A speaker at our October meeting

I am looking forward to our October meeting.  It's next Tuesday, 4th October, 8 pm as usual.

We have a speaker coming.  Joyce Meader is her name and she will be talking about Knitting from the 1800's to 1945.  Joyce has an amazing collection of patterns and often adapts them for the modern day figure.  She knits historical knitting expert and has knitted for film and re-enactments.  http://historicknit.co.uk/

It promises to be a very interesting meeting, so I do hope lots of you can make it.

AGM 2016 and favourite patterns

AGM

The evening began with the AGM. Nina stepped down as Assistant Organiser, and suggested that a hand knitter or crocheter volunteer for the committee, in order for the committee balance to match the balance of machine knitters, hand knitters and crocheters in the club. Liz reviewed the program for the year ahead, which includes two speakers, three hands-on evenings, and the club's 40th anniversary celebration evening.

The 2017 club challenge is to knit or crochet a 2-piece set from your stash. This could be, for example: twinset; gloves and hat; baby jacket and hat; blanket and bootees; top and skirt. The rules are that it must be made from already owned stash yarn and accessories, or, at a push, second-hand yarn or accessories from a charity shop.

Liz reviewed the statistics for the blog since it started. There have been over 33,000 page views from around the world, including the United States, Holland, and Germany. There have been nearly 9000 views from the UK, and we would like to say a special hello to our subscribed followers.

Show and Tell

The club members have been very busy over the summer, and there was an amazing turn-out of show-and-tell bags.

Janet is crocheting a flower blanket, made from 9 panels. This is one of the outer 8 identical panels.

Sylvia has been knitting designs by Clair Crowston, including a pink jumper and a white cardigan.

Julie had knit a purple/multi-colour cardigan that was intended for the 2015-16 club challenge, but was unfortunately misplaced.

Julia had knit some baby blankets, including a pink and white shell stitch crocheted blanket, and a yellow and white knit and crocheted blanket. Sandra knit a very sparkly silver hedgehog (facial features to be finished).

Marcia had knit a tiny baby jacket in white double-knit, and Sandra has knit a pair of white baby leggngs. 

Sandra had also knit a blue, white, and pink button-up top in King Cole Opium.

Christine knit a two-piece purple top. During the day, both pieces can be worn layered, to give a v-neck affect. For the evening, a layer can be removed to give an off-the-shoulder casual look. It is based on an American vintage 1950's pattern.

 Julia has also knit this shawl in light blue with a lovely sheen and small fluffy bobbles.

Favourite Patterns

Jean created her own pattern, based on a design from her favourite vase (the knitting machine pattern is in the plastic sleeve on the right in the photo). The pattern was used to create this grey and red cushion for a knitting club competition.

 The same pattern was also used for this jacket. This time as a weave pattern.

September and a new year for us

Yes, September is the start of our year.  And what a year we hope it will be.  Fleet Knitting Club will be celebrating it's 40th Birthday in 2017.  But more on that another time.

The meeting tomorrow will be our AGM and we have also asked members and visitors to bring along a swatch, garment or photo of their favourite stitch pattern and the instructions on how to knit or crochet it.  And if you bring along needles and yarn you could have a go at some of them.

Anyone on our e-mail distribution list should have received our summer letter setting out plans for the forthcoming year and also the Agenda for the meeting tomorrow.  If I've missed anyone - sorry and please let me know and I'll send it again.

So we'll sign off now and say we hope to see you there tomorrow evening. 8 pm as usual.