Something new!

Caroline is (reluctantly) showing off her new jacket. It was published in one of the magazines and Caroline instantly fell in love with it. Of course it had to be purple. It was knitted by Alison who did an amazing job.

Dawn finished crocheting this lovely, rainbow baby blanket. I love all the different colours. Not sure I would have loved sewing in all the ends as much but it looks amazing.

Moira finished her can can scarf. It looks lovely. I am sure those colours are brighter than the photograph makes them out to be.

Isobel also had a finished. She knitted this beautiful cardigan for a friends grand daughter.

Caroline was working on something a little but different. Knitted Jewellery (in purple). It's knitted with wire and beads. Looks pretty effective and doesn't scratch the skin as you would expect wire to. Can't wait to see it finished.


Tonight our group will be celebrating the fact that we have been running for three years. Like last year we are having a swap night and I will be bringing along some of my cookies.

Spring Challenge '11

I am finally posting about our challenge. Warning, this one is picture heavy. This years spring challenge was called "All About Me" which was inspired by Dawn's crafting resolution to knit for herself for a change. Participants had to make something that said something about them, was something that was just for themselves or something they had always wanted to try. There were two categories - adapted from a pattern and original. These Hexagon socks were knitted by myself. This year I decided to challenge myself to knitting a pair of socks every month. Those socks would be for myself. For the challenge I decided to chose my April socks. I picked the Hexagon pattern as it was something I had long wanted to try but hadn't quite got the nerve to. Definitely challenged my sock knitting skill. I used Riga sock yarn.

Margaret picked this pattern from a cross stitch magazine. Next to "All our Yesterdays" the "Country Companions" are her favourite. This one says something about her because she loves the flowers in her garden. She used 14 count Aida and anchor threads.

Another entry from Margaret. She has knitted this piece before but she had always wanted to knit it with the wool the pattern suggested. She chose pink because she liked the colour. It was knitted with brushed DK. The buttons and the beads are pearl.

These bugs were knitted by Suzanna and are part of a set of four (these particular two are mummy and daddy bug). This is Suzanna's second knitting project after finishing her scarf and the first one she has done following a pattern. She used a knitting kit from Hobbycraft.

Linda made this needle roll as she wanted to make something for herself and something she could use every Tuesday when she came to the group. It is very much her as she likes to be organised. She used cotton, wadding and her sewing machine.

Helen created this scrapbook of her month long visit to Australia. It was a holiday of a life time and she wanted something to remember from it. She used scrapbook materials and of course her photographs.

Elaine made these edible flowers. This is her as she is always baking and looking for something new to do - a right challenge. She used a glass case, lace paper, lollipop sticks, cookies, fondant, food colouring, edible glitter and oasis.

Isobel quilted this knitting back because she is always making things for someone else - time to make something for herself! She used cotton, batting and her sewing machine.

Caroline knitted this hot water bottle cover. It is made for her as she is cold in the wither. It will hopefully bring the summer sun feeling when it's cold, dark and wet.....or even in July. Those who know Caroline will understand why the elements in the picture represent her. She used snowflake and DK yarn, ribbon, beads and buttons.

Stephanie knitted these cakes. She did this just for fun and everyone in the group knows that is definitely her. She used yarn, beads, ribbons, bows and stuffing.

This shawl was knitted by Donna. She spent a lot of time before Christmas making gifts for others. In the New Year she decided 2011 was the year of 'me'. More knitted/crocheted gifts for myself. She started early in the New Year and finished it in a relatively short time. She now wears it regularly. She used drops of Alpaca and knitted with with fab new needles she treated herself with. The pattern was found on ravelry called "Holden Shawlette".

All our entries together.

Our lovely judges Alison and Roberta who volunteered (were bribed with wine) to make the difficult decisions.

First winner chosen was Suzanna who won in the junior category for her lovely knitted bugs.

In the adapted category Stephanie won for her yummy looking knitted cakes.

In the original category Linda won for her amazing needle roll (which also has a place for sewing needles and knitting patterns).

Last but not least our runner up was Caroline for her summer-like hot water bottle.

Well done everyone and well done to our judges who had the daunting task of choosing. Glad it wasn't me.

Busy Night

Tuesday was the night of our Spring challenge so there was lots going on. Whilst I do have lots of photo's of finishes they are all related to the challenge. I'll post them all separately. Meanwhile June had brought an unusual gadget. It's used to help find needles. As you can see the end is magnetic but it also has a light to help you see. Handy for your bag as it also collapses down.

Remember Margaret helped out Suzanna last week? To say thank you she made Margaret this lovely picture. Just had to take a photo of it.

We also had more charity contributions. Helen decided to make up her own box for the shoe box charity. She knitted the hat and scarf then filled it up with lots of goodies. You can do this or just hand in items separately. Helen quite enjoyed doing it this way. If you do want to fill out a box remember there are a few things that have to be in there like toothpaste and a toothbrush. If you need a full list just ask.

I promise to post the challenge photo's soon. I think everyone had fun. Now just need to think up a theme for the autumn challenge.

Helping Out!

Allison is another member who sends her knitted finishes on before we can photograph them. She finished a few things up on Tuesday night so of course I wasn't going to let the opportunity pass by. She knitted this lovely baby set. The hat is done in baby crofter yarn. She wasn't sure about it for a whole cardigan and so then decided to use it as edging. It's really effective. This meant she had enough left over to knit this cute baby beret.

Dawn also had a finish along and this is also for a baby. She has been crocheting this beautiful baby blanket. It's done in Paton's Smoothie which is a lovely striping yarn. The colours are amazing and are set off by the white edging.

Helen has made some more quilted book covers. This time for Elaine who wants to give them to her daughter for her holiday. These covers are made to fit larger sized books. The choice of fabric is lovely. Helen is thinking about adding pockets inside so they can hold more than just books.

The lovely Val is always on call to help fellow quilters. Last week it was Helen and this week it was Magdalena. Magda is making a quilt for her sister. The colours and choice of fabric are amazing!

Whilst Magdalena was busy getting help for her quilt, daughter Suzanna also needed help. Margaret stepped in and helped her to cast off. Suzanna is making something for our challenge next week.

Like her mum, Suzanna is a lady of many talents. On Saturday she had a dancing competition and won all these medals. It was her birthday too and was heading to hobbycraft to pick up some goodies with her birthday money (we are a good influence) ;). Happy Birthday Suzanna!

This coming Tuesday is our challenge night. The theme is 'Me'. I have heard a few hints of what people are planning. Can't wait to see everyone's projects.

CanCan

The cancan scarf is still proving to be a firm favourite. Margaret has finished two. The red one is for herself and the purple she is putting away as a present for her youngest daughter. She has also been knitting lots of baby clothes for a friend in work. Roberta also had the cancan out. She was working on a solid red scarf.

Remember you only have a few weeks to do your challenge piece. Those who don't have an entry may be roped into judging (not and easy job). There are two prizes of Hobbycraft vouchers (£25) up for grabs so it's always worth taking part. Also have some extra vouchers (not hobbycraft) as a runner up prize which was donated by Helen.

Aileen - March MOTM

1. Tell us about yourself. I am 26 and a dentist. I have been married 8 months and we are expecting our first baby in September. I like to travel and holidays but I think those days are over now.

2. How did you learn to cross stitch? I was given starter kits in primary school for Christmas and Birthdays. Mum did cross stitch and so I started on kids kits and worked my way up. I just learned to crochet on the Gartmore weekend. 3. What is your proudest finish? My dolphins as it took me seven years to finish. I finished just before I started coming along here.

4. What is your biggest disaster? Normally I manage to cover mistakes. When I run out of colours I tend to substitute it. With the dolphins I ran out of one shade of blue and I just used one of the others. 5. What other crafts do you do? I make cards at Christmas time. My mum does a lot of card making professionally. She has her own business so sends me kits. I also like scrapbooking.

6. List of favourites. yarn - I like stripey yarn. I love anything stripey. designs - Rennie Macintosh. I like patterns rather than pictures of teddies and kittens. shop - hobbycraft online store - I tend to search for specific thing rather than stick to certain stores. colours - mixture of blue, purple and turquoise. craft book - "yeah, I made it myself". It's good for clothes and bags. 7. What would you like to achieve? I would like to finish my baby blanket. I would also like to do more crochet as I find it quick and easy. I would like to do more for the nursery and baby.

8. What do you like to watch or listen to whilst crafting? I like relocation, place in the sun, escape to the country and dinner date. I like any programme with houses. 9. What advice would you give beginners? Keep it simple. Chose a patter or yarn you are excited about. You are more likely to finish than give up half way through.

10. What non craft books do you like? I have started reading a lot of crime thrillers. CSI type autopsy books. It takes your mind off the excitement of having a baby.