Free Craft Day

The free craft day will run from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm and will be held in the museum chapel. Patterns will be available for experienced knitters, whilst the museum’s hand-knitting machines will enable everyone else to easily create stunning woollen flowers. Felt activities will also be available for smaller children and for those who would like to make two pieces, they can take one home. Refreshments will be available to buy in the chapel and normal admission charges apply if you wish to visit the rest of the museum.

Paul Baker, museum manager, said “When we were invited to get involved with the National Woollen Woods project we jumped at the chance. We can’t wait to see Rushcliffe Park decorated with knitted and crocheted flora and fauna and love the fact that many will have been made by our visitors”.

Woollen Woods is a national initiative organised by Voluntary Arts Week. The aim is to bring outdoor spaces alive with woodland-themed textile artwork in support of the Campaign for Wool. When Eden Arts originally created the concept in 2013 it was just displayed in Cumbrian National Trust Properties. However it has now grown to cover five sites across the UK including Rushcliffe Country Park Nottinghamshire. The outdoor exhibition will be on display from 15th to 24th May 2015. For more information on the project visit www.voluntaryartsweek.org/woollen-woods and for more information on the Campaign for Wool visit www.campaignforwool.org.

The Framework Knitters Museum is the ideal place to create items for this project. Situated in a historic knitters yard it is the only working textile museum in the county. The museum re-launched last year after a £100 000 redevelopment and holds regular special events throughout the year. For information on the museum including admission prices and opening times visit www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.

Hard times

We were very sad to close our doors, but it was always the same faces who attended every time and there simply were not enough members to pay the costs to hire the hall. I have to ask you to take us off your list of clubs in North Wales. I buy every issue of the magazine and enjoy it, so please continue the good work; we don’t want the same thing to happen to you. Many thanks and best wishes, Ria Bell

Where have all the speakers gone?

We’ve some talented club members who are very generous with their help and support, but we all agree that input from new people does help to inspire us, stimulate our productivity and increase our range of skills. We’ve asked a neighbouring club and they seem to have the same problem. Do you or any of your readers have a list of speakers and/or demonstrators that we can access? Keynsham MKC meets on the second Monday of the month at Stirling Way Community Centre in Keynsham. For more details, please contact Margaret Marsh (Chair) on 0117-986 5559 or Pat Hames (Sec) on 01454-322553.
Many thanks, Pat Hames
Perhaps it’s time for us all to stir things up a bit, Pat. If you’re able to give a talk or demonstration to a knitting club, please get in touch for a free listing in the magazine.

Meet and greet

It will be held on Wednesday 18th March between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm at the City Gate Hotel in Exeter. I hope it will be an opportunity for people to meet each other and the hotel is in Iron Bridge, Lower North Street, Exeter EX4 3RB (for those with a SAT NAV). The Mary Arches and Guild Hall car parks are quite close by and there’s a ‘Park & Ride’ service in operation at the M5 Junction 29 (Honiton Road). There’s another at Junction 30 (Sowton) as well as one at Junction 31 (Matford). If any readers would like further information, please call me on 01626-859552 and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. Thanks Anne and best wishes, Penny Clennel-White

Doors to manual and cross stitch

Catriona Woodward, British Airways’ social media manager, said: “Everyone loves a Christmas jumper so we felt our followers would enjoy the post. We couldn’t have predicted the massive interest we received for the knitting pattern though! So much so that we’ve commissioned an expert to produce it as a Christmas gift for our loyal Facebook followers!”

The airline is encouraging avid knitters to share their creations on social media using the hashtag #ChristmasJumper. The airline can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/britishairways or on Twitter and Instagram @British_Airways.

Chris Kingdom from the UK Hand Knitting Association

Craft Event

Pollyanna Pickering is the most published wildlife artist working in Britain today and she will be at Leicester’s Creative Crafting World (CCW) craft warehouse, 2 High Street, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5DE on the 13th December from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Customers at the craft outlet will be able to see her paintings first hand and talk to her about her fascinating expeditions. There will be Pollyanna Pickering gift products on sale including her exclusive craft kits made by CCW. There will also be knitting yarns and lots of special offers. Refreshments will be served, as well as the opportunity to enter a raffle to raise money for Pollyanna’s charity. Lynda Chapman, a regular guest demonstrator on the Create & Craft Channel, will also be on hand to advise and chat to shoppers.

Cable-backed gloves

CABLE-BACKED GLOVES

PATTERN RATING
** Fairly easy for knitters with some experience.

MACHINES
This pattern is suitable for standard gauge machines with a ribber.
If you don’t have a ribber, work ribs in mock rib.

MATERIALS
Any suitable 4-ply yarn

1 x 500 g cone or 100 g ball in MY.
3 large safety pins. 2 knitting needles.

PATTERN INFORMATION
For a list of the abbreviations we use and mock rib instructions, please look under Pattern Information on Page 62 of the magazine.

MEASUREMENTS
To fit glove size 7.

TENSION
36 stitches and 48 rows to 10 cm, 4 in measured over stocking stitch (tension dial setting approximately 5).
For perfect results, please check your tension carefully.

KNITTING NOTES
a) We used knit side of knitting as right side of garment.

RIGHT GLOVE
With carriage at right and using MY, cast on 60 sts at centre of machine in 1×1 rib. K 5 tubular rows. Carriage is at right. Set machine for 1×1 rib knitting. Set RC at 000. Using MT-2/MT-2, K 30 rows. Transfer sts for st st. Set RC at 000. Using MT, K 5 rows *. Cont in cable patt from chart A over 30 Ns at left of centre 0. K 24 rows.
THUMB OPENING
Push 30 Ns at right of centre 0 to HP. Cont on rem 30 sts. K 3 rows. Break off yarn, leaving approx 17.5 cm, 7 in. Push Ns to HP. With carriage at left, push 30 Ns at right of centre 0 from HP to UWP. Transfer the first 7 sts at right of centre 0 on to a safety pin and push Ns down to NWP. 23 sts rem. Using MY, K 3 rows. Push 30 Ns at left from HP to UWP. Push 7 empty Ns from NWP to WP. Using broken off end of yarn, cast on over 7 empty Ns. 60 sts. ** Keeping patt correct, K 17 rows. Transfer 7 sts at right on to a safety pin. K 1 row. Transfer 7 sts at left on to a safety pin. Inc 1 st at beg of next 2 rows. 48 sts. K 1 row. Cont in st st.
FIRST FINGER
*** Slip 16 sts at right on to a knitting needle. K 1 row. Cast on 1 st at right. Rep from *** reading left for right. 18 sts. K 28 rows.
SHAPE TOP
Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 12 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace sts on to Ns as follows:- 1 st on to first N, 2 sts tog on to next N, * 1 st on to next N and 2 sts tog on to next N. Rep from * along the row. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 2 rows. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 6 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace 2 sts tog on to each N. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 1 row. Break off yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through sts and release from machine.
SECOND FINGER
Push 18 Ns to WP. With P side facing, pick up next 8 sts from each side of first finger and 1 base st from each edge of first finger and place on to Ns. Using MY, K 1 row. Inc 1 st at beg of next 2 rows. 20 sts. K 31 rows.
SHAPE TOP
Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 13 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace sts on to Ns as follows:- 2 sts tog on to first N, * 1 st on to next N and 2 sts tog on to next N. Rep from * along the row. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 2 rows. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 7 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace 2 sts tog on to each of first 6 Ns and 1 st on to last N. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 1 row. Break off yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through sts and release from machine.
THIRD FINGER
Push 18 Ns to WP. With P side facing, pick up next 8 sts from each side of second finger and 1 base st from each edge of second finger and place on to Ns. Using MY, K 31 rows.
SHAPE TOP
Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 12 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace sts on to Ns as follows:- 1 st on to first N, 2 sts tog on to next N, * 1 st on to next N and 2 sts tog on to next N. Rep from * along the row. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 2 rows. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 6 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace 2 sts tog on to each N. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 1 row. Break off yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through sts and release from machine.
FOURTH FINGER
Push 16 Ns to WP. With P side facing, pick up rem 7 sts from safety pin at each side of third finger and 1 base st from each edge of third finger and place on to Ns. Using MY, K 26 rows.
SHAPE TOP
Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 11 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace sts on to Ns as follows:- 1 st on to first N, * 2 sts tog on to next N and 1 st on to next N. Rep from * along the row. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 2 rows. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 6 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace 2 sts tog on to each of first 5 Ns and 1 st on to last N. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 1 row. Break off yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through sts and release from machine.
BACK OF THUMB
Push 11 Ns to WP. With P side facing, pick up 2 sts from side of thumb opening, 7 sts from safety pin and 2 sts from other side of thumb opening and place on to Ns. Using MY, K 26 rows.
SHAPE TOP
* Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 7 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace sts on to Ns as follows:- 2 sts tog on to first N, *** 1 st on to next N and 2 sts tog on to next N. Rep from *** along the row. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 2 rows. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine. Push 4 Ns to WP. With P side facing, replace 2 sts tog on to each of first 3 Ns and 1 st on to last N. Unravel WY. Using MY, K 1 row. Break off yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through sts and release from machine *.
FRONT OF THUMB
Push 11 Ns to WP. With P side facing, pick up 2 sts from side of thumb opening, 7 sts from cast on sts and 2 sts from other side of thumb opening and place on to Ns. Using MY, K 26 rows.
SHAPE TOP
Work as for Back of Thumb from * to *.

LEFT GLOVE
Work as for Right Glove to *. Cont in cable patt from chart B over 30 Ns at right of centre 0. K 24 rows .
THUMB OPENING
Push 30 Ns at right and 7 Ns at left of centre 0 to HP. Cont on rem 23 sts. K 3 rows. Break off yarn, leaving approx 17.5 cm, 7 in. Push Ns to HP. With carriage at left, push 7 Ns at left and 30 Ns at right of centre 0 from HP to UWP. Transfer the 7 sts at left of centre 0 on to a safety pin and push Ns down to NWP. 30 sts rem. Using MY, K 3 rows. Push 23 Ns at left from HP to UWP. Push 7 empty Ns from NWP to WP. Using broken off end of yarn, cast on over 7 empty Ns. 60 sts. Work as for Right Glove from ** to end.

MAKING UP
Draw up sts and join thumb, finger and side seams. Give final light steam from palm side.

Men’s Short Sock Pattern

MEN’S SHORT 4-PLY SOCKS

PATTERN RATING
* Easy to knit.

MACHINES
This pattern is suitable for standard and fine gauge machines with a ribber.
If you don’t have a ribber, work ribs in mock rib.

MATERIALS
Any suitable 4-ply yarn

1 x 500 g cone or 2 x 100 g balls in MY.

PATTERN INFORMATION
For a list of the abbreviations we use and mock rib instructions, please look under Pattern Information on Page 62 in the magazine.

MEASUREMENTS
To fit shoe sizes 6 [7, 8, 9, 10, 11].
Instructions are written for the first size, larger sizes follow in brackets. If only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.

TENSION
32 stitches and 44 rows to 10 cm, 4 in measured over stocking stitch (tension dial setting approximately 6 on standard gauge and 8 on fine gauge).
For perfect results, please check your tension carefully.

KNITTING NOTES
a) We used knit side of knitting as right side of garment.
b) When shaping in HP, always take yarn round first inside N in HP to prevent a hole forming.

RIGHT SOCK
With carriage at right and using MY, cast on 70 sts at centre of machine in 1×1 rib. K 5 tubular rows. Carriage is at right. Set machine for 1×1 rib knitting. Set RC at 000. Using MT-5/MT-5, K 11 rows. Transfer sts for st st. Set RC at 000. Using MT, K 3 rows. K 1 row extra for Left Sock. Shape sides by dec 1 st at each end on next and every foll 15th row until 60 sts rem. RC shows 64 (65 on Left Sock).
SHAPE HEEL
* Push 30 Ns at opposite end to carriage to HP. Cont on rem sts. K 2 rows. Push 1 N at opposite end to carriage to HP on next 14 rows. Push 1 inside N at opposite end to carriage from HP to UWP on next 14 rows. Push rem Ns from HP to UWP, K 1 row *. K 80 [82, 84, 88, 92, 96] rows.
SHAPE TOE
Work as for heel from * to *. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine.

LEFT SOCK
Work as for Right Sock, reversing shaping by noting alteration in number of rows worked.

PRESSING
With wrong side facing, block knitting by pinning out all pieces to measurements given. Press carefully following spinner’s instructions or cover with a wet cloth and leave until dry if pressing is not recommended. Allow to dry in shape before removing pins.

MAKING UP
Join side seams. Graft sts together under foot.

Hi Anne

Thanks for all these sock patterns – it’s good to have all the different sizes.

Kind regards

Sue.

Sue P
2014-11-27 16:24:53

Women’s 4-ply sock pattern

WOMEN’S 4-PLY SOCKS

PATTERN RATING
* Easy to knit.

MACHINES
This pattern is suitable for standard and fine gauge machines with a ribber.
If you don’t have a ribber, work ribs in mock rib.

MATERIALS
Any suitable 4-ply yarn

1 x 500 g cone or 2 x 100 g balls in MY.

PATTERN INFORMATION
For a list of the abbreviations we use and mock rib instructions, please look under Pattern Information on Page 62 in the magazine.

MEASUREMENTS
To fit shoe sizes 4 [5, 6].
Instructions are written for the first size, larger sizes follow in brackets. If only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.

TENSION
30 stitches and 51 rows to 10 cm, 4 in measured over stocking stitch (tension dial setting approximately 6 on standard gauge and 8 on fine gauge).
For perfect results, please check your tension carefully.

KNITTING NOTES
a) We used knit side of knitting as right side of garment.
b) When shaping in HP, always take yarn round first inside N in HP to prevent a hole forming.

RIGHT SOCK
With carriage at right and using MY, cast on 72 sts at centre of machine in 1×1 rib. K 5 tubular rows. Carriage is at right. Set machine for 1×1 rib knitting. Set RC at 000. Using MT-5/MT-5, K 65 rows. Transfer sts for st st. Set RC at 000. Using MT, K 4 rows. K 1 row extra for Left Sock.
SHAPE HEEL
* Push 36 Ns at opposite end to carriage to HP. Cont on rem sts. K 2 rows. Push 1 N at opposite end to carriage to HP on next 8 rows and 2 Ns on next 8 rows. Push 2 inside Ns at opposite end to carriage from HP to UWP on next 8 rows and 1 N on next 8 rows. Push rem Ns from HP to UWP *. K 89 [91, 93] rows.
SHAPE TOE
Work as for heel from * to *. K 1 row. RC shows 162 [164, 166] (163 [165, 167] on Left Sock. Using WY, K a few rows and release from machine.

LEFT SOCK
Work as for Right Sock, reversing shaping by noting alteration in number of rows worked.

PRESSING
With wrong side facing, block knitting by pinning out all pieces to measurements given. Press carefully following spinner’s instructions or cover with a wet cloth and leave until dry if pressing is not recommended. Allow to dry in shape before removing pins.

MAKING UP
Join side seams. Graft sts together under foot.

Children’s Sock Pattern

CHILDREN’S SOCKS

PATTERN RATING
* Easy to knit.

MACHINES
This pattern is suitable for standard gauge machines with a ribber.
If you don’t have a ribber, work ribs in mock rib.

MATERIALS
Any suitable 3 ply yarn

1 x 500 g cone or 100 g ball in MY.
2 stitch holders.

PATTERN INFORMATION
For a list of the abbreviations we use and mock rib instructions, please look under Pattern Information on Page 62 of the magazine.

MEASUREMENTS
Length of foot 10 [12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5] cm, 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] in (adjustable).
Instructions are written for the first size, larger sizes follow in brackets. If only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.

TENSION
32 stitches and 48 rows to 10 cm, 4 in measured over stocking stitch (tension dial setting approximately 5).
For perfect results, please check your tension carefully.

KNITTING NOTES
a) We used knit side of knitting as right side of garment.
b) When shaping in HP, always take yarn round first inside N in HP to prevent a hole forming.

RIGHT SOCK
With carriage at right and using MY, cast on 44 [48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts at centre of machine in 1×1 rib. K 5 tubular rows. Carriage is at right. Set machine for 1×1 rib knitting. Set RC at 000. Using MT-3/MT-3, K 36 [38, 42, 46, 50, 52] rows. Transfer sts for st st. Set RC at 000. Using MT, K 9 [11, 11, 13, 13, 15] rows. K 1 row extra for Left Sock.
SHAPE HEEL
* Push 22 [24, 26, 28, 30, 32] Ns at opposite end to carriage to HP. Cont on rem sts. Push 1 N at opposite end to carriage to HP on next 12 [14, 16, 16, 18, 20] rows. Push 1 inside N at opposite end to carriage from HP to UWP on next 12 [14, 16, 16, 18, 20] rows. Push rem Ns from HP to UWP *. K 23 [31, 39, 51, 59, 67] rows. Adjust length at this stage, if required.
SHAPE TOE
Work as for heel from * to *. Slip sts on to 2 stitch holders and graft.

LEFT SOCK
Work as for Right Sock, reversing shaping by noting alteration in number of rows worked.

PRESSING
With wrong side facing, block knitting by pinning out all pieces to measurements given. Press carefully following spinner’s instructions or cover with a wet cloth and leave until dry if pressing is not recommended. Allow to dry in shape before removing pins.

MAKING UP
Join side seams.