Last night, a new member tried to go to Daisy’s in the Arts for a harrow knitters meeting (sorry, Pauline!!). They don’t open up regularly enough for us, so we’re trialling meeting in each others’ homes on those first Tuesdays. For safety’s sake, we wouldn’t invite strangers to home meetings, but known members are very welcome. The next public meeting is Monday in Oddfellows at 8pm. In general, we meet as follows:
1st Tuesday of the month – we’re trialling meeting in each other’s homes – for safety reasons this meeting is for known members only
2nd Monday of the month at 8pm at the Oddfellows Arms Pub, 2 Waxwell Lane, Pinner, HA5 3EN (opposite Lidl or the Police station) (http://www.oddfellowspinner.co.uk/)
2nd Friday of the month at 10am in Simply Daisy’s near the studio theatre at Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA
3rd Wednesday of each month at 8pm at the Oddfellows Pub
4th Thursday of the month at 10am at Costa Coffee in Harrow Town Centre next to Natwest Bank near the fruit & veg stall
Last Friday of the month at 8pm at Papa Gateaux, 4 Cumberland Court, Princes Drive, Harrow HA1 4UD. Papa Gateaux stays open late especially for us, so there is a £2 contribution if you come to this meeting. The cakes and hot chocolate are well worth it though!
Bring along your current yarny project to work on or your latest completion to show off, and knitting books and magazines to pass around and browse through.
All knitters and crocheters welcome, regardless of level of expertise!
Way back in March last year, I tentatively answered (for the first time) a call for submisssions. The project was a book to be “curated” by Stephannie Tallent, and the theme was “Patterns inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock”.
This was my initial sketch
I wanted to create something sublimely feminine; echoing the graceful look of Grace Kelly as Lisa in Rear Window. This is a top that would really look sexy on a woman with curves. I used a whole bunch of tricks to enhance the hourglass look: a crossover top, ease difference between upper and lower body, deep waistband, geometric chevrons at the waist and some deep waist shaping. The sleeves are 3/4 length, coming to just below the elbow, with lots of curves to echo the body. Instead of chiffon, I made the sleeves loose, worked up with a mesh stitch so when the light’s right, you can see through them. I am VERY pleased with the result. It’s by no means an easy knit, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
My lover made me the happiest of women this day 7 years ago. 7th anniversaries are traditionally celebrated with a gift of copper or wool. So today, for one day only, if you buy one of my patterns on Ravelry, you can choose another one for free! Use coupon code “HappyAnniversary”.
I had a whale of a time at my first ever workshop last Saturday. The ladies who took the class were utterly charming, and keen to show me Ardee, which had it’s annual Turfman Festival on. Brilliant!
Ardee Turfman Festival
Clare is the owner of Puddleducks and she’s a busy lady! As well as running the yarn cafe, she makes and sells yummy jams and chutneys. I loved this notice on her van:
No Yummy Jam is Kept in this Van Over Night
This is Puddleducks (looks really inviting, doesn’t it?):
Puddleducks, Ardee
This is a pic of my class in progress – I had knitted objects all over the place by the end – practically hanging from the chandeliers, so they were!
Class in Progress!!
Clare put on a fab spread for us (Nommy!)
Le Feast!
And look at these dinky little cupcakes! Perfect size really, as I could have 2!
Mini Cupcakes
I really enjoyed my first foray into Workshopping, and I definitely learned lots from how it went and the huge pool of knowledge that was in the room. I’m already thinking about what to put in the next one!
This pattern was written to celebrate the marriage of two dear friends of mine. The full name is “Due Passi per la Felicità”, which is Italian for “Two Steps to Happiness”. Maybe it’s the romantic in me talking, but I think the blanket is a great metaphor for marriage. It’s worked up with only knit and purl sts, yet makes a complex, intertwined whole.
Abbreviations Used
K Knit
P Purl
RS Right Side
WS Wrong Side
Size
Approx. 122cm x 183cm (4΄ by 6΄) when using bulky yarn.
Substituting Yarn
This pattern works best with a solid or semi-solid yarn with good stitch definition.
It is not necessary to obtain gauge for this project, but please be aware that estimated yardage will differ.
Before you begin, work a tension square and weigh it to calculate whether you will have enough yarn to complete the blanket. Some estimates are given below.
Needles and Accessories
Although this pattern is worked flat, circular needles are highly recommended as then the weight of the work can rest on a table or in your lap.
Estimates for varying weight yarns
Worsted: 6 x 100g balls/skeins; 1188m/1302yds. 20sts x 27rows per 4in/10cm. Dimensions: 32.75 x 55.75in (83 x 141.5cm). E.g. Berroco Vintage
DK: 11 x 50g balls/skeins; 1320m/1441yds. 22sts x 30rows per 4in/10cm. Dimensions: 29.75 x 50.25in (75.5 x 127.5cm). E.g. Patons Diploma Gold
4 ply/Sport: 4 x 100g balls/skeins; 1460m/1596yds. 28sts x 36rows per 4in/10cm. Dimensions: 23.5 x 41.75in (59.5 x 106cm). E.g. Fyberspates Scrumptious
Lace: 2 x 50g balls/skeins; 780m/852yds. 33sts x 50rows per 4in/10cm. Dimensions: 20 x 30in (51 x 76cm). E.g. Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace
I’ll be giving a very cool workshop on Aug 3rd in Puddleducks in Ardee, Co. Louth next Saturday (3rd Aug). See my previous post
If you’re thinking about coming, but don’t know how to get there, fear not! Your tame designer will chauffeur you there herself! So long as you don’t mind arriving half an hour earlier so I can set up. Let me know! At mo I have three empty seats. Save the environment! Come to my class!
I am delighted to announce I’ll be running a workshop in Puddleducks in Ardee, Co. Louth on Saturday week (August 3rd).
We’ll be using Wildacres as the workshop pattern.
Wildacres
There are many ways to make your knits your own. First and foremost, once you understand all the information set out in the pattern, you can plan how you want to change it. The next step is to choose whether to substitute the yarn type and colour. There are also many techniques for modifying as you go or working decorations into or onto your piece. This class will go through the pattern, teaching you the standard pattern elements so you can change what you want to make it unique. We will cover:
– Choosing yarn
– Elements of a pattern
– Changing it up
– If there’s time, surface embellishments (beading & embroidery).
Wildacres is knit in the round. There will be an opportunity to learn to knit in the round if you have not tried this before.
Materials for Wildacres: leftover DK yarn and 4.5mm circular needles (80cm long) (or size required to get gauge 20sts x 28rows / 10cm over st st)
Optional: If you have them, please bring a st st or ribbed square or even an old knit that could do with some “je ne sais quoi”!
This workshop costs 45 euro and is being hosted by Clare of Puddleducks.ght lunch and refresh
A light lunch and refreshments are included in the price.
Ring Clare with any queries
+353-86-4066526
Puddleducks is a craft cafe (with lots of yummy cakes in both of the most important varieties… yarn cakes and chocolate!)
Puddleducks, Kells Road, Ardee, Co-Louth
spaces are limited and a non refundable
booking deposit of 25 euro is required.
Catchloops 