A Whole Lot Of Stitching

Helen has once again been busy with the sewing machine. She is back on the quilting. The first piece is actually a Christmas card holder. Each of the little triangles dow the middle are actually pockets so that you can slot a card in. Brilliant way to display them. The second piece also looks Christmassy. Very intricate and beautifully stitched.

Laura has also been doing some stitching. She created the above cross stitch for a friend. We laughed when she was working on it as it was a birthday present for a friend who wanted it stitched for herself. Laura emailed the photo as she had alread passed it on. She has also been working on a new crochet style and while it's not finished I had to take a photo. These bobbles were created with just a crochet hook. It's going to be a scarf.

Stephanie has been knitting baby sets again. The first set all goes together and keeps the baby warm in layers. Not seen anything like that before. The second is a beautiful Christmas cardigan and pom pom hat. Clearly an elf outfit. I love the little triangles at the bottom of the cardigan. Stephanie said that the pattern called for stitches to be picked up to create the edging. As she hates picking up stitches she knitted the edging first.

Lastly Margaret has also been busy, mainly with baby items. Some friends daughters are expecting so Margaret knitted a beautiful white blanket edged in red. For another friend she knitted the cute little baby set. Of course she made time to knit herself this cosy hat in time for our snowy weather.

Some Finishes Too!

I promised you that there would be more than one post this week and for once I am living up to it. First of all I wanted to show you just how busy we were on Tuesday. Normally we have around 35 members with maybe 20-25 coming along on average (sometimes more sometimes less). Well, as you know I haven't been along and so there were some new people I had yet to meet. There were a few more new members on our first night back and we had our busiest night yet. Alison counted 36 members and 7 of our regulars had been unable to make it along that night. There may be a few more people along on this week too. Welcome everyone!

Swati contacted the group through our facebook page. She has been wanting to learn to knit and Stephanie gave her a hand on Tuesday. She is planning on knitting a doll. She had some very cute patterns with her.

Fiona is another new member but she started whilst I was away. She was learning to crochet and this was her first project. Pretty impressive. Don't worry, next time I may talk her into modelling her creations for us.

Our Janice also brought along a finish. She recently learned to quilt and this is her first project. Another impressive finish. Not sure my first attempt would look anywhere near as good.

Apologies for this photo. It in no way does justice to the garment being held up. It's a baby, hooded poncho which was knitted by Ally using variegated yarn. The colours in the yarn knitted up perfectly and it looked almost like little rosebuds had been knitted into the pattern. This is for Donna's baby, Abigail, so maybe we will get a much better photo of her wearing it.

I am a little bit in love with this bag. This was crocheted by Anthea for another new member, Carina. Anthea combined two different patterns to create it. The colours are just beautiful.

A few people have been asking about ravelry. It's like a social network but for knitters (and crocheters). You can set up an account and there are a hoard of free patterns for you to try with advice and images from other members who have knitted them. Just seeing different takes on patterns is worth joining. There are also patterns you can buy too. However, the main part of it I think is the social aspect. Communities are created and it's up to you if you want to join in or not. Our Donna is a huge fan of ravelry and she is now taking part in a granny square challenge. Each month a new pattern is posted and the members combine colours in their own way to create a unique square. This is one of Donna's examples. Can't wait to see her other squares.

Sheena's Baby Shower!

It was our first day back after the holidays last week and we started the year with a baby shower for Sheena (who has moved back to Glasgow and is hoping to join us again when she is settled). A great way to start the year.

This beautiful baby cardigan was knitted by Alison. Many of you who know Alison will know that knitting isn't her first choice of craft so this was very much appreciated.

Anthea kindly gave Sheena some sleep suits which always come in handy.

Linda gave a set of baby spoons and knitted this gorgeous hat and cardigan. Sheena said that she especially loved the colour.

This cute happy bug toy was a gift from Stephanie. I think Sheen could have spent all day playing with it.

Elaine knitted one of her famous hot water bottle covers and added the Winnie the Poo motif.

This beautiful cardigan and matching hat was knitted by Ally. The colours round the bands actually put me in mind of the Hungry Caterpiller.

This lovely granny square baby blanket was done by Roberta.

Sister Aileen (as photographed) gifted some wrist rattles and linkies.

The cardigan and bootie sets were beautifully knitted by Margaret.

I knitted this brick style baby blanket.

 Donna gave Sheena this lovely snow suit. Ideal considering the weather we have been having.

This wee guy deserves his own close up. He was knitted by Caroline whos work mates tried to pinch him. Can understand why.

Lauar sadly couldn't make it but she still crocheted this beautiful baby blanket. Love the chocolate colour.

June made on of her famous granny square blankets which are much loved by the book. Also included was The Hungry Caterpiller.

From Dawn Marie, Sheena was gifted this lovely towel and bodysuits.

Fiona and Andrea who are new to the group and really didn't have to, gave Sheena sleepsuits in different sizes.

Last but not least is an IOU from Helen, a promise of a scrapbook once the baby is born so that it can be personalised.

It was a fab night and I also have some finishes to post. Will hopefully manage that before Tuesday.

Happy New Year!

 I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year. We are back as normal tomorrow and we are starting off with a baby shower for Sheena. Before that I had better post all those photo's I am behind on. I have reduced the size of the photo's in the hopes that it won't eat up quite as much memory.

The first few photo's are from finishes brought along to our Christmas craft day. This is one of the lovely bags that Caroline was making for her family. The photo really doesn't do them justice.

Margaret had knitted some Christmas decorations. These mitts were so cute that she made some for her two daughters too.

These lovely felt ornaments were made by Donna and her sister Julie. They were making a whole bunch to sell at a craft fair.

I need to apologise for this one. As cute as they are I can't remember who knitted them. I think it was either Isobel or Roberta.

This lovely Giraffe was Zuzanna's first attempt at decoupage. Taught to her by Freya.

Norma had finished this lovely bag but she forgot to bring it along and so sent me the photo.

Laura also sent me a photo of this lovely blanket done in crochet. She was unable to bring it along as it was going straight to a friend.

The following photo's were taken by Margaret. I usually group together people's finishes but it seemed easier this time to post them in the order taken. This beautiful cross stitch sampler was done by Helen. She then used her quilting skills to turn it into a wall hanging.

Remember Stephanie's famous doll? Helen won her. Looks like poor Isobel will have to work on an exchange with Stephanie after all.

Laura finished another crochet blanket. This time for a baby. Love the bright colours.

Helen finished another quilt. If I remember correctly she wasn't too pleased with it when she was working on it. It's turned out beautifully however and all the colours go well together.

She also finished stitching some Christmas bags. I love the stripey ones.

Margaret finished some Christmas jumpers to go with the mitt.s

Freya here is modelling a Santa hat knitted by her mum, Rhona. Looks amazing!

Aleksandra is a new member I haven't met yet. She was just learning to knit and managed this in a short space of time.

The following photo's are from the Christmas party. Seems it was a huge success. This time the secret santa followed almost like pass the parcel. The parcels were passed round everyone according to a story told by Elaine. When she said left or right they all had to move accordingly.