We met up with knitters from around the area for the World Wide Knit in Public Day. There were more of us than in the picture as others came and went during the afternoon. It was great to sit and chat with likeminded people on a lovely sunny afternoon.
At the meeting last night we talked about and agreed to take part in the World Wide Knit in Public Day which is on Saturday 11th June. We talked about meeting either in The Views or Calthorpe Park.
With all the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations plus a family wedding this weekend, I almost forgot to post about our upcoming meeting!
We will be taking a more in-depth look at the items that have been loaned to us by the Knitting and Crochet Guild (https://kcguild.org.uk/). There will be some that we can touch, but other items need extra care and we can only look at them as Sally shows them to us.
Looking forward to seeing lots of you on Tuesday, 7th June, 8pm.
p.s. no volunteers yet to take over running the club. Unless someone steps forward the July meeting will be our last. Such a shame after over 40 years.
The trunk show from the Knitting and Crochet Guild's collection had arrived. Sally laid out some of the items from the trunk show on a table, covered by a clear plastic sheet, so everyone could take turns during the evening to have a sneak preview of the trunk show talk/presentation next month.
We continued the discussion about socks, mostly focusing on heals and cuffs. Liz shared some interesting spiral-bound books that had each page split into 3 sections, so the reader can choose a different cuff, heel and toe for their desired sock.
We are still looking for new volunteers for the committee, and a new chairperson. Only 2 people have volunteered for the committee so far. If there are no volunteers soon then the club's last meeting will be in July. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Liz or Sally.
Don't forget it will be Fleet Knitting Club meeting on Tuesday, 3rd May. It will be easy to overlook it, coming straight after the bank holiday weekend.
From Newsletter No 22 - sent 18 December 2021
Knitting 2 colour stripes in the round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXsItKHmmNk
Top-down sock knitting discussions and tutorials
https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/2014/05/basic-sock-pattern-and-tutorial.html
https://curioushandmade.com/the-sock-series-stretchy-cast-ons-for-handmade-socks/
Which yarn for knitting socks?
What is the best yarn for knitting socks? – Wool n Stuff
There was a long discussion around the different needles suitable to sock knitting, and personal preferences. Each material has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Each brand of circular needles has their own technique for joining the flexible cord to the needle tip, so try several until you find the one that works best for you.
KnitPro - Knitting Needles, Crochet hook & Accessories
LYKKE Crafts - Make Happy! - Knitting Needles and other Crafting Tools
Knitter's Pride - Knitting Needles, Crochet hook & Accessories (knitterspride.com)
It's the start of April so we will be meeting on Tuesday 5th. 8pm at Fleet Methodist Church.
Machine Knitting Monthly provided us with a club copy of the March issue of the magazine, which contains a spotlight on designer Alison Dupernex, racking skills with Bill King, and 10 knitting patterns. Machine Knitting Monthly - The hand-knitted look in a fraction of the time
The Knitting and Crochet Guild now has PDF copies of Guild of Machine Knitters magazines available on the website for Guild members. Guild of Machine Knitters Publications | Knitting & Crochet Guild (kcguild.org.uk)
All copies of the 'Across the Needlebed' online newsletter for Machine Knitters is also available on the Guild website for members. 'Across the Needlebed' Machine Knitting Publication | Knitting & Crochet Guild (kcguild.org.uk)
The Fleece to Fashion: Economies and Cultures of Knitting in Modern Scotland Project is recruiting Research Volunteers from the knitting community initially to knit up samples and small garments using Margaret Klein's pattern instructions held in National Museums Scotland. Knit a Margaret Klein – Fleece To Fashion (gla.ac.uk)
Fabric and Craft Sale, Whether you want to sell or buy, Patchwork, dressmaking textiles and notions, knitting, embroidery or craft supplies,patterns and craft books Saturday 9th April, 10am to 4pm. Events | All Hallows Church (hantswhit.church)
Several knitting skills are unfortunately now listed on the Heritage Crafts red list of endangered crafts. Frame knitting and Shetland lace knitting are critically endangered. Gansey knitting and nalbinding are endangered. Categories of risk | Heritage Crafts
Yarn too fluffy? Run the yarn over a plain candle.
Yarn too old and brittle? Put in the freezer with the bag open for a couple of days to absorb moisture.
Yarn too hairy? Yarns like angora will flatten when cold, so place the yarn in a sealed bag in the freezer overnight before using to calm down the hairs.
Christine had knit an amazing shawl.
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??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.
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
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.
If for any reason the meeting doesn't go ahead I will post here an send an email to those on the messages list. But I'm hoping that after two years we will be able to meet!
Guidelines for attending Fleet Knitting Club meetings
Whilst we recognise that national guidelines are
relaxing, and that the majority of people have now been double, and some will
be treble, vaccinated, we are aware that it is still possible to catch, and
spread, Covid-19. We therefore feel it
sensible to put a few precautions in place for when we meet. Whilst these
precautions go further than national guidelines we feel they are important
bearing in mind the age and health of many of our members and hope that you
will respect them.
It is up to each person to take personal responsibility for deciding whether they are happy to attend knitting club when we start meeting again. Fleet Knitting Club cannot be held responsible for any infection or virus you may be in contact with or catch whilst at a club meeting.
We would respectfully request that you do not attend a meeting if:
If you have symptoms of Covid, or receive a positive
result from any form of Covid test within 6 days of attending a meeting
(including the day of the meeting) please contact us immediately. Everyone attending a meeting will be required
to provide up to date contact information so that we can notify you as a potential
contact. We are required also to inform
the Church.
For attendance at the meeting you will be expected to:
The tables and chairs must be sanitised before we
leave. Windows and keep doors open whatever the weather.
Please remember that whilst you may be comfortable
with being close to others in a enclosed/confined space and with poor
ventilation, there will be some people who prefer to maintain distance from
others and to have doors and windows open. We would ask you to respect all
positions and views and be understanding if they ask you to move further away
from them.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Fleet Knitting Club
September 2021/ Updated November 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.
o-o-o-O-o-o-o
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.
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.
o-o-o-O-o-o-o
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!
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
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!
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.
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
