Nuisance underlined advertisements!

Sorry all - there seems to be some sort of glitch here and in other sites where random words are underlined somehow and hovering over them - or clicking on them, thinking you are linking to a legitimate site - will give you an annoying advert.  I've tried to remove the ones that attach themselves as I publish posts, but one or two just won't go.  So annoying!

Knitting on a rainy day in Orewa

Once again we met, we shared, we laughed and we knat!  Some amazing work being done - welcome to Heather and Helen who both returned after a break, and thanks so much to Barbara D and Mary for sharing some of their 'stash' - such excitement.
Wee Blake has been sick so was not with us this week - hopefully he'll be back on board for our class next week.  Melissa and Jonty knitted up a storm - Jonty is now vocalising and made us very aware of his opinions on our work - as any 11 week old will (!).

Worldwide Knitting In Public - KIP - celebration

Despite the freezing cold weather (by Orewa standards!) we have re- yarn bombed the tree outside the Estuary Arts Centre at the Western Reserve in Orewa, north of Auckland.  This has consistently had some lovely knitted and crocheted embellishments over the last couple of years, however recently someone has removed everything!  Here's hoping these lovely ones stay a lot longer.

In loving memory

Winsome Routley, our lovely friend and fellow Kaipatiki knitter passed away after a short illness.  She will be very much missed.

New generations at knitting . . .

Last week's Wednesday group hosted 3 (count them!) 3 knitting babies - lovely.
Today at Kaipatiki we were relocated due to a major flood following a burst pipe, but that didn't stop Koewyn learning some new crochet moves!

Term 2 is about to start . . .

Although some of us haven't stopped!  I am starting a jacket for my man, plus trying to get some of those UFOs (UnFinished Objects) completed!  Check out the new photo of Muriel from the Kaipatiki group - her new sleeveless jacket is absolutely gorgeous.  Bashi also completed her mauve shawl - sorry, no photo - we were taking and laughing too much!
The Kaipatiki bicycle is ready to hit the streets.
At the Estuary we are gearing up towards the 'Transforming the Square' exhibition in November - all others are also welcome to be involved.  I think I'll look for a bigger space, the rate we're going.  We'll be talking details next week so we can do a floorplan and layout of all the great work.
Literacy North Shore is advertising the Knitting with Numbers course I am offering there next term, and there is a Saturday workshop available in May at Selwyn College - check it out.
See you soon!  Keep knitting and sharing ideas and inspirations.  :)

Knitting in all the right places!

Hi everyone, the latest knitting news from the Knitcetera crew is that we are starting to think about winter knits already!  With the weather cooling down, some if us are knitting beanies, scarves and other winter warmers.  We are not forgetting the graffiti knitting aspects of our knitting though, with a small group steadily building up a store of attachable flowers, etc ready for our next foray!

Kaipatiki knitters are looking forward to the big shift in May when we will accompany Jill and the crew to their new premises next to Marlborough Hall in Glenfield - very exciting.  And the veranda looks just the place for some lovely baskets of knitted flowers, methinks!

Anyone interested in diversifying into some sewing as well as knitting, remember to ask for a peek at our stash at the Estuary Arts Centre - glorious material offcuts to set the creative juices flowing!

Clarifying what we're doing

Hi all - the 2 groups are going really well now and I am being asked to do demos at other sites around town.  Just to clarify - at present the Monday group - Kaipatiki knitters - is very much a creative social group with a touch more knitting than other things, but those other things now include (although are not limited to): crochet, sewing, embroidery, design, community development, gossip, eating, laughing, sharing, tea/coffee supping, saving the planet/ruling the world!  These sessions are free and include provision of some donated materials.  We meet every Monday (except public holidays) at the Community HUB on the corner of Rodney Road and Queen Street, Northcote from 10am til 12.30 or thereabouts.  I am the designated "Knitter in the room" and am usually in attendance to help if necessary, but others are also skilled and willing to assist.
Our next project is a 'Hands on knitting session' at the Birkenhead Library's outdoor area - pink couches and all - more about this later.  The Birkenhead Primary School 'Knitwits' are also interested in being involved in the upcoming Estuary art exhibition in November (see below).
Orewa's Estuary knitters are more focussed on knitting, although we are starting to branch out a bit, with some crochet, beading, etc creeping in slowly.  Sessions are $5 and are held on Wednesdays during school term times from 12.30 til 2.30pm at the Estuary Arts Centre in the Western Reserve, Hibiscus Coast Highway in Orewa.  The Cafe is open then and members of our group, which is growing all the time, are welcome to order food and drinks which may be served in the Education Room.  While I facilitate that group, and have a folder of suggestions and more formal lessons, others here are also very able and willing to help anyone who needs it.  This group is focussing on a mini-exhibition at the Estuary Arts Centre in November.  At this stage we are looking at a theme of "Recycling/transforming the square".  We also already have an installation at the Kaipara Garden Centre's Sculpture Garden just out of Kaukapakapa.

We're back!! 2012 is in full swing

Welcome back Knitceteras!  Apologies for delays in getting more on here.  We have been very busy over Christmas, had a wee bit of a break over the "summer" holidays and are back in full swing.  There are now 2 regular groups - Estuary Knitters and Kaipatiki Knitters.  Estuary meets at the Estuary Arts Centre at the Western Reserve in Orewa every Wednesday of school terms from 12.30 to 2.30pm.  The cafe is open then and the food and coffees are lovely.  We are focussing on our own projects so far, but planning a mini-exhibition in November - more to come on that.  Sessions cost $5 per person.  Some resources provided - also access to my extensive library of knitting, crochet and craft books.
Kaipatiki meets at the "Hub", corner or Rodney Road and Queen Street, Northcote, North Shore every Monday from 10.00am to around 12.30.  These sessions are free and there are a lot of resources available here too.  This group has been making bags, and is looking at toys now.  We also have people who bring along their patchwork and other craft to share and have at least one dedicated crocheter.  Recently we 'yarnbombed' the Kaipatiki Bridge between Beachhaven and Glenfield, but several pieces were removed (by people with no sense of humour, we think!) we are now making more, bigger, brighter things to bomb with.  And this group will also be able to participate in the November exhibition, including the kids from Birkenhead Primary School, whose mothers came to talk and learn, and - ably lead by Suzy - are teaching the "Knitwits" the fun of knitting.

Out with the old and in with the new! At Kaipara

Check out the photo album on my Facebook page for all the pics  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150347239809016.350235.743569015&type=1&l=2e864acf14

Term 4 starts tomorrow

Knitting at Orewa - Estuary Arts Centre - starts Wednesday 19th October.  I am starting evening classes again as the weather is warming up so I hope we'll get more people along.  This term both classes will focus on Christmas.  I will bring a range of patterns and ideas - feel free to share.  See you there - bring friends!

Have a look at the latest article on Suite 101 - guess who wrote it!

And yes, the message is there - can you guess what I am planning for 2012?
http://jennifer-kipfer.suite101.com/knitting-a-new-yarn-a392104

Our fame spreads!

Check out Wendy Craig's article in this online magazine, Suite101 to read about knitters stretching the boundaries - she's also included us!
http://wendy-craig.suite101.com/knitting-as-outdoor-art-knit-art-moves-up-and-out-a389915

Great times at Kaipatiki HUB

Lots of fun every Monday morning at Northcote Hall, corner Rodney Road & Queen St.  All welcome.

I'm back! Here's my new artwork

Hi all - sorry for the absence.  Been busy, but not  posting.  Anyway, here is my latest artwork that I've produced for the 'Made in New Zealand' exhibition opening Thursday 22 September.  I used recycled lighting materials, fibres sourced both locally and commercially and utilised techniques of various knitting and crochet styles.  I call it "Koru Bling" as it combines the organic aspects of the traditional koru while incorporating glimpses of the shiny bling within it.

Kaipatiki Knitters - Monday mornings

Look at this wonderful environment!  We are knitting pinkly in preparation for Highbury's 'pink' day on 14th October.  We meet here every Monday morning from 10am til 12.30pm - all welcome.  :)

Lovely warm times - regardless of the weather

What a lovely bunch we are!  Even though the temperatures have been downright nasty, our Wednesday group is such a great lot of supportive, cheerful people!  Today's session was really great - lots of sharing and laughter. We have agreed to use whatever we need to for our foundations for the Kaipara pieces - drainpipes, etc are proving difficult to source - apparently there is a lot of excellent recycling of pvc pipe offcuts in the building trade - great stuff.
Anyway, we seem to have at least 2 themes happening - we will be making a bit of an enchanted garden, and also something to reflect our local areas.
There is also the opportunity for artists to make items for the Estuary Art Centre's next exhibition, NZ made - see their website for more information:  http://www.estuaryarts.org/
Keep up the good work.  :)

New venue for Wednesday evening classes

Our Wednesday night classes will now be held at flat 1 (the front one), 60 Riverside Road, Orewa.  Please park in the student carparking area 2 doors down on the same side, or in the onstreet parking opposite.
See you there.

Term 3 has started

Hi all, and welcome to this term - a very warm welcome to Heather, who is 'new'.  It was wonderful to see Natasha and her beautiful new baby boy for a visit and a cuddle too.

There are some wonderful ideas for our pipes and tubes installation at Kaipara in October, with some people already starting work.  The idea is to use plastic plumbing pipes as a base for covers which incorporate knitting in some way, but that represent us and/or our places in our communities.  Each person may prefer to do one pipe, or to work with a group. The pipes come in a range of sizes and we are sourcing these now.  More about this as we progress.  It would be great to include examples from other communities around NZ - let me know if you are interested at kipfers@xtra.co.nz

The Monday morning group at the old Northcote Point War Memorial Hall in North Shore is building momentum.  10.30am to 12.30pm each Monday.  Everyone welcome.

And we're up and running again!

Hi all
Abject apologies to those who turned up last week - I thought I'd managed to communicate to everyone.  We are DEFINITELY starting classes this week.  I have already started down at the old war memorial hall in Northcote Point on the North Shore - Mondays 10.30am, if you want to join us.  Lots of fun and laughs.  Just starting, and we are looking to spin some new groups off from this one.

Orewa groups are raring to go.  We will be discussing the new installation for the Kaipara Sculpture Gardens, and the rest of term 3 - I will add the course outline here.  Lots of fun coming here soon!

Oh, and if you want to learn to crochet, or to take your crocheting to the next level, just let me know - there's a small group starting to meet semi-regularly on a Friday morning at the Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa.

Watch this space for news of some kids sessions through primary schools soon.  :)