Etsy Shop Closed

I closed my Etsy shop today. As many other British crafters have discovered, our high UK postage costs put their largely American customer base off and so it's not been very successful. Postage prices would have had to rise significantly next month anyway.

You can still purchase items directly from me by email (see contact page at the top), by visiting the New Lanark Gift Shop or Loch an Eilein Gallery or by coming to any of the craft fairs where I am exhibiting (see craft fair page at the top).

Baljaffray Handknits in the Highlands

From March 31st, my knitting will be available at the Loch an Eilein Gallery on the Rothiemurchus Estate near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

The Rothiemurchus estate has featured in many TV programmes such as the BBC's Springwatch/ Autumnwatch and the loch was one of the locations used to film the BBC Monarch of the Glen series. The estate has much to offer those who love nature, walking and outdoor pursuits, as well as shopping in a variety of gift outlets and relaxing in its cafes.

More details of my work there will appear here shortly but, in the meantime, you can find out more about the gallery and the Rothiemurchus estate here.

New Designs For 2012

I have two new designs to showcase this month.

The first is a case for the new style Amazon Kindle e-reader. It has a 3 colour check design with a plain seed stitch flap. The one on this photo is made using navy, ecru and pebble grey New Lanark wool and costs £10.

My second new design this month is my polka dot purses. These come in a large range of colours, all with ecru "polka dots" and cost £3.50 each. These really do show the beautiful colours in the New Lanark wool range off to their best advantage.

Popular Designs Autumn 2011

I've been busy over the last 6 months designing new items, some of which I launched at craft fairs in the run up to Christmas. Here are some photos of the most popular, all of which are £10 or less.

This cosy for coffee shop paper cups comes in a variety of colours and costs just £1.25. It's more stylish and environmentally friendly than endless cardboard sleeves.

This cable mug cosy comes complete with a mug at £2.75. A variety of colours of both mugs and cosies are available.

After several requests, I also designed a cafetiere cosy for a 6-8 mug cafetiere. The textured two colour design is extra thick to keep the coffee warm. There are two rings of elastic to help the cosy slip over the handle of the cafetiere. The cosy costs £7.50.

This is a new design of tea cosy available at £8. It comes in a variety of colours.

I have designed a range of mobile phone and ipod cases which were very popular indeed in the run up to Christmas. In the picture below, which shows only some of my range, the cabled case on the left with a plain wooden button costs £2.50, the larger ecru one with the printed wooden button (large enough for a Blackberry) costs £3 and the purple one with a hand made ceramic button costs £3.25.

Finally, I designed a range of fingerless gloves which were probably my most popular items last Autumn. They come in a variety of colours and sizes. In the picture, both longer pairs cost £10 and the shorter pair costs £8.50.

Another Opportunity To See My Knitting

In addition to the craft fairs listed on my Craft Fairs page, you can also now see a very small selection of my work on display in the gift shop in Mill Three at New Lanark.

They also have a stock of my Saltire Beanie hats for sale, currently in a hanging display in the Scottish souvenirs section. These are all men's size.

Wavy Ridge Stole

Just the thing for those cool evenings over a summery dress, maybe at a wedding, a prom or a ball.

Knitted in New Lanark DK wool, the colours shown are denim and limestone (other colours are available).

The stole measures 160 x 45cm and costs £28.50.

Commissions - Commemorative Cushions

I am now taking orders for commemorative cushions. These are suitable for births, christenings, weddings, special birthdays, retirements or special anniversaries - any notable date where a special keepsake cushion would be appropriate.

They are of the same basic design as my other 16 inch cushions with a plain colour background and contrast colour writing (names, dates etc.) and simple motif (such as a heart or a cross, but many others could be devised). The cover is knitted in Aran New Lanark wool and is available with or without a 16 inch pad.

Prices for a cushion with decoration on the front only with standard wooden buttons start from £21 plus optional cushion pad (currently £2 polyester or £3 feather) plus p & p. Longer wording that spreads onto the back of the cushion is £1 extra. Covers are also available with handmade porcelain pansy buttons for an extra £5.20 (as in photo), but these will not co-ordinate with all the New Lanark wool colours available.

If you would be interested in enquiring about ordering a commemorative cushion, please contact me via email. My email address is given on the "Contact Me" page (above).