March 2022 meeting notification

It's the 1st March on Tuesday and time for another meeting.  It always catches me by surprise when it's at the very beginning of the month!

In preparation for discussions on socks we'll be looking at knitting needles and crochet hooks this month. So bring along your favourite needles, ones you absolutely hate and also any old or unusual needles and crochet hooks that you have in your collection.  You might also like to bring along some of those little gadgets that you have for measuring the size of needles.  I wonder who has the oldest ones?? 

We'd also love to see anything you have completed this month in our Show and Tell.  Feel free to bring whatever you're currently working on and knit or crochet whilst we chat.

Spread the word - if you know anyone who knits or crochets do tell them about us and invite them to come along.  We have settled on £4 per person per meeting unless you were one of those who paid an annual subscription back in 2019/20 when we had to call a halt to in person meetings.

I know the laws have been downgraded to guidance but I have checked the church website and they are still asking everyone to wear a mask if they possibly can.  Whilst we would love to see you, please don't come if you have a cold, cough or anything else that you could potentially pass on to anyone else.  Some of us are vulnerable, or caring for someone who is, so we're still being cautions.  Your consideration is much appreciated.

Think that's all for now folks.  See you on Tuesday.  8pm at the Church.

February 2022 - First meeting at new venue

First in person meeting for 2 years, and a new venue. The church hall is large and airy providing ample space for the members to spread out. There was lots to catch up on, and the bulging bags for show and tell was reassuring that no one had run out of yarn since the last meeting. Big thank you to Liz for the regular newsletters that kept us all informed and connected whilst we couldn't meet in person.

The hall is booked from 8pm-10pm so please don't turn up early, as there is no entry until 8pm.

News and events

Unravel (Farnham) 11-13th February. £12 tickets. Uppingham will be there, so if you want something specific, give them a call and pre-order before the 9th. Unravel... | Farnham Maltings

Drayton Knitting Club 14th February. Uppingham will be there. Talk on 'The wonderful world of wool'. All attendees must pre-register. (11) Drayton Machine Knitting Club. | Facebook

Creative Craft Show (Farnborough) 2-4 September. What’s On | The Creative Craft Shows

Southern Wool Show (Newbury) 3-4 September. Southern Wool Show - Home

Unravel (Farnham) 9-10 September. Unravel... | Farnham Maltings

The textile department at the University for the Creative Arts will be moving from the Farnham campus to the Epsom campus. Fashion | University for the Creative Arts (uca.ac.uk)

Deramores website has closed. The website redirects to LoveCrafts.com

Pantone colour of the year for 2022 is Very Peri. Pantone Color of the Year 2022 / Introduction | Pantone UK

We Gather is an exhibition by the Crafts Council, showcasing the work of five female artists of Black and Asian heritage whose work shares a commitment to craft and its cultural value. We Gather includes work by Knitting and Guild patron, Lorna Hamilton-Brown. We Gather exhibition (craftscouncil.org.uk)

A Castle for Christmas - It may be billed as a romantic comedy but knitwear designer Di Gilpin made sure A Castle For Christmas took one thing seriously: knitting. A Castle for Christmas: Real Scots knitting team helps Netflix rom-com stars get the needle (sundaypost.com)

University Challenge - The episode of University Challenge that aired on 3 January had a round of knitting questions. How many can you get right? BBC iPlayer - University Challenge - 2021/22: Episode 24

Show and Tell

Apologies for the poor quality photos, taken from a distance using zoom to respect social distancing. 

Jean hand-knit a colourful scarf

Susan's current work in progress is a King Cole pattern throw

Ros hand-knit cream cable scarf for daughter.

Sandra's Christmas knitting projects have been given out. Increasing pile of charity knitting, but Frimley baby unit are not accepting donations at the moment.

Sally's hand-knit slipover needs the neckline redoing, and members discussed different approaches including smaller needles, knitting stocking stitch rather than rib, and knitting neck band separately on machine then joining.

Rene has been increasing proficiency on Singer knitting machine. Hat and fingerless mittens. Then heard part go "ping!" but luckily managed to find someone online who had spares. Recommended asking on Ravelry and Facebook groups for Singer owners. After the machine was back working, had knit a couple of test swatches of Dr Who-theme headless daleks and weeping angels.

Cathy has been sock knitting whilst commuting, preferring Judy's magic cast-on and toe-up methods. Another WIP is a purple and black 'Read' scarf with books in reversible double knitting.

Nina wearing a recent jumper knit from Foxton's yarn from stash. Had also recently completed baby clothes for Niece's new baby, which has already been sent.

Sylvia also wearing a recent short-sleeve jumper from a King Cole pattern with subtle lace pattern on the front.   

Christine has been knitting for for young niece's and recommended hem-less tunic-style tops which are easy to pick-up and lengthen as they grow.

Candida working on a Scandi-style patterned yoke jumper. Steeking to follow.

Carole currently working on the second of two matching blue cardigans for the twins. Has completed a beautiful and colourful parrot blanket that was a Deramore's crochet-a-long.

Liz stash-busting 6 balls of white brushed yarn with sequins. First a scarf, then a top, and still 3 and a half balls left. Knitted sample of knitting (k2tog, yo, repeat to end).