Just Unwind

A Welcome Change

Rain, rain and more rain. It feels as though we have been stuck under a grey and frequently torrential rain cloud for months. Lazy winds blowing sideways, lashing the rain against the windows (called 'Lazy' winds not because they are slow or easy, but because the try to go through you, rather than around you!). So when the weather forecaster said cold and sunny, I almost cheered.

Out can come the warm coat with jazzy lining, rose buttons and matching scarf. This scarf was the prototype for my 'Diamond Reversible Scarf in DK' which can be found on my web-site. I often find my best designs come from creating an item which I personally need.

So a few welcome days off from the rain coat with its very practical hood, and velcro!!!!!

I might even get out in the garden this week. The snowdrops and miniature daffodils have survived being waterlogged for months, so there is hope.

Funny how spring-like sunshine inspires hope!

Jo

 

Crochet In The Yorkshire Dales

Just over a week ago I spent a lively day at the home of Carole, a friend I have made through one of my local Knit & Natter groups. She had several friends who were wanting to learn to crochet, so we teamed up. I organised the crochet, and Carole being an excellent caterer, organised the food!

The day was grey, raining (oh there's a surprise!) and just perfect for being sat with a log fire, good company and yarn. The ladies settled in with Tea, Coffee and a wonderful Date Slice, then we got to work.

Each person chose three colours of yarn, as the aim was to have everyone crochet a granny square which could eventually be made into a small blanket or cushion cover.

The morning was spent in equal amounts of entertaining stories, as the ladies had been friends for many years, interspersed with bouts of intense concentration, while people got the hang of chains, doubles, trebles, and slip stitches. As is normal at these sessions, some people turned out to have 'done a bit of crochet years ago' and picked it up again quite easily, where others really were starting from scratch. By lunchtime everyone had mastered enough to have started on their Granny Square, and we took a welcome break.

After a lunch of delicious soup and three types of fresh bread, followed by slabs of the most yummy cake and of course more tea and coffee, we continued. 

The equal amounts of encouragement and friendly rivalry made for a great atmosphere, 

Topped off with plenty of delicious food and hot tea and coffee.

None of us could believe how quickly the afternoon went.

But everyone had the hang of it by home time

So what for many would have been a wet, grey day in the Yorkshire Dales, was for us a warm, colourful, fun and very entertaining day.

Thank you Carole for being a super hostess, and thank you ladies for coming, without you the day could not have happened!

Joanne 

 

 

Freeing the Needles

Ages ago I set myself the task of freeing my knitting needles from some of my many 'works in progress'. You know how it happens, you start something wonderful, get a good way through it, then something breaks you off and the project ends up in a bag in your craft corner all forgotten.

Well I have taken up the challenge again, and here is the first of what I hope will be many completions this year.

I already have some gloves and a handbag to match it, but as I have a little of the wool left I may need to make a hat and scarf to complete the look!!! I already have the inspiration for it. Now would this class as a completely new project, or does using up the left over yarn make it ok? What do you think? Ok or Not? A tricky question all you 'yarnies' will totally understand.

I will of course let you know what I decide.

Jo :)

 

Knit & Natters, have you tried one yet?

Knit & Natters. Do they make you think 'Yes!!!!!' a lovely couple of hours out, or do you cringe at the thought of knitting/crocheting in public?

Personally I love them.

You get a great mix of people, who you might not otherwise ever meet. They are creative, inspiring, and unless you have been to a few, you would not believe the range of topics you can cover in a 2 hour session, I have been known to blush!

They are a great time to move along that project that is sticking a little, or get help if you are stuck completely. 

These are just a couple of the finished projects from the Monday group I help coordinate.

Yes she does have a face, but is a little shy!

This little guy has been made by Brenda, it is for a young friend, but she spends most of her spare time on charity knitting.

These are some of the ladies in action

As you can probably tell, this one is being held in our local library. It is in our super little meeting place in Cross Hills, and won Library of the year for North Yorkshire, way to go Ladies!

One word of advice, if you are really going for the social side, don't take anything you really need to concentrate on, it will only end in disaster!

If you haven't tried one, then give it a go. They are usually really friendly places.

Keep smiling!

Jo

Socks, New Inspiration for a New Year

You may have noticed I rather like sock knitting. 

I fell in love with them about 5 years ago when I began buying 'The Knitter' magazine. They feature some superb designs, usually fairly complicated, but absolutely divine when finished (almost too good to wear!).

My first ever sock was made was in the wrong yarn, DK cotton!!!, and I bumbled along until I had something that resembled a sock. Not a bad first attempt, but totally unwearable. So I found a local course, dragged one of my sisters along, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. After the course I was able to complete my first 'proper' pair:

I only wear them occasionally as they feel too precious.

Since then I always have some on the needles, and now offer my own courses both in Skipton, and on Knitting weekends in France. If you are interested, visit www.justunwind.co.uk, click on 'Shop' then 'Courses', please feel free to contact me for more info, the next beginner course is in February, and a combined beginners and improver class is planned for April in France!

For me there are 2 very different sides to sock knitting. There are the wonderful variegated yarns that make fabulous patterns just by simply knitting the most basic of sock. They are easy to carry in your bag for those quiet, otherwise wasted times when travelling, or hanging around at kids classes and appointments. If you end up with a stack, they make great presents.

Then there are the plain but jewel like colours that show stitch detailing so well. I love intricate patterns, but just don't have the time to make large items using 4ply yarn. So I have begun designing my own socks, taking snippets of lace patterns and cables and playing around with tension and stitch counts. It can get ridiculously complicated at times, especially when you then start to try and offer different sizes!

I now have a 'new' small sketch book to record ideas, and a hole new bag of goodies for my 'designs in progress'! You can never have too many notebooks, knitting bags, and lovely knitting paraphernalia!

Just to temp us all further, West Yorkshire Spinners have added yet again to their Signature 4ply sock yarn range. I collected 6 new yummy colours on my last visit.

Each one from the Bird Print range has at least one complimentary plain colour. It can be difficult to choose, so I have added a section on the web-site information page giving a list of the Bird Print colour with its coordinating colours. I have also linked the new tiny circular knitting pins from Knit Pro,

they are only 25cm long and are for knitting socks and cuffs in the round, they just too cute for words!

Well, that is quite enough time talking about things, I am feeling quite inspired so I am off to work on a design.

Have a lovely day.

Jo

Things to make me Smile in January

Happy New Year everyone. 

Friends of mine will already know that January is not my favourite month! Couple that with the current lousy weather and I really have to work hard to put my positive head on.

Finding and recognising the little things that make me feel happy is a challenge I set myself every January. No unatainable new year resolutions for me. Just making myself realise when something lifts my mood, or makes me smile.

So here are a few little things that are doing just that:

My brand new diary

already filling up nicely!

Finding a small note book to match my new diary:

Sad I know, but those people who share my love of note books will understand! 

A new design on my needles:

coming together nicely, and I already have some super alternative colour options planned.

And leaving the best till last, catching up with friends over a cup of tea. 

Take time to appreciate the little things, and January will soon be over. I personally am just waiting for the Snowdrops to appear, the plants in my garden are so confused they could be here any day!

What makes you smile at this time of year?

Jo

Ripples

Many, many moons ago I was inspired by Lucy of Attic 24 to learn to ripple. I started with cushions,

then progressed to baby blankets.

From there I felt the need to progress to something a little bigger!

It started life as a bag of colours.

It spent many months on the sofa arm, progressing slowly, being pushed aside for more urgent projects.

Then finally after what I think is about 3 years it has been finished!

Part of the reason for the slow progress was that I had decided to make it from random widths of crochet, something that is much harder to do than it sounds. You see, our human brain likes order and repetition, so equal numbers of rows is what we find ourselves doing. Random, on the other hand takes much more thought!

There is still some repetition in the colours and row count, but I am really pleased with the result. It is now sat happily in a pile of other things just waiting to be needed.

If you would like to spend a day in the company of other crafty people, learning rippling, check out the 'Courses' section on the web-site.

Happy rippling.

Jo ;)

 

Brocante finds at Christmas!

Hi

Just thought I you might like an update regarding my Brocante finds in Limoges, and Christmas.

While shopping on our 'Knit, Natter and Brocante' weekend in November I was on a mission to get some things to use at Christmas, and I have to say I was very successful.

This star shaped doily was just perfect.

and of course some tiny glasses for the Advocaat and Baileys, you have to be able to get your tongue right to the bottom so as not to waste a drop!

They have now started to join my other Christmas bits and bobs that I have collected over the years 

Just love this little display on my table. My type of vintage retro!

The other items are not in use yet, but there is still plenty of time before Christmas.

Have a good day.

Jo 

A Christmas Event

Hi 

Since closing the shop I find I miss the random face to face discussions I had with people about all things crafty. Getting their opinions on yarn, patterns, colour and texture, why they are creating something! Their enthusiasm was both infectious and inspiring.  I love exhibiting at Yarndale, but definitely need this fix more than once a year, so I am starting to do small shows and events to fill this gap.

Last thursday evening I ventured out in this horrible rain we are all experiencing and set up my stall at the 'Embsay with Eastby Playgroup Annual Christmas Shopping Event' (try saying that after a glass or two of mulled wine!). Held at the warm and bright Embsay Village Hall, it was a lovely atmosphere to welcome people into.

I think I had way too much stuff with me, but my stall looked full and colourful, and someone had very thoughtfully positioned my in front of additional hanging space!

I was surrounded by equally lovely stalls,

Truly Essential Beauty Therapy

Ribbons & Wrapping

Choice Baskets

Lalabud

Celebration Invitations

There were several exhibitors I knew, so we had a fun evening chatting with people and each other.

The mince pies were delicious and the ladies in the kitchen were lovely, so thank you to everyone who had a part in this, and to everyone who attended.

There is still time to order a kit for Christmas, or direct your loved one to my web-site to order it for you!

I will keep you posted on anything I plan to attend next year!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Jo X

 

Sunday Workshops

This Sunday was my first workshop to be held at 'Messengers Cottage Studio'  in Skipton.

It is a lovely creative space which just inspires you to get cracking and make something.

The workshop started at 10am and was an introduction to FairIsle Knitting. The kit I produced was to make a pair of wrist-warmers, and the plan for the day was to make one during the workshop and then make the other at home.

So we began:

With great concentration, and a few expletives (nothing too bad, we were ladies!) we worked our way through the pattern, with tips supplied as questions came up.

At 11am we broke for tea and cake

And by 1 o'clock, we were doing well and paused for a little lunch, and of course more cake.

The afternoon produced lots of chat, laughs, and a few more choice words when people lost concentration.

More tea, & cake was supplied, and we ended the day at 4pm with some almost completed items.

A big thank you to Jaki and her family for the lovely cake, endless tea, and the lovely hospitality we received.

If you are interested, Jaki also runs her own workshops which can be found at jakibogg.artweb.com , and details of my courses for next year can be found at www.justunwind.co.uk/shop.

The wind and rain are lashing my windows, but I have a Knit & Natter to attend, so goodbye for now. 

Jo :)