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GAUFRE SOCKS

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Tomorrow, I should have been going to Edinburgh for EYF, but instead, I will be staying at home. For more years than I would care to admit, I've been battling with, at times, excruciating anxiety. In the past year, it has gotten to the point that leaving my home alone is a real struggle. Normal activities that I used to do are no longer even an option for me anymore. The irony is that the last year has also been incredibly joyful. Unfortunately, all of that joy has not stopped this deterioration in my mental health, yet again. When me and a group of makers decided to go to EYF together last summer, I was so excited. But, as the months passed, I started to dread it. I knew that I was not going to be able to handle it. I'd been having more panic attacks and realised it was going to be way too triggering. A month ago, I gave in and finally dropped out. It was incredibly disappointing but it also felt like the kindest thing I could do for myself at this time. I'm sharing this with shaking hands because I'm tired of being ashamed of my mental health. The past 12 months, in particular, have seen me lose my voice and my confidence. I've been too afraid to show up as myself in this space for a very long time. As I work towards recovery, I'm ready to "own my story" as my therapist, my darling Uly and Brené Brown have encouraged me to do. I'm ready to show you more of who I am, not because I want sympathy or anything like that, but because I no longer want to contribute to the taboos around speaking up about mental health. Maybe it will make you (and me!) feel less alone in all this too. So in future, you might see a little more honesty from me. I want to tell you my story. Maybe I'll tell you more about the terribly underfunded mental healthcare system in the UK, too? Who knows where this will go, but I feel better already knowing that I don't have to hide anymore. Thanks for listening. #therealsistermountain #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmonday #mentalhealthrecovery #anxiety #anxietyrecovery #anxietysupport #knittingastherapy #whyiknit #knittersofinstagram #makersmovement
This weekend, I finished my second pair of #morganjeans, which I've been dreaming of having in my wardrobe for a LONG time. They are made from an organic seeded undyed denim that I bought from @raystitch on my birthday last month. It's a 14oz denim, so they're nice and heavy - I've worn them all day today and I can already feel them softening to my body shape. The hardest part of making my first pair of Morgan Jeans was installing the buttons and rivets. I couldn't get them in flush, so they're all a bit wonky. Second time around, I used a different set of buttons from @prym.consumer and I'm very pleased with how they came out! Much more flush to the fabric and somehow, easier to install. I didn't bother with rivets this time. The fact that I managed to make these gorgeous jeans blows my mind! I can only thank @closetcase.patterns for their incredible instructions and tutorials. This has genuinely changed my life! I don't know if I will ever buy jeans again?! I can't recommend this pattern enough! I'll share a photo of me wearing the jeans soon, but in the meantime, here is my button installing setup! A chopping board, a pencil, an awl, a hammer, the jeans buttons and the weird little tool that helps with installing the buttons in alignment. #sistermountainsews #closetcasepatterns #jeansmaking #raystitch #slowfashion #slowmaking #sewistsofinstagram #sewing #sewinglove #sewinglife #makersgonnamake #makersmovement
This weekend, I suddenly had a wobble over the colour of my #arnesweater. • I know that I look good in blue and grey which is why it's so easy to choose yarn in those colours when I'm knitting for myself. • This pink is a colour I love, but it's out of my comfort zone. I don't have anything quite this shade in my wardrobe which feels like a risk! • Mainly, I am worried because it is rather close to my skin tone... Which supposedly breaks all the colour rules. But as @eliandbarry said earlier, it will pair well with a "f*** the rules attitude". • I'm choosing a beautiful sweater in a colour I love over someone else's rules. • #sistermountain #wearmorecolour #madewiththefibreco #thefibrecomeadow #isagersilkmohair #isager #knitting #knittinglove #knitamorewearablewardrobe #handmadewardrobe #imakemyclothes #makersgonnamake #makersmovement
They're starting to look like jeans, aren't they? Ever since I made my first #morganjeans by @closetcase.patterns in 11oz Cone Mills denim, I've wanted to make another pair in ecru. I found some gorgeous organic seeded denim in @raystitch a couple of weeks ago and knew it was the perfect fabric for the job. The fabric has lots of tiny little slubby bits that are darker - almost like vanilla seeds. Handy for hiding dirt! It's also 14oz denim so they will be nice and heavy 👌 I'm very happy with how they're going so far. I ended up sizing down, since my last pair stretched out considerably. This, paired with the heavier fabric, should make them a really nice fit. I'm about 2/3 done and can't wait to have them in my wardrobe! I shall let you know how it goes. #sistermountain #closetcasepatterns #jeansmaking #lovetosew #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #handmadewardrobe #imakemyclothes #organicdenim #makersmovement
Today is a very grey day in London: the kind of day that requires candles and tea all day long. Thankfully, I've ticked off all the admin work I needed to do today so all that's left is to start swatching with these beauties 🤩 A very cosy end to the day! @shibuiknits reached out to me last year to see if I'd like to collaborate on some self-published designs with them. Finally, I have the brain capacity to get started! They sent me a "mix kit" of all their yarns, all in a pigeon grey. They are spectacular - it's such a treat! The intention is to play around with mixing yarns to see what kind of fabrics I can create. I have both a sweater and a hat design in mind - I'll be sharing what I come up with very soon. Have you worked with @shibuiknits before? What is your favourite of their yarns? #sistermountain #shibuiknits #knitting #knittingaddict #knittinglove #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit #maker #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #handmadewardrobe #slowmaking #slowfashion
In less than 3 months, I'll be marrying this wonderful man. Time is really flying now! • I love making things for @ulysses_sean. It took me a while to figure out what best to make him though. • It started with meticulously hand-sewn aprons (he was going through a carpentry phase) then several knitted hats, a jacket and a t-shirt. Each were lovingly appreciated, but nothing "clicked" until I knitted socks. • After promising them for over a year, I finally finished them at the end of last year. He loved them so much that he'd barely take them off his feet! • Regrettably, I used a less-than-appropriate yarn for the task (why do I do this? 😂) So the things are already darned to the max! The mending makes them look pretty cool, but they may have a shorter life than intended 🙈 • I think he might be due a second, more hard-wearing pair. Maybe something to celebrate becoming Mountain Manipons? Definitely a knitworthy occasion! • #therealsistermountain #mistermanipon #knitworthy #knitting #knittersofinstagram #makersmovement #sockknitting #sockknittersofinstagram #imakemyclothes #littlecornersofmyhome #knittersgonnaknit