes to be creative; there’s no snobbery about certain crafts, and it’s more just seeing what takes your fancy and having a go. I hope it inspires my readers.

You say your blog is dedicated to your Mum and Nan. How have they inspired you?

From as long as I can remember, I’ve always been surrounded with my Nan and Grandad knitting. I’m very proud of how much they’ve knitted for charity over the years – from baby hats, to blankets and toys, I remember walking in to their living room about 5 years ago and seeing everywhere covered in knitted teddy bears. My Mum was always crafting when I was younger, she’s one of the fastest knitters I know. If she puts her mind to something, she can just do it. It’s quite amazing. She’s also done a lot of tapestry over the years, making some beautiful pieces along the way. I went along to a craft show with her recently and she really boosted my confidence that I could take on more complicated projects. She’s there to help me as I go.

Why is crafting important to you?

The main reason – it gives me balance. As children, we can reel off the number of hobbies we have, but the older we get the smaller that list becomes. I think it was about 3 years ago when I realised this, and have been trying to change it ever since. There’s nothing better than coming home after a stressful day at work to unwind with knitting. Finishing a project gives great satisfaction, and it’s something I’m in complete control over.

Where do you buy handmade/indie-designed goodies?

I’ve recently become a bit Etsy fan; I feel a bit delayed in saying that, and I’ve always had an account, but recently I’ve been making much more of an effort to look and buy things from there. Blogging, and the surrounding community, has really opened my eyes to the handmade efforts and the time it takes to make something. I look at clothes and items around the home with a fresh pair of eyes these days and that’s starting to reflect in my purchasing behaviour. If I visit a new town, I’ll keep an eye out for individual shops, and spend my money there – even if it’s sometimes more expensive than ‘chain’ shops.

What’s your proudest crafting moment?

It’s got to be my knitted Christmas stockings garland. I started creating them in October 2013 and really took the time to scope ideas, adapt a pattern and consider the colour scheme. I took to Twitter and Instagram to ask followers what they thought, and was really touched and inspired by the feedback I received – the online community is quite amazing. I’d planned to make the garland and give it away to a friend or family member, but in the end I was so chuffed with the end result that I kept it and hung it in my home at Christmas. I really gained a lot of confidence in my knitting skills with that project, and I haven’t looked back since!

When you sit down to craft, how do you ‘set the scene’?

Ooo good question! Well I enjoy the comfort of my own home, so crafting normally involves me getting home from work, getting in comfy clothes (or my PJs!) and cuddling up on the sofa with the project I’m working on. Freds will be by my side, as will a pack of biscuits and a cup of tea. I have quite the shortbread addiction. I always have to have something on TV, or music playing, and recently I’ve been watching Parks and Recreation. It’s brilliant. Before that it was How I Met Your Mother. Crafting after work is such a good way to relax, summarise the day and clear my mind. I just love it.

Top tip for newbie knitters?

Don’t be afraid! I spent far too long, in the early days, collecting patterns and thinking I could never make any of it. What I should’ve done was just got stuck in and figured it out as I went along. I’d look at patterns and think I could do the first bit, but not the end, so avoid it. Actually, just approach it one step at a time and look for help if you get stuck. YouTube is amazing for help and I regularly use it. Enjoy it, and don’t worry about the end result!

Experimenting with colours
“One Sunday afternoon my friend Tam and I started playing around with different colour combinations, using Stylecraft wool and inspired by Lucy from Attic24. I love some of the colours we put together and I’d really like to see these come to life in the future. I also had no idea just how popular this post would prove to be!”

A knitted Christmas stockings garland
“As mentioned earlier, this festive project really boosted my confidence in knitting and the time I took to carefully plan this out paid off. A great little project for any newbie knitter too!”

A blog chat with Charlotte from Lotts and Lots
“Blogging and crafting wouldn’t mean as much to me if it wasn’t for all the wonderful people I’ve met through blogging. In fact, I recently met Charlotte from Lotts and Lots and she was just a lovely in ‘real life’. Bloggers inspire me greatly, and this post was a way of learning more about a fellow crafter.”

And don’t miss Leanne’s Sky Blanket page! Watch it grow!

Mm, I might have to get in my PJs and enjoy some biscuits with a knitting project!

Have you discovered any lovely blogs lately? I’d love to hear about them!

xo,

You can follow Leanne on Twitter and
on her blog Knit me a cake.