A raffle in 2000 had a number of prizes – a fine handspun lace scarf, two hand-knitted lap rugs, some handwoven cushions, and two hand spun, handknitted beanies.
These were the dolls we raffled in 2002:
…. and here is the handspun, handknitted blanket that we raffled in 2005:
Last weekend, I found a cone of fine white wool, and wound warp for 2 scarves. I went into town, and dyed the warp in the Guild rooms, on the wonderful, long, plastic covered tables. I used primary colour Gaywool dyes, and painted the warp from red through purple, blue and green and back to red again. Then I wrapped it up and popped into the microwave 2 4-minute bursts on medium high, then another 3 minutes or so on high. Some of the dye leaked from my insecurely-wrapped ends, but otherwise it went well, and I now have a dry warp in wonderful crimson rosella colours.
At last week’s meeting, four of us were wearing handknitted socks. Yes, the mock-fairisle yarn is popular!
From L to R – Jenny, Bronwyn, Judy and Margaret.
Linda’s ‘Something New’
Linda’s description:
I have finally finished my first attempt at weaving! Bronwyn recently introduced Christine and me to the art at a workshop. Most of the technique is a bit hazy now and will need to be reinforced with my next project.
I wanted to learn about different patterns and to experience how they each affected the mix of colours and the feel of the finished fabric. From the examples given to us, I chose a pattern for each end of the scarf, that I would also weave in reverse, and four patterns that I thought would look the same on both sides for the middle.
I decided to weave 15cm for each pattern with a plain weave of 2.5cm between. I finished off the end tassels with a very nifty hair-twisting tool that I borrowed from the group.
The most important lesson I learnt is that I really need to pay attention if the pattern has more than four lines – and even then sometimes. I really only lost the plot once, and I’m pretty pleased with the finished scarf and eager to start the next weaving project.
Jenny’s Something New
Writing about this project has taken longer than actually knitting it! A moebius strip is a band or surface with only one side and one boundary edge. Clear as mud huh? Try Googling the term if you need to know more!
So why knit a moebius scarf? Well, thee are no ends to flop around and get in the way or need tucking into a coat. As it is circular, it wears evenly,and the half-twist gives it a nice drape, unlike a full twist. And it’s fun when you inevitably have to explain to someone what you’re knitting (or have knit), and you watch their brain go into meltdown…..
My scarf was based on a Cat Bordhi pattern, the Cashmere Moebius Cowl. The yarn was a Touch 4 ply merino in a variegated purple/green/black. The needles were 4 mm 150 cm Addi Turbo circulars. I made a tactical error with the needle length and really should have used 120 cm circulars. The needle needs to be long enough to hold all the stitches along the boundary edge but not so long that the knitting has to be stretched. And I hadn’t wanted to go too short (take a pair of 80 cm circulars and make it form two loops then consider knitting something like that – no thanks!). As the boundary edge goes around the scarf twice, my 150 cm needles forced me to knit a scarf with at least a 75 cm circumference. So I had something like 180 stitches to cast on once I worked out a gauge from a tension swatch (which, because it is double sided, gives 360 stitches).
The cast on is double sided and runs down the centre. It’s like a long tail cast on but uses the circular needle as the tail. I used instructions from The Girl From Auntie and an instructional video (note: 6.7 MB file) but there is now Cat Bordhi’s demonstration available (still about 5 MB). My moebius had a diagonal pattern, which ends up making chevrons. The best way to understand it all is not to think too much about it and just do it!
During knitting the cable part of the circular needle holds the stitches on the bottom, the tail of yarn from casting on comes off the middle of the knitting on the right, and a stitch marker is needed to tell when a round is complete (since you come past that tail twice in a round).
The first half-round is a pain to knit because the stitches are tight and have to be un-twisted, but after that it was really easy. It only took about three weeks, not spending a lot of time knitting. After finishing and washing, the yarn relaxed much more than expected, so rather than going twice around my neck it goes three times. But it is very cosy.
If I was to do it again, then I would use a bulkier yarn (the 4 ply is too flimsy), 120 cm circulars and a different stitch pattern – stocking stitch alternating with reverse stocking stitch (just turn the knitting inside out and knit in the reverse direction – no need to purl). With fewer stitches, it would be a really quick knit.
Lynne’s Something New
HOW TO AVOID ‘SECOND SOCK SYNDROME’
I can’t remember whether I heard or read somewhere that a sock could be knitted on two circular needles instead of four (or five) pins. I was considering trying that trick when the thought crossed my mind… could I knit two socks together on two circular needles…? Well, I tried, but it wasn’t a happy idea. Could I do it on THREE? I couldn’t see why not, but was a bit bamboozled as to how to go about it.
After a few false starts, I managed to get half the stitches for each sock on each of two circular needles. I recommend using short needles and two balls of wool, but I only had long ones and one large ball of variegated sock wool! I put the ball on one of the CD spindles that Noni provided (another use for those) and used the thread from the outside for one sock and from the centre for the other. This, of course, meant that the colour repeats are reversed on one sock – another good reason for using two balls. Fortunately, Noel is happy to have socks, whatever the colour, and if I don’t point out the difference he probably won’t even notice.
Apart from a minor irritation of thelong needles hanging about, the plan worked until I reached the heels. I use the Niantic heel, which needs decreased stitches to be left on the needle until picked up again when increasing. More head scratching and consideration brought me to the conclusion that it would be easier to do the heels one at a time. Once the heels were turned I continued with the two at a time method without problem.
There was absolute relief from ‘Second Sock Syndrome’, because once one sock was finished the pair was finished, hence the opportunity to get on with something else. I probably will use this method again as it is quicker, but most likely not with the long needles. Untangling them was a bit of a pain. The ball on the spindle wasn’t a problem except for the colour reversal. Try it, sock knitters, and see what you think.
PS re SECOND SOCK SYNDROME
OK, all you knitters can stop laughing now! The penny has finally dropped. OF COURSE the two socks can be knitted on two circular needles … if you use both ends of THE SAME NEEDLE! I was using the third needle to knit off the two halves on one needle, then using the newly vacated needle to knit off the other two halves! It was a bit like manipulating soggy spaghetti but it worked. TWO needles work much better! And, YES, I am doing more socks without second sock syndrome, and enjoying it more. It has been a double bunger “Something New”, and quite a learning experience.
HAPPY SOCKING.
Lynne
Kaye’s Something New
Broomstick Crochet Scarf
By Kaye Keller (a member of our group who actually lives a long way south of us!)
The Mildura group has explored this craft for the last month and produced some excellent results … tea cosies, coat hangers, cushions, scarves and berets … and great fun!.
Instructions used were from: Creative Knitting #6, page 17
Designed by Dale’s Hand Knits (fax: 02 4951-6513 email: pdstau@idl.net.au)
I have completed my “Scarf Exchange” scarf and I am quite pleased with the result. I have mentioned the exercise to the girls at Armidale when I have visited and doubtless you have heard of it. It’s great fun and the rewards are exciting. One never knows what you get back after the effort you put in for your wool. I have been well rewarded for my efforts over the last 8 years. I recommend any group to join in. Dubbo has the job this year, so if you are down that way in October pop in and have a look, as it is worth it.
Regards Kaye
Margaret’s baby blanket
Margaret has woven a baby blanket for each of her grandchildren.. She brought this beautiful one in today for us to see, before it goes to the baby due shortly.
Raffle doll progress
In a busy afternoon yesterday, a number of members worked on the cloth dolls for a raffle. Our first doll has been sewn up and stuffed, and the second one is well on its way. Lynne brought in the gorgeous set of socks, mittens, scarf and hat that she’d knitted from left-over sock yarn, and Linda brought in the wonderful, warm handspun and handknitted aran cardigan – so despite still waiting on hair and a face, doll 1 is looking fantastic already!
Other members are planning an assortment of clothes for the two dolls, so their wardrobe will expand over the next few weeks.
Special visitors yesterday, were two of Lynne’s granddaughters – who won the first doll raffle a few years ago, and still have and love their pair of dolls. They’ve given us some useful advice about making this pair – including a suggestion for a baby doll to go with the pair. So, I’ll hunt out a pattern for a similar, smaller doll.
Australia Day display
We’ll be at Armidale’s Australia Day celebrations on Friday at the Armidale Racecourse, with a display of some of our work, and spinning and weaving in action.
Anyone who happens to be in town that day is welcome to stop by and say hello, and join in the fun!
Australia Day photos
Judy, Karen and Lynne at our display. Judy is working on the hair for one of our raffle dolls – she made the gorgous blue and mauve jumper and skirt outfit.
Linda and Jenny spinning away.
Given our limited time to set things up, and the vagaries of the space we had, our display was very informal – but that’s okay, given that the nature of Australia Day celebrations is informal and relaxed! The two looms were popular, with many kids and adults having a ‘hands-on’ go at weaving. All in all, it was a successful day, and fortunately not too hot!
The big move
We’ve been busy, getting ready for the big move to our new premises under the grandstand at the Showground. We’ve been clearing out 15+ years of accumulated bits and pieces, packing up, and planning what will go where in the new space. Yesterday we had a garage sale to sell some excess equipment.
The new space is probably a similar size to our current space, but it’s all one room, rather than three, and we’ll be sharing it with other groups, including groups with kids who might find our equipment too tempting to ‘play’ with. So, we’re only taking what we’ll use, and can stack in one area of the room that can be screened off. (As much as one can ‘stack’ table looms and spinning wheels!!)
Friday the removalists are coming at 9am – we hope to be all moved by about 11am! Since our present rooms have external, wooden stairs and many of us are not young and fit, we decided it was worth the expense of getting removalists to do all the hard work of carting gear down the stairs. (One of the big things in favour of the new premises is that there are NO stairs!)
Saturday 17th will be our first meeting in the new premises – and we’re looking forward to unpacking and making it our new ‘home’. Hmmm… this event might call for some champagne. Or some wicked chocolate cake. Or both!
Moving…
One of our old rooms, with almost everything gone. Leaving here marks the end of an era – the group has been meeting in this building for 20 or more years.
Settingup and unpacking in the new room – which has the advantages of being a larger, single room, and – most importantly! – with no stairs. We can park right outside the door, and easily cart looms, spinning wheels etc inside through wide doors.
Four of us got a fair amount achieved in just a couple of hours – we’ll finish off most of it this afternoon, and gradually settle in and build the ‘homey’ feel.
Armidale Show
We’ll be demonstrating spinning and weaving in the Main Pavilion at the Armidale Show tomorrow and Saturday. As well as a hands-on demonstration, we’ll also have flyers about this years spinning and weaving workshops – please see the ‘Workshops’ link above.
Our agreement with the Showground means that the Show Society uses our room during the Show, so we’re not doing a display in there. But perhaps we might have an Open Day sometime in the near future – maybe even an official opening! (Any excuse for champagne 
)
Members have done a great job sorting out and setting up the new space, and I think all are agreed that it’s got a good ‘feel’ to it – welcoming, comfortable, and pleasant to work in.
(Yes, sanding back the big work table and the chairs and repainting/staining them are on the ‘to do’ list! )
Armidale Show photos
Jenny and Robyn spinning at the Armidale Show in Friday. Yes, we spent two days there, surrounded by amazing superfine merino fleeces (our region specialises in superfine wool) – but I don’t think any went missing
Our display was informal, because we couldn’t be there all the time (the Show runs until late each night), but people seemed to appreciate being able to handle the items we put out on the table. Quite a few people ‘had a go’ at the table loom, inkle loom, and on a spinning wheel, and kids in particular (but adults too!) appreciated being able to take away their lengths of handspun yarn. We unwind what they’ve spun from the bobbin, and let it twist on itself to form a 2-ply, and voila, a child has something to show family and friends.
Margaret won first place in the woven item from handspun yarn…
…and first place for an item of handspun, and Champion of the spinning section. Well done, Margaret!
Linda entered the show for the first time, with her wonderful twill scarf – her second piece of weaving ever, and beautifully even.
My rainbow scarf won in the handwoven item from commercial yarn, and made Champion of the weaving section…
..but it faced some very strong competition from Margaret’s beautiful scarf!
Sadly, this year there were very few entries in the knitting section – so Jenny’s hand-dyed Jaywalker socks and my socks duelled for honours in the sock class.
Open day and Grand opening
To celebrate our move to our new premises, we’ll be holding an Open Afternoon on Saturday, 21st April, from 2pm to 5pm. Members of the public are welcome to come and see a display of our work, and to try some hands on spinning and weaving.
We’ll have an short ‘Opening Ceremony’ at around 3.30pm, with champagne to celebrate, and afternoon tea to follow. We’re delighted that our local member of State Parliament, Richard Torbay, will be able to attend our Opening.
Opening celebrations
Part of our display.
Our weaving friend Nancy drove up from Tamworth to join us, and is here admiring Noni’s colourful rug, made from knitting samples.
Our local member of the NSW State Parliament, Richard Torbay, having a go at spinning on the Great Wheel.
Judy, one of our longest-serving members, unveiling our new sign for the entrance. Thanks go to Judy’s husband, Peter, for contributing his sign-writing expertise.
Special guest, Richard Torbay, generates laughter.
Richard proposing a toast to a successful future for the group.
Weaving workshop
A few images from the workshop in June:
Jenelle and Judy hard at work.
Jenelle’s variegated log cabin scarf.
Gwenda’s scarf in gorgeous autumn tones.
Some of the group at work.
Armidale Spinners and Weavers 