Teaching, Falling in Love, Knitting and 'Don't Forget the Giveaway'

Teaching:
I taught a beginners class to two bloggers; Silverpebble and Mrs Thrifty Household. I knew silverpebble aka Emma in real life and in fact she was the person who inspired me to kick off Not So Granny: We randomly met outside the Post Office and chatted about this and that and her current successes and it made me realise I had to stop talking and dreaming about becoming a crochet designer or making a living 'somehow' from craft and JUST TRY IT. (so thank you!)

I had never met Mrs TH (she doesn't reveal her name on her blog so I will not 'out' her) but had been following her blog and was involved in their joint project Making Winter. They are both very lovely and really good students. Emma cheated a wee bit as she'd been trying crochet from an Attic 24 tutorial and had already made a flower (and what is a missing petal between friends?!) She also was suspiciously au fait with yarny terms like 'frogging' She did say that she'd had a few people try and teach her in the past but with no luck so I think a bit of memory, a bit of a go from a tutorial and the smallest bit of handholding from me was just the ticket. She made a beautiful coaster with picot edging.

Mrs TH was more cautious to begin with, she had done little more than look at a hook previously, but was the neatest beginner I have ever seen. Her stitches were so even and she never lost a stitch on a row. Amazing!

It was a very enjoyable evening. Emma treated us to a delicious apple cake made from Poshyarn's recipe (gosh, feel like I'm name dropping a bit!) and Emma's hubby makes THE best coffee. yum!

Falling in love:
I do not know how I missed this. It was published back in 2008 and I never saw it (too busy being preggers/newborn mad place with 2nd child perhaps?!) but it is sheer perfection and I NEED to make it.

Isn't it stunning? Its Vivian by Ysolda Teague from the Twist Collective. And best of all its seamless! I have a passion for seamless garments (hate finishing!) so I will be yarn shopping soon. Any recommendations on a lovely aran weight yarn appreciated. I have made the Sylvi Coat from their collection 

(both pictures are from the Twist Collective catalogue and copyright of them)

I must get my Sylvi photographed. It was such a joy to knit so i look forward to the challenge of another stunning cabled jumper.

Knitting:
Yes, as you may have guessed from the above, I, Not So Granny, am fully bi-craftual! I knit and crochet, (amongst other crafts varied and numerous) and this week I have been submitting to a knit magazine. No luck so far but I did get a nice email from the editor saying that she liked my stuff and to keep submitting. I was so pleased with the designs though that I think I may knit and publish them. What do you think? Can a designer be successful in both knitting and crochet or is it best to stick to one? The two are so interlinked and I enjoy them both. I find designing for crochet marginally easier but I do like to challenge myself too. Hmmm. Your thoughts appreciated.

And don't forget the giveaway!:
(references my favourite childhood book. 'Don't forget the Bacon' Fond memories but don't like it much now.) Only two weeks to enter! There is also only two weeks left to take advantage of my 50% off code for the Sylvie dress through Ravelry just enter SYLVIE at the checkout.