July 2023 - Summer Party

There was soft drinks and nibbles for the summer party, sharing finished objects and work in progress, and a discussion about venue options for the next club year starting in September 2023. The consensus was to stay in the church hall, as it provides excellent parking, access and space. Therefore the club fees will need to increase to cover the increased cost of the hall. It will be discussed and confirmed in the AGM during the September 2023 meeting.

There is no meeting in August. Have a great summer and see you again in September.

Show and tell

July 2023 meeting reminder

The next meeting is the final meeting of the club year (September - July) and will be our annual summer party. There will be some soft drink and nibbles provided. We will also discuss the future of the club as the cost of the church hall is increasing beyond our budget. As always there will be a knit-and-natter/crochet-and-chatter so please bring along your WIPs and FOs and any questions/challenges/insights to share. 

(WIP = work in progress, FO = finished object)

June 2023 - Show and tell

Only 6 members were able to make it to the meeting. With the increasing cost of the hall it is looking like it is going to be unviable to continue using the church hall after the July meeting. If you know of any cheaper venues that could be used in Fleet for an evening once per month then please either let one of the committee know (Rene, Sally, Janet, Carole) or bring your suggestions along to the July meeting.

Show and tell

King Cole jumper size 4/5. Yarn from https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/

King Cole jumper size 6/7. Yarn from https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/

Neck warmer, machine knit, lambs wool

Giant Granny Square crocheted blanket made from stash yarn

June 2023 meeting

The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th June at 8pm. It will be a knit-and-natter/crochet-and-chatter so please bring along your WIPs and FOs and any questions/challenges/insights to share. 

WIP = work in progress

FO = finished object

May 2023 - Unusual Yarns

The theme this month was unusual yarns. The club has a box of unusual yarns that has been collected over the years by Liz. Some of the yarns in the box are:

• Reflective Lurex from Uppingham Yarns
• Thermoplastic Rubber & Regenerated Nylon from Uppingham Yarns
• Manilla Hemp Paper yarn from Uppingham Yarns
• Ramie (Nettle) yarn from Uppingham Yarns

Alison brought along a handful of recent copies of The Knitter that we enjoyed looking through. 

Sally brought along a copy of The Tudor Tailor that includes some fascinating details of knitting during the 16th Century. 

Show and tell

Some beautiful creations created by club members over the last 2 months. 

May 2023 meeting

The next meeting in on Tuesday 2nd May at 8pm. The theme is unusual yarns. I will bring along the club's box of unusual yarns that Liz purchased from Uppingham Yarns. Please bring along any unusual yarns that you have, and any WIPs or finished objects for the show and tell.

Our newsletters are now sent using Mailchimp to manage the newsletter mailing list. If you wish to subscribe, please use the sign-up form.  

April meeting cancelled

The April meeting has been cancelled because lots of people are away due to school holidays and the Easter weekend. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd May. 

March 2023 meeting moving to Zoom

Due to the ice and snow weather warning issued by the Met Office, the Tuesday meeting is moving to Zoom. MailChimp newsletter has been sent to all subscribers with the details for the Zoom meeting. 

March 2023 meeting

The next meeting is Tuesday 7th March 2023

As usual there will be 'Show and tell' where you can share your latest finished project or work in progress, and ask any questions to help with troubleshooting if you've got stuck.

February 2023 meeting

The next meeting is Tuesday 7th February 2023

The theme for the next meeting is knit and natter.

As usual there will also be 'Show and tell' where you can share your latest finished project or work in progress, and ask any questions to help with troubleshooting if you've got stuck.

December 2022 - Christmas party

7 people made it to our Christmas party on a very cold evening. Rene brought along nibbles and soft drinks, and a beautiful festive tablecloth that was handed down from her grandparents. 

Show and tell

The was a theme in the show and tell of everyone trying to use up yarn in their stash, rather than buying more. Wonderfully colourful crocheted blanket made from leftovers from previous projects. 

Child's cute cardigan.

Another crocheted blanket from leftovers.

First pair of socks, from the book 'Knit your socks on straight' by Alice Curtis. 

Machine knit top with detailed neck edging.

Machine knit blanket swatch using Brother 950i built-in pattern, a hand knit cotton dishcloth, and a handmade Christmas card. 

Hand knit clog slipper from 'Knit one knit all' book by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

December 2022 meeting

Reminder that it's our annual Christmas get-together on Tuesday. Please bring along any WIPs and festive knits to share in the show-and-tell, and chat about. There will be some soft drinks and nibbles available. Please consider bringing along your own non-breakable/camping mug or cup. 

Our newsletters are now sent using Mailchimp to manage the newsletter mailing list. If you wish to subscribe, please use the sign-up form.  

November 2022 Knit and Natter, Crochet and Chatter

UPDATES

In line with the recommendations from the Knitting and Crochet Guild, the email newsletter has been moved from a manually-managed spreadsheet to using Mailchimp, and moved to using the club email address FleetKnittingClub@gmail.com. There is a sign-up form on the blog to sign up to receive the newsletter. Every newsletter will now include a link at the bottom to unsubscribe. 

Fleet Essentials in Fleet stocks Stylecraft and King Cole yarns. 

Guild website and 'Across the Needlebed' publication

Some club members are struggling to navigate the Guild's website to find the 'Across the Needlebed' publication. It can be confusing, as there are 2 passwords. There is password for the members' area of the website, and another for the 'Sheep' membership management system to join and renew membership. The October 2022 edition contains knitting a tuck-lace scarf, hand-tooling, a pattern for a Child's tank top. To find 'Across the Needlebed' go to Membership > Members Area > Across the Needlebed.

https://kcguild.org.uk/

BSK is closing down according to their Facebook page.

https://www.bsk.co.uk/

Next meeting is Christmas party … bring your knitted or crocheted party hats!

EVENTS

The Knitting and Crochet Guild has a list of upcoming events.

https://kcguild.org.uk/events/

Local fused glass artist Angela Jane has a studio at Newlyns Farm, outside Odiham, and is running classes to make 3 ornaments and some icicles. £30 per person. If you're looking for inspiration for presents, Liz has a glass coaster that has wire knitting imbedded inside.

https://www.glassbyaj.co.uk/classes

19-20 February 2023 CHSI Stitches, NEC Birmingham

https://www.chsi.co.uk/

12-14 May 2023 Hampton Court Palace Artisan Festival

https://www.hrpfestivals.com/artisan-festival

5-8 October 2023 The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London

https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/

TIPS AND TRICKS

Sponge bars

If you're not using your knitting machine for a few weeks, then consider removing the sponge bar. The sponge bounces back quite quickly when not compressed against the needles. Keep away from direct light to help prolong the life of the sponge. Smart Co Ltd near Manchester sell coated retaining bars that may last longer, but even then the recommendation is to replace every 4 years. They also have machines available for sale.

https://www.smartcoknitting.com/

Knitting Machine motor/garter carriage

Motor and garter carriages can be very fussy. Okay with Hobby yarn, but that's the most 'bumpy' the motor allows. Two people with garter carriages have the experienced the same issue that the carriage has a habit of dropping stitches as soon as you leave the room! 

SHOW AND TELL

Sandra hand knit a white short-sleeve top in King Cole Opium yarn. Just needs to add buttons, and there was a discussion about how many buttons to add. General consensus that for a summer layer piece then one button would look lovely. There were also a couple of tiny baby hats to donate to Frimley Park. 

Sylvia knit an Angel pouch, and finished a crocheted a granny square blanket in 4-ply. 

Carole knitted a 1ft baby blanket in white that's just needs to be blocked.

Liz has been weaving a scarf using ladder yarn and a wool. 

Janet knit a cute cardigan for friend's daughter with lovely contrast buttons.

November meeting

The next meeting is on Tuesday 1st November.

As usual there will be 'Show and tell' where you can share your latest finished project or work in progress, and ask any questions to help with troubleshooting if you've got stuck.

October 2022 - AGM and catch-up

The meeting started with the existing committee resigning, and new committee volunteering and being voted in. There was discussion about themes for the meetings for the club year, and charity ideas. 

Programme for 2022-23

René suggested we have a Challenge this year, as we've not had one for a few years due to covid. 

Ideas:

• Dress a bear

• Stash-busting cushion covers. Carole shared that she's given up stash-busting projects, because the remainders breed!

The 2022 project is: stash-busting something for your hands. You can make more than 1.

Charity

The club used to make things and take up to the Friends of Royal Marsden charity shop but the shop closed a few years ago.

 

Ideas for 2022 charities to support:

• The Mission to Seafarers are asking for knitted hats etc.  https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/at-church/knitting  They have a freepost address on their website, so scroll down to find it. There is a downloadable pattern on there too. There's also a pattern on this page https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/at-church/knitting/hat-patterns. Looks like it's hats and fingerless mittens that they want.  No scarves, close fitting and no bobbles on the hats as they need to be able to wear a hard hat over the top and fingerless mittens so they can wear them when working and still grip tools.

• The Sailors Society based in Southampton (https://sailors-society.org/). Follow up: They don't have anything on their website about knitted hats so presumably they aren't collecting them anymore.

• Project Linus - making small blankets for toddlers. https://projectlinusuk.org.uk/patterns-and-tutorials/knitted-blankets/

• Checking with local nursing homes if they want twiddle blankets/muffs/blankets for beds. 

• Yateley club are sending stuff to Spotlight at Basingstoke (blankets)

• Homeless night centre at Camberley https://camberleyallnightcafe.co.uk/volunteering-is-easy/

• Trussell Trust Food bank at the back of the church. Ask if they want Christmas presents to give away, such as hats/gloves. 

• Knit-a-square - making for refugees overseas.

• Christmas angels - knitted or crocheted. Get left out and about. 

○ Pattern: https://www.livingstones.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/christmas-angels-knitting-pattern.pdf

○ Information: https://www.christmasangel.net/info/

Meeting themes

General consensus that it's nice to have things arranged. Suggestion to alternate between knit-and-natter/crochet-and-chatter and a specific theme.

Suggestions:

• Uppingham Unusual Yarns

• Making buttons

• Weaving in ends

• Knitting in the round techniques

• Linkers

• Dyeing

• Spinning

• Trunk show from Guild collection (perhaps things for hands to match challenge?)

• Christmas 'do' (6th December). Non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles. No peanuts or pistachios.

• Melissa Warren - dip-dyes things. Previously was a speaker at a Guild of Machine Knitters event.

Events

• Craft and chatter at Fleet library tomorrow (10-12 noon Wednesdays).

• Branch of Knitting and Crochet Guild meets on the 4th Wednesday in Ash. 10am onwards. 

• Yateley Craft group - alternative Tuesday mornings.

Show and tell

Cashmere scarf that was 2 threads twisted into a cake, skein, washed twice, knitted, washed, blocked. Result was the yarn was now very soft. 

Socks in Tutti-frutti yarn

Pink raglan cardigan for tall 7 year old. 

Blue jumper, flat rib.

Yellow top with lace pattern in a silk, alpaca and something else blend that is super soft.

October meeting

Reminder that the next Fleet knitting club meeting is on Tuesday. It will start with our AGM which will include voting in the new committee, and discussing  topics or themes for meetings this year. We will have a knit and natter, or crochet and chatter, depending on your crafting preference. Plan to try having the tables laid out this time, so people have a surface for their work in progress.

Look forward to seeing you at the meeting - Tuesday 4th October, 8pm at Fleet Methodist Church, 72 Reading Road South, Fleet GU52 7TF

September 2022 - Autumn knit and crochet catch-up

First meeting of the club year. 8 people navigated the cooler damp autumnal weather to join in a post-summer knit/crochet and catch-up. Topics included issues interpreting charity patterns (some are easier to understand than others!), and comparing experiences of knitting on circular needles with straight needles.

Shows and events

The next Unravel show at Farnham Maltings is happening at the weekend 9-10 September https://farnhammaltings.com/artists-and-makers/craft/festivals/unravel

The Knitting and Crochet Guild collection will be open on Tuesday 13th September as part of Heritage Open Days 2022 https://kcguild.org.uk/events/heritage-open-days-2022

The Knitting and Crochet Guild convention takes place 16-18th September https://kcguild.org.uk/events/convention-2022

The Craft 4 Crafters Show is taking place at the Bath & West Showground from 20 September to 1st October https://kcguild.org.uk/events/craft-4-crafters-bath-west

The Knitting & Stitching Show takes place at Alexandra Palace 6th to 9th October 2022 https://kcguild.org.uk/events/knitting-stitching-show-london-6-9-october-2022

Show and tell

Most people were working on active projects during the evening. There were 2 crocheted blankets brought along for show and tell. There were several comments about the beautiful consistency of the stitches, and the vibrant colour, so there is a close-up included below.

September meeting on Tuesday 6th

The next Fleet Knitting Club meeting is on Tuesday 6th September 2022. We usually start the club year with the AGM, but with both the outgoing Chair and the incoming Chair on holiday, this first meeting will be a knit/crochet and natter, and a show and tell, to catch up with your crafting and creations over the summer.

We meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month (not Jan or Aug) at Fleet Methodist Church, 72 Reading Road South, Fleet GU52 7TF. 8pm -10pm.

As has been mentioned a few times over the last year the membership subs will need to go up this year to cover the cost of hiring the hall. The subs have stayed at £15 since 2003. I think the new subs will be £25 for the year (for all 10 meetings) or £4 per meeting.

July 2022 - Summer party

In lieu of not being able to have our usual Christmas party meetings for the last 2 years, we made up for it by having a little summer party with a few slices of cakes and some non-alcoholic fizz.

It was Liz's last meeting as chair, after many years of sterling work, and we provided a small token of our great appreciation with a hand-made card made by Jean, and a National Garden gift voucher. The new committee for the next club year is shaping up nicely, with René as chair. Liz brought along the original club notebooks that contain logs of what happened in the meetings prior to starting the online blog.

Shows and exhibitions

Creative craft show in Farnborough. 2-4 September (Farnborough Creative Craft Show 2022 | The Creative Craft Shows). Tickets £10

Southern wool at Newbury is also on the weekend of the 3-4 September (Southern Wool Show - Home).

Show and tell

Included a crochet blanket using a double knit acrylic, and a child's purple cardigan using yarn from Poundland.

July Meeting on Tuesday 5th July

 Our July meeting is on Tuesday (5th July, 8 pm, Methodist Church).  Is this going to be the last ever one? 

I have sent an email to those of you who paid a subscription pre-pandemic.  Please read it and respond as it is important.

Nobody has yet volunteered to take on the lead position.  We do have volunteers to act as treasurer and to handle PR and our on-line presence, but they can't do everything between them especially as they both work full time.  So if you want to see the club continue, and to make it to it's 45th year (and on to it's 50th), volunteer now and help keep it going.

I am sure we will have plenty to discuss so we have put this meeting down as a knit and natter.  Come along and spend an evening knitting (and crocheting) and nattering.  Bring along things you've recently made too and show them off.

I do hope there is a good turnout for this meeting.  In light of the soaring covid numbers, please wear a mask when you are inside the building and sanitize hands too.  Thank you.