Hobbies and Crafts

The new group sounds great with the nights starting to draw in. The colourful bunting reminds sounds great and reminds me of the bunting that Fallon in the Archers made for her celebration events.

I am on holiday in Suffolk at the moment and although I brought knitting with me have yet to pick it up. The weather looks more sunny today so may be tempted :-D

Talking of Christmas I have been getting together photos for the new calendar and decided to try and make my own cards again this year with a small printing press. - but the best resolutions!!! :-D

Our village is starting up a knitting and stitching group, with the intention of making things to sell on a stall at the village Christmas Bazaar.

I'm busy making things to use up my stash of knitting yarns, and one idea is to make colourful bunting. It's becoming quite addictive!

I'm thinking of making some in Christmassy colours :-D

PS - I used to be GinN ;-)

Thanks K :-D

The group in my area is part of the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers, and it would be great to have one in my village, though I'm not much of an organiser :-S :-D ;-)

The autumn colours will go well with the sofa in my summer house in the garden, though I made a sampler stitch one for it a couple of years ago. Maybe these ones will be made into cushions :-D

Summer is not always the best time for knitting, but the cooler days of late have made me want to pick things up again :-D

Congratulations on finishing it and making the baby blankets :-D

The autumn colours throw sounds great - will it go with your sofa?? Good luck with starting a local group for knitting and stitching in your area.The nearest small town/village to us has one primarily for for knitting which they call Knit and Natter. :-D

I have been really slothful this summer in terms of knitting. I must dig out the cardigan I started. I put it to one side because I changed the design and got part way through before I realised that it wouldn't work so now I have to pick it all and start again :-S

My big blanket made from chunky squares is all finished, and sitting in a cupboard for a day when I, or somebody, might need it. :-D

I've since knitted two baby blankets to donate to charity, and I'm currently knitting some finer squares in autumn colours - don't know what do do with them yet, maybe a small throw.

There is a Knitting and Stitching group in my area - they knit things for charity, so I think I will be joining it soon. I would like to see one starting up in our village hall, but I think I would have to start it up myself - need to find out if there would be enough interest :-) :-)

Ages since I knitted anything. I did make a couple of things for Great Grandson when he was a baby but never saw him wearing them so guess theyw ere not acceptable. I love knitting but hate sewing up. When in my 20s/30s I used to have a knitting machine and made children's clothes to order.

It is a bit of an art in itself - this unpicking lark.

Well so far all in plain and purl or a mixture of both I have done vest, knickers, jumper, skirt, 2 dresses and now on a cardigan.
I can't unpick so if I make a mistake I have to unravel it all and start again. Or Leave it!
Anne

I have not knitted in ages.

I remember years ago in the sixties I made myself a lovely jumper but it was such an intricate pattern. I would be out socialising and get out my knitting and then I would look down at it and find whilst chatting and drinking etc I would have made a mistake further down. I would go ever so carefully back through till I got to the mistake and then take off again. This used to happen several times and one the male friends in my circle said one day. I have never seen a person do so much unknitting.

I got it finished, I did the neck on one of those circular tube needles. It looked terrific. There were knee high socks to make that went with it but I passed on those.

Anne,
I don't get on her that much so accept my appologies, I too have recently taken up knitting again for my grandaughter. I have found utube brilliant for stitches e.t.c I had forgotten.

Julie

Hello all,
I've just started to knit dolls clothes for my 4 yr old granddaughter. Hoping to knit a few things and along with a doll that will be her xmas present. Last week I knitted a vest and knickers. I'm not very good and have to keep running up the road asking a neighbour for help.

Anne

re knitting from the armholes




I follow the pattern but combining the instructions for back and front(s) up to the division for armholes ................ I double the number of stitches to be cast on and knitted.

I use little dividers to indicate where the "seams" would be

At the division, I knit across the front stitches, then put the back stitches onto a holder. I then continue knitting the front, following all instructions, but just knitting back and forth across the circular needles. After completing the front, I do the back, following all instructions


If I am knitting a cardigan, then I still use the circular needles, but just knit back and forth across them, just as if I was using long needles.



Is that a bit clearer???

K



Americans use "yarn" for all types ........ wool, linen, cotton, acrylic



I have had to learn American knitting terms :-)


although I do tend to prefer to buy British yarn and patterns

Sylvia - bought an American pattern a few years ago with linen yarn that used a circular needle.

I had to give up in the end as some of the instructions were completely incomprehensible. I wish I had know at the time that you would probably understand them :-D

I have been knitting since I was a child, and have always used the long needles, so that one is tucked into my armpit.

Couldn't knit with both needles waggling around.............

I learnt to knit the way Jacqueline does ............ long needles with one tucked in my armpit.


However, I have always hated the sewing up :-)



For the last 5 or 6 years, I have knitted everything on circular needles ................. the body is knitted in one piece up to the armpit, and then I put stitches onto a holder for (eg) the back while I finish the front.




I find this method very comfortable when travelling. I can knit in the car, on a plane or train.


I also knit the shoulder seams together instead of sewing.


My sister-i-l taught me the Swiss way of invisible stitching for the seams that have to be sown



BTW ..................... I use spare pieces of yarn (different colour) as my "stitch holders". I cut a long piece, thread it onto a tapestry needle, then pass the needle and yarn through the stitches to be put on a holder. Remove from the knitting needle, and tie the ends of the yarn together







PS ................. I note that I have become "Americanised" :-D


For "yarn", read "wool :-D :-D

K - I'm just going to carry on until I lose interest, but it will at least be a throw! :-D
The squares are quite large, about 8". I've started to put them together by stitching, but if I could crochet, I'd join them that way. It's looking good, though, and It's fun to work out the colour combinations :-) :-)

Ann - I wish my uncle had knitted fairisle and could have taught me when I was young. My aunt taught me and had many bad habits which I picked up. The only fairisle I have knitted looked a battle on the reverse side :-(

Using up odds balls of wool for make blanket squares is a good idea Gin - How big is the blanket going to be :-D Are you going for a bed size or a throw?

Island - Is it a New Year resolution to sow them together :-D :-D

I fell in love with some multicolour Zauberball Sock wool last year and after starting it I really must finish them this year. I just love watching the colours mix and grow.

I have a bag full of crochet hexagons waiting to be put together........... :-(

Funny you should say that, Ann - I do that, too! :-D

I enjoy knitting, it's so therapeutic :-)

I'm currently knitting a blanket made from squares, with two strands of different coloured yarns knitted together. I keep on buying odd balls of double knitting, so the variations are endless. :-D

Not looking forward to putting them all together, though :-( :-D ;-)