Book recommendations and reviews August

Here are my book recommendations and reviews for August. I love to read and I've started keeping a list every month along with a reading journal, here are m reviews and recommendations.  There's a range of different novels. My Goodreads goal is to read 152 books, currently (as at end of August) I've read about 117. I set a goal to read 2 fiction books every week so 8 books this month but I read 10 instead. My other goal is to read 2 non-fiction books in a month but like last month I didn't finish reading any non-fiction books. 

Tutorial on how to do a knitted cast on

The knitted cast on was the first one I learn how to do when I first started knitting.  It is quite a good cast on as it doesn't unravel like a long tail cast on can if you drop a stitch on the first row, perfect for learning how to knit.  Though it can be slower than a long tail cast on. In this tutorial, you will learn how to do a slip knot and how to do a knitted cast on step by step.   

What's that stitch - beaded rib

Welcome to what's that stitch series! This is a pretty rib that adds a different texture to the rib. Learn what beaded rib is, how to do beaded rib and a few project ideas for using this stitch along with our handy stitch cards. 

Cozy Woodland Cottage Welcomes Spring

Welcome to the new section on our website where I’ll share snippets of our life at the cottage.  It's September here which means spring is here. The weather has been warmer though the mornings and evenings are still quite cool, in a few weeks time day light savings will start.

Mysterious trek through the unknown: the road to diagnosis

Some of you have asked why there were not many posts in 2019 and where I disappeared to. The short answer is I’d been in and out of hospital wondering what the heck was going on with my health, scared, anxious and so many other emotions as well. I’d spent more time there than at home with my family where I’d rather be of course. 

Book recommendations and reviews July

Here are my book recommendations and reviews for July. I love to read and I've started keeping a list every month along with a reading journal.  There's a range of different novels crime, relationships, Christian, romance with different settings eg. country, Hollywood, India, San Francisco, Paris, airport, and Massachusetts. 

What's that stitch - Bamboo stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series!

This is quite a versatile stitch that could be used for quite a few different projects.  Learn what bamboo stitch is, how to do bamboo stitch and a few project ideas for using this stitch along with our handy stitch cards. 

Book archives 2020

Come and visit the archives and see the books Fairy Arjaye read in 2020, her favourites and her book stats for 2020.

Health benefits of knitting

There are many things knitting helps improve such as stress, anxiety, self-esteem, recovering from an operation and depression. As well as being enjoyable and relaxing. So how does knitting help?

Knitting project: autumn throw

 

I thought I would share the chunky autumn throw I knitted.  This chunky throw is quick and easy to knit up, it is a free pattern by Paintbox yarns.  I knitted it with the first colour pack I've ever bought it is called an autumn leaves colour pack by paintbox.  I decided to start knitting it for autumn to decorate the house for autumn and also brighten up the room. 

Free twisted bracelet knitting pattern

Looking for a knitted bracelet? This free twisted bracelet knitting pattern is easy to follow with step by step instructions. Twisted bracelets are a great way to add something to an outfit, these look lovely by themself or with two stacked together.

Quick and easy tutorial on how to purl through the back loop (PTBL)

A quick and easy tutorial on how to knit through the back loop, with each step written with instructions and photos, also includes image descriptions as well. This tutorial is similar to our tutorial on how to knit through the back loop.

Event: Knit In Public Day 2021

                                    

Knit in public day where people from all around the world get together and knit for a great cause to help others.  Each Knit in public (KIP) is hosted by a volunteer or a group of volunteers.  Each KIP is held in different places and countries. Ours this year is being hosted online on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Quick and easy tutorial on how to knit through the back loop (KTBL)

Quick and easy tutorial on how to knit through the back loop, with each step written with instructions and photos. 

What's that stitch - caterpillar stitch vertical

Welcome to this months stitch in our what's that stitch series, this month stitch is caterpillar stitch vertical! This is a simple and fun stitch to do.  Learn what caterpillar stitch vertical is, how to do caterpillar stitch vertical and a few project ideas for using this stitch.

Knitted Bunnie Soft Toys For Easter

I thought I would share the knitted bunny soft toy I started knitting for the little master crafters for Easter, while they still are not finished as I'm still knitting them its ok that they are being knitted it was a busy month.

How to do tile stitch

Welcome to our knitting stitch series what's that stitch? This week learn how to do tile stitch, it is quite an easy stitch to do and I think it might just be my new favourite stitch. Tile stitch creates rows of tiles with a garter stitch border around the edges of each of them.  Learn about this stitch, how to do tile stitch, get a few project ideas and grab our free printable handy stitch card. 

Knitted Black Cat Soft Toy part 2

I thought I would share the black cat again now that I've finished knitted the clothes for the soft toy cat and now that I've finished stitching up the soft toy black cat that I knitted to look similar to my yarn keeper and warden Mischief. 

How to do hurdle stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series.  This month's stitch is a simple stitch knitted in knit and purl stitches called hurdle stitch.  Hurdle stitch creates rows of garter stitch ridges with rib in between and can also be used instead of a rib stitch.  Learn about this stitch, how to do hurdle stitch, get a few project ideas and grab our free printable handy stitch card. 

Knitting Journal: Knitted baby gift set

 

I thought I would share the baby gift set I have been knitting for our friends baby.  When my partner told me they were having a baby I hadn't realised how soon their baby was due, any day now! So I quickly started to knit up this gift set for the baby. 

Hand Knitted Items now in our shop

 

Hi welcome to our first shop update! Our hand knitted products have finally launched and this shop update includes beautiful toddler headbands.   

How therapeutic knitting has helped me

Knitting is used by a lot of people as a form of therapy to help with various things and is therapeutic for lots of reasons too.  I share some of my chronic illness journey and how therapeutic knitting has helped me through the tough times with it and how therapeutic knitting might be able to help you too.  

What's that stitch? Seed stitch

Seed stitch creates raised bumps along the row.  I thought moss stitch and seed stitch were both the same just different names for the same stitch but I've since learnt that they aren't the same. Learn about this stitch, how to do seed stitch and get a few project ideas. 

Free Printable Knitting Essentials Checklist

I decided to compile a list with an explanation for a basic knitting kit, handy extras and knitting extras with a photo for easy reference to each knitting accessory along with an explanation about what they are used for. 

Knitting Journal: Superhero Soft Toys

  

I thought I would share the superhero soft toys  I have been knitting for presents.  I thought they would make the perfect present so decided to knit their favourite superhero's - Spiderman and Batman for them to play and have adventures with. 

How to do a yarn forward (yfd) in 5 easy steps

A yarn forward is used in knitting for a few different things from making a button hole or eyelets to thread ribbon or a finger knitted chain through. Learning to knit doesn't have to be hard, to make it easier to understand I have created 5 easy steps to make a yarn forward. Each step by step in the tutorial has a photo to go with it.

What's that stitch? Moss stitch

After thinking seed stitch was another name for moss stitch depending which country you are from I learnt a while ago that moss stitch looks completely different,  the stitch pattern is similar though.

How to organise your yarn stash

If your yarn stash in a mess, tangled all up or if you can't find where your project is this post is perfect for you. I too used to have trouble finding yarn and projects here are 4 ways to organise your yarn stash along with a few ways you could store your yarn.

Printable inspirational wall art

Wall art just launched! These are perfect for adding to your wall or in a binder with your planner. I've created 6 lots of inspirational wall art for you. Most have scenery taken from around Cozy Woodland Cottage knits and others just have the text or a rectangle with the text as well as the scenery.

Knitting Journal: Knitted Christmas Toys

 

Today I thought I would share the knitted Christmas soft toys I knitted for my children.  These are so cute and knitted up quickly.  I knit my children something each year for Christmas, this Christmas I wasn't sure what to knit for them and then when I saw the pattern for these I decided to create them.  

Printable PDF calendars for 2021

 

New Calendars are now out for 2021! These are perfect for keeping track of appointments, birthdays and events. I've created a two different designs one is a scenery calendar featuring scenery around Cozy Woodland Cottage Knits.  The other one is a knitting calendar featuring different stitches from the what's that stitch series.