Hi Everyone
Oh dear! It looks like things are going down hill again, so do take care and stay safe. The school hasn’t given me any indication of when we are likely to be able to meet again as, like the rest of us, they don’t know when more than six people will be able to meet indoors. I guess we will need to keep on keeping on, staying away from others and staying safe. It is hard, but if we don’t who knows what could happen.
I’ve still got plenty to do on my keep busy list, and I’ve been going ‘off piste’ too as I come across new things to do and try! I’ve got some “recurring” things on the list too, like writing letters and looking for things for the newsletters! But more of that later. My research skills have certainly had a brush up and I have once again found a few things for you to follow up if they interest you.
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I know most of us aren’t followers of fashion, but family members might like to be “on trend” at least colourwise. The Pantone colour website shows the colours we should be wearing for Autumn/Winter 2020/2021. The colours for Spring/Summer 2021 are available too for those that like to forward plan their knitting and crochet.
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Here’s a quick tip for machine knitters. When we’re working we might pick up a three prong transfer tool and then find it has two prongs at the other end and we want one. Why not use a permanent marker pen to put dots on the tool to signify how many prongs are at the opposite end. Don’t forget to mark both sides of the tool!
Remembrance Day
It’s that time of year again, when we should be thinking of others and in particular our soldiers, seamen and airmen. Remembrance Day is going to be very different this year, but we can still wear a poppy or display one in a window at home. You can download and print a poppy (for a donation) from the Royal British Legion website.
There is still time to knit or crochet a poppy using one of the free patterns available from websites such as Gathered. Back in October 2015 we spent a club evening knitting poppies. Here’s just a few of them.
Maybe you have some scraps of red yarn in your stash. No dark yarn for the centre? Look in your button box and use a button instead. If you do knit or crochet your poppy, or wear one you knitted previously, don’t forget to drop a coin or two into a collection box when you see one or donate on line if you won’t be going out. The Royal British Legion also have an online shop with all manner of items which would make great presents at any time of the year.
The public is being urged to take part in a two-minutes silence from their doorstep at 11 am on Sunday 8th November as well as watching events on TV. Will you be taking part?
Did you know you could also wear a purple, black or white poppy? The purple poppy is a symbol of remembrance for animals that served during the wartime. The black poppy remembers the African, Black and Caribbean communities who contributed towards war efforts. The white poppy is for peace, and also remembers all those killed in war. Poppies in these colours are not endorsed by the Royal British Legion and they do not benefit from the sale of them. However they have said that they see no conflict in wearing or displaying the red poppy next to other colours.
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Knitting in the Round
I was recently asked for some tips for hand knitting in the round. As we should be distancing even indoors I couldn’t offer any one - to - one help, so I’ve had a look for a websites and videos that show some of the techniques that should be useful.
Of course there are a number of different ways of knitting in the round but before you can start you need to decide whether you are going to use circular needles or double pointed needles.
Sheep and Stitch website gives lots of information about knitting using circular needles. They have a link on their page to a video tutorial too. Circular needles come in a variety of lengths and sizes as well as different materials. There are plenty of different makes that have interchangeable tips too so you change the tips rather than move all the stitches onto a different needle when the pattern calls for a different size to be used. There have been lots of different styles and lengths of needles come onto the market recently including 9” circulars, some that have tips/cables that spin or twist so they don’t curl up as you knit. and variations of them especially designed for socks and other items with a small circumference as well as larger items. The length of the cable is chosen for the number of stitches being knitted. There should be enough stitches to go comfortably into a round without being stretched out so far that it affects tension or squashed in tight making it almost impossible to get into a stitche without them falling off the needles.
You can of course use circular needles to knit back and forth, not just in the round. Some people prefer to do so as it puts less strain on your shoulders especially when the knitting gets weighty as it grows. Good in a confined space when you don’t want to accidently poke someone with anything but an elbow. Also useful when you have more stitches than will fit comfortably on your straight needles.
Double pointed needles (DPN’s) come in many sizes, lengths and materials. There’s plenty of YouTube videos showing how to cast on and join them into the round. Here’s one from Sheep and Stitch again and the corresponding webpage where they give further information. Look in their knitting library for hints and tips for using DPN’s and how to switch from circulars to DPN’s.
Magic loop is a technique using long circular needles to knit small circumference items. Here’s a YouTube video from Very Pink Knits to start you off or you may prefer this one from KnitFreedom. As usual there are plenty more and you might find that the explanation given in one of the others is easier for you to understand. There are other more advanced techniques using circular needles but I’ll save them for another time.
I can’t recommend one method over another as it is all down to personal preferences and what you are making. Likewise with the needles themselves. The only thing I would say, especially for the circulars, is don’t buy cheap. I’ve tried them and the cords keep curling and looping which doesn’t make for easy knitting. There are suggestions for how to stop this happening, like putting the cord into very hot water to soften it then keep it straight as it cools, but I haven’t found they work for long. Maybe buy just one circular needle or set of DPN’s to start with. See how you get on and then invest in more of the same make if you like them. If it wasn’t quite right for you then try a different make. Like everything you will need to practice before you feel confident.
And now for a few hints and tips:
Make sure that your knitting isn’t twisted when you join it into the round. There is no way to untwist it once joined. Some people lay the work flat on a table to check it isn’t twisted and then carefully pick it up to join.
When using DPN’s check your tension when working from one needle to the next. Too loose or too tight and it will show. Too loose and it will look as if a stitch has been dropped, too tight and it will cause the knitting to fold slightly.
Interchangeables are within make only, not across brands, so don’t mix and match tips or cables from Knit Pro, Addi or ChiaoGoo or other makes.
Remember tension will vary depending on what you are using, so be prepared for a visible difference when/if you change from DPN’s to circular of the same size (or vise versa). You may need to use a different size needles to achieve the same tension. We hold different types of needles differently and the yarn too and this is what causes the difference. I’m not sure if you can see it in
a photograph, but it is very visible. The tension for the heel and toe is different to the tension for the foot. The foot was knitted on a 9” circular, the afterthought heel on same size DPNs.
(sorry formatting doesn't want to play nicely!)
Send your hints and tips and I’ll include them next time.
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I’ll start this time with a few videos!
We all like to see where other people work; their workspace, studio; workroom, spare bedroom or whatever you call the space you use. This is a video I came across that could give you some ideas and includes a few hints and tips too. It is from The Knitting School in Seattle. Wouldn’t you just love to have all that space!
The next one is around 20 minutes long and was produced in 1969. It’s a trip behind the scenes at Sirdar. So grab a coffee and enjoy a look back in time.
I wonder how many of you remember Pingu and the knitting machine first time round? If only it was so easy!
And now a bit of reading.
Long Buckby Knitting Club have also been producing a monthly Newsletter that can be downloaded as a pdf from their website. Each issue has a main topic as well as other articles of interest to those that knit and crochet. They often include a pattern written by a club member. There is lots of other free patterns written by club members that can be downloaded from their website.
Here’s one to make you smile and perhaps wish you had more confidence! A report on the Spring/Summer Fashion week in the Daily Mail on Line pictured some of those in attendance. Brings a whole new image to granny squares!
It’s time to start work again - well crafting anyway!
We all know that kids like gruesome things especially at Halloween, so how about a knitted brain hat? Pick your colour and give it to a little horror! Lots of other pages on this site too that I’m sure you’ll find interesting and you can join their email list and get knitting freebies.
I came across a website called Start Knitting. It has lots of free patterns and links to other plus some that need to be paid for. There’s Christmas knits there in the Themes section.
And finally, following on from the crochet last time I found another site that looks good. It’s Goddess Crochet. It is an American site so some translation may be necessary but there are loads of links to patterns, many of them free.
Introductions
I’ve recently been contacted by three people who are hoping to be able to come to club when we can meet again. They have sent a little bit about themselves by way of introduction.
Ayesha : I learned to knit from my mother, who has machine knitted for as long as I can remember. I had a second hand Brother, but recently splashed out on a new Silver Reed punchcard machine. I have some experience but I’m not very technically advanced (I subscribe to MKM, and I have to work hard to understand the Bill King articles at the back - often without success, but perhaps that is also because I don’t try to do the techniques, so I can’t see how it works for myself…). I have a 1 year old daughter so time for knitting is pretty tight! I also enjoy many other crafts, particularly sewing and hand knitting (but it is so slow!!)
Gemma : I joined the Knitting and Crochet Guild during lockdown (I really should have joined way sooner!) and Fleet is my nearest branch. I have been reading your newsletters and meaning to send you something for the 'Show and Tell' section as a sort of introduction as I obviously haven't attended any physical meetings. I've finally got around to doing this and have included below a little bit about myself and the pieces of work I have sent pictures of - I hope you and other members of Fleet branch enjoy them. (I’ve put the pictures Gemma sent in the show and tell section.)
I learned to crochet at the West End Centre in Aldershot about fifteen years ago and now teach crochet to others through workshops at libraries and elsewhere. I also make my own freeform crocheted textile art pieces and have been 'yarnbombing' various locations (with permission!) in recent years to bring crochet and textiles out in the open for all to enjoy.
Candida : I was a labour ward matron in a major London unit so retirement is quite a big change and has taken some getting used to. I’m sure many people can relate to this. My husband is still working and can’t see the problem.
My Gran in Edinburgh made all her own clothes and lots for her grandchildren. She also made my mother’s wedding dress from a Vogue pattern with no instructions! She was a very accomplished knitter as well but preferred sewing and taught me more of that which I now very much regret. I knitted a lot when I was young but my children began to refuse to wear what I made so it ground to a halt. I took it up again during lockdown and started with a beautiful fairisle pattern which took ages. I then knitted an Aran jumper and you can see where I went wrong if you look closely. After that I chose a simple cardigan pattern which I am doing for the 4th time now. I can finish one of these cardigans in a week if I really go at it. Next I’ve got a simple jumper pattern lined up. I never learned to sew my knitting properly. I’ve tried to get it from u tube and it’s better but not perfect. Blocking was also a mystery to me as was a “steek”. I look forward to being part of the group when you can reconvene. (I’ve never tried steeking either!)
Welcome Ayesha, Gemma and Candida. We are all looking forward to a time when we can meet again and meet you in person. I’m sure we will all be learning from each other once our meetings start up again.
Maybe something you’ve heard of. I certainly have, and admired it too, so felt it was time to investigate. I know Karen has put it round the cuff of a number of pairs of mittens she’s knitted so I asked for a photo. It looks a great alternative to rib. It must be knitted in two colours but of course you could then knit the rest of your whatever in just one colour if you don’t want fairisle. I can quite imagine this at the welts of a jacket or a pocket top, not just on mittens or gloves. Maybe use it as an alternative to garter stitch as it has a firmness that garter stitch doesn’t have.
Latvian Braid can be worked flat or in the round on the edge or in the middle of your work. Choose your cast on carefully so that it is appropriate especially if you are working the braid close to the start of your knitting. There are quite a few free patterns on Ravelry (put Latvian Braid in the pattern search box) to get you started. I did find that there were lots of very similar braids, plus cast on and cast off’s mainly originating in Scandinavian Countries so if you don’t get on with this one then there will be one to suit you. It’s now on my “list” to have a go at, when I have time amongst all the other things I plan to do!
My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List
It’s not got any shorter! I’m not sure where time has gone since the last Newsletter but I’ve certainly not been bored or sat with nothing to do! Works in progress have progressed but not all have been completed - yet! More cards have been made as well as my writing. We decided it’s time to do a bit of redecoration around the house which has required some sorting out of possessions, so all in all I’ve found plenty to keep me busy!
As for yarn crafting, some time ago I was sent a link to a cowl on a weaving website. Whilst wondering how it was worked I got to thinking that I could knit something similar (well as similar as knitting is to weaving!) You’ll find my version of the cowl in the show and tell. I had a bit of yarn left so when I saw a picture, just a week or so ago, of a pair of fingerless mittens that were unusual I knew I had to see if I could work out how to knit a pair. (They weren’t on my list hence my “off piste” comment earlier!) You knit the thumb first and then increase out from there. The pattern was for 4ply and I had DK, it was fairisle and I had a multicolour yarn! My only option was to play and see if I could work it out for myself. Results again in show and tell!
Earlier in the year I went through my stash of fabrics and put those I was sure I would never use in a bag to go to recycling, or otherwise disposed of, but I didn’t get the opportunity to pass it on before lockdown. It’s still here, but there’s not quite so much in it now! I’ve dipped into it more than once because I’ve either been asked “have I got....”, “can you make....” or because I want to use the fabric myself! There was a piece of divoré type fabric in there. We’ve been invited to a couple of weddings next year and I can now quite see it made into a wrap. So it’s come out of the bag and I’m looking at it again and trying to work out the best way to proceed.
Nina has sent a couple of photos of her knitting. The first is of a jumper she knitted for one of her daughters. The navy yarn is Kiwi 4ply acrylic. The blue yarn is Worth knitting 4ply acrylic. It's knitted in 2x2 rib on her Knitmaster 700. The neckline is cut and sew.
The second photo is of some hats and scarves knitted for a children's home in Romania that is supported by Nina’s church. They are all knitted in oddments of various 4ply acrylic in 2x2 rib.
You have been busy Nina!
Remember in the introductions I said I’d put pictures of Gemma’s work in Show and Tell? Well here they are.
The other two pictures show a dress I recently crocheted for a friend,
Jean has been in touch too. She is taking the opportunity to check out and reorganise her stash room(s)! Jean said that she was appalled at the amount of yarn and material she’s got 'tidied' away! She added that she won't need to buy any more for ages! (I wonder how many of us have sorted out a stash as well?) Jean has found garments half-knitted and bundled away because 'Christmas is coming' or 'someone is coming to stay' or 'a holiday is looming' or-------'it's gone wrong so I'll try again”. I’ve probably got some of those too. It’s definitely time that some UFO’s got finished but maybe I’ll concentrate on cone ends first!
If you’re having trouble seeing detail in any photos in this or earlier blogs click on it —it gets larger!
And now for a bit of fun! I’ve found us a virtual Christmas Tree but it needs decorating. Club members and those on our email list please knit or crochet some decorations and send me a photo of them (if possible on a plain white or light background). There’s lots of free patterns on line including Borroco, Black Sheep Wools, Little Cotton Rabbits, and Yarnspirations. You’ll find instructions on YouTube for making mini hangers for jumpers. Then put them on your Christmas tree or give them away to someone who might be on their own this Christmas to show you’re thinking of them.
Maybe next year we can take part in the local Christmas Tree Festival and display many of our knitted and crocheted decorations for all to see.
I also spotted this decoration on-line at Hobbycraft . It should be simple to do something similar and give a makeover to some of those tired baubles that you just can’t throw away!
Knitting and Crochet
are my
happy places
Until we meet again
Keep Calm
and carry on
Knitting or Crocheting!
Hands, Face, Space
Keep Active, Stay Positive - We will meet again
