The Joy of Sox

What a great title for a book of sock patterns.

The patterns in the book are great for solid/ semi-solid yarns. Infact just perfect for the yarns that I have been dying.

I was nearly seduced by ' A roll in the hay' as I have yarn that pretty much perfectly matches.

but after a conversation with Rachael (who was next on the sock knitting list) I have in fact cast on 'Making up socks' After a false start due to a mistake in the wording in the pattern, I am underway. This is a toe up sock, not my favorite method of construction, but I am willing to give it a go and it is knitting up very nicely.

Picking and throwing!

Just had a fab weekend in Cornwall with my mum. The great thing with a 4 hour journey is plenty of knitting time and then more time to sit around knitting and cosying in front of the fire.

I just wanted to share with you a colour work technique that my mum was using: Working a two colour pattern she was throwing (knitting english style) with one colour and picking (knitting european style) with the other. This results in much quicker colour work and less tangles.

Here is what it looks like:

Not a great picture to be fair, but you get the idea!

Peg doll fairies

I have been experimenting today with making peg dolls. We are running a drop in workshop on making peg dolls at the Syresham Community Crafting Roadshow on the 5th September.

I have decided to name my fairies after flowers.

Forget-me-not:



Rose:




Thistle:

Bloggin' in the Cafe.

well my home network connection has let me down, so I have taken myself to the cafe and am using their internet connection. Couldn't resist a capucino and a spot of lunch!

Plans for February's craft extravaganza are well underway. We are collecting a variety of stalls, with lots of different crafts for sale: wool, glass, jewellery, cross stitch cards and home textiles. Something there for everyone! But there are still tables available, so if you would like to book a table at £10, please e-mail me on mail@pinmoneycrafts.co.uk

We are also getting the timetable of events sorted out and I can announce the first two Craft classes: Learn to crochet a Valentine's heart and a Make a button bracelet.

Drop in sessions so far: Tassle making, Learn to knit for kids (absolute basics!) and Peg doll making.

If you have a craft skill that you would like to share please contact me on the e-mail address above, to discuss running a crafts class or drop in session in February (or indeed March or May). Equally if there is a particular craft that you would like to have a go at, please let me know and I will try and find a tutor and put on a class.

Well that is all for now, coffee is drunk and panini eaten, I had better get on with other jobs on the list. Those socks won't knit themselves.........

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very happy New Year and I hope you had a great crafty Christmas. I did find some time to set down in among the hectic and get a bit of knitting done. ( I had to try out the new sock needles given to me by my husband!:-) )


I have one event to catch you up with:

...........the 1st Community Crafting Roadshow on 4th Dec 2010 in Brackley. A really good day was had by the stall holders and craft class attendees. The snow and rain, didn't quite keep all the punters at bay, so there was also a great deal of mooching, shoppping, chatting and tea drinking going on.

And one event to tell you about:

.........0ur next Community Crafting Roadshow is happening on the 5th February in Syresham Village Hall. Again the day will run from 10 am until 4.30pm, with drop in sessions, craft classes and lots of handmade goodies to browse and spend any left over Christmas money on. (Chance would be a fine thing, but it will be nearly Valentine's day, and so there is an excuse!)

Speaking of Valentine's - what better way would there to show your appreciation of a loved one than to go on the 'Crochet a Valentine's heart' Craft Class? You will learn a few of the basic stitches and leave with at least one heart completed and the skill to make more - or indeed crochet other things, as the stitches are used in most crochet projects. Book on our website.