Newsletter No 22 - sent 18 December 2021

Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2022.  May you all stay safe, healthy and contented with your lot. 

I have my fingers crossed that plans made can go ahead and that we don’t get further restriction, but somehow I think there will still be a period of time when we can’t go where we want, when we want and come back again too without having to jump through hoops!   If we are asked to remain at home again then hopefully you still have plenty of yarn left and have decided what you can make with it. Or maybe it is on your Christmas list! (Thank goodness for on-line ordering and delivery!)

I must first tell you that we have found a new venue and will be meeting there from February 2022.  Not long to wait, but of course it does depend on restrictions and guidance in place at the time.

So where is the venue?  Actually, not far from the school and it avoids that narrow  approach street with all the parked cars. There’s plenty of parking too which is good.  And the venue is .... Fleet Methodist Church Hall on Reading Road South.  Postcode GU52 7TF. It’s slightly set back from the road. For those of you that don’t know Fleet well, it’s opposite Heatherside school.  The turning into the Church and car parking  is on  the zig-zag markings for the  pedestrian  crossing and between Socom Tactical Shop and Dad’s and Lad’s Barbers. Parking is at the rear of the Church so follow round to the left. Car park exit is to the right hand side of the Church.

The hall is large and airy.  It is used for other events earlier the same day (attended by fewer people  than  were in  and out of the classroom)  but they are few  hours before we arrive. The hall is well ventilated, plus we will be able to spread out more than we could in the classroom, as well as encourage other knitters to join us. Eventually we will also be able to make a cup of tea or coffee too, but not to start with or at least not at the moment. It could change between now and when we meet.

Nearer the time I’ll send out “guidelines” for attending.  As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, the guidance is changing all the time so anything I give now may well not be applicable when we do meet.

It was great to see some of you at our Zoom meeting and to hear about your knitting and crochet projects, especially as some of them are for Christmas presents. There are a few pictures in the show and tell.  If we can’t meet in person then we could perhaps think about having another Zoom meeting.

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During the zoom chat Karen showed us some striped socks that she was working on.  They were worked using Helical knitting so had no obvious line or jog where you change colours (except at the start and finish), nor do you have to worry about a gap or a thicker line forming inside where colours change and cross. 

I’d had a go at this technique on some hats a couple of years ago (pre-covid!) when I  was using up part balls of yarn and you really can’t see where the colour changes are and it is simple so once you understand the principle behind it you are away.

A number of you  knit in the round so you might like to give it a go. As we can’t show you in person just yet I’ve found a couple of tutorials on line.  The first tutorial (link above) is for two colour stripes, and this one also from ACT Techniques explains how to work with three or more colours. It certainly makes it easy to count rows and you can still work the decreasing at the top  of a hat  in stripes for example.  

You would need to knit stripes of one round only if you want the changeover to be invisible. It doesn’t work for two or more rounds in each colour unless you use two separate balls of yarn of the same colour (or maybe not then  - sampling needed to see if it will work!)  However you if you don’t mind having the yarn carried up the inside of your work then you can work stripes of two or more rounds.

When you’ve read up on the techniques and are ready to give it a go, pop over to Ravelry and search for “helix stripes”.  You’ll find plenty of choice of patterns. I even saw some crochet hats there too so the technique must work for crochet too.

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News from The Knitting and Crochet Guild

Sally tells me that KCG are already planning for the next convention so keep an eye on their website for more information as it is released.  The latest edition of SlipKnit has also been uploaded to the members area. Lots to read including reports on the 2021 Un-Convention, expert crochet advice from Jane Crowfoot and book reviews  which might be useful if you’re looking for Christmas present ideas.

There are two new Guild branches, Weymouth and Ipswich.  If you’re in those areas (or any other part of the country where there is a Branch) on a day when they are meeting I am sure you’ll be made very welcome. 

If you’re not a member of the Guild, please consider joining (or ask for a membership as a gift perhaps).  There is so much there for the knitter or crocheter. You will also be supporting a national educational charity dedicated to hand knitting, domestic machine knitting and crochet in the UK. It is run by volunteers and supported by subscriptions and donations.

Casting on

Are you one of those people who always uses the same cast on no matter what you are going on to knit? 

I thought I knew most of the various different ways of casting on but I recently was send  a link to a pin hole cast on that I hadn’t seen before. So  I’ve just got to give it a go.  I’ve been knitting top down socks with an afterthought heel and a spiral toe variations of them for a while so perhaps I could use a pin hole cast on to work them toe up—mmmm more thought needed!

I’ve not yet mastered a method to cast on for toe up socks that works every time and without having loose stitches as I prefer DPN’s to magic loop. I’ve found a couple of  videos which I hope might help. One is from Nancy Wynn and another is from Devious Knitter but I’m sure there are others out there.  For those of you that prefer magic loop, try this video from Judy Becker or this one from We Love Knitting if you want to knit two at a time.

I’ve done a bit of a round up of  some of the different methods of casting on as we should really be using different methods depending on what we are knitting.  I’ll start with a page that gives a few  variations.  It’s the same website as the pin hole cast on and it’s a how to Cast-on Casting call.  Add these to the variations:

Long Tail and German twisted method for when you’re  ribbing.

Cable Cast on, and Backwards Loop Method  s(croll down for the backwards loop)

Garter tab cast on  ideal for when you’re knitting a shawl

When you are on this site take a look at the other how tos as well.  There’s all sorts including one that matches cast-ons and cast-offs (or bind offs as they call them) and another entitled Yarn Detectives: Ballbands are liars.  You could be on this site for quite a while so bookmark it so you can find it again.

Go to YouTube and put “cast on knitting” in the search box.  There were so many suggestions I didn’t count them, so if you find one difficult to understand then try another. You could try Pinterest too or just do a general search for methods.

What’s on your Christmas wish list?

I found it -  that little gadget I saw and thought would be useful.  It’s called a needle wrangler and comes in three sizes, mini, standard and jumbo. Although this is the UK Etsy site they despatched from the USA and p&p adds around 50% to the price and maybe import tax and VAT when they get to you!  I think I’ll wait till they are available from a UK supplier or I find someone who’s going to the States and can get some for me!  If you do search for these yourself make sure you include the word needle in the search otherwise you’ll get sites for jeans, shorts and jeeps plus a few others!!

My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List/Chart

Well, I seem to have been busy, but not sure that I have a lot to show for it! 

Like most people I have been preparing for Christmas.  I like to see if I can make a few decorations to add to my collection.  These trees were made from ribbon and beads with a little button thread to hold it all together.  They were a bit fiddly as the larger one is only around 8cm tall (not including the hanger) but I do rather like them.    If you’d like to make something similar then search for “ribbon and bead Christmas tree” and you’ll find lots similar. 

Another idea I saw was for making paper baubles from circles, stars or any other shape you like, so long as you can fold it in half and both sides match.  There is a YouTube video to show you how to make them.  I tried decorating the green one to put a bit of sparkle on the edges, but it wasn’t very successful, so I’ll not do that again.

I think the present shopping has all been done, but not yet wrapped, cards have all been posted (except a few that will be hand delivered!) so I feel I’m getting there slowly.  I do need still to do the big pre-Christmas clean and tidy and then put the decorations up.  We’re not a house that puts them up early!

I have however finished two of my WIP’s and you’ll find pictures of them in the show and tell.  Now that they are finished I feel I can start another project and that will probably be some toe up socks as the cast on is something I need to practice. Also working toe up means that I need to investigate alternative heels, so that’s giving me something to think about.  I got a  ball of Marriner Cosy Toes sock yarn from my stash to try.  It’s the first time I’ve used this wool so all in all this is quite an experimental pair of socks.

At the same time as digging out the sock yarn, a pulled out some balls of yarn that I’ve had for a while.  It’s some DK, white with sequins (James C Brett - Aria) that I’d like to knit something from, but I’m not sure that I want to make yet another shawl.  Maybe I can find a pattern for a toddler’s cardigan and give it to my 1 yr old great niece!

As it’s coming up to the end of the year I took a look at my keep busy list/chart, and realised that I hadn’t ticked many things off it and that I had done lots of other things that weren’t on there.  Maybe they’ll get done next year!  Perhaps I’d better start two new lists 2022; one for the things I’d like to do and another for the things that I do!  I wonder which will be longer!

 Browsing the World Wide Web

This YouTube link popped up into one of my facebook feeds.  It’s a jolly little song appropriately titled The Knitting Song

Are you someone who can never find their needle gauge, or looses their needle when sewing up?  Take a look at this jewellery for knitters. American again, and not cheap but they are gold and silver etc!

Maybe this is a knitting machine we could fit into our homes instead of one of those enormous computer controlled machines.  It still looks a bit big though!

I often link to websites for knitters, but not so much for crocheters.  So here’s one for them.  It is a German company called Rico and I saw some rather nice crocheted Christmas tree decorations as well as some Christmas stuffed toy decorations. Look around the site too for their Crochet-a-long and the 9 lovely figures.

Exhibition update 

From checking around the various websites, the show organisers have either decided to go ahead, get dates on the calendar and plan for shows assuming that, with  precautions, they will go ahead unless........ or still have things on hold and aren’t making plans yet. Restrictions are changing almost monthly (sometimes weekly) so the best I can suggest is that we’ll just have to wait and see.

I was however very pleased to read an email that came in recently.  Those of you who are visitors to the Creative Craft Shows organised by ICHF and that take place at the NEC [Birmingham], Excel [London], and Westpoint [Exeter] (as well as other places) will be pleased to hear that they are coming to Farnborough International from 2-4 September 2022.

The only downside is that it will clash with the Southern Wool Show at Newbury Racecourse on 3-4 September 2022.  We’ll be busy that weekend and our purses will be emptier but bags fuller!

Unravel/Farnham Maltings have updated their website with details of exhibitors and workshops.  The show runs from 11-13 February 2022.  I don’t know who curated the marketplace, but I feel there are big gaps amongst the in-person exhibitors.  There is absolutely nothing there for machine knitters who have previously been well looked after by Uppingham Yarns, not just with coned yarns, but also with vital spares for our knitting machines and more unusual fibres as well as advance orders being taken so they can bring just what I want.  I also feel they have missed a trick by having so many exhibitors who sell high end priced yarns.  There is little at the less expensive end of the prices for those just beginning to their journey into knitting and crochet and anyone who can’t afford to spend mega-bucks on yarn for a warm jumper. I also had to look hard to find anyone that is likely to be selling hand knit needles.  I shall watch for ticket prices and then decide whether to visit or not, but at the moment the balance is towards not as I doubt I will want to pay a high entry price when the main reason for my visit is missing! Was last year my final visit after 10 years of coming to this show?

Show and Tell

Carole sent me photos soon after the last Newsletter went out.  First was a crocheted blanket made in Deramores anti-pill DK.  It’s a lovely soft yarn, but there were some issues with quality.  She said it was a real pain to make, but she’s pleased with the result.  The colours are somewhat brighter than the photo.

Of course there was yarn left over! So the first thing Carole made was a cardigan with a special design feature of introducing a third colour which made sure there was enough yarn to finish it.  As Carole knitted the sleeves and body together it was easy to make last minute changes!

The next email to arrive from Carole included a picture of another cardigan.  She told me that she had a fair bit of pink left from the “parrot” blanket so thought she would add a bit of colour and knit a cardigan for the newest little girl of the family.  Needless to say she had ran out of yarn and had to order more!

There’s also two more cardigans that she will have delivered to the recipients in the last few days.  These are for twins.  The yarn is from Deramores again.  The jade jumper is from an old pattern, adapted to knit in one piece and the blue one was made up as she went along.

 

There are some lucky children in that family!

I also received photographs from Janet O of her Christmas knits, including one of the extra special reverse side of the jumper bottom right in the picture below!  I’m sure any child is going to love wearing it.  The Mary Jane booties are cute too. 

 

Thanks Janet - they all look lovely.

 

During our Zoom chat we asked Gaynor if she was going to continue to knit little items to hang in her window.  Yes she is.  And they will be themed again.  Unless she changes her mind they will be TV programmes.  She’s not going to tell us which one it is, we’re going to try and guess!  I look forward to seeing them. 

And last but not least, here’s the two items I’ve finished since the last Newsletter.  A cream coloured cushion cover and a shawl.  Both from yarn in my stash and I have no idea what they are.  The cream is probably a DK and it is wool rather than acrylic.  I had intended it to be for a 16” cushion pad, but it has turned out bigger than that so will fit an 18” pad or maybe even a 20” pad.  I might even cover the pad in a dark fabric to show through the pattern.  The stitch pattern was one that I saw on a Facebook group and is three rows per repeat with two of them being either all knit or all purl! 

The shawl is similar to one I finished about a year ago.  The pattern was all garter stitch, but I tried to knit in in moss stitch instead.  I got a bit tied up, so changed to garter stitch.   You can find the pattern as a free download on the Stylecraft website.

Maybe soon we will be able to see these actual knits rather than just photos.  (Fingers crossed!)

 

I found this on the internet - can’t remember where but I hope whoever came up with it doesn’t mind me including it here.  If anyone knows where it came from, or the originator,  I will add a credit to the blog or remove it if they wish, and let the club members know too. 

And finally:  Yes this is our Christmas Newsletter and the last one of 2021. 

 

 Seasons Greetings

and

Best wishes for 2022

 

Until we meet again

 

Keep Calm

and carry on

Knitting or Crocheting!

 

Stay safe and keep well

 

We will meet again

 

 All opinions expressed are the opinion of the writer, not necessarily the opinion of the club, or it’s officers.

 

   

 

Newsletter No 21 - sent 7 November 2021

Hello once again.

Needless to say, I’ve been thinking about meetings and what is the best thing for us as a club. The problem (it seems to me) is meeting in a school with the high risk of infection, so I have been investigating whether we should perhaps try to move to somewhere different, a venue that doesn’t have 100’s of people passing through every day and that is available on the evening that we meet.  The cost of hiring the room at the school is very reasonable, perhaps cheap, but I am sure, like everything else, the cost will go up in the near future.  It helped us continue when the previous meeting venue suddenly became unavailable, for which we are very grateful, but is it now time to find a more comfortable venue?

Various changes have been suggested, like meeting daytime instead of evenings but that’s not fair on the members that work so that is one change we won’t be making.  We should also stay in Fleet if possible, but would consider Crookham and Church Crookham if absolutely nowhere else can be found. I wouldn’t want to go further to one of the outlying villages as it could exclude some of our members who don’t drive in the evening or don’t have transport.

What we are looking for is:

1. Somewhere for up to 30 people to meet, and maybe space to increase numbers

2. Has sufficient car parking or parking nearby

3. Has tables as well as chairs

4. Has sufficient room for us to set up a knitting machine or two

5. Is accessible i.e. limited number of steps/stairs or has a ramp

6. Is available on the first Tuesday of the month in the evening.

7. Is clean and dry

It would be nice if we could make a cup of tea or coffee, but that isn’t essential as I know some of you don’t  have evening drinks.  And it would be nice if we had our own key and so didn’t have someone waiting to lock up and move us on from the car park, but that isn’t essential either.

What are your thoughts? Do you know of anywhere suitable at a sensible price?  It will probably mean we have to increase our subs/meeting charges but I’m sure that won’t surprise you as they have remained the same for almost 20 years!  (Yes I was amazed it was that long too when I checked back - the last time they increase was in 2003). Where else have you been able to go for a night out for £1.50?!

So it’s over to you.  If you know of somewhere that might be suitable please get in touch. I’ll tell you if we’ve already investigated them, or would like you to find out more.   

I think I mentioned about the possibility of a zoom meeting for Christmas.  I heard nothing from anyone (that I can now remember as I write this and without checking!) but we’ll get one scheduled anyway and see if people turn up. It will be on the evening of the December meeting.  Just a chat and catch up.  Contact me for the joining info.

The only other thing I have to add is that I took over as Chairman in 2004 so it’s high time I relinquished control and we found a new Chairman.  Volunteers now please, ready to take over once things settle down and we can meet again in person.  Don’t worry I have no plans to leave the club just yet, but it’s time for fresh blood to step up and move things on with new ideas.  I would not like to see the club close after 44 years for lack of a leader but there is that possibility if nobody comes forward.

See the covering email for my contact details, or if you are reading this on line then use the comments if it’s easier.  And with all that now in your minds, and being thought about, I’ll move on to knitting and crochet!

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Last time I mentioned knitting and crocheting Christmas Angels, but I didn’t give you any links to patterns. The finished size will vary obviously if you don’t use the recommended yarn and hook size.  Some of these patterns are American and use US terminology so you might need to do a bit of translation.

Just Plain Fun has a crochet pattern for a topper for a mini Christmas tree.  Using the recommended yarn and hook size it will end up about 4” tall.  

Suzie’s Little Angel is also a bookmark

This one is called a pocket prayer angle as she is around 3½” tall.

You’ll find both knitted and crochet angel patterns on the Christmas Angel website.

For those of you that like pictures to follow, these  crochet Christmas angels on Atty’s Blog look simple to make.  I think I spotted another pattern on this site too so have a look around for it.

Crochet Kim has a free Mini Angel Ornaments  pattern, as well as other free patterns including a videos for right and left handed crocheters.

These knitted Angel Gnomes found on Ravelry look very sweet as does the Angel of Kindness.

There are lots of other free patterns on line if you look for them some of which could probably be translated for machine knitting.

How do you..........?

Every now and again I come across a question on one of the forums which sets me off wondering  ....could I? how would I?  This time it was someone who’d posted a picture of some hand knitting and asked the question “can this be knitted on a machine”?  I hope they’ll not object and allow me to put a copy of that picture here. 

It was identified by one poster as dragonfly stitch and pointed to a Youtube video by Diana Sullivan showing how to knit it.

If you’re a hand knitter then the stitch is sometimes called Butterfly Bowknot and you’ll find the instructions on Youtube at  Knitting Stitch Patterns with written instructions on their website.

I’m sure the dragon flies or butterflies will show up much more in a plain coloured yarn!

 

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What’s on your Christmas wish list?

It’s always difficult when someone asks you what you want for Christmas.  So here’s a few ideas that you could add to your list.

Marriner has a two different styles of knitting/craft bags and a sewing box to match for all those little items that  tend to go missing.  All are reasonably priced.

Deramores also has knitting/craft bags as well as yarn bowls and boxes,  sock blockers, swift yarn winders and other useful accessories.   (Some items are out of stock, but you can click to be notified when they become available again.)

The Wool Warehouse has plenty of things that you kight like to add including Blocking Mats, Knit Blockers  and Blocking T-pins as well as many of the items mentioned as available from the previous suppliers.

If you’re like me and carry a small project with you most of the time, then a simple bag from somewhere like Hobbycraft may be just what you need.  They can be personalised too as they are cotton.

Anyone that’s been to one of the major exhibitions will have come across Black Sheet Wools.  They also sell on line (free delivery on Uk orders over £25) and have a good range of accessories.

I saw a little gadget I thought would be really useful.  It was for circular needles and stopped the stitches slipping off when you put it away.  It was S shaped.  I was sure I kept a link to it, but now I can’t find it!  Oh well, can’t put that on my Christmas list!

 

My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List/Chart

Sorry about the lack of photographs.  I haven’t completed anything to snap but maybe soon! I want to get back to crafting as soon as time allows.

The wedding has been and gone.  I think the outfit I made looked ok and was suitable for the occasion and the venue.  I was a bit worried about the colour as the trousers were scarlet red, but I don’t think I needed to be as another guest was wearing a scarlet red jacket and black trousers! I’ve not seen any photographs yet but I was very pleased that they didn’t have all the hanging around for formal groups as the day wasn’t particularly warm! 

As the weather changes and autumn well and truly arrives it makes me realise that I must make room for new knitwear before I start knitting things at random!  I really need to go through my wardrobe and drag out all the things I haven’t worn either because they don’t fit, because I know I will never feel comfortable wearing them, or because they are now looking rather well worn and need to be replaced.  Once that has been done I can assess what I have left and make decisions about what I really need.

I had been keeping some of the things I’d knitted partly to use for the knitting talks and demonstrations I gave to knitting clubs and groups, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t want to do them again especially now that I can’t drive long distances, or carry machines and heavy bags.  It’s not fair to expect others to run around after me and do these things either!

I must pluck up the courage and enthusiasm to have a good sort out.  Before that can happen we need to finish sorting out the latest car load of things that came back from the flat we’re emptying and work out which charity shops would benefit from assorted bric-a-brac and household items.  We almost have enough to re-stock an entire shop waiting to be taken somewhere  - anywhere! With the quantity I guess we will be making a number of trips to different shops to share it around a bit. 

As for crafting -  the change in seasons means I need to start wearing socks again.  Many of the pairs I’ve knitted are now proving to be too tight at the cast on edge to get them on and off.  They were knitted top down and were fine to start with, but now that my feet are more swollen they are rather tight.  The rest of the sock is fine and stretches adequately, so rather than throw them away I have been carefully unpicking the cast on,  picking up the stitches and casting off loosely.  It takes a while, and requires good light and strong glasses. The yarns used aren’t always the same as the rest of the sock and I’ve now got a number of pairs to wear, but there are more still to be altered.  Who will see them under trousers anyway! 

I’ve also got some WIP’s that I really ought to make progress on before I start anything else.  One is almost finished, but the yarn is making me wheeze and sneeze so I can  only work  on it for a short time, and  not just  before bed so that my breathing  has sorted itself out before bedtime.  I probably only need to knit about 25 or 30 more rows of and then I can cast off  the 60 stitches to finish this cushion cover.  Maybe by the time of the zoom meeting or the next Newsletter it will be finished.  I certainly hope so anyway!   I’m sure it won’t use all of the yarn on the cone, so I’ll have to be strong and ditch what’s left!

Once that one is out of the way, and the last of the socks  have been “adjusted” I can pick up either the shawl or scarf that are currently on needles awaiting my attention.  I haven’t looked but there could be other WIP’s tucked away in my knitting bag too so I before I start anything new I ought to check.

I really ought to get back to sorting out more of my stash of crafts as I haven’t done anything since I took the yarns etc to the Tools with a Mission collector and that was a few months ago now!  But enough for this time—maybe I’ll have done something by time I put the next Newsletter together.

Browsing the World Wide Web

This link is to a Youtube video with mixed media artist Faith Humphrey Hill who uses knitting as a base for portraits.  It’s almost half an hour long so allow plenty of time to watch it.  I spotted a knitting machine in some shots too and as I watched further it showed that Faith used the machine and intarsia to knit the background which she then goes on to embellish.  There is a clear description of the processes involved if you want to give it a try yourself.

Another Youtube video. This one about knitting sheaths and sticks from the John Dixon collection. There’s more about this collection on the Dales Countryside Museum website or if you want to visit you’ll find the museum in the old railway station at Hawes, just off the main A684 in Wensleydale.

Ever wondered how they treat wool to make it machine washable?  This article from The Wool Channel shows you what it goes through.  Doesn’t sound as if it is if it is super environmentally friendly. If you’re into things being biodegradable then this article about wool in our water may be of interest.  There are lots of other articles to read too. On this American site.

Do you struggle to see to knit or crochet during the evenings because there isn’t quite enough light and you don’t want the room itself to be really bright lit? Do you find knitting dark coloured yarn difficult? Well lighted crochet hooks and knitting needles may be the solution.

Bookmarked is a  website (or Hub) set up by publishers Search Press and David Charles.  There are loads of books for knitting & crochet, textiles & yarn craft, as well as all sorts of sewing, embroidery, needlework and more besides.  The site features over 1,000 books  (with links to where to buy them) as well as a free membership community for sharing information about the books.  I’ve not delved deeper yet as I’ve only just found the site but I think there are also free downloads relating to crafts.

Show and Tell

The first photo is from Nina and is of some of the hats and scarves that she has knitted for a children's home in Romania that the Church on the Heath supports.

 

                    

 

Here is part 2 of  a year of knitting for the window, plus a bonus one that Gaynor has made. Above is May, June and July and below August September and October. Gaynor tells me that the hands move on the clock so she can change the time.

     

I’m sure you’ve guessed that the skeleton is the bonus which Gaylor couldn’t resist knitting. She is going to continue to crochet or knit something every month for the foreseeable future, mainly to encourage a friend, recently diagnosed with dementia,  to go for a walk to keep her active for as long as she can.  Her granddaughter is also enjoying looking for them when she visits.

I think this is a lovely idea Gaynor.  I’m sure others who walk along the road will look out for them too.

 

 

Gaynor also sent me a picture of a teddy puppet she recently knitted for her neighbours son who had his second birthday at the beginning of the month.  Her granddaughter is now knitting one for herself as she loved this one.  This time it’s in a variegated yarn  (bight colours) and is a bit bigger to to match her hand size.  Her granddaughter recently brought it round to show Gaynor and for a lesson in how to cast on stitches for the arms. 

What a lovely way to learn to knit and to have quality time with a grandparent.  I hope Gaynor sends up a picture when it’s finished.

 

This pink cardigan has been knitted by Carole for a little girl called Charlotte.   Carole said the yarn is King Cole Baby Glitz and it is that bright. This was a replacement for one started in the first lockdown and the yarn was discontinued. Carole used a basic pattern for the sizing and did her own thing. As usual knitted in one piece with the sleeves added at the armhole.

It looks lovely Carole.  Shame the glitz doesn’t show in the photo.

 

If you’ve completed a project take a picture and send it to me with a bit about yarn used and the pattern as soon as it’s finished.   I’ll keep it safe and it will be ready for me to include it in the next  Newsletter. Taking photos is a good way of reminding yourself just what you have achieved.

And sorry, these photos didn't always want to go where I wanted them!

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KCG Online video collection

For those wet, cold days and evenings during winter, if you are looking for something to watch to be inspired, or as background whilst knitting, the KCG has an increasing collection of videos available on line.

There are videos for non-members.  If you are a member and missed the 2021 Unconvention there are videos for you too, however I can’t link to them directly as they are in the members area and you’ll need your password etc to get there! It’s well worth a look though as they include design inspiration from Jane Crowfoot, Bill King, Emma Vining and Lucy Hague. Angharad Thomas, Barbara Smith and Ruth Gilbert share more objects and patterns from the collection. Talks on knitting traditions of Shetlands, Norway and Sweden, dyeing, broomstick crochet, lace, and more. 

I’d say it’s well worth joining just to watch the videos!  And once you’ve watched them, why not explore the site to see what else is there for you!

And finally:

 

Until we meet again

 

 Keep Calm

and carry on

Knitting or Crocheting!

 

Stay safe and keep well

 

We will meet again