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
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
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