Knitting news

Hello there, hoping you've all had a good week. Wednesday was a very warm sunny day, very nice at knit & natter. Quietly knitting and chatting in the pub conservatory. Cold temperatures crept back in again on Thursday, not so good... it was the cold biting wind that shocked the most. 

I have a few finished cloths and one nearly finished Fish & Chip Vest today.

A washcloth (flannel) knitted in Aran weight Sugar 'n' Cream in Mistletoe colourway. 4.5mm needles.
The pattern is Broken Rib from 'Knit Yourself Calm' book by Lynne Rowe.

A dishcloth knitted in Sugar 'n' Cream Aran weight, Potpourri colourway. This pattern is by Garlene of  The Kitchen Sink for April. It is called Nancy Drew. There is a book to read-a-long with it if you wish. The book is The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene. Have a look on Facebook, or instagram  'thekitchinsinkshop' if this interests you. 

I've started slipping the first stitch purl wise and casting off the last stitch like 'Very Pink Knits Youtube' to make a neater finish. Sometimes I forget to slip purl wise and don't always go back to correct it.   

Fish & Chip Jumper or Vest

I've made these before, some of you may remember my dear QT (sadly passed away a few years ago) modelling one to show sizing. There are two sizes, just change needle size as they're both knitted in DK yarn. The vests and hats are sent to charities in Africa, for the purpose of wrapping babies up before they go home. 
They're requested to knitted in bright colours, no pastels and very little light shades. Cheerful is the aim here. The neck hole is basically a large button hole. 

The net bag with its zip is a laundry bag. It means that I can swap out projects in their net bags and take two or three to knit & natter, in just one bag. With the chattering, it's hard to concentrate on any tricky bits. I have several projects on the go for this such as: Wash cloths, dishcloths, charity knits and socks if I'm on the sections without shaping. 

Angus in his conservatory bed having a snooze. His bed is tucked under the clothes horse drying a towel. Poor dog with his crumpled cheek. 

What are you knitting at the moment?
How do you feel about mistakes in your knitting/crochet, can you leave it, or do you have to correct it? 

Ttfn 
Take care

Christmas catch up

Hello there, dusting off my blog with a little update of recent activities. Happy New Year to you all. 

I don't really do New Year Resolutions, however if I were to, I'd aim to be more present with less scrolling. I'd list plans to read, bake and craft more with some home organisation thrown in too. 

Crochet Baby Blanket:: using up colours (purchased with birthday money). I've enjoyed using Rico baby cotton yarn. I purchased some cream acrylic yarn, to separate the bold colours. Just crocheting the border now. 

Photos from Instagram::  celebrating my anniversary last year, library books to read - some for the Summer Reading Challenge - I do this every year (six books over six weeks). Knitting all the greens. Birthday card poster from my parents. Covid back in January, first time. Baking for the WI Horticultural show. 

Finishing Books:: the last book in the Fairacre series by Miss Read. I'm taking a break this year from the Miss Read books. 2025 I'll will be reading the Monthly Book Club choice and one Agatha Christie book - either from the 'Read Christie 2025' challenge on social media, or one of my own AC books. Plus either library books or my own books.  

Family games:: Buzzer round challenges on the PS 2 
The system is old now for modern digital TV's, so it freezes a bit. 

2024 Advent Knit-a-long:: with the Victoria Methodist church - found on Facebook. A Star Table Mat.

2023 Advent Knit-a-long:: Noel table mat. The plan is the same as above, a short reflection and instructions for 4 rows of pattern. 

Reindeer Plant Holder:: A Christmas gift from younger son.

Reindeer thought lost:: found in the loft. Both on the kitchen windowsill.

Christmas Jigsaw:: Mark is busy with this one.

Rainbow Cardigan:: Knitted for the WI charity donation for Rainbow Babies.

Crochet Dog Paws:: crocheted for the WI Christmas Tree, part of the tree festival in the village church. 
The paw prints are stiffened with PVA glue.

Angus:: with his noisy squeaky Giraffe, don't be fooled by the cute face... it's a noisy toy! 

Church Nativity Scene:: knitted by one of the members. This is on display each year, it's a lovely tradition. 

Church Advent Calendar:: children take turns each week to light one of the 4 candles. The centre candle is lit on Christmas Day.

Church Christmas Tree:: beautifully decorated at the coffee morning.

Town Christmas Tree:: in the Market Square.

Mini Christmas Tree:: in the Bathroom

Off to do a little crochet now, this time is important to me. Daily knitting or crochet, time to unwind and relax. Until next time, bye for now. Thank you for reading, I'll be visiting your blogs this week. 

Craft Show & Tell - Five on Friday

Hello there, I hope you are well? If you've been following my blog for a while, I just wanted to thank you. I appreciate that it's been a bit of a stop start of regular blogging. Over the years I've struggled to feel well, I'm still trying to sort IBS issues. So with other commitments and feeling rubbish, sometimes things have slipped. I've recently found another thing that I'm intolerant too, or at least, one that I'd not thought to check on labels. In Aldi's hot chocolate there is a chemical ingredient that upsets my stomach. Google it if interested, it's called Carboxymethyl Cellulose. I knew about it in bread wraps from the Co-op, so only purchased wraps from Aldi. I was treating myself on bad days, to a nice hot chocolate. It makes me mad all this label scrutinizing.

Anyway onto nicer things. We went out for a meal on Wednesday evening to celebrate my son's 24th Birthday. Happy Birthday Nat, a favourite photo of him and Zola (his cat). To think that I once held this tall handsome young man, just like he's holding Zola - he's taller than me now and I'm 5'11". I'm proud of you teen1 Son, love you always x

This week's Five on Friday is a bit of a 'Show & Tell' 

1) A Christmas Bauble. A lady called Carole taught me to make these at the Village Craft Afternoon. It's simpler than it looks, starting at one end building up layers of folded 3" square pieces of material. Lots of pins are involved to secure each point. This one has a thin ribbon to hang it up as a decoration. 

2) Another Craft Afternoon, this time it was at a church ladies social. There were several craft options on offer to try out. Making Pom-Poms, with pattern ideas to make characters. Button necklaces, Macramé, knitting and making these Crochet Wind Spinners. There are some Youtube videos online if this interests you. They will stay in better shape if hung up and free to twirl. 

3) A simple restful portable knitting project. A washcloth, flannel or dishcloth knitted in Rico Aran 100% Cotton yarn. Front and Rear view, (not blocked). The pattern is called broken rib from this book: Knit Yourself Calm. I borrowed the book from the library. Lots of simple projects to inspire knitting to help calm.

4) A Dishcloth - For the Lent KAL (knit-a-long), following along on a Facebook Group. The official KAL was to make a shawl. I've knitted a shawl before and didn't want another, so I went for the alternative dishcloth - pattern on Ravelry. Each week is knitted in a different colour in Sirdar Happy Cotton yarn. The yarn had been donated at the church Craft Group. I will block it and probably use it as a table mat.  

5) A pair of socks for me. These caused me lots of unpicking... not surprising my husband would say. These are knitted in WYS 4 Ply, Blue Lagoon. The yarn started life being knit into a KAL shawl several years ago. It had beads along the edge, sadly I grew impatient with it, all the knots/bumpy edges you needed to add along the edge. So I unpicked it and continued my sock journey of  'improving each time.' These fit snug, though due to a difference in stitches picked up around the heel, one sock had a different finish point for decreasing. When I tried to match the row count for the feet length instead of  a measurement... it was completely too short! Cue another unpick session. Each time I knit socks, they are a better fit. I feel like I can get it right next time... I hope. Pattern on Winwick Mum's blog - Sockalong tutorial. 

I have a few projects on my needles at the moment, so I need to finish those first before I tackle another pair of socks. 

A) Knit a Helicopter - WI competition for May

B) Rainbow Cardigan - WI craft group - charity request

C) Vest - Fish & Chip jumper/vest

When I've finished these, then I can start another pair of socks, another washcloth and finish a Jacket/Cardigan. 

What are you making at the moment? 

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Why I Knit

Hello there, it's been a while... I'm finding I struggle with blog reading and Instagram together. So last week, I logged out of Instagram to stop the mindless scrolling session. I sign in most days but just once or twice only. How are you, I'll be trying to visit your blogs more, I've popped in now and a again. 

I've been listening to some Podcasts on Spotify whilst I cook, clean or knit, one in particular is the 'Why I Knit Podcast' by Dr Mia Hobbs @theraputicknitting on Instagram. It has made me think about
Why I Knit too. Is it just a hobby, calming or a social activity - though I rarely find people knitting except in a Knit & Natter group. There is lots of research on how it helps with mental health, so I'll not go over that. 

Do leave me a comment at the end as to why you knit, crochet or sew? 

Knitting Journey - How it all began

As a child, my Mum and Nan were always knitting, so it was inevitable that I'd knit too. First my brother and I did some French Knitting with wooden cotton reels. Then Mum taught me to knit, it was very frustrating and I remember Dad getting cross with me as I was 'rude' to Mum, oops! I remember a small knitting starter set with plastic needles.

After a break, we tried again and I knitted a rhubarb pink doll with mustard gold hair. Dreadful but fortunately I did learn to knit. My Mum had a book similar to this one above, it had knitting & crochet techniques inside. There were no Youtube tutorials to help. I've always preferred to learn from a book, so I bought this book online. 

I then spent time trying some free hand Embroidery with transfers, crocheting Granny squares to make into a waist coat (donated the squares) and cross stitch before returning to knitting. I used to take these crafts to an elderly lady called Queenie and she'd say 'what have you brought today.' I loved Queenie, she always made me feel welcome, a haven of peace and tranquility where crafting happened over a cuppa tea. 

Second Sock 

Improving Skills 

Having moved and then married, I took up knitting again and made 2 jumpers, that were wearable but short. This time it was my husband who interpreted patterns for me. He's got the ability to think clearly and read what it says ha ha, rather than me guessing what I think the pattern means. I've since learnt to do tension squares and adjust the pattern, adding an extra 2" for length. I then knitted several items for my Niece and Nephew, baby items are great as they're small. Also a matinee set for my boys.

Whilst living in Kent, I set up a Needles & Lace group, a few ladies met once a fortnight with various crafts using knitting needles, crochet hooks or lacemaking such as bobbin lace. Fast forward to Lincolnshire and after another group (not run by me) folded, so I joined the church Craft Group in town. I'd not joined previously as the boys were small and it clashed with the school run. When locals' wanted a Knit & Natter group in the village, I started one in the local pub. 

We'd been running for over a year, when we thought it'd be fun to add in challenges each month. One of those was to knit socks. I'd had a go before, knitting a pair from a Debbie Macomber pattern, in the Blossom Street Fiction series of books. I'm definitely still learning, this is my fifth pair and each pair is more 'correct and better fitting' than the last. Winwick Mum has been fantastic with detailed tutorials and advice. I couldn't get the fit right around the ankles. I now cast on less stitches and it fits snug. Having a short list to work through, lots of practice and asking for help is key.  

Fish & Chip Jumper

Social Knitting

I've joined in with a few KAL (knit-a-long), a Christmas table mat for Advent and at present a dishcloth for Lent. The official KAL is a shawl but I chose the alternative. I gained the yarn for the dishcloth from the Craft group, where people donate unwanted craft items. I've joined in with a few Attic 24 CAL (crochet-a-long) blankets. But mostly I knit and crochet whatever I feel like. 

I often have a washcloth on the go, they are small and portable, often with a basic repetitive pattern. Ideal for Knit & Natter, when you can't concentrate on complicated patterns. I'm working my way through this Dishcloth knitting book, also some crochet cloths sometimes. The pink washcloth is from another book that I borrowed from the library. It's called Knit Yourself Calm  There are some lovely simple patterns for different abilities. One of the ladies was interviewed on the Why I Knit Podcast. 

Using up yarn from my stash, I'd bought this yarn and a darker yarn to teach my two boys to knit. Thankfully they've learnt, though they'll say they've forgotten. It's never easy to teach people to knit or crochet. I helped teach some crochet to the WI ladies craft group, we had a lot of laughs whilst teaching them new skills. There are four groups that I can go to, the WI craft group meet bi-monthly, two local groups: knit & nattter & a village pop in - I rotate, as they're on the same day. Lastly one in town, I drop in if I'm shopping that day. 

I tend to visit just one each week.

Why I Knit

Since setting a goal to knit for 20 minutes a day, I look forward to knitting, finding it relaxing. It definitely stops the mindless scrolling, so for that alone it's good. It's just as enjoyable as a social activity at Knit & Natter as to knitting with the TV on, or whilst listening to a story. Joining in with Knit & Natter groups, KAL & CAL has improved my understanding of patterns. There is always someone who can help. If it wasn't for the group, I'd have given up on knitting socks. 

I tend to have several projects on the go at once, some say it's because they need different things from different patterns. For me, I guess that I just have too many things on the go at once. I always try to focus on a top 3, simply because some things are too complicated to knit at Knit & Natter. 

I'm not sure that I use it for my mental health as I just think about knitting as a hobby. I do however notice that I'm never still, when sitting down in the lounge I'm always doing something eg writing a list, craft, reading, scrolling or admin stuff on Facebook. Knitting allows me to stop, no thinking, no fidgeting just calm and relaxing. 

WIPS (work in progress) 
A washcloth - small portable that needs little concentration if the pattern is simple.
A pair of socks - determined to get the fit right, for WI monthly competition to make socks. 

A dishcloth - for the Lent KAL Facebook group. 

What about you,  do you knit?
If so Why Do You Knit?

Thank you for visiting x

Five on Friday

Hello there, I hope you are all well, thank you for visiting last time. A Five on Friday post today. The week has gone by so quick, we had the Village Pop In at the hall, I took some crochet, my friend provided some homemade cookies, that her daughter baked. It was also the AGM at the village hall, apart from myself, I noticed that only the committee members seem to attend this. 

One: After work today, I managed to get a haircut which I was pleased about. I returned all my library books except The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. I picked up a book for next month's bookclub - Something Wilder by Christina Lauren. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel is this month's bookclub read. I'm struggling with this one, I had great plans to read a chapter a day... it hasn't worked. I've finished Village School by Miss Read, restarting the Fairacre series. I've read some of this series but not all of them. 

Two: Angus has been to the groomers for a shampoo, a trim and nails clipping. Not too much, just a good trim for a Goldie, all the long bits around the feet, tail area and scruff. When he gets wet and muddy, he always looks bedraggled and messy, making it hard to clean him. As you can see he's more of a pincher than a retriever. 

Three: Kettle on, cup of tea and time to be cooking dinner. This isn't my usual tea preference but whilst I'm cooking dinner I like to try different ones. This one is nice and spicy with: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper. Usually I drink Morrison's Rooibos tea, which at the moment seems permanently out of stock. The family drink Yorkshire tea but I went off that a long time ago. 

Four: Is 2 a collection? I'm not planning on buying more pot holders, but they do make handy cloths for the oven grill. King Charles lll Coronation 2023 to go with The Queen Platinum Jubilee 2022. I saw all the Coronation merchandise in the shops, but didn't fancy buying more stuff.

The decluttering is still happening here, today a new unwanted gilet left the building with some popcorn from Aldi, some Christmas cards - dreary scenes - no idea why I bought them! They were a bargain though! Also some mattress and pillow protectors as I'd bought new ones for Johnny's bed. A few other bits were in the bag too. Progress is progress.  

Five: Another dish cloth / wash cloth, Gramma's Dishcloth (Grandmother's 2nd Favourite)  pattern on Ravelry. This pattern is for a symmetrical knitted cloth. I am having trouble with this cloth (top left - cast off corner), no matter which pattern I knit, the cast off always looks too long. Any ideas knitters!? 

Yarn - Drops Paris, Recycled denim 100% cotton.  

That's all my news for today, take care everyone. 
Bye 
Cathy