March 2015

A new visitor to the meeting prompted a round the table discussion about the number and variety of machines we have between us.

Plating was the topic of the month. Valerie talked about the technical side of two yarns, one through the plating feeder and the other through the main bed or the ribber. For those that do not know, one yarn knits behind the other so it gives the effect of lining the main yarn.

Samples were passed around to see the textures and look of the knitting.

 

 

Plating Feeder

These are all plating samples

Competition:
Beginners
2nd Black jumper in 4 ply and made by Jenny
1st Purple cushion made by Mandie using a garter carriage and edged with green fauxchet.

Advanced
2nd Pink and brown sweater made by Marcia on the chunky machine. The yarn is a DK and 4 ply twisted.
1st Vee created the blue and green yarns twisted together and made into a jumper and edged in bright acrylic. 
 

February 2015

Crochet was the meeting topic and we shared crochet related stories, skills and books. The crochet techniques could be used on their own or as trimmings and embellishments for machine knitted items.


Mandie had found Fauxchet on the internet and provided a demonstration. Valerie demonstrated Tunisian crochett. A few of us had a go of both types with expert help on hand. The rest of the group brought in their own crochet samples, yarn and hooks to demonstrate and try the techniques.

 February Competition
Beginners: 

• 1 entry by Mandie who made a very colourful neck warmer 

  Advanced:

• 1st Marcia with an Ann Brown jacket with the famous 14,000 rows of cord and handknitted into cuffs and bands. Standard gauge using 3 strands of french crepe.

• 2nd a childs fairisle cardigan by Sue who adpated a handknit pattern and used LK150 mid gauge with double knit sublime merino, cashmere and silk.

 

• 3rd Shirley knitted a standard gauge raglan sleeve jumper in green with a lace trim around the bottom.

 

•  4th Gillian created 2 childs sweaters in Sirdar Crofter random dyed yarn

January 2015

Welcome to our first post for 2015! The main topic was the AGM, reviewing our last years activities and looking forward and planning this years.The charity competition will be xmas top/jumper for any size, child or adult.

This meetings competition results:
Beginners:
Stephanie was the only entry and made a  brightly coloured clown. There is long story with this item. The pattern had been found in an old magazine but part of it was missing due to someone cutting out something on the other side of the page. Confident that it could be found from somewhere, Stephanie put aside the yarn and kept a lookout. Well she looked and looked but years went by and no sign of it. I think at least 5 years had passed when Vee joined our group in the latter part of last year and she brought in some magazines to recycle amongst the group and lo and behold THE magazine with full uncut pattern!!

Advanced:
1st - Vee made a pink multi coloured top with garter stitch collar and bands.
Joint 2nd - Valerie made a necklace with innovative clasps from icing nozzles. Have a look at the photo. Sue made an Ann Brown design jacket in Grigna.
3rd - Phyllis with a 2x2 rib hat and scarf.

Yes it is an icing nozzle! How innovative is that.

December 2014

During December we all enjoyed our annual xmas meal, this time at the ELY, between Blackwater and Yateley. We always exchange secret Santa gifts. This year we also gave out certificates for the end of year competition results and charity competiton. It was a great end to a very busy knitting year.

November 2014

Sandra started her talk on embellishments with decorative buttons. A number of embellishment samples were passed around. Patterns, garments and pictures were also shown to provide lots of ideas and inspiration.

Crochet

Contrasting yarn at joins adding decorative finish

Machine Embroidery

Iron on Swarovski Crystals

Swiss darning using kits

Sales Table

 

 

Beginners entry of slip stitch baby blanket with crochet endging

 

Winner of advanced November competition, knitted in jacquard on passap in 1 strand of 2/30 acrylic of each colour

2nd in advanced was Valeries ankle warmers/spats with button details

3rd in advanced was a stole by Phyllis with cuffs in and knitted in tuck rib

Gillian had the 4th entry in advanced

This years competition results:
Beginners - 1st Jenny
                        2nd Annette

Advanced - 1st Valerie
                 2nd Marcia

Well done everyone, we had a busy and creative year.

Some of us also attended a weekend workshop with Ann Brown during November, here are some photos.