Louise Tilbrook Designs

Knitting designer, blogger, keeper of cats. Also addicted to coffee

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It's been a long time.

Adding a post here to remind myself how Tumblr works

#Knitting #BlanketKnitting #Chevrons

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I said I wouldn't....but I couldn't resist. Have to admit by bring a little surprised at my #bestnine2017 though. I have really been trying to up my Insta game this year and take more care with the composition and lighting of my photos, but the ones that appear to have done best are literally quick snaps. The hat in particular was just plonked down and snapped in less than 5 seconds. I guess there's a lesson in that somewhere - what resonates with people and what sparks the most conversation and interest isn't necessarily a stylised image (although that's what all the Insta gurus say works best). Maybe because I primarily connect to Knitters here -and as we all know knitters are a special bunch. When we see a pretty photo we instantly want more details. What pattern is that? Love that yarn colourway! Photos which can seem quite bland or unremarkable can often spark a genuine and warm conversation in a way that I'm not sure happens with other online creative types. Definitely food for thought as we move into 2018 #knittersofinstagram #igknitters #alltheknits #knitlove #knitlife #instaknit #knitstagram #louisetilbrookdesigns #instatricot #tricot #stricken #knittersoftheworld #i_loveknitting #knittinginspiration #knitting_inspiration #ravelry

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After a bit of a break I've finally got my fingers to the keyboard and hit the blog again. I really love this time of year between Christmas and New Year, all the more so as it gives us valuable downtime as a family. Time to cosy up, snuggle down and just generally 'be us'. Lots of family films and lots of knitting time. Heaven. #calmversation #winterknitting #thesemomentsofmine #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #nothingisordinary #aseasonalyear #ofquietmoments #quietthechaos #myeverydaymagic #livethelittlethings

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You know that I'm getting some serious planning done when I crack out the colour coordinating highlighters! This year has been pretty full on, amazing, busy and chaotic all rolled into one. I'm thrilled that my "side business" is doing so well and excited for the coming year. Giving up my science career is a big step as so much of my identity has been tied up with my work. Next year is about redefining who I want to be now and how my home life can support my business rather than taking my energy away from it. I'm really excited to start using my new planner (you know me - any excuse for a new planner) and setting some goals for the coming year. Out of shot - coffee (obviously) and mince pies (for brain fuel) #makersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #seekinspirecreate #calmversation #thesimplethings #simplepleasures #persuehappy #intentionalliving #makersbusinesstoolkit #stillswithstories #alifeofintention #myeverydaymagic

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As we approach the shortest day I find that, for a change I'm almost embracing the dark mornings. I'm taking part in the @me_and_orla #gloomandglow course and I won't lie, it's been a bit of a challenge. I've found settings on my mobile phone camera that I never knew existed but I'm actually really enjoying it - especially playing around with creating moving images. Sunday morning here was freezing cold and overcast but there was the thickest frost on the ground. My inner sloth would have just climbed back under the duvet for a bit but I was really inspired to put on all my winter woollens get outside to try to capture some of that sense of stillness. That's definitely a time when being a Knitter pays off. Nothing says smug like a knitter with warm feet and ears 🤣🤣 #calmversation #seekmoments #lighttheworld #seekinspirecreate #seeksimplicity #nothingisordinary #persuepretty #operationsockdrawer #sockknittting #igknitters #knitstagram #instaknit #knittersofinstagram #thesemomentsofmine #winteriscoming #myeverydaymagic #hygge #finddailyhygge #selfcare #livethelittlethings #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures

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I hereby entitle this photo #festivefaffing. I've no idea if that's even a proper hashtag but it definitely feels as though it ought to be. Today has been lost to hours of driving, sitting in traffic jams and stress but I'm pleased that just for a few minutes I got to play with my knitting this morning. I could of course have used the time productively to swap the cowl onto a longer cable (it's pretty scrunched up on that one as you can see) but that wouldn't have been nearly so much fun 😀 #knittersofinstgram #igknitters #winterknits #winterknitting #honeycowl #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #knitadddict #gloomandbloom #seekinspirecreate #seekmoments #momentslikethese #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #stillswithstories #calmversation #pursuehappy #hygge #i_loveknitting #winteriscoming #ofquietmoments #nothingisordinary

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Apologies in advance if your feed is already full of snow photos but we get it so rarely here in our part of the country that we are beyond excited. And knowing the Instagram algorithm it might not show this to you until Wednesday evening anyway. So I'm going to pour myself another coffee, knit on my sock and watch the snow falling gently. I love the peace and silence that seems to descend with the snow. Everything seems more muffled and muted. Well... Apart from the yells from the younger contingent who are desperate to go outside and build snowmen 🤣 #thesemomentsofmine #mymonthofsundays #calmversation #seeksimplicity #seekinspirecreate #pursuehappy #winteriscoming #gloomandbloom #stillswithstories #liveauthentic #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #aquietmoment #nothingisordinary_ #flashesofdelight

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Possibly my favourite thing about knitting socks is that when they are done they're done. Just a few ends to weave in, a quick block and then they are ready to wrap and give as a gift. And I have a shiny, empty pair of needles just waiting for my next project. But as the lovely Jasmine and Gigi of the @knitmoregirls say needles get cold when they are empty so I'd better cast on something new to keep them warm. #operationsockdrawer #winteriscoming #seekinspirecreate #thesemomentsofmine #thesemoments #seeksimplicity #calmversation #knitstagram #igknitters #knitadddict #sockknittting #idratherbesockknitting #i_loveknitting #tricot #stricken #stripysocks #sockyarn #stillswithstories #slowlife #pursuehappy #simplepleasures #alifeofintention #myeverydaymagic #hygge #finddailyhygge

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Having been a fervent coffee addict for years I'm coming to the slow conclusion that too much coffee does not agree with me and certainly doesn't help my sleep. So I'm replacing all but my first morning coffee with tea - and slowly rediscovering the joys of sitting down with my little teapot and some knitting. The pot holds just enough so that I can get that crucial second cup without having to leave the comfort of the sofa 🤣 Snuggled up yesterday, watching the snow and trying to ignore the enormity of DHs sweater - just enjoying the here and now. Tea, quiet calm and yarn.... If I could do that every day I'd be a little Zen-like oasis of tranquility 😀 #homeisacupoftea #seekinspirecreate #seeksimplicity #calmversation #stillswithstories #thesimplethings #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #knitlove #igknitters #knitlife #projectsweaterchest #idratherbesockknitting #knittersofinstagram #aquietmoment #momentslikethese #persuehappy #hygge #livethelittlethings #teaandknitting #knitting_inspiration #ofquietmoments #finddailyhygge

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This weekend I found myself a tiny bit obsessed with the winter light. Having been out of the house during the day, all week it was really lovely to just sit and watch the light shifting in patterns through the room. At this time of year good daylight is really precious and it makes me realise just how much light affects my mood. On another note I have to report that I am officially crap at crochet. I don't think lack of sleep helped but I quickly got frustrated with my inability to crochet the cowl I had planned. Instead I grabbed my trusty 6.5mm Addis and knit a cowl instead. And yes, as the rain lashes down against the window this morning I'll certainly be wearing it to work later. Hang in there - the light will be back soon x #hygge #finddailyhygge #calmversation #winteriscoming #knittinginspiration #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #mymonthofsundays #slowlife #seekinspirecreate #seeksimplicity #thesemoments #i_loveknitting #louisetilbrookdesigns #ofquietmoments #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #aseasonalshift #knitting_inspiration #coffeeandseasons #coffeeandknitting

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My cunning plans for the weekend. I'm really struggling with insomnia right now and consequently I have very little brain power to spare during the day. A cosy, quiet day with a log fire and some soothing crochet are on my agenda for today. Lots of herbal tea (this is my only coffee for the day) and I might stretch to a frosty walk later - anything to improve my chances of a good night's sleep tonight. #makingwinter #hygge #finddailyhygge #calmversation #simplethingsmadebeautiful #handmadewardrobe #slowlife #wintercrafternoons #winteriscoming #nothingisordinary #simplepleasures #ofquietmoments #seekinspirecreate #seeksimplicity #malabrigo

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I really must get my stash organisation under control. Whilst having a little rootle a few days ago I can across these two perfect grey skeins of @thefibrecompany Cumbria yarn that I had totally forgotten about. I was just thinking that I needed some DK weight yarn for a hat and then lo and behold - there it was. At least I found it before I bought new yarn which is what I normally end up doing. I'm sure I can't be the only one that does that 😀😀 #knittersofinstagram #instaknit #instaknitters #igknitters #tricot #stricken #knittersoftheworld #perlestrikk #winterknitting #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #greylove #allthegreys #simplethingsmadebeautiful #yarnlove #wovember #wovember2017 #stash #simplepleasures #handknitsarebest #knitfastdiewarm

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How many Facebook Groups are you a member of? I found myself getting a little snowed under at the weekend and it came as a shock to find I was somehow a member of over 100 groups - some I had joined ages ago and almost forgotten about. After a little digital detox my Facebook feed felt a lot lighter and less overwhelming and I was actually seeing the notifications I wanted to see rather than a lot of clutter. On the blog (click the link in the bio): a few tips that I found helpful in cleaning up my Facebook groups. Having said all that, if you aren't a member of my Everyday Knitter Facebook group why not pop over and say hi. It's a busy group - so some of the notification tips from the blog post might help - but we are really friendly. Don't let FB fear put you off. #knittersofinstagram #knittersofig #igknitters #knitstagram #everydayknitter #louisetilbrookdesigns #tricot #i_loveknitting #knitlove #knitlife #knitadddict #idratherbeknitting #handknitsarebest #slowlife #knitting #knitting_inspiration #knittinginspiration #knitting_lovers_of_insta #knitting_inspire

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I'm really pleased with how this little hat turned out. I'm holding the yarn double as it's @blackeryarns Tamar 4ply and I really like the marled effect you get when you combine the colours. I now have an urge to carry on and see how many hats I can squeeze out of these 3 skeins of 4ply yarn. #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #handknits #handmadewardrobe #slowfashion #knitadddict #britishwool #wovember2017 #simplethingsmadebeautiful #simplepleasures #tricot #selbstgestrickt #igknitters #handgefarbtewolle #knitting_lovers_of_insta #knitting_inspiration #ilovetoknit #i_loveknitting

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If there is a more perfect grey than this then I'm yet to find it. I was lucky enough to have a quick trip to @looplondonloves the other day and DH picked out this skein from @theuncommonthread for some socks. He really wants a sweater - for a 50" chest in "not thick" wool 😨😨 So the socks were by way of a diversion. Swipe left for my other modest purchases. My first ever skein of Plucky Knitter and the most gorgeous skein of teal yarn from Madelaine Tosh which literally fell off the shelf into my arms - it was clearly fate. Edit: why the heck does my autocorrect keep changing skein to shrub! I'm sure I type skein much more frequently 🤣 #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #yarnlove #sockyarn #greylove #allthegreys #tricot #stricken #knitadddict #stash #sockknittting #operationsockdrawer #idratherbesockknitting #i_loveknitting #best_knitters #strompa #sukkaapukkaa #lys #loveyourlys #londonknitters #stashenhancement

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I forgot to take a picture before starting the border so the top is scrunched on my needles but I finished knitting all 100 of the squares for my Hue Shift Afghan this week!! Already seamed the 4 sections together and got a decent start on the border. I’m making my border in a navy blue instead of black, to keep the blanket bright and lively since it’s going to a kid

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How amazing is this photo by Emma @eldenwood_craft She is knitting my #worththefussshawl in a beautiful grey yarn from @yantantetherayarns and I love the way it matches her super project bag too. I don't mind a bit of colour every now and again but give me the choice and grey wins every time. Grey for the win! #greylove #allthegreys #knitstagram #knitlove #knitlife #igknitters #knittersofinstagram #instaknit #shawlknitting #knitadddict #louisetilbrookdesigns #designersofinstagram #ravelrydesigners #ravelry #i_loveknitting #tricot #tricoter #stricken #garterstitch #simplethingsmadebeautiful #thesemoments #simplepleasures #slowlife