Welcome to my blog. I live, knit, crochet, spin and craft near the Northumbrian Coast (but not too near – the waves won't be splashing my yarn!).There's a story in every stitch, every grain of sand, every blade of grass. I thought I'd blog about it…
The group have continued to meet online every Friday throughout August. This month we’ve mostly been making blankets.
A crocheted this one.
L completed this one in shades of Lilac and purple.
She’s now moved on to this black and grey one with a touch of sparkle.
R completed her Aztec Blanket. This was knitted to twice the final size, then folded in half and stitched together,. She finished off by adding a fringe. As it is double thickness, this is going to be really warm and cosy.
The rest of us have been working on sweaters. Y has been knitting this raspberry pink cable design – it’s a commission using handspun yarn (not her own). Unusually for Y, this one is knitted in the round – she’s usually a two-needle knitter!.
I finally completed my striped sweater in alpaca yarn from fibre that I prepped, spun and dyed myself…..from the animal’s back to my own! I just need to block it now.
It’s been lovely watching everyone’s projects take shape over the last few weeks.
Our Knit and Natter Group were one of several groups that were asked to take part in a yarn bombing event at The Alnwick Garden. If you’ve not come across yarn bombing before, it involves decorating somewhere, (such as a public space) with items made of yarn. I’ve seen several of these before, with knitted and crocheted items decorating trees, fences and iron railings, post boxes, statues, even a bicycle and a boat!. This is the first time I’ve taken part in anything like this before – I’ve really been looking forward to the project, especially in such lovely surroundings.
A few weeks back four of us visited the garden and chose this wooded area beyond the Rose Garden as the focus for our decorations. Members of our group have been making items for the project for a while but we were inspired with even more ideas once we knew the space we’d be using. Other parts of the garden are ablaze with colourful flowers at this time of year but the shady trees and the bright green foliage or our adopted patch provided a perfect backdrop for the colourful items we made. Last week we were back to install our work, with the support of one of the staff who has organised the event. Some other parts of the garden had already been decorated as we saw on on our way to our chosen site. The items had been made by other groups and also ndividuals, who have been leaving items for the staff to use for the decorations. We got to work….here are are the fruits of our labours!
The smaller trees were hung with brightly coloured twists and the trunks wrapped with striped crochet “scarves”.
Other items were hung up too.
We draped a garland of hearts on another tree and wrapped more around a large trunk.
Crocheted banners and strings of bunting were wrapped around other trees.
A butterfly was fixed to the bark of one of the trees, along with a flower garland.
More floral chains were added.
Finally, this “Knit and Natter” banner (made by A) was fixed to a large tree near the path.
With our work complete, those of us able to stay found a table in a quiet spot near the cafe and had a well-earned cuppa. Free of the constraints of our usual Zoom meetings, we nattered until the Garden was ready to close. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon!
The yarn bombing installation will remain at The Alnwick Garden for the next few weeks.
Have you ever taken part in a yarn bombing event? I’d love to hear more about it.
Our Knit and Natter Group continues to meet online every Friday. Here’s a selection of what group members have been working on.
Several members of the group have been working on blankets. L made this diagonal striped crochet one in shades of purple and lilac.
A has crocheted these baby blankets.
R has been working on this Aztec design knitted blanket. It’s a really eye catching, colourful pattern. She took it with her on a recent trip and joined our Zoom session from the train!
New member F loves making multicoloured scarves
Y has been knitting more projects from her Knit in a Box subscription.
I
She recently completed this child’s sweater dress with a bobble design, knitted in a gorgeous sunny yellow yarn.
Som
The group were also asked to take part in a yarn bombing project at the Alnwick Garden,
We had a visit to pick a spot and we chose a patch of woodland near the Rose Garden. We’ve been knitting and crocheting an assortment of items to hang on, drape over and wrap around the trees.
I’ll post soon with photos of our yarn bombing adventure.
Here’s what group members have completed recently, starting with A’s stunning mosaic crochet throw pictured above. Mosaic crochet involves working into the front and the back of each stitch, effectively making it double thickness. It’s chunky yarn too so it’s very heavy (must be lovely and warm though).
L finished her tshirt top. I love the boat neckline. She’s not happy about the length though so we discussed possible ways to lengthen it,
Y showed us her adorable baby blanket adorned with cats, hearts and elephants,
R joined us from the train! That’s real dedication to the group! it looked pretty empty so no one could mind her chatting to us.
The yarn has arrived for her Aztec Banket Knit-a-long so she was about to start the first part. Gorgeous colours!
I’ve cast on the jumper I’ve been prepping spinning and dyeing alpaca fibre for. This has been a long time coming!
I’m always amazed at the volume of beautifully made items the group produce, even when there are only a few of us. Go Knit and Natterers!!
More lovely work from our Knit and Natter Group! Here are some screen shots from Friday’s online meeting.
T showed us this gorgeous lacy shawl that she crocheted in white cotton yarn. It raised lots of oohs and ahs from the members!
Y finished the cable cardigan she was working on last week.
She’s now started a blanket, in crochet this time. The spaces in the design form a picture. All will be revealed as the blanket grows.
A has just started crocheting a blanket too , in a shell pattern.
But it’s not all crochet. L is knitting , continuing with her t shirt top. She has reached the armholes.
R is looking for a knitting project to start and is joining a knit-along to make this Aztec design blanket.
Meanwhile, her hexagon quilt continues.
Ive been doing some more spinning (making yarn for a jumper) and have begun to dye some of it, starting with a cornflower blue colour. II’m planning on a striped design so there are several more batches to dye.
We had a good chat and enjoyed seeing what everyone is working on.knitt
Another crop of makes from our Knit and Natterers were on show on Friday,.
T is crocheting colourful wraps (shown above) for the yarn bombing installation we are taking part in this summer. We hope to identify a site within Alnwick Garden that we’ll be able to decorate with our handiwork. One suggestion was the Chatty Bench – a designated place to sit and chat, which would fit in with what our group is all about. We found out that this was right next to the toilets though, which put us off somewhat! We are now looking for somewhere else but wherever we end up it will certainly stand out with Tracey’s crocheting!.
A has crocheted a baby blanket.
She knitted this baby top (which has a matching hat too).
We’ve seen a lot of R’s gorgeous hexagon patchwork as it has grown over recent weeks. She’s not the only quilter in the group though. This week L showed us a quilt she’s been working on. The fabric prints, in lilac shades, have a butterfly theme.
The reverse is deep pink with polka dots.
Y has had a busy week but has not neglected her knitting. She’s been working on this cabled cardigan.
I’m still spinning alpaca and have tried dying some of it.
We had another lively session on Friday. Y has completed this amazing sweater for husband, C, made from his handspun yarn. isn’t it amazing. Y joined us from her car as she was out of the house – even the car has some of her handiwork in the form of this crocheted rainbow.
A borrowed my knitting loom set to have a go and made this baby hat. We agreed that loom knitting can be a real yarn guzzler, with several strands needed to get a decent finish.
L has been loom knitting for ages and uses chunky yarn when she can – here are some of her adult hats.
She’s also working on this pretty pink striped blanket.
S has made this barn owl motif, which will be added to a banner depicting endangered wildlife. The banner will be on show at the forthcoming Climate Change Summit.
She’s also finished a pretty baby cardigan and found the perfect buttons.
R’s patchwork is getting huge!
I’m still spinning alpaca for a jumper for myself.
We had a small but select gathering online for our Knit and Natter Group on Friday. As you can see, we are all keeping busy!
R’s hexagon patchwork (pictured above) is growing rapidly.
A is also working with hexagons – in crochet, being pieced together to make a pretty blanket in shades of pink.
L is making this knitting T shirt top.
We recently heard about an opportunity to take part in a yarn bombing event at Alnwick Garden. We are all rather excited about this and T has started already. This colourful scarf will look amazing wrapped round a tree!
I’m still spinning alpaca fleece. I’m working towards a sweater for myself.
It’s always great to see what everyone is working on.Knitting,crochet
When there’s a new baby being fussed over and showered with gifts, older siblings can get left out. When I delivered the Teddy Bear Baby Hoodie for my friend’s new baby boy I wanted to take something for his big sister. I didn’t have much time to come up with something but I made this flower hat on the knitting loom and it didn’t take long at all.
I used three strands of DK yarn, each in a different colour (purple, magenta and lilac).
When I finished it is felt there was something missing.
I crocheted a flower and sewed it on. Much better!
It was lovely to see the children and their mum this morning when I took their presents over. We sat in the garden and had coffee. What a nice way to spend a morning!
What do you make when you need a last minute gift?
It’s been a strange few weeks. The weather is all over the place (four seasons in one day) and as we gradually come out of Lockdown and readjust to yet another “new normal ” it is reassuring to find a few constants in life. Friday Knit and Natter Zoom meetings have become that, though of lately knitting seems to have ground to a halt. Fortunately the other group members have been very productive, whether they fit knitting in between work and family commitments or knit around the clock. I’m always curious (and Inspired) to see what everyone is up to because they produce such range of items. We all have such diverse knitting interests, whether that is participating in a community or charity project or knitting for ourselves and family members. Some prefer to knit smaller items such as hats or baby clothes and others prefer longer term projects like blankets or adult sweaters. There are always so many techniques being used too, whether that is colour work or cable…..and not just knitting but crochet too…and in this selection, embroidery and patchwork! Here are some of the many items they have been completing via screenshots from our weekly Zoom meetings.
LC was inspired by a pattern in a magazine and quickly completed this Fair Isle Cushion cover in bright primary colours.
Y completed her sock knitting challenge and raised money for charity. She also made a boy’s hoodie with a diamond cable panel, a red jacket with a contrasting white design on the yoke and a reverse stocking stitch jumper in pretty pastels with a lacy panel (from her “Knit in a Box” subscription). She even made some mittens at the request of someone with a Bearded Collie – they already had some yarn spun from their dog’s coat and wanted an item made from it. They look super-warm! Both Y and her husband spin yarn – he’s been prepping several different sheep fibres on the drum carder and now Y is knitting him a jumper with the yarn he’s spun. Teamwork!
R finished her aqua ombre scarf and is now working on something completely different. She’s returned to a project she began with her mother some 50 years ago! She’s hand sewing a patchwork of hexagons. It’s been lovely to see all the fabric colours and designs and watch it growing with each week as more sections are added.
Also getting bigger is T’s blanket. We’ve all fallen in love with the raspberry pink/red shades.
LG’s crochet blanket in black and grey with a hint of pink is now finished. It’s a great colour combination….sort of girly goth! She then moved on to a colourful rainbow scarf and is now making a much paler baby pink blanket
The group have made a lot of baby clothes since we began, and these have been sent to good causes at home and abroad. Gill has been busy continuing this and producing some lovely items, including a very pretty multicolour cable jumper.
S has been making baby items too.. These her most recent completions.
She also told us about a project she’s been involved with to create a banner for the Climate Change Summit being held later this year. This will be comprised of many small panels made by participating crafters, each with their own environmental themed designs. S has used some examples of endangered wildlife on her contributions. The finished banner is going to give an amazing depiction of biodiversity under threat from climate change.
Our newest member A has also been making charity baby clothes including, bootees and hats as well as a cuddly bunny. She recently acquired a new book full a patterns for different hats and scarves and made a flowery one – perfect for using up oddments of yarn!. She also made a cabled headband with a Celtic weave design
After some information was circulated round the group about a plan to create a display of knitted poppies for Remembrance Day later in the year , we were all a bit puzzled by the pattern supplied. It included a twist to give the shape but it wasn’t very clear about how to do this. We put our heads together one Friday and Y worked it out, then A found a You Tube video that showed a similar technique. What a collaboration!
No doubt I’ve missed some items out for which I apologise….I really need to keep up to date with my blog!
STOP PRESS
The group met again today and I just had to post about LC’s Fair Isle cushion, now completed with a stylish ribbed edge and button closure as it looks amazing. I didn’t take any other photos as we were enthusiastically discussing potential plans to take part in a yarn bombing project. !
Have you ever done yarn bombing? I’d love to hear about what you did.
Stitches by the Sea 