Tag: virtual knit and natter

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit and Natter 11th December

Posted on by Jackie B

There appeared to be a bit of a spinners takeover at Fridays Knit and Natter Group. The two of us who spin are both new to the craft (since first lockdown) and I think we are both craving the opportunity to compare notes! My fellow spinner has now spun enough yarn in this lovely deep green to make an adult jumper and is well on with knitting it. This is going to be fabulous – it’s gansey style, with a lot of textural design across the chest and shoulders. You can see this in more detail on the pattern illustration

Her husband also started spinning at the same time so he joined us for part of the session (from another computer in the next room, where his spinning wheel is set up) – as always, screenshots don’t always work too well but you can make out the flyer on his wheel here.

She also told us about Knit in a Box. This is a subscription box – every month a box is delivered containing yarn and everything else you’ll need to make a garment (pattern, buttons etc) along with some treats (eg sweets) and knitting accessories. There are various subscription options available from 3 months in length and to knit items for babies, children (either girl or boy) or ladies.

Some lucky grandchildren have received a nice surprise from another member of the group. She just finished sewing these delightful Christmas stockings. There will be no arguments about which stocking belongs to which child when they are personalised like this. Very festive!

Since she got hold of some wool and needles there’s been no stopping our new member. She’s been making baby clothes and showed us her work in progress on this hat – such a gorgeous pink colour.

I’m still working on socks – I’ve not made much progress, but have now turned the heel on sock one.

Our online Knit and Natter Group runs on Zoom and is organised by the Social Prescribing Teams of GP surgeries in North Northumberland. It’s going to be pretty busy for the surgery staff over the next few months as COVID vaccinations are rolled out, not just for the clinical staff giving the injections but all the others too, organising the sessions and appointments and maintaining contact with the most vulnerable patients. We hope that Jane who hosts our meetings will be able to find time to wind down and do some relaxing knitting. She’s just learnt how to knit since she started running the group and has totally mastered garter stitch. We reckon she needs to get on YouTube to learn purl then she can do stocking stitch.

Posted in Uncategorized

Knit And Natter Is Back!

Posted on by Jackie B

Over the last few weeks the group have started to meet again online, using Zoom. Of course it is very different this way, but it’s been lovely to reconnect with some of my knitting friends. The group was set up as part of our local GP practice’s Social Prescribing initiative and is one of several activities set up to support patients that may be isolated or could benefit from some social activity, though it is open to all.

It is months since I wrote a Knit and Natter post. The group at Alnwick Medical Group last met in early March and the following week I had to post that it was cancelled until further notice as the COVID pandemic started to take hold.

Our group has joined forces with a similar one from the Berwick area to go online, so we’ve been meeting at 12 every Friday for the last few weeks. As well as sharing what we’ve been making and swapping patterns, it’s also been a great way to pass on information about other activities that may interest our members. For example our local Age UK branch recently produced a pack full of things to do in isolation, from puzzles and craft activities to online virtual gallery and museum tours.

Of course there’s some great knitting going on which you can see in the picture above. (clockwise from top left) . One of the group organisers has taught herself to knit and is perfecting her garter stitch – her work is growing rapidly as she gets neater and quicker. I’m busy with some brioche handwarmers. The pretty pink knitting is going to be a waterfall front cardigan. The gorgeous baby cardigan has just been completed by one of the group – she shared a photo from her phone. Finally our Berwick organiser shared a Book Club recommendation (she’s actually working on an amazing blanket at the moment).

I couldn’t resist taking a screenshot of this cuddly pup made by one of the group for her grandson. She even got a proper collar and lead for it. He is going to be one very happy little boy!

We’ve also been asked to give information about the group to a knitting magazine who are including a a feature about us!

Of course not everyone gets on with online activities like this, but at a time when more people are having to isolate themselves through a second wave of the virus it’s great that we can carry on with a safe social activity that connects us with others who have a shared interest.

Have you been able to continue any of your social knitting activities online?

Posted in Uncategorized

We have Frogspawn!

Posted on by Jackie B

Spring has sprung! The frogs in the garden ponds have been busy and we have several clumps of spawn. K reckons they have been a couple of weeks later than usual this year, so I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has noticed the same.

I went for a wander round the garden today while the boys had gone out to take the dog for a walk. The primulas are flowering as are the daffodils and crocuses. The buds are swelling on my beautiful little amelanchier tree, so it will soon be covered in the prettiest star-shaped white blossom, followed by reddish foliage. I promise to post a photo when the flowers are out.

That’s one thing at least to look forward to. Everything is being cancelled as the Coronavirus measures ramp up. Our plans for a theatre visit to Edinburgh to see The Lion King is off, as is a late birthday present for my mother, to see a show at the Sage, Gateshead. I also had tickets for two shows at the recently refurbished Alnwick Playhouse. As a community venue that receives only a small proportion of its income from public funding, this much-loved local theatre has asked if those who had tickets would either waive refunds or accept a credit to be used against future purchases instead. Other theatres are doing the same. No doubt the Elbow concert we were to see next month will be off too. I hope the vibrant UK Arts Scene recovers and that the businesses threatened by this crisis survive.

Regular activities are curtailed too as unnecessary social contact is advised against. For me that means that choir, ukulele group, book club and knit and natter are stopped for the foreseeable future. Most of us make use of WhatsApp and other social media to keep in touch and I hope we can be creative about maintaining some sort of virtual activity online.

All this is against a background of no reported cases in Northumberland, though as people are being advised to self isolate if they have symptoms there may well be some affected by now. It makes the whole situation seem rather unreal.

We live in interesting times!

Are you involved in any groups that are grasping the challenge of online-only activity? I’d love to hear about what you are doing.