Yolanda Gypsy Creations

Quilted table mats

2011-06-12T19:13:00.001Z

Now that I gave had a few quilting lessons I thought it was time to practice my skills. I started 2 tablemats for my mum. She likes cream and green. The wadding is a special heat resistant type so that hot dishes can be put down onto it without damaging the table underneath.

I finished one completely - 4 log cabin blocks. I added side panels to get the right size. Machine quilted with circles to complement the angular lines of the log cabin blocks.

Close-up on the backing fabric. This will be the fabric for the other placemats that I intend to make to eventually make a set.

I got the panel finished for this one, but ran out of time so will quilt and bond it later. Again I will quilt circles

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

hidden bag

2011-02-02T22:48:00.003Z

I made this to hold my phone and change to be hidden under a top, so that I could have all this thngs I needed while working on an exhibition stand. There was limited room to store a handbag and I wanted to keep my belongings on me. It has 2 zipped pockets and a strap so that it went over the shoulder and across the body. It worked well at the exhibition, so very pleased with it.

Quilting

2011-02-02T22:30:00.004Z

I've taken the quilting further and very pleased with the results
This is the quilt I made for my nephew Archie

I used YouTube clips to get the inspiration and polyester wadding, then 'stitch-in-the-ditch' techniques of sowing over the joins between the pieces. I was pleased with the results, but have learnt since then
This is the next quilt for my friend's new baby. This time I went to a proper Quilting shop for advice - Quilter's Den in Warwick. I learnt that polyester wadding is quite bulky and the Cotton type gives a finer finish. I quilted in lines across the whole quilt with variegated thread and was very impressed with the results. This quilt took a day to complete - a very intense and enjoyable day - well and truly got the bug now!!
So in my pursuit to hone my skills I have signed up for a quilting class 'Block of the Month' at the Quilter's Den - the idea is that I make a quilt inspired by this.....

Block one

I love it!

Projects from 2010, well just some...

2011-01-03T02:27:00.001Z

Christmas time is when we reflect on the year and I've had a look at previous blogs and realised that I should really do this more often. Some of the projects I blogged about I had almost forgotten and others I have actually finished!

Roam - I started this in May 2008 and put it on hold many times to work on something else more interesting. Roam is a plain hoodie that was featured on knitty.com and is totally moss stitch! Yes a great idea at the time to make something casual for winter, but I never actually said which winter... Well it's finally finished and made it's first outing when we took all four children to Cornwall in the October half term. Pictures to follow

Multicoloured blanket - I think I started this about the same time as Roam... Again it got put down in favour of other more interesting or pressing projects. It's gut a full border and is FINISHED!

Proud to say that I do not gave any long term UFOs

So what else have I made?

Archie's techicolour blanket

This took almost as much brain power as actual crochet! I wanted to crochet a modern blanket using a stitch pattern that my Grandma Sweeney used to use, thus combining old and new. The yarn is Blue-Faced Leicester commercially spun as sock weight. I purchased the purple mix and rainbow mix at Yarn Gathering, which subsequently closed. It did not take long to realise that 2 skeins was not going to be enough and so the hunt for more yarn started.

On a time limit as we knew Archie was cooking, I could not take all year to find more yarn, so took the bold step to dye my own, as I has found a supplier of Blue-Faced Leicester sock yarn. A productive day later I had more yarn to work with.... And dyed lots of other yarn and fluff too!

So I had to frog the blanket as was and started again with four colourways and no fear of running out of yarn before I was happy the blanket was big enough.

Inkle weaving - practicing, but needs more. Caught the bug again at the Reenactment fairs

Nasty acrylic to practice with

Hand spun silk plyed

Handspun singles, prepared especially for this project - spun from silk caps. I was happy that I could spin fine enough, but caps are probably not the best silk to use as the threads catch when moving the sheds - more work to be done here.

On the needles....

So my current projects are:-

Christmas jumper and Cardigan for Oliver and Lily

Lily's is complete... Just needs sewing and Oliver's just has a few rows of the second sleeve, sewing and picking up the collar.

Lily's Jacob - Lily fell in love with the Spinning Guild's life size Jacob Lamb, which as a coop project where members spun and knitted bits, which were sewn together. Lily fell in love when we looked after him, so I have started one for her - so far we have 2 legs, a tail and half a side piece, so it's going to take some time, especially as I'm spinning it too!

Hats for Finn and Archie

2011-01-03T00:22:00.002Z

I did not get time to make Finn and Archie hats before Christmas, so finished them off over New Year.

Finn's hat
Sherlock Holmes style with button up flap at the front. I spun the dark green with silk for extra softness, but was not sure if I had enough, so striped it with commercially spun lime green DK Merino.

Archie's Hat
As he is newborn, he needed the softest yarn I could find. That's Alpaca, so I spun some white and brown from my stash and was very pleased with how soft and consistent it was.

The original idea was that they would have matching hats, but I could not find a pattern that I was happy with for both sizes, so designed my own version of a simple roll up beanie to show off the yarn.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas Angels

2011-01-01T13:08:00.001Z

So pleased with these... Tilda patterns

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First steps in quilting

2011-01-01T13:05:00.001Z

Quilting has been in the back of my mind for dome time now. As i've finally cracked the new sewing machine it was about time to put it to the test.

So armed with the iPhone and YouTube I created my first quilt - thus is for Finn's bedroom. The letters are appliqué using straight stitch as I was not confident with the appliqué stitch on the machine at this point

The skull was appliqué by hand. The inner was polyester wadding... I have since learnt that there is a better product. Happy with the results of the first attempt .

This is where the skills learnt with Finn's banner really came together. This was constructed using fat quarters and polyester wadding again. I used the 'stitch in the ditch' method of quilting, which shows up the channels. This was for Archie, our new nephew. I'm very pleased with the results, especially the binding.

Ok so now I really know how to quilt! A visit to the local quilting shop in Warwick - http://www.thequiltersden.co.uk/
Quilters Den. Now I know that I should use a specific wadding, this is a cotton one. Also I should quilt all over rather than 'stitch in the ditch' to look neater.

I'm quite staggered by thus one!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Verdict on the silk Inkle

2010-11-21T22:44:00.001Z

I woven as much as I could until one of the warps finally snapped :(

Very pleased with the outcome - I spun consistent warps with enough spin to undergo the tension required to survive (well for a while at least)

The pattern came out well and the weave was mostly consistent. I am still struggling with maintaining the tension when I move the work on but it's getting there.

-- Post From My iPhone

Progress on Silk Inkle

2010-11-19T19:02:00.001Z

I finally got the Inkle loom warped and have started to weave.... Quite staggered really!

-- Post From My iPhone

First silk Inkle

2010-11-16T19:21:00.001Z

Running on the enthusiasm from the recent Reenactment fair I have been spinning silk. The first attempts at spinning fine silk from a silk cap were very encouraging, so I bought more:- indigo, madder, weld, cochineal and logwood. I was desperate to spin them, so a couple of days later I had 4/5 colours spun.

I spun singles with the intention to weave an Inkle, so tonight was the night for warping the loom.

This is the pattern
The top row represents the warps that go through the heddles and the lower row those that are not through the heddle. I drew out a few rows to get an idea of how the braid will look.

Blue = indigo
Yellow = weld
Pink = cochineal

The loom warped up and ready....

Well nearly ready as I ran out of Indigo silk while winding the very last warp - typical! So it's spinning time tonight until I have enough for the last warp and the weft.

-- Post From My iPhone

Jumper for Oliver & Cardy for Lily

2010-10-31T19:58:00.001Z

Start on projects for Oliver and Lily

Oliver has chosen Red Rascal from the second Sublime book for Children and Lily wanted Daisy Crockett.

Here are the pictures from the pattern book

I have chosen pretty much the colours that they are modelled in above.

So far I have done most of the back for each. The plan is that they are ready for Christmas, but we will see!

-- Post From My iPhone

Inkle weaving

2010-10-31T19:45:00.001Z

It's been a while since I gave blogged and certainly a long time since I have done any weaving. I was inspired at the Living History Fair at the Warwick Exhibition Centre to get my Inkle Loom out of the shed. It still had a failed attempt at tablet weaving that I must have started about 4 years ago! Well it was not very good, but I used some of the warp to set up my ridged heddle. It was a bit rough, but I got the idea.

After some more inspiration from the Internet I warped up with wool to make Lily a belt for Re-enactments next year.

Here it is so far

-- Post From My iPhone

Tea and cake anyone?

2010-04-16T20:12:00.001Z

Well it will be a Lily cup of tea made with buttons accompanied by this Jamroll slice! More cakes on the way.... Got a whole set of them including French Fancies and Battenburg!

-- Post From My iPhone

Ooh it's been a while!

2010-04-16T19:56:00.001Z

But I'm back on track with blogging now I can access this reliably through Glenn's iPhone! there have been lots of projects,so it will take a while to catch up.

Recently I entered the Broadweavers competition at the Coventry Spinners weavers and dyers guild. I knitted a shawl using the Citron pattern from knitty.com. I spun two yarns, both blending experiments on the drumcarder. They are inspirations from spring, namely bluebells and violas. I'm plased with the result, but unfortunately did not win... There is always next year!

New Caprica Bag

2009-08-17T19:32:00.004Z

Inspired by Battlestar Galactica. When the colonial fleet landed on New Caprica and tried to make a new world for themselves, a provisons bag would be essential kit. The Battlestar Galactica group on Ravelry have the ingenious idea of suggesting missions and this was made in response to the 'Lay down your burdens' mission

The finished article has a double drawstring and long handles. It had its first outing to the shops and proved to be very useful.

Finn's pressies

2009-01-29T19:56:00.001Z

I finally finished Finn's things. The Ravelolympics jacket, strippy jumper and booties

Ravelympics Update - Day 4

2008-08-11T08:40:00.002Z

Up early and even managed to watch a little of the Men's 100m Synchronised Diving, while kitting of course. I started the Right Front, but only the garter stitch band at the bottom (5 rows)... more to follow

Ravelympics Update - Day 3

2008-08-10T20:30:00.000Z

Wow, I'm storming ahead, with first sleeve complete, the second cast on and completed!!

So far... Back complete, 2 sleeves complete
to do.... Right front, left front and make up

So if I make this in time (& I'm not going to slow down and coast) then I have thoughts for the bonus item - Stacking cats by Mochi.... something for me for a change, well when I say me, what I really mean is starting off as mine, but will probably get hijacked by the kiddiewinks.

Ravelympics Update - Day 2

2008-08-09T22:30:00.000Z

Day 2 of the Ravelympics Challenge and althoiugh is Saturday and usually a rubbish day for knitting, I did manage to complete the back and cast one the first sleeve.

Motoring along and if I keep this up then I'll be able to knit the bonus item(s)

Ravelympics... the cast on

2008-08-08T21:00:00.000Z

I've decided that I really need to start and complete a project for Baby Sweeney, so rather than setting the Olympic challenge to complete the blanket, I want to start and finish a little jacket

Paton's have a cute little jacket called Glee, which has a simple cable design and false pockets.

Technically I should be casting on during the Opening Ceremony, but as it 1pm British time, was at work so I cast on the back and knitted the first 13cm once the children were in bed.

A good start and on track to finish on time or maybe even earlier

Pirate Cushion - half way!!

2008-06-15T22:05:00.002Z

Wow... this is my first attempt at complex colour work from a template and I'm really pleased with it! I can't possibly show you the back, it needs some serious threading in, but hey its gonna be a cushion, so as long as the stitches are held firm, what does it really matter?

The back is in progress too, its gonna be a red border like the front, with blue and white stripes. On schedule for Glenn's Birthday... hope he will like it x

Pirate Cushion - photos at last

2008-06-04T21:48:00.004Z

Here is the plan for the cushion - based on Zoe Mellor's Pirate Sweater - its only a few rows, but its a start and I love the colours

The start of the Pirate Cushion

2008-06-02T21:16:00.002Z

I started the cushion, did all the calculations, well so I thought. With the border complete and the start of the colourwork, but 2 hours later I realised that I had positioned the motif in the wrong place, not accounting for a navy border at the sides too :( Well I have frogged it and re-calculated, but too tired now to start on it again. I usually frog at some point on a project, so hopefully this is the frog time over with.... fingers crossed

From Roam to Pirate cushion

2008-06-01T21:16:00.002Z

Roam is offically on hold - not really happy about this, but needs must, I have so many other projects waiting in the wings that are more pressing. Its Glenn's birthday coming up and I want to make a Pirate skull & crossbones cushion, based on the pirate sweater in Zoe Mellor's "The Big Book of Kid's Knits". Its gonna be knitted in DK cotton in navy blue, red & white... very excited about getting it started cos I can't wait to see his face when he sees it!!

Well its cast on time, so more news and a picture once its started

Roam progress

2008-05-27T22:18:00.003Z

Well Roam is in full flow now. The left front is complete and the right front is at least 6 inches long. I'm going to pledge to knit at least 10 rows each night to keep the progress going. Still got the two sleeves and hood to go, but it at least feels like I'm getting there now

Its working

2008-05-18T08:59:00.002Z

Well the knitting pledge is working and progress has been made on baby blanket and Roam. I so want to finish Roam as the shape and texture are really showing through. I'm at the raglan sleeve bit now, so with the decreases ever 4 rows, it should mean that it moves faster. So which bit to do next, the other front or have a change and do a sleeve. Actually I could do the two sleeves simultaneously and get them over with.

Knitting pledge

2008-05-15T22:51:00.003Z

So in an attempt to complete my projects before I start any more I have pledged to progress one of my projects by at least a couple of rows each night. I may have problems at the weekends, but I'm sure that I can make up for it in the week.

Roam Progress
Well it started tonight with 18 rows knitted on the Roam project, so now up to the armholes, so with the ragland sleeve, I should progress this quite quickly now.

Projects on the go

2008-05-13T20:41:00.003Z

Well I have had to limit my WIP as I have the anoying habit of starting things, but not really so good at finishing as there are so many things I want to make!!

So, whats on the needles atm then?

Roam
Finally something for me, or it will be once it is finished - a hooded cardigan in moss stich with lovely shaping and a zip - so far I've done the back and most of one of the fronts. It seems to be taking an age, but can already appreciate that it will be well worth the wait.

Blanket
The sofa has arrived and so it really does need its blanket to be finished. Its getting there, as it can cover Oliver fully, but I really want it big enough so that I can snuggle under it while laid on the sofa enjoying a movie. However with the weather so hot as it is at the moment, a blanket is the last thing that I want to pick up and knit, so it may have to be sidelined until it cools down a little.

Baby Blanket
Well I have finally hit on an idea and actually cast on. I toyed with various ideas, but have decided to go with strippy as its so easy and I can add colours in at will. It have a green moss stitch boarder then blue, yellow, orange, green and purple stripes so far.

There are so many other things that I want to start like booties, and hats, but I really need to make headway on Roam and the blankets, so if I knit a little each night, even if it is only a couple of rows or so, they should make progress.

Knitting Olympics
Well I had better start planning for this soo to as it is not very far away. Rather than finishing an item I will probably allow myself to start something new. Booties are too easy as they are so quick to make, so I think it might be a little jumper or cardigan for the new little one

So whats happening...

2008-04-01T21:14:00.006Z

Well I've been up to lots recently... started bead work again and made some lovely jewellery, charms mainly for Mum and MIL, which went down well as Mothers day presents.. sadly just realised that I did not get photos... silly Kellie. They were lampwork hearts with pretty flower designs within the glass and contrasting beads. I've got into the wire work with scrolls at the bottom of beads and like the idea of a collection of crystal and silver scrolls.

I've made a necklace and bracelet for myself in blue lampwork beads... Blue is not a colour that I usually choose for jewellery , but I was so taken by the colour and they would really cheer up a plain black top. Te necklace is suspended beads on a wire with silver spacer beads and anchored with crimps. The first time that I have done this, and I really enjoyed the effect and the speed at which I got a professional look, so I will be doing this style again. The bracelet is on silver wire and I made the hook and eye from the same piece, so this is new for me too.

I also made Glenn a couple of bracelets from wooden beads on fine elastic, but unfortunately I did not get a photo... I dunno I have a fab gadgety phone and I keep forgetting to use it!! Also as he works on very expensive cars and the beads are quite large, its getting annoying to wear, so I'll have to go back to the drawing board for that one. Oliver and Lily collared me to make some this evening, so Oliver made his own wooden bead one and Lily threaded random beads onto wire, which I finished into a fixed bracelet for her... pictures to follow...

I've been madly knitting the blanket of many strips ready for my new sofa, which should be arriving in the next 6 weeks or so. The picture shows a red one, but mine will be a chestnut colour in buffalo hide... I'm so excited and the children have been warned not to bounce or eat on it under pain of death. The blanket will be perfect to hide under during Doctor Who episodes. Not sure what cushions to have yet... think I'll wait until it arrives. I do quite fancy making cable cushions, but something tell me I will be a bit busy on the knitting front

BEST NEWS.........

I'm going to be an Aunty!!!! Being a Mum is one thing, but I've been looking forward to being able to spoil a niece or nephew for ages!! The children are beside themselves with excitement. Lily was amazed by the scan picture and can't believe that she was that small once... Its great they will have a proper cousin to play with... yes I'm excited if you have not already guessed... and so much knitting potential!!

So where do I start... blanket... booties.... cardigan.... hat.... gloves..... socks....teddy... it just goes on. I think that I will start with a blanket.... not sure if to do a woolly one or cotton, but definitely in bright colours rather than the traditional pastels. I have from now until about Bonfire night to get into production!! However I should really finish the stripy blanket and my Roam Hoodie first or they will get completely forgotten about!!

Wow what a long post, I'm sure there is more to ramble on about... aaah yes... Carnivorous plant!! Glenn and I have babies... in the shape of Venus Flytraps and Sarachineas.. check out our blog.. its in its infancy, but I'll be painstakingly photographing and cataloguing the collection very soon!!

OK that will do me for the mo, its great to be back in the blog mood x

More blanket news

2008-04-01T06:04:00.003Z

The last blanket picture did not really do it justice as it has moved on considerabley, so this is a better one that I took this morning. There is a moss stitch boarder in black then strips of different depths in any DK that I can lay my hands on. there are two strands of constrasting 4 ply in places, fluffy wool, eyelash yarn, wool & acrylic, so I'll have to be careful when it comes to washing it! I have even tried colourwork with checks and stars... which came out really well. I think that it is about three quarters of the way through, so I can't wait to see how it is going to turn out.

Hearts & Blanket

2008-03-31T21:09:00.002Z

Hearts for my hun... felted and a bit of fun!!

The Blanket started about 2 months ago now. this is a picture of it after a few days... it is considerably bigger now... more photos to come

Sock monsters

2008-03-31T20:55:00.002Z

Yep.. I've been experimenting with sock monsters too.... hee hee

They are so easy to do and very addictive... the only thing was that I normally have black socks, so I had to go out an buy colourful ones!!!

Back... again

2008-03-31T20:45:00.002Z

This needs some serious updating, so be prepared.....

Lily's Unicorn is finished... she called her Sheila!

& I made her a Faerie... called well... Faerie

Finally I have made myself something.... Fetching gloves which are so soft and have had some serious use this winter, so I'm really glad I put the time into them

ooh and this is Jack.. a pressie for Glenn. I even made up the pattern myself!! So cool.. the children wanted one too, so when I get round to it I'll have to do another one

Back again..... finally

2007-09-10T20:30:00.000Z

Wow, its been a very long time since I have written here. Life has been turned upside down and inside out, but I think that I am coming out the other side, so can start blogging here again. Until very recently I have not knitted a stitch or spun a fibre in several months, but now I think that I am having a renewed interest.

It is knitting for the children that has got my interest going again. I bought a fabulous book – Dream Toys by Claire Garland, which has fabulous toys like unicorns, fairies, pirates and cowboys that have inspired me to get the pins out again.

So I have started with a unicorn for Lily. The knitting did not take too long and now I am at the making up stage. Lily wants it to have a pink mane and tail and so it shall. The legs have rolled up paper in them, so hopefully it will even stand up on its own (well fingers crossed it will). I only hope that she does not treat it like her ‘Manky’ puppy and drag it through the mud etc because it will not stand the consent washing.

Lily's new jumper

2007-02-19T16:27:00.000Z

I would like to claim the credit for making this jumper for Lily, but I can't - Aunty Eileen did & I sewed it up for her.

Lily loves it, so thank you Aunty Eileen if you are looking in

Snow

2007-02-14T21:34:00.000Z

Yep - we had snow last week & didn't Coventry know about it!!

The schools closed, but Oliver had fun making a snowman.

Lily was most upset when he melted and his head fell off. She even cried when Timba ate the remaining lump the next day, saying that he had eaten the Snowman's Heart!

Octopus - body complete at last

2007-02-14T21:28:00.000Z

I dread to think how many rows I have knitted..... too many to count, but the body of the Octopus is finally complete. it still needs a base and stuffing, but my stash basket is providing a fab replacement for the moment. It will also need eyes and a mouth and maybe some colourful spots, but these can be added later.

So its tentacle time now!!

2007-02-08T21:07:00.001Z

Our first Workshop last night was a resounding success, with 13 members learning a new skill - needle felting. Each started a flower and we only had 8 yeps from self inflicted wounds!!

Here are some examples of what was made - these are still 'Work in Progress' as we found out that 2 hours was not really enough time to complete them - there will be more pictures here as they get finished.

Well done to you all and I look forward to seeing the finished articles

Sp revealled

2007-02-04T18:55:00.000Z

With SP9 all done, let me introduce you to Michelle and Michelle, my spoiler and spoilee

This Michelle was my spoiler who did a fab job especially with the 2 knit & Felt books

And this Michelle was the one I have been watching and spoiling, whoi will hopefully have a great time with hte goodies I sent, especially the digestive biscuits.

SP - more goodies

2007-02-01T19:05:00.000Z

I got a fab new book this morning in the post - Felt it - by Maggie Pace

It has lots of great knit & felt ideas and projects - I can't wait to get started - it will make a change from Octopus - at least I have started to decrease for the top, still 1000's more stitches, but it does seem to be growing now.

Thanks SP - Michelle for being a fab SP and sending lots of cool stuff

Octopus update

2007-01-14T21:43:00.000Z

its growing - slowly, but its growing....

Currently measures 12cm

Knit one felt too

2007-01-14T21:32:00.000Z

I

This is a fab book that my Aunty Elieen & Uncle Pat bought me for my Birthday
love the shape of this one and the way that the top rolls over.

& here is my version!! It has come out perfectly. The camera had gone walkies so I did not manage a before & after felting, but its the end result that matters and I'm very pleased.

100% wool makes the difference and felted in the washing machine. I have a front loader, so I thought that it would be a problem, but you can actually stop the programme and drain the drum to check the work. This takes time, so I just put it on a 60C wash with some jeans & a towle and hoped for the best. It needed a little reshaping and stuffed a towel inside to keep the shape while it dried.

I have put a small zip with needle felted ball 'charm' to help to open the zip & now its my handbag. I've had lots of comments & work!!

What is better than Kids in a sweet shop?

2007-01-14T21:20:00.000Z

Kids in a fabulous button shop!!

Just before Christmas I took Oliver & Lily to hte RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteers Programme) Knit & Knatter @ the Coventry & Warwickshire BBC Radio Station. This is what I found

Yes - jars and jars of buttons in all hte colours and types you can think

Back when I was a child, my Grandma had a button tin and if you had been really good at the table and eaten all your dinner, she would let you play with it. I had hours of fun sorting them out.

The notice said to take a jar from the shelf that does not have a star, tip the contents into the bowl, stir and sort out the buttons that you like, fill a jar and if you want it kept, then put a star on it.

How cool is that!!

Lily & I spent the best part of an hour playing with the buttons, sorting the, counting them and making shapes. We loved it so much that we have started our own button tim @ home and its her most played with toy at the moment.

Coventry Knit-Wits make 15!

2007-01-10T21:46:00.000Z

WOW - We are storming ahead and going to be doing workshops this month - check out the blog

Zoe's Bag

2007-01-03T21:09:00.000Z

I fianlly got to complete Zoe's Mobieus bag and it was fab - no photos so you are just going to have to take my word for it. I even did a little needle felt flower that just sets it off nicely. I love it so much that when the projects calm down (yer right) I want to make one for me out of the purple wool that my SP sent.

Anyway - Happy Birthday Zoe - hope you like it - she is under orders to take a photo for proof

Christmas Aftermath

2007-01-01T11:02:00.000Z

Nearly 2 weeks off from work and not a chance to blog. My needles have been on fire trying to complete my projects for Christmas presents.

I finished Dad's 'Jacob' bobby hat - I decided not to put the bobble on. It fits perfectly and he loves it, especially as I spun the yarn and knitted it too! – Pictures to come

I managed to start and finish Mum’s fluffy scarf in grey Sirdar Foxy – I almost looks like fur. It went down a hit too. The colour was neutral, so that it would go with any colour coat.

More Publicity – ½ page spread in the Coventry Telegraph!!! – Hopefully I’ll get a link to this if the Telegraph put it on their website. There is a picture of three of us knitting in the Liquid bar and a write up about who we are and what we do. Hopefully it will attract more members.

MOBIEUS!!
I have been saving this project as a Christmas Day project and I loved it. A Mobeius bag from “A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting” by Cat Bordhi, as a Birthday present for Zoë, my Brother’s Girlfriend. I chose 100% wool, so that it would felt properly in autumn colours, which had a short variegation. Knitted on 8mm long circular needles – it is really important that they are long so that you can get the Mobeius strip. The bag is formed in the strip by creating a hole by knitting waste yarn on a number of stitches, which you go back to later, remove the waste thread and pick up the stitches to knit the bag – genius and a through pleasure to knit, so much so I’ve started another one – I hope that I don’t give it away too soon.

MORE FELTED KNITS
A fab present from my Aunty Eileen & Uncle Pat – “Knit one, Felt Too” by Kathleen Taylor, which has lots of yummy designs for felted bags, slippers, hats, teddies – the list goes on – I can’t wait to get my needles round some of these patterns.

OCTOPUS
I have been toying with the idea of a project for the Coventry Knit-Wits Group to showcase @ Made in Coventry and the Godiva Festival (See Dec 3rd – Seascape challenge). The challenge for me has been how to knit the Octopus….

I had lots of ideas and drew many pathetic pictures, but finally hit on the idea when I was knitting Zoe’s bag – the waste yarn to create holes…. So here is the pattern so far (subject to change @ a moment’s notice)

4 ply yarn from cones – 2 strands (Green & blue)
Cast on 320 stitches onto 4mm long circular needle to form a circle and knit 5 rows.

Add waste yarn pockets as such –

*knit 20 stitches normally
knit 20 on waste yarn, pass them back onto the left needle and knit them again with the main yarn.*
repeat from * to * so that there are 20 stitch ‘pockets’ with 20 stitches between

knit lots – probably until you get bored, then pass to a friend – more on shaping when I get there, which I hope is before Feb 24th!!

I've been tagged

2006-12-22T09:44:00.000Z

I've been tagged by Mandyknits.....

Here are the rules:

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

”Weird things about me:

I have a wormery! Yes lots of wiggley little worms who eat my kitchen waste. I don't have a veg garden yet to use the casts on, but this year I hope.
I love cold beans out of the tin. It come from being pregnant and needing to eat all of a sudden. I could not wait to heat htem up, so just had them right out of the can. Problem is, I still like it now!
I'm a LARPer - yes thats weird enough for all 6. For years I have spent weekends playing or running fantasy 'murder mystry' weekends - great fun - see Whispered Tales for my lastest games.
Some of my best ideas come to me when I'm on the toliet
I've started 'Extreme Knitting' - #1 Giant knitting needles made from broom handles
I love starting projects, but ne so good at finishing htem - maybe thats quite normal really with knitters?

My "taggees" are: Tammy, Patty, Rachel and Penny - the others have already done it

Media overload

2006-12-17T09:28:00.002Z

Well this week has been a wirlwind of Media for the Coventry Knit-Wits....

Monday - the Press Launch of 'Made in Coventry' and Knitting in the City Centre

Tuesday - Article from Monday in the Telegraph - see here

Friday - Article from Monday in the free paper

Saturday - Photos and an interview in the Liquid Bar by the Telegraph, who want to do a story on us as we meet at the bar that wone the Godiva Awards and is Coventry's only non-smoking Cafe Wine bar.

Then on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire radio with Coventry RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteers Programe) as part of their Christmas Knit & Knatter

This all must mean that 2007 is looking good for the group!

Secret Pal Parcel arrives!

2006-12-15T17:13:00.000Z

well my SP has been very sneaky, or she was given the wrong info by her Post Office

I received an email 3 days ago to say that my parcel was in the post, but it may take some time to arrive - about 2-3 weeks. Imagine my suprise when it arrived this morning!

So inside there was:-

A treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi - she's noticed that I was raving about hte second one. I can't wait to get started on a Mobeius scarf!!

Purple 100% wool yarn - this will go on a Mobeius 'Boot' or bag for me (I hope)

A Knitted Fet Bag book - Pursenalities by Eva Wiechmann - 20 yummy bags to knit & felt, too many to choose from.

The softest purple eyelash yarn I have ever felt!!

The knitters handy guide to Yarn Requirements - fab for whenI'm trying to work out how much of my handspun I need for a project

and finally - pretty delicate stitch markers perfect for socks knitting!

All I need now is the time over the Christmas break to knit for meeeeeee!

Post 100

2006-12-10T11:56:00.000Z

Wow - I've been blogging for over a year now and here is Post #100. 3997 people have visited my blog since I put it up and the map shows viewers all over the world 2719 visitors since Jun 12th 2006!

So what am I currently working on:-

on the needles

Fred #5 - this will complete my current orders @ work, but 2 more have placed orders for after Christmas. It looks like I'll have to do a Fred a month to keep up with hte demand for next Christmas. I have not dared to take the Needle felted Gnomes into work or I'll end up making lots of them too.
Lily' Bolero - this has been put on hold while I worked on Christmas stuff, but it would be good to get it back on track as it only needs the sleeves and edging.
Bobble hat for Dad - Christmas present. I've spun the Jacob fleece in blends of white & grey/brown and then knitting a simple bobble hat. His current one is over 20 years old and showing its age.

Not quite on the needles yet

Fluffy scarf for Mum as a Christmas present
My contribution to the Spinners Guild Jacob Lamb - I have a body to do. I have some of the fleece spun. but brought more back from the Guild meet yesterday and have washed it ready.
A Red & Black beannie hat and matching scarf for Oliver - this would be nice for Christmas, but I think that I am going to run out of time.

Plans for next year's projects

A snuggly lap blanet/throw for our laounge. I'm thinking deep reds & golds
Plan the Octopus for the Seascape challege @ Coventry Knit-Wits - we need to get started on this as 'Made in Coventry' is coming up fast - more on this soon
Fingerless gloves for me - maybe out of the sock wool that I dyed
Socks for me
Baby clothes for Sally's little one - she knows that she is having a girl & due in April. I'd like to make the pretty matinee coat that I did for Lily

Fred Strikes again!

2006-12-04T22:24:00.000Z

I created the first Fred last year. I sat him next to the TV to admire him and see how he would look ready for Christmas and forgot him. The next morning Oliver came down stairs and discovered him.

"Mummy, there is some-one in the lounge!", was the call.

I had to think quick and come up with the Christmas Gnome flange to explain.... This is a very special Christmas Gnome who has been sent by Santa to keep an eye on you and report back so that Santa knows how good you have been. Oliver decided to call him Fred and the name has stuck.

Fred sat by the TV all through December, with Oliver giving him updates each day on how good he had been, but also how bad his friends at school had been! He gave him note to Santa to Fred and the very next day had a reply which he thought was great! Fred was an immediate hit and Oliver was the best behaved child ever just because he thought Fred might be watching.

Am I a bad Mummy?

Well the story continues....

At work there are two new second time Mums with older children who have been, well not quite being perfect. So I told them hte story about Oliver and his Fred, which got the immediate response - 'I need one!' So needles out I set to work.

3 Fred's later and a fourth to go I got the report on Fred #2. Fred #2 has made his mark on little Charlotte. Each day Charlotte would give her Mum grief over getting dressed, especially putting her tights on. The day after Fred arrives with a special note from Santa and Charlotte is the best behaved child ever! She realises that she does not have to throw a full blown 'paddy' to get her own way, a polite 'Mummy that is not very comfortable' will do.

Fred #3 is going to Mitchell, who has yet to recieve him. Fred #4 is the Green & Gold one in the picture next to the original Fred (Grey & Red), who has a rustic appeal and will soon be joined by a Grey & Red Fred #5 who is still on the needles.

More on Felted Gnomes

2006-12-03T18:38:00.000Z

I have found a fab needle felting website and have put my gnomes into a competition - see here. they are amongst quite stiff competition though...

Seascape Challenge

2006-12-03T18:23:00.000Z

I have been looking for a new challenge for the Knit-Wits in preparation for next Year's Godiva Festival and other knitting days that we may attend. I kept coming back to the idea of a giant Octopus that children could sit on and play with the tentacles. I had a vision of stripy tentacles being knitted by several people simultaneously and people could sit and knit a few strips so that lots of people contributed.

Then the idea moved onto fish and seahorses, then star fish and fluffy sea anemones. Then I thought, hey how about a seascape scene with lots of sea creatures and seaweed.....etc...etc. It would be so tactile and fab for children to play with. Coventry has just had a new hospital built, so it may be useful for the children's ward. I'll have to give them a ring. So I have set the group the challenge... more news as the plans form

Knit-Wits is a year old!!

2006-12-03T18:18:00.000Z

Coventry Knit-Wits is a year old! I started the group in November last year, which has grown and grown each month. We now have 8-12 regular members each week and have great fun swopping ideas, knitting, crocheting and of cause drinking the legendary Hot Chocolate.

I you want to know more about Coventry Knit-Wits, then visit our blog

We even got National Press this month by getting into Simply Knitting, the UK's leading klnitting magazine!

Needle felt Gnomes

2006-11-20T20:26:00.000Z

If you have been reading my blog for long, you will have worked out that I like to try out new ideas. One of these is needle felting. Since last Sept @ the Knitting & Stitching Exhibition in Harrogate I have been playing around with Needle felt and here are my latest two creations - Felted gnomes.

I love faeries, goblins & gnomes, so I had a go. They are made in sections then needle felted together. the Beard is fleece naturally that curly that has bee needled into place a tuft at a time to build it up - like Alice's hair.

I am so taken with this new obsession that I'm going to be running Workshops next year for the Spinners Guild & Knit-Wits.

Yarn to Dye for

2006-11-20T20:09:00.000Z

I have been looking forward to this weeks Coventry Spinners weavers & Dyers workshop for most of the year. Toni took the workshop, which was to produce Self-patterning sock yarn, which has become very popular.

The idea was that each row of a sock takes approximately 1m of yarn, so a long skein could be dyed in 1m sections in a repeated pattern, this producing the pattern. Therefore most people wound 12m skeins, which was a scream to watch.

I did it a little different using a warping Board. The distance between the pegs across the board is approximately 50cm, so wrapping round gave 1m. What I did was todo 5 full wraps then move onto the next set of pegs, building up 3 sections, which I then dyed separately, using:-

Omega Dusty Punk – largest section
Omega Violet
Omega Indigo & left white sections

Each section was wrapped carefully in clingfilm and the whole lot put in a zip-top plastic bag, which was then steamed for 20 minutes. While I was rinsing the violet ‘bled’ onto the Indigo/white sections, turning the white a pale purple/pink – I quite liked this as I did not really want white as such. Toni said that if I had wanted white, then letting the skein dry out thoroughly after the steaming process it should prevent the bleeding.

Once I was rinsing I realized that balling up was going to be a nightmare as it was a tangled mess. Well it took hours to finally ball up all 100g, but the results I do think are worth it. I can’t wait to try it out on the pins…..

Lily's Stripped Poncho

2006-11-20T08:16:00.000Z

Finished Lily's pink & purple poncho, but as you can see, there are no pictures. This is because the 'little Minx' will not wear it long enough for me to get one. After hours of crochet and an evening dedicated to the tassle fringe, she took one look at it and said that she did not like it!! How can a 2 1/2 year old come to that conculsion so quickly?

Its the right colour - she loves pink & purple.
Its the right design - she has another one in white & lemon

Well I don't know why she does not like it. We have tried not talking about it for a couple of days then getting it out again - the ungrateful little madam. Looks like I had better not start the next one for her.

Update on the spinning demo

2006-11-04T09:49:00.000Z

The spinning Demo for the Rare Breeds was a wonderful success. there was quite a large turn out, complete with fleeces to demonstrate the sheep that they keep. I did a little off-the-cuff talk on how we prepare the flecce and spin it, as well as a display of some article we have made as a group.

Spinning prep

2006-11-01T00:01:00.000Z

I'm doing a spinning demo for the Rare Breed's Association on Thurs, so I've been madly going round collecting up random skeins and bits that I've knitted/crocheted up. I am so glad that I made the freeform bag for the Spinners competition earlier this year as it does show off lots of different breeds of fleece - a real sampler of my first adventures in spinning. I've also carded some Jacob's to add to the stash that I've been building ready to make Dad a hat - its all blended bits of white & brown/black.

My wheel is out of commission atm.... after a little 'darling' decided that it was not working properly and so stamped on the peddle from the wrong side. The result was a split leather hinge strap. Aaron has fixed that for me and I picked up a mantanence kit from P&M Wools @ the Masham Fair, so I can replace the band and the Scotch tension.....but.... then I realised that it does actually need the wood treating, so its going to need a good rub down and oiling.

I think the drop spindle is looking appealing for the demo, besides it does demonstrate the ancient art.

More news after Thursday on how it went.

ohh - I've sneakily started a new project - a poncho for Lily out of the same colours I made her hat. It crocheted wonderful in 4-ply, so I must write the pattern and do the photos - it just needs tassles...anyhow more soon, I've just re-written the past 2 sentances twice to correct the spelling.. it must be getting late

Masham Sheep Fair

2006-10-21T21:36:00.000Z

Masham Sheep Fair - 30th Sept - 1st Oct 2006

This is a late post, now that I have got the pictures The family went all the way up to North Yorshire to the quiet town of Masham to stary with Aunty Eileen & Uncle Pat. The Town was not so quite that weekend as it was the Masham sheep fair, which was fab.

The farmers took the preceeding very seriously with sheep shows and racing. I was interested in the fleece and craft stalls.

Lily & Oliver loved the Dray horses and the friendly sheep. the Highlight for them was definately hte 'Sheep Show' where there are several different breeds who 'dance' to music - seeing is believing - their website

I picked up three fleeces, a Coloured Ryland, A soft brown Shetland and a beautiful Wendslydale.

While we were there we visited the allotment, and the children were in their element. Lily loved the fact that she could dress in her matching bumble bee boots and rain coat.

No Lily, its a flower, its not scary at all!

Keep working on it Oliver and you'll get one

There you are - carrot

Now Lily have a try......

Thank you Aunty Eileen & Uncle Pat for a wonderful weekend, we rosted all of the veg and had a feast!

Progress......

2006-10-21T21:12:00.000Z

Wow - I have been motoring recently, so the updates on progress are:-

My Coat - completed Thursday 19th Oct ready for the Exhibtion in the Central Library, well not quite, it still needs buttons, but the right buttons, so I'm happy to wait for those. Pictures to follow as I need Aaron to take them. I started this on 2nd Jan 2006 - see this post - http://yolandagypsyknits.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-coat.html for the start

Lily's hat - I completed the knitting way back on the 5th September, but it just needed the ends weaving in, so it was completed tonight

Lily's bolero - the back and two fronts are complete - just the arms and trim to go.

Lily's Poncho - a new project... yes I know I should finish the others, but I could not resist it, so I have used hte same colours I uesd for her hat to crochet a poncho in the same pattern as the lemon & white stripped one I did for her last year. It crochets very fast, but is produces a close fabric, with few holes. The picture shows what I've done so far - I started (but actually did very litlle) @ the Library today, but most was done this evening.

Booties - Oliver's teacher left for maternity leave this week, so I could not resist making some booties for the little one. Iam very proud of these as they are the first real colour work that I've done. I've knitted strips and blocks, but not a charted design. It was actually quite easy, so I expect that I'll be doing more of this work very soon.

My coat - nearly there

2006-10-16T22:18:00.000Z

I started a coat for myself last Christmas - a project to keep me busy over the festive period and one that would grow quick and I could eventually wear. Well as its a garment for me, many other projects have come and gone over the past few months which has meant that it has been side-lined for a while. Pity really as it only needed sewing up and the collar finishing.

Only sewing - I've been sewing it up all night! So far the sleeves are in, one side is done and the collar is finished, well I'm about 95% of the way there now. All that is left is sewing one side, neatening the collar where it meets the button band, tidying the loose ends and buttons....

This has all go me thinking. In all the years that I have been knitting & crocheting this is the first garment that I have knitted/crocheted myself that has not been a costume. Normally I make things for other people, so this has made me all the more determined to finish this project and take great delight in wearing it all this winter.

Don't worry pitcures will follow and I will plan another one.... its about time I thought about myself for a change, well after Lily's bolero, Oliver's jumper, Aaron's jumper, several baby booties as there are more babies on the way (not mine though) and some Christmas gnomes... are well I can but dream.... actually I do have some rather nice sock yarn in purples that might start me off, but I'll probably save it for this Christmas.

Amazon Wish List

2006-10-13T18:28:00.000Z

I've decided that an Amazon Wishlist is a must now that I've found a few books that I like

Lily's Bolero

2006-10-13T17:52:00.000Z

With re-newed enthusasum for projects and not just flitting from one to another, I have completed the back for a pink Bolero for Lily from Debbie Bliss's book - Baby Style. Theyarn I am using is Busy Finger's own brand Mercia and is very soft. - Pictures to follow.

I have also finished a quick pink fluffy scarf ready for our Pink Day @ work - I think Lily will probably steal it as soon as she sees it.

SP9 Questionnaire

2006-10-09T17:03:00.000Z

Wow, its come round quick. I had to look back to what I had written last time. some of the answers still stand, but it was good to know that I have 'grown' in my knitting since the last SP, so here we are:-

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
I love all sorts of yarn & the yarn has to suit the project. I knit lots for my two children, so bright colours and softness is important. However I also do freeform knitting/crochet, so there I need interesting textures & colours

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I now have two beautiful rolls for my knitting needles and crochet hooks courtesy of my SP7 pal

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learnt to knit as a child, but did not really knit garments until I was expecting my first child. Since then however I have always had a project or 2, or 3 or many, on the go. I have done cable, and recently socks, but yet to do any Fair Isle, so probably intermediate really, with more skills to perfect.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, but considering one

5. What's your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Lavender and Rose

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate!!!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Yep, I spin using an Ashford Traditional and a drop spindle. I love to spin the old English breeds. Also I have been playing with felting, both the traditional wet felting & needle felting, with two puppets (Alice & Bernard) in construction.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
All sorts really, very varied from Classical to punk & rock, stay away from rap, R&B, dance etc

9. What's your favorite colour(s)? Any colours you just can't stand?
I love colour, espeically purples and the warm autumn colours10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
2 Children (3 if you count the husband), 6 year old Oliver and 2 year old Lily. 2 Dogs, Timba & Pebbles

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yep, all of the above12. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
The list is too long. Well I have recently finoished my first pair of socks and a hat for Lily. I like to have sevaral projects, some quick wins, but also big complex ones too.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Just started a bolero for Lily and a mobieus basket

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Love them15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All, but the mobieus has caught my eye, so its circulars atm16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
nope

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Aaron’s jumper which is probably 3 years old now

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Chirstmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Recently stitch markers and drop spindles- oh now I think about it Vintage Children’s knitting patterns

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Denise circular needles as they have so much potential. I also subscribe to Simply Knitting, which should feature Coventry Knit-Wits very soon.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Last time I wrote ‘Perfect knitting in the round using double pointed needles’, but I’ve done that now, so it’s the mobieus baskets & bags

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes – I have finbally finished my first pair, which hubby loves. I'm a regular UK 7

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
Devcember 26th – Christmas baby!

Socks Completed!!

2006-10-02T17:29:00.000Z

Yipee.....
I have finally completed sock 2 @ precisely 23.32 on September 30th 2006. I was @ the Masham Sheep fair in Yorkshire all weekend, so could not blog until now.

Here is Aaron modelling the socks. I purchased the yarn @ the 2005 Knitting & Stitching show in Harrogate. The first one was quite easy, but I struggled to get the second one going for a long time. It was the first row that gave all the problems. I think that I have it sorted now for further dpn projects.

Nearly there on the September Challenge

2006-09-27T16:28:00.000Z

Well... nearly there. the heel is done and I'm working towards the instep, so fingers crossed it will be finished soon

Sock progress

2006-09-22T16:44:00.000Z

I can't believe that I have cracked the second sock. I really enjoy the sock knitting once I have got going. Well its the 22nd of September and I have completed the first part and currently divided and working on the heel, so I do think that I will be on target for completion, without any unforseens that is - more pictures soon

I've Cracked it!!!!

2006-09-04T07:25:00.000Z

I have lost count how many times that I have tried to start the Second Sock - it must be at least 10. Well I sat down, with few distractions, determined to crack it. 3 attempts later I had a ring that got past row 2! Infact here it is at row 15!!!! Thats the worst over now

Thankyou Patty!

2006-08-29T17:06:00.000Z

Wow - look what I have just got!!!!

I have received this from my SP8 - Patty!! - I love the pretty flowery jiffy bag - a great idea

Inside there was:-

A pack of notecards 2 fab balls of Knit Picks purple fluff
Potpourri air freshener - great for the car
Pack of 'Mall of America' playing cards - bagged by Oliver
Little 'Mall of America' bag- bagged by Lily to be her shopping bag - a perfect size for Puppy and Faerie
Body Jewel - stolen by Lily to put in her bag
Paper Aeroplane kit - fantastic - Aaron & Oliver are currently fighting over then (Aaron is 37 and Oliver is 6 - my money is on Oliver winning)

Thanks Patty - you have been a fab SP and I have enjoyed being spoilt by you.

Challenges all round

2006-08-29T07:39:00.000Z

September is Make it Month, so I have laid down challenges for both the Kni-Wits and the Spinners.... So for the Coventry Knit-Wits the challenge is to declare to make something in September, blog their progress on the Knit-Wit blog and most importantly complete the item before the end of September. I first decided to make a Christmas gnome, like Fred. However it came to me in a flash (in the bath) that I really need to make another sock for Aaron, so that he can actually wear a pair. See the Coventry Knit-Wits to track the progress of these items.

The Spinners have a longer and a more co-operative challenge.

Alice & Bernard

2006-08-23T17:01:00.000Z

Being a Froud Fan, I have had a burning desire to make a puppet/doll for a long while, one I can knit for and dress etc. Well I have been working on the needle felting and had some help from Cat & Adam, so here is ......

Alice - front and side views

They started off as bits of upolstry foam, roughly cut to shape. the noses were added separately held on by cocktail sticks.

Alice was started off using the wet felting method, which was fun, but wet and at one point I did not think it was going to take shape, but here she is.

The hair was added lock by lock and is hand-dyed Wenslyedale locks and the features were needle felted

Here is a side profile

This is Bernard, who has been needle felted from scratch usig Norfolk horn fleece. I did not bother to card it, so that it gave a natural 'knobbly' effect, which has worked a treat. Cat had a great idea with the eyebrows and beard. They are tufts of Hebridian fleece, just as it comes (well after I'd washed and combed out most of the straw)

The drunken nose was done by needle felting strands of red and purple, overfleted with more Norfolk Horn - we did not think he was going to be so good!

So - with heads complete its onto the bodies. I think I might give Alice a rather curvy well dressed look, with Bernard having a more Hobbit/farmer feel

Ideas please.....

Snake cirly Whirlies

2006-08-17T16:46:00.000Z

found this on the Curly Whirly blog site - snake scarf

oosp - forgot this one...

2006-08-11T16:59:00.000Z

How could I forget my dishcloth? This was knitted in bamboo stitch with a garter stitch boarder, using Lily cotton from the stash that Rachel sent me - it feels so soft.

This is a commissioned piece for a work colleague, who wanted a present for her Daughter to match her new kitchen.

The loop is simple I-cord sewn back so that she can hang it up. I thought about having a large press-stud instead of sewing the loop down so that it can be fasted to a rail if required.

2006-08-08T22:55:00.000Z

Ok - now the photo thing is working - lets add the ones from my SP stash

Knitpicks purple to make a fab felted scarf!!

Fluffy Autumn stuff - on the needles for a bag

Great mesh bags that have found a purpose already to keep my stitch marker collection in check

& finally - cute little pot-its to brighten my day.....

Thanks again SP & looking forward to the felting

Update blog

2006-08-08T22:20:00.000Z

So, where am I on my projects....thats a very good question, so here are the pictures

Bags are the new scarves for this season... so I've heard anyway, so bags it is as they are quick to do and I get the instant hit of starting and finishing

Bag 1 - Purple Mix, inspired by Emma King's new book - Fun & Funky Knitting - I went to her workshop @ Ottakar's in Coventry a couple of weeks ago. She makes bags and accessories. So this bag is two strands of different purple 4plys, knitted on 5.5mm needles, to her pattern. I particularly like the top edge, which is made by kintting what would normally be a purl row of stocking stitch then resuming the stocking stitch. This creates a need top edge. This bag needs finishing with a lining and contasting flowers/rossettes and handles, so still a little way to go. It should be good for a 'quick trip' to hold a purse, phone and ony other small necessaries (3 times to upload photos and counting.....)

Bag 2 - Fluffy Autumn Heaven - thanks to my new Secret Pal for this fuffy Red Heart Symphony, which has just been begging to become a bag. This one is a Kellie creation, so very much a make it up as I go along and will hopefully have the circular handles I got a couple of weeks ago. Its 52 stitches wide and a boarder of 8 stitches either side in garter stitich and stocking stitch between. It may gain a gusset round the edge to give it width, but not sure til we get there. (photos still loading, fingers crossed & I'll keep typing or I'll start biting my nails)

Glove(s) - Purple wonder - using the Lorna's Laces from my last Secret Pal stash - its a lone glove so far with all the ugly hanging threads, but it will be joined by a friend and I will write the pattern down as I crochet this time! (Still waiting on picures......may have to post without them and add them later - anyone else have this problem with blogger?????)

Finally the pictures made it!!! In the end I had to put them up one at a time

Not fair....

2006-08-08T19:37:00.000Z

Its been a week now and I feel I can blog again - last week we found out that my Brother-in-Law suddenly died aged 35 of a stroke. It has taken us all by suprise especially as he died on the same day that Aaron & Oliver scattered Aaron's Dad's ashes in the sea outside Torquay Harbour.

Family and friends have been brilliant and we have been taken back by all the offers of support. As you can imagine my knitting has taken a sudden dip, with the wind blown out of my sails. Its been a strange few weeks actually, as I have done lots of little things and not really been able to throw myself into large projects....

I'm gonna do some photos tonight and I'll probably find that I have done more than I think

....until later

Freeform workshop tonight

2006-07-26T13:34:00.000Z

Its my first workshop tonight!!

I am running a session on freeform knitting & crochet, a subject I love as I have had great fun with this in the past. You can really let your imagination run wild and try out new techniques. I'll probably start with crochet rounds and domes, then add some knitting, experimenting with different yarns, needles and techniques. Once the group have got the idea they we'll try a round robin where each of us adds to a project.

Can't wait.....here is an example of freeforming and I will explain it all in more detail after the workshop.

This is the bag that I submitted to the Broad Weavers competition run by the Coventry Guild of Spinners Weaver and Dyers. It is entitled Undergrowth and inculdes samples of all the yarns that I have spun since I have started spinning, inculding:- Herdiwck, Jacobs, 2 types of Shetland, Soya bean, tencil, Tuscan Silt, Timba fluff (my doggie), cotton and Alpaca [I think thats them all]

Presents and baby Lotion

2006-07-24T18:45:00.000Z

Wow - what a stash - my parcel from SP arrived this morning! - thank-you!!!!

Pictures to come as I'm still cramped in Oliver's bedroom

So I had fab purple wool and a pattern to make a felted scarf - I have done felting from fleece and needle fetlting before, but have not been brave enough to put a knitted item in the washing machine until now. There really is no excuse now is there?

Fab autumn coloured fluffy stuff - I don't know whether to knit it or just stroke it - It would make a great bag now I think of it.....

Mesh bags which I had to prize of Oliver & Lily cos they could think of lots of toys that might fit in them. They would be great for my ever increasing stitch marker collection, thats if I can find a good hiding place.

Ooh and wonderful sticky notes - best shown by a piccie, so I'll add one to this entry soon

You got me to a T and now I have some clues tofinding you - thanks SP the bundle arrived safe & sound and go creative cogs spinning, which i need as I'm doing my first freeform workshop this Wednesday @ Coventry Knit-Wits!

Baby lotion - so whats that all about you may ask?

Lily has worked out how to get out of her cot! This time comes to all parents when you can no longer corrall your little darling and have to 'trust' them enough to sleep in a little bed. Aaron took the bars off the cot to make a cute little bed and we made a big deal about how she was no longer a baby and now a proper little girl......

Proper little devil more like!

She went down for the usual afternoon nap. After about an hour I heard her calling me, so I went upstairs to be greeted by Lily head to toe in bright pink baby lotion! She had massaged it into her hair, put blobs on her face, it was somehow got into her nappy, smothered on the wall and the door, not to mention the bedclothes.

It was a perfect picture moment, but the camera was not at hand.

Needless to say all access to baby lotion, talc and baby oil have been removed incase she feel the need to repeat this little adventure.

one tired mother signing out in desperate need to escape into knitting

Godiva Festival - Coventry

2006-07-17T18:02:00.000Z

Two hot and sweaty days, but great fun.

The Coventry Godiva Festival was The Coventry Knit-Wit's first official outing!

On Saturday we were quite cramped, but that did not matter as there were only a couple of us. On Sunday there were plenty more knitters, including some from the Coventry RSVP. We got lots of interest, so we will have to see how many come on Wednesday. Being next to the Spinners Guild was good too, so I could do a bit of both. I even talked to some Coventry 15th Century Re-enactors!!!!

Photos will follow as the computer is currently cramped in Oliver's room and it does not have a USB connection for the camera as yet.

Need to get it sorted as I have proof of a male knitter!!!!!

Secret Pal Questionnaire update

2006-07-11T17:26:00.000Z

Here is the updated SP8 Questionnaire answers

1 - What is your favourite season of the year?
Definitely autumn – I love the colours and the crisp mornings…oh and the beautiful autumn sunsets

2 - Where is your favourite vacation spot?
Well this has to be the New Forest – the fact that you can camp in the middle of the woods and still be near the seaside too. The wild ponies visiting the camps are great for the kids to see.

3 - If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I’d just love to go to New Zealand – all the different types of scenery and after watching the Lord of the Rings movies I want to go there all the more.

4 - If you could pick any job, and be paid well, what would it be?
Domestic Goddess – to look after the kids, knit & sew to my hearts content. Now I have the kids I realise how important spending time with them is. Before they came along it was career career career. Funny how priorities change

5 - If you were going on vacation for 1 week, and had to take ONLY one project with you, what would it be?
A pretty cardigan/bolero/shrug for Lily – I have been trying to start one for her for ages and not got very far.

6 - If you won a shopping spree to your favourite Yarn shop, what would you get??
A full set of wooden knitting needles and crochet hooks

I hate technology!!!!

2006-07-10T18:35:00.000Z

Well the kind that does not want to work......

Here I am internetting away nicely, then about 6 week or so ago we had a power cut. Since then the internet has been irratic, going down several times...etc....etc.... you have seen the moans below. Well the diagnostic for our wireless router was saying that it had a signal, so we deducted that it must be a ISP (NTL) issue.....no.

Aaron finally took the machine upstairs to where the modem is..poor Oliver its in his bedroom!! Now its working properly and 125 emails (mostly junk) later I am back up and running. Not the best situation as I'm crapped up on a small set of draws and Oliver is trying to get to sleep as I type, but better than nothing.

Anyhow back on and guess what.................. I have a new SP!!!!! My old one quit and so a new one is on board and sent me a lovely interactive card .... thank you. Fingers crossed the tech holds out so I can keep you posted on whats going on.

This weekend its the Godiva Festival in Coventry and the Knit-Wits have been invited!! Ace its our first really public engagement, so its poster and flyer time. Will keep you posted on how it goes.

Adventures in Needle Felting

2006-07-03T18:14:00.000Z

I have been fascinated by felt for some time now.

Wet felt is great fun, but messy and hard on the hands. Last year I almost rubbed the palms of my hands away while making Oliver's felt boots for re-enactment. It is good for constructing seamless garments, like waistcoats as well as bags and boots.

Needle felting adds a whole new dimension - quite literally. I knew the principle but had never seen it in practice. Being a very hands-on and visual person, what I needed was a demonstration. So when I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate last October I was pleased to find two stands dedicated to needle felting. The demo showed it to be even easier than I first thought.

I was so captivated that once I was back from the show I made my first teddy out of scraps of fleece. An instant hit and a good present for mum even though he was quite crude he was my first and I had great fun making him.

Since then I have made a Sky-gazing Hare, a unicorn horn and my latest a bearded man.

He has a loop on the back so that he can be hung. He would look quite good hanging on a tree, making a tree spirit or Green Man - actually he looks quite scary in this picture

This is a sample swatch I made to try out a raised dedisgn. The spiral is built up in several thin layers to create a ridge on top of which I stabbed red fibres to define the spiral - this could look good on a bag or pocket

Next I'd like to make a faerie, a sneaky twisted one like Froud draws or Spiderwick

Update on progress

2006-07-02T12:02:00.000Z

Baby Jumper - photo - the cheveron pattern worked really well and the whole thing only took a few evenings, but it is a small one. Its baby blue btw - photo is not very clear

Lorna's laces from SP7 - Rachel from SP7 sent me two beautiful skeins of Lorna's laces, so I balled on and tried it out - the colours are just amazing. I have not had this much fun in a tension square for ages. However..... I am just not getting this circular knitting lark. I canb cast on. but keep haveing trouble in the first row. After 4 attempts on this one and 3 on Aaron's Autumn socks, I have offically put circular knitting on the back burner.... not turned my back on it completely, just giving it a rest for a while and maybe when I go back to it I will have re-newed enthusiasm.

However the thought occured about lacy gloves for Yolanda, my Gypsy character in Whispered Tales (who sparked this blog in the first place) and came up with this.....

The cuffs do not stretch like rib in knitting, so I put glass bead on to act like buttons. Thedelecate colour changing work great on the lace of the palm. Originally I was not going to do fingers, but it really needed them to 'pull' on the lace to see the effect of fishnet stockings.

Now I just have to do the next one..... I really do suffer from first sock/glove/sleeve syndrone. Once I have proved to myself that I can do it, I want to march on into the next project, but Yolanda will get her matching gloves before the next game.

Lacy pouch - I used to crochet lots of pretty doilies when I was @ Uni - they made excellent presents for mum and did not cost me much in money, just time. Well I found a ball of crochet cotton and came up with this - must get round to putting the pattern down on paper. I find with crochet I can make it up as I go a lot easier than knitting. Very pleased with the results.

SP8 Stash

2006-07-02T11:41:00.000Z

Look at what turned up on my doorstep this week....

In the package there was

CHOCOLATE - not your normal chocolate though, the GOD of chocolate - Green & Blacks Organic chocolate

CANDLE - fab lavender candle, my favourite scent. My lavender in the back garden has gone mental this year, so I'm expecting a good harvest.

FLEECE - well gorgeuos roving in deep mulberry colours. This is actually quite a good picture to show the colours. I'm thinking bag, apparently bags are the new scarves for this autumn. I discovered circular handles in my local knitting shop along with about 6 other varieties. I have been looking all over for them and now they are on my doorstep!!

(CARD - not smarites, just a picture of them)

Thankyou Secret Pal & I will keep you up-to-date on the spinning - I can see an evening infront of the telly, me & the spinning wheel one night while Aaron is on shifts - can't wait.

Fingers crossed for this post as I lost connection twice and had to reboot

Blogging back online

2006-07-02T11:34:00.000Z

Great - that last blog worked.

My PC has been playing up - I tried several times on night to blog, but kept loosing connection to the internet. I'm not sure if its the router or my ISP, so apologies for an interupted service - it seems ok atm, so I'll do a blog-blast.

Sock...Sock I have a sock

2006-07-02T11:26:00.000Z

Wow, finally after several months on the back burner, I have finally finished my first sock!! The colours are fab if I say so myself.

I'm not sure what it was that made me put it to one side because I really got into it and loved the way the colours were gong. I had conquored the heel and was heading straight to the toe and then... stopped.

Well I 've picked it up again, got confused by the stitchmarkers, but I think the end result is ok. The Kitchener stitch took a bit of getting used to but got the hang of it by the end.

So the burning question is when does the next sock get started? To be turthful - I've tried 3 times and keep mucking up on the first row. It has not helped that i have been distracted while doing this, so it needs a dedicated evening to get it started. I have promised Aaron the socks before Christmas, so I still have some time left....

Fab card

2006-06-18T09:46:00.000Z

My new Secret Pal sent me a fab Jacquie Lawson card - Lily loves them so much that I have had to play them over and over, especailly the ones with Chudleigh the dog.

Thank -you SP

Chocolate Hotel Heaven

2006-05-29T08:37:00.000Z

My Secret Pal is quick off the mark! I had a great hedghog card last week and this week chocolate!

My camera has done a little trip, so you'll have to wait for the photos - look here for the delights of the Chocolate hotel!

I have had to fight Aaron off them - they are all mine (well most - Lily have not spotted them yet - if she does I have no chance!)

I really must blog more often

2006-05-23T16:18:00.000Z

I always seem to leave blogging for a while and then have a blitz to catch up. Time, where does it go. What with a job, two childre, two dogs, a husband (who does shifts), a Knitting club to run each week, an online Medieval Spinners guild to run, Re-enactment, Spinners Guild (only once per month) and the odd Role-playing event it no wonder I can't make it to the keyboard very often..oh nearly forgot the Lutsk Oprhanage appeal.

So what have I been up to on the knitting & crochet front? - photos very soon

I have completed a beautiful jumper for a baby boy - for a friend who is extecting in the next couple of weeks - it is a boy (wellI hope it is?)
Started and finished (in one night I might add) a little crocheted drawstring bag out of white cotton for a First Holy Communion present. I'm not sure if I will need to line it - I do rather like it as it is
DISHCLOTH!! Dishcloth mania - Rachel its your fault! My SP from last time (the one I was spoiling) sent me some Lily cotton for dishcloths - I am so addicted - you even got the colour right for my kitchen! Several people thought I was made, cos you only knitted dishcloths when you could not afford to buy them. Not any more now the cotton comes in many funky new colour schemes at you can have trend dishcloths - the idea is catching on and they will all be at it soon.
started a cardy for Lily (finally - I kept using hte wool for other projects like cirly whirly scarves) I have chosen purple 4 ply and a great pattern with a lacy border - piccies to come.

On the Spinning front I have spun lots of my Jacobs fleece with the aim to make my Dad a new bobble hat ready for the winter (well thats if we have any summer, cos the weather is terrible atm). I have spun palin white, brown and bits of each to make it fun.

Claire from Knit-Wits and the Spinners Guild brought in some beautiful Alpaca. The other members have spun quite a lot of Alpaca, but so far it has passed be by as I have been focusing on the old English Wool breeds as part of my research for the Medieval Spinners Guild. However I could be convinced, it is sooo soft and beautiful to spin - darn what will I make with it?

SP8 has begun

2006-05-16T15:06:00.000Z

Its so exciting, SP8 has begun & I've had a cool e-card from my spoiler.....thank-you

Its Lily's Birthday this Sunday - my little girl is going to be 2! Time sure does go very fast. She is quite a little madam now, the terrible twos are definately here. Oliver never really had a 'terrible' - he had his moments, but not too many tantrums. Lily however can strop at the drop of a hat if she is not getting her own way.

So it present buying day and I'm not sure what to get her. At the moment its between a ride-on toy and a play house with figures..... we'll have to see what Toys-r-Us has to offer. Oliver is going to choose his present for her himself. It won't be long until its Oliver's Birthday too. No problem with present there - he has Dr Who mad!

no....no.... really it is the end of SP7

2006-05-16T07:29:00.000Z

Rachel you loon - I was supposed to be spoiling you, not the other way around!

(Picture to come)

Thank you very much for my parcel. Inside there was:-

beautiful cotton to make dishcloths - I can see this becoming a new obsession
Purple (shows you know me) lorna's laces to make socks for ME (for a change - yeah get real Kellie as if you are gonna find time to knot yourself socks)
Lavender!!!!!! Bath goodies
Homemade stitch markers

Finale of SP7

2006-05-03T16:56:00.000Z

I have 5 minutes to myself, so can attempt to bring this site up to date.

SP7 was fantastice, I have met two great new friends in America through this - Rachel the Social Knitter whom I spoilt and Penny of Sith Knits who did a great job of spoilling me - Penny did drop hints about the Star Wars theme, but I missed her on the participants list -d'oh. Now I am an avid reader of both blogs and will keep intouch with both of them.

If you are interested in the next Secret Pal then click here for SP8

SP8 Questionnaire

2006-05-03T16:36:00.000Z

1. What is/are your favourite yarn/s to knit with? What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
I love all sorts of yarn & the yarn has to suit the project. I knit lots for my two children, so bright colours and softness is important. However I also do freeform knitting/crochet, so there I need interesting textures & colours

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I now have two beautiful rolls for my knitting needles and crochet hooks courtesy of my SP7 pal

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learnt to knit as a child, but did not really knit garments until I was expecting my first child. Since then however I have always had a project or 2, or 3 or many, on the go. I have done cable, and recently socks, but yet to do any Fair Isle, so probably intermediate really, with more skills to perfect.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not at the moment

5. What's your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender and other essential oils

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favourite candy?
Chocolate!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Dying and felting – both wet & needle felting and yes I spin with both a wheel and drop spindle

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
All sorts really, very varied from Classical to punk & rock, stay away from rap, R&B, dance etc

9. What's your favourite colour? Or--do you have a colour family/season/palette you prefer? Any colours you just can't stand?
All of them, but if I had to choose a single colour it would be purple. My favourite season is autumn; so warm earth colours are good too.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
2 Children (3 if you count the husband) nearly 6 year old Oliver and nearly 2 year old Lily. 2 Dogs, Timba & Pebbles

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
All of the above

12. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
Goosh the list is endless

13. What are you knitting right now?
Socks (first sock), baby clothes as everyone around me is sprigging and trying to finish my own cardigan before it gets cold again!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Absolutely!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Coming round to the wooden side

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope

17. How did you learn to knit?
Taught by grandma and then through books

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably 3 years

19. What is your favourite holiday?
Christmas, though I always seem to leave it to the last moment to get prepared

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Recently stitch markers and drop spindles- oh now I think about it Vintage Children’s knitting patterns

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Simply Knitting and Knitting, both UK magazines – I love Childrens patterns especially bright, colourful & creative ones

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Perfect knitting in the round using double pointed needles

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes – but I’d rather knit my own – well that’s if I get further than the first one!

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
December 26th

I'm Back!

2006-04-20T13:28:00.000Z

Not really gone anywhere, but have not blogged in a while because life has been very hecic and Oliver is addicted to cbeebies. So what have I been up to?

Lutsk Knitting Challenge
Well I have been working on the Lutsk Orphanage challenge, which has been fantastic. I publised (on the internet) the knit-a-long to make woolly things for the children in the Lutsk Orphanage and have been amazed by the generosity of the knitters who have replied. The parcels just keep coming filled with socks, hats, cardies and jumpers. Dominique is going out there in the next few weeks, so there will be pictures very soon of the children receiving their goodies. If you would like to get involved there is still time as we will be sending out parcels over the summer, so that the children have enough warm things for next winter. If you would like to pledge then either leave a comment on this post or go to the Lutsk Challenge website.

Knit-Wits
Knit-Wits is going well, with about 6-8 regular members and a total of 25. We meet each Wednesday evening 7-9pm in Liquid, Coventry's first non-smoking Cafe-Wine bar, City Arcade Coventry. We have our own blog site here. We are a friendly bunch who are all enthusiastic about knitting, spinnning, crocheting etc, of all age ranges and abilities. If you can't knit we'll get you started.

Knit & Knatter - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
Today Claire, myself and Mandy from Knit-Wits joined the Coventry RSVP and BBC Coventry & Warwickshire in the firest Kint & Knatter session in the open centre of the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire radio station. Oliver & Lily came too and were even on the radio! RSVP the Retired and Senior Voluteer Programme encourage the growing number of those aged fifty plus to participate in their local area. We had a great time, chatting knitting, kiddie rangling and teaching anyone who sat still long enough how to knit & purl! They also have a knitting for Africa programme that the Knit-Wits will probably get involved in. The Knit & Knatter will probably be a regular event once a month and there are plans to do coventry's first Knit-a-thon in June, where we get as many knitters together and knit like crazy for 2 hours to make as amny squares as possible - sounds great - more details as I get them.

Felty time!

2006-04-02T18:04:00.000Z

With the first Re-enactment of the season very close it was time to make some felty shoes for the children to wear

Here are Olivers - yes the red give it away. The last time that I made these type of shoes I worn most of the skin away from my palms, so I used rubber gloves this time.

The main fleece was Jacobs, carded on the drumcarder, but still raw. The addition of lots of soap and water cleaned the fleece bringing it up pure white.

These are Lily's and so cute & small.

Aaron will make leather bottoms so that their feet stay nice and dry and keep them from wearing out too quickly. These were so quick & easy to make that I'll be able to make new ones as their feet grow.

She was so good while I modelled the to her feet.

I got carried away and made some more felty balls - you can never have too many!

The large white & black is Jacobs fleece done in the washing machine. I just stuffed clean fleece into one of the nylon bags that you put the washing tablets in and put it in with towels on a 60 degree wash - saves my hands

Here is gourd to keep the balls in. Oliver & Lily love to throw them in. I used a circular piece of plastic about the size of a small dinner plate. Once the fleece had felted I cut a small slit and removed the plastic, then used my fist to shape the gourd as I fulled it further.

Again I used Jacobs White & Black, which gives a 'fluffy' felt.

SP - who are you?

2006-03-31T07:51:00.000Z

Well it the last day of SP7 and I have had a fantastic time. I still don't know who my spoiler is - she comes from New Mexico and I know she is watching because the cluster map show a big blob roughly from there. I am really looking forward to finding out who she is and reading about her....send me a clue....

Childs roll brim hat

2006-03-29T16:21:00.000Z

Child’s roll brim hat

This hat can be made easily in an evening either on straight needles then sew the side seam at the end, or in the round from the beginning. Have fun with stripes or simple Fair-Isle to use up oddments.

Using double knitting wool and 4 mm needles (either straight or dpn/circular)

To fit a 6 month old cast on 80 stitches (to increase for larger sizes cast on multiples of 8 stitches)

Knit in stocking stitch for 12 ½ cm or 5inches (or as required for larger sizes)

Decreasing

Row 1 *k6, k2tog* repeat from * to until end
Row 2 and every alternate row p to end
Row 3 *k5, k2tog* repeat from * to * until end
Row 5 *k4, k2tog* repeat from * to * until end

Continue in this fashion until 9 stitches remain then either

Cut yarn and draw it through the stitches – add pompom if required

Or

K2tog until last st,k1 and using dpn needles I-cord for a few rows to create a ‘stem’

Weave in loose ends and sew up the side.

As you can Lily loves it too - looks like I will have to make another one for her to stop her from stealing it!!

Treasure trove in Warwick

2006-03-28T15:52:00.000Z

I have found an Aladdin’s cave of a shop right on my doorstep!! I have been to Warwick many times and walked right past Warwick Wools, without giving it much thought, but as Coventry Knit-Wits is consuming my thoughts I went inside and had to be physically pulled out by Aaron who thought he might loose me forever. I just stood and stared at the floor to ceiling displays of wool, crammed into every conceivable space in the shop - just the place to go when you have that 'not sure what to knit next' mood as there are so many different brands and patterns

well anyway they are Warwick wools 17 Market Place - 01926 492853

Mon-Wed 9.30am - 4.30pm
Thu 9.30am - 2.00 pm
Fri - Sat 9.30 - 4.30pm

Darn! - never took my camera, must get a photo when I'm there next

Knitting for Orphans Challenge

2006-03-23T17:17:00.000Z

Coventry Knit-Wits have laid down the Lutsk Ophan Knitting challenge

Ok - we have approximately 44 children aged 6 months to 3 years, to knit or crochet for and they all need the following :-

hat

socks or booties

gloves

jumper or cardigan

We appreciate that it is getting towards the spring (in theory anyway) and they will not be using them very soon, but the orphanage can store them until it gets cold again - and it does get very cold there. This is a chance to use up all the colourful oddments.

So if you can help in any way, even if it is only a pair of booties then please go to the Lutsk Orphan Challenge blog

http://orphanknittingchallenge.blogspot.com/ or email mailto:emailkellie.james@ntlworld.com

to pledge what you can make (eg a 6-12 month hat for a girl or a 2 year old jumper in bright red) and we will send you postage information. This blog will be used up to date on the progress of the knitting.

Thanks for all your support
Coventry Knit-Wits