Gemma's Devon Diary

10/01/2025

https://youtu.be/gKm-_ZpH_4w

Hello and welcome back to my channel.Happy new year! As there are so many new lovely folk here, I thought I'd do a quick recap of all my 2024 finishes so th...

22/11/2024

https://youtu.be/q-OrDIiPsLA?si=swxOyzKoSdwCp0xZ

This week's episode is up!

Hello and welcome back to my channel. This week I've a traditional format podcast for you with a couple of finishes and some progress.But mostly a huge THAN...

20/11/2024

https://youtu.be/WgwAxLu44RY

I've not shared my latest video here yet because I've been so busy but it seems to be popular! How many WiPs do you think I had at the point this photo was taken? Let me know your guesses below and then join me for my WiP Walk of Shame by clicking the link to see if you were right!

How many projects do you have at the moment? What's your favourite thing to work on? Let me know!

Hello and welcome to this special bumper episode in which I finally answer the most frequently asked question: just how many WIPS do I have?Join the facebook...

16/11/2024

Finished these during the summer but it's finally cool enough for Robin to wear them.

Yarn is WYS Signature 4ply in Kingfisher and I cast on 52 stitches on 2.5mm needles.

The sticky dots are from Knitbits in Teignmouth and yarn is from

15/11/2024

I've finally woven in the ends on this beauty. My first granny square garment and I love it. Not for me though, this one is headed to

The yarn is WYS Elements DK which is a luxurious merino/tencel blend. It has the sheen and drape of silk, the softness of merino, and the strength of nylon.

Pattern is the granny square sweater by who writes awesome patterns. The project is perfect for a beginner crocheter too and comes with US and UK terms in the paid-for version although there is a version available on her blog too.

The hem is split and I opted for a slightly longer hem at the back than the front.

13/11/2024

Day 13 of from is crafty throwback. I'm throwing back to my most popular pattern (aside from the Lara's Legacy socks) the Popcorn garland Cowl.

I designed it in yarn of the same name by my dear friend and held merino nylon double with floof.

It was so soft and beautiful to make and I am very proud of this design! I gave the original away to someone who loved it and kept pinching it to wear at work and I hope she still loves it. Jude gave me more yarn of the same to re knit it for myself so that is definitely going to happen. As Jude has hung up the dyepots for adventures new the yarn and cowl will be even more treasured.

You can find the pattern on Payhip.

12/11/2024

Day 10 was crafting community for

I've been lucky enough to share in some wonderful communities during my time in the yarny world. From my home knit groups, to The Yarn Dispensary, to IVKN, to the groups I ran during lockdowns virtually which led to some of the most precious friendships I've shared.

I've yet to fully settle into real live community stuff here in Devon but my YouTube community is growing- search The Midnight Dyery on YouTube to find out just what I'm doing here with a giant inflatable cactus!

11/11/2024

Robin tried on his pyjamas tonight and loves them!
I am so so proud of this make. It was my first time doing a pyjama jacket and who would have thought a sleeve could make you cry? But I got there!

Huge thanks to Naomi at for all the advice, kitting me out with all I needed and encouraging me to give it a go.

Pattern is Pomegranate Pyjamas from Poppy and Jazzy by

Made for Robin's 3rd birthday.

09/11/2024

https://youtu.be/6BNOeL_4KPU?si=uKLHO8_CwDrrQhAR

08/11/2024

Day 7 of # was crafting goals.

I want to try new things, make exciting projects from beautiful books such as these two from SearchPress.

I want cables, brioche, the stunning lace patterns that I've been hoarding from for years since I started tearing them out of magazines. I want to knit my husband a sweater and stick two fingers to to the stupid curse. I want to use all the beautiful yarns in my stash and wear garments with pride.

And somewhere in all that...? I want to make patchwork quilts and more pyjamas for my son.

First step? Clear the decks of my works in progress.

How many? Oh about 40 I reckon!

Join me next week for a walk of shame though them all and help me decide which to finish and which to discard forever.

08/11/2024

https://youtu.be/3iJfDQDoi_M

Hello and welcome back to my Devon Diary.This week I've some sock knitting to share and it really is love as I'm using demon sticks. We visit a pumpkin patc...

04/11/2024

Day 4 of from is favourite material.

Hands down mine is yarn. Yarn is so... deep. From the special sheep it came from, like Ali's Wensleydales back in Doddington, to the dyers who brought the colour, to the designers who created the patterns you make, to the people you give the makes to.

Yarn weaves so many things and people together.
My projects are intrinsically linked to these people many of whom had and continue to have special meaning to me. Folk wander in and out of your life but the stitches hold you together and become your own tapestry, keeping them and those special moments with you always.

1) mittens knit in DK for Robin
2) Quinn's Memory Socks by in my yarn
3) Tullameen by in
4) Over the Ocean sweater by in my handdyed yarn for My newest baby nephew.
5) my autumn cosy box which linked me with three other fab small business owners including
6) Popcorn Garland cowl designed by me in Christmas yarn of the same name, pic taken while drinking an excellent cuppa courtesy of
7) a very very special adaptation of my Lara's legacy pattern by into socks and hat for My son Robin
8) dyeing with friends. created this custom colourway with me.
9) treasures purchased from pop up shop at The Yarn Dispensary - I'm guilty of hoarding these and I really should just use them. I can't ruin them - I hope?
10) hands Down my favourite indie self striping yarn: again I've knit very little of my hoard. Got to change that!
11 & 12) some of my favourites from my hand dyed collection.

04/11/2024

Day 3 of was "Creative Space"

Right now my creative space is wherever I can find time and energy, which isn't often!

At the start of half term I treated myself to some orange roses and cosied up my little corner of the sofa. My yarn basket changes each season and makes me so happy!

However in this new life of mine the physical space has expanded to the house and beyond. I'm making in the kitchen, whether it's a home cooked meal or a baked treat or playdoh. The garden is getting some love now as I attempt to grow vegetables. Around the house there are little mending jobs and creative elements. At work I'm having to be creative every day, as I play with the children.

Do you have a little creative nook for yourself?

02/11/2024

Day 2 of by is Current Project.

This one made me wince! If I had to show a photo of my current works in progress I'd need to work out the panoramic function on my phone and it probably still wouldn't all fit.

Being honest although it sounds clichéd my entire life right now is a project. I'm finding myself (cliche!), building afresh (cliche) starting down a new path (cliche) and on a bit of a journey (bingo!).

But for now I'll settle for the nearest WIP I had to hand, and the current state of my son's birthday cake..it's his first proper little party tomorrow, and he's requested a ghost cake. Tonight I am going to try and make rice crispie moulding stuff and ice the cake itself. EEK!
Hopefully it doesn't end up more like ectoplasm than cutesy ghost.

My knitting project is the Snow Day Shawl by my lovely friend Mina in my own hand dyed yarn. If you like it I think she might still have a kit left of this one.

02/11/2024

A new video dropped on my channel last night and among other things I share these adorable Mini Boos that I ordered from for Robin's party bags.

I WISH I was this talented!

Hope you've had a good weekend and if your idea of a great Saturday night is crafting and podcasts, I hope you'll join me!

https://youtu.be/3iJfDQDoi_M?si=nfPfVBVYeLT-Tyrg

01/11/2024

hosted by
Day 1 is introduction so hello here I am!

My name is Gemma and I was until recently the dyer designer and maker behind The Midnight Dyery, as well as manager of fab shop The Yarn Dispensary. Now I'm in a new chapter of life building our home in beautiful Devon in the South West of England.

My making journey started from birth, dressed in handmade garments and hand Knitted cardis from mum and Grandma. From around 9 months I would be sat in my pram in Grandma's yarn shop, babbling away. Aged around 5 grandma taught me to knit and I've not stopped since.

I enjoy all sorts of crafts: knitting, crochet, baking, and most recently sewing. My grandma is a skilled sewist and although I've dabbled it wasn't my forte. However I'd love to make clothes for my son like she made for us. I had fancy dress costumes, ballet. Costumes, my ball gown for ballroom dancing and more. I've a photo of me aged about 2 in a nightie my mum sewed and I want to surround my son with that same love.

So this year I've embarked on that journey and have just made him a pair of PJs!

Making is my love language.

What's yours? X

30/10/2024

Places you can knit...
I'm in the waiting room of a nightingale hospital knitting on a sock for Jude.

Nothing to worry about just finally meeting a specialist about my dodgy hip. Getting on a bit now don't you know? 🤣

I've only just realised where I am... the significance of the Nightingale hospital. Surreal.

What's your position on demon sticks? I'm not loving them!

29/10/2024

Hurrah! I've finally managed to change the page name to Gemma's Devon Diary.

Here's a snap of how we spent our "extra hour in bed" on Sunday - we were down at the beach, making the most of the Autumn sunshine.

What are you up to this week?