Close Knit Friends

I recently produced a television show on Create and Craft TV that aimed to highlight the Big Knitathon which is an event to be held on the 16th November in aid of the Big Issue foundation.

Hearing how The Big Knitathon hopes to raise awareness of the role of the Big Issue seller, and funds for the Big Issue foundation, through a communal project to create the worlds biggest knitted blanket shows just how connected the creative world can be.

I genuinely struggle with knitting (although can crochet) but wanted to send Stephen Robertson, the CEO of The Big Issue Foundation, something to show appreciation for taking the time to come into the studios and being brave enough to learn to knit live on TV and so I decided to make a card to encapsulate the community spirit that he inspired in me.

In my collection of stamps I have one of the Makey Bakey stamp sheets from Crafters Companion called Knit and Natter- ‘perfect!’ I thought.

After a while playing, making and remaking I finally settled on this design.

I was pretty happy with the results. I like the way the sentiment summarizes the creative connection that we all share.

What do you reckon – nice eh?

As it was mostly basic techniques, I didn’t do any step by steps but here is a quick overview.

1. Emboss the background and brush with Worn Lipstick distress ink. Mat and layer this onto some black, pink and black card. Mount this onto a card. (Sorry, I don’t know the name of the design of the embossing folder that I used – if you do, please feel free to note it in the comments box below).
2. Stamp out the main design and colour in with pencil. I used Neenah card for this. Die cut this with an oval die and then mat and layer this onto a scalloped oval cut from black cardstock. Stick this onto the card with foam tape to raise it up a little.
3. Cut a black strip of card, then a white strip and mat and layer these onto the background.
4. Stamp out the sentiment, with black pigment ink and clear embossing powder. Cut this into a strip the same width as the strip in the last step and then shape the end with an inverted point. Layer this onto black cardstock and shape again. Stick this over the strip in the last step with some dimensional glue so that it is slightly curved.
5. (Optional) finished off with gems around the outer edge.

Anyway, that was it, nice and simple and just the right sentiment I think.

Here are a few more images to give you a better view.

And finally the finished card again.

So, that’s it for this one.

The card will be winging it’s way to Stephen this week and hopefully some of you will be taking part in The Big Knitathon.

If you would like to find out more about the Big Issue Foundation, The Big Issue or The Big Knitathon, please feel free to visit the Big Issue Website.

Thank you for reading and, if you are taking part in the event, I hope that you have a successful day in raising funds for the charity.

If you have any comments, thoughts or questions please feel free to use the comments box below or come and find me on my Facebook page.

Take care, see you again soon.

J :)