Knitting All The Way

It really is difficult remembering to keep working on the blog but I must be disciplined about it.

I have just uploaded a pattern to ravelry.com (I Love Canterbury Beret/Tam) and within 5 minutes had sold one, so pretty chuffed about that.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-love-canterbury-beret-tam

 

Pam is going great guns and has almost finished hers – probably has by the time I write this.

Last Thursday was the last Stitch and Knit before our August break and we had 21 lovely ladies plus 2 delightful younger ladies working on their loom bracelets (very trendy). It was a great but busy session as people were finishing things before the break etc and I was particularly delighted that Gill has almost finished her waistcoat – just ends to weave in and buttons to sew on. I found some lovely wooden ones for her and they will look fabulous.

 

Last weekend (which seems ages ago) I attended Fibre East in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. This suits me as my father lives in Bedford and I enjoyed it much more that Unwind as it was all on one site and not spread over several places around as in Brighton. There was so much to see there – almost too much as it is difficult to decide what to buy and you must buy something at these events! The following photos were taken there (the shots with very few people were taken before it started as workshop participants were allowed in early. In fact it was all incredibly well organised and I would recommend the event to everyone.

 

My lovely husband is a willing pack pony and enjoys looking at the looms and spinning wheels to see how they are made and work. He also was entertained by an Aussie sheep shearer demonstrating and entertaining the crowds while I attended a workshop with Ann Kingston, a Yorkshire designer and mega-knitter who has written several wonderful books.

 

 

Blogging again

Well I have decided to resurrect my blog – I will duplicate the entries on

www.stitchandknit.wordpress.com ,

www.therovingyarn.wordpress.com and on my website

www.therovingyarn.co.uk until I get more organised.

 

Yesterday (Sunday July 20 2014) saw several ladies gathering in Petham for a knitting workshop. The theme of the workshop was Fair Isle and, as usual, we covered the background history, techniques and tips, a practice piece and started a pattern designed by me. This time it was for a Fair Isle Tam (beret).

 

I strive to give value for money and for £40 the ladies enjoyed (I hope!) 4 hours of help and tuition and a kit containing 4 balls of Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Shetland yarn, 2 KA circular needles (which I sell on the website), a magnetic row marker, 10 stitch markers, loads of typed info sheets and the pattern. Of course I forgot to take any photos on the day.

 

I was amazed at how quickly everyone grasped and conquered two- handed knitting: continental with the left hand and English-style with the right hand. It’s all in the tension with which the working yarn is held. It took me a lot longer than them to master it.

 

Today has been sent trying to tidy away some of my workshop paraphernalia. I work in a very chaotic fashion with bits and bobs everywhere. I know where everything is but it does look a mess and must be sorted. The heat is too much for me so I didn’t get nearly as much done as I wanted to. I also need to sort out stuff for the September workshop before Stitch and Knit breaks up for the summer next week (July 31). It’s all about finishing and details can be found on the website.

 

Tomorrow I am off to the knitting group in the library, sorry…The Beaney! There were only a few last week and I assume that’s because of the summer holidays. Hopefully it will pick up again.

 

Thursday afternoon and I shall be back in Petham for Stitch and Knit which I absolutely love. Super ladies, great venue and delicious home cooked cake – where in Canterbury could you get home cooked cake and coffee for £4 plus companionship, chat and help with projects (don’t mention Waitrose – that’s just the coffee!).

 

I also need to work on projects that I am producing I collaboration with Sophie of Earthwire Shirts – we have exciting plans which are hush-hush at the moment.

 

There’s also a magazine submission that I would have like to work on but the days just rush by. Still at least this can be ticked off.

‘Til next time

 

Happy Knitting

Rowan

 

ps C&H Fabrics (several branches in the south/south east) are running The Great Knitting Bee competition – check with your local store for details.

New workshop dates

For all information on all workshops email stitchandknit@gmail.com

A  Beaded Purse/Bag Workshop in Petham near Canterbury Sept 22nd 2013

Make a small purse size knitted & beaded bag similar to the one in the picture.

Yarn, beads, pattern & beading needle are provided but you will need to bring own needles and buy lining material & Vilene/ stiffener & fastener, if required, later. You will learn one method of how to knit with beads, three-needle cast-off and how to line the bag. Available in bright green, heather (soft plum), gold/ochre, silver grey, bright pink and lilac/pinkblack, blue, turquoise and orange Please give 1st and 2nd choice of colour.You will need to bring 3mm & 3.25mm needles (not long ones). Max 8 in class.

Workshop £30 Booking essential

A Beaded Lace Shawl Workshop in October 2013, Petham near Canterbury

Learn to knit a lace shawlette using a chart and beautiful hand-dyed silk/merino wool yarn. You will learn how a simple shawl is constructed, how to add beads and how to knit on an edging.  Yarn and beads along with the pattern and notes are provided, but you will need to bring a good 4mm 80cm circular needle (ChiaoGoo or Addi lace circulars), 4mm straights (as pointed as possible i.e. Knitpro or similar) plus a 0.75 crochet hook. We will also be spoiled with homemade cakes and tea/coffee. This is a single workshop but a follow-up can be arranged. Email if you are interested. £40

Learn to Crochet, Petham near Canterbury date to be decided.

We will also be running another Learn To Crochet Course date tbc. You will be provided with a super instruction book (including instructions for left-handers) but will be asked to bring your own crochet hook (you can buy a Brittany Birch one from us for £4 (RRP £4.99) if you want). For those who have the basics, we have permission to crochet one of the patterns from the book – a daisy facecloth. For real beginners we will master a granny square which can build into a cushion cover or a lap blanket.

£30

Dates, Workshops and Lovely Knitters

Well where has the time gone? It’s nearly Easter and we are already thinking about term dates for the rest of the year.

We end this term on March 28^th and start back again on April 11^th (i.e. no meeting on April 4^th).

The summer term will run from April 11^th to July 25^th BUT there will be no meeting on May 2^nd as the hall will be used as a polling station and half-term will be on May 30^th.

 The Christmas term (yes, Christmas!!) will probably start on September 5^th but we will confirm that nearer the time.

I just wanted to list the ideas we have had for workshop -please get in touch if you see anything you fancy.

Workshops

• We will probably run the Beaded Shawlette one again so if you know anyone who might be interested let them know.

Other ideas –

• A pair of gloves made to measure i.e. using the exact measurements you’re your hand/fingers knit a pair of gloves to fit or make some for a friend/family member.
• Estonian Lace – probably a scarf but using Estonian stitches including nupps and a 2 ply yarn (next step on from the beaded shawlette?). Might even include a bead or two!
• Socks – an introduction to knitting in the round. Can include cables/lace etc.
• Mountmellick Embroidery (Irish embroidery, normally white on white) – for something completely different but does include a knitted fringe!

• Hardanger – different to cross stitch and can include ribbon work

These are just ideas and no dates have been set etc. – if you have any ideas let us know. If you are vaguely interested in any of the workshops please let us know.

As you know I have an online-store selling Manos & Artesano Yarns and Brittany Birch Needles (not bamboo). If you have a computer you can view everything at www.therovingyarn.co.uk and see the special offers and discounts.

Finally I just had to add some recent pictures. Eileen is our oldest member and is very proud of the lovely red cardigan she has made.

Agnes helped to put it together for her and is seen here wearing her latest shawlette having attended the Beaded Lace Shawlette Workshop last November.

Agnes (a former midwife) helped Chris knit some breasts to teach women about breast feeding. Good aren’t they! Not sure about the colours though!

Welcome to 2013

Hi

A Happy New Year to you all.

We start back again on Jan 10th 2013 and I am looking forward to seeing all your Christmas Knits.

If you are new and interested in joining us the detail are as follows.

We meet on Thursdays (usually school term time) in Petham Village Hall, near Canterbury, from 2-4pm. The charge is £4 per session (only pay if you attend) and we provide homemade cake and tea/coffee. There is help for beginners and there is usually someone who can sort out a problem you might be having. People knit, sew, crochet, embroider and we had one lady who made a rug for her granddaughter’s bedroom. If you have a particular problem it helps if you email us in advance so we can have a think about it.

There is also the opportunity to buy Manos and Artesano yarns and Brittany needles.

Best of all there is a lovely group of friendly ladies (no men yet!) waiting to meet you.

 

Dates

Sept 6^th 2012 – we start back

Sept 30th – Beaded Bag Workshop

Oct 25^th – half term for us

Nov 4th – Shawl workshop

Nov 15^th – Polling Day so the hall is unavailable

Dec 13th – end of term

Lace Shawl Workshop

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By request, we are re-running this workshop on Nov 4th – same as before at Anne’s from 1.30-5.30 £30.

Yarn and beads are provided but you will need a good quality 4mm (80cm) circular needle – we suggest ChiaoGoo Knit Red Lace circuilar needles or Addi Lace circulars and a 0.75mm crochet hook.  Email stitchandknit@gmail.com if you are interested to find about about yarn colours etc.

Dates

Dear Stitchers and Knitters

There has been some confusion over dates for the end of this term and start of next term. The sheet that I have put on the table several times has these dates and that is what we are sticking to. Consequently there is only a one week break over Easter.

Jan 5 – 29 Mar 2012 (Half term 16 Feb)

April 12 – July 19th 2012 (Half Term June 7th)

6th Sept – 13 Dec 2012 (Half Term Nov 1st) Polling day Nov 15th – no session

We may (depending on whether you want it and whether the hall is free) have another one in July (26th) leaving us just the whole of August off. Let us know what you think.

 

 

Time flies

I can’t believe it’s nearly Easter – why do January and February fly by so quickly?

We are enjoying our Thursday sessions very much with often as many as 20 ladies attending.

Our next workshop is on April 22nd and  is almost full. We are going to teach how a lace shawlette is designed and knitted but using 4ply rather than the very fine 2ply.

Everyone is welcome so if you haven’t been before, don’t be shy – email us for more information stitchandknit@gmail.com.  We meet on Thursdays in term time and charge £4 per session (only pay if you attend). Petham Village Hall is about 4 miles outside Canterbury (CT4 5RD) – modern and light with free parking plus homemade cake & coffee/tea.

Keeeeeeeep knitting (or sewing, or crocheting…) – soon be time for Strictly again.

For-up-todate news about the knitting world please visit http://www.ukhandknitting.com/

End of term

Christmas is approaching and our last Thursday session is Dec 15th. We will start again on January 5th – if there is bad weather please ring one of us to check whether the session will take place. Anne 01227 700567 or Rowan 01227 462046.

Our Christmas get-together is on Sunday Dec 11th 3-5.30pm.

Please bring a small plate of food to share.

Drinks will be provided.

Thanks for all your support and friendship.

Keep knittingggggggggggggggggg (or stitching!)

Rowan & Anne x