Louise Dawson Design On Instagram In January

Happy February to you all! When I look back on my "On Instagram" blog posts from last year I really did repeat words like "This year is flying by!" an awful lot and I'm beginning to think that this year will be no exception. January whizzed by very quickly!

Today I'd like to share my Instagram photos from January- I have shared the photos in the order that I posted them on Instagram, so you get an idea of how the month unfolded.

I hope you had a good January. Thanks for letting me share- what did you get up to?

We saw in the new year with friends and I shared knitted best wishes

I began working on new designs, starting with sorting out my Shetland wool stash

I'm determined to complete some long standing projects this year, like this Granny Square blanket

These hand knitted, Fair Isle Shetland wool necklaces were the first new pieces I added to my Etsy Shop this year

Sharing my lovely sparkly hair bow from the lovely Jo, aka Adventures and Tea Parties

The particularly cold weather was a great reason to cosy up indoors and knit new designs!

Nelson approached January in his usual laid back style!

Thinking of Spring and stitching new Harris Tweed necklaces

Two friends of mine went out separately to buy me a Christmas present and a thank you present and both bought me the same lovely box, so now I have two very sweet boxes to store my sewing kit

Two more projects that I'm determined to get finished this Winter- a lovely super chunky jumper and cardigan

And another one! This was part way through knitting a foot stall for my Mum. I'm pleased to say I've now finished knitting it, I just need to sew it up and stuff it. I'll share some photos when it's finished. It was lovely to knit as it is made using two strands of super chunky yarn held together, so it's super squishy and kept me warm while I was knitting it!

This was another new piece that I added to my Etsy Shop- a lovely bright mustard Harris Tweed button brooch, with upcycled fabrics

Some work in progress and tea! I am usually found with a cup of tea close by

A lovely customer knitted me this very cosy fisherman's rib jumper to her own pattern- so clever and so kind

I shared a look back at 2016 through photos

Recent designs that can be found in my Etsy Shop

Nelson loves to get involved in everything I do, especially if he can sit on things and stop me working! I love this photo

Close up of some of my Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces

I was pleased to make some progress on the blanket throughout the month. I love my orange Knit Pro Waves soft grip crochet hook

I made this Shetland wool necklace and brooch as a custom order for a lovely customer asa gift for her knitter sister. I love working with customers to create special gifts

Group shot of some of my Fair Isle necklaces

As it's been such a chilly month I re-shared my bead embellished gloves How To. I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to the cold days

These are the latest new pieces that I've added to my Etsy Shop- three Spring inspired Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces

I hope you had a fab January and here's to a great month ahead. Share what you got up to in January in the comments!

On Instagram In January

With January now coming to an end, 2016 is now well and truly underway. It's been a busy month, here's a look at what I've been up to through my Instagram photos...

Happy New Year! Knitting this sparked some ideas for new products featuring lettering, watch this space!

One of my Harris Tweed Button Brooches all packaged and ready to be sent to its new home

I was chuffed when a lovely customer got in touch to ask me to design a Fair Isle necklace as a gift for her friend, using her choice of colours. I love making custom orders!

New colours in beautiful Fenella British wool, which I'm currently knitting into Fair Isle jewellery designs

Zandra Rhodes said you should always wear what you make and I try to wear something I've made everyday. I often wear a group of my brooches together because I can never choose which colour to wear!

The weather in January has been a strange mix of warm, freezing, wind and rain, but there were signs of Spring on our walk around Hyde Hall 

Nelson sleeping, which is his favourite pastime. Love those toes!

Knitting new Shetland Wool Fair Isle jewellery pieces, coming to my Etsy Shop soon!

Working on a How To with hot chocolate and marshmallow fuel. It's been so cold, I've enjoyed the excuse to drink more hot choc!

Nelson's other favourite pastime is "helping" by sitting on whatever it is I'm trying to do!

Tiny Clanger! I knitted her for my little niece and she was so pleased. I'd like to make one for myself to keep as a mascot!

We don't take many pictures of ourselves but I've decided we should take more for posterity! This is Mr Writer and I all wrapped up for a Wintery walk. This was also a good chance to snap a pic of him wearing his Winter clothes. I really feel the cold but he won't wear his Winter coat and hat unless it's below 5 degrees!

I've been making more of my Swarovski Crystal and Freshwater Pearl "Half Moon" necklaces, incorporating beads from broken jewellery. I haven't managed to add any to my Etsy Shop before I've sold them, so this is a goal for the new year!

I'm working on some new Harris Tweed Button Brooches in Spring shades of pale pink, lilac and blue. Coming to my Etsy Shop soon!

Nelson doing more "helping" while I was taking photos for an upcoming How To!

And gate crashing while I was taking photos on a chair by the window, He stayed like this for the rest of the day. It's a cat's life hey?!

If you would like to have a glimpse of what I get up to behind the scenes at Louise Dawson Design, you can follow me on Instagram here. I'd love to follow you too!

What did you get up to in January?

On Instagram in January

Here's a little look at January through my Instagram photos. I hope you all had a good January!

It's been a very damp month but the gardens are looking lovely and green!

I started a new knitting project, a jumper from the Rowan Easy Winter Knits book. I love this colour! I only hope I can get it finished to wear before the end of Winter!

I bought some Matcha Tea from the Bluebird Tea Company and I'm trying to be healthy and drink a cup every day 

How cute is this Flo-Jo Boutique Knicker Making Kit?! So looking forward to making these, they are going to be my Small Project Challenge for February!

Handsome Nelson cat

Out and about down  by the river

Work in progress. Swarovski Crystal and Freshwater Pearl Necklaces, coming soon!

I made some Millionaires Shortbread using this recipe. It was surprisingly simple to make and so yummy!

I bought some off-cuts of traditional Scottish wool Tartan on ebay and I'm looking forward to turning them into jewellery. Watch this space!

What did you get up to in January?