Boho Chic!

Gillian has an eye for fashion. She has been working on this poncho from "Boho Chic" for a couple of weeks, it has been worked in Rowan Brushed Fleece which knits up very quickly.Jillian is certainly ready for winter!

Jemma has settled into the halls of residence at Uni and has been seen around Edinburgh sporting this amazing coat sewn by her mum, Jillian. It is a real confidence booster when other people ask, "Where did you buy your coat?" Clever mum!

Twiddle muffs are in great demand by nurses and families of dementia sufferers. This is a selection of muffs made by Ally,Karin (Work mate of Ally), Izzi, Roberta, and Janice. I still think we should each make one for ourselves, decorated with odds and ends that are meaningful to the individual and kept in a Memory Box. I think it was Isabel who talked about a memory book that listed how you liked your tea, favourite food, favourite movie etc. Just saying! None of us are getting any younger!

Stephanie made two bags for the Beatson with fabric donated by the Village Patchers Quilting group.

This is the first bag donated by one of the ladies at the Village Patchers.

 I completed two bags for the Beatson. Izzi copied our group logo onto sticky labels so that the patients knew who had been thinking of them.

Roberta crocheted squares for Lisa's charity to be made into blankets for Yorkhill.

Fiona has been testing a pattern designed by Phyllis. Oh dear! The C word is getting closer!

Fiona also worked on a slouchy beret for herself but it turned out smaller than expected. Lady Isabella was delighted with the hat. It looks great Fiona!

Norma posted this on Facebook and I thought you might  like a second look.

Saturday 26th is last Saturday of the month for those who meet in Hobbycraft.

Quilt Show in Ingleston is 25th, 26th and Sunday 27th of September.

6th October is the Red Challenge.

Yarndale is soon!

Happy Crafting!

Surprise!

Lorraine is going to live in Australia, Poor soul! We felt so sad for her that we knitted/crocheted squares to make a keepsake from the group. Well, you know how bad the weather can be out there! A blanket will be her comforter during those terrible winter days down under. Lorraine has a mission, she intends establishing a sister knitting group in Adelade. We could have craft events there instead of Gartmore! We wish you joy and craftiness in your new home in the sun. Keep us posted on developments.

Linda completed a baby blanket for the Shoe Box Charity. She found a way of using up all those left over bits from other projects. It looks great!

Anthea has had a very productive time recently. The  Narissa shawl is beautiful and has been worked in Manos Del Uruguy, merino-silk blend. The Poncho pattern is from Simply Crochet issue No. 25 and is for herself. She used Drops Nepal yarn which is an alpaca-wool mix.

This Sur Collar shawl has been done in one piece using Stylecraft Alpaca DK.

Sharon knitted another of her fabulous cocoon and hat sets.This time she used Woolcraft "Sweet Dreams" which is very thick and soft. This is how our photos will look in Australia! My iPad just created the photo this way to help Lorraine get accustomed to her future life Down Under!

I fell in love with these cocoons knitted by Magda. The Rainbow one was made using seven colours from Stylecraft DK which had been doubled. The cable cocoon was knitted with Women's Institute chunky which was soft and cuddly.

Isabel loves her socks and colourwork. This pair combined both of her passions and were knitted for a friend at work.

Norma proudly displayed two pram blankets worked in Pompom yarn. They are adorable!

This young man had been so good until I tried to take a picture of him. Young Philip came to visit with his Mum, Aileen. Philip was born on Mother's Day. He was cuddled by the usual suspects but when he became hungry it was time to go home.

Caroline crocheted this amazing baby blanket for her first official Great Niece who will be born in July.

Elinor is full of bright ideas. Recently she took some photos of peoples hands as they crafted and used them in a booklet for her Degree show. The other side of the booklet shows prints made from different crochet stitches that she learnt to do here.

Isabel decided that we should make a quilt for Margaret as she was unwell. Saint Izzy of the Sewing Machine found the most wonderful fabrics on the internet and designed the quilt. Janice, Stephanie and I assisted Izzy in the making of the quilt and members of the group sewed buttons and notions on to give the quilt character. It was magnificent! AND Margaret liked it! Yippee!

 Roberta knitted this great cardigan in DK yarn for a friend who volunteers in her charity shop.

Remember we are still at the Fort. We are so lucky to have the use of such a wonderful venue for our crafting. Just a wee reminder to tidy up after yourselves before you head home.

Happy Crafting!

Not Last Week BUT The Week Before.........

Jillian is a big fan of pompom yarn and has worked two beautiful soft baby blankets. 

The solid colour blanket is just as cute as the multi-coloured yarn.

Elaine had created some pompoms for Lyn's challenge to participate in Kirstie Althorpe's World Record Breaking line of pompoms.

Lyn started her contribution to the record breaking attempt with these multi-coloured woolly pompoms.

Caroline had crocheted this wonderful rainbow blanket. The stitching is stunning! This is an amazing gift for someone.

Roberta was in a purple mood when she knitted these lovely socks. It is amazing the number of people who are now attempting socks. Ginnie Willis you must be so proud that your sock influence has spread throughout the group.

This bonnie pink baby dress was also knitted by Roberta.

Is there no end to this woman's talents? Roberta completed this marvellous red and white aran cardigan. Wow! I wonder what she will bring in next week!

Catriona joined the group recently and brought along this nifty romper suit she had completed. 

 I just love these pink bootees that Catriona had knitted. So cute!

 This stunning baby coat and hat would go beautifully with the bootees. I look forward to seeing Catriona's next finish.

The teacup candle was bought by Fiona on a facebook auction. Our own talented Norma had made this and donated it to the auction.

As you know, Ponchos are on trend at the moment. Fiona had fun working on this little outfit.

 How cute are these little teddy slippers? Fiona created a loud ahhhh! when she displayed this set. These would be a hit at any baby shower.

Anthea has been working on her crocheted flower blanket for about five months. I've admired it in various stages of development and was disappointed to have missed its completion. It looks amazing. What an achievement!

I was on holiday and missed these wonderful finishes and would like to say a huge thank you to Janice for taking the photos and and keeping the notes. I would also like to thank the seven people who assisted me in downloading the photos and juggling them around the computer towards blogger. I shall now retire to the safety of the couch and sip a large chilled glass of wine.

All the Pretties!

This adorable little girl belongs to Lisa. She is modelling a hat that Lisa knitted for her. Sadly none of the photo's I took really shows off the hat. Trust me though, it's lovely. It's done in crochet using variegated yarn (possibly Lisa's own yarn?) and has a pom pom on the end (as all the best hats do).

One of the group also commissioned Lisa to make a crochet hook. She already made R2D2 so it seemed only fitting that C3PO was next. But then, as a Star Wars fan, I am a little biased.

Margaret has been working on some Christmas decorations. She knitted up two elves. One for me and one for herself. It's the same elf that Roberta knitted. Margaret couldn't get the shade of green suggested so picked out a darker one. Again, I love the difference just changing a shade of colour can make. I also love the little tree decorations. Especially the robin.

Audrey emailed this picture to me because these cushions were already heading down to London for her nephews Christmas. A while ago we had show and tell and Audrey had brought a little owl cushion which my camera then lost. This is a bigger version of that owl. Audrey adapted both patterns to make them larger. Love them and probably just as well she wasn't able to bring them in as I might have tried to go home with them.

These are boot liners or boot cuffs. I knitted them up as I had just treated myself to a pair of wellies. A few people were asking me about the yarn. It's by Wendy and is called Roam Fushion. The colourway is called Fosse. It comes in 100g and would be perfect for socks. I got it from John Lewis but I am sure that you could get it online. The pattern was free from ravelry.

This is the lovely radley dog  and was knitted by Roberta. He turned out a little larger than expected but I think he is cute. Roberta also adapted the pattern to suit herself. I love his little dog collar.

Elaine has been preparing for her craft fair and knitted up some of these bags. She used bangles for the handles as Izzi taught about a year or so ago. I love how the different yarns make them look different. The fluffy ones using the eyelash yarn are my favourite. Would have loved one of these when I was a little girl.

Elaine also finished crocheting this beautiful blanket and pillow set. The amount of time that must have went into that and well worth it too. They aren't colours I would have thought to put together and they look amazing. This was well admired by the group.

Another finish we all admired was this beautiful quilted pillow by Linda. Each of these fabrics are from dresses her daughter wore as a baby. Her daughter is now 16 and this makes a fabulous memory piece. It's so pretty too. Such a good idea!

Magdalena is all set for the winter. She finished her cowl/scarf. It looks so lovely on and I love the colours. Very autumn like. I also love the buttons. They all go so well with the colours in the scarf. I love the fact that she used different colours.

Anthea has also been busy but nothing for herself. Everything she made is for Christmas. These hats are all for other people. It's a shame. Not sure I could give them away. Although, I am sure that the people who receive them will love them. I love the crochet flower on the red one.

These were also by Anthea and again are Christmas presents. The scarf is for her husband. Anthea is really getting in to her cables although she hated knitting black (don't blame her). The poncho is being modelled by Magdalena. The amount of time that has went into that. It's especially admirable since Anthea loves colour and doing so much work in grey was difficult. Turned out beautifully though.

I have been dying to see some of Fee's work and it's finally happened. In case you don't know Fee is a silversmith by day. She designs a lot of pieces but as it's for the shop she works for she can't exactly bring it in to let us see. We just get to hear about the wedding rings she designs from her mum, Lyn. Well, she made this lovely heart necklace for Lyn for her birthday. It's such a pretty design. I love the simplicity of it and I'm not surprised that Lyn was wearing it with pride. Beautiful!

Well, we have one more week left before Christmas and we have one more member of the month interview. So look out for that!

I also have a favour to ask on behalf of Fiona. Her sister is taking part in crocheting triangles for bunting. It's for a charity. So if anyone has any spare time after Christmas and would like to crochet something let us know. Fiona is going to give me the pattern so I will send that out after Christmas.