Quilts, hats, scarves and socks!

Stephanie was as pleased as  punch to show off her completed Quilt for Yorkhill Hospital. This is a charity run by Val Lennox and supported by the Village Patchers in Bishopbriggs. It provides quilts for seriously ill children. Stephanie had fun doing this one.

Roberta has been busy working on these two crocheted scarves and hat. She doesn't let the grass grow under her feet.

Karen has been developing her crochet skills by creating decorative edgings to display her completed cross-stitch projects. I am truly impressed with these. In a spare moment she also had time to rattle up a pair of socks and this lovely little baby blanket for the Yarnigans charity for premature babies. What a star!

Margaret just loves knitting baby garments. This lovely little jacket has such cute buttons to set it off.

Yvonne has used Rico Pompom yarn to create this cosy scarf.

Jean was delighted to show off this minaiture bag that she crocheted in cotton with size 11 seed beads done with 0000 needles. As an added extra she remembered to showcase this delicate beadwork bracelet.

Janice had a special request from her son to create a minion doll for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day. She adapted a pattern and was delighted with the end product. Janice has caught the sock knitting bug and has completed another pair of socks for herself.

Isabel loves loves to do colour work and is now passionate about socks. I love this colour combination.

Talented Magda was really pleased with the way this cowl worked out. The yarn was from B & M.

I wondered where this photograph had gone! This is the book that Noreen is using at the moment to knit more baby clothes.

Anthea has been in a hat mood recently. The grey hats she crocheted for her daughters and the little pink and white hat is for the Yarnigans charity. Anthea has also completed a colourful slouchy peaked hat and scarf for herself. Her last photograph is a tubular crochet hook case which she recently completed.

Fiona completed this trendy poncho while she was at the group on Tuesday night. The wrist warmers she made for Lisa.

Zuzanna is following in her mother's footsteps! Learning new skills beautifully. Here she has crocheted blocks for a baby blanket for the Yarnigans charity. I can't wait until it is finished. It will be stunning!

Janet is a new member to our group. She brought along samples of handmade soaps that she had made with her children. The soaps are chemical  free and good for skin conditions. The soaps were Lavender, Sea Breeze, Coconut and Sesame seeds, Sesame and Mustard powder and my favourite, Peppermint. Janet kindly donated these samples as a prize for the raffle. No fighting now, you can get a raffle ticket with you display any of your completed projects.

Just as the evening drew to a close, Magda completed this amazing baby blanket for the Yarnigans charity. Stunning!

Anyone who wants their nails done next week please let Elaine know so she can tell Tracy.

Our group charity, knitting Hats and Balaclavas for sea-farers ends on June 24th 2014. Plenty of time to knit two or three hundred! Each completed donation enters you into a special raffle so get knitting.

Member of the Month - Noreen

Noreen agreed to be our Member of the Month, however I was so excited about doing the interview that I forgot  to take her pin up photograph. Sorry ! Noreen will be the person dancing on top of the table because her portrait shot was not published here!

Tell us three things about yourself.     
I am the mother of two girls. One aged 22 years and the other of 19. As you can see I had them when I was very young! I come from Irish parents. Both are from Donegal. Originally, when I left school, I worked as a photographic finisher. That job no longer exists due to digital cameras etc.

Who taught you your first craft?
My Mum taught me to knit and embroider. She had three of a family and did some beautiful things. Someone was always getting a cardigan or a jumper.

What finish are you most proud of?
I knitted both of my daughters Aran cardigans and a woman stopped me in Marks and Spencers to ask me where I'd bought them. I was so proud!

What was your biggest crafting disaster?
I tried to make curtains at one point but me and sewing machines don't mix.They never saw the light of day!

What other crafts do you do?
I make jewellery and I am going to take a class run by Jean to learn learn new techniques. I crochet, just basic stuff, but I would like to learn how to follow a pattern.

List of Favourites -
Favourite yarn or supplies - Pompom wool.
Favourite designs - I love anything to do with babies.
Favourite colours - Pastels. Pinks, blue, yellow.
Favourit shop - I like to look round lots of different shops but I think Hobby craft is my favourite.
Favourite Craft Book - Not one in particular but at the moment I like Peter Pan Collections. I love the wee jackets in it.

What would you like to achieve in the future?
I would love to have a wool shop. Ever since I was fifteen or sixteen I've had this idea of having my own shop.

What do you like to listen to or watch while you are crafting?
I love to watch Real Housewives of Miami and so on or listen to Radio Clyde or Radio 2 chat shows.

What words of wisdom would you give to a beginner?
Keep trying. Don't give up.

What are you working on at the moment?
My cousin's daughter is having a wee girl in April so I'm working on baby things for that.

Variety is the spice of life!

Magda is always a busy crafter! She has just completed these cosy crochet hats for two of her boys.

Now, Elaine really surprised me when she presented her latest finishes. She knitted these napkin rings with 28 gauge wire. This is a gift for a lucky friend, who will be really impressed when she notices the sparkle from the Swarovski crystals.

Isabel has really caught the sock knitting bug. This week she had completed these beautiful stripey socks. I wonder what the next pair of socks will be like!

Karen managed to find time to crochet 2 bonnie wee premie blankets for the Yarnigans group that are supporting a premature baby charity by making little hats and blankets. If you have time to contribute something to this group please see Lisa for details.

This lovely wee blue jacket was knitted by Margaret. How does she find the time? I particularly like the stylish cables.

Fiona made this colourful project bag for Andrea's birthday. This is a really glamorous way to organise your bits and bobs.

Audrey has used Noro sock wool to knit these socks. The yarn is a silk and cotton mix. Audrey was a pupil of Dawn Marie and Karen's when she was learning to knit socks. She is now confident enough in her sock knitting to improvise with the pattern. What a star!

When I saw Dawn Marie working on Tuesday night I was taken aback by the size of her crochet hook.......12mm! She was using Bernat super chunky yarn that she bought in Florida. I can't wait to see her completed project.

Janice has been learning to knit socks and was as pleased as punch to display socks she made for herself. The yarn was bought in the Bargain Wool Shop at the Barras.

Karen and June supplied the patterns for our group Charity - Hats and Balaclavas for the Sea-farers. Please use yarn that will provide warmth in chilly climates.

A little reminder about our 2014 Challenge which is entitled "Glasgow 2014." You could make anything that reflects your idea of Glasgow. Think outside the box.........Donna was a very worthy winner when she won with her crocheted "Haggis, neeps and tatties!" Have a go!

The quilt Show is on 21st -23rd of February 2014 at the MacRoberts Pavillion, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Well worth a visit.

Creative Stitches is on at the SECC, Glasgow on 6th -9th March 2014. Time to stock up on supplies!

Sock it to me!

On Tuesday night Karen was very busy with the first session of her sock knitting class for beginners. 

The group of nervous knitters sat at an isolated table where they could concentrate on the intricacy of sock knitting. "Mammy, Daddy" and "Help ma bob" and other forms of expletives were heard from time to time. As luck would have it, we had a surprise visitor that night. None other than The Sock Lady herself, Ginnie Willis. In the early years of the group Ginnie was on a mission to spread the gospel of sock knitting. However, due to work commitments she has been unable to attend. No pressure then ladies, Ginnie is just the goddess of sock knitting. 

Norma has been busy in her wee crafty house again. This lovely cardigan and hat was made for friend.

Margaret knitted this beautiful blue hoodie for a friend and the pink cardigan and yellow pullover were donated to the Hospice shop on Baillieston Main St.

Isabel has really taken to sock knitting recently and completed this pair during the holidays.

Now, Isabel has been truly adventurous with this pair of socks. Very distinctive. I think I may have to attempt something new with the next pair of socks that I do.

I am delighted to say that the lovely Joyce has got back into knitting again. She has been very industrious and donated two bags full of fabulous baby clothes for the Hospice Shop in Baillieston. I took all of the donations along to the shop on Wednesday morning and the shop manager was delighted. Well done to those who contributed.

                                                             Some more of Joyce's beautiful work.

 Fran has been very creative recently, completing this matching scarf and fingerless gloves. The premie blanket and premie hats she made for the Yarnigans charity which is supplying little blankets and hats for premature babies. Some of our members are also members of an on-line crochet group called Yarnigans. Ask Fran or Lisa for more details about the group.

  Karen is also working on the Yarnigans charity and has made these lovely little blankets. Don't ask Karen for info while she she is doing the sock class, she will have her hands full!

I was so impressed with the crochet work that people were doing on a Tuesday night that I resolved to try crochet again in the new year. I have never been terribly comfortable with crochet but this is my latest effort. The blanket is made with double crochet and I may attempt to learn another stitch as time goes by.

Stephanie has really taken to sewing since she retired. These amazing cushions were made with fabric she bought on the internet. Wow! Just my colours! Remember, my birthday is in April, if you have any more of that fabric kicking about......hint.....hint.

In her spare time Stephanie was able to knit this matching set of hat and mitts. Ideal for our weather!

 Carol was delighted to share with us the lovely little premie blankets and hats that she had made. Such beautiful work will be appreciated.

This stunning yellow cardigan with collar was completed by Roberta.

Just a little reminder that the sock knitting class continues on Tuesday. Homework should be completed by then!

Donna has agreed to take a crochet class for beginners after the sock knitting series of lessons end. More information will follow nearer the time.

Norma is a Dry Athlete during the month of January. All money raised is for Cancer Research. All donations welcome.

Lastly, our group charity is the Seafarers charity. We will be knitting hats and balaclavers for the seamen who bring food, fish etc to our shores. As you know, our group tries to support different charities each year and this one was suggested by June. Patterns will be available shortly.