Saturday Voice - Elaine Quinn

A few of us were at Hobbycraft for our monthly get together. Lots of people stopped for a chat and showed an interest in the group, with one person in particular joining us for a wee half hour. Robin was visiting the store with his wife and decided to join us while she had a wander and did some shopping. He wanted to learn how to knit and sat with us for a bit while Lyn showed him the ropes. As you can see from the photos, he did very well although l suspect he may have had some practice already. Robin was lovely to chat to and was very entertaining, telling us how he had retired three times but always ended up trying something else. In the end, Robin had to leave after his wife came looking for him a second time! If you read this Robin, do drop by again, don't be a stranger.

In a Spin!

So we all know that Norma has been crafting up a storm at the crafting house. It seems she's not the only one. Her hubby made this beautiful wooden sign. He carved it out himself before decorating it. He is working on another in black and white so that it looks more like a negative. Looks amazing!

 Norma meanwhile has been busy too. She has been getting ready for a craft fair that she is doing soon. Somehow she still managed to find the time to make one of her lovely bags. Love the furry yarn.

Margaret has once again been asked to knit for a friend who's about to be a granny to a little boy. This is just the latest of knits Margaret has finished. Love the cables and the buttons match perfectly.

Fiona has moved on to a new craft. She has been making felt decorations. How sweet is this red heart? I love the little flower buttons and those perfect tiny stitches.

Now that Isabel has had her sock returned to her she has finished it's partner. These are her Christmas socks. The red and white really do go lovely together.

 I believe though that I have created a monster! After winning a voucher in the raffle she went straight to hobbycraft looking for sock patterns. She came out with three sock pattern books and some sock wool. These socks are knitting up lovely and are for her grandson.

Caroline is always great for holiday ideas. Every holiday you can usually find her creating something. For Halloween it's little pumpkins. These little pumpkins are amazing. A little tea light sits inside it to give any room a Halloween atmosphere. Caroline kindly sent me a photo of what they look like in the dark. Love them!

It can be safely said that Fran is now hooked on crochet. Her cross stitch has been set aside. This platted infinity scarf is her latest creation. I love the effect and I love the fact that it can be adapted with different colours.

Lisa also brought along some of her makes. I had offered to knit her socks and she brought along this beautiful rainbow yarn for them. As I thank you I also got to pick one of her famous crochet hooks. Excited is too tame a word to describe how I was feeling after that. I can't wait to see how the yarn knits up.

Spinning yarn is a new hobby picked up by a few members of the group. I can see it taking off with others. Lisa has had a class and now Anthea. Anthea went to the Glasgow yarn school and took a class there. She was working on it on Tuesday night. It was interesting to watch.

We have had quite a few new members again. In fact, I thought we were going to run out of seats. You can see Magdalena here helping out two of our newer members.

A couple of things to look out for on Tuesday. First of all Tracy is back to do nails. She has one person signed up but I am sure has room for more. I don't have her price list on me but just ask her and she will be happy to tell you.

Secondly, I am putting out a sign up sheet for Christmas craft day classes. The reason for that is that two of them require the lovely volunteers to bring enough supplies for those joining in.  I also won't be there on the day so it makes it easier for everyone if they know what's happening.

One last wee thing. Some of you may know that we have a facebook page. Well, I have changed it to a group. The page is still there but no one has been getting the updates. To be honest the group setting is better as it allows everyone to join in instead of it just being a page where I post updates. So feel free to request to join it if I have missed you out.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500656310031511/

Kathleen - Member of the Month

1. Tell us three things about yourself we might not know.

I used to go jiving, I loved dancing. I did three years of hairdressing in the evenings. I also used to be a cook with the fire brigade. I did that for a long time but I am now an auxiliary nurse.

2. Who taught you your first craft?

Jean taught me how to seed bead. Before that I taught myself to knit as my mum didn't knit. I learned to crochet not that long ago from watching youtube and from people here at the group.

3. What finish are you most proud of?

My crochet - all my crochet hats because I desperately wanted to learn when the kids were young. As soon as I learned how to do it I wanted to tell the world.

4. What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

An aran jumper I started for my daughter when she was little. She is now 42 and I found it the other week still unfinished.

5. What other crafts do you do?

Jewellery, seed beading, I also love DIY. I did everything in my caravan. I covered the seating laid the carpets and the tiles.

6. Your list of favourites

Favourite yarn - I love double knit. I double it up when I knit with it to make it chunky
Favourite designs - lacey
Favourite colours - pinks, purples, and white
Favourite shop - Bargain Wools
Favourite online shop - ebay. I am forever on there ordering patterns.

7. What would you like to achieve in the future?

I would like to crochet a cardigan set for my granddaughter. Just now all I make her is the hats. I would like her to have a full set.

8. What do you like to watch or listen to when crafting?

I like to listen to the football. I have lived in a house full of boys. I also like Judge Judy, Corrie, Mrs Browns Boys. Anything that has a bit of lightness to it.

9. What words of wisdom would you give a beginner?

Keep at it. I was determined with the crochet - took me 30 years but I got there. Try the squares first.

10. What craft would you like to learn next?

Maybe bag felting. I have tried it before and it didn't go well.

11. What are you working on just now?

A pair of ugg boots. I have done the first one. Had to take it back a few times but I'm quite proud of it.

Shoe Box charity Thank You.

Linda wanted to thank everyone who donated a scarf or hat to the Shoe Box charity. She was so delighted that she said it with CHOCOLATE! The gift was well received. Well done to everyone who participated.

Stephanie has taken to sewing like a duck to water. She proudly displayed this storybook quilt which she had completed for Yorkhill Hospital. Valerie Lennox is one of the co-ordinators for this charity which supplies quilts for seriously ill kids in Yorkhill. Any little child would be delighted to own this quilt. Well done Stephanie.

Isabel was so impressed with Fiona's crochet hook holder that she was determined to make one for herself. The vibrant colour should mean that it won't get lost! We hope.

Norma has been busy in her wee crafting house in the garden. This week she has made a cosy snowball hat, two lovely hats with flower detail and an intricate pram blanket. It looks as if we all need a crafting den. Well done, Norma.

Fran was delighted to show off this great infinity scarf which she crocheted for herself. Now she is all set for winter.

Audrey is a big fan of the 1920's styles and made this stylish closh hat for those chilly days ahead.

Magda proudly displayed this stunning blanket that she crocheted for her son Adam. Its title of this is Adam's choice because he chose the colours.

Elaine has been busy creating four lovely hats for the Shoe Box charity. How does she find the time to knit and make Cakes?

Roberta amazed us with a wealth of finishes this week. She has the sewing bug and made these two wll-hangings for Christmas. The fingerless mitts, crocheted hats and the knitted cardigans were made for the Shoe Box charity. Well done, Roberta! What do you do in your spare time?

Sandra has been busy preparing for a new grandchild. These wee hats are so versatile and cute!

Libby has been getting back into crochet again after a gap of some years. This bonnie wee jacket is for a new baby.

Talented Lisa from For the Love of Yarn had been to Yarndale recently and asked customers to add a few stitches to a granny square which will eventually become a blanket that will be donated to Yorkhill. Such a lovely idea. Our group were given the opportunity to participate in this event.

June completed this amazing frilly can-can scarf  for herself on Tuesday night. Everyone seems to be gearing up for a stylish winter.

Margaret was one of our group who added some stitches to to the Yorkhill blanket.

Laura, one of our new members, has been busy knitting fabulous wee hats for the Big Knit which supports Age UK.

The Mystery of the Missing Sock - A Knitting Group Mysetery!

First of all I apologise for the length of this post. The truth is that everyone has been so busy that there are a lot of finishes here.

Lisa has been making and collecting blankets for Yorkhill hospital. One of the blankets which in the works is actually a group project. She took this granny square to Yarndale and had people adding stitches to it. It's only about half done and she has requested that any corchet people from the group add some stitches next Tuesday. As I won't be there Helen will be asking (harassing) you to contribute. I think it's a lovely idea.

Speaking of Helen, she's been busy herself. She finished this beautiful quilted cushion. The design is another of her beloved Sashiko and done in her favourite colours. I tried to run away with this but alas she caught me and then refused to let it out of her clutches.

She has also been making some cards. She was inspired by quilter Janette. I don't think many of you will know Janette but she is famous for taking an idea and running away with it. As soon as I saw these I guessed who inspired Helen. Janette's original idea was to make quilted postcards. Helen loved the idea and found a simple crazy quilting design that could be used to make cards. Very effective!

She's also finished the socks she has been working on. The person who requested the socks prefers dark colours. Helen compromised with this gorgeous striping yarn by Zauderball. Helen said it was lovely to knit with.

Margaret has also been busy. She finished this lovely baby blanket for her friend who is about to be a grandmother to a little boy. The lady had specifically requested the brick blanket after seeing someone else receive one.

Margaret is also responsible for bring some festive cheer to the group. She finished a third robin which is going to her youngest daughter. She also knitted a stocking and some Christmas bags. These were from one of the latest knitting magazines. The cards were actually little mini kits from Hobbycraft. I am sure most of you who visit the store will have seen them. Margaret's attaching them to cards makes those little designs really stand out. She's now finished making all her family Christmas cards.

I was lucky enough to buy some hand-dyed sock yarn from the lovely Lisa. These socks were the end result. I love the striping of the yarn. More importantly the yarn itself was gorgeous to knit with. I actually didn't want to get to the end of this project.

I also made a little skull broach for my sister. This was done with metallic thread and some plastic canvas.

Seeing me work on the skull broach Norma decided to have a go herself. Norma decided to use the colours suggested by the magazine. It's amazing how different a design can look just by changing the colours. Norma has decided to make more of these for her craft fair and she plans to play with the colours.

This beautiful baby blanket was also done by Norma in crochet. I love the fold-over at the top with the bow and button. This will also be sold on her craft stall.

Pamela knitted this beautiful preemie baby set. This is for a tiny baby born at just 26 weeks. The baby is doing well and will be the best dressed on the ward. Pamela said it felt like she was knitting for a doll it was so small. Beautifully done!

She also made more of her bootees which will decorate the baby's pram. I love these and this project seems to have become a group favourite.

Janice has been knitting baby clothes too. She knitted all of these baby jumpers. Everyone loved the stripes. Particularly in the blue cardigan. The dark blue stripe makes it all the more striking!

Janice also finished knitting a shawl. This is her first attempt at a shawl and her first project using circular needles. It's a gorgeous colour and looks impressive.

This is another baby set this time done by new member Libby. The photo can't convey just how delicate this little outfit is. The booties alone were beautifully done. Very sweet!

Baby sets aren't the only items that have been on her crochet hook. She has also done this lovely beret. Not only that but this stunning top. Libby hadn't done any crochet in years when her daughter asked if she would make this for her. It truly is beautiful work.

Jean has also been busy with the baby items. The baby cardigan is lovely. Love the detail in the sleeves. I also love these little booties. The little bows at the front really set them off.

Our Esther is fairly shy about her finishes and it's usually left to poor Noreen to snatch them from her and bring them up for a wee photo. To think, if it wasn't for Noreen we wouldn't have got the chance to see this lovely row of booties. These were all knitted by Esther for her great granddaughter. There is even a few pram decorations in there. All beautifully knitted.

Kathleen has also been knitting for her granddaughter. She is very much a girly girl and loves handbags. So thanks to Kathleen she now has a lovely new bag to play with and a gorgeous wee hat for the winter.

Kathleen is also a beeder and she made this beautiful bracelet. I love the colours. Always love a purple bracelet.

You may have seen on Magda's quilting facebook page that she has been busy with some sewing. She has also been working on a blanket for her son who picked the colours himself. This hasn't stopped her on getting some knitting in there. She finished this beautiful Hitch-hiker scarf. Purple seems to be the colour of choice just now and you can see why. Lovely purple stripes.

Helen had bought some lovely sock yarn from Lisa a few weeks ago and at the same time requested a crochet hook. This is her new crochet hook which will be Helen's pride and joy. Helen loves it because not only is it her colours but it also has some sparkle!

Tuesday was also the last day for the scarf charity. 76 raffle tickets were handed out but I know there were far more scarves than that handed in. A few people didn't come forward to get their tickets. There were a few prizes. One of which was for handing in the most scarves. This of course (in case anyone was in doubt) went to Isabel who had handed in 23 scarves in total. Isabel had the audacity to act surprised. She even made a speech as she was handed her prize. She thanked everyone and especially "Margaret for stopping". Of course Margaret was second at 21 scarves. Not to worry, Margaret won a raffle and was the lucky recipient of this beautiful crochet hook designed by Lisa specially for the event. There were also other winners in there too. Janice and Helen also received prizes.

I feel now that I should explain the title of this weeks post. This incident of course involves Isabel. She turned up on the night extremely upset. She had been working on her second pair of mosaic socks. This pair was in red and white and she had finished the first one the previous week. However, she had somehow managed to lose the completed sock. This isn't really surprising if you know Isabel (famous for losing her beloved scarves). As you can imagine she was very upset about it and refused to start the second one until she found it. Helen and I were even considering making a reward poster, 'have you seen this sock'. After everyone had arrived and no sock made an appearance Isabel finally settled down to do some sewing. Then Magdalena appears and sits on the other side of Isabel. She gets settled and then turns to Isabel, 'have you missed something?' There in her hand is Isabel's beloved sock. I have never seen someone move so fast. Isabel launched herself across the table and gripped poor Magda in a bear hug. I didn't think she was going to let her go. I would say this was one of the funnies things I have ever seen at the group but there have been a fair few funny moments and quite a few with Isabel at the centre. So there you have it. We had the mystery of the missing sock at the start of the night only to have it be solved at the end.

Just a reminder that I won't be along on Tuesday. I am working and so duty calls. However, the lovely Helen will be taking photo's in my place.