Happy Birthday!

Not our birthday this time. It was the birthday of lovely Noreen. Jean had brought along a cake which we brought out and sang to her. Much to poor Noreen's mortification! We hope she had a lovely evening though.

Margaret is knitting some baby items for a friend and finished this lovely baby hat and cardigan set.

I finished a sock. No, not socks, a sock. Magdalena asked me if I would mind knitting up the partner to a sock she had done herself. It had been so long she couldn't remember how. I was rather pleased that I managed to get them to match.

Lisa crocheted these beautiful baby blankets. The white, pink and orange is done in her own yarn so needless to say it's my favourite. She did this whilst waiting in the car doing the school run.

A number of you may remember this. It is in fact the logo to Magdalena's Stitching A Rainbow. For those of you who might not know, Magdalena makes children's quilts to order. This quilted logo is perfect for those gorgeous quilts.

She also finished her mood scarf. I am more than a little bit in love with this. The idea behind it was that each day she had to crochet a row. The colour she picked out had to match her mood. Hence, a mood scarf. It was doing this that Magdalena learned how to do crochet without the foundation row. The reason being that she didn't want the foundation to be classed as one row since she was only to do one each day. She also used variegated yarn as she said that her mood would change through out the day. The end result is gorgeous. Although Jill did say it would possible be interesting for a psychologist to analyse.

Esther had another finish and it only took some wheedling for myself to get her to show it. Her granddaughter is going to be the best dressed with all these cardigans and sets she is knitting up. This latest is gorgeous. Love the fan pattern and it is certainly beautifully knitted.

This beautiful hat belongs to Kathleen. I love the style of these hats and Kathleen always adds a little something to the front to make it extra special. Kathleen is thinking of having a go at craft fairs eventually. In the meantime though she is going to start up her own facebook page. So look out for that.

Jean has also been busy. This time for Christmas. She knitted this angel which came free with one of the knitting magazines. I love the detail. These angels definitely have character.

Stephanie has been back at the sewing again. She stitched up this lovely patchwork bag. The colours go so well together and it looks fab. Definitely something to be proud of.

You might think you have seen these socks before and in a way you are right. These are slightly smaller than the pair I showed a few weeks ago knitted by the lovely Isabel. This pair is going to her smaller grandson for Christmas. Her grandsons loved the fact that she had knitted herself Christmas socks and asked for some of their own. Hence Isabel's knitting frenzy.

This gorgeous blanket was done by Elaine. I love how a simple granny square can look so different just by switching to variegated yarn. Each of these squares look so different as a result and the effect is fab.

Despite being unwell last week Audrey has been busy. She finished stitching the gorgeous Santa cross stitch. Just in time for the Christmas season.

In getting ready for winter Audrey has also finished knitting up this scarf and hat. The scarf is beautifully done in lace knitting. Whereas the had is a lovely, chunkier knit.

If you were lucky enough to make the Christmas craft day you would have been able to take part in Izzi's lavender sachet lesson. She brought along a shoe box full of lavender sachets she had made up with the leftovers. These are so lovely and they smell amazing. Izzi was selling these ones to contribute to Lyn's charity. Alas they all sold out to the group within seconds.

You might remember Laura's hat from a few weeks ago. She has knitted up another one in reverse colours. I just love the design. I also discovered that Laura is charting her own fair isle design. I look forward to seeing that.

She also knitted herself a scarf. I love the colours and love that it starts with and ends with the same colour pattern. It's also extremely soft and cosy.

I have also been asking people what their bucket list for next year is. That basically means, what do they want to achieve next year. So each week I am going to post a wee list of what people say.

Isabel - love to learn to do traditional embroider and finish my advent calendar.

Elaine - Finish a cross stitch I started when Amy was 4. I also want to do something with Sashiko

Margaret - Finish the fairy cross stitch I started at Gartmore and the Christmas cushions from a few years back. I also want to try Japanese folded quilting.

Karen - I want to learn how to make a mug rug and learn to do tunisian crochet

Audrey - I plan to learn to do cables and to crochet better

Dawn - I want to make a granny square blanket for myself and socks for myself. Next year I plan to make things for myself for a change.

There will be more of that next week. I also did our member of the month interview. So look out for what Janice has to say as well as some photo's of her fabulous work.

5th Anniversary Challenge!

Now that I have all the challenges photographed I can finally post this. Not everyone made it to the night so there are a few who haven't seen the challenge entries. The challenge was to create something using a method you learnt whilst at the group. If possible get five into your piece in some way.

First up are the originals. Last year we had only one original so it was nice to see quite a few this time. This first one was done by Margaret. This is what she said on her entrance form;

I learnt to crochet granny squares when we went to Garmore. So I decided to crochet a blanket and pillowcase for my challenge. I used 5 colours from the rainbow and for the blanket I used 5 colours 5 times. I only learnt to crochet the edging two weeks ago. To make it she used DK yarn in 5 colours and a crochet hook.

This was by Linda and she said;

Was shown how to do granny squares by another member of the group. I have adapted this for the challenge by making this 5 sided. Materials used were double knitting yarn and crochet.

This was by Alison and is called Bed Runner. Alison said;

Japanese folded quilting - the 5th new thing I learnt since starting at the group (other 4 were - quilting, drawstring bags, sugar flowers, Sashiko work). Bed runner - for my bed, colours fit in for my summer quilt to break up the expanse of white & it goes with my curtains. Japanese folded quilting - wadding, 2 materials, cornflakes box - for pattern, compass, scissors, embroidery threads.

This was by Janice and she said;

Learnt patchwork since coming here with help of others. Used patchwork - poly cotton.

The final original entry was by Elaine. I'm afraid that I lost the form that Elaine filled in. I can tell you though that Elaine learnt to crochet a few years ago when being taught Granny squares by Donna. At the second Garmore at home day she then was taught more delicate crochet by another member of the group. This shrug Elaine designed herself. She taught herself the small circles and worked out how to bring them together into the shrug.

The second category was adapted which means they all came from a pattern. The first was this entry from myself called Socks A Plenty. I wrote;

I learnt to knit socks whilst at the group. I did five pairs using five different methods/techniques I had never done before. Baby socks - done 2 at a time on one cable needle, 1 pair of colour work, 1 pair of beaded, 1 pair of crochet, 1 pair done on straight needles rather than the round. Materials used were 3 sock books, 1 internet pattern, various 4 ply yarn, crochet hook, straight needles, DPNs, cable needle, seed beads and darning needle.

This entry was from Donna and is called My Collection of 5. She wrote;

Since starting the group I have learnt a variety of different sewing techniques. I have learnt how to read and follow a pattern, the importance of seam allowances and strengthening of stitches and how to quilt. I have with me my first 5 projects of varying degrees of difficulty: bag, advent calendar, Thomas quilt, Rag Doll, dress. I used mainly my machine for the stitching. The fabric is mainly cotton. I used patterns for the bag, rag doll and dress. All projects include seam allowances which I had to stick rigidly to. Wadding was used for the quilt and the calendar.

This entry was by Stephanie and she said;

My new craft, I started sewing just before Christmas. I have three good teachers, Izzi, Val and Helen who are members of this club. Finding it hard work but learnt a lot.

This entry came from Fiona and she said;

My entry fits the birthday theme perfectly as it is a cake to celebrate the special occasion. Materials used were wool, ribbon, seed beads, invisible thread, sparkle dust. Crafts used were knitting and sewing. First time reading and carrying out pattern.

This entry is from Roberta and she said;

Never had quilted before and this is No's 3, 4 & 5 advent calendars down. Fabric, sewing machine + patience + joy when finished.

This entry is from Isabel and she said;

My piece is; childlike in it's simplicity, sincere in it's gratitude, 5 skills learnt and Many moments appreciated. A Celebration and a Big Thank You.

Each piece is self explanatory and are only 5 of the many craft styles and techniques learnt from individuals in the group. The absolute delight that after years of knitting I can do a neat seam is to me wondrous and has taken away so much frustration. The fear of fabric sewing has almost gone. A sock astonishing! Crocheting beautiful and delicate. And embossing (stumbled across one evening when one member was showing another) magical.

I can remember the name of everyone who imparted these skills, but all of the group have shared skills, knowledge and encouragement but most importantly their time, support and good company.

This entry was from Helen and is titled 5 Gold Things. She said;

5 new projects that I was surprised to learn! Never in my wildest dreams did I consider these crafts. Materials used were quilting fabrics, ribbons, wadding, variegated threads, embroidery threads. Methods were applique, ribbon, weaving, hand stitching, sashing, free motion quilting (writing).

This final entry came from Caroline. She said;

I learnt to crochet when we went to Gartmore last May. My blanket contains; 5 different types of slower, 5 motifs (heart, butterfly, inter-locking rings, clover, floating circle), 5 granny square variations (traditional, round, lacy, spiral, half [triangle]). Materials used were Double knitting wool, 4. 25mm crochet hook. All crocheted. Design is all my own. I used and adapted patterns for the individual squares.

Angie from Hobbycraft kindly volunteered to judge for us. She doesn't know the group but is aware of the work put in due to her job which made her perfect for judging. You can see her here with our winners. So a big thank you to Angie.

For the original entry Alison won for her beautiful bed runner.

For adapted Caroline won for her intricate crochet blanket.

Stephanie here was our runner up.

I think everyone had fun taking part and although I had considered making this the last one we will be doing another challenge this year. I have already sent out details of the theme so I can announce it here too. Carolin came up with the fantastic idea of utilising the fact that Glasgow are hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games. So our theme is going to be Glasgow. People can opt out and choose the Commonwealth games as their theme too. However, I thought more people would prefer Glasgow in general. Hopefully some of our newer members will feel more comfortable joining in by then and I can't wait to see what people come up with.

Next post up will be about our Gartmore at home day and our trip to Frankie & Bennies.

Happy Birthday!

We had two birthdays last week. The main one was Elaine who had a big birthday. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling how big but I'll keep quiet just in case. Elaine herself makes fabulous cakes which we can all testify to. Her workmates felt that there was no pointing in baking her a cake as they could get Elaine to make her own and it would taste better. So instead they all knitted her a cake and Elaine had to guess who did what. The group thought this was a fantastic idea and we all admired the knitted cakes which Elaine brought along. I'm afraid Elaine only got one right.

This chocolate cake was knitted by Linda who works with Elaine too. How yummy does it look?

Our second birthday girl was Roberta. She finished knitting this cowl for the shoe box charity. It was originally going to be a scarf but Linda stitched it together. Looks quite effective.

Rhona also had a few finishes. She finished the aran waistcoat (which I tried to get her to model but alas no). She also finished this jumper which I love. It's a loose knit and yet still has large cables. It was meant for her older daughter but she didn't like the sleeves.

The last few weeks Freya has brought her sewing box along. On Tuesday she stitched a headband and wristband for her bear. Then she stitched the red dress also for her bear. Guess who's bear is best dressed?

Helen finished knitting one of her scarfs. The marbling effect of the purple yarn is lovely. Helen herself was just happy it was done as the yarn is supposed to be used in two strands which was rather irritating (the yarn came like that).

I can also finally announce our charity this year. We have decided to take part in the Big Knit. I don't know if any of you have seen it but every December Sainsburys sell innocent drinks wearing knitted hats. The knitted hats are sent in by knitter from all over the UK. For every one of these bottles sold 25p goes to Age UK. We have decided to hold a little competition alongside it. A prize for the member who knits the most and a prize for the most inventive. So watch out for all these photo's.