A Star In The Rising!

It was a fairly quiet night on Tueasday. Lots of people away because of the fireworks. Either hiding indoors or taking their kids to displays. However, it certainly wasn't quiet for finishes. This beautiful baby cardigan was knitted by the lovely Swati. You may remember that Swati came along to the group in January hoping to learn to knit. Stephanie and Helen took her under their wing and she knitted some dolls. This is her first garment and Janice gave her a hand in teaching this along with Stephanie. She had quite an admiring crowd round her on Tuesday and it's easy to understand why. Hard to believe that this lovely pattern was at the hands of a beginner. It's not exactly a simple pattern and it was beautifully done. To top it off Swati is now learning to crochet granny squares. This time June is doing the teaching.

This doll has a new outfit thanks to Lyn. She knitted every part of it and decorated it with lace. Sadly she doesn't have a name yet. That will be rectified shortly as her name will be part of a competition to raise money for Children in Need.

Lyn also finished another of her hats. I actually quite like dark grey knitted up. Especially in lacy projects. The sparkle in the yarn though really makes this winter knit. It's lovely and soft too. For once my camera was able to pick up the sparkles. Alas, it's never going to pick up how soft a yarn is. You will just have to use your imagination.

Did I mention that we had a new sock obsessive in the group? I am sure I did last week. Isabel has knitted these beautiful Christmas socks for her grandson who requested them. She is now on her second pair for his brother. These socks are amazing. I do like colour work and this is one of Isabel's talents. It seems sock knitting was just waiting for her though as she worked between several different patterns to create these.

These lovely little flowers are the work of June. I love how delicate they are. She plans to attach them to pins so that they can be worn as broaches. Who wouldn't want to wear one of these?

Margaret hadn't quite finished her Christmas cards as we thought. This is her latest finish. She stitched this for her younger daughter. A perfect choice as she loves meerkats (both the real animal and the adverts).

She also knitted this lovely red stocking. The fork seems out of place but it was actually used in the making of the stocking. Our Izzi once showed us how to make pom poms using a fork. This is what Margaret did to make the little pom pom at the front of the stocking. Easier than using two tiny circles of card.

Janice also adapted something taught by Izzi. She took one of the bags that Izzi has taught us to sew in the past and she made it bigger. It is made by a kind of oil cloth material to give it that shiny look and make it sturdier. There are even handy pockets on the inside. I love the pattern on the fabric.

Stephanie has been knitting for her stash again. This beautiful baby jumper is going into her famous boxes. I am sure she has knitted this pattern before. I remember the stripe round the collar which I love. Very effective and love the two tones of blue.

I also took a quick snap of scarves that both Jill and Magdalena are working on. As you can see Jill is doing one similar to her finished scarf from last week. Magda is more of a closed crochet. The reason I took the photo is for the colours. They just scream autumn and since it was very cold that night they seemed perfect. Jill's yarn is by James C. Brett and Magda's is by King Cole. Both gorgeous yarns and beautifully soft!

Saturday is our Christmas craft day. I think everyone is looking forward to that. Sadly I won't be there but Helen will and she will no doubt post something about the day. So look out for that. Plus, if you manage it along, have fun.

The Return of the Knitting Bag!

If you remember just about everyone was taking part in Izzi's sewing lesson and making themselves a lovely new knitting bag. I myself was lucky enough to receive one. Well, the very last one is now finished. This gorgeous owl bag now belongs to Fiona. She did so some of the work herself and Izzi kindly finished it off for her. The end result is stunning. If I didn't have my camper van version (which is still my most prized bag) I would be away with this one.

Fiona was also lucky enough to receive this matching purse also made by Izzi. Not only does it look amazing but it is handy for all those knitting bits and bobs that you don't want floating around your bag.

Caroline has also been back at the sewing machine. She picked this lovely vintage fabric up on the Saturday and by the Tuesday the bag was finished. Caroline is very modest about her skills however, we all very much admired it.

June has been busy knitting hats for charity. These hats are for Seafarers. A charity that collect hats for, well, seafarers. There is a set pattern which June has kindly loaned me and they are always looking for donations. I am thinking this might be next years charity. What do you think?

 Norma, between getting her craft house ready, has also been working on hats. Norma still sees herself as a beginner when it comes to crochet. However, she managed to crochet this lovely hat just from watching a youtube video. If any of you haven't tried it, youtube is a fab way of trying out something you are stuck with. I always recommend it to people learning as watching someone is easier than reading the instructions.

Jean has also been busy. She is expecting a grandson in the autumn and is very excited about it (as you would be). She knitted these gorgeous pom pom blankets and little booties. I love the addition of the ribbon flower. Just sets off that blanket nicely.

As you will all know from Lisa's interview she makes the most amazing crochet hooks. Having seen her work Ally decided to commission her to make one as a gift for Caroline. This gorgeous Giraffe was the end result. The detail in him is amazing!Caroline was delighted with her gift and couldn't wait to start with the crochet.

Lisa has also been working on some crochet squares. She remembered seeing a granny square with a heart in the centre on the Internet. Having hunted everywhere should couldn't find it again. So she sat down with some graph paper and worked it out herself. It involves threading in a lot of ends but the end result is well worth it. Can't wait to see what she makes with these.

Meanwhile she was also hard at work giving a crochet lesson. Here she is teaching her friend how to use the magic circle technique so that she can crochet a teddy bear.

Isabel is also learning a new skill. She is following in the foot steps of Helen and trying out the mosaic sock pattern with my help. Isabel is no stranger to colour work in knitting as she once loved to knit fair isle and Icelandic jumpers. The challenge for her is the sock itself as she previously had only knitted baby socks.

I took this photo of Jean and Stephanie a few weeks ago. This was just to prove to everyone that Jean does pick up the needles on Tuesday nights. Here she is showing Stephanie her adapted brick pattern.

I missed out one week as all the finishes were scarves for our charity. Of course more was handed in the following week. These four were knitted by Margaret.

Isabel is keeping her competitive edge and also handed in four scarves.

This one was knitted by Janice.

Last but not least, these scarves were knitted by Rhona.

I have sent out an email to our potential August member of the month. So that's the next thing to look out for.

Gartmore/ Fifth Annvirsary: Part 3

Whilst we had a fabulous weekend the weather was rotten. Only Margaret and myself ventured out for a walk on the Sunday after breakfast.

We did see a bunny although they kept themselves hidden for the most part. We think they knew June was coming to see them.

The bag lessons resumed as soon as people began appearing in the big room. Izzi was already first up and straight to work. All of the bags were actually finished on the Sunday. A huge thank you to Izzi for all the time and effort she put in over the last few months. You can also thank Elaine who suggested the design in the first place (or blame which every you prefer).

Isabel was very proud of her finished bag. I don't think she expected to have it finished.

Love the blue fabric of Helen's bag.

I also like the simple stripe pattern. Roberta's bag is quite effective.

I like Linda's spotty design.

Lyn is planning to decorate the front of hers later with some embroidery.

I love the stripe and spot combinations in Alison's bag.

Margaret used her own fabric which had to be quilted as it was a light cotton unlike the more canvas style fabrics that everyone else used.

I felt a close up was needed to show the detail of the fabric.

The last bag to be finished belonged to Elaine. It took time to work out a pattern for the fabric. I love the end result.

Only one more blog post to go. The last one will highlight Laura's crochet class as well as some finishes done by the group.

Gartmore at Home Day/5th Anniversary Celebrations

So Saturday was our last day of celebrations. Well not completely the last, we still have Gartmore to look forward to. Saturday we had one of our Gartmore at Home days. This time there was only Izzi continuing the bag lessons. This meant that people could relax and get on with their own projects. It was a good day and there were a lot of laughs. This all began with Stephanie who had commandeered a trolley to carry all her supplies.

Donna continued to work on a dolls dress for the rag doll. Whilst Stephanie worked on her knitting bag.

Izzi moved on to teaching everyone to add pockets to the bags.

We also had a surprise visitor. Sheena and baby Charlotte appeared at the door which gave everyone the excuse to down tools.

Isabel was of course back on baby sitting duty. However it took her a while to realise that Charlotte was awake so a few others got cuddles first.

Fran had brought along some crochet that her gran had started but with no pattern. Crochet experts were brought in to help.

Alison brought a new project. She is now working on some chunky cross stitch. It will make the cover of a cushion.

Aileen kindly did some baking and brought along some delicious banana loaf.

The first of the bags were also finished. These were by people who aren't going to Gartmore but still wanted to make a bag. This first one was finished by Janice.

You can see all the pockets on the inside which makes the bag ideal for knitting projects.

Stephanie finished hers next. Her material had more of a sheen to it rather than the canvas style fabric the others were using.

In the space of the day I also got my very own knitting bag. Thanks to Izzi, Janice and Stephanie. They hid the fact that it was for me well. I had even threatened to pinch the fabric when Izzi first showed it to us. I love it!

We also had some finishes. Caroline has been showing off her beginner sewing skills again. Doesn't look like a beginner to me. She made this little zipped bag to hold her crochet hooks and knitting gadgets. She even managed to get her initials on there.

These zipped bags were made by Izzi for Lyn and Fee to make up for teaching them an awkward way to add zips. I love the monkey fabric.

Margaret finished this during the day. This is a lovely hooded cardigan she knitted for some friends who have just become grandparents.

Alison finished the train cross stitch she had been working on the last few weeks. It will become a card for Fathers Day.

 Linda crocheted this gorgeous granny square scarf for her shoebox charity.

Isabel also finished this lovely scarf done in crochet. I think this was some of the yarn that she got from the charity shop (when she did last years challenge). Hopefully she won't lose this one.

As well as bringing along an unfinished project by her gran Fran brought along some of her grans completed crochet. Some of these are over 80 years old. The amount of work that has went into them are amazing. Everyone in that day were astounded by them.

The last of our celebrations that day was a trip to Frankie & Benny's. This is the first time we have all went out to dinner and we had a great time. Think we will be doing this again. We won't wait five years this time.

At the end the group gave me a bottle of wine and some vouchers. Just want to say a huge thank you for that . You honestly didn't have to. It's been a fun five years and I have enjoyed seeing what everyone has been working on. Lots of great friends have been made and I can't wait to see what we have ahead of us. Thanks everyone!