Coventry Knit-Wits

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T07:55:00.000Z

We had a rather leisurely meal at Pizza Express last night, and exchanged Secret Santa gifts. We won't be meeting next week, so the next meeting will be Wednesday January 4th at 7pm at the Whitefriars pub.Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all our knitters, and best wishes for a peaceful New Year. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2012.

Permanent change of venue

2011-10-27T12:14:00.002+01:00

We liked the Whitefriars so much, we've decided to make it permanent. We sat downstairs in the right hand room which has an open fire, so that was lovely too!

New venue for tonight's meeting

2011-10-26T08:07:00.000+01:00

We are going to try out the Whitefriars pub in Gosford St tonight as it's been getting a bit loud at our usual venue. The meeting time is still 7pm; we will be in an upstairs room.

FO: Baby cardigan

2011-09-01T21:43:00.001+01:00

I'm going to start posting some of my projects here, just to prove to people that we are still alive and kicking! I'm also going to prod the other members to do the same if I can, haha!

101_1986_1
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Didn't do the bands quite right. Buttons now added.

Finally FO: Diagonal Matrix Shrug

2011-02-21T08:33:00.000Z

shrug
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

This isn't a difficult knit. There are just rather a lot of stitches! I did make the largest size, mind you.

Coventry Knitathon

2011-01-24T12:36:00.000Z

Come along and help us break a world record.

Can't make it? You can donate instead.

I have received details of a Coventry Knitathon which you may want to take part in. There is an attempt to break a sponsored Guinness World record by getting 1,000 knitters together to knit for 15 minutes. This is ad of Comic relief and takes place at 5.45pm on Thursday 17 March, 2011 at Coventry Cathedral.

Apparently, the current record stands at 937 people.

Fancy dress and red noses are optional and those participating are asked to donate or raise £5.

Finished object: Xmas banner

2010-12-16T08:29:00.000Z

Xmas banner
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Not a great picture, I will take another one next week with a proper camera that has flash! :)

Pompom mania!

2010-11-19T08:25:00.001Z

We've been asked to make a Christmassy banner for the bar of the Britannia Hotel. It's going to consist of a large knitted tube, made on the circular sock machine, and lots of pompoms. I've a bag of about 26 at home now. I think Dee went over the edge - I fully expect to see a pompom handbag in her possession any day now!

Everybody made at least one pompom or did something towards it - I spent the night rewinding yarn for the CSM mostly. Many thanks to all who helped - you are stars!

Hopefully next week it will start to take shape.

Still going strong...

2010-10-30T07:27:00.002+01:00

Yes, we are still going, we're just really bad at updating the blog!

I also wanted to tell everyone, that despite the name, Coventry Knit Wits isn't just about the knitting. We have crocheters too. We've also got a couple of quilters, and last month Linda was trying her hand at tatting. In the past we also had a needle-felter making these fantastic miniature teddy bears, and a miniature knitter making a bride's veil with wire knitting needles.

So, what is it about? Any kind of handicraft that is portable and can be done safely in a public bar setting, really. It's more about the social element - getting together with like-minded people, getting help and ideas when you get stuck on something, having a giggle about the Eurovision song contest or something in the news.

So if you're wondering whether our group would suit you, please come along and meet us. We don't bite, I promise, and if you don't like us, there's no kind of subscription fee so you won't be out of pocket.

Hope to see you soon!

Circular Sock Machine!

2010-07-12T08:19:00.001+01:00

100_3267
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

This was the longest tube we knitted at the Godiva festival - 5 metres long! There's another one of about 70cm in grey too! Just wanted to photograph it before it gets frogged!

Godiva Festival Pictures

2010-07-10T23:33:00.004+01:00

WWKIP Day as viewed by Mary

2010-06-19T14:17:00.003+01:00

Thought I would share my picture of the group as well. Thanks for a wonderful picnic and morning knitting!

Worldwide Knit in Public day, June 12th 2010

2010-06-14T16:33:00.002+01:00

We decided to meet for a pot-luck picnic, and the weather was kind to us! There was lots of lovely food - especially Mary's cookies and Julie's brownies - and an impromptu archery session! There was also a hilarious discussion about how to juice a frog, and I have no idea how we got onto that subject.

If anyone's got any more photos, please feel free to add them to this post! :)

Cables workshop

2009-11-17T08:25:00.000Z

Jeanette and Diane practiced their cables!

Tunisian crochet workshop

2009-10-08T08:18:00.001+01:00

Tunisian crochet
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Samples from last night's tunisian crochet workshop. Note the carefully applied knitting needles, to counteract the curl!

We did knit stitch, purl stitch, simple stitch and a few others!

Scarves!

2009-10-05T08:13:00.001+01:00

100_2980
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Turned a lot of that yarn we won from SK into scarves - I think there are 8 or so in this box. Made them on the chunky machine, and the girls helped me weave in the ends on Wednesday.

Thomas couldn't resist investigating! He gets to claim anything left on the floor for 0.5 seconds apparently :)

Yarn delivery!

2009-09-11T12:33:00.000+01:00

Look what arrived in the post yesterday! A gift for Coventry Knit Wits being Simply Knitting's club of the month in issue 58. Yarn courtesy of Abakhan.

Took a quick photo of it this morning - there is actually a bag of Paton's zigzag hiding under the fawn stuff, which is quite pretty. There's enough for quite a lot of jumpers here, folks! I'm going to resist abusing my privilege as group leader and bring the whole lot to club next week.

Oh, the cream thingy behind? That's a cushion, that's not part of it! :)

Workshop: beaded knitting

2009-09-03T08:23:00.000+01:00

kw_beads02
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

We tried out various different methods of applying beads - on the right side, on the wrong side, slip stitch, and pulling whole stitches through beads.

Mine is the higgledy-piggledy one top right, I gave up trying to make a pattern out of it! :)

Knitwits in the local press

2009-07-21T12:56:00.000+01:00

Link

Godiva Festival 2009

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000+01:00

Spent two days in a tent in a park in Coventry, promoting the Coventry Knit-Wits. Many thanks to Linda and Dawn for keeping me company and supplying snacks and chocolate digestives! Weather was beautiful for once.

Did the first cuff of Blusa Queen, and started the second, but spent yesterday on a secret knitting project which has stalled today because I've mislaid some yarn. Fingers crossed I didn't waste a day's knitting!

Fair-isle workshop

2009-04-30T08:29:00.001+01:00

Photo_042909_002
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

Clockwise from top right:

Me, Diane, Linda, Julie. Mandy C also did a sample, but had frogged it before I got chance to photograph it!

Apols for quality of picture, it's the best my mobile can manage!

Fair-isle workshop and location change

2009-04-28T08:19:00.001+01:00

Hello!

I will be running a two-colour fairisle workshop tomorrow night. Bring two colours of yarn and some knitting needles.

We have decided to continue meeting in the Britannia hotel bar. Please come and join us!

Trip to Lee Mills, 4th April 2009

2009-04-06T12:26:00.001+01:00

On saturday, three fellow Knit-Wits (Claire, Julie, Jeanette) and I left Coventry at a ridiculously early hour and made our way to Lee Mills, where we were warmly greeted with coffee and lots of cake.

Claire got lost in the yarn mountain almost immediately; we all had great fun fondling the yarn, and not one of us came home without an addition or two to our stash. This year's theme was night-time - they had four shelves of beautiful crocheted bedspreads in white cotton (I want one, but they take too long to make!). There was a mannequin displaying a bedjacket, and another wearing only a hot water bottle, a cape and a smile! The show-and-tell included dainty crocheted bras - they would only have fitted Kate Moss types (what my mother called "pimple dimples") - but I don't think women were as well-endowed back then. Also some bloomers with crochet edging - "wide-awake Wednesdays" - as they were simply two legs attached only at the waistband. Great air-con for the underparts!

I was taken with the Zitron Trekking Hand-art sock wool, and bought three skeins. I just couldn't resist the colours. Clearly, I couldn't choose, either! :) Saving this for my CSM when it comes.

After the talk I tried out the square knitting needles, and NEARLY bought a pair (talked myself out of it) - they are really nice to use, which was quite surprising!

We made it to the pub for just gone 2pm, and sweet-talked the barman into making us some sandwiches. Alas, by the time we emerged it was too late to make it to Ruddington (Lee Mills is on the way to Barnsley so is a good 90 minutes from Nottingham) so we came straight home.

KnitWits on the move!

2009-04-02T08:58:00.001+01:00

We're mixing it up a bit with our location!

We will be meeting in the bar of the Britannia Hotel on Wednesday 8th April at 7pm.

Next stop, the Ritz?! :)

Spinning Workshop

2009-03-12T13:56:00.003Z

Last night, Claire ran a spinning workshop at our regular Wednesday night get together, arriving well prepared with a basket of spindles and fleece.

Everyone had a go and we even roped in one of the Town Crier's patrons, who'd sat oohing and ahhing throughout. He was eventually persuaded to pick up a spindle and have a go, as he'd obviously been dying to do since he'd spotted us...

I've blurred the gentleman's features, in case his mates spot this (he said he'd never live it down).

Fun was had by all. Thanks to Claire for taking the workshop and providing spindles and fluff. :)

Workshop change

2009-02-26T13:18:00.001Z

Please note the Spinning workshop will now run on March 11th.

Workshops 2009

2009-01-19T12:49:00.002Z

Date	Workshop	Name	Location
04/02/2009	Chain-free crochet (C)	Jane	Town Crier
04/03/2009	Spinning	Claire	Town Crier
01/04/2009	Knitted lace (K)	Jane	Town Crier
06/05/2009	Fair-isle (F) (two colour knitting)	Jane	Town Crier
02/09/2009	Knitting with beads (K)*	Jane	Town Crier
07/10/2009	Tunisian crochet (Y)	Jane	Town Crier
04/11/2009	Cables (K)	Jane	Town Crier

These run on the first Wednesday of the month (excepting January). Free to attend, sometimes a small charge for materials. Not compulsory if you're not interested - come along and laugh at our attempts instead! These dates may change nearer the time - sometimes I get sent on training in another country, and they nearly always run on a Wednesday!

There are free slots left in the summer to accomodate holidays, but I am more than happy to slot other things in those dates if other workshops are required.

Key:

(F) Bring some knitting needles and at least two colours of similar thickness yarn

(K) Bring some knitting needles (about 4mm) and some yarn

(Y) Bring some yarn

* small charge for materials

SCBU subs

2009-01-06T13:51:00.001Z

SCBU subs
Originally uploaded by steel breeze

I packaged this lot up for the Coventry University Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit today. Yes, I am disorganised! :)

The unit would love cardigans, bootees, mitts, hats and blankets. Contact us if you would like to help out, or alternatively contact Jane Clelland at the hospital.

Here comes 2009!

2008-12-28T12:50:00.002Z

Hope you have had a good xmas! I managed to finish a large project yesterday - not sure I'm that happy with it, though. *sigh* Oh well.

We will be meeting again on Wednesday 7th January, at the Town Crier pub, at 7pm. Look forward to seeing you there!

Tis the season

2008-12-11T18:09:00.004Z

It's been quiet on this blog for a while, but we're still going strong and meeting up each week at the Town Crier pub in Coventry city centre.

This week though, we reconvened to a Chinese Restaurant for a good meal. We'd decided against the traditional turkey with all the trimmings style meal and opted for the Noodle Bar which is a five minute walk from our usual venue.

The food was very tasty and presented in huge bowls and disappeared very quickly.

And here we all are, after our meal and in a jovial mood. I even managed to maintain my record for closing my eyes in every single photograph that is ever taken of me using a flash.

Once we were fed, we retired to the Town Crier for half and hour for knitting away from the soy sauce. All in all a good evening.

Entrelac workshop - 2nd July

2008-07-03T07:06:00.001+01:00

I especially like the coloured one!

July 2nd - Entrelac workshop

2008-06-27T14:38:00.000+01:00

We are running an entrelac knitting workshop on Wednesday - this produces a basketweave effect. If you wish to participate, please bring needles and one or two balls of yarn.

Knitting in Public day, 14th June 2008

2008-06-26T12:37:00.000+01:00

Just for once the weather stayed fine, and we all ate far too much cake!

Worldwide Knitting in Public day, Saturday 14th 2008

2008-06-11T12:25:00.002+01:00

We will be having a pot-luck picnic, somewhere near the playground, weather-permitting! We will be there from 11am onwards.

Bring something to sit on, a sweet or savoury snack, and of course your knitting or crochet!

Hubbys, boyfriends and sproglets also welcome.

Fingers crossed the weather stays fine!

See you there!

Two-colour slipstitch workshop

2008-06-04T22:05:00.002+01:00

Results of tonight's two-colour slip stitch workshop. If you are eagle-eyed, you should be able to spot the machine-knitted sample. Apologies for the poor quality pics, best my mobile can do!

Lace knitting 7th May

2008-05-08T07:10:00.002+01:00

Lace hearts!

February 27th - Intarsia workshop

2008-02-28T07:09:00.002Z

We did a straight bit of intarsia and then a heart-shaped piece, which needs 5 ends when you get to the top.

(my original sample, made beforehand)

Braiding and Lucetting Workshop

2008-02-07T13:33:00.001Z

Last night was our second workshop of the year with everyone having a go at braiding using a lucet.

We covered the basics of making a braid using both twist and non-twist method and then began to play with using multiple threads. Everyone did very well and despite sore fingers and thumbs, all were luceting braids by the end of the evening...

These plastic lucets were ordered from the trading arm of the Knitting and Crochet Guild and the wooden ones shown are part of my collection, picked up from various re-enactment traders over the past few years.

Jane also brought along her marudai and demonstrated kumihimo braiding.

Please click on pictures to see bigger versions.

Workshop events for 2008

2008-01-02T12:35:00.001Z

Date	Workshop	Name	Location
09/01/2008	Crochet	Jane	Town Crier
06/02/2008	Braiding/lucetting	Julie/Jane	Town Crier
05/03/2008	Intarsia	Jane/Thalia	Town Crier
02/04/2008	Spinning	Kellie/Clare	Town Crier
07/05/2008	Lace knitting	Jane	Town Crier
06/08/2008	Making up	Jane	Town Crier
03/09/2008	Blocking	Jane	Town Crier
01/10/2008	Casting on and off	Jane	Town Crier
12/11/2008	Mistakes	Jane	Town Crier

These run on the first Wednesday of the month (excepting January and November). Free to attend, sometimes a small charge for materials. Not compulsory if you're not interested - come along and laugh at our attempts instead!

Bring a crochet hook (if you have one - about 4-6mm) and some yarn next week for a beginner's crochet workshop!

Romania - first donation

2007-11-04T19:50:00.000Z

These jumpers and blankets were donated by Diane S of Northampton. I especially love the circular knitted cardigan, that is so cute! Some of the hats were a bit too big for children, so they will go to BISS instead, who send hats to sailors.

In other news, we had our first meeting at the Town Crier, and it went OK. The hot chocolate is good, and if we can remember to order it before 8pm there's also cake to be had!

Next week's meeting we are doing sock knitting. Bring a set of 2.5mm double-pointed needles and some 4-ply yarn (I'll try to remember to bring some cones just in case anyone forgets).

Change of venue

2007-10-24T17:54:00.001+01:00

From October 31st 2007 we will be meeting in our new venue, the Town Crier pub (Corporation St). It is close to Spon St and St John's church, and also close to the new Ikea. It is opposite New Look at the bottom of the Lower Precinct.

Hope to see you there!

Button for Romania

2007-10-05T10:01:00.000+01:00

Please copy this to your server and place on your blog. Thanks!

Knitting for Romania

2007-10-05T09:46:00.000+01:00

I've been contacted by a lady wanting us to knit items for a Romanian orphanage.

They need clothing, hats, socks, and blankets, ages 8 and below.

Please help us! I'll be making up a button soon that you can place on your blog to help publicise this!

Ravelry

2007-09-12T22:49:00.000+01:00

Ravelry came up in conversation tonight at group, so I thought I'd post a link so that those who aren't already signed up (or at least on the long waiting list) could see what it is and sign themselves up if they wish.

Ravelry describes itself as "a place for knitters, crocheters, designers, spinners, and dyers to keep track of their yarn, tools and pattern information, and look to others for ideas and inspiration."

From what I can gather (I'm way down the waiting list so not likely to be able to give a hands on review for some time) users can keep track of their yarn, patterns, projects etc and also engage in chat, shared projects, patterns libraries, easily find like minded bloggers and enthusiasts and, well all sorts of stuff that combine a social network type site with an online catalogue.

I can't wait to join! I check most days on the waiting list checker to see how long I have to wait for my invite. I suggest if you haven't already then you add your name to the list ASAP!

Postponed event - drop spindle spinning

2007-08-31T08:28:00.001+01:00

Kellie can't make it next week, so this event has had to be postponed. Don't worry, we will get to it!

Last year we nominated September as "make it" month - make something in 4 weeks. This year I think should do "finish it off" month instead - clear out some of those UFOs that have been lurking at home!

Lizard Ridge!!

2007-08-31T08:28:00.000+01:00

Just needs some crochet now!

Kauni

2007-08-22T21:48:00.000+01:00

For Lynne:

The cardigan pattern can be found here, a KAL here and my post about being seduced by the yarn here.

World of colour

2007-08-06T19:21:00.000+01:00

Two gorgeous Kaffe Fassett-style garments Thalia brought in to inspire those of us doing colour knitting last week. I must admit, I hark from the stranding school, not the weaving-in school. The latter makes a nice thick garment with a lot less ends. But no knots! I felt insecure about that! :)

Jane's scarecrow. I didn't see it close up, so downloading the photo was a real treat! I love the patches and the knotted bits in the scarf!

Mandy's gloves and dishcloth

2007-08-02T15:10:00.000+01:00

And here are some photos of Mandy's fingerless gloves and dishcloth,

knitted in Elmore Pisgah Company's Peaches n'n Creme cotton yarn

Thalia's amazing blanket

2007-08-02T15:06:00.000+01:00

A year in the making, here is Thalia's amazing blanket.

As you can see, she's somewhat of a fair isle/intarsia specialist.

A blog entry from Jo

2007-07-25T08:42:00.000+01:00

Good morning everyone! First time on here so apologies if I go on a bit.

I've recently joined Facebook and the group 'Addicted to Knitting'. It is really fantastic - I am now in touch with knitters across the world (well, mainly the ones here, in Canada and the US) and asking them which yarns they like.

I went to the Lake District and Scotland at the weekend and have bought some really nice wool. I went to the Wool Clip in the Lake District, which is a co-operative of ladies who all have their own sheep and make their own yarns (they organised the recent Wool Fest there) and then to the New Lanark Mills, just south of Glasgow. It's an absolutely gorgeous place and is a World Heritage Site - see www.newlanark.org for more info. I've bought a load of yarn from there and now in the process of making a blanket. It's really quite cheap for what it is, but I guess they don't need to make a profit on it as it's a major tourist attraction.

When I was at the Godiva Festival, a lady had a bit of a rant at me about not stocking more yarns from the UK, so I am now looking for small yarn producers a bit closer to home - if anyone knows of any in the area, please let me know!

On a personal note, other projects on the go are a Mango Moon jumper and Debbie Bliss dress (in baby cashmerino) for Zoe.

Most exciting news of the week was a complete bargain purchase on eBay - a Brother knitting machine and attachments, all in excellent condition. I can't wait to get going on my first project, which undoubtedly will be a scarf or squares for a blanket, all in stocking stitch.

See you later at Liquid!
Jo

Godiva Festival 2007

2007-07-16T12:32:00.000+01:00

Coventry Godiva Festival 2007, Greenspace tent. Click on the pics for bigger pictures.

Some pictures of the stand, before the hordes arrived. By Sunday I'd attached yarn to the knitted banner, and hung it from the tent pole. Saturday was v busy, with beautiful weather. Sunday was a lot quieter, with wet weather and lots of mud! Had a lot of interest in the group.

I kept getting "attacked" by money spiders on Saturday - probably about 15, I lost count. Had quite a few on Sunday, too. Forgot to put a lottery ticket on, waaay too tired on Saturday!

Thanks to everyone for helping out on the stand, lending us boards and the tailor's form, and lending us stuff to exhibit. A special thankyou to my other half "The Cog", not even a knitter, who helped me load and unload the car both days.

Everyone though the octpus was either a hat, or a bird-cage cover. :)

Made two charity tee tops, and two blankets - might seam the blankets together, as they are a little on the thin side. Especially as I forgot to adjust the tension on one and did it at T10 instead of T7 (ie loose). Doh!

Got lots of compliments on the knitwear - we could've sold Linda's jacket, Julie's scarf, the starfish and the dolphin several times over. It was quite amusing to watch the relief on the adult's faces when told the items being brandished by their children were not for sale!!

Coventry Godiva Festival

2007-07-11T12:50:00.000+01:00

We will be at the Coventry Godiva Festival, on Sat 13th - Sun 14th July, in the Greenspace tent, in the War Memorial Park, 12 'til 5pm both days. If you've been thinking of joining us, but haven't made up your mind yet, come along and say hi!

We'll have some giant knitting you can have a go at, and also the opportunity to add a bit of leg to the octopus we're making for the new hospital's children's ward.

Thalia's Socks

2007-07-02T22:07:00.000+01:00

Isn't this gorgeous?! I love the raspberry ripple effect. Makes me want ice-cream!

Sorry for the delay in posting. Hectic week.

Cable Workshop - July 4th

2007-06-28T16:31:00.000+01:00

Next week we have decided to do a cable workshop!

Please bring one ball of approx. DK weight yarn (pref. not cotton unless you're a masochist!) and a pair of knitting needles to match - roughly between 3mm and 4.5mm.
Also if you have a cable needle, please bring it. Not to worry if not - I have some DPNs (double-pointed needles) I picked up at a charity shop that will work just as well.

If you don't want to take part (or are already a cable expert!) don't worry, just bring your knitting and have a laugh at us all, cursing our twisty knitting!

Sweetpea in plum

2007-06-20T10:55:00.000+01:00

I finished the Sweetpea Shawl on Saturday evening and blocked it out on the patio on Sunday, taking advantage of the fine weather. I laid out an old bedspread, weighing down the corners with bottles of water and pinned the shawl in place before spraying liberally with clean water.

I had to have stern words with both cats when they decided to try to help, but other than that it went well enough and about three hours later the shawl was dry. I carefully unpinned it and was relieved when it didn't immediately spring back into it's previous shape.

Sunday and Monday night I sat attaching tassles and voila! One Sweetpea Shawl.

I'm really pleased with this one and I think it's probably the nicest thing I've ever crocheted. Before blocking it looked fairly good but now it is really pretty and the pattern has opened out so it can be easily seen. I'm impressed both with the shawl and the transformation brought about by blocking.

As always, click on the pictures to see bigger versions.

Some WIPs and FOs

2007-06-13T21:56:00.000+01:00

Mandy's top

Wendy's entrelac afghan

Thalia's afghan

Julie's shawl (nearly complete!)

Mandy's entrelac afghan

Linda's mini jumper and bags

Toft Alpaca Day

2007-06-04T12:33:00.000+01:00

Spent a lovely afternoon at Toft Alpacas - the weather was on our side and we met some beautiful new babies too (which I failed to get a picture of). The boys took turns in getting Snowdrop to spit at them. Kids, eh?!

Bought some nice yarn for my SP - bit more than I was planning to spend, but it's lovely yarn.

De-stash night - 6th June

2007-06-01T08:33:00.000+01:00

We are having a "De-stash Night" next week. Bring along any unwanted yarn, needles, magazines, books, notions - anything vaguely craft-related, actually. The only caveat is that you take home non-swapped stuff afterwards, unless it can be used for the sea scene!!

By the way, if you have nothing to swap, come along anyway. You might well score some nice yarn, free of charge!

Rugby's Knitathon - in pictures!

2007-05-07T12:56:00.000+01:00

This was at the freezing-to-death stage, so we all have our coats on! As always, click for bigger images!

Spike Stitch Scarf

2007-04-30T11:43:00.000+01:00

Last week, I finished off the spike stitch scarf I was working on and here are some pictures...

Spike stitch is a crochet stitch and my scarf is based on this pattern. It's worked in alternating double and treble crochet (or single and double if like me you read American patterns) with the treble stitch spiked in every second row and as you can see was very effective.

Lizard Ridge progress

2007-04-28T10:36:00.001+01:00

Yep, I need one more ball to make it into a proper square... This is laid out over our king size bed. Most of the pieces need steaming, too, which is the next job I suppose!

More FOs

2007-04-18T21:45:00.000+01:00

My recycled bag - finally! It's spent the last 4 weeks under my mattress flattening

Lovely soft cardigan from Mandy

Julie's hat - it's sewn!

Excellent meeting tonight - it's lovely to hear everyone's enthusiasm! Darned a sock, sewed up the recycled bag bottom, and did a bit more crochet.

Stitch Marker Workshop

2007-04-05T12:35:00.000+01:00

Excellent workshop last night - Kellie brought beads, and wire, and we all had a go at making stitch markers. My efforts were a bit caggy (that's the technical term for rubbish!), Julie's looked shop-bought they were that good, I suspect she's been practising! ;). I got frustrated and the Otis scarf was annoying me as it needed a little frogging, so I'm afraid I gave up rather too easily... but it's given me lots of ideas, and I'm tempted to hunt out some gorgeous venetian glass beads of grandmas, that would be just the thing for stitch markers!! Click for a bigger picture.

Thanks Kellie!

Also - a fantastic monkey! His tail is excellent! Sorry, forgotten the name of the maker, please comment if it's you! I'm terrible with names, ask anybody!

Who are you, again?! :)

Socks

2007-04-04T14:01:00.000+01:00

I've finally finished the socks I started at christmas! Unfortunately my younger son has now decided he wants a pair (in every single colour in the colour line). At least he doesn't want me to make Power Ranger ones.

One wobbly lined scarf

2007-03-29T14:11:00.000+01:00

It was a quiet meeting last night, although there was some fascination with my other half's efforts to turn himself into a singing tree (this is a costume piece) and at some point I shall bring along his prize possession, a knitted cravat.

I made good progress on the wobbly line scarf; such good progress in fact, that when I went home I continued and finished it!!!!

Cue me last night trying to get Dave to show some enthusiasm for woolen winter garments and waving it under his nose again this morning before heading out to work. He says it's very stretchy, which I think is a compliment.

Anyway, here it is along with my ever present assistant Charlie who lay down next to it the instant I got the camera out and refused to budge. No matter how I try, I can't cut him out of the picture (and who'd want to, he is so sweet) so we get two for one in this image.

This scarf is the result of many weeks, intermittant knitting with a row here and a row there as the approach as I've tried to fit it in around work and sewing projects. I'm relieved to finally get it done - all seventy six inches of it - and feeling very pleased with myself since it is stitch perfect. I even cast off in pattern!

For any who are interested, it's based on this pattern but I've increased the stitch count as when I knit up a few inches to test the pattern, it proved to be only 3 inches wide as opposed to the more respectable 6 inches it is now. I'm very pleased with the result, which is a long, thick and good width scarf which should keep someone very warm in winter.

And whilst on the subject of finished items, here is another for those who may wish to see. This is sewing rather than knitting, but posting it here for those who haven't seen it and might want to. This is a bodice I finished last weekend which is intended for use in a LARP game from Easter onwards. It's made of cotton moleskin and lined in white cotton, is high waisted with princess seams and godets and is adjustable at the sides. There were an awful lot of eyelets on this one!

(Click on the images to see bigger versions.)

Random photos from last night

2007-03-15T08:28:00.000Z

Some excellent intarsia

Julie's scarf

Finished - HK/MK cotton socks

Colour Knitting Workshop

2007-03-08T14:43:00.000Z

Just a quickie to say a BIG thank you to Thalia for the colour knitting techniques she taught us at group last night. I think we all felt like we needed a stiff drink after the first couple of rows (shame most of us were driving!), but I think everyone got the hang of it after a while. I ended up really enjoying myself and I actually started to find it quite therapeutic in the end! I've even continued on with a few more rows this morning!

Here's a pic of what I did last night - I hope some others post their pics too, as i didn't really see anyone else's work; I was far to absorbed in mine!!

Made in Coventry in Pictures!

2007-02-25T10:53:00.000Z

Before the crowds arrived!

Linda and Mandy knit on!

Had an interesting day publicising our group. The workshop comprised three kids, a toddler and some bemused parents!

Octopus body - knitting complete!

2007-02-14T21:23:00.000Z

I dread to think how many rows I have knitted..... too many to count, but the body of the Octopus is finally complete. it still needs a base and stuffing, but my stash basket is providing a fab replacement for the moment. It will also need eyes and a mouth and maybe some colourful spots, but these can be added later.

So its tentacle time now!!

Needle felting...

2007-02-08T21:09:00.001Z

Had an excellent workshop last night, making needle-felted flowers. Thanks to Kellie for organising it. You stab at a bit of fluff with a barbed needle until it turns into something. The needles hurt if they go into flesh (ask me how I know!). I made a big blue flower - not sure how come it came out so big, but it's very pretty! Came away with some needles, a scourer (for working on top of!) and some gorgeous bits of multi-coloured fluff. Not sure what else I'll make with them. Sure is therapeutic - think about something or someone that drives you mad, and stab away! :)

Needle Felting Workshop

2007-02-08T20:40:00.000Z

Our first Workshop last night was a resounding success, with 13 members learning a new skill - needle felting. Each started a flower and we only had 8 yeps from self inflicted wounds!!

Here are some examples of what was made - these are still 'Work in Progress' as we found out that 2 hours was not really enough time to complete them - there will be more pictures here as they get finished.

Well done to you all and I look forward to seeing the finished articles

Time for some colour

2007-02-06T10:33:00.000Z

Another finished item, in the form of a loud version of the One Skien Scarf from The Happy Hooker book...

I liked the way this one made up, the instructions were clear and since it only uses a single stitch type (doubles or trebles depending on whether you're reading American or British patterns) it was easy and made up very quickly. The photo here doesn't really do it justice - in the flesh it makes me think of smarties - but worn over a plain dark layer and wrapped a couple times around my neck it looked quite pretty in a colourful way. :)

And since Steel breeze asked, I finished the jacket you'll have seen me working on, sewing on all 22 buttons over the weekend.

This one is based on an early 18th century riding jacket, cut in a masculine style. It's made up in brown cotton moleskin and lined in cotton (back and sleeves) and silk (front and skirts). Those flaps conceal real, functioning pockets!

I've yet to wear it over the full kit, so don't have any photo's of it in context I'm afraid, but picture it over full culottes and worn with a tricorn and I think you get the idea.

And finally, for those who might wish to see... A flash of the hideous diamond check pink silk lining, which I think is just perfect. :D

Another leafy blanket

2007-02-04T20:49:00.000Z

Posting this for our Wendy 'cause she's not got internet access at work. Boo! Isn't it lovely? Hope she remembers to take out the needle before she gives it to baby, though! LOL

Good to see you got your scarf pic up Julie, beat me to it you did. Now, howsabout some pics of your sewing exploits, eh?! :) We want to see the Hideous Pink Silk and the Gold Multi-colour Monstrosity!!!

My first knitted scarf

2007-02-02T14:01:00.000Z

I'm a new member and while I've crocheted on and off for a couple of decades, I've only recently started teaching myself to knit.

I've just finished my first ever knitted scarf, based on 'Mom's Sophisticated Scarf' from the SnB Nation book.

I'm very pleased with this, despite restarting it five times and still having a few mistakes in it. I learnt a lot knitting this scarf, such as how to cast on and off, how to knit and to purl and how to read a simple pattern. I also enjoyed making it which is the most important thing. :)

While I'm new to knitting, as I said I've been crocheting for years having been taught as child by my grandmother. My biggest challenge now is learning how to read patterns and I'd like to extend my skills beyond squares and throws.

I also sew a lot, mostly making costume to support my LARP hobby, which means you're as likely to find me hand sewing button holes, finishing seams or even hand making cords and laces as wielding knitting needles or a crochet hook.

And I think that will do me for a first post. :)

A WIP and some FOs

2007-01-18T08:12:00.000Z

Wendy G's work-in-progress - a lovely entrelac

Mandy's gnome, sitting on Jane's MK reversible hat.

Another hello!

2007-01-13T21:48:00.000Z

Hi everyone!

I don't think I ever really did a proper intro post, tho' I have posted on here a few times.

Anyhoo, I'm Mandy. I started knitting last January, a few months after my son was born as I wanted a hobby that was compatible with a small child (I make cards and cross stitch, but they're not as portable, nor as easy to pick up/put down). I was also suffering a bit from baby blues and needed something to perk me up.

I joined Knit-wits a few months later after a chance post requesting old yarn and needles on Freecycle put me in touch with one of the other members. It was great timing as I really wanted to do something where I was not just a mum, but a person too and this was perfect!

Everyone at the group has really helped me with my knitting and I've made some fab things, including a jacket for my boy, Euan, some lacy scarves as christmas presents, several hats for smotthie bottles, a wrap and evening bag for me and a gnome! Projects on the go include another scarf, a jumper for Euan and a pair of socks.

I'm hoping to learn more techniques this year, such as Fair Isle and Cable, as well as master crocheting. I love working with self patterning yarns and also trying out new yarns and techniques.

I'm a website manager part time, and spend my "days off" looking after, paying and learning with Euan. As well as the crafts mentioned above, I'm a bit of a games buff, both board games and computer/console games, mainly focussing on simulation and role playing games. Love reading - my tastes range from David Eddings and Raymond Feist to Emily Bronte and Jane Austen. I'm a bit of a history buff too - if I ever appeared on Mastermind, my specialist subject would either be the Tudors, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer!!! Oh and I like salad cream sandwiches.

I think that covers most things!!

My intro...

2007-01-12T16:33:00.000Z

...I think there's one on here already somewhere but it's buried in the archives.

I'm Jane, posting as steelbreeze (don't ask, it's a looong story!). My mum taught me to crochet when I was 8 and knit at about the same time, I think. I preferred crochet to knitting as it grew a lot faster. When I was in my early twenties I acquired a second-hand knitting machine, and luckily a nice lady on Usenet photocopied her manual for me. Since then, I've been learning how to use it and I'm reasonably proficient. I only have to conquer the spectre of double bed jacquard this year (kind of fair isle but knitted both sides and the floats are hidden inside the material), and I'm good to go I think!

I have managed to acquire 2 standard bed machines and one chunky (plus a Bond) - plus a lot of gadgets to go with these machines. Thankyou, Ebay and the MK Guild! I've rather taken over the front bedroom at home, luckily my other half "The Cog"'s hobby involves his PC so he doesn't need that room much!

I didn't knit for years until my sister started sprogging and they grew out of their first clothes - since 2005 there's been no stopping me!

Currently I'm doing a machine-knitted version of the Lizard Ridge afghan that appeared on Fall '06 Knitty which is taking all my money at £4.50 a ball! I'm also trying to work through my stash. I've plans to use up the oddments of sock yarn that are accumulating at home and make inroads to all the coned yarns I've acquired, probably in some sort of charity knitting - blankets or more of those T-shaped jumpers perhaps.

I've also vague plans to do something with all the one-ball purchases I've made - you know, you buy one ball of something because it's gorgeous and you can't justify getting any more. Not sure what yet, might be a jacket.

Record number of members tonight

2007-01-10T22:57:00.000Z

We had 15 members tonight - fabulous!!

Welcome to Esther, Christina, Anne, Karen and Julie, our new members - hope you had fun.

So with so many of us now, I thought I'd lay down a simple challenge to introduce ourselves on this blog and what we are currently working on.

I’ll start…..

Hello, I'm Kellie, I set the group up in Nov 2005 - wow that looks like we have been going for ages! I have knitted and crocheted for years, but sparked a new enthusiasm when I was expecting my first child, Oliver who is now 6 1/2. Since then I have always had multiple projects on the go.

I have recently discovered knitted felt (or should it be felted knit?), which is easier than you think once you have gotten over the fear of putting the finished article in the washing machine and praying that it comes out a decent size and now waste all the precious hour you have just spent working on it!!

I am currently working on the body of the Giant Octopus – 320 stitches on each row, and only 8cm knitted so far! I think I’ll be passing it round next week for willing volunteers to help.
Other hobbies (so many) – needle felting, handspinning (wheel & drop spindle), Re-enactment and LRP

2007 programme - amendment

2007-01-01T20:16:00.000Z

Date	Workshop	Name	Location
07/02/2007	Needle Felting	Kellie	Liquid Bar
07/03/2007	Colour Knitting	Thalia	Liquid Bar
04/04/2007	Stitch Markers	Kellie	Liquid Bar
02/05/2007	Crochet for beginners	Jane/Kellie	Liquid Bar
05/09/2007	Hand Spinning	Kellie	Liquid Bar
03/10/2007	Machine Knitting	Jane	Minster Road
07/11/2007	Sock Knitting	Jane/Kellie	Liquid Bar
05/12/2007	Miniature Knitting	Catherine	Liquid Bar

Swapping the machine-knitting for the spinning, because I will be elsewhere that week in September! Will update the spreadsheet on Yahoo tomorrow, because my copy of Excel is playing silly devils tonight...

Anybody up for another de-stash night?!

I see I've already been beaten twice for the first post of 2007, never mind, if you can't beat 'em eh?! Though I could be sneaky and change the time on this, hehehehehe...

Finally had time to be creative this holiday and I'm back to work tomorrow. Feh! This is the wide lizard ridge experiment, with the blobs centred on 40-20-0-20-40 and 50-30-10-10-30-50 respectively. Interesting, but not as "blobby" as the small pieces (see below). I'm guessing the pattern below is a multiple of 8 stitches plus 3, but I would have to test the theory. Maybe tomorrow.

It's almost a historic record of some of my yarn stash, this - from the bottom: Rowan biggy print, Mercia dusky-pink aran, some ends of Noro Kureyon, blue boucle from NEC, multi-colour DK from Helen (rockmetosleep), black boucle from NEC, snowflake DK leftover from first year MK submission, pale pink DK from Wendy G and some dishcloth cotton as waste yarn.

Another Lizard Ridge square, my favourite colourway so far I think - no, can't remember which shade no it was, sorry. Did have grand plans to label them up and all, but it went by the wayside very quickly.

The chunky hoody for my niece. Did most of this whilst watching "Braveheart". The pattern calls for superchunky - this was two strands of aran, and still it's a bit holey. Hoping it'll look better when sewn up, which I plan to do tonight.

SECRET SANTA

2007-01-01T14:57:00.000Z

A Happy New Year to all! Hope you all had a great christmas.

I have started to knit my very first (and probably last) pair of socks with the wool I received from secret santa.

After several hours of searching the net I managed to find a pattern using the right size needles/wool, only to find that I couldn't understand the instructions for starting the toe. Luckily I remembered seeing some other instructions (with pictures) for another way to start - using the magic cast on method - on Knitty.com.

See you all Wednesday. I will probably be needing help with the heels by then!

Yarn Holder

2007-01-01T14:42:00.000Z

look what I found - see here for the pattern

Last minute xmas projects, LR progress, more media

2006-12-29T17:48:00.000Z

This is the blanket I completed on 23rd December - a last minute present for the Cog's dad, who has ME, and gets cold. It's full needle rib, the entire length of the chunky machine bed and I used up a few oddments to make it. Mental note - FNR on the chunky gauge should be kept to no thicker than 4ply. It was ruddy hard work!

One skein scarf, crocheted from the "Happy Hooker" book. Alas, I failed to compare the length required with the length I had, so had to skimp a bit - lost a row of trebles, and cheated on the bobbly edge somewhat. Just made it by the skin of my teeth!

Lizard Ridge squares - the progress so far! Aren't they purdy?!

Crocheted ipod case, also from the "Happy Hooker" book. Alas, it fits the old ipod and is a little too big for the nano. Now he's opened it I can measure up, and make a smaller version. Anybody need an ipod cover, with integral belt loop?! :)

I got some cool presents this year - one being The Knitter's Handbook by Montse Stanley. Who knew there were 10 odd cast-on methods? I only knew there were 2! Funnily enough I'd bid on this book on Ebay before xmas, and missed out by 50p. I dunno how the Cog (my other half) knew I was lusting after this book!

Kellie was on BBC CWR last night talking about the Coventry Knit-Wits, and we were featured in the Coventry Evening Telegraph yesterday - I knew they'd pick a week when I wouldn't be able to get hold of a copy (having been in Rugby all week!)

See y'all on Wednesday 3rd!

2007 Programme

2006-12-21T12:53:00.000Z

Date	Workshop	Name	Location
07/02/2007	Needle Felting	Kellie	Liquid Bar
07/03/2007	Colour Knitting	Thalia	Liquid Bar
04/04/2007	Stitch Markers	Kellie	Liquid Bar
02/05/2007	Crochet for beginners	Jane/Kellie	Liquid Bar
05/09/2007	Machine Knitting	Jane	Minster Road
03/10/2007	Hand Spinning	Kellie	Liquid Bar
07/11/2007	Sock Knitting	Jane/Kellie	Liquid Bar
05/12/2007	Miniature Knitting	Catherine	Liquid Bar

The programme is subject to change but this is our provisional plan.

See you all Wednesday 3rd January, and have a good Christmas!

This Week

2006-12-17T09:34:00.000Z

Well this week has been a wirlwind of Media for the Coventry Knit-Wits....

Monday - the Press Launch of 'Made in Coventry' and Knitting in the City Centre

Tuesday - Article from Monday in the Telegraph

Friday - Article from Monday in the free paper

Saturday - Photos and an interview in the Liquid Bar by the Telegraph, who want to do a story on us as we meet at the bar that wone the Godiva Awards and is Coventry's only non-smoking Cafe Wine bar.

Then on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire radio with Coventry RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteers Programe) as part of their Christmas Knit & Knatter

This all must mean that 2007 is looking good for the group!

Free Stash!

2006-12-13T19:17:00.000Z

I've got some freebies for our group to give out on secret santa night!

Remember last month when we were Simply Knitting's club of the month? Well I got a lovely parcel in the post the other morning with 22 balls of wool as our prize!

There are 11 different types of yarn, so I'm going to bundle them up in their matching pairs and we going to give them out at our secret santa/christmas party night. Another incentive for you all to be there next week!

Made in Coventry

2006-12-13T12:34:00.000Z

Kellie and I froze in the town centre for two hours on Monday to do some big knitting (with broom handles, courtesy of B&Q!). We managed to make the Coventry Evening Telegraph - see below!

Article

There's also a photo if you do a search for week c 11/12/06... might ask if we can reprint it here.

No meeting next week (13th)

2006-12-07T19:12:00.000Z

in case anyone wasn't aware. Liquid are having a private function. I might defect to the Rugby SnB for the night, see what they're up to!!

See y'all in a fortnight, for the Secret Santa!!

Carla's finished skirt

2006-12-07T18:59:00.000Z

Carla's finished skirt - I just love the ribbons!

Rowan finished!

2006-11-23T18:06:00.000Z

Rowan cardi is finished. Just got to sew it up - fingers crossed that it
looks ok. Not sure what I can use to sew it, the yarn itself is too thick
and I suspect will come apart when used to sew.

I'm sure I'll think of something!

We're famous!

2006-11-08T20:48:00.000Z

Coventry Knit-Wits is named Simply Knitting's Club of the Month - hurrah!

The info's a bit out of date, since I sent them the text back in May/June, but the contact details are right so hopefully any Coventry readers of Simply Knitting who want to go to an evening club might feel inspired to get in touch.

We should receive some nice Bergere de France wool too. I'll be eyeing up the postman very carefully in the next few weeks.

I didn't know anything about Bergere de France wool, but having looked at the range on the Angel Yarns website, I'm very impressed. I particularly like the look of the Celtic and the Prisme yarns - I hope some of those are among our goodies.

The only problem is - how are we going to split them up? Perhaps someone could take charge of them and split them into lots to add to our secret santa gifts? Maybe a lucky draw? Or- if they arrive in time, maybe we have to split them out and make each other gifts with them? Ideas please!!

Hurry up postman!

(Apologies for the fairly rubbish picture)

Gutted!

2006-11-01T16:15:00.000Z

No de-stash night for me...

Hubby has been asked to cover a music rehearsal for a colleague who has broken her elbow. It's paid work, which always needs to take priority and ringing round our usual babysitters at such short notice understandibly has yielded no results. Grrr. Very annoying as Wednesdays are my only night out and escape from motherdom, and more and more things are coming in the way of it.

Was really looking forward to it too.

Hope everyone has a good time and comes home with some new yarn and new ideas!

Completed Baby Jacket

2006-10-31T12:57:00.000Z

Finally made up Euan's jacket - just need to add buttons. The making up is definitely better in some places than in others - it's kind of got a before and after feel to it, as I was shown how to make up properly half way through my rubbish efforts!

I might unpick and make up again the bits I did before I knew better, but on the other hand - he'll grow out of it soon anyway and now I'll know better for next time!

De-stash Night - change of venue

2006-10-22T19:52:00.000+01:00

The Liquid Bar is having a private function on Wednesday 1st November, so we will have our planned de-stash night at Wendy's house. Mail me on xelphinus (at) yahoo (dot) com if you need her address - she's just outside town and there's parking.

See you all Wednesday!

Photos from our first exhibition

2006-10-22T19:39:00.000+01:00

Photos from our first exhibition

Some finished objects

2006-10-03T21:35:00.000+01:00

The Rowan bag. Now I've just got to locate the button I bought for it...
The Colinette jumper. Yes, it is a little cropped.

Socks Completed!!

2006-10-02T18:15:00.000+01:00

Yippee......

I have finally completed sock 2 @ precisely 23.32 on September 30th 2006. I was @ the Masham Sheep fair in Yorkshire all weekend, so could not blog until now. This sock thing is very addictive, but I have found something possibly even more.....one word....'Mobieus' - more to come soon

Snuggly Bubbly Jacket

2006-10-01T13:44:00.000+01:00

One day late and I have finally finished knitting this jacket. It's not quite complete as I still need to buy some buttons. Finished the actual knitting bit yesterday but only completed the sewing up today. I think I prefer having lots of projects on the go rather than having a deadline for one. I can now start on my 'Rogue' aran, just need to find out how to do a temporary cast on.

Challenge almost complete....

2006-09-27T08:18:00.000+01:00

Wel... nearly there. the heel is done and I'm working towards the instep, so fingers crossed it will be finished soon