CanCan Yarn!

Apologies to Caroline who thought I had given her homework (ie get the doll done so we can see it, lol). She did finish her though and she is lovely! I love the colours she picked out. I have to admit that I prefer the purples to the bold primary colours the pattern suggested. I especially like the use of the self striping yarn. Makes her more original. Having finished her Caroline is now back to her latch hook cushion.

Isobel finished this lovely cardigan on Tuesday night. I have a soft spot for cables and love it on this cardigan. Again, also love the self striping yarn. I could be wrong but I think Isobel mentioned moving on to a cardigan for herself next.

Dawn finished her lovely mittens. All done in crochet. She is now working on the hat and scarf to match. Love the colours and the yarn is unbelievably soft.

Dawn's mum, Moira, but some of that yarn I was talking about last week. With the help of Magdalena she worked out how to actually knit with it and says it's easier than you think. I took some photo's in the hopes that it would help others. As you can see it knits up quite nicely. I have a feeling a few others in the group will be picking up this yarn.

I can now reveal our challenge which will take place on the 12th April. The challenge theme is "All About Me". I took inspiration from another member. Everyone mainly knits or crafts for other people. I thought this would be a good opportunity for you to do something for yourself. The challenge is to make something that says something about you. It can be something you have been meaning to do but gifting to others have always got in the way. Or maybe to learn to do something you have always wanted to do. There are two categories as always original design or adapted design and one from each will receive £25 vouchers from Hobbycraft. Helen has also give some other vouchers as an extra prize so there will be a third runner up.

I can also give more information about our Gartmore weekend. It's the last weekend in May. Deposits have to be in by the 1st Feb. If you haven't received an info sheet just asked. We are hoping to have some classes again. Donna has offered another crochet class. Isobel has offered to do a sewing clinic. Bring any sewing project along you are having difficulty with and she is happy to help. Dawn has requested a sock class. If anyone has anything they would like to teach or learn just let me know and we will see what we can do.

June is back with us and feeling lots better which means next week I get to interview her for member of the month.

Exciting Times!

Linda has more finishes. She finished crocheting these lovely sparkly scarves for the shoe box charity. On the night she was finishing another scarf which she had forgotten about. This time for herself and using pom pom yarn.

That was our only finish but I did photograph someones newly acquired stash. We all admired and gazed in wonder at Roberta's new yarn. It's called Ondas and is by Katia (the same people who do the amazing pom pom yarn. You knit with the edging and it creates a ruffle effect. One ball is enough for a scarf. Roberta picked it up in Hobbycraft but you can also by it from Modern Knitting along with instructions on how to use it. I have ordered from Modern knitting before and highly recommend them. Can't wait to see Roberta's finished scarf.

We also have some good news. I am in the process of booking our weekend away to Gartmore for the last weekend in May. We all had good fun last time and so look forward to it again. Hopefully a few more members will be able to go along.

On Tuesday I will announce the next challenge. I can tell you just now that it will take place on the 12th April. I also have the autumn theme picked out but I will annoy everyone with that nearer the time ;).

Lastly I was interviewed about our group for Knit Today. The interview will appear in issue 61. Issue 56 is out on the 25th January so I am guessing 61 will be around June. It's something to look out for.

We're Back!

It was good to be back on Tuesday and although it was a quiet night it was still good to catch up and see what everyone was working on. Helen proudly showed us her finished table runner. She cashed in one of the vouchers we made her for her retirement and Val taught her quilting. She is very proud of it and quite right too. Unfortunately she now has the quilting bug and is already planning her next one. Glutton for punishment she also has plans to cash in her next voucher which involves crocheting a baby blanket with Donna.

This lovely baby blanket was crocheted by Linda. She set it off by sewing satin ribbon to the seems. It would have been pretty on it's own but the satin edging really sets it off. This is going into her show box charity. It just so happens that this is our next charity. Watch out for details on what the charity involves and what Linda needs. The good thin is that it doesn't have to be knitting so if you are a stitcher there will be something you can do.

Caroline has started a tradition in work. She knits Christmas tree decorations and places a chocolate inside. This year it was Christmas tree's. She was then asked by her colleagues what they were getting next year. Stumped for all of five minutes she came up with Christmas baubles. This one is the first and even has it's chocolate inside already. She is also currently working on a doll for a friends baby. Not liking the traditional primary colours she has decided to adapt it. I can't wait to see it finished.

Dawn has been back at her card making. She made this lovely Christmas card for Donna. We are all trying to convince her to sell her cards but so far no joy. Who wouldn't want one of these lovely cards? She has decided that this year is the year of me (or rather herself). All her crafting skills are usually used to make something for someone else. This year she is (and quite right too) going to make things for herself. She is starting with a lovely red hat and scarf set.

Anyone else got any crafting New Years resolutions?

As well as the charity I also have plans for our next challenge. We didn't do the autumn one but there will be a spring challenge. Watch out for that one.