Newsletter no 16 - sent 30 May 2021

Hi Everyone 

Another month has flown by. Again I seem to have been busy most of the time and  I’m not sure exactly where the days have gone.  That’s probably a good thing as I have not been at all bored.  It is sometimes a case of trying to decide what to do first, and when I do (and I’ve had a cup or two of coffee!) it’s too late to start.

No update yet from the school, but I didn’t really expect anything and will be surprised if we hear before mid August.  I will keep an eye on things so we don’t miss an opportunity to meet.  With surge testing getting underway in this area I’m not going to suggest we meet outside any time soon.  I’d rather be cautious and safe than meet up “because we can” and I hope you’re all in agreement with that.

The other day I (literally!) tripped over boxes in what is supposed to be my workroom.  The damage was mainly to my pride and a some of the boxes of “stuff” got a bit misshapen.  (I just got bruises to show for the accident.) There was no floor space at all and I couldn’t get to any of my knitting machines to use them, or open any of the cupboard doors to get things out. One of the boxes is what has been described as the club “archive”.  It was an accumulation of papers gathered since the club was first formed over 40 years ago. I rang my fellow committee members and we were all in agreement—nobody wanted or had room to store it so it had to go.  So I’ve been busy scanning so it’s not lost for the future.  Having scanned everything I then shredded anything with a name, address and phone number on it.  The next job is to rename the scans so we know what they are, and make everything available to at least one other committee member as a back-up copy. It will be so much easier to look back through it now. Nothing is lost; it’s all there in a digital format rather than on a yellowing piece of paper. We’re aiming to go paperless—almost! And I now have a small space on my workroom floor, just big enough for my feet. So long as I stand still I’ll be ok! We’re also working out how to save the blogspot content so we don't need to keep paper copies of that.

So now on to more interesting things!

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A reminder -  World Wide Knit in Public Day is Saturday 12th June 2021.   Unsurprisingly there is nothing showing as having been organised in the UK, but you could still fly the flag and sit and knit in your front garden or a nearby park. 

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Lifelines

In case you haven’t heard of them before, it’s a piece of strong thread or yarn that is threaded through your stitches as you knit, so that if you  make a mistake or drop a stitch and have to “frog” it you have a known point to return to.  This could be vital if you are knitting a complex design or lace pattern or even a simple pattern.  The lifeline will be finer than the yarn you’re using.   Read the 10rowsaday website for lots more information.  (Whilst you’re on the site have a look at what else is there.  I found quite a lot of interest.) 

If you use circular needles with interchangeable tips they usually have a little hole which is used to put something through when you’re tightening the tips onto the cable. Watch this video from Breaking Yarn to see how to use the little hole for your lifeline.  It’s around 2 mins into the video.

If you want to know more on the subject of knitting lifelines just use your favourite search engine, there are loads more websites where they get a mention. 

Definitions:

To frog / frogging - to take your knitting and pull it back, undoing a number of rows.  Gets its name from “rip it, rip it” which sounds like the croak a frog makes.

To Tink / tinking - knit spelt backwards.  Refers to undoing one stitch at a time.

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Patterns

I was recently asked about writing your own patterns and how to adjusting a pattern when you can’t match the tension. It really isn’t anything to stress about.  You will need some paper, something to write with, a ruler, maybe a tape measure and a calculator.

One other thing you will need is a tension swatch, knitted in your chosen yarn, stitch pattern and with your chosen needle size.  You may need to knit more than one to find the right size needle to give you the finished look and drape that you’re aiming for.  Some patterns give the tension measured over just  a couple of cm or an inch or two, and if that is the case I’d knit something much larger as that really isn’t big enough to give a true gauge. The bigger the tension swatch the more accurate your calculations will be.  I would knit a piece at least 15 cm (6”) square, and measure the centre 10cm (4”) for both stitches and rows. Measuring right up to the edges or needles will be inaccurate.  When measuring the tension swatch put it on a flat surface, as measuring on your knee  or the arm of a chair will be inaccurate especially if using a ruler.  Don’t forget to replace your tape measure every so often as the do stretch with time.

And now comes the more complicated bit as far as explaining in words is concerned, but the actual doing easy. I think I’ll instead give you a number of websites to look and see if they help. And once we can meet we can spend an evening or two working things out together. Here are just some of the websites.  A search will find more if you want to look into this further now.

                  M R Worland

                  Sew What Yvette                                           Cara4webshopping

                  Edie Eckman                                                  Good Knit Kisses

As these are from around the world, some are in inches, some metric so don’t panic if you don’t get the results you are expecting.

Of course if you do a lot of knitting or crochet and want to start from scratch with a sketch and a tension swatch, you might like to take a look at some of the computer programmes and aps. Some are expensive, some are free with the option to pay for more features.

DesignerKnit from Soft Byte is expensive and for a PC rather than a tablet.  For anyone looking for something for a tablet then use the ap store on your device.  There are plenty and either offer a free trial or demo version.  Let us know if you find one you get on with.

Once we can meet again we can have a session or two (or more) on this subject and help anyone having problems.

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Browsing the World Wide Web

If you’re worried about having enough yarn for a project then take a look at  a website called Place Marker that Gaynor sent to me.

Lots of free info for many crafts, including both knitting and sewing on this website.  Annies Catalog is an American site, so you may need to convert some of the terms.

If you’re knitting something with fringing on it, here’s a macramé technique from Candyandike that could enhance it.

Don’t like, or can’t get on with,  Kitchener stitch, then try Russian Grafting as an alternative.  Instructions are on the 10rowsaday website.

A bit of history next with an article about the worlds oldest yarn from Ars Technica and another about to Cowichan knitters of Canada from  Yam magazine

Here’s a couple of YouTube videos for you, the first is from Scotland and about Fair Isle Sweaters and the second covers a basic history of Fair Isle knitting

To finish,  if you are looking to wind a centre pull ball by hand then this page on the I always pick the thimble website shows you how.

My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List/Chart

 After my little tumble I am determined to clear space so I’m continuing  to work through my stash of everything craft related, either using items from it or adding it to a pile of things to go.  That pile is now a mountain so I must start photographing and posting it on some of the Facebook groups to find new homes for it. I’d rather things went to someone who will use them than the tip. No charity shop would want it as it is now all stuffed in carrier bags. I never realized quite how much ribbon/lace/braid/binding/zips I had until I pulled it all out of the cupboards and collected bags and bits from other places.  It’s filled a large black sack to overflowing!  Add to the pile more haberdashery and other items that I haven’t touched in the last ???? years and you can imagine how big the pile is.

My days of setting up and manning stands at exhibitions are over too, so a lot of that has gone. I’m eyeing up what remains and thinking do I really, truly, want it.  I’m slowly learning to say no I don’t! 

I have yet go sort through the stacks of boxes of yarn and the piles of paper crafts to say nothing of the books, leaflets and patterns that have accumulated over the years. I’ve been putting it off, but must start making inroads into them as soon as this first lot has gone. I have made a start on the fabrics by going through it once to take some out that can go, but I’m thinking I need to go through it another couple of times to make the pile to go bigger than the pile to keep, and to have an idea of what I can do with it if I keep it.   I’m sure I had intended to do things with it all at one time, but even with extra days in the week there just won’t been enough time to do everything.

In the mean time, club members and other craft minded people in this area of North East Hampshire don’t be shy.  If you are someone who likes to repurpose any of the things that I am putting on the “to go” pile do get in touch.

In between all this sorting I have done a little knitting and weaving, but nothing is finished yet.  I did finish another crochet blanket and you’ll find a picture of that in the show and tell. 

I’ve also had something rather exciting arrive in the post - all the way from Australia - needles and pushers for my vintage Harrison Knitting machine.  I’ve found out more about these old machines too.  They weren’t given model numbers like the machines we have today, but the different needle spacings were named after fruits, so my 7 needles to the inch needlebed makes it a Grape and the length of the needle bed is 9 inches so it’s B.  There were 12 different needle spacings/fruits varying from 4 to 14 needles per inch and 16 different bed widths ranging from 6½ to 36½” wide. Why fruits and letters? To simplify transmission of orders by cable or telegram of course!  And the price?  A whopping £65 for the most expensive, that’s around £7,800 in todays money.  I don’t know the date of this price list, but my machine cost £17/10/-  roughly £2,000 today. So the new needles will be put in and I’ll be putting the machine through it’s paces as soon as I have room to move my feet in my workroom. 

Some of you know that I am a member of the Fleet u3a.  It’s the National u3a Day on Wednesday 2nd June, and the groups were asked to make a diorama to show a bit about what they do as well as to wear blue and yellow on the day.  I’ve been working on the ones for the Making Cards Groups and the  Crafts Get Together ‘n’ Knit group.   Look out for these and others in shop windows around town. 

If you’d like to find out more about the Fleet u3a visit their website or the stand in the Hart Centre between 12 and 2pm on Wednesday 2nd June.  They are also having a lunchtime walkabout that day so if you’re in touch look out for the people in blue and yellow!

 

Show and Tell

Gaynor sent me an update on her weaving andspinning. She said: I haven’t done any yet!  I have been waiting for the spindle and yarn to arrive.  I have also ordered a book to help me in the learning process but as it is unseen I do not know how helpful it will be.  I ordered the book on the 12th April and it still hasn’t arrived.  I have chased it up today so hopefully this has reminded them to send it!   However, the spindle is here!  That was on the 1st May so hopefully she now has the book and can update us on her progress.

 

Carole has sent a couple of photographs. This first one is a sweater for Adam.  Carole said: This is in Stylecraft 4 ply. Set in sleeves as raglan wouldn't look right. My usual suppliers had no 4 ply so I had to go to ebay. It was very reasonable and quick and, when I ordered extra, it came vacuum packed so 2 balls went through the letterbox. The blue is stocking stitch, and the white is mock rib.

 

The cardigan is  hand knitted in Stylecraft  Wondersoft print, now renamed as Bambino (shade Alice). A basic raglan but I decided to add pockets I often think about pockets but usually forget.   As usual I knitted the fronts and back together.  I also put some cable detail on the raglans, but they don’t show up that well.

 Lovely Carole

 

 

Ros got in touch.  She said: Thank you so much for all your newsletters. I always look forward to them but hopefully we will be able to meet up sometime in the near future. 

This months knit is a golf jumper knitted in Stylecraft special DK.  Knitted with my Brother KH900 using the Knitleader.

Thanks Ros. The jumper looks lovely.

 

Nina emailed after the last Newsletter  She said: hopefully things will improve and we’ll be able to meet up in the Autumn.  I’m hoping to do some knitting again soon as I’ve almost tamed the family photos (something I’ve been going to do for years!).

I also heard from Sandra who said:  many thanks for the newsletters - keep up the good work.  Here are some things for the show and tell.

 The first is a  baby hat hand knitted in double yarn - have put in hospital box for neo natal unit/bereavement midwives but as yet they are still unable to accept anything.  Will need Pickfords to carry it all when the time comes!!!

Next is a baby jacket machine knitted in 4-ply from an old magazine item - picot hems/holding position on raglan but without wrapping yarn and then putting back and one front on machine and knitting sleeves down - again not wrapping yarn round last needle in holding position. The holes can be left as a decorative finish or can be threaded with ribbon or cord. Another garment for the hospital box.

The last photo is of a machine knitted jumper in 4-ply from a Busy Bee pattern.  This is one I have knitted several times before but machine would not knit full needle rib for some reason so had to knit the placket in stocking stitch. Unfortunately this has made it a little bulky - I think I must have a look at the ribber and do some adjustments!

Hopefully in the next few weeks I will have to start knitting baby garment as we are to be "great grandparents" in October - makes me feel even older than ever....  You have been busy Sandra.  They all look lovely. 

The one item that I have finished is this crochet blanket.  It’s an assortment of DK yarns that I had in my stash.  My daughter visited when it was almost finished and has bagged it to send to a friend who is expecting a baby any time now. I did mention the “holes” in the crochet but she assured me that it was ok as they wouldn’t be using it for the baby as soon as it was born and it wasn’t for a “first time mum”.  Great, that means I don’t have to keep it here. 

So that’s it for this time.  I look forward to receiving photos of more of your work for the next issue.

I just love this drawing by Missy Martin that was posted a number of different websites so I can't give a good accreditation except to say thank you to Missy Martin wherever you are.  If I’d put it as the And finally it would be too small to read so it’s an extra this month.

 And finally:

 

Until we meet again

 

Keep Calm

and carry on

Knitting or Crocheting!

 

Hands, Face, Space

 

Keep Active, Stay Positive - We will meet again

 

Apologies to those who read on line for posting later than you expected.  I kept forgetting till I'd switched off the computer!  Will try and do better next time.

 

        

Newsletter No 15 - send 29 April

Hi Everyone 

Where has the time gone? It only seems like last week I sent out the 14th Newsletter.

Hard to believe that we have been keeping in touch this way for over a year now.

I’ve been in touch with the school but as yet they haven’t had confirmation that they can hire out school rooms and won’t know until nearer the time if there will be any restrictions.  They have provisionally pencilled us in the first Tuesday of the month (except January and August of course) for the school year starting September 2021.  We’re lucky that all the dates fall within the school term but school events have yet to be finalised so they are unable to confirm the dates, or offer alternatives if the dates we want are not available. It will be July before we know the final dates and they will still be subject to restrictions in place at the time of the meetings.

So with any luck we should be back to meetings in September.  Hopefully everyone who can should be fully vaccinated by then and we’ll all be working out what our new normal looks like. For me, as long as it includes my crafting and seeing close family I’ll be happy!

Club members - Don’t forget to let me know if you want any yarn even if it’s just to “play” with.  I am more than willing to part with some of my rather extensive stash.  No input from anyone regarding charities that might be interested in receiving our produce, so if you know of one do please get in touch. 

I had intended this Newsletter to have a mix of news and articles but once again time has defeated me, but I suspect this short version is better than nothing.

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Knitting and Crochet Guild News

Members of the Knitting and Crochet Guild can now sign in to the members area and read or download a copy of the latest issue of Across the Needlebed. Written with machine knitters in mind, it will also be of interest to anyone who knits and crochets.  Copies of SlipKnot are available for download too.  If you haven’t yet followed up the email about activated your account please do so and also create a new Gift Aid declaration within Sheep itself so that they can claim all they are entitled to.  See page 5 of Slipknot SK170 for more information on this or if you haven’t received the email.

World Wide Knit in Public Day

 

Some of you may remember June 2013, when met t

ogether in the Hart Centre and spent the whole day knitting for the World Wide Knit in Public Day.  Those where the days when we could all meet!

The date for this year is Saturday 12th June At the moment six people can meet outdoors, but that may increase in May if things go to plan. We won’t be planning anything however there is nothing to stop you, or a few of you getting together somewhere public and knitting.  Maybe go to the local park to knit.  As I have discovered, there are so many children and young people that have never seen knitting, so think about taking yarn and spare needles so they can have a try. Cast on a few stitches before you go so they can try straight away!  If you’ve only got an hour to spare, take your chair out into your front garden and knit there for a change.  Fingers crossed for a good day weather-wise, and send me a photo for the Newsletter if you can.

Browsing the World Wide Web

The other morning I was looking at the KCG Face book group whilst I took a coffee break.  One of the members had posted a link to The Guardian.  Why are people so surprised to find men that knit?

Have you got 40 minutes to spare?  A podcast on the BBC World Service The Forum could be of interest.  It’s titled Unravelling the History of Knitting.  It can be downloaded so you can listen to it at your preferred time.

Here’s a website that helps you convert between different gauge knitting machines. The Midwest Machine Knitters Collaborative has other educational and online resources too.  Must go back for another look around!

Last time I was talking about socks.  I don’t think I gave a link to patterns where you start at the heel, rather than toe or cuff.  So here’s one from Ravelry. The thing I’m not sure about on this pattern is the method of casting off across the top of the foot.  Might not be too comfortable but I guess you could also kitchener stitch instead.  If you don’t like that pattern, try a Ravelry pattern search for “socks - other”.  Using the filters narrow the search down to “free” and “knitting” and you’ll find another 250+ patterns including dance socks, yoga socks, toe socks and numerous other variations.

My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List/Chart

Lots achieved this month, especially when compared with last month.  I am still sorting out the extensive stashes and the boxes, bags and drawers full of miscellaneous “stuff” that was  deemed  “might be useful one day”.  I must be realistic and accept that if I haven’t dipped into a large box of fabrics in the last 4 or so years I am unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future!  It’s the same with ribbon and lace.  Will I ever use it? And after all this time I can’t remember what is in the boxes let alone what I wanted it for.  I won’t just dump it; it can find a new home via one  of the local upcycling groups where they repurpose unwanted items or somewhere that has rag recycling.

I also have to accept that I must let a lot of the items I kept to make a good display at exhibitions go. Not the knitting yet, but the things that supported them so a display looked good. They are just taking up space. I will never take the lead on a stand again so why am I keeping all this stuff “just in case”.  And if I did I am sure I can find something else that I could use instead. I must now resist the temptation to change my mind and take things out of the piles to go.

So I’ve made a start but still have lots more to do.  In moving things around and going through things I did discover a few yarns I’d forgotten I had, including a couple of cones of black DK acrylic and a few whole and part balls of DK in an assortment of colours.  There was also some part balls of aran and something that looks like it could be chunky. I’m thinking that for those I may have to strand up finer yarns to give me enough to make something, but we’ll see.  What I do know is that some will be used for weaving; some for crochet and some for knitting of course.  Results of my progress next time hopefully and if not the time after.

I’ve been using some more of the 2/16 cashmere.  Weaving again, but using it two strands together for both the warp and the weft. So whilst I have emptied four cones I’ve also taken some off at least four more.  The two strands together made a good thickness for scarves and the part cones have enabled me to try out different colour combinations. The photo on the right doesn’t show that the stripes are two different colours.  The scarves have turned out to be really soft and one is a bit longer than the other so they can be worn in different ways.  I’m sure I’ll be making a few more as I’ve plenty of yarn left to play with but before I do that I’ve a few other things I want to do.

       

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Show and Tell

Gaynor has been in touch.  She asked  Have you ever spun wool with a drop spindle?  If so, can you give me any tips etc. and did you knit it up?   Unfortunately I missed the spinning demonstration back in the days when we could meet.  If anyone has any advice for Gaynor then I’m happy to pass it on.

Nina has been in touch.  She said: I forgot to take a photo of this jacket before I gave it to my daughter, so I've borrowed it back.  It's knitted in a Foxstones yarn something I've had in my stash for a long time.  It's a mix of Mohair, wool and acrylic, 4 ply.

Just a simple jacket drawn out on my knit radar, drop shoulder and edges at the front allowed to roll.  Made up with the purl side as right side to get curl on the edges. Nice colour Nina.

Karen has sent me a couple of pictures.  The socks are her own pattern and the yarn is Marriners sock yarn called Cosy Toes.  Karen used the shade called Flamingo and tells me that the yarn seemed finer than sock yarns she’s used before so could be ideal for wearing in the summer.

 Karens mittens are from this book from Arnall-Culliford Knitwear. The book was a present. As you’ll read, you’ll get to learn a different technique every month. This time it is the folded hem technique which we all know will flare out if we don’t get it right!  Karen commented that the way they made the thumb is interesting too.  The yarn is  Schoppel Zauberball which she just happened to have in her stash. 

Karen says these fit very well,  She’s knitting a second pair using the remaining Marriner sock yarn.

 

Sally sent me an email with a photo.  She said: I finally finished a garment!

A light-weight summer cardigan in Bramwell Duo Magic. I've been fortunate to have kept working full-time from home over the last year, and work has been very busy, which has left me a bit brain-drained on the weekends. I've been working away on this cardigan for months. It started with the simple intention of getting some practice with using the Knit Leader, and using up the seemingly endless cones of Duo Magic (it really is magic how many garments you can get out of a cone!). Unfortunately the lack of brain focus resulted in 3 left fronts, 2 backs, and 1 sleeve when I started sewing up, so there was a lot of frogging and re-starting. Then, after having sewn it all together, I lost focus again whilst steaming, and steamed the rib stretch out of one of the cuffs! At some point I will build up the focus to knit a new cuff and sew it on the end of the offending sleeve. Until now, it functions as a cardigan so I'm going to wear it regardless!

 

And lastly, here’s something I’ve finished - hand knitting!  It’s DK acrylic and size 6-9 months.  Yarn and pattern from inherited stash.  Knitted for a niece who had a baby just a few days before Christmas so it should be just right for late summer/autumn. The pattern called for the hems and neckline to curl naturally as knitting does.

 That’s your lot!

And finally:

 Until we meet again

 

Keep Calm

and carry on

Knitting or Crocheting!

 

Hands, Face, Space

 

Keep Active, Stay Positive - We will meet again

 

Newsletter No 14 - Sent 30 March 2021

Hi Everyone 

It’s been a busy month for me personally so again it will be a shorter Newsletter—apologies. 

With things beginning to open again I got to thinking that maybe, just maybe, we might be able to meet in person in September, even if we have to wear masks.  I’ll be contacting the school after Easter to see if we can at least book a room provisionally. I’ll also begin to think about a programme too, so if you have any suggestions then please let me know.  I did think however that the first couple of meetings at least might be knit and natter as I am sure we have lots to chat about!  We will try and keep it to knitting, crochet and yarn related subjects if possible, otherwise we’ll need more than just a couple of evenings!

Socks (part 2)

How are you getting on with your socks? Have you started yet, or just got things ready to have a go.  Where do you start?

Toe up, cuff down or TAAT?

Ok toe up, and cuff down are self explanatory, but I hear many of you asking what TAAT is.  Two At A Time!  Some people lose interest when it comes to knitting the second sock, or they want them to be finished together, so they prefer to knit both at the same time.  It also means that both socks should be exactly the same size.  Back to Winwick Mum for a TAAT tutorial, or again look on YouTube. 

What are the advantages of toe up? For a start there wouldn’t be a seam at the toe to chaff.  Another advantage is that the cast off can be worked very loosely which might be important to you if, for example, you have a high instep.  If you’re working toe up there are a number of different ways of casting on. Take a look at this method demonstrated by A Sockmatician. 

This next video from Very Pink Knits shows a different method of starting a toe up sock, and also combines it with magic loop and TAAT knitting.  This video is almost an hour long so you might want to watch it in stages. And of course if you do watch this other similar suggestions will be there so watch others for different ways of doing the same thing.

Cuff  down is just as the name says.  Knit from the open edge where you put your foot into the sock, down past the heel and to the toe where you cast off or kitchener stitch to close.  If you’re not keen on the cast on methods for toe up, then this could be the way to go. With care, you can try on as you knit too.  I also use this method if I’m not sure I will have enough yarn to complete the whole pair of socks as the cuffs, heel and toe can be knitted in a different sock yarn, especially now you can get plain colours to complement your chosen yarn. You could also weigh your yarn so you can use half for each sock and complete in a contrasting colour.  The change of colour would be inside our shoe so nobody would see it! 

Personally I need to use a size or two larger needle to cast on so that the cuff stretches enough to get it past my heel.  If you don’t get the cast on loose enough it isn’t as easy to unpick and remake it as if you’d knitted toe up.

 I have also heard of people starting at the heel and knitting up and down from there, but I need to explore that a bit more as it’s not something I’ve tried.  Another method is sideways which again I haven’t tried yet.  Look around the web and you’ll find all sorts of variations.

Types of heel: 

There are more different ways to work a heel than you would ever think possible.  The Curls and Q website is a good place to start. (They also have a page for toes  with suggestions for both toe up and cuff down methods.) There are links to a number of sock patterns too including at least one for split toe socks for those that wear flip-flops. The Knitting Geek website has some good pictures which may explain the differences between the various styles of heel.

If all those options are a bit daunting for you, then take a look at the Chilly Dog site

One sock I have knitted with an afterthought heel and matching toe is a mini cable spiral sock  It’s a free download pattern on Ravelry.  I have used this pattern a number of times with and without the pattern on it.  There are plenty of other afterthought patterns on Ravelry which can be accessed easily by searching in the patterns section for sock and afterthought heel.

If you’re knitting socks for a growing child you could consider knitting a tube sock.  That’s one without a heel, so measure from toe over the heel and up the leg/calf.  As the child’s feet grow the sock lowers the leg becomes shorter. 

Socks can of course be knitted on a knitting machine as well as by hand, either flat or in the round.  These days I tend to knit in the round starting and finishing on waste yarn and adding a marker row for where the heel is to come. Then finish the sock by hand.  I’ll look back through the Newsletters and see if I’ve given any instructions for this before, and if not I’ll include it next time.

Let me know if you have any questions about or have any problems when knitting socks and I’ll try and answer them next time.

My Stay and Home and Keep Busy List/Chart 

Well, this month I’ve only managed a little hand knitting and no crochet or machine knitting.  But I have done a lot of sorting out, and not all of it from here.  My papercrafts stash has gone up by at least 50%.  The box of papercrafts surplus to requirements and requiring rehoming has also been filled to overflowing too. I’m not talking a small box either, but what is often described as a large moving box! I also have far more knitting needles than I will ever need, so if anyone knows someone who would like craft or needles do get in touch.  

The little knitting that I have done has been to start a new project, but does use yarn from the stash.  It’s a  cardigan, size 6-9 months, in white DK acrylic.  I get on fine on the straight bits whilst I’m watching the TV, but the raglan shaping also includes a bit of pattern.  Whilst it is simple I do need to concentrate and count both rows and stitches, especially when it comes to knitting the second front and reversing the shaping! The scarf that I started last month is turning out a lot wider and chunkier than it looked in the picture, but I will continue with it for a while and instead of being a scarf it may end up as a cushion cover!  I found one cushion pad left in my stash that should be just the right size! 

I’m still looking out for a charity or other suitable fund raiser that would like to be the recipient of the things that I and others knit.  The one that I offered them to some time ago would gladly receive the money but we would have to sell them ourselves.  Others require specific items, but I like to knit what is calling out me and to try different techniques. I believe many of you also like to knit what you want and with yarns you have.  I’m running out of space to keep what I’ve made so far so hopefully will find somewhere soon.

Browsing the World Wide Web

Karen kindly sent me a link to a site she found and I think many of you will find it interesting.  The website is called Arnall-Culliford Knitwear and they have a Confident Knitting section with plenty of patterns and tutorials.  They have video tutorials for many of the techniques in their patterns, and the one that caught Karen's eye was for a folded hem.  This is a technique many machine knitters use but not quite so many hand knitters.  However you knit your hem it can flick out.  This video tutorial and the accompanying pattern is one of the best methods of preventing this.  Karen has started knitting a pair of mittens and said that the method of increasing for the thumb is interesting so I’ll have to look to see if there is a video of that too.

Naturally having watched the video tutorial I had to look to see what else they had.  The stretch cast off video shows a method I haven’t seen before, but I will definitely be giving it a go.

Marriner Yarns look to be introducing more yarns and colours to their range. They also have yarn on cones. They have free delivery for orders over £25 and a standard delivery rate of £2.95.

Do you have a knitting friend that you want to send a gift to?  Look no further than The Hebridean Tea Store. They have a range of Tea and Knit gift boxes.

Some exhibitors are hoping that the shows will be able to go ahead in the Autumn, but none seem to be offering tickets yet.  It could be that ticket numbers are limited or have other conditions applied, so do check carefully if you plan to go to one.  Even a year on my various stashes show no sign of being reduced, so either I haven’t been as busy as I thought or the stash was larger than I thought!

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

Don’t forget to give your knitting machine a bit of a spring clean, especially if you haven’t  used it for a while.  Removal of fluff and a bit of fresh oil will make it sing!

Show and Tell

From emails received I know some of you have been busy knitting and crocheting away, but for various reasons you’ve been unable to send photographs.  I shall look forward to seeing the various items, or photos of them, when we can all meet again in person.

I think I received an email from Roz almost as soon as the last Newsletter when out. She attached photos of her latest knits.  The blue cardigan is repurposed (pulled back and reknitted) yarn.  It’s a hand knit.  The white cardigan was knitted on her Brother knitting machine using a garter carriage.  And the two pairs of socks were hand knitted but Roz said they are a bit too thick. 

Roz has also made a wall hanging on her Brother machine as she wanted something bright and cheerful.  The pattern was from a magazine called Worldwide Machine Knitting from January 1980.

 

Gaynor has told me that she has started thinking about knitting and crochet and has an idea of something she would like to make.  She added  “I have decided it will have to be a pattern I make up myself and I hope the picture I have in my mind will come through my knitting needles when I decide to start.  (I really enjoyed the evening we had together in St Johns Hall constructing our own patterns and this has given me the courage to go on to make quite a few of my own knitting patterns since. Thank you Liz for the encouragement.) The pattern will probably be a combination of both crochet and knitting to get the effect I am after.  I also need to have a look in my knitting book of techniques too as I need to learn a different cast on method for this.  I like a challenge.  Watch this space. 

 

I have also received this photograph from Nina. Her latest creation is actually lilac in colour rather than the blue shown.  Nina has used her standard go to knit radar pattern.  The yarn is Uppinghams 4ply boucle type.  Nina says it’s nothing clever but she needed a jumper in this colour.

 

Carole sent me four pictures of things she has finished recently. She said: The yarn for this first cardigan is King Cole Cherish. I think it knitted quite nicely. I did not try to match the sleeve; it just happened. The yarn is a bit thicker than say Stylecraft so I needed a second ball for the bands (size 6 months).

 

This next cardigan is made in Stylecraft Merry-Go-Round. Knitted as usual on 1 needle with the sleeves attached at the armhole

 

These crochet squares came back from Spain so I just had to join them a hotch potch of yarns.

 

Peter had been asking for a new cardigan. I think the last one is about 30 years old but still going strong The yarn is Stylecraft Batik. I think it's a bit boring but he likes it and it is comfortable.

 

No photos from me this time.  I have been doing a bit of knitting, but by the end of the day my energy has all gone.  Maybe next time.

Until we meet again

 

 

Keep Calm

and carry on

Knitting or Crocheting!

 

Hands, Face, Space

 

Keep Active, Stay Positive - We will meet again