What a night!

This week saw the conclusion of the Hats for Sea-farers charity knit. The final count was 67 garments, including some balaclavas. A big thank you to all who participated  in this event. I would also like to thank Margaret who organised the collection of hats and the raffle tickets.

Stephanie has created another ripple blanket. This pattern looks great in lots of different colourways.

I tried my hand at crocheting a mandala in cotton. As you know, Crochet is a skill that does not come easily to me, so you can imagine my relief when I finally completed this item. I think I need a little more practice.

Margaret completed this smart v-neck jersey for her husband. It is not very often that Don requests a knitted garment and I bet he will be delighted with this on the cooler evenings.

Jean knitted this marvellous aran jacket for her grand-daughter. There is no dought that she will be delighted with this. I particularly like the little label sewen at the bottom of the garment. "Handknitted by Gran with Love." Lovely touch!

This pretty Pompom blanket was also knitted by Jean. I love these!

Janice donated some more pompoms to the collection being assembled by Lyn for the Kirstie Allsop World Record attempt.

This is just a sample of the pompoms that Lyn has collected so far.

I think we should get Isabel a dressing up box for her impending retirement. This week she was eager to model Janice's uniform as a volunteer for the Commonwealth Games. Janice will be working at the Tollcross International Swimming Pool and will be available for photos and autographs during the games.

Phillis brought along an amazing variety of baby hats that she had knitted. I would like to welcome Phillis to the group and look forward to seeing her other finishes.

Elaine always has something on the go. This week she was proud to display this beautiful baby blanket and a final hat for the Sea-farers charity.

Tuesday was also our Annual Challenge night. The theme this year was Glasgow or the Commonwealth Games. The First Prize in the Adapted category was won by Stephanie with this handsome chap.

The First Prize in the Original Category was won by Elaine with that well known Glasgow icon, The Duke of Wellington complete with his cone!

The runner-up prize was won by Janice with Bonnie and Clyde dolls. Bonnie is resplendent in her volunteers uniform and Clyde is the Commonwealth Games mascot.

Monica and Laura were the judges this year and were amazed with the inventiveness of the participants and the skills required to complete each item.

Last but not least, I would like to show case a great idea by Jemma. How trendy is this pair of trainers! Customized to create a cool look for summer. Love it!

It was such a busy night that we ran out of seats and a couple of our athletic members were relegated to sitting on the floor. Next week will be Swati's baby shower, Lyn would like to remind everyone that this Saturday is the Last Saturday of the Month and you are all welcome to craft in Hobbycraft between 11am and 1pm.

I'm Back!

Yep, it has been a few months since I have been along to the group. Huge thank you to the lovely Helen who has been keeping the blog updated since Christmas. You have me for the next few weeks for definite. Helen was experiencing technical difficulty so it was a good thing I was back. It meant that I could go round and see what everyone had been up to over the last few months. I am mightily impressed by what everyone has been doing. There is a rainbow blanket by a certain Caroline that I have my eye on. I am hoping I will be there when it is finished.

I don't know if many of you know but Isabel is an OT and now and then she comes across something new to try in her job. Last week she found herself making sugared flowers with icing. This poor rose has wilted a little in the car but it still looks good to me.

Both Margaret and Isabel have been knitting hats for the Seafarers charity. I will need to get a tally from Margaret of how many we have so far. Just a reminder that you have until the 24th of June to hand in hats. There will then be a prize draw.

Margaret has also been knitting for a friend in work. She says this baby outfit is the last and then she will move on to something for herself. About time too.

Although I have been away I have still managed to get a few things knitted up. These socks are my latest finish. Knitted up for my sister I am sure that she will not be missed with them on.

Do you remember the mood blankets that a few of us were doing?  Fran was also taking part but had made hers a little larger than the rest. Not that it mattered. At the end of the day as long as you liked what you created was the main thing. It meant that Fran has been working on hers a little longer than the rest of us and who would not love this? I did have it wrapped round me at one point and I can testify to its being soft and cosy. I love the colours too.

Our Esther is at it again. Trying to hide away some her finishes. These gorgeous booties were knitted for another members grandson. So on handing them over they were brought straight to me to be photographed. These should be acknowledged Esther!

 Linda has been busy doing some baby knitting. This pattern is the same as a blue one that Norma knitted a few months ago. The yarn is amazingly soft. I also like the subtle hints of pink throughout.

It would seem our Sally is another one for hiding away her finishes. Thankfully daughter in law Audrey ensured these were shown. The baby set is gorgeous. I like the hint of colour round the bands and pompoms. It really sets a finish off. I also love this little crochet wallet. It would be fab for a project or even a kindly or iPad. I have it in good authority that Sally is a fabulous crocheter but tends to leave them unfinished. So we have now to nag at her to get her projects sewn up.

#Since I have been away our Norma has got her crafting mojo back. Good thing too since she has her own we house of crafts. I didn't pick up the name of this yarn. I can tell you that it is very much like peacock feathers. Norma isn't a fan because it's a little scratchy when worn. However, it might soften with some conditioner.

She has also been working on some blankets. mint and grey blanket is just gorgeous. I do like grey blankets with a hint of colour. However the first blanket is just breathtaking. Some baby is going to love the bright colours in it. I personally love the touch of pompoms round the edging.

Lastly Norma used some of the yarn to make this cute little hat. It's going to the Yarnigans preemie charity.

Yvonne is still addicted to the pompom baby blankets. Can't say I blame her as they are very effective. The little bow at the bottom is tied on rather than stitched. This way it can be changed or removed. It means that this little blanket could be reused when it's owner becomes too old for it. Love that idea.

 Between starting her new business Fiona has still managed to find the time to get some crochet done. First of all she crocheted this cute hat. Then she crocheted up this ripple sampler. Fiona is more sensible than most and decided to do a little sample so that she could work out colours and size. Is it just me or would this sampler make a lovely scarf?

Our Janice has been equally busy. You may not know but she is one of the volunteers for the Commonwealth Games (trying hard not to be jealous). In the spirit of that she has knitted up the Commonwealth Games Mascot - Clyde. She has even knitted some airforce cadets.

When not knitting mascots she has been working on some baby clothes. I love the cables in those cardigans. Believe it or not the booties in the first pic came from the same ball of yarn. I think they look fab.

Last but not least we have another wallflower (not our Isabel who is posing). Jean brought along some of the bead work she has just finished. The amount of time and effort that must have went into each of those items. Well worth it though as they are fabulous and I do believe that our Isabel is smitten with them.

Good things come in Small Quantities!

Every phone should have one! June made a sleeping bag for her phone! And just to prove she is clever, she made a second one for when her phone wanted a change of colour! Such a great idea! I wonder if we could have a display of handmade covers that members have made for their devices. Bring them along and show how well your device is catered for.

Elaine has been busy again knitting a hat for our charity. Blue is definitely my colour. I think we could all have done with woolly hats over the last couple of days.

Sally has got into the swing of charity knitting with this cosy hat. There seems to be a recurring theme here!

Allison likes to complicate matters because she gets bored doing plain patterns. This stylish hat is also for our group charity.

Next week I expect to be inundated with finishes because there were so few pieces of work completed this week. If that is the case, please form an orderly queue and I will try to process things quickly. If not.........I may get to work on some of my own knitting. See you next week.

Granny Squares Rule!

Tuesday 11th March had been a lovely Spring day and I was expecting a full house of members swapping gardening stories and plans for Spring cleaning. Where were you?

June surprised us all with this lovely Granny Square blanket. If you look closely you will notice that every square is different and in some cases sparkly yarn has been used. At some point this year I must attempt granny squares. At some point!

Janice had completed another hat for our chosen charity. I notice that some of our knitters are including distinctive stripes to make the woolly hats a bit more fun.

This is my Dresden Plate cushion. I used a variety of batik fabrics and parts of the 24 inch cushion are hand sewn. I have given it a test drive and it is really comfortable.

 Janice had a UFO weekend and was determined to complete a number of projects that she had accumulated over the past few month. In the pictures above you can see a variation of her knitted fairies. This is the first time Janice has knitted a Fairy Elephant! The Teddy was made using odds and ends and is intended for her storage box.

The two aran cardigans had been knitted by Janice a while ago and just needed to be sewn up. If you look closely at the top jacket you will see the novelty buttons that Janice bought at the Quilt Festival. The little jackets are not for anyone in particular. They are on standby for whenever she needs to give a baby present.
Now that's what you call organised!

This little aran had been knitted by Janice's work colleague who is about to become a great grandmother. She asked Janice to see it up but leave buttons off the garment until she found some interesting buttons to add to the jacket.

Audrey is modelling a Faux Fur headband that Jean had made with yarn that she had bought while she was at the Creative Stitches show at the SECC. This yarn is beautifully soft to the touch.

Anthea has been experimenting with her spinning wheel. This is 100 per cent TUSSAH SILK, which is undyed. The hank weighs 200 grams and it is 800 yards in length. It is Lace Weight and has been hand spun. I wonder what she will make with this yarn! Can't wait to see the finished garment.

Magda is able to turn her hand to making anything. She is so talented! This week, Magda crocheted these pot holders for a friend in Rico Aran Cotton yarn. So simple but stylish!