5 fab things a knitter can do in Paris

Seize the yarn, seize the day

Last week I was in Paris on a wee holiday (sigh), although now I'm home I'm not convinced I didn't just dream it! Anyhow, it was a brilliant couple of days and I thought I'd share some of my favourite bits with you in case you've got plans to head that way. Or, you know, wanna gawp at some pretty Parisian gloriousness. Been there my friend. Still am there. 

Find Yarn

Other than spending a good lot of time with Mr P and eating an approximation of my own weight in French pastry, seeking out a lovely yarn shop was pretty high up on my list. When I came across L'OisiveThe at Unwind last year, I made a mental note to try and get there if we ever went to Paris. This yarn boutique and tearoom (pinch me) is in the Butte aux Cailles area in the 13th Arrondissement. Not exactly central, but easy enough to find. We had the most incredible eggy brunch there and were given directions to their new sister store around the corner, La Bien Aimee. Wanna see? 

Wall-to-wall delicious yarn inside and painted the happiest shade of yellow on the outside. They have their own lovely hand-dyed yarn brand, too. To commemorate our special anniversary trip, Mr P treated me to some yarn (enabler alert). I had to go for the Bien Aimee Merino Singles. Parisian hand-dyed yarn? It would be rude not to. And it's just beautiful. The colour way is called Direwolf Graffiti. I'm aiming to have a shawl knitted up in this by our next anniversary. 

Get Lost

Before we set off, I spent a whole lot of time reading travel blog posts about Paris. The best bit of advice I read was to set aside some time for aimless wandering. There is SOOO much see and do in Paris that it's tempting to fill up your days, but allowing a bit of flexibility pays off. One day we set off in search of a market and ending finding a fantastic botanical garden and zoo! There's something to be said about getting lost and Paris is the most beautiful city to stroll through. 

The second best bit of advice was to always carry a brolly!

Knit Through the Queues

If famous landmarks and galleries are on your to-visit list, you're sure to encounter some form of waiting time. Being armed with your knitting or a paperback (or Kindle, if you're modern folks) is the stitches way to combat this and make the wait more enjoyable. And boy do I wish I'd prepared for this when we were waiting outside the Louvre for an hour.  

Here I am merrily knitting in the queue for the Catacombs. I got heaps done in this wait and as Mr P had forgotten the Kindle that day, he came in handy as a yarn holder (and reluctant photography). To note - matching your socks to your top won't make you a better knitter, but it will make you stick out like a sore thumb among any combination of chic Parisians. 

Take Tea

Mr P said he didn't have single bad cup of coffee in Paris, but as a tea drinker I was keen to sample some fancy tea and impossibly beautiful patisserie creations that I had no hope of pronouncing correctly. We went to Laduree on the Champs Elysees (when in Paris), where there's a restaurant and a little shop. It's stunning inside and out and Mr P had the world's best tarte tatin. The service seemed was a bit snooty, but then we were British, awkward and a bit scruffy, so fair enough. The sweet treats were really lovely so I would recommend it. 

Live Like Royalty

Or at least, see how royalty lived. Visiting the Palace of Versailles was definitely one of the best things we did. It's about a 40 minute train ride from central Paris and well worth it if you have a day you can spend there. Sooooo much to see. Wear your comfiest shoes and prepare to be overwhelmed by chandeliers and all-round opulence. I'm pretty sure we could have easily spent a week just exploring the grounds (we're talking serious acreage here). There's also a bizarrely Disney-esque, excessively quaint hamlet that Marie-Antoinette had built that has to be seen to be believed. 

Check their website for details of free entry options and special discounts. 

Follow up your visit with a viewing of Sophia Coppola's Maria Antoinette film and you'll have firmly cemented your adoration for the place. And developed some pretty severe macaron pangs. 

In short, Paris is always a good idea. 

GIVEAWAY - (at last) sew fab

It's high time we had a giveaway around these parts, right?

If you're a Knit Happens regular then you're probably well aware that, despite a textiles degree, I'm actually not much of a sewer (sewerer? sewist?), particularly since the sad demise of my sewing machine in '09. Yup, knit, crochet and embroidery all the way. As such, it seemed only right that my nonsensical sewing stash go to a much better place - your sewing table. 

I've got three sweet sewing patterns up for grabs - that means three winners - yay! Scroll down for more details on each of the patterns. They are all uncut, as new. 

To enter, all you need to do is be following Knit Happens and leave a little comment below letting me know which pattern you'd like and a way I can contact you. Feel free to tweet or share the giveaway on Facebook for an extra entry. I'll pick the winners on Monday 24th June. 

Pattern 1 - Audrey

A simple, summery empire line pattern with a full, a-line panelled skirt. Versions D and D of this frock are delightfully 50s and Hepburn-esque with their high necklines, but it can also be made with straps or a halter. The New Look pattern is for UK sizes 8-18 and is in English, French or Spanish. 

Pattern 2 - Florence

A pretty, floaty and super-versatile pattern. Work pin tuck detailing in knee length, calf length or maxi. You can make one of four different variations of the dress, or one of two cute tunics. It's a New Look pattern for sizes UK 10-22 in English, French and Spanish.

Pattern 3 - Meryl

A vintage Butterick beauty from 1994. No kidding, I actually thought the model on the front was Meryl Streep at first glance! Make a quirky, knee-skimming panelled 90s gown and cute cropped jacket.  The pattern is for UK sizes 12-16 and is in English and French. 

Bonne chance!

Mollie Makes: Bonjour Paris!

Salut lovelies!  

Ca va?

I've been working hard, getting sunburnt in the 10 minutes that was our British summer and dreaming of Paris.  Recently I collaborated with Kate from The Makery on a little feature for Mollie Makes all about flea markets in Paris.  You can spy the piece in the new issue, out in the UK today.  

Now I'm hankering for a visit.  Yes, I may appear to be at my desk or elbow deep in washing up, but really I'm running up the steps of the Sacre Coeur, pastry in hand.  Or wandering alongside the Seine with my sketchbook.  Sigh.  In the meantime I'll be watching Amelie and scouring Sainsbury's for brioche.   

Where would you like to escape to?  

Maybe you're dreaming of Paris too.  What places inspire you?

The Wedding Directory

image from here

Now the old degree is out of the way, I must admit that a small portion fair chunk of my brain has been given over to the impending nuptials.  Myself and The Chap plan to do things simply and on a meagre budget.  As such, I've been trawling the net for fun and creative ideas.   

Word of warning ladies, if you Google 'quirky weddings' you will find  a lot of hipster tissue pom-poms and 'taches out there.  I like papery things and a bit of facial furniture as much as the next person, but there are limits.  Nevertheless, I did find some fantastic original ideas and great resources.  Here's a pick of the best.  

Once Wed - A brilliant resource for budget brides.  Find stunning second hand gowns and plenty of DIY ideas.  You can even search weddings by colour, precisely how I organise my wardrobe.  It's like they knew I was coming.

Studio Chi - Gorgeous girl Chioma blogs British fashion, catwalk news and all things wedding-y.

Etsy - has now launched a wedding section.  They knew I was coming too.  Handmade here we come!

BHLDN - Divine gowns and decor from Anthropologie's bridal sister.   You can even set up an account to save all your favourite images in one place.  Way out of my price range, but great for inspiration.  Make sure you check out the vintage wedding photographs.  Sigh.

Mollie Makes - the ever delicious craft magazine is packed with fab DIY ideas, and even printed a mini wedding issue earlier in the year featuring Elsie of A Beautiful Mess' (always worth a visit) gorgeous big day.  Catch up!

Sarah Gawler - Stunning wedding photography, and some very beautiful weddings.

And what wedding directory would be complete without the brilliant All Aspects shop in Bournemouth?  Gowns, cars, stationery, menswear, it's all covered.  If you're in the South of England, call in.  You have it on very good authority, believe me.    

Phew!  I guess that's enough to be getting on with, but brides, crafters, I'd love to hear about your ideas and where you go to for inspiration.  Clue me in!  

how to be lovely

Gorgeous vintage china - so tempting!

This week has been delightfully vintage-filled.  Bath is having a fashion week and as such I managed to catch a screening of Funny Face.  If you've not seen it, find a way.  Audrey, in Paris, with Fred Astaire.  And it's a musical.  So magical to see on the big screen! 

On Sunday there was a vintage fair in town.  We got togged up and spent far too long swooning over all the old time loveliness.  Hats were bought, wallets were significantly lightened.  I regret nothing.  

Yes, that is a wicker case filled with tea cosies.  The poodle is my favourite.  A knitting challenge, perhaps? 

Don't spread it about, but I even attempted doing something with my hair.  Dangerous, I know.  On a more frabjous future day I may attempt victory rolls with this fab tutorial from A Beautiful Mess.  Callooh callay.*       

In the end I came away with a teal fedora and this exquisite lace collar.  Not sure whether I'm more excited about wearing it or drawing it!  Certainly a day off well spent.  Now back to the books. 

Have you been vintage hunting/thrifting/charity shop shopping lately? 

 What's been your most fabulous find?

*  I had to Google frabjous and callooh callay to check the spelling.  Oh, blogging.  

getting it write

This image encompasses everything I'm feeling about writing at the moment.  I've spent this year focussing on journalism and crafting so I haven't written a syllable of fiction.  Consequently, struggling somewhat with ideas and with just getting on with it.  Maybe a kitty will whisper plot lines in my ear, or I'll nod off and dream a bestseller.  Here's hoping.

Anyway, these images are the work of the lovely Julia Denos.  Her drawings are just beautiful.  She illustrated Margaret Cardillo's Just Being Audrey; every image is spot on Hepburn.  Magical. 

What's inspiring you right now?

Icon of Knit: Holly Golightly

I'm an out and out Audrey fangirl, there's no denying it.  I don't need an excuse to harp on about her, but seeing as this year is the 50th anniversary of Breakfast At Tiffany's, I thought it approriate to recognise Ms Golightly as an Icon of Knit. 

There's a great knit scene late on in the film; Holly is well on her way to "buying some furniture and giving the cat a name" and decides to take up knitting.  Her bare little apartment is strewn with red yarn, though she's concerned she may have got her pattern mixed up with blueprints for Jose's ranch - always a concern for first time knitters.  Fabulous. 

What I want to know is, where do you hot foot it to, pastry in hand, when the mean reds strike?  There isn't a Tiffany's where I live, so I go here.  Where is your Tiffany's?

P.s. If you haven't read the novel, find it, read it.  Capote is an absolute dude. 

the girl who stole the Eiffel Tower

It's decided.  I shall pack up my canary (and divine Givenchy wardrobe) so I can be in Paris when it sizzles.  I'll make an in-depth study of depravity, write a screenplay and go absolutely ape.  Or, failing that, I'll become a typist and bewitch everyone with my big, magic eyes.  Oh, to be Audrey.

In all seriousness, if you've never seen 'Paris When it Sizzles', why?  It's a hoot.  It even comes boyfriend approved.  There's enough faux melodrama, 60s glamour and Breakfast at Tiffany's nods to entertain anyone. 

What's your favourite Audrey flick?