Tag: knitting

  • Weekend Update

    A gaggle of knitters It was both an incredibly busy and non-busy weekend. I took the day off on Friday to run errands and get ready for the Knitting Retreat. I managed to drive myself out to St. Leonards in the morning for an appointment with my allergist, and then I successfully navigated through the Lane Cove tunnel and out to Homebush to pick up Na Craga from the Show. Then I raced back home to Chippo to tidy up the house before meeting Stef at Spudds for a workout. I had a quick shower afterwards, then hopped a bus to Circular Quay to meet the Snook for a late lunch (and a smooch goodbye!). Then it was back home to frantically pack for the trip.

    Lyn was the able chauffeur for myself, Fiona, and JP. It took us about 90 minutes to get to Mt. Keira Scout Camp, what with fairly heavy traffic through the Shire. The camp was gorgeous. We shared a cabin with Ness, Gemma, and Kelly. After dinner, everybody retired up to the lodge to sit before a roaring fire and get knitting. I think there were around 30 of us all together. Soon the wine was flowing…

    And that was pretty much the pattern for the next 40 hours. On Saturday some folks did a dyeing workshop, but I decided to sit in the sun and work on finishing off Rusted Root. Miss Fee and I went for a run in the middle of the day. I bought the last set of Addi Click needles from the shop. (Interestingly, I paid a lot less than $150US for them!) That night, we all got dressed up for a Hawaiian-themed dinner. Then it was back to the lodge for trivia games, more knitting, and copious amounts of wine.

    Me and Fee   The view

    After a run   It's a Hawaiian pizza, mayte!

    Lee and his floral merkin   Me and Rusted Root

    Yeah, we were all a bit hungover the next day. Sunday was quieter, with everyone in recovery mode. We made it back to the city by 4pm, where I was greeted by a very happy husband and pair of silly cats. It’s nice to get away every now and then and have them miss you. 🙂

    Update: Donna, Bells, Mary-Helen, and Lyn have all posted photos!

  • Home again

    Home again from the knitting retreat. I’m too tired to do a big round-up now, but suffice it to say I had a great time! Special thanks to Lyn for the ride to Wollongong and back…

  • Knitting Retreat

    Here I am in Wollongong, waking up to the sound of birds chirping and scouts stirring. (We’re at a scout camp.) A whole day of knitting awaits!

  • Periodic Table of Knitting

    Periodic Table of Knitting. I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.

  • Knitters Guild News

    We had another very successful meeting at Customs House today. There were 30 knitters in attendance, and 3 of the newbies joined on the spot. Our growth is phenomenal, and I think it’s only going to increase over the winter. We’ll be getting some promotion in the winter newsletter for the City of Sydney Libraries because we’re going to be helping them with some “Learn to Knit” events in July. The only downside to our popularity is that I think we’ll be looking for a new venue sooner rather than later!

    Our new format for the meetings seems to be working out well. Everybody is very attentive for the business portion, and I’ve been managing to get through it all in 15-20 minutes. The real test will be next month, when we try our first workshop in the new space. (We’re doing “Welcome to the Knitternet” to introduce some of the less computer savvy members to the wealth of online knitting information.) As usual, I spent most of the meeting concentrating on keeping everything running smoothly, so it’s not quite as much fun as it used to be. That said, I guess having an organised person running the show means everybody else can relax a bit more. Everybody seems really appreciative of the work me, Rosemary, and Geraldine are putting into it. So the meetings are still rewarding, even if I don’t get much knitting done!

  • Woodgrain Socks

    Woodgrain Socks. I wonder if you could knit those.

  • Easter Show Photos

    Mary-Helen has posted her Easter Show recap, including loads of photos. Here’s Na Craga again, and here’s my Widdershins-clad leg. And oh look! There’s the Snook. She also got a few of the amazing cake decorating, which my sister will like.

  • Highly Commended… Again

    Na Craga and Me

    So I didn’t get the friggin’ blue ribbon. I told the Snook on the way to the Arts Preview tonight that me knitting Na Craga was pretty much the equivalent of Kate Winslet doing a Holocaust movie. I was pandering, and I knew it. If ever I had a shot, this was the year. We arrived and immediately ran into a couple Ravelers. “We won’t spoil it,” they said. “Go look for yourself.” I dragged Snookums through the throng to the knitting cases. And there was my beautiful jumper, completely bunched up and mangled with fishing line… and with a red “Highly Commended” ribbon on it. Again. I know I am a complete and utter ingrate, but I had to strain to be cheerful. Despite my protestations to the contrary over the past couple of weeks, it appears that I really did have a lot vested into the outcome of the contest. I know it’s silly. Still, I couldn’t help but look upon the blue ribbon winner – a cream cardigan with BOBBLES, for god’s sake – with scorn. Don’t they know how hot Snookums looked in it? Grrr. Anyway, I quickly drowned my sorrows at the open bar. (Hey, if they’re going to charge me $25 plus transport to get out there, I’m going to make it worth my while.) There were loads of Ravelers present, and we even managed to get together for a group picture. Congrats to Donna and Ailsa and Sally and Emma and Gemma, and everyone else who exhibited and who I missed in my irritated drunkenness. HOWEVER, I was extremely pleased to see that Gary Gentle has continued his wonderful tradition of naked lady marquetry. His 2009 entry was exceptionally exquisite!