Getting exciting now!

Our exhibition is starting to create a buzz!  Estuary Art Centre's new Administration Co-ordinator, Debra, has invigorated the website and already we are starting to get new people for the classes, while I got a call from one of the Centre's volunteers today to book in for a guided look at Knitcetera towards the end of the month.  The Orewa Girl Guides are also coming through. I am compiling the calendar of workshops and we will be having some fun!  Jennie Eade will take a freeform bagmaking class, Sharleen Greer will be teaching crochet to people who want to take their work to a more advanced level, while I will do sessions on hyperbolic crochet - the Seagardens Aotearoa installation will form part of our exhibition.  Sian and I will be taking a "High tea at the Estuary" session, knitting cakes and sandwiches, and I'll also present Tunisian knitting and flowermaking workshops.  There may be more!

Knitting with cotton

Had some fun today experimenting with knitting using cotton.  It's a very unforgiving medium, but fun to try something new.  We have several different string bag patterns, mostly based around using dpns (double-pointed needles) or circular needles, but I managed to find at least 2 that are knitted using 2 needles, one one to crochet.
Lorraine is knitting an old-fashioned cotton dishcloth.  It looks great in basket stitch, which Natasha is also using - just to experiment at the moment while she also finishes her lovely 'petally' tea cosy.  Speaking of tea cosies, Jan M's 2 are gorgeous!  Sian and I have been scouring the op shops to get some decent-sized and shaped teapots to display them on - we're doing well, with 6 already, plus one that Berenice has kindly lent us.

No new photos tonight - I took my camera but forgot to use it today - too busy and too pre-occupied with new things.  Robyn's knitted panel "Orewa Beach to the Estuary" is gorgeous now it is finished, and Kaywin's felted butterflies will look wonderful in our garden display.  Her lined tunisian bags are also lovely.  So little time now - Barbara D and I nearly went mad trying to translate a very complicatedly written pattern for her aran chair - we're adapting it as we feel our design will look much better - and be a lot easier to knit.

Missing those who couldn't make it to today's sessions, but we trust you're all keeping up the good work!

Worldwide Knit in Public - KIP

Click here to find a KIP near you on the worldwide website.  We are there for Saturday 18th June this year.  :)

email me for patterns

Sorry - have had to remove patterns as they kept coming up in the link address.  Anyone interested in learning how to make any of the items featured here, drop me a line - by email or on this blog as a comment and I'll respond.  :)

Knitting in the round sessions

We had some fun with this - all agreed that the 4- double pointed needle (dpns) option is the best.  The circular needles are awkward, especially if you have one of the more inflexible types.  Number one tip: ALWAYS be extremely careful not to twist the work as you join it.  Once the initial join is made, then you can do what you like, it will just push back to the right way round.
Robyn brought a whole bag of incredible additions for the exhibition.  Today's other photo is of Trudi's work-in-progress - a miniature table & chair.  Gorgeous!

Girl Guides' session

Sian and I, accompanied and assisted by Sian's daughter Emma, attended the local Girl Guides last night and taught a session on knitting.  Most of the 21 girls had never knitted before, but they were great!  We covered casting on (start as you mean to go on, I always say!) and basic straight knitting.  We had some samples of a little mobile phone cover and I had typed out the wee pattern for that and a little purse.  They were really enthusiastic and by the end of an hour, all were knitting!
There were a few left-handers, so we were 'mirroring' what we did, and they all managed to form the loop, knit 14 cast on stitches on, then knit several rows.  I have sent them all off with a pair of knitting needles, a ball of wool and the pattern - although it is more for inspiration than for the actual instructions.
We are returning next week to help them finish off, sew up and - if time permits - to make a little flower for embellishing.  They are interested in coming along to the exhibition and the leader said she may organise an outing so they can come along.  If so, I can put on a workshop for them - such fun!

Mummy's poppies

In 1934, when my mother, Esther Hollander, was 15 years old, she painted her poppies picture.  For the exhibition I have constructed a knitted homage to her painting.  (Thanks to Sian for making the cornflowers for me).  I am so proud of it - hey Julie, send me a photo of Mummy's daffodils and maybe I'll try that next - later!